My Cozy Home

Goodies from the mailbag....

Hello, I've recently purchased some goodies from my blogging friends at their Etsy shops.  They came in the mail over the past few days and I wanted to display them front and center.  First up is a very sweet and pretty apron from Tiffaney at Folded Gingham - she has a link to her Etsy shop from there.  She also included a bird that she made.   I love my apron and bird Tiff!  I have it hung over one of the doors of my black cabinet in the kitchen. 

This little fella is in my bedroom now.

Sorry for the poor lighting in this picture.  I just wanted to show the apron out an about in the kitchen

These eggs are from Carol's Etsy shop at Boxwood Cottage - Carol also has a link to her Etsy shop from her blog.  Thank you for all of the goodies Carol.  In addition to the eggs, she sent gummi bears from Germany, and some wonderful Victorian cut outs. I love the eggs - just beautiful.  Thank you for the extra goodies!

I thought this was the perfect spot for this egg.  Seemed to fit right in.

 

The little tag is from Carol with a nice note on the back.  I thought it looked so cute attached to this basket.

This is one of the little Victorian cut outs Carol gave to me.  I have leaning against a photo album.  I love that little glass hen next to it.

I found myself anticipating the arrival of these goodies the instant I submitted my orders - it's so fun knowing that something is traveling to you from a distant place - lovingly packed by someone else's hands just for you.  Tiffaney's came from the east coast, and Carol's from Germany.  There's just something about getting gifts and letters in the mail - like being a kid again.  Have a wonderful day my blogging friends.

Inspiration Friday....

Happy Spring!  Following along with the "Inspiration Friday" concept I wanted to use this wonderful tablescape from Seasons of Cannon Falls as inspiration to all you as well as me.  It's beautiful, and I love the idea of having wing back chairs or love seats at the table.  And look at those flowers and the grasses.

   

Look at these lovelies.  So pretty in the little egg coddlers.

And this kitchen is so bright and sunny - looks like a good place to be.  I really love the farm sink, and those open shelves would be so fun for displaying the goodies that I know we all have.

I hope that you all are inspired by something today, especially now that it's spring.  Wishing you a wonderful, and happy Friday :o)

Tea time!

Happy spring!  I'm excited to be part of the tea party hosted by ArtsyMama.  Hopefully many people will participate today.

The tea, a loose black tea in chocolate, hazelnut, orange - yum...and oh did it smell amazing!

Tea steeping under the cozy

The teacups, sugar bowl, creamer, and the napkin everything is sitting on belonged to my grandmother.  The teapot and napkins I found antiquing.

Have a wonderful day ladies!

It started out as one thing, and then became another...

 

Hopefully you can tell that the little blackboard says "Spring", if you're using your powers of deduction that is.  It seems that this picture, like the 25 or so that I've taken today, just don't end up quite right.  I position little vignettes, snap away, run down to my computer, pull them up and sigh with slumped shoulders.  "Bugger", she says, "that one didn't turn out either".  Some days are just like that. 

 

So, I had to pull out some other pictures I had taken prior since the ones I was taking  today didn't turn out. I'm making do with what I have folks.   

This is a wonderful set of "Cake and Sandwich Cutters" that my mom gave to me.  If anyone has heard of the Farm Chicks, that's where my mom got it - their semi-annual antiques show (which they aren't having this year due to  them now focusing on the "Country Living" mag contributions they are doing).

 

A view of the cutters themselves. Since there is a heart, diamond, club, and spade it would be so cute if you were doing a Bridge party and you made finger sandwiches.  Notice the generic use of the word "you" as I don't know how to play Bridge and have not carried out this great "finger sandwich" idea for any other card game either.  I'll have to add that to the list.

 

And just a little basket thing above the door between the kitchen and the family room.  I think I need a few more spice tins though.

So, my previously planned Easter/spring vignettes will have to wait until there is better lighting, or I become a better photographer.  And I have the cutest bunny to post about, bah.  Oh well, I guess there is still like three weeks until Easter.  I suppose there might be one or two other opportunities to show you the bunny and other stuff.

Until then, have a wonderful day.  And I'm participating in the tea party tomorrow that Kari at ArtsyMama is hosting.  If you want to participate too, go to the link and check it out.

