Refreshing Weekend Junket Home to Vermont

This summer’s record heat has broken, the sunflowers are blooming, and the fire pit is in full swing. Come with me today for a refreshing weekend junket at my home in Vermont.

It would be Ella, our Bernese Mountain dog’s first road trip since her ACL surgery almost 3 weeks ago. She’s doing so well and was so excited for the 3-hour drive back to our home in Vermont.

Sunflowers

I first noticed the beautiful sunflowers growing like bean stocks in our little garden planter outside of my crafting/sunroom space.

Our neighbor planted the sunflowers for us while we were away. My husband built a little garden space here a few years back, but we seldom use it since we now spend the summers in Maine.

Last summer, the same neighbors planted flowers and a tomato plant, all scheduled to bloom for our return in September, allowing us to enjoy their beauty throughout our favorite fall months. Isn’t that so nice? And if you look just to the left of the sunflowers, there is a tomato plant just starting to show its fruit again, like last year.

The Vintage Soul

One of the main reasons I returned home to Vermont this weekend was to restock and refresh my vintage window booth at The Vintage Soul. After three weeks away, I got really anxious about how it looked. Seriously, I started to dream about it.

But I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived. I fluffed a little and restocked a few things, and it’s good to go for another 3 weeks or so until I get home again. And I can’t wait to overhaul this space completely for the fall! I’d love to share more pictures of the booth with you; however, being in a window, the photos become very dark; unfortunately, it’s just not good lighting.

Oh my goodness, I almost forgot! I picked up this vintage wicker suitcase while I was here. Isn’t it so cute? I’d love to display it on top of a hutch in one of the guest bedrooms here in Vermont, along with the Millinery hat that I picked up a few weeks back. You may see more of it in the post Mother Nature And An Antique Millinery Hat Mold.

You may also enjoy 3 Wallpaper Bedroom Designs Emblematic of a Cozy Vermont Inn.

Oh, and if you love these dishes, definitely check out A Timeless Classic | Franciscan Desert Rose Table Setting post.

Dorset Theater Festival

The second reason I was back in Vermont was to see the play STILL at the Dorset Theater Festival, starring a local Vermonter, Tim Daley (you may remember Tim from the popular TV show, “Wings”), and Jayne Atkinson, who is known for her many roles like Secretary of State in “House of Cards.”

And it was well worth the trip!

The house was packed, and the sets were fabulous!

It started out with the two actors sitting in a corner of a bar, talking about their loving relationship 30 years ago. And today, one is a 67-year-old skilled lawyer, and the other a 64-year-old accomplished writer. As you listen and absorb their conversation, you faintly pick up the sounds of glassware and clientele talking and shuffling about. I felt like I was right at the table conversing with this couple at their long-awaited reunion.

Next, a rolling upscale yet common-looking hotel room rolled right out into the audience, replacing the bar scene. This is the time when one reveals he wants to run for U.S. Congress, and the other may have what it takes to stop him. It was both controversial and captivating.

Summer’s Heat

Exiting the theater, I walked right out into massive thunderstorms rolling through Vermont after a 75-minute play without any intermission. I had been so engrossed in the play that I had completely forgotten about what was happening outside. I made a mad dash to the car and straight home to ensure Ella, our Bernese Mountain dog, was okay. She was; not much seemed to phase her.

Once the storms passed, we were left with the most delightful sunset. The awful summer heat and humidity we’ve all been experiencing were finally behind us.

Vermont never disappoints!

You may also enjoy the Best Barn Finds in a Big Red Barn on a Sunday Foliage Drive post.

Summer Flowers

This mound of flowers we planted a couple of years ago has flourished, even with all the rain we have received, which devastated Vermont. See more of the Vermont floods in the post, Mother Nature And An Antique Millinery Hat Mold.

It could use a little weeding, but overall, the colors and contrast with the mountains had me taking 100 photos.

After taking all these photos, I really wanted to share a few with you here on the blog.

I’m so grateful for this now—my sunroom has been turned into a creative space where I can sit down and write to you all.

See more of this sunroom’s renovation from last winter in the 4-season sunroom Makeover with Grand Mountain Views post. The craft room’s reveal is in the post Sunroom Home Office Inspiration: Triple Purposed with Craft Space.

Can you find the little pink Toleware tray I picked up in Maine last week? You may see more in the Irresistible New England Antique Barn Sale | Budget Friendly post.

Has Autumn Arrived?

I woke up Sunday morning in Vermont with temperatures in the low 50s. Wow, that felt amazing! I even thought about pumpkins for the first time this year, seriously!

My neighbor had brought over some freshly cut sunflowers from her flower garden, and I began to think about firing up the fire pit with the wonderful cooling temperatures upon us.

And I may even need to dig out a sweater!

You may also enjoy the Summer into Fall: Limelight Hydrangeas, An Old Crate & Fresh Blooms post.

The sunflowers look so cute in MacKenzie-Childs’ new Sterling Check Pitcher. This set will be amazing outdoors in the fall, too. See more in the Summer Desserts with MacKenzie-Childs Check Designs post.

This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Fire Pit Patio and Outdoor Conversational Set

This fire pit patio and outdoor conversational sectional which we put in a couple of years ago, is one of my favorite additions to our home in Vermont. It is so complimentary with the mountains, sky, flowers, grass, and the red house.

The fire pit is gas and runs on one propane tank that nestles inside the fire pit. Although we do keep an extra propane tank around in case this one runs out during use. The entire outdoor furniture set and fire pit are covered up nicely with protective covers when not in use, so everything withstands the harsh weather we get here nicely.

A couple of copper tiki torches surround the patio for extra ambiance and character. For added versatility, you can remove the torch from the stake and rest it on an outdoor table.

I’m hopeful that these copper torches will patina nicely to match the rustic teal patina of the home’s outdoor lighting.

Someone recently asked me if the wind guard came with our fire pit and if it was worth it.

Yes, and yes!

We would lose our flame constantly without the wind guard protecting the flame in this wide-open space.

Learn more about this fire pit from start to finish in the posts, How to Design a Backyard Fire Pit Conversation Set and Backyard Conversation Set and Fire Pit Patio Reveal.

And just like that, the thunderstorms rolled back in on Monday afternoon.

Now it’s time for Ella and I to head back to our beloved Maine to enjoy the rest of the summer. But I look forward to returning here soon and enjoying the best time of the year, Autumn in Vermont. See you then, friends!

You may enjoy last year’s Vermont Fall Foliage Home Tour post too.

Accompany me for a summer weekend junket home to Vermont.

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