First Day of School

CheriGENERAL

First day of school pictures are everywhere! Even here. Next week another family member will be on the “other side of the desk” on his first day of school!

Obsessed

CheriGENERAL

I may, or may not  have a new obsession with  Mason jars. I’m just sayin’.

Labor Day

CheriALL THINGS HOME, DECORATING, GENERAL

Today the boys and girls split off and did different activities. The boys went to the Cities to the last day of the King Tut exhibit at the Science Museum then headed over to Target Field to see the White Sox school the Twins.  (Mr. D and I are long time Chicago fans) Us girls … Read More

My Labor Day

CheriGENERAL

Saturday was my self-proclaimed labor day. With a box of pears at the peak of ripeness in our garage,  and jalapeno peppers by the bucket full in the garden, it was time to get busy. I started the day with a batch of jalapeno pepper jam. Jalapeno pepper jam is a sweet/spicy mix that tastes … Read More

Cupcakes!

CheriGENERAL, LIFESTYLE, RECIPES, WEDDINGS

The most requested recipe among all the sweets at the wedding was the coconut cupcakes. It’s a favorite cake and cupcake at The Cottage. People who don’t like coconut, like this cupcake. People who love coconut, love this cupcake.

Cutting garden

CheriGENERAL

Dahlia Yesterday I wrote about the flowers we used for the wedding and how we cut most of the flowers we used from the roadside near our home.  Today, it’s flowers from my cutting garden. My favorite bouquets have always been the ones cut from the roadside, or yard.  Mr. D has always been willing … Read More

Flowers

CheriGENERAL, LIFESTYLE, WEDDINGS

The flowers for Cara & Tim’s wedding were very simple, and very pretty….and pretty dadgum inexpensive! The morning before the wedding I picked up a friend and my sister-in-love and hit the wild flower hotspot …. the exit ramp off the highway near The Cottage. We picked 5 HUGE buckets of Queen Anne’s Lace along … Read More

What we wore …

CheriGENERAL, LIFESTYLE, WEDDINGS

Among the most commonly asked questions prior to the wedding were “what are the bridesmaids wearing?”, “what are the groomsmen wearing?”, and finally “what are you  wearing?” For inquiring minds …. here’s the scoop …. The groomsmen wore Nantucket Red pants, Navy Blazers, and white button down shirts with blue stripe ties. So did the groom. … Read More

Wedding Treats

CheriGENERAL, LIFESTYLE, WEDDINGS

and now back to the wedding ….. While living in Upstate New York (Endicott) we attended many weddings.  Many Italian weddings.  At traditional Italian weddings there is typically a dessert or sweet table with cake and large trays of cookies.  Sometimes the cookie platters are piled high on each guest table, sometimes a “cake” is … Read More

Escape

CheriGENERAL

With all the wedding planning and execution, we didn’t have much down time this summer.  So, when friends invited us back to their cabin on Battle Lake we welcomed the opportunity. Early Friday morning 4 adults and 4 canines loaded in a minivan and drove north.  Mr. D was very hesitant about taking Nike along. … Read More