Sugarwings – Page 3 – Karla's Cottage

Thanks to Ryan- Camping on the River and Playing with Rainbows with a Overdue Break from iPads

Corona virus, Dew Drop, family, Ryan, Sugarwings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / September 11, 2020

We made a quick trip to Asheville to take Sugarwings to be with her dad and sissy before school started.

Both girls are doing virtual school, which can be done from any place with WiFi. Which means more possible trips during the school year.

It seemed smart to let them get settled into the new classes before doing that, though. We wanted to have a visit, and be home before school began.

It was good for them to be together, and play outside. They made three foot high bubbles with a giant wand and modeled for each other with a rainbow light. There was hiking, waterfalls, and a walk through a bamboo forest.

Honestly, between losing Ryan, and trying to cope with the pandemic, we have been failing as grandparents. Sugarwings has had a lonely summer when staying with us, besides a few boat outings, and trips, we are dull on a daily basis.

I usually make efforts to take the grand fairies out during summer break.

A typical (non 2020) week would have included daily crafts, one outing to a zoo or discovery zone type place, one afternoon at a movie, and one project. Plus screen viewing breaks for biking, walks in the woods, or some other outdoor activity.

But in this summer?

There has been a scarcity of guidelines about screen time.

In the past, they were expected to craft while watching the iPad or tv. And to watch a TedEd or nature show on breaks from their regular shows.

This summer?

ha!

Half hearted rules were attempted, but as each week went by, this poor kid was going deeper and deeper into TicTok videos and YouTube, without any interference from me.

Time outdoors, without iPads was just what she needed.

And sister time, was even more necessary.

My husband and I were missing our far away family. Loading up the camper to go see them again meant a lot.

Our son has a new home on an acreage that holds an organic farm.

While it is hard for me to have Adam and Dewdrop so far away, I was comforted by seeing how he lives.

He loves his green building job. And lives in a beautiful place.

I miss them terribly, but knowing he is happy makes me happy for him.

Pulling our camper makes it easier to visit, and thanks to Ryan, we can do that.

We purchased the new trailer with Ryan’s insurance check and I consider it his last gift to me. We can travel away from home, but always feel like we have Ry Guy near us.

He loved giving me gifts and was always so excited about them that he had a hard time waiting til it was time to pass them out. He preferred giving them to me before the rest of the family came for holidays, because he was such a private person.

The wind chimes he bought for Mother’s Day will always be treasured because they meant so much to him. He and I used to walk around the yard, trying them out in different spots until we found the exact place that got the most breeze for the prettiest sound.

I can just imagine his pride in knowing that he had gifted us with such a nice camper. I hear his voice and feel his love every time we use it.

I’d like to craft a sign to hang in it, in honor of him. For now, there is a photo of him hidden inside the refrigerator door panel. When we purchased the trailer, the fridge doors weren’t complete yet. I taped his picture to the liner of the door and had the technician leave it there when he added the permanent doors.

We also want to bring some wind chimes on our trips, along with some of Ryan’s ashes to sprinkle by the camper each time. He will always be with us when we are on the road.

A New Look for Sugarwings’ Room on her 14th Birthday- Mermaids in the River Through the Forrest

cottage, Hand painted, Hand Painted Furniture, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / August 26, 2020

Our birthday girl decided she would like to move back into the larger upstairs bedroom. But it had a lot of pink going on and she preferred aqua.

While she was on a vacation with her moms, I surprised her by un-pinking her room. At least the parts that were not hand painted, like the murals and roses.

Here is a before. It was a bit baby-ish.
I repainted the bottom part of the walls, that had been a pale blush, took down the fairies and butterflies. Then moved some of her own artwork into the space.

She also got a grown up, beauty care corner with fluffy pillows to relax on.

Along with make up and skin care products in pretty containers.

The desk was from her other room, but the curtains are new.

They are sheers with green vines, topped with a pair of blue, ombré panels.

A lot of the room stayed the same, like the clouds on the ceiling.
I hope she doesn’t outgrow that part, because I know I won’t.

Adjusting our quarenteam and adding to the quarentainer cottage

Corona virus, Dew Drop, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / May 24, 2020

Quarantining had been going fine for us. Sharing Sugarwings with her mom’s household, had added their home to our “quarenteam” so we didn’t feel too isolated or lonely. Plus, meeting friends for social distancing walks and zoom calls, kept me in touch.

I guess that I had walled off many of my loneliness for the rest of our family, to get through this period.

But when Dewdrop and her daddy arrived for a visit, and the big girls came over, my heart swelled like the Grinch’s did when he discovered the meaning of Christmas and realized that he loved the Whos.

We all said that our big sleepover felt just like Christmas. The grandfairies and I were thinking of little acts of kindness we could do as gifts for each other.

Welcoming them in wasn't a simple process. Sugarwings’ mom is an RN and researched in-depth some protocols to keep their arrival as safe as possible.

They all waited outside, then one at a time, each emptied their bags onto an outdoor table to be wiped down.

And ran over with an ultraviolet wand.

