Penny's Porch
Nothing beats a veranda on a sultry summer night-a warm breeze sweeping by, beverage in hand, worry free, surrounded by good company and delicious food. A porch is an escape, a place where old-fashioned values meet today's need to slow down. Penny Payne Fioravante has become a legend of sorts in Charleston's East End porch culture. Neighbors and passersby venture up her walkway to say hello, and sooner or later, it's a porch party. The days of the rocker are back, just with a bit more swing.
Remember those wonderful old episodes of Mayberry RFD on television? At the end of the day, everyone would gather on the front porch. Andy would play his guitar, Opie would sit in the swing and Aunt Bea would serve a pitcher of lemonade to friends who would stop by.
Even though life is nothing like a television show, I've always longed for evenings like those. That was a simpler time when summer evenings were spent relaxing with friends, when life just slowed down because our work day was finished and the chores were done. The issues of the day were discussed on the porch; family problems were solved there. The neighbors came over to share a bit of gossip and friends stopped by just to sit and chat. Old folks sat in their rockers and watched the fireflies light up the yard. Teenagers sat in the swing and had their first kiss.
With the busy lives we all lead in our fast paced modern world, it's hard to find time to relax. We're always on the go, whether it's getting the kids to soccer practice on time or rushing off to a business dinner. I'll be the first to admit, it's hard to slow down...but we would all like to!
I fell in love with my house the first time I saw it-a pretty old queen anne, nothing grand or majestic, but lovely and stately and situated right on a main street through the east end of the city. I knew it had to have a wonderful history when I walked up the front path. When I stepped onto the front porch, a wonderful feeling washed over me and I knew there had been happy times there. It felt right and I quickly started making it home.
There was a lot of work to do to the inside of the house, but the porch was perfect. I went to estate sales and thrift shops and bought every old piece of wicker I could find. The porch became my favorite room. Soon, it became a gathering place of friends and family.anytime I would sit outside, someone would stop for a visit. We loved the porch; and before I knew it, parties on Penny's Porch became the weekly norm for my group of friends.
I found that entertaining outside was ideal for my busy lifestyle.I didn't have to worry about whether or not the house was clean! Since the first time a friend stopped by, the parties have grown in scale. Sometimes it's a Sunday afternoon brunch complete with quiche and mimosas. We've had both formal dinners and sit down luncheons. My teenagers have hosted Halloween parties and music jams. Friends still stop by on their way home from work to have a glass of wine and catch up on the day. I even have one friend from out of town that stops by with his laptop and cell phone and makes it his porch office!
I'll share my simple secrets for a successful porch party. Don't worry if you don't have a porch, because a deck, patio or balcony works just as well!
- First, invite your friends over. When they ask if they can bring anything, let them. A simpler party makes a happier host.
- Next, sweep off the porch. I use my leaf blower; it cleans it off in seconds. Forget about the inside of the house. no one needs to know that you haven't had time to clean or do laundry!
- Fluff up the pillows on the porch furniture. Shoo the cats off so your friends will have a place to sit.
- Now, fix something good to drink. Good conversation will make you thirsty! Then sit back and relax. Trust me, the fun will flow!
