Engagement Celebration

CheriGENERAL

December 20, 2013      marks the date that our Baby Girl said yes when Mike asked her to be his wife. February 1, 2014      marks the date we celebrated their engagement. Three wonderful friends of the couple helped deck out The Cottage with photos of the happy couple and all things glittery, … Read More

An empty nest

CheriALL THINGS HOME, FAVORITE HOMES

It happened.  Kirk and I joined the ranks of official empty nesters! Official.  Not away at college.  Official.  Off the payroll.  On their own. Yes, we are excited.  Yes, we absolutely love. love. love. our children. We loved having them at home with us.  We also love that they are all now gainfully employed, independent,self-sufficient adults … Read More

and now … for something completely different*

CheriGENERAL

Last Wednesday we spent a few hours at University Center Rochester (UCR). It was graduation day for our Baby Girl! She received her Masters of Science Degree in Education. First order of the event:  attend her Action Resource Colloquium (Baby Girls presentation was the best presentation in her group — no kidding) (Colloquium: a usually academic meeting … Read More

Ready? Or not?

CheriGENERAL

Ready? Or not? Ready. I’m more “ready” than I’ve ever been. Baking done.  Gifts wrapped. I am not going to be sewing or crafting until the wee hours of the morning tonight.  Or even on Christmas Eve.  Our boy came home for a few days today. After dinner tonight, Nate made fudge. His grandma’s recipe. … Read More

Sunday Afternoon, Part II

CheriGENERAL

Engagement photos finished.   Future bride and groom on to their next adventure. Baby Girl and me on to our next adventure. Baby Girl rode Faith We rode til sunset on scenic country roads. Walk.  Trot.  Cantor. No “nose to tail” riding — real riding.    Layla, my faithful ride on Sunday…. and today. Just … Read More

Cow Puja

CheriGENERAL

Today was the 2nd annual Farm Fair & Cow Puja at Squash Blossom Farm.   Baby Girl loves cows … especially “baby” cows — so we took her to the Cow Puja! Squash Blossom Farm is less than five minutes from The Cottage which made it even more of a no-brainer to visit the farm. There … Read More

got my voice back

CheriGENERAL

As often happens when I don’t blog for a week (or more) I start getting some gentle nudges from family and friends wondering when I’d get my [blog] voice back.   Any number of reasons could silence me. (1) lack of inspiration.  (2) A non-eventful week.  (3) I’m busy experiencing my life.  (4) I’m plain … Read More

Time Flies!

CheriGENERAL

Three years ago today these two went on their first date Five months after that first date Baby Girl let me know through the words of a  Carrie Underwood song that she’d made a good choice. I shared about that here. There’s been some growing up and changing over the last three years! They recreated … Read More

Passing the baton

CheriALL THINGS HOME, DECORATING, GENERAL

Baby Girl is following in my footsteps.  She is re-styling this antique vanity to make it her own. She is also blogging about her re-style adventure here.  Stop by and tell her I sent you!

Back in the saddle again

CheriGENERAL

Back in the literal saddle, and back in the blogging saddle.  We enjoyed a wonderful week with our firstborn during her vacation/visit.  It was a week full of shopping, talking, two trips to the Cities, shopping, movies, shopping, laughing, dining out. and in., staying up late, going to bed early because we stayed up too … Read More