Autumn Song
by Katherine Mansfield
Now's the time when children's noses
All become as red as roses
And the colour of their faces
Makes me think of orchard places
Where the juicy apples grow,
And tomatoes in a row.
And to-day the hardened sinner
Never could be late for dinner,
But will jump up to the table
Just as soon as he is able,
Ask for three times hot roast mutton--
Oh! the shocking little glutton.
Come then, find your ball and racket,
Pop into your winter jacket,
With the lovely bear-skin lining.
While the sun is brightly shining,
Let us run and play together
And just love the autumn weather.

*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Please join Cozy Cottage Gifts and Decor and the other participating boutiques at Make Mine Pink for our Friday Shopping Event on October 23rd when we present "Pumpkins and Spice". Fall is in the air and now is the time to decorate your hope for the autumn holidays......lots of beautiful fall decor will be presented at our Friday Shopping Event this week. I hope to see you there!

Pink Friday.......and my little guys

Cozy Cottage Gifts and Decor is just one of the boutiques participating in Make Mine Pink's Friday Shopping Event. This week's theme is "Getting Organized" and Cozy Cottage has many items to help you do just that. The pretty box on the left is just one example of what we have to offer. Be sure to find a comfy seat and shop online at our Friday Shopping Event this Fri., Aug. 28th.

Now for my little guys.......first, here is my little grandson, Brayden Kai.......I can't believe he is already two months old!!! He is the spitting image of his daddy, but I am beginning to see a little bit of his mommy creep in to his sweet little face too. Lucky me, he is here to visit for a couple of days with his big sister Bailey who is the apple of Grammy's eye!












And I haven't said much about Beau lately......my other little guy. He is doing fine, going to doggie daycare now on the days I teach and making new friends.



Thank you for stopping by My Cozy Cottage World.......Beau, Kai and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Pink Friday is "English Cottage Style"

Photo courtesy of www.freefoto.com


This Friday, July 17th, Make Mine Pink presents "An English Cottage". If English cottage style decor is your passion this is the time to indulge as Cozy Cottage Gifts and Decor and other participating boutiques at Make Mine Pink gather to present a lovely array of English cottage style decor!



English cottage style decor has become a favorite because of the feeling of welcoming and warmth it lends to a home. A pretty bit of clutter atop a well-worn antique table that has been passed down through generations (or has at least been made to look that way) may be combined with comfy, overstuffed sofas and chairs covered in softly muted floral fabrics. Scatter lacy doilies here and there and a room just calls out for you to relax. A hallmark of English cottage style is color: all the colors of nature are perfect for this decor. Beautiful pinks, pale greens and shades of white might be used in one room; and yet another room may be lovely done in geranium red, deep green, violet, golden grain, and earthy brown. Even the colors of autumn are perfect for English cottage style: brown, yellow, rust, orange and green. That is the real beauty of English cottage style - using the colors YOU are comfortable with and that make YOU comfortable!



Once you have chosen a color palette, it is time to select furnishings. Because English cottage style evokes an antiqued, aged, and cozy feeling furnishings should have an aged patina. The overall effect should be that furnishings have been acquired over time, such as those passed down from generation to generation. Seating should be soft and comfortable - overstuffed chairs are perfect and if they are a little too worn, slipcovers are perfect for English cottage decor. If you are on a budget, you might look for furnishings in fleamarkets, thrift stores or at tag sales. Bookshelves, wingback chairs, roll-arm sofas, wicker furniture, framed mirrors, pine or dark wooden tables, wooden plate racks, buffets or sideboards, and hutches are just a few furnishings that are appropriate for English cottage style decor. Look for pieces that can be used for something other than their original purpose such as an old flat top trunk used as a coffee table. And don't forget the golden rule of English cottage style - every piece of furniture must be decorated!



Cover small tables with vintage doilies or cloths. Crochet lace doilies are perfect for the back and/or arms of a chair. Consider a tea tray with an assortment of pretty objects atop a coffee table. A bookshelf could hold a few antique books along with pretty knicknacks passed down from your grandparents and great-grandparents. Other items to look for when decorating your English cottage home are vintage china and glassware, silver or pewter pieces, porcelain figurines, vintage musical instruments, vintage paintings or postcards, vintage photographs in pretty frames, old clocks, fresh or dried flowers, lots and lots of pretty pillows on sofas and chairs, needlepoint wallhangings, and homemade candles and soaps.



