Saturday, June 18, 2011

It Doesn't Take Much

It really doesn't take much to make me happy. A beautiful ball of yarn or some colorful fabric can make my heart skip a bit. And then there's vintage sewing machines!

One thing that would make me immensely happy would be a special spot to sleep besides my regular old bed. As I get older I'm finding the beauty of a nap or a nice cool place to sleep on some evenings.

I was entranced by the sleeping porch at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings home in Cross Creek, Florida. I took a picture but can't find it at this moment so here's a shot from the University of South Florida.

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Source: University of South Florida

That's her fantastic vintage car just outside the porch. If you sit on the bed you can see the other side of the porch. This is the picture I took of the table and the typewriter where she wrote her books.

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From the porch she could see her orange groves. Can you imagine sleeping out there on a hot summer evening?

The other sleeping arrangement that would make me immensely happy is what I call a sleeping nook. I'm sure it has a proper name but I'm not aware of what it might be. It's a bed tucked into an enclosed space. A window would be great but a bookshelf is positively necessary!

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This is my favorite, a bed with storage underneath, a window and a bookcase. What a dreamy space.

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Sorry, I don't have the sources for those photos. If they belong to you let me know and I'll update the post to link to you.

How about you? Do you have some simple things that could bring you immense pleasure?

7 comments:

Mim said...

Oh Suzanne, this post stirred a longing in me I didn't even know was there. What a great idea. Once our back porch is finished I will have to think of a way to put a bed out there. Thanks for the inspiration!

Lisa D. said...

I love those photos. I would gladly take any one of those rooms. The first time I heard of a sleeping porch was one of those real estate programs on HGTV. The couple was looking for a home in Atlanta. I absolutely love the idea, even though it would rarely get used for sleeping up north here :)
One of the simple things that brings me pleasure is a house all to myself. Right now my husband is off with all 4 children to cut a truckload of firewood, and the house is quiet. Another simple pleasure is listening to the things my 4 year old comes up with. I love the way a little one's mind works as they discover the world. And as she is my baby, I'm just enjoying it as much as I can.

Jayne Honnold said...

I LOVE porches! I spend many wonderful hours on our screened porch. Since you are a reader, perhaps you have heard of Bailey White? She is a southern author who writes memoir-type vignettes. Her book Mama Makes Up Her Mind has a few references to sleeping porches. I think you would enjoy the book; some very hilarious parts! You can read a bit about my porch at jaynesquiltingroom.blogspot.com.

Jayne

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Oh, I had almost forgotten about sleeping porches. All the houses down here had them before the days of air conditioning! I must say I NEVER saw any as lovely as these!!!
V

life in red shoes said...

I just put the summer linens on our bed. White sateen sheets, a white lightweight cotton blanket, and our usual white matelasse. I fold a red and white quilt at the foot and add a few pillows, makes me immensely happy!

Leslie T. said...

What fantastic photos. I love all of them. How great would it be to have one of those rooms?
I'm with you, simple things make me very happy. And those rooms are magnificent.

Anonymous said...

I think almost all the most joyful things in life are simple pleasures. A cool breeze, my lovely gardenias, holding hands with my husband, laughing with my mother. Too many to name. I do like your pretty sleeping nook pictures. Very restful looking.