Our Cozy Christmas Cottage



I love this little fluffy family of sheep with their
perky burlap ears!

 

This year I started decorating our home for Christmas the day after Halloween.  It wasn't that I was in a big hurry to get it done, I just wanted to take my time and savor the process.  I wanted it to be a relaxed, enjoyable, work-on-it when-you-feel-like-it experience.  Throughout the month of November, I put things out little by little so that by the time Thanksgiving rolled around, all we needed was a tree!  The result was that I had a chance to get more creative with my decorating!  I actually mixed things up quite a bit (as opposed to putting the same decorations out in the same locations as every other year) and had time to craft some additional decorations to complete the overall look (i.e. the sheet music mantle trim and coordinating tree ornaments. 

We are blessed with a family Christmas tree farm just up the river from us...(when I say family tree farm...I mean our family, my in laws!)  They give us the first tree off of the farm each year which is a real treat!  We all agree that this year's tree is the most beautiful we've ever had!  Now with the house all cozy and decorated for the Christmas season, I am ready to wrap some gifts, do a little (or a lot) of baking and enjoy the Holidays!  Merry Christmas to all of my dear friends out there in blogland!  I hope you enjoy these photos of our cozy Christmas cottage as much as I have enjoyed the photos of so many of your charming and beautiful homes all decked out for the Holidays!



Formal living room mantle and our pretty tree all dolled up in creams and pinks!

I swapped out the rose print that was above this mantle for this mirror that used to hang in the dining room.  I actually like it better here!  To make the sheet music mantle trim, I traced a salad plate and cut half circles to make scallops, then taped them to mantle.  It took just a few minutes, and I love the results!



I bought a set of these darling
french country looking chair ornaments
at Michael's a few years back.  Aren't
they sweet?

I had to share a night photo of the tree so that

you could get the full effect of the lights (my

proud husband's handy work!)  Is your guy all about the lights?

The cream ribbon and bows are new to the tree this year and I am loving the softness they add.  Did you know that Dollartree has satin ribbon?  How awesome is that?

My crafting cabinet is new as of this year, so this was the first time I'd had

this surface to decorate!  So fun!  I've had the creamy metal, crystal droplet tree for years but have never really had a good place to display it...now I do!



Every year I tell myself:  "This is the year I am going to take the chandeliers completely apart and wash every crystal the way I remember my mom doing once a year when I was a teenager."  Several years passed and all they ever got was a quick dusting.  Finally, this year I gave them the royal treatment!  In addition to a very careful, detailed cleaning, I added some Christmas glitz!  Now they really sparkle!  This one has crystal-like icicles and a beaded garland!

The breakfast nook chandelier has been adorned with pink glass balls and vintage cream lace.

Dining room buffet all a glitter with pink and silver sparkly stars and silver framed black and white photos of the "stars" of our family!





In the past I have used the pink bead garland on my feather tree...but this year I liked how it added more glitz to the buffet.  It's fun to change things up a bit!

This sweet little pair of vintage donkeys are very special and have a permanent home in my curio cabinet as they were my Grandma's treasures but I like to put them out with my vintage-style village at Christmastime!

I adore sparkly vintage villages and bottle brush trees!

The top of a cabinet in the family room now holds my white feather tree and this neat
chicken wire tiered basket I recently found at the Goodwill! 

Love this tiny sparkly church and mini bottle brush
trees!



I pulled this vintage crocheted trim off of an old stained, ripped table linen and taped it to the edge of the family room mantle.  I think it adds a sweet touch to the village display.



I love the idea of decorating coffee tables and end tables but at this time in my life I have to be careful about what I set down within reach of 2 yr. old hands.  Anything out on a surface at his level, is pretty much fair game.  So, I have a few seasonal "toys" that look cute and match my decor.  A fun new tradition we've started this year...impromptu "snowball fights" indoors!  I have this cute box of creamy poms out for throwing when the mood arises...of course then you have to pick them all up but it's worth the fun!  When I don't feel like cleaning up a snowball mess, I just put the box out of reach.



Sparkly white tree candles (which my son keeps asking when we'll light! um, never!) look so pretty on this vintage cake stand!



