Cairn Cottage: August 2016

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Something Fishy Tablescape

Welcome, Cairn Cottage Friends!

Here we are already at the end of August! Where does the time go?

Being that we live on a lake, I love to collect "fish" decor. I also love to decorate with the color blue.

As you can tell below, I decided to share some of my "fish" items in this nautical-themed tablescape.

This fish serving platter is my centerpiece and a favorite find. I had a similar plate years ago that got broken and had been looking for another one ever since. I found this at one of my favorite stores, T.J. Maxx.

These little wooden fish and fish basket were a garage sale find, of which my hubby purchased with many other "lake-themed" decor items one day while driving home from work. I love the rough, old look of the faded painted wood.

Of course, my collection of tea(or coffee) cups never ends.This whimsical fish cup caught my eye, too!

Sea turtles, starfish, and seashells surround two other matching teacups I recently collected.(Here is one of those cups)

My white seashell and starfish cup and saucer have been a part of my collection for a few years. I think it is so unique and goes well with my nautical theme.

I also came across these nautical plates at T.J. Maxx several months ago and couldn't pass them up.

The tableclothe, matching napkins (in my clear water glasses) and blue and white nautical placemats were all purchased in the sale isle at Meijer. Talk about hitting the lottery!!

I couldn't have found a more perfect color coordinated, nautical-themed display of items! It just makes me wonder if something "fishy" is going on...LOL!

I may just have to serve fish for dinner!!

“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

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

Flaunt It Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring
Creativity Unleashed @ Shaken Together Life

Creative Collection Link Party @ Blooming Homestead

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Favorite Summer Activities

Hello, Cairn Cottage Friends!

I hope you have been enjoying your summer. I can't believe that it's mid-August already! Summer seems to fly by way too fast for my liking! I know for some of you, it's back to school time for your kids already. My hubby and I were just talking about the days when our kids were in school and getting them ready and that we were glad to not have to think about that anymore, as empty-nesters.

The heat in the Midwest has limited some of our activities, like fishing and outdoor projects. But even with the very hot and humid weather, I would prefer a few more months of this over the snow and freezing temps!

I definitely made due...like sitting on my air-conditioned 4-season porch and surfing the internet...

...sipping on (hot or iced) tea. I had to share this cute frog tea set that I got recently at an antique mall. Isn't he the cutest thing?

Fishing on hot, humid days required some interesting maneuvers, like floating on an air mattress while throwing a line out. But we have caught LOTS of fish this year (actually we have already beat our record for number of fish caught in a summer - over 600 bluegill, perch, bass, catfish, Northern Pike, and crappie!!!), which we have filled our freezer with for the coming year!

I attended the local fair with my mom also, an annual activity we do together. Boy, was it ever a very hot day!!!

We saw the animals...my favorite are the llamas! :)

And there was a really cool live butterfly exhibit that allowed us to walk through a tent with many butterflies in it.

My uncle, who is a very talented wood-carver, entered this piece in the fair and won grand champion!! Way to go, uncle Max!!

Our vegetable garden continues to provide many veggies for us. From my green beans (that have provided several gallon ziploc bags of beans for us to freeze for the winter)...

(Just for comparison, check out a picture of the beans back in June.)

...to my hubby's pepper and tomato plants!

My flowers have done exceptionally well in the heat, as well!

Needless to say, summer at Cairn Cottage has been good!

I know it won't be long till Autumn will be here and it makes me sad to think summer will soon be over. I definitely am taking advantage of every hot summer day. Actually, I think I will go take a dip in the lake this afternoon!

Hope you enjoy the rest of your summer, too!!

Ann