cottagegreenonthelake

Mother’s Day Tablescape and DIY favors

~ Trenda

“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” Abraham Lincoln

Happy Mother’s Day! It has been a beautiful weekend packed with time spent with all of our dear children and grandchildren … and today was a perfect day for a Mother’s Day dinner served outside on the deck! Adding a touch of sweetness and “gracing” our table, I used the DIY place cards and DIY napkin rings (click here for instructions!) that I taught you how to make earlier this week! (:

Crocheted Battenberg lace place mats match the “grid work” of the antique wrought iron chairs. This beautiful table belonged to my grandmother … a cherished gift to me from my mother.

A bright floral napkin ensconces each white napkin edged with Battenberg lace – both are slipped into DIY Spring napkin rings (click here for instructions!) and a matching DIY place card, “reserves” each seat!

I was delighted when I found these charming green bowls on one of our “antique-ing excursions!” The bowls look like little cabbages and for this tablescape, I used them to hold Sweeteners. Carrying out the spring/garden theme and adding some whimsy, I placed some miniature cabbage teapots under a domed pedestal plate.

Crystal glasses are ready to be filled with Southern iced tea and water. The rose blush stemware is a beloved gift from a dear little boy … many Mother’s Days ago ❤

Both tables on the deck are set … the round table holds all the “overflow” serving dishes and is used as a buffet with plenty of chairs and built-in benches to seat everyone. A favorite Villeroy and Boch “Country French” covered dish waits for Homemade Chicken Florentine and Noodle Soup.

Ready for dinner! Look how darling the napkin rings and place cards are!

Now, one more DIY project to show you … I made these sweet little favor boxes to send home with each of our “guests!” If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, you know I love making favors or treat bags for our “get-together’s.

I bought a package of these little boxes at Hobby Lobby on the party aisle where the crepe paper and favor bags are. They are called Gable boxes and they come 12 to a package for only $3.99. (Download the Hobby Lobby App to get 40 percent off on one regular priced, that can be used each time you shop at Hobby Lobby!) Using my Recollection tag die-cutter, I punched out tags from stock card in a variety of Spring colors and stamped them with bird nests, “For You” and a filigree frame (I wrote each guest’s name inside the frame) and used my hole puncher to punch a hole in each colored tag. Then, I filled each favor box with a fine sparkly shredded grass, nestled in some individually wrapped chocolates, tied a ribbon around each box and added a “set” of tags (1 of each … a bird nest tag, a “For You” tag and a filigree frame with the guest’s name on it) and tied them on to the ribbon of each favor.

“FOR YOU” … favor boxes are waiting by the front door to be given with goodbye’s and final hugs; a sweet remembrance of another special day together.

This is the second Mother’s Day my own dear mother has been in heaven; I miss her every day and continually think of her, particularly on this special day. What a blessing it was to be her daughter! Her love, inner strength, joy, contentment and faith in Christ continue to be an inspiration to me. “I’ll love you forever, like you for always, Mom” ❤

” … her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done …” Proverbs 31:28-31

Sending you a bit of our lovely day! Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

I’m delighted you read my blog today! Please click on FOLLOW in the post above or on my site cottagegreenonthelake.com and follow prompts to have all future posts delivered directly to your email address.

Mother’s Day DIY place cards and napkin rings

~ Trenda

“Tra la! It’s May! The lusty month of May!” Vanessa Redgrave sang in the Broadway musical, CAMELOT. The charming but now archaic definition of lusty, according to Merriam-Webster is merry and joyous. Looking out our open screen door to blue skies and hearing the birds joyously “tra-la’ing” as they go merrily about picking up choice “bits and pieces” to line and feather their nests, it is definitely “the lusty month of May!” The month of May is filled with promise, celebrations and events. One of the preparations I enjoy the most before any holiday or get together is getting the table ready and “dressed” for the occasion. Look at these darling place cards I made with matching grapevine napkin rings; perfect for a woodland theme Bridal shower, a Spring Tea Party or Mother’s Day Brunch!

