Tuesday, July 27, 2010

THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

It was another weekend of heat and humidity in the Midwest. And that is the forecast for this week. It explains my reclusive behavior perfectly. Little trips to the store and sitting in the backyard for tiny bits of fresh air at a time have been on my agenda. These are truly the 'dog days of summer'.
I finally went out and bought frames for the watercolors that Fifi Flowers did of the Lakehouse and Summerhouse. I thought I was going to have to have them custom framed but they were easily trimmed to 8 x 10 and fit in pretty frames from Michael's. To get a better look at these paintings, I have them on my sidebar. I can't say enough about Fifi's work and all you have to do is follow the link and visit her shop to see wonderful watercolors she has done and sells in addition to custom artwork. She also has a calendar now of vintage bicycles. Try to take a peek if you can.
I hung both pictures in the Summerhouse where I spend a lot of time. This weekend we had good friends visiting, Craig and Snow. Craig and The Husband grew up together and Snow and I have been good friends since she and Craig got married. They brought along their adorable kids, Luke and Ella. Snow and I hung out in the Summerhouse quite a bit, catching up on everything, enjoying a lot of girl talk.
Once again we feasted, this time on Italian meats and good bread that Craig gets from an Italian deli here in Chicago. Snow made her signature prosciutto and melon and we ate watermelon from morning until night. All of this was washed down with tons of iced green tea, my new summer favorite. I didn't think to take pictures until we had dug in quite a bit and it wasn't so pretty.
When I was taking the pictures of the watercolors, I took a few of the Summerhouse as I am nearing the end of the decorating. All I really have left to do is get blinds and make some window valances. Since we sleep out here once in awhile or put up guests on the Murphy beds, we need to have a little privacy.
This is the little table I bought at The Worlds Longest Yard Sale last year. This is coming up again in another few weeks and I am SO excited. It's unbelievable what people have to sell in the Midwest, and so many of the antique dealers prepare all year for this sale. I believe it ends somewhere around Detroit so we are near the tail end of it. I was going to paint the chairs in this picture white, but I have decided to wait a bit. I have an old brown cabinet in here that ties in with the color of the chairs and I don't want a totally white room (yet).
This weekend we travel to Galena, Illinois for the 80th birthday celebration for my father in law. Galena is a quaint little town about 3 1/2 hours from Chicago. It will be a big fun family affair. Sunday or Monday we will leave for a 2 week stay at the lake and we are mapping out some fun trips to do, including going into Ohio which is only about an hour from the lake. As always, it will be so nice to unpack and not have to go home after 3 days. Life gets very hectic being at home 4 days and at the lake 3. Nothing gets totally finished it seems.
Thanks for coming by to visit today. If you have seen any of these pictures before, I'm sorry. Like the 'dog days of summer', there is a lot of repetition going on! :-) One day flows into the next and soon we will be wondering what happened to summer. In spite of the heat and humidity, I am having a good summer and I hope you are, too. And you are always WELCOME to come and have a peek. Have a great week!

56 comments:

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Jane,
Oh how lovely to have a "summer house," I want one too!
It's so sweet inside with the vintage pieces and the wicker. That little table is perfect.

Keep cool.

hugs
Sissie

stefanie said...

I love your summer house!! it is turning out just beautiful!!! great pictures!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Hi, Janie!

I love the summer house. It is just so cute, and so are Fifi's paintings! You know, there are people you really would like to know off the blogs, and you are one of them for sure. I wish I could one day come up that way and visit with you and sit and laugh and just vege. I'm good at doing that. That's what I'm doing now, trying to rest after a crazy, crazy weekend.

It's been pretty hot here. Today, the humidity broke. I think the wet blanket humidity might have come trailing in that tropical storm's wake. We didn't get the storm, but we did get the humidity and heat from it. I did a little shopping (well, a lot) the last few weeks, and I finally found chairs which were a gift from my MIL! YEA!

Anyhow, glad you came up for air and that you had fun with your friends. Sounds like a great weekend. Have fun at your FIL's birthday party. It was fun having my MIL here. She seemed to really enjoy herself. Mr. Magpie's SIL had to go to the hospital, so she and his brother (who also had a B-Day) didn't make it. But we still had lots of fun. We're all getting old, and we like long, leisurely lunches and simple doings. We had the world's best cupcakes on Saturday, and the party on Friday with the friends produced the world's best coconut cake. But those cupcakes... ginger and lemon... set me free! LOL!

