Notes from A Cottage Industry

Breakfast of champions

    I've got company for breakfast today! I have had the best time getting things ready this morning. I set things up on my old vintage table that I have re purposed as a kitchen island.
    Bagels with cream cheese, jam and butter. Fruits and the future son-in-laws favorite coffee cake.
   Small mishap- the danged oven went into psycho mode again and it ever so slightly burned the top of the coffee cake (because I never left the front of the oven and grabbed it in time to save it!)...and cooked the cake in less than 15 minutes (the box said 40-45 minutes...hmmmm) Now, the men are googling ovens and measuring cupboards. Oh my, we just may have a project going on here later today.... I feel so loved!

She bakes seashells

   
    Besides painting the kitchen and getting ready for my Easter family dinner bash, we also have my favorite son and daughter-in-laws reception to get planned! Oh, it is going to be so special.
    I think I've told you that I used to do cakes when my kidlets were little, haven't I?...Well, I will be doing the wedding cake, or shall I say the latest trend in wedding cakes- you may have guessed- wedding cupcakes! (Along with a six inch top cake for the bride and grooms first anniversary...and I will share pictures of course!)  But, right now I am up to my eyeballs in sea shells. Actually seashell cookies. (and raw-brown-sugar sand!)
    Considering the fact that I have a temperamental 1966 oven that only heats to the correct temperature when it wants to, I have done a lot of successful baking the past couple of weeks. First cupcakes, and now cookies. 
    It's been a real challenge. First of all, the oven is tiny. A 24 inch oven. Very small. The door will not quite close when I put in my good cookie sheets. I tried buying a small cookie sheet  but the oven was then determined to promptly go into broil mode when I used it-- like it knew the cookie sheet was tiny...very weird. (and maddening.) Also, I don't dare leave the kitchen, let alone the oven area once I put something in to bake. I have to stand, peering through the small window on the oven door, pot holder in hand, ready to tear open the door and snatch the tray out when it acts like it is going to go into "broil" mode. A new oven is not in my "suddenly single budget" at this moment, but I refuse to let this old oven get the best of me. At the very least, I am not going down without a fight.
   Since they were married on the beach, we are going to have seashell cookies as wedding favors at my son and new daughter-in-laws reception. (Oh, how I love saying that! MY NEW DAUGHTER-IN-LAW!)
    We (The new daughter-in-law, the maid-of-honor, the sewing queen, and I) all had a fabulous time yesterday, decorating votive candles, yakking it up, laughing, baking about a hundred seashell cookies, decorating them, and bagging them up for guests.

    Here they are, laying on a beach of raw brown sugar. I wanted to be sure and get the frosting colors just right. Aren't they adorable? They taste yummy too.

   
    Oh, this whole event is so very fun to help plan....it's going to be paradise.

Nesting continues...and a very heart felt thank you.

      I am moving right along on the Easter dinner table plans. Last night I got the little nests all dolled up to go with everyone's place settings. I think these will go nicely with my Grandma's china. I love these dishes and don't use them nearly often enough.
    I had plans to finish up the place cards and menu cards as well last night, but I just couldn't quite get motivated to get them done. Yesterday, my mind and heart were else ware. You see, it was exactly six months ago as of yesterday, that I became suddenly single. My step mom told me not too long ago to keep hanging in there, that the first six months were very hard, but after that, I'd be home free. (She had been through something very similar years ago, before she met my Dad)  I think I have been subconsciously clinging to this statement without realizing it, because last night I just couldn't think of anything else.
    "OK God, it is now exactly six months, and I am ready to feel like a whole person again. I am ready to feel all the way like my old self, to not feel so driven to keep ferociously busy until way into the night when I feel like will fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. I am ready to be able to actually sleep all through the night. Helllllo!? It has been the magical six months and I want things back to normal!Do you hear me God? I think my character has been built up quite enough, don't you?"
    But I am clearly not the one in control here. I do not feel like the old me. (Why does this have to take so long?)  Maybe this is going to take me six months and six days, maybe six years. I just don't know. It is out of my hands,and I need to keep keepin' the faith and trusting, I know. But, I have a tiny part of me that is terrified that I will never again feel all the way like the old me.
    The reason I am sharing this with you, is that I want to thank you. Thank you oh so very, very much, from the bottom of my heart, for all of your kind, encouraging posts on my blog.You could not possibly have any idea how good your words make me feel. This Blog has turned out to be a therapy of sorts for me- something so positive and so good, and knowing people see any small amount of value in it actually surprises me, and I am hugely flattered. I check my emails all day long from work, to read the comments and emails, and it always brings a smile to my face and makes my heart swell up.
   I don't know what is around the corner for me, or when I will feel all the way like my old self. Maybe she is gone forever, and there will continue to be a new, different me, evolving all the time. I just want you all to know that you have played a part in helping me keep moving forward, and remembering to focus on all that is good and right and how blessed I am. Thank you. so. very. much.

