Roses and Team Work

Hello Everyone:


Yesterday was a busy day at the Cottage.  Jerry and I have been married for 52 years and throughout all that time we have made a pretty good team.  Give or take a few times!!


So I decided that we should put our heads, and backs, together and get one more room in the Cottage spruced up for Spring.  He did not disagree with me, and it worked out just fine.


This is our sitting aka family room.  Calling it a sitting room seems more in character, more Victorian, don't you agree?  Since we spend the majority of our time in this room it is not as fancy, or shall we say cluttered, as the other rooms in the Cottage.  First of all there is a giant TV set there with no way to hide it, so why try to make it something it's not. Our sofas are comfortable, not prissy, like the one in the front parlour (which you will see some other time) and this is where Buddy is most comfortable, so you may (will) occasionally see a stray dog hair from time to time.


Enough of this idle chatter.  Let's get on with it:

Jerry's comfortable chair

This sofa is really one part of a sectional but we mismeasured and put together it was too large for the space so we separated it as you will see below.

I apologize for the quality of the pictures today but we had some sunshine (which we aren't used to yet) so they are a bit washed out. Still cold enough for a fire though.

Here is that large TV I mentioned and that large dog.  Two biggies for the price of one!

This was the bottom part of my great-grandmother's sewing basket.  I don't know whatever happened to the top, but I sure wish I had it.

These are family pictures.  The largest is my great-aunt with my dad, the middle is Jerry as a little boy and the one in front is my aunt, my father's sister.

This is my small collection of Crown Ducal in the pattern Bristol.

I've had this print for many years. I didn't buy it for the frame, the cottage, or the pleasant setting.  I bought it for the water stain on it because it looked, to me, like smoke coming from the chimney of a warm and friendly little cottage. Doesn't take much to make me happy!

I just love these two little shots in their sweet frames.  The top one is me and the bottom is my dad.

Now, you may remember, the word 'roses' was mentioned in the post title.

After we were through rearranging and cleaning  Jerry disappeared for awhile and when he returned he brought a beautiful bouquet of pink roses with him .  He said it was a spur of the moment idea, but in all truthfulness, he does things like this quite often.  That is why he will be known from here on out as the Captain of the Team or, in short, "The Captain".

Aren't they exquisite? And they smell divine.

So we hope your day is filled with all good things and take a little time to smell the roses.

Happy Thursday...

Judy, Buddy and the Captain

HomeGoods Weekend

Hi everyone:


Hope you are having a good weekend so far.  I sure am.  My darling husband announced to me this morning that he and Buddy had a surprise for me.  A shopping trip to HomeGoods.


  This was one of the sweetest things he could do for me, because I love shopping HomeGoods but it also is a 60 mile trip both ways so it is very special.


Here are the treasures that I found:

An obelisk to put into one of 4 planters that will divide the walkway in the Secret Garden.

This beautiful vase planter is the same color as the

cushions on the wicker settee that is in the Gazebo in the Secret Garden.

And this sweet little tabletop bird bath with the bird cage.  There is a little bird at the very top.  This may go onto a table in the Secret Garden, or it may stay on my dining room table.   Time will tell.

Here is a picture that has nothing to do with HomeGoods, but I did pick it up at the thrift store yesterday and just loved his little face so wanted to show him to you.

Isn't he just the cutest little thing?

Well, so ends Saturday and it was blissful.

The burning question is: What and Where is the Secret Garden?

IT'S A SECRET!!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend..Judy

P.S. Now he just tells me that we are going to IHOP for a piece of pie.

Can it get any better??!!

.

Now....The Rest of the Story

Good Afternoon Everyone...


I sent out, this morning, my First Day of Spring Story showing all the wonders of this beautiful season but, in reality, I should have sent you this one.  It seems like Mother Nature has other plans for the foothills at this time.  I know she hasn't forgotten us but, I think, she is just dallying along the path and will arrive in her own sweet time.

