You're Invited

Taking a page from Pinterest and from Meridian Road blog post -- I created my new cabin on the lake. New cabin? (as opposed to an Old cabin?) Lake? (what lake?). That's the fun - create your own get-a-way place and dream.  And the best part is that it can change, move, or dream it again without prior notice.

So you're invited to come for a visit - stay as long as you'd like.

The doors always open, the coffee pot is on and the games are all set up to score.

I'm still building the hot tub - but, it'll be ready when you are.

 

The living room is cozy for those afternoon reads or evening fireplace conversations.

The meals will be entertaining with good food and great conversations.

The game table (not my first choice) has to be round, roomy and always up for the challenge.

 

Big-Big-Big Kitchen with loads of light, open cupboards, farmhouse sink.

There can never be too many cooks in this kitchen.

 

Bedrooms for everyone - magically added to accommodate one and all. Quilts, farmhouse antique finds and all with a view of the lake.

Glass enclosed showers and soaking tubs with a view. There's more than one or two or three.

Come on over to my place, stay awhile, relax on the deck or swim in the lake.

It's all good at Sam's Get-A-Way Cabin on the Lake.

(I hired Pinterest, the web and Sarah Richardson's web site - love, love Sarah Richardson's style - 

to put together my little cabin. See ya there.)

I want one!

 

I want a porch swing! I need a porch swing!

There is a magical quality to porch swings.  Perhaps it is the soothing rhythm or the reassuring creak of the porch swing that attracts us. Perhaps it is the companionable silence or quiet conversation. Or maybe swings simply remind us of more genteel times, sipping lemonade on a warm summer evening. 

 A remembrance of childhood a memory. Swinging on a swing set, being free, gliding above the ground, toes pointed reaching for the sky. Gaining confidence to stand, hang on and pump - pump high.

That's what I want - a porch swing. This is what I have now: a cedar glider that moves maybe 5 inches to and fro. It's a tease of what could be, what should be, of what's to come.

I have an idea -- take the glider apart and use the bench to make a real swing. I don't have a porch from which to hang said swing -- but I do have a deck -- a VERY large wrap-a-round deck. I could build a frame (and anchor it for the full out pumping experience) or build an extension from the roof line out to hang the swing from.

Either way, I want, I need, I have to have a deck swing.

Next summer's #1 project: the perfect spot to sip lemonade, watch the sunsets and enjoy our surrounding forest setting.

My Summer Reading List

I have to admit this summer I read fewer books than I usually do. It may have been all the house projects that took away from my "read" time or that I got hooked on watching TV series on the computer. Of course the many TV series I watched was like reading a story with an immediate next chapter with the click of the mouse. Or was it that I haven't found a great new mystery author or series to peak my interest in a long time? Bored with reading? Never! Bored with what was sitting on the night stand to read next? Right On! So, here's my summer reading book reports -- some of the boring stuff and some of my summer's favorite authors next book.

SixKill by Robert B. Parker

Spenser's last story. (so sad) He's hired and then quickly fired to investigate the involvement of a slug of a celebrity in the death of a groupie. Along the way he mentors a trouble young man into maturity or at least has the smarts to recognize the youths potential when he sees it.

Good bye Mr. Parker, you're missed.

Buried Prey by John Sandford

One of John's best stories yet. The truth comes to light when two bodies are found during a house demolition. Lucas worked the case as a young cop. Now it's come back around and he's determined to get to the truth, find the murderer and close the book on this one. Lots of flashback chapters about Lucas' early cop years.

Hard Evidence by John Lescroart

A billionaire's body is washed up on one of San Francisco's shores.  Hardy is sitting in the ADA chair when it becomes a case of murder. Long drawn out story -- way tooooooo long.

The Legacy by Stephen Frey

A second film of the Kennedy assassination shot from the opposite side of the street from the Zupruder film. Who has it and where has it been for the last 30 some odd years? Great story premise -- poorly written -- very poorly written. 

One Dog Night by David Rosenfelt

Andy Carpenter doesn't really like lawyering, but when he's swept into a case, he's all over it.  Tara's (his dog) first owner is charged and confesses to an arson killing 26 people 6 years ago. But did he really do it? His life has changed over the last 6 years but that night still haunts him and Andy steps in to uncover the truth - the whole truth and nothing but the truth....

Executive Privilege by Phillip Margolin

Another "opps, the U.S. President was a bad boy" book. Good story, just not a great story. Yawn--boring.

Gone by Lisa Gardner

Oregon - FBI - missing agent- enough said

 I grabbed this book when I was hunting the aisle at the local book store. Wish I hadn't. But, to give it credit - it's part of a series (who knew?) so I didn't know all the background information, connections, etc. while reading it. I may go find the first of the series and start from the beginning. Or Not.....

The age of Aquarius

I have a little widget on my computer that gives me my daily horoscope read. I'm not all that into signs and stuff (and yes, I HAD been known to use that line "hey big boy, what's your sign?") -- but, once in a while a little tidbit of information comes across that is positive and worth remembering. This was last Friday's forecast and worthy of sharing.

The voices that whisper softly in your ear - not the ones that yell loudly - are the voices that you'll hear most clearly today. Avoid people who are brash and hostile, because what they have to say is definitely not worth hearing. Instead, pay attention to the quieter, subtler stuff that's going on. You'll be able to notice many new ideas, and you might even find a new way to connect with an old friend. Today is all about nuance and subtext.

Somthing to try....

 

Found this on an Etsy shop (which is temporarily closed) and I had a ah-ha moment. I have old jeans that hubby doesn't wear any more - but has kept for a "just in case" might still need. I have to mention hubby is not a pack rat, collector, or someone that holds on to things (except his wife of 40 years). Although, he does keep some things way beyond their expiration date -- his old jeans are one of those things. As if he could wear them anymore, they'd instantly fall down.

I'm going to raid his stash and start making some jean bags -- they'd work as shop bags, crochet bag, book bag, camp bag or a bag when one is needed. I love carry-alls and have a collection of them.  I am a pack rat, collector and someone that holds on to things that I usually don't need anymore, haven't used in eons but just can't part with (as in hubby of 40 years).

I shall call him Squishy

With the sun finally coming out to give us a late summer, we headed to Larrabee Park to search for sea stars at low tide. We found a lot of large, purple sea stars mostly clustered together with a few renegades here and there. The most shocking thing was that we had to pay $10 to enjoy this state park. The state eliminated the short lived parking fees a couple of years ago, but now added a $10 use fee for the day. They obviously didn't learn their lesson with the original parking fees that created empty state parks.  Really? $10.00? Give me a break!

(still learning)

(digi papers: Vintage Blue 1885 by Sam's Digi Design Studio

seen on Pinterest via Etsy shop Family Sayings Inspirational Wood)

How I spent my summer vacation

This was a summer project where Murphy and his law decided many things and that pesty can of worms kept opening with surprises along the way. But, it was all worth it. The before picture is far below and these are the after photos. Next summer I'll get some large, red, ceramic planters to fill with flora and fauna and new deck furniture to complete the transformation. We may bring the crew back to redo the trim in a dark green instead of the dark gray. We'll think about it over the winter.