https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal daily 0.75 2026-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/364c3b69-4958-4b90-8a22-3f253ddb9941/IMG_1798+2.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/426d077f-0533-484e-9a4b-155124de7494/IMG_1787.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/fe7fd855-072c-40ce-a7f6-5be6fe413061/IMG_1850.jpeg https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/bookish-summer-part-ii monthly 0.5 2025-08-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d6dae8ca-8ba8-4272-a691-6348b35ff8e4/IMG_0666.jpeg Journal - Bookish - Summer, Part II - liked it This fictional story features strong female characters and how the same garden connects their own stories over the decades. It spans the years from World War One and Two up until the present, revealing secrets, loves, losses and hope. I love flowers and gardens, so it was enjoyable to read about those subjects. The story moved at a good pace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b9282a0e-2f32-4ad4-ba05-535fbfc45120/IMG_0741.jpeg Journal - Bookish - Summer, Part II - liked it, sort of This is set in an English village and takes you back to the consequences of World War One and the days leading up to World War Two. It tells the unique story of a group of women who embroider kneeling boxes and bench cushions for chapels and cathedrals (think needlepoint). My husband and I actually saw some of these beautiful works of art in a small chapel in the Cotswolds when we visited England in 2023. We weren’t sure what their purpose was unless they were some type of seat or kneeling box for prayer. I sure have learned a lot about how and why they were made and that’s fascinating. There are strong female characters who are admirable and honest. The book also shines a light on the freedom, or lack of, identity and the roles of women, in general. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was, for me, it was a bit slow. I like a book that has a cliff-hanger moment at the end of each chapter or truly has a big plot twist in the middle. But, I did enjoy this journey. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/travel-nashville monthly 0.5 2025-08-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/151a057b-def6-4b5b-ae7d-33526df7ade1/IMG_0586.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville - We loved it! We chose this 12 South hotel due to its close proximity to our daughter’s apartment in Berry Hill and its affordability. 12 South is such a nice area and we were familiar with the surroundings. I didn’t take hardly any interior photos so take a gander at their website for an idea of their beautiful lobby and rooms. The outside spaces are truly special and thoughtful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/26bb521f-fd7e-4118-ae12-048303f62551/IMG_0585.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville - courtyard This lovely, huge space is on the ground floor between the two buildings. I loved this little ginkgo tree! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/88ea3af4-dcbc-4bdd-a3c0-f7389040ef63/IMG_0584.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/428a98cf-382d-4623-aa41-92cfce29c147/IMG_0583.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/30e0dc5e-fb10-4b30-a136-4b945d06ebcc/IMG_0580.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville - rooftop terrace They also have a sweet little rooftop terrace, overlooking 12 South. There are several seating options and pretty plantings all around. It would be a perfect spot to enjoy a glass of something cold and watch the sunset. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9404d348-8139-4486-af71-71330eb7fc39/IMG_0579.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville - thoughtful touches How precious is this?! Each room has a hand-painted tile with a numeral and symbol. We also appreciated the super comfy bed, a pitcher of filtered water in the fridge to make coffee or tea, the Nespresso coffee maker, and a full kitchenette should you need one. It was very quiet and had everything we needed for one night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/bdbe1a08-d33c-4c56-9f8b-d12f5db0ecbf/IMG_0587.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville - super convenient The next morning, we walked a few short steps across the street to order breakfast to-go. We have a Frothy Monkey in Chattanooga, our hometown, so we were familiar with the menu. This is the original Frothy Monkey, which opened its doors in 2004. It was busy but it’s a pleasant, casual atmosphere to wait a bit. My husband and I ordered breakfast bagels and our daughter had an omelet. I also enjoyed a delicious, iced lavender latte. frothy monkey https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-summer-dinners monthly 0.5 2025-08-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ff503a98-c81c-4e16-add7-0f40fd51dc15/IMG_0696.