A Day at the Market

I hope you all are enjoying this wonderful holiday weekend - we sure are!  I just wanted to share some pictures from our trip to our local farmer's market.

Check out these hanging baskets - aren't they GORGEOUS!  I would love to have one, but we don't have anywhere to hang something like that.  So if you can't take one home, you might as well stop and smell the pretty flowers.

During this time of year there is very little produce available at our market.  It's mostly plants, herbs, cheese, honey, bread and wine.  Asparagus is in season right now, but that's about it.  In a couple months the market will transform into more of a vegetable and fruit market.

Here's Miss Savannah taking a stroll through the central square - she is quite the little independent 2-year old these days.

It was gorgeous weather outside and Savannah was loving it.  She is wearing a dress I made for her from the "Sienna" dress pattern by Lil Blue Boo.  The dress is made entirely from recycled knit shirts and only cost $1.00!

Matilda was having fun too - this is her "I'm so happy, I might explode face".  I made her a coordinating dress also!

The girls have been getting along great - I feel very blessed that Savannah has yet to show any jealousy towards her baby sister.  I'm sure there will be ups and downs, but I really hope that they will grow up to be good friends!  It just melts my heart when Savannah puts her arm around Matilda and says "best friend" - so sweet!

On our way home from the farmer's market we stopped at one of my favorite antique shops and here's some of the treasure I found:

A couple of vintage embroidered pillowcases (which will be made into girls pillowcase dresses) and a bunch of really beautiful vintage handkerchiefs.  I've got some projects in mind for the hankies so there may be another tutorial using these in the near future.

Anyway, I just wanted to share what we've been up to this weekend.  

What have you all been up to?  

Anyone doing anything fun?

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Summer Fabric Rag Wreath Tutorial

I have had my spring wreath on the door since, well, the beginning of spring.  I kind of felt like it was time for something new.  I wanted to create a summer wreath for our front door that would be fun and cute, but would break the budget.  So here's what I came up with.......

Summer Fabric Rag Wreath Tutorial

Supplies:

1 wreath form (whatever size you like)

Scraps of fabric (10-12" long)

1 piece ribbon or other material for hanging

Scissors

Directions:

This is a medium sized wreath that I bought from the dollar store, so it was only $1.00 (woohoo!!)

Pull out your scrap bin to find the fabric for your wreath.  This is my "Nicey Jane" scrap bin (I like my scraps to be arranged by fabric line).  I LOVE Heather Bailey's "Nicey Jane".........it just exudes summer!

Cut your fabric scraps into 10"-12" long strips for a medium wreath.  The length will depend on the size wreath you have chosen.  Use all different widths - I had some very skinny pieces and some pretty wide ones.  I like the variety of the different widths.

Now the fun part - just tie each strip on the wreath and tie it into a knot.  Push them very close to one another.  Do this until your entire wreath is covered in fabric strips.

This is what the front of the wreath will look like when it is complete.  Fluff all of the strips and make sure none of them got caught in the knots of the others.  Give the wreath, what I like to call a "haircut" if you feel the strips are too long.  Cut it down until the look is to your liking.

Here's what the back of the wreath will look like - which I think looks pretty also.

Now you will need ribbon or twill tape (which is what I used) to make the hanger for the wreath.

Cut whatever length you need depending on your door......mine was only 10" long.  Loop the ribbon around the wreath and tie a knot.  The knot will not be seen by all of the scraps on the wreath.  Place the knot down on the wreath.

Hang your new, fun summer fabric rag wreath on your front door.  Doesn't it look happy?

This is not the best picture, but you get the idea.  So I hope you will use your leftover scraps of fabric to make a summer rag wreath.  This really is one of the easiest projects I've ever done - no sewing, no gluing - just a little time.  This is also a great project to have the kids take part in too!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

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The Beginning of Summer at The Cottage Home

I love my home, I really do, but I'm not going to lie...........I can't say I don't long for a garage, an eat-in-kitchen or a laundry room that wasn't in, what I call, the dungeon.  But would I trade The Cottage Home, with all its history and charm, for any of those things?  NO WAY!!

Today my husband, Brett, was home and we spent this late afternoon outside planting our vegetable garden and taking in the beauty that surrounds us.  And wow, I feel more blessed than ever to be the proud owners of this 1930's cottage!

Here's a little tour around The Cottage garden.........

Strawberries

Getting ready to plant our vegetable garden.

We have had our apple trees for 3-4 years and this is the first year we have apples!!

My hubby brews beer (I've mentioned that, right?)......anyway, here is one of his many hop plants that he grows to use in his homebrew.  It's growing on our coach house.

Pretty flowers in the window boxes on the porch.

The very beginning to our wine grapes - we make our own wine too!

Pink peony - I love this flower!

The chives have gone wild!

More pretty flowers.

And finally.........The Cottage Home.

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Get Rid of the Funk and Recharge Your Day!

Do you ever have those days where you are just feeling in a funk?  It's like from the minute you get up, you just kind of feel blah?  I think we all have those days for sure!  The question is, do you let yourself get caught up in the blah or do you take charge and do something about it?  I say - do something about it!!

9 Ways to Recharge Your Day

1. Have a dance party.  Yes, this may sound silly, but turn on your favorite tunes and "shake your tail-feather".  After about 2-3 songs, you will be feeling good, energized and ready to tackle the day.

2.  Smile.  I know, this is super-cheesy, but it really works.

3.  Look at pictures of your loved ones.  

4.  Either pick up a copy of "The Book of Awesome" or go to 1000awesomethings.com.  My Mom just sent me this book and it is a great reminder of the little things that happen in our day to day lives that bring us happiness.  Read a few of these reminders each day and it will start to put a smile on your face.

5. Laugh out loud.

6.  Go outside.  Sometimes just breathing in some fresh air and taking in a little nature can turn a day around.

7.  Make a cup of tea.  There's something so soothing and calming to me about sipping a hot cup of tea.  It causes the world to slow down for a little while and gives you a warm, cozy feeling inside.

8.  Count your blessings.  Take a minute to think of all of the things you have to be thankful for - my guess is, there's probably A LOT.

9.  Make a list.  There's something so satisfying about crossing "to do" items off of a list.

So let's take the "blah" out of our day and make it a great one!  Happy Tuesday!

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Week 4: What's for Dinner?

It's that time again - so what's for dinner this week?  Here's the plan......just click on the picture to go directly to the recipe:

Monday

Make the first dinner of the week fun with cheese fondue.  Cut up cubes of bread, cooked chicken breast, steamed veggies, potatoes and crunchy apples to dip in your fondue.

Tuesday

If you haven't tried this recipe yet, give it a go!  You will not be disappointed and I have a feeling you might start eating fish more often!  Don't have cajun seasoning?  Well try something else.....how about lemon pepper or italian seasonings?

Wednesday

Serve with a side of whole-grain Spanish rice, tortilla chips and fresh guacamole - delish!

Thursday

Breakfast for dinner?  Yep, that's right!  Change it up a bit - I bet your family will be pleasantly surprised.

Friday

Make this an entree by adding cubed ham or cooked chicken breasts.......I'm getting hungry just thinking about this dish!

Have a great week!

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