It is said that good things come to those who wait, so, Mother Nature, I am waiting..and..waiting..and..waiting!


There are some of us that don't mind the wait and are enjoying  a good roll in the snow.


And, still, Happy Spring Day...Now, you know the rest of the story..Judy

Spring Is Here!!

Happy, Happy Day Everyone:

                                                  Surprise....


Close your eyes
And do not peek
And I'll rub Spring
Across your cheek.


Soft as velvet
Smooth and sleek
Close your eyes
And do not peek.
                            Anonymous

                                            Spring...


Spring makes the world a happy place
You see a smile on every face
Flowers come out and birds arrive
Oh, isn't it grand to be alive?
                                     Anonymous

                                            Daffodils....


I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills
When all at once I saw a crowd
A host, of golden daffodils.
                                William Wordsworth

Happy First Day of Spring Everyone.


It's Finally Here!!.........Judy

P.S.  Many thanks to Michelle from Sweet Something Designs for the door basket idea.

                                            























                               






                 

Dining at the Cottage

Good Evening Everyone:


Before I offer you an invitation to dine,  how do you like the new look?  The 'old girl' has spruced herself up a bit.  Let me tell you it wasn't easy, she is pretty set in her ways, and these new-fangled ideas aren't easy for her to understand, but she put on her big-girl petticoats and forged ahead.


Meanwhile, I have been hard at work sprucing up the dining room.  I finally finished and now I hope you will join us for dinner at the Cottage.

First Daffodil Day!

Hello Everyone:


Here is a little pre-spring greeting from GoldCountryCottage:

Have a great First Daffodil Day.

Enjoy your week....Judy

Our Blessings....Our Family

Jerry and I are fortunate to have many blessings in our lives but none of them are more important than our family.


I would like you to meet them, so come on in, get comfortable and I will make the introductions:

This is our beautiful daughter, Tami.


She is a kind and caring daughter; a good and generous friend; a loving wife; and an exceptional woman.

This is her handsome husband, Tim.


He is hardworking; a loving husband and a good provider; a role model; my technical advisor; and a darn good cook.


They are a loving couple and a good match for each other, but there is something you don't know about them.


Tami is a nine year breast cancer survivor and Tim survived a heart attack.


They are now healthy, strong and happy and are the most wonderful parents to their son, the light of our lives, our grandson, Jacob.

They share their home with:

Two cats:  Brother and Sister

 One dog:  Cruzer (middle)
with his BFF's Lily and Buddy






And an occasional chihuahua.  Tami volunteers at her local animal shelter.

Jake is 18 years old, a senior in high school and a good student.


He is kind and caring; soft spoken like his dad; has a lot of good friends and has the sweetest smile.


He has a job and a sweet girlfriend.  He is saving his money up for his first car.  He was accepted into San Jose State but thinks he will attend the local junior college for the first year or so.  He plans to study in the field of criminal justice.


  












Jake and Jacinda

          

                                                                           










                       Jake and Grandma    

Grandpa and Jake...
















          Then.....

     .......and Now

When Jake was small we planted a garden for him.  I wanted to share with him what my grandmother taught me.  Words like tiger lillies, forget-me-nots, and bachelor buttons.  We made two scarecrows, and he and I went to the thrift shop to buy clothes for them.

I think Jake is an awesome young man, but to this day, I have to say, that I don't think he knows the difference between a rose and a pansy, but I remember him saying, "You sure know a lot of flower names", so I hope, at that point in time at least, he thought I was pretty awesome too!

                               WOW!! Where did that time go?


This is also a tribute to our son, Brent.  We lost him eleven years ago this coming April.

He was a kind and good young man, a free spirit.  He never met anyone that wasn't a friend and he never failed to make us laugh.  We miss him every day and he will always live in our hearts.  We feel blessed to have had our time with him.

I'd like to thank everyone who follows me and those that just like to peek in from time to time.  You are all welcome anytime.  The Cottage door is always open.

I hope your life is filled with the best of blessings....Judy