FRIENDS & FUN

All the makings of a perfect Saturday afternoon. Didn't I have a picture of watermelon in my last post? Never mind...we eat it like crazy in the summer. Once again we had gorgeous weather {although now we have a heat advisory and Chicago is going into the triple digits tomorrow}.

We had company this weekend, good friends Craig and Snow and their kids, Luke and Ella. They are a wonderful family and The Husband and Craig go waaaaaaay back...
Grammar school, high school college and...
...the conversation went sort of like this: Craig, "Well, now that we're out of college, what are you going to do?" The Husband, " Well, I was thinking about law school." Craig, "Okay, let's go to law school." They are now successful attorneys.
The Miller's always bring a ton of food and plan our meals. This time it was flank steak marinated in lemon juice, olive oil rosemary and garlic. Craig did all the grilling. We snacked on his homemade barbecue chicken wings before dinner.
Snow had also marinated vegetables to toss on the grill. That was served on garlic toast and a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers in a balsamic dressing accompanied it. It was all so good we were whimpering.
Here is a picture of our great friends.
This is four year old Ella posing on the beach. She wants to be a rock star.
She is a doll. She gave me permission to be on my blog.
The Millers left on Sunday and we stayed until today. These 5 day weekends are wiping me out. The Husband is seen here washing his new truck for the third time in 2 weeks. We {me and the truck} are competing for his love. We also worked on a new flower bed after a visit to the friendly farmer for more stones. I think I have had my fill of stone borders, after all, this was supposed to be an English garden.

We are creeping closer to Kevin's wedding. Peggy, the mother of the bride has found her dress. The saleslady at the bridal shop was appalled that she hadn't gotten one yet. Now I am losing sleep over getting my dress. Said saleslady commented that the mother's of the bride and groom are supposed to stand out. Now I am REALLY losing sleep, but do have plans to start shopping Friday and I will be sure to post a picture of the dress when I find it. Wish me luck.

I hope all of you had a wonderful summer weekend. Is the weather sweltering in your neck of the woods? I plan on just hunkering down in the house and getting some cleaning and laundry done. I read a trashy little drugstore novel that Snow loaned me over the weekend, it took two days to read it and it was SO good. Monday I ran up to Rite Aid and bought another, Summer Island. The perfect little beach read. Have a good week and try to survive the heat! :-)

GARDEN FUN

It's hard to believe it's been more than a week since I posted. I usually try to at least twice a week. It seems the whole weekend was spent working in the garden and I love doing that more than anything. We had gorgeous weather but for a big thunderstorm on Monday that had me cowering in the hallway again. Afterward I drove around and there were limbs and branches scattered all over. Our paddle boat completely flipped over. Otherwise we lucked out with temps in the 80's and a lot of sunshine. Camera in hand, I took some pictures of things I have growing. I am joining in with Tracie of Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Flora Thursday.

This is my hibiscus that I bring in over the winter. It takes a few weeks, but after some sun and rain it looks wonderful and healthy.
The blooms are as big as my hand.
Down in the pot I plant impatiens and petunias, just a mix of color, but mostly in the pink/purple family.
This is a new flower bed we worked on this weekend. I had planted a climbing rose {and I think I have asked everyone in blogland about them}. It's that tiny little thing in front of my vintage trellis. I didn't know what I wanted to plant around it and finally decided on daisies since I can cut them, too. The Husband drove around looking in farm fields for rocks and he happened to meet a sweet old farmer that told him to help himself. This is how our field stone fireplace was made, too. Then we mulched it with dark shredded bark.
I actually cut some and made a cute vase.
This is what the bed looked like before the stones and mulch. What a difference a little fussing can make.
I haven't spent much time on the front porch as I have a family of robins on the light fixture. Tuesday morning I got brave and went out to water my plants, camera in hand. The mother squawked and dive bombed me, but I managed to get a picture of her babies. Look at those hungry little beaks!! This is the 2nd little robin family we have had in this nest so far this summer. I worry that I am going to startle the babies and drive them out of the nest too early. After nursing many little birds and releasing them, I don't mess with Mother Nature anymore.
We have been sprucing up the home front a bit, too. About two years ago, Emily painted these shutters a bright blue. I really loved them, but then she thought they were too bright and painted them this:
Not much difference, but more subtle. What do you think?
And the porch is all decked out with flowers that are really filling out like crazy after a late start in planting them.
I have been told these are some sort of mini petunias. If you know the name, let me know because I get them every year.
And this is my favorite little chippy window box. I like it the way it is but am wondering if it needs a coat of paint and some distressing before it completely falls apart. Maybe I should weatherize it.

Well, I hope I didn't overload you with pictures. I am constantly in awe of the colors around me. I have another garden bed I am working on and I'm happy to report that the bunnies are leaving my tomatoes alone for now.

We have company again this weekend. At least I have the sand swept up and the beach towels washed since our last group. Summer is in full swing I would say! See you all soon! :-)

JULY 4th: A LAKE CELEBRATION

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July. We were so lucky to have great weather in Michigan but for one big downpour on Saturday that didn't last long. I know that all of you know how much fun I have at the lake, but this 4 day weekend was nothing short of spectacular.

