Dreamland...

That's where I should be...in dreamland. Instead I've been awake since about three this morning. Why? JD had to go to Georgia to take a load of peaches and they left at three o'clock. Why anyone needs peaches at three a.m. is beyond me. Well, actually Georgia won't get the peaches until about six a.m.

Well now it all makes sense...

So I couldn't go back to sleep and now I'm sitting here in the dark, blogging, browsing Pinterest and trying to come up with a menu for lunch tomorrow that won't heat up the kitchen or JD at the grill. The temps are supposed to be near 105 today and 100 tomorrow. JOY!

The a/c has been running non-stop since, well I think it was Thursday afternoon when it started. That power bill won't be fun. At least I have a/c, though it's very warm in here right now. If it's this warm before the sun comes up I'll be it will feel wonderful about four this afternoon...

What does one wear when it's this hot outside and one is fifty years old and doesn't love showing one's body parts off so much?

I guess I'll go with loose and flowy...and stay inside as much as possible. Loose and flowy also allows room for ice cream...

Let's talk about something besides the heat, it's just making me "dewey". Southern women DO NOT get sweaty, it's "dew", not sweat...

See the little cottage above? Wonder how Clover Cottage would look with a thatched roof?

Never mind, I'm sure that would be hot...

I'm going back to bed now. In the chest freezer...

Carolina Cooks!

Carolina Cooks!:

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Winner Announced!

Congratulations Joycekk! You're the winner of our give away! Just shoot us an email and let us know what your choice of prize is and give us your mailing address. Thanks to all three of you everyone who entered! 

I've been so busy this week that I haven't had time to do more than 'scan' the blogs I read on a regular basis, so I'm feeling a bit out of touch with my 'other' world. I love blog world and look forward to reading all of those I follow. I haven't even pinned an original pin this week! Only repins. I think. Now I'm not so sure....being blonde has it's advantages. I blame a lot on it...

Any-hoo! JD's girls are coming over on Sunday for lunch and little hanging out. We're both very excited and looking forward to being with them. He's a blessed man with four wonderful daughters, thank heaven for little girls! (I know you're all grown, but not as much as we are...)

Speaking of which, I have some prep work to do on the cottage. The craft room has spread out and now it's become the craft cottage. It's a wreck!

Thank goodness Melissa and I decided to wait until later to take our 'show' of the items we've made on the road. She's in the middle of moving and her wedding is coming up and she's feeling a bit overwhelmed, understandably. It's okay, we'll keep working and that means we'll have more to take with us when we do get to go. Positive attitude, hopefully, will take us a long way!

I hope you all have a great weekend, do something fun! If you have a pool, take a swim for me, or better yet, lay on a float for me and drift around. Put some sunscreen on too since you're floating for me. I burn easily...

One More Day!

You still have one more day to leave a comment to be entered for the give away tomorrow! Just tell me what color combos are your faves, that's all you have to do...
It's been crazy this week as Melissa and I have been working hard trying to finish up projects to take with us on Saturday to the street market in Columbus, NC. We won't have tons, but maybe enough to set up a nice display. I think both of us are so tired that we're feeling more discouraged than hopeful about whether or not we can make any money at this. Prayers needed and appreciated...
Meanwhile back at the cottage, everything is well, out of sorts. The only normal things are the chickens and Georgiana. Hey, just give them food, water and a little attention, it doesn't take much to make them happy. I'd like to be a cat, especially my cat...
Have I mentioned that it's supposed to be 100 degrees on Saturday? Can't wait for that...at least the market will be in the early part of the day, which means I'll be inside after that.
SO, while my weekend is pretty much going to be work, what's yours shaping up to be? Someone please tell me that you're going somewhere wonderful and doing something awesome. Or just make up something and tell me that, yeah that'll work!

Red Velvet Love...

I love cupcakes, especially red velvet cupcakes. With vanilla ice cream. Okay, I love all foods...all of the one's I've tried that is...

That's what gave me the idea for these towels. The things I love in life...

Cupcakes, flip-flops, dragonflies, and I'm still working on some others. If you would like to see some of the items that Melissa and I have finished, please

click here. We don't have everything online yet, but plan on doing that for most of the day tomorrow, as well as getting our Etsy shop up and running. 

For now, I'm headed back to the sewing machine. An unfinished apron is calling my name...

Give Away Monday...

