Friday, June 13, 2014

Cozy Spots: my Gazebo


Happy Friday!

No word yet from our Tabitha, which I take as a good sign that she is having an over the top crlebration!

I have spent hours every day working in my garden and there is still more to be weeded.  Every once in a while I am surprised by something I find along the way - a flower I'd forgotten I'd planted, a frog no bigger than the nail on my ring finger - and it is quite wonderful.

Given the viciousness of the bugs where we live, screened rooms are a must.  I spend a lot of time in my gazebo, and have been known to nap there...

it is getting a new roof and coat of paint this summer...

Barry has been under the weather and he has been taking a nap each day at lunch time.  Naps are an invigorating thing, and I wish I took more of them; I might be able to stay awake past 10:00 p.m.

The key to a cozy space is comfy chairs and places to put a drink.  And you need something to look at - I like to look at my gardens, the pool and the hummers.  Most of all - you need comfortable spaces for reading.  Because there is nothing so fine as reading outdoors with a tall glass of ice tea or lemonade.





The view from the chaise lounge 10 days ago.  Now it is all lush and green and weeded!




When it is nice, I eat lunch out here...




And speaking of reading, I have started Hillary Clinton's new book, Hard Choices.  It is a bit of a brick, it being her presidential bid manifesto and all, but I am enjoying it, especially the policy discussion.


 Hillary Clinton Re Uses Former Secretary of States Book Title


I am also reading Salman Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories, which is quite good.


Haroun and the Sea of Stories


and continue to read Gregg Braden's The Turning Point.



Am I the only person who reads 3 or 4 books at a time?  I like to mix up fiction and nonfiction and I am also usually read a book on writing to help me with my craft.


We have a nice weekend planned.  Having dinner and good times at friends' camp tomorrow evening and then of course there is Father's Day to be celebrated and the finale of Game of Thrones, which I am all a-quiver about.

How about you?  Any big plans?  I hope you have a lovely weekend!  Stay Safe out there!

xoxo wendy

17 comments:

  1. No drinks today?! I also have been known to nap outside on our pavilion. The weather has been quite testy so I can't seem to get my nap on these days. I can only concentrate on one book at a time...I like to get through it then move on. I think we will see the new Tom Cruise movie this week end with Em and then go out to dinner. Sunday we will have both sets of parents over for ribs and chicken and to celebrate Father's Day.

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  2. Your gazebo is lovely. I wanted one very badly when I lived in NB, they are terrific for avoiding the bugs!
    I read at least 2 books at the same time, right now I'm reading Rafaella Barker's novels, which I bought for summer but they are addictive quick reads so I might have them read by the time we leave on our holiday. I'm also reading books on space planning and houses due to my current obsession with renovating our house.
    We're going out for dinner and of course celebrating Father's Day on Sunday, what to make MrBP for breakfast is the question... looks like we're taking my father-in-law out for dinner.
    I'll be missing my Dad but he received the card I sent him of a golfer getting a hole-in-one and in fact he just got another, the 14th of his golf career, that amazing Bobster!
    I hope Barry feels better soon, the allergies have been very bad this year.

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    1. I went through a huge rafaella barker binge a couple of years ago. I have a serious girl crush on her! I think I will actually write a post about her - thanks for reminding me! No plans yet for father
      s day here - Barry has not said what he'd like to do yet!

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  3. Hi Wendy, your gazebo looks like a lovely sanctuary - nice to have an outdoor space where the bugs can't get at you.

    Friends are staying over tonight - on the way to a funeral, sadly, but we will hopefully still have a nice time together. For Fathers' Day I think I'll let my husband 'play' (he's still learning) his guitars uninterrupted for a few hours - I think he'd appreciate that, as I usually end up complaining about 'that racket'!

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    1. Nice to have a visit, even if it is for unhappy circumstances. Barry is a big guitar player, - he gets together with a bunch of fellows about once a week!

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    2. Oh, that's my husband's dream!

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  4. What a wonderful gazebo! I would knit and birdwatch on that chaise, sipping my iced tea or wine , depending on the time of day. That's like having an extra living room.

    It's suddenly like a jungle here, too; the long days are encouraging daily visible growth.

    I read several things at a time, unless I start something so good I need to binge read to the end. I don't know R.Barker at all. I just took out David Mitchell's " Black Swan Green" which I'll read with lots of garden books interlarded. Have a lovely relaxing weekend! Naps are good, yes.

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    1. Hi Lane - we are getting to be like a jungle too! i have a couple of things to plant this morning after some housework. Have been looking at a bald spot all week and it's driving me mad!

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  5. Haroun and the Sea of Stories was the most favourite book I read to my grade six classes. We had amazing discussions on story and all that entails from this book. So glad you reminded me of it since it has been awhile!!

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    1. I am quite enjoying it. Syd just read it and highly recommended it.

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  6. I, too, read several books at once. I used to try to correct that habit but, really, what's wrong with it? A book for every mood. One of the books I am reading right now is All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews. I love her writing but the story is hard.

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    1. You know I have never read Miriam Toews? I have to fix that this year! So many books!

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  7. I think your gazebo looks a little bit like heaven on earth, I love it! I've wanted one ever since The Sound of Music.

    I tend to read one book at a time to stay in the mood of the story.

    Not too much planned for the weekend except husby's band is playing a short performance at a Flag Day celebration. I'll be talking to my dad on Sunday, wish I could be visiting with him instead.

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    1. TR - ours is not large enough for a dance sequence sadly...

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  8. Your gazebo looks so cozy!

    No big plans here this weekend.... hope you have a great one!

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