Monday, June 20, 2011

Good Bye Spring

Detail of Nancy Thomas Spring, 1994

Good bye, Spring!

Tuesday, June 21st marks the official start of summer, but here at HFTS it hasn't felt as if we've had much of a spring. As local weatherman, Jim Spencer, wrote today: "The last day of spring closes the chapter on what is going into the record books as Austin's hottest spring on record."



June 21st also marks the occasion of the

annual Porch Party @ Rose Colored Glasses.




Last year HFTS celebrated with Rhondi

at a Summer Solstice Porch Party here.

Our sunroom above was once a screened in porch, though now it is enclosed. We can open it up when the weather is agreeable, or heat and cool this space when needed. This is our favorite spot and where you'll find us most any time of the year, rain or shine. Looking at last year's photo above reminds me it's time to pull out the boxes of red, white, and blue. It's less than two weeks before we'll be celebrating the 4th of July.



Even when there is no special holiday being

celebrated, you'll find fresh flowers on the porch.



Along with Nantucket Baskets . . .




Tabletop Roosters



Reading Material



And Bird Watching Tools



During the hot summer months

there's often a pitcher of refreshing ice tea!



Outside on the terrace is a table for alfresco dining.



The shade from the large oak trees and the

sound of the water fountains offers a cooling ambiance.


White geraniums mix in with red geraniums of a vining variety.



Delicate white alyssum cascades over the urns.



You might spy a wild critter or two below in the garden.



You'll hear the sound of birds.



And might even notice a bit of vintage among the leaves.



I've set out a sweet treat on the little bistro table.

Would you like to join me for something cool and refreshing?



Help yourself to a glass of icy

Italian soda and one of the little tarts.



I think I'll have a lemon tart.



There is also lemon meringue . . .



Cream Puff . . .



Or a tasty tart with summer berries.




See the beautiful delicate pink hankie?

It was a gift from Donna @ Conghaile Cottage.

You can click here if you'd like to visit her beautiful garden.



Cool and refreshing for our first day of summer.



Even though I love to spend time on

our porch and outside on the garden terrace,

I think you know where I'd rather be for summer.



Thanks for stopping by today.

Happy Summer!

Click here to visit Rhondi and others

who are waiting for you on their summer porches.



Click the links below to join other summer parties this week.









on

46 comments:

  1. PondsideJune 21, 2011 at 1:26 AM

    I hope summer arrives on more than the calendar tomorrow! I hope it arrives beside the ponds. We've had a long, cool spring. When I look at photos from this time last year I can see that we are four weeks behind.
    Your sun room is beautiful. No wonder it's a favorite place to spend time!

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  2. LynnJune 21, 2011 at 5:14 AM

    Happy Summer Sarah! Beautiful pics and I love your Nantucket baskets! The lemon meringue pie looks pretty good too:@)

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  3. KatJune 21, 2011 at 5:25 AM

    Summer arrived early, that's for sure. Apparently Mother Nature forgot how to read a calender! I feel sorry for Jim Spencer (he's our favorite weather man) his job must be pretty boring right now - he could just go on the air and say "ditto". Your porch and terrace look so cool and inviting. And those tarts are amazing! Hope you have a great summer and can keep cool. Kat

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  4. Betty June 21, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    What a beautiful porch party you are having. I love the seasons and celebrate each one as a new beginning. Happy Summer.

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  5. Paula@SweetPeaJune 21, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    Happy Summer to you, too! This was a hot spring, wasn't it? Your outdoor spaces are lovely and I don't blame you for spending as much time as possible out there.

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  6. MaggieJune 21, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    Summer has arrived in Normandy with lashings of rain & terrible high winds!
    Glad to hear that someone I know has warmer weather, I remember you're lovely enclosed porch, it really is the perfect place to while away an hour or two.
    Happy summer, dear friend.

