Summer cloche, and candle light dinner.

Hello everyone out there in blogville~~~it's the weekend here at the lakehouse...let the noise begin!!! The pontoons are cruising up and down the canals...being loud and crazy! We don't mind though...it's a summer tradition.
I'm sharing my summer cloche tonight...before the season changes! It won't be long and I'll be taking out the nest, starfish, and page from a French book(compliments of Tracey from French Larkspur)..and putting an autumn vignette under the glass dome.

I am loving this summer more than ever! The winter here in Michigan was sooooo long, and cold! I thought it would never end. So I'm hanging on to the heat, humidity, and even the thundershowers for as long as possible.

Hopefully the summer cloche will stay for quite a while yet.

It's hubby's birthday tomorrow..so I had a little "informal" candle light dinner for him....just the two of us. We had baked chicken, fresh corn, and a wonderful pasta salad, with French bread and butter too.

The White Zinfandel was very nice...it's his favorite.

We are simple people, with simple tastes...so nothing fancy..just cozy and comfortable.

As a matter of fact...so comfortable, I forgot to take the table runner off the end of the table!!!

I'm sure hubby didn't even notice. He was just so pleased to have his favorite wine, and candles
glowing.

He is now playing with his new cell phone I got for him. Doesn't take much to entertain the man.

I guess that's it for tonight.

I hope you all have a great weekend! Rain or shine...life is good.

Hugs to all of you.

Debbie

xxxooo

Vintage bird bath

Hello everyone~~~~~It's time for Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home.
I'd like to show you my vintage bird bath. I used to work at a floral shop and greenhouse. We grew a lot of our own greens, and exotics in the greenhouse. The grounds had gorgeous gardens and statuary items. This bird bath was the owners cherished piece. I fell in love with it the very first time I saw it. It dates back to the 1930's.

I told Jerry if he ever decided to part with the bird bath, I would definately be interested in purchasing it. After Jerry passed away, his family gave the bird bath to me. I was soooo happy to receive it. When we moved to the lakehouse, we arranged a secret garden spot for my cherished piece.

Hubby just gave my little blue bird a fresh coat of paint last week. She always sits on the edge of the bath....inviting all the other birds in for a bath, or a drink of fresh water.

Hubby built the little shed for me to keep the hose, and a few other garden tools in...but the plants started spreading inside the little building. So we left the door off, and just let things grow where ever they wanted.

The honeysuckle is finished blooming, as are the lilacs. The iris, daylilies, and cranesbill geraniums are also finished for the season. Now it's the oregano, and blackeyed susans turn.

I hope you enjoyed seeing the vintage bird bath, as much as I loved showing it to you.

Have a happy Show and Tell Friday.

Debbie

xxxooo

Shades of White

Cockleshells, lilies of the valley, sheets drying in the sun. There are as many shades of white as there are clouds in the sky. -Claire Whitcomb

Hello everyone~~~my post tonight is going to be shared with Faded Charm for White Wednesday, and also with Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.

I am sharing the creamy white of Queen Anne's Lace, and the ivory white of my stoneware platter, and the stark white of the table linens. It's amazing how many different shades of "white" there really are.
Most consider Queen Anne's Lace to be a weed...but I love the lacey flower heads that grace

the long slender stems. Also, the delicate foliage that is so airy and sweet smelling.

I think it adds a Victorian feel to the table set with crystal pieces, and white linens.

While sitting on the sun porch this evening, drinking some lemon water, and watching the gulls sweep overhead...I thought about how much the table looked like one we sat around while in Deuville, at the Normandy beaches of France.

What a sweet memory for me.

I thought about the sea, and salt air. Low tide in the evening. Jellyfish, and seashells...and sand.

As I sit, and watch another gull soar over the water, I am thankful for this little piece of Heaven. This place where we live....the lakehouse.

It's not the ocean, or the sea....but it's still a peaceful home on the water...and I love it here.

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit. I hope you enjoy your time here as much as I do.