Warming up the fireplace

The good news: My home came with an awesome feature. A fireplace in the dining room.
The bad news: It's ugly. Very 1966.
Here it is in the "before " state.

    While I love the concept of a fireplace in the dining room, I am less than thrilled with the appearance of the fireplace and mantle that my little cottage has.   

    I can't afford to have a Pro come in and re-do it right now (remember, suddenly single budget here people) so, I got out my trusty jig saw a couple of weeks ago,and whacked off the extended mantle that ran the length of the room on the right side of the fireplace, (hmmm, interesting) and removed the adjustable shiny metal shelf brackets. (What you cannot see is that the stones are not on the right side of the fireplace, just the front and the left side...uh huh, odd. 
    I painted the dining room this past Sunday. (I told you, I will do any number of projects to keep from finishing those cupboards in the kitchen) The color is Behr's "Classic Taupe" and I think it makes the stones on the fireplace seem a bit more subdued.
    While it is not nearly what I am wanting as far as decor, at least it is looking a bit better now that I have foofied it up for the big Easter dinner. I made the banner last night, to coordinate with the place cards and all that. It's kind of hard to see, but it is my favorite robin's egg blue check and solid coordinate with a muted plaid ribbon...too cute!

    Hiding the skinny boring mantle with a table topper and a couple of place mats is going to have to do for a while, because I have got to finish those kitchen cupboards first...or do I? I really do..right?

Spring is a time for nesting...

   

    Look at what the Easter bunny sent me!  (OK, it is a present I got for myself from William Sonoma's catalog to celebrate Spring...my friend Jenny told me that I need to be good to myself and make sure I give myself lots of "treats" and I am merely taking her advice.)
    I am a nut for nests. And  birds. Oh, and bunnies. You'll find nests and birds (and a few bunnies) tucked all around in nooks and crannies in my home...I just love 'em.
    The nest is a nice large size, I'd say about 10 inches or so across. And, do you see those cute little eggs? Just my most recent favorite color. And the best part?  They're chocolate truffles! Ya baby!
    I wanted to put the nest full of eggs on my coffee table, but I fear Mr. Moose will have a 15 second party with them and then be cruising around the house with chocolate on his breath, and a nest on his head...so, instead I have chosen to showcase this darling nest of eggs on the kitchen table...aah, safe and sound, and ready for Easter, and spring. (Now, if I can just stay away from them until the kids arrive for Easter!)

Another lil' peek at the progress in the kitchen

   
     At what seems like a snails pace, I am forging ahead, working on getting my kitchen completely painted, cupboards and all. Getting the room perked up and personalized. Progress is  s l o w. I keep procrastinating on finishing the paint job on all the cupboards for some reason. *sigh* So many cupboards, so little time.
    Besides a lot of cupboards to paint, there was the hutch to re-do for the nook area of the kitchen. (I took this as an opportunity to take yet another break from priming the cupboards...) 
    I got this beauty from Craigslist several months ago for $50.(I was still living in my old house then) It was in mint condition, great lines and detail, but still in the original dark oak, screaming 1986, looking all country/colonial.

