new again

I’ve been meaning to show you this, as it has revolutionized our porch time around here.
We’ve had this decrepit picnic table for ages. It came in to replace the old Martha Stewart Kmart “teak” table that simply collapsed one idyllic summer night a few years back. (I don’t blame you, Martha!) We kept the benches that went with it, and each, in its own time collapsed under the weight of some unlucky sitter. That set just disintegrated. And so, when we came across this old and very free picnic table, we welcomed it into our yard with open arms. We’ve loved it, collected splinters from it, and hurt our backs toting it around the yard. It has held us and countless others. This table is on its last legs and this is probably its last summer. But we felt it should  live out its last days in style.
So, armed with his trusty staple gun and a few rolls of oil cloth, Joey gave the old girl a makeover. And all of the sudden, we loved our porch. It was magical. I put geraniums in the planter, and we extended a sail from the roof to give us some shade. And when we think the other person isn’t looking, we lovingly run a hand along the oil cloth. Nice, right? You can do it too–I won’t look.
And speaking of porch life, how about those comments on the last post! Can we collect those and write a book about summer cooking? I think we should. Let’s include a chapter on old and lovely outdoor tables, too.
Congrats to Kathy Shea, lucky number 99 (Random.org loves you!). You’ve got the People’s Pops book coming to you. Send me an email with your address, and it’s on it’s way.