It's a beautiful day here in the Midwest, in the 70's with the coolest breeze, the sort of day you just want to spend outdoors, sitting in the sun reading or watching your clothes blow in the wind on a clothesline. Just perfect. The weather over the weekend at the lake was iffy. The sun kept disappearing behind the clouds and it was cool out. I pretty much stayed inside reading a new book and The Husband caught the Notre Dame game on television.
Shopping the house proved to be pretty simple when it came to decorating the little side table I recently painted. I found the starfish and sand dollars in South Haven and my neighbor Susie brought over a few swan feathers. The swans loving coming up to shore on her lawn to rest and preen themselves. Aren't they huge?
I don't like the color of the lampshade and I am going to spray paint it white. It has yellow tint to it {it's not my camera}, and I just don't care for it. What do you think?
Another gift from a neighbor. I thought I saw these in Blogland in the past. She stuffed the bottle with lights and drilled a hole for the plug to come out in the back. It looks really pretty at night on my kitchen counter.
It was the first bit of cool weather we have had so far and made me think of fall just around the corner. I'm not ready to give up summer yet and when I saw water skiers and wave runners on the lake I went "Yay! It did make us want to stay in more and one night I made dinner...
...steaks, baked potatoes and asparagus. Daughter Emily had made some garlic butter that was delicious on everything. Now I have to live on Lean Cuisine for a week.
This table is sort of an end and a beginning. The Husband read East Of Eden while we were on vacation here last month and I can just hear, "That was the summer I read East Of Eden!". I love memory prompters like that. I'm not ready to put my fall things out yet, just not ready to say goodbye to summer...I wanted to mention that the pretty 'Bonjour' tea towel at the top of my post was made by Barb of The French Elements. I just ordered four pillows from her and already own three! Please visit her shop if you have a chance. She is a sewing whiz!
I am linking up with Marty of A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday. I hope all of you have a great week!
76 comments:
yes, it's a beautiful day ... w.i.n.d.y. here, really windy!
think I'll take a snooze on my newly painted porch ....
hope fall is as beautiful as our summer
Hey Janie girl- I love that onion lamp on your newly painted table! But yup- I think it needs a whiter shade. LOL I don't think I've ever seen swan feathers... We had two that lived in the pond behind us once, but never did I see any. They ARE huge. I used to fill apothecary jars with little clear lites, but never took the time to drill a hole in the glass for the plug. But then, that was eons (the early 90's) ago and no one thought of it- cuz I sure as heck was not the only one with a cord hanging off the back of the jar. LOL
I am lovin' the onset of fall. Can't wait til it's mild all the time. Heck, my air just went on and it is a little humid out today. So I raised the thermostat and am just going w/the flow... Should be working and here I sit, catching up on a never ending number of blog posts and people I have neglected for a couple of weeks.
xo Sue
Hi Janie,
Hasn't the weather been grand in Illinois, lately!!! I love that squirrel with the acorn. So cute!!!
I see the Saving Graces in that basket too! It is a book that had a profound effect on me and prompted me to retire.
Our school secretary (and friend) recommended it to me in December and by the time I read it over Spring break, she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had already relinquished her job. She didn't last much longer.
I love the wine bottle w/ the lights--Your table too!
This is a beautiful post! I'm always collecting feathers SO I'M Lovin' yours! BEAUTIFUL... I like to snip the end and stick in a pen cartridge, LOVE using a feather to write! You painted table is wonderful and I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE the bottled lights. How clever is that!
Hugs to you, Donna
I have one of those bottles too...love the warm look it gives any dark corner in the kitchen, a family room, etc.... and you can be very creative with the kind of bottle used, too...
We've had gorgeous weather in Connecticut too....
Did I use the word "too" enough?...sheesh.
Hi Jane,
I am with you, I am not ready for summer to end and so many people are welcoming fall. Oh well, maybe just a couple more weeks anyway.
BTW you should have a DWTS party this year. We did one last year and had a ball. Everyone brough appetizers and it was a great time. Here is a sort of link to our party. Let me know if you come up with some good ideas
http://myworld-maryrose.blogspot.com/2009/11/dwts-party-at-kristis.html
Loved your post and that painted table is toooo cute.
