Karla's Cottage

To Twinkle, with love

Twinkle was born on Valentine’s Day and was my sweetheart of a dog.  Sugarwings was just big enough to grab her and giggle when the pup came to live with us, and from the very beginning, that little dog never complained about how rough she might be treated.  She kept running back for more, more, more.

 Tinks was the perfect pet for a rough housing kid.  She might have seemed fragile, since she was a Yorkie, but that dog was one tough chick.  She was always there just waiting to be included in any game her girl wanted to play with her.  

They could spend hours together splashing in the water hose or digging in the mud together.


As babies, they shared toys, beds, and as Sugarwings would insist, no matter how hard I tried to keep the milk away from the dog, the little girl shared her bottle with the little dog.

Twinkle was devoted to us all, and one of her favorite words was ‘work’ which she knew meant we were going to to studio together, where she’d climb into this bowl of lace I kept on the floor.  Since she decided it was hers, not mine, I changed out the art supplies for a pillow and let her keep it.

She raised her children to love napping in the bowl too.  

And she had a lot of children!  

She was a great doggie mom.  She was meticulous in caring for her babies, still holding 8 year old Dorothy down to give her a good cleaning every evening, up until poor Twinks wasn’t healthy enough to be the caretaker.

She was a dog who lived to love, and was devoted to us all.  She was curious and excited about life, up for any adventure even if it was just a trip to the laundry room to check on the load of clothes in the dryer. 

And she loved to pose.  When she’d see my camera in my hand, she didn’t consider that I might be wanting a photo of a project or something to list in my shop.  She KNEW that the picture had to be of her.  I sometimes had to pretend to take one of her, so she would relax.

The only thing she didn’t like was Honey.  You can tell by the way she refuses to look at the camera, that she wasn’t too happy about us getting a new puppy.  Twinkle thought that she was one of our kids, since she was raised with the grand fairy, and didn’t think we needed to get a dog.

There were some battles for a couple of years between the two. But by the time Honey had her own puppies, they’d reached a truce.  Twinkle was allowed to wash those puppies and nanny them.

Honey must’ve appreciated the vast experience that Tinks had to offer.

But it wasn’t until the last couple of years that they actually became friends.  Twinkle had gone blind and discovered that Honey’s thick tail made an ideal bed.  

The first time she waddled over to it and laid down Honey seemed shocked.

 Then snuggled up to her.  

Since then, the truce was done and they became family.

Over the years, one of her favorite things was going boating.

The words ‘boat’ or ‘“lake’ would send her running to the car, ready for a day on the water.

Twinkle was more than just a dog to me, she was my friend.  
And a very good friend, not just to me.

 

A Christmas Surprise

Merry Christmas!



We had a surprise visitors!  Dewdrop and her Daddy hid under our tree on Christmas Eve, Sugarwings and I did not know they’d be here.

It just isn’t Christmas unless Sugarwings’ Daddy falls asleep on the sofa with her on his lap.

She was so happy to have him here.

And this goofball brings joy with her wherever she is.

Everyone was enjoying the surprise.

There was pie baking, cookie decorating, fairy wing creating, and candle pouring throughout the day.

On the day before the night before Christmas, Sugarwings and I were missing our littlest, goofiest fairy.  She made some purple wings for her baby sister on craft day, and was sad she wasn’t here to give them to her.  

We hadn’t set up the tree in Dewdrop’s bedroom, and I hadn’t gotten our big tree out either.  We decided it would cheer us up get the large tree out of the closet after all (at bedtime) and she decorated it with all of Dewdrop’s ornaments so we’d feel close to her.

Then, there was Dewdrop and her daddy, sitting under the that tree the next day!

Typically, I spend hours making sure the tree is perfectly decorated.  This is the year, that I discovered that it isn’t the way the tree looks that matters.  I have enjoyed my mostly naked trees with just twinkle lights and no ornaments beyond some pine cones for Ryan.  And I love this quickly set up tree decorated by one grand fairy with my other grand fairy’s things.

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

A much needed excursion

Fall is here and for now, the weather is about as perfect as Kansas can be.  
I’ve been pretty busy with the 101 Doodles under our feet, and decided we needed a break to enjoy autumn.

With remote learning, Sugarwings isn’t getting much social time, so we picked up a pal and headed to the pumpkin patch. (Car windows down and masks on)

Not knowing what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised to find it opened, although modified for Covid safety.  No hay rack rides or mazes, but plenty of pumpkins and slushy cider.

Getting out and doing something “normal” for the first time in months felt wonderful.  We had taken the grand fairies on family camper trips, but those were very confined and careful.

It had been MONTHS since we had just done a casual, day out.  We have missed going to craft days, movies, plays, zoos, restaurants, etc.  

A sunny day with a slight breeze and a continuation of a 14 year tradition of visiting the pumpkin patch was exactly what we needed.

There are two pumpkin patches nearby, and we wanted to give some business to both, so headed down the road to a second one also.  It was more low key, just set up like a market, no holiday attractions this year.

But they did say we could go for a walk in the fields and pick our own if we’d like.  That made it feel more festive.  
We were the only customers, so I was glad we stopped by.

