Food and Drink – Karla's Cottage

Just the best

By Karla Nathan / December 29, 2025

While my boy was here, we did some beading. I did not get photos of all the necklaces he crafted, there are a few more. Then the last day, we had a crimper failure, every one we finished that night, slipped apart.

At first there was heart ache and doubt- did we do the whole week’s worth of creations wrong and each would become a series of beads escaping across the room when worn?

Then, we tried the tool on the crimping beads separately from a necklace and watching closely how they closed. It looks like we simply wore that tool out and the crimping beads were no longer closing correctly. They came out twisted and smashed.

There is some worry about when this began. Were the previously made ones getting progressively worse as we went along, or did it happen all at once? There was one moment when the tool locked up pretty hard, maybe that was it?

I advised Adam not to wear one of the pieces on his flight today, that maybe he should only wear them around his house until he knows they won’t break, and keep a bag in his pocket to gather up beads just in case. He also filled bags with the bits and pieces of the ones he created that the closures failed on, so he could buy a crimping tool and recreate them at home later.

A lot of my time went into making bracelets to sell at Good Juju. I put together a couple necklaces, my last one is where we discovered our catastrophe with the tool. Luckily, it fell apart in my hands as I was finishing it, so I didn’t have to crawl under the table looking for gemstones. I put some tape on the ends of the wire, will go buy myself another crimper, and repair it later. But I’ll be fixing it alone, Adam will be back in North Carolina.

I’m going to miss my babies when they leave.

Not just me, the furry side of our family will be thinking about Dewdrop when she is gone.

They got lots of attention from her

You know what else I’ll miss? My jeans. I doubt if they will fit now.

We had over the top, magnificent meals every night. A friend had given us a cooler full of t-bones, lamp chops, roasts, and more, all grass fed and raised on his farm. Our dinners each featured a a delicious selection along with fresh veggies, I made bread and cinnamon rolls multiple times. Sugarwings perfected a recipe for coconut sugar brownies, and kept busy making them every couple of days. Adam doesn’t eat cane sugar, so I did some experimenting with how I made cookies and rolls too. Probably a more healthy choice, but hey, handfuls of cookies and plates full of meat every day still is a lot of food.

We had a BIG and utterly wonderful meal like that every single day. Plus, Adam took charge and my participation was minimal. Not only will I be missing the wonderful food, I’m losing the chef too.

He has a good life in the mountains, and I know he loves being there. But it’s very far away from the plains of Kansas.

We were blessed to have this time with our family, and I treasure each moment.

Thoughts of Ryan were with me throughout. I wore his pj pants, watched some of his favorite shows, and closely noted things he would have loved. Losing him makes every moment with his brother even more precious.

It was a beautiful week.

Merry Merry

celebrations, family, Food and Drink

By Karla Nathan / December 25, 2025

My boy is in town with Dewdrop and Jacquelyn, and we’ve had some holiday adventures. I was jealous about their ice skating fun, since I couldn’t join it, but I got lots of joy watching them. They were a delightful show.

Adam and his sweetie have some enviable skills that deceptively make the sport look easy, but I was smart enough to know that my clumsy, concussion prone, bad shouldered, just recovering from two viruses, self, really should not attempt the ice rink.

The kiddos had a good time, but were ready to sip some tummy warming Starbucks with us and let their dad glide on without them for a while.

Not only are they graceful skaters, my boy and Jacquelyn are excellent cooks and have been treating us to spectacular meals each night too.

Our first day was iffy, we me still being under the weather, and our plans shifted a few times, trying to figure out the best way to go. Instead of picking them up at the airport and spending the day, we sent Sugarwings as chauffeur and I rested til it was time to go so we were able to keep our evening plans.

And the show was so cute. Silly, with less drama than most Cirque programs. Just right to kick off our holiday week.

Each day we have been crafting late into the night! I’m still a bit worn out and my creativity isn’t at its peak, but Adam’s pieces have been magnificent. And we still have days to go, with time for more beading. Along with cookie making, a ping pong tournament, and watching some holiday shows. Plus, as an added bonus, Santa has delivered some 60 plus degree weather, so we will be getting in lots of dog walks.