Sugarwings helped with hand sanitizers before each person came inside, stood in a tub, took off their clothes and went to the shower. Gloves were used to carry clothes to the washer, while fresh clothing was sanitized to wear after the shower.

While this virus rages on, we each have to figure out how to cope. We know that total isolation and never leaving the house can probably keep you safe. But as humans, that can only sustain us for so long.

We figured we had to make some choices to be as safe as we can be, and still make it work for our own needs.

Not everyone has the same viewpoint. We took our boat to the lake, and it was more crowded than I had ever seen it, in the decades we had been going there.
Boating could be a good thing to do for social distancing, one family, one boat, right? Out on the lake, far from other people?

It worked that way for us, we were not near anyone on our trip.

But while out, we saw so many parties, of multiple boats tied up together with groups going back and forth from boat to boat, kids all splashing together in the water.
But who am I to judge? I am sure that there are plenty of people who are much more stringent with their guidelines than I am, and would think that allowing family houseguests is pushing the limits.

Being judgey never helped anyone. I hope you are finding what you need to keep safe as you reasonably can and still find some happiness and comfort.

This isn’t over yet.

Birthday Party Decor Without a Trip to the Store

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

By Karla Nathan / May 9, 2020

There 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.

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.

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.

A Later in Life Career Change

Corona virus, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / March 19, 2020

Before spring break, in what seems like a lifetime ago, Sugarwings was in the school play.

And we picked up one of her friends for our family outing to the Shriner’s Circus.

Now, we are adjusting to social distancing, and no school in Kansas, even possibly past August.

Mr. Pop, my husband, is the new Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, and PE teacher.

For now, we have asked Bill Nye the Science Guy to telecommute lessons in his area of expertise, because we can’t handle that one.

I got lucky and was hired to teach Art. Our first lesson was about the color wheel, and complementary colors, displayed in Sculpy.

I am called, Mrs. Gram and will also be the lunch lady. Sugarwings made the schedule and has been a model student. I can already see her making the honor roll if she keeps it up.

One day down..

Good luck to all of you out there who have surprisingly become teachers, too. If you have any tips, I’m listening.

Our Cottage Christmas

celebrations, Dew Drop, dogs, family, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 27, 2019

Could I describe Christmas as both laid back and lively at the same time?

Maybe what I mean is that we had a lot of fun with simple pleasures.

Like princess cocoa parties with melting snowmen cocoa bombs while using Nanny’s china.

Decorating sugar cookies and gingerbread men together.

Taking advantage of the unusually, lovely weather by going for long walks.

In jammies.

We had a build your own calzone/pizza bar, so everyone got their favorites and it was a group effort for Christmas Eve dinner.

I chopped and sautéed most of the toppings the day in advance, then Ryan helped with the rest.

We had a house full for both days, with almost the entire family sleeping over, staying up late to watch holiday movies, using the hot tub to relax, and playing the games that were given as gifts.

I think what made it all so wonderfully sweet was that there was nothing at all formal about it. There was a nice, casual flow about the holiday.

We went light on gifts, with easy meals, took a few walks, had a wonderful time with everyone under one roof.

Dewdrop will be with us for the rest of winter break, so there will be more family fun time to come.

Sugarwings has plans for surprising her lil sis with elf pranks every day. We will see some movies, hang out in the studio to make things with all the new art supplies they got, and of course, snack away on those beautifully decorated cookies.

I hope your holiday was a blessed one too.

Actual grand fairies

Dew Drop, fairies, family, holiday decor, Sugarwings, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / December 22, 2019

Making Sugarplum fairies has kept me so busy that I am just now wrapping gifts, today.

My husband is in Chicago at a Chiefs game, Ryan is at work, Sugarwings with her mom, and Dewdrop won’t be arriving with her daddy til tomorrow.

That means I have an empty dining room to spread out gifts and get them packaged up. I just finished my shopping yesterday, on a fun day out with some of the family, letting them choose their own pressies instead of trying to surprise them.

As much as I love surprises, sometimes you just gotta let them do the picking. And even though I’d heard that yesterday was the busiest shopping day of the year, I still preferred strolling through stores with people I love and going out to lunch over ordering from Amazon at home.

It felt more like Christmas that way. Oh, I used Amazon for quite a bit, but a shopping date was like the icing on the Christmas cookie to top off my holiday festivities.

I also made some gifts, like this Sully Sugarplum Fairy for a great niece. It is as pink, glittery, and gaudy as possible for a very sweet lil princess.

I used another photo of her on a card.

This banner is for The Guncles’ nature tree. They can take them apart to use as ornies or hang as is.

I used the painted brown paper table covers from a Snowbird’s Song as a background. I also made use of it as wrapping paper this year.

Speaking of wrapping paper, I’d better get to work. I am sitting at the table having my morning coffee, surrounded by stacks of gifties and rolls of paper.

Perfect patients

dogs, puppies!, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / October 9, 2019

Our vet seemed very surprised by how calm the litter of puppies were during his exams last week.

They all sat quietly or napped while waiting their turns.

He mentioned more than once how quickly it was all going. There wasn’t a wriggler in the whole bunch. When he needed to look into their eyes, they looked right up at him. They stood still for listening to their hearts and palpitating their tummies, or whatever that was.

