Tuesday, June 16, 2009

On The Porch




Dating back over several hundred years the porch evolved from a place for family and friends to gather, almost into obscurity and back once again as a retreat, a place to while away the hours and one so cherished in our memory...


Very much a signature of North American culture, when television didn't exist and socializing was more of a neighbourhood affair, the porch was an integral part of everyday life.


As society changed along with architecture the porch no longer filled the role to which it originated.


But those of us with century homes, beach and lakefront cottages, hilltop havens... all played a part in the resurrection of the porch.


For partaking of time on the porch is one of life's purest pleasures.


* Pics of porches from my hometown
* My sleeping porch where I see Tallulah has found a perfect spot for a nap.


17 comments:

Doreen Frost said...

Good morning Susan....such beautiful photo's of homes and porches...we have a front porch and I LOVE IT...we spend a lot of time out there..it's so peaceful and such a delight!

Thank you so much for sharing such lovely photo's.

Hugs,
Doreen

Pondside said...

Simply beautiful.
As I looked at the photos I could almost imagine the cool of the early morning air and the sound of sprinklers whooshing on the green lawns.
There's nothing like a deep porch. We eat out on ours all summer, lounge to read on a lazy afternoon, have tea with friends or just sit and look at the ponds.

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hi Susan...now I didn't see Tallulah straight off but there she is atop the pillow...very cute. I just love how cats find the most cutest places to set themselves in. Ahh...the porch, brings wonderful images of old movies with a swinging seat on the porch...sometimes gazing out at the stars. Long live the porch...Dzintra♥x

The Victorian Parlor said...

The pictures are just beautiful! I spend a great deal of time on my porch usually sipping tea. There is something so wonderful about relaxing on a porch:).

Blessings,

Kim

lorhen82 said...

Beautiful! Please come see me...I have something for you today! ~Lori

Ruth Welter said...

Hello Susan,

First of all, I love all the graceful and gorgeous porches you have showcased on your blog. One of my favorite things about old houses are always the porches.

I wanted to write and thank you for you basil advice...it is so much appreciated.

Ruth

Heather said...

Oh i loooove a good porch. My next home will have a large sitting porch, for sure. they are just wonderful!~

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Oh to have a sleeping porch!!! And especially, one as lovely as yours is. Please, would you share some more photos of it? So I can dream of what it would be like, to dream on a real sleeping porch...

I never had one but my husband remembers from his childhood... Summers at his grandparent's home... And sleeping out on a porch. Lovely childhood memories...

I did have a porch, when growing up, but it was sadly under used. Now I'd love one, but all we have is a front raised patio. Which looks nice, with pretty chairs on it. But which needs screening {an impossibility though}, for me to use it much. Since all flying insects LUV me. -le sigh-

My husband does make use of it some though. And I can enjoy it, when there's enough wind, to keep the flying critters from landing on me. :-)

Aunt Amelia

softinthehead said...

Hey Susan...thanks for taking the time to visit my blog.

Your pics are so comforting and serene. I only wish I had a porch, what I have is a deck that looks out over a huge corn field in the making. Funny story...we have had so much rain here that my backyard was virtually flooded. We have 3 little woodchuck youngsters that have taken up residence under our deck. Yesterday all 3 woodchucks were standing on my deck drenched and peering out at all the water with a look of "oh great what do we do now"! It was mighty cute. Wish I had had my camera. Blessings to you my friend and have a wonderful summer! Pam

Pinkie Denise said...

Hello Susan,
I love porches, that is one of the reasons I purchased our home...it has several. I wish I could spend more time enjoying them. Your sleeping porch looks like a beautiful haven...I would love to take a nap out there. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful picts Pinkie

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

A sleeping porch. Could there be anything nicer?

Julie said...

Hi Susan, Thank you for sharing all the lovely and wonderful porches in your neighborhood. They all look equally inviting!!! But , I must say your sleeping porch is tops and Tallulah is a one smart kitty!! What a perrrfect place for napping!!
Julie

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

June 20th...

Happy Midsummer's Eve, to all!

Aunt Amelia

Lea said...

I think I would love to curl up with Tallulah...

Porches are so important. We love and appreciate ours, and see it as an integral part of making and being a part of community. Have you ever seen the book, Death & Life of great American Cities, by Jane Jacobs? I've included the Wikipedia link in case you have not. Porches are one of the biggest corner stones of what makes a city thrive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_and_Life_of_Great_American_Cities

Lori said...

well, that is just not fair...my century home is lacking in porch...just a little stoop in the front...well, there was a screened in porch on the back...but we closed that in, so i guess that is my fault...thanks for sharing all of the pretty porches, they are wonderful!!!

Karen from A`Musements said...

Beautiful porch photos, Susan... makes me want lemonade and a good book. I think Miss Tallulah has the right spot, however... a girl can NEVER go wrong with a good pillow. Meow....
Thank you for the 'walk' around your neighborhood... what a gorgeous area you live in... reminds me of trips to see my grandparents in Alabama, with all the screened porches and porch swings that gently creaked as they moved back and forth. Just beautiful.
xoxo
Karen

Suzanne said...

I absolutely LOVE porches with a passion! They are so inviting and welcoming on the front of a home.
Thanks for sharing some beautiful ones.