When we weren't feasting on brats, hamburgers, ribs and chicken {that the men made}, guests were whipping up delicious and beautiful side dishes in the kitchen. The kids even helped by making appetizers, cupcakes and bringing out bowls of chips, dips and fruit. We packed two refrigerators and several coolers with every drink known to man and with the warm temps, we killed most of it. 26 people can do that.
The kayaks were really put to use. I was amazed at the young ones that were able to maneuver them so well. Because we live on the bay, it's perfectly calm water to paddle around in. The water was so warm, everyone enjoyed floating around on inflatables, life jackets, whatever they could find.
On Saturday, when the temperature was the hottest and before a majority of our guests arrived, we took the boat out to the sandbar, where it is a tradition for a band to play off the island and crowds of people to anchor and splash and dance around in the waist high water. Shortly after I took this picture, the skies darkened and a storm came through. We made it back to the dock just as it started to pour. Thankfully it didn't last long and it cooled everything down so we were able to enjoy weather in the low 80's.
I took a ton of pictures {sorry, not so many of the food}, but I'm not posting many as I don't like putting pictures of little ones on my blog. This is daughter Emily and her boyfriend, Mike. Em bought a few floppy hats in Chicago to wear with her beach garb. She thinks she's in the Hamptons here.
Son Kevin and his fiancee, Mary Clare. We were so lucky to have Mary Clare's mom, Peggy and niece Hannah come also. We just love them to pieces and I loved having Peggy keep me company for early morning coffee and while we stayed out of the sun, watching everyone enjoy the water. What a great lady she is.
Mike, Mary Clare and daughter Abby taking a break from the sun.
Abby and her boyfriend Tom.
How do you have a gathering this big? Planning and motel rooms. Help yourself pastries and fruit in the morning and everyone pitching in with the food and refreshments. Lunch was at 2:00 and dinner at 7. And even though I felt overwhelmed at times, my wonderful family shooed me out of the kitchen and made sure that I would relax. And everyone made themselves at home.

This is not to say that we didn't have a few mishaps. Emily got locked in the bathroom when the door handle fell off. I was washing my face in the upstairs bathroom after The Husband fixed a drain and water poured into the downstairs bathroom where Peggy was using the facilities. Keys were lost and the light on the boat broke so we watched the fireworks from the boat launch area. Otherwise, things went smoothly.

Many great memories were made. We had a family from Ireland as our guests and it was their first time in the States. They marveled over the food, especially the side dishes and snacks, and made new friends for life. I learned they have fireworks on Halloween!

I'm exhausted to say the least. And next week I'll be back up to wash sheets and beach towels and sweep up sand. I don't mind, it was worth every minute.

I'm joining Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. See all of you soon! :-)

THE HOARDER ROOM

Just a little post before the BIG holiday weekend. Are you ready for it? {Insert fireworks here}. I am really looking forward to another 4 day weekend. But before all the festivities start, I wanted to share some things with you. I received a nice big box in the mail the other day, a giveaway I had won, from Michele at {Primp}. I am serious when I say go visit her. She is wonderfully creative and her blog is interesting. You'll be happy to add it to your list. Anyway, I won the goodies in this picture: A cute handmade card, the latest issue of Romantic Homes, a darling change purse, a ring {which Abby promptly snitched from me}, and...
...this tray turned chalkboard. I love it! I am so inspired to use some chalkboard paint of my own.
And last but not least, I won this gorgeous burlap pillow from her. I love toss pillows, I can never have too many. By coincidence, it landed in a room that daughter Emily just cleaned out, my hoarder room or simply known as the den. We have a living room, family room, office and for lack of another name, the den. It rarely gets used, so it became a catch all for all of my thrifty finds and seasonal change outs. I also keep all of my dishes but for everyday in there. Emily went to town cleaning things out, packing up boxes of this and that for me to bring to the lakehouse.
So I tried out my new pillow in there and I think it looks good. Then I realized since the room was always a my sneaky little hoarding room, I would show you some pictures of the new improved den.
My pictures are dark as it only has one window. I keep a lot of books in there as well. I wish I had straightened them out a little for my photo shoot.
The wallpaper is very old and I'm hoping that this fall we can remove it and paint the walls a soft gray. I think it will open the room up a lot.
These are some of the pretty things I keep on the sofa table behind the settee. The table runner was just placed along the top since I like to see everything sparkle. I'm weird. Now, you can't see the wall behind me as that is where I have the dishes piled up on a table and shelves. I am hinting around to The Husband that I would love a chippy white armoire. ;-D

So this is my den. I think you have now seen my whole house. Well, maybe not Piglets room.

So we are off to the lake again tomorrow. The Husband bought a new truck for us to keep up there. He has visions of hauling the boat with it, picking up sand and fire wood and I, of course am thinking of The Worlds Longest Yard Sale next month. No more excuses that we don't have room in the car!! So...we have 26 people coming for the holiday festivities, most are staying at a nearby motel. Emily has made up the menu's and is keeping everything organized. This is what she does best and it really takes a load off me.

