family – Page 47 – Karla's Cottage

Maui dreams

By Karla Nathan / January 28, 2013

We had a welcoming committee waiting when we got back from Hawaii. Sweet Sweet Sweety was happy to see us and was perched by the door asking for attention as we pulled up. (my porch needs some attention too, huh? Christmas branches? Let's just pretend they are "winter decorations" not holiday ones, okay?)

The grand fairies liked the souvenir tees they got, but I think what they really liked was the boxes and bags of macadamia nut and chocolate candies we filled a carry on up with.

Our trip was the best ever. Terry and Dale, my in-laws, were there for 3 weeks (lucky ducks) and greeted us at the airport with leis. I wore mine till it was brown and limp, and still the scent lingered on, so I kept it draped across the lamp shade in our room.

I hope we get to go back again some day. It could very well be the prettiest place in the world. Even the overly populated and tourist areas are lovely.

Its definitely varied, from dessert, to bamboo, to ocean, to rain forest. All of that on a single polka dot in the middle of the Pacific.

We participated in lots of tourist activities. Our travel buddies had been there a week before us and knew all the best places to go ahead of time, not just from that week, but from years of experience. It was nice to let go and let them plan. They were kind enough to haul us from one fantastic place to another.

Terry even took me to a swap meet for some cute little ticky tackys to take home as remembrances. And she isn't a swap meet type shopper. I think she enjoyed it too, we both made a good haul there.

The swap meet had lots of $4 tee shirts, plenty of junk, but also some nice things made by local artists, farmer's market goods, and a few vintage things. Terry surprised me with this necklace from a jewelry vendor whose work I admired. I don't know how she managed to sneak buying it with me standing right next to her! It was a sweet surprise. The stone is larimar, and it will always remind me of the ocean in Maui.

My favorite part of the whole trip was just simply being there, soaking it all in, listening to the ocean outside the balcony of our hotel.

I almost admitted to you that my most favorite part was sleeping, but I don't want everyone to know just how boring I really am.

But, dang! That was the BEST sleep of my life! Not only was the weather perfect, and the air bug free so that we could leave the sliding doors open all week, but we could listen to this fountain as well as the ocean in our dreams.

I slept 8-10 hours, and while it felt like a deep, deep, restful snoozefest, I still was aware of the sounds of the water. So soothing.

My body stayed on Kansas time, and I was up before the sun every day about 5 or 6 am. For those of you who did the math, yes, I was in bed by 8 some nights. I never see the sunrise around here, I'm never up that early on Central Time, so it was quite a treat. My mornings over looking the ocean and drinking Kona coffee were highlights of my trip. Waking up was as much fun as going to sleep.

Oh my, I am a little old lady, aren't I???? Who goes to Hawaii then talks about how good the sleepin weather is there???

The food wasn't bad either. I loaded up at a local fruit stand a couple of times.

The same fruit I buy in Kansas, was sooooo different there. The pineapples were beyond juicy and ripe, so much so that there was no core at all, we ate the whole thing. No fibery center like we have in the ones at home.

Funny, though. Roadside, the pineapples were $10, and at the Safeway they were $7. Today at Walmart in KS they were only $2. Now I have to say, the fresh in Maui ones were so good, they were worth ten bucks, but it confuses me that its cheaper to ship them across the world than to buy them straight off the bushes.

Everything there was pricey. Beyond pricey.

But the beauty was free. I loved the little touches I found, like this painted weed outside a store.

And the floral message left in the banyan tree courtyard.

Little details kept catching my eye, like this recycled glass used in planters of a parking lot. It sparkled so bright, I was drawn right to it. We were hunting back and forth, up and down for a parking spot, but instead of watching out for one and being a helpful passenger, I kept saying, "Is that GLASS?" "That is so sparkly, what on earth do you think it is?" "Maybe that is glass!"

Parking is not easy on Maui. Lot of cars and not enough spaces to put them. Plus the spots are tiny. Who drew the parking lot lines anyway? Some one who only drives a moped?