This sweet vintage style sign hangs on the pantry door every year (maybe I'll find a new place for her next year?)  She is so sweet.



Thank you so much for visiting today!  As always, I adore your comments!  Today I will be linking up with The Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday, My Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday., How Sweet the Sound's Pink Saturday,  Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphasis Monday and All Things Heart and Home for All Things Merry and Brite!.   Please stop by to visit these link parties for loads of vintage decor inspiration!  So fun!

Best Wishes and God bless!

Amanda

Great Grandma Edith's Secret Family Recipe Reveal!

For years my mom asked her grandmother, my great grandma Edith for her wonderful dinner roll recipe.  She wouldn't budge on her quest to keep it a secret but was happy to provide the buttery towers of goodness whenever requested.  In fact, we would receive a package of rolls in the mail for Christmas every year after we moved away. 

I think I understand why she wouldn't share her prized recipe.  People raved about her rolls for years and looked forward to them at every holiday gathering.  If the recipe was passed around and everyone was making them on any old day, they wouldn't be the coveted "Grandma Edith's rolls" everyone couldn't wait to get their hands on. 

My mom can recall walking into grandma's kitchen and seeing every single surface covered with pans of dinner rolls!  I am pretty sure that as a little girl, I ate several rolls for Thanksgiving dinner and very little of anything else! 

Thankfully she agreed to share the recipe with my mom before she passed away and my mom has since then taken on the role of recipe keeper and roll maker.  Only my mom in addition to a recipe keeper is a recipe sharer!  She has decided that the rolls that we have all enjoyed and loved so much should be shared with other families.  All that we ask is that you title this in your recipe book "Grandma Edith's Dinner Rolls!" 

Before I type up the recipe, I would first like to share a little bit about grandma Edith and some of her collections that have been passed down to me.

My Great Grandma Edith

My first several Thanksgivings were spent at grandma's farmhouse.  When I read in Country Living magazine about the quintessential "vintage farmhouse," I picture the simple white house surrounded by rows of apple trees, beside a full beautiful rose garden and a big old red barn...this was my great grandma's house.  The inside was cozy and warm and full of collections.  The kitchen was everyone's favorite gathering place.  It had large widows looking out onto a covered patio.  Along the windows were built in wooden shelves that housed grandma Edith's collection of nested hens made of glass in a rainbow of colors.  Every time I see one of these hens at an estate sale or antique store I think of grandma Edith and smile!  I am honored to have inherited two of her nesting hens...one in a minty green and the other white milk glass. 

Milk Glass Nested Hen From Grandma's Collection

Along with the white hen, I have grandma's milk glass hobnail collection.  It is usually displayed on our family room mantle in the Spring with my Easter decorations but presently I am trying it out in this vintage cabinet in my bedroom.  The cabinet I found at an estate sale, applied a fresh coat of paint, backed it with fabric and added the vintage crocheted trim.  I like this collection in it because I feel like the cabinet looks like something that might have come out of grandma's farmhouse.  I just added the purple ornaments thinking they would give the collection a bit of a Christmas touch in my purple bedroom.

Several of the pieces of pink depression glass in my breakfast nook hutch were grandma Edith's and they essentially started my pink glass collection.  I find beautiful vintage glass wares on my shopping trips and occasionally treat myself to a new piece but the ones that my great grandma had in her kitchen, treasured and used at her table will always be my favorites!

Grandma Edith was a wonderful cook and a hard working homemaker.  She was up at dawn starting her rolls, tending to the orchards and gardens, cooking, cleaning, canning and whatever else needed done.  For as long as I can remember, she wore acid washed jeans and light weight floral button-up shirts.  She was strong and stubborn but also very kind hearted, thoughtful and caring.  We all miss her very much.

If you are looking for a new sweet buttery roll recipe to try this Thanksgiving, I hope you will give Grandma Edith's a shot!  I have made them myself many times and I am not going to lie and say they are easy!  They are somewhat labor intensive and definitely a plan-ahead project but if you follow these directions exactly, you will have beautiful, swoon worthy rolls that will surely become a tradition for your family gatherings.  Whether you pass the recipe along or keep it to yourself is up to you!

