Thursday, June 26, 2014

THE JOYS OF SUMMER


So it was back at the lake last week and all I had left to do was clean up the little Summerhouse (or guesthouse), and that only took an hour.  We hung out with our neighbors a few houses down, they are sort of new friends,  They moved in about three years ago but it's hard to get together with having company or missing each other while on boat rides, etc.  Finally Diane and I exchanged phone numbers so we can text each other instead of yelling across the bay and over a creek, "Come on over and have a beer!"

And this is what's blooming in Michigan.  These are my Eden roses that are supposed to be climbing up the arbor but instead are flopping all over.  I need to pick up some of those fabric ties and coax these pretty roses upward.








With my extra time I made a pretty little tablescape on the patio.  We grilled on Saturday as it was turning to dusk and just as The Husband was taking the food off the BBQ, a storm blew in that almost took everything off the table.  Chicago and northern Illinois were hit much harder by this storm.  Abby had girlfriends over and they made a beeline for the basement when the wind picked up.  My friend Melanie from Comfy House posted pictures of the damage in her area northwest of us in Illinois.  And that's just how the weather has been around here for the past few weeks.  It can be sunny and bright and then 15 minutes later, the skies darken and a storm blows in.  One thing that is constant is the humidity.  Though we rarely go over 80 degrees and the nights are cool, the humidity just hangs in the air making it feel warmer.  Well, enough complaining, I'm happy it's not a drought.





















 

And speaking of Snow and hubby Craig, The Husband and I were invited over to their place for dinner tonight.  They live just up the street but we never seem to get together as much as we want.  Snow is a real estate agent and Craig is a busy lawyer.  Anyway, they just added on to their deck off the back of their house and want to show off a little with dinner al fresco at sunset.





Tomorrow, back to the lake.  I think I'll decorate for the 4th this weekend as people will be coming as early as Wednesday night. Abby grabbed one of my new flags yesterday and popped it into a potted plant on the front porch.  I told it was too early and she wisely said, "It's never too early to be patriotic!" 

 I may hitch a ride with someone depending on The Husband's work schedule.  And this year he is eagerly planning the 2nd Annual Rocky River Kayak Trip.  Just for the adventurous types.  I will be on my (imaginary) hammock sipping a Bloody Mary. 


Happy Weekend! :)

XO,
Jane

37 comments:

Beth said...

We do have a Deals store here! It is a lot of fun shopping there.

I like the second dress best!

Debby said...

It is so fun having a Lake house. t's like a vacation whenever you want it. Hoping we can get away more when we move into the condo. I am ready early for the showing. all I have left to do is dog poop, hah, and loaded the dogs in the car. I am exhausted. I know it will get easier once everything is done. Or will it ever be done. Have fun over the 4th. We have a big celebration in the village for four days. Think I will be missing that this year. Hugs and thanks for your comments. xo

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

Both dresses are pretty, but I think I like the first one best. Your flowers are looking so pretty and I love the little cabinet for your birdseed. Have fun on the 4th!

Anonymous said...

no deal stores, here no Dollar tree either, lol, your flowers are beautiful, your table lovely, the dresses are both beautiful, i like them both, you will look lovely no matter which you chose, happy birthday to your son, my son turned 36 yesterday too!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I like the first dress for myself, Jane, if I were choosing. So, which one did you wear? : )

Your flowers look great. One of the women I work with had a deer at her bird feeder the other morning. Apparently, it was liking the pumpkin seeds she had in the mix. What was even stranger is that she is not in an area where deer are commonly seen on people's property.

Simply LKJ said...

Loving all your flowers. My MIL, also on the lake in MI always has beautiful flower beds as it doesn't get so hot there. We are constantly watering unless we have rain. Which we have had plenty of fortunately the past two years. I used to have a tea rose bush like yours. Love the color. They tend to get aphids as do all roses. We have to spray ours occasionally.

Beth said...

