Tuesday, February 22, 2011

WINTER WEEKEND AT THE LAKE

Warning: These pictures may make you shiver. The lake is covered with a sheet of ice. It's hard to believe that 5 short months ago we were zipping around in our boat and swimming at the sand bar. And it will be awhile before we are doing that again.
As I took these pictures I felt like I was somewhere in Alaska, just no sign of life anywhere. The roads were desolate looking and although many people don't come up in the winter, everything looked closed up and deserted.
Inside we kept a fire blazing and the wood stove burning. We only ventured out to get a bite to eat. In the evening we rented movies and watched them cozied up in the loft with popcorn. I rented Pride And Prejudice. I was hesitant to watch it because I haven't finished the book yet. The good thing is, I fell asleep before the end. Perfect timing.
Funny, after not being at the lake for 3 months, I expected the house to look different; dusty, abandoned, but it looked the same. The only plants I seemed to have lost are my two huge ferns and that makes me sad. The Husband's palms are thriving. Everything was in it's place, it looked like we just walked out yesterday.
There was just a tiny bit of snow left as you can see and the grass looks looks nice and green. My porch looks like it is crying out for plants and flowers and big fluffy cushions on the furniture.

It wasn't all melancholy {baby} as I am making it sound. We weren't stocked up with food so we had 3 wonderful dinners out. Saturday we went to a small town about 45 minutes away and browsed around an old bookstore. It also carried new books and I bought a book of short stories by Alice Munro. It was sad to see that some of the antique stores we love were closed down with For Sale signs in the windows. Here I go getting melancholy again. We visited the gift shop in town and I bought a beautiful big trellis, about the size of a twin headboard, for planting flowering vines on this summer. I also bought a big bouquet of flowers that I filled several vases with and that really brightened everything up.

The forecast was that we were going to warm up to about 50 and the sun would be shining. Well, it never went over 30 degrees and Sunday we had snow and sleet and rain. We sat on our rockers and read our new books. It was peaceful.

So that was our 3 day weekend. It has been snowing and raining off and on since we got home, but as always, this house is always bustling and lively. I think we better wait for a guarantee of warmer weather before we hit the road again. I hope all of you are having a wonderful week and staying warm and dry. See you in a few days! :-)

66 comments:

Hearts Turned said...

Sounds like a chilly but relaxing weekened, Jane...how nice to have a cozy cottage to spend time curled up with a book in...

Hope your day is wonderful!

Julie

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

So glad you made it to your cozy little get a way. Sounds like a perfect weekend:)
~Debra xxx
Capers of the vintage vixens

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I'm cold just looking at those photos. So you don't want to hear that I'm sitting on my screened porch watching the birds and drinking coffee...right? hugs, Linda

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

I probably should know the answer to the question I am about to ask. :-) If so, I'm sorry but.........

I LOVE the upper porch! Is that off your bedroom?

Oh it is lovely, and no matter what room it is off. I love an upper porch!

As to those antique shops closing, 'tis a sign of the times, I imagine. People over-all, have less $$$ to spend. With many being out of work, and even food prices rising... I guess antiques are on the not-necessary list. So their sales would drop. And they would be unable to keep doors open.

Just hope it wasn't their necessary job. I mean, hope the antique stores were more a keep-busy-in-retirement kind of stores. And having to close them, wouldn't keep food from going on the owner's tables.

Gentle hugs...

April said...

BRRR! Yes, those pictures have me shivering from head to toe, Jane! Guess I shouldn't tell you that we've been enjoying 70 degree weather here in Georgia, huh?

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

It sounds like a cozy warm weekend, even though it looked VERY cold there!!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It sounds like it was a great weekend escape, Jane! A roaring fire and warm wood stove sound wonderful, especially with some good books to read.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the perfect weekend to me. Getting cozy by the fire and watching movies...ahhh! It won't be long before your out on the water and soaking up the rays. What a charming place you have! I would never leave the second story porch.
Thanks for sharing your weekend! Stay warm!

