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

Cottage edits

CheriALL THINGS HOME, DECORATING, GENERAL

It rained yesterday.  and rained. and rained. and our underground downspout became a geyser.  So I baked.  and baked. and baked. You’ll have to take my word for it. While the goods were in the oven, I multi-tasked. I call it tweaking.  Or “nesting”. Finished painting this board (a sample cupboard board from the cabinet … Read More

measuring for a table

CheriGENERAL, LIFESTYLE, WEDDINGS

When the Bride made her decision on some of the seating, shall we say, “situations” for the wedding, we got to work on figuring out the appropriate size for certain tables.  I am a very visual-person and telling me dimensions means nothing.  My niece and Baby Girl were very kind and measured out various table … Read More

Midwest family mission trip

CheriGENERAL

My sister and her family went on a mission trip in the Midwest last weekend. Specifically — a mission trip to Minnesota. More specifically — a mission trip to help family — in Rochester. Family that has a long list of things to git done by August 6th. My sister, her hubby, two of her … Read More

Sleeping porch

CheriALL THINGS HOME, DECORATING, GENERAL

I’ve always loved the sleeping porch concept. A sleeping porch is an enclosed deck or balcony that is well-ventilated, often with windows or screens on two or three sides, and has one or more beds or similar furniture for sleeping during warm weather. Screened-in sleeping porches allow people to enjoy the feeling of sleeping outside in the cool night air without being bothered by … Read More

Check

CheriGENERAL

Busy, busy, busy long weekend here at The Cottage. 1.  Thursday:  Pick up Cara at airport in Minneapolis.  Check. 2.  Shop at TJ Maxx.  Check. 3.  Meet with wedding photographer.  Check. 4.  Bridal Shower.  Check. 5.  Grocery Shop.  Check. 6.  Meet with florist.  Check. 6.  Celebrate Nate’s birthday (24th).  Check. 7.  Hang with kids and … Read More

keepin’ it cool

CheriGENERAL

“Yeah where I come from … (we do) a lotta front porch sitting”* and we don’t turn on the air conditioning. usually. there are plenty of ways to keep cool at The Cottage . . . With windows open we fall asleep to the sound of a fan whirring, and crickets chirping and wake to birds … Read More

hard at work

CheriGENERAL, LIFESTYLE, WEDDINGS

Mr. D has been working very hard around The Cottage lately getting the yard ship shape for the wedding.  He has been “walking” the yard and spraying weeds, fertilizing the yard, digging up sod, tilling the garden, planting the garden (with my help) and putting in new landscaping. We started a landscape project over Memorial … Read More

Redneck Woman

CheriGENERAL

To understand my girls better, have a listen to this Gretchen Wilson song . . . Then check out our girls having fun over the weekend .  .  .

Not a typical Saturday

CheriGENERAL

When I went out to collect eggs Saturday morning and let the chickens out for the day … I was pleasantly surprised to see rows of white chairs set up in our neighbor’s yard, along with some flowers and tulle draped from trees. A wedding was clearly on tap for the day It was fun … Read More