Monday, April 27, 2009

BLUE MONDAY: THE SUMMERHOUSE

Today is Blue Monday hosted by Sally. Click her name to see a list of everyone participating. Then visit their blogs and see some true blue!

Today I am showing you the pictures of The Summerhouse up at our home in Michigan. I posted some pictures of the house, which is also blue, over the winter. These are pictures from last summer. I'll post new pictures this summer when I have all my pots of flowers and patio furniture out. But for now I have just a few I want to share now. Above is a side view from the patio.



This is another side view that shows the cute little front porch. Of course it is not finished. We have a nice view of the lake from this porch and I have two old white glider rockers that go on here (but not yet) and it is just one of many places I have to sit and read or visit with someone or just look out at the water.

I watched The Summerhouse being built. It was amazing~especially when they lifted that first wall up. It really made me think about the homes we live in. All this wood and all these nails hold up our walls that will shelter and protect us forever. Unbelievable...


I took this picture standing in the water! You can see some of the windows. Besides the screened front door there are five windows, the one in the back very large with a window seat that the dogs claimed first thing! :-D

The idea for The Summerhouse came about when I saw a picture in Better Homes & Gardens, where a couple loved their shed and it's location in the back of their yard surrounded by big trees and plants. They decided to turn it into a little place to hang out in. A little table and chairs and a small bed. It was darling! The Husband said, "We can do that with our shed!". Well as usual, our ideas balloon and soon the shed was not big enough for what we wanted so we had Resident Carpenter listen to our ideas and he designed our little home away from home away from home!! :-D

We were up at the cottage this weekend. I haven't been going because R.C. is renovating the kitchen and two bathrooms and there is drywall dust everywhere. I have asthma so I can't be around it. Also, all of our furniture is covered and everything in my kitchen is packed away. But since we were having weather in the 80's here in this neck of the woods, I agreed to go because I could hang in The Summerhouse. Some of you may know, we have two twin beds that fold out of the wall, hidden by doors. I have wicker furniture, a television and a ceiling fan that is also a heater. On Saturday it rained but two of my girlfriends came over and we sat in The Summerhouse catching up on all the gossip that went on over the winter on the lake. Fun! I make it a point not to gossip but I love to listen!! ;-)

Waking up on Sunday morning it was like finding myself in a birdhouse tucked up in a tree. The sun was shining and the breeze was blowing through the windows. We had bagels and instant coffee and all was good.
I hope to have a lot more of The Summerhouse to show you later, I will take you on a huge tour of the inside!! Actually, I still have to find blinds for the windows and art for the walls. And of course I want to plant some pretty pots to go on that cute little porch!
Thank you Sally for all your hard work hosting Blue Monday! Now I am off to visit everyone to see all their blue happiness! :-D
xoxo
Jane

49 comments:

Helen said...

Oh, goodie! This is such great a Michigan (or Minnesota) setting for your adorable little summerhouse. EVERYONE needs one of these.

Domestic Designer said...

Oh I am so jealous! It looks just wonderful!

xinex said...

Hi Janie, how nice to have a little hideaway not too far from home to relax in. I am sure the view of the lake is fabulous and very calming. I have been having a lot of fun here, the weather has been nice for the most part. Last night we had a reception dinner at the Field Museum and that was really nice, lots of entertainment and food and eating by the big elephants is kinda interesting. I've been shopping. My sister from Waukegan met me the day we arrived and we shopped by the Water Tower and did not miss a single store of a 7 floor mall. I was so stiff and tired afterwards, I could not walk, lol! I can't wait to meet you and your hubby! What kind of food do you like to eat? There are a lot of nice restaurants around here, Japanese, Thai, Amer...you pick!...Christine

April said...

What I'd give to have a place like that to retreat to, once and awhile! Looks so peaceful and inviting!

Barb said...

Hi Janie, oh, this looks wonderful. I love it!

Happy Blue Monday.

Barb

Terry said...