I bought a package of plain white place-cards and my mini grapevine wreaths from Hobby Lobby. Then I took my scalloped die-cut punch and punched along the bottom of the place-card. To decorate each place card I hot glued “a bit” of ivy in the left hand corner of the place-card, placing it so the greenery “peeked” over the top and softened the corner of the card. On each piece of greenery, I glued a single blossom from a silk hydrangea and some tiny pink flower buds. For the final touch and to “blend” the look of the tiny posy … I glued individual pieces of assorted “fillers” I had from making other floral arrangements. ie: tiny ivy leaves, eucalyptus, birch twigs … Then I wrote the name of each of our “guests” on the place-cards.

After I finished all the place cards I needed, I started making my mini-grapevine napkin rings. I used the same technique and materials making these that I used making my place cards, so all would match.

“Tra-la!” (: All done! Time to set the table with all these charming “accroutements!” for an enchanting, Mother’s Day tablescape … pictures on my next blog! (;

“… let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

I’m delighted you read my blog today! Please click on FOLLOW in my post above or on my site cottagegreenonthelake.com and follow prompts to have all my blogs delivered directly to your email address.

“This Land Is Your Land” … Road Trip from Texas, to Mississippi, to Missouri, back to Texas!

~ Trenda

Richard has been asked to speak at a Memorial Service commemorating his dear friend, Bill Seaborn. Bill was killed the day he and Richard were flying together on a rescue mission and their helicopter was hit by AK-47 fire and subsequently crashed into the jungles of Vietnam. Before the scheduled date of the ceremony, we wanted to spend some time getting to know Bill’s family and friends and we also needed to make arrangements and check out accommodations for those in the 240th Helicopter Assault Company that will be attending the ceremony. We were in Mississippi for 3 memorable days, spending time with people that all loved Bill. Everyone was welcoming and gracious and we instantly became friends. Though we are still apprehensive about the actual ceremony (I’m sure I’ll be writing about that after it occurs!) and the heart-stirring tribute commemorating Richard’s dear friend, we are looking forward to seeing all these lovely people, again. Afterwards, we drove from Mississippi to Missouri for a much needed vacation and to spend time visiting with Richard’s family.

Pour yourself a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and look at the stunning pictures I took along our 1,384 mile road trip! As I looked at these pictures I couldn’t help but smile as the remembered words and melody that my great-uncle Woody Guthrie wrote and sang, America’s beloved folk tune “This Land is Your Land” (this proud niece can’t help but boast!) accompanied my viewing. (:

“As I went walking that ribbon of highway I saw above me that endless skyway I saw below me those golden valleys This land was made for you and me …” ~ Woody Guthrie

During the 2 1/2 weeks we were away … storm clouds chased us from state to state!

Spring tulips punctuate the deep green grass …

Old bridge over a Mill pond …

Cheerful Spring greeting …

Cascading waterfalls surrounded by cattails and Redbud Trees.

Stacked rail fence, blossoming Redbud Trees and billowy clouds.

This stunning statue is located at “Top of the Rock” in Ridgedale, Missouri. The Native American sitting on his horse symbolizes the “Trail of Tears” and standing in an Infinity Pool … appears as if the waters of the pool spill, like tears, over into Table Rock Lake, far below.

Beautiful chapel in the afternoon shadows.

Inside the chapel, a breathtaking view of the Cross looking out a wall of windows …

To the scenic Ozark Mountains and Table Rock Lake below.

On another day of travelling, we saw a total of 3 rainbows! The first rainbow was a double rainbow and the colors were spectacular! Our 2nd rainbow, the arch was complete and it was the first time I had ever seen where the rainbow touched the ground … no wonder all the folklore and stories of pots of gold! I was so mesmerized, I forgot to even get a picture until it had almost faded away. The shimmery vivid colors and beauty of the bow was enchanting and reminded me once again of God’s promise to Noah.