Well, I've decided to give this birdbath filled with pansies and sweet potato vines away in the drawing coming up on Friday. Just kidding! Can you imagine what the shipping and handling would be? Ah, no....

I will be having a drawing on this coming Friday, June 29. All you have to do to be entered to win is leave a comment telling me what your favorite color combinations are for kitchen linens, bath linens, or anything really. What catches your eye? That's what I would like to know! 

The prize is a t-shirt or dish towel with your choice of an owl, dragonfly, flip flops or cupcake printed on it in your choice of up to three colors. 

So far we only have one entered in the drawing. So sad. Come on, give her some competition!

Hope to hear from you!

Are You Out There?

Okay, I've made the comments section open to anyone, so I'm hoping that will help you to help me. I'm looking for your favorite color combos, ideas for kitchen linens, and I would love to know what you look for when you shop for these items for you kitchen. SO... if you would leave comments, I would be forever grateful and I'll be having a give away of some sort next week, random drawing, of course. All you have to do in order to be entered is leave feedback regarding color combos. I'll announce the prize tomorrow, because I'm out the door to church right now. Toodles!

Cute Cottage Ma'am...

Why thank you for noticing! 

When I get tired, really bone tired, I get silly and guess what? I'm there...

The clover has been mowed with a push mower that's half my age. That's old! But before I could mow, I had to shovel four wheel barrows full of gravel from the plot beside the chicken coop.(Yes I'm the one that took it out of the coop and put it in the plot. Bad idea.) Then I cleaned the chicken coop. Yep. Then I replanted the bird bath and planted some hanging baskets. All of this happened in ninety-five degree heat. You can't imagine just how great I smelled...

And after bathing it's time to clean up inside and get something going for dinner tonight. Which brings me to this point. I must have lost at least five pounds working outside today. SO! You know what that means? Yessir, I get to eat like a stevedore tonight. And I have every intention of doing just that. 

Here's the plan:

A half pound burger with real Amish cheese, and lots of mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles and anything else I can find to put on it. Make that two slices of cheese. On the side, fresh corn from the produce stand next door, roasted with garlic and butter. Make that two ears. And you know what else? Suddenly I'm feeling like dessert tonight. Nothing fussy, just some ice cream. The kind that has loads of junk in it, chocolate chunks and nuts and bits of cone. Wonder what that's called? 

I'm going to look up stevedore in the dictionary now...

What's In Your Kitchen?

Now, I  have researched popular color combos, kitchen decor and all of that hoo-ha, but what I'd really like to know is what color combos do you have in your kitchen or bath? I love comments and feedback, so please let me hear from you!

Thanks and for putting your two cents worth in, I'll be having a give away sometime in the upcoming week to show my gratitude for your input...

I'll have to let you know what the prize will be...I'm too tired to come up with one right now...

A Week's Work...

Well, almost a week's work, I've started some other things, but they aren't ready to photograph yet. These pics aren't the greatest, I took them in a hurry, can you tell? I should have taken a little more pains with them, because they really don't do the items justice. I'll do better when I get them posted on the website :)

These are dishtowels that I've been working on and they really have turned out cute. I especially love the beading on them, dishtowels should be pretty too!

I'm also working on  tablecloths and aprons as well. Hopefully we'll have enough to open up shop next weekend at the farmer's market in Columbus, NC. 

I mentioned 'crunch' time at the beginning of the week and I'm feeling it even more now. I could use two or three of me, but one of me is quite exhausting, I can imagine living with more of me...I'm rambling I know, I tend to do that when I'm tired exhausted.

And guess what? I get to do yard work tomorrow! Yippee! Clover mowing!!!

Any-hoo, y'all let me know what you think of the items, if it's nice...

If not, well, let me know that too I guess. Might as well know the truth, even if it's ugly...

Happy Birthday!

Today is Gus's first birthday! Gus is JD's 'puppy'. A puppy that weighs more than I do though he doesn't realize it. He thinks he's a lap dog and if he gets half a chance, in your lap is where he'll be. He gnaws on my hands, my jeans, my shirt, his water bucket, his dog house, the tool shed and anything else in his reach. 

I thought about getting him a small pool to get in and cool off, but then I had the vision of him gnawing on that as well. So Gus, I guess I'm off to buy you a bone today. A very special, very large bone. Just for you. I love you Agustus. Happy Birthday to the best dog ever!

If I Could Just Get It Started....