Lighting should be soft and subtle. Table and floor lamps and candles are perfect, but overhead and recessed lighting should be avoided. A pretty chandelier is always welcomed but only small bulbs should be used or better yet, a candle chandelier. Light filtering through lacy sheers at the windows is lovely and in winter a heavy drape may be added to lend warmth to a room.



Finishing touches might include old quilts and soft handwoven rugs over a wooden floor.......and remember English cottage style is always a work in progress, never a finished product!

Pink Friday at Cozy Cottage and Make Mine Pink

Please join Cozy Cottage Gifts and Decor and the other participating Make Mine Pink members as we celebrate "Something Old, Something New - A perfect time for a summer wedding!"

Wouldn't this vintage maxi dress be perfect for a summer wedding?

Pink Friday is "Beautiful Blues"

Blue is calming and serene. It's a coastal color, often used in bedrooms and rooms of relaxation. From delicate pastel to a deep, emboldened navy, adding blues to your décor can evoke a tranquil yet often vibrant mood. Beautiful blues surround us, and remind us we are home. Make your home a cozy retreat with beautiful items from Cozy Cottage Gifts and Decor!

Cozy Cottage offers free shipping on items in the Pink Friday category....this is the time to load your shopping cart at Cozy Cottage!

You may also enjoy the items in our Little Pink Boutique.

Please join Cozy Cottage and other participating boutiques at Make Mine Pink as we celebrate "Beautiful Blues" on Friday, May 8th.

Pink Friday - Romantic Delights

~Romantic Delights~

Please join Cozy Cottage Gifts and Decor and other participating boutiques when

Make Mine Pink presents "Romantic Delights"

this Friday, May 1st on Pink Friday.

Mother's Day is just around the corner, May 10th, so this is your chance to find

the perfect gift inside the lovely boutiques at Make Mine Pink!

Remember, Cozy Cottage Gifts and Decor offers

FREE SHIPPING

on all items listed in the Pink Friday category.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Debbie @ Cozy Cottage

Hope Chest Adoptions Need Sponsors

The Members of Make Mine Pink Step up and adopt a hope chest

for Enchanted Makeovers 2009 vision project

First let me introduce you to the non-profit organization that Make Mine Pink is joining hands with this year. I'm sure you've heard of Terry Grahl of Enchanted Makeovers? Well, for the past several years Terry has been donating her time and gathering resources to refurbish women and children's shelters. This year the 2009 Vision project is Terry's shelter makeover. We're proud to be able to help her with this worthy project.

Please visit the Enchanted Makeover site read more.

http://www.enchantedmakeovers.org/

Part of Terry's plan is to have a hope chest for each girl in the shelter that would be filled with items that they will need when they move on from the shelter. We all had or knew someone that had a hope chest, and understand the significance of giving these girls something to look forward to..dream about.. hope for.

Terry had a company lined up that expressed interest in providing the hope chest for all 20 girls but unfortunately the company that was planning to donate the hope chests is no longer able to. Terry has asked MMP to help. Two hope chests have already been donated, leaving 18 for MMP to raise funds for. As I doodled 18 hope chest at 200.00 each = 3600.00 on a piece of paper, I started thinking. 18 people (only 18) could adopt/provide a hope chest for 200.00 contribution. Two Hundred dollars each didn't sound all that bad. I could do that for such a worthy cause. But I doodled some more and thought.. 36 people - 2 to a chest would be 100.00 each - that was even better! But what about teams of 3 people? That would be 67 dollars each? That would be so within many of our reach, making it easier for more to participate. I just knew we could do this if we formed teams to adopt a hope chest. Suddenly the plan for 18 hope chests and 3600.00 didn't seem out of reach at all. A plan was formed and the adopt a hope chest program began.

