Karla Nathan – Page 41 – Karla's Cottage

A little sparkle, a little nature, a new look for January

By Karla Nathan / January 9, 2022

My Christmas decorations go up early, and every single morning, starting in November, I flip the switch on every power strip the lights plug into, before I have even let dogs out or made coffee.

At night, after the doggies have been tucked in, the lights are regrettably turned off. If it was feasible, they’d be on 24 hours a day around here.

Once the season of cheer ends, I can’t face the long cold winter without some extra lighting, so I leave icy style garlands with mini twinkle bulbs above some windows and add lamps to the previously used power strips for some ambient glow to help me get through the insidious, dark, and and awful month of January.

Natural elements and plants are good aids in surviving winter, too.

And I like the sparkle of glass this time of year.

The mercury glass stays for the rest of the winter, with some pink roses and hearts added for February.

There is also something to be said for cleared spaces and clean lines, after the clutter of Christmas. Filling my cottage with multiple collections and trees for November and December might be just what I need for that time, but by about 12/26, I am ready for simplicity.

Well, my idea of simplicity, at least! I still love my stuff.

Just a little less stuff than normal. And in neutral tones.

There are a few hints of color peeking out here and there, mostly muted. And who can trash their poinsettias just because their holiday passed? I always have a mixed feeling about them, because those flowers really shout “CHRISTMAS” to me. But it feels like murder to get rid of them in January. I’ve never been able to keep them alive too long, so it’s not a big problem. But this year might be different, the two I bought months ago still are thriving and lovely.

There is a big splash of color from this glass art a friend made. It makes me feel like sunshine is pouring in the room.

Actually, as far as January, we have had more bright light than we typically get. Enough bright light to show every muddy dog foot print on the floor! Oh well, be careful what you wish for, right?

The sunlight has been cheery, almost to the point that I forget it’s snowy and cold out there.

Stretching out the cheeriness and overcoming teen apathy, ending our Christmas on a sweet note

celebrations, dogs, family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / January 5, 2022

About halfway between Christmas and New Years I am itching to take down the holiday decorations. The gifts are unwrapped, chaos has occurred with all of the celebrating, cooking, sleepovers, and piles of stuff here and there. I am ready for clean lines and tidiness.

Instead of flipping the switch from over the top, non stop Christmas that started in November to the simpleness of January right away like I want to, I make myself wait until the grand fairies either go back to Mom’s house or to school, because I want them to enjoy their winter break to the max, and atmosphere matters.

But just a couple days after our big celebration, I saw that Sugarwings was curled up in the couch nest (that was claimed as their permanent spot when Covid hit and school was online) being a non involved teen just looking at tic toks, and I saw no reason to keep it festive around here.

So I started hauling out boxes and setting up a ladder, preparing for the big, annual packing up.

Then it occurred to me that the fun didn’t have to end if I didn’t want it to.

So, in the messy midst of all of the boxes and bins, with some things half pulled down, I declared it was time for a cocoa party by the last lingering lights of the trees.

We turned on a Christmas movie marathon, plopped ourselves down to a tray full of our favorite cocoa party goodies and the two of us had one of my favorite days of the holiday break.

Funny thing, I barely like hot chocolate. I just looooove the festive-ness, tradition, and ceremony of serving it. And I love Sugarwings.

We missed our little Dewdrop, and it was a different sort of holiday with no little kids around. But I know that a celebration is what you make it, it can be special and exciting if you make the effort. And even teenagers can be invested and joyous when that effort is put out there.

A year of fairies, family, flowers, and furry friends

celebrations, Corona virus, family

By Karla Nathan / January 1, 2022

Last year might have ended in worry and cancellations but it began in hope. And ours started on the wings of fairies, which was pretty special.

We were blessed to be with our fairy family for Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2021. After what 2020 had put us all through, we were ready to face a brighter future.

Rich and I volunteered at vaccine clinics, where I was the coldest I have ever been in my life. On a day of 14 degrees, I worked outside for six hours, something my family still can’t quite believe that a person as terrified of being chilly like I am, could do.