Enjoy your day
XOXO Maryrose
You describe the perfect day. Coolish weather but not cold, a good book and good food and a wonderful companion to talk to when you want.
East Of Eden is a novel you cannot put down. John Steinbeck is, I think, my favorite author and I have a book of several of his novels all in one and it is on my bedside table. It is worn, the spine is broken...but it mine to disappear in to find sleep or to just disappear into another world for a time.
Recently I found a lovely padded book of Steinbecks works and bought it for a quarter at a garage sale. There was just one tiny break in the back bottom edge and that can be repaired.
What an odd person "Kathy" was. I wonder what your husband thought of her. A totally riveting story!
The holiday seasons are nearly here. Doesn't it make you smile? :)
Hugs!
Mona
Blondie...you can spray paint a lampshade???? Really??
I agree - not quite ready for summer to end. It was a hot one and now the weather is just perfect! Love the wine bottle light...so cute!
I'm with you...I'm not ready to give up summer yet. In fact, I think our warm months are still to come in September and October.
Your table is so pretty, you really did a great job with that. I love the lamp. I can understand why you might want a lighter shade but this if fine too.
Your vignettes are beautiful, Janie. You did a great job on the table, it is so pretty. How nice that you have good weather now,I am still sweating here especially because I am loading the car with stuff to go to my store....Christine
Good morning Janie.....Sounds like you had one terrific summer....covering all areas....good reading....good eating.....great decoration.....and great relaxing. What could be better??
Are you ready for fall?
Xo
Jo
Oh I just love it all. The vignette on your white table is stunning. The bottle is super too. Cooler weather is such a welcome treat. Enjoy. Thanks so much for linking to TTT. Hugs, Marty
Hi Blondie
Yes, Summer is on its way out in Northern California too. I love fall and I love your blog. Thank you for visiting My Cozy Corner today.
xoxo
Betty
Hmmm, without the potato, the steak and asparagus is PERFECT for my diet, and it looks SO yummy!! I love the bottle, it looks so cute. I bet it does look great at night. I need to try that. Thanks for stopping by last week, I'm just getting around. I'm a slow poke!
Everything looks so pretty! LOVE the swan feathers! I think the shade is fine, looks kinda like parchment paper. LOVE the table!
I am clinging to summer too...though we have had SUCH a hot one...triple digits most days...but the change of the seasons always makes me kind of sad....proof I am getting older I suppose!
YUCK!
Have a good week!
Lou Cinda :)
Sounds like the perfect week-end ~ reading and watching the clothes on the line sounds like a great afternoon. Love your little table and what you put on it ~ I agree with the shade ~ maybe an antique white would look nice... :o)
Hi Jane,
Oh your table look so pretty and I love the swan feathers and other pretty touches.
That lighted bottle is so pretty too, what a great idea!
Hey girl, we had crappy weather today. It was in the 50's and rainy! Yuck! I want my summer back. I think it's going to warm up into the 70's later this week. Thanks goodness! I think us Northerners want to hold onto our summers as long as possible. I haven't put out any autumn decor yet and I wanted to wait another week or two. Katie is 36 weeks so it won't be long now. Let me know when you come up with a date in December.
Big Hugs,
Cindy
I agree that I'd change the shade...but if you spray it and it gets warm from having the light on, will it smell like paint? I'm so sensitive to smells that I always think like that. Maybe you could cover it?
I was torn between leaving summer things out or putting out fall...I had some free time over the weekend, so I used it!
Love that little white table! What a cute nightlight.
It's okay you don't have to give up summer yet! Especially since you have great temps! We still have temps in the 90's here in the south so were all rushing fall! LOL! I love your wine bottle lights! I am quite impressed your friend drilled a hole for the lights too! Very nice!
Wow, Jane... I am in love with that table! You did a great job pulling items together to decorate it. Beautiful feathers and I think the shade would look better white:)
Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. We need those days where we stay inside!
Have a blessed evening! Hugs!
