Notes from A Cottage Industry

So many ideas, never enough time.

I want to do this. Bad.

Look close. It's not just a trailer, folks. No. It's a cupcakery on wheels.

Ya, baby, that's what I'm talkin' about. (...and even their name is cute!)

Just how fun would that be, to be all set up at some Saturday Farmers Market, selling sweet little bits of of yumminess out of the side door of a trailer like that? Of course, I'd also want one of those pull out side awnings to make a shade area with maybe a cute weathered white skinny farm table out in front with a row of cake pedestals and domes showcasing the flavors of my cupcakes....)

*sigh*

You see, I have so many things that I would absolutely love to do, that I have realized I will need to live be 132 to actually get to do them all. Are you like that?

Words to live by - week 133

The art of being happy lies in the power

of extracting happiness from common things.

 -Henry Ward Beecher

Saturday morning.

Moose is sleeping in today, but you'll find me down at 41 Taylor by 7:00 a.m., helping the girls at Pickled Tink out with a HUGE yard! Yup, The French Twist, 41 Taylor (A Cottage Industry!) and Pickled Tink have been busy cleaning house. We're on East Taylor Street, between S. Virginia and Center Street.
If you're in town and out and about, stop by to shop and say Hi!

Desperate Foodie needs help.

Okay, so I don't really "watch" much television. Ever. What I do do is have my television on in my bedroom, across the hall from my home office, usually on the Food Network, or HGTV, when there is a show I like, and I kind of half listen as I am working on whatever in the office. When something catches my ear, I bolt across the hall to look at it.

Mmm hmm. That's what I was doing last night. I heard them talking about an incredible snack, and I dropped what I was doing, and ran across the hall, only to catch the judges oohing and aahing over Cat Cora's creatively displayed maple popcorn with a kick of some kind of hot seasoning. Oooh, I wanted the recipe, right then. I stood watching the episode for a  moment while the judges said how they loved her beverage. Yum. I needed that recipe too.

So, I figured it would just take me a minute or two to google up her recipes and get back on my work, but....

While I should have been working on about 16 other projects, I spent over two hours googling and searching for two recipes from last night's episode of Iron Chef America...with no luck. (Do you do stuff like that? Get yourself all sidetracked when you have stuff to get done?)

Anyway...where was I? Oh yes. Iron Chef America.

Did you happen to catch it? (Please! Tell me you did!)

Cora vs. Farmerie? (He won, but she should have.)

Oh, come on. (It's my favorite show, next to Ace of cakes and the Next Food Network Star)

Episode IA0720?

Anyone?

Cat Cora made a deeee-licious looking caramel (carmel?)corn concoction with some spicy seasoning. (I missed the recipe 'coz I was doing computer work in the other room) served in fabulous parchment paper cones..
And...

...some equally yummy looking rum cocktail to go with it. (I'm talking mouth watering good looking snacks and drinks here, people.)

*Sigh* Anyway.

I am officially dying for the recipe and and I have now decided that I actually hate the Food Network's website, because it is impossible to find anything I'm looking for. Hmmm...maybe it's just me? (well, yes, maybe.) In a final act of desperation I emailed Cat Cora herself. (Hey, it can't hurt, right?)

The episode will be on again this Saturday at 5:00 p.m. but I am hoping to find the recipes sooner than that. If you watch the Food Network...and I am hoping you do.... Heeeeelp, please.

Camas Antiques...

When I was up in Stars Hollow...er..Camas, Washington a few weekends ago, I didn't get to share all of the pictures from our browsing day, which included a place I have shared more than once on my blog. Camas Antiques is a booth type mall, but with a different feel than Monticello. (We went to Camas Antiques twice in two days, which tells you just how much I adore the place.)

Full of charm and quaintness,some wonderful booths,along with candles, cards, and cd's and some really nice reproduction pieces mixed in. (Oh! And guess what?! they now have a blog!) Here, take a peek...

All of this on my favorite street, 4th Avenue, in my favorite little Camas.

Pretty in pink..and green, and turquois, and yellow, and...