I have more photos and more to say, but I have a grand fairy visiting now and need to go scoop up my hugs. I have ten days of lost huggin time to make up for.

To be continued…..

ps- last day to enter the drawing for one of Amy's books!

Our Christmas

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, parties, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 30, 2012

It's hard to say goodbye to Christmas this year, but on the other hand, on the 26th, I was itching to take down the tree. I wasn't able to, due to other goings on, but I was ready to see it go. I think its because the lights all went out on the tree the minute the last gift was opened! That was some sort of sign. Plus, I feel like a dark tree is a bit sad. So, into the closet it goes, and I'll deal with the kaput lights next year.

We had an extended Christmas celebration, with all the kids over on the 24th for brunch and gifts, with a hot cocoa and cookie party afterwards.

Dewdrop came over with her parents on Christmas morning to see what Santa left under Grammie's tree while all the rest of the family visited other relatives. I think it was special for the youngest of 7 to have a whole morning of being the center of it all and opening gifts just for her. She was pretty excited, and a joy to watch.

We spent a lazy day, watching our littlest fairy play. My son, Mr. Zen and his Gypsy cooked a great meal for us all. Broiled lobster with seafood pasta.

YUM! The only thing better than having someone cook a meal for you, is if the meal is lobster.

Sugarwings had a sleepover on Christmas night, so Santa could bring some gifts to Grammie's tree for her too. She loves the whole spectacle of Santa, Christmas, and the arrival of gifts, but I think the stories and ambiance are what she appreciates even more than the presents. We decided that if we didn't buy a thing for her, and told her that the Grinch had come and taken everything out from under the tree, she would have been so excited, she would have popped.

That kid lives for fantasies and her imaginary world. She'd love to be plopped into the middle of the Grinch story and wouldn't think twice about not getting a present.

On the other hand, she was in heaven with the magic of everyone's gifts.

Many of the photos I tried to take look like this. She is darting about from one person to the next, excited to see what is under the wrappings. When I'd snap the picture, I'd get a blurry image of Sugarwings racing in to check out the latest, greatest gift her siblings got to open.

Yet, in the middle of all the gifting frenzy, she did the sweetest thing ever. We had 14 people squeezed into this little living room, along with three Christmas trees. So, Aunt Sandy made herself comfortable on the stairs.

When Sandy got a gift, Sugarwings would take it to her and sit to watch while she opened it. And finally, took her by the hand and led her to the center of the room and told her that she was "part of the group" and shouldn't be sitting by herself.

I was so proud of our little angel, who was caring about her great aunt during all of the hullabaloo, and not wanting her to feel left out of all the joy.

And joy there was. Plenty of it!

I think the dogs had a good time too. With so many kids around, there were plenty of crumbs. Twinkle tends to park herself under the highchair at most gatherings.

We kept the meal simple, honey baked ham, French toast and hashbrown casseroles made the night before, sweet corn frozen from last summer's farmer's market with some peas added for color, and scrambled eggs straight from the hen house, with chopped spinach and red peppers to be festive.

Paper plates, plastic forks, and foil pans made it all even easier. There was minimal clean up time, so we could get right to the fun stuff and gather around the tree! For some of us, it was hard to wait for that part.

I'll leave you with some photos of our day and I hope that yours was joyful as well.

The Merriest!

celebrations, Dew Drop, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 28, 2012

We had the BEST Christmas! This is a little video of our gift from our littlest fairy, Dewdrop. She practiced a dance and gave us a performance. The non-stop giggling you hear is me, she had me laughing through the whole show.

The video is pretty short, because she kept slipping and falling since her tights were slippery on the wood floor. A lot of the video was filled with mooning. Her little bottom was the star of the show. While I think itsy bitsy baby bottoms are adorable, maybe the internet is not the best place for them, so here is the edited version.

Our whole holiday was filled with laughter.

And a few tears too. I got a hand made stocking from our Gypsy and it was filled to the brim with sweet notes from all of the kids. I grinned and cried as I read each one.

We are a sentimental bunch. The calendar that the Hippy Chick and Sugarwings filled with family photos was a hit too.

