Cabin, river, rest.

In a brain storm moment I invited a friend to spend a couple of days at our codge at the lake, somehow she thought I said "cabin by the river" how'd that happen? She's the one with the cabin by the river.
Tell  ya what sister, I wasn't about to change her mind, who's gonna give up the chance to watch a rushing river for two days?

Certainly not me.

I'm willing to sit around in pj's for half a day or more, do a little shopping and good eating while spending precious time with a friend who would boil her extra toothbrush for her doofus friend who forgot one.

My friend and I have been buddies for 30 years, she's a talented decorator and her hubby is skilled at carpentry and furniture building, he's used those talents on many projects inside and out at this weekend retreat. I love it there!
Let's start at the river's edge, love watching the flow of a river, it never stops, can't freeze, is always in motion, always lively. What power. It's an entire bird wildlife sanctuary around there.

Inspiring. Calming.

Take a look-see at this place. 

When this river cabin was purchased it 

sported old light green wide siding and looked nothing like it does today. 

Nothing like the classic lodge look, the owners did the siding work themselves,
the staining too. 

This is the garage, which was added to the property

a couple of years ago.

The garden shed was constructed by my friend's

hubby as a gift to her. Pretty sweet huh?  

Love the old door.

Love that it's green.

Ok NOW we'll go inside where you'll  meet Mr. Bear.
Mr. Bear is 5 feet tall and

stands sentry in the corner.

He's quite adventurous, Mr. Bear. 

This winter he had an unfortunate skiing accident,
broke his arm,  injured an ankle, plus he has a concussion!   

He's awfully cute, always seems to be smiling.

Poor fellow had a bit of trouble putting up the 

lights last Christmas. 

Previously a red brick fireplace it's been 

resurfaced in stone,

by the owners mind you,

and they added a wood burning fire box as an additional source of heat.

I must tell you about the mantle. It was designed and 'imagined' by my friend. Then 

she went about finding a way to bring her imagination to life.  

After having a log cut to the size and shape for the mantle the wood need to be dried.  

It took 9 months of patient waiting for the wood to dry

properly, slowly, so the bark would stay in tact.

Girlfriend collected a leaf from every type of tree on the property then

using his wood cutting skills friend's hubby

gently carved the leave shapes onto the face of the mantle.

Isn't he clever?

Isn't she clever to dream up this idea?

One of the oak leaf designs.

Pine and a second variety of oak depicted here.

Oh look poison ivy! Wonder who picked it?!

This is truly a one of a kind mantle, very interesting, it adds such interest 
to the cabin and is perfect for the setting.

There's one bedroom, one charming bathroom with painted brick walls and shelves

with fabric baskets for supplies.

My friend's husband built a log daybed which is placed smack in

front of the firebox.
Spent a lot of time sitting here staring into the fire.

This dresser was purchased from a second hand store, painted and

turned into dining room storage.

The one bedroom. Small.. love it!

Let's go back outside,
Michigan is in the midst of our second warmest winter on record.

We are loving it sisters and brothers!  Amen.

Oh, check out the plant stand below. So cute.   

For years she claimed all could did was kill plants. 

Yet at the river she's proven to be a wonderful gardener.

Check out the hinged screen doors that serve as a backdrop to the side garden

yet they don't impede the view of the river.

Her neighbor likes to come knocking on the doors,
peek through and asking if she's home.

Love the wreath, the colors and texture could be the inspiration
for a whole room.
Here's a closeup;

Corner tv/media center was built a couple of years ago.
Look, a green sleepy hollow chair, did you own one? Ours was gold.  

The bookcase crates were a handmade gift from
a friend on Drummond Island.

Ahhhh...

Had the best time, just the best.

Sure hope you enjoyed the visit to the cabin.

Sideline G..