Your flowers look beautiful, Jane. I adore cleome. It self-sows prolifically. I have spiderwort too - I think the same one you have, judging by the color of the foliage and flowers. Mine is called 'Sweet Kate.' It has not spread, and I've had it for years. I've also had another variety and it spread way beyond where I wanted it to be. So, just wait and see. I like your pretty tablescapes. It always makes for a festive occasion when you set a pretty table. I requested the gardening book you're reading from the library - can't wait to read it! Thanks! Happy 4th!
Hugs, Beth

Susie said...

Blondie, Every thing looks great at your place. I love the little dog no dumping sign ...so cute and to the point. Happy Birthday to Kevin. Blessings to all, xoxo,Susie

Kathleen Grace said...

I love roses, and mine are just beginning to bloom. I think they need some fertilizer though. As for the spiderwort, make sure you want it where you plant it FOREVER, it is very invasive and almost impossible to get rid of. It is pretty though :>) I like both dresses, I kind of like the second one better if it's really warm out, it just looks cooler, but so far that hasn't been a problem this summer has it?

farmhouse-story said...

i do love reading your posts, jane:) lovely table setting! i really like the dresses--they look very comfortable. hope your 4th is wonderful!

Melanie said...

Sounds like you're going to have a blast up at the lake on the 4th of July! I love the gallery wall at your lake house. Pioneer Woman's smashed potatoes...I've made those a couple of times, so good. I like both Old Navy dresses - cute and summery.

Leslie said...

I love everything.. well, everything except for the possible poison ivy ( I dont know if pets can carry it) and the cantaloupe ~ the smell alone grosses me out. : )
Can't wait to see the lake house all glammed up for the 4th

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Everything looks good at your house and cottage at the lake. I love your dresses - I am going to have to check that out. they looks so comfortable.
Have a super time at the lake and have a Bloody Mary for me - I love them.
Have a terrific weekend - love your flowers.
Mary

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Good Morning Jane,
What a fun post! I am so impressed with all of your beautiful flowers! Your quite the gardener my dear.
Oh your lake house is looking really amazing! I love that wall you created. The tablescape you made is really gorgeous as well
It is storming like crazy here right now. I hope it lets up soon, we've had enough rain for awhile. Luckily we aren't like the twin cities and surrounding area. They are really getting hit hard with some flooding. I am going to e-mail you on my regular one this morning. Hugs friend,
Cindy

Lulu said...

You always entertain me with your chatty posts which are like visiting with a friend. You have been busy both at the lake and in town getting everything just right. I know you will be enjoying your summer time at the lake.

Debbie said...

Love your summer dresses, Jane. Perfect for spending lazy days at the lake, or shopping in the city.
Your shingled wall at the lake house is awesome!
We have been spending time with our neighbors a lot more this summer, too. Makes time at the lake a lot more fun.
Love this post...you sound so happy!
Debbie
xo

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

My neighbor ( sister's MIL ) has several spiderwort plants and I didn't know what they were so I posted a picture of them on my blog awhile back and of course asked...and got an answer! :) The MIL had forgotten what they were...she just said she had them forever :)

I planted Cleome last year and loved them! Started some seeds this year / not sure how they'll do things are being attacked by aphids or something here and there.

Sounds like you've been having lots of fun and have been very busy...everything looks so pretty and that little cabinet is so cute!

It's me said...

Enjoy summer darling love from me Ria...x !

Curtains in My Tree said...


you had a lot to say this post I don't know what to comment on first
I like celome flowers and have some also
I am not doing anything much for the 4th this year however the next week I have huge plans

20 North Ora said...

Sounds like you are all ready for the 4th and the summer. Enjoy every minute you have at that pretty lake house. I know it must be so relaxing to go there and just get away.

Judy

Vel Criste said...

