PLANTING, PAINTING & A TRIP TO DOOR COUNTY

 

Door County, Wisconsin

 

The Husband and I met up with my blogger friend Cindy (Applestone Cottage) and her husband for the 7th year in a row.  This year our destination was Door County. As usual, we love to shop all the great local stores and shops in each place we visit and try out restaurants, but the treat this time was the sheer beauty of this northern part of Wisconsin.  We took a few hikes, albeit short ones, down to rocky shores and up wooden bridges to look out over bluffs.  The views were spectacular.  It really does fill you with a sense of wonder and peace inside.  I really loved this part of our trip. 

 

Door County reminds me much of Martha's Vineyard in a lot of ways.  You can travel from one town to the next around the peninsula and each one offers something different and special.  And there are always views of the water.

 

 

 

The Country Resort

 

We stayed at a small but very nice resort in the town of Sister Bay.  Look at the beautiful view The Husband and I had from our balcony.  We had breakfast both mornings at the inn.  I had read that it would be a continental breakfast but it was much more; waffles, French toast, bagels, biscuits and gravy...yum!  A little carb laden but perfect to start the day with.  And this region prides themselves on their cherries, we had those with a dollop of vanilla yogurt at breakfast.  I brought home jars of cherry pie filling, salsa and jam. 

 

I had a glitch with my cell phone and I had forgotten my Rebel so I was using The Husband's cell to take pictures.  I fiddled and fussed trying to download them last night so in order to keep my wig on straight, this is all I have.

 

 

 

Cindy & Dan

 

The weather dropped down to the mid fifties the second day and I had forgotten to bring a jacket.  Good excuse as any for Cindy and I to shop while the guys had a few beers at The Blue Ox.  My favorite meal was a dinner we had at a restaurant called The Cookery.  It was still warm so we ate outside on a balcony overlooking the town's main street.  This was in Fish Creek.  I think I liked this town the best.  So many tiny beach cottages dotting the shore.  I absolutely love beachy resort towns!

 

 

Backyard Flowerbed

 

Back to reality on Monday, again alternating between painting furniture and planting flowers.  When The Husband went up to Michigan last week, I asked him to visit our local nursery there as I wanted lupines.  Beth from Beyond The Garden Gate inspired me to search these out.  I love all of the beautiful flowers she grows but these are so unusual to me.  So he brought home five plants.  What a sweet guy!  That's one on the right, the purple cone shaped flower.  I spread them out here and there. 

 

That small beige panel on the right is the opening to our crawl space,  I'm not disguising it very well with my picket fence planter, are I?  Maybe next year I can get some sort of waterproof paint and do some wildflowers on it.  Anything is better than this. :(

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honeysuckle

 

This is a trellis on the other side of the yard.  I love honeysuckle and I think it's doing pretty well in it's first full season.  Another trellis further down had a trumpet vine started last year and it didn't make it.  I may try it again. 

 

 

 

Clematis

 

Last week I showed you the pink clematis I'm growing and now the purple is taking off---sorry, I don't know the varieties.  The two are in fact, growing on the same trellis.  I'll get a better

shot soon.

 

 

 

 

And when I'm not in the garden I'm painting my little heart out in Abby's old room.  I finished the tall chest of drawers.  It was originally part of a bunk bed grouping for the kids way back when.  I did it in a soft white from the American Heirloom line at Home Depot.  I also used their clear wax and then lightly sanded parts to distress it a bit.  I wasn't going to keep the wicker furniture, it's old and it was faded and had stains.  Then The Husband mentioned he liked it so I thought--what the heck, I'll paint that dresser, too.  It's hard to tell but the color is a very, very pale and soft green.  We have a matching vanity and seat in Emily's room.  I'm thinking of painting the seat and making a little cushion for it.  Maybe as a sort of ottoman?

 

We are buying a bed frame and mattress this weekend and the headboard that I told you about from Pier 1?  Well, it wouldn't fit in my car.  I got a refund and then found something I liked better on Amazon and it has already shipped.  Next week I will be looking for bedding and then I think I'll know what to do next.  I am looking for a simple, cottage look.  Something faded with touches of pale floral here and there, like you might see at an inn in the English or French countryside.  I'm such a dreamer! lol!

 

Emily and I were up early today and off to the Farmer's Market.  Not much in the way of veggies yet...a lot of greens but that was it.  Emily sprung for some honey and a soy candle.  I found some infused vinegar and olive oil.  Then we came upon the farmer who sold us our hydrangeas last year at a steal.  Without much persuasion we each grabbed up one and I also chose a lilac bush as I've been wanting one for so long.  The beauty of buying from this man is that he sells 3-4 year old plants so you have quite a head start and they are all super healthy.  

 

I know summer is unofficially here when the bats start to swarm over my yard at dusk.  I used to think it was sort of fascinating to sit on my patio and watch their ten minute show of swooping and diving for bugs.  That is until the time one flew right under the table umbrella where I was sitting.  I could literally see the furry little face.  Ewwww...  Now I watch from the safety of the family room windows.  And, marvelous news!  I saw my first hummingbird yesterday afternoon, and I mean first time ever at this house at least.  I was so psyched. This morning I made Emily take a tour through Home Depot with me and I bought a bright red hummingbird feeder and I am ready to sit, camera in hand, for hours if I have to in order to see or get  snap of those wondrous critters! 

 

On to some quieter days.  Hopefully.  How are your June days going?

 

Jane x