Favorite Nook: Bethany Out of Doors

Even though I haven't lifted a finger to help these guest posters renovate, I'm exhausted just thinking about it. So let's take a wee break for the weekend with a couple of favorite nooks, shall we?



Welcome back Bethany of b*spoke blog who agreed come visit one more time and share her beautiful shaded outdoor space with us. Let's go!

Blogging for Mrs. L is always a treat. I love her style, and find it so inspiring to read about her life in Brooklyn. I live in a small brick cottage in Minnesota, which sometimes feels like it might be on the other side of the earth from the streets of New York. When taking up the challenge of putting together a post on my favorite nook, I had to stop and think for a moment which corner of my home to write about. If I were doing this post in January instead of July, I would most definitely be writing about my cozy fire-side reading corner or my snug master bedroom retreat. However, as I write, the warm summer sun is streaming in the window, and I find my heart is truly most drawn to our outdoor living space.

Perched atop a hill, and tucked under a canopy of towering oaks, our large brick patio is home to an outdoor fire pit, an old-fashioned board swing, our barbecue, and a hand-me-down set of table and chairs. Pots of flowers are scattered about, and my gardening tools are often sitting on the table. This spring we completed a large landscaping project, and immediately, the patio became our new haven. We added the board swing, painted the furniture, and planted several pots of flowers. Most evenings, I can be found out back, tinkering in my garden, cooking on the grill or reading on the glider. There is just something about this space that feels so good in the fading summer sun.

If I were to change one thing about it, it would be the view. While we can see a bit of blue from a nearby lake, I would love to have a full panorama of a glistening lake, complete with our own dock just down the hill. However, I really can't complain much, because even with its imperfect view, our backyard retreat is a wonderful little nook for endless summer relaxation.