I hope the week brings you joy, also. Merry Christmas!

A much needed night out but I should’ve been more patient

family, Food and Drink

By Karla Nathan / December 21, 2025

After my busy week of First Friday at Good Juju, tearing down my booth for a redo, hosting two parties, and Christmas shopping, I caught a cold.

It was unpleasant, but not bad.

It was the kind of cold where I wanted to curl up and rest, but didn’t really have to, I could keep going, getting my work that I was behind on caught up. I’d spent most of November suffering from a horrid case of hand, foot, and mouth disease, where all I could do was rest. Too sick to consider anything else.

So I was way behind on most of my life.

I’d been staying away from the kiddo to prevent passing on the cold, and after all of those weeks of isolating from the family with the HFM disease then a week of this new ailment, I was plum sick of sickness and being alone. So on an evening when I thought I might be getting over this pesky cold, Sugarwings and I decided to go out on the town together and hang out.

We had such fun! 23td Street Brewery is festive for the holiday, and I got hugs from the grand fairy. But as the evening rolled on, I got a bit run down. And while shopping, I realized the candles had no scent. I thought they were defective.

Then it dawned on me that I could have covid for the very first time.

Yep, that’s what it was. My taste buds were fine and I loved the meal, but my nose was not doing its job.

And I’d jumped the gun by snuggling the grand a bit too soon. Now my biggest worry is did I ruin Christmas by spreading this? My son and his people are heading this way, I should be fine by the time they arrive, but it would be just awful if his child is sick while he is here.

I guess I’m lucky to have avoided Covid this long. And very lucky that it was mild when I finally got it. The spin I’m trying to put on this is about as believable as Sugar’s fake smile.

Right now, I’m pretty sad. But fingers crossed that we will all be healthy together for the holidays. I’m lucky my boy is on his way here, and that we can be together. Even with masks.

Surprise!

Food and Drink, friends

By Karla Nathan / August 24, 2025

My good buddy, Jen, had a birthday surprise party planned by another great pal, Shanna. She came up with the idea of making a donut tower and adding flags consisting of pictures of Jen’s artwork on picks to hold the treats in place.

Shan rents studio space at a venue that allows members to make use of a communal area when needed (we meet up there for a weekly mosaic club).

The room is already filled with tables and chairs, plus there is bright colored art all around. We brought in vintage tablecloths and banners to hang. And I’d just redone my booth at Good Juju for Halloween, so I’d packed up all the paper roses and white wisteria that I’d used in it previously.

I brought two bags full of flowers to spread around the room adding a rosy splash color.

The meal was scrumptious, you gotta love a pitch in dinner. They remind me of the annual family reunions we had in southern Indiana. Everyone goes all out to make that one, special dish to share, so you get the best of the best recipes, right?

Well, sometimes. I’m afraid my contribution was a bit simple. But the dip did include fresh tomatoes from our garden and was in a pretty compote.

The birthday girl was properly surprised (she thought she was running an errand for the Art Guild, then going out to dinner), the meal everyone shared was great, I got to see people I hadn’t talked to in ages, and we had a blast decorating together before guests arrived. It could not have been a better evening.

An Augtober Birthday

family, Food and Drink, Halloween treats, Sugarwings, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / August 20, 2025

Welcome to Augtober!

I have been neck deep in Halloween decor getting ready for September’s First Friday weekend at Good Juju.

So when Sugarwings’ birthday rolled around, I was already full on Fall in August. And that kid loves spooky season, they keep their Nightmare Before Christmas tree up in the bedroom all year.

It was a natural progression to turn the birthday party into a Summerween bash with themed foods. Including a dirt and worms buffet.

The birthday celebrant spent all week using a silicone mold to make chocolates, enough clear ice cubes for water glasses, and plenty of fruity ones for our signature mocktail of the evening.

Plus drawing faces on the outside of the cups, filling them with layered ice creams, wrapping and freezing them so they’d be ready to serve for guests.

We dined on Monster Mac n Cheese.

