HAPPY MAY DAY

Hello Everyone:

"May Day came, and of course they made baskets,

And filled the baskets with spring flowers from the chilly snow-patched hills,

And hung them on people's door knobs; and rang the bells and ran away."

Maude Hart Lovelace from "Betsy-Tacy and Tib"

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I am moving the date for the give away drawing up to May 7.  I had forgotten that Mother's Day was on the date that I previously set for the drawing and we will be gone from the Cottage, and away from the computer, on that weekend.

So if you haven't signed up as a follower or left a comment, please do so by May 6, so you don't miss out on that sweet little bird and the linen.

Happy May Day to each of you....Judy

MORE LILACS AND A GREAT GIVE-AWAY-=- NOT MINE!

Good Sunday Morning, Everyone:




It's a beautiful sunny day in the foothills and the lilacs are in full bloom and calling my name.  They are so lovely and I wanted to share with you a little bit of Sunday morning sweetness.

I also wanted to share with you a wonderful give away from my friend, Courtney, over at

www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com

If you don't already follow Courtney, you will want to pay her a visit and do so now.

She is giving away a great gift from Lowe's.

Not only will you have a chance to win something really nice, you will become acquainted with Courtney, and her beautiful cottage, and you will not regret it.

Happy Sunday to you all....Judy

A CAR FOR A COTTAGE

Happy Saturday, Everyone:




Every year in Grass Valley, the local classic car club, The Roamin' Angels, sponsors a classic car show.

The streets around town are closed down, booths are set up in parking lots, and the beautiful cars are lined all up and down the streets.  All kinds of food is served, merchandise for most types of cars is available, and it is just a carnival atmosphere.  People come from all over to show the work and the pride that they put into their vehicles.

Now, this is the Captain's thing.  Since he is so good to go with me, when I drag him around  on my beloved home tours, the least I could do was accompany him when he asked me. Besides I thought it would make for some interesting photography.  

We are lucky that it is within walking distance of the Cottage because the parking downtown was non-existant. Of course Mr. Buddy was quite peeved with us as there are no dogs allowed.

Here is a collection of some of the cars that were being shown. You would think, by my photos, that there were mainly red cars there, but not so. For some reason they just caught my eye. It was hard to get many good pictures as there were so many people milling about.

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Now on to the moral of my story. The title of this post is A CAR FOR A COTTAGE. This is the subject of that title:

This is a 1956 Chevrolet Nomad. We owned this car for 7 years and we had more fun than you can imagine with it. We went to numerous car shows where we won many awards in different categories.  When we purchased it there had been extensive work done on it. It had been repainted the original color and the interior was all put back as the original was, but the engine had been modified. It is the first 'antique' that we ever bought that wasn't a basket case. We had to do absolutely nothing to it except have fun!  It was beautiful, hot, fast and loud. And when we drove it, it gave  new meaning to the words, Jukebox on Wheels.

Our home town, Santa Cruz, had a large car show every year called Beach Street Revival..Cars came from all over to participate. We had poker runs, scavanger hunts and on Saturday night the festivities ended with a dance at the Coconut Grove down by the beach.

So we donned our outfits that transported us back in the day and we had a good time, always.

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But times change, and people change. Our kids grew up and were out on their own and we decided that we wanted to try something different, and when we finally settled on Grass Valley, and a little blue Victorian Cottage, the beautiful Chevy Nomad did us proud once more and became the means of how we were able to fulfill our new dream.

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So that's the story of how the love of a car  turned into the love of a Cottage...and they all lived happily ever after.

Happy Weekend....Judy

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While I have your rapt attention, please go over to my friend, Courtney's, blog:

www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com

She has the most beautiful blog, you will love her and her cottage, and she has a wonderful  give-away from Lowe's...You will be happy you visited her.

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Can You Smell It?....

The minute I walk into the room it surrounds me. I haven't even seen it yet but I  know it's there. The most beautiful aroma in the world. It fills my dreams and, now, my waking hours.

Lilacs

You are the smell of all summers,

The love of wives and children,

You are brighter than apples,

Sweeter than tulips.

Amy Lowell

The first lilac bloom in the spring garden.