Sweet is a good word for our
Christmas. Very, very, very sweet.

Breakfast with Santa

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 21, 2012

We had the best time at our breakfast with Santa at Lion's Gate Coutnry Club. The club is part of the company my husband works for so we have a membership, but if you know me at all, you will know that we are not a "clubby" sort of family. My Handsome Husband takes a chance every time he invites us in to see how his side of the world operates. We are all kind of arty and down to earth. He travels with the club set.

It was fun to have a reason to get dressed up, and have a fancy place to go, that was still kid friendly. I think its important for the little grand fairies to see both sides and experience some more formal places.

On the drive there, the kids told us how they had been practicing their manners. And there was a lot of talk about Santa and just how old he might be, if he was strong enough to chase down reindeer to catch them, and a few other curious aspects of the jolly old elf's life.

Fin was wondering if Santa lived there at the club, or did he just work there. And if Pop Pop worked there too, did that make him an elf?

Dewdrop didn't get the whole part about asking for presents, but she has been very good, so I'm sure he will bring her some ponies.

Everyone was at their country club best, manners were ideal and we all had fun. The only hitch in the whole day of us pretending that we fit in, was when my husband carried the baby around, accidentally bunching up her dress over his arm, as her little panties slid down, so that she mooned the whole dining room.

Her teensy weensy little baby butt was paraded all across the restaurant.

Aren't their dress up clothes cute? I found the girl's clothes at Salvation Army, for $2 each.

I'm quite happy to let someone else pay 50 bucks for a dress that gets worn for only one occasion, then donate it for me to buy cheap. Plus, my girls will wear them over and over as dress up clothes in their play closet.

I can just picture them all as winter fairies in their velvet and lace.

I wasn't so lucky finding something there for Mr. Fin, but he had this outfit already and looked extra cute. They did all get brand new shoes for the party, but that I don't mind spending on, since that is such a practical thing.

We were very proud of the kiddos, and they all said thank you to the manager and to Santa as they left.

The food was amazing. For Christmas Eve dinner, we are doing brunch instead of a big evening meal because Ryan has to work at 4pm. So, I was inspired by some of the tasty brunchy items on the buffet.

How are the plans for your holiday meals going?

It can be a lot of work, but when we all sit down together to eat, talk and be together, its worth every bit of the trouble of pulling it together. Moms and grammies tend to be overworked during the season with a heavy load of shopping, wrapping, grocery buying and cooking. So, days out like this are especially appreciated by me amidst all the rush and work of putting a holiday together.

I
will be away from my computer till Sat. the 22nd. Sorry, I can't get
new orders from the Boutique or Etsy out in time for Christmas. Next
shipping date is Dec. 27th. Wishing the happiest of holidays to you!!

Holiday parties galore!

celebrations, family, holiday decor, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / December 19, 2012

We had a big weekend, with lots of holiday fun. Friday night, our Hippy Chick and the two little grand fairies went with us to dinner and to see "Rise of the Guardians". Dewdrop loved it, because the "night mares" that the Boogey Man created were horses. She is a huge pony fan, and yelled out "go Honies!!" every time she saw one of these spooky creatures in the movie. To her, they were the heros.

Afterwards, we drove around to look at Christmas lights. One home here in Lawrence had an elaborate display set to music, complete with a video of a life size Santa eating milk and cookies in the upstairs window. At first, we thought they actually had Santa up there, it was realistic as can be. Then, the video started to loop and we started to clue in on what was going on. All of a sudden, the size of the picture changed and his whole head filled the window, that part was a bit creepy and unexpected.

Then, on Saturday, we had a holiday pitch in dinner and craft party. And on Sunday, we had breakfast with Santa at one of the clubs my husband works at.

For the craft party, a friend had a bagful of clear glass balls she wanted to use up and we were challenged to find ways to create with them. So, I experimented with a few ideas, and filled a couple of tabletops with supplies for everyone to play with.

Some became snowmen, some had fairies or family member's photos inside.

I also had boxes that everyone could decorate and either top with a snowman head, or leave as is.

Another friend brought clothespins for the kids to make into toy soldiers.

