Dream Cottage

I'd love to have this cottage for my very own -

complete with peppermint flowers and a candy cane lantern holder!

Doesn't it look cozy?

Snowy Day

I have no excuses for not posting in almost two months! For some reason, I just felt overwhelmed with blogging and preparing for Thanksgiving at our house, etc. That doesn't mean that I haven't been enjoying your blogs, though! So many wonderful decorations and pretty homemade goodies - it has gotten me in the mood for the holidays and inspired me to create!!

Our little family decided to head up towards Mt Rainier and we ALL had so much fun playing in the wonderful white stuff! We were the first ones there on Saturday morning and enjoyed making and packing down our own trails.

It was the first time for the two younger ones to play in so much snow . . . tubing, creating snow angels, etc.

Of course, it was necessary to top it all off with a cup of hot cocoa!

Mmmmmmmm...

I'm no longer DREAMING of a White Christmas!

*Sigh* It was so beautiful, quiet, and peaceful. I will treasure these memories forever!

Jack-o-lanterns

Didn't they turn out great? Everyone had fun making these at our party Friday night.

Caramel Toffee Apples

This recipe was so YUMMY! I've never made caramel apples before and these were so rewarding! Very easy, too. I found this book of apple recipes and couldn't wait to try one or two of the recipes for a party we had last night. I got many compliments on these. I set them on pretty individual orange doilies and then on a black tray. Very Halloweenish...

I hope you're enjoying your weekend. I cannot believe it's the end of October already! Less than two months till Christmas.

A Collection Started

Remember when I mentioned yesterday the special meaning of the number 5? It doesn't end with the pumpkins. This gathering under the cloche all started with the Wendy Addison glittery 5, and I added a couple of dominoes I found today here. So it looks like a collection has started!

May you all have a wonderful weekend! I'm thinking we might head over to a local pumpkin patch since our pumpkins were planted a tad late (and have yet to be much of anything).

My Choice

If I had to choose a favorite decoration out of all my fall things, I'd have to say this is the one!

I love that a sweet, little ol' German lady made this for a local shop. She happened to be there dropping more stitcheries off the day I had this in my hand and was headed up to the counter. She even signed the back with her name, Lydia. I love that she told me she bought old frames at Goodwill, painted them, and used them for her little stitcheries. So sweet! The 'five' little pumpkins also has special meaning to me because there are five members in our little family.

So every time I pull this out in the fall, I can't help but smile when I remember Lydia and the little bit of history behind this!

Fall has been ushered in with a vengeance here in the Pacific Northwest! Almost feels like winter... I hope you're enjoying the change in weather as much as I am!

*the spellchecker just told me stitcheries isn't a word. well, if it isn't, it's still in "my" dictionary!

Mug Shots

These are my absolute favorite mugs! I found them at Christmas time here a couple of years ago. They're by Tracy Porter. I love their curvy silhouette. So pretty! My red and white kitchen is coming together slowly, but surely - and oh, so nicely!

Littles Unveiled

I know I've kept you in suspense long enough. It was overcast and too dark inside the house to take pictures, so these are taken on the front porch. I don't have any "box rooms" or a dollhouse put together, yet. It would be even more fun to show you these displayed and set up in their appropriate places. Oh well....they're still the most adorable littles ever!! I wonder what people thought as they drove by, seeing me kneeling on the front porch taking pictures. Hmmm....let them wonder, I say!

This first one is a sweet and tiny quilt by Amy W. I want one for my bed now!

Don't you just love this cupboard by Amy P! The paper that was used in the back is so pretty. And a beautiful potted tree.

Wouldn't you love to curl up with a newspaper and this cozy hand crocheted blanket? I would. Brrrr....it's cold outside this morning! I needed this Jennifer.

Next, we have a fun bulletin/idea board, a diary to write down those most inner thoughts and dreams, and a cute little broom to sweep away the cobwebs! And the itty, bitty, teeny, tiny pencils - too adorable, Karen G!

Who doesn't love picnics, especially in the fall? A pretty little tote, a bottle of the most delicious strawberry soda, a checkered tablecloth, matching napkins, place mats, and dishes. An umbrella so our faces won't freckle (too late!) or to keep the rain off us (here in WA), and the cutest little book -

One Hundred Hungry Ants. So cute, Karen C.!

Nursery accessories by Lisa. Isn't this the cutest rocking horse? Complete with fuzzy tail and mane. Building blocks with the letters CLH (Club Little House) and a reversible bib. Just noticed I forgot to take a picture of the cute little banner that matches.

I have everything a little kitty could ever need including kitty litter! All I'm missing is the kitty. Guess what I'm on the lookout for, Keri?

The most precious rug ever!! How clever to use the Club Little House logo. And now I have a matching button proclaiming me to be a member. I feel so official, June!

I know everything is adorable, but how precious is this tiny cake from the Club Little House Bakery??? I love it Chelle! It even has the most amazing little red cake stand. It's something I'd love to have in my kitchen right now. And the box - just perfect!

Miss Amy, the Queen of Littles, sent everyone in this go-round the most amazing, tiny stack of mail and a tiny 1x1 box. Notice the Inspire Co. tape around it? It's an exact replica of the tape she uses on boxes she sends from her shop. I know, because I've ordered from her before. Now that's attention to detail! I just realized that I don't have a picture of the cutest little surprise inside. I didn't realize it had something inside it until I started reading some other blogs. Uh-oh! What a delight to know I wasn't done! How could I have missed something like that?? That Amy! I feel like it's Christmas and who am I to be the recipient of such special things?!?

Don't you just adore the tiny crates of peaches and this bottle of cream to go with it?! I do for sure! Thanks Bonni!

And this last, but not least, amazing little! I can't believe how 'outside' the box these ladies thought. A canoe and fishing pole with a fish already caught.

And a name for the canoe - The Pearl. I bet Crystal named each and every one of them something different!
Each little I received had it's own special details and I know there was so much thought and love put into the making of them! Thank you, thank you to each one of you Club Little House members for all your hard work! I love it all and can't wait for the next time!! A special thank you to Amy and her elves who put so much time, effort, and love into organizing and putting it together.

Cross Country Trek

Yes, it has finally arrived all the way from the other side of the United States. My Club Little House package from Amy. Wow! I was absolutely giddy with excitement when I heard the knock from the FedEx man!

Look at the wonderful layers of surprises! And the polka dot paper - just yummy.
More pictures to come...

'Tis the Season...

for rain boots, that is!

Aren't these full of cheer for a rainy day? Love how some cherries are sleeping. These are my daughter's - if I had some, I know they'd put an extra spring in my step!

Dollhouse

In great anticipation of the Club Little House box arriving on my doorstep this coming Thursday, I am dreaming about this little pink cottage dollhouse! Isn't it darling? I cannot wait for my "littles" to arrive... *sigh* I think a new dollhouse is in order as well!

Mums

I'm loving the pots of mums my dear husband brought home for me last week. They make me think about pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and hay rides.

Fall...

Where are you?? Although our nights are cooling off and mornings have a nip in the air, our days are still rather warm here in the Northwest.

I've been sooooo in the mood for fall with so many great posts! We had some friends over this last weekend for dinner, and I wanted to have a few fall vignettes. I didn't have time to go shopping (I had to get rid of my seasonal decorations before our move), so I grabbed what things I had. I took a couple of small trees off the front porch, tucked them inside old ceramic cookie jars, gathered books off the shelf in oranges, brown, and greens, and found an old "warm" flashcard. I love the garland I picked up at TJ Maxx. However, it didn't reach across our humongous fireplace. So I extended it on either end with ribbon. I love how it turned out! The little azalea trees flank a large mirror. I also filled glass jars with candy corn and other fall colored candies.

Anyway, things are looking a little more homey around here. Still not sure I like the green color in this room but it'll have to stay for a while. I find that green is a good neutral as a whole and it seems to go with all different seasonal decorations. The one thing I'd love to do is paint all the beautiful old woodwork and fireplace a happy, cheerful white. But we're only renting this place till we find our own cottage once again. We've been here since March and I find it harder to want to leave, the more I do to this place. But I do hate all the dark trim. That is one reason I've hesitated showing you more of the inside of our cottage. It's so neat, but so dark with all the woodwork.

My husband took my camera to work last week and forgot to bring it home so I didn't post over the weekend. The kids all had a great first week at school. I hope everyone had a great weekend as well!

Sadly Neglected

This poor blog has been sorely neglected. Now that the kids are back in school (yay!) I hope to do some catching up.

We spent Labor Day driving down to Oregon to see Multnomah Falls. It was my third time, my husband's first (he grew up here in the Pacific NW). If you're ever in the area, it's a beautiful place to visit, just not on a holiday! It was rather crowded and parking was horrid.

We walked/hiked the short distance (0.2 mi) up to the bridge above the lower falls. The bottom picture is looking down from there. Did I ever mention that I'm afraid of heights? So standing so close to the side to take this picture was a feat in itself! **shiver** And then noticing a chunk on one of the posts of the bridge was missing...ugh. I wanted to faint.

For dinner, we decided to take the kids to the Old Spaghetti Factory in Portland. Yummy! For some reason, pasta is one thing that the whole family can agree on liking.

Happy Thursday!

Pacific Beach

We went camping at the beach for a night. It was a last-second decision, but fun!

Planning the sandcastle.

On the hunt for castle accessories.

Our cottage... Okay, it's not, but one can dream, right?

County Fair

We took the kids to a county fair Friday night. They had a great time!

Little piggies that haven't gone to market, yet. They're adorable - but smelly!

This little guy was precious! He was sleeping with his head perched up on the fence while standing. Very talented! Wish I could do that when I need a quick nap and still feel refreshed!

And of course, what's a FAIR without a few rides?!?

Order of the Day

Strawberry Cupcakes

So yummy for our tummies...

Made a batch to take tonight to an

'All Girls Monthly Birthday Bash' about 10 of us started a few months ago!

The Doors

I picked up these vintage cupboard doors for a song at the place that went out of business before they had the big blow-out sale. I think these doors are absolutely sweet with the vintage decals of Dutch children on them. I thought maybe I'd hang them on the wall as is. Any other ideas? I still need to clean them up a bit. They're painted a pretty blue on the back. I wish I could view the backs as well as the fronts.