Lunch at a favorite restaurant with a dear niece on Lake Taneycomo in Branson, Missouri.

After a delicious lunch (which she “sweetly” insisted was her treat! <3) … we took her to “Top of the Rock” (named that because it is located on the highest elevation in Taney County, Missouri) to see the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum and to go to the “Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail” a 2 1/2 mile ride tour driving our own 4-seated golf cart! Along the trail are dramatic rock formations …

Majestic waterfalls … we could feel the spray of the water on our face and arms as Richard maneuvered our golf cart around this curve! (:

Caves …

… and Amish bridges spanning deep ravines.

The gray stone chapel standing regal in the purple and golden twilight reminds me of this quote from Lucy Maud Montgomery “Twilight drops her curtain down, and pins it with a star.”

And finally … back to the Bluebonnets of Texas.

(click here for song!)

“This land is your land, this land is my land

From California to the New York Island

From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf stream waters

This land was made for you and me.” ~ Woody Guthrie

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! I’d love for you to “FOLLOW ME!” (:

Azalea & Spring Flower Trail in Tyler, Texas

~ Trenda

One of our highlights each spring is going to the Azalea & Spring Flower Trails in Tyler, Texas. The brick paved roads on the trail meander through neighborhoods lined with charming and prestigious historic homes and gardens that visitors are “invited” to walk through and are filled with blooming azaleas, Dogwood Trees, tulips, and “all things Spring.” Completing the feeling of “gentler days” and nostalgia, Azalea Belles (young ladies chosen from Tyler’s high schools and home schools) meander around the gardens and greet visitors wearing beautiful antebellum gowns reminiscent of those worn by the Southern Belle’s in the years prior and during the Civil War.

Each spring over 100,000 people come from all over the USA to visit Tyler and the Azalea Trails. Today you can open this “garden gate” and vicariously enjoy a “scroll” through these enchanting gardens. (: All of the pictures I am sharing in my blog today are pictures of people’s homes and their backyards (not parks!) that they so kindly let us “tour” and walk through on the Azalea Trails. The owners of this next home (pictured below) chatted with us and told us that every afternoon they come and sit under this gorgeous wisteria-covered pergola and enjoy a glass of ice cold Dr. Pepper! (:Leatherleaf Mahonia nestled next to Coral Bells ‘Azaleas’ …Charming “greenhouse” among the azaleas … Beautiful blooming White Dogwood Trees shading George L. Taber Azaleas. Stone columns mark the entry to a quaint stone bridge … just the sort-of-bridge that a Troll might live under and 3 Billy Goats would like to trot over! (: A bronze statue of a little girl in overalls with a picking basket stands among the Azaleas and Aucuba …A large jardiniere filled with ivy and a cobble-stoned walkway along lichen covered walls.Al Fresco Dining at it’s best! “Table for 2?” Yes, please!” (:Side courtyard …The perfect spot to read (: … tucked behind a diminutive wrought iron fence, this reader is in “good company” with Angel Wing Begonia, azaleas, and a hedge of boxwood.A charming basket filled with frolicking bunnies … I would love to hang a basket like this from one of our trees!Red tulips are particularly striking against a backdrop of wine-colored Loropetalum.A double hedge of azaleas …Pine trees tower over brilliant azaleas …A little cherub greets visitors as they come into the garden.I hope you enjoyed your stroll along the Azalea Trails today! The last picture I’ve added is a picture of our own Coral Bells ‘Azaleas’ blooming in our front yard at Cottage Green on the Lake! Hope your day is filled with blossom and bird song! (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for spending some time with me today! I love reading your comments and hearing from you! (:

This Way to the Easter Egg Hunt! Plus … DIY “Carrot Cutlery” & “Carrot” Bubble Wand

~ Trenda

“The stars at night are big and bright” ‘we Texans love to sing … look below the Red, Lone Star, your egg should be in sight!’ This is a clue from our Annual “Clan” Easter Egg Hunt that all of our family participates in! Each family member is assigned a particular color of egg and gets a sheet of numbered clues directing them to where their eggs are hidden. The eggs must be “gathered” in the same order that the clues are given. Each “participant’s clue sheet is in different order, so everyone is running to different locations at different times and can only pick up their color of egg. For our littlest ones, I have easier clues and pictures or numbers, marking where their eggs are! The first one to find all their eggs, gets the grand prize and our Family Egg Trophy to take home and display until the following year.