Here is a snowman that Addie made.

Everyone's projects turned out quite different, which is one of the fun things about these kinds of parties.

Dinner was great too, pitch ins are my favorite. Every time I look into a pot or bowl someone else brought, it's like a little surprise party for my tummy. I love food that I didn't fix myself!

My studio didn't get much in the way of decor for the holidays this year. I set out some of the things that I'd made for sale, which is an excellent way to decorate, because hopefully, when the season is over, the stuff is gone and there is nothing to put away.

Well, that is if things go as planned. But, these wings will still be in vogue for Valentine's Day, so I'm not worried if I have a couple left.

Our weather is once again freakishly un-winterlike this year. So after making their projects, most of the kids played outside. Sugarwings soon turned her princess gown into something that looked like it had been dipped in Hershey's syrup, she had so much wet, gooey mud on herself.

After she and her little friend got cleaned up, we settled them in front of Frosty the Snowman on TV and gave them some hot chocolate to warm themselves up. It might have been warm outside for winter, but not really warm enough to play in the water and mud.

The husbands watched the KU game and played pool, we made things in the studio, and kids divided up their evening by crafting and playing outdoors. I think they even explored the Fairy Berry Trail in the dark.

Yep, it was a good weekend! I even managed to get about 75% of my Christmas shopping done.

But please, don't mention wrapping. ugh.

I will be away from my computer till Sat. the 22nd. Sorry, I can't get new orders from the Boutique or Etsy out in time for Christmas. Next shipping date is Dec. 27th. Wishing the happiest of holidays to you!!

Looking away, but always remembering

family

By Karla Nathan / December 18, 2012

My heart is with all the families who lost their loved ones in the unimaginable school shooting.

I don't need to know the details, and I am respecting the privacy and grief that the people involved are facing by not watching the endless TV coverage. The media is so invasive and I hate that something like this becomes a spectacle for the country to watch.

I don't need to hear the shooter's story to know that our mental health services are lacking.

I don't have to watch interviews with people who knew these children to know that a tiny little grade school child is adorable, full of life, and adorable to be around, or that the parents and siblings are crushed.

I don't have to hear about the death of the adults who gave their lives to know that our schools are full of amazing people who take excellent care of our little ones.

What can I personally do? Not be one of those people craning their neck to see a traffic accident along the road, and look away from the circus the media wants us to watch for ratings. Donate to a local mental health facility. Use my vote to support any legislation that can help prevent future events like this. Treat the people around me with love and caring, and appreciate them, knowing that life is precious and our time here is fleeting.

Say a prayer, and remember.

Over the river and through the woods

cottage, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, holiday decor, puppies!

By Karla Nathan / December 11, 2012

Its been much more fallish than wintery around here lately and we've been taking advantage of that weather. Last week, we crossed the creek and went out in the woods to cut down a tree for the Hippy Chick and her roomies. They wanted to set up a nature tree outdoors for the birds and animals and are going to garland it with popcorn and berries, and make birdseed ornies to hang on it.

We've got tons of scrub cedars, that it never hurts to clear out a bit, so we all trouped off into the woods to pick a pretty one for them.

Dorothy Rosebud was a big chicken, and had to be carried across the creek, and through most of the underbrush. Twinkle and Albie Brave and Strong ran off ahead were so busy that all the pictures I tried to get of them were just blurs. They ran non-stop and explored every fallen leaf.

Cedars aren't the best trees for indoors, but I think it will be a good one for the birdies to have their snacks arranged on outside. I hear that it was a bit sappy, the girls had a Griswald-ish time getting the sticky off of themselves!

While it was nice outside, I took some time to clean up the yard and move furniture into the shed.

These chairs are brand new from an estate sale, I'm looking forward to figuring out where to use them next spring. I got 4 chairs and a table for $20. They are meant for indoors, but have metal frames, so I'm thinking that if I cover the seats in something waterproof, they will be good in the yard.

