It’s Anchors Aweigh for Labor Day with a little nautical table for two on the dock and boating fun this holiday weekend.
Labor Day marks the end of summer and a last hurrah for weekend boaters until Memorial Day next year. We look forward to quieter and less crowded weekends. . . just us and the ducks :)
I was the lucky & happy winner of an L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Bag from Linda, who blogs at More Fun Less Laundry, and coincidentally, my life philosophy. ;)
You can see Linda picnicking with one of her Bean bags, here. Introduced as Bean’s Ice Carrier in 1944, the Boat and Tote was billed as a bag made of builders’ canvas for hauling ice “from car to ice chest.” Today you can spot it doing heavy lifting everywhere from grocery stores to gardens, from beaches to bedroom closets.
Linda offered to have my Bean bag monogrammed so I had it monogrammed with its function in mind.
Boat and Tote Bags are tested to hold up to 500 pounds, so it’s up to the challenge of hauling dishes and paraphernalia from the house to the boat for some table, boating or picnic fun. Thank you again Linda!
I set sail with nautical flatware, glasses and melamine anchor plates for a table for two on the dock.
It’s been smooth sailing this weekend with beautiful weather after tropical storm Hermine passed through on Friday. We were hoping for some much-needed rain after our hot and dry summer, but she went east of us and we barely got wet.
A nautical insulated picnic tote set sail with me from HomeGoods last year.
Rope cocktail plates, purchased a couple of years ago from Pottery Barn, are first mate to Tommy Bahama melamine anchor plates, also found at HomeGoods.
Anchor glasses with a rope detail are fun for serving a favorite 9-minute orzo salad.
And an anchor galvanized tray was a new purchase this summer.
My enamel boat dishes came from Pottery Barn several years ago and are fun for serving Lemon Basil Shrimp Salad, a recipe from Southern Living’s collection of Quick & Delicious Summer Salads. Basil Leaf Sails, optional ;)
And Watermelon, Pecan, and Gorgonzola Salad. It’s served with Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette~ a delicious addition, which adds a little heat in contrast to the salty cheese and sweet and juicy melon.
And I’ve used the enamel boat dishes to decorate our O Fishing Tree on the dock for Christmas.
We’re enjoying some cooler temperatures and lower humidity this weekend, with highs in the 80s instead of 90s and sunny skies.
This has been our 5th hottest summer on record so we’re happy for a reprieve in the weather to enjoy a little boating this weekend.
Cooler temperatures float Chloe & Gracie’s boat too. ;)
Anchors Aweigh Details:
Enamel Boat Dishes, Rope Cocktail Plates / Pottery Barn, several years ago
Nautical towels, Anchor glasses / HomeGoods, several years ago
Tommy Bahama Melamine Anchor Plates, Nautical Picnic Tote, Anchor Tray / HomeGoods
Anchor Tablecloth / Tommy Hilfiger, HomeGoods
Rope Napkin Rings, several years ago / Bed, Bath & Beyond
Placemats / Ballard Designs
Towle Living Everyday Nautical Flatware / Amazon, used here
Anchor Napkins and Wine Bag / Design Imports
What are your Labor Day plans?
Wishing You Smooth Sailing and a Safe & Happy Labor Day!
Enjoy the end of summer!😎🌴Get ready for fall and Halloween!🎃🕷
Anchors aweigh!!! Neat, neat nautical!!! Have a safe Labor Day!!! 🇺🇸⛵️🚤🛥
You sure made the best of that boat bag – a perfect accompaniment to sittin’ on the dock of the lake. Have a good one!
Congrats Mary, love that bag! Happy Labor Day and bon voyage.
Mary enjoy your beautiful day and have a happy Labor Day. Your red white and blue nautical inspired table is perfect for today’s holiday.
Love your table scape and boating theme.
Happy Labor Day to you and your crew😊..always love your photo’s, so inspiring ❤
What an absolutely lovely tablescape! Of course, I love anything with a nautical touch, and all of your nautical elements are perfect. We have been sailors on Lake Erie for many years and that flatware would be perfect on board!