Hi Jane,
I just love hearing about your relaxing days at the Lake. You make me want to be there.
Dinner looks wonderful.
hugs
sissie
Thats an adorable nitelight Jane..
You hold on to summer as long as you want to..:)
Sonny
Jane, you decorated your distressed end table beautifully. I love the idea of the swan fathers. They're the perfect finishing touch. Sounds as though you had a lovely, peaceful weekend.
I am loving the weather we've been having this past week or so. The sweltering humidity is gone, but it's still warm. Reminds me of Southern California weather most of the year! Sounds like you're having some lovely weather too!
Thanks for stopping over and visiting my blog. Nice to have you over for a visit!
I'm not really ready for Summer to end either... we've the nicest coolest weather, but then I guess, Fall probaby won't be much different! Of course there seems to be alot more clean up to do around the yard. Not too crazy about that...
It sounds like you had a very relaxing weekend. That steak and asparagus sure looks good! What time is dinner?
You seem like such a laid back kinda person, I think we'd really have a great time hanging out together!
Hey, I'm also enjoying your music on your playlist, very relaxing also!
Take it easy Jane!
XOXO, Sherri;)
Very well put together vingette on the newly painted table.
I have spray painted lamp shades & it works just fine. It does not always come out even, but I think it looks great that way.
AND I am not letting go of summer just yet either. We stayed at our weekend place until tonight (Tues.) Just because... & it felt good... : ) & I will drag it out at least until the end of this month.
What lovely photos, that is a sweet vignette you set up on your table. I got a kick out of the magazine cover which said 'Goodbye Summer' in response to your trying to glean every minute out of it.
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a sweet comment.
I really hate bidding farewell to summer. Yet, I am SO enjoying the cooler temps already. Gonna miss my pool time til it rolls back around again. ahhhh Summer Days.
it barely hit 60 here today. I love it. I do hope fall is long because winter is tooo long. Nice looking dinner you had there!
The summer hangs on here until October so I have to ignore it and move onto fall inside the house anyway. I love the swan feathers...they would look great in fall decor too. Wonderful gifts from your friends.
I have been loving the weather in Illinois lately. This morning is simply wonderful. I love cool temps, hot coffee, and watching the sunrise.
Loving your table. The lampshade looks fine to me - but sometimes seeing something in it's own surroundings makes all the difference.
Love your book table too. East of Eden is an absolute fave of mine.
We are enjoying lovely weather here, too. It's 57 degrees just after 8AM...lovin' it!
Beautiful post!
Hi Jane, I love your little table and the way you have it decorated. There is such peace about it....and you know, I am BIG on that!
The bottle is great with the lights. I have a friend who does that with glass blocks. She has made tons of them for gifts.
The food looks so yummy!
Have a wonderful week. Oh, don't get started on a Fall Village. It is a total sickness. Believe me, I know! Yikes.
Hugs, Barb ♥
Hi Jane, Love that little table and arrangement. Yes, I think the shade would look great white:) And that bottle with lights in it is such a great idea. It has still been hot and sticky here in CT but promises to cool down tomorrow. We'll see....
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens
Lovely end of summer post, Jane.
I think you should paint your shade white - sort of chalky white, with a tinge of grey,to go with the sea-washed look of the rest of the vignette.
That meal looked yummy, even early in the morning!
Hi Janie! I love your little side table and the way you've decorated it. And yup - that beautiful lamp needs a whiter shade for sure. It'll throw better light, too. I'm with you on not wanting to give up summer yet. Though the cooler days/nights here have been a refreshing change. I actually feel like doing something outside! :) Did you get the incredible winds that we had yesterday? Wow. Well, we'll both be hanging on to summer with our fingertips, won't we? lol! Have a great day, friend!
xoxo laurie@heavens-walk
Thanks for the peek into your place. I love the wine bottle idea. I think I can find an empty bottle around here somewhere, wink, wink.
Hi Jane, I am so behind in visiting as my internet service has been wonky. I love the wine bottle idea and I could use one in a dark corner I have. The swan feathers are lovely. The shade would look better with your palette in white I think. hugs♥olive
Hi Jane!
