Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday: The Kitchen Patio


When I read about the event at A Southern Daydreamer, I thought, "Oh, I'll be glad when spring arrives. Maybe then I'll roll up my sleeves and kick winter to the curb." Then I thought, Why wait? Why not time travel a bit, and whisk yourself back to last summer. If you'd like to participate, or enjoy a bit of fresh air by looking at other gardens, visit Susan's blog, A Southern Daydreamer.

Last summer, I did a 15 minute makeover on our kitchen patio.

First, I rolled out a sisal from Big Lots. Then I shopped the house. It was like Supermarket Sweepstakes. I swiped a mirror and splashed on a little celadon spray paint, then I ran down to the itty bitty garden and cut a few flowers.

Pillows were grabbed from the downstairs patio...

Next, I raided the kitchen--limes, berries, and pound cake. I was baking like crazy, mainly because our chickens were laying 3 dozen eggs a day.


I used a dozen eggs in this cake.


I got a little wild with the limes.


Then it was time to enjoy the view.


But no, something wasn't right...I moved the mirror, scooted the table a bit. Will that do? I thought.


No, sometimes your first impulse is best. Dusk started gathering at the edges of the farm.So I brought out a lantern.


What a perfect place to write--all I needed was a gin and tonic.


See you over at Susan's.
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60 comments:

  1. fabulous, i love little garden moments~ even if its getting snockered on the deck drinking g&t's and devouring cake! very pretty vingette~

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  2. What a lovely home, porches, views you live with Gollum! It is so inviting and beautiful! Your decorating really enhances it well!!

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  3. I think I may need to come vacation at your farm..are you taking reservations? I will help bake!

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  4. So pretty, Gollum! Love what you did with this little corner of paradise.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  5. What a cute little place to relax and take in the view. Or yes, sip on a gin & tonic. I love how romantic you made it with all of your sweet accessories. Oh, I love looking back at last spring.
    Hugs, Terrie

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  6. They're calling for a winter snow storm here this w/k so I long for these days. Of being able to sit outside enjoy the breeze and the sunset..Your cool refreshing drink even sounds good. :-)
    hugs ~lynne~

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  7. Welcome to Outdoor Wednesday Lady Gollum! I love the setting from your kitchen porch! Instead of a gin and tonic you must try a limoncello (go over to once upon a blue moon for the recipe, it is delicious!)

    What a wonderful place to sit and read about the DeChavannes family (big grin)....

    You have inspired me to shop the house to see what I can find for my little area in the back!

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos (and food...yum)

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  8. What a great place to relax, and very pretty.
    Glenda

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  9. Oh dear that was such a lovely kitchen patio...such a nice place to stay ...not just to read but to even just savor the moment. I think I can just relax and stare on the surroundings there for hours.

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  10. Linda/ "Mom..."January 21, 2009 at 6:50 AM

    Yes, "GG" fits you perfectly, sweet friend! "Gracious" is what you are~~~ this is absolutely soooo casually elegant, and sooo "Gracious Gollum"!!! BTW, somebody told me something FABULOUS~~~ sooo, CONGRATS on being selected for... OMG I don't remember the "formal" name for it but I WENT there... help me out here, will you?... you know, the fancy- schmancy FOOD BLOG page!!! That is SOOOO COOL!!! You are, once again, a celebrity!!! XOXOX

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  11. I am so happy I came over to visit your blog on Outdoor Wednesday. I surely have been missing something! What a great space to relax in and I would do all the things you dreamed to do (or did?!) I especially loved the view from the patio, all that land... :-)

    Wonderful post!

    xoxo

    Jane

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  12. I remember every detail, this was one of my favourite posts of yours. Happy Wednesday, Kathy.

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  13. That really is a peaceful setting. I love the cake and fruit. Very creative, artistic and beautiful setting. That cake looks delicious!!

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  14. The first photo...your farm is beautiful from your porch/deck. What a lovely place to relax after cooking most of the day with those eggs. Katherinellen

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  15. Good Morning Gollum,

    It doesn't look like winter wants to release it's grip on us, I don't ever remember it being this cold for this long. :( I often re-visit the photos I posted of our porch in the summer and wish for those days to return soon. I hate to wish my time away, but I am not a 'winter person' and enjoyed seeing your re-post of your little piece of heaven. ;)

    Have a great day.....

