Pumpkin Cottage

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T09:07:00.002-05:00

Happy Mother's Day

Urban Finds

2009-05-09T13:54:00.004-05:00

Woah...i have been on quite a blogging vacation. It certainly wasn't planned, but a week preparing for out of town family and then a long weekend with family took it's toll on me. I did a whole lot of nothing over the past week, well except for browsing Urban Outfitters. I thought I'd share some of my fave finds:

1. Jewelry Cupboard or Key Holder. 2. Lettered Hooks.

1. Flowered 3-D Wall Art. 2. Decorative Door Knob Curtain Tie Backs. 3. Bird Cage Lantern.

1. Mirrored Birdcage Hooks. 2. Olive Planter

I hadn't visited this store/website since college, but I think I've been missing out!

Rain

2009-04-24T08:26:00.003-05:00

The weather forecast for this weekend calls for nothing but rain. Seeing as my grass is still a shade of beige, I'm all for it!

My hubby's sisters and brother in law are coming to stay with us next week so I have about a million little projects to get completed. I'll have my camera in hand to share any/all finished projects with y'all!

(powder room reveal, dining room additions, new window treatment, scrap pillows, etc!!!)

I hope this weekend is restful and productive for each of you...rain or shine :)

Crafty Room

2009-04-16T08:16:00.006-05:00

After seeing this post from this super sweet blogger, I thought I'd give ya'll a peek into my craft space:

it's currently located in our spare 3rd bedroom, but someday...when we finish the basement...the space will be much bigger. Right now, though, it's great to have a space that's all me. I can forget to shut the hot glue gun off and it can melt globs all over the table and no one even cares!

Gardening: take 1

2009-04-13T08:13:00.007-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about gardening lately (now that the snow has finally all melted & **fingers crossed** we don't get any more)! We've been in our house for 11 months and we bought a lovely home that hadn't been lived in for 18 months, so you can imagine how the yard looked. aaahhhhh, it was bad. But, the landscaping had great bones. We kinda just let it ride last year and were excited at what popped up out of the ground. In the fall, we started to make some small changes to make the exterior more "our style".

Here is the front landscaping as it sits right now, snow melted as of 10 days ago! We took out some evergreens and replaced them with 4 Yews that will eventually grow into a large hedge to form a foundation in front of our porch...

in like 3 years they should look the way I want them to :) You'll notice that 2 are big (they came from our back yard) and 2 are newbies. Hopefully some pruning and fertilizer will make them more uniform by the end of the summer.

Here's the front last June. Not bad, but a little boring for my taste. I think the previous owners wanted nothing but low maintenance. Those evergreens are now in the backyard.
I love a good COTTAGE style garden. Obviously this would be a dream!! The color, the texture, the fullness...LOVE it!

More realistically, this looks a little more attainable presently, especially since I also love hydrangeas

The red in this next photo is seriously pretty.

I've always been a fan of black-eyed susan's and my mom has a billion to divide and give me this year.

The purple and chartreuse along this walkway are amazing.

While container gardening is a whole other post, I couldn't help but share this beauty!

I'll leave you with an aerial shot of a garden center in South Minneapolis that I can't wait to check out once it's actually planting season here in MN (like 2 months from now...sigh)

I'll be back with more gardening inspiration this spring and of course real shots of my ever evolving landscape.

photos from here, here, here, & BHG.

Spring Fever

2009-04-06T17:17:00.000-05:00

Spring fever has lead me to change out the pillows in my living room!

If it doesn't warm up soon, it may cause me to buy new furniture too...

Parade of Homes

2009-04-05T20:41:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago my mom and I visited a bunch of open houses on the Parade of Homes tour in Minneapolis. It's basically just builders showcasing their homes for a few weeks each spring. I've gone every year since I was little. In fact, when I was little, my best friend and I would plan out a day full of the most expensive houses and our moms would take us to each one and we'd go to lunch afterwards. It's a little less exciting these days, but I thought I'd share a few random highlights:

I thought the exterior of this home was a nice twist on my long time favorite style - cape cod

the mustard yellow island and slate backsplash are so cool :)
This next kitchen caught my eye because of the mosaic backsplash

mosaic up close:

The last house I toured was so interesting. This is the outside: I thought the inside would have an upscale cottage vibe, but oh my was I wrong...