Here is a photo of the hutch when I first dragged it into my kitchen to make sure I would like it in there. It initially had 4 glass doors up top there, but I removed two of them, along with the middle wood frame, to give it a new look that would make things displayed on the shelf of the hutch more visible.
    I bought it before I ever knew I would be moving, and was planning to paint it white and antique it. The plan was to then, put this hutch in my shop, but once I moved into my cottage I realized that I had the perfect spot for it in my kitchen. Yippie!
    You see, originally this space in the kitchen nook was a big coat closet/pantry with hideous 1966 bi-fold doors. (Mmm hmm, real attractive if you know what I mean.) I decided to rip this weird closet and it's dated doors out and just let the space be part of the room. (this led to repainting the room, and the cupboards...it's quite a tangled web I wove...) Anyhow, that's when I realized that this hutch was exactly the perfect size for the "used-to-be-a-closet-alcove" in the kitchen nook.

   

    The kitchen cupboards are all going to be white and antiqued, so I decided to paint the hutch black to give the kitchen some *pop* and a bit of sophistication. (I still need to rough sand the edges slightly for a more vintage look) I love it, I love it, I love it!! It is charming and it has mega storage. Look at all those drawers. Yes indeed-y, I love it. Did I already say that? (Well, it bears repeating.) I finished painting the bottom piece to the hutch last week and the Maid of Honor helped me move the bottom piece in last Sunday. Then I had the newlyweds help bring in the top piece a few days later when I got that part done.
    It's fabulous, even if I do say so myself. *another sigh* Oh, how I love re-inventing thrifted pieces.

words to live by (week 9)

    In case the picture is too hard to read, it says:
The grand essentials for happiness are:
"Something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."
    I have the essentials. Stop and think about it. You've got them too.
    We sometimes just get so caught up in the daily part of life that we ..forget.  So here's a reminder for us all.

House guest

    I took a quick break from painting this morning to spend a minute with my littlest grand-dog.
    Yes, we (Mr. Bear and Moose and I) have  company. Little Mona Fleasa has come for a visit.   
    As you can see, she makes herself right at home at my house. (Bear and Moose are trying to figure to why she can lounge on the sofa and the bed, and they can't.)
    She'll be here till Wednesday, supervising me, along with Moose and Bear, as I paint the dining room and...more kitchen cupboards....OK, enough procrastinating. Back to painting!

Lookin' good in the kitchen

    No Jessie Steele apron for me on Mother's Day...'coz I got one for EASTER! That's right, the Maid of Honor sent me one after reading my post last week! Can you even believe it?  (Am I one lucky mama, or what?!)

    Oh ya, I'll be wearing it all day while I prep for the big Easter soiree'. I think I might even cook better.
    Thanks a bunch, my lil' Heather Feather. I love it, and I love you.

How am I doin' so far?

    OK, so... you know I have now moved on to the kitchen. Mmm hmm, I am a painting maniac each night after my grown up job day ends.No kidding, I am up till at least 11:00 painting and adjusting and tweaking things... I am priming and painting all of my cabinets white* (Edited to add: *Behr Brand Ultra Pure White in eggshell enamel) and antiquing them in a burnt umber. I don't have a huge kitchen, so it's not too over whelming of a job. (Who am I kidding? It feels like it's taking for-evah!) My cupboards currently are the standard Oak cupboards we all wanted desperately in 1987 (for those of you that were grown ups in 1987...)

     Here is the "before" picture of the side of the kitchen counter that faces the nook. (*yawn*) Pretty boring. This is what I have been working on for several long nights...priming, painting, antiquing...oh, but it's amazing what you can do with a little imagination, and plenty of determination.