I really don't know why Georgiana does this, but whenever I place a bottle of juice on the table, she immediately jumps up and begins work on trying to take the top off. Or that's what it looks like to me...like she would drink it if the top did come off. Not likely, though she does like any sort of tiny cheese crackers. Maybe she's thinking some juice would be good to wash the crackers down... 

Silly girl!

Almost, But No Cigar...

I keep thinking that this is going to be the week when I pull it all together. I don't mean this particular week, I'm speaking of any given week. I feel so optimistic on Mondays and then by Tuesday afternoon, here comes the 'crunch'. I just can't make things happen as fast as I'd like for them to. Maybe I'm getting older...Nah, that's not it. I think it's because I'm scatter brained...I'm sorry, but I do believe that's it!
I start one project, think of another, and so on and so on and next thing I know, I have ten projects out on the craft table and all of them are about one quarter finished. Then, as if that weren't bad enough, I think of something that would make two of the projects look so much better, so off I go! Then while I'm shopping for those 'had to have' items, I become distracted yet again, only to return home two hours later to a craft table that's a wreck, a house that hasn't been touched and a dinner that needs to be cooked.
Maybe I'm scatter brained and older....BTW, isn't Georgianna adorable hugged up to her stuffed animal? See how easily I become sidetracked?

Home ( Cottage Creations)

Home ( Cottage Creations):
This is our first 'try' at creating a website for our online shop. It needs work and we need help :).
Just thought maybe you all would like to take a peek at the early stages...HELP!!!

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Saying Good-bye...

I had to say good-bye to Miss Lottie Mr. Lott and Grace Bruce Ivey this morning. I know they're "just" chickens, but still I was already attached to them. Then again I name the writing spiders that live outside the sun porch windows. Notice I said outside.
JD and I put the roosters into a cage and I took them back to the farm where they were born and explained to them on the way that they were going to the "old home place" to live again. They didn't understand of course. They liked it really well here at the cottage. Who wouldn't? Well fed, well loved, what's not to like?
So after releasing them and bidding them farewell, it was time to pick out a hen. I just let Dawn, the lady at Restoration Farm do the picking. She placed the hen into the cage and we were off, back to the cottage. On the drive home, I asked her what would she like for me to call her, and she in turn asked me what my grandmother's favorite aunts name was, to which I replied "Aunt Lula". She stated that she loved that name and would be pleased to take it for her own. So that was settled and in no time we were inside the coop here. And then it was on. The other hens are definitely not thrilled to have Aunt Lula living with them. I guess it will take some time, but I do hope they will warm up to her. Y'all say hey to Aunt Lula, she could use the attention!

I will miss Grace Ivey and Miss Lottie.  I had really started to enjoy their serenades every morning...

Getting There...

True, it's one piece at a time, but the sun porch is coming together. S l o w l y... I have learned something over the last week, a hard lesson, but one that I've had to face, albeit reluctantly. I'm not the woman that I think I am. There, that's it, I've said it. Ah, confession is good for the soul... I feel better already! What in the world am I talking about? It's like this. I'm responsible for cleaning the cottage, maintaining it and the yard and gardening,cooking, chickens, a cat, redecorating, all of it. I have to admit, it's a full time job. Speaking of which, one of those would be nice, you know, to SUPPORT myself! Which led me to think of starting a business of my own. That, combined with everything else has forced me to the realization that I just can't be it all and do it all. Especially in one week.  And so most of the cottage redo has been put on hold, so that I can throw myself into this 'business wanna have' thing. The really tough part is that I think I wore Melissa out last week. and I'm more than twice her age! Bless her heart, I hope I didn't run her off...
Now that I've had a breakdown in writing, back to the sun porch. I'm pretty tickled with the way the cushion turned out. The best part of all was that I only spent ten dollars on it. It's cute, it's cottagy, and it was cheap. I like cheap. No wait, I want it to look like one hundred dollars and cost ten or less. Yes, that's more like it. Something for nothing frame of mind, I think I was born with it. Or maybe I got it from Mama. Sorry Mama.
Well, I would love to sit and rant chat longer, but the sewing machine is screaming at me to get back at it...

Happy Father's Day!

To JD, to my brother, to Mr. M. and to all of the other wonderful fathers in the world, we wish you the happiest of Father's Days!

 Sometimes one parent serves in both the mother and father role, and that's pretty much how it's been for my brother and myself. That's okay, Mama has done a wonderful job through the years!

