Once I threw out all the foreign-language instructions, all I had to do was figure out which part went where. Since I only needed the swing parts and not the free-standing frame or canopy, the assembly went smoothly. Then I got out my trusty drill, the only power tool I own that I'm not afraid of. 
Since there were two existing hooks in the ceiling, I figured I had it made. Just add one more hook to compensate for the longer length of this swing and I'm home free. Add one rickety ladder to reach the ceiling and drill a hole for the hook. Luckily for me my sister happened to stop by and held the ladder.
Oops, design flaw. I neglected to visualize that the porch post would be in the way. Darn! My sister says good luck and beats a hasty exit.
By now I'm hot and sweaty so I take a break and walk around the yard before I continue my efforts. Down on the lower patio, I check out the Sweet Autumn clematis to see if it's tumbling nicely over the retaining wall. It is.
Buddha is calmly overseeing things as usual. Am I going to try to winter over that bamboo? Probably.
What's this? An interloper! Well, he can carry on with whatever he's doing, I have to finish re-positioning that hook.
My neighbor checks in to see what I'm doing and insists that she can do a better job of fixing the hook than I can. I let her. Finally! It swings and it doesn't hit the post. My neighbor goes home triumphant.
The swing will also lie flat like a bed. And this is fairly simple to do except for the finger-pinching part. 
This is where I was going to take a picture of myself relaxing in the swing. But that would have meant bringing out the tripod and figuring out how to set the camera to self-timer. That wasn't going to happen so this is the best I could do.
A swing with a view. Treetops and lanterns and lots of birds flying overhead. This is while I'm swaying lazily back and forth.
What a heavenly feeling! Almost like the Heavenly Blues that I can gaze upon while I swing the rest of the summer away. 
33 comments:
Well, that is a sweet set-up. I enjoyed the saga of the swing. Enjoy those Indian summer afternoons.
such a wonderful swing! I know that you will spend many hours on it enjoying nature!
Fantastic! I enjoyed the story and the views of your beautiful garden! So cool!
I need one of those!
You've got a great spot to relax and enjoy the view now. Wish they had great deals like that here :(
Your kinda like Tom Sawyer getting your neighbor to hang that swing for you. It looks like a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the cooler fall days!
Your swing looks wonderful! I always nap on my wicker sofa on my deck but nevver nap any other time! Sweet dreams!
Why is it that nothing is easy? When you think a job will be a snap, there's always a snag.
I laugh at your sister making a fast exit! LOL!
In the end, what a great swing! Great photos, Mary. And, as usual, I need to comment on your lovely feet.
I think I would like to take a long nap on that comfy swing of yours..
Oh, that looks just TOOOOOO comfy...I hope you get a lot of pleasure out of it over the next number of weeks.
What a wonderful place to relax and enjoy your beautiful surroundings! Nice work.
So jealous! We almost went to Loew's last weekend, but yard work at my uncle's house and here made us too tired. Wonder if they still have any?
Love your sanctuary!!!!
Oh what a great swing and bed together! Havent ever seen like that. Your garden looks wonderful!!!
Thank you all, it was hard being at work all week knowing that the swing was beckoning to me. I think the neighbor's cat got some use out of it though. I plan to spend Sunday out there with a book, but wait, what's this...rain in the forecast, and 46 degrees for a high temp on Monday? Noooooo!
Congrats, I'll be right over with the wine. You have really created a wonderful outdoor living space.
Hope you have the most amazing indian summer so you can enjoy the swing.
All the best, BOB
How clever to take it from the car piece by piece. I would hope I would have thought to do that, but I probably would not have. It would still be sitting in the car.
It looks so inviting. I can envision many a good read while gently swaying in a summer breeze. It needs just one thing--a handmade quilt to keep the chill off while reading. :)
I hope you do try to save that bamboo. It looks prefect behind the buddha.
Oh my - that does look like the essence of summer, Lost Roses...pretty cool also that it was put up by 3 women.
As long as you can stop swinging long enough to keep the stuff on the barbecue from burning, this looks like a very sweet setup!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Bob, the door's open!
Zoey, I'm a real wimp about chilly temps. If I need a quilt out there I'm probably not going to be out there!
Annie, too bad I didn't have it all summer. My neighbor said I should have put it up on Memorial Day, not Labor Day. But as I pointed out to her, they weren't 75% off back then!
