Karla's Cottage

May Showers Bring June Flowers?

Quite a bit of May and into June, it rained.

And rained.

Then rained some more.

I dug some trenches to have the water run away from the house in a few places, but this river was created by the dogs running back and forth to bark at people walking on the other side of the fence.  I needed to dig out a tunnel under the fence for it to drain, and then, this raging river became ideal for redirecting the water away from our home.  

But just imagine the mud we have had to deal with from all of the dog’s hard work in crafting this trail!

We are so lucky it has only been mud.  So many places are flooded or damaged by the tornados.

I hate to even admit this, but the rain hasn’t been all bad at the cottage.   We seem to have decent run off, and haven’t had problems with it, once the torrents streaming across the yard subside and drain away.

We have been gifted with  lush, overflowing flower beds as an after effect.

Our yard has never been better.

We have also put a ton of work into trimming, planting, and cleaning up too.

And my studio redo made me so happy that I wanted some changes outside too.   This swing got a fresh coat of paint, and moved from the big yard that has been taken over by Honey and Sugar, to a cozy spot where it is  getting used again.

This corner got  a big refresh, I added two rose bushes, a viburnum, some other shrub (whose name I have forgotten), and ten bags of mulch.

I also planted this little perennial that will bloom in pink.  My husband said that we should support a local farm/nursery that had tornado damage.   He loaded up his chainsaw and gator to spend an afternoon cleaning up there, then picked me up to go shop at their garden center. 

We have always loved that farm, in the fall it is a pumpkin patch and we have had many happy memories of tiny grand fairies playing there.

If buying a few pots and flats of plants could help them out, I was in.  We even bought a few for our son’s home.  

I am very proud of my handsome husband for volunteering his time.  He is a nice guy to not only go to help but to also suggest supporting their business. 

 

More February Foofing, another small change

When I bought new recliners for the living room, I opened a Pottery Barn charge card that gave me cash back to spend in the store.  

Pottery Barn isn’t my typical shopping venue.  I’m pretty cheap on the frugal side, and usually go for second hand or discount stores.  But those chairs,  were the exact perfect pieces, because I do not care for recliners, but they are all my husband wants.  

These were ideal, cottage seats that secretly reclined. 

So, I splurged. 

 

And happily poured through the online catalog, planning my bonus purchase.  

When isaw this quilt, in colors that would warm up a drab February, I knew it was just right for my room.

First of all- roses and birds? 

With old fashioned, faded looking squares?

 Yep, perfect! I’m a sucker for cottage quilts, my mom was a quilter, and I’ve got a soft spot for them. Plus, I like the way they feel, layered on my bed. 

It came in the mail the same day that my Sissy sent this robe to me as  a gift. I felt like I was meant to be wrapped in those warm, rich, flowery tones when I found both boxes on the front step in the middle of that awful, polar vortex of cold that had settled over much of the Midwest. 

They both made me feel pretty happy, and knocked the mid-winter blues away. 

Making the most of a getaway

 

I’m using my mini work trip to teach a couple of pretty projects at the Cozy Castle as the perfect excuse for a Florida vacation.  Sugarwings and her Pop Pop are joining me tonight for a trip down the coast to stay on the beach a few days.

After sunning and swimming, we are headed back to Orlando to drop off my Handsome Husband for a golfing weekend with his buddies. 

Then, the grandfairy and I are free to run amuck at the Magic Kingdom til it is time to meet up and fly back to Kansas.  

Well why not?  I was already going to be in Florida anyway... with airline points and companion passes, all flights were free. Hotel points went a long way too, not quite covering the beach stay but helpful.  I have a Disney Credit card that racks up points for discounts.  

I love wringing as much as I can out of a getaway, and putting the week together like puzzle pieces to see just how much I can squeeze into one flight. And of course, how could I not try to wrangle a trip to Disney in while I’m sooo close to the Happiest Place on Earth?  

Happy Valentine’s Day!

As I was petting Twinkle recently, a torn, dried up leaf, in the shape of a heart, fell off of her.  

I love finding unexpected, accidental hearts.   Thank you, Tinks!  Of course I’ll be your Valentine. 

Snowday Adventures with the Pack

We had the most perfect snow!

No roads were closed, the temps barely got below freezing, there wasn't a hint of wind.  I could get behind winter if snow days were always like this.

We had a great time in the woods with the dogs, and I really enjoy watching the interplay between the pups.  They are slowly, but surely becoming a "pack", not just a bunch of dogs that live together.

While Albie isn't exactly lovey dovey with the Bigs, he participates in outdoor hunts with them and they have a routine, where he checks underneath the roots, while they scout out the upper level.

He is pretty proud of being one of the big dogs and works hard to keep up.

Actually, he is pretty much on the sidelines, and they don't even acknowledge his help. I don't think he notices, he feels like he is in on all of the action. Twinkle, on the other hand, knows she isn't invited and watches from a few feet away when something important needs to be dug up or chased.

Albie never misses a move, and keeps a close eye on what is happening, in case he is called upon.

He may be delusional, but he is happy.

Over time, we have come a long way with the relationships.  And now, on the other end of the learning curve that time created, Twinkle is becoming a Senior dog, and losing her vision.  Out in our woods, we have to keep an eye on her so she doesn't wander off and can't find us.

Not that we would ever consider leaving her behind! These walks in the woods are her happiest times.

She isn't the only one who loves them!

Me too.

 

The countdown is on

Our family is  on the countdown to Christmas and trying to fit in as many festivities as we can.

Sugarwings and I went to see the plays Elf, Rudolf and Annie...

checked out the holiday displays at Legoland... (although, Dorothy and Toto were faves, even if they weren't Christmassed up like the rest of the bricks)

we’ve sipped cocoa by candlelight and the twinkling of the tree...

are going to go to see the Nutcracker movie...

and have been making as many holiday crafts as we can.

We had a gathering to craft with friends too, and the group took a field trip to the Lecompton Territorial Museum to see the Midwest’s largest display of vintage Christmas ornaments.  

Lecompton was important during the Civil War and is a town full of history.

And great, old ornaments!

In between, I’m trying to get things wrapped to place under the tree or in the mail and flying off to loved ones.  Trying is the key word there- heck,I’ve not even finished shopping, let alone wrapping.

 

I hate to see the whirlwind wind down, I’ve been loving every minute of it. 

But before you know it, Christmas will be here.  And that means Dewdrop will be back from North Carolina to join in on our fun!

The Halls are Decked!

Typically, the day after Thanksgiving, I delve deeply into the boxes of holiday goods that I've been waiting to decorate with. Sugarwings and I have a saying, "Respect the Bird."  Which means that we hold ourselves back from tumbling headfirst into Christmas until after the Thanksgiving turkey has been eaten.

This year, I was a bit slower, it was Monday before I got around to tackling the trees.  

I set up quite a few, slowly but surely, and by the end of the day, I was ready to kick back, eat some Thai take out and enjoy the lights.  

Thank you for all of your kind comments and messages about my health. My heart is beating as it should, the procedure worked, which is great news. I'm feeling a tad worn down but am rallying a bit more each day.

There will be some more photos of the holiday decor soon. I'm using my infirmity as an excuse to be lazy for now.  

Have a seat

Dorothy is happy to be back and to resume her role as blog model.

This chair has been needing a new seat for, well, way, way too long. It is Sugarwings' seat at the dining table, and she tends to be...a messy boisterous diner.  The original seat was quite ugly, and I hated it from the minute I saw it, but it didn't show the results of her dining mishaps.  I'd made a seat slipcover to use over it when company came, but didn't leave it on all of the time, because it was light colored.

When I saw these chairs on clearance at Nebraska Furniture Mart, I was inspired to recover Sugarwings' seat in a faux leather look, to compliment this chair, which I bought for the other end of the table.

Hancock Fabric is going out of business, and I got the cloth for 75% off, and a ruffled trim for  an 85% discount.  The two chairs don't exactly match, but I prefer things that blend nicely, not match perfectly.  The other chairs are a mix match too, but I'm considering covering the seats with this 'pleather' stuff.

The kitchen/dining/living rooms will all be open to the new hearth room, where two of these genuine leather recliners will sit in front of the fireplace.    The home will still be mostly whites and creams, but I'm looking forward to adding these darker, more rustic elements of leather, especially in the hearth area.

I'm not a fan of recliners, but my husband is.  And the fireplace is his dream.  So I searched high and low to find a couple that we could both live with.  While I'd prefer some cushy, velvet seats with plush footstools instead, I have to remember it is his space too.  And don't you think that this recliner is less recliner-y than most? It reminds me more of a leather club chair than a typical recliner, so I think I'll like it. 

Maybe with a soft throw over each, and a distressed, white table between them?  Oooh, and an alabaster lamp!?

Plus, they were half price. Well, at least the floor model was, and the salesman gave the second one to me at the sale price too!

See what I mean about how open it will all be?  When the deconstruction started, it was a gamble, not knowing if we'd be able to have it this opened up or not.  Old houses can be tricky and the builder told us we'd have to see what was in the walls before he could say for sure whether it would require supports or not.  

But we lucked out and the room will be finished as we'd hoped.

Now, to pick out paint colors. And from looking at this photo, I think I need to redo the wallpaper on the stairs. In the past, you couldn't see the roses on the risers and the text on the wall next to them, at the same time. Now, from the new room, they are on full display and look a bit busy together.

 

There is a lot of work ahead, but I can feel it coming together.

Look who is back!

Dorothy Rosebud left us months ago, due to her phobias of the momma cat and Honey's playful puppyhood, that both left her trembling in fear. And crying out.  Sometimes, she would get a glimpse of Honey and start shrieking. That squeaky toy noise got Honey's attention and she would run right at the tiny, little girl. Then, poor Dorothy would hide in her cubby hole under the stairs for 8-10 hours, not coming out even to potty.  

She was terrified of life on the farm.

My pal, Beth offered to take her in and love her. Beth and Jeff did love her, but due to a problem that developed  with her brother Button, one of Beth's other dogs, little Dorothy Rosebud had to leave their home.

At first, I was afraid I was in for more heartbreak. That Dorothy would be too scared to be here with us. I made a call to another friend who could care for her.

But while this little girl was away, she developed some confidence.  Honey grew up, and is more under control. The momma cat's kittens no longer needed her protection. Things felt a tad bit safer here for a tiny dog.   No one was picking on her.

She's been back in my arms for a week now and I am thrilled that we kept her.  And grateful that Beth kept her safe til it was time to come home.

Looking for Luck, 4 leaf clovers in the grass

When I was a kid, finding a 4 leaf clover and learning how to do a back flip into the pool were two driving forces in my life.  I'd sit in the yard for hours, fruitlessly searching through the patches of green, desperate to find my own lucky charm.

And as for the flip? I'd put on a heavy sweatshirt, to deaden the pain of slapping the water with my back, and relentlessly, toss myself off the diving board, trying to learn that trick.  It was a good thing I had the sweatshirt, because my back got a lot of slaps, I never once made it all the way around into the turn to land feet first in the water.

I gave up on ever learning the flip when I was in my thirties, but never gave up on my hope of finding a 4 leaf miracle.  

When I saw my friend, Angie, and Dewdrop's gypsy mama both gathering handfuls of 4 leaf clovers in a matter of moments, I doubled my efforts with some hints from them both.

What I discovered is that discovering one is kind of like those magic pictures that were so popular in the 90s.  It's a way of looking at it, not simply searching.  They are out there, if you can focus your eyes in the right way to see them.

Happily, I can now find one anytime I feel the need for a piece of luck to hold in my hand.  But mostly, I just let them grow, and not pick one unless necessary. It is nice to know that the grass around my cottage is filled with Luck.

I've been known to scratch at the grass with a rake, and sprinkle clover seeds all around the yard.   These plants are so much more interesting than typical turf.  And the hope of a flock of four leafers spreading through the lawn, is a nice thing to think about.

Hmmm, now that I've learned the clover trick from two experts, maybe I should tap the knowledge of my circus performer family and finally master the backflip???

Somehow I doubt that I'll do that... but if I do give it a try, I'd better fill my sweatshirt pockets with as many lucky clovers as I can find!!