~Holly Pond Hill

Now, for this special Egg Hunt …. our picnic fare and ware has to be as “fun” as the occasion! (: Look at this bunny caddy crate! It looks darling loaded with bright green polka dotted plates, lime colored cutlery wrapped in orange napkins and tied with raffia (to look like carrots!) and tucked into this fun carrot vase, befitting any Bunny Picnic!

For each set of “carrot” tableware … place a green spoon, a green fork, and a green knife on top of an orange paper napkin; roll up so that the cutlery “peeks” out of the top of the napkin, like carrot tops and tie a raffia bow around each set of tableware.

A little whimsy and favor “For you!” … Slender orange bubble wands look like a bunch carrots – especially after I added a bit of gauzy green ribbon and a lime green label to each “carrot top!” To make my tags, I used my Recollections over-sized “punch” die-cutter (I bought mine from Michael’s) and stamped each label with the words “For You.” A little bubble fantasy and favor for each “participant.” (:

The Menu …

Grilled bratwurst
Potato Salad
Mr. McGregor’s Carrot & Celery Sticks served in a dipping cup with Ranch dressing
Peter Rabbit Carrot Cake Cookies w/Cream Cheese Frosting

Our Annual Clan Easter Egg Hunt has become one of our favorite family traditions with shouts of laughter and a special camaraderie and competition between the children and the adults! I love making up the little “sing-song” clues each year -like the sample above (; … that sends everyone scurrying all over the yard, out on the dock, and up the deck stairs looking for their eggs! From the pictures I take while everyone is dashing about, our son makes a video of the whole event complete with music, captions and headlines for everyone which becomes another treasured volume in our set of “family times.” ❤

P. S. I already heard that 2 of our Clan are wearing competition tee-shirts they’ve made in keeping with “the spirit of the day!” (: I can’t wait to see them!

I’d love to hear about some of your family traditions and hope you’re enjoying this glorious season of the year with loved ones and friends!

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

DIY Easter Bunny Treat Bags

Trenda

“Here comes Peter Cottontail, hoppin’ down the bunny trail and I am happily preparing for our little bunny’s that are coming to dye dozens of eggs and … all “us bunny’s” here at Cottage Green are anticipating our Family Easter Egg Treasure Hunt, complete with prizes and a trophy! (: We have been out of town for the last 2 1/2 weeks so this week is going to be especially busy and “filled” with Easter preparations!

These “Big-earred Bunny Bags are so cute and take just a few minutes to make! They are reinforced paper sacks and hold lots of Easter goodies, dyed eggs, jelly beans, cupcakes, Peeps, Chicks, and sugary treats! I bought my treat bags, pink and white gingham ribbon, tissue paper, felt hearts, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes at Michael’s. (Tip: I used my glue gun instead of Elmer’s Glue-All to make my assembly time faster!) Plus, I also used a pair of scissors and a ruler.

Supplies needed:

To begin … adhere a pink felt heart in the center of each bag, for the bunny’s nose. Position and glue 2 googly eyes above each nose. Then, pull out two strands of shredded color paper. Fold both shredded tissue strands in half to make 4 whiskers for each side of the bunny’s nose. Place the 4 whiskers on one side of the heart, where they touch the “heart nose” and glue in place. Repeat process, and glue 4 more whiskers on the other side of the heart nose. Trim whiskers to desired length.

