Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Cozy Nights At Home

Life is busy, no doubt. People talk of the lazy days of summer and I'm envious. 

Lazy days? You have got to be kidding me. In what lifetime?

Between my job, which is in super high gear, and the additional garden chores, there are not enough hours in the day. 



Plus we have a rather active social life, and dine out quite often. 

I'm not complaining, I love my life. 

But I most definitely cherish my evenings at home. 


I guess if I was in my house day in and day out, and every evening, perhaps it wouldn't feel as special to me. 

But, since my evenings at home are few, I love to make them as special as possible. 


My sweetie treats me like a princess and takes me out to eat often. 

He's such a good man. 

And on the nights we are not out, I make him wonderful meals at home. 

These days we are basing those meals out of what's coming out of the garden. 

It's definitely added work, harvesting and cleaning the produce, but it is so worth it. 


Of course, I have my little helper right by my side. 

We go on our evening 'walkabout' and she makes sure the perimeter is secure. 

No chipmunks go unnoticed. 


The garden cottage got treated to a string of lights, which has been in my mind since I moved here. 

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, no doubt you know of my terrifying fear of ladders. 

I sucked it up, put on my big girl panties, and got those darned lights hung this past weekend. 

Shaking all the while...but it's done. 


I added a string of lights to the downstairs deck earlier this year, as well. It's lovely out there in the evening, swinging on the hammock chair or the hammock, listening to the night noises. 


The lights really highlight the sculptural shape of the leaves on the Castor Bean. And the white petunias glow in the evening light. 

It's important to use white flowers in areas that you frequent in the waning light. 


Sitting on the deck swing, feeling the cool evening breeze, watching the sky change every minute. 


It brings me such peace, and quiets my mind. 

The perfect way to end a busy day. 

56 comments:

  1. There is nothing I like better than a dusk time glimpse at your home and garden. Well, I take that back, I also like morning sunshine ones, and oh yes, rainy days, snow on the mountain....

    Everything.

    More hours in the day would be nice, wouldn't it?

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    1. Sure would, Dewena! I'd be able to get a lot more done!! You're so sweet, thank you for your lovely comment!

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  2. I love the touches of lights you put up around your house. I need to do that around my patio but I keep forgetting about it. Your sweetie did such a wonderful job with that latest landscaping project!

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    1. He really did, Melanie, I'm so proud of him! And yes, I'm all about the sparkly lights, both inside and out!

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  3. I love all the little lights about your place. I know working and then coming home to work also and then trying to do anything extra is a busy time. I can still remember Debbie. LOL. I know you will make your sweetheart some awesome meals from your garden. It's been too rainy and cloudy here for spotting the moon. But I loved your photos. Blessings , xoxo, Susie

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    1. It's rainy and cloudy the past two days, Susie, with huge thunderstorms. There's one coming any minute now!!

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  4. I love cozy evenings at home, too. My property is not nearly as large or interesting as yours, with all of your beautiful gardens and she shed, but walking around it each night is a treat. The bunnies and the chipmunks are out at that time and so are my fish. :)

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    1. That's so nice, Kim! I haven't seen bunnies at my house, but I see them at my sweetie's all the time. I'm sure my pups scare the bunnies away!

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  5. I love the lights you put up...it just makes it seem all that much more "magical". :) I do spend most of my time at home tending to the gardens which my hubby and I combined cannot keep up with. ;) If I am not here, you can find me spending time with our kids and grandkids. My favorite thing to do is spend time out on our screened in porch in the cool of the morning and watch and listen to the birds. It is peaceful out there. I also putter around my gardens in the cool of the evenings, when there is still enough light to see well. I'm not a person for heat so this suits me best. :)

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    1. I'm not a person for heat, either, Debbie! This white Irish skin does not do well in the sun. Maybe that's why I like evenings so much? Also, it's the end of the day and I'm done with chores and can just sit and swing.

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  6. Ahhh, lovely time spent on your porch. I like the little lights. Nice that your husband takes you out for dinner. For at home dinners, eating food that you grow yourself is so satisfying. -Jenn

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    1. It really is satisfying, Jenn - there's not a ton to pick yet but give it another month! I'm still emptying the freezers from last year's haul - I love that we freeze enough to eat all winter long!

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  7. Everything looks so pretty, I would love spending time there too. Love the lights, they look fabulous.

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    1. I can't wait to see your finished gardens and patio, Marty!

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  8. What a wonderful place to relax. I hope you get more evenings for it. xo Laura

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  9. Looks like you are taking time to enjoy your home and yard even though busy. We are older, retired and it seems busier than ever so don't wait till you retire for more time! LOL Nancy

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    1. You crushed my last hope, Nancy! I always thought once I retired I'd have time to catch up on all the books, magazines, shows, weeds, trips....everything!

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  10. Your home is so lovely, Debbie, I can really see why you love your evenings there! The lights are magical!

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    1. I've always had a thing for ambient lights, both inside and outside my home, Linda! I just think they make everything cozier!

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  11. Debbie, you have truly built a good life in what I consider a little slice of heaven. I'm happy for you. Btw, I have been wondering about your Sweetie. He tore his bicep last year....has he fully recovered from that? I've read that can be a hard rehab and recovery.

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    1. Thanks for asking, Rita! It did bother him the other day after he lifted some heavy stones at his own house....what you don't know is that he also had shoulder surgery back in March! He's like the bionic man at this point!!