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  7. RhondiJune 21, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    It's been summer here since the beginning of May! Thanks for the lemonade and goodies. I'll take the tart with fruit on it. Evrything looks beautiful as it always does at your place. Thanks for joining my party.
    Hugs, Rhondi

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  8. StitchforkJune 21, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Nah, forget Paris, I'd rather sip tea on your welcoming porch!
    xo Cathy

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  9. Barbara F.June 21, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    Sarah, you have a beautiful garden. I would love to sit and relax with a glass of tea and a delicious tart. xo,

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  10. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsJune 21, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    What a lovely space! I could very much enjoy time spent there!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  11. UnknownJune 21, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    I'm on my way over, Sarah. Everything looks so deelish & inviting ... lovely place to enjoy.
    Have a beautiful week ~
    TTFN ~
    Hugs,
    Marydon

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  12. UnknownJune 21, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    All that lemon talk... made me hungry!! haha (Jim Spencer, that's my brother's name!) Thanks for the wonderful break in my work day Sarah! :)

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  13. BeverlyJune 21, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    Sarah, I love this room. We converted our screened porch to a sunroom, too, and we love it there.

    Everything you've shared is beautiful. I love all the wonderful touches you have added around your gardens and your home.

    Did you eat all of that lemon tart? Please save me a bite.♥

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  14. JeanieJune 21, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    These looks as divine as I hope my summer will be!

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  15. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleJune 21, 2011 at 6:49 PM

    What a pretty terrace. So nice and shady. Thanks so much for joining the party.

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  16. RhondaJune 21, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    I love your porch! You have done a great job!
    This is my first time participating in Ms. Rhondi's Porch Party...I hope you will swing by my blog to visit my porch! Fresh ice cold lemonade will be waiting on you! :-)

    ~~~rhonda ~~~~

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  17. DixieJune 21, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    beautiful porch/terrace.. and now I'm hungry!!

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  18. mrs. cJune 21, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    I have some good books to read, I'm coming over to your porch and having some of those luscious sweeties! Oh, do you make "sweet tea:?

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  19. Ricki TreleavenJune 21, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    Sarah, your terrace is stunning. It must be heaven to sit out there and dine while enjoying the beauty of your garden.

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  20. Pam - @diy Design FanaticJune 21, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Your terrace is beautiful! Looks like a really lovely place to relax!

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  21. BabsJune 21, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Sarah, I can see why you sunroom is your favorite spot in the house. It's so "warm and cozy" and I love it. I can't believe you made all those lemony goodies. I'll be right over.
    Oh, the Nantucket baskets with flowers are graet. I love to have fresh flowers in my house too.
    Great post Sara and Happy Summer,
    Hugs,
    Babs

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  22. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiJune 21, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    You have such a comfortable and pretty sunroom, Sarah, and your outside deck and garden is delightful! I see your sense of whimsy in both special places.

    I'd love the cream puff, please!

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  23. AnonymousJune 22, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    You have a real knack for putting vignettes together. My favorites are the rabbit with the ivy and the red flowers in the baskets. All of your things are wonderful, so thanks for sharing!

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  24. MaryJune 22, 2011 at 3:35 AM

    Sarah~ How wonderful you can close or open your porch up! It's been unseasonably hot this spring for us, although not as hot as Texas! I'm dreading what summer might bring temperature wise~ I'd rather be in Paris too :-) All your treats & treasures look delicious...

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  25. Castles Crowns and CottagesJune 22, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    WOWO WHAT A FABULOUS FEAST YOU HAVE GIVEN US HERE DEAREST!!!! Oh Sarah, my goodness you are inspiring me....here is my email, I would SOOOOO LOVE TO CHAT!!!

    rivani@bethel.edu

    Anita

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  26. Confessions of a Plate AddictJune 22, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    How pretty, Sarah! Love the peek-a-boo bunny! And your goodies...so yummy-looking! It's hot here, too...hoping for rain today! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

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  27. MaryJune 22, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    I'll be right over to share that gooey, delish lemon tart, please!!!! What a lovely sunroom Sarah - I know you must love spending time there. The outside area is just beautiful - please tell more about those fountains, look really interesting.

    Yes, the heat here is continuing too - this Spring has been Summer I fear, just hope it cools off soon.......otherwise you and I need to head over to Maggie's, wouldn't that be fun?

