Summer days at the cottage and a detour to The Old Tin Shed

 

 

You know....summer just wouldn't be summer

without some summer trips!

How about you?

Do you like to travel to familiar spots in the summer,

or to new exciting places,

or are you a stay-at-home lover?

~

I love ...all of the above!

But I must admit, I do tend to frequent familiar places.....

only because I often fall

head-over-feet in love with them!

 

 

As you know, I do  l o v e  The Old Tin Shed

in Bancroft, Ontario.

And this summer was no different...

I found my way there

on our way to the cottage.

My sister, Denise and I drove together

and we stopped along the way,

which was really a bit out of the way (lol)

and had a visit in here.

 

 

My brother David, and my sister, Denise

had so graciously given me

 gift certificates for "The Old Tin Shed" for my birthday in April,

and I saved it until our cottage trip

to spend it.

My son, Adam, also sent me a monetary gift

just before the trip

just to add onto the gift certificates.

He did it just because he wanted to...

just as an extra gift for me.

He always blesses the socks off of me!

That's my dear sister Denise...

she's always on the lookout

for something for her darlin' grand daughter Chloe.

And this day was no exception.

;)

 

 

There's a lot to browse at here;

from home décor, to hooks and

this and that's,

and candles,

and jewelry,

clothing,

handbags,

signs,

and on and on.

 

 

Around at the back there's another shed

with more goodies in it.

Signs, and country things,

and a whole lot of unique things for indoors and out.

 

 

We made our way around to the extra shed

and did our browsing.

 

 

The front building  actually used to be a church.

Very beautiful!

I did find a beautiful little linen jacket

that can be used as a light cover over a tank top,

or be worn with so many different things.

I love it and am so grateful!

 

We arrived at the cottage after that

and it was a welcome sight to our eyes!

It was such a humid day,

that we HAD to stop in Bancroft

 for some yummy cold ice cream!!

We had a flavor called "cake batter".

Oh my!!

It was so good!

As if it wasn't good enough on its own,

we added a peanut butter cup to it!

Ooooh-la-la..

summer and its pleasures!

 

 

Lots of family love

and putting our feet up

and relaxing

;)

 

 

Barbequed chicken

and...

 

 

Grilled veggies..

mmmmm

 

 

Red and sweet ...

 

 

My brother had picked fresh strawberries

and they were such a treat...

with a side of ice cream and a cookie...

we're all set..

and full!

 

 

Lots of looking up at the trees and sky

from  worn wooden lawn chairs...

 

 

And lawn chair lazing

with my Dad on the deck

 

 

Lots of ice cold beverages on hand

 out in the cooler on the back deck

;)

 

 

Clotheslines and clothes pegs

and the good old days.

I still love laundry dried on the line.

;)

 

 

And all cottage life...

 

 

We snacked

and snacked some more

;)

Isn't that part of life at the cottage?

 

 

We ate fruit...

healthy right?

And we added...

 

 

C H O C O L A T E!!!!

A chocolate fondue....delicious!

And fun!

We laughed ourselves silly when my Dad

started roasting stale marshmallows above a tea light

and then dipping it in chocolate!!

 

 

Oh that was so much fun!

Who knew that a chocolate fondue could be so hilarious!

;)

 

 

If I didn't know any better, I'd think that all we did was eat!

Hahahah

Denise made fantastic burgers!

 

 

And then there was that afternoon out

when we all ended up getting ice cream in downtown Haliburton.

Kawartha Ice Cream.

Yummmmmm!

 

 

And we talk about losing weight!

Ha....how much do you think we've been losing?

lol

Don't ask!

 

Cottage time is so much fun!

It's where we meet and love and laugh

and yes,

eat.

;)

And it's been so good to gather together.

Thank you for sharing in the memories and the fun.

Happy weekend friends!!

 

 

 

 

 

All my heart,

Deborah xooxoxox



My Shabby Shed~the making of a dream

 

 

Nuts and bolts

 and old pallet boards

and  a lot of love....

that's what my shabby shed is made of.

;)

 

 

My sweet hubby is busy these summer days

building my little dream shed (all in his spare time)

His hands and heart are shaping the "playhouse"

I've been dreaming about for years...

it actually began in my childhood.

One of my best friends had a playhouse in her back yard

that her father had built for her.

It was a dream of a house!

It had windows, and kitchen cupboards, the whole nine yards!

And oh, it was cute!

 

A haven....isn't that kind of what we all long for?

A quiet place to retreat to.

It doesn't have to be big...in fact, small is quite sufficient

to just be still...

 

 

In the winter time,

as a hobby and for pure enjoyment,

my hubby builds a few ice shacks.

He makes them from pallets and steel doors.

So pallet boards are a familiar sight around our home.

 

And this year he had an idea...to make me my long~dreamed of shabby shed

from these used boards.

At first, he was just going to move our existing shed from the side of our house,

but he changed his mind,

and decided to build my dream.

It's not going to be fancy, but it will be homey and I will love it.

;)

I already have been gathering little things here and there

for the inside.

 

 

While we've been garage sale~ing,

I've been keeping it in mind,

and I've come up with some treasures.

 

 

There will be a few windows,

and

romantic window boxes for flowers

;)

 

 

Everyone here is really excited about it all!

Lol

* It's coming along so nicely......more has been accomplished since I wrote this post.
Tell you a secret?
I think my hubby is having so much fun creating this!
My joy is bringing him joy,
and his joy is bringing me joy!
Everyones joyful!
Includng our 5 dogs!
Lol
It's a win-win thing!

I will keep you posted! ;)
I want to show you now, so far,
but I also want to keep it a surprise
until its finished.
What a dilemma!
I don't know what to do!!!

Love to you all!

All my heart,
Deborah xoxo

 



Niagara on the Lake~prettiest little town in Canada

 

It's so good to see you!!

