The sun room in my mom and dad’s house will make you smile. The wall of windows and French doors invite the sunlight in and force you to admire the stunningly tall wall of trees framing their backyard.

During cold Indiana winters, sunlight pours in and warms the housebound soul. My mom keeps plants here year-round. She also uses it as a dining area during parties, setting up a long table in the middle. She’s clever like that, never one to cling to traditional room designations.

Such a cheery little spot, isn’t it? (She told me not to include that last picture of her arranging hydrangeas from the garden. I told her it was part of the story telling process — or something.)