Fox Hollow Cottage

Everything Dollar Tree Link Party

2013-05-20T17:07:21Z

Welcome To The

Everything Dollar Tree Link Party & Blog Hop

You know Debbie and I love to get crafty and do it on the cheap!

So the Dollar Tree is a natural fit, and we think you like it too.

Open from May 20th – May 27th

So share what ya got people. We love seeing how creative you are!!

Anything and Everything Dollar Tree is eligible.

Crafts, decor, recipes.

(anything that’s based on a buck.)

Dollar Tree, Dollar Store, Dollar General, Target $1 bins, etc…

If you made. Link it.

Link here and be seen at Debbie’s too. Double the traffic. Double the fun!!

Here is an example of some of our previous Dollar Tree soirees.

– Valentines Dollar Tree Link Party –

Dollar Tree Link Party –

Did you see my latest Dollar Tree creation?

No? I shared it yesterday, here it is.

Dollar Tree Vintage Style Patriotic Pool Noodle Wreath

Link up your goodies, pop around and visit, comment… have fun. That’s it.

Let’s inspire one another.

PS: If you link up, you’ve giving me permission to shout, share, pin and brag in general about your project. Thanks! I like to do that

Vintage Americana Patriotic Pool Noodle Wreath

2013-05-19T23:39:39Z

Hi guys – When I was down in Cali I got crafty with my sister and I made this Vintage Americana Patriotic Pool Noodle Wreath! I made sure to take pictures so I could share it with you when I got home.

I left it in California, (flying really cramps my crafting/shopping style) but I would love to make one for myself. I think it would be great for all the patriotic Summer holidays when there is nothing like red, white and blue to show your American pride.

The pictures might be a little grainy, we were in deep crafting mode and I just snapped a few with my iphone. My real camera was upstairs and that was just too far away… lol!

I whipped up a few rolled fabric flowers. And burnt the #@%* out of my fingers in the process.

My sister has some old school, industrial strength glue gun.

Where as I have some wimpy, little “cool melt” glue gun.

BIG DIFFERENCE!

My sister printed out this cute graphic and Mod Podged it to a little piece of wood.

I added the ball fringe (we got it at Michaels) and I glued it directly to the wreath.

They had the cutest little packs of trimmings!!

In fact… it was so cute, I ended up just knotting some on the jute twine I strung from one of the wreath to the other.

Perfect little, no-fuss banner. Done.

That’s it! Another Cheap & Easy Pool Noodle Wreath.

I love those things.

Oh. I must add my sister had the Dollar Tree pool noodle base prepped. She had already wrapped in some nubby linen fabric, and it just need to be finished up. I felt like it had a vintage flavor, so I went this way.

Is there something you would have done differently?

Added more embellishments perhaps? Or maybe less?

I tend to go simple, but sometimes wonder if they are too plain.

Oh well. Done is done.

See you all tomorrow for the Dollar Tree party!! (I hope)

Rub-a-Dub Dub: Handcrafted Soap Giveaway

2013-05-17T15:56:21Z

It’s The “Rub-a-Dub Dub Handcrafted Soap Giveaway”

Welcome to Fox Hollow Cottage, I’ve got a wonderful treat for you! I’ve been wanting to try my hand at making my own soap for awhile now, but instead, I just bought some. Hey, supporting the small business owner. I get points for that right? Well, I can tell you, I am really glad I did!

I purchased my new soap from Melissa at

and let me just tell you. I don’t know if all handmade soaps are skin changing… but these are!

I’ve been using bath and shower gels for so long now that I wasn’t sure I would even like “real soap” anymore. I like lots of bubbles. LOTS of bubbles. (In my shampoo too, so all that sulfate free stuff gets a no-likey from me.)

Anyhow. This stuff suds. Let me tell you, creamily and with abandon!! I soaped-up my bath poof and it was crazy bubbles! Plenty enough for a bubble lover like me.

The scents were wonderful. I’ve tried the Lemon and the Honeysuckle (heaven!) so far.

I tried the Lemon first and I will admit, I was a tiny bit concerned my skin might be dry afterwards since it was literally squeaky clean. Like, I was squeaking if I rubbed my fingers across my arm.