Simple Bow instructions:

Measure and cut a 12″ length of ribbon. Glue ends together to form a loop.
Gather ribbon together in the middle of the circled loop.
Hold tightly with fingers and secure with a pipe cleaner and twist.
Trim the two ends of the pipe cleaner near the “twist” with scissors or wire cutters for a neat presentation.
Cut another length of ribbon, approximately 2″ in length.
Fold ribbon in thirds, lengthwise and glue edges together.
Wrap this short length of ribbon around the pipe cleaner. Glue it on the underneath side of your bow, making sure it covers all of the pipe cleaner.
Glue bow to the top of your Bunny Treat Bag. (Since I have both little boy and little girl “bunny’s” … I made some of my Bunny Treat Bags without hair bows!)

To complete my Bunny Treat Bags I “stuffed” each bag with bunny ears made from gift wrap tissue paper. I cut one sheet of white tissue paper in half and formed a “bunny ear” by grasping the 1/2 sheet of tissue paper in the center. Then, while holding the center portion of the paper in one hand, I ran my other hand up over the tissue, while grasping it lightly to make loose folds. Then, I stuffed my “ear” into the treat bag so that the pointy ends of the tissue were sticking out to resemble a long ear. I repeated the entire process for the 2nd bunny ear, using the other 1/2 of the tissue paper. To form the pink “interior ears” I used my pink or my gingham gift tissue. Again, I cut each piece of gift tissue in half, “fluffed” my tissue and inserted into the bag, in front of the white outer ears. Use your imagination, they do look like Easter bunny ears!(;

Last touch … I “stuck” one more felt heart on the back of my Bunny Treat Bag (I used the same color heart as I used for the bunny’s nose) and placed it near the bottom of the treat bag. Then I glued a little pom pom on the heart to make a fuzzy little bunny tail! (:

Get ready for more fun and festive ideas coming this week ’cause … “hippity, hoppity Easter’s on it’s way!” (;

Today was another glorious Sunday at our church with Richard and I having the added joy of singing with our choir and presenting our Easter cantata Hope Alive In Me by Travis Cottrell. I love every aspect of Easter! The bunnies, the baskets, the eggs … the Cross, the Tomb, and the resurrection of Jesus … The “Hope Alive in Me!” It’s not all about the bunny, Easter is about The Lamb.” ❤

Thank you for spending some time with me today!

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

St. Patrick’s Day … “Wearing of the Green” Lakeside Lunch

written by Trenda

Today was a delightful spring day with the sun intermittently shining and sparkling off the lake or hiding behind dark clouds. The warm breeze pleaded with us to come outside and tempted us with bird song, gentle peals from our wind chimes, and distant rumbles of thunder. We happily acquiesced and I made lunch for us to enjoy out on the deck.

Luncheon Menu … Chicken Salad Cucumber Bites, Crisp Parmesan & Cheddar Crostini, Tomato & Cucumber Salad, Chicken Salad, Spiced Iced Tea, and Chocolate Brownies with Chocolate Chip & Mint Frosting … Yum! (:

To make my Tomato & Cucumber Salad I used a seedless English cucumber. English cucumbers are also known as “seedless” cucumbers and they are longer than the regular garden variety cucumber. Their flavor is milder, the peel is thinner, and they have smaller, less noticeable seeds than their American cousin (; After peeling my English cucumber, I used my favorite kitchen tool from The Pampered Chef which slices cucumber effortlessly into rounds with decorative ridges. I then de-seeded and chopped up a tomato, added sliced red onion, salt and pepper to taste, and Marzetti Classsic Ranch Dressing. I didn’t measure any of the ingredients; I just adjusted the amounts of each ingredient to “our liking” or as a dear uncle would say … “By guess and by golly.” (;

One item I always keep on hand is Italian whole wheat bread loaves. I buy a package of 12 inch loaves in the Bakery Department and then re-wrap each loaf individually in foil and place them in our freezer. I love having these available to pop in the oven to “dress up” a simple meal and they are delicious with soups or to munch on with any salad. To make my recipe for Parmesan & Cheddar Crostini, I take a loaf from the freezer, unwrap it, place it on a chopping board and immediately begin slicing it with a serrated bread knife, “on the diagonal” into thin slices, while it is still frozen. TIP: Slicing bread while it is still frozen makes it easy to slice into precise, even pieces that are not misshapen, which happens when slicing “soft” bread. I only cut as many slices as I think we’ll want from the loaf, then I re-wrap it and place it back in freezer.