It was a soul soothing kind of day for me.

My Autumn Mantel,(and the mess that surrounds it)

Before the Guncles came to visit, I switched up my mantel for a fall look.

I am glad I did, because I certainly would not have had time to do it now.

Because of this.

And this.

The mantel is about all that looks good in my house right now. We have gone to the dogs.

There is some remote learning going on too. Which takes up most of the downstairs.

And I’ve got my watercolors spread out to work on in here instead of out in the studio so I can be near the babies.

Which is where we all want to be.

During lockdown, it was important to me to keep my house serene and organized.  That helped me cope with some of the stress of the situation.

But I think 16 puppies, a homeschooler and a messy house is a pretty lively, fun way to handle a pandemic too. There is some stress for sure (checking on crying newborns throughout the night to make sure they are not cold or smothered, mama dogs needing go out to potty every couple of hours= no sleep, and that homeschooler likes to try to watch TikTok during class), but I can’t complain.  

Lively and Fun are two things I need right now.

Thanks to Ryan- Camping on the River and Playing with Rainbows with a Overdue Break from iPads

We made a quick trip to Asheville to take Sugarwings to be with her dad and sissy before school started.

Both girls are doing virtual school, which can be done from any place with WiFi. Which means more possible trips during the school year.

It seemed smart to let them get settled into the new classes before doing that, though. We wanted to have a visit, and be home before school began.

It was good for them to be together, and play outside.  They made three foot high bubbles with a giant wand and modeled for each other with a rainbow light. There was hiking, waterfalls, and a walk through a bamboo forest.

Honestly, between losing Ryan, and trying to cope with the pandemic, we have been failing as grandparents.  Sugarwings has had a lonely summer when staying with us, besides a few boat outings, and trips, we are dull on a daily basis.

I usually make efforts to take the grand fairies out during summer break. 

A typical (non 2020) week would have included daily crafts, one outing to a zoo or discovery zone type place, one afternoon at a movie, and one project.  Plus screen viewing breaks for biking, walks in the woods, or some other outdoor activity.

But in this summer?

There has been a scarcity of guidelines about screen time.

In the past, they were expected to craft while watching the iPad or tv.  And to watch a TedEd or nature show on breaks from their regular shows.

This summer?

ha!

Half hearted rules were attempted, but as each week went by, this poor kid was going deeper and deeper into TicTok videos and YouTube, without any interference from me.

Time outdoors, without iPads was just what she needed.

And sister time, was even more necessary.

My husband and I were missing our far away family.  Loading up the camper to go see them again meant a lot.

Our son has a new home on an acreage that holds an organic farm.

While it is hard for me to have Adam and Dewdrop so far away, I was comforted by seeing how he lives.

He loves his green building job.  And lives in a beautiful place.

I miss them terribly, but knowing he is happy makes me happy for him.

Pulling our camper makes it easier to visit, and thanks to Ryan, we can do that.

We purchased the new trailer with Ryan’s insurance check and I consider it his last gift to me.  We can travel away from home, but always feel like we have Ry Guy near us.

He loved giving me gifts and was always so excited about them that he had a hard time waiting til it was time to pass them out.  He preferred giving them to me before the rest of the family came for holidays, because he was such a private person.

The wind chimes he bought for Mother’s Day will always be treasured because they meant so much to him.  He and I used to walk around the yard, trying them out in different spots until we found the exact place that got the most breeze for the prettiest sound.

I can just imagine his pride in knowing that he had gifted us with such a nice camper.  I hear his voice and feel his love every time we use it.

I’d like to craft a sign to hang in it, in honor of him.  For now, there is a photo of him hidden inside the refrigerator door panel. When we purchased the trailer, the fridge doors weren’t complete yet.  I taped his picture to the liner of the door and had the technician leave it there when he added the permanent doors.

We also want to bring some wind chimes on our trips, along with some of Ryan’s ashes to sprinkle by the camper each time.  He will always be with us when we are on the road.

 

A New Look for Sugarwings’ Room on her 14th Birthday- Mermaids in the River Through the Forrest

Our birthday girl decided she would like to move back into the larger upstairs bedroom.  But it had a lot of pink going on and she preferred aqua.

While she was on a vacation with her moms, I surprised her by un-pinking her room.  At least the parts that were not hand painted, like the murals and roses.

Here is a before.  It was a bit baby-ish.  
I repainted the bottom part of the walls, that had been a pale blush, took down the fairies and butterflies.  Then moved some of her own artwork into the space.

She also got a grown up, beauty care corner with fluffy pillows to relax on.

Along with make up and skin care products in pretty containers.

The desk was from her other room, but the curtains are new.

They are sheers with green vines, topped with a pair of blue, ombré panels.

A lot of the room stayed the same, like the clouds on the ceiling. 
I hope she doesn’t outgrow that part, because I know I won’t.

Adjusting our quarenteam and adding to the quarentainer cottage

Quarantining had been going fine for us.  Sharing Sugarwings with her mom’s household, had added their home to our “quarenteam” so we didn’t feel too isolated or lonely. Plus, meeting friends for social distancing walks and zoom calls, kept me in touch.  

