An Unusual Summer

Hello Cairn Cottage friends!

Well the summer of 2016 has been a unique and unusual one, so far! We have been busy doing some outside gardening and enjoying our flower displays...
~ one of my lilies in full bloom.(Another lily will soon also bloom.)

  ~ a new cactus planter 

~ my fairy garden, turned into a fishing bear lighthouse...

 ~ my annual display of Alyssum (so many blooms and a intoxicating fragrance!)

 ~ my orange marigolds are so bright!!

and other projects.

~ The green bean boxes we built in the spring are doing great with our pole beans. My hubby strung a trellis for them to climb, as well.

 
We also recently built a pergola on our front patio. We did some rearranging of the stone wall surrounding it and hope to add an arched trellis. The pergola also has a cover that can be used for extra shade, but we didn't have it up in this photo.

 To anchor the pergola, we have flower planters at the base of each post. My petunias seem to love their new pots.

We also have enjoyed early summer fishing...

The first year we lived here, we caught literally hundreds of fish right off our pier. Then, for a few years after that, we only caught a couple of fish off the pier. This year, we again have been catching them right off the pier. It's a good thing, as we had been having boat engine problems and had to take it in to get worked on. Now, our boat is back and we have been getting back out on the lake more. 
~ fishing from our pier

~ A day fishing with my hubby and mom.

 This Gar washed up to our shoreline. It had apparently been hit by a boat propeller and didn't survive. We have not seen Gars in our lake before and this one was especially big(42 inches)!!

Swimming on a hot, humid afternoon

Relaxing with my doggies by the lake.

 They definitely love the laid-back lake life!!

An evening campfire by the water...

A brief video...

The summertime here at Cairn Cottage is always a favorite time for us. It has been an unusual few months, with so much rain here, followed by hot and humid temps. The fish and our flowers seem to thrive in the different weather conditions, though. I have to say, I have enjoyed it too!!
Hope you are enjoying your summer, too!!

   Ann 

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

Linking over to these blog parties:

The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

Inspiration Monday Party @ I Should Be Mopping the Floor

Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Inspiration Board Link Party @ Homework

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Tuesdays With a Twist @  Stone Cottage Adventures 

Be Inspired Party @ Elizabeth & Co

Clever Chicks Blog Hop @ The Chicken Chick

Show and Share @ Coastal Charm
Thursday Favorite Things (Katherine's Corner)
live laugh {linky} Thursday (live laugh rowe)

 A Bouquet of Talent @ Line on Lakeshore Drive

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson 

Wake Up Wednesday @ Sew Crafty Angel

A Morning Cup of Joe @ The Cottage Market

Freedom Friday @ My Turn for Us
Flaunt It Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring 
Creativity Unleashed @ Shaken Together Life

Creative Collection Link Party @ Classy Clutter, and Blooming Homestead