Are We Walking to Alaska

Are We Walking to Alaska
Are We Walking to Alaska - A True Story

Monday, August 7, 2017

Come, Sit Awhile on Our Deck

I'd love to share our deck with you, my friends.  It is such a lovely and peaceful place.  I spend a lot of time on the deck during our wonderful Washington summers.

 The flowers are blooming
The chairs and lounges are welcoming - take your pick
Looking at the flowers through the lounge looks like a painting 
Let's have a glass of iced tea and a cookie - always so good on a summer day.  There is nothing like summer in Washington - warm days, cool evenings, rarely does the temperature get up to 80 and the sun shines day after day and the sky is the brightest blue.  It may be the most perfect summer anywhere.
 My first great success with Purple Allium - blooming and going to seed - each stage beautiful
 And two elves to add their sweet cheer, meet Tammson and Pirphal - they love to have visitors on the deck.
Our son-in-law and grandson Jahn doing the main building of the deck, 2011.  Grandson Ben and his bubbles, 2013. Grandson Donnie visiting from West Virginia, 2012
 There are trees so near the end of the deck we can almost reach out and touch them.  Sometimes they whisper in the breeze.
Newly finished - ready for summer enjoyment.
Along the railing on the ramp I hung painted driftwood.
 You'd enjoy the sweet honey scent of the flowers
 Tammson and Pirphal love LadyBugs and named their stone pet Dottie.  If it gets dark they will be happy to light the lantern for you.

Meadow Sweet - I got this plant at a library sale in Deming.
 There are more fun things to do on the deck - garden tools wait for some gardening to do - and wind chimes tinkle in the wind, casting delightful shadows in the afternoon sun, and a vintage croquet set for a rousing game on the lawn.

A rake with a broken handle makes a perfect hanger for hand tools.
 This old crow watches over the birdbath and flowers - he has to hop about, as one foot has gone missing.

Trees rustle in the breeze and give us lovely shade.

 More flowers blooming - violas that popped up from last year, a pot full of Sea Pinks, Geraniums with Meadow Sweet and Nasturtiums, leafing out and ready to bloom.
A little fountain near the lilac bush sings a happy song, especially when hummingbirds come to visit.
 The Marigolds have such a fabulous scent - bringing us memories of the gardens in California when our kids were growing up.
We loved to pick bouquets (1972) - our flower children
Fuchsia buds ready to pop open!
 Another crow protects the bird feeders - is he really protecting them, or waiting to sample when no one is watching?  Crows are very clever you know.

We'll chat and drink iced tea - listen to the birds and feel the sweetness of summer.  It is a wonderful deck - thanks for stopping by.  Come again.

Tuesday's Treasures

13 comments:

Julie Fukuda said...

I love to visit decks ... one in Boston, one in Ohio, one in Colorado, and another in Portland, and now that I am back home with no space for a deck ... I am enjoying yours. Thanks!

Tom said...

...JoAnn, what a lovely place to enjoy treasured family times in summer. You surely have a knack for decorating with all your added touches. Thanks for sharing, I wish that I had been able to set for a spell, perhaps next time.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, your deck and flowers look beautiful. I love the wind chimes, I have a few hanging on our deck. Your children are so cute. I am glad you are having a great summer. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

A perfect place to spend a summer day! The Pacific Northwest is wonderful this the me of year; we're happy to be home. Your deck is perfect ... the old rake as hand tool organizer is such a clever idea!

A Colorful World said...

A beautiful deck! Such gorgeous flowers! We sure love ours, but are only in our first season, so have a lot to do. Looks like you are really enjoying your summer! Have a great week.

Michelle said...

The perfect family hangout!

The Furry Gnome said...

Those days when you can sit outside and relax are to be treasured!

Rose said...

Save a seat for me, and also a glas of iced tea!

betty-NZ said...

What a fabulous garden! Iced tea sounds wonderful to go with these awesome colors, thanks!

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

JoAnn, your deck is in a beautiful setting. I can smell the marigolds. Brings back seasons and years from long ago. They were the first flowers I ever planted and I always had scads of bouquets around the house. All your flowers are beautiful and your temps remind me of Santa Cruz. Always had lots of beautiful gardens between my grandmothers and mom's homes. The trees are so pretty and I am thankful for ours that over look the Secret Garden. Quite a cover from the hot sun here. They are even pretty when fall comes although a little more work. Enjoy the rest of summer on your deck..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

Candy S said...

Your deck looks so inviting. It's like having your own little piece of heaven to retreat to when you need to sit down and rest in the shade for a while. I do like the way the trees are situated and all the beautiful flowers in pots to add pops of color wherever you want them. Oh, and I do adore the gnomes and their pet rock Dottie.... so cute!!!

Sounds like you are enjoying a wonderful summer, I do hope it stays delightful for several more months before the cold weather months set in.

Hugs,
Candy

Kay said...

We finally got a deck built this year. Not as flower enclosed as yours but a real joy at last. We haven't spent a lot of time out there lately. We've got a lot of smoke from the Canadian fires. I look forward to having it clear enough to see the mountains again.

Granny Sue said...

Thank you for the lovely tour! So beautiful, Joanne.