I am also attempting to add some architectural detail along the way. I found these corbels at....oh, of course, you know where... TJ Maxx , where else? (I swear you can find anything you need there!) and they were really meant to hang on the wall as knick knacks I guess, but no matter. The "real" corbels I found on-line where ridiculously expensive, and these were $8.99 each!
    I primed them, and hung them with nails and glue to the front of my kind of boring L-shaped cupboard. Then I added the molding frame. Here's the cool part. You don't even have to know how to miter the molding, you buy the pieces already assembled at Lowe's!
    Next, I primed and painted the cabinet, and antiqued it. I added the pieces of molding once the main cabinet was painted and antiqued. Voila! Looks like a million bucks, huh? All for a mere $32....
    I am so happy with the results that I kinda hate to move the kitchen nook table back to block it partially from view!
    One section down, 7 to go. Then, I would like to figure out something good, but incredibly inexpensive to do about my 1966 Formica counter tops....now, there's a real challenge.

And the fork ran away with the spoon...

You remember the spoon, right? Well, TJ Maxx had the fork when I went by there yesterday. Mmm hmmm...and, lucky me! It was damaged!!!!!!!!! (that's a good thing sometimes...) It had a crack on one spot, and the crack was basically just a line of paint that cracked off, not the wood.

I got one third off the already oh so cheap price, making this little gem mine, all mine for the nearly nothing. I brought it home, repaired it with a touch of joint compound, and then did the same treatment as I did on the spoon. (I have no idea why the fork looks golden in my photo, it's antique silver in person...)
Now I just need to decide if I even have room in the kitchen (there are not many wall areas in there...) to keep it, or if I will put it in my booth at the Antique Mall.

Spring is sprung

   I know, I know. They look sort of ...humiliated. Well, please don't call the Humane Society on me, I did reward them with cookies, (How else do you think I got the boys to pose for me?) and if you look closely I think you'll agree that Mr. Bear is smiling....kind of.

Spring is sprung, the grass is riz',
I wonder where the birdies is?

This is an old rhyme my step dad used to recite to my kids every spring while they were growing up. Happy first day of Spring, from the Moose-man, Mr. Bear, and me.  

Dinner Plans

The plans have now changed from brunch to dinner, and I am starting to work on my menu, theme and table scape ideas for the family Easter celebration. I think I am going to go with birds nests, and springtime...and of course, bunnies...but then again, I may go vintage, with manila place cards and ornate initials on eggs...
    There will be eight of us for dinner. Besides debating the theme and table scape, I am pondering whether having both carrot cake and a chocolate fountain with fruit and such is over kill (is it?) and what I will serve with the pork tenderloin (I have decided to forget ham. None of my kids are that crazy about it. We can start our own tradition.)
    I was tinkering with last night with place card and menu card ideas in between searching online menus from William Sonoma. (So far,I think I am going to make this salad.)

    Another new tradition I want to start is Menu cards. I saw on HGTV once (On Kitty Bartholomew I believe...) where a woman framed her hand made menu cards from dinner parties and holidays and had them hanging in her dining room. Now, isn't that the dearest idea? It was so charming. I think I will put mine in a sweet little album to set out on the table by my favorite new-to-me chair so I can look at it whenever I please.
     Here is where I'd like some input... which look do you prefer? The charming vintage look, (just not too foofy-la-rue since there will be 3 men at the table) or the quaint cottage look of the nests?  They are both works in progress at this point anyway... and I still may come up with yet another plan. 

    Oh, I am really beginning to get excited. This Easter dinner is going to be fun to plan...and attend!

Words to live by (week 8)

    Wow. I love this quote from Jill over at Bailiwick Designs.
    I think it's pretty profound, but she says she simply "penned it long ago while doodling in a wordy mood."
    It doesn't cost a dime to be creative.The sky is the limit. It only takes a bit of inspiration and imagination. We can all do that, if we believe it.

