Tuesday, June 18, 2013

A WEEKEND AT THE LAKE


It was a quiet and restful weekend at the lake.  It rained on Saturday and I mostly just puttered around the house.  I still have a lot to do before the family comes up for the 4th of July (which is coming up so fast!), but the rain was making me lazy.  I read and napped and read some more.  I was useless.



Not only was it Father's Day on Sunday, it was also Emily's birthday.  We got on the road for Chicago early and we all met at a little Irish pub, the whole family and then a few, to celebrate both occasions.  Pizza, beer and a lot of laughs.  We also celebrated our son, Jeff, buying his first home.  He has been staying with us for the past few weeks and he is closing on his house in about 2 weeks.  It is awesome, just beautiful and only 15 minutes away.  We are so happy for him!

So that's all I have for now.  I brought my boxwood clippings home with me and I'm going to get to work on that wreath today.  I've also been working feverishly on cleaning up my laundry/storage room in the basement.  I can't even describe what a mess it was.  I spent three straight days sorting and washing clothes, some that the kids left behind when they moved out, came back, moved out...I can see the floor again.  We also have a big standing freezer that I totally emptied and scoured.  As much as I like to clean and organize, this freezer (and the whole laundry room) was the bane of my existence.  I found whole roasts and chickens going back to 2009.  All sorts of packaged foods that The Husband would load up on at Costco.  I would just forget I had stuff in there.  So it's clean and sparkling and even though it's just a dark, dungeon of a room, I'm happy! :)

See you soon!

XO,
Jane



49 comments:

Terra said...

I love your lakeside cottage, and have sometimes imagined having a home like that with a dock right there. When retirement comes have you considered moving in there full time? Love your hubby fishing in the rain, a true fisherman, and please leave the milkweed for the butterflies. Butterflies have a hard time, and Monarch butterflies really need milkweed.

Sonia said...

Hi Jane!
Your roses are gorgeous! I wouldn't cut them..l'd let them grown up and cover the wall...the trellis can just help support them. Such a pretty color too with your blue paint! Glad you got some organizing done...always feels good to conquer an area! Enjoy your week!
Miss Bloomers

Beth said...

Your roses are beautiful Jane. I can almost smell them from here.

Penny Carlson said...

Those roses are beautiful Jane...that was some great bass!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Hello Jane,
Your roses are so pretty...I would let them climb away. Happy that you had one sunny day at the lake.

Blessings,
Linda

Stacey said...

Girl, that milkweed is what monarch butterflies eat! Please leave it there. I sound like such a nerd saying this but monarchs are decreasing in numbers and they need the milkweed. Pressures on now! :)

Your roses are to die for! I hope mine will take off like that.

http://www.monarchwatch.org/milkweed/

June said...

I love a trip to your lake house Jane! Everything is looking beautiful there (and fun) I am so happy to hear that Father's Day and Emily's birthday was wonderful family time for you all.
Sending hugs...

Anonymous said...

belated happy birthday to Emily, you have beautiful flowers at your home, the scent must be lovely, I think we all have had a room that gets a bit messy, its hard to create with out making a mess,

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

That's one delicious bass! Sorry...I've been watching Napoleon Dynamite again. :) Anyway, your roses are beautiful! I second Stacey's advice on the milkweed...the butterflies totally depend on that stuff. :) My mom always has it growing in her backyard specifically for them. Sounds like you had a great weekend!

Olive said...

Hi Jane, the roses look wonderful. I trim my climbers after they bloom. Your husband's fish was enormous. I have not been fishing in years but recall that feeling of satisfaction. xo, olive

20 North Ora said...

How nice to have a rainy weekend at the lake. But, sounds like you made up for it when you got home. You got a lot done girl!!

Judy

Gina said...

Your climbing roses are beautiful! Sounds like your weekend was a productive one. Have a great week!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It sounds like you had a full weekend, Jane! We are getting that humid weather here today and it feels like 90. Love your roses. Are those canes above the trellis long enough to train along the top part of the trellis? My son's birthday was also on Sunday, so we had birthday and Father's Day wishes by phone.

Balisha said...

Sounds like a wonderful weekend. What a nice fish...that's something I love to do...fish. I keep mine, however.
Your roses look so pretty..I would let them keep climbing and not prune them yet.
The milkweed is something that Monarchs love...milkweed is dwindling because of mowing the weeds along the highway and also spraying weed killer.
Have a nice week and please show the new wreath when it's finished.
Balisha

Julie Marie said...

