Daisy Cottage

Downtown

Let's go downtown......

And now let's go home.

   

My Feathered Friends

I'd like for you to meet some of my feathered friends who live nearby.

They are beautiful and charming. I love spending time with them.

And they love visitors!  They are really happy that I brought you too...

.

They hope that you will come back to visit them again soon .......

AND as a token of their friendship - they left this treasure for YOU...

 

Tablecloth Love and Maggie's Show & Tell

I DO love my tablecloths! I rotate them around from table to table, depending on my current decorating mood. I keep them when they are not in use in a white wicker trunk that is stored under our buffet. With the exception of this special one that my sis made for our dining room table, I find them at Goodwill...

They are usually only a couple of dollars each and I use them not only for tables, but also for recovering seat cushions and pillows. Sometimes, I simply drape them over the backs of chairs - giving them an extra layer of pattern and color.

 

Another idea is to fold a round cloth in half and create a window valance out of it.  For a little bit of pocket change, you can have so much fun dressing your home with tablecloths!

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She isn't perched on a tablecloth BUT she wanted to show you something...

See how little locks of hair are sprouting on her ears and chest?

Yes - she is feeling MUCH better about herself now.  The "diva" is back!   ;-)

 

Brownies Now Being Served

Thank you all VERY MUCH  for your really sweet comments and personal emails about my Artful Blogging feature - you are the BEST. That is all there is to it. THE BEST. 

And the magical "random generator" picked CAREY to receive a copy of the edition!!

"Congratulations! How exciting for you, I couldn't be happier. Can't wait to get me a copy. Thank you for all the sunshine you bring my way. Have a wonderful day Daisy Cottage!"

Posted by: Carey | January 21, 2008 at 12:28 PM

Thank you Carey! Please email me your mailing address and this will soon be on its' way!

I made some "Blonde Brownies" for you and I have plenty of ice cold milk and hot coffee to go around. PLEASE help yourself to one or two - it is the least that I can do! Enjoy!

Blonde Brownies

2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup chopped nuts

2 eggs

2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed

2 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup butter - melted and cooled

6 oz package of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix together flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, nuts in a bowl and set aside.

In separate bowl, mix butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

Slowly add in the dry mixture, mixing well with each addition.  Pour batter into a lightly greased, 13x9x2 pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top and bake @ 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Artful Blogging

Imagine my SHEER excitement when Staci Dumoski, the editor of Stampington's gorgeous publication, "Artful Blogging", contacted me last September and told me that she wanted to feature my blog in an upcoming issue. I was sooooooo excited and VERY honored! "Artful Blogging" is such a beautiful work of art. I have enjoyed reading my copy of the first issue over and over again.

When I sat down to write about my personal blogging experience - the old-fashioned way, with a pad of lined paper and a freshly sharpened pencil - I began to write about YOU. I wrote about what you mean to me in my life and how grateful I am to have you be a part of Daisy Cottage. I finished typing the final draft and after attaching my photos, I excitedly (and nervously with butterflies swarming around in my tummy) hit the "send" button.  I took a deep breath and hoped so much that the 700 or so words that I wrote would be okay.

On Saturday afternoon, Dave the mailman, delivered a complimentary copy of the new Spring edition of "Artful Blogging" to Daisy Cottage's mailbox.  Take a sneak peek with me......

There we are!! You and me. Me and YOU.

THANK YOU STACI - SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH! I AM THRILLED BEYOND WORDS!

This issue of "Artful Blogging" will be available on February 1st.  You will be able to find it at Borders, Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble and other book stores. You can also order online!  If you can, please treat yourself to a copy of this FANTASTIC publication featuring amazing artists and talented bloggers - oh and some simple, but very heartfelt words from me to YOU.

To celebrate, I'd love to give a copy away to ONE OF YOU ...  just leave a comment if you'd like to have one - from my mailbox to yours.  xo, Kim

Coffee Talk

I REALLY need to spend some quality time in my kitchen. My poor pots and pans haven't seen too much of me lately. Neither have my baking dishes.  I sat down this morning, with my second cup of coffee, and started to make a grocery list. Unfortunately, after jotting down the usual items, like eggs and milk, my mind went blank. I don't know what I want to make. I'm tired of the same old, same old. So I thought I would ask YOU what your favorite recipe is! Do you mind sharing them with me? Let's have some "coffee talk" and talk RECIPES!!!

Edited to THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THESE FABULOUS RECIPES!

I have printed EACH one and plan on trying them all! Yummmmmmmy! 

Daisy Painting

My version of "painting" - spray painting old sconces from Goodwill white.

(no talent required)

 

My sweet sister's version of "painting" - creating art with a vision and imagination.

(talent ADMIRED)

 

Using tissue paper, latex house paint and a canvas board, she created this adorable daisy painting for our dining room!

Am I lucky or what? Thank you Jill! IT IS JUST PERFECT AND I LOVE IT!

   

Scrubbing and Shuffling

Although Maggie FINALLY forgave me yesterday and made her way back to my lap (she sends you BIG kisses for your sweet understanding of her angst), she didn't get to stay very long as I had some scrubbing to do. But as always, tying one of these on sweetened that chore....

 

I tidied up a bit when I was done with the scrubbing. I bought this perfectly chippy, wooden red bed frame from my FAVORITE local shop, and until we turn it into a bench or something else, these throws are hanging out on it....

   

Fun, right? Oh, and I also brought home four black chairs from the shop and moved tables around AGAIN - the round black kitchen table is now the new "game" and extra dining table in the living room, which really means that the ORIGINAL square kitchen table is back in the kitchen. Confusing, isn't it?   ;-) 

I have more scrubbing and shuffling to do today, but I look forward to spending some time in THIS chair, with a magazine and a forgiving doxie on my lap, just as soon as I am done!  :-)

   

I'm Not Speaking To You

Leave me alone.

How could you do this to me Mommy?

I hate that mean, horrible groomer! She clipped off way toooooo much of my hair!

My long, wispy curls are GONE!!!

Why did you take me to her? Why? You never had me groomed before!

I'm so NOT speaking to you - go take a picture of Marley - he has ALL of HIS hair!

I just want to cry...

And I want my long hair back....

And I'm not coming inside to sit on your lap either... go in without me!

I'll wait here until you apologize and promise to never, ever, take me to get groomed again!

I'm sorry Maggie - please forgive me! It will grow back!  (I hope!)

Love,

Mommy 

Happy Place

You know you love your home when you can't decide which room is your favorite to hang out in. I can sooooo relate to this book's title!  ;-)

Well, if I had to choose, I think I would pick my office and one of the reasons why is because I keep YOU close by with your generous tokens of kindness all around me... your gifts and notes are perched on my desk, on the walls, and scattered about on the shelves. Of course you've REALLY spoiled me and your gifts flow out into other rooms of Daisy Cottage where they are enjoyed by everyone! Each day I am reminded of you - THANK YOU!

My special friend, Kathryn Bechen, who scouted our home for "Cottage Style" magazine, gave me this WONDERFUL gift and I will always cherish it - so perfect!

 

And sweet, sweet Rachel sent me a box FILLED with vintage Christmas goodies, including adorable Santa boots AND this awesome purse -

THIS delightful gift arrived yesterday from dear Diana....isn't it cute?

Thank you so much Kathryn, Rachel, and Diana for my sweet gifts - I love them all!!  Indeed, my office is a very HAPPY PLACE!  :-)   xoxoxoxoxo Kim