A SUMMER WEEKEND

Happy Summer!  Wow, I can't believe it has been over a week since I last posted.  We had a four day weekend at the lake and just got home yesterday.  If I haven't visited you, I promise I will try.  Time is just flying by!  Before I get to the antics up at he lakehouse, I am sharing some pictures of the work I have been doing here.  The patio got a good clean up and I planted flowers for two days straight with the help of Emily.  I have no doubt that when she is married and has a home of her own, it will be beautiful!

The celosia really pops on the table.  I found this little candle holder at Homegoods.  The pots are from Pier 1. 

I found some neat succulents at my garden center and decided I would try my hand at growing a few.  They are very inexpensive and fit perfectly in a pot from Home Depot.  I sound like a talking ad for these places but this was the year I had to really break down and replace a lot of my pots and planters that were beyond chippy!

I know this looks like an eggplant but it is actually a zucchini that I found randomly growing in my herb garden!  I can only assume that a bird dropped a seed.  What an innovative way to plant a garden!  Am I a lucky girl or what!

All work and no play is not the Blondie way!  We took a break and went to one of my favorite places for barbecue Thursday night.

Everything is cooked on a wood stove.  I had the spicy Greek sausage and The Husband had the ribs.  It all comes with pasta salad and Texas toast. 

I love looking at all the memorabilia.  What a nice break.  Have I mentioned that it has been in the 90's all week?  I didn't need an evening in the kitchen after all the yard work!

We loaned the lakehouse to our friends, The Millers for a little vacation of their own.  They had been there several days when we arrived on Friday.  This is 4 year old Ella.  She is just a ray of sunshine.  I love hanging out with her!

All of The Husband's hard work on the beach really paid off as you can see.  Ella had a ball making sandcastles and playing with her little dolls and critters. 

The Husband usually mans the grill alone, but this time he let Snow assist him.  The Miller's have an Italian butcher and get all their meats and cheeses and spices from him.  Snow makes cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto that is just so refreshing on a hot day.

Corn from the Midwest is the best!!  Have I mentioned that our local farmers grow corn and beans for the Green Giant brand?  Ho Ho Ho!

This is the Miller family; Ella, Snow, Luke and Craig.

And here is the happy couple. They are fun and helpful and just like family. 

Sometimes when I come home from the lake, I feel like a child that has had too much time outdoors and just needs a good long nap!  We took boat rides, swam, rode bikes and ate...a lot!  Oh, summer fun!  Now I have rto recover and get ready for our weekend in Galena, Illinois with Cindy and Dan from Applestone Cottage.  I'll be sharing a lot of pictures next week...this is sure to be a wonderful time.  Until then, stay cool and enjoy this first day of summer.  I will see you soon! :-)