But NOPE! my skin was so, so, (let me add one more SO) Soft. Like baby soft. All day too.

I’ve used it every day since. Jim loved the lemon bar too. This from the man who has used Zest for as long as I have known him. I didn’t even think he would try it! He just got out of the shower one day and said he really liked it. I told him he was welcome to use it but he said he didn’t want to use all up. I told him not to worry, I would definitely be ordering more!!!!

Enough about me. On to YOU!

To help Melissa get the word out about her (magical. my words) soap I told her I wanted to host a giveaway and tell anyone who would listen about her great soaps!

One very lucky winner will receive a collection of assorted, handcrafted, Hill n” Holler (magical. again, my word) wonderfully, delightful soap.

Enough for the whole family or to give some out to people you really like.

I don’t want to promise exactly what flavors you’ll get, but I am sure you will love them as much as I do.

This is the selection I ordered:

…. and I can’t wait to open up the next one!

I know. It’s only soap. But hey, it’s the little things in life right?

You can find Melissa’s little bars of wonder at the Hill n” Holler online store.

You can also check out new flavors and creations at the Hill n’ Holler Soap facebook page.

(I noticed a few new things last I looked!)

Much luck to ALL!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

As always, thanks for stopping by today.

PS: Don’t forget to have your Dollar Tree creations ready for the

Start Monday, May 20th!!

Hope to see you, so we can celebrate being “Cheap & Easy” together.

Mason Jar Browned Butter Banana Bread

2013-05-16T22:55:42Z

Please Welcome Katie Jane Back to Fox Hollow!

Hello dear readers of Fox Hollow Cottage.

I just saluted you. Pretend you saw it.

I bring to you today…

the Mason Jar Browned Butter Banana Bread recipe

Try saying that ten times fast.

This is the best banana bread you’ll ever taste. I know you think your Grandmother’s banana bread beats all others, or that the crumble that your uncle adds to his bread makes it superb, but put those thoughts out of your mind. This is the best banana bread you’ll ever have. End of.

TO MAKE

Preheat oven to 325* and grease some 8 oz mason jars.

You’ll need the following:

For the bread:
2/3 c. browned butter (cooled slightly)
2 2/3 c. white sugar
4 eggs
2 c. mashed bananas (four large bananas)
3 1/3 c. bread flour
½ tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves

For the crumble:
3 tlbs butter, softened
5 tlbs flour
4 tlbs brown sugar

Cream together the browned butter and sugar. Add the eggs and mashed bananas. In a separate bowl, sift the bread flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves. Add this to the banana mixture. For the crumble, simply mix the crumble ingredients together. It really isn’t so much of a crumble as a mush ball, but it tastes delectable anyway.

Now! To fill the mason jars:
Fill a piping bag with the dough. Pipe the dough into the mason jars, filling about three quarters of the way. Then put some crumble on top. Do this with the rest of the mason jars until you run out of the batter. This can also be made into muffins, just fill the muffin pans about three quarters as well. Put crumble on top, bake for 35 minutes if you’re using the jars, 20 minutes if muffins. They should be golden brown-ish, except for the tops.

NOW FOR A STORY OF HOW I FAILED.

Before making these, I had to brown butter, for obvious reasons. After I browned the butter, I did all of the stuff above and yada yada, then put the bread in, but AFTER all of this is when it happened. I took the jars out of the oven and set them on top of the stove to cool. After about twenty minutes I went to move them off of the burner so I could replace them with more jars that had just finished. When I moved the first jar, however, there was a loud crack! and a sliver of what looked like an icicle running up the side. I, completely bewildered, went to inspect the glass as to how it could have broken when I simply moved it across the counter top. Upon doing this, I leaned over the stove and felt the warmth radiating up to my neck. Apparently, the burner was still on from making the butter. Apparently, the glass jar didn’t like being moved from a very hot burner to a very cold stove top. Apparently, Katie is a failure.

And I may have eaten my entire weight in some of the banana batter.

And frosting (which is what is on top of the banana bread, since we didn’t have whipped cream).

Woohoo.

Oh and also, I made my mother cry from her amazing birthday present.

No but seriously, these are really good.

