When I returned after a few days at home, I found that our neighbors to the south (the ones who raped the land when they built their house that looks like a doctor's office in a strip mall from the road with a heliport for a driveway) had built a big, long fence!
I will say this pleased me enormously because although I hate the idea of separating cottages, I got so upset whenever I looked at it that I feel like now I don't have to see it -- or their mean, scary dog that looks something like Cujo and sounds even more like him! But I digress. I don't think my little house is so ugly it should be blocked off, but I guess they do so we're even!
The days have been for painting, but the evenings finding me enjoying the porch as late as I can, savoring the sunsets and more often than not, with a book.
A few years ago, Rick and I spent a wonderful week on Martha's Vineyard. It was there I enjoyed one of the most remarkable and memorable experiences of my life -- The Grand Illumination (which I wrote about HERE.) I so loved the lanterns decorating the Vineyard cottages, I knew I had to put some on the porch.
So every night as the sun begins to set, spreading a palette of colors I can only dream of capturing with my paints, I turn on the lanterns.
And I watch as that sun sinks slowly behind the trees on my horizon and the sky becomes its own watercolor.
In between admiring gazes, I read and this summer I've enjoyed more than a few books. One was a very special find from Loganberry Bookstore in Cleveland. Written in 1950 by Marion Crawford, the first edition of "The Little Princesses" was a rare find. (It has been reprinted and is available online.)
"Crawfie" was Princess Elizabeth and Margaret's governess and was with the Royal Family for seventeen years. After her marriage (and that of Elizabeth to Prince Philip) she retired and did the royal sin -- writing about the personal life of the royals from the insider's perspective. The book was mostly loving and admiring but with a bit of gentle vinegar at times and revealing some personal details that the Queen (aka the Queen Mother) found too personal. They believed Crawfie shared a little too much detail for the royal family and they cut her off completely, removing her from the grace-and-favor home at Kensington Palace and never speaking again. The book, popular in the U.S. went out of print for many years. (Here's a short but interesting article on that from The Guardian.)
I skipped into a couple of quick mysteries next. First, another Maigret book by Georges Simenon -- "Maigret and the Death of a Harbormaster." I really enjoy this series and have a few more on tap for the summer.
And, as a Perry Mason fan, I realized I'd never read one of Earl Stanley Gardner's books about the famous attorney -- just about guaranteed to get any murder client off! So, "The Case of the Borrowed Brunette" was a fun read.
Rita from Sketchbook Wandering mentioned this book in one of her posts -- "Carnet de Paris 7e & 15e Arrondissements" by Rene Ochia.
I could pick out some of the French, but that's not why I bought it, as you might imagine!
Check out these terrific illustrations. I find them inspiring and something to focus on in trying to really define my painting style.
I'm trying to become more "free" in my work -- and that's hard. But he manages both great detail and a sense of freedom and lightness in his work that I greatly admire. Plus, it's fun to see his interpretation of places like Rue Cler, that I have seen myself! (Here)
Another Loganberry find was this Susan Branch cookbook, "Vineyard Seasons."
It's tomato season and I'll be trying this recipe and no doubt many others from this delightful book that is filled with her inspiring watercolor illustrations. More motivation!
Meanwhile, I have a good companion, day or night!
Thanks for joining me for a bit of my "grand illumination."
I leave you at the end of the day.
Goodnight, Moon.
48 comments:
Your neighbours should move somewhere else! Your little house is just beautiful. The lanterns look so pretty. I have the same book about the little princesses, and have had it since I was kid. Keep enjoying your beautiful house, scenery and the lovely evenings! Hugs, Valerie
I much prefer the old fashioned summer lake cottage you had because it has character and charm. Guess you did get lucky not having to look at the neighbors new monstrosity. And wow, such beautiful sunsets. Nice books. I just finished ready Louise Penny's last book Kingdom of the Blind. Have you read it? It's very very good. Her books just keep improving. Enjoy your summer lake days. Hugs-Erika
Morning Jeanie♥
I think your cottage looks wonderful and love the whimsical rendition of it too. Well done! Sounds like a little piece of heaven.
That Paris book was a great find. Love the illustrations.
Beautiful lanterns, the sky, and the moon.
