The Summer Holiday

From Memorial Day until Labor Day, the red, white and blue shouts, "Summer!"

My porch got a simple makeover to give it a 'camp' feel.  (Click here to see before pictures.)

We hang the flag for all to see from the lake.  July 4th is the biggest holiday on Lake Wylie and is usually kicked off with a boat parade.

I purchased this antique fishing creel (eBay) for my kitchen, but it was too large.  I moved it to the porch and filled it with some hydrangeas.

The pillows have been collected through the years.  I bought the red and beige madras pillows on the couch from the Ralph Lauren outlet last year.  They are from the 'Lake' collection.  A couple of quilts cover the rust colored cushions, that would otherwise, clash with the red, white and blue.

The green plaid pillows in the chairs are also Ralph Lauren.  I probably purchased these over a decade ago.  The small burlap flag pillow was a recent purchase from World Market. 

I found the 'Happy Campers Live Here' sign at Cracker Barrel.  I bought it for my son who asked to sleep on the porch, no less, twenty times from late May to early June.  The weather was surprisingly pleasant for South Carolina, so we set up 'camp' here on the porch. 

The oak card table in front of the couch was found at a flea market, which I love because it is easy to take down or put up in this space. I don't know the history of it, but it is marked underneath with a date of 'August 14, 1883.' We use it just for that; playing cards...uno, slap jack, speed, go fish, etc...The copper bowl holds the many deck of cards.

I made the 'Lake' pillow from my grandfather's WWII military blanket.  It had so many holes, so this was the perfect way to up cycle it and to keep this great piece of memorabilia. 

I found this pillow at a shop in Charleston, SC, but I have seen it at some on-line shops, as well.

The green and white check tablecloth was given with a large picnic basket by my mother as a wedding shower gift twenty years ago.  The chair cushions came from IKEA last year.  A minnow pail holds my plant.  The lantern craze has settled here, too.

The summer holidays are marked by boating and swimming.  We take canoe trips to the island marked in the photo above.  It is called 'Goat Island,' and while it doesn't host any goats, it is home to many egrets and geese who frequently nest there.

Early in the morning on this holiday, we packed a picnic and headed to the island, before the ski boats, jet skis and fishermen flooded the place.

Goat Island, Lake Wylie, SC

(via)

Once we arrived, we had a simple scavenger hunt consisting of an eggshell, a feather, a clam shell, a pine cone and one piece of trash.  My daughter's friend, Sadie was the first to find all.

After our hunt, a swim and an early lunch, we headed back before the waters became too rough!

I hope you are enjoying your summer break!  We have had a great summer, and for once, I don't feel like we have been 'too busy!'  We have traveled a good bit this summer, but when we are home, the lazy days of playing cards and enjoying the outdoors have made for a nice break for the kids.  School will start before we blink!

Thanks for stopping by!