Homemaking Mondays: Cottagecore in the Home

 

Hello!
I pray you are enjoying your day.

It is damp, cold, and rainy here.

The clouds are low

and are backlighting the glowing trees.

I love this time of year because it still feels so bright

outside even with the dreary days.

Once the trees have shed their leaves

covering up the little critters that hibernate

and change the look of the forest once again.

Soon the colour will change to browns and muted greens

that is until the snow comes. 

I've been seeing a lot about cottage core design

around as of late.

It's always something I've enjoyed and have pondered

how it has come into my home.

I love the ideals behind the aesthetic.  

It makes spaces cozy, inviting, lived in, and welcoming.

It comes in so many different ways which 

brings in the uniqueness of each home and family.

I love how brings together those things that are older

and newer in a delightful melody. 

To have nature mixed in with the plants and flowers

at times birds and other animals (real and depicted). 

In the kitchen I love to have items 

I use all the time out on display 

where they are easily accessible and pretty.

To fill window spaces with plants and flowers.

Then I also love layering baskets 

just because I think it's pretty.

The view from the kitchen window 

is one of my favourite ones.

To be blessed to watch each day change

as I go about homemaking.

Below the fog is just lifting from the lake

as the sun comes up.

The frost is glistening on the far shore.

The light will spread it's way through the trees 

and the little animals will be scurrying about

more as it warms.

I love the way that with cottage core

it is a natural collection of 

this and that.

Beauty and functionality.

Toss in some candles

an old wooden tray that is re-painted

and some leaves and acorns from a dear friend.

I painted this old frame and added some pretty paper 

to it and it brightens that space. 

I love plants.

I'm sure you've gathered that about me.

I love to spread out the plants here and there.

Close to windows and bright spots.

It's good for the air quality

and the variety brings interest to the home.

I like to add doilies to little tables

and spaces.

For beauty and to protect surfaces.

I have come to love birds indoors

and like to have them tucked in here

and there among things.

This sweet bird below I found at the free store.

Neglected and tossed on the ground.

It needed to come home and hide in some greenery.

I love how the cottage core lends towards the natural.

I recently obtained these new cleaning tools.

They are so nice to use and I think they look

much nicer then the plastic ones I used to have. 

I love how they will also last much longer.

As with much of this look 

I feel that it creates a love for older things.

Items that still have much use left in them that have

often been set aside or discarded by others

in favour of newer things.

To be able to pull out things to continue to be useful 

and cherished is something I enjoy.

It is a look, or more so a lifestyle that cherishes

the simple things and joys in our lives.

Even though it's not a minimalistic look

it is a look that incorporates usefulness and beauty together.

It makes me want to put the kettle on and brew a cup of tea.

To sit and snuggle under a homemade blanket

watching the light change in the room as time passes. 

Perhaps with a book you love or a knitting project on the go.

To be slow and intentional.

To be able to take notice in all that God has created 

and enabled you to have.

The items are not to clutter your life

but to be of use to you.

Importantly... monetary cost is not to be considered.

Items that are free or minimal have the same value as those

that may cost much more.

Each home has a look that suits them

and I think I have found many cottage core 

choices in my home. 

Items that have come naturally into our space

that we share.

A look that I didn't go looking for

but one that has just come about over the years.

Perhaps it is time for a cup of tea. 

Thank you so much for dropping by 

to listen to my ramblings.

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Do You See What Is Around You?

 

Hello! 
I hope you are enjoying the lovely fall 

that is either full on

or just sharing glimpses of what is to come.

Here the colours are exploding 

the frost and fog over the lake is amazing.

It creates such a lovely scene that beacons

one to venture outside.

Fall is for me the best season.

I came across this quote 

by a writer I have heard of.

I don't usually share quotes by people

although this to me rang true.

To just walk somewhere to get where

you are going

isn't the best way to walk.

To be able to take in what is around you

to smell the scents wafting on the breeze

and feel the breeze or the mist rising around the lake.

To be very much understanding that 

the Lord Jesus has created all this.

To come in it's season.

Walking is a wonderful way to spend time.

Being out in the yard

doing odd chores

to notice the beautiful colour

of the rose bushes that have turned

from yellows and oranges to reds.

Just like the lovely scrub birch.

I actually cut some scrub birch branches 

tucked them into a vase in my room to enjoy

some of that colour indoors.

Summer flowers have faded 

and have been replaced by fall's grandeur. 

I took this picture out on the road the other day.

My son was driving...yes another driver in the family.