Love Carnet de Paris and I'll check out Simenon series :)
Have a wonderful day, Ms Jeanie
Lovely idea to hang those lanterns in the trees! Your reading is very summery and fun, especially the watercolor sketches of Paris.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hello Jeanie,
What a gorgeous sunset! I love your pretty lanterns too. The books sound interesting. I have watched a few Perry Mason mysteries on the Hallmark Mystery channel recently. Your cottage is warm and cozy, I would be happy there. The illustration in Ochia's book are lovely. I sure you have some great ideas for your sketches and watercolors. Hope your day is great, happy weekend!
It’s sad that cottages like yours are being torn gown for the bigger and newer ones. To me, it’s such a nostalgic Michigan lake house. Your neighbors sound fun lol
I love those lanterns. We bought a few one summer, but it is so breezy here they blow away. There is a field in front and a hill rising right behind the house, so we get a stiff thermal breeze most days.
Interesting post so thank you for that! I'm surprised someone so close to the princesses would write about them knowing she'd be cut off.
Love your lanterns! What a peaceful view you have ~
I love that moon photo!! And that Paris book is amazing looking. :)
Your neighbors sound awful. :( They didn't need to ask before building the fence? At least now you don't have to see their house and dog. :(
I've never been to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket but I've had a life-long love affair with the idea of going there. I loved you post about the lanterns and what they inspired at your own cottage. It's actually helping me decide on the style of light fixtures I get to choose from when I move.
So many lakes are being taken over by people building fancy, full time homes. At the lake where my family cottage is someone built a three story place that just looks awful next to cottages similar to yours.
Living close to Lake Arrowhead, CA, we have seen the delightful go to the obscene. The cabins I love have been torn down and made into mansions, some of which are weekenders. I growled as we passed them.
The Little Princesses? that must be an interesting read! Will check Amazon.
So many wonderful things in your life! Love your watercolor and if you must have a fence, the white is pretty. The stand out for me is the pink sunsets - oh my yes. BTW I love the Maigret series and the old Perry Mason books too!
I love the lanterns too and have 2 of them in my home...one in my bedroom! What a beautiful view of the back of your house. It looks so inviting! I need to get away and relax! I have been too busy lately to really enjoy life. Anyway...you have mentioned several books I haven't read so I'll look for them. And the illustrations in the Paris book are divine! Hugs!
That fence sounds like a pleasant surprise. One thing I have learned in life is that there will always be one annoying neighbor. At least this annoyance will now be decreased. Now you have a nice backdrop for plantings or decor at their expense. That pink sky and reflection is beyond stunning! Those lanterns are so charming. It looks like you found some great summer reading.
Beautiful illumination shots!
Love this post!!--lots of interesting things to see! I also love to see what everyone is reading, new or old--and I love to see pictures of the pages! I do that alot and I"m glad you are as well!---I love seeing what is INSIDE the books! LOL I've never even heard of that book the "Little Princesses".....but I'm going to go find it soon as I sign off. It looks great, so thanks!! I also love to find the Susan Branch books at sales and thrift stores, I have a small collection. I adore her drawings and art and do you get her calendars?--I love them so much! I've never been to the Illumination, but have seen so many pictures of it....it looks so amazing and I love the lanterns you got. Those are popular here too and I love them. I would love to get some! Enjoyed your artworks, as always!--love the cottage one. Happy weekend my friend!
I hate surprising neighbors. I don't think that fence should have been erected without your permission; it's against the law.
The last picture in your post reminds me that I've seen the moon in this slender position a few days ago, and I couldn't take my eyes off it. I get very emotional about the moon.
So beautiful Jeanie! Sorry about your neighbors though, but now with that fence maybe out of sight out of mind! Love the lanterns 💕 So glad you are enjoying your summer!
Jenna
You are right about finding it very hard to catch up visiting, especially when I read every word written.
Had to laugh at the neighbor. He DID put up a very nice fence and painted it beautifully. You can applaud him for that. I think he was trying to keep eyes out, rather than not seeing your property. After all, yours was there when he came in a raped the land.
Your lanterns are lovely and your painting of your cottage is beautiful. I really LOVE the book you picked up on Paris. It must really inspire you, too. Hope you are doing well.