Debbie

xxxooo

The milkman

Good Tuesday morning lovies~~~~it's one of those early mornings here at the lakehouse when the sun is just coming over the trees, and the water is as smooth as glass. I'm in front of the window, waiting for the sun to burst over the trees with it's blinding light...reflecting off the water with it's awesome beauty.

This must be how it was for those early morning delivery men....the milkman, the eggman, and the iceman. They met the sun as they left their goods on the porches of waiting customers.

Remember the paperboy? Itchy Newtonbomb was his name in our neighborhood. He carried one of those coin changers on his belt.

I miss those days of hearing the clinking of glass as the milkman climbed our steps to the porch. Waiting to see if he brought a brown bottle...that meant chocolate milk that morning.

We would pull the tab from the top of the bottle, and my mother would scoop out the cream from the top of the milk.

The eggman always brought brown eggs. You felt lucky if you got a double-yoker when you cracked the thick shell and dropped the fresh eggs into the pan.

I'm really "dating" myself by bringing back these long lost memories. Memories of simpler times. When your dad whistled to call you home for supper. When the paper was thrown up on the porch by a boy that was working to buy a new bike. Springs..when the eggman would bring goose eggs for us to color at Easter. And hot summer nights, playing hide and seek with the other kids way after dark. sigh.....and being told(when you did something that embarrassed your dad) that you were the milkman's daughter.

Ooooops....time to get ready for work!!!

I hope you have a great day. Take some time to sit for a spell, and remember some good times growing up...and hope you really aren't the milkman's kid.

Debbie

xxxooo

Primitive to vintage

Hello everyone~~~~It's time for another Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch with the lovely Susan. If you like to see changes others have made in their homes and gardens, you have to go over to Susan's place and take a look.

I'm sharing pics of my farm cupboard. I'm a bit of a clutter bug...so no matter what style I go with, I will always have a collection of "stuff" loaded on my shelves.

I used to decorate in a primitive-country theme. My house seemed so overwhelmingly dark.

I started changing over to a.....ummmm.....eerrrrrr....white-ish, beachy-ish, vintagey-ish, lakehouse kind of a theme. I started in the kitchen, then spread to the rest of the house.

I took down all the "dark stuff", and brought out my collection of vintage dishes, teapots, cups, linens, etc. The more I painted things white, the more white everything became! okay..that sounds dumb.

Anyway....the next picture will show you just how different things are now.

This is the way it used to be.....

Quite a difference, huh? So much brighter now, don't you think?

So take a hop on over to Between Naps on the Porch and take a look at all of the other transformations.

Happy Monday!

Debbie

xxxooo

Starting from scratch

Hello everyone...again. I already posted today, but decided to start over. After an afternoon of prayer, and much reflection I've decided to get out of the muck and mire of dysfunctional relationships, get cleaned up, and move on. If others CHOOSE to stay in the slop of the past...then so be it.

I would like to sincerely thank the ladies that left such loving and encouraging comments about the original post from earlier today. Thank you for the prayers, and kind words.

This new place I'm in...blogland...is remarkable. So many wonderful people here. It's become quite a blessing for me.

I am realizing the beauty around me, more and more. In the gardens, almost daily. All the changes in our home because of the ideas, and shared photos that bloggers are constantly putting on here for everyone to enjoy. It's like a whole new journey...one that won't be hampered by past hurts, and unforgiveness.(previous post).

So...with this new post, I'm moving forward. Leaving behind the "stuff" that gets in the way of, and hinders joy. Look out world...cause I'm back on track!!!! Praise God!!!!!

LOVE you guys.

