Cottage

If this fabulous piece of real estate came up for sale, I'd be packed and moved into it in a jiffy! This vintage picture has the prettiest colors. The cottage is in the perfect setting. It even comes with darling ducks, a bridge to watch them from (or fish from) and contemplate the sweetness of life. I'm still hoping we find that perfect place, someday... Just like Tracey has found hers!

Oh, and the darling apron was found at a local antique store. It's just as sweet - so soft and worn.

love it, love it, love it

First Attempt

This bench was my first attempt at covering something with fabric. It was easier than I thought it would be and a tad harder in a way, too! Make sense?

My husband got this bench for me on our 3rd anniversary - it used to have a sleigh bench on top. But the top was cheaply made and didn't last long. It was hollow inside, too! However, this iron bottom has been lugged around with us everwhere for the past six years to four different houses and two moves, from WA to AZ and back to WA. I love it's scrolly design, and it's so sturdy.

I used to just set a piece of plywood (sized to fit) over the top and use it as an outside bench, end table, etc. I figured it was about time to do something with it! I couldn't make up my mind if I just wanted to have a piece of glass cut to fit for a coffee table or keep using it as a bench. I think that's what took me so long to do anything - my indecisiveness.

I found a pretty cottage-looking piece of fabric at Joann's, two thick cushions, some batting, and a new upholstery stapler. It went together really well except I couldn't get the ends to look quite right. I'll have to practice some more by redoing my dining room chairs. It really is an inexpensive way to change something!

I love how it turned out and we use it now as our piano bench (for the FREE piano we found on Craigslist). Gotta love that!!

A question for you: Is it just me or does blogger's spell check not work??

Only two more days till Valentine's Day and my six year old turns seven! Then I'll have two seven year old's for a week till the other one turns eight! Their father's birthday is in between there. So we have lots of February birthdays to celebrate!

Happy Tuesday!!

Biscuits

Don't you love making ordinary things into not-so-ordinary things?

Like these biscuits that go with sausage gravy.

It's just as easy to use a heart-shaped cutter as it is a plain round one.

This biscuit has homemade blackberry jam - yummmm.

These would be perfect for Valentine's Day!

Child's Play

Does this not make you nervous?? I had such a hard time relaxing yesterday, knowing that one of the kids could fall out of the tree and break an arm, leg, neck or some such thing! My husband told me I need to relax more... Ugh! They were having the time of their life, though. I just had to go do something else so I wouldn't see them.

Treasure Hunting

Don't you just love it when you feel like you've come upon a treasure trove?!?

These are what I found at our local thrift shop this week.

Love the detail on the top of this butter dish cover - at least I think that's what it is. The bottom is missing, but I'm sure I'll find something it'll fit.

The one with the missing lid will make a cute vase for a tiny bouquet.

A while back, I inherited some saucers from my maternal grandmother. Only problem was, the teacups were missing. So when I saw these four lonely teacups sitting on the shelf, I just had to get them! Especially since they match the orphan saucers. Yippee! How perfect is that!?