Hi
Happy Blue Monday .
What an awesome place you have.
It must be so much fun to do this.
Great Blue Monday Post.
I have a blond friend who also loves lemon drop martinis ,and her Birthday is in Oct.
My Daddy also has An Oct.30 B.D.
How Cool !

Blondie's Journal said...

Oops! I did it again! I posted a picture twice (the last two). Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it. LOL!
Blondie

Unknown said...

Oh, you're so lucky! What a wonderful place to relax and make your own special hide-away! I can't wait to see what you do with it!

SmilingSally said...

What a lovely summer time place. Now, I'm green! Thanks for sharing. Happy Blue Monday.

Cass @ That Old House said...

I love seeing updates on the progress at the lake house -- and LOVE the idea of the summerhouse as a special getaway. How sweet!

And it is SHOCKING how expensive bath vanities can be now -- which is why I painted ours, and didn't replace it! :-P

Can't wait to see yours -- remember to share it when it's installed!
Cass

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

How beautiful!!!! We used to have a summer house at the house where I grew up, and I miss it so much! My best friend at the time and I used to play dolls out there in the spring & summer! You brought back happy memories. =)

Anonymous said...

What a sweet retreat!

How relaxing it would be to sit by the water and read - you're so lucky :)

Lisa

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Jane: This is AWESOME!! I would love to have a place like that! Maybe one day...
We do have some friends that have a place on the river and we go there alot in the summer with our boats and Sea Doos. So much fun!

That was the race we were at!! That wreck with Carl Edwards was right below us. It truly is amazing that those drivers just walk away from wrecks like that! They are extremely protected in those cars!

Have a great day and thanks for visiting my blog!!

Lou Cinda :)

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

It looks like a wonderful place to go to and relax. Happy Blue Monday!

Blessings,
Sandi

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Please stop by my blog and my Three or More Tuesday post.... I have an award for you..... Make sure you pick up the right award... I selected it just for you! Thanks! ~ Susan

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

What a special place. How wonderful that you have this retreat!

Sue said...

Hi Janie,
This is so nice, I think having a place away from home even if its not that far is such a good idea. I love when you told of waking up and having the wind blowing and having such a sweet breakfast. That is so cool. Good luck with all of the renovations and please keep us posted. Thank you for taking the time to visit.
Blessings,
Sue

jeanne said...

How lucky to have a lovely summer house in Mi. on a lake. The blue is charming and your photos are terrific. Standing in the water photo cracked me up. a great post to share.

Hugs...Jeanne

ellen b. said...

Well what fun to have a summerhouse and it's blue! Fabulous. Happy blue Monday and I'm looking forward to more tours of your summer place :0)

CJ said...

Happy Blue Monday!!The summerhouse is great.It looks really warm and cozy.Just like how the summerhouses should be :D

Kat said...

What a fantastic place to regroup and relax. This is just beautiful, I can't wait to see the inside. Thanks for sharing this so that we can all dream summer dreams! Kathy

susan said...

Janie--This is just beautiful. I miss having a lake getaway! Loved your comment about gossip. I always think of Olympia Dukakis's line in "Steel Magnolias"---If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit by me!!!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Jane: I have an award for you! Come over to my blog and pick 'er
up!

Lou Cinda :)

Judi said...

Happy Blue Monday Blondie
Your summerhouse is gorgeous...it is so sweet. So nice to have a spot like that to sit and watch the water, read, daydream or visit with good friends.
I hope you share it with us when you get some of the decorating you mentioned done.
I love the cottage too and look forward to the weekends for that reason.
have a lovely day
Judi

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Janie,
OH my friend, this is just wonderful. How lucky you are. We spent a lot of time in Michigan last summer on the lake and it was heavenly. I can't wait to see what you have done to the inside of your darling cabin. Hugs, Cindy

Barbara Jean said...

Blondie,
thanks for coming by. Will check to see who made the nurse music box. Just couldn't find my paper when time to post, and the MB is at the store.

