At the risk of sounding cliché ……

 IT’S TIME FOR A RESTART  ….. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do this as my concept for this was incubated while I was married.  I realize the purpose and story changed and “le divorce” is actually proving to be rather positive and the beginning of the story…(yes, I kept the cottage).  Follow along while  I share the ups and downs as well as the unpredictabilities of  life in a lovely little cottage with a grand magnolia tree in the backyard and an even grander golden retriever named Henry 🐾🐾   

Autumn Is Time For A Crisp New Start

As we come upon the end of the year I am reminded continually of the old adage 'When one door closes another opens' I see this daily in my real estate career, as well as in most facets of day to day life.

While we work vigilantly at preserving and maintaining the cottage - we are afforded the opportunity to bring a new face to an old home - thus making it a little more ours. The beauty of living in an old home is that there is a history before you - and that one gets to create a living history during the time it is theirs. There is a story behind every old home. I try to remember that when I see the scratches from the dogs paws by the door, on the antique wood floor - I will not fret, those scratches are the result of the happiness and exuberance they show when my husband arrives home.

From a fresh coat of paint, to a new roof and gutters, the old girl got a needed face lift. Now it is time to dress for the dance. The holidays are around the corner and the greens have been ordered. Soon we will deck the halls and cut down the tree!

As we draw near the end of the year, we can be thankful for family and friends - I am blessed to have reconnected with dear friends from the past - again, there's that closed/ open adage again, see what I mean.


We can be grateful for the health and happiness we are blessed with, and hope to make it an even better year in 2015!

Cheers! 

Falling In Love.....With Autumn

After another very busy summer I just realized that the holidays are right around the corner.  It's time to order my turkey for Thanksgiving~ I thank Joe's Meat Market in Scotch Plains for providing me  a greatly anticipated tradition that kicks off Autumn and the holiday preparations.  They absolutely get the best fresh turkeys and, I believe, there is nothing better than the aroma of a roasting Tom Turkey wafting through the house.  I just may have to do one for Sunday dinner soon!

With most of the maintenance work around Magnolia Cottage under control,  I can concentrate on decorating for Autumn.  The wood has been delivered, once again, by the boys up at Andersen Farm and now the fireplace awaits the first fire of the season. Tomorrow Mr. P and I will go to Springdale Farm for pumpkins, corn stalks and a riot of color in the form of brilliant mums! 

My favorite time of year ~ the abundance of color, the crispness to the air, the crunch of leaves underfoot and the scent of chimney smoke as it curls through the air are some of my favorite things I enjoy when I walk Spencer and Henry.......

Spring, Sprang, Sprung

Spring has finally arrived in the East!  All around the cottage signs of life are springing forth.  The earliest flowers bask in the warmth of sunshine and the buds on the trees can almost be heard expanding like Jiffy-Pop.  The air is filled with the purposeful sounds of the resident woodpeckers tapping as if their lives depend on it ~ which I guess they actually do......and afternoons are spent by Spencer and Henry lounging on the back deck soaking up the warm rays of the sun.  After all, that IS one of their most important jobs!

After that horrible storm and a long winter, I, too, am looking forward to another summer of easy outdoor living and the riots of color the flowers will surely bestow upon us.  In the meantime, we still have some trees to clear up from Sandy, and a petite list of small projects around the cottage to keep us busy on weekends.  In addition to that,  "Mr. P"~ the HoH, has decided to whisk us away to paradise where we can frolic in the sea and relax under a palm tree for a week ~ (It is imperative that he recharge in order to continue slaying the urban jungle) ~ I am counting the days (14),  until our departure! 

Happy New Year!

As we close out this year I am excited for what tomorrow brings ~ aside from a new kitchen calendar......Happy New Year and may 2013 bring health, happiness and many good things to my family and friends.  xx

A Cozy Cottage Evening

The holidays are in full swing....and today we were blessed with a lovely blanket of snow.  The fire is glowing, the dogs are snoozing and we are enjoying a relaxing evening at home.

Happy Autumn!

Happy Autumn! I am thrilled that after a very busy summer it is time to get down to the business of readying for the holidays and a cozy winter at the cottage. As we head into the first week of fall there is much to do, but what I look most forward to this week, is making my order for the Thanksgiving turkey order at the butcher's shop.

The Merriest Time Of Year

The trees are up, the stockings are hung and we are putting the final touches on our decorations.  We are very excited to welcome family and friends into our home as we celebrate our first Christmas in the cottage.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Preparations are well underway......wreaths are hung, roping is ready to be draped over doorways.....it's time to welcome family and friends.

So Much To Be Thankful For.......

As we move into the holiday season, I am reminded of so much to be thankful for.....we are truly blessed.