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Front Porch Appeal: May on the Porch with Sunshine & New Blooms May 02, 2025 |
Welcome to Front Porch Appeal!
May has arrived and the trees here are fully clothed in their fancy leaves, the birds are busy, and the porch feels like the perfect place to slow down with a cup of something warm (or iced, depending on the day). After all the April rain, it’s a joy to see everything beginning to bloom again, a reminder that even the drizzly days are part of something good. This month also brings Mother’s Day, a chance to appreciate the women in our lives who’ve offered care, encouragement, or just shown up when it mattered. Whether you're celebrating a mom, remembering one, or simply noticing the way love takes root in everyday life, we hope the day feels meaningful in your own way.
Wouldn't this be a sweet place for a beverage with your neighbor, best friend or a dear sibling...We think so! Cindy Shares Her Gorgeous Tulips
How About These Wildlife Visits?
Yes, this is a turkey in our bird bath. We live beside a woods and we often have turkeys visiting our bird feeder area. But the thing that seems to attract them the most is the bird bath. They LOVE it! Well, the other thing they also love is that Dave gives them extra feed on the ground when they visit. They aren't too shy anymore.
The other day, we heard a loud thud against one of our living room windows. Thankfully, the glass was fine, but when we looked up, there was a Pileated Woodpecker clinging to the window screen! If you’ve never seen one, these birds are big — around 16 to 20 inches long, with a dramatic red crest. Think Woody Woodpecker, only real and a lot louder. He looked pretty dazed. I reached for my camera, but he took off into the trees before I could get a shot. Still, the photo we did get gives you an idea of just how big this guy was. Then, the next morning over breakfast, we heard another loud bang — this time coming from upstairs. When we got to the top of the stairs, there he was again, hanging from another window screen like he owned the place. That pecking sound was scary loud. We’re just grateful he didn’t injure himself (or shatter a window).
We love the deer that roam through our neighborhood, it’s one of the perks of living near the woods. They’re graceful, fun to watch, and part of what makes this place feel like home, except when they treat our garden like a salad bar. Last year, for reasons we still don’t understand, they munched our plants right down to the ground. In previous years, they barely bothered them, but last season, it was like they brought their whole extended family for a buffet. This year, Dave found these garlic-and-peppermint-scented deterrent balls on Amazon. The downside? They definitely smell like garlic. The upside? So far, they seem to be working, and they’re “supposed” to last up to six months. We are hoping. They’re meant to sit on the ground, but for taller plants, Dave got creative: he placed them in applesauce cups mounted on sticks, complete with little holes for drainage when it rains. Practical and a bit ingenious, if you ask me. If
you’ve found any other surefire ways to keep deer out of the garden, we’d love to hear your tips.
Celebrating Mothers Day!
Mother’s Day is a special time to outwardly appreciate the women who’ve helped shape us — whether they’re moms, grandmas, aunts, neighbors, or friends. Some teach us how to tie our shoes or make a favorite recipe. Others show us how to be patient, brave, or kind. Many do it all without needing a spotlight. I'll always remember how attentive my mom was when I was sick. Oftentimes she would stay up all night and sleep in a chair next to me. She brought me priceless comfort, and I hope I told her often enough how much that meant to me. This month, we pause to say thank you. Not just for the big things, but for the daily care, the steady presence, the way moms show up. Whether you’re honoring someone, remembering someone, or simply reflecting on the role of care in your life, we hope this day brings warmth and a sense of connection. Happy Mother’s
Day to all who love and nurture in their own unique way.
April Showers Bring May Flowers
This old saying reminds us that even the gray, soggy days of spring have a purpose. All that rain soaking the soil is quietly preparing the earth for new life. By the time May rolls around, gardens begin to bloom, trees leaf out, and the world seems to exhale in color. Our yard has considerably greened up since last month and our flowers are beginning to take off. We put the rocks around our marigolds to discourage the squirrels from digging. But...we noticed that sometimes they move the rocks. We. Can't. Win.
Growth often begins in the messiest, muddiest moments. Just like the rain feeds the roots before we see the blooms, our quieter seasons, the ones that feel slow or uncertain, may be growing something beautiful underneath the surface. Here you see our new euonymus and, in the background, the first bloom of our evening primrose. The mushrooms on the log are a birthday gift from our family. Aren't they so adorable?
Look at these cuties! They seem right at home next to the rock. Can't wait to see how they evolve over the summer. Cindy's Outdoor Living Space
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