Taking it slow.

It was a long day at the pharmacy.

We weren't busy, so that means the day goes by really slow.

Not that I want my day to rush by...but I do love being home, especially on the weekend.

Frost was being forecast last night again, so I went out to cut the rest of the hydrangea.

The white ones were the only flowers left.

I LOVE the way they look in the galvanized buckets.

 I also like the look of the gray pieces on the French table runner...that's on top of a linen runner(the crochet edge is all that shows), that's on top of the ticking runner I made earlier this year.

This isn't your traditional Fall decor. 
As much as I like the warm colors of Autumn...I guess I'm just not ready to let go of these last few moments of Summer.
I scattered the gourds(that were on the table for Thursdays tablescape) around the house. Maybe by next week I'll bring in more "Fallish" decor.
Until then.....I'm taking it slow.

Baking season

Hunting season is upon us.

Mr. Lakehouse hunts from opening day to the very end.

He hunts, rabbits, squirrels, ducks, geese, turkey, deer, and anything else that has feathers, fur, and claws.

I LOVE this time of year, because, for me, it's baking season.

The first thing I usually bake is peanut butter cookies.

They are Mr. Lakehouse's favorite cookie.

He's a big boy, and likes his cookies big!

He makes cookie sandwiches.

A cookie in between two other cookies.

 A BIG glass of milk always goes with this treat.

This is the easiest recipe ever!

My brother shared it with me years ago.

There is a little trick for removing the baked cookies off the baking pan.

Let them rest on the baking sheet for about four minutes first...then remove them.

Otherwise they will fall apart.

That's about it.  Easy peasy. and already gone!!! Well, this plate is......

Fall tablescape

I guess it's time to finally embrace the Fall season. I've been hanging on to summer for as long as possible.
Waking up to frost this morning made me realize that Fall is really here.(I'm hoping for a long Indian Summer).
I wanted to join in with Susan for Tablescape Thursday...but I showed my fall dishes last season.
However, Mr. Lakehouse and I are tasting our collection of wines, so I decided to put together a little tablescape that would enhance the mood....a little.

 My oldest daughter, Kelly, got me hooked on the wines from Howell's Mainstreet Winery in Howell Michigan.  One of my favorites is the Very Blueberry.

Then....during the Howell Melon Festival, Kelly presented me with a glass of the Melonfest wine...made especially for the festival.

Oh...my...goodness!!!

I don't usually drink white wines, but this one changed my mind forever.

It's actually sweet, and soooooo smooth.

Before leaving Howell, I visited the winery.

I came home with a whole box of wines!!

 Another trip to Howell last weekend, and another box of wine traveled north with me.

Before returning home, Kelly and I opened the bottle of Ice Wine I purchased.....another oh my goodness moment.

One of the new wines that came home with me was Hocus Pocus. What a great name for a "Fall wine".

Even the label is appropriate for the season!

 Of course, more Melonfest wine was brought home.

I understand this isn't really a "true" tablescape post, but I thought it was okay to share, because of the Autumn tone to it.

 I had to take pictures fast...Mr. Lakehouse was anxious to pull the glass of wine out of the scape!!

 The next bottle was NOT purchased at the Howell winery. It was a gift from a friend at the pharmacy. Tina visited the winery in Traverse City, and thought this bottle was something I would LOVE to add to my collection.

So...there you have it...my "Fall tablescape" for Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.
Take a trip over to Susan's blog and see what everyone else is sharing for today.
Enjoy......

The new kid.

It's that time of year when school is starting.

Remember the new kid?

Were you ever the "new kid"?

Well, here at the lakehouse, we have a "new kid".

She's just adorable!

Since she already knew the little cart, I thought they would do well sitting next to each other.

 I brought home the little cart a few weeks ago, and she seems to be doing very well..filled with vintage linens and towels. She was at my friends garage sale...all alone...waiting for someone to choose her....like the poor kid that was always chosen last for the wiffle ball game.

 Sweet little vintage trash can was the last thing my friend sold...she brought her over just today.

She fits right in with all the other aqua "kids" here at the lakehouse.

I'll give her a few days to adjust before filling her with empty soda cans...no trash in this little sweetie!