It was very eclectic & contemporary. This is part of the kitchen - notice in the back below the giant range hood that the granite panels all slide and reveal shelves and spice racks - kinda cool I guess? The floors on the main level were all white washed black walnut which my mom explained to me was "outrageously expensive!"

Here's the master bathroom: love the tub, not crazy about the cabintes

I love the sconces in this extra bathroom

here's the matching tile in the shower of the above bathroom - again, kinda cool

If you care to see anymore of this last house, link to it here, the website's pictures do it way more justice than I can.

La Quinta, CA

2009-03-29T21:38:00.006-05:00

I'm finally getting my wheels turning after getting back from spring vacation. It was soooo relaxing and the weather was beautiful. Enjoy some highlights of my trip!

who wouldn't love a glass of lemonade in this setting?
it's going to be months before I see flowers looking this good in Minnesota

bougainvillea in full bloom

cool tree - I half expected a monkey to pop out

the above photos are from the La Quinta Resort -my family spotted a few celebrities (Andy Roddick, Matt Leinart, & Jimmy Connors)

seriously blue sky

plenty of sunburn for my irish husband ;)

my family

hugging the pig at Jackalope Ranch

plenty of cannon balls

view from my parents pool - heavenly or what?

warm sunshine healing my winter blues

reading by the pool with my tootsies in the water

overlooking the 6th holehubby stopping by for a cold coke during a round a golf

It was an amazing vacation - now I just need a vacation at my house to catch up on laundry, dishes, unpacking, etc!

In the meantime, it's supposed to snow here tomorrow. ha

Spring Vacation

2009-03-21T08:51:00.001-05:00

For the next week I'll be blogging poolside from this little slice of heaven (my mom & dad's winter home in California) I can't wait to buy all the home magazines I can find and eat out until my pants don't fit.

Happy Spring to you all! Cheers to soaking up some sunshine (even if its in your winter coat and wool socks!)

A Normal Day

2009-03-13T08:15:00.005-05:00

Today I'm hooked on this quote:

"normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. let me not pass you by in quest of some rare & perfect tomorrow. let me hold you while i may, for it may not always be so. one day i shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in my pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky & want, more than all of the world, your return."

-mary jean iron.

Times are tough right now. I think we all know that. Jobs are scarce, spending is limited, and people are scared. And then I stumbled upon this quote and immediately felt a sense of relief spill over me. God Bless the normal days. As scary as times are, I have enough food in my pantry to make dinner, I have enough money in the bank to pay my bills, I have enough gas to get me to work, etc. And instead of dreaming about buying a bigger house or a nicer car or when we can refinish the basement, I'm going to be thankful for a normal day. Because...I don't know when I'll wish for these circumstances - or this day - back again.

In December of '07 my husband lost his job at a finance firm in Chicago and it rocked our world. We ended up moving to Minneapolis to be closer to my family, lived briefly with my parents, and tried to pick up the pieces that had been shattered when we no longer felt safe and secure. Granted things eventually got back on track, we found new jobs, bought a house, and realized how much money we have to safe for that emergency fund - I'll never forget the ache I had in my heart for a "normal day" when we didn't have to worry about what the future might hold.

I've tried to go to sleep every night thinking about all the things that made my day seem so normal and praise God for each and every one of them.

This Friday, I wish each and everyone of you a blessed, peaceful, Normal Day.

What's everyone else hooked on...check it out!

Springing Forward

2009-03-08T20:15:00.002-05:00

They forcasted a snow storm for us today (here in Minnesota) but we didn't get any. Actually, the clouds broke open and the sun came out.

I'm getting hopeful that the snow will keep creeping away to the edge of the lawn until it's gone!

The sun porch actually felt *sunny*
And I feel those winter blues melting away!
even if we do get a few more snow storms :)

Baby Shower

2009-03-08T19:58:00.009-05:00

A few weekends ago I hosted a baby shower for my cousin, Jenny.

