The Cottage on the Hill

For my birthday, my fantastic husband got me a gift certificate for "the works" at a local day spa. My appointment was yesterday. The children were quite happily babysat by Grandma and I spent 2 1/2 hours being pampered and becoming totally convinced that such luxeries are a necessary thing at times. First came the 1 hour massage. Bliss!! The LMT couldn't believe how tight my back, shoulders and jaw line were. "Do you do a lot of heavy lifting," she asked me. I have two toddlers....the answer is yes. She also could tell which shoulder I hang the diaper bag off of and guessed that my stress response is to grit my teeth/clench my jaw. It was so nice to just relax and listen to the water fountain and a nature music playing. The room was very private, dim and cozy, not at all institutional or ridiculously sexy (like how tanning booths and teenage girly hair salons are). I'm sold. The LMT has a private practice and I'm definately booking appointmen...

The cottage with the green awnings is sale pending now. So now I can stop day dreaming and put all my focus into Taigh Beag. I'm starting this week off with an attack plan that includes less time on the internet. I'll probably keep blogging as I feel inspired to, but I'll just spend less time browsing. First plan of attack is to clean the bathroom.

I'm glad I braved the rain and not knowing where the farm exactly was (and forgetting my map) to go pick currants. Turned out they were only $3.00 a quart (and the quarts were over-flowing quarts). I picked 4 quarts. I'm not sure I'm going to make jelly out of them. It seems such a waste. I'm probably going to dry most of them. 18th century recipes often use currants, including this yummy bread pudding recipe that's more like a sausage. They're also great in stuffings and with boiled salad (a cooked spinach recipe) and taste great with poultry, pork and rabbit. Use them instead of raisins in fresh salads, with yogurt, in apple pie, etc etc etc. This morning I canned the peaches I bought yesterday. A half a peck can make 8 pints of peaches. I used as light a syrup as possible. Not wanting to waste the skins, I made a delicious crumb-top pie out of them. I didn't use any sugar in the pie itself, but the crumb topping has about 1/2 a cup of sugar. E...

I think I've decided that my "intro to homeschooling" for my son and I is going to consist of art and lots of reading. I really felt comfortable with this idea this morning when I was faced with a pile of books my kiddos pulled out from the bookshelf. As my son and I were returning them to their proper places I was struck with the thought that I don't want to look back years from now and wish I read to my children more. I remembered that "The Well-Trained Mind" states that it's terribly important to read read read read and read some more to your children in the early years. I tried joining BookIt, but my son has to be 5. As for the art, this morning my son approached me during a time I was in frustration with something (can't remember what). He asked if he could paint and I was going to refuse him, but something made me ask, "paint what?" He said, "I want to paint turtles." Well, it was just so darn cute, it softened my hea...

I love a good bargain! I found a quart of sky blue paint in the "oops paint" section at Lowes today! It's original price was nearly $14.00, but I got it for $3.00. FIY, Home Depot tends to have cheaper "oops paints" than Lowes, but I happened to be in Lowes and found the perfect paint. I also stopped in Goodwill today. I needed a summery white blouse. Not only did I find that at 25% off in 100% cotton, but I found a lovely bias-cut 30's style toile dress at 25% off and magazine holders at $1.99. I have an ever-growing magazine collection that could use more holders. Well, my Dr. has concluded that I'm hypoglycemic. It's not bad hypoglycemia in that my blood sugar doesn't plummet to extreme levels, but my blood sugar does take quite a nose dive. I'm on a more specialized diet and encouraged to do more aerobics. Plus, I'm to prick my finger and take a blood sugar reading whenever I have that low blood sugar feeling. I was right, too. My imm...

With a growing family and the abundant blessing of dresses galore for my daughter, I am in need of closet space. Our enclosed porch has its own closet which holds our re-enacting clothing. Since re-enacting clothing is rarely used, I think it'll be wiser to purchase a couple of those portable closets and put them out in the shed. You know, those cedar-scented ones that the bugs don't get into. Then I can put the winter coats in the porch closet thus leaving more room in the nursery closet for daughter's expanding wardrobe!

I live across the street from an old one-room schoolhouse. My neighbor owns it and uses it for storage, but a lot of the stuff is still in there. He's been cleaning it out and let my husband know that if I wanted any of the old school books I was welcome to them. I came home with 4 or 5 milk-crates full of old school books, most dating from the 1920's to 1950's! They're not in the best of shape, some having been a little mouse-eaten and well-worn. I don't really mind, though. So long as they're readable. I did avoid taking books that are obviously outdated. There have been so many changes in the world and new discoveries in science that related books from so many years ago simply aren't a good resource now. Yesterday, I did more painting in the "school room." I'm in need of blue paint, so I'll be keeping an eye out on the "oops paints" at Home Depot and Lowes. I'm actually considering painting the cement floor. Hmmm...