I love your O fishing tree–how unique. Your location on the lake is perfect. I envy you. Enjoy all of the nautical touches in every detail.
Hi Mary, I’m glad you are enjoying your bean bag! And although you missed out on the needed rain from Hermine I also glad you missed the winds. She has bypassed us but is now headed for the Cape and the islands. We are relaxing and planning some fall outings this weekend and now I’m thinking about setting a cute nautical table like yours! I always regret passing on those enamel boats every time I see yours filled with yummy salads and now I see them on your Christmas tree!! So far we are just the tourists at the lakes and beaches we love, but maybe soon we will be “natives” and looking forward to the off-season too! Linda
I’d be all aboard for that table! Such great pieces! We are still waiting for Hermine to pass, the waves at the ocean are tremendous! They say we won’t be in the clear till Wednesday.
I love that bag from Linda! Boating season will continue here until Columbus Day. Plenty of warm summer days ahead in September! It’s the most beautiful month here in Southampton, all the summer visitors are gone. Right now our little beach colony is buzzing as they are filming a movie with Scarlet Johansson and Zoe Kravitz here. Interesting to watch but we will be happy when the celebs and their entourage are gone.
This post makes me long for a day on the lake. The nautical dishes found the perfect home, and I think a table for two on the dock sounds like a lovely way to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As always your images are stellar. I want to jump right into that cool water! Have a fabulous day!
Congrats on winning the “BEAN bag”…I got the pun! Of all people, YOU, Mary will put it to good use, I’m sure.
Lovin all your cute anchors & rope themed items…what a great collection & so fun.
I hope you have many more clear sailing days on the boat with C&G & the Captain, too.
We too are celebrating the end of tourist season and crazy boaters this Labor Day, but alas, no boating as it’s rainy- I would love to sit on your sunny dock table and enjoy one of the delicious salads! We are picnicing inside with US Open tennis and weekend leftovers, hoping to boat when the sun returns tomorrow. Love all your nautical ware, and the red white and blue! Enjoy the cooler temps Mary, I know Chloe and Gracie are glad the dog days are over :)
Jenna
Lovin’ your nautical setting Mary, the last RW&B of the year… I’ve had a Bean Bag for years, I actually use it to haul fire wood into the house-very sturdy. Enjoy yours! Happy Labor Day:@)
Mary, congrats on that fabulous tote! The nautical table for two is perfect for Summer’s last hurrah! Chloe and Gracie always make me smile! Pam @ Everyday Living
Anchors Aweigh!! It was a “sailing” kind of morning…fun!! Your tablescape is perfecto as usual!! At least I have the same sailboat utensils!! franki
~Mary~
Hi!! Looks like you had a super nice Labor Day weekend! my new dress I found at Talbots would have been perfect for your sailors picnic. Congrats on the great “Boat” bag.
Paula
IN
I live vicariously through you with your boating and pontoon picnics. This is a great post and I LOVE that lemon shrimp salad!!! Hope you had a wonderful weekend.
What a great bag to tote things to your boat!!! We got rain and wind here as the storm passed but it brought in cooler weather! Great temps for boating!
Oh what a lovely post – I adore your nautical plates and accessories – they are perfect for the weekend – and the tote is glorious. 500 pounds – one has to be awfully strong to fill it with that much – but at least you know it is sturdy. I loved all the photos, each one set up so wonderfully.
Love seeing your nautical features with the girls….Such a treat when you blog about the boat and the fun table settings. I love the “Bean” bags…such a versatile bag….when in Maine years ago, I visited the LL Bean factory outlet and was so pleased with all of the goodies I took home.
Perfect tote for you. Congratulations! Looks like a delightful Labor Day. Love your anchors aweigh theme with every detail being perfectly thought out as only you can do, Mary!
We’re back from our long drive to and from Texas but had a great visit with our kids and grandkids.
Wow that was a nice giveaway! LLBean has such nice quality products. I love the nautical setting you created. Chloe and Gracie are the cutest and look like they really enjoy the ride! I live in an area with lots of lakes and I noticed a lot of boats being transported last weekend. It’s that time of year!
I love the nautical theme! Those boat creations look so yummy. Have a wonderful weekend.