Debbie

Blog Award

Good evening lovies~~~~~I just received another blog award!!!! Sweet Diana from Nana Diana Takes a Break passed it on to me. Diana is an encouraging, funny, and wonderful lady. You must go over and visit her....I guarantee she will make you smile.
We are supposed to share seven things about ourselves, then pass the award on to other blogs that we think are lovely.
I am one quarter Chippewa Indian, and one quarter Irish. I think that counts for two things.
My BFF is Laurie from Heaven's Walk...another recipient of this award.
I used to teach aerobics, and now I'm fat...let's see, that's five things.
I have 15 grandchildren....seven are mine, eight are his, and that equals 15.
I love to kayak.
Okay...that's seven.
NOW to pass on the award to some lovely blogs that I follow.
My Shabby Chateau. Donna is a cutie pie that loves all things French.
Claire de Lune. Claire de Lune is precious(and evidently French).
A Delightsome Life. Kathy is a delight, and her blog is wonderful.
I think that's it.
Thank you Diana for passing the award on...you are THE best!
I hope you will visit the blogs I've listed....you will be blessed.
Debbie
xxx000

Tea on the sunporch

Good morning everyone!!! it's the 100th Tablescape Thursday over at Between Naps on the Porch. I want to thank Susan for being such a gracious hostess for this party week after week.

When I first started blogging, this was the first "party" I participated in. I told Susan that I didn't have a lot of sets of dishes to share..just bits and pieces that I've collected over time. She said not to worry, and to share whatever I wanted.

There are so many wonderful people here in blogland. Everyone has been so encouraging.

You get to see tablescapes that are grand and glorious, sweet and refreshing, comfortable and cozy, and everything in between.

Jane, from Blondie's Journal introduced me to this event quite a while ago. Since then, I've met lots of other precious people...thank you Jane!

So....for today, I'm sharing my Habsburg China teacups from Austria, and the delicate little rose dish from Germany that has been used for everything from holding soaps, to butter.
I hope you enjoy all of the tablescapes shared today for the 100th party.

Congratulations Susan!

I am also sharing with Show and Tell Friday over at Cindy's My Romantic Home. You have to visit her blog! It's one of the most beautiful ones I've ever seen. Thank you Cindy for hosting this fun event.

Hugs to all,

Debbie

White Wednesday

Hellooooooooooo.....Did you ever see the episode of Seinfeld when Jerry keeps saying "Hellooooooo"?

It's a classic. Some days at the pharmacy, when the mood strikes, Tina and I will keep saying Helloooooooo. I'm sure it must drive the other employees batty! It's one of those things that get inside your head, then stays there for the entire day. Ya know what I mean? jellybean?

Okay....back to White Wednesday. I'll be joining Faded Charm for this week.....I cannot believe it's Wednesday already! This summer is just whizzing by...oh yeah....White Wednesday.

I think I forgot to take my meds for ADD this morning...my thoughts seem to be all running into each other. It sure is hot again today.
How about that window air conditioner unit in the background...lovely, is it not?

So...I'm sharing some things from outside the lakehouse that are white. Like this birdhouse. I had to take it down and clean it out, because a mouse thought it looked like a nice place to raise her family....eeeeekkkk! I heard squeaking, and peeked inside to see the baby birds...HA..NOT!!! eewwwww. MICE!!! I can handle snakes, and spiders, but NOT a mouse!!! I almost fainted.

Oh yeah, the birdhouse...isn't it sweet?

Here is another white birdhouse. This one houses bees. yup...bees.

I don't know where all the birds are sleeping, but obviously NOT in my houses. Maybe they don't like white???

I know...I keep showing my hollyhocks, but I adore them! The pinks are my favorites, but the white ones are lovely too.

This one popped up all by itself this year....cute little guy.

I can even grow pretty white weeds. Queen Anne's Lace is so delicate..I hate pulling it out, but must...otherwise it would take over. I guess that's what a queen does...wants to rule! I can relate.

Oh man...I think I'd better go take my meds....things are just kind of bumping around in my brain. What I have left of it. Had a tumor the size of a juice orange removed a few years ago. My husband insists they took the brain and left the tumor...hmm...maybe he's right. How do you spell lobotomy?

Have a great WW!

Debbie

xxxooo

Rachel is in the house!

