cran·ber·ry
1. A mat-forming, evergreen shrub (Vaccinium macrocarpum) of eastern North America, having pink flowers and tart, red, edible berries.
2. The berries of this plant, used in sauces, jellies, relishes, and beverages.
cot·tage
1. A small, single-storied house, especially in the country.
2. A small vacation house.
cran·ber·ry cot·tage
1. A tiny house in the woods in the north of Holland.
2. Peace, quiet, paradise.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

A good heart.....

It is already the close of the month of January. Time is flying and 2013 is only just begun. Valentine's day is just around the corner so my tree is up to set the season. I took my vintage olive pot and placed the branches in it.....


Hung hearts - handmade or bought most of which were gifts.....


And now we can celebrate our Valentine's day 2013 with a great deal of heart!


Heidi

Monday, January 7, 2013

Cleaning up in 2013

I have been debating about what to post as I wanted to start this year out with a challenge to myself to clear out things I do not love or use. More about that debate a little later...

I started last week with a simple baby step. I have a drawer in our hutch which is a mess. I took everything out placing it on the table and going through it all. I only replaced what I needed to  keep throwing out about a third of the contents. You know those Christmas cards you keep thinking to use them to make tags or new cards, old letters that need to go and just lots of tiny junk.

Each week of this year, I want to work on one area and declutter and simplify. I am going to go about it this year that even the smallest area will eventually make a big impact. I feel best and most  at peace in our tiny cottage so I think that speaks mountains about our home. It too needs to be simple so I can feel that peace here too.

Are you in the simplify mood this year too?


This is a primrose blooming in my front garden. Mother Nature is quite confused by our very warm weather and thinks it is spring. I am hoping we are not in for an extreme cold freeze like we had last year. In February, we got extreme frosts and an easterly wind causing a great deal of damage in the garden. I would hate to loose more plants again this year.

But now that debat...

I normally do not like to vent on my blog. We returned from Cranberry Cottage yesterday afternoon to find that my car had been vandalized. Jos asked our neighbor if she heard anything. She was angry as there have been problems with some teenagers causing trouble again behind their house. It has been so bad that a house was set on fire about a year ago. These kids do not live here and the police say they know who they are but cannot do anything about it as the parents will not cooperate. This is the first time, we have had a problem and I have no insurance coverage for vandalism. It is going to cost a big sum of money to have the repairs done. But worse, the kids keep getting away with it. My neighbor was all upset that she has raised 4 men who respect people and their property. Jos told her that has everything to do with her as a real mother and why these kids are causing the problems they do not having one. Do their parents really not care???

Heidi