Is there such a thing as too many books & magazines?

     And the answer is a resounding "no".  No there isn't such a thing as too many.  People might tell you there's a limit, but actually there isn't.  I checked...looked it up, and that's how I know.  So, question answered then.  For me personally, I can't get enough.  I just received four new books from Amazon (well not "from" Amazon, that would be nice - they didn't say, "hey, you are so awesome that we (Amazon) would like to give you books and what ever else you want").  Sadly that didn't happen.  At any rate, I'm sure many of you have these already, but if you haven't, I can highly recommend them.  Cabbages & Roses Vintage Chic, The French-Inspired Home, Where Women Create, and Romantic Home Sewing (from the Cabbages & Roses author).   I walk around clutching my books to my chest, fortified by my close proximity to them.  I like to have them close by so that I can reach over and lay my hand on them, give them a Little rub, and open for a quick peek.  Sometimes I just sit with one open on my lap because it makes me smile.  Same goes for the magazines - to the point that, and I'm a bit ashamed of this, but I have a Home Companion subscription (thank you Mom), and I couldn't wait for the new one to get to me....they really know how to drive me crazy (on the stands but not in my mail box).  So, I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday and bought the new one, knowing that when my subscription came in the mail (probably within 2-3 days) I would feel very sheepish indeed.  But how can you hold back when there was such loveliness on the cover.  I also bought Cottage Style so I could see Tina's kitchen island.  And then I couldn't not get the British Country Living, and the British In Style...I'm weak people...weak and easily manipulated and influenced by pretty magazine covers.  All I can say is it's a good thing that magazines and books feed my addiction...because there are so many worse things out there.  Am I right!?  Am I right!  It's all so easily justified now.

 

Okay, and the other thing that feeds my addiction is watching mysteries.  Tonight it was Hart to Hart.  And popcorn.  And dark chocolate with orange zest.  And Diet Coke (which can never be left out).

 

Chocolate and Country Home magazine.  Now that's good stuff. 

Message of the day, feed your addictions, it might actually be the best thing for you!

Oh, and thank all so much for the very kind words about the new look of my blog.  I'm still floating on a cloud about it.  Thank you wonderful blogging friends :o)

The big reveal....

     Do you recognize me?  You didn't mis-type or click the wrong link, this is the same "My Cozy Home", but with a makeover!  Web designing brother-in-law was over today with my lovely sister-in-law.  He helped me to create a customized blog for myself.  I'm just thrilled with the way it turned out.  All of the images are pictures I've taken, which he turned into a banner and background.  Thank you wonderful brother-in-law, thank you so very, very much.  I just love it.  And you are so gifted (if I do say so)!  I was actually skipping, or even galloping, you might say, like a horse around the house today when he finished.  I'm 34 years old folks, and I was galloping like a horse.  I was that excited (actually, it's not the first time and it won't be the last).  I wanted to hug my blog, or kiss it even.  I just keep staring at it, smiling, and sort of excitedly wiggling around a bit, and then I stare at it again.  I did give brother-in-law a big hug...and dinner...I'm thinking I still owe him.   

See you tomorrow.  Until then I just may be galloping around a bit more :o)

    

Inspiration Friday....

     I know that a couple of people out there are doing "inspiration Fridays", which is for the purpose of posting pictures of something that is a decorating inspiration to you.  I have some shots from a couple of lovely new books that I got ("The French-Inspired Home", and "Where Women Create").  And there are shots from wonderful "Country Homes and Interiors - British Edition"). 

 

This laundry room is wonderful.  It is in "The French-Inspired Home".

Within the same book as above, these wonderful labels are in the back pages (along with many others).  You can scan them and print them out to use in your own home.  I love the colors in these labels.

   

I thought this place setting was so cute with the little nest and bird - makes me want to be more creative with my tablescapes.

I really like these colors and thought that using an edging like the one pictured would be great on a mantle or shelf.  So pretty.

Sorry for the darkness of this picture, bad lighting when I was taking it.  This space is so wonderful.  I especially love the cozy pillows on the floor by the cabinet.  Also love the dressmakers form, the cabinet, desk, slip-covered chair.  It's all so good.