I love the swan feathers...it all looks so pretty on your little table! I love the little squirrel too! In fact, I just bought several last month from Tuesday Morning.....so cute!
Thank you so much for your visit! :D I love your blog!
Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine
Sounds like a glorious weekend!!!! And the lean cuisine would be worth it after that dinner. YUMMY!
I am ready to say goodbye to the summer. This has NOT been my best summer. I am ready for it to be gone & even ready to decorate the house with all the Fall Goodies. Have a wonderful weekend. Hope you get to go back to the lake. HUGS!
Charlene
Hi ya cutie, what a wonderful setting you had to look at while reading. Like you, I'm not quite ready to give up summer, however we've had some wonderful fall like temps... perfect for sitting on the porch and enjoying mother nature. We have the promise of a huge storm headed our way.. hopefully the wind and the rains will miss us.. hugs and hugs ~lynne~
Hi Jane,
I thought I recognized that towel-hehe. Thank you for the mention. I truly appreciate it!
If you ever need someone to watch the house for you, I'm your gal.
I could be there in a flash.
big hugs,
Barb
Love your wine bottle lamp Jane! And your steak and asparagus look fabulous! We are so glad to be going to Michigan this weekend because of the beautiful Fall weather. There is nothing better than Michigan in the Spring and Fall. But can appreciate your need to hang on to Summer there. The lakes are so beautiful.
I think fall is my favorite season! It's 90 here today but nice and cool in the mornings! I'd love to see you at the Barnyard Bash you don't need pigs or cows, how about that cute squirrel in the last photo, any fish at the lake house? Anything goes, have fun and thanks for stopping by:@)
It's windy here today too, I've had to close the windows because pictures were blowing right off the fridge!
That dinner looks yummy!
Thanks for your sweet comment. We used to foster greyhounds and had one of our own until she passed away a few years ago so we have a major soft spot for them! It's amazing how attached you get to them so quickly, it was hard to say goodbye after just a few hours.
~Michelle
Hi Jane! Oh, what a lovely post! Love the bottle filled with the twinkly lights! I can almost smell that steak!! I wish summer would hurry up and leave around here! It's still so hot!! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
All your freshening touches look so nice. The table turned out well. I have made bottles full of lights before but I don't think I ever thought of drilling a hole in the bottom. Glad you are having such nice weather.
very nice blog.....glad I stumbled upon it! Susan
This is the way I am feeling, too. It's just too SUMMER hot here to even THINK of fall decorations. I'm not real big on fall colors so I generally stick pretty much with reds...all year long! :)
I love the lamp but would rather the shade be white. I've spray painted shades before..works pretty well.
I love your lamp Jane and those swan feathers...so lovely. What if you spray painted your lampshade one of the colours in your lovely wallpaper? I do love how you guys decorate for the seasons. We don't seem to do so much of that here...or maybe it's just me :)
Jane I do believe you live a beautiful life. And what's even more special, is that you know and appreciate the fact that you do. I can tell in your writing. I love the touches you put around your lovely place this weekend.
hugs
We know what you mean...just when summer "begins" it ends. We can hardly believe that we are almost to the middle of September - where does time go? Before we forget, we love the swan feathers in the vase! HAve a great day Jane :)
The painted little side table is sweet!
Don't think I've ever seen swan feathers, off the swan. ,-) Cool decorating idea.
Mmmm, I usually don't care for a yellow cast either. Although a lot of cozy ambiance lighting, seems to have a golden cast to it....
Love, Love, Love the bottle stuffed with Faerie Lights. Mmmmm, "Uncle A." has a project coming up! Drilling a cord hole in a bottle! I *LUST* over Faerie Lights and only use them once. Want to use them more, and you've given me the perfect idea. :-)
Gentle hugs...
Your little table turned out great...the swan feathers are a nice touch! Your dinner looks so yummy :o)
~Des
It's nice here for awhile. Then it storms and it steams up when it's over. But we welcome the rain. Love the bottle with the lights. And your table looks fantastic!