Actually, my friend Debbie(who shopped the flea markets for me while she was in Florida every winter) is moving. I bought a few of her things for my home, since she is leaving for Florida...this time to stay! She and Joe bought a house down there, and are leaving Monday. Debbie stopped at the pharmacy today to say good-bye. She left little miss trash can in my car.
We stayed with Deb and Joe last winter for a few days, and plan to see them again this winter when we head to Sanibel Island.
I will miss my friend so very much.
It's so nice to have a few of her things here to remind me of what a great friend she is.
Debbie will now be the new kid at school down in Florida. She will fit right in tho...she's one of those people that you like right away.....
and she'll be a forever friend.

Moving day

It's moving day here at the lakehouse.

Since we are having night time temps dropping into the thirties, the herbs decided to make their annual move inside.

 Thyme took her usual spot next to the window. She enjoys visiting with Verbena, who lives just outside in the window box.

 Lemon Thyme also likes a window sill apartment. She likes to watch the geese fly by on their way south.

 Then there's Rosemary. She likes a room with a view, but prefers a place on the lower level.

 Here's miss Thyme again...she's trading a little gossip with Verbena.

 This group of succulents share a flat. They are a rowdy bunch, and live on the bottom floor.

 Pretty lady Succulent prefers her own place. She's shy and doesn't fit in with the rest of the bunch.

This is old lady Rosemary....she hates it when everyone moves back in for the colder months. Rose prefers to stay in her kitchen flat, with her sister in law Violet. They sit around all day...not saying a word...just waiting for Spring to arrive, looking forward to every one's move back outside. She's a little ornery..but she's pretty.

Here it comes!

It's coming.

Just as the cooler air moves over the warm water.....

The mist sweeps over the glass-like matter.

 The first of the leaves on the big maple are turning. The ash tree across the canal reflects it's Autumn shades off the water.

 The gardens are bursting with black-eyed susans...showing off their deep yellow color.
As I look out the kitchen window, I notice the sun is heading south...and taking his time giving light over the rooftop.
I'm bringing in the rosemary and thyme. Tomatoes line the window sills, and squash is resting on the butcher block.
The wine rack is full.
The hydrangea's are drying.
I'm trying to adjust to what's to come.

Ready or not....Autumn is coming.
Time to bring out the sweaters and blue jeans...put away the flip-flops and swimsuits....
I guess I'll take a trip to the market and pick up some mum plants.
The final moments of summer are slipping away....
An owl was outside the bedroom window last night. It seems he was calling for the change of seasons. Kind of a sad, yet beautiful sound....reminding me that losing summer  might be sad for me, yet fall is such a beautiful time of year here at the lakehouse.
I will enjoy it...one breath at a time.

Good news!!!!!

Wooohoooo! Melissa got good news! The blood tests came back with a report of a low risk of birth defects!

THANK YOU ALL for the prayers for my sweet daughter and her family.

God is good....ALL THE TIME!

So now, we wait for Olivia Cora to arrive. That won't be until the end of December.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I was so excited about the good news, I had to expend some energy.

I decided to floof....and change some furniture around....again.

Poor Mr. Lakehouse doesn't like going into a dark room for fear of sitting on the sofa that isn't there anymore.

 I'm sure you are wondering what I am doing with these shade bones.  I found the first one a few months ago, and thought it was the cutest thing ever! The second one was found at the market last weekend. Adding a ribbon seemed to add to it's cuteness. We bloggers find joy in the simplest things, don't we?

A while ago I found some shutters that were pretty beat up...so I brought them home, instead of letting them grace the landfill.

Mr. Lakehouse painted them white, and I distressed them.

They are now hanging on both sides of a window(which I will show you after Mr. L. takes the nasty window air conditioner out), and they look really neat!!

The vintage cameos were found at a shop that is closing it's doors. They were at a price I couldn't resist.

 This poor settee has been moved so many times, it must be dizzy! Some of the floral pillows have been removed for a little different look.

 Here is that wonderful French bowl I found at the market with Laurie.  It looks nice on the sofa table behind the couch.

Since I don't have white slip covers, I am using a heavy, vintage tablecloth to cover the sofa. The pillows are also covered with what used to be an old Irish tablecloth.  Collecting vintage linens doesn't mean folding them and putting them in a cupboard....utilize them! They make wonderful pillow slips. Covering a bed with a large piece is also a great idea. Here at the lakehouse, they are hanging, draping, covering, adorning, and even used for drying dishes!!! Show them off!! They add so much to a home.
After floofing the evening away(after a busy day at the pharmacy), I was ready for bed.
Today I'm ready for the sun porch....relaxing, and reading a good book.
Enjoy Labor Day everyone!