cottage

Birthday Party Decor Without a Trip to the Store

celebrations, Corona virus, cottage, family, flowers, Food and Drink, Sugarwings, We're having a party

BFEF7D4A-09CD-4EBE-8BF6-5205DE8CC271There are many things that social distancing has made more complicated.  And hosting a birthday party was one of them.  Sugarwings spends time between our household and her mom’s, so our two groups have been able to mingle, but sadly, we could not have other family members over to celebrate with us.

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We also couldn’t pop into a store for last minute items, like the balloons that Sugarwings wanted for the table.  She loves planning our family parties, and is the one who set this up.

We did have one last package of water balloons leftover from last summer, the kind that come in a big bunch, that you hook up directly to a faucet to fill up.

She could have taken each off its stem and blown it up, but we decided balloons filled with water could be extra fun.  We floated them in clear glass bowls and used them as a centerpiece.  

There were some banner pieces packed away, but not anything personal, so the Grand Fairy printed some dragons to hang onto the banners.  And we agreed that the colorful dragons tied in the color of the balloons to the banners.

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But the best part of the meal was the dolce de leche cheesecake that our Hippy Chick spent all afternoon working on.  She came over to our house to bake it, and that added to the festive feel of putting a party together.

We missed the rest of our big family, but know that staying away, and staying healthy now means we will be celebrating with them later when all of this ends.

An Entryway Redo in Response to Corona Clutter

Corona virus, cottage, Hand Painted Furniture

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Does anyone else deal with Corona Clutter? At first, it seemed temporary, and we were adjusting to figuring out what paraphernalia we needed as we came in and out of the house.

But after a few weeks of seeing this jumble of gloves, masks, hand sanitizers, bags, and more filling up the table by the breezeway door, I needed to find a better solution.

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Not to mention the big, plastic folding table we had set up for home schooling in the other room.

So, this gate leg table was sent to replace the one in the homework spot, with the lamp along with it.  

The large white box is what I use to sort mail, and this isn’t the door we usually bring the mail in through.  So it also left the area and is in a more convenient place near the front door of the house that we typically use when checking the mail or getting the newspaper.

This is the door we use when going to the car, so I waned everything we might need for gearing up to face the virus laden public, all here in an organized way.

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This little cabinet that used to be in the studio before last year’s redo seemed to be just what I was looking for.  (Shopping for something new would have been more fun, but then- if that was an option, I would not have needed a Corona Corner, would I?)

The white, wooden basket was full of supplies in the studio, but was better suited here, so those items are currently dumped out and waiting for me to figure out what to stash them into instead.

While this was all practical, it still wasn’t quite right.  It served the purpose, but didn’t lift my spirits as much as I had hoped.

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So I whipped out some white paint, vintage wallpaper, and decoupage medium.

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Ahhh, much better!  Lighter and happier.

The doors and drawer are there for larger items like leashes and bags. The cookie jar of dog treats sits on the pedestal. There is a chair for changing shoes.

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A flower pot for sunglasses and items that need to be taken care of on errands, like checks, coupons, etc.  I sat it on a small, wallpaper box just to add a little more color.

The lidless depression glass canister that matches the one the  dog treats are in, was where I had previously stashed supplies.  But it wasn’t big enough and didn’t hide the messiness. Or the ugly, orange gloves.

It is much nicer filled with flowers picked in our ditch.

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The wooden basket was ideal to fit a box of masks, a stash of gloves, and the hand sanitizer.

I am thrilled to own a box of masks and gloves.  I found the XXLg gloves on Amazon and the box of masks at the hardware store.  The hand sanitizer is home made.  I took glycerin from a soap making project, then added lavender oil and alcohol to it.
And the surface wipes are too, sorta. I took a package of wash wipes from the studio, put them into ziplock bags and poured alcohol over them.  

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This pattern is one of my favorite old wallpapers and I will love having a bit of it in my house.  

To add it, I rough cut a piece with the bouquet centered, and pressed it into decoupage glue on the door,  then,I used my fingernail to crease the paper and cut it out inside the frame of the door.  This paper is delicate, so I did not worry too much about trying to get small bubbles out, they don’t bother me.

White chalk paint was applied in a dry brush style for a distressed look.  I painted right over knobs as is, and didn’t take time to paint the interior or give it a clear coat of poly or wax.  

I was in the mood for a quick and pretty fix.  And this simple project of moving things around, slapping on some paint and paper took me under two hours from the point when I was sitting in the kitchen, staring at the clutter and needing a new view, til it was done.

We might all be needing a fresh view after so much time in our homes. This little change perked me up. 

The Grandfather Tree Resin River and Rock Table

Corona virus, cottage, family

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I don’t think that I ever followed up on my story about our Grandfather Table.  I shared the process of creating it, and there have been photos of it in the background here and there.

But I haven’t shown you the complete finished product.

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Last fall was a full, and emotional time for me.  With my son’s family splitting up, trying to get their house (that we owned) fixed up and listed before the real estate market hit its winter doldrums.