Happy Weekend....Judy

The Liebster Award

Hi Everyone:






Well, here I am again.  Three times this week, and I couldn't be more proud and excited.


Proud, because I was chosen by Betsy at Betsy's Wildwood Home as the recipient of the Leibster Award.  This is an award that honors the blogs that you enjoy reading and that has under 200 followers.

Excited, because I get to acknowledge more of you that I enjoy so much.


Here are my nominees and friends:


1.  Val at www.val'salentejo.blogspot.com


2.  DeeDee at www.ddzine.blogspot.com


3.  Becky at www.the yellowbuttercup.blogspot.com


4.  Amy Jo at www.sunnyskiesandsweettea.blogspot.com


5.  Carlene at www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com 


Please pass this award on to 5 of your favorite bloggers.


Let the recipients know, and save this "Leibster Award" badge to your computer - then add to gadget/picture.


Now, if you take notice, I was able to get the award thingy on my blog.  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!
Hope I can do it again, and I also added the Sunshine Award now, so if those of you who received it yesterday, would like to get it on your blog, now you may do so.

Here is a beautiful, sweet smelling bouquet for everyone that I couldn't nominate. I hope you know how special each and everyone of you are to me.

Thank you again, Betsy, I appreciate it so much.

Happy Thursday....Judy

      

The Beautiful Sunshine Award

Hello Everyone:


I just finished writing a post today and soon as I published it, I got the sweetest message from my friend, Thea at www.heartsandbluebells.blogspot.com

She has bestowed upon me the Sunshine Award and I am so honored to accept it and send it on.


This came at a really good time for me today, as I was feeling a little down because someone misunderstood something I said and it made me very sad. But that is water under the bridge now, and like I said in one of my posts, "Quit Whining and Get On With It."


Before I do get on with it though, I have told you repeatedly that I am very technically challanged and that has never been more apparent than now.  I tried to download the beautiful sunflower that Thea passed on to me, but no luck. If it weren't for my good friend Gloria, at www.happytobe.blogspot.com, just yesterday showing me how to link up, I wouldn't even be able to go this far.


l.  Favorite Color:  Pink with blue a close second. Since my daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, I've come to really love pink.


2.  Favorite Animal:  I have to put dogs at the top of my list with apologies to my beautiful little puss, Maggie. I love you too.


3.  Favorite Number: 153 which is the address of the Cottage.


4.  Favorite non-alcholic drink:  A virgin margarita.


5.  Facebook or Twitter: I have never done either one. I am addicted to blogging!


6.  What's your passion: I have to put three: Decorating, watching TV and my husband, but not necessarily in that order.


7.  Giving or Receiving: I love to give but I'm not the least bit unhappy about receiving either.


8.  Favorite Pattern: I love lace and florals.


9.  Favorite day of the week:  It's always Saturday. I still can't get the hang of being retired.


10. Favorite Flower: I can't even tell you how much I love Lilacs.




These are my five very special friends that I would like to nominate. There really are so many that brighten my day, but I have to follow the rules:


l.  Maura at www.lilaclanecottage.blogspot.com


2.  Barbara at www.21rosemarylane.blogspot.com


3.  Marina at www.evelynmay.blogspot.com


4.  Jacqueline at www.cabinandcottage.blogspot.com


5.  Gloria at www.happytobe.blogspot.com




Just answer the questions above, pick 5 of your rays of sunshine notify them that they are special to you and download the beautiful sunflower at Thea's blog: www.heartsandbluebells.blogspot.com


Or you may download mine (don't know if it's legal or not) if you would so desire.

Thank you so much Thea for thinking of me.

Happy Wednesday..Judy

  

Have You Heard The One About The Money In The Mattress?....

Or the one about the pasta in the parlor?...


Or the one about the breadboard in the bedroom?...




Hello Everyone:


This really isn't an update.


I suppose it could be called progress...but whether forwards or backwards, I guess it depends on whose looking at it.

The cupboard drawers and doors are being stripped of their hardware and the Captain has a friend with an auto body shop who is going to spray them for a reasonable price. This will save a lot of hardship on the Captain's well being, if not so much on his bank account.

Remember that pretty table all clean and proper and set for Easter dinner?