    Hugs - Mary

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  28. RettabugJune 22, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    Such lovely little corners you have, Sarah, to curl up into or wander through, enjoying the fruits of your labors. I know its HOT down there! Too bad we can't send you some of the rain we've had EVERY SINGLE DAY SINCE SATURDAY!!! At least I haven't had to water the tomatoes. :/

    Hugs,
    Rett

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  29. Cottage RoseJune 22, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    I can see why you love sitting there,,, and the outside is just as beautiful... such lovely flowers and cozy sitting areas.... have a great week.

    Hugs;
    Alaura

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  30. KathyJune 22, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    This is so lovely - I'd spend hours in a screened porch such as yours! And to have such an amazing terrace with a water fountain nearby - so serene! Your garden is lovely and yes - we've had a very hot spring and it looks like it is going to be a hot, dry summer - but,we welcome it with all its blessings! Thank you for sharing this lovely post with Savoring Summer!
    Kathy

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  31. MarlisJune 22, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Love your fountain! We had the same horrid heat wave up here in Lubbock. And yesterday we got a reprieve.. not only a day below 110 or thereabouts.. we had barely 90 degrees. Thank you God! I love your porch and how restful and relaxing it is. Also your garden looks like it would be an amazing retreat. Many blessings. marlis

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  32. Kathy @ Creative Home ExpressionsJune 22, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    So pretty and I could just see sitting at your lovely bistro set looking out at the beautiful flowers you have!

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  33. The French MaidJune 22, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    So happy to tumbled down the rabbit hole into your lovely blog...I'm your newest follower!
    --Lee Ann
    http://thefrenchmaidsplace.blogspot.com/

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  34. UnknownJune 22, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    lovely post! Just hopping around the parties and having a blast looking at your blog. Join me on Saturday..or any day for that matter..for the Mad Tea Party! FUN! Hugs xo! TS

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  35. AnonymousJune 22, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    I would like a fruit tart, please, and I hope it's cool enough outside to enjoy it at your bistro table. Texas has had its fair share of hot and dry already.

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  36. LindaJune 22, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    Really wonderful photos!!

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  37. xinexJune 22, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    Your sunroom is so pretty and so comfy, Sarah. You decorated it so nicely. And the snack you prepared is making my mouth water, especially now that we just started a diet yesterday....Christine

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  38. a quiet lifeJune 23, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    so many pretty settings, pieces and FOOD! lucious gorgeous food calling me to plunk down nice and cozy and chatter the day away with you :)

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  39. Natasha in OzJune 23, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    I would love to join you for a nice cool glass of ice tea in your garden. It looks so beautiful out there.

    I hope that your summer isn't too hot and extreme...I am not a fan of hot weather!

    Take care and best wishes for a wonderful weekend.
    Natasha.
    xo

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  40. Cuisine KathleenJune 24, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    It looks like a wonderful spot, what a great place to sit and relax.
    The gardens look beautiful, and I know with your lack of rain it is not easy to keep them looking so lush!
    We are going into our third day of rain. Yesterday it was torrential. There will be lots of mosquitoes this year!
    Have a great weekend, Sarah!

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  41. UnknownJune 25, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    I loved your photos,...they really got me in a summery mood. Thanks...
    Rainey @ The Project Table!

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  42. The TablescaperJune 25, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    Oh Sarah, you have such a beautiful home. I so love your screened in porch. I can see why you spend so much time there. I love your terrace and the bistro table too. So many wonderful space to enjoy.

    It's great to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  43. Linda (More Fun Less Laundry)June 25, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    Hi Sarah, You are roasting and we are swimming in downpours and thunderstorms! Your porch looks so inviting and it is wonderful that you can open it up! I have clicked on all your pictures to enlarge and see all the pretty details. The iced tea with mint must be so refreshing in that heat! Linda

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  44. bjJune 26, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    I really REALLY want to come visit you sometime and see your beautiful home..your collections of wonderful things..your pretty city...but most of all, to sit and talk with YOU. :))
    You have such a sweet spirit that shines thru every single post.

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  45. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to CookJune 26, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    Beautiful porch! and what lovely treats to enjoy the porch and the gorgeous summer days!

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  46. The Charm of HomeJune 27, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    Sarah,
    You two very lovely spots there to enjoy summer. I love that you can have an indoor spot or an outdoor one. How wonderful it is! Hoping you are staying cool for summer. Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.