Silver spoon

    
    I am supposed to painting on the kitchen cabinets, I know. But I got side tracked. Again. A couple of weeks ago I found this darling giant spoon at my favorite big box store . At the time of purchase it was painted a cream color. Cute, but you couldn't see the great detail work, and well, it made it look kind of cheap. (which it was)

    I used silver metallic engine spray paint, then antiqued it. It is now happily residing above my menu board. (I think I am going to add some white accents to my menu board frame later today to make it work better in my kitchen..)
    I am now headed back out to the garage now to get back to painting a thrifted hutch to finish out the kitchen nook area. As soon as I get it done and in the kitchen I will share pictures. Stay tuned!

New beginnings

    St. Paddy's day is tomorrow but I am thinking about Easter.
    I will hosting Easter Brunch. It will be the very first time I have had the entire family all over for a "formal" meal in my new home. (I didn't host anything at Christmas. It  is just a blurry memory of boxes and tears and just trying to get through yet another day.)
    I am really feeling excited about getting ready to entertain, and yet, at the same time it feels strangely odd, and more than a little bit sad.Three decades of being a half of a couple, and now planning to entertain solo... bittersweet at best.
    Part of me feels lost, not quite sure what my part is. Wondering, can I do this by myself? That damned empty seat at the other end of the table. Another part of me says good riddance. I realize now that my life with him, for the last few years at least, was not what I thought it was.
    Easter is all about renewal, and being reborn, and faith. How appropriate that this will be my opportunity to start new traditions with my ever growing family.
    Oh, how I have always and forever loved to entertain! A friend once told me I was born with the gift of hospitality. Maybe she's right. To set a wonderful table and make a welcome home for people I love, well, it just does my heart good. This will be my right of passage so to speak. I want it, need it to be so special. For them, and for me.
     I am digging out my bunny collection (they are in one of those boxes in the garage...) and pulling out all the stops for this special day.
     I want it all perfect down to the very last detail. I want everyone to feel the love and specialness of this occasion. The new beginning for us as a family.
   I have been given a beautiful new life, and I have so very, very much to be thankful for. It's very nearly 6 months now since my life suddenly changed. There are still occasional rocky moments, but  I realized in typing this post, that I have reached that point that so many people told me I would reach, of knowing, truly knowing, that I am going to make it. I am ashamed to say that there were times I wondered. I doubted. Now I know.

June Cleaver would be so jealous

    ...wouldn't she?
    I am lusting for one of these, big time. I want one. I need one. Bad. Actually, I like the full apron style, but the half apron could be pretty darned wonderful fun at a brunch, or a cocktail party, or...well, you get the picture. (In fact,now that I think about it, a girl could have 'em both, right?)
Oh! And there are lots of different fabrics, all of them cute. I think just wearing one of these would make me want to throw a party. I am sure of it.
    Check out all of the different shops that carry these in your home town or online though, because they seem to have some wild variations on pricing. I linked on this post to the online shop that was the most reasonable of those listed, but they don't have all of the fabric choices available. (See the full line here in Jessie Steele's brochure. )

    I am hoping my girls (the bride-to-be and the maid-of-honor) are reading this, 'coz, well, you know Mother's Day is coming up here soon (OK, it's not till May, but, you need to allow time for shipping and all that, if you purchase online, and they could be backordered or something for gosh sakes)... All I'm saying is that a Mom that loves to bake and what-not would really feel loved in one of these babies.

Heaven, I'm in heaven..

...and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak...
I thought you might like to see the "after" pictures from yesterdays baking extravaganza.

*edited to add: Thanks to a reminder from Lorraine, I am sharing a picture of one very elegant way to serve up a cupcake...too cute, huh?

Now, I ask you- What could be more charming than this? It's Cupcake Heaven I tell ya... *sigh*

cupcake heaven

    There is something so charming and dear about cupcakes, don'tcha think?  Little individual servings of pure sweetness straight from...well, heaven.
    I have dreamed of opening a cupcake bakery and boutique for years now. Even before I opened my little Cottage Industry shop, I had the dream of being the premier place in northern Nevada to buy delicious, delectable cupcakes. Each and every one a work of art, I'd  offer wedding cupcake towers as well. I'd even have gift boxes with fabulous little tags for those "special occasion" cupcakes. Of course I'd offer flavors of the day, along with seasonal and holiday themed treats.

