Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Family and Flea Market Find

Hello, all my bloggy friends here in blogger land! How have you all been? I'll have to say, it's CONTINUED to be another hot and dry week here in the Midwest. We haven't gotten rain in several weeks and the weather will be hotter than ever, as the week continues. . .see news article here.  So I guess I will be in one of two places this week, either the lake or an air-conditioned building!!!

The past few days have been quite relaxing, though. We had relatives visiting from Pennsylvania and we all hung out at my aunt and uncle's lake cottage up north.
 Above: Swimming to keep cool.
Below: My son and his girlfriend, kayaking.
Above: My aunt and uncle, cousins, and their kids
Below: My Pennsylvania cousins.
After some time of relaxing, swimming, boating, eating, and chatting we decided to all go to the 
which is only about a 10 minute drive away.
Our caravan of 3 vehicles, parked and prepared to enter the flea market. What an adventure!!
Here, we were coordinating groups and getting each others phone numbers, in case we got lost int this GIANT event.
 The flea market was EXTREMELY crowded, as it has been every year!!
Below: Just one of the hundreds of tents, full of goods for sale.
 
Here is the Vendor Directory
It would literally take ALL day to walk every isle and see every vendor.
I can only handle being there for a few hours. It can be quite overwhelming! But there are lots of unique ideas and creative crafts, as well as great deals.
(Go here to see a map of the Flea Market) Each square is a booth.

Of course, I was on the lookout for teapots and teacups. I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I promised myself that I would only get 1 thing, since I didn't want extra stuff to take home. I found this adorable blue rose teacup and saucer for $8.00.

 There are no markings on the bottom of either one, the cup or the saucer.
 I have a teapot with blue roses that my mother gave me years ago, but didn't have a matching teacup. The teapot has been boxed in storage because we are in the process of moving, but looking at photos, I think the color and design are the same.
A photo of my teapot is below.

Ann
“Better joy in a cottage than sorrow in a palace” Spanish Proverb
 Linking up at these blog hops:

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Friday, June 22, 2012

Where I Go to Relax ~ Cottage Garden Party

Etsy Cottage Style is holding a blog party this week {called Flower Power} for anyone who wants to share their gardens or anything with a botanical theme. So, I decided to go all out and share my numerous garden areas and flowers, since they are my favorite places to go and relax and just enjoy nature at it's best. Some of the photos are older, as I don't have current takes on certain plants or of flowers that aren't currently in season. If there isn't a date on the photo, they are shots taken this year.(Some of the pictures are also marked "Christ in the Clouds", since I copied and re-posted them from my other blog.

 My favorite spot is the bridge/pond/waterfall garden

 This is the bridge my hubby built himself. For more pictures of this garden, go to my post, titled "Tea By the Pond."
 The upper pond has a mini-waterfall and spouting frog.
The lower pond has a fountain and several goldfish.(not in picture)
This is the rock waterfall that connects the upper and lower ponds, with the bridge crossing over it.
Blooming Spirea near the upper pond.
 In the back yard is my raised vegetable gardens. This year my vegetables aren't doing so well, due to a severe drought in our area. Last year's garden looked so much better, so I posted it.
This is the back of the house, next to our deck and vegetable garden.


 A view of the front of our house.(taken in the fall)
My hubby, sweeping the front porch/sidewalk (summer)
 A side view of our front yard, with many rocks and boulders.

Here are some of the beautiful flowers that have been blooming in my gardens ~

 Painted Daisies


 Snapdragons
Lilies
Roses and Iris
Cala Lily
 Hydrangeas and Daylilies
More Lilies and pink Petunias

Thanks for stopping by and taking a stroll through my gardens.
Have a Wonderful Summer!

Ann
“Better joy in a cottage than sorrow in a palace” Spanish Proverb
 Also linking up at these blog hops:
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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Getting Patriotic

Well, it's only a few weeks away. . . Independence Day, that is! So, I decided I had better get my red, white, and blue decor out of storage and start decorating. 

I started with the fireplace mantel.
What is it about those three colors that just make any area of the home stand out? 
This framed flag and date were printed off of my computer, designed as a quilt pattern.
My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From ev'ry mountainside
Let freedom ring!
 This basket was the perfect nesting spot for my little birds.
 This small canning jar lamp was a gift from my hubby many years ago. The shade was one of several I bought at a flea market,
Our joyful hearts today,
Their grateful tribute pay,
Happy and free,
After our toils and fears,
After our blood and tears,
Strong with our hundred years,
O God, to Thee.
My completed fireplace decor.

