Tuesday, June 05, 2007

My Sanctuary

When I bought my first house, one of the requirements I wouldn't compromise on was that it had to have a big inviting front porch with a porch swing. The beautiful porch is one of the main reasons that I fell in love with this one. I loved the big stone pillars. It took me a few years to figure out the flowerbed. I chose a few things that didn't work that are now gone. But this bush was planted that first year. It started out as a little gallon size thing. Ten years later.... it's huge! Of course it has pink blooms. They're just starting to pop. This year I replaced the old decorative lights with solar lights. I love them! Wish I'd done that sooner. The ladybug flag is new too. The grass is a little brown cuz we're in desperate need of some rain.
These new rockers are my new favorite thing! They replaced the adirondack chairs that used to be there. I never used those much cuz they just weren't that comfortable. Griffey and I spend a little while almost every evening out here now. I sit and rock. I decompress. I breathe. I think. I dream. I relax. I listen to the crickets and watch the lightning bugs emerge for the night. My favorite time to sit out there is when it's raining. Especially during a thunderstorm. Griffey hates that though and chooses to stay inside. I also met a friendly neighbor who must live close by. The first few nights I tried to convince myself he was a bird. But no. I think I have bats in my belfry. LOL! Kinda creeps me out when he does the fly by.
As I sat out rocking the other night, I realized that there is just enough room over in front of the door to lay a blanket down. I imagined rocking in my chair while Mia plays with her toys. Or maybe she'd want to snugggle up and rock with me. Or maybe my little Miss Independent might want to rock in her own chair. Or better yet on the swing. Ahhh..... someday.
Since I've been spending so much time out there lately, I spruced it up with a new welcome mat in my favorite colors. And a new wreath for the front door. Can you see a color theme going on here?
So if you're ever in the neighhborhood stop by. I'll pour you a glass of wine and we'll rock awhile.

40 comments:

M and M said...

Sounds lovely!

Hoping to accept that invitation one day!!

Sugar Cookies And Hope said...

Looks beautiful, Krista! A very warm and inviting home, this is for sure.
I would love to sit and rock with you for a while.

Anonymous said...

Wow, talk about curb appeal - that is BEAUTIFUL! I love the shingly-things on the triangly portion over the porch. I know I got real technical there, hopefully you followed me.

C's Mom said...

Beautiferous! You are the inviting decor queen....with a mean appletini to boot :0)

Daniella said...

What a beautiful home - I love, love your porch! I love my new home in in Fl but I do miss my porch from my NY home - My favorite thing to do was sit out on the porch when it rained. I so see your little girl playing on that porch - If I'm ever in your neck of the woods, I'll definitely stop by for a glass of wine!

4D said...

So welcoming and homey!

I will def take you up on your offer one day.

Keep smilin!

Anonymous said...

Oh Krista, I love it! I have always wanted a big porch with rockers and a swing. I just think it is so American! If I am ever in your hood, I would love to have that wine and rock for a while!

Mamacita said...

Very beautiful, feminine and indeed, welcoming. Nicely done.

Catherine said...

It's gorgeous Krista! I love everything about it. If/when I'm in the neighbourhood I'll stop by for sure. Can't pass up an invitation like that. Now....it's about the 10 hour drive....

ferenge mama said...

Wow - that is one SPECTACULAR front porch!! I can just picture you spending many happy hours right there.

You have a gorgeous house!

Middle-Aged Moi said...

It looks heavenly! Exactly the same reason I want a deck on our house....so I can sit outside and "decompress", as you put it. Your front porch is really pretty!

Abby's Mom said...

I love it! What a nice peaceful place to hang out :O

cougchick said...

Those rockers are divine! Get that corkscrew out, I'll be right over...

kitchu said...

Krista... your place is so warm, and funny you call it my "sanctuary". I have a tiny list of friend's who have what I call "sanctuary homes"- and I hope to create that for myself one day.