I have two lists started in my mind that I will soon put down on paper. Firstly, I am putting together a list of things to stock up on for the winter months. I want to avoid stores as much as possible. Last year it seemed every time I went shopping, the kids would get sick and then I would. We're facing a lot of odd viruses and diseases this coming winter and we've been sick enough this year. I'm making full use of my pantry and hoping to get my freezer hooked up. I'm looking forward to hermiting. Secondly, I started thinking about things I could make for Christmas.

Out of curiousity, I e-mailed the realtor and asked what the taxes are on the property. She got back to me and asked if I wanted to see the property. I am so tempted to write back and say that I do, but I know it would be a waste of her time. I'd hate to take up her day just so I can see the property when I know I can't afford it. Besides, I'd just be torturing myself. If they have an open house, I'll go.

I just peeked out the basement window and the eastern sky is lavender from the sunset, a beautiful shade. It's been difficult for some time with illness after illness in the house, particularly mine. My dear daughter is getting over a viral bug that made sleeping for the occupants of Taigh Beag nearly impossible. I haven't had a good night's sleep in so long. I can't recall the last time I actually slept in my own bed! I usually end up on the floor next to the crib or on the sofa. Leave it to God to use difficult times for His purpose. Two nights ago was perhaps the most difficult, yet in the wee hours of the morning as I cried out to Him, He responded and I haven't been the same since. I am much more relaxed. I have more patience. I'm prioritizing better. And when I do fall asleep, it's a better sleep. God also let me know that this is just a passing phase. It's ok. Just ride it out and I'll be back on my usual schedule at a later date. ...

On the way home from my parents' house today I drove past that cottage with the green awnings. The neighbors have a beautiful black horse!! Perfect!! Also, the owner was home and working in his garage. I ALMOST stopped, but dear daughter was just drifting off to sleep. It would take a miracle of God to get us into that house, but I still believe in miracles. *sigh*

My sweet little girl has been ill lately with a fever, so I spent last night by her cribside. During this time of quiet darkness as I monitored her fever and listened to her breathing, between interruptions of whimpers and restlessness, I thought about all the neat things I'd like to do to fix up Taigh Beag. My main musing was smashing out the front patio and putting in a larger, sweeping brick one. But, I'd also rip up the arborvite in front of the master bedroom window and expand the patio over there with an arbor around it for privacy. As icing on that cake, I'd like to put on that patio a jacuzzi and replace the master bedroom window with a french door to the patio. Then, this afternoon I thought, "Why just an arbor....we could easily build a sunroom instead for year-round use and expansion of the master bedroom!! Of course, all this takes money which is pretty scarce these days. Still, it could be done if I just applied ourselves....a little sweat equity can...

Hubby keeps saying I should become a realtor. This house is about 2 miles from my parent's house (about 9 miles from my house) and it's for sale. It comes with over 5 acres of land, too! The price isn't bad (taxes are probably really high, though), but it's still more than we can afford. I'm keeping my eye on it, though. Perhaps it'll stay on the market long enough for hubby to get that new job he's working towards. All in God's timing and in His will. Still......if the realtor has an open house, I'm there! That sunroom on the side of the house looks like a perfect place for a homeschool room!

Do you live in a cottage or know of a cottage-related blog? If so, please share with me so I can add to my cottage blog roll. I learned today that brussel sprout leaves are edible. Most of the cooking suggestions I came across suggest that the leaves be prepared like collards. I'm going to try using them as a replacement for cabbage. Today, I plan on working on my compost heap. It needs to be weeded, some branches cleared to give the box more sunshine and it could stand a rotation. If I have time, I might harvest grape leaves to pickle and use for dolma. There's a lot of wild grape vines growing around here, though we've pulled out most of them because they didn't produce grapes. My Mission: Kitchen was a success! I better tidied the master bedroom this morning and changed out the vintage dress on the dress form to something more summery....a mint-green junior's school dress. Well, the sunshine is finally peeking out from behind the clouds and I don't wan...

