Catching Up

Is it possible?

Is Spring almost over?

I have let SO much time pass 

since my last post.

It has been a busy time at 

Buttermilk Cottage.

That's my only excuse.

In March I hosted two dear friends from college days.

Virginia, my roommate for three years,

who now lives in Texas,

and Marie, who lived across the hall

and now makes her home in Alabama.

We had a lovely visit of several days,

talking ourselves silly,

eating and visiting a few points of interest

near here.

 We made a trip to Abingdon, Virginia 

where the Barter Theatre

was doing CAMELOT.

What a treat to see the show,

which we had all seen together 

when it came out as a movie

all those years ago!

The challenge has been made for this year's

Great Davidson Bake Off.

This is an ongoing and yearly

friendly baking competition between

my sister Nancy, brother Rick,

sister in law Pat and

anyone else who wants to join us.

It's not a real competition because

we cannot taste each other's cake,

but we all bake the same cake,

and share our thoughts on it.

This year's cake choice was Pat's.

She has chosen the Lane Cake,

a traditional Southern cake

that has numerous variations.

Think about joining in with us.

All you need do is make the cake

with a recipe of your choice,

send me a picture or two 

along with your thoughts on the cake.

More about this later.

I have recently finished this book 

by Delia Owens.

It is a first novel,

a coming of age story of

Kya, the "marsh girl"

which takes place in North Carolina.

Her prose is lovely and lyrical.

I enjoyed it a lot

and you might too,

especially if you have an

interest in the natural world.

Finally, I am in the midst of this year's

home improvement project.

I think I'll tell you about it when the

job is completed.

The picture above

is a hint of where the work is being done.

Enjoy your May,

it will be gone all to soon!

Spring Has Sprung...

...according to the calendar at 
Buttermilk Cottage:

 December/January/February (Winter)

March/April/May (Spring)

June/July/August (Summer)

September/October/November (Fall)

So, we are in the midst of Spring!!!

All the pretty things popping out in

my yard and neighborhood

proves me right.

In another day or two 

I will be rich in daffodils,

my all time favorite flower.

I hit the jackpot when I bought

this house!

It has been a long while since I have blogged.

I have just come through the busiest time

for my business.

November through February

are always the most active months for me.

After doing a quick tally I see I managed 

to send out 379 orders during those months.

Many of those orders were for multiple items.

So, there has been a LOT of 

sewing and knitting 

going on around here.

With March has come a little

slow down, so I am using that time

to restock and make new things.

Yesterday was the first time in about

six months that I did no sewing at all.

Instead, I spent the day giving

Buttermilk Cottage

a bit of Spring cleaning.

Off came the slipcovers,

which were a bit on the grimy side.

I sprayed the worst spots

with stain remover and after

three loads of laundry...

...they were ready to be put back in place.

A rug at the front door also

got shampooed.

It's nice to get everything back in order

and know it's not only neat,

but CLEAN!

Did you notice my new chair,

or "the knitting chair"?

(I feel a little like Archie Bunker.)

All this cleaning reminds me

of another new purchase.

I just bought myself a 

faux Roomba.

Have you gotten on board with these yet?

Because of all the fiber work I do,

constant clumps of fuzz and

the ever shedding Daisy,

I have been wanting one

just for my office, kitchen

and the hallway that connects the two,

where the laundry is done,

(more lint).

I call the one I got

the "faux roomba"

because it is an off brand,

and I was not going to spend the

$300-$1000 you can spend on these things.

I only intend to use it for spot cleaning

in the rooms mentioned.

After doing a bit of investigating

and review reading

I found the one above.

I did not expect any bells and whistles,

especially since I only paid $100.00 for it.

But it does talk to me,

has a remote control 

and will even mop the floor,

although I probably will not be 

using it for that.

I have only had it for a few days,

but I think I am going to like it.

I have begun anticipating my 
spring and summer house project.
This year I hope to rework the front entry a bit.
I have already ordered a new front door.
I hope to have the porch covering
and railing redone and add 
new outdoor lights.

Something else I am anticipating
in the next couple of weeks
is a visit from my college roommate, Virginia
and another college friend, Marie, 
whom I've known since high school.
(Probably the motivation for all 
the cleaning this weekend!)
The three of us were part of a 
tight group of five 
during college, 
one of whom we have lost track of
and another who is not able to join us.
They will be here in mid March and 
I can promise there will be good times happening at
Buttermilk Cottage!