 
Oh! Isn't this a delicious little party set up? This was the set up in the dining room at 41 Taylor during the Tumbleweed Cotillion. (You know, to give people a visual of a party set up!) I just loved adding all of the details to this sweet little table scape.

The darling slipcovers, sewn by the Sewing Queen or northern Nevada herself (Yes, she designed her own pattern!) were kept neutral, so they'll always go with any party color.

And the party hats were custom made by the other Tracey and me..Complete with a tall tower of party presents as a center piece, who wouldn't love this adorable party display? (Don'tcha love the different colored ribbon ties on the balloons?)The Cotillion was a success and I did take some pictures, but the sun was so bright when I took them, (And we had record breaking heat last Saturday!) that only two of my outdoor shots came out...which is why I am sharing the inside of 41 Taylor shots with you today.

It was wonderful to meet so many bloggers and great people from the biggest little city and those that came all the way in from out of town!

Words to live by - week 132

Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working.

B L I S S .

     Mmmm hmm, that's what the new banners I created for the Tumbleweed Cotillion say. I liked the first one that I made so much, that I created it in a bit larger size, and finally, a sweet little square banner. How do you like them?

    All of the banners are done in sage green letters and florals in browns, corals, pinks and creams, although the picture of the small banner came out a bit more brown. I will try and re-take another shot of it later for a more true (truer?) likeness. The large size is perfect for making a grand statement, swagging a window, or a mantle, measuring about five feet wide when hung, printing one letter per 8.5 by 11 piece of cardstock. (My fireplace mantel is six feet wide)

The medium swag is about four feet wide upon completion, printing two flags per piece of card stock...(so cute!!!) ....and the itty bitty banner is a bit over a foot wide in it's entirety (and perfect for folding inside a greeting card or letter sent to a dear friend, which is why I love it!!)The itty bitty one's can also be used on the fronts of votive candle holders, like I did last fall with my Halloween kit...how cute would that be?!Of course I will be selling these delightful banners at this Saturday's Tumbleweed Cotillion right here in Reno, but once I had the banners completed, I decided to also make them into online email kits, available for purchasing, if you're so inclined. This way, you can make as many as you please; for yourself, your family and your friends!

You can get the scoop right here. I hope you like them!

It's beginning to look like a vintage faire...

....is happening right now, in my kitchen. And my dining room. And my garage.

And that's a good thing!

I'm bringing on lots of new little items for the upcoming Tumbleweed Cotillion this weekend, and 41 Taylor will be all dolled up as well, (Wait till you see the children's party table!) so make sure if you're attending to pop inside of the house to take a peek. (...not to worry if you're across the country and not able to attend, I'll be sharing pictures, thanks to my new blogger love camera!)

Oh, and to be entice you to pop in, we're offering some drawings at the end of the day for prizes!

Words to live by - week 131

The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.-oprah winfrey

It's that time again. (with an edited update Saturday night)

Remember this post? And how about this one?

Well, it's that time again. The annual Hidden Valley yard sale was today. Aah yes, the mother-lode of neighborhood yard sales.  Let me say that I barely slept last night, contemplating the sheer magnitude of this grand event. (Dear God, I need to get some sort of a social life. Really.) Also, let me say that this year was no exception..it was magnificent, as always, with an even larger crowd in attendance, if that is possible..

I meant to do a post before leaving this morning, but, I wanted to share my finds, so I decided to wait until after thrifting. Then, once I got home from 41 Taylor later in the day, I was not able to get a decent picture of my finds because I was too lazy to move them all over to the garage door area for the photo...Now, what does any of this mean to you?

Well, it means that you only get to have a peek at parts of some of the fabulous treasures the Sewing Queen of northern Nevada and I found today. I'll share before and afters as they unfold....possibly even one later tonight!

The best laid plans...(An updated post at 9:39 pm Saturday evening...)

*sigh*

I was going to show you a very nice "Before"...

(and, there it is.) along with an amazingly charming "After", but the bookcase decided to not cooperate. Mmm hmm, the stain continued to bleed through the Kilz Primer (water based) after two coats. It appears that I am going to have to switch to oil based primer and paint for this project I think, and I am not about to run to buy it this late at night, (yes, I considered doing that, but came to my senses and decided to take a bubble bath instead) so the project is on hold until tomorrow.

