The Cottage kitchen is sportin’ a new look! A few weeks ago Mr. D informed me that we had saved up enough dough-ray-me (thanks to Dave Ramsey and our Total Money Makeover!) to buy a new refrigerator! Then he took me on a date to pick one out! Mr. D bought me a stove … Read More
Last summer Mr. D and I took the kiddos on a little mini vacation after my cousin’s wedding in the Chicago area. The morning after the wedding we loaded ’em up bright and early and headed to the beach. A favorite spot of mine and Mr. D’s — the Warren Dunes in Michigan. You can … Read More
Zeeeebra Garnish
Remember Colin? And Emily? I introduced you to Colin here. Later I shared the music video Colin made for Emily here. If you go here you can view the music video Emily made for Colin in response to his music video AND a video of Colin’s wedding proposal to Emily. Recently this creative and fun couple … Read More
Here I go again…
Those of you who have been following this blog for any length of time have watched (and read) as I changed jobs a couple, a few, ok – several times over the past few years. Those of you who know me have heard all the reasons for the job changes. I’m not going to go into the … Read More
Party
Recently I helped a friend throw a surprise 40th birthday party for her baseball lovin’ hubby. OK, not just baseball lovin’…..but CHICAGO White Sox baseball lovin’ fan. Since Mr. D and I are White Sox (and Cubs) fans, it made the party just that much more fun. The invite instructed guests to dress in … Read More
The quintessential early bird
Waking up this morning to a tree full of American Robins singing in our crabapple tree made the “spring ahead” move into Daylight Savings Time a delightful experience. My first count was 10 robins, give or take a few flying in and out of the tree as I counted. They are cleaning up the berries … Read More
Playing dress up
I’ve been considering taking my wedding dress apart and making garters and other items for my girls from the various pieces for their weddings. I mentioned these considerations at dinner tonight, because Baby Girl is home, and she had previously mentioned that she wanted to try on my wedding dress before I took it apart. … Read More
Pasta feed
There are several recipe’s that the kiddos ask me to make when they come home. Usually at the top of the request list is my recipe for Pesto Shells. This twist on macaroni and cheese recipe was given to my mom many years ago. My sisters and I all make this family favorite for our … Read More
Just passing through
This post is for all my friends who I forget to tell about the best places to stop for food as they pass through the Calumet Region – my hometown – a.k.a Northwest Indiana. That place that smells of oil refineries. If you’ve ever driven through, you know what I’m talkin’ about. photo by: Mike … Read More