Glad you got the lake and guest house straightened out already Jane! We didn't get much of that nasty weather here in the south, that just tells you our weather here is more like Kentucky's than Chicago's!! Belated happy birthday to Kevin, you guys are good at instant but still wonderful gifts! Love both dresses and anything maxi jane, your right about their versatility. The roses are lovely but good luck on the spider thingy, you know I'm no gardener so can't give you any advise on that. Off to camp this weekend for my boy, I will miss him terribly & went shopping yesterday for some stuff for him to bring, I feel like I was shopping for him going away to college! LOL! Hope I'll... I mean, HE'll be fine!

Susan Shull said...

Enjoy your party! I vote for the first dress because I think the narrower stripes look more flattering and the color-blocking draws the eye up. But the other one has an adorable hemline, so you will look great in either one!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

I have always had great luck with Spiderwort spreading and rooting elsewhere so go for it! Love the two dresses...comfy and feminine! ...:)JP

Bluebird49 said...

It must be wonderful to have a house, a lake house and a place in Asheville--who blessed you are!
You flowers are beautiful--and your house and yard always look so pretty. The lake house looks so nice everytime you show it--I hope you'll take lots of "4th" pictures. I can't imagine your life!
I hope Abby is feeling better. I liked the last dress, but I could wear neither, since I am too old and saggy-armed to wear anything without sleeves now. :( yuck!
Hope you had a good time wearing whichever one you wore--and that you had a great time dining with your friends, Life is so short, enjoy it all!

.

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Wow! I'm breathless just reading this post!! You are a whirlwind! Your flowers are just beautiful! I love both of those dresses and am going on-line to check 'em out! Thanks!

But I have to tell you, I love the "no dumping" sign! LOL!!! Where did you get that?

Ali Jan said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Betsy Brock said...

Lovely flowers! Always fun to see what others are growing. And that a cool bike...I can see why your son was excited!

I bought a few old navy dresses last week...the sale was great! They are so much more comfy and cooler than even shorts and a t-shirt, I think. I got a few t-shirt dresses and two of the wraps. Very fun!

Unknown said...
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deb said...

everything looks lovely as you get ready to celebrate the 4th!
love your painted cabinet ~ the green is gorgeous ♥ and such a great idea to store your birdseed in it ~ pretty & practical.
have a wonderful weekend jane xo

bj said...

Hi, Blondie...sounds like your summer is going great. I think it must be so much fun to have two houses...
Have a great 4th.
xo bj

Kelly said...

Looks like your plants are all doing well at the lake! I bet you and your family go there a lot this time of year. I haven't decorated for the 4th yet, but will do something on my front porch. If you hate humidity, then don't come to GA! It's awful here. I like the dresses you shared from Old Navy. I don't have any maxi dresses, but wouldn't mind finding some. I love being comfortable! Happy Birthday to your son. I love his new bike.

Unknown said...

Sounds like fun! It doesn't take me long to clean the 1000 sq ft of our lake home. A quick vacuum, and a wet swiffer, and we're good to go. We've been here a week today, and I am enjoying it a lot! Think I'll go fix some breakfast that might include some cantaloupe. Sounds good.....oh and maybe an omelet??? Take care and have a great week!

/k

June said...

Oh Jane, I just love how I feel as though I'm sitting on the porch with you visiting and getting all caught up on the family. So glad your son loved the bike. He's a lucky boy to have you.
Have a great fourth my friend.
hugs from me...

Maria Elena said...

Your flowers looks so pretty! Looks like you have been enjoying yourself. I gave up a long time ago trying to set up the table on the porch. We get that super strong wind all the time and you will find me running all over the yard chasing things. LOL Glad your son liked the bike. What a nice surprise! Enjoy your week!

Carla from The River said...

I love both dresses. Land's End has a style similar this summer that I have on my wish list. :-)
Have a blessed weekend.
Happy 4th of July,
Carla

Unknown said...

Nice post. Both the dresses are really very nice. Enjoy summer.
Things to do in NYC

DCAja said...

love this post!
inka