Hugs,
Michelle :)

Lynn said...

Hi Jane! Glad you got away for a bit, even though the weather people gave you some bum advice! We had about 3" of snow overnight here, not bad considering what we have had:@)

Amy Chalmers said...

Amazing what flowers can do for an interior Jane. Also the trellis sounds like a project that will fund a lot of daydreaming until spring arrives!

Marigene said...

Yep, those pictures definitely gave me a chill! I am so ready for warm weather, green grass and brightly colored flowers.

Shellbelle said...

Yes, these photos did make me shiver, but when I read that you both sat in your rockers, reading, with a fire in the fireplace, I warmed right up!

I had to look back for your cookbook recipe since I've fallen behind and just had to tell you that looks like a great book. I love things I can do in one pot, it makes cleaning up so much easier and these days I'm all for that.

Linda said...

It sounds like a totally lovely time!! You have your very own 'Bed and Breakfast' retreat!

Charlene said...

Jane I LOVE your lake house photos no matter what time of year you share them... LOVE the color. SO PRETTY! Lucky you to have that special place to get away. But, it did look COLD looking at that water. BRRRRRRRRRRRRR I would love to see this in person some day. Maybe we could hook up if we come up that way. IF & WHEN we get our RV we want to spend time traveling to see so many different places. I love the area's outside of Chicago. My parents lived in that area for 28 months while my sweet Daddy worked out of the Sears Tower. Fond memories! HUGS! STAY WARM!
Charlene

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a lovely weekend, to me, Jane.

Your place looks beautiful! We are ready for a return visit. Our stay this month was only overnight. With appts all week and a little entertainment planned for the weekend, it will most likely be next week before we get back...weather permitting that is. But March is about to arrive and that is a positive. Generally March snows don't stay around long, in Missouri. Knock on wood!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely place to be. Yes, I would be snuggled up by the fire too. I get sad when I go back where I grew up and see things changed. It's a shame when businesses that have been around forever close down, especially antique stores. I hope you get some lovely warm weather soon. By the way, I really like your blog header.

Cheers,
Lisa x

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Isn't it amazing what Mother Nature can do? All of the changes and and then glorious Spring!

A cozy weekend with the fire and a good book sounds like perfection to me!!

Lou Cinda

Maryrose said...

Hi Jane,

Sounds like a great weekend...cozied up by the fire. I am in lust of your lake house and I don't know whether I will ever get over it.

Lucky duck :) (does that show my age?)
Maryrose

Theresa said...

OH Jane, sounds wonderful! Cozy and peaceful! It is sad that the businesses close down but it is happening here too!

One of OUR FAVORITE Japanese restaurants is closed, windows boarded up! I really made us sad because it was one of my Grandchildren's choice when they got to choose the restaurant!

Your lakehouse is GORGEOUS! I love the blue:)

Enjoy your week my friend! BIG HUGS!

Sandi (Meme) said...

We planned to go to our lake house this weekend, but now they are predicting snow! Your idea sounds great, maybe we can just SIT and relax! Our lake is completely frozen over yet too, and it's been in the 60's a couple of times in the past week. Oh well, Spring will be here soon! Sandi

xinex said...

The lake house looks great, Janie, but that lake looks so cold, enough to make me shiver...Christine

Spreading the Love! said...

I haven't seen this angle of your lake house before, it's charming!!... sounds like a great weekend to me.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Umm.. that was me, not Roba Dolce. *sigh*

Pondside said...

What a great way to spend a weekend - movies, books, dinners out and then tucked in with your husband. Do you like Alice Munro? I love her short stories - and she has a connection to our town.

Amber said...

oh my,it looks really cold but still like a great time.

Julie Marie said...

Hi Janie, sounds like a relaxing weekend, sitting by a warm fire and reading and relaxing... the lake looks just beautiful, even frozen. I can't wait to see your new trellis with flowering vines growing up it this summer...xoxo Julie Marie

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

sounds perfect.

