Fall Blooms

Okay, I know that technically it's still two more weeks until Fall, but every time I look at my Hydrangeas I'm reminded that it's on it's way. The large blooms on my Limelight Hydrangeas are starting to turn dusty pink with the cool weather. It's always a pretty transition.

Also, I'm happy to say that my rose bushes that were planted this Spring (David Austin's Winchester Cathedral) have taken to their new homes quite nicely. 

They have continued to bloom throughout the summer months and have nearly tripled in size. Each week a new bud appears or another unfolds into a creamy, fragrant bloom.

I will be keeping my eye out for a few more next Spring, possibly of a different variety. 

My Limelights are now 6 feet tall with gigantic blooms.

They turn a pretty pink ombre as Summer ends.

A Bridal Shower

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This morning I hosted a shower for the fiancé of a cousin of mine.

 

I grew up in a family of four girls, and though technically we didn't have any brothers, we had the Batty Boys. My mom's sister, who lived only a few minutes away, had four boys the same ages as us. Since our mom's stayed home, they spent a great deal of their time together. In fact, it wasn't uncommon to see them every day. They were practically brothers. Ironically, my mom now has three grandsons, and my Aunt is awaiting the arrival of her fourth granddaughter.

 

Today, we had a shower for her son Jordan, and his fiancé Michelle. She's a sweetheart and it was so much fun to celebrate their upcoming wedding.

 

I served tea in our backyard which was a huge risk. Despite the grey skies and threatening rains, I set up my tent and tables outside. It did eventually shower.

 

We braved the drizzle for quite some time, but when the curtains were drenched and we were huddled as close as possible, we finally broke down and ran inside. The rains didn't dampen the afternoon though. It was still lovely.

 

 

 

My mom did the arrangements. They were beautiful.

 

 

(from left to right)

Becca her Maid of Honour and Sister-In-Law, Michelle the Bride, and Mary-Anne her Mom



One Last Holiday

Today we leave for the cottage.

The wonderful, wonderful cottage.

The place where we escape busy lives to slow down and spend time together. The place where we bask in the sun the moment it touches the tip of the dock in the morning until it ducks behind the trees in the evening. The place where the sand sparkles and the waters are cool and deep and refreshing. The place where we nap to the gentle sway of the hammock and wake to the sound of loons as the fog lifts over the bay. It's where the campfires crackle and the stars are overwhelming in number. 

It's where our boys get to be boys and go on adventures and get dirty and play without a care in the world. 

I couldn't think of a better way to say goodbye to summer.

Summer Celebrations

It seems that the slow, lazy days of summer ended with July and as August came around, with vacations to go on and things to do, the summer holidays came to a close much more quickly then we would have liked. 

We ended July celebrating Hudson's first birthday and then spent a week at the cottage relaxing. We returned, and with only a few days to catch up on laundry and get the house back in order, Ryan and I flew out to California and celebrated our anniversary. It was wonderful. We've been back for a week, and tomorrow we will head up North again to spend the remainder of summer vacation with the family at the cottage.

It's hard to believe that summer is nearly over and school is right around the corner.

And with it, Fall.

The evenings are evidence that summer is coming to a close. The fog is heavy and the evening air is cool and refreshing. The mornings are dewy and though the days are still hot, the crispness of Fall will soon be here.

Until then, we'll make the most of these last weeks of summer and soak up the sun.

I celebrated my birthday yesterday and though Ryan had to work, he sent flowers and some reading material for in the hammock at the cottage.

Hudson also turned One. 

Oh the changes that came with one!

He's walking, and babbling, and as curious as ever. He knows a few simple words, and rarely stops smiling. Every day is an adventure when you have a big brother to follow around. We're so in love with him.

Mrs. Millar's Cabin

For Christmas last year, my parent's generously gave our family a trip to Charm, Ohio to stay in Mrs. Millar's Cabin. They go a few times a year, and think of it as their own cottage getaway.

Charm is a quaint, rural town, that's small and peaceful. It's set in rolling hills, and has many neighboring towns just minutes away. It's in the heart of Amish country. There are also antique malls, barns full of treasures and roadside picking stands throughout the surrounding counties. All in all, it's a fun way to spend a few days away with family.

I wanted to show you the cabin we stayed at. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but this was not it. We were so pleasantly surprised when we turned down the driveway, crossed the covered bridge and arrived at our week's destination.

Behind the cabin was a beautiful hillside garden. 

This was the view from the kitchen windows. 

The front porch, with it's many rockers and walls of wisteria, was the perfect spot for reading with a cup of tea, or lazily watching the traffic trot through town.

The perimeter of the cottage was classic split-rail fence. It was beautiful!

These beautiful Belgian's warmed up to me eventually, and came to visit at the edge of the fence.

The cottage was set just behind the main road, far enough to feel secluded, but close enough to still hear the buggies passing through.

There was a small creek that ran in front of the cabin. The covered bridge went over top of it.

The whole countryside was just so beautiful.

Everywhere you went, horse and buggies were busy about town.

Though our cabin had all the modern conveniences (a phone, satellite, a laundry room, dishwasher and even wifi), we thought the town's phone booth was charming!