Some day, I'll do something fun with this shed. It used to be my antique store, now the other half of it is the chicken coop. It might be nice to turn this half into a play house for the fairy grand babies. The new estate sale table is not going to be good for outdoors, even though the chairs can work outside. So, leaving it in the shed can be a start for making the play area next year.

Well, at least its something to day dream about once the long, cold winter hits!

I've added some neutral toned mini wreaths with millinery to my Etsy shop.

As well as a few more trees.

Some not so neutral pretties too!

The last couple of weeks, I've been trying to accommodate as many special orders as I could, but I'm now officially out of stock, after what is listed is gone. So, what is pictured is all that there is.

Sorry I can't do any special packages for you now, but I can't even find any dark trees to fix up, the stores all sold out early this year, so I am too! I made quite a few tree runs this season, and now its time to move on.

At the time I am writing this, there is still a good selection in the shop, especially the ones that I have decorated.

Thanks to everyone who shopped with me this year, I appreciate all the tree sales!

Ponies and free holiday images

family

By Karla Nathan / November 30, 2012

While decorating the house for the holidays, I took a mid day break to go visit "ponies" with Dewdrop and Fin. She adores watching My Little Pony, and talks about ponies all the time. Its her favorite word. Many conversations with her go like this:

Me- "Hi, honey, how are you?"

Dewdrop-"pony?"

Me- "Can you say 'Grammy'?"

Dewdrop- "pony!!!"

So, we thought she'd be thrilled to see some real, live horses.

She might have been expecting pink ones that fly, because she was a bit underwhelmed. She did give them lots of love, and enjoyed snuggling big, ole, Dusty even though he wasn't pink or purple.

(Notice the orb in the photo? She is putting out some loving energy)

Our neighbors (owners of Twinkle's Puppy Daddy) have a whole herd of horses and were nice to let us come and take the kids for a ride.

Mr. Fin did a great job solo as well as holding his baby sister while horseback.

Notice there are no photos of ME on a horse? You won't be seeing one either. I love horses, and think that their necks are the perfect size for a hug and they have the world's most velvety noses. But when we had our own herd, I fell off of a pony (not a big horse, a little pony. And yes, fell off, wasn't thrown) and fractured 2 vertebrae.

From then on, I've felt happier talking to horses with my feet on the ground. I'm not scared of horses, and have recovered, as long as I keep myself limber and do my stretches, my back is fine most of the time. But I don't have any inclinations towards climbing up onto another horse any time soon.

We have discussed getting some horses of our own again. My husband thinks maybe when he retires, he would like to have some. But I'm iffy on the idea. I enjoy being around them and think they make nice pets, but they are really big and a lot of hard work. There are days when I'm overwhelmed with just a few chickens and herd of dorkies.

That face is hard to resist though. We will probably end up with a few. Especially when the grand fairies are older and can be responsible for their own horse or pony.

We will see if the grands even want horses when they are older. My sons never did.

Dewdrop just might want one.

At the indoor play center, when I gave her a new shirt with a pony on it for her birthday, she quickly stripped naked to change clothes, right there at the table.

She was very excited about it.

Here are some presents for you, some free holiday images. I used the farmhouse in the snow for Carol's Shine workshop, (where I am at today, please wish me luck!) as the labels on my kits. And the birds reminded me of my Birdsong friends, so I just had to share them.

These are all on one page, so click on the set of images to open in a larger window, save to your computer, then print it.

Painting puppeesh

celebrations, dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), family, paintings, parties, puppies!

By Karla Nathan / November 26, 2012

Isn't Ashley a beautiful bride? The wedding was lovely and our teddy bear of a nephew, Travis looked very happy.

The wedding was held in a shabby chic lover's dream house. I could have wandered around drooling over the furniture and decor all night. I wish I could have got more photos, but my camera broke and I forgot my phone.

Toward the end of the evening, it dawned on me that my husband had an Iphone that I could borrow it and email a few pics to myself. But by then, the light wasn't as good and I'd missed all the best shots. This close up of my handsome husband and I needed severe editing to make it usable. The rest, weren't salvageable.

Luckily, my camera didn't shoot craps till right as the ceremony started, and I had it for the bridal shower which was such a fun time!