Slice bread and place on a baking sheet lined with foil
Brush each piece lightly with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, being careful to cover entire surface.
Sprinkle each slice evenly and lightly with garlic salt and pepper
Add grated Parmesan cheese (enough to cover entire surface and “flavor” bread, but not so much that it “oozes” over the bread, when melted)
Then, add a smaller amount of Cheddar cheese on top for additional flavor “depth” and color.
Sprinkle each slice with a dusting of paprika
Cook in a pre-heated, 325 degree oven until cheese has melted and edges of bread are a deep golden brown.

Parmesan & Cheddar Crostini with Chicken Salad Cucumber Bites

Now, for my delicious and super easy dessert … Chocolate Brownies with Chocolate Chip & Mint Frosting! Make a batch of your favorite brownie recipe from scratch or use a boxed mix, if you prefer. Tip: You will probably have to double your homemade brownie recipe – or use 2 boxes of brownie mix – to fill a 13″x 9″ baking dish. Make brownies according to directions. Place in oven. When brownies are done, take them out of the oven and immediately pour a 12 oz. bag of Nestle’s morsels – or other candy morsels – over the brownies. (I used chocolate chip and mint morsels) After candy has “rested”and softened on warm brownies, use an off-set spatula to spread candy smoothly over the brownies. Let cool completely and slice with a sharp knife.

The candy hardens into a smooth, perfect glaze with no mixing or additional recipe required for frosting! (:

Fitz and Floyd Autumn Harvest Grapes & Leaves Pitcher with matching creamer and sugar bowl …

“Stressed spelled backwards is desserts. Coincidence? I think not!” (: Chocolate Brownies with Chocolate Chip & Mint Frosting look especially festive when presented in shamrock cupcake liners and under a domed spring green pedestal plate.

Desserts under a dome … Chocolate Brownies with Chocolate Chip & Mint Frosting

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Hope your day is colored “in green” and has moments tinged with “shenanigan’s and malarkey!” (;

“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalms 34:8

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for spending some time reading my blog! Please click on the box marked FOLLOW to have each new post I write delivered directly to your e-mail address.

Spring Comes Early to Cedar Creek Lake

~ Trenda

Adorably, lovely Robins, petaled tulip cups, white blossomed splays of Bridal Wreath, deep violet blooms flocking Redbud trees, lovely Hyacinths, Lady Banks Roses spilling over onto our lawn, and delicate white bells of Lily of the Valley. The list I started in my last blog of spring harbingers continues to lengthen as Spring here on Cedar Creek Lake appears to be in full bloom! Would you like to take a tour around our neighborhood and see all the spring beauty? Hop on our golf cart and let’s go! No need for jackets, it’s 80 degrees here, on this last day of February. (:

“Deep violet blooms flocking Redbud trees” … this beautiful tree is our own and drapes over our side gate.

This gorgeous white rosebush, the Lady Banks Rose is seen less often then the variety with yellow roses. My white Lady Banks is a cherished birthday present that Richard gave me a number of years ago and is … “spilling over onto our lawn.”

And one last sighting before we pull out of our driveway … this striking Chinese Fringe Plant or Loropetalum. We have quite a few of these beautiful evergreen bushes in our front and backyard and love the color of their foliage, their fragrance and the color of their fringe-y flowers. Interesting Note: Some of these bushes in their natural habitats … China, Japan, and the Himalayas are over 100 years old and over 35 feet tall!