"Wow". Your post on "raping the land" sure made me sad.
When there is too much money, huh - respect goes down the drain...
And that fence just is prove.
Cujo!!! Oh, that was so long ago and is still scary!
Our neighbours above "just" STOMP.
If it was an apartment I´d be gone, but we bought the place :-(
The lake is beautiful.
(Illumination... my Dad brought a real Japanese umbrella for me when I was a kid, I still have it - beautiful! I should use it as deco!)
Oh, oh, oh, no more books for me, I accidentialy bought a bunch.
Your companion! So sweet.
Years ago I owned a cottage on Wren Lake in Ontario, and that was back in the day when cottages were cottages. We recently were driving in that area and were shocked to see that the whole lake had been transformed into monster homes, a couple with three car garages, and had lost all semblance of the cozy community I remembered. My vote would go for your place, Jeanie. Let the guy have his fence and his mega mansion. I am sure it will never evoke the memories your "cottage" will.
I was shocked when reading the background story of your new neighbours, how sad is that, that they were allowed to removed all trees. No respect for the land! Your cottage is very pretty Jeanie.
That French book has amazing drawings to inspire you :)
Love the purple sunsets, your lanterns and Lizzie of course. What a pity I can't take my cats on holiday, they hate getting in the car.
Have a great weekend.
Great that the fence is good looking and maintenance free..
sometimes it's a painted fence nd the neighbour sdon't paint lol..
Love the lanterns !
I love your house Jeanie and I think it's the perfect cottage for the lake. If I had one it would be just like yours, not some big out of place house with a big fence (although I know you are happy to have the dog at bay!) Oh any royal book running past my radar gets my attention, I must say I'm fascinated by the way the Royals live (great find). Fun reading at the lake. Your companion is perfect as well. Happy weekend sweet friend........
I think the neighbors put up the fence so they can have naked orgies full of debauchery in privacy. Your lanterns are lovely. Your porch looks like a wonderful place for reading and admiring the view (I'm a fellow sunset enjoyer this summer). I've been playing with art projects and reading snack books (cozy mysteries mostly, some light fantasy) at the beach.
Boy that’s too bad how they cleared everything. I fear it’s a sign of the times though. The older cozy cottages will be replaced slowly by the overly ambitious. I guess the fence is a god sent. We put up a fence between us and the neighbor for privacy. I kind of hated to do it but it really provided some much needed privacy. What a shock to you though having all of this to adjust to. Love the lanterns!
Jeanie, I’d be livid, too, but at least now you don’t have to look at it and can plant shrubbery to help hide that fencing. We have huge houses here and there around our chain of lakes, but fortunately the area we live in are just summer cottages. I’ll have to email you sometime and tell you about my SIL’s neighbor and how bad things have gotten. They live across the lake from our cottage.😡
I love this post so much and your illuminations on the porch. I would do the same thing. That first book particularly sounds intriguing. I like all you have read. The book with the amazing illustrations of Paris is beautiful. Definitely an inspiration for your art, but I definitely already see your style in his pictures. Love the moon too. Oh I almost forgot to mention the fence, both sad and happy about it would be how I would feel too. Sometimes we just want things to stay the same and this changes the lake feel so much. My summer tomatoes in the garden are going to soon be prolific, so always looking for recipes. Thinking sauces and tarts right now.
That is such a shame about your new neighbors cutting all the trees down. I had to click over to read the history. The book about the royal family looks so good! Have a wonderful weekend!
Jeanie, I would much prefer looking at your sweet lake cottage and wouldn't mind living there either. I am very partial to your Grand Illumination. Years ago, I read an article in Victoria magazine about the cottages on Martha's Vinyard and their beautiful lanterns. I was so taken with it that we have had our own Grand Illumination (and that is exactly what I call it) for a few years every summer. The little lights around the front porch along with pretty lanterns is one of the joys of the summer for me..Happy Weekend on the lake..xxoJudy
I think your cottage is lovely, loved the 'grand illumination'.
Enjoy your weekend, here in the UK it's a wet and windy one for many!