It was held at Wine and Design where we all got to do a complete painting to take away with us, drink wine and eat yummy chocolate cheddar cheese ( from Trader Joe's).

This art studio is a GREAT idea that I would love to snag. You get a prepared canvas with a sketch on it, and the instructor paints along with everyone and they do a painting step by step.

Our class was a chandelier, but I was feeling a little homesick for my dorkie pups and for the kids. It was Dewdrop's second birthday, so I thought about her and painted a puppeesh (as she calls them) as a gift for her.

Its not the best painting I've done, but its aimed for a 2 year old. She likes it, and talks to the picture, telling it stories.

My idea of a fun party, is having a project to do, so this was right up my alley. They rent out to groups, and have a schedule of regular classes too. I think it could be fun to do in my studio, not as a regular thing like this was, but maybe a little class here and there, or teaching a painting of birds in a nest for Birdsong next spring?

Years ago, I used to be a painter, I rarely pick up a brush any more. I don't miss it until I do one, then I wonder why I don't paint more often.

The bride and groom are crazy about their pup, Barkslie, and I offered to do a painting of her for their gift.

This is done in watercolor, but I cheat, and use white acrylic too. I know that in the purest world of watercolor painters, this is frowned upon. But, I figure, its my picture and I can do as I like. So I do. I think the watercolor wash of shadows and spots on the snout is nicely accented with the white hairs over it. Now, the proper way to do this is to save the white of the paper, by using a masking fluid before painting the colors. But I prefer the layers, so I don't bother doing it the right way.

(the whites of the eyes are pure paper and so is most of the white fur, just not the accents over it)

If I do painting classes here at the cottage, I'd tell people not to listen to snobs who tell you that your technique is wrong and go for a finished look that YOU like instead.

Anyone interested? If so, please let me know and we can try to set up a class.

Happy Thanksgiving!

celebrations, family, flowers, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / November 23, 2012

Did you have a good holiday?

Ours had its missteps here and there, like any family gathering. But for the most part, it was a lovely day.
A 20lb fresh, organic turkey baked with garden herbs and olive oil went into the oven early and I got to hang out and play with the kids. I thawed corn that we froze this summer, baked bread and pies the day before, made mashed potatoes early and plopped them into a crock pot to stay warm, and I was FREE.

Setting the table is part of the fun, so I don't count that as any of the work of getting ready. Plus, I did it pretty simply, like the rest of the day, a few pretties in the center of the table and moving some furniture around to set up a second table, and it was done.

Ten of us went to see a matinee of Wreck it Ralph, which made me cry. That was a cute movie, and so much more than I expected. I don't care for video games, so didn't really want to go, but promised little Finn that I'd take him. I'm glad I did.

Afterwards, we played outside and in the studio. Perfect weather and perfect company. Who cared that we were doing this a day early? Everyone had the day off on Wednesday, and the date itself didn't matter to any of us.

All who came brought side dishes, that only needed warming up once they arrived. That was a delight! Every time I took a lid off a pan to see what was inside it was like a mini surprise party, and each one made me so happy. I love pitch in dinners, its so much tastier to try everyone else's favorites.

And I didn't spend all day in the kitchen.

This year, we tried to start a new tradition. Usually, I coerce everyone to say what they are thankful for before we eat. This year, I decided to do a "blessing tree", so diners could write their thankful thoughts onto a paper leaf and add it to the tree.

That way, those who didn't feel like speaking up could still contemplate their blessings and think about the reason for the day, beyond just snarfing turkey.

Sugarwings, Finn and I went out on the Fairy Berry Trail to gather up some leaves to use as templates.

I put all the kids to work producing enough leaves for the whole group.

Each person got a leaf and a glitter pen to write on it.

I made the mistake of using a base that was too light weight for the tree and it toppled a few times, but no harm, even when it dove into a candle.

If this is going to be a tradition, next year, I'll get a better pot for the tree. Maybe even bring in a living potted tree…

This is Sugarwing's leaf. (before the glitter got so thick you couldn't read it). I think it says it all, don't you?