Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Postcards from the Lake: Winding Down

I really have trouble saying goodbye to summer. It's such a lovely time here. Hot, yes. But not hot like the South. And this year, probably too dry, but that made for lovely times to be outside.


We're winding down but still time for another postcard or two from the lake. (Lizzie must have just heard the "winding down" part.)


This is the summer I overdosed on cherries and peaches...


...and loved the foggy mornings as much as the clear afternoons.


Until my foot took to being bothersome, I enjoyed our walks to the public bathing beach...


...and past some lovely gardens.


But I did swim. And swim. And swim. The water wasn't quite as warm as bath water, but it wasn't cold, either. Just refreshing.


I loved the colors of summer. Especially at the farmer's market.


And I loved them equally when I was painting.


I loved them in the passing boats...


...and in water floats that I saw every day...


And in the flowers that seemed to do so well on my porch.


My companion popped up where I least expected her.


I enjoyed seeing some good art on loan from the Detroit Institute of Arts...


...and trying (not always successfully) with my own.


Yes, there will be more postcards from the lake but soon it will be time to send them from other places as well. It will be time to go home...


...and time for a desperately needed haircut!


Don't let anyone tell you differently!

Linking this week to:    Share Your Cup    /    Let's Keep In Touch   /    Pink Saturday     

51 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Sounds like you have had a really enjoyable summer. Love the dreamy photos of your sweet Lizzie. I have been eating a lot of peaches and plums as well as strawberries, yummy! Enjoy the rest of your time at the Lake! Hugs, Valerie

Valerie-Jael said...

And I love the painting of your little man with that chocolate mouth!

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

The peaches and cherries have been especially good here in Michigan this year, haven't we. I don't want summer to end!

I too love the little boy with chocolate on his mouth. He made me laugh.

Joyful said...

It looks and sounds like the perfect summer.

Stacey said...

Sounds like the perfect summer!

Susie said...

Jeanie, You painted your chocolate covered grandchild. I love it. Your cat is a beauty too. Glad you got to swim.. Blessings to yopu, xoxo, Susie

William Kendall said...

Lizzie looks quite relaxed!

thepaintedapron.com said...

Looks like you are enjoying every last second! Your kitty is adorable!
Jenna

Sandra Cox said...

What a lovely time and lovely photos and pictures. I enjoyed your lake time right along with you:)

My name is Erika. said...

Summer is such a low key and wonderful time. The weather may stay nice for a bit longer but for me also, summer is about done. Back to work tomorrow. Love all your photos from the lake, and i hope you have a little more time to enjoy this season. Hugs-Erika

Pam said...

You have been busy this summer for sure. Love the lake shots...I am glad that summer is on its last legs. I love fall and although summer has not been that bad I am ready for fall.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It's been a good summer! The swimming looks invigorating! I've always loved to swim too. Hugs!

Mary K. said...

Jeanie your cat is so cute. I'm glad you had such a great summer. We didn't have one at all here in NY. It was either way too hot and humid or rainy. But that's alright, I think I had enough summers in Greece to last me a lifetime. We are here to do other things. Enjoy your last few days.

Lynne said...

Enjoyed this post . . .
Loving your watercolor . . .
That furry cheering section is great too . . .
Swin shot is fun! My favorite!
Who needs airconditioning when you have a Lake just a few feet away!

Sally Wessely said...

I always love your postcards from the lake. You are so fortunate to have this place for the beauty, the solitude, for the connections to the past, and as an outlet for doing what you seem to love most: swimming, walking, painting, spending time with friends, and shopping at the farmer’s market.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Another phenomenal postcard from the lake. I loved the photo of the flamingo float and all your paintings. Of course, you got to eat more fruit than I did this ear, and I loved seeing it, too. Have a wonderful Thursday, dear Jeanie.

Sami said...

Not fond of peaches, but cherries, oh yes!!
Love the little boy, your grandson I presume, and little Lizzie always so relaxed enjoying the summer days too.
Have a lovely weekend Jeanie.

Joanne Huffman said...

A lovely end to the summer.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I am not ready to let summer go. It seems like it just began. Your lake photos and scenes are lovely. Your watercolor is beautiful. I love the peaches and sunflowers. Cute images of your sweet Lizzie. Have a great day!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning Jeanie! Here I am, enjoy my absolute last day at home before I go in tomorrow from 8-4 to work in my classroom. Every day next week will be classroom prep, meetings, parent conferences, then the day after Labor Day, the children come and then life will get FAST and FUN. But your summer and my summer seem to be very similar; lake life is sweet, slow, and the goodbyes are tough. I am going once more today to a dahlia garden in St. Paul to bid farewell to my favorite late summer bloom. This morning while it was still dark out (and a little nippy), I watered all my boxwoods and said a prayer (many prayers in fact), for our world, my friends, our planet. These fleeting seasons really are bittersweet reminders of how our lives matter. AND....I too gorged on peaches and cherries!

La Table De Nana said...

I love when you add your artwork..♥Well done! Happy to see you swim..it's been a beautiful hot too dry summer..a summer like when I was young.I love fall too but it's the gateway to winter.Love winter but hate the cold.
LOL..never happy.

BB said...

What a beautiful and colorful summer you had. Enjoy the rest of it while it last.

Jellybeans Angel said...

What a wonderful summary of the Summer of 2018. It's been unusual weather in the UK so will be remembered for quite some time. There is a change in the air here too. The sort of change which will ripen apples and berries. Beautiful! Thanks for the shares.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I feel calmer just reading this post and looking at those photos. What a lovely summer place! Hugs!