I'd love to come and sip some wine and rock awhile with you. : o )

Noemi said...

Can I come, Can I come! Looks so warm and inviting. We like the same colors also I love that shade of green.

I am back from NY and took a piccie with a NY cop just for you. Will post soon!

aimeeg said...

Looks like the perfect hanging out spot.

Debra Sue said...

What a great place! We have identical rocking chairs on our porch. The house is wireless, so I usually have the laptop on my lap and a big glass of something sitting on the rail. It's bliss!

I can just imagine you and Mia hanging on the porch; a lovely family having a great time. Be patient, friend, those days will come!

Pug Mama said...

You big tease...stop by, I'll pour us some wine...TEASE! (I think I'd rather have a cup of coffee, but I'll be right by!)
I love your front porch. I have a thing for porches. I love to sit out there every morning with my coffee and the dogs before the kids get up and the chaos begins - it's just MY time.
We will sit on my porch and have a "moment" togther with our coffee when you come visit! Except we wont see any neighbors walking by...maybe just a stray cow or two. Love the flowers and your rockers, and your mat. I am seriously wanting rockers for my front porch. I have a wicker set out there now, maybe I will find a way to squeeze in some rockers...hmmm....

Robin said...

I LOVE your front porch. It is very welcoming for sure. I miss that about my current house. (no front porch) My grandmother's house had a front porch and we would always sit out there and swing. Great conversations happen on those swings. :-) One of these days, I'd love to stop over. You aren't to far.

Polar Bear said...

You have such a cozy front porch. I just love the new rocking chairs. I would love to come, sit and rock away the evening with you. It looks fantastic.

wzgirl said...

Pretty, cozy, welcoming - home.

Love it, Krista!

Briana's Mom said...

Your front porch is so beautiful! Looks so comfy! And the plants are so lovely. I have rockers just like that on my porch in black - good choice! :)

Stephe said...

Your porch looks so inviting!!! I can just see you out there on a hot summer day drinking lemonade! So NICE!!!!

Kim said...

Your porch is so beutiful.. Flowers are very pretty.. Mia will love running around on that.
Have a GREAT week.
Kim

Sam said...

Love that porch!!! Dinner is at your house next time!

t~ said...

Spring has sprung!!!! It's beautiful!

dawn said...

I'll be right there, chill the wine and I will bring chocolate!

What a lovely house you have.

Liz and Ava said...

Your porch is beautiful!...so relaxing and peaceful. I love that style of rocker...want to get a couple for the cottage deck.

Kim said...

Krista,
Been lurking for a while but had to comment on your house. How beautiful!! Love what you have done to the porch!! I too love porches and hope to put one on my house soon.
Great work on your sancutuary!!

Cheers,
Kim Y
LID 3/29/07 for Megan Jean

Colleen said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Soooo pretty. Decorated so nicely. So nice to be able to sit out there and decompress!

And...would love to stop by and have some wine. Wish I were closer. :)

Tamara said...

Your home certainly has curb appeal! A very inviting front porch. (love all the pink :)

Shandra said...

very sweet and welcoming.

Polar Bear said...

Psssst...
I tagged you!

Elise said...

Love it!!! What an amazing place!!!

GGHadden said...

Krista...that front porch looks so inviting. ENJOY!

Calico Sky said...

a glass of wine (can it be red?) and a rock sounds like just what I need....!

The porch is beautiful and I love the wreath....

Lesa said...

I love porches like this, and the style of the house is a by gone era I just LOVE!!!
Lesa

Headmeister said...

I looooove your porch, girlfriend!!! I'd love to come sit and visit it sometime too ;)

redmaryjanes said...

That is the sweetest house I have ever seen. It is beautiful and so are all of your flowers. I love it!

Tao's Mommy said...

I'm a porch and deck person too!! Your house looks beautiful and you have everthing looking great!! I havent planted a flower yet...and dont know what will happen!!!