Florida Home Back Porch and Pool Deck

I stayed in our FL home for almost a month in Dec. So I got to do a little tweaking on the back porch.

The back porch is visible as soon as you enter the front door.

 

 I was even able to clean the glass windows and that was a big job with all these windows.

 I drink my coffee most of the time from this breakfast area in the kitchen where you can visibly see the back porch so it is important for me to like what I see so I can relax.

 My granddaughter Reese, who lives next door with her family, likes to keep me company out there.

 There are exposed nail like hardware under the windows for attachment of hurricane shutters when needed, but they are unsightly, so I covered them with wooden signs I found at Homegoods, which incidentally, is only a 4 minute drive from the house.

 Instead of buying one long table for occasional dinners outside, I opted to get 2 sets of square ones, that can easily be put together for a larger crowd.

 With my daughter Tina and her hubby Scott and 3 little kids living next door, I had a removable safety screen installed around the pool. They go swimming there even when we are home in MS and they have so many pool toys everywhere so I bought this storage outdoor bench from Wisteria to store all the toys. It is much neater now. It also serves as a nice seat for the lifeguard in case he or she does not want to swim with the kids. I was so proud that I assembled it all by myself even though I was so intimidated by all the parts when I opened the box.

 See how the tables go together nicely when all the grandkids are eating out there? I like to feed them there cause I can just hose out the floor if they make mess. I have also done tablescapes there complete with tablecloths and all, when I have adult company, and it looks nice.

Below was taken last spring when my friends visited me from Natchez. This was before I had the safety screen installed and added other outdoor furniture.

 

I have a calamundin plant which did not look good, the fruits were so much smaller than they should be although it was still alive. I transferred it to a bigger pot and fed it and it looks so much better now.

 I was so surprised to see my orchids thriving on their own and blooming even though I have not been there to take care of them since last July.

 I love the blue orchids.

I really like this double faced clock I bought from Joss and Main. It's nice to be able to see the time when you are swimming too.

 

See the 2 wooden side tables? Tina bought 4 of them from a yard sale for $2. They were ugly and stained. She gave me 2 of them which I painted and now I think they look so much better.

 These 2 loungers and grill were left and given to us by the previous owners.

 

Below is how the back porch looked before I started redecorating. It was taken last July during our family reunion to celebrate my mother's 95th birthday. See those nails below the windows. They are truly an eyesore. I am glad I got them concealed.

 

I miss our Florida home. Aside from the nice weather there, 70's to low 80's when I was there just a few weeks ago, the house is very relaxing. I miss my grandkids running around too and shopping and watching movies with my daughter. But it is also nice to be back home here in Natchez, which I still have so much to do.

 

Thank you for the visits. I hope you are all enjoying 2014 so far. Thanks to all the hostesses too. I really appreciate all your efforts.

 

Kathryn's Anything Blue Friday

Kathryn's Make it Pretty Monday

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/

Cindy's Amaze me Monday

http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/

Susan's Metamorphosis Monday

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Sally's Blue Monday

http://smilingsally.blogspot.com

Mosaic Monday

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Mary's Masterpieces Monday

http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

My Happy List Tuesdays

http://ricki-treleaven.blogspot.com/

Maria Elena's Tuesdays at Our Home

http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Marty at Inspire Me Tuesday
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/

Tuesday's Treasures

http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Jean's Bloomin' Tuesday

http://msgreenthumbjean.blogspot.com/
Paula's What's It Wedhttp://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Outdoor Wed.

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Kathy's Home and Garden Thursday

http://www.adelightsomelife.com/