OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY: 4th OF JULY AT THE LAKEHOUSE

We celebrated 4th of July up at the cottage with the Irish side of the family. Although our renovations are not yet completed, everyone had a warm bed and a meal on the table. I went on a scavenger hunt for cheap patriotic decor and much to my delight, The Dollar Tree had just about everything I was looking for. I noticed many of the same items out there in blogland and was tempted to go back a second time after spotting some things I missed!!

Emily was in "Future Interior Designer" delirium, playing with the red, white and blue garland, stars and flags. It's hard to tell in some of these pictures but she managed to make her mark on just about everything. She also rearranged some furniture and cleaned out my linen closet.

Food was aplenty. These pictures may not look very cohesive as I was using Emily's camera and most of the time she wouldn't let me have it. Difficult children. Above are my nieces, Grace and Trish, posing in front of a more healthy treat compared to some of the rest. The dip for fruit is made with marshmallow fluff and cream cheese. If you haven't had it before, let me know and I will post the recipe. It is wonderful.

Meals were simple; hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage, and chicken on the grill. We also had pasta salad, potato salad and Papa's tomato, cucumber and feta cheese salad. Although there was an abundance of fruit available, I lost all sense of control and had banana bread and sour cream donuts every morning for breakfast. Holidays are about food, right? I haven't weighed myself since I got home.

We like our bonfires. You can't see the bonfire since I only took pictures of the people around the bonfire. Here is Emily and Mike, her boyfriend.

Mike, Papa and brother~in~law Marty's leg.

A picture of The Husband and Emily. I can't remember if this was before or after she showed him her new nose ring. Must be before~they look civil.

Grace and Trish playing on our beach.

"And my third wish is that I could stay here forever!"

Fun on the boat. For some reason Emily set the color on the camera to sepia. Not a great idea when you are on blue water under a blue sky. Above, Abby and sister~in~law Megan.

No more sepia!! The happy passengers!

Emily

The Husband and Trish...

...or the Captain and First Mate!

And my favorite boating pastime: looking at the beautiful lake houses!

We moved on to the wave runners. Note the three redheads. I told you this was the Irish side of the family!!

Sister~in~law, Karen.

A nice after dinner walk.

Cousins. Grace, Trish and Liz.

"I had a great holiday. How about you?"

For more great Outdoor Wednesday posts, visit our hostess Susan at A Southern Daydreamer and see what everyone else is up to outdoors!!

xoxo

Jane