LiveLoveDIY: Kitchen Cabinet Chalk Paint Makeover

LiveLoveDIY: Kitchen Cabinet Chalk Paint Makeover: I firmly believe in making the best of what you have. What I have is a very small kitchen. But after a few weeks of elbow grease, abo...
Y'all check this out! I'm totally doing this. Right after I complete the other tasks listed on the cottage to do's page. I'll show y'all my cabinets when I'm finished with them. That will be in approximately five years...

Sunday...

II Corinthians 13:5 

The reading from our Sunday morning service and my 'just beginning to bloom' hydrangeas. 

Thanks Be To God!

Y'all have a blessed day!

What Sounds Good For Dinner?

Click on our Facebook badge and go there to answer the question!

Yard Sale! Or Not...

This is my driveway at seven-thirty this morning. All of my goodies (junk) lined up like the Rockettes. You would think that at least one person would stop. I do after all, live on a main road. It's in the sticks, I'll admit but still, it's heavily traveled. Not one soul came by, except for my BFF, Melissa. She ended up taking half of it home with her, which was a good thing, since the rest of it completely filled the back seat and rear of my CRV. The unsold items are now happily residing at the local Hospice thrift store, along with the other four carloads I've taken in the last few weeks. Now when I go in there to look around, I feel right at home!

See For Yourself!

The 'before' photos of the furniture yesterday didn't really show just how badly it needed to be repainted. Since I got some paint on it yesterday, you can see for yourself how much it did. It's going well (so far) and I'm looking forward to finishing it next week (year). I have mentioned that I'm in the process of trying to redo   just about anything around here that can be redone. Furniture, walls, cabinets, etc. I was thinking about how much paint this was going to take and the expense of it all, which led me to remember the post I made about getting new (to me) white furniture for the living room. All of that jumbled mess runs around in my head during most of my waking hours... Clean out...paint...redo this, redo that...what made you buy that color of (name something) So, where am I going with this? I'm going to Lowe's and purchase white paint by five gallon buckets. Why in world did I only invest in one gallon? Getting down to the nitty gritty...white makes me happy. Until it gets dirty. My brain is tired...

Overdue Projects!

This one goes far and beyond being considered overdue. This project should have been tackled twenty years ago. Excuse me, I was raising a very busy son, working full time and well, you all know the drill. Excuses aside, I have the paint and the time now. This is the bedroom furniture from my childhood. Why do I still have it? Blame it on the ex. He never saw any reason to buy new, so I'm still the proud owner of it. I know it looks purdy rough in these photos, but it is even worse viewed live. But today its the day I'm going to tackle it! C'mon ugly, dingy furniture, I can take you on, big girl!
I'm ready, it's too wet outside to do anything in the yard, and I like to paint. It's like therapy for me. Fresh white  coats of paint. What could be more soothing to the soul? Well, a good ham and cheese omelet would work pretty well right now....
PS, can't wait to get rid of the gold trim on this stuff! What were my parents thinking? Gold? Seriously?

Congratulations!

Neshanne Dean is the winner of the yellow watering can! Thanks Neshanne and to those of you who entered and liked our page! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Neshanne, if you would please send the address that you would like to have the watering can mailed to, I will ship it to you on Monday. Please send the address to dj@countrygalsplace.com, thanks!

Give Away Winner Announced On Friday!

I'll be announcing the winner of the humble little watering can tomorrow. If you haven't entered and would like a chance to win, just click on the Facebook link and like our page!

New Furniture!

I think I'm getting new, well, new to me items for the cottage den. I have a friend who is getting rid of her white furniture pretty soon and since I have always loved it, I asked if I might purchase it from her and she said yes! I can't wait!!! I love being surrounded by white, it makes me really happy. So happy in fact, I don't know why I even purchase anything with color. I'm stoked! Can't wait to show it to you!

Festus Bit The Big One...

This is JD and Festus. Festus is the turkey with his head dragging the ground. JD is the turkey holding Festus. Just kidding. JD got him yesterday morning which was a good thing for us, since it's the last week of turkey hunting in this area. It wasn't such a good thing for Festus. He also made an appearance at our dinner table last night after marinating in Italian salad dressing all afternoon. I have posted photos of JD removing the breast meat. If you would like to see those, please go to http://www.countrygalsplace.com and click on the 'around the cottage page to view them. It isn't a bloody deal, but if things like this disturb you, please don't look at the photos. If you would like to see us preparing the dinner from last night, please visit http://www.cottagecuisine.blogspot.com for the recipe and photos. I have a few more plans for Festus and dinner down the road. Do you know how delicious fresh turkey is? I hope you do!

Wordless Wednesday...

Greer City Park

Greer, South Carolina

April 2012

Drawing On Friday!

This Friday I will be giving away this metal watering can. If you would like a chance to win it, just click on the Facebook badge on the side column of the blog and like us on Facebook. That's all you have to do! Thanks and good luck!