    I would name my fabulous treat shop "Cupcake Heaven" and not only would it have beautiful tasty cupcakes, but it would also have many, many darling things for sale. Things like cake plates, cookbooks, birthday candles (the neat foofy kind in way cool colors) and lots of pieces of my charming painted vintage furniture would be all around, for display and for sale.
   You could sit and have a cupcake and tea at a cute little vintage table, or get them to go, individually or by the dozen. For gifts or for yourself.
    Cupcake Heaven would be be located in an old building, or maybe in an old house, nestled among other charming shops. It wouldn't just be a bakery, it would be an experience!
    I would have a vintage bakery truck (I've always longed for one!) and I'd do deliveries to offices and such.The truck would have a darling paint job to mimic my logo, of course.
    I remember sharing my idea with some friends in a book club I was in way back about 4 years ago, as well as a friend that I worked with. They all loved the idea. My girlfriend from work wanted to be a partner, but the timing was off for her at that point.  I did all the research, from licensing to marketing, and on and on...
    I had been working at my grown up girl job for about 6 months, and I realized that my husband would never go for it, so I shelved the idea and a year and a half later began my little Cottage Industry, which I was able to do on the side of my grown up girl job. (Looking at where my life is today, this was a good thing, because I need that grown up girl job now, complete with health care and retirement benefits)
   I haven't forgotten about my idea, I just put it on the back burner so to speak (and now cupcakes have swept the nation- hmmm, go figure) but who knows? Maybe there will be a "Cupcake Heaven" in my future at some point. In the meantime, I'll just keep baking at home, and sharing the cupcake love with friends and family.

I saved the best for last

... from my fabulous finds of the day on Saturday that is. See this chair? The fabulous chair in the perfect shades of robin's egg blue with the perfect lines in the perfect size? Uh huh, that one. I got it...for $40 last Saturday!
My dining room is very long, with a fireplace (oh yes! I love this about the dining room!) that is about 3 feet off center in the room, causing the end of the room by the French doors to have a "gaping hole" effect with nothing down there.
I knew I wanted to put a chair in that spot, but it would have to be just the right sized chair (and with my non existent budget, it would have to be incredibly cheap) hopefully in a decent colored fabric, ( 'coz who knows when I could ever afford to slip cover it)
When I spotted this chair I was sure it was perfect, and I was also sure it was priced out of my range. (I was guessing it was about $150 at the very least)  When I saw the price I was positive that I was not seeing it correctly, (sometimes without my glasses I can mistake a "1" for part of the dollar sign...mm hmm) so I put on my glasses, and double checked.  I was seeing it correctly! Sold!
We brought this beauty into the house and couldn't believe the perfect fit. In fact, now that I look at this picture I am realizing that everything in this picture is thrifted. The chair, the stack tables, the lamp, the books, the teapot, the birdcage, the pillows. And I love it all!
Now I have the perfect spot to sit and read the paper or whatever on Sunday mornings, just to the side of the fireplace, with a perfect view out the doors to my charming backyard. *sigh* Oh yes, I like it quite a lot.

words to live by (week 7)

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. 
            Winston Churchill

It's always about how you look at things, and it always goes back to faith and hope....always for me anyway.

deja vu of my rug dilema

 