Then it was time to move out to my front porch. Fortunately, it was also time for tea and some sweet dessert. The weather continues to be hot and humid here, so I tried some of my favorite sweet raspberry iced tea and Strawberry Shortcake Trifle,
Click here for the Trifle recipe (I also added blueberries to make it patriotic)
A little shade and a light breeze made this the perfect late afternoon spot for tea.
But first, I would like to show you just a few areas I decorated, too.
Our father’s God! to thee,
Author of Liberty, to thee we sing;
Soon may our land be bright,
With holy freedom’s right,
Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.
A welcoming front entrance.
An old wood park bench. The quilt is actually very old, but is in excellent condition. It was handmade by my grandmother. I usually don't  bring it outdoors, but just had to set it here for my picture.
A few more touches.
I love Japanese hanging lanterns. I found these at Dollar Tree.
Some freshly cut "Annabelle" Hydrageas. So beautiful.
You have been very patient, with me to finish the tour without a word about dessert! So I think I'll sit down to eat. I wish you could be here to try some with me!
Yummy!! So patriotic!
Dig In!!!
Trump of glad jubilee!
Echo o’er land and sea freedom for all.
Let the glad tidings fly,
And every tribe reply,
“Glory to God on high,” at Slavery’s fall.
(Source) 

Ann
“Better joy in a cottage than sorrow in a palace” Spanish Proverb
 Linking up at these blog hops:

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors




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Saturday, June 16, 2012

Connecting through Blog Hops/Social Link-Ups

Hi, all my blog-land peeps!
I have been checking out so many new blogs and wanted to let you know about some things that have helped me along the way. First, I started  by checking out all the blogs I currently am following and checked out who they followed. Low and behold, not only have I come across lots of great new blogs, but I've discovered lots of new blog hops. I also have discovered what appears to be a new way of connecting with all kinds of people, through what bloggers call "social link-ups". These are link-up parties that let you share your other social pages...ie. Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin, etc. and then you can follow each other through these, as well as specific blogs.

Today, I discovered and am joining this blog party, hosted by Mommy Huh, called

Mommy Huh: Totally Social Link-Up

Each week she shares different social link-ups. This week she shared Bloglovin links. So I decided to join the party. First, I had to claim my blog by posting the link below.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

If you haven't joined Bloglovin', it's a pretty great way to find other blogs with similar interests and get their updates.

I also discovered a blog called "Blog Hops Everyday", which allows you to add your own blog hop, if you have one, as well as find more to link with, if you so desire.

I think I may be getting a bit addicted to blog-hopping and blog parties, as you may discover from my list of blog parties I have on my page, aptly named 'Let's Par-tay!' . It is a great way to connect with other bloggers, as well as share your blog (and if you're into getting more followers, it does help. But that's never been my greatest goal).

Anyways, hope you all are enjoying your weekend! And Happy Blog-Hopping!! :)

Ann
“Better joy in a cottage than sorrow in a palace” Spanish Proverb


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Thursday, June 14, 2012

In Honor of My Fisherman Husband

Father's Day is Sunday
. . . so, I thought I would share some things about the most important man in my life.
First and foremost, he is a Jesus follower and lives an upright life for the Lord. He was always interested in our son's interests and would attend most sports that our son was involved in throughout his school years. Now, he attends many of our son's (who is a musician) performances. He is a very hard worker, too. Even after working long hours, he will come home and work on yard or garden projects around the house. He also spends lots of time doing things with the family.

Here are some older family photos:
1996
  Father and son taking a nap,
Father and son fishing.
 Vacation
Father/Son Day at preschool
 Disney vacation
 2004
Father and son four-wheelin'
 2009
 Family bike rides
 Hubby and son laying rocks for landscaping in our back yard.
 Cleaning the eaves
But, his all-time favorite hobby is FISHING!!!
Here are just a few of his big catches from different fishing trips:
Some Steelhead from river fishing.
This was a 29 inch catfish he caught a few years back.
 We both enjoy fishing together, as well.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO A GREAT DAD TO OUR SON 
AND AN AMAZING HUSBAND!!!

Ann
“Better joy in a cottage than sorrow in a palace” Spanish Proverb

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