YIKES!... do not prune your climber!!!.. okay, I am calm now, tee hee hee... but you bought a CLIMBER for a reason, right?... so it would CLIMB!... don't worry... it will spread out on it's own... weren't you thinking of beautiful English country homes with climbing roses all over when you planted it?... that's what I think of... and remember, next years blooms come from this years growth and I am sure you want plenty of blooms... wow!... that is some fish your hubby caught!... looks like he was having fun fishing in the rain... your weekend sounds nice and relaxing... glad everyone had a nice time... xoxo Julie Marie

Unknown said...

Wow, you've been so busy! Beautiful roses, love the bird house too! So cute.

Junkchiccottage said...

Hi Jane,
Oh your roses are so pretty. Glad you are enjoying your lake house even with our weird weather. Have fun with all the family coming.
Kris

Elaine said...

Wow, you certainly had a busy weekend.

My birthday is June 15th and I was born on Father's Day. Was Emily born on Father's Day?

Love the roses. I can't grow a thing. You must really enjoy your garden at the lakehouse.

I would love to stay in on a rainy day and nap and read. Sounds perfect!

Unknown said...

It sounds like you had a lovely weekend at the lake. Your roses are gorgeous and how cute are your bird houses! :)

podso said...

It will be interesting to hear what you decide on the trellis. Your weather sounds delicious. Congrats to your son on his new house. We were amazed at how much our son worked on his house and fixed it up when he actually owned the place.

Hope you show us your wreath! have a good week!

Melanie said...

Glad you had a good time at the lake house again, even though it rained. Love your roses! And can't believe you have milkweed when you don't even know where it came from. Yes, it attracts butterflies. I'm really liking your birdhouse too, especially how it's on the tree. Very cool! Sounds like you all had a wonderful time this past Sunday...lots of celebrating to do. xoxo

Sarah said...

You can send us some of that rain, and we'll take the cool weather too. '-) How special to have your lake house for weekend retreats. The roses are gorgeous. I've never had a climbing rose. Google and see what you find about pruning climbers.

Rozmeen said...

The roses are gorgeous. Enjoy your week.

xoxo Rozmeen

Theresa said...

Loved my visit with you at the Lake:) So much fun to have somewhere to get away to! Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

Karen said...

Hi Jane, the roses are so pretty and seem to be thriving. I struggle with mine. Fishing in the rain shows true dedication to the sport LOL. Like you rain makes me sluggish and we are having a lot of it. I need to do some organizing too, if only the sun would shine!!

Mary said...

Wow Jane, you did get a lot accomplished at the weekend, and I know A enjoyed the fishing.

Allow your climbers to climb through the Summer - if necessary you can prune them back later. As for the milkweed, what a great feast awaiting your butterflies so do try to keep it - these lovelies have a hard time finding food with the wild places being turned into subdivisions and shopping centers!

Hugs - Mary

sandy said...

Very lovely cottage! I want one too! lol I would cut the rose bush, I would just let it wonder around and see what it does.

I wouldn't let the rain stop me either if I wanted to do something!

Have a lovely week!

sandy said...

Oooops! Oh no I meant to say I WOULDN'T cut the rose bush!!!!

forgive me !

xinex said...

I love those roses, Janie, not sure if they have to be cut though. Your flowers in the garden sound so pretty. I can imagine how happy you are with all your children getting all settled and buying their own homes. It must be all that good parental upbringing. Looks like Al is really have a great time fishing....Christine

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

The lake looks amazing and wow that is a big fish for sure. Sounds like so much fun. Don't forget that I need your post for Show Off by the first of the week. I can't wait to feature you. Hugs, Marty

Lulu said...

Isn't it just amazing how blooms open up over night? This morning my peonies have done jus that and I can't wait to go cut a few. Do you cook all those fish?

Donna said...

Your roses are just gorgeous, Jane! The weather has been so changeable here, too. Today is gorgeous, no humidity. But tomorrow it's supposed to hit 87, too hot for me! The 4th sure is coming up fast! We are busy working on lots of sprucing up projects too before we have company coming for the holiday. Have a great day!