Great story! I bet it's all the more comfy knowing what a deal you got! Besides, now you will have it for next year. Have you decided if this one is coming in for the winter?
LR - You are a hoot!! Having lived many years myself without an undergardener I can picture myself doing the same thing and reacting the same way. It's amazing what can be accomplished with a little engenuity and the help of a friendly neighbor. Great job! Now go get on the swing and take a well-deserved nap. But wait until it gets hot again.
Countrygirl, if I can get my garage cleaned out a bit I might have room to bring it in. I'm supposedly having a garage sale this weekend so we'll see!
Bev, so you know how it can be without an undergardener. We make do! And brrr, it's cold tonight. I'm bringing in my tropicals.
What a deal you got! Enjoyed your saga of the installation. A chuckle on Monday morning is a great way to start the day. You're a very ingenious girl :)
The swing is wonderful and I can picture you (no need for the tripod and timer) swinging away murmuring "Summer afternoon, summer afternoon...."
All these pictures were great - your garden looks so inviting, It's no wonder why you needed a place to lay back and relax!
I am envious that you have a porch big enough to have a swing!! It looks very inviting. I can bring some snacks with Bob bring the wine it should be a grand time.
Thanks for sharing your swing adventure,
PS love the color of your toe nails!!
What a wonderful place to take a nap or read a book. Looks like heaven.
Great! You've got your swing! Been wondering when you would get it. Anyhow, it looks like an inviting place and I would love to have a covered patio and rest on a swing. Actually, I believe, I would sleep outdoors a lot, if the mosquitos would leave me alone. Enjoy! Andrea
Lostroses I'm very proud of ............. your neighbour. Good job in putting up the new swing! It looks great now that it's finished. Very nice and comfy, move over a bit so that I can sit next to you. Love the view!
Kerri, I had a bit of a setback on my "summer afternoon" theme when the temps dipped to the 40's overnight on Sunday. I actually had to shut my windows! But I plan to be back in that swing soon.
Rosemarie, thanks for your comment. I'm famous for sitting back and relaxing so it was a very appropriate purchase for me!
Cliff, okay then, I think we have all the bases covered for a nice visit! And the toenail polish - we used to call that fire engine red but now they think up catchier names like Cara Mia Carmine!
Seventh sister, there's just something heavenly decadent about lounging around in a swing. I try not to feel guilty about it!
Andrea, my neighbor tried sleeping outdoors one summer but reported that the raccoons would come sniffing by in the middle of the night. Eeks! Not for me.
Yolanda, you should be proud of my neighbor, I am! Too funny. Yes, I'll make room for you on the swing and it sounds like there'll be wine and snacks too.
Love the swing! I enjoyed your tale of setup...mine would be similar, with the addition of bloodshed, cursing, and no helpful people (I can only hope the end result might be as good ;-) I'm a tad squeamish about sleeping outdoors as well, and I even have an enclosed screen porch to do it in...too many spiders, critters, and possible people wandering around for me to actually sleep well (unless I find an undergardener to keep me company, that is!)
Oh my! How delightful to have a serene place to swing softly in the afternoon. and your morning glories are delightful.
I love the shade of your wall and the fact that Buddha has a place in your garden.
~Becky
Lisa, yeah there's just a little too much going on out in the garden at night for me to sleep comfortably. And I may have cursed a bit while hanging the swing but at least there was no bloodshed!
Becky, thanks! I love that wall color too, it makes a nice counterpoint to all the green. And buddha seems perfectly happy amongst the rampant English Ivy!
It sounds as if you tackle these sorts of projects just as I do ... in the end, they work out fine. There's usually a good story to go along with them (in my case, mismeasurements).
I love the porch swing and oh my, but your Heavenly Blues are beautiful. I am sitting here staring at them, not wanting them to go away, as mine did the other night. I finally removed the dead vines today.
You have a lovely garden. The retaining wall is stunning.
I was never fond of swings in the garden before. Maybe because they usually look weird: standing alone in the middle of nowhere, exposed like piece of art worth attention. You made it reaaly great. Your swing is perfectly fitting your garden, adding the feeling of warmth and cosiness. When I saw it first time I immediately felt like jumping on it :) great thing, yeah...
when finnaly I will have a porch and deck in my garden, I definately will have a swing as well :)
thanks for inspiration.
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