Archives for July 2014
lake days
lake days
lake days
lake days
And we’re off!
We are headed to the lake today for nearly 10 days and we are all very excited.
Just like last year I will be posting daily photos with no words.
I hope you will follow along!
Stripped down summer decor
In the summertime my home usually reflects how I want to feel in the warmer months… light and cool. I prefer my hair up and my skin exposed as much as possible, wearing light fabrics and flip flops or sandals.
At this time of year I tend to strip down with my decor as well. I put things away for a while which gives my home a little more of a lighter feel. While thrifting I find myself attracted to pastel colors and fabrics. Seashells and beach finds are scattered about and my houseplants go on a little summer vacation outdoors onto my porch and patio.
Baskets of wool blankets are replaced with pool and beach towels and hooks that were once full of jackets and scarves are adorned with sun hats and fresh herbs hanging to dry.
Although we have been blessed with mostly pleasant temps, it’s these little things that help me feel just a bit cooler during those dog days of summer.
A simple summer snack
Just a quick post to share an easy and refreshing recipe made with three of my favorite summer flavors. It’s a perfect appetizer to bring to any picnic or party this summer. And it’s pretty too.
Watermelon, feta and basil. Stack up the three ingredients and hold together with a toothpick. Sprinkle with some cracked black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil and voila!
I brought this to my Aunt Patty’s birthday luncheon today and it was quite the hit.
I also gifted her a little homegrown basket of goodies. Cucumbers, yellow squash, tomatoes, fresh herbs, eggs and homemade pesto.
Also don’t forget to visit Tend to gather all sorts of garden tips, stories and inspiration. I write on Fridays.
A fourth of July tradition.
What a beautiful, unseasonal cool and windy day we had on the 4th of July.
I can’t remember the last time we donned sweaters on what is usually one of the hottest days of the year.
It rained all morning but luckily cleared up in time for our annual festivities.
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When I first moved in there was a cyclone fence dividing our yard from our next door neighbor’s yard and then another fence diving her yard from her next door neighbor’s. We decided a while back to take those fences down as a neighborly and friendly gesture. Although we each have our own gardens and spaces to tend taking those fences down has opened things up and given such a warm and welcoming vibe especially when we throw our neighborhood gatherings and parties.
We set the food up in the paper street/alley that runs behind our garages and everyone mingles throughout the three yards. We get a permit to close the street each year where the kids romp around with sparklers and play four square. When the sun sets everyone gathers around for the show.
Folks from around the corner and several streets down walk down to sneak a peek. Even one of the police officers on duty showed up to watch (luckily everything was legal).
A sneak peek of Norah’s room
When Hannah moved up to her new room last year we promised Norah a little room make-over.
She has been so patient as she has been sleeping up with her sister and living out of baskets over the months. As her room sits at the top of our stairs, I always had the door closed to hide how much work was to be done.
It feels so good almost a year later to have finally made some major progress.
When we first bought our house our budget only allowed us to put in new hardwood floors in the downstairs only. We put a cheap sisel rug down in the upstairs with the intent of one day putting hardwood in. Finally this spring Chris started that process and put floors down in Norah’s room and out into part of the hallway.
It made such a difference! I can’t wait to do the rest this fall!
A few weeks back I painted the walls this color and I cannot tell you how much I love it. It is so calming and peaceful and looks great against the wood pieces in her room.
Norah’s little Jenny bed was my mother’s when she was a girl and her bureau was her great, great, great grandmother Gladys’s.
We hung white dotted Swiss curtains which brightened things up a bit along with a white cotton quilt for her bed. My mom gave her a beautiful antique hooked rug and I found a little side table on craigs list which I want to eventually paint grey.
There are still shelves to be hung along with some artwork. And Chris is working on making an extension to the radiator cover for a makeshift desk.
We are also working on renovating her closet with both shelving and hanging.
I now find myself going upstairs for no reason at all but to just reach the top of the stairs with a door wide open and a happy little girl inside.