Thursday, June 16, 2016

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
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
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     

10 comments:

  1. I love your flowers! What a great idea to "anchor" the pergola with pots of them! Your patio looks great rearranged, too...I like how there is an opening to walk out of! And the fire by the lake looked so fun! Thanks for sharing that evening shot as it was great to see the lights you have on the pier! I bet you're going to spend many a night out there roasting marshmallows...or sipping wine! Love, Joan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by and sharing here, Joan! What a great friend you are! I can always count on you to visit my blogs! Yes, my flowers have been really going to town with their blooms! I hope you are able to plant some flowers in your new landscaping, too! And the lakeside fire has become quite a tradition for us...very romantic, too. :) Love ya!

      Delete
    2. My comment just jumped twice and didn't get a chance to send it to you. I wonder if it did go to your post??
      Fabby

      Delete
    3. I was saying that I love how great your flowers have bloomed in your patio. The doggies are so relaxed and enjoy the evening.
      I love fishing and you are having such a wonderful serene, romantic and full bliss in the evening by the lake.
      Thanks for coming my friend.
      FABBY

      Delete
    4. Thanks for making sure your comment came through, Fabby. I'm not sure what happened. I appreciate all of your sweet thoughts,though. I do feel very blessed to be able to live on a lake. Have a blessed rest of the week ahead!

      Delete
  2. Great flowers!

    Thanks for sharing with SYC.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love your plants, your pergola and your cute little fairy garden!! Thanks so much for stopping by!! I am now posting over on my christmas blog because of major issues with my regular blog, Debbie-Dabble. I hope I can get them resolved...
    Hugs,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties with your blog. Thanks for stopping by and commenting! :)

      Delete
  4. Summer's just ended for us here and I miss it already.
    Enjoy summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I keep forgetting that many countries have summer opposite ours! Come autumn, I will be saying the same thing to you...

      Delete

Comments are welcomed!! (Except for anonymous users and spammers!)