All right, we’re off! First stop … The Secret Garden. The first time our daughter saw this forgotten garden she was only 9 years old. In excitement she breathlessly told me, “Mommy, I found the Secret Garden!” (: We’ve called it “The Secret Garden” ever since. ❤ These yellow roses rambling over a beautiful wrought iron fence are the more common variety of the Lady Banks Rose … and still reflect the hands that once planted and cared for them.

Gorgeous grape-like clusters of Wisteria dangle from the tangled vines within “The Secret Garden.”

No time to dally, the sun is already beginning it’s descent! Look at this darling little stream surrounded by “Easter grass” and a sprinkling of white wildflowers. It’s just the right size for a Daddy and Mama Mallard Duck we’ve seen paddling about in their own private wading pool! Spring cuteness! (:

I felt like I had been given a gift when I “captured” this shaft of sunlight peeking through the tangle of this thick wild Carolina Jasmine.

Look what I saw as our golf cart whizzed by! Lily of the Valley, also known as Muguet du Bois … one of my favorite little flowers with their dainty cups that look like they came straight from fairyland! I also love this enchanting flower because of the scripture in Song of Solomon 2:1 that says … “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.” Another interesting fact: It is tradition in France on May 1st, May Day, to offer a sprig of Lily-of-the-Valley to loved ones. This tradition was supposed to have begun on May 1st, 1561 when King Charles IX of France was presented with a bunch of Lily-of-the-Valley flowers as a token of luck and prosperity for the coming year. King Charles “took a shine” to this idea and began the custom of presenting Lily-of-the-Valley flowers to the ladies of his court each year on May 1st. (:

Azalea Majestic’s bright magenta buds, blossoms and green foliage contrast beautifully with the texture of the rough landscaping bark.

Last sighting of our spring harbinger’s for the day … wild Carolina Jasmine overgrowing a fence looks beautiful in the golden sunset and under the still bare limbs of February trees.

It’s time to head home. Hope you are enjoying some beautiful weather where you are, even if it is only February! If you are still in the “throes of winter” … I hope these pictures will remind you that Spring is “right around the corner” and soon you will be seeing “adorably lovely Robins” showing off in your own backyard! (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

I’m delighted that you read my blog today! I’d love to hear from you! Please write any comments or questions you may have in the COMMENT section.

Spring Cleaning and Cottage Decorating

by Trenda

For the last two weeks we have been cleaning out landscape beds, training wandering Wisteria along trellises … and raking, raking, raking! With our beautiful shade trees, there are a LOT of leaves! (: This mountain of leaves is just one our many heaps we burned from the gigantic pile of leaves Richard raked up! With all the debris we cleaned up, it’s hard to believe this is just the “remnants” or leftovers, after all our autumn raking! After our day of work, we sat in the twilight and enjoyed watching the last embers glowing … gazing as the last visage of our winter went up in smoke!

Inside the cottage … spring cleaning and decorating continues. (: I love this time of year and bring out my collections of birds and little nests filled with eggs. You can find them perching in unexpected places, peeking out of nooks and crannies, and on tabletop vignette’s.

A Saucer Magnolia swag drapes over the hall tree …

A little nest nestles at the base of this Angel garden statuary …

Down the staircase is a favorite picture … “The Lord is my Shepherd” and a metal vase filled with fragrant eucalyptus and peacock feathers.

A little alcove under the hall tree … another perfect nesting spot!

“Bird watching” (; … this vertigo green bird blends beautifully with the green shades of this collection of antique dishes from England.

Antique dishes on the lower deck … “The Old Curiosity Shop” by Currier and Ives.

A nest entwined with spring buds and new leaves is perched on a miniature bird bath filled with millet.

Little birds stand guard on a cake plate watching over two sweet eggs nestled on a bed of moss. A mercury glass bird and a fairy tale toadstool look charming together, sheltered under the glass canopy.

A blown glass cloche with a bird “finial” covers a little nest holding a glittered acorn.