 (There is not a day that goes by, that I am not thanking my lucky stars and feeling blessed that we sold it before winter, because this spring’s selling period? Oh, I think you know how the corona virus has affected that!).

A lot was going on, throughout the heartache of the family readjusting to its new arrangements and relationships. My husband retired, we had family trips, I hurt my shoulder, had a concussion, hosted A Snowbird’s Song, and well, just kind of hung in as best as I could.  
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But now?  Life is on a much more laid back course for us here at the cottage.  And the problems that I thought were so huge last fall seem petty now.

All of that stress about my husband quitting his job?  Gone.  Even though our savings sure took a deep dive now, with the suffering so many are going through without jobs, I have nothing to complain about.  

We have a home we won’t lose.  

We have food.  

We have each other.

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Having my husband home, by my side while we go through this together has made me love the fact that he retired so early. 

Who knows what might happen with our retirement savings, we might both need to find jobs when possible, but it is something we will face as a couple.

Sitting together at this table, each morning, drinking coffee, looking at the wildflowers he picked for me in the woods, I am comforted. 

The history of this table, and my husband’s sweet, sentimental reasons for having it built mean even more.  
(You can read the background HERE)

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To my husband, the tree reminds him of telling stories to the grand fairies under the old oak it was built from.  Family stories of his grandfather.

To me?  I was fearing that it was going to always remind me of that rough time last Fall, when I was heartsick and injured, worried and tired.  Facing much bigger problems in my life now, and not just in mine, but world wide devastation from this insidious virus, this table has come to represent something else to me.


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A solid relationship, as strong as the oak.

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And hope for the time ahead, when family can once again gather around this table together. 

Around the Cottage in April

Corona virus, cottage

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Because of my knee surgery, I have spent very little time in the studio.  When I finally went out there, I was greeted by my pile of blues, ready to build kits for the Texas event, Beauty in Blue, that had to be cancelled.

My creativity level has been on low, so the busywork of packing it all up was a welcome job.  I daydreamed about how much more appreciative I will be to attend this next year, after missing so many social events now.

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While I am not making many things, I am keeping busy.  I am trying to do a project a day, even if it as is simple as freshening the slipcovers and filling vases with blooms.

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There have been plenty to pick!  Spring has sprung in my yard.

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I have been more than grateful for the days of beautiful weather.  Spring is always uplifting for me and being outside doing yard work has helped me a great deal.

Planting seeds, clearing flowers, planning a garden, are all ways of looking to the future and a brighter tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

A springtime walk with a surprise heart

Corona virus, cottage, flowers

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Ryan and I walk along this pond as often as we can.  For the first time, we noticed that the fountain forms a heart shaped splatter.  Is it new, or had we never paid attention?  

It isn’t from the wind, as I first thought, because it has been like this all week.

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Our property has a couple of fields that border I70. My husband keeps bees out there, and while walking up the hill to walk across the bridge, we had a nice view of his set up through the blooming redbuds.

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He has a chair nearby and likes to spend time watching them at work.

Only one chair, I’m afraid that I am not a bee watcher.

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This view was less pleasant.

We reached the top of the overpass bridge, and were disturbed by the lack of traffic. It was a reminder that our country is not itself right now.  

Strangely quiet.

My walk was emotionally charged, with a flow of feelings from the sad reminder of the empty roads to the hopeful heart in the pond.  

Of course, these days, our emotions are on high alert.  I am trying to stay balanced, while acknowledging the difficulties and fears, still enjoying all of the happy moments of hope that I find.

 

Fresh bread during lockdown

Corona virus, cottage, Food and Drink

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When I went to the grocery to stock up before we were told to stay in and avoid crowds, I was careful to buy mostly ingredients I would need for meals, not snacks or pre made things.

Since I regularly bake bread, I bought two bags of bread flour, one of regular.  I figured I might be dropping off bread to the porches of family members too.

What did I not get? 
YEAST

And apparently, I am not the only one that thought she’d be doing a bit of baking.  There was no yeast to be found at that point.   I have enough for my household, just not enough for the whole family.

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Then, I saw a suggestion online to make sourdough starter.  I found a simple recipe and am trying it out.  This one is 3/4 cup plus 2T flour and a 1/2 cup water, every day for five days.  You stir it together, keep it lightly covered at room temperature.  I went with a clean kitchen towel and rubber band as a lid.

I have never made this before, but I am enjoying the science experiment aspect of it, and miss having my little homeschooler here this week to share it with. (She is with her mom)

Also, it is kind of cool that it is living. And needs to be fed.  I have named it Sara Jo.

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The guy we bought our layers from also raises “Meatbirds” as he calls them, and sent a frozen meatbird home with us.  I am hoping to make sourdough biscuits with roasted meatbird to try out the starter in a couple days.  Then, will move on to loaves of bread to share.

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When I bake, I use a bread maker to mix and knead it.  Then, I oil pans, place the dough in, oil the top of the dough and set the pans into my microwave to use as a warming box to proof in.

