One Last Summer Mantel

Two weeks until school begins again.  In our house that means all three kids head back and hubby and I return to our teaching positions as well.  It has been a wonderful summer - full of outdoor play, camping, swimming, BBQing and gardening.  

We've also done a ton of work inside  - particularly in the last week or so.  We've been painting and rearranging furniture all in the hopes of using the space we have in a much more effective way. Pics of that in the next few weeks . . .

But first, my last bit of mantel decor for the sunny season of summer.  After this,  I'll probably change it mid-September and  switch to pumpkins and acorns to  usher in autumn.

  

I kept this mantel-scape pretty neutral and clean - just a mix of natural shades and white.

I found a bag of cream and white crochet cotton at the thrift shop recently and thought they would add a interesting, vintage element to my mantel.

Now that we are planning a vacation to France for the summer of 2014, I pulled out a few of our favourite French travel story books.  Hubby and I would like to read them again and having them out where we can see them might help us to remember!

I made this felt leaf garland last fall.  I had put it away temporarily but pulled it out again to drape across the shutters and frames at the top of my arrangement.  

This is the last mantel I'll put together in our living room space at the front of the house.  

We've already moved our electric fireplace/mantel into our new dining space at the back of our home.  

It sits near our table and can be enjoyed more easily and often by the whole family when we eat and cook.  

Gotta love a fireplace that moves more easily then most pieces of furniture!

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Before I go, I'd love to share a few pictures from our most recent camping trip.

We took our newly-renovated camping trailer to a campground about an hour from our home.  

The kids connect so well when there isn't any technology to distract them.

Kevin and I love that we have the freedom to sit and read while the kids frolic nearby.

The kids adored that there was an empty picnic table on a neighbouring campsite.  That meant they could spread their LEGO out on the table and play for hours under the trees.  

Kevin bought this new s'mores contraption while running to the camping store for matches.  It worked wonderfully!

Pool time! This is always the kids' favourite part of each camping trip.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs to all,

Bronwyn