As of April 20, 2009 we have 11 Hope Chests Funded. We have 7 to go in the next month. If you'd like to join a team or adopt a hope chest, please email me at info@makeminepink.com. Please let us know if you will:

Adopt a Hope Chest Myself: 200.00

Adopt a Hope Chest with 1 other person 100.00

Adopt a Hope Chest with 2 others 67.00

Some of you asked if the hope chest will go with each girl. No.. it will stay at the shelter offering hopes and dreams to every new resident. When one graduates, she'll take with her the contents (some of which we will contribute) and make room for a new resident to plan and dream of a time when she'll be ready to move on.

Terry has a gentleman that will be constructing each hope chest.. so time is not a luxury we have. The 2009 vision project is due to be completed by August, so we need to move fast! Monetary donations for the hope chests will be due by May 30th.

On behalf of Terry and the Enchanted Makeover Committee at Make Mine Pink..thank you for being a part of the 2009 Vision Project.

Joyce Lucas, Founder
Make Mine Pink

A Touch O' Whimsy comes to Cozy Cottage - Pink Friday!

Once in a while, it's fun to take a detour from the normal "a place for everything and everything in its place" ritual and include some whimsical touches in our daily routines – celebrate your whimsical side and surround yourself with things that make you smile! This week at Make Mine Pink we celebrate "A Touch O' Whimsy". I hope you will drop by and visit Cozy Cottage as well as other participating boutiques for this special event. Free shipping on items in the Pink Friday category

at Cozy Cottage Gifts and Decor

....this is the time to load your shopping cart !

You may also enjoy the items in my
Little Pink Boutique

Wishing you a cozy and wonderful weekend!

~Debbie~

Linens and Lace at Cozy Cottage - Pink Friday

Fine linens and lace passed down through generations.....what stories they could tell if they could only speak! When I go to an estate sale or auction I can never pass up the chance to bid on a stack of old linens. I try to imagine who might have used them and why they are being discarded. Is no loving family member left to be their caretaker? Or have they just gone out of style with the latest generation?

This week at Make Mine Pink our Pink Friday theme is "Linens and Lace". I can't wait to see what everyone has to offer........I am using several of my vintage linens to create something special, but you have to wait until Friday to see it on my website!

Vintage linens can be used in your home in many ways.......they add that special touch of coziness that makes your house your home. I love to layer my linens by placing a pretty cloth over a table, then accenting items on top by placing coordinating crochet doilies underneath each item. Drape a pretty crochet cloth over a lampshade to diffuse the light and create a soft glow. If you sew, you can create many lovely items from vintage linens and lace........pillow covers, handbags, bedskirts, curtains.... just to name a few.

I would love to hear how you use vintage linens to decorate your home!

Pink Friday ~ Shades of Rose

It's Pink Friday at Make Mine Pink again and Cozy Cottage has several new items for this week's theme........Shades of Rose. Come visit and enjoy our new look as well as the pretty items we are offering this week. Be sure to also visit the other participating Make Mine Boutiques, and have a wonderful weekend!

It's Pink Friday again.........

~Winter Whites~

Friday, January 30th

Please join Cozy Cottage Gifts and Decor and other participating boutiques at Make Mine Pink this week as we celebrate ~Winter Whites~.

My personal favorite color scheme is white on white so I can't wait to see what everyone has to offer this week!

Remember, everything in the Pink Friday and Friday FleaMarket categories

at Cozy Cottage is free shipping within the continental United States.

Happy shopping!

Debbie

The absolute BEST holiday catalog for 2008!

It just arrived and it's just as good (maybe even better) than the Christmas catalogs the postman delivered when you were a child. Just CLICK HERE to enter the absolute height of holiday shopping this year.....the Make Mine Pink Holiday Bazaar! You will find out-of-this world holiday decor and gifts galore. Be sure to visit Cozy Cottage while you're there and take a look at our Little Books....the perfect stocking stuffers for everyone on your holiday list!

Happy shopping!

It's Pink Friday at Make Mine Pink!

It's Pink Friday at Cozy Cottage and the other participating boutiques at Make Mine Pink, and I hope you will join us for a day of holiday shopping once again.

I also just listed several things in the "New Items" category on my website including these beautiful depression era sherbets.

BIG NEWS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER........

Watch for an upcoming post, or better yet subscribe to my newsletter (the link is on the homepage of my website). I will be announcing a special Make Mine Pink Holiday Catalog and it is going to be just full of beautiful holiday decor and gift items!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK........