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Pastas - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f4b96e08-362e-4db8-86ed-90d68d556520/IMG_0697.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Pastas - zucchini marinara sauce fettuccine This is one of my “go-to’s” for pasta sauce and in the summer, I like to add a little shredded zucchini to it. recipe: ingredients: use as much or little as you like chopped tomatoes chopped yellow onion or shallot olive oil pink sea salt & pepper garlic shredded zuchinni chicken or veg stock sugar (optional) red wine (optional) red pepper flakes (optional) one small can tomato paste fettuccine (or any kind of pasta) saute onions in olive oil on medium high in skillet, add garlic and tomatoes, zucchini, tomato paste, stock and stir to combine add seasonings & wine and simmer until pasta is cooked and drained top with parmesan, salt & pepper https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/924fe6fb-539c-4c11-96a8-f7115ccbc120/IMG_0691.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Pastas - salmon basil cavatappi I love taking leftovers and tossing them together with what I have on hand. I DO NOT like to waste food and will try my best to make the most of what we have (food costs keep going up so I try to be resourceful when possible). We had some salmon left from the night before so I simply cooked up some pasta and tossed it with some olive oil, basil, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts and topped it will fresh parmesan, pink sea salt & pepper. It was a delicious, quick lunch bowl! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/08e85c2a-0736-4cee-a5d8-4e61c83089a6/IMG_0721.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Pastas - recipe: ( sort of) Sometimes, I just eyeball it. I wish I could remember what kind of pasta this was and the label is no longer on the bag but you could really use any kind of pasta for this dish. I sautéed a few sliced shallots in olive oil in a large skillet on medium high heat, then added fresh garlic. I used chopped deli ham (bacon or prosciutto would work too) we had in the fridge and added it to the skillet. After the pasta cooked (save about 1/2 cup of pasta water) and drained, I combined it in the skillet with some ricotta cheese, a little fresh lemon juice, pasta water, basil, salt & pepper. I topped it with the insanely delicious sage leaves, lemon zest and parmesan. You’ll wonder how you ever lived without crispy sage. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/nature-summer-petals monthly 0.5 2025-08-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/bdad508b-bedc-4838-8a86-780fa4716d00/IMG_0531.jpeg Journal - Nature - Summer Petals - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/29ebd328-5c42-4075-85ad-e06f515a54e3/IMG_0533.jpeg Journal - Nature - Summer Petals - shade lovers Hostas, also known as plantain lilies, are usually shade-loving perennials. Fun fact: There are over 3,000 varieties of hostas!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7fec913b-179b-4113-8990-2ccdae1856f7/IMG_0563.jpeg Journal - Nature - Summer Petals - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/fadc177b-ad8a-4105-9f1d-5346400ed543/IMG_0668.jpeg Journal - Nature - Summer Petals - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a6634af0-4d4d-4a62-adc1-1f6e28b680d4/IMG_0672.jpeg Journal - Nature - Summer Petals - happy blooms for pollinators These gorgeous annuals attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all summer. We usually plant the tiny seeds in late May or early June and delight in their bright, happy colors until early autumn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/665afcc5-70d7-4746-bf83-34c87bc041b9/IMG_0739.jpeg Journal - Nature - Summer Petals - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a37d83be-3691-42af-ad31-61cf3b58670d/IMG_0683.jpeg Journal - Nature - Summer Petals - sun lovers Plant the seeds in a sunny spot and watch them flourish! You’ll get more blooms the more you deadhead or cut them throughout the summer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f3d6db19-d898-402a-a653-f4a02c7751bb/IMG_0713.jpeg Journal - Nature - Summer Petals - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b2ae5d32-65c4-488d-a3d2-acf89fccad49/IMG_0679.jpeg Journal - Nature - Summer Petals - rosy surprise! After our roses bloomed their heads off earlier this summer, we thought that was the last of them until next June. This lone cluster surprised us in July. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/53426d1d-ca50-4162-aa0d-eb340f3e078a/IMG_0685.jpeg Journal - Nature - Summer Petals - begonias These sweet annuals were given to us by a friend and boy, have they thrived in these cutie “wicker” planters. I found the outdoor-friendly holders at Walmart. The bees love the little petals! I’ve also seen a hummingbird make a stop here. Begonias like partial shade so this was a good location for them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9dfa5d6c-e220-467a-ab27-ad7b34940357/IMG_0687.jpeg Journal - Nature - Summer Petals - the best nest Someone thought this basket of begonias would be the perfect home for her little ones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a5d99041-a68e-4da0-b8f0-15e054c92c22/IMG_0688.jpeg Journal - Nature - Summer Petals - babies-to-be As best I could tell, there were three tiny blue eggs in this amazing nest at the back of the basket. A petite brown mama bird sits on them. Since taking this photo, I’ve seen teeny babies moving around in their nest. Makes me very happy to know this simple basket of flowers has provided a home for them! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3bbcbd2b-01f1-4858-9a56-bf567f1dbc92/IMG_0710.jpeg Journal - Nature - Summer Petals - Make it stand out Last but certainly, not least, is the sunflower! These darker petals were a happy surprise! I had forgotten what kind of sunflower seeds we planted earlier in the summer, but I assumed they’d be the common, large yellow variety. You know what, I LOVE this different variety! They’re shorter and smaller than the giant sunflowers and have several buds on each stem. Sunflowers are native to North America and part of the daisy family. Pollinators love them and provide seeds for other creatures. Sunflowers symbolize vitality, positivity and happiness. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/nature-lavender monthly 0.5 2025-08-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/499a0184-287f-44a0-b8ec-074f058c74b2/IMG_0571.jpeg Journal - Nature - Lavender - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3a4ca12c-1ce7-4754-8a04-89cd3a0807bb/IMG_0561.jpeg Journal - Nature - Lavender - garden lavender It’s so easy to grow and usually lasts through the winter here in Tennessee. The scent is lovely and this beautiful plant comes back every year (depending on the kind of winter we have). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c742a948-9ed3-4818-8a15-97c9789cc103/IMG_0592.jpeg Journal - Nature - Lavender - dried goodness They say to harvest lavender when some of the buds have started to flower. First, I give them a gentle rinse and place on a paper towel to dry out a little. I cut the stems, tie a piece of twine around a bunch of them and hang them upside down from a kitchen cabinet knob or chandelier for a few days until they’re completely dried. Simply use your fingers to gently remove the buds from the stems. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ae6e4dc4-c9c6-4eb4-9874-d6a520b6da6c/IMG_0595.jpeg Journal - Nature - Lavender - syrup recipe: 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 2 tbsp lavender petals place ingredients into a small pot over low heat, stir occasionally until sugar dissolves, turn off heat and cover, steep for about 5-10 minutes, strain lavender and store in airtight container in the refrigerator. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/37e7086c-cba7-45c8-b5bd-5c87d2acb3e6/IMG_0600.jpeg Journal - Nature - Lavender - my favorite way Stirring in homemade lavender syrup into my morning coffee is my favorite way to enjoy this amazing plant! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f1057c2a-ba1b-4ef3-aaaf-18e1fd17956f/IMG_0601.jpeg Journal - Nature - Lavender - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/40348924-b824-4ec0-9e7c-3b9259693e44/IMG_0602.jpeg Journal - Nature - Lavender - blueberry lavender smoothie Another yummy way to enjoy lavender syrup is to add it to your smoothie! recipe: vanilla yogurt blueberries lavender syrup vanilla fresh grated ginger cinnnamon lemon juice pistachios plain kefir ice add all ingredients to a blender and whiz up this gorgeous color and delicious treat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5e87a80c-e16b-4f50-be74-a16f823252b4/IMG_4401.jpeg Journal - Nature - Lavender https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e1e56eb7-e6a0-4964-8132-6e80e0946dd3/IMG_0512.jpeg Journal - Nature - Lavender - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8eb8fece-6409-43d3-ad0b-57a2e9170c4f/IMG_0514.jpeg Journal - Nature - Lavender - pickers My friends and I loved doing something a little different for a summer day out. It’s a pretty mountain, woodland drive to the farm. It’s peaceful and smells amazing! The only sounds you hear are the bees buzzing on the flowers and pleasant music playing across the field. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7257825b-eba1-4236-bd74-3341d95aa9be/IMG_0525.jpeg Journal - Nature - Lavender - summer sky It was a typical warm June day at the farm, with rain showers popping up while we were there. We also had sunshine and blue skies in-between the rainfall. The rain gave us the perfect chance to shop in the tent for their lavender products. I chose lavender lip balm and a bag of lemon lavender scone mix. Later, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Canyon Grill, just a five minute drive from the farm. Lookout Lavender is such a peaceful, fun place to spend some time….perfect for families, friends and couples alike! Canyon Grill https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/home-summer-family-time monthly 0.5 2025-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7bd0737a-2223-48a8-b127-c86bf427626f/IMG_0215.