If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors
to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.

~ Henry David Thoreau





Sunday, April 18, 2010

Little Cottage on the Lake ~ a trip through time

A huge THANK-YOU to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting  Metamorphosis Monday.                            

A Trip Through Time

Thanks to the daughter of the previous owner, I was able to scan old slides of the cottage from 1960.










Remember the pink siding we discovered when we tore out the bathroom wall?


Jump ahead 44 years to the day we first visited the cottage....

  July 2004



The day we became cottage owners ~

September 10, 2004


This is why we bought the cottage.



November 2004 .....Not quite as pretty as the sunset.




The Work Begins
April 2005

New windows and doors.


A lake side deck.

Off with the old aluminum siding.

Might as well improve the roof line before we shingle.

Gosh, that was NOT in the plan...while I was working, this feature was added...hmmm...what to do now?

Go with it....guess we will have an upstairs some day!

New vinyl shakes...hey we don't want to WORK when we retire!








And that's what happened to our cottage in the first year.
(on the outside, that is)  If you haven't seen what we did on the inside that winter,click HERE and HERE.


Thanks for stopping by.
Come back soon for another episode in Cottage Life.

Now, be sure to visit all the other participants at Between Naps on the Porch. You are in for a treat!

14 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Wow, the cottage has come a long way and it is just gorgeous. Such a beautiful setting too. You've done wonders with this place. Hugs, Marty

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

What a lovely cottage in just the best setting! So fun to see what it used to look like!

xinex said...

Wow! What a lovely cottage! It is just beautiful and so relaxing. You did so much work but it totally paid off. The sunset pics are amazing!..Christine

From the Old InkWell said...

Oh wow! Gorgeous make over! Only wish we had a little cottage like that on the lake! I know it must have been a lot of hard work, but now you can sit and enjoy the view!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Amazing! I just love your little cottage, it's just the cutest!
Cindy

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

I absolutely love it. I can't find the words to describe how much better it looks.

Lynn said...

Absolutely beautiful, wish I was there - enjoy!

My Cottage Charm said...

Cynthia...thanks for entering my giveaway. You should come back and put another comment. You get one entry per comment and since you are my follower (one comment & entry) and you took my button (another comment & entry) you would get two entries. :) I don't want you to get cheated! :)
Hugs
Melissa

Anonymous said...

You have so brought out the charm of your cottage in its beautiful setting - sunsets are mesmerising! Is the new upper level a balcony? Couldn't tell.

I love all the creative touches you have made. I am a lurker on Tablescaping, couldn't do it in a million years!

Michelle said...

Wow! I'm speechless! You guys did a fabulous job. I love everything right down to the white picket fence.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful place. You have done such a great job! :) That sunset is just incredible!

~Liz

Atticmag said...

Oh my, I love your house history. It's so much fun to see how houses evolve over the years. You have a fabulous spot! We've got a house story too this week (2 parts) stop by if you have time. -- Jane F.

Kathleen said...

Just perfect! You have everything you need..enjoy it!

Town and Country Gals said...

Cynthia,
i just found your blog and love it!
You have done an amazing job on renovating your cottage, it's wonderful and I am so jealous!
I lived in WI for three years near the lake and loved it! I'm your newest follower and will be visiting often! Would love for you to visit me at walnutandvine.blogspot.com.
Rebecca