Remember my rug dilema?  Well, now I apparently am having a dish dilema.
   It all began innocently enough,  another score at yard sale number one.  Aren't these gorgeous? (They go famously with my entry and hall rugs, I'll tell you that right now!) 
    Still,I am still not 100% sure they are quite "me" but, if you know me, you know I have never met a plate I didn't love. Do they look Italian to you? Or French? I can't decide...
    Mmm, I am picturing a spaghetti dinner on these, with minestrone soup in the bowls, and bread sticks  poised in one of the previously shown new-to-me terra cotta pots, with Andrea Bocelli serenading us in the background...oh, possibly even at lunchtime one day since I now live so close to work I could have a couple of my friends from work over for a nice little lunch.
    The price on these babies ($15 total for 4 full place settings!) was too good to pass up. I mean, this set was most likely about $200 or more originally, and I know I could re-sell them in my new booth if I want to.
    My home is coming along nicely, looking kind of traditional, kind of cottage-formal (if there is such a thing..?) so, while I love these dishes,  I am not convinced they will work in my place....
    I am thinking that if I do decide they are not "my look", then they very well might be the maid-of-honor's look (I'll see what she thinks..)..oh, I just am not sure...what do you think?

what six bucks buys you

Today was a spectacular day. I left my home with my junkin' partner, Pam at 7 a.m. to go saling (garage saling that is) and we had success at the very first stop.
I grabbed these vintage looking terra cotta pots and the 3 shabby looking trivets all for 6 bucks. (I just put the rolling pin and wooden spoons in the picture so you could make a size judgment)

The center pot reads "gather ye rosebuds"...now, isn't that fabulous?

a perfect friday morning

   It has been one busy week. Up and out the door way too early, returning way too late. Meetings and events for work, errands for home.Oh, and more painting.
   Today when the clock radio alarm went off I got out of bed and made myself my usual morning cocoa. Then, I climbed back into bed. (Yes, I do have to work today...)
   I decided to take a just little time for me, and finally got to peruse through the growing pile of magazines and catalogs that have arrived throughout the week, waiting patiently for me to read them. Aaaaah...500 plus pages of pure heaven.
   I subscribe to quite a few magazines. It is so much cheaper this way. (and so much fun to open the mailbox at the beginning of the month!)  It works out to be a dollar or two a copy as opposed to $4.99 or more in the stores.
Then there are the catalogs. Ooooh, I love them too. A mecca of inspiration, piled up right here on my nightstand.
   The method I like to use is this: I flip through the magazine, just getting a glimpse at the fantastic ideas that might be hidden in there. Then, back through, page by page, reading and pondering. A bit later I go back through a final time and tear out any and all inspirational articles and pictures for home decor, entertaining ideas…whatever.
   I have two old bicycle baskets (the old school kind that straddled the rear tire) that are the perfect size for filing. They are organized with manila folders in them to sort my inspirational things. This way, when I am working on a project and need that extra bit of motivation or a new idea, I can find the right topic and pull it out. It’s a great little system that even Martha would be proud of.   
   *sigh* I am now officially inspired and ready to start my Friday.

Let's hear it for the boy

    I cried when I got the phone call from him late yesterday afternoon. Happy tears.
    The "surprise" baby of the family, he could always make me laugh the hardest, and worried me the most.
    The boy that endured growing up with a Mom and two big sisters mothering him, that wanted to be a secret agent when he was little (and now is in Intelligence in the Air National Guard) and who would do anything for his country or his family... is now a husband.
    My little sugar man married his dream girl , on a beautiful beach in the Cayman islands... We are so very happy for them both.
    For this moment, all is right in my world.

Inspiration Board

Looks like everybody is sharing their inspiration boards this week, and they are all fabulous!
She did. So did she. (on her March 3, 2007 post) And she shared hers.(March 6, 2007) I am thinking there were a couple more, but I am drawing a blank right this moment....
   This one is mine. It's a nice size, about 30 inches by 36 inches. Still a work in progress, just like me.
   My board is a mixture of my favorite things. Cupcakes, home decor ideas, business marketing pieces, and little this and that's from the folks I love.
   I got my cork board, frame and all at, where else? TJ Maxx of course. Actually I have had my board for quite some time, but finally got it hung last night.(so many projects, so little time...)
   It's hanging above my computer desk. Soon, my home office will be painted a wheat-like-mocha-ish tan (as soon as I finish painting the kitchen) and then I will paint the frame white and antique it. The gold is just a little to new looking for my taste.