The low clouds are a delight to me 

as many of you know I love clouds.

Here in the mountains the beauty

of the layers of clouds that at times are so low

that you drive down into them in the valleys

delights me. 

Simple things in nature that perhaps we 

overlook in our focus to be somewhere else.

Here in the home there are always tasks

that we rush through just to get them done.

Perhaps we should consider our homes like the places we walk.

We should think of the the things we see, smell, and taste.

Are we actually observant to what is in our homes?

Do we actually see those little details that beckon us to care for?

Just even the scent of our cleaner as we wipe up messes. 

The feel of the fabric as we fold our laundry.

The way the light glints off a mirror.

Those are my thoughts today.

I hope you have a wonderful day 

keeping your home!

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Gleanings

 

Hello!
It's a beautiful fall day here

and the sun is shining.

It's crisp and cool

and the colours are changing quickly 

in the trees and undergrowth.

The garden flowers are now coming indoors

as we enjoy the last little touches of summer.

Above are some flowers that I gleaned from the

community garden before the frosts killed them.

Lavatera and cosmos

are such cheerful flowers.

I now have another lovely bouquet of them 

on my kitchen table.

This harvest season is a season for gleaning.

Just as Ruth and Naomi 

gleaned in the fields to provide for their needs

so can we glean from what the Lord has provided

around where we live.

Our family is blessed to be a part of our 

community garden and we've had the blessing 

of some fresh produce.

Yesterday the community harvested the potatoes

so there are some in our pantry now.

There is also the forest around us 

that has extra food that we can glean/ forage.

I have already harvested a bunch of rose hips

and as the cranberries ripen enough I'll be picking some of those.

My father mentioned that he and my mother 

were able to glean some apples from a tree

that no one wanted and were able to make applesauce with them.

Do you have those kinds of opportunities where you are?

Sometimes it just takes asking.  

With school starting

my son moved the one desk from the living room 

into his bedroom to do his lessons.

Teenagers do enjoy their own personal space.

So into it's old place I moved my yarn stash.

It's now more accessible

so I hope it will prompt me to do more.

I have been looking for sales on yarn 

which a great way to build up 

a stash so that it's ready to go if needed.

I was asked by a lovely lady to create 

a baby boy blanket for her.  

I went on Pinterest to look at ideas 

and this one jumped out at me. 

It's Cloudburst by LeeLee knits.

I had navy/white/ & flannel yarn for the colours.

So nice to grab the yarn from the stash 

and get started right away.

With the forest gleanings I have made is

this lovely bunch of rose hips.

They will go into jam with some cranberries.

I have already dried some for tea for the winter.

Sometimes I find myself just taking a basket with me into the woods

just to see what I can find.

How about you? 

Do you enjoy gleaning for your family?

If so what are some things that you have found?

I pray you have a blessed day.

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Do You Have Lists?

 

Hello!
How is your day?

As September begins 

so does a lot of things.

There was snow on the mountain this week 

as the temps dropped and the rain came.

The leaves are changing and the frosts

are starting to leave lovely patterns 

for us in the mornings.

I had my birthday a couple days ago

and was gifted some thoughtful gifts.

Some new oven mitts as mine are getting thin.

They're beautiful blue and white to match my kitchen.

Some lovely smelling soap,

and a beautiful new pad for my grocery lists.

If you know me, you know I'm a list person.

So this new pad will be delightful to use.

Are you familiar with Wrendale designs?

It is one of my favourite companies

with their delightful array of birds and animals.

With fall comes new jobs.

I cleaned out the sunroom 

of all the sand of summer and put things

back in their place.

I brought in some of the flowers 

to keep them out of the frosts

for a little while longer.

I also brought some mint 

that will go into some nice 

cups of tea.

As I was moving the flowers

I noticed that the chamomile had a few more blossoms.

So I think this is the last of them for the season. 

I have just placed them in this pretty dish

to dry for tea.

This morning I am having a lovely blend of

chamomile, calendula, peppermint, & fireweed green

tea with cream.

I'm getting more used to tea that is unsweetened.

A new carnivore meal that I made is

meat pizza.

I spread a thin layer of hamburger

covered with diced pepperoni

and topped with some grated marble cheese.

It was delicious and I am thinking 

of all the variations we could make.

It will be a good meal to use up leftover meat.

My husband took me on another 

lovely day trip.

We took our new to us camper truck.

We drove out to this amazing lake and stopped 

at the campground there for a meal and a nap.

