Here it Comes...

 I've so enjoyed our time off, from school and the normal "routine" of life. I've even had the most wonderful two days with absolutely no depressed thoughts, I've even found myself goofing off with my kids!!!
 So why this morning am I feeling crunched again? School starts again Monday (or Tuesday...) and I'm coming under the pressure once again. I've tried to evaluate why yesterday and the day before were so great, 1. I was free to catch up on my crafts. 2. No pressure to hurry and get anything done. 3. I have had plenty of sleep :). 4. I even had devotions the last two mornings. So... why can't I keep things in perspective during the school weeks too? I'm old enough to know better but I let the system get to me. You see I've never wanted to home school like we were "in" school. I want my home to be a place of learning and yes there are times to hit the books but I'm feeling more and more like it's all hard work and no play.
 My New Years resolution to pray and ask God to help me think outside the pressure and be a happy Mummer!!!


Wouldn't you want to enjoy this family too!



A Time to Be Grateful

 I am tempted this Christmas season to be overwhelmed by all the "must get dones". I announced last week (to a chorus of Yipee's) that Friday was our last day of school. But still it seems like life won't slow down, I guess I'm just going to have to make it come to a halt. It will help that I delivered our last baby doll today, went to the final Christmas concert, and Daddy worked his last day :).
 As I read other blogs I'm reminded to take time to slow down go outside and breath in the fresh air, allow myself time to think and be happy in the Lord. It is after all Christmastime!!!
 Today we celebrate Bubby's 10th Birthday! How exciting :) I keep telling my kids no more birthdays but they refuse to listen! Tonight we eat Shrimp and chocolate cake with blue icing! Bub's choice.

 May you too take some time to consider the goodness of the Lord on this 4th day till Christmas. Here are a few things I'm grateful for,

15. violin music (from my 12yr. old)
16. birthday presents at 6am
17. mistletoe
18. putting away the sewing machine!!!
19. snowflakes in the window (fake ones...)
20. new paint on the walls
21. Christmastime
22. David Tolk's Christmas CD (it makes me wish I was a ballerina)

Merry Christmas!
 The Keeper

A New Color in the Living Room



Here is the living room before (my husbands favorite color :) He's so sweet, my turn to pick the color!

Look at all the trim to be painted!

 

I moved the piano myself! With a little help from some cardboard under the wheels... I'm way to impatient! Somebody with the muscles was away hunting! (I still haven't decided what to do about the shelves, they are a necessary evil, must keep the school books handy..)

See those yellow chairs? They are my favorite in the house, and I found them for 10 $ each at a yard sale. This has become our new spot for morning coffee.
So, here's to gray for a nice change, and yes the doors still need painting all 7 of them! But I think it can wait till after Christmas! And then I've some ideas about what to do with the empty walls.



The Christmas Extravaganza ( a little late)

I was so busy getting ready for the Christmas Extravaganza that I didn't blog about it!
Here are some pictures of some of the fun things we made.

Baby dolls


These two are still together, but it's a secret who has them. Shhhhh...


Gotta love anything with Glitter!!! ( I must confess I saw these in a magazine and just had to make some so there I was dragging my kids to Michael's the night before so we could have these beauties at our table, and every little girl loved them :)



My darling helper and our pretty table



Our woodland cottage, it must be Christmas time!



A view inside.



I'm loving these colors! These sets of dish clothes and pot holders didn't sell so now they have become Christmas presents! Only one set left hmmmmm who is it for? I think I already know.

There you have it, the reason I haven't been anywhere near this blog in almost a month! But we had fun and now I'm painting the living room before we put up the Christmas tree.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The Keeper

A little side tracked!

Too many irons in the fire!!! I started on the kitchen cabinets and then a friend of mine encouraged me to make some things to sell at a Christmas Extravaganza soooo, I've been making baby dolls and kitchen wash cloth sets, and even a mouse house, next I need to finish the bark cabin :).
 I'll post some pictures soon and let you know the dates of the Extravaganza I know for sure it will be
November 17th. The sale is to benefit the Susquehanna Valley Pregnancy Center in Columbia.
 So come back soon and I'll have the location and a preview of what I'll have available at my table.
Happy Fall, Even with snow on the ground!!!
The Keeper

He said "Go Ahead" And I said "REALLY?"

Yep, my honey gave me the go head to paint my ancient pine cupboards. I'm so thrilled.
When we moved into this house I intended to do it then... but you know how that goes and so 7 years later and I'm ready.( Oops we just got a card from our realtor congratulating us on 8yrs, my how time flies!)

Begin small and clean a cupboard for inspiration!
(He said he knew what was coming when I started this project!)

This makes me feel good every time I open it!

Wow these need help!!!

I sanded these with 100 grit, Then primed them with Zinsser

Time out for Tea :)

Not a great Picture but here they are!

The black dog looks good with the hardware!

Old hymnal pages mode podged to the bottom of the drawers, I love how this feels. All glossy and clean.

Something pretty from a walk with Granny while Mommy painted!

I'm hoping to paint the rest of the cupboards white, I just wanted a hint of happy yellow in the kitchen. Once I prime them I'll know if it'll look good that way or if I need to keep with the yellow theme.
Well, it's taken me about two hours to upload and reshuffle all these pictures, tuck three children in bed, pat down the pizza dough for it's second rising and battle this cat hair in my eye!!! Hope you are having a great evening and enjoy seeing our "fun" here at Dream Cottage!
Sincerely,
The Keeper

The Amazing Roman Shades

OK so I've been in love with Roman Shades for forever but never attempted to make them because they look so hard. Then I found this great tutorial on http://www.domestically-speaking.com/2011/04/mini-blind-makeover.html you actually use the old mini blinds you already have and turn them into Roman Shades!!! Here are mine for Bestie's room.

We did follow the advice to use the room darkening material behind the pretty pink polka dot flannel so the sun wouldn't wash out the color.
I was hoping to post better pictures and a how to but our computer is just not being nice lately :).
So hopefully if you're feeling adventurous and want to spruce up your room just follow the link and enjoy!
The Keeper