It's a family tradition to have the shower after the baby is born so everyone gets to meet him/her! Jameson was 6 weeks old at this shower and slept the whole time :)
The theme was baby blue and red.

We had mexican food and my fave - red velvet cupcakes!

I'll post the recipe for the Chicken Enchilada Casserole on Tuesday...

I was pretty happy with my 1st ever diaper cake, but I don't think I'll be making one again any time soon.

We played "guess the gerber"

And enjoyed too much dessert.

I was so exhausted after the shower ended, I slept like a baby :)

Powder Room Inspiration

2009-02-27T21:39:00.005-06:00

I'm crazy for this color scheme/pattern combination from the HGTV Dream House. My brain is churning on how I can capture this feel in my powder room - centering around the cabinet I pictured in my last post.

Until then, I'm hosting a baby shower this weekend and can't wait to post pics of the details.

Wishing you a relaxing weekend...

Flea Marketing

2009-02-23T22:12:00.005-06:00

This month's occasional sales were good to me once again :)

I was anxious to find a coffee table - something different, rustic, unique.

BINGO!
I found an amazing table with lots of character: it's steel!!

I definitely need a rug underneath it, but I *love* it!

My next find was unexpected. I loved it, but just couldn't break the budget enough to bring it home. So after drooling over it for a couple minutes, mom bought it for me :)

It's going to go above the toilet in my powder room.
I loved the hardware...

And the color!

((A glimpse into my next project))

Master Bath

2009-02-17T22:04:00.004-06:00

As promised, here's a peek into my master bath.

It's a minty green color. Eventually, that big fat mirror will be replaced by 2 smaller framed mirrors...someday :)

I *heart* this curtain panel
The LoO
I got these lovely canvases from the even lovlier Layla!
This wedding present hangs above the tub - I think it's so romantic.

Nest, Bird, & Soaps

Nope, it's not the jungle, just my tub!

Thanks for stopping by!

Vintage Photos

2009-02-13T08:39:00.000-06:00

This Friday I'm hooked on this japanese website that transforms your pictures into super distressed-vintage-y cool photos.

Before:

After:
it took about 5 seconds and 3 clicks of the mouse!!! (yup, my husband is trying to lick my face...)

Link up to the site and try it with a pic of you and your special someone for valentine's day! (there's a button in the upper right corner that changes the language from japanese to english in case you get linked to the japanese version!)

I love checking out what everyone else is hooked on!

2009-02-13T08:30:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentine's Weekend!

My husband even said he liked this little heart tree :) We're planning on some homemade heart shaped pizza tonight, renting a movie, and a big ol' post valentines day brunch on sunday after church! I hope this weekend fills your heart with love!

Master Bedroom

2009-02-13T08:09:00.005-06:00

If you're anything like me, you always love a peak into someone's bedroom. But it's usually the one room in someone's house that you have to beg to see. Remeber what this all started with.

Our Bed

The collage above the bed includes our wedding invitation, my 3 favorite wedding pictures, a barn star I painted, and our initial.
I can't wait for summertime when the sheer drapes can blow in the breeze.

We have a TV (gasp) and every so often cuddle up in bed to watch a show or movie!
Both the armoire and dresser are on the "to do" list this spring. They will be painted heirloom white and get all new glass hardware.

Now, if only the bed would make itself every morning :) The Master Bath photos will be up next week!

Sick

2009-02-09T10:44:00.003-06:00

Oh, I had so many great little post ideas I've wanted to put up here on the ol blog, but alas I have gotten the one gift I was hoping I wouldn't receive this winter:
the FLU :(
With a nasty digestive system component and one heck of a fever this bug has knocked down nearly all of my co-workers, patients, friends, and family members...but I thought it had gracefully passed me over. wrong!
I'm on day 4 of living on the couch and I haven't eaten more than bananas and applesauce!

Here is a sneak peak at what this weeks posts will be all about (that is if I can get off the couch and into the shower!!)

Come back and see my master bedroom and bath!!