Bloom Buddies

Bloom Buddies:Join us on Facebook and Google Groups!

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Don't forget the give away!

In the blog archives, scroll down until you see the post titled facebook, and click on the link to our facebook page and then click the like button. That's all you have to do to be eligible for the chance to win the yellow watering can pictured above. We need more likes on facebook in order to create a direct link to the page, so your help is greatly appreciated!

Cottage Cuisine: Three Ingredient Homemade Rolls

Cottage Cuisine: Three Ingredient Homemade Rolls:

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Cottage Cuisine: Blue Cheese Salad Dressing, revisited...

Cottage Cuisine: Blue Cheese Salad Dressing, revisited...:

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Cottage Cuisine: Black and Blue Salad

Cottage Cuisine: Black and Blue Salad:

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Facebook

Facebook:New link to Facebook for "From Clover Cottage"...

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Greek Oregano And Coop Talk...

I finally found it. I've been looking for it since moving into the cottage five years ago. Greek oregano. There 

is a definite difference in the taste of Greek oregano and other varieties. I rubbed the leaves at the garden center where I found it, sniffed the aroma and was instantly transported to visions of  meals of Chicken Parmesan, feta stuffed banana peppers, spaghetti, and Greek salad. Needless to say I bought it and will plant it on Monday. Hopefully you'll be seeing some of the fore mentioned recipes posted soon!

This is 'Down To Earth' garden and gift center, located on 1-76 in Tryon, NC. 

As you can see, they have just about anything you could imagine for your garden. They also carry a nice variety of gifts and feature a Christmas Shoppe. If you're in the area, please stop by and visit them. They're friendly folks, ready to serve!

Coop Talk! The wire is up! Bless JD, he's had a busy couple of weeks here lately, but has managed to finish with the chicken wire and he's also cut the wood for the shelf and the roosting boxes. Thank you honey! I hope to be making scrambled eggs for him soon, loaded with cheese...and grits on the side. And bacon. I'm getting hungry!

  

Give Away!!!

I have some, ahem, "things" that I want to give away. I like to give, it's good for the soul, and cleaning out things that you're finished with. Nothing wrong with them, but my taste in home decor changes about every six months. The only thing about me and giving is this, I want whatever I'm giving away to go to someone who will use it, love it, appreciate it. Get it? The problem? I don't have any friends who like to garden. Not one. So I don't know anyone who would really want a yellow, metal watering can, (I can't for the life of me think of the correct term for watering can, senior moment...)
I'll be giving away items from time to time, so check in often. Now here's the deal. Find the post on this blog titled 'Facebook' and follow the link to the From Clover Cottage Facebook page and like it. That's all you have to do. The winner will be chosen at random on Friday, April 27. Thanks in advance!

In The Yard...and storage buildings...and everywhere!

I have accomplished quite a bit this week. Trimming hedges, some of the mowing and still working on cleaning up and out. How in the world does one person accumulate so much? I'm not a hoarder, but my ex-husband is and so is my son. My son is twenty nine, why do I still have his Batman/Ninja Turtles/Hot Wheels/Lego's etc.?Because he asked me to store them, though I did have the thought that maybe I could "lose" them. Just kidding. The yard here at Clover Cottage is coming together nicely, and I'm happy about that, but it does seem like the more I do, the more I see to be done. Sometimes we just need to slow down and take it one day at a time. Never mind, I see dust jackrabbits in the corner across from where I'm sitting, it's always something...

Cottage Love..

I have great love for Clover Cottage. I don't think I've ever loved a home as much as I do this one. Well, with the possible exception of my grandmother's home. It too was a tiny place that I envied as a child. I don't really know why, but I have always adored tiny spaces. If it were feasible I think I would be delighted to abide in an Air Stream canned ham camper. I have a few pictures of those campers on my Pinterest boards. I'm smitten with them! And that's why I have cottage love...

This is one of the two bedrooms at the cottage. The old china cabinet is filled with antique linens. I'll photograph those soon and write about them.

Close-up of the antique chenille bedspread on the bed.

Bedroom number two. I recently changed the linens from taupe to the white and yellow. I know what you're thinking...paint those walls! I intend to, in time, it's on the list!

The one and only bathroom. I didn't mean for the toilet to get in the pic, but the room is so small it couldn't be avoided.

One corner of the cottage kitchen, the largest room in the home, which is perfect for me!

I love me some kitchen, I love me some cottage, I love me some white (could you tell?). But there is one thing that I don't love about this home, only one. And that is where it is. Right on a highway which just happens to be right on everyone's way to here or there....Get my drift?

Easy Cornbread!

CG's tasty bites: Don's Cornbread:

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Cottage Cuisine: Pinto Beans...

Cottage Cuisine: Pinto Beans...:

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Low On Bytes...