So, tell me what you are doing for the 4th. Parades? Fireworks shows? Picnics or BBQ's? Or just hanging out with friends and family. It's going to be a good time!! :-)

I'm joining Sherry at The Charm Of Home for her party, Home Sweet Home. See ya!

GOOD FOOD, GREAT FRIENDS

I was so excited to have Cindy {from Applestone Cottage} and her husband, Dan as guests at the lake. After driving 6 hours from beautiful Black River Falls, Wisconsin, they arrived in Michigan in the early evening on Friday. We had a great time catching up on everything since our last visit in Lake Geneva, WI. back in December. And catching up over dinner we did. This is the 3rd time we have gotten together. If you have ever met up with another blogger or had the chance to really get to know one, I can tell you that a lasting friendship can be made. Cindy and I have loads in common, yet two years ago we didn't have a clue who each other was.
Saturday was gorgeous and after a lunch of chicken salad {I am on a chicken salad kick}, we took a long boat ride and showed Cindy and Dan the lake.
The Husband and Dan also get along like old friends. They stayed up late each night talking while Cindy and I konked out a 11:00. I took Cindy into our tiny little town where we went to a plant nursery. I bought a few herbs and more tomato plants and she bought a foxglove. She kindly oohed and aahed over my little vegetable patch. Saturday night The Husband made a delicious steak dinner with baked potatoes and corn on the cob. Now that I think of it, we really did a lot of talking and eating!
Sunday, after a lunch of BBQ chicken, Cindy and Dan routed there trip home with The Husband helping to maneuver them around Chicago and lots of traffic. Although we are hoping to visit them at their home, or meet up in December again for what now seems like our annual Christmas shopping trip, it seemed very quiet after they left. We took a little boat ride and then I took a bath and went to bed early. We got up at 5:30 a.m. and came back to Chicago today. Need I say we had fun? To see more pictures, visit Cindy at Applestone Cottage.
I took some pictures of my wee little cabbage patch behind the Summerhouse. I lost 2 tomato plants to rabbits that seem to just pop them out to let them shrivel up in the sun. Naughty rabbits.
I do have a tiny little pepper on my pepper plant. Isn't it the cutest?
I picked up some chives, rosemary, basil and oregano at the garden nursery and planted that on Saturday. Hopefully the bunnies will find something else to amuse themselves with.

It was a great weekend and it seemed to go by in a flash. Next weekend we have a ton of company coming for the 4th of July weekend. I think we are going from Friday until Tuesday night. After I rest up from this 4 day weekend, I will be ready again!

I want to announce the winner of my Pottery Barn giveaway, Sweet Bee Cottage has won the $50.00 gift certificate. Please send me your address via email. Thank you to everyone that left a comment. I wish all of you could have won! See you soon!

SUN AND A SHOWER

It was another beautiful sunny weekend at the lake, the temps just right for sitting outside, enjoying the breeze off the bay. My pots are filling in with the flowers I planted last weekend so I thought I'd share a few pictures. I plant a lot of impatiens because I like to leave my pots in the shade where they won't dry up while we are gone.
I love this cement pot, I think I'd cry if it ever broke. I love the rustic and beautiful...
...and the whimsical. Have I mentioned that one of my closest blogger friends, Cindy from Applestone Cottage is coming to visit with her husband, Dan next weekend? We are so looking forward to it. They are coming from Western Wisconsin, a good 6 hour drive. I have finally gotten the whole house clean! Room by room I have been working away, including the little summerhouse. The Husband removed all the bird's nests from the eaves and posts...I think there was a landlord renting out empty nests. Every time the babies would fly away, a new family would move right in. After he power washed the patio, he swore...no more nests. I sort of like watching and listening to them.
So, what is this, I ask you? Saturday was the lake yard sale...tons of them everywhere, but we arrived a little late to take advantage of it. My sweet neighbor, Susie, popped over with this wicker thingie and said it had my name all over it.
It looks like something you would bring on a picnic. I'm thinking outdoor buffet with napkins and utensils. It's very neat though, isn't it? Any other ideas?
Friday night was another shower for son Kevin's fiancee, Mary Clare. It was held at her Aunt Kathy's house, which is just lovely. I tried to take outdoor pictures, but it had gotten too dark out. Tents filled the backyard with flickering candles on tables, sangria was the theme drink and the food was outstanding. Although gifts didn't have to be wrapped, some were, and Mary Clare just beamed as she opened them. I think Kevin is enjoying the showers, especially for the food. August 27th is fast approaching, and no, I don't have a dress yet.
This is daughter Emily with Mary Clare.
And my daughter, Abigail.
This is me with Mary Clare's sweet mother, Peggy. We had a wonderful time and I wish I hadn't had to leave so early but it was up to the lake.

We are leaving again on Thursday, and Cindy and Dan will be coming on Friday. Did I say I am excited? Maybe we can do a post together.

So there we have my weekend. How was yours? A winner for the Pottery Barn giveaway will be announced next week when things die down around here. Good luck!