Great Grandma Edith's Secret Recipe Dinner Rolls (recipe written as she shared it from memory)

Bring to a slow boil 3 cups of whole milk, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, 1 cup of sugar and 1.5 tsp. salt.  Then let cool to room temp. 

Meanwhile, disolve 2 packages of yeast in 1/3 cup warm water with 2 tablespoons of sugar.  Mix this with cooled milk mixture then add 4 well beaten eggs. 

Keep beating while adding about 6 cups of Gold Medal Better for Bread Flour (important to use bread flour). 

When too stiff to stir, work with hands and keep working and adding flour until it is the consistancy of firm dough (not sticky). 

Put out onto a well floured bread board, add flour when sticky.  Knead well...maybe 10 minutes, your arms will be tired! 

Grease with butter a very large glass bowl and form dough into a large bowl.  Let rise until double in size. 

Pinch off a little (golf ball size) and fold into a ball.  Put into a greased 9x12 pan and let rise again until doubled in size. 

Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown on top.  Add a foil tent after 15 minutes, bake an additional 5 for a total of 20 minutes. 

Brush with butter on top when done! 

In addition to Show and Tell Friday and Vintage Inspiration Friday, I am writing today to share in the Give Thanks Party at the Vintage Nest!  Thank you ladies for hosting such fun link parties!  It is always a pleasure to participate!

Thank you for stopping by!  I love visitors and enjoy your comments!  Best Wishes and God Bless!  -Amanda

I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas!

Christmas has officially arrived at Camas Antiques!  The store is having it's annual Holiday Open House this weekend, and if you live here in the Pacific Northwest, this is one event you won't want to miss!  Hot apple cider and kettle corn will be served and a free gift to the first 50 customers on both Friday Nov. 12th and Saturday Nove. 13th!  Christmas carols play throughout the store and many of the dealers are offering sales in their spaces through Sunday!  Here is a peek at the "Pink Christmas" cheer you'll find from One Girl in Pink! 

I've made up several of my "I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas" signs once again!  I love these for those who decorate with pink for the Holidays, a little girl's room or for celebrating and encouraging a breast cancer survivor!



A Christmas tea party?  Why not?  I just got this new "Tea Party Today" stencil and could not wait to make a sign for my display!  I also added a bunch of delicate little cup and saucer sets and some sweet little books about hosting special tea gatherings for your friends!




I am loving the pink Christmas ball ornaments...and find the mix of pink and silver to be so stunning!

 

I just found this round antique gold mirror while I was out and about on Saturday!  I just love the bow detail on top.  I tried so hard to find a place for it in our house but it seems we just don't have room for another mirror!  Sigh....surely someone else will provide a good home for this beauty!



I enjoy making these fabric flower clips for little girls!  They are time-consuming as I sew them all by hand but I find it to be a rather relaxing (mindless) activity...which is nice!  I used vintage pink satin for these!

As I come across other beautiful pink Christmas themed posts, I thought I would link up to them here for you to enjoy!    1.The Inspired Nest

                                                             2.Kathleen Ellis - Pink Christmas

             3.Angelic Accents All Things Christmas

4.Collected Vintage Charm

5.Shabby Chic Treasures

Thank you for stopping by!  I love having visitors, and your comments just make my day!  I am linking up with My Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday, Common Ground's Vintage Inspiration Friday and Gypsy Fish for Silver Sunday.  Best Wishes and God bless!

Once Upon a Time, There Was a Very Beautiful Doll's-House



I was a very girly little girl (imagine that!)  I loved anything to do with dolls and was especially crazy for barbies!  I never had a barbie dreamhouse, but I did have an endless supply of Avon boxes and the imagination necessary to stack them into glamorous mansions!  I've just finished a project for the shop which is probably my favorite piece I've ever painted and put together and it has taken me back to my doll obsessed days...it's a huge, vintage handmade wooden doll house!  I bought it at our neighbor's garage sale...her father had built it for her when she was little but never got around to finishing it.  They said they had actually tried to sell it at previous garage sales with no luck...did I really pass by this treasure before without a second glance?  Well, here is what it looked like when my husband rolled it up the street on a dollie (oh how I wish I had a picture of that!)

