Before we took a lake break and after the kids left, we still had time for some fun at the lake. C'mon in!
The day the kids left, we rapidly picked up the house and that evening welcomed friends Dick and Judy Winter for dinner as they journeyed home from a getaway.
Judy came armed with gorgeous sunflowers, delicious cookies and birthday presents. But the best of all were the smiles we shared.
In a remarkable upset (I almost always lose), I beat Rick at Scrabble. He even had the X, Q and Z! I don't gloat about much but I was really chuffed with that!
I got in a little bit of painting with another cat to add to my series. I think these will be a set of several cat note cards. I'm not sure if I'll be selling the originals but possibly. I know several asked about these cats; I'll keep you posted.
I wasn't persuaded, though, to consider taking my art to the annual Michawe art fair. One sale a year is all I can handle. But it was a lovely day for an outdoor fair and tents were set up on the grounds of the resort entrance as well as a few inside. It was most pleasant to walk about. (The photo only shows a very small part of it.)
And there was some very nice art there. But also a lot of the art that belongs more in a crapht fair than a craft fair. (I rather liked this woman's paintings.)
Rick and I celebrated my birthday the day before the actual event with a lovely dinner. It was a pretty miserable and rainy day so that was a real treat! (And yes, that is polar fleece under my black sweater!)
Earlier that day we saw those competing in a triathlon do their swimming section across the lake at the county park.
The photos are a little very fuzzy -- it's not easy shooting an event close to a half mile away and in the rain! But I suspect it was far worse to be swimming in it!
(On "real" birthday we were traveling home for a couple of days before a trip to Minnesota for a memorial service. More on our Lake Break later.) But on that rainy day before we saw a lovely rainbow. I wasn't quick enough to grab it with the full arc, but you can get the idea! A good sign, I hope!
So, the sun comes down on another year.
Still alive and kicking -- just not quite so high as in years past!
(With my lake break comes a bit of a blog break! See you all soon!)
Sharing with: Share Your Style / Friday Face-Off / Love Your Creativity
Happy belated birthday, Jeanie. May you have many more in good health.
ReplyDeleteHello Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are having fun times at the lake! Love the photos and your cat painting. The flowers are beautiful. Take care, enjoy your day!
Have a great finish to the summer. I knoe it's a little chilly but I'm not conceding that it's over yet.
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
You are very photogenic! You always look so vibrant in your pics! I love playing scrabble and I often win!! but I don't play often anymore. Enjoy your lake break and your trip to Minnesota.
ReplyDeleteThere is a coastal town called lake entrance. Your images remind me the place over here. Love all the pleasant and happy images
ReplyDelete...enjoy many beautiful sunsets.
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy Jeanie-but being busy in this way means life has been good. I hope your trip is Minnesota goes well, even if you do have to attend a sad event. But maybe it will be a joyous celebration of life. Happy belated birthday. It looks like you had fun, and what a gorgeous sunset photo. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Jeanie. You always have fun times at your lake home. Visiting friends, beating Rick at Scrabble, art show, and a lovely rainbow make for a lovely time of calm and quiet at the lake. Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your break..calm quiet and lovely!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a cute cat painting. Enjoy your break.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday, Jeanie! Those look like lovely days at the lake. I haven't played scrabble for such a long time. I love word games and still do Wordle every morning. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteA lovely birthday with friends is always welcome. Enjoy your quiet break.
ReplyDeleteIt was always said when my family's "summer at the lake cabin" ended, though we did on several occasions brave Christmas/New Years at our cabin, on a mountain, in New Hampshire! And got snowed in once for three weeks so that was fun as kids, not so much for our parents!! Had to have emergency propane brought in by snowmobile for stove; we heated by wood stove, so I got to chop a lot of wood with my Dad. Even more fun that was before toilet installed in cabin - we had to truck through the snow and sit on frosty seat in the lovely Outhouse, lol. Ah....memories..... Dawn P. Albany, GA
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Jeanie. You look pretty in your black sweater and blue fleece underneath. I am looking at the lady's art pieces, and they are very nice. I like your little cat fishing too, delightful. That would be entertaining to watch the swimmers swim across the lake in a triathlon. And seeing a rainbow is always a beautiful thing. Lovely lovely sunset picture. Have a nice break, but I hope for not too long. I love your lake posts, as you know. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Happy belated birthday to you! We had that same cold weather here last weekend as well! Burr! It was odd to need a sweatshirt on an August day! We ended up spending Saturday at the zoo which was the perfect place to be with the highs being on the low side. But the whole city seemed to have the same idea so it was quite busy, but still a nice activity.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time in Minnesota, although you are coming for a sad reason. :( I'll wave at your from SW Minneapolis!!
Nice ways to celebrate your birthday! Enjoy your break. Aloha from Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteI do love your smile! You just glow!
ReplyDeleteBest of birthdays with friends and your dear loved one. May there be a very good year ahead. Oh, and congrats on winning scrabble!
Enjoy your break. Will be waiting patiently for your next post.