NanaDiana said...

Hi Jane- Well, it sounds like you had a nice weekend. There is something bittersweet about going to a place you have always gone to and seeing changes- the closing of favorite old stores, etc. We used to have a cottage that we closed for the winter and I know exactly what you mean. I would go in the Spring expecting...I don't know what...but not that it would look like it had when I closed it up...and it would be a little musty and we would open the doors and air it out..and presto...home again, home again.

Do you go North...would I recognize the name of the lake? Not Lake Winnebago, is it? I know that is a big one South of us and North of you.

Hope you are having a great week- I am working the rest of the week- ugh. Hugs-Diana

Leontien said...

These pics actually look pretty warm to me! Being in Indi takes some getting used to!

Thanks!
Leontien

Honey at 2805 said...

Sounds like a great weekend. Nice pics but they do make me a little chilly. We had a beautiful weekend with temps in the high 70s, but today is a little too cool for me.

My Grama's Soul said...

Oh Jane......I guess I didn't realize how very cold it gets at your lake house....sounds like you spent your time there just perfectly....eating...and reading. LOL

Xo

Jo

Elaine said...

Have you ever skated on the lake? Looks like a great plave for a skating party!

Deanna said...

Dinner out, the bookstore, sounds like an ideal weekend to me but "brrrr" with the lake picture...lol! It was cold here today, dark and gray, just the way I like it!

Deanna :D

Jane said...

Your lake house looks lovely. It sounds like you had a wonderful, relaxing weekend. You'll be swimming again before you know it!
Jane

Sarah said...

Well, even with the icy waters it must be wonderful to have a special home to escape to for a long weekend. Sounds like a cozy time. ~ Sarah

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

What a beautiful home at the lake Jane! I wonder if it's really true that we need winter so we can really appreciate spring and summer~ I'd like to skip a winter sometime and give it a try!
hugs,
paula:)

Paula@SweetPea said...

A three day weekend at the lake, even in the dead of winter, sounds like pure pleasure to me. It won't be long before it will be warm and you'll be enjoying lake life every weekend!

Suzann said...

I think the water looks peaceful.
Sounds like a glorious cozy weekend.

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Sometimes a change of scene and a quiet weekend is nice. Sounds like you had a cozy one!~Hugs, Patti

Kat said...

Even though it looks frightfully cold (and you KNOW I don't do cold) it still looks like a wonderful, cozy place to spend a relaxing weekend. Just thinking about spending an entire weekend by the fire reading sounds like a treat to me! Kat

The Charm of Home said...

Jane, That lake looks really cold. I am so ready for the tropics! Warmth isn't good enough now I want to be hot! LOL
Sherry

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Can't believe you missed the end of P&P!! Well, you were right to finish the book first! Sounds like this weekend was a great weekend to spend indoors and watch movies...that's exactly what we did! (of course, on Monday, when we should have been watching movies, we were out in the muck to antique!! - a girls got to do what a girls got to do!)
Hope you have a wonderful weekend Jane!

Karla & Karrie
(by the way...love the tablescape too!)

Allyson Pecilunas said...

BRRR I'm freezing looking at this. Thanks for your sweet comment I am envious of you that you haven't moved in a long time its hard to make a house your home when you move so often. So I am hoping we will be here for quite awhile which will be nice. Have a goo day!! :)

Mary Ann Pickett said...

What a beautiful house! I love cozy weekends like that! And you had Mr. Darcy with you :)
Mary Ann

Heaven's Walk said...

What a beautiful cottage, Jane! Even in the wintertime, it just sings of memories of warm sunny days! :) I'm so glad that you and hubby spent some fun, quality time together. Sounds like the perfect weekend!

xoxo laurie

Nancy said...

No matter the weather, Jane. I always welcome a trip to the lakehouse. It sounds warm and cozy and relaxing. Such a beautiful retreat and aren't you the best for letting us come along! xo Nancy

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

I saw a lot of frozen ponds while we were in Chicago/Wheaton this past weekend and I know how cold it was! Glad you had a nice cozy place to spend the weekend. Much better than shopping in downtown Chicago!