Farewell, mes amis.

—————————————————————

I know my sweet tooth is calling out for a taste now!

At least a finger full of frosting… come on.

Prom, Mother’s Day and Big News

2013-05-14T17:30:16Z

Hoping today finds you well!!

I wanted to share with you about Prom, Mother’s Day and some Big News.

I had a wonderful Mother’s Day thanks to my boys.

Like many of you, I am sure, I got flowers.

And Austin and Jim made me a beautiful breakfast that was nothing short of perfect.

Fresh Berries…

That were so pretty, I did take the time to snap a quick iphone pic.

Especially these… I would not have thought of this.

But Jim did and I so very much appreciated it!!!!

The second course was eggs and french toast. Yum.

Everyone was in jammies so no pictures of the people. Sorry (:

After breakfast and some major relaxing, I took a two hour nap.

And it was spectacular. And needed. And much enjoyed!!

… in fact, we all ended up napping.

Everyone was up late since the Jr/Sr Prom was the night before.

Austin is a Sophomore but was asked by a Senior so he was able to attend. I took a few photos, and Austin’s date Cassidy was sweet enough to make sure I got some of their photos too.

Pre-Prom pics – Thanks for sharing Cassidy!!

At the Prom pics.

I think a good time was had by all.

Which helped make for a super weekend here at Fox Hollow!!

The boys got me a new Orchid too.

So I’ve got now flowers – and later flowers. lol.

I want to take a minute to remind you that Debbie and I will be hosting a

Dollar Tree link party on Monday the 20th.

So get anything Dollar Tree ready to link up and share!

**Now, the Big News is… that soon, I’ll have big news to share.**

I can’t spill just yet, but I can hint that it involves:

Prizes… fanfare… accolades… a title…. and prizes.

Did you catch that there will be prizes?

Tune in on May 24th for the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.

(man, keeping secrets sucks.)

A Duncan Phyfe Magnolia Makeover

2013-05-15T04:50:00Z

A Duncan Phyfe Magnolia Makeover

And yes. I had to google “Phyfe” to make sure I spelled it correctly.

I’m not shy. I’ll own up. I actually had to ask what style it was in the first place too.

Because my style consists of … ”I got it at a tag sale for $5″. lol

Which I’m sure you’ve clued into with all the “cheap & easy” going on around here.

So, I found this fab little table with the cute legs and the wee brass feet at a tag sale.

A whole home moving sale actually. (great sale. I actually got several pieces)

Anyhow. The thick base is so sturdy. Crazy heavy too.

But it was in rough shape. The whole top was very damaged. As was the carved relief work on the face.

Lots of chips and scratches all over.

I knew it was going to be meeting some Maison Blanche paint.

Magnolia and Confederate Grey La Craie paint got in on the makeover action along with some clear Maison Blanche Antiquing Wax in Clear.

For everything but the areas accented in grey, I painted with Magnolia (white). A light coat first, then a heavier second coat. I used Confederate Grey on the detail work on the edge/face of the table and in the grooves on the legs. Next, I very lightly dry brushed over the detailing on the edges to really bring out the design.

Finally, I finished with a coat of clear wax to seal and protect my work.

It was a really quick and easy makeover and it’s happily hanging out in my living room.

Until the next cute table comes along…

As you can see… the harlequin table got the boot. {winks}

And for $5 I can afford to change things up. So who know how long this will last?

Wishing all the MOMS out there a fantastic Mother’s Day.

If you still need a gift with a meaningful message please help yourself

to this free Mother’s Day Printable Art.

I’m taking the weekend off to be with my family so I will see you next week.

Psst… and the next party on the May 2oth

Sharing at: Tatertots and Jello, DIY & Showoff, Domestically Speaking

Mother’s Day Chalkboard Printables: a gift idea

2013-05-06T05:02:28Z

Hi Foxy Friends, so happy to have you here today!

I hope you stopped by to print up your

Mother’s Day Chalkboard Printables, they make such a great gift idea!

I just love printables! They make the greatest gifts.

This one is a little more geared to us older girls gifting their moms.

It just doesn’t seem to matter how old or grown up I get… I think I will always need my mom, and I’ll be there for her, when she needs me.

