Guitar Man Turns 20!

It is hard to believe these same hands were once so tiny that they fit in the palm of my own.

Our oldest son Josh is 20 years old today!

Happy Birthday to my special lil' man who is not so lil' anymore!

When I Grow Up...

Have you seen that commercial for Kaiser? "When I grow up I wanna be an old woman..."

Okay, so I was thinking that I would take a great big-girl bold step toward a more mature look. I've had blond hair for years but it (shhh) isn't my "natural" color. It was long...and with school soaking up every free second I was living in a pony tail. So, I decided to chop it off and go back to my natural color (minus the tinsel). Now I am a smidgen fickle gals so of course I'm thinking, what have I done and who the heck is that when I look in the mirror.

To cheer myself up I went by a thrift store the other day and the clerk at the register asked me if I was a senior citizen. Not that I would have minded the discount, but his timing!

Then there is that little voice in the back of my head that shouts: News flash Dena, you have done this before...and you never like it! Why do you always think it's a good idea? So I have to tell that voice to zip it and focus on the stupid algebra. To which said little voice says "I don't wanna, it was YOUR idea to go back to school not mine."

Do you have a hair story? If you do would you please share it with me? If not, do you understand ratios and proportions? I don't think I'll ever use this stuff when I grow up!

Gathering Inspiration

For every faded hope, there is a new inspiration to be gathered...and a blessing waiting to be yours.

Treasure Hunting

Hi Sweet Ones! Did you have a good weekend? Since I have been up to my ears in work and school I took today off and spent some much needed girl time with my dear friend Tracy.

We met mid-morning and started our day at one of our favorite boutiques. Dr. Conkey's Candy & Coffee. This shop is filled with confections that make your mouth water as soon as you enter. The aroma of freshly ground coffee will make you smile and so will the fudge, truffles, lollypops, and jellybeans!



So we grabbed our gingerbread latte's and browsed. There are so many treasures here! Everything from Prim to Shabby. I just love this store!

Next we headed over to Aubergine Emporium. This shop offers antique furniture, architectural treats and vintage treasures. Tracy also has a space here so I couldn't wait to stop in and see it. Let me tell you, this gal has an eye for vintage finds. One of these days I am going to talk her in to starting a blog because you all would love her to bits. You would also swoon over her darling home! This is Tracy. Shall we look around? Do you see that phone on the wall in the background? Now that is a treasure that makes my heart skip a beat! I'm going to go look at that a little closer...

I adore this vintage stove. Don't you just love that minty color? Oh look at that, I left my coffee sitting on the shelf in that shot. Whoops! She has the cutest collection of tins, let's go look at those...

Nutmeg and cinnamon, everything a vintage kitchen needs! Okay, you can tell I was looking that the vintage aprons.... Can you spy my latte again?

I love this Coca-Cola machine and yep, it works. Wouldn't that be fun in a den or a game room?

This vintage typewriter below just amazes me. Can you imagine a time before a delete key? Whew! That would just be so cute in a home office...okay Tracy I'm really likin' that typewriter!

You know what, I just realized I didn't get a good shot of the bench it is sitting on. I love that bench! It is actually a very old church pew. Mmmmm I love that chippy white paint.

Vintage flags, Raggedy-Anne dolls, pop bottles...oh I should have taken more pictures. She has the yummiest treasures. If you happened to spy something that you like (other than my gingerbread latte) you can leave a comment and I will email you Tracy's contact information.

Her inventory is always changing so we'll have to go back again soon. In the meantime if you are on the hunt for a specific time worn treasure keep Tracy in mind. I would be happy to pass a message.

Have a great week everybody! I'll be popping around as my math homework permits ;)

Hugs,

Dena

Chalk It Up

Take one old serving tray...add some gingham cloth


and some chalk paint...

and poof! You have a surface ready for words like "Pumpkin Pie" or "Carmel Apples"

I LOVE CHALKBOARDS!!!

What I don't love (super-dooper understatement) is math. I've always been a word oriented person and I'm not ashamed to say that I have been doing a fair amount of whimpering of late. You see, I am scratching my way through a required math course right now. Please forgive me if I am sporadic with my posting. I would so so so much rather be with you all!!!!

I can't help but think of those days in school when I was little...making my way up to the chalkboard to work out a problem in front of the class. Did they do that to you too?
Smiley Face

Hugs,

Dena

Cream and Brown

I know that you all have seen my little corner cabinet before, but I just love decorating it for each season. I've put away my daisies and lemon yellows and brought out the shades of Fall.

This sweet little girl I found a short while back fits in so nicely!

Nothing says Fall to me more than shades of creamy white and brown. I would love to use these two colors together in a room...but that would mean giving up a whole lot of red ;) Well, maybe someday!

Hope you are all having a wonderful week!

Hugs,

Dena

Pumpkins and Berries

Fall is sneaking in to the crevices here at Swaddle Cottage.
Rusty orange berries nestled in a black and white toile wash bowl work perfectly with offset heavy decorative pumpkins perched on black candle sticks.

I am having so much fun taking my time with my little vignettes this season!

The weather has yet to comply, but I know it will soon concede. Simmering stews, hardy roasts sided with buttery warm bread. Yum! I can hardly wait! These days "cozy" is a much needed necessity don't you think?

That's what I love about Fall the most. It ushers in the season of cozy! What is your favorite thing about Fall?