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  12. Evenings in the summer are the best and although I don't live in a country setting, I do enjoy my yard and home between 6 -8 p.m. Your yard is especially cozy at night. Your garden gate looks so pretty!

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    1. I wonder if the bugs are any better by your house since you are not in a country setting, AnnMarie? I'm not a fan of using bug spray but this season I have no choice!

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  13. Beautiful photos! Love the lighting. Being at home is special.
    Brenda

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    1. It really is, Brenda. Although going away is nice, too....this way I don't see all the things that I should be doing when I sit down for a spell!

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  14. Ahhhhh. Country life is the best isn't it? I love your lights at night. Thats the one thing I don't have on my porch. My sweetie strung the old style Christmas lights out a few yrs ago and the wild rhodys have grown around them and it's just magical at night. I have a little ladder that I have lights on in my house and I thought maybe taking it out on the porch. I say this everytime, but I just love that shed, and your property, and of course the pupsters. Have wonderful summer evenings and plenty of wine. Breathe.

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    1. Ahhh, a woman after my own heart, wine indeed, Cindy!! It must be almost time for happy hour, isn't it?

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  15. What a lovely, relaxing spot. I've travelled extensively, but despite all I've seen and done, nothing beats home. I spend a lot of time at home now, and never tire of the peace.

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    1. That's so nice, Pattie - it's wonderful to hear of people who are at peace in their home. That's how I feel also! It recharges me to spend time at home.

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  16. Your home looks lovely, Deborah. And adding little white lights is the icing on the cake. I love them and have some at the garden in the sumacs.

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    1. I have a great sumac that I always wanted to hang a windchime in, Deb - just haven't quite found the right one just yet! It's in the wild garden past the fence. Do you know you can use Sumac to infuse vodka? that's something else I'd like to try!!

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  17. Cozy nights at home are the best. Everything looks so pretty in your yard. Love the white lights too.
    Kris

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    1. I'm sure you can't wait until the construction is done at your house and you can get your gardens and your house in proper chippy order, Kris!

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  18. I think that a string of Christmas lights especially in white can bring such a pleasant feeling to any area.

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    1. So true, Carol. And you know what else? Other colors can be magical, too. There's a house I pass on a road near my job and it has purple lights strung up 3 tree trunks at the front of the house. It looks absolutely amazing!

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  19. Your place is really beautiful, Debbie. I am like you and think lights add so much to any building. I can tell you love your home and family. Let me tell you- even when you DO retire someday your days will be so full that you still won't have any free time. lol Trust me!
    Hope you have a blessed weekend. xo Diana

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    1. I have no doubt I could find plenty to do when I retire, Diana - let's just hope I have the energy to do it all! And as long as I have good books to read, I'm a happy camper!

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  20. Love the night shots! :) Reminds me of being a kid chasing fireflies or lightning bugs as we call them around here :)

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    1. We called them lightening bugs also, Deb! I used to love chasing them when I was a kid, too! I still love to see them blinking in my garden!

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  21. Ahhhhhh... namaste. I feel so at peace after reading the text and looking at your pictures! Those night scenes are truly magical.

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    1. You're so cute, Vickie! I do love my little house in the evenings....nothing like a quiet night at home to re-energize me!

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  22. I agree with you, there aren't enough hours in a day in summer... I feel like I'm constantly doing something, so I also enjoy quite evenings. I love the lights on your garden cottage.

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    1. Thanks, Magali! I must get myself a plug that has a remote so I can turn them on from my bedroom window!

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  23. Your outdoors spaces are lovely, Debbie. I envy your being able to sit out and enjoy the evening. It's been too hot here. Maybe soon we can. The lights add a romantic touch. Love it.

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    1. That's a shame, I would miss my summer evenings outdoors if it was too hot! Our nights have been in the 50's and low 60's at night, perfect weather to sit out!

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  24. Your lights are the icing on the cake. Early evenings are my favorite time of day. The only issue I have are it's also the mosquitoes favorite time too. Thankfully this year it's not too bad.

    xxx

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    1. The mosquitoes aren't as bad this year, but the gnats torture me every single time I go out the door, Doreen! They love my hair and really drive me bananas! I normally don't use a lot of bug spray but this season I have no choice. In the evenings I light citronella candles and incense, that helps a ton, especially if I light it a few minutes before I want to sit out.

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  25. Oh yes, I love being home! There is no happier place to be! I love how you added lights to your outdoors area. Now you've got me thinking. Perhaps I could add some lights outside to our little happy area around the pit too. It is a joy to have a sweet place called home, isn't it :)

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    1. It sure is, Marilyn, without a doubt! I have always had little lights in my outdoor spaces, I just love the intimate atmosphere they create!

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  26. I love evenings at home although an occasional night out is nice, too. I'm retired but I still find myself busy and I have a mile high (so it seems) stack of books that I have barely started on. There is just so much I enjoy doing...and so little time! Love the lights you've put up. I'll be showing your photos to my daughter. I think lights would be a nice addition to her deck area.

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    1. I guess no matter our work situation there are never enough hours to do every little thing we'd like to do, Cheryl!

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  27. I envy you going out so often:) Our neighbors behind us go out for most of their meals! I would do that in a heartbeat but it is like pulling teeth to get my hubby out:) But he does cook sometimes so that is nice. I love the lights on your decks and garden cottage.

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    1. Thanks, Pinky! I do like going out to eat, without a doubt, but when our social calendar gets too full I need to back off and spend some time at home to reboot! I am quite happy sitting quietly in my cozy little house reading a book, with the candles lit!

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