Why, oh why is it that when a project looks like it will be a cinch, it nearly always turns out to be the project that nearly sends me to the loony bin?

Life is a party.

...and at 41 Taylor we're making the most of it! I've been working on the marketing "brochures" ( I use the term loosely, because I am not quite sure that describes them accurately...) and I think I finally have them to where I am happy with them! I am a sucker for a good marketing piece, so I wanted this one to be perfect. I swear you could sell me pretty much anything if it is packaged cute or has a fabulous brochure...are you that way?

Anyway.

What began as a simple two sided brochure has now morphed (after several hours last night) into a four page, double sided flip book of sorts. Pretty cute, even if I do say so myself.

I just couldn't help myself. I love a new project.

Inspired to create.

 
   Being at Monticello is so inspiring to me, for so many reasons. Just take a look at the booth in the photo above. I love all of the shades of cream, the vintage touches, the various textures of the wood, fabics and paper...so yummy! It makes me want to rush home and create things. It makes me want to revamp the booth at Junkee for a new look...it motivates me. Does that happen to you? Maybe when you read a spread in amagazine, or someone's creation on a blog or website, or at a shop? I even get this way sometimes after visiting a creative friend's home.
   This week, or what's left of it, along with next week, will be filled with prepping for the upcoming Tumbleweed Cotillion next Saturday, the 22nd. (Mark your calendars and plan to attend if you're anywhere nearby!!)

      I'm very nearly bursting with new ideas I brought home from my trip and I cannot wait to put them into motion. Yes, I'll be pulling a few late nights, and I am quite sure it will be worth it!

A glimpse at Monticello...

 
 I'm back home from my trip to the Portland area, and on my way out the door to the bank today. Oh, there was just so much to see up there! I'll be sharing more later, but here area few close ups (You know how I love details!) of some of the fabulous things I saw at Monticello....
lots of creams and whites and vintage tattered items...
Sparrow's booth (**edited to add- I am told this was Annie, Fannie and Abigail's booth but there was a sign that said "Sparrow" in there...anyway, I loved it!) was so wonderful that I could have lingered there all day....
I'll share more later, once I edit more pictures!

A few practice shots....

I'm up in the Portland Stars Hollow  Camas Washington area visiting and doing a little business research. I am thrilled to share a couple of photos... from my new camera! (my favorite little man now has two teeth!)

     Yes, thanks to the many, many friends online and otherwise, I was able to make quite a dent in the price of a replacement camera. I decided I'd better buy it while I was up in Portland (where they have no sales tax!!) Thank you seems like such an understatement, but it's fom the bottom of my heart.

Post coming a bit later today....

...check back!

Words to live by - week 130

A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.

                                                                                          Winnie the Pooh

I am so blessed to call all of you wonderful people in blogland my friends. I will never forget the kindness that has been shown to me this week.

I'm kind of a big deal.

Okay, not really, but I am pretty pumped about this. Just take a guess at who's featured in the latest edition of Memory Makers magazine.

Mmm hmmm. Little ol' me. (Somebody! Pinch me!)

Several months ago I was contacted by the magazine asking me to share some of my DIY wedding ideas, specifically my daughter's black and white wedding ideas. I was thrilled, and said yes, of course. Then, they sent me a contract! It is my very first paid publication!(I just had to share! I am so excited, and proud.)

*sigh* I'll be walking on clouds the rest of the day, thankyouverymuch.
 

There are no words.

    When I wrote my last post I was just doing what I do- sharing what was on my mind and in my heart at that moment in my life. Your caring and touching comments warmed my heart and I hoped people would identify with me about what had happened. With this being said, please, please know that it never, in my wildest of wild dreams or imagination, occurred to me that anyone would feel compelled to send me money towards a replacement camera. Such impulsive acts of kindness that I barely can put into words how I feel. To know that you understand what my camera meant to me made me cry giant crocodile tears all evening long.
      Still, I pray that you didn't see me as somehow hinting, or asking for contributions. Quite the opposite- I was stunned when, upon arriving home after working at the bank, the other Tracey called me to tell me to hurry up and read my emails and comments. "Aghast" is how I would describe my first thought as I read the emails, worried that anyone might think I was orchestrating my blog to take up a collection, or that some of you viewed me as a pitiful charity case.
    The other Tracey told me to knock it off and be gracious, and simply say thank you. That is such an understatement. Not only are words difficult to find, but “thank you” doesn’t seem to suffice for my level of gratitude. All of your kind words and shared stories, and yes, the generous donations have completely overwhelmed me and filled my heart to the point of overflow.

