Niobrara Summer Weekends

Even though I have been boohooing my lack of trips this summer for the last month I am still sooooo grateful we have this gorgeous place in the country to escape to any weekend we fancy.

Something about all that fresh country air, wide open spaces, and the river that calms the soul.

Last weekend was no exception. We had great weather for long walks, boating, river bumming, and just general relaxing.

 

I really really really don't want summer to end, or when it does I just want to go live on an island!

Quick Country Unwind

This weekend was a quick trip to Niobrara to relax with my parents and get my fix of fresh country air and small town life. We had an amazing meal of super fresh sweet corn (gifted by our farmer), herbed butter from our garden, and steaks from another local farmer in the area.

 

Took the dog out to the land for lots of exercise and some pond swimming.

 

Spent time on the river during the day enjoying the sun and then again that evening watching the sunset while out riding the ranger. One of those things lately I realize I don't do enough - enjoy the sunrise and sunsets.

 

 

We stalked old barns for a possible barnwood wall in my brother's kitchen.

 Even the super early drive home was pretty and relaxing. Views like this and very little traffic always make me feel at peace.

24 Spruce Yard Progress

 Our Niobrara cabin is actually in town (the land has a house but it's in a sad state of inhabitable means). When we first bought the house it had ZERO landscaping except for a few bushes in front and a measly tree. The first spring we got to work planting away.

I don't have any true before photos as all of these show a few of the things we had just planted. But you get the idea. This last weekend I realized wow our yard is finally starting to look a little more landscaped and pretty. I am loving it! Can't wait for midsummer when the grasses are higher, the roses blooming, and everything even fuller.

BEFORE

 

AFTER

AFTER

 The roses and grasses look really pretty in a month or two.

BEFORE



AFTER

AFTER

 

This was a side view of the yard. The hostsas just didn't work, this year I think we finally have plants in there that work!  And I love how all the other plants and bushes are finally filling in nicely to soften the house.

 

BEFORE

AFTER

This random area by what will eventually be a deck had this crazy cement drain of sorts. That has been removed and in it's place an awesome garden box.

BEFORE

AFTER

Obviously we still have a long way to go and things we want to do. We need a deck built, we need a bit more grass and to fill in some areas with bushes or flowers. But overall I am happy with how it's looking and just seems so much more lived in and inviting than it did before. I need to snap front yard pics next time. If we lived there full time I am sure things would be even better, but for the occasional visit not too shabby.

Boys Birthday Weekend at the Cabin

We went to the cabin with high hopes of birthday celebrations and a huge bonfire. The weather just didn't play along and rained most of the weekend. Who would think late May would require warm clothes and lots of fires? We still had a great time though even if we didn't get the collasal bonfire in this round.

All the rain is making everything look so lush and vibrant. For that I will not complain.

The camper got a good solid spring cleaning for guests. Need to go on a little road trip soon with the ol Rambler.

Grand plans were in place for a delic picnic, mother nature didn't cooperate so we picniced indoors by a fire. Just as delic.

New art was hung in the dinning room.

We hit up the small towns as a family with friends to celebrate both brother's birthdays. Happy Birthday Boys! Sadly my dad was stuck out of town :(

We eventually had a break in the rain long enough for a little yard work. Funny enough I found a shirt from several years ago when a good portion of Niobrara was sadly underwater.

Baths always need bubbles, candles, a good book, and occasionaly a beer.

I was a good sport and played cards one night even though not my thing, luckily I won so guess that at least makes it slightly less painful.

My  mom made gorgeous professional looking arrangements out of flowers my grandpa and I brought from our yards. They smelled as good as they looked!

Even in the slightly cold misty weather we still enjoyed time at the land just unwinding.

Little White Church Version Two

Some of you may remember I talked this last fall about really really wanting to save a precious little white country church from demolition. Click here if you want to read more. You know that crazy childhood dream to get married in a country church and all.... Well sadly I did not win that battle as someone had already staked claim before I and scrapped the poor place. Heart braking really to see the shell of it in Niobrara. Now this church is free for the taking if one moves it. I will be the first to admit it is far from a dream church.

 

Vinyl siding, wood paneling, no cool stain glass or unique features. But it is a smallish church and could easily be moved (listen to me - probably nothing easy about it) to our land and become that perfect little white chapel in the country.

A spot for couples who want a unique country wedding or for me if that day ever miraculously happens. Do I even attempt this? Am I better off just starting from scratch and replicating an old but new chapel some day?

Mother's Day Celebrations

I have the most amazing mother ever. I have always felt extremely blessed to have such a loving caring supportive mom who is also my best friend. Without a doubt she means the world to me and I am lucky to have her. This year she ended up at our cabin over Mother's day with my dad to work on a few things and was going to spend the day alone without her kids. I knew this wasn't her ideal and felt she deserved to have all three of us there best case, worst case at least me. So  I drove up Saturday and surprised her with flowers and a Coach bag. It was the least I could do for everything she has done and continues to do for me. Love you MOM! Sad we didn't take a picture all weekend.

 

Sunday I even made a fancy Mother's day brunch with the awesome strawberry rhubarb french toast I found online and mimosas. 

 

Then we spent the day working in the yard and getting dirt in our nails. Something we both love. Everything from tending to this rhubarb from my grandpa's era at the cabin to mulching a good portion of our yard.

 

It's always so hard to pack up and leave, Sunday night was no exception. I could have went for a few more days in the country. Especially as the sky driving home looked a little intimidating.

 Lucky for my mom she got to celebrate Mother's Day twice as we also hosted a dinner for her Monday night with the whole family. Nothing fancy but a chance for us to show her we love her. My cute awesome grandpa always brings flowers when he comes to dinner. Last night it worked out perfect as I was struggling to come up with last minute arrangements for the table and in he walks with a bundle of snowballs. Thanks Grandpa!

 

Hope all you moms out there had one amazing blessed day celebrating. You deserve more than just a day without a doubt.