Volunteering at this event not only showed me that I was tougher than I thought, it brought hope to me that our lives could be somewhat normal again.

We headed south for a few weeks to the beach where I got to make lots of fairies to give thanks for the blessings in my life.

We took four dogs with us in a 19’ camper, which isn’t as bad as it sounds. They are every bit as much underfoot in our home as they are in the trailer. Two doodles, a retriever and a Yorkie provide many tripping opportunities, no matter how small the kitchen I am cooking in is.

And what is better than being somewhere warm and blooming, away from a cold, Kansas winter?

Coming home is always hard for me. While I am away, it’s easier to not expect to see Ryan. He rarely traveled with us.

Returning to an empty house without his happy grin of welcome is rough to get used to.

These furry bundles of love came along in the spring. They fill my heart up, in a bittersweet way.

I can almost feel Ryan by my side laughing at their silliness like he used to do. He loved the puppies as much as I do. Having them around was a help in getting through the anniversary of his death.

For two months, I did nothing but care for the babies. When they slept, I’d do paintings of them, and talk to prospective families. I got very little sleep and picked up mountains of poo.

But I also had weeks of furry snuggles and joy.

The babies helped me through the loss of two of our Yorkies. The pups were right there with me when Twinkle had her stroke. As I held her in my arms during convulsions, those little dogs watched with compassion and care. I could tell they would grow up to be loving pets when I saw how they wanted to comfort Twinkle and I.

The very next week, we lost our boy, Albie. I don’t know what I’d have done without armloads of furry, warm puppies to get me through it.

There is so much joy in these little bodies, that you just have to smile even while in pain!

We took another camping getaway to the mountains of North Carolina.

Where I crafted riverbank fairies of rocks instead of seashells in the sand.

This is the year that Sugarwings grew up and became a teen, not a child.

And our Hippy Chic got her Master’s to become a midwife.

Painting flowers and landscapes got me back into the studio. I still haven’t added to my Boutique or planned a Birdsong event, but both have been on my mind. I’d started feeling out the prospect of an arty weekend, and then, BOOM, along came Delta.

So, I’ll be sticking to my solitary studio time for now. It would devastate me to host a Birdsong and have anyone become ill while visiting.

On a second trip to Florida, I got to watch countless dolphins, see sharks up close, and find amazing piles of shells on a teensy island.

There was a lot to be thankful to nature for.

It was also kinda nice to have the dogs cared for by family while we stayed in hotels instead of a camper.

I even got to visit Tinker Bell!

After a spectacular Disney adventure, I headed to Indian Shores to be with sisters and nieces. It was a beach I was unfamiliar with, and was surprised by the lack of larger shells. So, I used itty bitty shells to leave a mosaic fairy on the shore.

This might just be a new favorite art form for me. Painting with seashells!

Thanksgiving brought us a visit from Dewdrop and a great family weekend to be plenty thankful for.

Stories of the proliferation of Omicron made me value every moment of holiday celebrations we had.

And to remember to appreciate those around me and what is important.

I am wishing you a safe and happy 2022. With this horrid curse of a virus fading away.

A Gingerbread Cottage Christmas

cottage, family, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 29, 2021

One thing we look forward to at the holidays is Family Gingerbread Night. I buy the houses at the after Christmas clearance sale stacking them up to use for the next season, and we save up sugary decorations for years.

Literally, years. No one is even tempted to taste any of it, the candies have been around so long. We like to mention as we are using the pieces that some are older than Dewdrop.

Especially the bright colored, hard, coated pieces. Those never die.

This was the year that Sugarwings’ house design grew up. We started making them together back when the kiddo was about two, and would work on the house throughout the month of December, glopping layers upon layers of goo and goodies over it until you’d never know there was a structure underneath.

That continued every Christmas, with the goal being to get as much stuff on the house as you could.

