Phase IV Completed!

I am joining with the bloggers who are sharing on

Celebrate Your Story! #122

Click on the link above and see what others are celebrating today.

Today I am celebrating the completion of our screened in back porch!  The final phase of our back yard.

We moved into our Garden Home in 2007 and this was the back yard view a year later.

Phase I!

I loved sitting outside but in the south, outdoor living is very short.  We got a mosquito net which helped with the bugs a little bit but did nothing for the heat.

Phase II!

So, about four years ago we enclosed this area.  This sun room connected the master bedroom on one end with the side entry on the other.

This is where I spent most of my time.  It immediately became my favorite room in the house.

 From here I can enjoy the outdoors in complete comfort.

However, as you can tell, all the morning sunlight poured into the sun room, which we loved, but it reeked havoc on the exposed door, and elevated the electric bill.  Plus the wall eliminated the outdoor living that we had enjoyed.

Phase III!

We decided to add a sturdy, insulated cover over the entry and create a nice place to sit outside.  Back to the initial reason for enclosing the patio in the first place.  LOUISIANA MOSQUITOES! 

Phase IV!

We decided that since we had invested so much into the back porch, it made no sense to not be able to enjoy it.  So, a couple weeks ago we had it screened in.  Now, I can enjoy both the comfort of an air conditioned and heated room with a view AND an outdoor room free of the bugs when the heat isn't intensive.  The best of both worlds!

My view from the sunroom

This was one of the first paintings I did and I thought the colors were perfect for this room.

My orchid even seems to love it out here.

This is my little nest where I can enjoy the birds and flowers and read even at night while listening to music.

And this was one of the best purchases I made.  I love my big poofy ottoman.

This used to hang outside, so I repainted it and Dick hung it inside for me.  I have a pot of succulents in it.

The actual patio is now much reduced, but it seems to be all we need.

My little herb pot and cherry tomato plant is close to the door and can be enjoyed from inside as well.

Our first almost ripe baby!

 

And that completes our building projects for this house as there is no where else to expand.