    Hugs
    'D'

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  16. Lady Gollum, What a lovely visit to your backporch, it reminds me of my girlfriends Kathleens in PA. The 1 dozen egg cake looks "EGGLICIOUS"! Totally, it must be a great type of pound cake? I loved the makeover, the staging, the rearranging, and the "writing". I visited your profile and wasn't surprised to see you've already penned a few... I'm a writer myself, my dream is to be an author someday of a series of devotionals. I call it my "Bodacious DREAM", and am working to get it into fruition! I must check your books out at the website address! THANKS again for a lovely visit today! Come see me at catherinesteacups.blogspot.com ~Ciao for now... ~CC

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  17. A great place to just sit and enjoy some me time. Let's toast to an early spring!
    Kathleen

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  18. Oh Gollum I so remember this from last year..when you had to hide the background..anf no one can shop the house like you do and good lord girl a dozen eggs for one cake !!! what size was that cake ?? love your space today..hope you are doing better my friend..hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  19. I just love your little spot on your kitchen patio. It has such a serene feel and is so beautifully decorated. Thank you for sharing,
    Have a wonderful Wednesday,
    Tam

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  20. This is amazing! I adore inviting little spaces and this one is beyond words. The view is beautiful too. I can imagine sitting there, sipping iced tea and reading and amazing novel in the summer sun - what a treasure!

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  21. What a great space. I would be out there sitting everyday. I would never get anything done because I would be enjoying the view. Beautiful!

    Wendy

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  22. All beautiful....right down to the thought of a Gin and Tonic (my favorite Summer drink)!

    Thanks for transporting to warmer days :-)

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  23. I am caught up in your senery this morning having the pound cake.
    I have something to look forward to this evening as the sun goes down. Thanks Gollum, Gollum takes us away. Beautiful spring memory
    Blossom

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  24. This is gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! Looks good this chilly January morning.

    I just read Lynne's comment...!!! We are still at the lake, which is almost smack dab in the middle of Missouri...very close to Lynne! I had not heard the snow prediction!

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  25. What a gorgeous little corner to sit and look at the fabulous view. I could be very content to just sit here all day. Marty

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  26. What a beautiful setting with a beautiful view! It's a wonderful place to sit and visit. I love the mirror!

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  27. I love to shop in my own home. I sometimes wander around with something in my hand looking for that perfect spot. Your deck is just perfect. I can't wait to clear time to read your books.
    Roberta Anne

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  28. Loved seeing your balcony again! I can taste that pound cake - there is something wonderful about the simple taste of poundcake and berries! Sally

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  29. Wow! Fifteen minutes to summer glory. I am loving your post today. It is 11 degrees today. Brrrr. My grands are here playing in the snow and opening the door every five minutes. They live in FL. What do they know about closing the door. LOL.

    I didn't mean to get off the subject. Your subject is awesome and the cake and berries look delicious. A great outdoor post in the dead of winter.

    Hugs...Jeanne

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  30. I think this was one of my favorite posts of the mysterious gollum.

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  31. This has always been a favorite spot of mine ... thank you for presenting it again. This time I took note of the stand you placed the mirror on. Not sure I really saw it before.

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  32. Hi Gollum...totally perfect patio vignette...both day & night! ;-) Bo

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  33. Well done.Just beautiful..Ann

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  34. Oh,I remember how much I enjoyed seeing this when you did it, and loved being able to see you make decisions about it. I loved seeing this picture again, and I am SO ready for spring. Thanks for taking me back to a warm day. laurie

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  35. Uh huh, total perfection the first time. When you switched it up I instantly shook my head NO, and was so happy to see you went back to the original plan. Ah, what a perfect place to sit and write. Even I could be inspired there!
    Question: How many chickens does it take to lay 3 dozen eggs a day??? And how long do the eggs keep? And is it true you don't have to refrigerate?

