Eleven Gables Back Porch Patio Outdoor Living Room

Living in Oklahoma has it's advantages... 

Family

Faith

Four Seasons 

to name a few ;)

It's really hard for people to "get" Oklahoma.  I grew up here.  My family is here.  Church family has become such a vital role in our lives.  They have become an extension of our own family.  

I love experiencing and anticipating all four seasons.  We, Oklahomans, say, "If you don't like the weather, just wait a minute and it will change."  Spring is pretty dramatic in these parts.  Late ice storms to scary tornados...  Oklahomans consider themselves amateur meteorologists.  We watch weather, talk weather, and dream weather.  

Summer is usually pretty excruciating here so many Oklahomans head to "the lake."  Did you see my article about a cool, new community at Lake Eufaula?  Go here to read up on it!

Fall is beautiful but undependable in these parts.  Sometimes, it will be an Indian Summer until November and sometimes the temperature will drop early and the wind starts sweeping down the plain.  Brrrrr.

Winter is pretty tricky here in Oklahoma.  We usually get at least one snow or ice storm per winter.  The weather is chilly and the wind makes it worse.  This isn't my favorite season, but it doesn't last too long.  The upside of winter is wearing my Uggs all day every day.  

Why live in Oklahoma you say?  Well, you'd just have to move here to understand. :)

  

When stumbling upon our home (literally stumbled... I actually knocked on the door and asked them to call me if they ever decided to sell), it wasn't just the house that we fell in love with, it was also the neighborhood pond adjacent to the lot.  

My husband and boys love to fish.  Our family became the "caretakers" of the pond.  This thrilled my husband!  When the pond was drained and dredged, a neighbor relocated all of the humongous carp to another pond.  My husband contacted a local fish hatchery and ordered hundreds of baby catfish, perch, and bass, all fun fish to catch.  

This is our view from the back porch to the pond:

Here you can see a BEFORE of the back porch:

We didn't mind the porch the way it was built.  On our wish list, we dreamed of expanding it so that we could sit outside and enjoy the seasons, but not be exposed to the elements that each season brings.  The original roof line extended about 5 feet, maybe 6 if you include the overhang and gutter.  To read more on the remodel of the back porch, go here.

The view of our house from the pond:

The porch was completed only about 10 weeks ago and we have used it EVERY day since.  Last week, we watched a rainstorm blow through.  The lightening put on quite a show and we stayed dry (except for the boys who had been playing in the woods when the rain blew in).

When my sweet new friend, Lindsay of The White Buffalo Styling Company, asked me to participate in a Favorite Room Home Tour, I was so honored to be included among so many talented bloggers, especially since I only started blogging a few months ago.  This is my first Blogger Styling Home Tour, but I am planning on participating in the fall and Christmas tours!  If you are visiting from Retro Ranch Reno, welcome!  I have been a huge fan of Gabbi, first discovering her on Instagram.  If you follow me on Instagram, you know what I have been working on this past year.  IG is my quick go-to for updates on my favorite blogs.

  For this tour, I immediately thought of my porch as my favorite room.  I know, I know... I say my butler's pantry and my kitchen are my current favorite rooms, but those rooms have me working in them ALL. THE. TIME.  

Here, on the back porch, I don't have to work.  I can bring my coffee and my Bible here in the morning for some quiet time and my wine and my Honey here in the evening for some snuggle time.  We love to have family devotions, dinner, and good conversation here.  

Since school is in session and fall is right around the corner, I was inspired to get the porch ready for cooler temps and more snuggling.  Blankets and cushy pillows encourage the family to sit and cuddle.  We enjoy watching the boys playing from our cozy spots on the sofa or wingbacks.

The coffee table is a thrifted find.  I know lacquered bamboo is all the rage, but I really like the natural look out here and the mixing of all of the different elements keeps it warm and inviting. 

A little drink station is perfect for parties!  This antique mahogany butler's tray is one of three that I own.  I can't get enough!  They remind me of Downton Abbey.  So English!

These all-weather-wicker wing backs are heavy enough to stay put during a pretty heavy windstorm, but they are lightweight enough to easily move to make room for more seating or....

...turn and face the chiminea.  Little story on the little old chiminea- We had big plans for a large fireplace on the southwest corner of the porch.  The night before construction, we had a cold north wind hit us as we were standing in the fireplace spot.  We realized that ashes would be blown out of the fireplace and make a huge mess.  

We couldn't put the fireplace on the north side of the porch either because that would block the view of the pond.  

Fireplace couldn't go in the middle of the porch either because that would totally mess with my future plans... keep reading ;)  So, we nixed the fireplace for now.

Here is the view from my cozy spot on the sofa toward the west.  The sun sets a little to the left of this and the light dapples through the trees.  I think it is so magical and romantic.

We suspended this chippy, iron candle chandelier over the table with chain link.  I can totally imagine my boys getting married in this backyard some day.  The wrought iron patio set was my on my front porch growing up.  I have so many memories sitting on that porch, eating lunch with my mom during Kindergarten.  

My sister sold the set to my neighbor at a garage sale years ago.  The seats were rotted out and I didn't have the time or foresight to hang on to it.  When my sweet neighbor moved to Houston this spring, she offered to sell the set back to me.  I was so thrilled to have it back in my possession!  It had been sitting outside in her yard, exposed to the elements for many years.  A ton of elbow grease, paint, and a trip to Lowe's lumber department to repair the seats and I was back in business!

We have hosted many our friends here for parties.  It is so pleasant under the tree canopy.

I am all about using my good stuff and enjoying it.  It does me no good in a china cabinet. 

Blue and white ginger jars gathered from the house make a quick & pretty centerpiece when flowers aren't at the ready.

I purposely did not space the beams out evenly, because of my dream for a wedding out here someday.  The guests could sit up here with an unobstructed view of the bride and groom under the chandelier, or the wedding party could stand under the porch and the guests could sit in chairs on the grass.  :)  Planning ahead, I tell ya!

I have so enjoyed sharing my porch with you.  I always enjoy reading and answering any questions you may have.  Leave me a comment!  That is icing on a blogger's cake! ;)

 Thank you for visiting this Blogger Stylin' Home Tour, Favorite Room Edition!  I am last on the list for today.  If you missed any, you MUST go back and look through all of the rooms.  All of these bloggers are so talented!

 Monday, August 25th:
The White Buffalo Styling Co.
Thistlewood Farms
Fieldstone Hill
Charming in Charlotte
All Things Thrifty
Dwellings by Devore
Not Just a Housewife
DesignPost Interiors

Tuesday, August 26th:
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Dream Green DIY
Finding Home
This, That & Life
Dimples & Tangles

Wednesday, August 27th:
Home Stories A to Z
Desert Domicile
The DIY Playbook
Beneath My Heart
Sarah M. Dorsey Designs
Simple Stylings

Thursday, August 28th: 
Jen Rizzo
Number Fifty-three
My Fabuless Life
Just a Girl
Retro Ranch Reno
Eleven Gables

Friday, August 29th:
In my Own Style
Bliss at Home
C.R.A.F.T.
Primitive & Proper
The Chronicles of Home
DIY Showoff

One last look at my favorite room!! 

Until next time!!!  

xo,

Emily 

P. S.  I can't finish this post today without wishing my sweet, kindred spirit of 35 years a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY today!  I love you, JLK.  Thank you for your friendship and support.  You are precious to me!  xoxo

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