*love and hugs from Fargo*
Hello Jeanie :)
ReplyDeleteLovely flowers, rainbow, sunset, smiles, and cat painting. Have a lovely blog break and trip to Minnesota.
All the best and Happy Returns.
I admire you for many things but I especially for how you've been able to keep 'couple' friendships going though out the years.
ReplyDeleteA lovely time with friends makes the summer brighter
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your Scrabble win!
Those cats are super charming.
Pretty smiles and happy friends at the lake. A lovely time I'm sure. It seems you are enjoying summer's end........
ReplyDeleteYou have the best times at your lake house! Love that you won at Scrabble. I love that game! You look lovely with your friends. Have a nice break, my friend.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe that your time at the lake is over already. Seems like you just got there. Love your kitty painting. Your last two photos are beautiful as are your sunflowers..
ReplyDeleteYou look smashing in the pictures, Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteThe sunset (last picture in your post is just stunning!). Enjoy your break and then ,resume blogging with even higher energy!
Love your smiles!
ReplyDeleteI don´t know scabble, it´s just not common here!
And such a cute cat scene. And a happy belated Birthday!!
That is the most beautiful sunset-pic! Gosh, you make me ending each comment with an exclamation mark...
Enjoy your blog-break.
Scrabble is famous in Germany,too
DeleteIt's always great to read about your lake adventures. I feel like I'm there! And what's better than food, friends, an art fair and a rainbow?
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely post. The lake seems so peaceful and just relaxing. Wonderful photos too. Thank you for joining FFO and continue to enjoy your days.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good time was had by all.
ReplyDeleteLove the sunflowers, Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteAll the best birthday wishes... late, but with joy and from the bottom of my heart.
ReplyDeleteYour scene with the cats at the lake is great. I love.
Happy blog break...see you soon.
Hug from Viola
Enjoy the break.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Happy birthday, Jeanie! I hope it will be a good year for you.
ReplyDeleteYour cat painting is adorable! Those will become very good cards and I'm sure they'll sell like hotcakes. Enjoy your weekend, hugs - Carola
Happy belated birthday. Janice
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday! I love the painting of the cats at the lake.
ReplyDeleteWell done for winning at Scrabble! The fair looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteYou celebrated your birthday several times! Love the sunflowers and fun with friends. The cat paintings are so cute! Enjoy your blog break Jeanie~
ReplyDeleteJenna
Great photo of you! Happy birthday wishes
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday, Jeanie. Enjoy your break, we'll catch you on the return.
ReplyDeleteYou have the best smile, Jeanie! It loos like you've had a grand time at the lake. I loved the people photos. Enjoy your blogging break!!
ReplyDelete"art that belongs more in a crapht fair " - OMG, I almost choked on my iced tea! Hilarious!! and so often true.
ReplyDeleteThe kitty fishing made me happy.
ReplyDeleteI also took part in FFO
Happy faces ! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLoved all the photos Jeanie and Happy Birthday! Congrats on winning at scrabble. This is my all time favorite game but am average at it. Fun though :) loved your kitty artwork! Always enjoy seeing you in the photos also. You all look so happy having a fun time. Enjoy your blog break!
ReplyDeleteYou always look like you are busy and having a great time. Love the cat fishing.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Hope you enjoy your lake and blog break. Love the cat series.
ReplyDeleteWell done winning the Scrabble! I never seem to win on that game, either! I love the sweater and fleece look - maybe not desirable to need it in August but it does look pretty. I'd love a fleece like that!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a wonderful and eventful time at the lake! From the beautiful sunflowers and a victorious Scrabble game to your creative endeavors, it seems like a memorable break. Here’s to more delightful moments and a fantastic week ahead!
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Happy birthday, Jeanie! You look gloriously happy, and I would be, too, if I won at Scrabble. And---what??? Fleece???---with me here sweating my heart out??? I'm so envious.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteThose sunflowers from Judy Winter are gorgeous!! I am sure you all had a fantastic visit!!
You can never have enough birthdays!!
ReplyDeleteI always get so melancholy when you leave the lake- a sure sign of - weather to come.
Sounds like a good birthday celebration and also a visit with friends. Then a little painting is always good. Congratulations on the Scrabble win. Love the picture of you holding the wine in the striped glass.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday! How sweet of your company to have brought some lovely sunflowers to enjoy. I hardly ever win at Scrabble too; though weirdly I often with when playing Words With Friends online!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to you! You look so cosy. We've a bit of a chill in the air here.
ReplyDeleteyou looked so beautiful on your birthday, i'm glad you had a good day!! i love board games, if you visit here, you have to play...i am a sore loser!!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! What a wonderful time you have by the lake. Always nice when friends come visiting. I love the painting with the cat fishing.
ReplyDeleteYou've been fun-busy;)
ReplyDeleteBelated Happy 🎉🎂Birthday wishes to you Jeanie and celebrating with friends is the best! Thanks so much for the anniversary wishes Nd we will definitely continue to have fun.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated Birthday! It looks like you're filling your days with fun. That'll make for fond memories :)
ReplyDelete