   I love the muted colors going on in the treasures I have tacked up there. Perfect for springtime. I get inspired just looking at the stuff on this board, and when I tire of it the way it is, I will simply change it up.

new old entry table

A bit of paint, a little elbow grease, and my $10 find is now the jewel of the entry way...and it provides me with a bit more storage. (storage for what I am not sure yet, but more storage is always a good thing)
I was really lucky to have found this table, because my size constraints were so specific. My mirror is quite long, and with the front door right there needing room to open, the table could be no taller than 28 inches, and no deeper than 15 inches.

I was just a tiny bit concerned it might be too plain but after I finished it I was happy with the result. As you can see, I decided to keep the JC Penney rug- thanks for all the input!

Moving right along...

It's official!! Along with doing Trunk Shows from my home and sprucing up my website,I am relocating A Cottage Industry to the 100 North Sierra Antique and Art Mall in just two weeks. I am very excited about this new adventure!
I made my "moving banner" by printing letters from my computer on to old book pages. I adapted the idea from Debbie, (see her post for Wednesday February 28) who was inspired by Elizabeth. (see her post titled Open House Photos- Paper Walls)
The mall I am moving to is downtown, and seems to get a whole lot more foot traffic than the mall I am currently in. Another big plus is that the mall downtown is part of an event called the "Wine Walk" two Saturdays a month, where people meander around scenic neat spots down town while wine tasting. It's a fun event and  I can only imagine that during spring and summer it draws a nice crowd into the mall.
I am so full of ideas for my Booth space that I can barely wait until next weekend when I begin moving things and getting it all personalized! I will be sure and share pictures of the transformation. Right now I've got new tags to make so I had better get busy!

Words to live by (week 6)

"Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest; home-keeping hearts are happiest." Longfellow

It's all about nesting. This quotation gives me such a warm fuzzy feeling, and describes me to a T. Hands down,I am happiest when I am nesting at home, creating a  welcome haven for myself, my family and friends.
Today I have the entire day all to myself and I am going to spend it tinkering around with different rooms, tweaking and adjusting things.
I'll have Norah Jones and some vanilla scented candles lit to the complete the nesting atmosphere. Then, a cup of my favorite tea and my new copy of Country Home...*sigh*... I do believe Home-keeping hearts are happiest.

Spectacular find of the day

Here it is. It's my soon to be fabulous replacement entry hall table, conveniently priced at only $10, can you believe that? Oh sure, it may not look like much now...

That's textured painted wallpaper on the drawer fronts. Oh ya, and it also was on the table top, but we peeled it off before even putting this baby in the car. It's a diamond in the rough, just you wait and see.

Our Lady of Garage Sales

I realized last night that I hadn't yet shared my "Our Lady of Garage Sales" Prayer candle with you. 
It is very cheesy and ostentatious looking, but of course, that's the whole point. (please don't think I am being  sacrilegious or disrespectful, the candles are meant in good humor) If you want one, you can get them from this company. (It's item #147)

My daughter (the bride) got it for me, and I laughed out loud the first time I read the prayer on the back:
Our Lady, I offer this candle that you will guide me in my quest for the best garage sales. Help me leave my warm bed early to secure the best deals, and keep the best hidden items hidden from my competitors.
Ensure I will know the difference between treasure and trash, and that I will always negotiate the lowest price. And with your great power, keep me from risking my retirement fund on tchotchkes!Amen.
I think it's a "must" for die hard thrifters, don't you?
Today is the big Physicians Spouses rummage sale (formerly the Doctors Wives Club, but that's not PC anymore) My friend Pam and I will be there at at 6:45 to get in line to wait for the doors to open at 8:00 on this amazing annual rummage sale. (I'll share pictures later today if I get anything spectacular. Last years big find was a wonderful old sideboard in mint condition that I wrangled for only $40.)
Wish me luck!