Labour Day Corn Roast

This weekend may have been cold and rainy, but we still found ways to have plenty of fun. On Saturday afternoon, the whole family bundled up and drove over to my aunt and uncle's cottage for a good ol' corn roast.

My brother commandeered my camera on the way over and took some photos (most of them of trucks that we drove past....oh the woes of a 16 year old boy with a driver's license burning a hole in his pocket). He did manage to get this telling shot of me driving thr truck, while my sister searched for a decent radio station.

The second we arrived at my aunt and uncle's cottage we could smell the fire around back, all set up for the corn roast.

Thankfully we made it just in time to not have to husk any corn ;)

Although we did out job already, picking up the amazingly good smelling sliced roast beef from the local butchers. It was covered in a rich gravy, just begging to be put on nice freshly baked kaiser buns.

The fire was all ready to boil the water for the corn.

Siblings, all bundled up, looking forward to a delicious dinner and enjoying one of the last nights of summer.

One of my favorite flowers was used all over for decoration - sunflowers!

There was a great mix of friends, family and neighbours. Despite the weather, everyone seemed to be having a great time catching up.

My uncle even pulled up the old 1955 Chevy Pickup that we sold to him a few years back. This truck actually brings back one of my favorite memories. The whole family did a big roadtrip down to Dallas, Texas to pick it up and then brought it back up Route 66. If it hadn't been such a pain to drive, we might have kept it. Now my uncle gets to enjoy driving around the cottage with it, and we still get to visit our old babe every once and a while.

The pickup truck was used as a make shift bar, holding big tubs of beer and pop.

My mom and uncle. These two are the number one reason why all of us cousins are so close. I just hope that I'm still this close with my brother and sister when I'm older, but I can't imagine not having them around all the time.

As nice as the other two photos were, this is a much more realistic photo - mom laughing after my uncle has cracked some joke.

There was also a local group on hand to play some great acoustic country music. It was perfect for the mood of the evening.

But of course the highlight of the evening was getting some fresh local corn. The kids at the party really got into stacking it up into bright gold pyramids.

Seconds later this all fell down...but it was cute while it lasted.

The weather didn't stop all the kids from getting in plenty of play around the yard. There were pick up games of basketball (for old and young alike) all night.

This adorable puppy made an appearance too, much to the delight and squeals of every little girl there.

This sweet little thing's name is Bogey...as in the golf term. She takes her morning walks on the local golf course every day. Lucky pup!

Her fur was incredibly soft. I wanted to just cuddle up with her and have a nap, but she was squirming beyond belief!

My sister and I spent time with my dear friend (and cousin of a cousin) Emma. Years ago we all were on the same synchronized swimming team. Somewhere there are pictures of us wearing matching bathing suits and holding umbrellas for our "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" number. Seriously.

The entire party was decorated for a nice relaxing summer dinner. Checkered table cloths, with glowing lantern.

Plenty of fresh sunflowers everywhere too.

Years ago this used to be the cabin we'd have sleepovers in. Now my aunt has converted it into a pottery studio for when she's up at the cottage in the summer. She was happy to give tours of all her new wares and give us a sneak peek of what is coming up at her studio show. 

The backyard in the next cottage over was turned into a mini croquet court.

More beautfiul flowers at the dessert table.

Sweet and gentle Chelsea. She'd be even cuter if she stopped dropping that gross ball on my feet every time I see her.

Brother and sister enjoying the heat from the fire. Where are the marshmallows?

My favorite new car even made an appearance - the Dodge Challenger. If I could only afford one of these things I'd be spending all my time in it. I'd even have to blog from it. I wouldn't be able to convince myself to step out of it.

After dinner, I took a walk around the cottages on the property. My aunt's family have four family cottages, all side-by-side with shared water access.

The gardens are always so lush and beautiful here.

(I posted pictures a few weeks ago of another garden at these cottages here.)

Back at my aunt and uncle's cottage, I headed in to warm up before I ventured back out to the party.

Their cottage is always cozy, comfy and inviting. We often have our big family Thanksgiving here with a nice big roaring fire.

But on Saturday night we just settled for warming our hands over some candles.

All-in-all, it was a great evening spent with the family.

Even with the crazy family members like my brother.

And the just as crazy sister. I'm going to miss her when she's goes back to university this week.