Ya'll are gonna think I'm nuts!!!
I've been searching for the Rachel Ashwell white sheets with the ruffle on the hem. Target carries them, but they are always sold out. Since I live two hours away from the closest Target store, I have to stop in whenever I'm downstate.
My husband is so used to everything being white here at the lakehouse...whenever I bring in another color, he gets confused.
Soooooooo....when I ended up with these pink sheets, he didn't know where he was last night.
I was going to wait until I found the white sheet set, but when I saw these sweet rose buds, I just had to bring them home.
The fabric is very crisp...almost like chintz. After I washed them, they had just enough wrinkle to them for a wonderful "shabby" look.
I love the way they look with all the white in the room.
I know this is a dorky thing to blog about, but when Rachel is in the house, you just have to tell somebody!
Have you seen the floral shower curtain she has? It's so cute!!! That will be my next purchase from the Shabby Chic line.
Then there is the beautiful white comforter. Oooooh, I so NEED to have that!
Oh yeah, and the rugs, shower curtain rings, towels, etc.
You have to go and see the whole line!
Okay.....that's my post for today.....pretty sad, huh?
Have a great evening.
Debbie
xxxooo

There's No Place Like Home

AAAAhhhhhhhhhh~~~home.....

After being away since Thursday, it's so nice to be home.

I had a great time with the grand kiddos, but it was time to head north by this afternoon.


I missed waking up and looking out the windows to see the water. I missed all my pretty blue and sea green jars, and bottles on the sills.

I really missed my own bed. Sleeping with little ones doesn't work well for getting any real sleep.

Unless you like feet and legs on your face and chest.

I sooooo missed sipping tea on the sun porch...watching the boats, the gulls, and the sun shining off the water like diamonds.

I guess I should add..I missed my hubby...I really should add that...yeah....

The thing is.......when I arrived home this evening...our oldest boy and one of his sons was here.

They will be at the lakehouse until Tuesday afternoon.

sigh.....

have a good night everyone.

The tired old gramma at the lakehouse.
xxxooo

Watching kiddos

Good Saturday morning to everyone here in blogger-land.
I'm not at the lake house today. Instead, I'm babysitting three of the grandkiddos while their parents are on a "break".

Since I don't have my own computer to blog on...I'm using my son in laws. I found some pics of the kids when they were at the lake house over the 4th of July holiday.

Anson(aka Bubba) is sleeping on the boat later in the afternoon...something I wish I could do right now. I understand why we have children when we are younger.....they wear me out!

Kayla and Ethan loved being pulled around on the tube all weekend! The weather was incredible! Ethan wanted to go too fast for Kayla...so he braved the waves alone.

Before going out on the lake to watch the fireworks, the kids did the annual sparkler display.

We had a great weekend.

I am enjoying spending more time with the kiddos this weekend.

I will be ready to head back to the lake house by tomorrow, however.

I'm getting old......

Hope you are all having fun today!

We will be heading out for pizza soon.

Debbie

(the tired gramma that lives at the lakehouse.)

Tea on the porch

Hello lovelies~~~it's Thursday, and you know what that means....going over to Susan's at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.
I set the table on the sun porch with the dishes my Grandmother used at her luncheons for the Bridge Club.

The dishes were given to Gran by Mrs. John Ball. John Ball was the founder of the John Ball Park Zoo in Grand Rapids.

I've used them many times for "teas" at my home for the ladies from our church.

The runner is from my collection of table linens I've collected over the years.
The little spoons are from our trip to France years ago.

The crystal is from St. Vinney's. Candle stick, one of my first flea market finds. The napkins are from an elderly neighbor.

The kerosene lamp is from my husband.

The silk flowers are from my shop.

I love sitting on the sun porch...any time of day. Watching the boats go by, or just relaxing and looking at the water sparkle. Enjoying breakfast, lunch, or supper is always such a treat on the porch.

I hope you enjoyed your visit. Thank you for stopping by.

I am joining Kathy at A Delightsome Life for the "Victoria" party.

Debbie

xxx000