So Mama, Happy Father's Day!

Oh My!

It's official. Grace Ivey there on the left and Miss Lottie on the right, are now Bruce Ivey and Mr. Lott. Yep, they are roosters. Two days ago I held both of them. Today, I was watching my back while  cleaning out the coop. I'm a little leery now, if you know what I mean. Both of them were crowing like crazy just before dawn today so when

my friend Melissa, who was raised around chickens arrived this morning, she declared both of them to be roosters . So now what? I'm sorry to say that they'll both be going back to where they came from. I called the farm this morning and offered to bring both of them back in exchange for another hen. The lady gladly consented, thank heavens...

Work has progressed slowly here this week. Melissa and I have been busy with our small business endeavor and are looking forward to having some items to sell next week. Y'all, I never realized how tough it was going to be to get this thing up and running. Especially when two friends who like to giggle are the ones doing the work...

Maybe she should work at her house and I should work at the cottage. It won't be nearly as much fun, but I'm sure more would be accomplished...

Well, I have to go and fry some fresh squash for dinner tonight. JD's mother has given us a few and they are absolutely gorgeous! Thanks MR and Mr. M, I know they'll be delicious!

I'll post the recipe and photos this weekend on Cottage Cuisine. 

It's not gonna be easy saying good-bye to Miss Lottie and Grace Ivey.

I sure will miss those girls guys...

Being Appreciated...

It's nice to feel appreciated, to feel like someone takes notice of your efforts, no matter how trivial they might be. Even though the sun porch has quite a way to go, and I snapped this pic the first day I began working on it, Georgianna padded right out there and and hopped onto the wicker love seat.   She looked up at me as if to smile and say "Nice job, Mama." I don't think I ever realized just what a difference animals make in people's lives until Georgianna came to live with me. I do love that little girl...
Now, if only Grace Ivey would stop crowing...Speaking of the girl's club outside, they are also an appreciative lot! They aren't fond of any produce so far unless I give them a little dried up corn on the cob. But they love grass! This morning I plucked a couple of handfuls and watched as they gathered at the door of the coop. They hear me picking the grass and they know that I'm on the way with their special treat. I should have been a veterinarian, 'cause animals rock! But then there would come a day when I would have to treat a snake. Nah, no way...
I hope to get some photos of the 'spiffing up' going on around the cottage posted this weekend. It's been a crazy week around here, but hopefully things will be settling down a little by then.
Until then, y'all be good...

Apron Winner Announced!

The winner of the Italian apron is (drum roll, ha!) 

Danielle. Congratulations! Please contact us by email so that we can get your mailing address! We hope you enjoy the apron! Thanks to all of you who participated!

I've been busy at the sewing machine this week, with cushion covers. I've also been working on a few other items, hoping to have enough to set up at one of the local markets this weekend. 

Although it's looking more like next weekend before we actually have things in order. Crafting in our spare time is a little different than trying to make a lucrative business from it. No, I take that back, it's a lot different. 

We're also planning on setting up a website for the cottage collection.

Lots to do!

We would like to offer custom colors for some of the items, if not at first, then certainly down the road a bit. Which is the real reason we wanted to start a little business, we can never find the right colors for our own homes. All prayers will be appreciated!

Meanwhile, back in the coop....

Grace Ivey, shown here is crowing again. I went out yesterday at 5:45 a.m. to explain to her that she isn't a rooster. She quickly hushed. Then at the same time this morning, she was back at it, with authority. 

This time I just let her have at it. 

I've been told that hens will morph into roosters if a rooster isn't around. I've been told that this is the hens way of calling a rooster. I've been told that this is only Miss Grace's way of asserting herself and claiming 'pecking order'. 

Guess we'll have to see, won't we?

Funny Story...

Well, it's sort of funny. I'm almost to my usage limit with Verizon wireless for the month. How did that happen? Not sure, but here I sit at McDonald's on Sunday afternoon, taking care of blogging business. Yes, I'm eating. I wouldn't just use them for their wi-fi. 

I won't be able to use my own service again until next week. I detest limits. Of any kind. I'll have to do better next month. 

Limits...sitting here typing this, I'm reminded of limits that really matter, and the first that comes to mind is being limited by illnesses and disabilities. I'm so thankful on this Sunday afternoon that no internet capabilities from the cottage is my only limit. I'm so grateful to the good Lord, that I'm able to walk into McDonald's without assistance. That I'm able to eat what I want, and can feed myself. 

