Summer may not officially end until mid-September but for me, Labor Day has always felt like the end of the season. Like so many, I used to judge time on when school started or classes began at the university, along with the cooler nights and shorter days. Those school days are long past -- the cooler nights and shorter days are still here (and getting cooler and shorter!) You can tell when out walking too -- the goldenrod is now out in glorious abundance!
While we won't close the cottage till the end of September (early this year, because of the England trip) it is the time of year when we gradually start bringing things home -- the extra swimsuits; the summer clothes that won't be worn anymore up here (or to be re-packed if we get a heat wave), and some of the plants from the yard. I might have to make Rick pedal home or we won't be able to fit everything in the car with the bike in the trunk! Fortunately, we'll have another trip or two.
Yes, Rick rode his bike up and Lizzie and I hit the road, stopping at the farm stand for some sweet corn, tomatoes and cantaloupe. A few hours later I pulled in, unloaded the car and now, let the end of summer begin!
First up, was dinner with my cousin John and his wife Becky, who drove to Michigan from Colorado. So good to catch up with him. And the next day, after Rick arrived, John and Becky came down for dinner.
It was fun to see them and especially to spend more time with Becky. They've only been married a few years so it is getting to know a whole new -- and wonderful cousin.
In addition to John and Becky, Rick and I welcomed cyclist Mick for lunch as he traveled from Ann Arbor to Michgan's upper peninsula.
And our friends, Mark and Martha Bashore, came for lunch and an afternoon of good conversation. (We will be staying at their house in Bath during our trip and Martha filled me in on lots of tips for the area!) I hated to see them leave!
I mentioned earlier how very much things in nature change as the season go. The jewel weed is out, too.
These seem to be in the aster family. We don't start to see them here until the brink of autumn.
And the ferns are beginning to curl up and brown.
Berries that were green before have turned deep red. Christmas colors!
Even the trees on the lake are beginning to bring out their fall finery. These will be bright in another couple of weeks.
I've painted a bit -- here's another to add to the future collection of cat-themed notecards.
And another, a Wine Garden!
We've had a mega-thunderstorm and very hot, humid days. On this 90-degree day, the gulls were taking a break from flight and fishing!
The little bird (a woodpecker relative, perhaps) is having fun with our pine trees.
And we're having a bit of fun, too!
There have been complications this trip, to be sure. But if things have to be complicated, it's better at the lake!
Meanwhile, I am continually reminded -- fall is coming.
Sharing with: Friday Face-Off / Love Your Creativity / Talking About It Tuesday
43 comments:
Good food, good wine, good company, goldenrod - and you even threw in a few birds, Jeanie. It doesn’t get any better!
It does appear the fall is coming ! Our heatwave has broken and we are having cooler evenings and mornings. I'm waiting for our daisy flowers to bloom ! Do you keep any clothes and things at the Lake. I keep things in our Florida home so I don't have to bring things back and forth. Love your paintings and photos.
It's tough when you live in the Northern part of the US (like me and you) and the end of August starts to show signs of fall. We have some trees starting to turn too. Not much, not a lot. And it's chilly this AM too. Looks like you are enjoying some late summer days at the lake, and you must be getting very excited about going to England too. Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. hugs-Erika
...yes, Mother Nature is changing into a different wardrobe!
Hello,
Looks like fun times at the lake with family and friends. Love the flowers and pretty berries. The corn on the cob looks yummy. The fall colors are pretty, we are seeing little bits here and there. Take care, have a happy weekend!
Jeanie, I'm always bummed to hear when you are ready to leave the lake, it's so peaceful and pretty. That corn on the cob from the farm stand looks really good. The golden rod is stunning, and I often see these bushes at the creek. The red berries do remind me of Christmas. Look at the leaves and trees turning color already! You have the most glorious Autumns. I'm looking forward to seeing a few more lake posts until you close the cottage for the season. : )
~Sheri
Wow, color is starting early for you in the trees. It is still so hot here that it will be weeks before it feels like fall. Safe travels!
Lots of company! The corn on the cob--looks delicious!
Fall is around the corner. My favorite time of year.
Your kitty cards are so cute!
Looking forward to pics of your trip. :)
A time of change for nature, people and all the things we love. Great kitty cards, I love them. Safe travels, Jeanie.
Fall is a most beloved season! Hopefully, you go to UK during September, beginning of October , to avoid the cold temps there.
Bath is a great city!
fall is "almost" here and i could not be happier!! fall has so many of its own treasures!! so nice to spend time with friends and share pictures here!! the corn and salad look so yummy, we have eaten a lot of corn on the cob this summer, we always get white corn!! the wine garden card is beautiful and my favorite!!
For sure the Fall is fast approaching. It's great that you're at the lake until the end of summer and that's you've had so many guests to make it more special. It's exciting too to look ahead to the trip to England which appears to be around the corner. Enjoy the planning.
You have a great family life. The lakeside views are just gorgeous
Everyone always look so happy at the lake. Great company you have had. You trees have more color than we do but all the plants you showed are the same here.
Enjoy the last of summer
Cathy
I like the kitties flying kites!
Your time at the cottage is the prefect blend of enjoying good friends and nature's best. But please try to keep the signs of fall up there for as long as you can. I'm not ready to give up summer.
Jeanie, it is so hot here! We won’t see color until the end of October. You always have lots of fun at the lake with visitors. I know you are getting excited about your upcoming trip!