Watermelon shaped with cookie cutters.

With crescent wrapped mummy dogs as the main dish at a fancy, sit down, adult dinner party with some friends.

Oh, and a Jack-o-lantern spewing out guacamole.

Why is Jack green instead of orange? At Summerween, you carve watermelons instead of pumpkins.

I was prepared to buy six small melons for us to cut up as a party activity, then we discovered that Walmart carries foam ones. With pink insides!

I’m sure the hens were disappointed to not get a ton of extra fruit, watermelons are their fave. But this way, we got keepers that could go home as party favors with the guests. And the foam punk-melons didn’t attract fruit flies like the real ones do.

After dessert, the kids, well, not kids, maybe young adults? Had a scary movie marathon and sleep over in the office/den upstairs which Sugarwings had decorated with tissue paper ghosts hanging from the ceiling.

Watching my Grandfairy turn 19 was a mix of emotions, but after seeing this get together, I knew that no matter how old, this person will keep their fun loving, silly side and always be my adventure buddy.

Treasured times in Guncleland

dogs, Food and Drink, guncles, jewelry, Travel

By Karla Nathan / July 16, 2025

We enjoy traveling with our dogs, and there is no better place to take them along than to the Guncles’ house in Jax. They get the full royal treatment there, complete with a throne to rest upon.

They aren't the only ones feeling queenly on this vacation. Randy and Kevin make us all feel special with their pampering.

See how they feed us? Deliciously beautiful!

We’ve been crafting, touring the antique mall they have a spot in, drinking good wine, and playing with pups.

As well as being fed the best meal I think I’ve ever had. Honestly, the red snapper and rosemary honey carrots rank at the top of anything I’ve ever eaten.

The dinner was so perfect that we couldn’t think of erasing it from our taste buds by eating dessert. So, I’m considering having this tart for breakfast instead.

I’d brought fresh peaches from our tree and made this a little differently, with a tiny bit of brown sugar, spices, and some white wine drizzled over the fruit. I think it will be an appropriately decadent breakfast for Guncleland.

The girls are enjoying the trip as much as we are. They travelled well, stopping at dog parks along the way. All are freshly groomed to be their loveliest selves for the adventure, including Honey. We take the doodles into the groomer a couple times a year, with home trim ups as needed, and regular baths in the garden hose.

But not their mama dog, I didn’t even think about getting a haircut for a golden retriever, til I saw one being styled when I picked up the golden doodles from their appointment.

So Honey Bunny got the full treatment, including a furminator brushing. Worth every penny! On the drive here, no clouds of hair were wafting from the backseat and floating up my nose. Who knew you could avoid fluffs of fur like that? And doesn’t she look pretty for going to see the Guncles?

We are heading out to a cruise this weekend, and the dogs are staying behind in the lap of luxury here on Sweet Cherry Lane. I know they will love every minute of it. That’s how we all feel here.

Celebrating each other

Food and Drink, friends

By Karla Nathan / July 9, 2025

Beth, Angie and I threw ourselves a party.

Their birthdays are only a week apart, while mine is a month earlier. But all are springtime, so meld together nicely as a reason to celebrate with each other.

While I don’t think you ever actually need an excuse to have a party, when I see one, I’ll nab it.

Any chance you get to have an afternoon with friends, especially if you also get wine and chocolate, you should take it.

Add in some cupcakes, lots of laughs, and who cares if it’s a birthday today, a month ago, or no where near one at all.

When I count my blessings, days that my buddies come out to spend an afternoon with me ant the cottage are way up there.

Delicious dates

Food and Drink

By Karla Nathan / May 12, 2025

How did I go 66 years thinking that I didn’t like dates? I recently discovered that they are one of my very favorite foods after seeing so many reels about how yummy they are and ways to cook with them. Those stories made me think I needed to give the fruit another chance.

I guess I’d only eaten them chopped up in trail mixes and that is a whole different thing. You miss the gooey, Carmel like flavor and texture that way.