The only issue I had was in hauling the seven pups in and out while they were poured into two crates. Luckily, I had a helper who is probably stronger than I am.

In the last year, there have been many times that I have said, “I could not have done that without her help.” Sugarwings has grown up to be someone I rely upon.

And how cute is this? She didn’t know I was picking her up at school to go to the vet with me, yet she was wearing a shirt that said, “Trust me, I’m a Dogter.”

As a reward for being such good patients, and to stretch their legs after being stuffed into boxes, I took them out on the trails in the field.

Sugarwings turns THIRTEEN

celebrations, dogs, Sugarwings, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / August 31, 2019

Sugarwings and my blog are just about the same age. Here is the first photo I posted of her within a week or so of starting the blog. I have no idea how many times I have shown pictures of her here, but there are enough that I know I will pay the fees to keep my blog going long after I am done writing it, just to look back as a journal of my life and of the grand fairies growing up.

Thirteen years.

Really.

That flew by way too fast. But I have always thought that whatever age she is at the time is the best stage ever. Then, I am pleasantly surprised to see just how much fun she is as she gets just a little older. So, I am looking forward to seeing what 13 brings. And 14, 15, 16, on and on. 2 was adorable, but 12? What a blast! I can't wait to watch her grow and just get better and better and better as time goes by.

She has plans to be an oceanographer some day, and wanted her mom to throw an ocean themed party for the birthday bash.

It was just as cute as can be!

The shark was great!

The sea turtle cake was pretty cool too.

The girls started at her Mom's, then flowed to the Double Tree for a swimming/slumber party.

The next morning, after checking out, they came to see me the puppies. (Who am I kidding, this visit was all about the pups!)

All of the dogs were happy to see them.

I was too.

I loved seeing that my girl had such nice friends to spend such a special occasion with her.

If you’d like more info about puppies, there is a blog with their whole story: https://karlascottage.typepad.com/cottage_doodles/

More from Florida, our big night out, and some crappy seashell fairies that made me happy

family, sea shell fairies, Sugarwings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / March 14, 2019

Our trip to Ft Lauderdale was excellent. The hotel was at the beach and within walking distance to shops and great food.

Sugarwings liked to stop to browse on our way to dinner each night, and couldn't bypass anything this color. Her new favorite color (and you know with little girls, "FAVORITE COLORS" are quite a big deal) is blue. But she was drawn repeatedly to mint-ish green blue-ish aqua tones. Maybe it was the influence of the beach?

Our nightly walk down the beach to dine was a highlight of a trip filled with perfect moments.

We were lucky with our hotel, and had a room in an ideal spot. That happened in Orlando too. Have you ever noticed that even if you are at a great hotel, if the room is remote, you aren't as happy with it? Long waits for elevators, struggles getting luggage to it, etc. In Ft Lauderdale, our room was near the stairs that led down one flight to the pool/lounge/breakfast/gym area that had an express elevator right to the beach access. How convenient!

Plus we had a balcony with an ocean view, a major item for the criteria that makes a perfect room.

In Orlando, our room at the Carribean beach Resort, was distant from the main building, but right by the pool, bus, and the snack bar. Since at that part of the trip it was just the grand fairy and myself, I was glad to have a room near the snack bar. After she was asleep, I could step out of my door and refill my never ending Disney mug and not worry about her. Or get coffee in the morning while she dozed.

The location of a hotel room isn't always a choice when you travel, but I always try to get it targeted to the best spot I can. It makes the trip even better for me if I can.

Our days ran together in Ft Lauderdale, going from the pool to the ocean to the pool to our stroll down the beach to find seafood at night. It was so relaxing and wonderful that we didn't want to even leave the resort area.

We had reservations one night at a City Club owned by the company my husband works for, and we practically had to drag ourselves out of our casual fog of beachiness to make ourselves go there for the evening.

And we were so glad that we did!

The Tower Club was on the top floor of a downtown building and we had great views.

And they gave us each a white rose. We carried the blooms with us as we walked around after dinner. Since we were checking out and moving on the next morning, Sugarwings found a couple of little girls to hand our flowers to. I think she enjoyed sharing them as much as she enjoyed carrying them for a while.

The food was even better than the view from the windows.

But the dessert???

Oh my!

The chef sent us these cupcake topped sampler parfaits.

I'm glad we had the chance to show our little wild child another side of life. To put on a pretty dress, take an Uber, and go to a top notch restaurant in the city.

We all loved our special night.

Every bit as much as our time on the beach.

Even though the shells I came across weren't the best I'd seen at other beaches, I was still able to cobble together a thank you fairy.

Sugarwings scrounged up a few more shells for me and we made another one too.

While the fairies themselves were kind of crappy in comparison to other sprites we have crafted before, the joy behind them was no less. And as we walked away, my husband spotted a circle of kids around the fairies in the sand and talking about them.

Which makes them right up there on my list of the best fairies ever! I leave them in hopes of a child finding them, and as a thank you blessing to the beach. I rarely see anyone notice them, so it was extra special this time to know that someone had.