I guess that I had walled off many of my loneliness for the rest of our family, to get through this period.  

But when Dewdrop and her daddy arrived for a visit, and the big girls came over, my heart swelled like the Grinch’s did when he discovered the meaning of Christmas and realized that he loved the Whos.

We all said that our big sleepover felt just like Christmas.  The grandfairies and I were thinking of little acts of kindness we could do as gifts for each other.

Welcoming them in wasn't a simple process.  Sugarwings’ mom is an RN and researched in-depth some protocols to keep their arrival as safe as possible.

They all waited outside, then one at a time, each emptied their bags onto an outdoor table to be wiped down.

And ran over with an ultraviolet wand.

Sugarwings helped with hand sanitizers before each person came inside, stood in a tub, took off their clothes and went to the shower.  Gloves were used to carry clothes to the washer, while fresh clothing was sanitized to wear after the shower.

While this virus rages on, we each have to figure out how to cope.  We know that total isolation and never leaving the house can probably keep you safe.  But as humans, that can only sustain us for so long.

We figured we had to make some choices to be as safe as we can be, and still make it work for our own needs.  


Not everyone has the same viewpoint.  We took our boat to the lake, and it was more crowded than I had ever seen it, in the decades we had been going there.
Boating could be a good thing to do for social distancing, one family, one boat, right?  Out on the lake, far from other people?

It worked that way for us, we were not near anyone on our trip.

But while out, we saw so many parties, of multiple boats tied up together with groups going back and forth from boat to boat, kids all splashing together in the water.
But who am I to judge?  I am sure that there are plenty of people who are much more stringent with their guidelines than I am, and would think that allowing family houseguests is pushing the limits.  

Being judgey never helped anyone.   I hope you are finding what you need to keep safe as you reasonably can and still find some happiness and comfort.

 This isn’t over yet.

 

 

 

Birthday Party Decor Without a Trip to the Store

There are many things that social distancing has made more complicated.  And hosting a birthday party was one of them.  Sugarwings spends time between our household and her mom’s, so our two groups have been able to mingle, but sadly, we could not have other family members over to celebrate with us.

We also couldn’t pop into a store for last minute items, like the balloons that Sugarwings wanted for the table.  She loves planning our family parties, and is the one who set this up.

We did have one last package of water balloons leftover from last summer, the kind that come in a big bunch, that you hook up directly to a faucet to fill up.

She could have taken each off its stem and blown it up, but we decided balloons filled with water could be extra fun.  We floated them in clear glass bowls and used them as a centerpiece.  

There were some banner pieces packed away, but not anything personal, so the Grand Fairy printed some dragons to hang onto the banners.  And we agreed that the colorful dragons tied in the color of the balloons to the banners.

But the best part of the meal was the dolce de leche cheesecake that our Hippy Chick spent all afternoon working on.  She came over to our house to bake it, and that added to the festive feel of putting a party together.

We missed the rest of our big family, but know that staying away, and staying healthy now means we will be celebrating with them later when all of this ends.

A Later in Life Career Change

Before spring break, in what seems like a lifetime ago, Sugarwings was in the school play.

And we picked up one of her friends for our family outing to the Shriner’s Circus.

Now, we are adjusting to social distancing, and no school in Kansas, even possibly past August.

Mr. Pop, my husband, is the new Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, and PE teacher.  

For now, we have asked Bill Nye the Science Guy to telecommute lessons in his area of expertise, because we can’t handle that one.

I got lucky and was hired to teach Art.  Our first lesson was about the color wheel, and complementary colors, displayed in Sculpy.  

 I am called, Mrs. Gram and will also be the lunch lady.  Sugarwings made the schedule and has been a model student.  I can already see her making the honor roll if she keeps it up.

One day down..

Good luck to all of you out there who have surprisingly become teachers, too.  If you have any tips, I’m listening.

Our Cottage Christmas

Could I describe Christmas as both laid back and lively at the same time?

Maybe what I mean is that we had a lot of fun with simple pleasures.

Like princess cocoa parties with melting snowmen cocoa bombs while using Nanny’s china.

Decorating sugar cookies and gingerbread men together.

Taking advantage of the unusually, lovely weather by going for long walks. 

In jammies.

We had a build your own calzone/pizza bar, so everyone got their favorites and it was a group effort for Christmas Eve dinner.

I chopped and sautéed most of the toppings the day in advance, then Ryan helped with the rest.

We had a house full for both days, with almost the entire family sleeping over, staying up late to watch holiday movies, using the hot tub to relax, and playing the games that were given as gifts.

I think what made it all so wonderfully sweet was that there was nothing at all formal about it.  There was a nice, casual flow about the holiday.

We went light on gifts, with easy meals, took a few walks, had a wonderful time with everyone under one roof.

Dewdrop will be with us for the rest of winter break, so there will be more family fun time to come.

Sugarwings has plans for surprising her lil sis with elf pranks every day. We will see some movies, hang out in the studio to make things with all the new art supplies they got, and of course, snack away on those beautifully decorated cookies.

I hope your holiday was a blessed one too.