What a lovely reflection on the changing seasons, Jeanie!
Your descriptions of the goldenrod, cooler nights, and the changes in nature paint such a vivid picture of autumn's approach.
It sounds like you’ve had a wonderful time with family and friends, and those bike trips and farm stand visits must have been a real treat.
Your paintings are charming as ever—I’m sure the cat-themed notecards and Wine Garden will be a hit!
Enjoy these final days of summer at the lake and the upcoming fall adventures.
Autumn days are on their way Jeanie. I've enjoyed seeing your Summer times by the lake. It was a great place to be among the turning leaves and the golden rod. All the best to you and Rick as you pack up and leave that wonderful spot.
It seems you more or less the same climate as we have. Autumn is nearing in Sweden, but I am now in Austria so I have a prolongation of the summer for a while. How nice to meet friends and family. Have a nice time on you trip to England. Looking forward to reading about it.
It's always a bit confusing talking about when fall begins, but in practical terms, I agree that it is Labour Day.
Good times and more to come.How fun your upcoming trip..And the wine garden!!
I follow the meteorological seasons, and for those August is the last month of Summer. Meteorological Fall begins September 1st. We finally got some rain last night, which we sorely needed.
Your upcoming trip sounds like a real treat!
I still haven't seen a single stem of goldenrod blooming, and we have three tropical systems now with various chances of developing -- no end to summer yet! On the other hand, I've heard from northern bloggers that their hummingbirds are gone, so it's time to clean and hang the feeders. The migrating birds may get here before the goldenrod!
I am with you ...Labor Day. Only I might have rushed it a bit last night when I pulled together a fall center of the table piece!! Two summers of being sick and having no energy I am ready for fall to come on in and fast! Looks like, as usual woman, you have been staying busy. I love it. That corn looks great.
You really have a beautiful place to enjoy there at the lake. I love that you welcome so many to your home. Enjoy the holiday weekend!
Wouldn't it be nice to have the lake year round with nice weather. It is so pretty there and it seems there is always happiness. Thank you for sharing with FFO and have a lovely weekend.
Fall can’t come soon enough.. This summer has been hot and dry. Too many 90s for me.
It looks as though you’ve had a lot of company. That’s always fun.
I love your paintings. Especially the cats with the kites.
Your trees are ahead of us. We have some yellowing leaves here and there, but that’s About it. Enjoy your weekend
Look at those beautiful trees! We don't have any native trees that have leaves like that here, and I'm a little envious of you because you do. lol
I bet you are starting to get excited about your upcoming trip!
Yes, Autumn/Fall is on its way and your trip to England is getting nearer!
I did enjoy your photographs and it's always lovely to see the trees on the lake beginning to bring out their fall finery.
Enjoy this last day of August and happy September wishes.
All the best Jan
Lovely almost end of summer post
We had some sever weather last night. The Autumn flowers are pooping with color now. Cannot believe Summer is almost over. Janice
An England-trip sure makes the lake-good-bye bearable!
The corn looks very yummy! And great company.
Luckily all still green here.
Great, cute paintings -. oh, and the gulls, I love them. And I love that wine-glass,too. And the pillow. And the happy smile, of course.
Nah. Fall can wait a while...
Good morning, beautiful post-Here at the lake-Labor Day weekend is welcomed for us-as most will close up their summer homes and not return til Memorial Day weekend-we will have a peaceful lake again-smiles.
It has been soooo hot and humid here all summer, so I hope this September will be cooler-some years it is still hot though. I haven't been any where so I enjoyed your photos.
I love goldenrod (and this one does Not cause allergies like many think) when I was doing a lot of natural dyeing I finally mastered a lovely yellow from goldenrod. It also makes a nice tea too
Happy September!
How nice! Just enjoy the fleeting days of summer.
Here in Hawaii, school starts the first week day of August and ends the last week day of May.
Your posts always make me smile. I love your notecards.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Good times at the lake as always! Good friends visiting, good food and good weather--just perfection. Love the cat flying kites card--so cute. The trees are turning so prettily at the lake. We had one of those super duper storms the other evening. Glad you didn't have any damage. Have a happy week!
Super post Jeanie, and it’s so nice to see the faces, the yummy plate of food, flowers, scenery and birds. And then there is your artwork. Always love seeing what you do with your paintbrushes. Happy September my friend :)
Happy fall travels to you both, Jeanie, and we will be doing the same with an early Oct trip to Tuscany. I do envy your return to England and hope to do the same perhaps next spring. Fall is my favorite season even if the leaves have not yet turned the beautiful reds, oranges and yellows which they will do in the next few weeks.
Lovely photos of your last days of Summer. Here we started Spring, which for some unknown reason starts on the 1st of September, and for the first time in weeks, it didn't rain at all today, it was a glorious sunny and warm day. You must be excited with the upcoming trip to England. Keep well Jeanie and enjoy the rest of your time at the cottage.
Lovely pictures! Everyone looks so happy.
My sinus complained when the golden rod was seen. The fall blooms are beautiful but cause me great problems. Oh well, it's still hot here and I am staying inside most of the time. Just you wait, my friend. When the sun disappears in Michigan, it will be cooler here and I will go for a walk!
That bird I believe is a yellow breasted Nuthatch. They are so cute!
What lovely moments you have shared at your cottage - so many guests and stories, meals, nature.
And yay for your England trip!! How exciting!
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