Rain Rain Go Away........

Well, as I sit here in front of my laptop it's another beautiful Summer day in Cincinnati. Did I mention I was inside. It's 10AM and 90* with humidity and dewpoint it feels like 102! Here in Cincy there is a saying 'if you don't like the weather wait a few minutes...it'll change'.

For last few days we've been having weather like all the Midwest states. The day starts out sunny and blue skies,(of course while I'm at work) but after a while ( around 5p) clouds move in and BOOM storms.  Last night was the worst around our house.

I got this pic off our local televison station that someone sent in from Mason, Ohio, which is about 10 miles north of us. That is lightening. Sorry, but I will not go outside my house to get a pic for the blog. Suffice to say this is a typical pic of what it was like in our 10 mile radius. 60 mile an hour wind, torrencial rain, lightening show, and  tornado warning. Made for an exciting hour. We will get a repeat performance again tonight, according to forecaster. Hoopee.

Why the weather report? I have been trying for days to get out on my porches and get them 'decked' out, but with the wind and rain abnormally strong I'm afraid it'll just blow away. We usually get this type of stormy weather in April, before I decorate my outside rooms, but it's held off.

Goody, April Showers with August heat.

That said I think I'll show pics from last year of my relaxing porch that weren't posted.

You might recognize this picture on the sidebar of my Blog. This is my porch swing decked out in a patriotic Old Glory throw I found at Kohl's years ago. The pillow was brought home from the Lawrenceburg Flea and Antique Market about the same time. Alas, as I said in my last post, that throw has seen better days, so it'll be replaced. I may be able to salvege parts of it tho for an idea I had. If it works you'll see it. If you look close up those apples look real in the wicker basket. It's lined with muslin edged with tatted edging. Those vintage aqua glass mason jars make the best citronella candle holders. Jim loves vintage trains, so that new train lantern usually held citronelle oil to burn, but last Sept. a freak windstorm blew up hitting the swing causing the table to  topple with everything on it. The poor lantern's glass didn't make it, but that mason jar didn't even crack! The coffee table in front of the swing is actually a modern tubular ocassional table. It made the best form to cover with some vintage red stiped ticking and new navy cotton material.

I love empty walls. They are a blank canvas just waiting to fill. The first peice I found was the Smiling Sun metal plant holder. I knew it was made for small red geraniums. That wreath at the end was next. it's wire and resin in a bird and flower motif. Next came Big Mouth Billy Bass.....yes I know, (my one tacky moment)but when we saw it at Cracker barrel years ago he just made us laugh...he still does. The Rusted Metal Star was a must have. That large wrought iron and amber glass candle lamp came from my MIL. It too is vintage from the late 40's early 50's..it was a wedding present back then...I love the rusty patina it has acquired. Those bird plaques are 1960-70 CopperCraft pieces. When I was little my Mom like all housewives had Home Shopping Parties. Mom didn't do the usual Tupperware tho, she did the CopperCraft and Sarah Coventry...remember those parties?.....I loved that stuff. I still try to pick it up at fleas and antique malls when I see it. 

 Believe it or not I found this metal tea cart thru Publisher's Clearinghouse, of all places in 95'. It fits perfectly betwen the 40's style chair and front door. I love wind chimes so the little watercan has the tinies clear chimes when a breeze blows thru. The plate was a cracked $1 find at an antique place. It's a brown transferware commerative plate of Lincoln's Birthplace. As you can see the crack was hidden quite nicely with faux red geraniums and other flowers and foliages. Last year I found the matching cup and saucer for $3 in great condition. I filled with with some Thyme. It sits atop a stack of old Reader Digest books. Faux violet fill a 1940's ceramic log with squirrel planter that has a metal gold-tone bottom still attached...usually those are missing. The blue oil lamp is another vintage gift from my MIL. I love the blue glass bottom, but the lamp top was alos blown off, so a new one will replace it. Oh I almost forgot the vintage floral print from the 30-40's that hang on the wall too. I love the watercolors of reds, yellows, and pinks. I found some others and they will join this one. Yes...I use them outside...I figure this is an 'outdoor' room and every 'room' needs a little artwork.

This seating area of the same vintage style chairs sit across form the front door. I found the 1940's coffee perculator with black handle on the Longest Yard Sale in Ky.  Farther down in Tn. I found matching creamer and sugar....all together the set was $7 and yes that is another peice of my hand-wrought aluminum, but this one was in such poor shape I don't worry about keeping outside. I was surprized when I found a 1960's metal and redwood table that matches the look of the chairs. Most of you recognize the iconic black pottery bears of the Pigeon Forge Pottery Co. from Tennessee. my porch wouldn't be complete without them.

 

This last shot is at the steps coming up onto the porch. Again you see one of the red  train lanterns, but this one is old and heavy and small. We bring this one in in stormy weather. It was from Jim's Uncle Gus. I found the wicker and aluminum basket at HomeGoods and new it had to come home with me. I filled with my favorite flowers....violets. Next to it sits another Pigeon Forge find, a hand-painted jug. Sorry the sun glares, but I love the colors of the reds, gold, browns, blues,and greens of the Water Mill scene. Under the red, white, and blue calico table cover is a very vintage 1940's metal table. You know the kind that only the rust is holding together, but it's still sturdy.  I hope you enjoyed my porch. As soon as the weather lets up I'll show you what I did this year. And, I'll take you around to the side at my kitchen garden porch so you can see how I decorate that 'outdoor' room. Lol, even Jim is trying to create a little porch down by the garage with some of his garage 'collection' shall we call it.....inspired by the Ohio Valley Ant. Mall display which you can see Here

Don't forget Wednesday Is Rednesday over at Susan's It's a very Cherry World so I'll be linking my post with her and with Liz  at brambelberry Cottage on Thirsday for it's Time Travel Thursday This is a new meme so I hope you do a little time travelling and check it out....Oh go ahead show off your retro redo when you get there! She'd love for you to join in.