Cottage Life
I was in a funky mood this morning. It caught me off guard and threw me for a loop. I'm not normally a depressed person so when a dark cloud rolls over my brain it sometimes takes a little time for it to dawn on me to take a step back and see what's happening. Once I was able to look at things from the "outside in" so to speak I could see it was just a bit of brain fog. Or as Mr. Dicken's Scrooge once uttered...
'...You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of underdone potato. There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!'
So what came quickly left quickly and I'm back to my regular albeit slightly quirky self. I managed to delve into the Christmas goodness and sort out what was to be used this year. Just because it's in the box doesn't mean that it has to be used and so I'm sending two totes back to the V-star garage. I am giving myself permission to pick up a few items that will suit the cottage specifically this next week. We won't be adding a whole lot to the economy this year. It will be a simple season with a few simple but heartfelt gifts. So far our budget during my temporary "non-workus-hiatus" is holding up pretty well. Starbucks, however, is probably missing my usual morning "Venti-latte' with orange cranberry scone runs." It's amazing how fast those things add up. Having a menu of sorts is helping quite a bit also. It may get a little repetitious but it sure simplifies things and besides the Bearded One is getting pretty proficient at whipping up the meals.
A bit of Holiday Cheer
I love Cedar Garlands. This year in keeping with my vintage christmas theme I am planning to incorporate them on our front porch and over our kitchenette inside. You will find a useful tutorial here. to make your own. Very easy project and a great one if you have someplace you can gather evergreen clippings... hmm I might have to visit my sister. Laurel, Holly and Magnolia leaves work really well with the traditional cedar or pine. Juniper clippings tucked in really add to the texture and aroma. If you aren't feeling very creative you can usually find them this time of year where ever they sell christmas trees.
Before and After
Playing with some photos that the Bearded one took last year on an Oregon trip. I was longing for "Warm and Dry". I came across this one that he'd taken of an artist painting the view.
Before
I really liked the photo as is but I felt like the view was behind the artist. I also wanted to remove the unnecessary clutter in front. I thought it would be neat to have an artist rendition of an artist doing a rendition.
The Bearded One's original photo
After
My "painted" version
I've turned the artist around so she's looking at the view as we see it from our vantage point. I did it in "oil on canvas" fashion. loving how the colors are popping and the fact that we get to see her art work.
Hmmm... Pause for Thought
A wonderful treat. The Original Christmas Carol you can hear and read along. Read brilliantly in true English Fashion. Pull up a footstool and grab a cup of tea.
Until next time...
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