Jane @ Jane's Junk and Treasures said...

Sounds like a great weekend!
I would give anything for a wood burning stove!
Come on spring!

Daydream Living said...

Good evening Jane!
Boy, your house looks so beautiful, I have house envy, for real...just gorgeous! Love the blue color and it sounds like your 3 days where a bliss. Sweetheart I and I had 2 days together, a rare occasion, but that's why I enjoyed myself even more. So reading about how you spend your days makes me want to find something like your house, to go away some more!
Enjoy your evening, I'm off to bed, hugs, Maureen x

Natasha in Oz said...

Boy I wish that winter would hurry up and arrive here in Oz! I would give anything for a few cold months as this heat and terrible weather we have been having is really becoming unbearable. The good thing about winter is that you can get all cozy and warm and snuggle up to your loved one....in summer all I want to do is sit in air conditioned rooms and do nothing!

Happy last days of winter Jane!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Denise said...

Sounds like a perfect getaway Jane :) I guess I'm ready for Spring (not so much summer) but I really can't wait for the holidays again so we can snuggle up and light a wood fire!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Sounds like such a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Love your place.

You asked about the Tarn-X. I love it because it's no rubbing. Guess I am just lazy. Just put it on and the tarnish is all gone. Can't beat that. Hugs, marty

Kathleen said...

Before I retired, we used to come out for weekends, even in the winter. The beach was cold and windy, but after working all week, it was a nice change.
Different scenery is always refreshing, esp in this brutal winter.
Soon it will be time to plant Jane, hold on!

koralee said...

what a sweet cozy cottage...stay warm my friend. xoxo

Junebug Furniture and Design said...

Love your get a way home! A perfect place to relax and enjoy a good book!
Thanks for sharing your home.Great blog too!
XO Glad & Celia

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Good Morning Jane,
Sounds like a wonderful get-away to me!
I love your lake house! It is just sooo charming looking!
I hope to see it this summer!
I hope all is well with you my friend,
Big Hugs,
Cindy

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

What a wonderful place for a little R&R! I could use some of that about now :)
XO

Amy said...

I remember the weird feeling going to a favorite summer destination in the winter. The stillness and quietness is a little strang but it's nice too. I'm glad you had a wonderful weekend!!

Decor To Adore said...

What a glorius time. I love the details in the wood work.

Lori E said...

Sounds just perfect to me. I love being somewhere cozy in the cold winter months. One of my favorite places to visit is Long Beach in British Colombia. It is very busy in the summer but I only go in the winter, walking on the sandy beach in the icy wind, dressed warmly, then retreating back to a warm cabin or motorhome to enjoy a warm beverage and thaw out my nose.

The Single Nester said...

I wish I was by that lake. How peaceful and lovely. I do enjoy the winter!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

Looks so peaceful! I have to say...I am starting to wonder if this winter will EVER end. It's very cold and damp today and when I went outside to fetch lunch it felt like s-n-o-w out. Eek!!

Mary said...

I'm glad you enjoyed the weekend despite the chilly weather. Sounds like you did get out to eat and browse in some fun shops. As you say Jane, the scenery is certainly different from the Summer crowd and noise....those days will return though!

My weekend on the West coast was chilly too, and heavy rain much of Sat. when we drove to Carmel. The mighty Pacific was churning - unusual weather but still enjoyable.

La said...

It sounds like a very peaceful weekend. Which version of Pride & Prejudice did you get?

Lori said...

Wow - your visit looks a little different than mine a couple of weeks ago! Love your post. xo

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Was it the Keira Knightley version? If so, do try and watch the BBC adaptation, with Colin Firth and Jennifer Earle (that's not how you spell her surname but I can't remember the right spelling!). It's the BEST one. And soooo swoony!

Sarahx