Your blue summer house is great. How fun it must be to go by the lake.

Blessings,
Barbara Jean

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Janie, I love it! Can't wait for the tour. :-)

XO,

Sheila

Unknown said...

Your summer home looks gorgeous. We used to visit a summer cottage in Lake Huron across from Michigan. We were living in Toronto at the time, and friends had a group of cottages there. The sunsets are amazing. Your blue cottage looks gorgeous. I can only imagine the memories such a wonderful home holds.
Happy Blue Monday.
Karen

Candy said...

What a peaceful piece of heaven you are creating. Sitting outdoors surrounded by nature, praise for the Father just wells up inside and has to come out.
Thanks for coming through my garden gates so I could follow you back to your place.
Tuesday Blessings,
Candy

Knitty said...

What a great house in a lovely setting! I am on the opposite side of Michigan with a cottage on Harsens Island. We are sandwiched between two blue houses in a yellow one, my second favorite color.

Thanks for visiting me and I look forward to coming back to your blog often. :)

Charlotte said...

How wonderful to have a little summerhouse. It looks like the perfect place to relax, read a little, and just look around at all of God's beauty.
Have a great week.
Charlotte

Anonymous said...

How lovely, Jane!!! What a great little getaway!

bj said...

o my...how beautiful this is. How blessed to have such a fun place to escape to...it should be a law that EVERYONE has a summerhouse!!
Enjoy yours....
xo bj

Unknown said...

That is one really beautiful place!
And glad you didn't drop the cam in the water ;)

The Blonde Duck said...

Popped over from April's to say hi!

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a pretty little place! I just love it! I wish I had a summerhouse! Well, my entire home is a hot, very hot summerhouse. :)
Be a sweetie,
Sheiia ;)

black eyed susans kitchen said...

I don't know how I missed you yesterday, Jane. You are so lucky to have a special vacation place to retreat to. It must be especially wonderful mid-summer. You will have to post more pictures. Glad to hear your weather has been good too.
♥, Susan

Mamapippa said...

Looks like a really wonderful place to stay !

Have a nice day !

Boo-Bah AKA Iris said...

I am quite envious. your little summerhouse is so pretty.

It must be wonderful to have a place to go to when you need to rest and get away from all the stress in life..
Thank you for visiting my blog. My little bird plates stand on a little blue shelf with some of my other little treasures.

Have a wonderful day.
Iris

Anonymous said...

pretty I like the style of the house but summer home? Does Michigan have real summers? (sorry just poking fun cause I live in So Calif, it gets in the triple digits here)
great shots have a great blue Monday!

mike said...

Coming to your site was so much fun! You have so many beautiful pictures!!! It gives me travel fever :-) Also, your summerhouse is just perfect! It must be wonderful having such a special place.
Blessings,
katrina

Fifi Flowers said...

Love that BLUE summerhouse!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

What a great summerhouse!

I enjoyed reading about your trip to Savannah and Charleston, we have been there a lot, I never get tired of either place (we are close, in FL)

I also enjoyed reading your profile!

Katherine

Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com said...

Looks like a cool (blue) get-a-way, enjoy!!

Beth at Aunties said...

Your summer home is perfect and all what a gift to have a home sweet a hideaway in so much beauty.
It truly is lovely!
Thanks you for your sweet comments and comments and fiendship:)

Charlene said...

Thank you for stopping by to see me today! Your Summer House is divine! I LOVE IT! I WANT ONE TOO! You are a lucky girl. I can just see you sitting there enjoying that little porch. But, as another girl with asthma I know you need to wait until he is all done fixing before you stay there too much. Bummer isn't it.

Ms. Tee said...

What a great place to spend time! It's so cute - I can't wait to see more. :)

Kathy said...

Oh, Blondie, I love your little blue summerhouse! It's just darling...Kathy

xinex said...

Thanks for the tip about the creeping thyme, Janie. I like that idea very much! I would like to plant some in b/w the bricks. Do you know where I can get the seeds from?...Christine