Happy Spring everyone!

View from My Window Today

Lovely Spring!

The yard is untidy,

but I had to share this

beautiful blooming crab apple tree

just outside my workroom window.

This picture doesn't do it justice,

but a cherry tree is just outside 

a second window, in full bloom.

It's a bit hard to get

work done when this is the view!

My great little "knitted" bowl --

a gift from my sister a couple

of years ago.

I selected a gorgeous piece of granite 

for my new kitchen this week.

It's very much going to be a simple, cottage kitchen --

white cabinets, black counter top,

black and white checkerboard floor.

Stay tuned!

Tulip Time in Tennessee!

They've been gorgeous this year!



Have a beautiful day!

The Lilac Bushes are Blooming!

Six years ago, when my sister Nanniepannie,

and I were looking for a house to buy and share,

it was this time of year--

and the lilacs were blooming.

We found Buttermilk Cottage and it had good bones.

However, it did have some drawbacks.

Despite the fact the kitchen needed to be

totally gutted,

...the lilacs were blooming.

Despite the fact, a full bathroom needed

to be added to the ground floor (my space)....

...the lilacs were blooming.

Despite the fact I would need to add a room

for my office/sewing room...

...the lilacs were blooming.

There happened to be a huge

lilac bush, in full bloom (and scent)

on the side of the house.

I really think that bush put a spell on us!

But, we've cherished it each year at this time,

when it's dressed to the hilt,

and we whisper a little "thank you."

(This is the view from my entry windows.)

How could you not have a lovely weekend...

...the lilacs are blooming!

Forsythia

"...In the yard I saw squirrels at frolic and that burst of yellow

the forsythia bush delivers faithfully to us each spring.

Gifts from God,

these sights and sounds,

this placid here and now..."

from THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED

by Wally Lamb

````

Is it just me, or are the forsythia more

ourstanding than usual this year?

By the way, this is an outstanding novel.

(Google Images)

Spring Cleaning = Destashing

Spring is in the air!

To create a little more space,

(for the new fabrics I want to buy!!!)

I'm adding some fabrics from my stash to

my Etsy Shop!

Here's a pretty tapestry

that can be made into all sorts of pretty things!
Here it is in one of my new
"Tag-Along" Bags




Graphic Print Upholstery ...

made into one of my Katherine Bags.
You can find the fabrics by going to my shop at

www.ButtermilkCottage.etsy.com

On the left sidebar under "Shop Sections"

click "Fabrics"

I hope to be adding more fabrics, buttons, trims and

possibly FUSION YARNs in the future,

so be sure to come browse often!

Google Image

Don't forget, it's time to change the batteries...

Google Image

...and SPRING ahead tonight!

Happy Daffodil Day!

It's official.

The calender may not say it,

but Spring has arrived because I've

spotted my first live, blooming daffodil!

I borrowed this "holiday" from some former

neighbors and still good friends.

(Debby and Russell, you know I'm talking about you!)

They have a long standing tradition of

celebrating on the day anyone in their family

spots the first daffodil,

by doing something special as a family.

It might be something as simple as baking cupcakes,

but they make it a celebration!

My adaptation of their holiday is that on the day

I spot my first daffodil,

winter is over and I can bring out my packed away

spring decorating items!

We actally got two blooms to start the season!

After packing away the Christmas holidays,
I went to a very simple dining table for winter.

Today however, I brought out my basket of daffodils!

This is my favorite flower and I've had this

silk arrangements long enough that it's

starting to look a little faded.

However, it will have to make do until

there are enough blooming daffodils to

make an arrangement.

I've also added a white woven table runner

to brighten up the room a bit.

I collect animal candlesticks

and rotate them seasonally.

Time for this little guy to make

an appearance with a couple of

ceramic Easter eggs.

On the opposite side of the daffodils

two friendly bunnies

hold up their end.

Now my dining table matches my mood!

The coffee table in the living room got

a little touch Spring decorating too

with some wooden eggs.

The buffet didn't need anything added.

The violets are still blooming and

they cannot be improved upon a bit!

There's still a lot of brown in the garden...

...but here and there are

sweet little touches of Spring.

Although I'm working with wools,

my current knitting project,

(which I was able to work on outside!!!)

even has the look of Spring!

This week I'm linking with parties at

Savvy Southern Style

All Things Heart and Home

Betweem Naps on the Porch

The Shabby Chic Cottage

French Country Cottage

My Romantic Home