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| The Century Inn, built in 1794 was just down the street from my Grand-parents porch. |
As I re-read the June entries for
Vintage Notions, by Amy Barickman, I
was transported to my childhood. My first appreciation of the porch
occurred when I would spend a vacation week with my maternal
Grandparents. Their house, fronted the first East-West US highway, the
National Pike, Route 40 through Scenery Hill, Pa. There was a large
swing on one side and in the hot afternoons I was perched there with a
pillow and a book. The two lane road was the same one traveled by
Colonial troops and pioneers heading West. That porch introduced me to
the possibilities of travel, by road or by book.
While
that porch had an element of fantasy, the first Summer porch memory I
have retained is not so good. I was 6 years old, it was really hot. The
little corner store across the railroad tracks and up a steep hill sold
popsicles. I wanted one. My Mother gave me enough coins to get one for
myself, my Sister and Herself. Up the hill I trotted, gathered my two
grapes and one orange popsicle and headed back down the hill. In the far
(I thought) distance I heard an oncoming train. Did I mention it was
hot? My popsicles were melting. Heaven forbid!!! As I dashed directly in
front of the train, my Mother who was holding my Sister while sitting
on the steps of said porch, jumped up, screaming for me to stay on the
other side until the train passed. Do you know how loud a passing train
is where you are right next to it? Really loud. I thought she was
worried about my melting popsicles. As I ran directly across the tracks
with train only a few feet away from my cute little dress (and self) my
Uncle who lived next door was using his brand new fancy electric razor.
He was looking out the window, saw me in front of the train and dropped
his razor. Not good. After the
event, I remember eating a sort
of mushy popsicle. I don't remember if my Mother ate hers or not. Lesson
learned, popsicles will melt in the heat. Train or no train.
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| My Inspiration, Vintage Notions by Amy Barickman |
|
In the times of Mary Brooks Picken, porches were an
essential area for Summer entertaining and relaxation. One of my
favorite chapters in this section of the book is about how to prepare
your
outdoor living room for comfort, color and durability. By
painting all the furniture the same color and coordinating rugs,
cushions etc. a lovely setting can be provided with minimal cost. For my
Front Porch, a narrow strip of real estate I might add, white is the
predominate color. White wooden rocking chairs (that need painted I
might add) are the seating and I use quilts for added padding and
comfort. Because weather intrudes now and then I bring the quilts in. I
added yellow planters on either side of the door for some color and
occasionally substitute yellow quilts on the rockers for special events.
The
back porch is a work in progress. I need to replace some furniture etc.
More on that another time. I am thinking paint stripper, repaint and
quilts. Now that is an original idea!
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| Quilts and Rocking Chairs |
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| pops of yellow brighten the narrow space |
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| houseplants come outside from May until October |
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| Frog, McCoy antique on wrought iron plant table |
