Vacation week.

It's vacation week for the Mr. and me.

We started out with a bike trip with my pretty sister Chris, her husband Kevin, and his brother Keith.

We started out at the Harley shop in Gaylord.

As we walked into the showroom, a beautiful bike was on display.

Kevin walked up to the bike, and sat on it.....SOLD!!!

An hour later, they were driving it up the road for the rest of our trip!

We drove through the Tunnel of Trees along the Lake Michigan shoreline, which was breathtaking!

Had lunch at Cross Village, then ended up in Mackinaw City for the night.

It was a fun trip with great people!!!

After returning home, we unpacked our gear.

Jim's brother and sister in law stopped in for the afternoon on their way up north for their vacation destination.

The next morning we packed the truck with the camping gear (tent) for the drive to Shipshawana, Indiana. We were going to the flea market!!

The first thing on my list was this vintage drainer to display some pretty dishes in.

I was also hunting for white shell buttons.

I found these for the pillows, and lavender sachets that I make.

While there, I try to pick up a couple of iron brackets.

I found more furniture, and pieces for an outdoor fairy garden.

I added these to the little water feature we have.

I love the bridge!

The grandkids are going to enjoy this, with the little waterfall.

This mailbox is heavy!

It's iron. The scroll work is really beautiful!

Can't wait to hang it on the porch.

We also picked up the usual Yoder's chicken stock for soups, and gravy. Also the Yoder's popcorn salt.
The market isn't like it used to be with vendors that sell antiques, and craft items. The place is filled with t-shirts, and sunglasses, and tons of imports. It's very disappointing from years past.
We did have a good time, however. The weather was sunny, and very hot.
My niece that has cancer will be coming up with her two little ones this weekend. So our vacation week isn't over yet!
We still have a lot going on this summer. More company coming up to stay with us to enjoy the lake!
Life is good!
xo

Garden Fairies.

It looks like someone was here last night.

Whoever it was, must have been busy.

I keep this little birdbath in the sun room in the summer months, and in the living room in winter.

It seems a Garden Fairy, or two decided to make use of it this year.

I don't mind.

It also seems to be a haven for flowers, and dragon flies(the kind who's wings move via hidden cords).

If the fairies need a place to play in the evenings.....they are welcome here at the cottage.

It seems they have a bit of a beach-theme going on....with sand, and wee sea stars, and other shells strewn about.

It looks as though they left in a hurry.

I wonder if I startled them this morning?

I love the little chandelier hanging in the arbor!

So sweet.

Have you seen any Garden Fairies at your house this summer?

I'll try to get a picture of one.

They've got to be hiding here somewhere!!

hmmmm.......

Blissful Summer.

I woke up late this morning.

Instead of the sounds of little feet pitter-pattering on the floors upstairs, I heard the songs of the birds outside my bedroom window.

All is quiet here at the cottage once again.

Two of my daughters, Kelly and Melissa were here with their children: Maddie, Charlotte, Olivia, Kayla, and Anson for a few days.

The cottage was full, and noisy, and bustling with energy!

There were towels, bathing suits, and sand everywhere!

And laughter.

Kids laughing, and screaming, and running.

Sounds echoing off the water all day long.

We did some heavy duty power eating, too.

It seems we were always hungry.

But now all is quiet.

As I type this post, all I hear are the keys clicking, and the Robins singing their songs.

I thought I was ready for things to get back to "normal" here at our cottage.

But there is a certain sadness here.

No little people climbing up next to me on the sofa, asking me what I'm doing.

No one asking for a bowl of Fruit Loops Cereal.

No one wondering where their bathing suit, and beach towel is.

No doors slamming.

No one asking to go on a golf cart ride.

No one....just me.