I have found that boiling a cup of water in the microwave first, and leaving the cup next to the dough promotes a good rise.  Also, I think that you get a crustier crust and a more attractive loaf if you bake it in the oven instead of leaving it in the bread maker to cook.

I’ll let you know how the sourdough turns out.

And if you are in the area, are needing chickens to raise or meatbirds to eat, I can give you our guy’s name.   He has some friendly little hens. We like our few.

 

 

 

January Decorating

cottage, dogs, flowers

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After all of the glorious, gaudiness of the Christmas decor at my house, I kind of like my Januaries to be low key. It is a good time to dust, and shuffle things around, and to leave some things simply put away, not even used.

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And to add some natural elements to remind me that spring and growing things will have to return someday, and that winter won't last forever.

Even if the icy cold feels like it is a life sentence…

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Last fall, I bought some succulents at a garden center clearance for 99 cents a pot. After stashing them in my husband's office for the holidays, I was happy to see the cheerful greenery and bring it back into the house to brighten up a cold winter day.

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This is where we spend way too much time since my husband retired and it has gotten so cold out.  He builds a fire, we pile dogs on our laps and drink coffee every morning in front of the fire before we get on with our days.  

Part of my move for simplicity, is leaving this table bare and functional for books and newspapers.

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The mantle is kinda halfway simple, well for me at least.  It seems full, but usually is has a lot more going on.  I leave the angel wings up through Valentine's Day and keep the colors mostly muted. But I did add one little, oval painting that reminds me that springtime is real, and that I will get through this freezing season.

Winter is just not my deal. I make up all sorts of excuses to not leave the house and keep errands to a minimum.  Now that I have a house husband, it is even more tempting to sit by a fire and ignore the rest of the world.  I might even be growing to like winter.

Well, maybe just this cozy aspect of winter. Not the howling Kansas winds and ice.  I will never, ever be able to enjoy that.

Hope you are staying warm and coping too!

The halls are still decked

cottage, holiday decor

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Typically, I have all of my holiday decor put away by now.

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This year, we had Dewdrop visiting from North Carolina, so I left it up while she was still here.

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Then, Sugarwings was staying with us for a couple of days after her sis left.

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I can't dismantle a mountain of Christmas crap with a little girl around.  The grand fairies are too sad to see it go.

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And my house is in total disarray during the process.  It takes magical skills to make it all fit where it needs to go. The huge task requires mega amounts of concentration and plotting.

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So, I'll enjoy it, as long as I need to. Then go full force in finagling all of this into one small closet.   I'm not sure if I will miss it or not.  I think I will miss the twinkling lights, but I am possibly ready for the clutter to be gone. I did get  the studio cleared of all signs of the holiday, and have enjoyed getting it back to normal and getting some work done out there.  

Which reminds me, there will be some new, non Christmas, fairies flying their way to the Boutique soon. Photos to come.

 

 

We visited our table again

cottage

5F4F3469-EF64-4538-8B2D-CED7444FD552Matt has the resin poured on our table around the rocks I laid out.

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There will be no white under it, that is the frame he needed for pouring the resin.

I thought it was a little more crystal clear than I expected.  He said it would be simple to add a little cream swirl coat to the bottom.

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He was able to make the legs from lumber left over from the slab.  That was good news, we weren’t sure if there would be enough or not.

We are in Florida right now with the grand fairies  when we get back, the table will be delivered!

 

 

 

 

 

The Grandfather Tree is Almost a Table

cottage, family, redos

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Over a year ago, my husband's favorite tree fell down. He called it the Grandfather Tree because he took the grandfairies for walks in the woods and stopped to tell stories under it.

We found a guy to slice it up, then stored the stack of pieces that weighed hundreds of pounds in our garage where they were very much in the way.  When they were starting to dry out a bit, we found a craftsman to haul them off to a kiln and plane them down.

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This is Matt, the artist who is creating a table and mantel for us.  Here are the final pieces he has to work with. We have a few more, but these were the best.

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His shop is full of pieces he is already working on.

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And beautiful piles of lumber waiting to be transformed.

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I decided to go with the live edges turned inwards, so if I wanted the table to be more traditional looking for a dinner party, I could cover it with a cloth.  Matt built a water tight frame, and layed out the wood for me to come by and do a river rock scene down the center. I had lots of semi precious stones, crystals, and polished river stones in neutral tones.

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He will pour resin over it all.  It will be translucent with a shimmer of pearl. Of course, the black and white material on the back will be gone, so this will be mostly transparent.

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The heart is a gemstone and it will be at the head of the table where my husband sits. Under the table, the grandfairies will be woodburning special messages and we will have a list of all the grandfathers who came before us.

Matt is making tapered, square legs from the leftovers of the wood, and I will paint them a distressed white.

This has been over a year in the making, but at this stage, things are moving fast. The resin is poured and the table is ready for the sanding and polishing. I will have it delivered in time for A Snowbird's Song. This will seat about 12, so I will put my existing dining table (that seats 12 also) in to the hearthroom for the party, and will add another table in the living room so everyone will have a place to sit and enjoy their meals.

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