I can’t even come up with a word for how I feel, but decided today that “blessed” would have to suffice.

If only I coulda woulda shoulda

I'm not usually a Debbie Downer. Really.
But... man, oh man.
Lately it would seem that I have had a small series of sad or disgruntled posts. Sorry 'bout that. Bear with me here as I share (hopefully) one last one.

 This past Monday evening sometime after 7:00 and Tuesday morning around 8:50, my good camera  was stolen from my car. In my own driveway at my cottage on Norman Drive. I discovered this Tuesday late afternoon. (What is wrong with some people these days anyway?!)

I still can't quite believe it. That camera was an extension of me. I adored it, and treasured it. I have used it each and every single day since I got it. I am devastated. (yes, I know it's only a camera, but for me it was a sign of survival, and a tool to express myself, if that makes any sense at all)

I am completely perplexed as to who might have stolen it. Tuesday morning is the one morning of the week that is filled with early morning workers; my garbage guys come down the street,as well as the recycling truck. My mow guy and his son were in my front yard by 8:20 or so, as was my next door neighbor's mow guy. That's just the people I know of, not to mention several dog walkers, joggers, and anyone else that might have come along during the dead of night.

Can I trust my lawn guy? I thought so. My garbage guys? They seem to be so friendly and..honest. Now, I am just not sure. I am now suspicious, and I hate this feeling. I want to run up to them next Tuesday morning and scream at them that I hope if they took it, there was a very good reason, because I can't buy another camera, as I too, am feeling this recession. I want to tell them that all I had was my camera that I bought on a payment plan, and it meant more to me than just being a camera. It meant I was surviving...thriving actually, after becoming suddenly single.

Let me say it was a series of unfortunate (careless?) events that lead up to the camera even being left in the parked, unlocked car. (Busy day, took camera to 41 Taylor and Junkee, then decided not to take photos, nestled the camera under the front passenger seat, forgot about it- Oh, how I cringe each time I remember this- I didn't need it that night for my blog post 'coz I already had a picture, yada yada...)

Tuesday morning I realized it was missing, but it took several hours before I actually realized it had not been misplaced, but stolen from my car. Looooong story short, my passenger door was found ajar and the camera gone. I filed a police report and I hope to God whoever took it needed to hock it for grocery money. The "if only...I could have...I would have..I should have..." have nearly driven me over the edge the past 24 hours. (Have you ever had an experience like this? Where you would give anything to turn back the hands of time just one day...just one hour!...to undo your mistake?) Trust me, I have beat myself up over a million times and I am absolutely sick about this, but a lesson was learned. 

The lesson was..s l o w  d o w n . Stop trying to "do it all" all the time. Too much on my mind and I wasn't paying attention.

I do still have my old point and shoot camera, and that will be what I shall use now. And my car will never be left unlocked again, not even in my driveway.

Feeling the urge to do some summertime entertaining...

 

   Can you believe it's August already? I mean, where does the time go? Summer is more than half gone and I haven't even one time had any friends over for a barbecue, or an outdoor summer brunch. The days are slowly but surely getting shorter and I decided last night that before it's completely gone, I am going to have some kind of summertime soiree.

The challenge is that I am on a skin tight budget. What fun is entertaining with no money for fancy foods and lots of decorations? Why even bother?  Then...I started looking at inspirational pictures online, and... I. got. excited. Here are a few pictures I discovered....
 
Oh my gosh! Check out these websites! In the top row: A picture perfect table setting, and a rustic drink menu chalkboard from Style Me Pretty.

In the bottom row: A summer time flag to spruce up any drink, and tea lights and flowers set the tone for a romantic evening table.

Ooooh! Don't those pictures (and the posts linked to them) just inspire you to gather some much loved vintage items from indoors, and move them on outdoors for a cozy summer gathering? Canning jars are just so danged perfect for flower vases and votive holders. (Add a ribbon if you're feeling like dressing things up a bit.)

Old chairs, throw pillows from the guestroom, cut roses from my garden, and it will be perfect. And free. Oh! And here are a few other ideas (click the links!) to inspire us all for outdoor entertaining.....

Go cheerfully overboard with yellow and white; oodles and toodles of daisies and birds shout summer.

Stay cool with a refreshing glass of watermelon lemonade, from Martha, of course. (How yummy does that sound?!)

A wonderfully summer-y combination of greens and pinks make a charming table.

Mmm hmm, I do think it's time that I start making my plans. After all, entertaining isn't about how much we spend on food and decorations, it's about hospitality. It's about making friends feel valued and special, and that's more important than ever, in these challenging financial times. Entertaining is about sharing good times with people we love.

So...what do you think? Have you done any creative entertaining this summer? I'd love to hear about it if you have! If not, it's not too late. Plan something!As for me...

I'm thinking a charming little brunch is definitely called for.. Ya, that's what I'm thinking.

Good things come in small packages.

I'm working on a few new things for the upcoming Tumbleweed Cotillion and for my website. Mmm hmm, banners and flags and little details that make events in life special!

....stay tuned!

Casting stones.

      My Mom and I attended the memorial service for my uncle this past Saturday. He was my mother's younger brother, and his name was Stanley, but he was always known to me as Uncle Curly. A stern looking man with a booming gruff voice, I was a little afraid of him when I was a child, but he was actually a sensitive, gentle man. Uncle Curly was a career Navy veteran, married to my aunt for very nearly 50 years. I am more than a little concerned about how she will do now, without her life's mate by her side.
   Watching her at the service, I couldn't help but reflect on how special and rare it is that they were together, best friends, for so many years, through all of life's ups and downs; good times and bad. Through wars, and babies, bills and vacations, and cancer. To me, they are a sweet success story in the book of love.

    I always thought I would be like that.

   Turned out that I wasn't part of one of those kinds of couples.  As hard as I tried to make things work, (or thought they were working) in the end, it didn't, and it was brought to my attention last week that I could've-should've admitted seeing the bright light of day much sooner and I would have spared myself the financial devastation I am going through now.

True enough.

But...

Hindsight always seems to be 20/20. I guess I am was a hopeless romantic, who, looking back, clearly overlooked or outright ignored large flashing warning signs in order to preserve my own personal fantasy of happily-ever-after. I'll now accept the blame for that, but I do know, in my heart of hearts, that I did the very best I knew how to do, at the time, whether or not some one else see's it as a weakness or a defect in my character.

    I have no doubt that my aunt and uncle did some overlooking and forgiving over those nearly 50 years as well.

  

Words to live by - week 129

There is no psychiatrist in the world

like a puppy licking your face.

-Bern Williams

**Moose and I appreciated all of the lovely comments from yesterday's post.

Moose. And me.

That's what it is now.

Life has been a bit off kilter the past couple of weeks here at the cottage on Norman Drive. I keep finding myself looking for Mr. Bear, and then, I remember he is gone and I feel that tug at my heart all over again. Moose stays right by my side, each and every minute that I am home. He is puzzled. And kind of lost. I am too.

I bought Moose a chew bone last week and when I gave it to him, he just carried it around. For three days. Before, when I brought home rawhide chew bones, Moose would chew his up in about an hour, and then steal Bear's from him, and chew it, while Bear would look on. 

You see, Bear didn't really care to chew the rawhide, he just liked knowing it was there for him. I would tell him to protect it, to get it back, but he would just smile that wise old smile of his, and kindheartedly let Moose take it from him.

Finally, last night, while I was doing computer work, I heard that old annoying familiar sound. Mr. Moose was laying at my feet, chewing and gnawing his rawhide bone. It might sound odd, but it was a comforting sound.

I guess we are both adjusting, slowly, very slowly, to our life these days, as a pair, instead of a trio.