Tasty Tuesday 3

2009-02-03T08:16:00.004-06:00

I'm joining up with the party at Kim's Forever...Wherever blog.

This week's recipe is:

Banana Bread

This is my mom's recipe and it has a lot of special memories for me. It will make your house smell wonderful as it bakes!

1 C sugar

1/2 C butter/marg

2 eggs

2 C flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 C bananas (2 big or 3 small)

1/2 C sour cream

I freeze all bananas that over-ripen on our kitchen counter and then let them thaw overnight before I plan to make this bread the next day.

Mix sugar & butter. Add 2 eggs and cream together with a hand mixer. Add bananas, sour cream, and vanilla. Add the remaining dry ingredients.

Pour into a greased loaf pan.

Bake at 350 deg for 1 hour

Insert a toothpick into the center to check if the bread is done.

Bon Appetit

Verdict: this break is super moist and as long as you keep it sealed in a ziploc bag or plastic wrap, it will keep for a week!

click on the Tasty Tuesday Recipe label at the end of this post for my 2 previous recipes!

Flatware Art

2009-02-03T08:06:00.005-06:00

On my last Goodwill excursion, I picked up a few pieces of flatware and an old white platter. They were all mismatched and had a worn vintage quality. I didn't pay more than 50 cents for any of them. Here's what I did:

Fork & Spoon+
a knife with a bow :)

an old white platter

a few rub-on letters

A new plate I can display on top of my upper cabinets!

Note: the only supplies I used were ribbon, hot glue, and rub on letters.

Farmhouse Wares

2009-01-30T07:57:00.004-06:00

This Friday I'm hooked on FARMHOUSE WARES.
I stumbled upon this online shop after seeing this picture in my new Country Home Magazine.
Not only is the online shop amazing, full of some great house treasures, and mostly affordable, BUT the owner of the shop also has a blog!

It's called Farmhouse Musings and it's definitely worth your time checking it out because she offers sales codes for her products at Farmhouse Wares. Her blog has a clean, classic, country style and I've enjoyed browsing through the archives this week.

I also signed up to receive email updates from the shop and the first email contained a 15% off code. I'm loving this faux deer head and just may need to use one of her online codes to bring him home!

I'm also Hooked on Fridays. Check this out :)

Patina

2009-01-30T06:12:00.000-06:00

I had a *light-bulb* moment. Pull this dresser out of our walk-in closet and put it in the guest room.

I am loving it :)

What do you have waiting in your closet?

Tasty Tuesday 2

2009-01-26T19:46:00.006-06:00

Chicken Stir Fry

1 bottle of Maggie Gin Teriyaki sauce. (it's so much lighter than most other teriyaki's)

1# boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 tbsp flour

1 tbsp oil (veggie/olive)

Brown Rice

Chow Mein noodles

Any vegetables you'd like to include in your stir fry. I use:

celery

water chestnuts

snow pea pods

peppers (red, green)

broccoli

yellow squash

mushrooms

Use kitchen shears to cut up chicken into bite size pieces

Marinate overnight in the teriyaki sauce

Use 1 tbsp of veg oil or olive oil to saute brown the chicken in your wok

Remove chicken, place in a bowl, and set aside

Add 1 tbsp of oil and 2 tbsp of teriyaki sauce

Brown veggies starting with celery since it takes the longest. Keep adding veggies 1-2 types at a time.

Add chicken when all veggies are cooked

Mix together 1 tbsp of flour and 1/4 C of teriyaki sauce to thicken

Pour thickened sauce over stir fry

Serve over rice and chow mein noodles

Bon Appetit

Verdict: this is something my mom made every so often. I love all of the vegetables in one dish. Plus, it tastes good warmed up for lunch the next day!

Cows

2009-01-26T19:22:00.003-06:00

I am sort of in love with this poster print from Ikea.

I know it's of cow butts. But (no pun intended - hehe) I think it would look sweet above my green chair in the family room.
The print is 18x24 (i think) so it would eat up some space on that empty wall.
And I have a faux cow-hide pillow on the couch...
Hmmm...!?!