I've rambled on, so I will stop.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Stacey said...

Your little water colors look just perfect in their frames. Isn't it neat to have something so personal to decorate with?

Sounds like you had a great time with your friends. That's what summer is about. Speaking of dog days, I couldn't agree with you more. It's hot!! We have had plenty of rain here so everything is still just beautiful - which is not always true this far into the summer. I'm making myself go outside a little each day. :)

Brenda Pruitt said...

How do you get that Boston fern to look so lush inside? I have to put them outside to have any luck at all with them. I like the chairs that color. Gives some contrast. To me an all white room would be boring and blend one thing into another. But you know I'm a color girl!
Brenda

Julie Marie said...

Hi Jane... oooh how fun! My last post from several days ago is called The Dog Days of Summer (I interviewed real dogs!)... I love all your pictures and all of the decorating you have done... sounds like you had a wonderful time catching up with old friends, and eating yummy food! I would love to go to the worlds longest yard sale! Hope you find some fun treasures... your summer house is so gorgeous... I would just live out there day and night! xoxo Julie Marie

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Fifi is amazing for sure.
Your summer house is delicious and I think we have the same wicker chairs too!
We have wonderful taste.
Everything looks fabulous...enjoy the heat,
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Heaven's Walk said...

Hi Janie! Don't you just LUV these dog days of summer? These are the days that all winter we sit in our warm houses and gaze longingly outside wishing for sunshine and heat. Even though I find myself retreating back inside for a breath of good ol' AC, I can't get enough of this good old time summer weather.

I'm loving Fifi's paintings! So adorable! Gotta check out her site after I leave here. I also adore the fact that you have a summerhouse where you can sleep at night. How cozy and romantic!

Enjoy your week - and the heat! lol!

xoxo laurie@heavens-walk

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Hi Jane,
Did you say prosciutto and melon? One of my favs, I'll have mine with a squeeze of lime juice!

You are so lucky being able to go to that yard sale. I saw a special on PBS and it looked so fun. Can't wait to see your photos.
xo

Unknown said...

Your summer house looks so soothing and comfortable. I love your color choices. Those pictures by Fifi are amazing and look perfect there and in those frames. Enjoy!

Bonnie said...

Hi Jane, I usually catch HGTV's coverage of The World's Longest Yard Sale each year and at some point I would really love to go and experience it for myself.

So glad to know you took the time to enjoy your friends this summer!Your summer house is lovely.

xoxo, Bonnie

Olive said...

Your summer house seems so peaceful. olive♥

Pondside said...

Your summerhouse is the perfect place for those pretty water colours.....what a perfect place to spend the dog days of summer!
I'm going to have to google that long garage sale!

Marianne said...

Your Summer house, looks so nice. I adore that little folded table with the sign on top. So lovely French/Scandinavian.
Enjoy the Summer, Fall will be here before we know it!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi sweet lady...

Ohhh my...you are right about the "dog days of summer" being upon us! Earlier I had actually said that I was deep into the "throes" of summer! hehe! It's really hot here as well!

Girlfriend, your summer house is sooo beautiful! I would just adore spending time there...looks so cozy and very relaxing! I love the two prints that Fifi did for you...gorgeous! Thank you for sharing them with us...and your beautiful summer cottage!!!

Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Jane,
You are right. It is the hot and muggy time in Illinois! I will be glad when the humidity goes away and all the flowers have a rebirth! Sounds like you are here and there like me, only I am from house to house, only a few blocks away. Hopefully, this weekend we will be at the Cape house for good! Yippee!!!
xo
Robin

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

p.s.s.s.s.s.s.s! Your summer house looks great. I love that window seat!

Sue said...

What a comfy place to be! The watercolor pictures from Fifi look wonderful and so special there. I agree with not painting those chairs yet.
So where are you going to visit here in Ohio? I drove up to Mansfield on Sat. for an "occasional sale." Almost drove another hour into Cleveland to see relatives, but changed my mind last minute. Enjoy Galena! I never got there this year.
xo Sue

PAT said...

Beautiful photos of your beautiful lakehouse, Jane.

I have one of Fifi's paintings, at our lake place, of the deck table set for lunch and another painting of our home, including Molly. I treasure them. Fifi is so talented.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

These pictures are great, Jane, and all new to me! What a great summerhouse ~ it looks like a cool place to sit in the dog days of summer. Sounds like you have some wonderful vacation time coming up ~ Enjoy!

