♥ Lovely Porches ♥

I love porches.  To me, porches give a home an instant cozy and welcoming element.

There are memories made on porches.......in days gone by especially.  In those days when times were simpler and folks weren't on the go constantly running their children to extracurricular activities, they would gravitate to the porch in their rockers, swings, or benches, and watch the kids play in the yard during the day or catch fireflies after dark, while they enjoyed simple conversations ,sipping their lemonade or coffee.  Porches were actually just an extension of their living space.  Families LIVED a great deal of their lives on porches.

I love the appeal of porches.  Every house I could or have ever dreamed of living in or imagined in my life has ALWAYS had a porch.  And I admit that I will slow down and take a closer look at porches when I drive by them.....whether they be large meandering wrap-arounds or cozy small ones......they all draw me in!

Wanna take a stroll with me today as I stop by and visit some pretty and inviting porches?  We can imagine who lives there and what it would be like to visit for awhile on these cozy welcoming porches!

Okay, let's go......

I just love that last one!  Whoever lives there would have a hard time getting me to leave!

And mine seems so simple compared to some of these, but I worked with what I have.  :)  Here's our front porch this summer.....

Thanks for taking a stroll with me today.  I hope you enjoyed the porch tour! I bet you had a favorite that you could imagine yourself on right about now!  :)

Take time to grab you a cool glass of lemonade or a cup of coffee in the morning and enjoy YOUR porch.  Enjoy the simple moments!

♥ Tammy ♥

♥ Your Place of Simplicity ♥

We all have that place that we would love to go for our place of simplicity. It’s the place where we are happy to do nothing, relax......take in the beautiful surroundings, and just have our place of peace and rest. Of course, home is my favorite place to be (as I'm sure it is yours too), but realistically it’s not always calm and peaceful. I’m talking more about that vacation or get-away spot that would fit the above description.

That brings me to my question. For you, which one would be closer to your place of simplicity………the beach or the mountains?

I know for some it’s that cottage on the beach where you kick back and listen to the waves and walking the beach feeling the sand between your toes. Looking out as far as you can see and seeing the water gives some a sense of God's presence.

Beach Cottage Pic taken from Google Images

For others, there’s just something about the mountains that bring that peaceful feeling and sense of awe.  Looking at the handiwork of God's Hand in carving the mountains seems to make them feel closer to God.

Cabin in the Mountains pic taken from Google Images 

I’ll start.

For me, it’s most definitely the mountains. And if it's a cabin in the mountains, all the better!  I don’t have a thing against the beach and love to go every once in awhile, but the mountains are just beautiful to me.  The ocean can make me feel a little lonely.  I'm not sure why, but it sometimes does.  However, looking out over the mountains just gives me a peaceful, calm, restful feeling and makes me feel the awesomeness of my God. I remember one vacation, we were sitting on the front porch of our cabin in the mountains during a thunderstorm and it was the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever seen…..simply majestic! If I could just take my house and plant it in mountain country, I would be completely living my dream!  And if there was a lake in that scenery or even a creek nearby, it would be heavenly!  :) 

So now it’s your turn…….I can’t wait to hear yours!  Would you share your preference (beach or mountains) and why it's your favorite?

Thanks for stopping by today! I’ll have Pinned it Made it Monday ready for linking up sometime Sunday evening! I’d love for you to join me!

Have a great weekend! 

♥ Tammy ♥

♥ The Simple Life ♥

The Amish and their lifestyle have always intrigued me. I admire their gentleness and simple approach to living life. I like their priorities. They serve the Lord and honor and cherish their families. They choose to live life simply. Sometimes I secretly wish I had that lifestyle. Sure, I’d miss my computer. I already know I can do without TV, because we do it, for the most part. There would be adjustments to make, that's for sure. The Amish really work, but they also take time to play and enjoy their families too.

Just this week, I found this book at the library while there for the kids and I’m taking every moment I can to read snippets from it. It is written in a manner that I can do just that…….just read a few pages when I have a few moments because it was done in journaling form by Amish families. Since it is actually journals and pictures taken by the Amish, it makes it different from the rest of the books about the Amish. 

It’s called A Day in the Life of the Amish. With wit, wisdom and unique personal photos, Amish men, women and young people share a firsthand look at life in the “slow lane”. Sixty three Amish families were asked to keep a diary – all on the same day – of their dawn-to-dusk activities.  They were given a disposable camera to use on any photos they were comfortable taking and told to send the camera back to them and the folks compiling the book would have it developed.  This book is an inside look at the hard work, pleasant play, hearty meals and devout worship of these “plain people”.

Maybe your library has it. I highly recommend it if you love the simple life, are interested in the Amish, and just want to feel refreshed about the things in life that are most important. If your library doesn’t have it, it can be purchased through Amazon.   I think you'll love it!  

If my family is reading this post now, they’re probably getting a little worried because they know how I am when I'm interested or passionate about something  . They’ll be sure that I've decided to become Amish and that I'm making plans to move us to an Amish community. Lol!  :)  But truly, the Amish with their slowing down and simpler lifestyle is something to admire and take to heart, even if we can’t live exactly as they do. They have the basic right idea, don’t you think?

Thanks for stopping by today! I’d also love for you to join me on Pinned it, Made it Monday, which I will have ready for link up Sunday night. (And thanks to all the ladies that have been participating)!

And if you haven't signed up for my fall giveaway.  You can do that a couple of posts below. 

Have a great weekend! Enjoy “the simple life”!

I'm linking up today with Elaine for Sunny Simple Sunday.

♥ Tammy ♥ 

Table Simplicity

The centerpiece on our breakfast table in the kitchen changes with the seasons, and sometimes just because I’m ready for a change, but one thing remains the same. It’s always simple.  :)

I like simple. To me, it makes more of a statement. It’s easier to move around, especially when on top of my table bench. And it doesn’t break the budget to come up with a simple table arrangement either.

And most important of all, it has to make me happy.  :)

I’m joining Elaine of Sunny Simple Life today by linking up with her for Sunny Simple Sunday. 


  ~ Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~ Leonardo da Vinci


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Don’t forget to join me tomorrow for Pinned it, Made it! Monday! I hope to see you here! I’ll have the post on later this evening if you want to come link up early. Thank you for stopping by today!  :)

Have a blessed Sunday!

♥ Tammy ♥