Thank you Lord...

It's Saturday!!!

Yippeeee! We're leaving for the beach and I'm so excited! The sun on my face, the sand between my toes! Oh wait, I was dreaming....It's Saturday and I'll be mowing clover. That sounds much more like my life...
The beach does sound wonderful, but only if it's a quiet deserted beach, not the beach where there are droves of people, lined up like the Rockettes at the pool or down on the beach, and at night it looks like Las Vegas with all of the lights.
No sir, I wouldn't even go to 'that' beach if it were free. I like the little coastal towns that are sleepy and sweet and remote. Can't say the names of them or they may not be sleepy and sweet for long...
Doesn't much matter anyway, the closest I'll come to the beach is if I drive two minutes from the cottage to the landing at Lake Bowen. Which come to think of it will be crowded today. Guess I'll just stick around here, mow some clover, listen to some cottage tunes (Those would be tunes by Steve Tyrell and Bobby Caldwell singing the standards), maybe eat a burger for filet for dinner. It will be burger I'm sure. The filet was me dreaming again...
BTW...I haven't heard Grace Ivey trying to crow like a rooster anymore. Let's hope she got that out of her system...

A Room Of Her Own...

Technically, I guess all of the rooms are my own, but there's just something about a woman's sewing/crafting room or office that's well, different. The space where a woman creates is special. For some of us, that's probably why our kitchens hold a dear spot in our hearts. And that's where the food is...

I'm ashamed but yes, those are Christmas and Easter decorations in the photo above and yes, I'm showing you...

Recently purchased craft items, with no home...

Old laptop, this and that on top of my grandmother's sewing machine...

Junk, junk and more junk...

After three hours of working, moving a table in, moving the Christmas items to the storage building and tons of organizing, this is what I have so far. It's a huge improvement, but still needs some work. I want it to be purdy and functional...

Tupperware cups are not purdy...well, not in my craft room...

I hope I remember how to use this thing...

Much better...

I see pillow covering in my future...

We're excited about getting started and hopeful that we'll be able to generate some income. Melissa and I are both unemployed at the moment and money coming in would be a nice thing...

Kee Ke Ri Kee! Is There A Rooster In The Coop?

Just before six o'clock this morning, I heard a really funny noise outside of my bedroom window. It sounded just like a rooster. I don't HAVE a rooster. Or do I? I went outside, opened the coop door and went in. Looked around and saw nothing out of the ordinary. No intruders, nothing. The girls were still sitting in the roosting boxes, except for Grace Ivey (she's the golden one in the pic above). Miss Grace was on top of the box, making a sound that resembled a rooster crowing. What!!!

I sprinkled some feed on the ground and one by one they flew down to eat. All except for Grace Ivey. She just sat up there and made that sound a few more times before descending to join the others. 

She doesn't have a rooster's comb. Yet. Is she confused or is it me? 

Oh, BTW, kee kee rickee is Italian for cockle doodle doo....

No Escape!

I'm reminded of all the work that needs to be done around the cottage, no matter where I go.

The roses remind me of the pink redo going on with the sun porch...

And the hydrangeas bring to mind the blue and white remake of the kitchen. May as well stay inside and get it done...

I did find some beautiful fabrics for the sun porch in Landrum yesterday. But silly me didn't have the pillow cover to match them to with me, and once I was in the sea of pink, I got terribly confused. And once you cut the fabric, you own the fabric! So I'll be going back with the pillow cover to decide on something. 

If I don't stop running here and there to gather supplies, nothing is going to be finished. There's also the task of organizing a craft/sewing room here at the cottage. My little BFF and I are planning to start a tiny 'cottage' industry soon and we need a place to work. There is a very small room off of the guest bedroom in the cottage that will do just fine. If I can get it cleaned up and organized. 

I'll take some before and after pics to give you an idea of what we're working with. 

Stop blogging. Start working!

NASCAR Nibbles: Skinny Hot Pizza Dip | The Meltaways

NASCAR Nibbles: Skinny Hot Pizza Dip | The Meltaways:

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Cool blog with calorie nipping recipes!

Pieces Of Sun Porch Inspiration...

It's Wordless Wednesday, so I just thought I would show a few of the pieces I have for the sun porch redo, so far...

Rather girly, yes, but I am a female after all...

Off to see what I can find for fifty cents to pull it all together. 

Just teasing. Or not....