Ideas at Winsome Cottage

The cottage was a busy place Thanksgiving morning anyway. The Mrs. did not prepare turkey or ham as previously planned since it was decided the famiy would travel. But the aromas were none-the-less delightful. Amidst the clamor of dishes, platters and pans, the stirring of sauces, and mixing of fillings, came the expectation and excitement of things to come. Finally, by midday, there were a variety of sweet and savory appetizers spread out on the counters in the kitchen, set on pretty dishes, wrapped in cellophane. Then, with the slamming of the old wooden screen door, the sound of keys in the outer door, Sir's footfalls fading along the porch and path, quiet settled over this old cottage. Just me and Annie, who flopped down with a sigh to keep me company through the day. It's unlike the Thanksgivings of the past. Winsome Cottage has been filled with voices happy, teasing, sincere and heartfelt. Faith, family, friends, food, festivities and fun, that's what Thanksgiving was about back then. And it is now! Wherever it is celebrated, in whatever setting, at home or away, the remembrance of the important people, places and opportunities, bring so much to be grateful for, blessings in abundance even in hard times. The Pilgrims endured hardship. From their efforts and the help of Native American friendship, and the blessing of God, this nation gave birth. Through the years, the land this cottage sets on, all about me, through neighborhoods, towns and cities, people have worked hard to build this country, keep their families together, fed, educated, healthy and happy. Moments to memorialize in thought, praise and prayer, heads bowed before a Gracious and Giving Father on this Thanksgiving Day and throughout the long weekend!

The next several days will bring lots of activity. Christmas decorations will be sorted, lights checked, garland fluffed. The lawn will be mowed, stray branches trimmed before my crape myrtles are ablaze with twinkling lights at night. Sales and shopping may slip in the schedule for Sir and The Mrs. They have been making lists for the family, Annie and even me! Busy as they may be, as the Holy-day of Christmas approaches, they will not lose those thoughts shared this Thanksgiving. It is the Holy, Loving God who has made all things possible through His Son, Jesus the Christ. That's the reason for the holiday season!







                                             















 appetizers

I am a small and concise cottage, what The Mrs. calls a dog trot bungalow. Annie, the chocolate labrador, proves that every day. Before the renovation began, there were walls between my kitchen, dining and living areas. I never had a hallway. This morning, Sir surely wishes there was one. The Mrs. is up making breakfast, without muffling the noise. Fresh brown eggs from the Rhode Island Red chickens, homemade biscuits, frying potatoes and bacon, those lovely aromas will cause Sir to stir out from under his covers.  It's what their friends from England call "a full English" but with a Southern twist.

It is a cool morning drizzle that greets the family today, not unlike the stories of the North England countryside friends share. Plans will change, and except for tending to the animals, the outside chores can wait until the afternoon sun shines. That means I may have more work done on my inside. 

One of the chickens has become a miraculous layer. She has been laying eggs within eggs, full shell and all.

Sir and The Mrs. had to be advised by the extension agent about how to care for her.  They have even held her in a warm tub of water and rubbed her belly to help her lay a larger than normal egg. In all my years, that is a new experience for this old cottage...for Sir and The Mrs, too!

Can you see the egg in the shell next to the other yolk?

Sir and The Mrs. have lived in many other places, such as California, Hawaii, and South Carolina, prior to living with me in Central Florida. They like being here, and I like having them. The Mrs. says I am comfortable and bring comfort to them, though they have to work hard to fix me up. They make me feel I am cared for. Even when I need some really rough treatment, like sanding my floors. The result makes me smooth and according to The Mrs. "lovely".

I am learning a "weekend" is the time when there are two days together and when I get the most attention. The porches are "getting a scrub" this weekend in preparation for decorating me for "the holidays". I know I will look pretty when Sir and The Mrs. have finished. Sir is making grapevine wreaths for me. The Mrs. bought two old windows to hang at the edge of both porches and the wreaths will hang there. The windows came from a family owned window company in North Florida near The Best Friends house. When old windows are replaced, the company sells the old ones. The Best Friends showed The Mrs. a stack of old windows in front of a house with a for sale sign for the windows. Little did they know there was a metal warehouse behind full of new and old windows. Now The Mrs. wants to get more to make a surround about the firepit. I will one day have all new windows, too!

The beautiful blue flower is from a blue sky vine Sir bought at a place called The Back Yard in Lake Alfred, Florida. It is at a complex of shops with The Barn Antiques. The Mrs. likes all of the shops there and plans to buy me "lots". I think I look pretty with flowers on the arbors, in the flower beds and about the garden. It's so much better than the weeds that made me look forlorn. That would be a terribly sad name, Forlorn Cottage. Winsome Cottage suits me much better!