All the best Jan
Jeanie, Thanks for your recent visit, I just now saw it. I thank you for the compliment but you have every bit of eloquence that I may have. I agree with you wholeheartedly, and know that something has to be done very soon. The election in 2020 will be key..Happy Weekend..xxoJudy
All I could think of when I saw the fence was what a wonderful white space it was to hang art. Your own personal outdoor gallery!
I love your illumination, it brings so much atmosphere to your porch. It's lovely.
When I read about that fence my first thought was "how wonderful that they keep out" - because that's what they do, right? And you don't have to see them anymore, another big plus. All in all it's good, I think. This is not a neighborly neighbor.
Love the Paris sketchbook - I saw something similar about the Cotswolds (and other places). I wish I could paint...
Jeanie, I really would love to see the Grand Illumination on Martha's Vineyard one day. Your lanterns are so pretty and festive. Your choice of books are right up my alley. Susan Branch's Vineyard Seasons is a great find. Love her and her artwork!
Lake life looks and sounds so enchanting. Love your lanterns and the books that you have been reading sound so interesting. Happy Sunday, Jeanie!
Those lanterns look absolutely charming, Jeanie, and I'm admiring how you managed to convey the atmosphere with photos. It is always hard at that time of evening but your pictures are soft and colourful. Having the chance of looking at those sunsets - it must be balm for the soul. And the interior of the cottage illuminated looks so inviting.
The pictures in the book about Paris are attractive, I like how there is just enough colour in them to bring them to life but not enough to make you forget it's a line drawing.
Those neighbours sound like a real pain but maybe they'll stay behind their fence! Sounds as if it could be a win-win situation! ;)
I just read your post on how your neighbours built their "doctor's surgery" and I can see why you were indignant. I would be too, and very sad to lose those beautiful trees. Having read that post, I guess a fence won't help really, since your view was compromised when they arrived. I suppose all you can do is continue to not look and pretend they don't exist.
What a beautiful place you have on the lake. I don't blame you, if that place looked like that I would be glad they put up a fence also....now you don't have to look at it.
I'm glad they put up a fence, so you don't have to look at what they did any more.
The lanterns idea sounds like a great one... Bet it's wonderful sitting there with just those, the moon, and the stars, to illuminate the evening after the sun sets.
Sounds like you've been enjoying some great reads.
Your sunset and luminary photos are so dreamy! Makes one never want summer to end.
Speaking of vinegar, the neighbor's fence is a decent scrim for what's on stage behind it. I was wondering about them as soon as I opened this post and saw your cottage. At least good fences make good neighbors, seeing as how they're not capable otherwise. I've known a neighbor or two like that myself. It can be exhausting. 😒
I guess that privacy fence is probably a blessing all things considered. It's too bad you have such awful neighbors. Our neighbor has a dog and there are times when I really wish there was a fence between our properties as she likes to run over and I am NOT a fan of dogs. Paul likes to see them from a distance but doesn't like when they get up close and personal!
I vividly remember your posts about the Grand Illumination. Such a cool time to visit Martha's Vineyard! I'd love to visit one day!!
Happy belated birthday!! I looked at the calendar today and realized yesterday was your birthday. I hope you had a very very special day!!!
You have a wonderful summer place. Your summer reads look like books I'd enjoy.
Actually, I could live with that fence. At least it's not concrete block! I know what I'd do with it -- I'd put up a variety of cut-metal silhouettes with the fence as a backdrop. Of course I'd be sure the "decorations" were on my side of the property line, but it could be a great deal of fun to design and create them. Maybe next year!
Jeanie, the sunsets at the lake are amazing. That photo with the blue and purple hues is so pretty. The lanterns hanging from the tree are cool. The Susan Branch cookbook looks delightful. I really like the Susan Branch calendars. And there's just nothing like a home grown tomato, is there?
~Sheri
Oh! More amazing paintings! <3
Well, you have strange neighbors but take it easy! At least you don't have to keep in touch with them anymore! ;)
I have a strange neighbor door to door too. Our loggias are next to each other and she's staring at me all the time. Every time I relax on my loggia she's looking at me, sometimes she's talking something. Even if I have my headphones put on! She's complaining about everything - even at me, because I have a lot of plants on my loggia (apparently she doesn't like it)...
Having neighbors sucks, haha! :D
Post a Comment