There was a sweet little pathway from the campsite to the lake.

I just love the mountain views 

that you can see from the road.

The peaceful sound of the waves on the 

rocky shore made me want to 

stay there for hours.

What have you been up to as fall 

has been coming around?

I hope you have a beautiful day 

keeping your home! 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Fresh Air Through My Kitchen Window

 

Hello!

I stood at my kitchen window

and breathed in a deep breath of fresh air.

The breeze was blowing in through

the kitchen window 

bringing with it the cool scents of the forest.

The smell of the lake

and the seasons changing greenery.

Have you smelled the forest

and noticed those subtle changes in the trees?
The frost have started here 

and nature is preparing for fall to come.

Some blankets are drying on the line

and make me smile to see them fluttering

in the breeze.

It's time to start freshening up the bedding

before it's too cold to do so. 

Well...not impossible

but it's a lot more work

to dry and freshen things on the line

when the weather is cold.

I was out for a drive with my husband 

and we were noticing how the trees 

are beginning to change into

the cheerful fall colours.

Soon there will be leaves on the breeze.

This week I made some salmon patties with 

leftover salmon. 

I added some parmesan / marble cheese

along with a couple eggs.

They fried up nice and crispy and delicious.

I love how you can make these with any meat

so it can use up leftovers well.

Even though I'm not eating bread 

at this time,

my family still enjoys fresh bread.

I still love having the grain mill

to make fresh flour

and the little bowl I found is the 

perfect size for the amount of flour I need.

Interesting how this simple tool brings me 

such satisfaction.

What are some of your favourite tools

in your kitchen?

As gardening comes to an end

in my neck of the woods

the root veggies are being pulled.

True you can leave them in the ground

much longer.

Although I'm not a fan of pulling them 

with freezing fingers.

Below are the last of our carrots.

My husband took me on a nice 

day trip adventure this week 

back into the mountains.

It was such a beautiful day!

Following the good news of us being about to stay here,

I've begun unpacking. 

Not everything but just those things

that I know we shall be using through 

the winter months. 

My bookshelves are ready 

and so is my sewing/ craft room. 

My husband bought me a new ironing board

as mine was failing.

So I have a nice new surface to iron up 

fabric that I need for sewing.

There is excitement to delve into

some new projects.

I have plans for aprons and perhaps a quilt.

It's amazing how unpacking 

these things back into the same space

has made it feel all fresh and new.

I hope you are enjoying

your homemaking day.

Perhaps there is some fresh

new excitement to 

create something new for your home? 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: End of Season Delights

 

Hello! 
How have your days been going? 

Some say that summer days are slow

but I find that they go by so quickly. 

Short burst of heat surrounded by clouds and rain.

Then amazing growth followed by quick harvests and 

clouds of mosquitos and black flies. 

Some do not like the wind...but it makes being outside nice.

My garden is finishing up.

I pulled the beats, garlic, carrots, tomatoes, and greens.

Above is the sweet Candy Cane beet variety 

along with the mini carrots that are best eaten just this way.

Another aspect of the garden that is coming to a close are the flowers.

The tea garden flowers are about done and the harvests

have been stored. 

There is still quite a bit more mint that will hang around for a bit 

in the cooler weather.

My old neighbour gifted me some amazing honey from his hives.

I'm not really eating honey or sugar now...but a little snitch 

doesn't hurt too much. 

I've been bringing in flowers from the garden to enjoy on the 

kitchen windowsill. 

Snapdragons are nice and hearty

and will still keep blooming through the early frosts.

This year I let my dill go to seed for the first time. 

It is interesting to see how it has changed.

I shall be saving the seeds for fridge pickles.

See Judith ---- the pink lupin has bloomed!!

It is a beautiful addition to the flowers at the front step.

The blooms are so pretty and are lasting so long!

Now the fresh herbs are about finished for the summer as well.

It's been nice to have them to season foods and soups.

A lovely aspect of summer!

Good news is that the person that has bought the house

we are living in wants us to stay for the winter.

So....we aren't moving, just yet. 

The Lord is good and we can relax and prepare for winter.

My girls are settled into their new home 

and it was a joy to be able to visit them and have them host me.

Thanks for dropping by! 
I hope you have a lovely day keeping your home!

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Some Time Away With Family

 

Hello! 
It's been awhile since I posted.

I have been enjoying some time away from home.

My husband and sons and I went to visit some family.

It was a beautiful trip and even with a lot of rain

the clouds and bright sun in between 

gave us moments of pause.

