Thursday, July 24, 2008

Bring on the rainy days and the summer heat!


Can you see the rain coming down in buckets off the end of the awning in the picture below? We are in the middle of a very wet weather pattern here in the New England, with no end in sight!


Once summer arrives, we love to eat out on the deck every evening, and I also love bringing my magazines or whatever book I'm reading out there to relax. Before we got our Sunsetter awning, I dreaded rainy weather forecasts because it meant being stuck inside. But not anymore!


The Sunsetter is also wonderful on sunny days... This is the first year we haven't had a patio umbrella over the table. Now the Sunsetter awning takes care of shading not just the table, but most of the deck.


On hot summer days, it's so much more pleasant out on the deck when the awning is extended. The family room stays cooler, too, as the big sliding glass door to the deck is southern exposure and gets lots of sunlight.

So bring on the rain days or the scorching sun, Mr. Weatherman! We're ready for it!
Comment Update: The awning is attached to the side of the house. When not in use, we press a button and it retracts, rolling up against the house. It actually looks like a very long shade when it's all rolled up. With the model we got, you press the button to extend it; you can have it extend out to its full 10' (I think that's the distance), or you can stop it anywhere in between. Sometimes on hot days, we just put it out about 3 feet in order to block the sun from coming in through the slider.

Donna

15 comments:

driftwood shack said...

Hi Donna your awning looks like such a great idea we have a patio that really needs some shade so I have a place to put the baby playpen on hot days,a job for the hubby though, I think! if you have a look in my sidebar theres an award for you for your lovely blog!

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Donna!
I LOVE your awning! That is the coolest thing since ice cubes!! It would be so nice to enjoy the outdoors no matter what the weather. Enjoy that wonderful freedom!
Hugs, Sherry

Connie said...

Ya know, sweet cottage chick, you've just given me a terrific idea for my backyard - a sunsetter awning! I'm checking into that after I've convinced hubs. AND I truly think that is a special place to eat and read. A fantastic place you've made, my little dove.
Smoochies,
Connie

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

You have a beautiful place and a wonderful blog. I love the kitty story, Indeed a cat that old ,has problems eating and other disorders to boot. I'm sorry you had to put so much money into him, before you knew who own him. Did you ever find out his real name? I bet you would do it all over again, LOL Hugs Marie Antionette

{oc cottage} said...

Ohhhhhhhh you lucky duck!!! I'd love some rain!!!


M ^..^

Joanne Kennedy said...

The awning is perfect! That's great that you can sit out there now on raining days. Heck, it's wonderful you are having rainny days. I wish we would get rain here. We won't have a drop for at least 4 months or so. It's so dry here.

So can you bring the awning in if you don't want it covered outside?

Hugs,
Joanne

Angie said...

donna...

we are hoping to be able to put a deck in next summer...and i have seen thos awnings on a few homes..they look like they really provide some good shade....i never even thought about when it rains, too...i like that idea..

~Angie

p.s. and thank you for the beautiful message you left for me...we were caught off guard...and it has been a tremendous loss...your words meant alot to me..i appreciate them...

Anonymous said...

We have the summer heat but NO rain... I love the sound of rain.... it must be so lovely sitting out on your deck in the rain...
Hugs
Linda

Cottage Rose said...

Love the awning, they should have you do a commercial for them. And your deck is so amazing just love it. It looks so peaceful and cozy. What a great spot to set and just be.

Hugs;
Alaura

Life on the Edge said...

This is a great idea! How handy! Wish I had something like that, especially as we had a very rainy spring and summer. It's just now within the past week or two that we have actually had more than a day or two pass without rain.

Kady

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

That's a wonderful awning Donna!

My sister had the old fashioned hand crank type on her deck. My house has a little bump out foyer so unfortunately I can't fit something like that over my back porch.

Is it HUMID there too? We were melting all week long and finally ahd soem relief today!

Hugs, Pat

cargol said...

great awning! We finally got some rain today from hurricane Dolly and broke our 100 degree temps, yea! Enjoy your porch!

Anonymous said...

Morning Donna. What an awning! I love it and know you're gonna enjoy it so much. Have a wonderful day.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Jill said...

What a beautiful patio, I can understand why you would want to sit out and while away the hours. It certainly has been a rainy year for most everyone!
~Jill

joyh82 said...

I would love a retractable awning like that.. I love your fountain and outdoor area.