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time - cheers! We tried a new-to-us restaurant, Little Coyote, for dinner the night before Mother’s Day. We loved it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5a7dc94b-7da5-43c6-a4b4-9c2735863b9b/IMG_0242.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time Lizzy walked in the door and surprised me with these beautiful tulips for Mother’s Day! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9452eea7-021e-488e-a227-4247b112bcc3/IMG_0226.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time We went to church that morning before we went on a…. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/25cd289e-ca5c-48fd-ac3a-c61aecf6deb6/IMG_7080.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time Lizzy and I chose scrumptious picnic foods and drinks the day before and packed them up in my sweet Fortnum and Mason hamper. We used my Mema’s china (because why not?!) and a vintage strawberry-embroidered tablecloth for our lunch at McCoy. Pruett’s McCoy Fortnum & Mason https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/772056a2-0fd7-4c58-b47c-630b6ace03d6/IMG_0228.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time - cheers two! What a sweet, lovely Mother’s Day! The spring flowers were still in bloom and we had a perfect window without rain. So thankful to spend time with our Lizzy and we face timed with our Hannah later that day. We also paid a visit to David’s mom. (Also, if you’ve never tried Poppi, I’d recommend it! I love the raspberry rose and Lizzy chose the ginger lime) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a570571b-bcfc-4935-8525-081d2151c2a9/IMG_0274.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time Hannah sent this cutie card to me for Mother’s Day! Don’t you just love receiving a sweet card in the mail!? The chrysanthemum is my birthday flower. The note she wrote inside was a precious gift. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b8f8a12a-17aa-4eb7-a21d-cf6e281292ba/IMG_0244.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time David gave these amazing cookbooks to me for Mother’s Day. I’ve been having so much fun trying new recipes! Half Baked Harvest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/190ee7b7-30ce-4434-844e-34c9a76d58d6/IMG_1200.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time - boat picnic We had a lovely evening sail with our beautiful daughters and a little sushi dinner on the water. Lizzy had to go back to Nashville the next day. :( https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d80e0994-abc6-457c-b8e2-2cf81ef0f164/IMG_0444.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/29bcf611-de64-49a4-a3e7-71d42fc3fe61/IMG_0442.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time David has been sailing since he was a boy and our first date was on a sailboat on these waters. The girls have grown up on sailboats, so it’s extra special to us when we can go out together when they’re home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c46744ce-83f1-4fef-aff6-7adc0fef21db/IMG_0424.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time We were able to go out again the next day for a day sail with our Hannah! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5cf5d028-b6ab-49c8-a28b-ee5eeec0b6b1/IMG_0427.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time - my sailor man https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/911943d5-6922-45cb-b9bf-978661203da1/IMG_0418.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time - precious time together https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8220a92d-545a-4bd5-b3e1-b39e95f52296/IMG_7725.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time After our day sail, we went out to eat at Little Coyote, again, in St. Elmo. It is such a fun place to enjoy delicious food and drinks! Little Coyote https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4c0f6ddc-db86-4cd5-9a5a-e3b84b6c3b0c/IMG_7707.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Family Time They specialize in smoked meats and fresh produce. It’s kind of a mix of hispanic and southwest fare. It’s a super cute, clean, casual place with great service and reasonable prices. We were here with Lizzy on Mother’s Day eve and wanted Hannah to experience it, too. I’d recommend the yuca fries and empanadas. Their tiny, homemade corn tortillas are kinda perfect. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-summer-faves monthly 0.5 2025-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/56d96d40-ea8d-4efe-be19-aa0090cfc587/IMG_0373.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - potato salad Memorial Day brought out the traditional potato salad. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/730af7f4-aff2-4b64-9f0d-593e8cd8fe15/IMG_0374.