Rebecca Nelson said...

Hi Miss J...

I just want you to know I love your summer house. I want one. I want a friend named Snow, too!

Sounds refreshing!

xoRebecca

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Hi Jane....I am with you and this heat! I like warm weather but not this hot and humid! Your watercolors are very pretty...look nice with those frames! Your lake house is really coming along....how nice to be able to go somewhere special on the weekends! I LOVE the "guest cottage" sign!~Hugs, Patti

Marigene said...

Jane, Fifi's artwork is so nice...your framed works are great. Have a wonderful weekend with your fil and a great time while on vacation. If we can get through August without melting, we have it made!

Kim said...

Hey Blondie! I enjoyed all of those great pictures of the Lake House. I honestly can't believe it's that hot over in Chicago! It's just nuts. This has been the worst Summer I can remember. I love those watercolors. I will have to check out Fifi's store. Also glad you had such a nice visit with friends. Sounds like a lot of yummy food!!
xoxo,
Kim

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

If I wasn't working I'd be tinkering a puttering and whiling away the summer days not doing much of anything, that's for sure! Glad you have a retreat to get away to.

savvycityfarmer said...

hey, I've missed your sweet blond-ie face!

where you been girl?

uhum...didn't you see me sneak in and head for the guest room?

Kathleen said...

Sounds good, Jane! I love the summerhouse, so cute!
We have had 3 days of low humidity.
Sunday we went to the ocean with the 4 gkids, they are water rats. It tires me out!
Love your Fifi pics, so pretty!
Have a good time at the family party, I wish you safe travels and good weather!

Suzann said...

everything looks awesome!!!

I adore Galena! Have fun.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Jane,
Oh, you have such a pretty lakehouse! I love the colors, the wicker, the cute signs and the cute table too!
Have fun in Galena, oh I love that town!
Hugs,
Cindy

Privet and Holly said...

Sounds like a
wonderful visit!
Your summerhouse
is so sweet and I
totally agree with
you on the chairs ~
I like them brown.
Stay cool!!!
xx Suzanne

Debbie said...

Hi Jane, your summer house is lovely!!! So cute the way you've decorated with vintage finds.
Glad to hear you will be spending a couple of weeks at the lake.
Take lots of pictures.
Debbie@houseatthelake
hmmmm...I love your Cottage sign.

Debbiedoos said...

Perhaps very hot...but hot everywhere right now. Still looks so sweet and peaceful there none the less. Such a cute picture too Fifi did for you...she does nice work. Stay cool! Debbie

Shirley said...

Hi Jane, Your summer house looks so inviting. Just a place to be so relaxing. Your table reminds me of one I had when I first got married. We started out with used furniture and then advanced to new later in life. Two weeks at the lake sounds like fun. I hope it cools off some for both of us. It is still in the 80's as I am writing this. Thanks for sharing your pictures. Have a great weekend. I am going to my family reunion. It will be fun to see how many of my brothers and sisters will be there out of 10 kids. My parents started the tradition before they past away and we have carried it on. Your Missouri Friend

Lori E said...

Why do they call them the dog days of summer? I never got that one.
How nice to have good friends over to visit and enjoy your summer house with.

Sarah said...

Jane, your summer house looks so inviting with all those fresh, cool whites. I can see why you enjoy spending time there. Have a safe trip and enjoy the birthday celebration. ~ Sarah

Paula@SweetPea said...

Your summer house looks like the perfect place to hang out. Enjoy your time at the lake and your trip to celebrate your father-in-law's birthday.

Theresa said...

Love the pictures and any repeats are just icing on the cake:) I love the table and I think the brown chairs add a nice contrast. LOVE the sign on the table.

Have a blessed day my friend! I am going to zoom in the prints from your friend! HUGS!

Theresa said...

Hi Jane, It's me again! I couldn't get the link to Fifi's blog to work. Let me know where she is please:) Hugs!

Mary said...

It's looking so pretty and 'cool' in there - I do like the mix of natural wood chairs with the chippy white table andd lovely sign. I'm with you on thoughts of all white, sometimes it can be a little too pristine and cold looking. Saying that, guess what I'm planning - having white slip covers made for my living room sofa and chair! More later on this.

The paintings are gorgeous!