A silver bird perches on the edge of his nest … the perfect cache for a little treat of birdseed! (; The color of the millet matches the hues in the painting above and the in-laid wood of the tea cart.

A beautiful azalea from our own front yard almost “glows” in an antique bird planter. Under a “twiggy” lamp with a little wire nest ensconced in it’s branches, a cloche covers a pair of sweet owls and a moss-lined nest filled with speckled eggs.

The dusty red blossomed “trumpets” of Crossvine cover our fence and are climbing over an antique variety of Boxwood growing nearby. The buzzing bumblebees and bright blossoms seem to proclaim …

“WELCOME SPRING…!”

“FLOWERS APPEAR ON THE EARTH: THE SEASON OF SINGING HAS COME. THE COOING OF DOVES IS HEARD IN OUR LAND. THE FIG TREE FORMS ITS EARLY FRUIT; THE BLOSSOMING VINES SPREAD THEIR FRAGRANCE.” SONG OF SOLOMON 2:12-13

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for spending some time with me today! Please click on the box marked FOLLOW in my blog above to have each new post delivered directly to your e-mail address. I’m joining Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate (click here) and Lynn from The Vintage Nest (click here) for other great decorating ideas and DIY projects!

Cottage Decorating for Valentine’s Day, Romance and Spring …

by Trenda

After seeing the first coral blossoms on a Flowering Quince … a row of blooming daffodils … and a bluebird in our backyard hunting for a nesting spot, it’s time for the interior decor of our cottage to shrug out of it’s winter garments and get “dressed” for Valentine’s Day, Romance and Spring!

My decorating transformation began on our mantle … using a collection of blue and white porcelain pieces … a favorite over-sized clock with a Carolina Wren painted on it’s face … and two matching crystal decanters (bought near the Czech border) and serving as bookends on either end of the mantle. Then I took a swag that was covered with roses and eucalyptus and wove two strands of twinkle lights between the flowers – to add a little glimmer and magic (; before draping the swag across the mantle. I tucked in a few more grape clusters and moss covered bird nests “here and there” for additional cuteness!

A bird stands near his nest amidst the delightful setting of roses. A stack of gardening books is a base for a collection of blue and white porcelain pieces and a Delft Ginger jar bought and brought all the way from Holland!

Atop a porcelain box and tucked at the base of the clock are little nests filled with ferns, prickly statice, Scottish heather, and green speckled eggs.

Large Ginger Jars in blue and white porcelain.

I love the patina of this mirror! It used to be a gaudy-gold until Richard and I painted the entire mirror frame with white paint. After it dried, we “distressed” the surface with sand paper to let a little bit of the gold “peek through.” Now, it’s “one of my favorite things” and one of our keepsakes – it’s been with us since we bought our first home! (P.S. I love this picture showing the beautiful patina of our mirror and the reflection of our dining room chandelier and our kitchen in the background.)

Now, for the hearth! Same colors and spring mood are reflected in both the mantle and hearth. More blue and white porcelain and the “outside is brought in” with a green wreath bursting with white blossoms and sheltering an intricate obelisk.

A tiny birdbath is filled with mossy stones and more speckled eggs … a chunky white urn holds a white gardenia on a bed of moss … and two antique books serve as a base and staircase to a blue and white peacock plate. I love the blue and green book on the top of the stack; everything about is darling! … from it’s jacket covered in dainty flowers and blue and green striping, the green oval “cameo” of a ladies profile encircled in gold, and it’s charming title … Haps and Mishaps Blackberry Jam ❤

Well, here in East Texas, the ground hog did not see his shadow. It was 80 degrees today with warm weather predicted for the next 10 days! Here on the lake it definitely “feels like” spring and adding to my list and sighting’s of spring harbinger’s … today I saw Saucer Magnolia blooming … a beautiful red-violet blossom unfolding on my Encore Azalea … and my White Lady Banks Rose Bush is covered in buds!

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

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~ Trenda

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Trenda

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~ Trenda

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by Trenda

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by Trenda

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