Notes from A Cottage Industry

A lil' treat in the mailbox...and great minds DO think alike!

    Look what I found in the mailbox.

Wait a minute, let me back up. First, my sweet lil' Georia friend sent me this calendar. (Oh! You know I loved it!) and then...then my daughter (the most-recent-maid-of-honor...) sent me the actual cookbook! And, not just the cookbook, but the cookbook crammed full of post it notes with comments for me to read...(and the cutest post-it's I'd ever seen!)
     So, there I sat, all cozy-ed up in my bed last night, reading recipes, and drooling on my duvet. A positively wonderful way to spend a Thursday night (with all new episodes of the Office playing on the TV while I read)

I think I'm going to try out the lavender and honey cupcakes to see if they might just be the perfect treat to serve at the upcoming Tumbleweed Cotillion's Vintage French Market at Lavender Ridge...now, doesn't that sound just perfect?

One thousand little flags and a pretty, sweet idea

   
      Each year The not-for-profit organization where I work hosts an annual luncheon as one of our 3 major fundraisers. It's a huge affair, drawing upwards of 1,000 attendees, and this year we are celebrating our 25th anniversary, so it is going to be an extra special event.
    When planning this, our event person wanted ideas, so of course, I said we simply must have cupcakes as the dessert. (It's like a birthday party, so of course cupcakes were called for!) Cupcakes with little celebration flags in them to be more specific. (I suggested putting the flag topped cupcakes on upside down wine glasses at each place setting, with a faux wrapped "birthday present" with huge French ribbon bow in the center of each table) She loved the idea. I made a prototype and we then decided we'd have a little evening shindig of sorts to get 1,000 of these babies assembled for the big day. (**side note here, before you ask- No, I am not making 1,000 cupcakes. We hold the event at a resort here in town and this will simply be the dessert she ordered to go with the meal!**)
     There will be a bunch of us gathering at my cottage tonight for a pot luck of heavy appetizers and dessert, (and lots of chit chat) cutting and gluing little flags to little toothpicks. (One thousand flags divided by eight or ten people doesn't sound nearly so daunting as if only one person were assembling them!)

    We had plenty of left over candy from the candy buffet at the last big wedding and, since it's black and white, and basically so is my kitchen, I realized this would be the perfect way to share the last of the candy. I set up a petite candy buffet on my kitchen nook table, and tonight, while working and discussing what we will be wearing to this big event, everyone can enjoy a treat.

Pretty sweet, huh?

Box lunches, cupcakes and a little bit of pampering for our tootsies

     I thought I'd share a lil' bit more from the day before the big day. After "Breakfast at Tracey's" all of the girls in the bridal party and the mother of the groom and I headed up to the lake for pedicures before the wedding rehearsal and dinner. (As I am writing this I am discovering that it seemed to be all about eating)
We decided it would be easiest to take along shoe box lunches for the girls, instead of squeezing in a trip to a restaurant.
     Friday morning before the breakfast, we packed the lunches- croissant sandwiches, fruit, and some fabulous cupcakes.(See the cute napkins the bride ordered?) I found the perfect white boxes at Michaels and added the darling polka dot ribbon and the tags.The bride found the adorable paper napkins with the fabulous chandelier logo online.

     Even the gals working at the salon loved the presentation and added mimosas all the way around for us, as we took turns getting our tootsies done up for the big day.

*sigh* This was all just too much fun to plan.

Let's start at the beginning, shall we? Welcome to Breakfast at Tracey's

*sigh* It was the icing on the cake. (You remember the theme for my little breakfast party for the bridal party and the grooms parents, don't you?)
This darling cardboard poster was given to me last week, (can you even believe it?!) by a friend that had received it as a birthday gift and had no idea where exactly to put it. It rode around in the back of her car for a while, and then she ran into me at the store one day and I told her about my party plans. Then,a week ago last Friday, the poster arrived in my office. (her Dad works with me) Well, I was so excited I almost cried. (the folks at my grown up job must surely think I am a total nutbag)
Anyway.
I knew where I would put it, right away. A little customizing and foofifying, it it was all set to go on the old dresser on the porch, welcoming one and all to the party. (OK, in the end, the silly wind blew it off of the old dresser and it was propped on the porch near the door, but it worked none the less)

Oh yes, this poster of Holly Golightly was the perfect way to set the mood for the party.

Here's a peek at the buffet set up....

And let me tell you, the food was good, and the company was even better...

Oh! The creme brulee French toast was pure heaven, and we made plenty of extra muffins so we'd have them on hand for the next morning in our rooms....the coffee set up...and the champagne...

  .....but the real highlight came when the groom's Mom shared a DVD she had compiled and edited herself, ( She's a real pro at this; she's even taken classes on using a special editing program) showing both the bride and the groom, from birth until the wedding and it was so beautifully and professionally done!
     It was set to music and it. was. perfect.
I think we all fought back tears as we watched our babes grow up before our eyes. So touching and so special. These two little babies, then toddlers,then school kids and teenagers... growing up, to find each other. I'm tearing up just remembering the pictures set to music now.
     After the breakfast, she gave me my own copy to keep and then the DVD was played all throughout the reception on a large screen TV.

*sigh* Spending time like this with the people you love most...it just doesn't get any better than this.

Here comes the bride....

   
     It's here! The b-i-g day. The last one. The third wedding in 12 months and 1 week and 1 day, to be exact. I thought I'd share some wedding love and some cupcake love, just to tide you over till I have time to post about the big day.
    Here's another lil' idea I saw a while back on some flicker picture, and I simply had to try it out.(Sorry, can't remember who's flicker picture it was)....how do you like my little bride and groom cuppy-cakes?

They were rubber stamp impressions. I scanned them and made them large enough to work as cupcake toppers, then I cut them out, foofied them all up with some pearly glitter, and attached them to toothpicks.
      I could go on creating stuff like this all. day. long. Seriously, I could...

*sigh* Doesn't somebody want to pay me to do that for a living?

100 hours (give or take) to the B-I-G day

    I have the rest of the week off to prep for the last B-I-G day, (Thank God) and I am running around like a complete spaz this moring, but I wanted to give a quick post to share my excitement. (If you have emailed me or placed an order for a kit in the past few days, it may take me a while to respond....)
     Oh. My. Gosh. No matter how organized a person thinks they are, there are always those last minute things popping up here and there.
     I'm doing mock table set ups for the reception location to use as guides for setting up the guest tables, cake table etc.
     Have I told you we're having a candy buffet? It's all black, white and silver candies. These will be the guests favors, complete with monogrammed little boxes for each guest to put their selections in....
*Sigh* it is going to be oh, so elegant, and so, so fun at the same time.

Signs to add some charm to the day...

...the day before the wedding that is.
Ooooh! I am getting oh, so excited for the entire wedding weekend ahead!We're in the final count down now. Mmmm hmm. We'll start off with the "Breakfast at Tracey's" soirée' and I  made up the absolute cutest signs to set near the beverage  areas! Here, for the coffee area...(click to enlarge the pictures to read the quotations)

and here, for the Champagne bar (so fun!!!)

Back to work now...pew bows are next on my list, followed by the place cards for the guests at the reception!

3D Monogrammed letters

     I was so busy yesterday I never even got time to post. Sheesh. Out the door at 6:30 for Toastmasters, then up to the lake and back after work. Whew. Looooooooong day.

Anyway.

     Maybe you've already seen these, but they're new to me. 3D Monogrammed initials from the craft store. (I put the spoon in the picture so you could get the size proportions.)They came in craft paper brown or in black. I didn't even have to paint them and they only cost $2.99 each! I'm going to put them on the buffet table at the "Breakfast at Tracey's" event, then I'll take them to the wedding location and they'll be next to the cake. *sigh* Perfect.
See the fabulous giant diamond ring? It's one of the napkin rings I ordered from here. Ya,I know. Too cute.
Tomorrow I'll show you the rest of the decorations for the pre-party breakfast!

A couple of new handbags

    Look what I found at Michaels when I was picking up supplies for the wedding! They're little picture frames, but...well, you know me...I think they will make incredible place card holders on my little kitchen table. There were 7 different styles. I bought the 2 that went the best with my decor, but the rest of them were darling too.
     Now, the next time I have a friend over for Sunday brunch (or an early supper after an afternoon of shopping?), we can enjoy these adorable little details.

     Wouldn't they make darling favors at a bridal shower, a luncheon, or a tea party?  Use them as place cards first, and a take away favor when guests leave. Heck, they're so cute, I think I might have to use the "me" one when I set the table for just myself.
     Oh, and the best part? They're only $2.99 before you use a coupon for a discount.

*sigh* They are just too cute for words.

Puddings and cupcakes and tarts, oh my!

Oh.
My.
Ga.
Have you seen this cook book?

After spotting it on someone's Blog (does anyone know?! I'd really like to give credit and link my post here... Pam found it again for me here. Thanks Pam!) I knew I had to get it. I mean, those pictures! Wow. And those recipes! Butterscotch Buttercream frosting?! Chocolate Mousse Buttercream frosting?! (You know I'm gonna make that for my next batch of cuppy cakes!)
  This woman is a-mazing, that's all I'm sayin'.
Anyway.
I ordered the book. It came lickety split. And, you know what? It's even better in person, people. I sat all cozied up in my bed till midnight reading recipes and looking at the to-die-for photos of the treats.I wanted to get out of bed at 11:30 last night and bake something. (OK, maybe not bake right then, coz I had to get up for Toastmasters this morning, but if had been the weekend...) It's really that good.

*Sigh* When I get my cupcake parlor going, I'm gonna have to carry copies to sell of this gem of a cookbook.

(one of) My secrets behind the secret

     Who watched Oprah this past Wednesday?! Oh. my. gosh. I am so totally working on developing my power of positive thinking, the law of attraction and all that good karma stuff. In a word, FAITH.
Remember "The Secret"? Did you see the movie, or read the book? If you missed Oprah, it was about just that...it was called "the Secret behind the Secret", and it focused especially on the power of list making, and inspiration boards (putting things in writing or verbalizing them reinforces your ideas and desires basically.) Kind of a Dr. Phil, "You've got to name it to claim it" attitude.You know, thoughts become things.
    Anyhoo, I decided to take the leap, to bear my soul and share with you one of my (many) desires for my life. (besides owning the cutest  cupcakery slash home accessories boutique in the free world, writing lifestyle books about living a charmed life on a shoestring, and being on the Oprah show myself...)

    See it up above? And there again, from up in the sky?
    Um, ya. It's a fabulous old Victorian that's for sale people! Pure heaven, that's what that is. (Can you picture it at Christmas time?!) It's perfectly located, just outside of my favorite spot, Portland, Oregon...and it's just outside of my budget. (although it has been reduced just recently!)

    The house is so charming, so quaint. Sure, it needs some "Foofifying" here and there, but all in all, it's in amazingly great shape. Oh, but that's now why I want it. Oh no. I want it for this...

*sigh* Picture this spectacular old barn, all rustic and romantic (why yes, I do it see it that way) with a new wooden floor, a prep kitchen and restrooms added, with oodles and toodles of twinkle lights at night...to be used as the most wonderful event venue for weddings, meetings, family reunions, Tumbleweed Cotillions...you name it.(too bad all my kids will already be married!) The guy with the massive property behind this gem has some kind of rodeo racing business, and I can see him needing to throw some big awards shindigs in this wonderful barn....My mind reels at the endless possibilities. Really, it does. The barn is enormous inside, and it has a huge upper loft area (That's where the band would be!)
    I'd live in the oh, so charming house, with three porches no less! (I would decorate these babies for sure!)

...and the clawfoot tub I've always dreamed of in the bathroom...

*sigh* Built in 1900, it's only ever had 2 owners, and the history is so very romantic all in itself. It has 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. I could use one bedroom for when the future grandbabies come over to stay, and 1 for brides to use as a changing room when they are renting the property for their weddings. (see? I have it all planned out)

The pictures don't do it any justice, because the property...the property (over 6 acres!) is to-die-for as well..I just can't say it enough. It's beautiful...Oh! Did I mention it was getting a new roof last fall when we looked at it?.... it's all located on a huge corner lot with a great space for parking on opposite side of the barn...) and plenty of room for outdoor events in summertime as well (have ya been to Portland in the summer? So many flowers!)

There's a gazebo (of course) and 2 more outbuildings...the bride-to-be pointed out that one could be used as a cigar bar for events (can ya picture that?!)
    Then, there are two large (I mean ginormous) old garage type buildings. One could house all the table rounds and wooden folding chairs for events. (mmm hmmm,you're thinking it too, right? You're thinking, " It's like it was meant for this"...)I'd have a multitude of cutwork tablecloths and fabulous color coordinated fabric napkins for renting out, along with wonderful candelabras and votive candle holders. The other old garage has been redone inside with a nice long counter and a sink...so beyond perfect for me to teach classes in (cupcakes...furniture painting...crafting...)

and it has a charming bathroom too!

Now do you see just how perfect this is for me? When I am not running a Cotillion or an event, I will be found sitting in a sunny upstairs bedroom window (think Jo from little women here...) with my computer, and my pups, writing books on creating a charmed life on a shoestring, or posting on my blog.
   Oh, my I almost forgot to share, and then I'll quit, I promise...out on the back of the property, it has the original 3 seater outhouse, people!

Now, that's history. So cool.
As if this isn't all too perfect for me, I was given another sign..there is a Christmas tree lot across the street (you can see parts of it from the arial photo above)...named..are you ready for this? Tracy's Christmas Tree farm. Now, does that give you goosebumps?! (I am going to overlook the fact that they spell Tracey differently than I do. That's just a technicality)

*huge sigh*
Ya, so that's one of my secret dreams...now, I'd love to hear yours!

Shhhhh!

    I couldn't tell you this till now, (and I was just sure I was going to burst!) but today is the shower for the bride-to-be. It's a surprise!!
     She's detail minded and likes to know everything that's going on, so that made her big sis even more determined to make every detail special...and secret! The bride thinks the shower is March first.....but we're all set to surprise her here, at our favorite place (oh, you know I'll share pictures later!)
This wedding and the shower for that matter are all about the love. The maid-of-honor made these fabulous CD's of love songs and I made the labels and packaging.I used a photo of them that the bride-to-be's friend took of them kissing by a pool on a vacation. Wow, what a difference turning a color photo to black and white makes. Too cute, huh? And so easy to make. These will be the party favors for the guests at the shower...and they carry out the black and white theme oh, so nicely. The bride-to-be is gonna love 'em. I just know it.

A petite Christmas time dinner soire'

     I had a friend over for a little Christmas time dinner last night. We met years and years ago, when my Mom had her gift shop and she was a customer. We rekindled our friendship when she attended the tumbleweed Cotillion and it's like no time has passed at all. So nice. She is over the top creative and such fun to be around!

       I wanted to share my table set up. Remember when I did the brunch for my girlfriend last spring?       
     Well, it's almost the identical table setting, complete with my all time favorite black and white toile cones, but with a definite holiday slant.(see the holly?)

     I always save all my little table setting items. (see the "You" name tag in the holly filled cone? "Me" and "You" works for everyone!) I keep them all in a drawer in the living room hutch, and they're then there when I need them. So easy and quick to set up, and it looks like I took an hour. (Now, how cool is that?)
     Remember this, when you are creating something sweet for your table.

Up to our eyeballs in baked goods

     What's a girl to do with all of the goodies created in demonstrating  cookie and cupcake decorating ideas? I'm taking them in to work to share with my friends at my big girl job.
     Honestly, after this past weekend of running through my demonstration twice (once for the workshop, once for the dvd...) I can't even look at another snowball cookie, or nest cupcake.

On the other hand, Moose thinks there can never be too many t-r-e-a-t-s.

Busy, busy, busy...

    Is it Saturday night yet? I've gone and over booked myself dreadfully this week. I'm way too busy at my grown up job at the moment. Last night I had a wonderful time with out of town company for dinner (and tree trimming!) *Sigh* A good friend and comfort food.(chili and cornbread and all the toppings!)Such a nice time. The tree is now officially decorated. Wow. Looks A-mazing. Christmas cheer in all it's glory....

Back to my dreadfully over booked week...
     Tonight I'm hosting a jewelry party (What was I thinking, planning that at this time of year?!)
     Yet another house guest comes in tomorrow and then, finally, on Saturday...oh my, Saturday I'll be conducting a very fun workshop at my cottage, where hopefully we'll be making a DVD to follow up from the class. This one is going to cover cupcakes, sugar cookies, packaging your baked goods in creative ways, and last but not least, some ideas for menu cards, place cards and table themes.So, in between all the other things this week, I am prepping and creating and making an outline.

Mmmm hmmm, this little chicky is gonna be so ready for a holiday bubble bath by Sunday.

A lil' peek at my table setting for turkey day

(**edited Thanksgiving night to add- I have no idea why the blue looks so bright in these photos. It is actually a very soft Robin's egg blue!)                      Happy Thanksgiving to you all, dear friends!
Here is the peek I promised yesterday. I guess late is better than never, right? I just couldn't seem to get caught up around here last night, nor this morning.
So...Here it is.... I went for simple. Homespun burlap with my favorite Robin's egg blue accents. Kind of restful but still harvest.

     The turkey is in the oven (Please don't fail me, Bobby Flay!) and the dressing is ready to go.

   I made my son's favorite Thanksgiving dessert, Maple Pumpkin spice cake. It rivals the best home made pumpkin pie, I tell you. Mmmmmm.

*sigh* It feels good to be hosting Thanksgiving once again.

Thanksgiving...and being oh so thankful

     I'm hosting Thanksgiving this year, are you? It will be a small group of only five or so of us, with the Newlyweds... (oh my gosh... 3 weddings in a year, I guess they'll all be newlyweds... )..er...my son and daughter-in-law, the Sewing queen of northern Nevada, and at least one dear sweet friend. We're potlucking it, and I am doing the turkey, ala' Bobby Flay.
     Well, you know me, I'm looking for a theme now. Something different, something harvest, but unusual...I left the three white glittered pumpkins up at the Bride-to-be's after the engagement party (Oh no, I was not schlepping them home again on the plane. One way was enough to tote those babies.) I do still have one more left here at home, waiting for me to do something with...
     I am working with my favorite color combo of mocha and robin's egg blue. See those darling dessert/salad plates? TJ Maxx, of course. And in my colors! I mean, isn't obvious to everyone that I had to get them? (Talk about meant to be.) They had dinner plates, cups and bowls as well. I stopped myself at the small plates though, deciding that I can mix and match them with my dishes, and anyway, the turkey on the dinner plate would be covered with...well, turkey, during the meal. (I'll be sharing pictures of the table scape later this week)
     Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, centered at our home, with kids, and cooking and lots of love. Last years Thanksgiving just kind of slid by me though, in a blurry, sad, slow motion kind of way. The newlyweds being only nearly-weds then, pitched in and made a very nice Thanksgiving feast for us all, considering the state I was in. Now, a year later, Thanksgiving feels more like it should, a time to give thanks, with loved ones near and so very much to be thankful for, not the least of which is my  pretty content little life here in my cottage on Norman Drive.

Have cookies, will travel

 
  ...you betcha. I used 'em as my carry on on my trip to PTown for the big shindig...and in case you're wondering what happened to the fabulous white pumpkin theme for the fall wedding (that has now become the winter wedding) well, we used the white pumpkin look for the engagement party! Mmm hmm, that was my other carry on, on the flight.

    The engagement party was a lot of fun and I managed to get a few pictures to share with you before the party began...actually even before the food was in place for the buffet, but you can get the idea anyway.(as always, click the photo to enlarge...) I used simple $2 black plastic frames and put different short quotes in them to add interest to the buffet table, along with some wonderful garland we found at Target. So affordable and such an impact.... Perfect!
     I made a banner to announce the happy news.....

    Oh, and the end decision on the monogrammed cookies?

    Both! Some on a tray, along with chocolate foil wrapped candy hearts, and a basket of the bagged cookies for departing guests by the door. They were a hit with everybody!
   So, back to the topic of the wedding. Some of you caught it in this post..I somehow forgot to say it back then, but the wedding has moved seasons, and dates, and possible locations several times. Anyway, a winter "destination" (for almost everybody) wedding it will be,(on the Ides of March, no less!) and I think a gorgeous one at that. Lots of snow outside and candlelight all aglow inside. Oh, it's going to be just spectacular. I just know it.

Eat drink and be married.

    Gosh, I love that line. Love it so much that I used it on the favors for the engagement party.

      The favors are my signature sugar cookies, all dolled up and ready to eat. The monogram look is so big right now that we decided to capitalize on it (no pun intended...) Now I've just got to decide if I want to bag up the cookies as favors, like my samples shown, or  display them piled on a tray to eat at the party.
        Which do you think?

An engagement party!

We're having an engagement party! Oh, this will be such a wonderful event, with friends and family celebrating the happy news!
The invitations were  fun to design and make. After I tried out several different ideas, the Bride-to-be selected one that was simple and elegant. I made them and we got them all sent out.
The party is planned! (Wait till you see the darling favors I'm working on for this little soirée...I'll show you later this week)
Come Saturday morning, we (the bride-to-be, the Maid-of-Honor, the future Mother-in-law and I) will be busy fixing up appetizers and some fun little desserts for this very special night.
I'll be sure to share all of the details!

From Christmas ornaments to harvest time place cards...

    Hard to believe these began life as Christmas ornaments at Walmart. They actually look like they came with my cake pedestal, don't they?  Here's how they looked when I bought them (for $1.97 each!)

     You may remember that the cake pedestal began as a sage-y green piece from the Southern Living at home party line. Well, now, it's become an Autumn ensemble'...and I can't wait to use the entire group together.
I am picturing them as place cards, but they also would make great little sign holders for a dessert buffet, or with a selection of cheeses.... oh, the possibilities are endless!

Destination Wedding!

    I'm working on the Save the Date cards for the big wedding......it's going to be held at gorgeous Lake Tahoe, and that's a destination wedding for all but ten of the guests. That got me to thinking of the travel theme...a plane ticket!....and here's what I came up with so far. I like them quite a lot.  We'll see what the Bride-to-Be thinks....

Autumn elegance...and a request

     The new-bride-to-be is thinking of maybe having an elegant, yet rustic Autumn wedding.  They've found a place that just may be perfect, so I am trying out some plans for the decor, you know, in my spare time, just to give us some food for thought. (who am I kidding? I can't even sleep for all the rustic-yet-oh-so-elegant ideas racing through my head!) I'm thinking white pumpkin lined walk ways, with oodles and toodles of tiny white votives and twinkle lights...(My photograph didn't cooperate. It's a pumpkin with pearly glittery confetti, and it actually looked oh so romantic in person, but you'll just have to take my word for it, 'coz the photo above looks like the poor pumpkin has some kind of shiny warts...)

Anyway.

     I saw an incredible wedding article with tons of great pictures in a magazine a few years back (Country Home? Country Living? Mary Engelbreit?) Anyway, it was a fall wedding done in a barn, in Oregon of all places, and it. was. fabulous.
     Well, I tore the pictures out, hoping to someday get to put this plan into action. The new-maid-of-honor had the pictures when we were working on her wedding plans, and as you know, she married before Autumn, so...she tossed the magazine photos out! I have googled till my eyeballs are burning and no sign of the article or photos. If it rings a bell to you, please let me know the month, year and magazine so I can set about trying to get the back issue. (My girls think I am completely crazy, since they said we can remember what was in the picture, but...I fear we might be missing something fabulous. A picture is worth a thousand words you know.)

Real show stoppers

    **note** I have 2 posts today. Please make sure to read the one below this one...thanks.

     I've had my website down for, well, far too long. My goal for this weekend is to get it all back up and open for business. (Right after we shoot the DVD on Gift wrapping techniques, which, with any luck at all, should be ready for sale this Monday via my Blog or website!)
    The trip to Dallas and working on the Tumbleweed Cotillion have side tracked me for what seems like an ice age, and it's time to get things set up and back on track.
     Anyway, until I do get the website all the way up, I thought I'd share a sneak peak at a few of the pieces from one of the lines I will be showcasing on my site, and if you want to buy one, you may! Click on the pictures to enlarge them. I am going to be focusing on entertaining and nesting type items, and these really fill the bill. Please let me know what you think of them.

    They're bottle stoppers. Aren't they fabulous? They are made from vintage door knobs (except the fluer de lys obviously...) so each and every one is one of a kind. Perfect for entertaining, they'll make any bar area or table look incredibly chic.(As they sell, I will delete them from this post)

   

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 They make the most perfect  housewarming or hostess git for that oh, so special someone. (Can't you just picture one along with a bottle of wine?) Another fabulous use for these is to use one on an olive oil bottle on your kitchen counter for that special touch. Oh, and they come in the most perfect little drawstring muslin bags too. (shipping is $5. They are fairly heavy)  Email me with the item number if you'd like one, and I will happily send you a Paypal invoice!
     *sigh* I think they're so, so charming.

No time like the present.

Busy times! Did you know that Christmas is only 107 days away?

I am hosting a fabulous workshop on gift wrapping in a spectacular way. It's called "Make it special". It will cover techniques, tips and tricks for making the most ordinary gift oh, so special.

I'm hosting the workshop at my cottage this Saturday, September 15th. ( I know, I know. It's very short notice!) I've been wanting to share some of my ideas in a workshop setting for quite a while now, and when a couple of friends asked if I could get things rolling before they left on holiday,(they are year round school teachers you see...) I decided to jump on it. Right now.

The workshop will be held at my cottage and will include all kinds of ideas, tips and tricks for creating beautifully gift wrapped packages, gift tags and cards.

     Attendees will receive a take home binder full of how to’s and ideas. I’m also sharing my list of favorite online and local suppliers for the odds and ends I use in my techniques, as well as  tips on how to set up a gift wrap and hostess gift shelf in your home to be ready and organized for creating all of the wrap jobs and treats. Cost for this workshop is just $30.

     I wish you all could come!! It’s going to be such fun! (Oh, and we’ll be having some refreshments too!) If you’re in the area and would like to attend, please feel free to send me an email. I'll be happy to send you all the information!

A little peek at a sweet treat

     I've been working on little treats to welcome our extra special guests that will be staying at the Bed and Breakfast for the weekend of the wedding. Tomorrow I'll show you the finished product, but for today, I just had to share these fancy candy bars.

     Custom candy bar wraps are about the easiest thing there ever was to make. Simply remove the existing label from the candy bar, leaving on the foil wrap, (I used Cadbury chocolate and caramel bars- the big ones were on sale at the grocery...) take a piece of scrap book paper, cut it out and glue it as sleeve around the candy bar. Add a French ribbon wired bow ($1 sale bin at Michaels!) and you are there.

Oh, yes. I think these will make everyone feel special.

A romantic cake stand is reborn

     Sorry, no junkin' photos today. I didn't have any luck at all out yard saling. I was actually only gone from my dear cottage a whopping 24 minutes. (you see, the navigator had to go out of town, and it's really just not quite the same without her along in the car.)  I came back home, deciding to use today as a catch-up day around my home. (having an entire to do this is really a luxury in itself!)
      With the hot summer we've had, it's been so hard to paint, and I had a desk, two chairs and two folding screens long over due to a good friend of mine. I spent the bulk of the day finishing them all up (they were nearly done anyway...)
     I decided to paint a couple of smaller pieces today as well, since the paint and glaze were already out. The picture above is a cake stand I have had for about three or four years. It's resin, and it was a deep antiqued sage green. Pretty as it was, it reminded me too much of my old house and so, with a little paint and a bell jar placed on top, it has now been reborn. Now, all that's left to do is find the perfect thing to put inside it,(when I'm not using it for cakes or cupcakes) and a special place for it to be showcased.
   Hmm, maybe it needs some of my darling little bird eggs in it?

Silver linings at a midsummer night's dinner party

     I hosted an intimate midsummer diner party last night, and we had such a nice time enjoying the yard, the dogs, the food and the company of each other. Good times.
As I was setting the table, it occurred to me that I haven't shown you the fabulous table linens that the Sewing Queen of northern Nevada made for me! Don't they just make the table look oh, so elegant?
     Just ignore the modern-ish looking chairs.  I was lucky to find this patio set in my price range at a yard sale a while back. Beggars can't be choosers on style or color when thrifting. The chairs will (hopefully) soon disappear (I've offered them to the newlyweds) once I find four mismatched wooden kitchen chairs that I can paint up, all shabby in cream or robin's egg blue....that will complete the look I am really after for this outdoor dining area.

     I tried out Rory's fabulous House fire steak and sugar grilled asparagus recipes, and mm, mm, mm, were they a hit. All these years, and I never really ever learned how to cook on a grill. He did that. Now, I'm really getting the hang of this barbecue thing....(I'd like to think of this as kind of a silver lining to the  becoming suddenly single thing.)
     Anyway.
We all gave the entire meal five stars, along with my friends mache lettuce with cantaloupe salad and bruschetta appetizers, and the breeze came up just in time to create the perfect night to sit outdoors.

     Here's a parting shot of the charming ground cover that I have planted between the "not-my-favorite-thing-but--am-stuck-with-them-anyway" cinder blocks. It's all filling in so nicely. (If you click on the photo you can see it up close!)
     You know, I never knew until I became suddenly single that I was a gardener. (I am thinkin' that just might be another silver lining)

Just peachy

          Whew! We're having yet another wave of heat here in the biggest little city. I was craving something sweet,and cold to eat. Suddenly, I remembered I had peach sorbet in the freezer, left over from the weekend before last, when I had a friend over for a nice summertime supper.         
     Mmm, sorbet. It's the perfect light, cool, refreshing summer dessert, for sure. Add a few sliced peaches on the side, and it looks oh, so gourmet (So Next Food Network Star)
     Aah.Now, that hits the spot.

The linen closet that isn't

     I know, most people would use this as a linen closet, but I like to keep my linens close to where I use them. Towels in the bathrooms, extra sheets in the bedrooms, table linens in the dining room buffet.
     Since I've been doubly blessed to have two (Oh! That is such a neat part of this cottage!) hall closets, and large ones at that, I am able to have a closet to house my vacuum, my ironing board, and a fabulous old dresser (that now holds important stuff like candles, batteries, dust cloths and spare light bulbs) as well as a second hall closet full of shelves.    
     The second hall closet (so big it has two wide bi-fold doors, thankyouverymuch!) I am quite sure was meant for linens,and it is not located off the kitchen (rather it is off the entryhall) but, I use it to house my overflow of inspiring, dishes and serving pieces, most of which are thrifted, or gifted to me from my dear Grand-dad after my Grandma passed.
     I got the idea for this closet set up when I first began unpacking all the serving pieces after my move, and I couldn't find a good safe spot for my Grandma's vintage china and crystal. It wouldn't fit in the kitchen, and this just seemed to make sense, plus it is so easy to see all of the serving pieces at a glance when I am setting up to entertain. No more running around the kitchen like a loony-tune, looking for things. (OK, I will probably always run around the kitchen looking like a loony-tune, but not because I'm trying to find my pedestal bowl...) 

      Every time I peer in here, to gather a serving piece or two, or just to look, I get a nice warm, fuzzy feeling.
*sigh* There is joy in order.

summertime and the livin' is easy

        Hangin' out in my backyard. That's what I'm doing these days right after work. Tending to my flowers and dining outdoors. I got carried away the other night planting flowers and broke a sprinkler pipe. Sheesh. It's fixed now though and I am back in business.

     I promised I'd share the patio and backyard when it was completed, and it is very nearly there, so I'm giving you a little look-see at what has been going on back here. I also need to dig out the "Before" shots of the backyard from when I moved in...maybe I can find them tonight and share them tomorrow.

and of course, so many roses I can hardly believe it myself. *sigh*

  Of course I still have a Do-List a mile long (you know how I am) and I still plan to make a sign for above the Barbecue, plant flowers and a vine near the old bicycle, paint the coffee table a robin's egg blue (to go with the quilts)and paint the shutters a chocolate brown with creamy colored Fleur de lis on them...all before the fourth of July get together. I am loving this gardening stuff, and all that goes with it.(and you know I'll share pictures!)

     Aah, summertime. A charming backyard. What more could a girl ask for?