Have a great trip to the special b'day celebration - hope your FIL has many more.

Enjoy these remaining 'dog days' dear - they'll be Summer memories soon enough!

Knitty said...

Your summer house looks so cool and refreshing, just perfect for the dog days. Our cottage is much darker indoors but short of rebuilding, I don't see the configuration changing. Maybe if I win a lottery...

FLOWERSHOPGURL said...

Hi Jane, Your summer house looks so inviting and dreamy. I can picture staying there and relaxing in your cozy home and love the idea of Murphy beds. Thank you for sharing!
Hugz,
Kim

Shellbelle said...

I can relate to the heat and humidity! But I did get to take a nice walk on the beach and the cool breeze coming off the Atlantic was wonderful.

Sounds like you had a great time with your friends, I had a busy weekend also running around with friends and family in three different beach towns. Tomorrow I'm headed over to the Gulf for more beachiness!

Have a wonderful weekend with your FIL.

There is someone who is doing a blog on The World's Longest Yard Sale full of tips. That is something I've been wanting to do for a few years now, hopefully 2011 will be The Year. Can't wait to see the goodies you find.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Hi Jane!
Love your summer house...It looks cool and calm.

Karen said...

Well Happy Birthday Dad! WHOO HOOOO!
Your summer house is just turning out beautifully - as expected! But the Lakehouse . . . that's my fave!!!!!
Her paintings have turned out just beautifully in those frames. How perfect was that and now you have them to gaze at during the rest of the year when the Dog days of summer are over and it's MY favorite time of year - WINTER!!!!!

I am thinking I could pull a little trailer quite nicely behind my new car and hit that longest yard sale too! Golly I wish it were just a little closer!

Have a fun trip this weekend!
:) Karen

Sonny G said...

everything looks so cool and inviting , even in this miserable heat.. enjoy every moment , Jane..

Sonny

Lori said...

Your summer house is beautiful ~ I love the vintage touches but that's just me!! Sorry I have been MIA ~ summertime and out of town guests have hampered my reading! Hope you are having a wonderful week.

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Jane, it's all so lovely. Just wonderful, you are blessed with your summer house. Fifi's paintings are spectacular, aren't they?

Hope you stay cool. I'm gearing up for Fall. yay!
xo Lidy

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

Hi Jane,
I love how pretty your Summer house is:) What a great place to spend time in this heat. We will miss them in the Winter. The watercolors are great. Have a great time on your trip and I hope you find some fun places to stop in and shop:)
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

Melanie said...

Hi Jane. I posted a commented and it didn't go through. I have been on vaca and I am visiting all of my blog friends.

Sounds like you are having a great summer! Isn't the lazy days of summer suppose to by that? LOL! Nice and hot and lazy. Sounds great to me. Have a great weekend on your trip.

Sue said...

Oh...I so envy you the Lakehouse, we keep talking about how nice it would be to have somewhere ours to go on the weekends. Your Summerhouse is so darling, it is a guest house at your regular house?? I'm having trouble keeping all your houses straight in my head! I love Fifi's work, so much talent!

xinex said...

Sure looks relaxing in your lak and summer houses, Janie. I went to California by myself to attend my classmate's son's funeral. John could not come cause we have just returned from a Dallas trip and he had to work. I missed my plane because my connecting flight coming from Denver to Houston was late and the flight to Baton Rouge that I was booked on was the last trip. I had to check into a hotel. Been so busy traveling, pretty much every week. I am flying to Milw. on Sunday....Christine

Kerry said...

Hi Jane, that was such a lovely peek into your summer house. It made me warm up a bit to hear about the sweltering heat while it's still pretty cold here. Have a wonderful time at your FILs celebration and for your extended stay at the lake. Sounds like bliss.

Deb said...

Hi Jane
Your Summer House is fabulous - love the colour scheme you have chosen for it & your little white yard sale table is fabulous! Looking forward to seeing the bargains you find at the next one :-)
Happy Birthday Wishes to your Father-in-law & enjoy your planned trips - they sound like lots of fun!

Gypsy Heart said...

I love this space!

xoxo
Pat

Miss Janice said...

Love your summer place. I'm friends with Fifi on FB and always tell myself to check into geting a painting from her...must do!

KarenB said...

It all looks so inviting! I say keep the chairs brown. I like the contrast. Sounds like you're having a lovely time. Now that you have great internet, you're all set! Enjoy.