    Justine :o )

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  36. How beautiful your view from the porch. I love the setting, so peaceful. You really set the mood, with all your gatherings, around the house. The cake must be wonderful to have so many eggs!

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  37. What a lovely setting with a great view.

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  39. Oh Ms. G. This is fabulous. I especially love it at dusk with your little lantern. Magical and lovely in every sense of the words.

    xo Isa

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  40. Once again a work of art! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

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  41. Hi Gollum...How beautiful! And your pound cake looked sooo yummy! What a nice place to enjoy the sunset...Debbie

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  42. Oh dear me! PLEEEEASE post the recipe for that pound cake with 12 eggs!!!??? My mouth is watering in anticipation. What a beautiful spot....and I wish I could SHOP your house! I did something similiar last summer for the SMALL deck off our master bedroom, found some pillows and did some plants in pots to brighten the space so we had a nice place for a drink. It is our FAVORITE place when there is a thunder/rain storm cause it is protected. You are SUCH an inspiration. Now...what wonderful food blog award is Linda talking about??? Anyway, congrats on another award! I also went to Borders today and got Mermaids in the Basement~~~~can't wait to read it! Hugs, Pinky

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  43. You are slaying me with your "cake" obsession LOL...but in a little heavenly retreat such as this, one bite (or slice) should do no harm! :)

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  44. It is a beautiful kitchen patio and seems like a heavenly place to relax. The cake and berries looked delicious:)
    I could spend hours just enjoying the beautiful view, both morn and night.

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  45. Such a beautiful setting. I love your lime arrangement, so pretty and fresh. But 3 dozen eggs a day, holy cow I bet that does keep you busy (sorry for the mixed metaphor) What a lovely place to relax after a good day's work. Kathy

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  46. Such a lovely spot you have created. The cold drink at the end made me long for summer, even more. :)

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  47. Ohhh, I remember this little paradise! Yum...I'm virtually eating all the cake and berries! You and I were on the same wave length...we took a ride in a time machine on my blog, too! :-) Time travel is great fun...isn't it?! Where should we go next? :-)
    Susan

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  48. I love 'shopping the house!' Makes you feel like you have something new when you use it in a different way!

    I too long for spring. Your outdoor space looks so inviting!

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  49. It's always fun to visit with you! I would love to have you as a best friend to just come in a "do my house." I definitely love the "first impulse" best...love that spray paint job on the mirror! Everything is just lovely!

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  50. It's just lovely, and what a beautiful view!

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  51. I remember clearly commenting on this upper porch setting...before we you were famous, and before those who knew you when were just newbies... I kind of long for those days when we really didn't really know who you were, but we embrace your fame nevertheless! I am still in awe of your house and home and talent. I know you cannot acknowledge all who who 'knew you when' but we are still your fans and this is one of the most memorable photos that you posted on your blog. Thank you for your creativity!

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  52. Thank you for allowing me to escape the cold and snow of this endless winter.

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  53. Your kitchen patio is just heavenly..so so pretty.
    The view is breathtaking...I KNOW you already know it when I say how blessed you are to live in such a pretty spot !!!
    xo bj

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  54. What a beautiful little place for relaxation! Too bad you can't enjoy it all year round. The view is spectacular....Christine

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  55. Dear Gollum, I remember that post well. I loved it then and I love it now. That pound cake sounds good right about now....I'm a day early this week but my Dad and I are off on our little ventures. ~ Robyn

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  56. I'm enjoying the "view" of this blog! This little patio makeover was wonderful and such a pretty and cozy spot for a private moment in fresh air. I could see why you were inspired to write without the g/t but all that fresh air does develop a thirst!

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  57. I love the choice of lamplight. It's beautiful.

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  58. Now I know what to do with all the eggs my chicks are laying!! And I'll just blame them for all the unwanted pounds I'll gain.

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  59. What a beautiful makeover. Love the lighting in your pictures.
    Debbie

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  60. Loved your setting & the gin & tonic picture was lovely! Hope you had one. Don't work to hard on the book. Remember to enjoy life while you work otherwise,all work no play...

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