I think this display is so pretty.  The colors, the jars - yum.  And I really like the little string of letters that tell you what is in the jar.  You could do a display like this and change out the colors whenever you feel like it - make it monochromatic, differing colors, whatever strikes you.

So, that's a few of the things that inspire me decoratively.  There are so many though - so much good stuff out there.  Have a wonderful Friday!

Comforts of home....

Many of the treasures I have are from my grandparents - lovely remembrances of generations past.  I have beautiful pieces from my great grandparent's wedding, Victorian calling cards from their visitors in the early 1900's.  Teacups and saucers, postcards, dishes...I'm very fortunate indeed that my family cherished these items.  Many of the dishes are in this built-in cabinet in our living room.  When I look at them I feel connected to generations past, and know that they would be very pleased that I am caring for their keepsakes, making sure they are around for the generations that will follow me.

This is the built-in corner cabinet in our living room, chock full of treasures.

Wanted to show the whole thing.

The teacups here are very old, as is the frame and postcard behind it.  You can click on it to get a closer look, but it is a Christmas postcard to my greatgrandparents that is written in Norwegian.  On the back of the postcard it says, "To Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Pederson, From Inga Inslany  December 23, 1911

I know I keep showing glimpses of my couches, but I just love them.  I had them slip-covered and new pillows made two years ago.  Picking out the fabric and deciding what fabric would go where was very fun.  I love being in here and sitting, scrunched into the pillows with a fire going - usually looking up occasionally from my book or magazine to view the mystery nook, as shown in below post.  The view makes me smile.

I love how the fabric from the curtains mixes with the sofa and pillows - my heart is actually smiling when I look at this (aside from the one on my face).

A supply of comforting home magazines is at the ready

This chair was refinished by my grandma, and look at that cross stitch she did for the seat.  I love this rocking chair.  The lovely pillow was found in Idaho when my mom and I were antiquing.  I know that everyone has their own "comforts of home".  These are just a few of mine.  Have a wonderful day :o)

Saturday and the sun is shining...

It's a beautiful day today and I have renewed energy.  The work week really wears me out and I desperately needed sleep.  How surprised I was that Evy slept until 8:30am.  Saturday's are my day of the weekend to get up with Evy, and Steve has Sunday's.  I was grateful that she slept.  While she was still asleep I got up and made coffee.  Steve and I hung out in bed reading, sipping our coffee.  Not only that, but Evy got up in the greatest of moods.  A bright, shiny Saturday indeed.  This area with the desk is part of my mystery nook.  Where I'm standing taking the picture is a set of built in bookcases with my mystery goods on display.  The next picture is more of a close-up of that area.

 

My dad brought this clock back from Germany with him when he was in the service.  I love this clock.  It sits in between the mystery bookshelves and the desk.

This is the mantel in the living room - near the mystery corner.  Love those Staffordshire dogs with the little baskets.  My mom gave me that lovely print above.  The frame is absolutely perfect for it too. 

Web designing brother-in-law is sick and won't be coming over this weekend to assist with blog make-over.  The "reveal" will have to wait a little longer. 

I do hope that everyone has their very own "sunny" Saturday, whether it come in the form of toddlers sleeping in, a nice cuppa, a wonderful walk outside, antiquing, reading, a bit of puttering about...what ever it is, let it be sunny. 

A few prints....

After a bit of reading through my magazines (I just got the new Country Living), I thought I would post a few more prints from around the house.  Just wanted to mention that this kitty teapot is one of my favorite things.  It was a gift when I graduated from college.  It's so sweet.  The tea cup is one of my grandma's.  Love those little flowers.  I also love vintage prints of animals and cottages.  I really search them out when I'm  antiquing - it's always fun to have something to search for.  I hope you are all well.  I'll be glad for the weekend as another long work week has drained me.  I need to recharge with some good weekend rest, blogging, looking at my new Country Living, and being with the "fam".  My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are coming over on Saturday for dinner...my brother-in-law does web design so hopefully come Sunday, I'll have a new fun look to my blog.  Stay tuned for the reveal :o)

Doesn't this place look dreamy?

I was taking all of these pictures at night so they are all a bit dark.  This wonderful bird picture is from the same antique show where I got the  bird water color (shown a couple of posts down).