Summer Recap: Adventures, Art, and Tranquility at the Cabin
Dear Friends,
I’m thrilled to share the highlights of my summer so far! From escaping the Florida heat to finding inspiration in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, this season has been filled with joy, creativity, and connection. Here’s a glimpse into my time at our North Carolina cabin.
A Month of Inspiration in the Mountains
We spent nearly a month at our cozy cabin, where the cool mountain air and serene surroundings always spark my creativity.
“Being at the cabin is the time of year where inspiration begins for me.”
The moment we arrived, I was greeted by vibrant Hydrangea flowers in full bloom—my absolute favorites! The gardens, however, needed some love, so I dove into weeding on day one. It was hard work, but seeing the gardens come back to life made it so worth it.
Twirling in the Rain
Living in a rainforest means rain is part of the charm. I brought along an adorable Hydrangea-patterned umbrella, hoping to capture a dreamy rain photo with a model. When no model was available, I decided to embrace the moment myself! Wearing a dress and rain boots, I twirled in the rain, feeling like a carefree kid again.
“It felt freeing, like a kid again.”
Cabin Projects and Creative Visions
As always, the cabin came with a few projects. We added cute “pulls” to the kitchen cabinets and trimmed doors that were catching on the wood floors. But the real highlight was bringing a long-held vision to life: hanging my oil paintings in my favorite upstairs room. I dabbled in oil painting back in 2018, and seeing those pieces finally displayed was incredibly fulfilling.
“My mom and I spent a few hours hanging them all up, and my vision was now a reality! I just love how it looks!”
Check out the [YouTube video] https://youtu.be/D1rl244xoBs of the hanging process to see how it all came together!
Adventures with Family and Friends
My daughter and her boyfriend visited, and we had an unforgettable day boating, cliff jumping, and hiking to waterfalls. The fishing this summer was phenomenal—my husband and youngest son reeled in some impressive rainbow and brown trout, with the standout being a delicious Walleye caught by my son. We’re already planning a big fish fry for next year!
“The best eating fish? The one Walleye my son caught!”
I also cherished time with my childhood friend, antiquing, and adding to my beloved teacup collection. Growing up with my English mom, tea in delicate china cups was a tradition, and there’s nothing like sharing a cup with someone dear.
“There is nothing better than spending time with someone you love over a cup of tea!”
Capturing the Magic with “Sally”
The final week brought out “Sally,” my 8x10 film camera. Using a brass Petzval lens from the late 1800s, I photographed trees and Hydrangea still-lifes. Developing and scanning the negatives back home revealed dreamy, ethereal images that I’m so proud of. You can watch the process on my https://youtu.be/_7Hng4Fdtxo
“The brass Petzval lens is from the late 1800’s and it has such a dreamy and ethereal quality to it.”
The Lake: My Place of Peace
The lake remains my sanctuary. The early morning fog, the emerald green water, and the trees lining the shore make me feel connected to something greater. Through my lens, I hope to capture and share glimpses of this divine beauty.
“This is the place where I feel so at peace and connected to something much bigger. God is in every detail.”
I’ve included a few images from the lake below, along with a [video] https://youtu.be/xutfatOnIfA that captures what this place means to me, filled with moments from this trip.
Thank You for Being Here
Your support means the world to me. Thank you for reading and sharing in these moments. I can’t wait to connect with you again soon!
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With love,
Erika
P.S. Enjoy the lake images below, and let me know which moment from my summer recap resonates with you!