So this is where my heart went when creating this printable. I hope you like it.

– Please right click and “save as” to print this 8 x 10 chalkboard art –

In fact, I felt this so strongly, I made one to print out for myself as well.

My mom and I live in different states and I wanted to have this by my desk to keep me company while I work.

– Please right click and “save as” to print this 8 x 10 chalkboard art –

Austin is away at a Jazz Band competition this weekend, and Jim has asked me what I would like for Mother’s Day but I don’t really need a thing… so I will probably ask for help with some sort of little home improvement project or another. That is really my favorite thing to do and I love having their help… or sometimes rather, telling Jim whatever wild scheme I’ve come up with, and then having him figure it out for me! He is a good figurer-outterer and there is always something cooking in this brain. The boys usually make me breakfast, and really, that is “gift” enough for me!

As always, thanks for stopping by!!

PS: If you’d like to see the other printables I’ve designed just click HERE (:

PPS: if you’d like to make sure others get to a chance to print these too… please pin and share.

Thanks so much!!!!

PPPS: (last one. lol) For even MORE Mother’s Day Printables, come see me at Mom4Real.

(Here is a peek at what you can print there. Yes, there are six colors to choose from!)

Springtime in the Kitchen at Fox Hollow Cottage

2013-05-16T16:12:10Z

Hello and Welcome to the latest Kitchen Tour

It’s Springtime in the kitchen at Fox Hollow Cottage. We’ve finally shaken off the grey days and rain of Winter and are poised in anticipation of a glorious Summer.

Summertime is short here in the Pacific Northwest, and all the sweeter because of it.

Things are looking a little lighter & brighter.

I think the house and I are both saying… “aah”.

This is the little gem of our kitchen. Our Belle Foret Faucet.

Jim and I both love the rich, coppery-bronze shade and had quite the time shopping for it!

Oh, and this time, I am going to address the plate rack, right in the post.

So far, this is my most asked about item of interest in the life of my blog.

I’ve had this for at least 12 years. I bought it at HomeGoods in Southern California.

I have never seen anything remotely close to it anywhere, ever again in all my shopping.

If I do, I promise to buy them all and let you guys know!! Promise.

Here is a peek into our sun room with a little glimpse of our repurposed fence board bar counter. I loved this wee purple flower but it didn’t make it while I was on vacation. I almost took a picture to share with you… but it was too sad!

The golden yellow honey bee hive container holds powdered sugar. My vintage Ball mason jar is on straw duty and the small green container… is empty. I’ll have to put that to work!!

We love the little dishes and I have them stacked all over. You can only use so many at a time, but I keep picking up more.

They are like dish-crack. I have to have them (:

I love having fresh lemons on hand for drinks and to cook with.

Bonus=they are bight and happy to look at too.

There is that sunshine I was talking about.

Mmm. Love it!!

My white Roo is a kitchen staple, he matches no matter what.

This is our casual dining area and my curtained pantry shelves. To the left is our combination living/dining room, and to the right (not pictured) is a step down into our sun room. Our first floor is very open. Especially for such an old home.

I just recently tested out this new look to see if I liked it.

I painted my cabinets with Maison Blanche paint and then stenciled a design with chalk.

I think I like it. I’m pretty sure my kitchen is going to be going white in the near future.

There goes my to-do list, growing again.

Our current floor is actually a luxury vinyl.

Hey, that is what the lady told me it was called. (when my jaw dropped at the price)

Leave it to me, to pick out expensive “linoleum”.

It’s actually been dreamy. It’s completely worry free and I planned on having it for many, many years.

That is, until our fridge leaked and damaged all the underlayment (the plywood sub-floor).

Hmm. Water and wood don’t mix? Who knew. lol

Well, since we have to rip everything up… why not go for the real deal this time around?

We are going to be getting all new hard wood floors in the kitchen, living and dining rooms.

Austin is older now, and we really are not hard on our floors (if you don’t count water leaks!) so we decided to go for it and not only replace the kitchen, but the other rooms too.

I’m really excited. Not so much about the installing… but you know, about the after part!!

