Time Spent by the Water

I've neglected my blog drastically... mostly because I haven't had a great deal of things to share. 

These photos were taken this past summer, at a sewing friend's cottage on Lake Erie...seems so very long ago! 

As a child, my family used to spend a day on the shores of Lake Erie at least once a summer.

I have fond memories of walking along the water's edge, hunting for pretty seashells.

This relaxing day was a wonderful trip down memory lane for me.

 I am SEW very grateful that I was included.

  My sore hip (bursitis) prevented me from some of the activity in the water but it was still a very fun day.
I sat in the shade on the deck & worked on some hand stitching.

Those warm summer days seem so far away now.

This morning, I awoke to SNOW on the pumpkins....

as well as my geraniums!

 It was 73º just a day ago!

I'm going to spend my Sunday afternoon, stitching some binding & catching up on the "Poldark" series on PBS.

Talk about being at the water's edge....this takes place in Wales, from whence my father's ancestors hail.
 I love the scenes of them walking & riding along these rocky cliffs, with the water crashing below.

If you're not watching this series, I urge you to start at the beginning, from the library or On Demand TV.
Like Downton Abbey, you'll need to know the history of all the characters in order to fully enjoy the stories.

I'm especially enamoured with this red headed damsel, Demelza, wife of Poldark.

Lots of scenes with her standing by the water's edge, her gorgeous naturally curly red hair blowing in the wind. 

Perfect program for a snowy Sunday, especially if you're not into sports on TV.

I'll be able to show you a few sewing projects soon but for now they have to remain a secret.
Here is just a sneak peek though:

May you be surrounded by family & friends this Thanksgiving!

Labor Day Table

I'm doing a re-run of a tablescape I did a few years ago for Labor Day. I have a bursitis in my hip that makes dragging dishes up & down the stairs difficult. I think I need to go soak in some of those epsom salts I used with that candle!!

I assembled this little round table on our deck as a trial run
for Labor Day weekend.

We invited a widowed friend to join us for
Sunday dinner so I need 3 place settings.




This little table is at the far end of our deck,
opposite the Gazebo House.

Usually, I sit here with a cold Diet Coke,
watching the g'kidlets play in the hot tub.






The flower pot cost me all of $5 at the beginning of summer.
Amazing what a little Miracle Grow will do!

I placed it off center on our picnic tablecloth &
added candy-apple red chargers that sparkle in the sunlight,
followed by blue & white & polka-dot reds!






One of my favorite summer wines is this Blue River Riesling
but the unique bottle has a lot to do with it, too.

I love how you see through the bottle to view the
beautiful river scene.

The Revere bowl is there to hold shrimp tails.
I'm serving Garlic Marinated Grilled Shrimp &
will share that awesome recipe soon!

The red handled flatware is from Target...new this year.






My Napoleon Bee glasses were won in a Give-Away
from Libby at Taste & Twirl.
Thank you again & again, Libby!
I really use them & their matching carafe often.




I bought several of these glass stars last year....Dollar Tree.

They work for so many patriotic holiday celebrations

as well as Christmas.

This one is filled with epsom salts to help anchor the red candle.




Red chargers are from Big Lots,

Blue plates are from Pier One,

White plates are Bianca from Horchow,

Red polka-dots were found at Tues. Morning.




I like to have my guests get up & change location for dessert.

If we eat in the dining room, then I often ask them to move into

the living room for coffee & sweets.

I think a change of locale adds interest to an evening

plus it feels good to move about after a big meal.




We'll move into the Gazebo for dessert,

in case the mosquitoes come out in the evening.

Plus, if it cools off, we can tuck the quilt around our legs.

This is a different quilt than the one I used for the 4th of July.
(see below)







I'll have fresh fruit with mint from  the garden on hand & coffee or tea.

















I also intend to serve mini individual cherry pies!

Yvonne, at StoneGable inspired me when she made blueberry ones.

One ready-made pie crust will make 2 little pies.

You use one side of the mold
(shown below)

to cut the bottoms & the lattice side

to cut the tops.

Placing the solid piece on the bottom of the mold,

fill with 3 Tbsp. of any fruit filling,

top with the lattice cut pie top &

PRESS together to seal & crimp the edges!

Easy as PIE!!

Available at Williams Sonoma for $10.

Any leftover crust can be re-shaped,

sprinkled with sugar & cinnamon,

rolled up, sliced & then baked with the pies.

(Thank you, Carol, for my special cinnamon!)

You know you want to lick up that drip, doncha'?!

A last peek at the lantern in the Gazebo at dusk...

Thank you to everyone who visits The Gazebo House.
Enjoy your holiday weekend!

fondly,

Summer Flowers

We’ve had a very hot, dry summer this year in Ohio!



I’ve had to water my roses & hydrangeas every single morning.
I go out bright & early to avoid the heat & sun.



They have rewarded me with tons of beautiful blooms for gathering all summer long.



Even my lilac tree beside the Gazebo’s decking, has bloomed for a second time this year!



I got a kick out of this one little branch, peeking through the railings.



The hydrangeas have been beautiful this year but are starting to wane a little now.



They’ll be just as pretty dried, though.
I cut them & hang them upside down to dry in the basement.





My sweet Ms. C. loves PINK, so I try to plant as many shades of it I can find.
Geraniums, petunias, roses…you name it.



With two older brothers, anything that was PINK belonged to her.



As a baby, she would point & say “MY PINK!” anytime she saw something that color.



It is still her favorite color!





I’ve been keeping cool by sewing each day in the downstairs level. 
I created & monogrammed 5 polka-dot pockets, which I then sewed onto contrasting colored t-shirts for Ms. C.
She took them home before I could snap a photo…darn it!  They turned out cute & her phone fits into the pocket perfectly.

I plan to make a few pockets for my nightgowns, so I’ll have a place to keep my phone on me in the evenings or early morning.
I worry about falling, now that I live alone, so I try to keep my phone on me at all times.

Thanks for stopping by The Gazebo House today.  I’ll come visit you soon!