Pictures Out Every Window

I once read in a book about making little things in life enjoyable i.e. a simple vase of flowers (even if they're weeds), a bowl of fruit on the table, a favorite drawing or quote on the refrigerator. You get the idea. Well, this particular author was discussing the beauty outside of a window. The main idea was every window tells a story. So I got to thinking about "writing my own story" outside of my windows.

The first window I "wrote a story" from was my kitchen window. I figured it's the window I'm looking out most of the time thanks to dishes, dishes and more dishes. Did I mention dishes? My kitchen window overlooks our back porch and some of the backyard and woods. So I started with bird feeders hanging from a double hook (that's connected to the porch rail). My seed feeder and hummingbird feeder were not by themselves long. Very soon, I added flower boxes on the rail on either side of the feeders. Followed by potted arrangements on the porch. Daily, while I wash dishes and prepare meals, I am entertained by the birds and the vividly colored blooms outside my window. It's a small pleasure while I do an often menial task.

Here's my view out of the kitchen window (I know my laundry is hanging and my flower boxes are not blooming...but it's a real view).

The second window I "wrote a story" outside of, was my bathroom window. My bathroom window is one of the first windows I look out in the morning and I can see out the window through the reflection in my bathroom mirror. So while I get dressed and put on my makeup on in the morning (which doesn't take me long if you know me at all) I enjoy the "story" out that window. The view out the bathroom window is basically the side of my garage. I planted some bushes there but that was pretty much all. One morning, as I was looking outside my bathroom window, (through my mirror) I noticed something I had never noticed before, my garage wall had no windows. Now I realize it is absolutely not necessary or functional for most garages to have windows, but the thought kind of bothered me (for some strange reason I cannot explain). My solution was to contact my artist sister and a friend of hers who had an art business at the time (selling whimsical art). I had seen them painting scenes on old wooden framed windows. So I put in my request for two painted windows.

They even threw in the metal butterflies to attach to the windows. Of course, one of my bushes died (right under the window box) so I have a baby Nandina cowering below all the other more mature bushes (which desperately need to be pruned this winter). I added the window boxes later and the log cabin bird feeder. Just another way to brighten my day and enjoy the "story" my window tells.

Over the years, I have created little "stories" outside many of the windows here at the farm house. They add interest, look great (in my personal and not so humble opinion) and are enjoyed by all who get to "read" their contents. I found that these little "stories" help me enjoy the less enjoyable daily tasks such as washing dishes, folding laundry, you get the idea. I greatly encourage you to brighten your day and create a "story" outside your window.

Here are a few more "stories" we "read" here at the farm house:

These pots are right outside the older Farm Girls' new room in the basement. Notice the little signs stuck in the plants. The girls wrote messages on them so they see them first thing in the morning when they tie back the curtains.

A view from the sun room. I know the magnolia tree is pitiful, but I just can't bring myself to cut it down when it's alive...barely and puny, but alive.

A peek from the older Farm Girl's basement window. There's a covered porch which is why this looks dark, but it really is quite picturesque (if I do say so myself...and I do) even with the laundry on the line (which I also think is picturesque).