When I was visiting my family in Indiana, I decided to try one of those ideas I’d seen online. It was simple, no recipe needed. Slice a date, take out the pit, add a nut and a bit of cheese, roll it in bacon, then cook.

We used Brie and seasoned almonds, but I’d say any number of combos would work, like goat cheese and cashews, or cream cheese and pecans.

I went sparingly with the bacon, about a third of a slice on each wrapped treat. And we over cooked them a tad, because I wasn’t paying attention. But I enjoy a char flavor, so I was happy to have burnt ones.

This is the only time I’ve sampled any of the cooking ideas that I’ve seen, and would probably do it again. And will try a few more ways to prepare dates too.

Although I love them so much as is, that I don’t need to do anything at all with them besides treating them like a piece of candy. And treating myself by keeping them on the counter in a pretty, lidded dish to snack on throughout the day. (I guess those are called candy dishes, huh? Appropriate!)

It’s still February, so it’s not too late to celebrate Valentine’s Day

celebrations, family, Food and Drink, friends

By Karla Nathan / February 22, 2025

I had a Galantine Party planned for before the holiday, but the weather cancelled it. Too bad, because with this dreary, cold, endless winter, we needed a break to be together and have some fun.

After the February Juju sale, I brought home my leftover inventory with a heart theme and decorated with it to make the cottage festive for my friends.

We rescheduled our gathering for after the 14th and I did not mind savoring all of my roses and hearts in the kitchen for an extra week.

Our party was right before more snow and hideously cold temps were beginning to rage across the plains again. So I salted my sidewalks, had logs blazing in the fireplace, and lit lots of candles for a cozy evening and we made the best of it. Our timing was pretty good, snow started falling later that night, we had our evening together before it hit too hard even though it was bone chillingly freezing already.

Originally, I’d planned mostly snack type foods. With the never ending cold and the dismal forecast, I figured we needed a more hearty meal and whipped up a beef stew casserole topped with Duchess potatoes, and set the table for a dinner party instead of a casual hang out evening. I was glad I did that, it’s good to enjoy your pretty things and spoil your buddies sometimes, isn’t it? I eat off of paper plates a lot, and completely forget I have these lovelies.

The day before, I made a chocolate cake. But not just any old cake, this was Bobbie’s buttermilk cake, a trademark, family favorite, best cake ever cake.

I’m not a recipe person, but I got out Bobbie’s cookbook where she’d complied recipes from our entire Downey clan and followed her directions to a tee to bake her cake.

Between Valentine’s Day being the adoption date for my sons, and Ryan loving that holiday so much, my sister’s last name being Valentine, and the 16th being the anniversary of her death plus her daughter and our mom’s birthday, well, I desperately needed that buttermilk, fudgey delight.

And it was sooooooo good. It tasted like home.

I was glad to have my friends to share it with, and served it on my grandma’s plate. Which I did not put away back in the high cabinet. That chintz floral pretty is going to stay out year round and get the use it deserves. We never forget the ones we lost, but I think honoring them in small ways keeps them close. Like using their things, making their favorite foods, doing things they loved.

For me, sharing these moments and talking about them with others I love is healing. Thank you to my buddies for indulging me.

Our Valentine’s Day and the loved ones we remember

family, Food and Drink, Hearts

By Karla Nathan / February 13, 2025

Sugarwings and I cannot resist a holiday themed cocoa party.

So we picked out some special mugs and coordinating Jammie pants to be ready to celebrate in style.

I gathered up hearts and roses to decorate our cocoa station. But, the bottles of flavored syrups that I’m hooked on had ugly labels that did not look festive, so I made some prettier ones on my computer for them.

We also dug out the recipe book that my sister, Bobbie had compiled with family favorites in it. Her specialty was a buttermilk sheet cake.

The Grandfairy and I will be making that together in honor of Bobbie, whose last name was Valentine. She passed on the 16th, my mom’s birthday. And Ryan was adopted by Rich on the 14th, so we have loved ones to honor this week.

There will most likely be a few tears when we clink our mugs together and have chocolate cake while thinking of the ones we miss. But my kiddo and I will be making new memories and traditions together that I hope will carry into the future.