Cottage in the Country

Halloween Party Food, Wacky Cake

2011-10-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

Here are some easy to make, delicious to eat chocolate cupcakes. My mom gave this recipe to me almost 45 years ago. It is still a favorite. I really like the cake the second day. I always double the batch so it will fit into a 9" X 13" baking pan. No eggs, No butter, No milk, so easy and yummy! Here is a link from the internet for the recipe. Wacky Cake Recipe

Halloween Party Ideas

2011-10-03T09:49:00.000-07:00

I have had so much fun designing new projects for Halloween. I found these little rubber squeaker rats at the Dollar Tree here in Utah. I loved them. When it came time to put the party together, it just didn't seem right that they did not have an outfit. So with paper and scissors, party hats and costumes were designed. They look great, now they just want to dive into all of the treats.

This Trick or Treat Mini banner printable is available in my Etsy shop.

Halloween Party Banner

2011-10-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

Okay it is official October is here! I love October, I love the changing colors, the pumpkins, hay bales, fall leaves and anticipation. I can hardly wait for Halloween. I have been busy all last month getting ready to add my new designs to my blog and my Etsy shop. Deb's Cottage Etsy Shop

Vintage Fall Clip Art

2011-09-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

I love it when coincidences happen! I was cleaning through some boxes in my work area today when I found an envelope that had a booklet in it for vintage paper flowers. A little piece of paper dropped out of the booklet and onto the floor. I picked up the aged, fragile, folded piece of paper. It was a news paper clipping. I looked for a date but could not find one (I am always one to wonder about all of the what ifs?). The clipping had a few poems on it, many of them about fall. Talk about timing! Next, my phone rings, it's my husband on his way to Park City, Utah to sell apples at Park Silly. He tells me that the leaves in the canyons are turning colors and wants to know if I want to go on a fall drive to take pictures of the beautiful scenery. He has been helping a friend on the weekends who owns a fruit orchard. He tells me that the fruit from that orchard in unique in that it sits over a natural underground aquifir, which provides consistent mineral rich water to the trees.

It's official, fall is in the air, temperatures are dropping. Time to bake a fresh apple pie.

Fall Scenes

2011-09-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

I have memtioned before how much I love the fall. My daughter took some amazing pictures that I want to share with you. So beautiful!

Farmer's Market

2011-09-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

The sights, sounds, smells, and the people make the Salt Lake Downtown Farmer's Market so much fun. My husband plays his accordion there on Saturdays as a street musician. He is so talented. This year, he is helping a friend sell his orchard of peaches. He slices mouth watering samples of the fruit then tells everyone "this is no a sample, it is a temptation". Needless to say he is usually able to sell a whole truck of fruit every Saturday.

Farmer's Market Downtown Salt Lake City

2011-09-02T17:25:00.000-07:00

I can't wait until tomorrow. I love going to the Farmer's Market. I always find so many things there that I just can't pass up. Do you go to a favorite in your area?

Halloween Previews

2011-08-28T19:26:00.000-07:00

I have spent the weekend planning out this year's Halloween projects. I found this picture in my folder and it reminded me of good times. Hope it gets you excited too!

Summer Coolers?

2011-07-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

We still have snow on the mountains here in Utah but the valley tempatures are climbing into the 90 degree weather range. A little rain now and then has been giving us a little reprieve but check this out. I thought you may like to see what has been taking my attention. So here it is. We are not dressed for publicity so it is real life. Please view the video on the following post.

EAGLE MOUNTAIN FLOOD: Clean up underway, but flood fears remain in Eagle Mountain - KSTU

2011-07-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

EAGLE MOUNTAIN FLOOD: Clean up underway, but flood fears remain in Eagle Mountain - KSTU

Gift of Words

2011-07-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a day when something so expected could change your world. Kind, considerate words from an unexpected source can do just that. I was delighted tonight when I read a comment that was left for me on my blog. Thank you "Anonymous", whoever you are. You made me remember why I loved writing my blog. Your comment was a gift to me.

Congratulations Deni

2011-05-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to share the success of a good friend of mine, Deni Hill. Deni has bee a friend for many years and has recently been a contestant on the Season 11 of the Biggest Loser. She won the at home competition with a prize of $100,000. Deni is committed to sharing her story of weight managment and personal wellness. Visit Deni's fan page http://www.denihill.com/ http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/photos/denises-finale-before-and-after/7812#item=176693

Happy May Day

2011-05-01T17:46:00.000-07:00

Happy May Day everyone. As a child my mother and I would gather spring flowers from the yard and take them as bouquets to my grandmother and to our neighbors. It was always so fun to bring a little of spring beauty to people that we loved.

Springtime in the Rockies

2011-04-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

I love this picture that my daughter Courtney Crabtree has taken. I do see green here and there but it looks like snow again this afternoon.

