2014

vi...

Yes!

And just like that it's over….. Now, on to the new year. 2013 was a great one for me professionally - I launched my business {officially} and you came and asked me to help you create your home….. It's sometimes overwhelming and humbling all at the same time.  It's been such a learning year for me, business wise.  Diving in like I did really allowed me to better define how...

Merry Christmas to *YoU*!!!

Wisdom from Dr. Seuss……. Wishing you ALL peace, joy and love this Christmas holiday! I'll be back soon…...

Christmas cards, emotions and the holiday….

Really one of my favorite things about Christmas is receiving Christmas cards with photos of my friends, family and their growing children.   Having lived so many places, this annual tradition  that brings me so much joy as I reflect on our time in places we have lived and the precious friends we made. The photo above is the card we sent this year of our two girls - now...

Our Christmas *hOmE*…..{the BIG tour}…...

** If you are visiting from Unskinny Boppy, WELCOME!** Welcome to our Forever*Cottage Christmas home 2013. Our home is located beautiful Portland, Oregon. We are lucky to be able to have the opportunity to get a Forest Service permit each year to go and cut a natural Christmas tree.  This year, however, our girls really wanted the experience of picking out a more manicured...

Our Christmas *hOmE*….Part 1

I just finished an EPIC post on our home for a Holiday Home Tour I am participating in on Wednesday so I am  short on words but had many photos so thought I would share some of our family room/dining room today….. Plus, I can't miss out on participating in the Nester's holiday link-up, right?   I feel like I have so much blog content right now -  the computer crash...

All is calm, all is bright……{sort of}.

Well, kinda-sorta…..all is definitely bright around my home, but not all is not calm….. How are you handling this season?  I find myself vacillating between enjoying this month and absolutely loathing it at the same time. My to-do lists are longer, social opportunities are more plentiful, kids need more clothes, more treats, more money, Target sees me more often, so does the wine...

Houston, we have a problem!

So apparently, it's not a good thing to give your MacBook a splash of red wine.  My Mac seemed to recover well from its wild night but alas, began not working up to her formally reliable ways. As of yesterday, I went and bought myself a very nice Christmas gift - a new MacBook Air. Believe me, the timing of the purchase was not ideal but given the fact that I am a blogger and my design biz relies...

Christmas mantel!

I had loaded these photos earlier today and then sat down  with my computer and a glass of wine and proceeded to 'splash' wine on my Mac keyboard! It's not working so I am posting via an iPad. Good times. {sorry to be such a complainer but my pain is fresh people!} On to happier things…. This is our Christmas mantel for 2013! I used what I had - my vintage brass candlestick collection,...

Perspective.....

source In the midst of my holiday panic yesterday {and laundry folding}, Charlie Brown's Christmas was on television.  I love watching it with my children the same way I did as a child - WITH the commercials on network televsion.  I know, crazy. Weird? I still get goose bumps when sweet Linus delivers this monologue. I am working hard on my holiday mantle.....hoping to  post...

December 1st.......

 I am writing this post on Sunday night - having just  returned from our Thanksgiving holiday in central Oregon. On the drive home, I tried to temper the panic I might have felt when I checked my Instagram feed and saw many images from other blogger's homes - fully decked in holiday glory.  Mantels were coifed and fluffed, trees freshly lit and even treats were baking!  Girls,...

Happy Thanksgiving!

source unkown When I count my many blessings tomorrow, I will include all of you - I appreciate the time you take to come here and read my nonsense and seek my design advice.  This blog has given me so many opportunities to indulge in all my design dreams! YOU are helping to make that happen.  I am so  grateful for the support I find here and in blogland. I hope each...

Christmas Ideas 2013 - What momma wants........

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8 I learned long ago that it's best if I give my family suggestions for what to give me for Christmas - makes life easier and happier!  This year, as in past years, I put together a collection of suggested gift items. Obviously, I like monogrammed and cozy/warm items. Oh, and I could use a new wallet. Have you seen the Kontex towels made in Japan? They had me at 'gingham'. And...

Do you have an Ellen connection? Can ya help get this family to Sochi?

Ok, some facts about yours truly: * I was born in Wisconsin * I am half Swedish, half Norwegian {with some other stuff thrown in for good measure} {and yes, I know that makes me more than 100% a person} * Curling is a legit sport among my 'people' * Some of my 'people' may even be Olympic curling athletes - true story. Actually, my cousin's sister-in-law has been a member of the USA...

Tomato Basil Soup.....

We are heading into the holiday season which means lots of rich foods and sweet treats.  And while I love to indulge as  much as the next person, I also like to weave in some  healthy, lighter dinners for my family during the season. This tomato-basil soup recipe is a favorite! I serve it with cheese toasts and a caesar salad. Tomato-Basil Soup {adapted from Portland's...