More from our cottage gardens
cottage, dogs, flowers 
I tend to junk up my yard and home with old stuff.
And that makes me happy!
dogs
May Showers Bring June Flowers?
cottage, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), flowers
Quite a bit of May and into June, it rained.
And rained.
Then rained some more.
I dug some trenches to have the water run away from the house in a few places, but this river was created by the dogs running back and forth to bark at people walking on the other side of the fence. I needed to dig out a tunnel under the fence for it to drain, and then, this raging river became ideal for redirecting the water away from our home.
But just imagine the mud we have had to deal with from all of the dog’s hard work in crafting this trail!
We are so lucky it has only been mud. So many places are flooded or damaged by the tornados.
I hate to even admit this, but the rain hasn’t been all bad at the cottage. We seem to have decent run off, and haven’t had problems with it, once the torrents streaming across the yard subside and drain away.
We have been gifted with lush, overflowing flower beds as an after effect.
Our yard has never been better.
We have also put a ton of work into trimming, planting, and cleaning up too.
And my studio redo made me so happy that I wanted some changes outside too. This swing got a fresh coat of paint, and moved from the big yard that has been taken over by Honey and Sugar, to a cozy spot where it is getting used again.
This corner got a big refresh, I added two rose bushes, a viburnum, some other shrub (whose name I have forgotten), and ten bags of mulch.
I also planted this little perennial that will bloom in pink. My husband said that we should support a local farm/nursery that had tornado damage. He loaded up his chainsaw and gator to spend an afternoon cleaning up there, then picked me up to go shop at their garden center.
We have always loved that farm, in the fall it is a pumpkin patch and we have had many happy memories of tiny grand fairies playing there.
If buying a few pots and flats of plants could help them out, I was in. We even bought a few for our son’s home.
I am very proud of my handsome husband for volunteering his time. He is a nice guy to not only go to help but to also suggest supporting their business.
Happy dogs
dogs, yorkies 
We have survived a rough winter, and the dogs are appreciating having the windows open as much as I am.
More February Foofing, another small change
cottage, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers)
When I bought new recliners for the living room, I opened a Pottery Barn charge card that gave me cash back to spend in the store.
Pottery Barn isn’t my typical shopping venue. I’m pretty cheap on the frugal side, and usually go for second hand or discount stores. But those chairs, were the exact perfect pieces, because I do not care for recliners, but they are all my husband wants.
These were ideal, cottage seats that secretly reclined.
So, I splurged.
And happily poured through the online catalog, planning my bonus purchase.
When isaw this quilt, in colors that would warm up a drab February, I knew it was just right for my room.
First of all- roses and birds?
With old fashioned, faded looking squares?
Yep, perfect! I’m a sucker for cottage quilts, my mom was a quilter, and I’ve got a soft spot for them. Plus, I like the way they feel, layered on my bed.
It came in the mail the same day that my Sissy sent this robe to me as a gift. I felt like I was meant to be wrapped in those warm, rich, flowery tones when I found both boxes on the front step in the middle of that awful, polar vortex of cold that had settled over much of the Midwest.
They both made me feel pretty happy, and knocked the mid-winter blues away.
Snowday Adventures with the Pack
dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, yorkies 
We had the most perfect snow!
No roads were closed, the temps barely got below freezing, there wasn't a hint of wind. I could get behind winter if snow days were always like this.
We had a great time in the woods with the dogs, and I really enjoy watching the interplay between the pups. They are slowly, but surely becoming a "pack", not just a bunch of dogs that live together.
While Albie isn't exactly lovey dovey with the Bigs, he participates in outdoor hunts with them and they have a routine, where he checks underneath the roots, while they scout out the upper level.
He is pretty proud of being one of the big dogs and works hard to keep up.
Actually, he is pretty much on the sidelines, and they don't even acknowledge his help. I don't think he notices, he feels like he is in on all of the action. Twinkle, on the other hand, knows she isn't invited and watches from a few feet away when something important needs to be dug up or chased.
Albie never misses a move, and keeps a close eye on what is happening, in case he is called upon.
He may be delusional, but he is happy.
Over time, we have come a long way with the relationships. And now, on the other end of the learning curve that time created, Twinkle is becoming a Senior dog, and losing her vision. Out in our woods, we have to keep an eye on her so she doesn't wander off and can't find us.
Not that we would ever consider leaving her behind! These walks in the woods are her happiest times.
She isn't the only one who loves them!
Me too.
The countdown is on
dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, holiday decor, Sugarwings
Our family is on the countdown to Christmas and trying to fit in as many festivities as we can.
Sugarwings and I went to see the plays Elf, Rudolf and Annie…
checked out the holiday displays at Legoland… (although, Dorothy and Toto were faves, even if they weren't Christmassed up like the rest of the bricks)
we’ve sipped cocoa by candlelight and the twinkling of the tree…
are going to go to see the Nutcracker movie…
and have been making as many holiday crafts as we can.
We had a gathering to craft with friends too, and the group took a field trip to the Lecompton Territorial Museum to see the Midwest’s largest display of vintage Christmas ornaments.
Lecompton was important during the Civil War and is a town full of history.
And great, old ornaments!
In between, I’m trying to get things wrapped to place under the tree or in the mail and flying off to loved ones. Trying is the key word there- heck,I’ve not even finished shopping, let alone wrapping.
I hate to see the whirlwind wind down, I’ve been loving every minute of it.
But before you know it, Christmas will be here. And that means Dewdrop will be back from North Carolina to join in on our fun!
Florida Friends with Flowing Paint and eating from field to fork
Books, celebrations, dogs, family, Food and Drink, guncles, paintings 
While Karen, Regina, and Randy were here from Florida, we got together at the Cottage for some flow painting. I showed them how to make an ocean scene.
And we made some book covers.
They all got messy with me, and we poured paints in the garage.
This is a "swipe" technique. The colors go on over black paint, then more black paint is drizzled over it, and swiped across to make a pretty design. The paint needs to dry for a while, when it is done, I'll assemble the books, and show you how it turned out.
Here is Guncle Randy's other painting.
WOW.
I love it.
I wonder if he will notice if it isn't in the box I am mailing to him when the paint dries….
I'd planned a lunch for us and was happy to have a chance to use the fall tablecloth that I found at the flea market we all shopped at.
We had beef pot pie with puff pastry, salad, and rosemary garlic bread fresh from the oven.
With "paint pour" cupcakes for dessert.
But that wasn't it for the day…
Karen started her morning at 4am, dove hunting at the camp we had been visiting.
She brought them along to clean and gifted us with a whole flock.
It is not something I've ever done before, but intriguing. There is definitely a bonus to a meal that you have hand crafted, whether from garden to table or from field to fork.
And well worth it, those doves were tender and delicious! We soaked them in salt water for 24 hours, before marinating in Italian dressing.
While the dove breasts soaked up the flavors, we took a Labor Day spin out on the lake.
After boating, I wrapped the breasts in bacon, and my husband slow cooked them on the grill. We served it with a cauliflower mash, asparagus, fresh made bread, and a salad featuring tomatoes just picked from the garden.
Thanks, for being such a great shot, Karen! And for sharing your bounty!
The Pet Butler at the Flea Market
dogs, family, guncles 
Any place I go with Guncle Randy, he makes friends. He has always been so charming and interested in people that they are irresistibly drawn to him.
At the Sparks Flea Market he was visiting his brand new best friends more than he was looking at the goods for sale.
It isn't only humans that gravitate to his presence, all the 4 legged shoppers wanted to visit too.
As well as the 3 legged ones.
I can see why his business, Randy the Pet Butler, has grown since he began it not that long ago. He loves all the furry friends that he comes across.
He has been known to pet sit more than just dogs, of course, but I don't know if he has taken on piggies yet.
Although, if he did, it looks like they would welcome his care.
These piglets were for sale at the flea market, and we spent as much time squealing over their cuteness as we did shopping. I was sooooooo tempted to bring one back with me.
But, as sweet as Sugar is, I doubt if she would be all that nice to a new pig brother or sister. Or would appreciate the motto on the sign with the pigs for sale,
"Pigs are for LOVIN, not for the oven."
She was head over heels for her Guncle, and slept with him every night that he was here. When he left, she was searching everywhere for him at bedtime. He affects everyone that way, whether they have 2, 3, or 4 legs. We all want some Randy time!
I miss him too, Shuggie.
Around the Cottage in August
cottage, dogs 
My flow paint obsession is still in full force, and I used some of the run off paints to make a cell phone cover.
After a long, HOT, summer of drought, we had some much needed rains. And all of a sudden, the flowers forgave the heat and celebrated by exploding in color.
My estate sale shopping was minimal, but SO worth the one trip I made. Look at this score!! I'll let you know as I have journals and kits made up to sell from these fab papers.
And big thank yous to everyone who purchased some of my paint pour art journals, and mini journal kits. I have a couple left (from the dozens I'd made) if you'd like one, you can find it in my Boutique or Etsy.
All of us are celebrating Albie's new found happiness. After a couple of years of struggle with anxieties, he has become a loving, and pretty much, comfortable dog. We used a belly band on him to stop the indoor peeing, and worked with integrating him with the big dogs, plus gave him tons of extra attention.
He hasn't peed in the house in weeks, even after we stopped using the diaper. And he is much calmer.
Sometimes I am shocked that I have FIVE dogs and wonder what the heck I was thinking.
But of course, it means I get five times the love, and that isn't bad at all. They make me crazy at times, but I don't know what I'd do without them.
A trip to grammie’s house
dogs 
Yesterday, we had a visit from a couple of Honey’s pups. This gentle giant is Pup, and yes, he is twice the size of his sis, Sugar!
The other guest, Wolfie, isn’t exactly a petite flower, himself, but still isn’t as large as big, ol, Pip. Both boys are every bit as curly, cute, and lovable as Sugar, and I loved seeing my grand dogs again.
We need to arrange more play dates, it looked like all the dogs had a good time together. I know I enjoyed it.
They are a beautiful family, aren’t they?
