Lots of "News" At My Cottage

 Hello everyone!!! Hope you all are doing well!

 What a beautiful weekend we are having, here in Indiana!!

I have been rearranging and adding a few "new" items to my porch decor, as well as primping and adding "new" plants to my garden area. Today, I'm sharing with you some of the "NEWS" I have added.

Cute Beach Decor: 

I LOVE my sun porch! So many windows that brighten the room and that give it that outdoor feel. I have rearranged items on my grandmother's old steamer trunk to make a summer/beach vignette. Some of the items are old, some are new.

 My small, but honest, wood sign says it all!

"Life is Good On The Lake!"

 I loved my display of assorted seashells and stones in the recently purchased blue bowl so much, that I have kept it on display, ever since my post a few months ago (See here)!   

Some old seahell and rock identification books also sit on the corner of the trunk, waiting to be opened. 

 The view out the window behind my display adds to the relaxed and beachy/nautical atmosphere.

 A few new items were also added to my display. 

I found a couple of inexpensive, cute beachy items at our local Dollar General Store recently, like this set of 4 coasters(stored in a cute holder). Perfect for my morning cup of tea.

 I also found this cute beach chair candle holder. 

  Being a bit of a history buff, I also have several photos of our cottage, (built in 1937, as a 1 bedroom summer cottage) displayed in my porch area. I have added just one of those old photos to my vignette.

I really love the colored glass floats that hang in the window behind the trunk.

 

 Being a flower-lover, I couldn't pass up this potted Asian lily. The color was so breathtaking and added to the beachy feel. They have so many blooms, with more ready to open, very soon!

 I just love all the "news" in my porch display.

Pillow Power:

I think I have a bit of an obsession, too . . . pillows!

 Especially beach/nautical/lake themed pillows!

I keep adding pillows to my blue futon on the porch. If I'm not careful, soon there won't be room to sit down!

 I recently added a couple of "new" pillows to my  assortment.

 

The blue and white striped pillow was actually a very simple DIY project. I had a white, uncovered pillow that I wanted to spruce up. I found the striped material on sale at WalMart and purchased a couple of yards. Since I am no seamstress, I found this easy no-sew pillow cover Youtube demonstration.  

 I also recently found this small nautical pillow, while shopping area antique/secondhand stores. Embroidered on the front is written, "Heaven is a bit closer in a home by the lake."

           Now, I'm ready for a summer in the sun porch!!

My Garden and Patio 

I also have been enjoying the results of all the spring containter planting I did a month ago. Check out the photos HERE from then and see how they have really grown and bloomed!

My little patio area has a cafe' table and a couple of chairs, ready for a light brunch or teatime. (Maybe, I'll do a future post there.)

 

 Between the patio and our driveway/garage entrance, there is a park bench, perfect for taking in the beautiful floral surroundings.

 Recently, I planted some potted vegetable plants in my garden patio. Tomatoes, peppers, and cucumber have been planted and we await some fresh vegetable for our table.

 In the top right corner of the picture above, are some yellow Gerber Daisies that come up, even potted, every year.

 

 On the side of the cottage is our small goldfish pond. We had to put a wire cover over the top, as the neighbor's cat loved catching and eating our fish. :-(

 Around front (lakeside) is our other patio. We eventually plan on getting this patio removed and putting pavers in instead. 

For now, though, we still enjoy the view and, just as my little flag indicates, feel like it's "Just another day in paradise."

 My little fairy garden is filling right in with moss and flowers.

Here's hoping you all have been enjoying your weekend, too!

New Outfite Link-Up

Just a little reminder to all of you who enjoy doing outfit posts:

You still have a few days (ends this Tuesday, June 11 at midnight.) if you want to post one or more of your outfit posts at my link-up (What's In My Closet?). They need to be posts from the past month and outfit posts only. I really need to know if this is something I could do regularly or should it just be a one-time link-up? Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Also, if you have any ideas on how to get more people interested, let me know.

Ann

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

Linking up at these blog hops:

  Show Your Cottage Vintage Style @ Etsy Cottage Style
Cottage Style Linky Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage  
 A Beach Cottage - Good Life Wednesday

Thursday Favorite Things (Katherine's Corner)  

Casual Friday @ Two Thirty-Five Designs

Aloha Friday @ What Jean Likes 

Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life 

Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different Act Normal

   Feathered Nest Friday(French Country Cottage) 
  Happy Friday @ BlogShe

Feathered Nest Friday (French Country Cottage)

Grace at Home (Imparting Grace)

Say G'Day Saturday @ Natasha In Oz

 Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill