Karla's Cottage

St Augustine isn’t exactly near Disney, but it really isn’t all that far away...

I took advantage of being in Florida and made a day trip to Orlando.  My sis, Terry and her fun husband were there on a spur of the moment trip.

It was pretty dang cold out for that part of the country, so we thought we would try something different.  Instead of going to a park, we had a sightseeing day.

And we based our wanderings around whatever reservations we could get for meals.  If you know much about Disney, you might know about the big hoopla around making reservations for meals 180 days in advance.  They book up that quickly, especially character meals.

I’ve discovered that people hoard those reservations and make as many as they can, deciding at the last minute which to keep.

You can usually snag a good one with the 24 hour window there is to get refunds on deposits when cancelling.

We were lucky to get into tea at the Grand Floridian for lunch and dinner at Storybook Woods with Snow White.

Along with the Evil Queen.

Both restaurants are in hotels, not in a park, so no ticket was required.  But we still got to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks over Wilderness Lodge when we arrived to dine with Snow and Dopey.

The rest of the day was spent riding the skyline and monorail to sightsee at hotels along the way.

I’d never seen the Grand Floridian before and loved all of the details.

Of course, Disney is all about the details and art.  This giant mosaic is at the newest hotel, the Riviera.

Keeping with our laid back attitude, we took a break at the Riviera in the kids’ craft room.   Dale got some hot chocolate, we watched a movie on the big screen, and I did the day’s project.

It was a lesson in doing an animation cell, where you paint on the back of the clear plastic, then flip it over when done.  This is what the back of mine looked like.

We took the time to watch a bride arrive for her wedding, a teeny girl dressed as a princess get a photo shoot, we meandered through lobbies, gift shops, and looked around Disney Springs.

You never know what sights you’ll see when you slow down and take the time to look.

 

Like a biker paying tribute to Walt, or a cross eyed Elsa made of crystals.

I can’t say that I have ever had a bad day at Disney, but this lazy, no plan, wandering around day, sure was extra special.

Treats from Karen- Carmel Apple Cake Pops

My pal, Karen, has a way with entertaining. And she is so good about sharing tips and tricks.  For our workshop, she gave us all a lesson in making caramel apple cake pops.  

It was hands on, with everyone helping.

Including on a lesson in making leaves from green candy melts and a toothpick.

The cake mix was baked with apple cider.  The rest of the cider was used to make a special "Welcome Autumn" beverage for lunch, Caramel Apple Sangria. Oh my!

Chopped up honeycrisp apples floated in cider with white wine, spiked with caramel vodka.  I was wishing that I wasn't such a wimpy drinker, it was so tasty, I wanted a mugful instead of a sip. But I can't focus on doing anything but giggle if I have a mid day drink. And there was a watercolor class to teach, sooooo, I woefully had to stop myself from having more than a taste.

Karen wrote up the recipe for everyone to take home.

If you ever get a chance to attend one of her workshops at the Cozy Castle, you really should.  Plus, it is in Florida, and that is a great place to visit.  (Did I mention it wasn't too far from the world's best place to visit, or should I say the happiest? DISNEYWORLD!)

I sat our luncheon table with a fall theme, and cooked a wild turkey breast that Karen shot herself.

It was good to have an excuse to get out a smidgeon of autumn decor.  I had told  myself that I wasn't going to do much fall decorating, since I am working on fixing up another house to get on the market, then going straight into Christmas decorating on November 1st for A Snowbirds' Song. 

No time for Halloween, no matter how much I enjoy it.  So, a few mini, white pumpkins on the table will have to surfice.

Our little workshop sure got me in the mood for fall and cheered me up.  What a beautiful day! Huge thank yous to everyone who came and for Karen's delightfulness. She and I hope to work together in the future too, I have been invited to teach at her "Beauty in Blue" during Blue Bonnet season in Texas.  Maybe we will see you there?

ps- pups for sale!!  https://karlascottage.typepad.com/cottage_doodles/

Park City Glam

Park City is a beautiful place to visit any time at all, but we were lucky to be there for Savor the Summit, a dining event that took over the streets.

Restaurants showed off their finest dining displays all up and down the street (and I do mean, up and down, it is on a hill).

I didn't have my camera with me, (what was I thinking??) but I borrowed Guncle Kev's to get a few shots of the pretty tables.

We had some time to walk around and appropriate appreciate the dining designs that lined the slope (making plans for future tablescapes for our own homes) before joining the rest of the fam for a fancy dinner.

As pretty as the outdoor tables were, we were glad to be eating indoors, the air was nippy.  

Actually, downright cold. I was happy that I had bought this new coat at the Sundance outlet store earlier that day, because we did not pack for temps in the 40s.

And the girls were loving a chance to wear the new shawls that Aunt Terry wove for them on her loom.

They loved them so much, they insisted on sleeping with them too.

Luckily, it was warmer the next day, for Silly Sundays. 

Yep, the fun never ends in Park City! We spent Sunday morning at the outdoor market, and made the most of the kids' activities offered.  It was practically a pet parade/fashion show downtown, everyone was dressed in their resort wear and walking their dogs. We saw a lot of doodles and yorkies, it made me feel like a trendy dog owner myself.

These cousins all picked out a special bloom at a flower cart to give to Aunt Terry as a thank you for the special weekend she treated us to.  I think that they made some remarkable memories, and I am thankful to my sis for making all of this possible. What a trip!

 

Winging it at Disney World

Before heading to Universal Studios to hit my head, we hung out with royalty at Artist Point in the Wilderness Lodge.  I'd never been to this restaurant before, but now it is my favorite place to go! 

We were lucky to get in, the night before, we checked the Disney planning app to see where we might find an open reservation. If you  have spent much time at the Disney parks you know about all of the tips and rules about making plans way ahead, to get the best reservations and fast passes.  People plan months in advance to try to get the ideal dining experience and get up at 6am the day the window opens for them to make their plans.

We weren't even sure what day or what park we were going to the night before, so had no itinerary at all.  But everything fell into place for us, after buying my ticket at 9pm that night.  

One thing I have always found, is that while it can be hard to get reservations for the princess dining, there are thousands of people who are working the app to get exactly what they want, and they often book multiple experiences, as they weed through to finalize their plans. While it is kinda rude to hold up so many spots, eventually they do have to release the holds because they can't do it all. And they have a deadline where the restaurants are non refundable.

I have had lots of success in getting to go where I wanted, by checking online to see when cancellations pop up.  24 hours before you go usually has lots of openings, and it did this time too.  Plus, we were fine with whatever happened, we were three adults who have been to the parks many times and weren't pinning all of their vacation hopes and dreams upon magical perfection. 

We were winging it and just happy to be there, wherever we ended up.

There are some Facebook Disney groups I follow (because, yes, you know I am a Mickey nerd and can't get enough!) and these people can be quite over the top about details and spreadsheets and planning.  I do believe you need to go into it with some idea of where and what and when you are doing things, or you waste a lot of time, but I sure don't think it needs to be as desperate as some of these people make it out to be.

 Artist Point and the Story Book dinner was the BEST, and I hope to go again. But we would have had a good time, no matter what we did that day.

If you get a chance, you should try it out. It is in a resort, not a park, so no ticket is needed to get in. Just remember to  check back again if reservations are full, some might open up. 

And don't forget to give my pal, Dopey, a kiss on the top of the head. I got to, just like Snow White does. He was pretty dang cute.

 

 

Cinderella's Carriage

When Karen came to visit me last week, she brought along gifts from our friend, Julie.  When we first saw these, we thought they were perfume bottles, then were corrected by Julie. They are actually oil lamps

But to both of us, they were Cinderella carriages! 

Karen brought these supplies to use on hers.  We both removed the bevelled glass (my amber glass will someday become full moons, with little witches on them) and painted the brass white.

Here is Karen's all prepped and ready for a princess to ride in.

And she even had a princess ready to roll.  Ta dah! 

Lovely!

We took a lunch break and had pie, (well, a wonderful lunch too, but oh man, that pie!!) at Ladybird Diner.

Karen had read about our local cafe in Food Network magazine, and wanted to check it out while she was in Kansas.  I'm always up for a lunch there, the buttermilk fried chicken is my favorite and I don't need much of an excuse to go have some again.

(At this point, my bruise was 2 weeks old and not fading much, but by now it is almost 3 weeks and starting to look a bit better. It doesn't hurt, so I forget about it, and am surprised when people ask me if I am ok, or what on earth happened to me. They aren't expecting a story about Harry Potter)

Mine holds two, very special princesses.

With a unique Fairy Godmother on top. Along with a giant, vial of pixie dust. Because at our house, there is no such thing as too much fairy dust to sprinkle around.

I also broke out the very, very special, vintage silk ribbon roses for both of us to use on our royal coaches. 

In mine, the clock is about to strike 12, and there are white pumpkins behind the girls.

And the princesses are decked out in very sparkly gowns.

The wheels are vintage rhinestone buttons and earrings.

Mine is not quite finished here, I still had flowers to add.

Thank you Karen, for sharing your treasures from Julie, and thank you Julie, for this gift!  It already has a special place in my home.

 

Once Upon an Easter

Jenn Hayslip’s bunny bash was every bit as special as I knew it would be.

It was great to catch up with old friends...

Meet some new friends...

  Learn some entertaining tricks..

Attend a tea party with my baby bro...

Make Eastery foofiness in fun classes...

Eat wonderful food in fancy settings with fun people...

Teach a class...

Go to an Easter egg hunt...

Play dress up...

Eat more great food...

And more...

And more...

I even got to decorate an Easter tree and do some other sprucing up before things started.

Thank you, Jenn, it was lovely!

 

 

 

Bunnies in the Land of Guncles

In the last few years, I’ve been lucky enough to see Guncleland at Christmas and Halloween.

This is my first trip there for the burst of Springtime that blooms in their home.

It is adorable!

I think the key word to describe it all is Whimsical.

Or should I go with Colorful?

Abundance works too.

But wait, I think what I’m looking for is Delightful.

No, the perfect word has to be, Delicious!

(Have you ever had fresh from the ocean, trigger fish? It is my new favorite meal in the whole world.  Especially when prepared Guncle Kevin style.)

No matter the season or decor, Hospitality always describes this home.

Hospitality heavily seasoned with Love and Warmth.

Thank you, bros!

I miss you and your Adorable, Whimsical, Colorful, Abundant, Delightful, Delicious, Hospitable home, filled with Love and Warmth!

Living like a Queen at the Cozy Castle, plus Kit and Class info

This is my buddy from my weekend at the Cozy Castle.

Queen Satine, is as gentle and sweet as she is glamorous.

I felt as queenly as Satine looks the whole time I was with Karen.

From the very first night, walking up to her welcoming home, I was wrapped up in comfort, caring, and luxury.

It was heavenly!!!!!

These wings are painted on an alley wall in Deland, FL.  Karen took me out for a night of exploration of the cute downtown and we stopped to check out the artwork.

The workshops that I taught were hosted at her event space nearby, and she has it every bit as pretty as her home.

We had a group of fun ladies there to make angel wings and a memory book with me, and they came bearing gifts. 

After this leg of my journey, I was meeting Sugarwings and my husband, and they were very happy to see me the chocolate when I picked them up at the airport.

The wings were the same kits from the class that I had at the cottage for Valentine's Day, A Lovebird's Song.

But we put a Karen style spin on it, and had frozen Charlottes and bisque babies available for purchase to add to the  wings. (Karen will be teaching a class using the sweet bisque babes here at the cottage if you'd like to join us on April 20th)

You can read more about the class here.

The kits I provided were neutral with soft pink, but I always enjoy seeing what goodies people bring to add some extra touches to their own projects. My friend, Becky gave her wings some Florida Flair.

We had two rooms set up for the students, and I was busy flittering about between the two.  It almost made the teaching go a little easier than the same amount of people in just one room, because when they are at separate tables in the same space, I still have to repeat the instructions to each table, but this way, I didn't feel like I was bothering one table to say my spiel to another table.  

After the morning's class, we were lucky enough to be guided to the Cozy Castle for a lunch break, to dine at a beautifully appointed table Karen had prepared for us.

And to be treated to the world's best cake!

Last year, Karen baked one for my birthday, and gave it to me on a surprise visit.  I was quite happy to get another taste of one of her specialties.

After our schmancy luncheon of deliciousness and beauty, we went back to the workspace for round two, and made these memory, or autograph books.

There are some extra kits, (I always make plenty) I just haven't had a chance to get them listed in the Boutique because I am in the middle of BLECK! taxes BLECK! and in getting kits made for the Once Upon and Easter event that Jenn Hayslip is hosting on Jekyll Island. (I am making extra for those too)

I will have more time when I return in April, after the OTHER CLASS that I am also prepping for here at the cottage with Karen.

Whew! That is a lot of classes in a row!

You can inquire about the wings and autograph book kits now, ($40 each) or wait until all are listed in mid April. Sorry I'm not on the ball for the kits yet.  But soon, there will be a slew of them. You can be crafting away up to your knees is kits if you feel like it.  (ha)

Or maybe I will be seeing you at A Song of Spring and you can be treated like a queen by Karen too?  She brings light and love and happiness and glamour and style and sincerity and beauty everywhere she goes, and I think you'll enjoy the classes.

Her only free time, while in Kansas visiting, is Easter weekend. Soooo......  it is not an easy time for people to get away for a workshop. Looks like it will be a smaller class, which means we have plenty of space available if you'd like to join us?

Lunch, treats, 3 classes, and lots of laughing, foofiness, and fun.

Sorry, I wish I could offer poodle hugs, but Queen Satine will not be attending. She must have an appointment with the Easter Bunny too.  

email me at:

Karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

if you are interested in one of the kits from my past workshops or attending a future one.  

 

I will leave you with a couple more photos from  my royal weekend with Satine and Karen.  It was the BEST! She even took me to Mt Dora's famous flea market.

Yep, it was the BEST.

 

A Song of Spring, sign ups are open

Registration is open for our Springtime class at the cottage, with Karen Hillman and myself. 

I will be showing you how to use watercolor markers to create sweet, little images in your art journals or to frame. And speaking of framing, everyone gets a small frame to embellish and pop your finished painting into.

Also included is a set of watercolor paint markers, a watercolor notebook to practice your techniques, and I will draw a little bluebird for each guest to use as a guideline.  (Or you can ‘wing it’ and draw your own.)

My talented friend, Karen, will be making “Felicity the Flower Fairy” with us.  Everything pictured is provided, (including the darling, bisque dolly) you will need only your glue, tools, and any personal bits you would like to add.

Karen will also walk us through sugaring violets and mint leaves to enhance your holiday baking.  You will need to bring a food safe paint brush and will go home with a prettily wrapped, vintage plate to hold your scrumptious flowers.

 

Date:

Saturday, April 20

Place:

Karla’s Cottage- Lawrence, KS

Cost:

$115

Includes:

Lunch, beverages, goodies

Karen’s kit for making Felicia the Flower Fairy

Fresh cut violets and mint leaves, and the ingredients to transform them

A set of watercolor markers, a hand done drawing, a watercolor notebook, frame and embellishments, and an instructional chart 

 

I hope we will see you there! The class size is limited to the amount of antique dolls Karen has on hand. Anyone who has contacted me already will be given first priority, in the order that I heard from them.

 Please  email me at:

karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

to join in on the fun we will be having Easter weekend in the studio!

as before, return guests, (Peeps) get a ten percent discount)

 

Food full of love, with a room full of hearts and roses

 As always, I got a bit carried away with the theme for the party....

Hearts, EVERYWHERE!

The freshly baked rolls  were baked in heart shaped muffin tins.

As were the cupcakes. But it wasn't all that clear unless you looked at the bottom of them.

Rainbow carrots were even cut into hearts. 

(That might have been the moment when I realized it had gone over the top, it took longer than I thought it would, even with Kia helping.  But it was kind of fun, even if it probably was not a good use of my time)

Of course, there were cookies cut out as hearts.

The Dove chocolates and Cadbury eggs aren't hearts, but they are "lovebird" themed.

The treat cabinet was strewn with hearts and roses from top to bottom.

Red isn't typically my color, but I do enjoy pops of it at Christmas and Valentines.

Especially when the red is rosey.

And while this calendar page on the Treat Cabinet door isn't purely Valentine's themed, it is from Jan.-Feb. and seemed to fit in perfectly.

Hearts made by Beth are hanging on the other door.

And LuWanda is dolled up in rhinestone birds on lace with a flocked wallpaper heart.

We had fruity iced tea in the Treat Cabinet, and in the kitchen, I set up a hot cocoa and hot tea station.

But to be honest, this is always here.  We like to have the ingredients we need for tea or cocoa ready to roll. And the lace hearts? Those are year round too.  I  hung them up for Valentines Day a couple years ago and couldn't bring myself to take them down.

The chair covers were a very lucky find. I was at an estate sale for a closed catering business, and these brand new, never used, pink, pretties were only $1.50 each!

I almost didn't buy them, then came to my senses.

They were exactly what I needed, right?

Beth had just given me the pink napkins that match them, and the Guncles gifted me with the plates.  Lots of sharing and love went into the table top.

Including flowers from our newest Peep, Amy.

Now that our day full  of Peeps has passed, I think I need to throw a Valentine dinner party to enjoy all the decor some more. 

I do love Holidays and all the pretty things that come with them.