Love

2011-01-24T21:46:00.000-08:00

I don't know who penned this quote, I only know it resonated with me. There are so many people in my life that this could have been written for. How long is your Valentine's Day list? Love, if you have it, share it.

Valentine's Day

2011-01-06T09:47:00.000-08:00

Oops! Oh my, you must forgive me! As you can see I am not quite ready for Valentine's Day. While you are here leave me a comment so that you can recieve this years Valentine's Day Free Patterns. If you are visiting for the first time, make sure to leave your email address so that I can send the free patterns posted on my sidebar. I don't believe in spamming so your information will be used only to send out the Valentine patterns. There are so many patterns in the packet that I have not made samples of yet, I am leaving it to your imagination on how you wll use them. If you use them I would love to see pictures! I have to run so I can get my hair dry. I am heading for my favorite antique shop to look at more Vintage Valentine items. Looking for more vintage cards? This vintage card can be found at http://hubpages.com/hub/vintage-valentine-hearts-clip-art

Winter in Utah

2011-01-04T21:26:00.001-08:00

I cannot remember a winter so cold in a long time. I see that everything sort of has a silvery look to it. These photos were taken by my daughter Courtney Crabtree.I thought you may enjoy them too. They are kind of a fun look for the season.

Happy New Year 2011

2010-12-31T15:40:00.000-08:00

As I write this post, my thoughts are filled with anticipation for the coming year. How excited I feel to embrace the challenge of filling this year with blessings for my family and friends. The old year will pass this evening into the history books as a smoke stream fading into the wind. The experiences will remain with us to be reflected upon from time to time, a gift that we can learn and grow from. We have a chance once again, to create remarkable lives, to persue what are now only dreams and to continue to enjoy this journey we call life. As the pages turn, we find a new page waiting to be written upon. Fresh new ideas to create, new friends to meet, new challenges to overcome. The sun is going down the scene outside is slowly darkening, much like the drawing curtain on a scene from a theater stage. The closing of the final act. I watch from time to time, the hands on the clock ticking away at the last few hours of this year. Be of good cheer my friends, tis only the passing of time. The order of life demands that to be able to experience the new, we have let go of the old. Life is a beautiful gift that we each have been given. Take time to reflect on yesterday and prepare to greet tomorrow.

As the snow settles around me this evening, I am going to read a good book, snuggle into my new quilt and sip some hot chocolate, letting the New Year settle in as gently as the falling snowflakes outside. Thank you my wonderful blog friends for your visits and notes of encouragment. Happy New Year to Everyone! I look forward to spending 2011 with you..

2010-12-31T15:13:00.001-08:00

Vintage Halloween

2010-10-11T19:39:00.000-07:00

Halloween will always be one of my favorite holidays. I love all of the anticipation that comes with deciding which pumpkin to pick or which costume to wear. There is nothing like hot donuts and cold apple cider. Crafting during this holiday is always so fun. I like to share what I do and where to find great values.

I thought that some of you may enjoy this link http://vintageholidaycrafts.com/category/halloween/ Be sure to read the terms of use before using the images. I really enjoy this website.

Cottage Decorating

2010-07-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

Home Decorating

2010-07-07T20:56:00.000-07:00

Home decorating can be a lot of fun. Here are a few of the items that I have been selling over the last few months. I love decorating with birds, they are one of my all time favorite items to use in my home.

The Home Show

2010-04-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

Wish me luck. Tomorrow is a leap of faith for me. I am starting a bit of a new business adventure. I am doing something I have not done in years and I feel so unprepared. I am going to put myself out publicly to invite new readers to visit Cottage in the Country. I have spent the last few weeks putting together a new strategy and now I am finally able to move forward. This was a last minute decision so I hope I can pull my booth together with a bit of cottage flair. I will be posting more about this new venture as soon as I finish The Home Show Salt Lake City, Utah . Keep me in your thoughts, make them good and send them my way.

Vintage Inspired Spring Necklace

2010-02-25T22:46:00.000-08:00

When Artbeads.com asked if I would like to participate in their Beading for Bloggers program. I was very excited to accept their invitation. For a designer it is always fun to get new products to work with, it is even more fun when the products are absolutely beautiful. I have loved everything that I have ever recieved from their company. I have especially liked the products in the last order that I recieved. The base metal items, brass bird, the open heart charm, the flower connectors, the filigree beads, the brass leaf and of course the amazing Padparadscha and Light Colorado swarvoski crystal beads, they are all so beautiful.

Disclosure...As a reviewer of products at Artbeads.com, I received the Swarvoski crystal beads as well as the brass filigree beads and components used in the project above free of charge. I have been asked to review these products and give my honest opinion of the products...positive or negative. I am not being compensated by Artbeads.com for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

If any of you are interested in my supply list, you can leave me a note in my comments and I will get back to you with the supplies that I used to make this fun vintage inspired necklace.

Vintage Inspired Spring Necklace

2010-02-25T22:22:00.000-08:00