Since the van pulled away yesterday....full of my dear ones....I've felt teary eyed.
I went to work after everyone left. All day it felt like something was missing. My arms felt like they were supposed to be holding on to someone, or hugging someone.  Like a part of me was lost.
Even my Mr. called me at the pharmacy to say he missed the kids. Then he stopped up at work, because he missed everyone.
You would think I would appreciate some peace, and quiet after all of the craziness of the last two or three weeks....instead....
I would love for them all to come back in a heartbeat.
Maybe it's the knowing that Summer is half over already.
All I do know is....this was the best time I've had in a very long time.  I'm thankful that God has blessed me with the moments I've had to spend with the people that I love.

Annual summer fun day.

Here we are, at Michigan Adventure Amusement Park for our annual family summer fun day.

It's an amusement park, and a water park in one.

Most of the kids love the roller coasters...even the youngest ones.

I'm the one that screams the most when I ride them!!!

We spend half the day at the water park, and half in the amusement park.

We all look forward to going every year.

The best part of the day is seeing the smiles on the kids faces, and knowing that they have enjoyed themselves.

What fun things do you do with your family in the summer?
Any special trips, or places that you visit?

Happy July 4th to you!!

Hello Summer.....

Summer officially begins here at our cottage today.

Maddie will be staying the week with us.

I will be picking her up this afternoon.

There was a neighborhood party, yesterday, to welcome the newcomers that moved here in the past few months.

Plus, it was a great way to kick off the summer season.

Lots of people, and lots of fun!

The evening ended with a bonfire, which was soooo enjoyable!

As I was taking this picture, a Chickadee was just landing on the birdbath in the background.

He made sure to let me know I was invading his space!

The roses are starting to bloom...but the rabbits are feasting on them in the cottage garden.

I am NOT happy about that at all!

They strip the canes of all the leaves first. Then they start chewing down the stems.

UGH!!!

I've been seeing everyone using their canning jars for vases again.

It must be the summer that brings them out.

I agree that the color of the jars compliment fresh flowers of any kind, and color.

This is the time of year I start making lavender sachets.

My stash dwindles, and I need to stock up for little gifts for special friends that need a little pick me up, or a just because......

It's a good thing that it's flea market season.

My stock of vintage lace is getting quite low.

The white, pearl buttons are getting more difficult to find...so they are on my list also.

Summer goes by so fast. With so many things to do, and people to share time with, I wish the season lasted longer.  I might not appreciate it as much as I do, though.  So I make each moment count!
So.....ready or not, here it comes....Enjoy!

Rainy day musings.

What do you do on a rainy day?

I sit around, and wonder what needs to be changed in the house.

I notice all of the stuff all over the place, and can't believe I thought just one more piece added to a vignette would improve the look!

No, that glass isn't a part of the display!

I was drinking OJ while scanning the room.

So, when does a vignette start looking more like a flea market display, than a vignette?

I don't know when enough is enough!!

I think it's because I owned a shop.

I became a master at piling a lot of items on to a very small space.

Something else I noticed this morning was the table in front of the sofa.

It's so small!!!!!  Oh my gosh!!!!!!  When I backed up, and looked at it, I started to laugh!

What a silly looking display!  hahaha

So, now I will be looking for a table that's of larger size, taller, and chippy in just the right places.

Oh my.

Rainy days really are good for me. They not only give my gardens a nourishing drink. They give me time to sit down, and re-evaluate the look of the house. Prompting me to make changes needed here, and there. Some little changes, and some big ones....like the size of the table sitting in the middle of the room!!!  Good grief.
I hope you have a productive day today. Rain, or shine.
  Debbie
xoxoxoxo

Missing my Dad on Father's Day.

The pictures are old, and faded, but the face is the same familiar one I remember.

The black and white photo is him as a child.

The larger photo is him holding his great granddaughter, Maddie.

She was born on his birthday.

Although a smile didn't escape his lips, tears of joy were streaming down his cheeks.

Every Father's Day, since his passing, the memories are different.

This year, they were of my wedding day....August 5th, 1972.

People remarked how much I looked like my Dad that day.

He was 1/2 Chippewa Indian, and 1/2 Irish.

