Sitting on the Porch with Dale

 Tuesday, June 23, 2026

We got a lot of rain this afternoon. 

Dale and I sat on the porch during the storm and it was quite pleasant. Overall June's been lovely.

Thanksgiving Is Tomorrow

 Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. I can't believe it's here already.  

The platter is from the Currier and Ives dinnerware line which was manufactured by the Royal China Company and introduced to the American market in 1949. We had a set of these dishes when I was growing up and whenever I see a piece it reminds me of the house on Stevens. I seem to remember Mom inherited the set from someone although I can't remember who. 

I incorporated some elements in the display that have a little bit more of a Christmas vibe but didn't want to overdo it too much at least until we're officially past Thanksgiving. Want to get the porch freshened up for Mom's visit tomorrow. 

Halloween 2025

Friday, October 31, 2025

Carved pumpkins this morning. 

Got a wreath for the door at Walgreen's.

Displayed the most pumpkins EVER for Halloween. 

Don't recall ever having carved more than one pumpkin for Halloween. 

Had fun passing out candy this year. 

Can't believe another Halloween's come and gone...

 

The Porch and Turning On the Heat

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

October is the month the porch goes from very useable to less usable. At the beginning of the month Dale and I would still have morning coffee our there. Now it's getting to be quite a bit cooler in the mornings and evenings so it's not pleasant to be out there. At least it's mostly more useable during the daytime hours although you sometimes need a jacket or blanket. Yesterday was rainy and raw so I didn't use it at all. Soon enough it'll be so cold that it's only use will be as an entryway from the front of the house. 

Speaking of cold, today was the first day we turned on the heat. Dale needs to be pushed a little to agree to it since he likes waiting a little longer than I do to do it. When it comes to this I never want to assume he's ready so I asked him this morning if he was amenable to the idea. He was although he said he probably would've waited a little further into the month. He recalled a time years ago when he was on a trip up north and I called begging to have him let me turn it on. It's not so much that I fear his wrath for doing it as much as just knowing how much he likes to be here for the event of hearing the heat kicking in for the first time of the season. 

Speaking of the porch I moved the pumpkins out there. They were on the dining room table but that was starting to get a little crowded due to how many I've picked up over time. 

They look especially nice by the window. 

The Porch

Saturday, June 22, 2024

Been spending some time tidying up the porch. It's such a modest space but still one of my favorite rooms in the house. 

Porch Livin'

Dale home from the Island this weekend. Had a chance to sit on the porch. Gorgeous summer evening.

Sunday Morning on the Porch

You can't tell from the picture but there was a lovely rain falling when I snapped this photo.

Nasty Storm of June 2013 - 6

On the porch making a toast to the return of electricity.  I'll never take it for granted again.

Cocktails on the Porch

Dale's on the Island and although I'm on summer break there's still too much to do around this place to keep up with keeping it up. Thankfully I'm not too busy for a cocktail on the front porch.

Dandelions

The yard is running rampant with dandelions so I decided to put a few of them to good use.  The ones you see here are decorating the porch.  How very Martha Stewart of me.  I've always loved dandelions and feel bad they have such a bad reputation...

Porch Season 2013

It's good to have the porch opened up and in use again.

Leaking Roof

The roof is leaky over the porch. The snow that fell recently was a nasty one. It started out heavy and wet and then a somewhat lighter snow fell just after that.  The wet snow froze and was not rake-able (I tried). Now we've got ice dams.

Cocktails on the Porch

Due to the early spring we've been able to open up the porch early this year. It is always lovely sitting out there for cocktail hour.

Warm March Day

I believe this has been the warmest day so far this year. Both pictures were taken just after 4:00 p.m. when my cell phone said it was 64 degrees. This is the first time we've opened up the porch this year.

Table for the Porch

Bought this used table today for the porch. The photo shows it still in the store - a great little place in St. Paul called Gypsy Moon. I took the photo with my iPhone and then emailed it to Dale to ask if I could get it. He said yes!

The Porch - July 2011

Summer Light

Looking in from the porch.

Porch

Sophie loves being on her porch.

Winter, You've Overstayed Your Welcome

Dale called me to the porch last night to share the joy of watching water dripping from the ceiling and down the screen door. We're below freezing this morning so the leakage has stopped (for now) but pictured is a sign of winter's affection for us.