From my cottage to yours... a Christmas giveaway!

The week after Thanksgiving finds us decorating our little cottage for Christmas, and since December is right around the corner I thought I'd post my "cranberry & cream" Christmas giveaway now so it can be sent off to the winner in plenty of time for holiday decorating!


So from my cottage to yours, a wee little "cottage" ornament, complete with 'smoke' coming out of the chimney to chase away winter's chill...


... and two mini pots filled with pinecones and berry boughs, as well as the cranberry & cream toile scalloped placemat they're sitting on...


Last year I posted about three nativity sets I own, the most special being the one that belonged to my mom. The two others are vintage sets found while thrifting, both with white figurines (perfect for our little cottage!)... While out shopping with hubby last weekend, I spotted these brand new nativity figurines and it was love at first sight! I quickly grabbed a set for myself and then immediately thought what a lovely Christmas giveaway they would make for one of you, so I picked up a second set!

Now I have to be honest, this is not an expensive set at all, but I thought it was charming and I hope you do, too! (This, and all of my giveaway items were purchased at The Christmas Tree Shop.)

The figurines are actually part of a kit. You can choose to be as creative as you'd like by painting the figures (a small selection of paints is included in the kit), or you could antique or glaze them.... Let your imagination go wild! (Of course I'm going to leave mine white... Is anyone really surprised by that?............ I didn't think so!)

So just leave a comment on this post if you'd like a chance to win my Christmas giveaway! The contest ends at midnight, EST, Monday, November 23rd and I'll announce the winner on Tuesday, one week from today. (That way I might even be able to get it in the mail on Wednesday!)

Again, you'll receive the box/kit of white nativity figures, the two little pine bough pots, the cranberry & cream scalloped placemat, and the little cottage ornament.

Good luck and happy decorating to those who start early!!!!


Donna

"C" is for cushions and Chips

The new cushions are now on the patio set.... (and let me preface this by saying please excuse the mess - the tables need a good scrubbing from winter storage and the patio is in desperate need of sweeping - yet again!)


My first choice was a nice green and white pattern, but the CTS I was at didn't have four in stock (I need 2 for the loveseat and 2 for the chairs), and since I didn't feel like running around to several stores to find 4 that matched...


... I just went with a very bright blue/green/lavender/white stripe. (At least they match the bright plastic tables I got at Wal Mart several years ago! The little waterfall fountain was also from Wal Mart several years ago. I love sitting down there, having the sound of running water in the background.)


The three tiered mosaic plant stand table was also purchased at Christmas Tree Shop several years ago.


This is the patio last year and the cushion set that I loved and was so sorry to have had to toss...


The cushions had green and white seashells on a blue background, and I wish they'd lasted forever!! Even though they were stored in the shed during the winter months, they still got stained and moldy from the occasions where they would get damp in the summer rains (even under the tent cover)... The weather resistant cushions are all $25 and up (at least the ones I've seen), but eventually I may have to break down and go that route so they'll last (rather than the less expensive ones from CTS).

Here's a favorite picture of mine... Hubby feeding one of our Chips out on the patio last year.

And this is me feeding one of our Chips a couple of weeks ago...

The Chips come running whenever they hear or see me working out in the garden because they know I keep peanut treats in my pockets... (excuse the dirty fingernails!)

I love to plant and dig in the dirt without garden gloves. I know I should wear them, and I occasionally do, but I really love the feel of planting and potting with my bare hands. And when I'm done, I set the hose on JET spray and boy, does that gets rid of all the dirt underneath my nails until I go into the house to actually wash my hands with soap and water!

Wishing you all a summer full of your favorite treats!!!!

Donna

The patio is almost done....

... but unfortunately, the patio cushions we've used for the past several years had to be tossed (which is too bad, because I really liked them!). So I'm off to The Christmas Tree Shop to see if I can find new ones and I thought you'd like to join me!

Many times it's hit or miss at The Christmas Tree Shop...

...but if you're in the market for some new mugs, there's a good selection right now...

Most of the mugs in our house are from CTS... I prefer to buy a variety of "mix and match" styles and patterns....

... that way, it doesn't matter if one or two get broken along the way... I always have a "full set" of coordinated mugs...

Since we're in this department, let's see what else they have... These little teapots are really cute...

Got milk? I've had a cow creamer similar to these for as long as I can remember (so long that I don't even remember where I got it, but Japan is embossed on the bottom of it)...

Lots of assorted pottery to choose from on these shelves...

If you use just plain white dishes in your home (which I do), it's always easy to pick up filler pieces in this section...

And just look at all these pieces for entertaining and serving!

Oooh - cute chenille/floral rugs!! I think little scatter rugs add so much cottage charm!