We were both nervous as we stood in the back of St. Andrew's Cathedral waiting for the wedding march to start.

I told him how handsome he looked, and he said I looked pretty.

I stare hard at the photo's to see the resemblance, and all I can see are high cheekbones, and rosy cheeks.

I hope I have some of the other traits my Dad carried.

Whenever I was sick...he was there for me.

From the time I was a child, through my adult life.

I was in the hospital many times in my life.

My Dad was there, every day....EVERY day.

He was the king of hugs.

He hugged, and kissed you hello, goodbye, and goodnight.

You never, ever went away without knowing that he loved you.

My Dad tried to be a tough guy at times....but the day I got married, when we reached the alter, I looked up at him, and said, "I love you Daddy".

All he could do was walk away with tears in his eyes.

Thinking about my Dad today was a little more difficult than usual.  
These photos are from so long ago...but the memories are so fresh in my mind, and my heart.
"I miss you Dad".

The love of roses....

What is it about roses that captivates us so?

I remember watching my Gramma tend to her prized roses early in the mornings when I would stay at her house in the summer.

I was only five years old, but can still see her stooped over...wearing an old dress, and an apron.

She would be weeding, and pruning.

I would be sitting in the sun room, watching her.

When she finished her work, she would bring in a few blooms for the dining room table.

My Mother's mother was a woman with a very tough exterior.

When I saw her with the roses, it seemed to soften her some how.

My Mother was the same kind of woman.

She also had a small rose garden for awhile.

They were a prized possession of hers.

I've always loved to garden.

I didn't have roses, however.

I worked with them as a florist, for years!

My attraction to them just started through blogging.

Seeing Bella's Rose Gardens, and June's gorgeous gardens at Laughing with Angels inspired me, and opened my eyes to the beauty of the rose.

I've collected linens for a long, long time.

Now I look for pieces with roses on them.

Rose dishes fill my farm cupboard!

I recently found this darling sugar bowl at a local shop.

There was no lid, but the design is so beautiful, I didn't care.

I went to visit with Ilonka, my friend that owns my favorite Cottage shop here at the lake, and she had a set of these pretty rose glasses.

I was so happy to find a whole set!

Plus the little ones for my grand kids.

The outside of our cottage is brimming with roses, as well as the inside.

The lavender ones have the most wonderful scent!

It seems, every time I go to our market, I not only bring home fresh fruits, and vegetables, I usually have a rose of some species.

I don't know if the attraction to roses was birthed out there on my Gramma's sun porch, or not. I DO know that some of the gardens here in blogland have helped to inspire me, and help "grow" my love of them.
I don't feel that I'm obsessed with roses. I feel a great appreciation of something that has been crafted by THE Master Gardner. I am thankful for the gift of sight, and smell. Something I take for granted too often...until I see a rose.

I'm joining Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday.
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2014/06/feathered-nest-friday 

Treasures of the Heart

The sky is a gorgeous blue, with no clouds.

This is the time of year when the sun shines through the windows here at the cottage...brighter than any other time of the year.

It's the time of year when I bring out my canning jar collection.

I love the wonderful blues.

They look so pretty with the flowers in the window boxes on the other side of the glass.

The color of the jars is magnified by the rays of the sun.

I've filled some of the jars with my other collection....seashells.

Nothing says "summer" like seashells.

Another favorite thing to search for are old blue bottles.

The aqua color makes me catch my breath!

It amazes me how much more the color will come out when the sun hits the glass.

Each jar has a unique shade of blue all it's own.

I have LOTS of shells that I've collected. Each year, I sprinkle a few onto our little beach for the grand kiddos to find.  When they come up to stay, they are excited to find seashells on the beach!
I also have beach glass for them to find this year.
When they pack their bags to go home, they make sure to pack a small jar of treasures found while vacationing at Gramma's house.
Little do those kiddos know....they are the treasures that I keep(above jars, bottles, and seashells)....in my heart.
Have a happy weekend!
                                                             Debbie