The beginning of a reveal...

This project began with a big pile of boards like this.  These came from my parents cow barn which was torn down more than twenty-five years ago when they sold their property in PA.  This farm had originally belonged to my paternal grandfather and grandmother.

I stayed at my brother's farm and he had these boards stored in his huge garage.

Let me preface this by saying that when we visit our families in PA, Mr. Cottage stays with his parents and I stay with my brother or sister.  We still see each others families but it just works out better that way.

Before I left my brother's house, we decided to load up my car with as many boards as I could fit in.  He was sawing off ends of the ones that wouldn't fit as I loaded them.  So I got to Mr. Cottage's parents with all this wood in the trunk.  He couldn't fit his suitcase in so he had to put it on the backseat.  He was not a happy camper.  Until last fall, he stored it in our shed. 

I'll finish this story with the finished product on Monday. 

Gretchen

Walking around the yard this morning...

I went down to the mailbox this morning with my camera.  This is the view of our house from there.  As you can see, my Iris are in full bloom.  I love the colors we painted the house two years ago.  We had student painters here from Clemson University and University of South Carolina. They did a great job painting and they weren't hard on the eyes either.  Hey, I may be old, but I'm not dead.

Mr. Bird Nest Cottage is so very proud of his grass this year and how it looks.  Last fall he sent a soil sample to Clemson University to have it tested and they gave him some recommendations he followed.  Bermuda grass is kind of tempermental but this year it's looking great!

These are our three Little Gem Magnolia's that are getting ready to bloom.  I'm so glad we took the time to place them carefully and they add such a nice look at the bottom of the hill.

My gazing ball is stainless steel and I have to be careful where I place it in the yard.  It's so light it bounces around the yard when the wind blows hard and I end up chasing it.  Is that considered cardiovascular exercise?

This little bird was given to me by a very dear friend.  Mr. Cottage loves it!   Who would have guessed?  We even have a little toad in our toad house already.  The grandchildren check on him every time the come.

Our yard became a wildlife habitat about 3 or 4 years ago.  That means that we agree to provide food and water to birds and other wildlife year-round.  Does yours meet those specifications?

Gretchen

My Favorite Magazines...

These are my two favorite magazines.  The English Home that is available as a subscription or I've bought it at Barnes & Noble.  Country Living everyone knows about. 

I have many, many copies of The English Home that I keep in my guest room.  I haven't kept copies of Country Living because I've been reading it since the first issue was out and I've  moved too many times to keep them all.  Maybe I will start again though.  I've always just kept clippings from them that I look through from time to time.  I tossed out most of those last year during a cleaning frenzy.

Recently, I placed a subscription order for British Country Living.  I read on Heidi Devlin's blog that she reads it and that was good enough for me.  Heidi and I seem to have similar tastes (hers is far better than mine) and I know I will love it.

Hope you will try one of these out, if you haven't ever read them.

Gretchen   

The House Whisperer Visits Soon...

Next week the "House Whisperer" is coming to visit me!  Yes, that's right!  Penny of The Comforts of Home is going to spend the day with me in Greenville,SC. 

Well, first she's going to stop by my house for a tour (I'll be scrubbing and cleaning for the next week, so no posts).  Only kidding.  Penny is too sweet to mention dust if she sees it.

Penny and I first met several years ago when she came to Greenville for lunch and a day of shopping.  I feel a special kinship to her since she was the first blogger I ever met.  I visited her previous home (which was even more gorgeous than the pictures) and we had lunch and went antiquing.

We keep trying to get together and finally came up with a day.  I am going to take her to one of the fabulous restaurants we have in Greenville and then we'll spend whatever time we have left antiquing.

Can't wait!  Yes, I'll take pictures of our day together.

Gretchen

Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt...

Nicholas and Carson had their own section of the yard and Mr. Bird Nest hid those eggs.  Even Mallie (Rick's dog) got in on the hunt.  Isn't she beautiful?  She has the shinest coat.

Lauren and Chloe had this smaller section of the yard and I hid these eggs.  The boys are really competitive and the little girls need to go at a slower pace.

Lauren is searching near the picket fence.  (We're slowly removing this fence.  It's more hassle than it's worth.

Lauren was really into "the hunt".

The kids landed on the screened porch to count all their loot (coins).  Chloe was chewing jelly beans the entire time.  I think using coins in the eggs was a great idea.  The kids didn't really need any more candy.

I finally got almost all of them to smile (Elizabeth is hiding).  The hunt was a huge success.

Gretchen

Happy Easter - Let's Eat...

This is the table set for Easter lunch.  This tablecloth  came from Home Goods one or two years ago and I adore the beautiful flowers and bright colors.

The table is set with my Spode china.

The centerpiece is flanked by my mother's crystal candlesticks that she always used on her dining room table.

This is the dessert, tea and coffee table.  

We will serve the food from the countertop buffet style.

This is the children's table on the screened porch.

I got each of the grandchildren china bunnies for Easter.

The following is our menu:

Ham

Pineapple Stuffing

Hash Brown Casserole

Macaroni & Cheese

Green Bean Casserole

Orange Jello Salad

Pickled Eggs and Beets

Deviled Eggs

Rolls

Spice Cupcakes and Ice Cream

All of this will be followed by an Easter Egg Hunt for the four grandchildren in our backyard.

My wish for all of you is that you have a lovely day with family and friends and don't forget the reason for this wonderful holiday.  He is Risen!

Gretchen

Oops!  I knew my table looked a litte bare.  I forgot to add my lace chargers!  OK, it looks better now.