Does anybody buy CD's (or CD cabinets) anymore? I know I do, but both of my girls buy/download their music from the Internet... I'm so old school. I went kicking and screaming from LP's/albums/45's to 8-tracks to cassette tapes to CD's - and that's where I'm stopping. Yes, I have music on my blog that I sometimes play in the background of my office, but I'm still a bona-fide CD buyer. And the same goes for books. Whether it comes from a store or the library, I love the feel of a book in my hands and the actual experience of turning the pages. So for all the benefits (and I know there are many), I think it's safe to say I'll probably never get one of those little computerized reading/book gadgets. (Of course I'm also old enough to know that I should never say never!)

Mmm ... such pretty pale blue wicker planters... This might be a nice color to paint the yard sale wicker planter I brought home last week...

I love baskets. I wish I had room for the white bench in my front entry... (alas, in my small split level entryway, there would never be enough room)...

... but I do have a lot of other organizational projects to tackle where baskets could definitely be utilized...

... and right now, CTS is loaded with all colors and fabrics. They even have sweet little Nantucket styled baskets...

And speaking of Nantucket, does anyone feel like decorating with a beach/cottage decor? You might want to check out these shell garlands, shell 'trees,' or sea bird decoys...

Or how about some sea shell accent pieces or bowls?

These seashell wreaths were gorgeous!!! And there are loads of starfish sizes to choose from!

How about a seashell hurricane lamp to set the mood?

... or a nightstand for your cottage bedroom, complete with a "cottage by the sea" design...

Speaking of bedrooms, I love these striped "quilts in a tote"... After you've spread your quilt across the bed or sofa, you have a cute little tote to bring shopping with you!


If you're not into stripes, they had some beautiful florals and Hawaiian themed quilts and shams...

How cute would those quilts be in a bedroom or sunroom with some white wicker furniture?

I think I see some leftover egg wreaths from Easter!
The faux lavender wreath I have on my garden gate came from CTS a couple of years ago.

It has held up amazingly well over the past several years, especially when you consider that it stays outside during the hot, humid New England summers....

... and the bitter cold, snowy New England winters....

I was thinking another one might be nice on the reverse side of the gate...

Well I'm so glad you joined me on my trip to The Christmas Tree Shop.... Okay, now what did I come for? Oh, right! Cushions for the patio set!! (Have you ever gone to the store for one specific item only to get home without that one item? Please tell me I'm not the only one that happens to!)... But I did remember the cushions and I'll show them to you in my next post...

Donna

I {{heart}} birdbaths...

I admit it... I have a love affair with birdbaths. Last year I took you around our yard and showed you our twelve birdbaths (some are just teeny tiny ones). I also shared various birds, chipmunks and squirrels at our birdbaths last summer in my Backyard Visitors and Drinking Buddies posts. A never-ending supply of fresh water really does attract birds and little critters into the yard.

(click any photo to enlarge)

The newest addition is this white pedestal birdbath ... lucky number 13!!

I couldn't resist its distressed charm (that, and the fact that it was on clearance at The Christmas Tree Shop!)...

It has pretty roses around the base....

...and two sweet birds that sit on either side of the basin.

For the past few weeks I've been trying to decide where to place it. Yesterday I moved it to the backyard against the fence (the location you see in the first photo). The white shows up nicely against the age-darkened fence so I think that will be its permanent home.

If any of you are in the market for a birdbath fountain, just look at this one that I spotted at our local Wal Mart earlier this week (it's also available on their website, which is where this photo came from)... Isn't it adorable? I love how the water comes out of the bird's beak... Their website also has several varieties of simple pedestal birdbaths (not fountains) with bird statues perched on the edge of the basin... I am so drawn to that style!

I've really been enjoying the beautiful weather we've been having. Today was gorgeous! You'd never know that the night before last we had frost warnings! I ran around covering all my annuals with plastic bags and, thankfully, they all made it through the chilly New England night!

Wishing you all a lovely week, wherever you are!

Donna

3rd Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway...

It's that time of year again!!!

(click any photos to enlarge)

The lovely Kim of The Twice Remembered Cottage (One Woman's Cottage Life) is hosting the 3rd Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway!!! (Thank you, Kim!)

This year I'm opening up my giveaway to both U.S. and International entries....

...and I thought it would be fun to offer a kitchen themed giveaway....

... so I headed to one of my favorite places (all giveaway items are from The Christmas Tree Shop) and put together the following items.... a pair of green toile oven mitts, a set of heart-shaped measuring spoons, and an appliqued 'hydrangea' dishtowel...

... all tucked into this little quilted tote.

You'll also get one of the aprons you saw hanging in the first photos....


Here you can see the style of all 3 aprons (my Amanda is modeling the light blue floral one).


But you get to choose whether you want:


The green toile apron....


The light blue floral apron...



Or the dark blue floral apron.

To enter, just leave a comment on this post and I'll draw the winner on May 30th... Good luck to everyone who enters!!!!


Now, be sure to click the logo below to go to Kim's lovely blog where you'll find a list of everyone participating in this year's Cottage Charm Giveaway (and if it's anything like last year's giveaway, you'll be blown away by all the incredible goodies being offered!!!) And while you're there, be sure to check out all the incredibily realistic sweets and treats that Kim creates!


Good luck, everyone!!! And thank you again, Kim!




Donna