My laptop is wireless, which is wonderful, sort of. Because I can't help myself from playing on Pinterest every time I take a break from working on the cottage, I almost ran out of GB's, whatever those are. I just know that I'm allowed so many per month and I had better not go over or it will cost extra. So, I'm trying to beat the system, I'm  good at that, not in a crooked way, never! I know God watches me and I try to be a good girl always. Here's what I'm doing. I download or upload, whatever you call it, the photos, then go offline and write the blog post! Genius! I realize that I'm slow and that many of you are probably doing the same thing. Last night I also went through my online photo albums and learned how to label them so that I don't burn up GB's looking for the photo I need. It doesn't take much to entertain me, true. I also worked offline on my cookbook/lifestyle book. Hey, as long as I get to talk and play with the photos I'm okay with that! I'm really not addicted to online living, really...
I've been working around the cottage this week too. Lots of work! I mowed the grass (clover) trimmed all of the hedges...oh, wait a minute, I'll go back online and get some photos of what I've accomplished and then post  about that. Need to check on Pinterest anyway...By the way, I wonder if Miss Georgiana, above has learned how to go online. That could be the reason my GB's are disappearing...

Cottage Cuisine: Creamy Parmesan Salad Dressing, Easy!

Cottage Cuisine: Creamy Parmesan Salad Dressing, Easy!:

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Cottage Cuisine: Chicken Pot Pie!

Cottage Cuisine: Chicken Pot Pie!:

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Facebook

Facebook:

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Not So Wordless Wednesday...

I realize that it's wordless Wednesday, and I promise to try to adhere to that in the future, but for today, not so much... I got much accomplished in the yard yesterday, but I still have far to go. One project that I intend to tackle once the rain stops, is getting this swing clean and user friendly. Not an easy task. I have to bleach it to get the 'junk' off of it, then paint it and maybe adorn it with a quilt or two. All of this has to happen without disturbing the birdies that make their home in the two bird houses on each side of the swing. Wish me luck!!!

Burgers And Hashbrowns!

Great dinner that's easy to prepare!

What could be easier than frozen, diced potatoes with the onions already thrown in? I've never even noticed that these potatoes existed before. I'm normally a purist, buying fresh produce from local markets. But I have two very kind little elves that bring me things from their shopping trips from time to time. These potatoes were courtesy of them. I have to say, they were really good!

Ingredients:

1 20-ounce bag diced potatoes with onion

Canola oil

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Cover the bottom on a twelve inch, non-stick skillet with canola oil.

Heat on medium until the oil is hot.

Add potatoes, salt and pepper and cover. 

Cook for twelve minutes, flipping the potatoes every three to four minutes.

Spray the bottom and sides of an 8x8 casserole dish and add the cooked potatoes.

Add the cheddar to the top and bake for fifteen to twenty minutes, until the cheese has melted. I forgot to take a photo of the finished potatoes before scooping them out of the casserole. Sorry, I was starving and hunger makes me forgetful!

I must confess, the burgers were left over from the cookout we had on Sunday. There, now I feel better!

These potatoes would be wonderful for breakfast to brunch also!

Mowin',mowin',mowin'...

I should take a pic of what I use to mow this lawn (clover). It's no less than thirty years old, with a broken wheel that has been welded back on. It's heavy. I'm not. It takes me hours to mow an area the size of a postage stamp. The yard is surrounded by at least six tall oak trees that cry branches onto the ground whenever the wind blows. I have to pick those up before I can mow and place them on a pile to be burned later, when the wind isn't blowing. Notice the photo above. Their grass looks nice. I'm going for now. Gotta go see a man about a goat....

Dinner, Part 2

By the time JD got finished helping his friend last evening, I was famished and so was he. He offered to buy dinner at one of the local Mexican restaurants on Main Street in Landrum, pictured above. I ran to the car as fast as I could. I ate a huge amount of chips and salsa and hot sauce, I love spicy! Then I tore into the sizzling hot fajitas, with guac, lettuce tomato sour cream on top. I didn't even wait for them to quit sizzling.
Note to self: I will be clover mowing today and I must eat something for lunch...

It Ain't Looking Purdy...

Dinner plans aren't going too well. It's almost seven o'clock and I haven't eaten yet. JD has been helping a friend this afternoon and evening and I couldn't make anything because I wasn't sure when they would finish up. Men....
Forget the steak dinner, I'm about to start licking the butter dish. Not really, but I am starving!!! Come on JD! Subway is starting to sound like gourmet....

Dinner...

What's on your menu tonight? Traditionally here at the cottage, Monday is chicken casserole night, but I've been in the yard all day and I don't think it's going to happen. So, let me put my thinking cap on and if I'm able to pull a menu together, I'll get some recipes posted tomorrow...Steak dinner sounds good...just sayin'...

Stages Of A Chicken Coop

It was just an old garage with no roof...

The old frame came down...

New frame went up and I painted...

 Finally, some wire!

And a door, and lots of weeding inside.


It's getting there, slowly....