Our Neck of the Woods said...

I know what you mean about the rain making you lazy! There's just something about it that makes me want to nap or read a book. Your roses are so beautiful! That must have been a nice surprise to return home to! :)

emily barlocker scott said...

Reading during the rain is not useless!!!!! In my world, it's actually a sin if you don't.

Ricki Treleaven said...

Wow, that's quite a cool down! You had a great weekend full of happy stuff. Congrats on your son's first home! How exciting!

I think it's sweet that your daughter's b'day was on Father's Day this year. How special!

Wow, the color of your roses are stunning. LOVE them! Your little lake cottage is cute!

xo,
RJ

Debbie said...

Beautiful roses! I have that same color here, and just love them.
I don't mind a rainy day once in a while. It helps me stay inside, and get work done that I put off because I'm outside in the gardens when the sun is shining.
I'm glad your hubby is enjoying his boat.
xo

Sue said...

Wow...I thought I'd been busy! I have finally learned not to stock up so much on the freezer food. It is a hard adjustment after buying for a family of 4 (my son ate enough for a couple more) all those years. I was buying, freezing, forgetting and throwing away. Now, I have enough to live on a little while but I can still see everything in the freezer.

I think the roses have loved all this rain. Ours have been full and gorgeous too.

Kit said...

Oh your weekend sounded heavenly. I like that you read and puttered. My kind of day. Roses are a perfect flower for a special house. Love them! Kit

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Wow, we are on an organizing kick I think. I did the same. Puttered around after breakfast out with the kids on Father's Day.
Where has the week gone, for heavens sakes! Right back at the weekend ..again. :)
The roses are beautiful..I LOVE this growing time of year..isnt it great??

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane, my husband fishes in rain, sleet and snow and caught his biggest fish on Christmas Day in our lake. You just never know when the fish are ready to bite. We didn't catch a single thing at the beach though. Your climbing rose is so pretty but I can't help with the pruning. I always just cut whatever I feel like cutting....whether right or wrong. :) Hope you have a super nice weekend. xo

Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com said...

I love when everything gets a good cleaning. I swear Costco makes me waste food more than anyone with all their jumbo sizing. I love all of your roses. They look si pretty. Tell hubby congrats on the Bass. How fun :)

Laura said...

I am so in love with your lakehouse!! and your amazing roses, how pretty and such a bright, amazing pink! Not sure if we get milkweed here in australia, cant help with that!!!
have a wonderful day!!!

Babs said...

Your roses are looking wonderful. You really have a green thumb and the milkweed is a good thing..as you know already. :) Now the wisteria around the power line...not so good. LOL
Hugs and have a good weekend at the lake, if you're going again this weekend.

bj said...

I so envy your lake house. I think it should be an American Law that EVERYone have a lake house. :))
Lovin' your pretty roses...and if I ever plant another flower, it will be peonies....my very favorite...
and, man, Mr. Sweet would p himself if he ever caught a fish that size. :))
xoxo

Kelly said...

That picture of your dock in the rain looks so pretty! I can see why y'all love it there. You're so lucky to have a lake house. I would probably be there all the time and completely neglect my current home! My husband loves to fish too and releases them. Sounds like you had a busy productive weekend and now its already time for another one! Your roses are beautiful. Wish I had blooms like that. It gets too hot here in the summer, so mine only look good in the Spring.

Deserae said...

Sounds like the perfect weekend :o) Your roses are gorgeous...love the color! Who knew there was a club for milkweed?!?!? VERY weird! LOL
Have a great week!
~Des

Privet and Holly said...

My shrub rose just
burst into a sea of
white two days ago,
alongside the peonies
and Japanese Iris. Sadly,
we've had some major
storms come through
the last three nights
and the pour peonies
are bent over, which is
so sad, as they are short-
lived, to begin with. Ah
well, Mother Nature just
doing her thing : )

Your world sounds happy
and content, flower and
family-filled. What a blessing!

Happy Sunday,
xo Suzanne

Leslie said...

Jane, Your lakefront property looks so pretty and I'm impressed with the size of that bass! Your garden is gorgeous and the roses are incredible. I can't believe you've got the 90 degrees plus humidity.. that's a bad hair day for me! Enjoy the R&R :)

xxL

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

I love weekends like that, and I think we need them now and again - I call them restorative!