This is our parlor.  You haven't seen it yet because I never got to the rest of the spring cleaning....But, hey, we have no skeletons in the closet!

There have been a few mishaps along the way...

Just happened to be my favorite, and the most expensive one I have, come to think of it.

This plastic sheeting was over the doorway to keep the dust from going into the rest of the Cottage...Do you think he looks guilty?

The poor Captain with his battle scars.

And, oh yeah, our guest bedroom:

The two most dreaded words in the English language.....

"Company's Coming"

Oh, well, it must be 5 o'clock somewhere!

Hope you are having a wonderful week..Judy

An Apology...And a Give Away

Good Evening Everyone:


The purpose of this post is to kill two birds with one stone, as the saying goes.

Not literally! I could never even think of doing anything like that to these cute little critters.  They look to be in too much misery as it is.  They must be so cold in that puddle.  Besides, there are three of them!

I have tried never to forget to thank anyone who has left me a comment on my blog.  However, I post those heart felt thanks right under your comments and, probably, you don't even know they are there.

How many times do I leave a comment for someone and then keep going back to look at it again?  Mostly, never, and I know that I have more time on my hands than most of you with jobs and families to take care of.  Therefore, from now on, I will be leaving my thank you's on your e-mail but if, for some reason, I can't get through to you, I will still post it under your comments.  I apologize, profusely, that it has taken me so long to figure this out.

I saw an interview once with author, Joanna Trollope.  I took one of her life mottos as my own. I had it above my work station, before I retired, and would always refer to it when I found myself a little unsatisfied with what was going on around me.  "Quit whining and get on with it."  It served me well for many years and, once again, I'm taking it out and dusting it off.  So as it says, I will quit whining and get on with it.

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I have hit the 50 mark.  Not in age, that ship sailed quite some time ago, but in followers. It is so exciting to me and I want to do a little something to thank each and everyone of you.  I appreciate all your kind and sweet words and the interest that you all show in the content of my ramblings.

So to commemorate the moment, I'm going to have a give away.  I wish I could give to everyone of you but, sadly, that is not possible, but know that whoever gets this gift will have to share it with everyone else in spirit.

Here is what I have for you:

I was so tickled when I saw this little treasure in one of my favorite shops, Country Living, in Amador City, California.  I thought any number of little trinkets could find a home in it's soft green leaf.  The little guest towel, with cut work, is one I have had in my collection for some time.  I thought they looked sweet together. In fact, I loved it so much that, you'll never guess, I had to have one for myself.

I don't think I am going to put anything in mine.  He will just sit on my porch for everyone to admire.

Here are the simple rules for the give away:

You need to be a follower of GoldCountryCottage.

You will need to leave a comment on any one of my posts between tonight and Saturday, May 12.

I will draw a name on Sunday, May 13 and notify the winner in a post on that date.

You will then have to send me your snail mail address.

And the little birdie will fly to you when I receive it.

Come in the evening, or come in the morning;

Come when you're look'd for, or

Come without warning.

Kisses and welcome you'll find before you,

And the oftener you come here the more I'll adore you!

      Thomas Osborne Davis

You are all welcome here at GoldCountryCottage.  I truly love hearing from you and whether you are a follower, a message bearer, or just someone who likes to come in, sit a spell, and take in the goings on, you will always be greeted with a smile and a warm feeling.  I adore meeting all of you.

Good luck and thank you all....Judy

      

Kitchen Update #3

Good Morning:




We are moving right along so far. This is what is happening right now, or what has happened.

This is the first removal load of tile.

A memory refresher of what the old girl looked like with her clothes on.  

This is what she looks like naked.

This is the final pile of tile.

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Doesn't every woman need a new wardrobe once in awhile?

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We haven't heard anything yet about the time frame for installing the new countertops, but we still have the ceiling to paint before that happens anyway.

In the mean time here is a pile of pretty little linens that I got at my next door neighbor's garage sale. They just came out of the washer and are awaiting ironing.

Because the sale is so close, I can just keep going back and back to see if there are any more bargains!! Wish me luck!

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Also, I received the Edwardian doll house this morning that I had ordered from Amazon.  It's so cute and also has the little family cut-outs included. Now, what will I do with it?

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Hope the weekend is a good one...Judy

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