Before



I started by painting the whole house, inside and out my favorite vintage cream.  Next, I found the palest of pink paints for the roof and stairs leading up to the front door.  I did a bit of light sanding after the paint had dried to add some vintage charm.  I happened to have this cute little table that was THE perfect height, width and depth to add as a base to the house and basically transform it from a doll house into a unique piece of furniture and raise it up to the appropriate level for play!  I added a ruffly skirt to make it ultra-feminine and chic!  I am really happy with how it turned out and I hope it goes to a loving home :)

I used the last of my discontinued Rachel Ashwell stripey "Amanda" fabric for this skirt...it was just too perfect and I felt the house was worthy of it!

My favorite Potter story!

The first sentence of Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Two Bad Mice" is:  "Once upon a time there was a very beautiful doll's-house."  It goes on to describe the house and the dolls who live there.  One day when the dolls are out, two mice named Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca explore the house and cause all kinds of trouble.  I love all Beatrix Potter stories but this one is my all-time favorite.  The idea of little mice scurrying around in a pretty doll house gathering up items to decorate their own nest with is just so fun.  My doll house project had me thinking of that story and I had to find a way to incorporate it somehow.  I happened to have an extra copy of the book to add to my display at the shop!

  

If I had a little girl, this house would not be leaving my house...I tried very hard to think of a reason to keep it.  I could see it in a feminine crafting studio, in fact if you are familiar with Rachel Ashwell's newest book you've seen that she has a vintage doll house in her own studio!  Well, if you read my last post about my "mom cave" you know that my crafting studio is our formal living/dining area.  My husband puts up with a lot of pink, feminine decor in our house but he drew the line at doll houses in the living room!  I also thought about it as Christmas decor...if I painted it just right and added some glitter and snowflakes, it could be a giant addition to my Christmas village!  Hubby said no to that idea too.  So...I enjoyed having it here during it's "restoration" and decided to set it up at the shop so that it could make the Christmas of some lucky little girly girl very special.

I am linking this post up with The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursday,  Savvy Southern Style for Before and After, Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday and Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.  Thanks for stopping by!  Best Wishes and God Bless!  -Amanda

Mom Cave!

Our dining room buffet is often used as a surface to display my finished projects before they head off to the shop.

A view from the living room looking in on the dining room which doubles as my sewing room when we're not hosting a family gathering!

The decor enthusiast bloggers are all a-buzz about the "Mom Cave," a special place in the home where mom goes to do what she loves to do!  I was excited to see that a couple of my favorite blogs are hosting Mom Cave link parties with opportunities to win gift cards to HomeGoods!  I do love HomeGoods and have so enjoyed the photos from the creative mom's out there in blog world who have beautiful spaces they call their own...so I thought I'd join in the fun!  I have recently adopted our seldom used formal dining and adjacent living room spaces as my crafting, sewing, reading, tagging and staging areas!  I started by painting and repurposing an old entertainment unit into a craft supply storage unit.  The majority of my supplies tuck nicely away here so that we can still use these rooms for formal gatherings, however I could use another small cabinet to organize my fabrics into, along with a few other pretty boxes and containers to hold notions all of which I am sure I could find at HomeGoods!  Having a space to spread out my treasures, scheme, dream and recharge after a busy day is such a blessing!  I hope that after taking a look at my photos, you will hop on over to The Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday and be inspired by all of the beautiful Mom Caves featured there!

Pretty pink notions out on display.

Obsolete entertainment unit transformed into a shabby crafting cabinet!

My favorite books...loads of decorating and crafting inspiration here!

Sweet little vintage angel ready to be added to my Christmas display at the shop!

Buttons and jewels...

My sewing machine is stowed away in my crafting cabinet when not in use...but when I am working on a project it sits here at the end of my great grandmother's dining table.

A vintage teapot found at a yard sale holds my pink scissors...

I found this vintage secretary on craigslist and it reminded me of the one my grandma had...she sat at it to write notes and pay bills.  Work is always more enjoyable when you have a pretty place to do it!

One of the requirements for the contest is to post a pic of something found on the HomeGoods site that represents an example of what you would purchase to improve your cave!  I came across these lovely boxes which I think would be fun to use as storage for craft supplies!

Thank you for stopping by!  Best wishes and God Bless!  -Amanda