6/23/09

My World

This is a very small part of my life now in the USA, but it is without doubt one of my favourite pastimes - sitting on our porch swing!

We just don't seem to have porch swings in the UK, I don't ever remember seeing one, although I am sure there are some around. But over here if you have a porch, then a porch swing seems to be a wonderful tradition that most people embrace.

Ours faces west and gets very hot in the afternoon. But after 7pm as the heat cools and the peace of evening descends, there's just nowhere quiet like it. We enjoy a lovely view up our street and shady privacy provided by the trellis, rose bushes, passion fruit and clematis climbers we put in around it.

We used to have a swing that hung from an A-frame, but now we have modernised and gone with a glider swing which we love.

So there we'll sit, cool drink in hand, discussing our day or plans and just basking in that truly American tradition of 'porch swing culture'. This really is one tradition that needs to cross 'the pond'!

To join in the fun go to My World Tuesday

24 comments:

Gaelyn said...

Looks like a delightful place to sit in the evening. No porch swings in the UK? What's up with that?

Sylvia K said...

Oh, yes! I love swings! We don't have one on our deck as yet, but I'm working on it. There is no more beautiful view than the one from there. I love your photo! Reminded me of what I need to add to our lovely deck, so I can enjoy the magnificent sunsets! Great post and thanks for the reminder!!

LadyFi said...

Looks delightful! Definitely a tradition that should come to Europe.

JennWasHere said...

I can see myself sitting there with a book and a cup of coffee.

My entry for My World Tuesday is posted here. Hope you can hop there as well. Happy Tuesday!

SandyCarlson said...

Looks like a perfect place to relax. Cozy yet cool.

Silverback said...

The sun needs to cross the pond first as it's just not the same sitting out here at 7pm wrapped in a blanket gripping a large mug of hot chocolate to keep warm !

Jane Hards Photography said...

I have always wanted to drink fresh lemonade sitting on a porch swing. You are right about the UK. I have still never seen one. One way to make people more sociable would be to have a porch swing.. even in the rain.

Sherri said...

Sarah, when we lived in our Victorian in NJ we had a porch swing and I lived on that thing in the summer. I love it! Glad you are getting to enjoy yours!

Arija said...

Nice tradition, but I'm a rockin' chair kinda gal!

Erin said...

like the porch swing concept and the idea of relaxing and just chatting about whatever comes to mind. while we don't have a swing, we do sit out on the patio and take in the day and relax in our part of the world :)
have a lovely afternoon.

Esther Garvi said...

I love favourite places! Mine is on the fallen trunk of a tree in the garden. Sheba normally keeps to my side and I just enjoy watching the horses. Or Anette and I have a drink on the veranda (also with Sheba by our side)!

Louise said...

So. jealous! I love it that you have is and USE it!

Jo, a retired teacher said...

A good swing is definitely on my shopping list. Where I live, it pretty much has to be on the east of the house or swinging in the summer evenings (before sundown) would bake you. Yours looks inviting, I hope you enjoy it often.

alicesg said...

Oh I would love to have a swing there. Nice porch.

Daryl said...

I love gliders .. perhaps even more than standard porch swings ... I can see you and the Hubster sitting out there sipping some sweet tea and vodka .. check out http://chroniclesofacountrygirl.blogspot.com/2009/06/and-now-for-something-refreshing.html

And I hope your brother is getting some answers .. and feeling better

Iota said...

We have one just like that, except it's missing one of the arms. We bought it at a garage sale for $20, and one arm was all chewed - the previous owners had had a big dog. So Husband took the slats off, and promised to replace them. But it hasn't quite happened yet.

Girl Tornado said...

Just lovely, Sarah! Our front porch faces west also, and we need to put some roll-up blinds out there to help with the setting sun. There is just a bench on the porch right now, but hopefully by next summer I can get us a nice porch swing.

Glad to see you back! Your trip to Chicago is not too far off -- hope you guys have a wonderful time!

B said...

So glad you're back! I love your little spot. I'm going to be leaving my favourite place soon...I recently blogged about it; http://simply-b-me.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-special-place.html

Just over a week until 'Operation Repatriation' EEEK!

Enjoy your week x

Nancy said...

I like porches, period. They are a wonderful way to pass the time. Glad you are enjoying yours.

m said...

i love porches AND their swings. Enjoy.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you. Being a porch monkey is a completely underrated pasttime.

I tried explaining to someone once that porches in the UK are not what they are here and in fact will typically be about 6ft square and simply cover the front door area. The retort was: Whats the point of having one like that? The truth is, I don't know... all I know is Im not giving up the porch I have now!

Snippety Gibbet said...

We love our screened in porch. That's where we spend our dinners in the summer. I spend lots of other hours out there crafting or just sitting.

Marites said...

I remember my mother saying she would love to have a porch swing. There is just something about sitting on it whiling away the time, i guess. my world is up too.

Pat said...

Very cute and cozy!

Maybe they don't have front porch swings in the UK because it rains a lot in the summertime, more so than in OK. Also, as Dave Pie-n-Mash said, front porches are small in the UK.