But this season? The grand fairy really put some thought into the styling, and even added a snowman party to the creation, with a tub filled with soda pop as refreshments.

Avahni’s was a crazy cat lady’s house.

And we had a Pokémon hospital.

My favorite might be my son, the carpenter’s. His is the one on the left corner. A pile of lumber waiting for the the house to be built.

We leave the supplies out so the work can continue as needed, I put them on a light weight folding table that we can shove out of the way if we have to.

But maybe pushing the table in front of the stairs wasn’t the best idea? It became a doggie buffet.

oops

Gingerbread wasn’t our only edible art. (Well, technically, we do not ever eat the gingerbread, but as far as media goes, I think the houses are in the “edible art” category, right?)

Thia brought over supplies to craft fruit and chocolate bouquets that were delicious, vegan, and lovely. Plus, the shape cutters and other items needed were gifted to me, so I can make my own bouquets in the future! Thanks, Thia!

And then there is this cottage creation. We started work on transforming my husband’s office. Fresh paint, new floors, blinds, light fixtures, and furniture are all in the works. Photos to come, for sure.

Simple Treasures and Dealing with Grief at the Holidays

collections, cottage, dogs, family, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 25, 2021

2020 was such a wreck I almost didn’t decorate for the holidays. But with a grand fairy around, one whose year was as bad as mine, I needed to.

And the twinkle of lights during a dark winter is very uplifting.

So I did some holiday foofing, and was glad that I did. But when I found the bag of pinecones that Ryan and I gathered on a walk, the recollections of that day wrenched my soul.

We’d had Sugar with us, and we were in an area we called The Danger Zone, because there were so many squirrels. Balancing a squirrel crazed dog on a leash while trying to fill our pockets with pinecones, and having them fall out every time we bent over made us laugh til I cried.

And I cry now, just thinking about it.

But it was a fun memory, one to hold on to. So, last year, I put out just the trees with lights and pinecones in honor of him and how much we laughed that day while picking those up.

I will always have a tree decorated with pinecones for Ryan now, and use them throughout the house.

Every day is hard when you lose a child. But little things, like a pinecone, that can bring back flashes of a very happy day, are treasures that can help.

I have added his picture to one of the pinecone trees, and I love this one because it shows his caring and kindness.

I have used a bit more red around the house too. It was his favorite color.

And I have done mosaic glass on vases that flowers were delivered in after he died. They have flickering candles inside and make me think of how many ways he lit up my life.

This is our second Christmas without him. Sometimes I am shocked that so much time has gone by.

Other days, it feels like he has been gone forever.

I look at Molly, watching her grow from a wriggly little pup into a lovely dog, and realize that Ryan never even met her. She is a living symbol of my time without him.

I can just hear his voice if he knew we kept this pup from the litter. He’d probably say just what his brother did- are you crazy!? You do not need another dog!

But he’d have loved her to pieces.

She and I go for long walks on the sidewalks Ryan and I followed and some days we stop at the Danger Zone where all the pinecones fall and I tell her about him. She is a good listener.

There are so many happy stories to share. And so many pinecones covering the ground. Each is a reminder that nature renews itself, life goes on. That the little, simple things are what is important.

Another party!

cottage, friends, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 23, 2021

It’s the season for celebration, right?

I have been making the most of it and doing every activity, party, gathering, fun thing I can think of.

And I was lucky to have some fun, local Peeps who could join me for a craft day. My studio could use the laughter, it’s been a quiet place lately.

We had a luncheon, lots of snacks, and lots of fun.

I’d made up some little kits to work on.

And had a few other bits and pieces for projects.

And people brought their own things to make too.

Glue was flowing, scissors were snipping and it was so nice to have guests to share my space.

A book club party with bookish party favors

antiques/junking, Books, celebrations, collections, cottage, holiday decor, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / December 20, 2021

The annual holiday party for our book club was at my house, well, I have to admit that it always is at my house. I tend to hog the date because I love parties so much.