It seems that summer has come and gone. Back to school. Back to work. But its memories like this night that you'll keep. (Although the same won't be said of my tan!)

You can take the girl out of the Honky Tonk..

...but you can't take the honky tonk out of the girl ;)

After our Labour Day weekend camping trip was cancelled, a bunch of friends got together last night to head over to a country bar.

Denim. Cowboys. Country Music. I was in heaven.

 A country night out would be complete without some good ol' mechanical bull riding.

 My friend Courtney was happy to hop right on and show everyone how its done. Most people lasted about 8 seconds, but not this little lady. She went for over 20 seconds and the attendant was really trying to kick her off.

All those years of horseback riding lessons really paid off!

A night out at The Rance wouldn't be complete without a picture with the bar's biggest fan, Cowboy Roy. When he gets the chance, they give him a mike and he sings along to every song. 

Even the boys got in the spirit and joined us in a little bit of square dancing.

The weather may not be the greatest this long weekend, but we're still determined to have some fun, a little R&R and enjoy the last bit of Summer. 

Tonight's event: Corn Roast! I can't wait :)

Summer Afternoons with the Family

After spending most of the winter in hibernation, its amazing how much the warm weather of summer calls to us to get together with friends and family. Impromptu afternoon BBQs and last minute pool parties are a common part of our summers up here in Ontario. So when my grandfather's birthday came around, it was inevitable that we would have three things: 1) lemonade on the back porch 2) homemade burgers fresh off the BBQ and 3) delicious birthday cake...and lots of it.

My aunt made a great birthday cake to celebrate Grandpa's birthday, however, my blonde side came out when I lit all the candles with a match, then blew the match out and looked up to realize that I blew out all the candles too and had to re-light them. What can I say? I'm not always a quick one.

I sometimes wonder what it has to feel like to be my grandfather and look around to see all of us sitting at the table and realize that we all came from him. Even that joker in the background (Hi Dad!).

It was nice to have all the family around for the festivities. These days all of us siblings have been working in different places and on opposite days, so having everyone together is a nice change. Back when we were just little babes and stayed home all the time, I wish that we'd realized that was such a luxury.

My cousin came along too and brought his sweet little boy, Cayden. I can't believe how much he has grown! I couldn't resist holding him...until he started to pull out my earrings. I swear that little kids are like ravens in the way they are so attracted to little shiny things they can grab. I have to make a mental note to not wear jewelery around this little guy!

Another new addition to the family is my Nana's sweet little dog, Jack. With big ears, short legs and a long body, he is all over the place, but his cuteness makes up for it.

Whiskey was happy to welcome him to the family...they played for 4 hours straight!

The second they left, he collapsed in my arms immediately and slept the whole evening.
As Whiskey points out, having the family over can be so exhausting, but at the same time its so great to see everyone. Time goes by so fast and before you know it we won't be seeing each other again until Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. And by then we'll be back to hibernation mode in our sweaters.

With only so many days left of summer, I'm off to go sit in the sun and read some more of Kathryn Stockett's book The Help. Its been a great summer read so far and its the kind of book that you just can't put down.

farmer's market

Tri Blend Tank - American Apparel

Vintage Pleated Trousers - Thrifted

Sunset Wood Sandals - Madewell

Brown Skinny Belt - Forever21

Since Neil and I are moving to East Nashville in just two weeks, we've been making quick good bye visits to all of our local haunts in the Green Hills area. One of our favorite spots has got to be a farmer's market located on Glen Echo road, just a mile from our (soon to be old!) place. We made a stop there yesterday to pick up some fresh goodness - squash, corn on the cob, and yellow tomatoes to fix on the grill.

I've been looking for ways to transition slowly into the autumn with my outfits lately, and these trousers are perfect for the end of season weather. The weather in Nashville has been insanely lovely recently (it was actually kind of chilly last night when we took Bloom for a walk!), and it all serves as a reminder that we're about to have changing leaves and pumpkins and an excuse to watch Rocky Horror Picture Show and the Nightmare Before Christmas. I know I'll be following in a million other footsteps with this statement, but I'm going to say it anyway.. I can't wait for fall.

Happy weekend! I'm in Panera waiting for my American Apparel shift to start, then I'll be heading home to do some crazy work on an old lace dress for our friend's Illinois wedding tomorrow. Any awesome weekend plans?