Well, we have come to that time of the year when I have taken the opportunity to open up the back parlor French doors that lead to the back porch. This doubles the size of the space and creates one giant indoor-outdoor room. Of course, everybody gravitates to the porch so they can enjoy the weather.
I am so excited about the weather and kicking back on the porch, I’ve broken a cardinal rule and invited Lucky and Angel, the resident dogs, in the house. They spent a good 15 minutes jumping from one piece of furniture to the next before settling in for an afternoon nap. It is funny how we humans spend so much time inside that we can’t wait to get outdoors, while Lucky and Angel have the whole farm to explore and they love to lay around on the couch.
I rely on potted plants to bring the garden onto the back porch. In winter it’s pots of little evergreen trees, junipers, arborvitae and so forth, but once the weather warms up I replace the evergreens with bay trees, citrus and sago palms. Last summer I was at a friend’s farm in Pennsylvania and he had lined his porch with a series of 14-inch clay pots of aspidistra (cast iron plant). What a great look! I plan to do the same on the porches at the retreat.
For now I am enjoying the porch before pollen season hits when everything will be covered in yellow dust. Just a few weeks when I can truly blur the lines between inside and out.
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