The French Hutch said...

Sorry I'm late, it's been busy here too. Looks like you have had a wonderful summer and I know how you enjoy your lake time. Summer will soon be fading away buy you have your lake memories and postcards. Love your paintings..........

Pam Richardson said...

Beautiful postcard this morning. What a wonderful place you have for a respite each summer. I love that you enjoy each moment and document them for sweet memories. The painting of little grand is fabulous! Enjoy your Thursday!

Iris Flavia said...

That was a very lovely post!
Lizzy is too cute, too and that painting of your grandson madee me smile the biggest :-)
So sad we have to say goodbye to summer soon!

Bonnie said...

Great recap of your summer. I love your musings.

Arti said...

Love that pic of the athlete! Amazing to see you in action, Jeanie. Always thought the lake is for scenic viewing, maybe sailing, fishing. Never thought you can actually swim in there. Real cool. :)

Red Rose Alley said...

Your pictures always tell a story, Jeanie. Such cute pictures of Lizzie. Oh, those peaches look wonderful. I haven't had many peaches this Summer, but I do plan on having them when I visit Nel in Georgia, the peach state. I love the picture of you swimming. The water looks refreshing. And the painting of the little one with his messy face, how delightful. Jess would love that Flamingo float. And I love that piece of art of the town, so charming.

~Sheri

carol@The Red Painted Cottage said...

Jeanie, Which lake are you on again? We don't have any public swimming on ours, just a public boat launch. I love the painting of your grandson with the chocolate around his mouth. And Lizzie looks like she loves cottage life! Will you be spending any time in the fall at the cottage or not? Our pontoon will come out Labor Day weekend, but we'll keep going up until it starts to get too cool.

BeachGypsy said...

Oh I LOVE THIS POST!--and I spot a beautiful mermaid there in the sparkling water! Sweet Lizzie looks "purr-fectly" content and happy there among the flower blossoms and peeking around at you in the one picture! The sunflowers are gorgeous this time of year, aren't they? and I love the pink float picture, so cute. I like seeing all the pictures you treat us to, from up there, such pretty scenery and it's a place I've never been, so fun to learn about it through your pictures, both camera and paintings! Gosh girlfriend, wish I had the talent you do!

Tracy said...

aaawww....kitties are VERY good at the whole "winding down" thing! ;) Oh, the peaches... *sigh* ... And the sunflowers... And Little Carson's face (you did a great portrait...just so admire your watercolor works--all of them!) LOVE these postcards and how you share summer with you--THANK YOU, Jeanie! :))) ((HUGS))

Marilyn Miller said...

Your two paintings are amazing of the garden and the beauty parlor one too (was that one yours?). Then your sweet little guy you captured so well. Always love seeing your Lizzie too. What a lovely summary of summer. Oh to be swimming in the lake, there were times this summer that I needed that. And of course sunflowers are the perfect thing for summer. The cherries and peaches! Oh how I love them too. I have tried over-indulging in both. Happy summers end!

Lynne said...

How about SWIM pic
instead of swin.. .
Oh my goodness Lynne . . .

Kitty said...

I do wish I were in Michigan. It is way too hot hre in Texas. Thanks for posting some very refreshing pictures!

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

It sounds like a very relaxing summer, Jeanie. I know you made the best of it. Looks like you accomplished a lot of the good things in life. I know you, you will make autumn fulfilling too..Happy Weekend..xxoJudy

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

I don't think you can ever have too many peaches :)

shoreacres said...

I can't believe this. It seems as though you just arrived at the lake -- where has the summer gone? I so enjoyed seeing "extra" photos of Lizzie. She is a sweetheart, and always makes me think of Dixie with a little extra affection. You're so lucky to have her!

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

It looks like an absolutely perfect summer, Jeanie! No wonder you don’t want it to end!

Jenny Woolf said...

Every summer I dream of going somewhere I can just laze about and swim. Even if there was somehwere in Britain to do it, you could not rely on the weather. We keep thinking of a house swap. This year the foot made it impossible to do much and it's great that it is now so much better. I hope your foot is also showing signs of improvement now, or, if not, that it will very soon!

Quiltmoose - Dagmar said...

You did a wonderful job catching the mood of summer in photos a and in your paintings! I am also a little melancholy because the end of summer has come. It has been a hot and dry summer over here also and I loved it.

Take care!

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AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

I love this colorful post and I love your style of painting!

Jennifer Richardson said...

Cherries and peaches can only make one lovelier:)
Your postcards are a joy and make me want to sip the last of Summer
more slowly:)
-Jennifer

Victoria Zigler said...

I can understand why you'd be reluctant to wind things down, but I'm sure you'll find plenty of fun stuffto fill the Fall, Winter, and Spring.

You can't have too many cherries and peaches.

Olka said...

I really love the flaming rescue wheel! :D

Snap said...

Charming post. Looks like a great visit to the lake. The peaches made my mouth water. I love your art work. The little boy is too cute! Hope you are having a lovely week.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Although I'm looking forward to cooler weather, I hate to see summer come to an end as well. It looks like you've had a wonderful one! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann

French Ethereal said...

Sooo nice there! When you come home, you must be sooo relaxed everytime!! Enjoy these last summer days before Labor Day. :)

Wishing I were there walking, too,
Barb :)

Katie Mansfield said...

It sounds like a delightful summer. Thanks for sharing. It sounds heavenly.

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