All I’ll need to do is paint my kitchen white and maybe throw up a few beams… and it’ll be time to move! LOL

For some reason, when my house is done, I often feel the need to move?

Not this time though. This is the longest we’ve lived in a house. Ever.

Just for fun, I always like to share a memory of what the kitchen looked like when we bought the house.

We’ve come a long way.

One project at a time.

This Post is Partying at:

Tatertots & Jello

Sparkly Silver Quick and Easy!

2013-05-16T16:13:45Z

Hi Guys!

I want to share how I get sparkly silver quick and easy with you today.

(you know I like “easy“)

When I was down in California on vacation I found this sweet little Reed & Barton Mayflower gravy boat and platter base. It was very tarnished, which I sometimes love… but I like to freshly clean new silver that I bring into my home.

So, I grabbed my go-to silver saver.

Tarn-X.

Love this stuff. I actually got this at a tag sale for 75 cents. Super bargain!

You can see the Tarn-X liquid start in on the tarnish, without even touching it!

I had not even started to rub yet. I gently dripped it on the gravy boat, and let the excess flow into the platter. Then I grabbed a few paper towels and rubbed it across the rest of the surface. I use those, because they doesn’t soak up all the product and I can toss them when I’m done. After everything is all perfect and shiny, I wash with soap and dry.

The Reed & Barton Mayflower piece was $6.00 – It’s silver plate.

But that matters not to me, it could be solid silver and I wouldn’t like it any better.

It’s looking pretty now. The silver coloring is just so soft, and mellow. Love the richness and depth.

So, next time you see some silver that needs some love, remember it’s easy to make it look like “new” again. You know, if you’re into the shiny, sparkly silver look.

Thanks for stopping by!!!!

More Great Tips;

Click here to follow my CLEANING and ORGANIZING Pinterest board.

Find Out How To Clean In Between Your Oven Glass Here.

Getting Sentimental; a step stool story

2013-05-16T16:15:34Z

Getting Sentimental; A Step Stool Story

Please welcome Tricia, she is here to share her monthly post with us.

I’m doubly excited to see what she has been up to with her Maison Blanche La Craie Paint!

Let’s peek!!

Have you ever had a piece of furniture that holds so much sentimental value that you couldn’t ever give it up…ever?

If you knew me in person, you’d know that I’m a sentimental gal anyways, especially when it comes to our three boys.

When our second son, Parker, was a toddler, I made a step stool from parts at the home improvement store so I could sit beside the tub while he took a bath.

Both Parker and our third little munchkin, Mason, have used it for several years to brush their teeth. And it’s where they’d sit when I would wipe away their tears and put a band-aid on their knee.

It’s been painted five different colors over the years because I never felt like I got the color quite right. That all changed after I met Cerise.

When Shannon posted on Facebook that Maison Blanche had the prettiest, red paint color named Cerise, I emailed her and asked if she could send me a sample. I may have even shamelessly begged.

Well, it worked and I’m so glad that Shannon said yes!

I knew that Cerise would be the answer to getting that perfect combination of red with just a hint of the old aqua spray paint peeking through.

The base color is Krylon’s Blue Ocean Breeze. Since it was very glossy, I scuffed it up with a little sand paper and wiped it down with a tack cloth, then mineral spirits.

You don’t have to sand or prime before using Maison Blanche La Craie paint, but that’s just what I’m used to doing.

After one coat of Cerise, I let the paint dry for a few hours. I lightly sanded with steel wool and then used a 220 grit sandpaper where I wanted to distress the edges a little more. I did a dark wash by brushing on some watered-down brownish-black craft paint and wiped it off. Lastly, I sealed the stool with a clear wax.

If you’re wanting to make your own step stool, the parts you need are listed in the picture below. All the parts should be under $20.00 from Lowes.

I’m so thankful to Shannon for letting me try out Cerise!

I believe the little red step stool has met his soul mate.

I wish I could show you the hand-painted sign in the bathroom that matches the step stool perfectly, but that would be giving too much of the room away.

I’m almost done with the hall bath, so I hope you’ll follow Simplicity in the South so you won’t miss the reveal! Here’s a hint to what my favorite project has been thus far: it’s something else I painted with Maison Blanche paint.