Editor’s Note
One of my favorite songs that puts me in a lazy-days-of-summer mood is the classic from sung by Ella Fitzgerald, which begins: I realize it represents a bygone time, but the slow drawl of it just, we showcase three homes that exude that simple summer atmosphere. Two of the three even feature delightfully inviting porch swings! You’ll see how the homeowners mingle rustic natural surfaces with found objects that tell an enticing story and sun-filled rooms that will inspire your own spaces. Summer is also a great time to get a little dirty, whether that means digging in a flower bed, exploring a shady creek, or picking up a paintbrush. Our DIY section has several fun projects that you can complete by yourself or with kids, such as arranging a wildflower bouquet in an old straw hat or building a bee hotel to help our pollinator friends. There are even some ideas on how to turn typical travel souvenirs into memorable decorative accents. We have other features that will have you paging through this issue on your front porch, including the story of how a mom of six took her home-cooking skills to a new level and landed as a finalist on Fox’s “MasterChef.” And what would the season be without blue-ribbon dishes from the county fair? The recipes in this issue are all winners that you’ll want to try out on your family. Revel in these long days, taking inspiration from another one of my favorite lines, which truly expresses how I aim to spend my summer days: —Ralph Waldo Emerson
