A COUNTRY HOUSE WITH A COUNTRY PORCH GARDEN

COUNTRY HOUSE NESTLED IN THE TREES

I thought you'd enjoy one more garden before the cold temperatures of fall and winter creeps into our world.


Porch gardens are exactly as the words suggest -- plants grown on a porch. Any type of real plants can be part of one. They are usually found on covered open porches either to the front, side or back of the house. Any size will do. Many times furnishings are included such as tables, chairs or porch swings. Other types of paraphernalia are also appropriate. Usually they are densely packed with both the plants and furnishings. 


Creators of such gardens usually give their own artistic bend to the overall look. Informality reins. 

LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE PORCH GARDEN

I found this great porch garden, a few days ago, on highway 52 in Garrard County, Kentucky on a beautiful fall day.


I had driven by it several times admiring the folk artistry surrounding the owner's charming home that nestled under a canopy of mature trees. 

RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE PORCH GARDEN

The day I stopped to take photos the gardener/owner was not home, only the adult son. He gave me permission to take my photos. 

SITTIN'  SPOT

I thought her blending of  plants with some small chairs, a small table with birdhouses along with the birdhouse porch swing fit the theme. Her theme appeared to be birdhouses, daisies, and frogs. The porch was full of visual treats. The plants were healthy as they waved in the breeze.

SWINGING SPOT

It was evident that the gardener was a good steward of her porch garden.

FROGS HAVING A ROLLICKING GOOD LAUGH

Oh, one more thing, I felt the owner had a good sense of humor. Why? Becuse she had a bunch of frogs near her front porch steps that were looking at me with a smile when I left -- one was even falling over with laughter. 

LOSING A BIRDHOUSE AND A HOME -- Sunday Simplicities

BIRDHOUSE -- REPLICATE OF AN EASTERN KENTUCKY FARMHOUSE

I've lived in many homes in my life-time. All different -- small, large, country, town, city, artist studio, cottage, campground, historic house, apartment, and fairly new. Although each was very different, the old adage rings true when I think of them all -- the heart is where the home is.

With today's economy many folks are losing their homes. A very sad situation. My thoughts go out to them. And, today I am telling a little sad story that relates to not only the economic situation, but the birdhouse in this post..

DETAIL OF SIDING APPROPRIATE TO A DERELICT FARMHOUSE

A Kentucky man and wife lost their home. He is a carpenter. He is a thoughtful husband. Let me give you an example of his thoughtfulness. His wife loves birds. So, over several years he built her magical, folksy birdhouses for their yard. All six were different and lovingly made. Works of art. But then they lost everything and the birdhouses were sold. I acquired one of the birdhouses. I also acquired the sad story that went with it. I will always view this birdhouse with hope. Hope that the couple turned their life around and he again has started to build birdhouses for his wife in a new home. And, hope for all the people that have lost their homes in this economic turn-down.

SIDE PORCH OF BIRDHOUSE

The carpenter husband built my birdhouse based on a photo he saw of a derelict old Eastern Kentucky farmhouse. He incorporated the worn look right down to the weather-board siding. He meticulously placed a hundred-plus individual pieces of miniature wood weather-board siding on the birdhouse to replicate the authenticity of the farmhouse. A metal roof was added and painted as it would have been on an Eastern Kentucky home. A side porch has delicate architectural decor parading around it. The house measures approximately 16" X 21" X 21".

BIRDHOUSE -- DETAIL OF METAL ROOF

It is not only the couple that lost their home but so did the many birds that visited their birdhouses. Birds are fragile yet are tough survivors. I can only think that the couple will be tough survivors like so many others that have lost their homes.

On this day -- the 4th of July -- I find it difficult to celebrate. Maybe next year?

Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom -- Thomas Jefferson