So glad you could come with us to one of my very favourites...Niagara on the Lake!

 

 

Jam!!!

Yes, I love it!

How about you?

This is my favourite shop in NOTL.

I grab a basket when I come in here and pick out my faves.

Yum!

 

 

Is there anyone who doesn't love jam?!

:)

 

And oh my...

well if you're a sweet lover,

your eyes will pop out of your head

at some of the windows here! Lol

And no I didn't have any...just looked.

This would be a bit too much for me.

 

 

Caramel corn!

Love it, but no..again.

Lovely to look at though..;)

 

 

How much fun these must be to create!

I'd need a muzzle I think... if I were making them.

 

 

Cutest little handbags in the window.

I recognized them from seeing them for sale in my knitting class

where I live! My knitting teacher and friend sells them in her shop downtown too.

So colourful!

Let me tell you...they sold out fast in my hometown.

 

 

Oh my goodness...what a gifting he has!

Who is he? I don't know... an artist we saw on the sidewalk.

 

 

This is the home of Trisha Romance Collection in Niagara on the Lake.

Her Romance Painting Collections are sold at Romance Collection

Just beautiful!

 

 

Places to eat that are just as lovely to look at.

No, we have never eaten here.

Niagara on the Lake can be pricey.

We always picnic on the parkway, which is more our style.

Or there's Kurtz Orchards, which is along the Parkway.

They have delicious lunches and other goodies that they make here in Niagara on the Lake

 

Gorgeous scenery all around....and romantic

;)

 

 

These umbrellas are lovely though, aren't they?

 

 

If you are a romantic soul...

Niagara on the Lake is your spot!

And I am...a hopeless romantic.

We have gone on this horse and buggy tour

for our Anniversary.

It was beautiful!

 

 

This is a favourite place for our summer holiday/anniversary celebration.

A lot of couples choose this town for their honeymoon.

I can see why!

 

 

 

I hope you are enjoying a great summer

and I thank you for walking alongside me

here in the gorgeous

Niagara on the Lake.

 

Hugs!

 

All my heart,

Deborah xoxoxo

 

 



St Jacobs Country

 

 

Good morning!

In the mood for a stroll with me?;)

Walk with me in the lovely St. Jacobs...

a place I absolutely have not fallen out of love with

since I first set eyes on it.

 

We're taking a walk through the little village here...

flowers are everywhere,

gracing this quaint place.

 

 

I adore window boxes, and blooms everywhere I go.

There's no shortage of them here....

and I love it.

 

 

Benches placed thoughtfully throughout the village...

lots of them to rest.

This St Jacobs...it just draws you into its timeless beauty.

It makes you want to sit and drink in every moment of

its gentleness.

 

 

You'll see and hear these Mennonite buggy's.

The clip-clopping of the horses' hooves will turn your head

and you'll smile.

I love these beautiful Mennonite souls.

 

 

I have walked by this shop every year and I don't believe

I've ever entered until this time.

It's an old home with lots of history.

The saleslady in here was such a sweetheart.

My mouth dropped open at just about every room!

I tired to wave my hubby in

but he was content to sit outside on a bench under a shady tree. ;)

The name of this shop was perfect..."Shadetree"

 

I did buy him a Christmas present in there....

a vintage sign to go in his ice shack. :)

In fact I also got an endearing sign for my daughter,

and one for my shabby shed.

They were too beautiful to pass up.

There's that old sweet song

called "You are my sunshine" that I have always sung

to my daughter...well I found it on a vintage sign in this shop.

I couldn't resist...and it was in red and a subdued yellow.

She loves red.

It's now in her little apartment...

a reminder of her momma's love for her.

 

 

I really like this little shop. It's filled with "angel" things.

I bought my daughter a beautiful bracelet here last year.

This year I picked up one too!

 

 

Even the entrance of the doorway is strewn with little angels.

I had my eye on a heart made from angel wings...

it would have been for my shed..

but I resisted.

;)

It was gorgeous though.

 

 

However...I could not,

would not, allow myself to resist this quilt.

Yes, I fell for it..... hook,line and sinker

It's softness drew me in,

and I could see how lovely it would look on our bed.

I had been hoping, dreaming, that this summer I might purchase

on of those dreamy Racheal Ashwell duvets...the pink one, in fact.

They are so lovely, but the price is a little steep.

This one is soft, and gentle

and also the look I'm wanting.

I had to order it though, for our king size bed.

Mid August it will arrive,

and I'll show you then.

I'm excited..I found a bedskirt to romance it up.

Now if only my hubby will say yes to me chalk-painting our bedroom set in the colour of old white..lol

 

 

It's reversible which is so lovely!

See all those little flowers?

The other side of the quilt is only that.

I bought the pillow case covers and since I already have two of the euro sham cushions,

I bought the covers for them as well.

The sham covers were right there in the shop...perfect!

But I tell you, they are teasing me!

They are beautiful and I can't wait for the rest of the set!

 

 

Quilt love...that's what I've got.

lol

 

 

We always stay here in this sweet little Inn

 right in the heart of St. Jacob's.

We love it here..it's perfect.

The staff are wonderful and our stay is always sweet.

This is the side view but see that little glass, closed in room on the top?

That's where we go to have breakfast in the morning.

Breakfast comes with your stay here.

 

 

And it's situated right in the village!

 

 

St. Jacob's is one place my heart calls home.

I'm hoping to go back before the snowflakes fall this year.

 

 

A view from our bedroom window.

I adore "quaint".

 

So happy for your visit with me today!

Soon I'll take you along on our visit that we had in Niagara on the Lake.

Have a great day!!!

It a warm one already here this morning.

Don't you love these summer days?!

 

All my heart,

Deborah xoxoxo