This recipe comes from one of my favorite cookbooks, "Recipes from the backs of boxes,bottles, cans and jars." It is the recipe that Quaker Oats printed on their packages in 1955....these cookies are my favorite oatmeal cookies. They are crunchy but still chewy!

Famous Oatmeal Cookies

3/4 cup of softened shortening
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups uncooked Quaker oats

Beat together shortening, sugars, egg, water and vanilla until creamy. Sift together flour, salt, and soda; add to creamed mixture; blend. Stir in oats. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets. Bake in preheated 350* oven for 12-15 minutes. Makes 5 dozen cookies.

Note: I have also added walnuts and/or raisins to these cookies.



ABOUT THAT SNOWMAN......

Okay, I'm sure you noticed my cute little snowman in the cookies picture. He just arrived at my house straight from Carolyn at The Odd Sparrow. Her web-shop is just full of lovely items that I always try to resist, but I just had to have Mr. Snowman. Thanks Carolyn!

Pink Friday - Christmas at Make Mine Pink

Pink Friday is back this week and the theme is "Christmas". Please join Cozy Cottage Gifts and Decor and the other participating boutiques at Make Mine Pink for a day of fabulous shopping, right from the comfort of your home. No need to worry about fighting traffic or crowded shopping malls.....just click to purchase and your items will be sent to your doorstep.

Happy shopping!

Pink Friday - "Coming up roses....."

Please join Cozy Cottage Gifts and Decor, and other participating boutiques at Make Mine Pink as we celebrate the rose. Pink Friday this week is all about roses and you are bound to find something there that will make everything in your life "just rosey"!

Pink Friday, October 17th

Cozy Cottage is participating in Make Mine Pink's Pink Friday this week. The theme is "In the Hope Chest" which promises to be full of surprises. Just think of all the goodies that could be placed in a hope chest! Be sure to visit Cozy Cottage and the other participating MMP boutiques to see what we have to offer for your hope chest. Remember, this is also a FRIDAY event although sometimes you can peak in a little early and grab some goodies when no one is looking!

We have also joined the Friday Flea Market blog group which promises to be a fun adventure. Just click on their icon on the right side of my blog to visit Cozy Cottage and all the other participating shops. But remember.....it is FRIDAY Flea Market so you can't visit til then!

Be sure to set aside some time on Friday to do some serious shopping......and have a wonderful weekend!

Pink Friday - Cozy Comforts

Wrap yourself in the cozy comforts of home, a steaming cup of cocoa, warm fuzzy slippers, cushy comfy quilts and pillows, then kick back and shop. From the “Cozy Comforts” of your home; we invite you to shop at Cozy Cottage Gifts and Decor and other participating boutiques at Make Mine Pink for our “Shopping with a Twist’ event, Friday, Sept. 19.

Gotta have bling....

... a little pink bling, maybe a little vintage bling. How about some rhinestones and pearls~ anything to please the girls!

This week Make Mine Pink presents "Gotta Have Bling" for PINK Friday. Please join Cozy Cottage and the other boutiques at Make Mine Pink this Friday, August 22nd.....some bling will be waiting there for you!

"Vintage Linens" featured this Pink Friday at MMP

Thank you for joining Cozy Cottage and all of the other participating boutiques for "Pink Friday at Make Mine Pink". We look forward to seeing you each and every week for "shopping with a twist."

The Special Occasion is Today and Every Day" ~Jessica McClintock~Simply Romantic Decorating
Tiny stitches created by talented hands, a delicate hem stitch, a beautiful monogram, the first alphabet sampler made by a young girl, delicate colors faded by time and use~ a young girl learning to stitch at her Mother’s knee, a Grandmother bequeathing the coveted Irish Linen napkins to the newly weds ~these are the merest whispers of our past that enhance our lives today.

Join the Boutiques for PINK Friday @ Make Mine Pink as we present this week's "shopping with a twist' theme~ Vintage Linens.

Everything's coming up roses.........

this week at Cozy Cottage and other participating boutiques at Make Mine Pink. The theme this week is "Romantically Roses", so if you've been considering a rosy new decor theme, or if you just want to add a few roses to your favorite decor be sure to join us this Friday, July 4th for Pink Friday at Make Mine Pink. Can't wait to see you there!