An Outdoor Room

After our long romp at the park on Saturday night, we were all ready for a relaxing Sunday morning.

A couple of weeks ago, I stapled galvanized fencing inside the rails on the front porch and purchased a light-weight aluminum fence panel that I can slide into brackets to close off the stairs to the sidewalk... in essence "fencing in" the front porch so we can use it as an extra outdoor room to the house. I prop open the screen door and the dogs are allowed on the porch to hang out without needing to be leashed.

It's been one of my favorite house projects this summer because it gives us a little extra space to hang out and the dogs have a front row seat to what's happening in the neighborhood... safely.

Now I can sit out there with my coffee and a book and truly relax. I don't have to worry about them getting their leads tangled, or wandering too far off toward the sidewalk, or choking themselves while running after a squirrel or someone on a bike. It's so peaceful!

And surprisingly, the dogs seem calmer too by having that additional barrier between us and the neighborhood. They actually lay down and relax. No more pacing or barking unnecessarily.

Jake often goes out there all by himself just to take a nap. And Charlie watches the squirrel activity in the nearby oak tree. Grandma Diana hangs out there with them during the day while I'm at work and she doesn't have to worry about them overpowering her on leashes. And I love it when I drive by on my way home from work and see them all sitting out there waiting for me. It's the best.

Our weekend mornings have become a bit of a restful retreat on the front porch and it's a perfect spot for weekday naps in the shade. We're all enjoying our new little outdoor room.