God's immensely beautiful creation

was all around us. 

We drove for many hours but in between

there were a few times where I could take some pictures.

Little pockets along the highway where 

there were lookouts to enjoy.

We got to visit with my family which we haven't seen 

in quite some time altogether.  

It was great to re-connect as we played, explored and of course ate.

Although my sister-in-law plainly put it that it was the

healthiest family reunion she'd ever been to.  

Many of us were watching our sugar so there were less treats.

My brother cooked a lot of the meat on his smoker

and now my  husband will be looking for one for us. 

Dan and I had our 27th wedding anniversary

while we were there 

and we got a picture together down by the river.

Along our travels we saw lots of wildlife

amongst those were plenty of bison grazing by the highway.

I adore clouds and the immense clouds that we saw

all through our trip were delightful! 

I've got lots of pictures of clouds...

although I'm sure you wouldn't want to see them all. 

My brother took us to see a fossil wall 

up the side of one of the mountains.

It was incredible how many shells there were all 

grouped together in multiple layers that were 

a few feet deep and many feet long.

From there the bunch of us hiked up to the power lines.

They are so huge and you could hear the 

heavy buzz from them when you were close or under them.

Lovely view from up there.

We spent lots of time down by the river as well.

We went swimming, floating, and just enjoyed 

collecting ahem...many rocks.

It was hard to go barefoot here so we just 

used our runners to make our way through 

the crossings and swimming times.

The water was kinda frigid like Yukon lakes

so coming out into the bright sunshine was so nice.

I got a bit sunburnt even with sunscreen the sun was so intense.

The one lake we stopped at on our trip 

the boys and I hung out on the dock 

while Dan rested.

The day was hot and the water 

was very refreshing...and numbing. 

Good to take care of the itch of black fly bites.

The view from the dock was lovely 

and I could have stayed much longer then we had time for.

Some people love the prairies

but I find the mountains 

keep my heart.

We came home and the next day we helped our 

girls move out to their own place.  

Then as soon as possible the boys

moved into their old rooms.

The boys haven't had their own rooms

since they were infants.
So this will be a new experience for them.

A welcome one I believe. 

I came home to a well cared for garden

thanks to my daughter.

Now fall is starting to stretch it's fingers 

and the garden is beginning to need more tending to.

I've harvested some of our garlic and it's delicious!

I'll be pulling some old plants and pulling out the frost blankets 

to keep the rest cozy on cold nights.

The frosts are coming.

 Thank you for dropping by!
I hope your days of homemaking are pleasant

and fulfilling. 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Spread Your Wings

 

Hello!
I hope you are enjoying your day.

It's another lovely summer day here

beginning cool and warming to uncomfortable temps.

It's nothing like the southern people get

but the heat is not our usual so we feel out of place

and often hide in the shade. 

Things are changing like the seasons in our home.

Another season in our home is beginning as our daughters

step out on their own.

It's a beautiful time

as we watch them take the lessons learned at home

and apply them to theirs.

There will be flowers in their garden

and homemade items in their kitchen.

Above all the Lord will be the one building their home.

The snapdragons we planted by seed 

in the end of winter indoors have begun to bloom.

They are a lovely late summer flower that

continues into the cool of early winter.

It lives through some tough frosts 

and adds come colour to the yard as the other 

flowers have faded.

I found this delightful little hand basket 

at the free store.

What would you use it for?

Yarn, books, or shopping the farmer's market?

I'm still enjoying bacon for breakfast. 

I saw that if you twist up your bacon 

to bake in the oven you can get a lot more on the pan.

Yup...works and it's fun to eat to. 

The clouds have been just glorious

as of late.

The Lord has been sending rain to our part of the world.

I could sit and watch these clouds for hours.
One thing I love about the mountains 

when you get higher up you can see for miles.

The expanse of the heaven stretching out before you.

One of my fun garden experiments this year

was growing sunrise bumble bee tomatoes.

They are very fun and delicious!

The delphiniums are blooming

but are also starting to wane

just as the fireweed....and that is an indication

that fall is not too far off.

With August up here comes the first frosts

and the burst of fall colour creeping in.

I do love fall

so that is not disappointing to me.

For me I struggle to enjoy change.

As all things change

our families,

our flowers,

our homes,

one thing stays the same.

The Lord's presence in our lives.

In Him I find that stability and comfort.

Even when change is good and beneficial,

I hold to those memories of sameness.

Treasured memories of those things I love.

Thanks for dropping by!

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer