A Blue Monday-Outdoor Wednesday-Second Time Around- Porch Party Celebration!

Good Morning! It is one wild day here at the Magpie nest because I am participating in a bunch of events in one. You see, my camera is ailing. So I thought I would do one post to cover it all since I managed to take these shots before my sidekick got sick. Then I can visit all of you throughout the week as the events arise! So I hope you'll join us for these events as I start out with Rhondi's Porch Party at Rose Colored Glasses...



Moving onto my regular Blue Monday activity with Sally at Smiling Sally's...



Then over to participate in Second Time Around Tuesday with Diane at A Picture is Worth A 1,000 Words...



And even though this is technically not a tea party, I think I will buzz over to Carol's blog, Charli and Me, for Tea and Friendship Tuesday...



Then over to visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday!



Even though our porch furniture had been cleared from the porch due to the storms of late (one with some heavy duty wind), I still decided to celebrate the one sunny day we've had lately. So don your sun bonnet, and let's step outside. But first, let's fix a tray, beginning with one of my favorite thrifted plates. Let's just pretend that starfish is a fancy cookie. After all, a seagull certainly would. ;-)



It's hot, so I want to keep the snack light. How about an apple or two served in a little porcelain Nantucket basket from eBay...



So far, so good...



Now, we need a nice pitcher (thrifted, of course) of invisible water to ward off the heat and a glass from Target with a little pot of lemon grass for a pop of green. Oops, kinda forgot the napkin, but we won't tell...



Now, let's add lots of nice greenery for scenery, since we are on a second story balcony...



Kind of like living in a tree house, don't you think?

And a tree canopy (including an ancient chinaberry tree) is good to have to block the bright summer sun...



Spanish Bayonets (pictured below with their sharp points and blade like leaves) were used in early St. Augustine to ward off intruders. This one is currently warding off intruders from the balcony as the plant reaches the second story...



A summer view of our oleander plant and crepe myrtle...



A winter view of the same. The sun is a welcome guest in winter...



And back to summer...



Then, winter viewed from the other side of the balcony...



And summer shot of the same. I wonder what treasures (nuts and such) my favorite bushy- tailed friends have hidden in that hole???



So now that we've got the greenery, let's add a little more to the porch itself in this antique copper watering can...



And on the back of the blue Adirondack chair (a curbside rescue), toss in a straw pith helmet (from Publix, no less) because this is an adventure...



Then a butterfly net with bamboo handle (for catch and release only)...



Let's peep through the screen on the French doors to see how it looks...



And on closer reveal, it's just right for my afternoon repast [if you turn the things around where they should be facing the chair, d'oh!]...



But wait... what's that green thing I spy in the picture???



Why, it's none other than Bunny on a Stick (proving that he is a summer bunny, too)...



And he looks like he's diving into the invisible water in the pitcher...



No? He says he's just stretching his limbs. You never know what kind of wildlife might show up in Florida. Green could mean gators or possibly a Caribbean amphibian! ;-)



One last tour around the scene...


























































Oh! There's a butterfly...



If I can just get my net over him...



Oh, well... tough...



Gotta be...



And fast enough to catch him before he flits...



Before I go chasing after that butterfly, I want to share another little porch with you. If you look very closely, you will see a tiny magpie on the balcony with a shiny object in its beak. Remind you of anyone you know???



I'll be sharing more about this special porch and the three others on this little blue magpie birdhouse cottage as well as sharing about the very special friend who made it for me. So please check back with me next Blue Monday.

Thank you for joining me at my nest today, and I eaglerly look forward to visiting you at yours. Please join Rhondi, Sally, Diane, Carol, and Susan and all of their friends for their events. You can get there by clicking the links on my sidebar or in the beginning of this post. They promise to be lots of fun! :-)

Warmly,


Mrs. Magpie (Sheila)



P.S. It's time for...