As I've stated many times on this blog, my house is small. 880 square feet according to the deed. While it is fairly easy to clean, it gets soiled and cluttered quite quickly, too. About a year after we moved in, it was obvious that I was simply moving messes around and no matter how much I cleaned, the house still looked unkempt. I made up a list or rules, such as nothing on top of the microwave, and radiators are not shelves, and chairs are not coat racks. That helped and so long as I keep things where they belong and adhere to these rules, the house looks uncluttered and better kept. However.... The kitchen is the bane.... It is the first room one walks into. Thus, it is the first room most stuff gets dumped in. It is also the most active room and sort of doubles as a mudroom despite being a rather small galley kitchen. It is also the first room of the house hubby sees when he comes home work-wearied. It troubles me that he often walks into a room that usually looks like it expl...

http://www.target.com/Girls-Seating-Kids-Furniture/b/ref=sc_iw_r_2_0/185-0454902-5361619?node=384313011 I saw this little chair at my local target store and fell in love with it! (It's the lavendar and white gingham chair, second row down). I won't be buying it, though, but a woman could build a beautiful little girl's room around this chair!

Once again it is chilly and raining. Despite numerous claims of global warming, we have yet to pull our air conditioner out of storage. Our fans sit motionless most of the time. Where is Summer? Then, I realized that very question can be applied to my life at the moment. This should be the Summer of my life! It should be fun, sunny and carefree filled with days of play with my littles. For quite some time now I've felt as cloudy as today's weather. Just like this Summer I do have a few days of warmth and sunshine, but then a storm moves in again. Illness. Frustration. Lack of time. Disappointment. Unexpected things. I look to God, but I can't see Him for the clouds. I know He's there. I know He can blow the clouds away. I know He can stop the rain. But, I think He's waiting for me to do it. After all, I can, too. I have made a couple of appointments to improve my health...dentist and doctor visits. I'm also learning to prioritize and not agonize...

It's amazing what a change of attitude and a little more focus will do for someone. This Monday has gone more smoothly. I finished reading Acts (finally). I did 1/2 hour Denise Austen Fat Blasting Yoga this morning. I was able to get showered and dressed in a feminine skirt and top. My kids ate their oatmeal this morning. I got my chores done in a timely manner. The kids and I walked to the farm and played on their swingset and in the sandbox. I finally found blackeyed susans I could pick for my table! Thanks to my dear mother, I was able to pick up hubby's truck from the repair shop and now I have a moment of time before tidying up and starting dinner (german brats, pasta salad, baked beans) to type a quick post here. This evening I'll probably run out to the farm to get milk and if I have any energy or time left, I'll freeze peas, turnips and can pickled beets from my garden. I love an accomplished day as much as a day to relax.

If you look around your neighborhood, family, friends or aquaintences you may just find your own Tasha Tudor among them. They may not be as involved as Tasha was in her artistic endeavors and passions. Perhaps they're just someone who lives a peaceful life and keeps their home and property breath-takingly beautiful. I know a small handful of ladies who are Tasha-esque. One of them lives just about a mile down the road. Yesterday, she stopped by to let me know that she's putting her beautiful home and property up for sale again. Last year she had it all for sale (home, barns, 10 acres) but it was way WAY too expensive. She told me the sad news that she subdivided her beautiful estate and is now offering chunks of land as well as her home, barns and 3 acres for $289,000. That's about $200.000 more than hubby and I can afford, but I'm just devastated that she's sub-dividing. It is a property worth keeping together, in my opinion. She's cared for it very we...

Looks like I'm back in the sewing business. I'll be making a King's 8th Regimental Coat (like the one shown above...I made this one several years ago) and waistcoat for a fellow re-enactor. I'm going to take this slowly. Perhaps one order at a time will be best. I don't want to get bogged down and totally stressed out. My life is busy enough caring for family and home. I am excited to make another regimental coat. I haven't made one in quite some time. I gotta say, I love Target. In their one dollar section they've been having such great workbooks, posters and things suitable for homeschooling young 'uns. I was even able to pick up a lesson plan book and a grading book. They'll be great for "unofficial" homeschooling which I plan to start this September.

It's been raining so much this Spring and Summer! I'm trying not to let it bother me by occupying myself indoors. However, my gardens are all completely overthrown by weeds. I told my husband that if I find a monkey in the jungle of weeds, I'd capture it for a friend of ours! Before the storms rolled in, I was able to pull up two wheelbarrow loads of weeds from my vegetable garden. As soon as this rainy weather passes I'm going to have to put housekeeping aside just to catch up on the gardens and yard work. We spent 5 blissful days at a re-enactment last week. We took along a young lady from church as a nursemaid for our littles and it offered me plenty of uninterrupted time to set up, keep tent and cook. I was even able to grab some shopping time with hubby and a quick nap. It was also blissful in that the cares of the modern world were no where to be found. The onslaught of media about Michael Jackson's death were miles away and drowned out in the chorus of 18th c...