Brenda
What a neat little wine bottle light~I would've never thought of something like that! And the swan feathers...sooo pretty!
I love that little table you painted, so pretty!
Hi Jane!
I'm actually in the
Windy City this weekend,
cooking and freezing
meals for my friend
Kathleen, who just started
chemo. Sounds like your
week has been a cozy one.
Enjoy this weekend!
xx Suzanne
PS Thanks for the info
about your dogs. Layla
looks a lot like our Gracie,
who is a Toy Fox Terrier : )
What a lovely bittersweet post. Goodbye Summer. Hello Fall....
I love, love love going to the Lake with you. It sounds so cool and relaxing. Unlike you, I'm so ready for summer to be gone and take the 100's with it. xoxo Nancy
Jane, how neat to have REAL swan feathers in a vase! That lamp is so pretty, and I do think a white shade will look great on it. So glad you told about the tea towel. When I saw it, I loved it. I love to check out her beautiful treasures. Dinner looks like it was delish. laurie
Hi Jane, I am not really to see the end of summer, but my favorite time is the fall of the year when we have all of the color.
My two oldest grandsons got to try tubing when they went to the lake for a visit to see some of mommy's family. Matt, my kindergartener had a blast and he wanted to go again, both had a ball, it was the first time.
I love how your table turned out. We have been having some fall like weather here in Missouri. Cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon. Have a great weekend. Your Missouri Friend.
I love visiting you...you have such great idea my friend. Summer did go fast but I am happy to have Fall come our way xoxoxo Happy weekend
Jane, that table is so cute...I love it when you can recreate a great look with a would be cast off! It looks wonderful! Great job. That is a cute idea with the wine bottle too, what a neat gift! Have a great weekend.
Glad you are getting cooler temps there in the midwest...not us here in the South...91 yesterday. Hardly seems right to be putting out my Fall decor. What a great display...I loved the wine bottle with the lights, I have seen those, very COOL!
Love every photo!! That table looks so welcoming and calming. What a great idea for the wine bottle - of course I'd have to drink the wine then take a nap - wine always makes me sooo relaxed :)
Dear Janeie,
What a wonderful job you have made on that table. We have painted quite a lot of our furniture and I have shabby chiced everything !! It looks lovely with the lamp and the bits and bobs that you have put on it.
I quite like it when Autumn arrives. I love all of the seasons as they all have their merits.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend. XXXX
September is always a bittersweet month ~ sad to see summer end, and happy to see fall arrive. I miss the fall days along the shore of Lake Michigan!
I agree with you about the lamp. Just lighten up the shade a bit and it will be perfect!!
Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
blondie...i kept seeing you as i made my rounds this morning...so i clicked and am happy i did...what a beautiful blog...i am enjoying getting to know you...
no fall for me here in florida...don'tlike cold weather...but i might love some turning leaves to play with!!!
i was in chicago (la grange) in the fall of 2008...took hundreds of photos of turning leaves...
.. i promise to return often...
XOXOX,
rebecca/cre8tiva
http://cre8tivecompass.com/blog/
Love your finds from around the house! I love to shop the house and find something that makes so much sense in a new spot!
The weather here is beautiful- except right after I put all those curtains on my pergola- it DUMPED rain in a random storm that blew in! Crazy weather for California! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for you comments! Have a great day! :)
Jane what a lovely home you have to enjoy the lake. Love the swan feathers and the lights in the bottle are something I am going to keep in my memory bank, if I can find my memory bank.lol
I just read your comment on my Sales Alert, I laughed, too funny. Don't you just love the towels from Neimans, what a steal. I am going to get a few more this year, they keep me supplied at that price. Loved the rugs and the prices are really great, I just had to pass it on, have a wonderful weekend,Kathysue
Jane, this is a lovely post. I scrolled down from the earlier post and think the new blue bed linens above are fabulous. Love all the textiles shown here too. I'm going to head over to French Elements as soon as I hit the publish button. I haven't visited in some time.
Summer seems to be hanging on a bit here in TX, but I'm ready for it to move on. LOL
~ Sarah
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