And I love party favors! I decorated the table with the book page/paper ornies that I’d made and sent one home with each person. You can’t see it in this pic, but each ball has a tiny, book charm dangling from it.

Here is the table before my friends arrived.

I have been collecting 49 cent Christmas plates from Goodwill all year, there are a few different patterns, but I like the mix.

It’s all a bit of a mix match. The water glasses almost all are the same, but the silverware, wine glasses, napkins, and plates are all over the place. The placemats are pages from the Grand fairies’ outgrown Christmas books.

Here is what I have learned about hosting a party:

NO ONE CARES IF IT MATCHES!

But they do appreciate an effort to make things pretty for them. I doubt if they cared that the plates were only 49 cents each and were various patterns. Or that to have enough wine glasses, I had to use a very non traditional, purple one.

They might have cared that the pie was a little dry.

Durn it. I used frozen blueberries, but made it the same as I usually do with fresh ones. That just isn’t the same, I love the juiciness of the fresh ones. Frozen requires more sugar, liquid and some lemon, I think.

The peach pie was better. I used pecan flour, eggs, some juice from the canned peaches, cinnamon and brown sugar in it.

This was my first time using Aldi’s crust (I never make my own crust). It was so-so. Not very flakey, and a little dry. I’ll stick with Sprouts, their crust is always ideal. Plus it is vegan, which is good when I am feeding my family.

Also, this might not be the prettiest place to set out desserts, but it worked.

I found some “Vintage Tinsel Sprinkles” at Homegoods and happily glittered all the treats. I love them so much that I had some glittery, festive-ness on my peanut butter toast today. Using my holiday plates.

One very nice thing about my big stack of thrift store plates is that I don’t have to be gentle with them. They are special, but they aren’t worth anything, so we have been using them daily since Thanksgiving.

Dishes are breakable, so I never want to own any that I am afraid of using. I like plates that I can enjoy.

Why yes, that is a white, Halloween pumpkin and glittered Easter egg on my Christmas wreath

cottage, dogs, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 18, 2021

This wreath stays up on my door with some switcheroos throughout the year. I never attach any thing permanently, picks are just stuck through the grapevine for quick changes.

For past Christmasses, I’ve put ornaments in the little nest. Or vintage birds. But I kind of like the glittered eggs that were in there for Easter, so left them.

I also left one of the velvet pumpkins from fall decorating, and most of the pastel, autumn blooms. Some glittery poinsettias and frosted greenery were tucked in around them and I was done.

Lazy and easy, but I’m happy with it.

The rest of the entry way was quick too. Of course a sweet, little Dorothy straight from the groomers adds a pop of prettiness!

All I did was pull up the dead flowers and stick mini trees into the pots. Very lazy. But better than dead flowers, right?

I can be very lazy when I know I am roofing up something just for show, not to sell or to keep for reuse. Like this teensy, flocked tree from Walmart in the flimsy, plastic pot.

For a fast makeover so that it would look nice in my guest bathroom, I covered the pot in sheet music topped with some wrapping paper and added a ribbon and buckle to the rim. Quick, easy, not a lot of thought went into it, but it brightened the pot up.

I’ll probably pop the rhinestone buckle off for future use when the rest get thrown away after the tree is done. I don’t know about you, but I have never been able to keep these things alive to plant outside for spring.

My philosophy is that a small, creative touch improves most things. But doesn’t have to be a big, overwhelming project. Especially at the holidays when we are stressed.

Do what you can and enjoy what you do.

Holiday homes

holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 16, 2021

Recently, I had a little luncheon for friends.

I was going to use a tablecloth, but decided to leave it off so I could turn on the twinkle lights taped up underneath the table. But the wood looked stark with the white dishes, so I used placemats made from old book pages put together with metallic tape.

That helped.

It had been such a nice day, out on the holiday home tour, looking at all the festive-ness around town. Then wine, soup, and cupcakes at the cottage to talk about the decorations we’d seen.

I’ll leave you with some photos of the afternoon.