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - Mema’s recipe, with a twist This family recipe typically calls for using baking potatoes and without the dill. I had baby red potatoes on hand and some fresh dill and it was just as yummy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6113a11c-184c-466f-b1ed-f9b6128fe2de/IMG_0375.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - any excuse to use my cheery Mason Cash bowl Good Kinsmen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b57f0eee-ea92-4137-b7fb-001400b039a9/IMG_0378.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - recipe potatoes celery green pepper yellow onion miracle whip eggs salt & pepper fresh dill boil any amount of potatoes you like, until fork tender, drain and cool completely chop any amount of celery, peppers and onion you want and set aside boil any number of eggs you want, cool completely, slice into small pieces gently add all ingredients together and chill https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3aa9c796-b4dd-4dae-ad0a-487aa74ae9ff/IMG_0508.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - “life is just a bowl of cherries…” - Judy Garland Cherry season is short so I’m always so happy to enjoy them while they last. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a5d2c8df-0feb-41cc-ac5b-8995d43c1054/IMG_0505.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - probably my favorite appetizer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/712f7f9c-133d-4a8b-847e-78e465a78581/IMG_0503.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - cherry ricotta crostini recipe one baguette olive oil ricotta cheese cherries fresh thyme lemon zest honey salt wash, dry and slice the cherries cut small pieces of the bread and brush with olive oil, on both sides place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet broil just until slightly brown and turn over to other side to broil….really stay with them…they brown very quickly remove from oven and cool completely on cooling rack spread ricotta on the slices and top with cherries, thyme, lemon zest, a tiny bit of salt and drizzle with honey *inspired by Athena Calderone’s “Cook Beautiful” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e66f4538-3bfc-4c36-b6ac-b93a47071945/IMG_0509.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - just peachy IT’S PEACH SEASON!! Sorry, it’s peach season! Always sooo excited for these beauties to be in season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7bd6cac1-ea08-42f6-8837-6957339483af/IMG_0548.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/61628e21-8727-4b73-aa0e-5fd96aeb2ad9/IMG_0549.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - so simple and delicious! Pretty obvious, but simply place one burrata ball in a bowl and gently tear apart, slice peaches with skin on and top with fresh basil and drizzle with honey…makes a refreshing, different salad option to go along with your meal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7d721cec-3e39-4d80-bb99-4d0cbd001af6/IMG_0544.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5672a824-10da-45f0-960d-0ac5a635c7d2/IMG_0545.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - THE summer fruit It just wouldn’t be summer without watermelon, would it? This is another simple salad option that is so sweet, juicy and satisfying. Cube your watermelon and top with feta and mint. Some people drizzle balsamic glaze on this but we like it just as it is. It’s even better if you chill it in the fridge for a few minutes before serving. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a1896013-5f87-4655-872e-15bfe2b1b5b5/IMG_0546.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/859465a2-aff2-4fdc-8e91-a907b7c8a528/IMG_0547.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - summer comfort food There’s something about summer that makes me want seafood. It takes a little time to make the risotto but it’s sooo worth it! This recipe is on another previous food post so take a peek at that if you’d like to make it (Food - Trader Joe’s Haul Recipes). I didn't have fresh mushrooms or blackberries for this one but it was still yummy. For the shrimp, I sautéed fresh shrimp in olive oil and seasoned it with pink sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika and cayenne. I added a little fresh lemon juice and zest and fresh grated parmesan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/276652ab-96fe-47df-849a-a8af07205013/IMG_0550.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/84de5b18-470a-4259-a0fa-639f08b1b873/IMG_0551.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves This was my first time making polenta. It won’t be the last! It’s so easy and so similar to grits (which I LOVE), and makes a perfect base for chicken (and seafood, I bet). I chose to make the “creamy” version on the back of the polenta bag, using water and milk. It takes about 30 minutes to cook but really cooks itself, with just a few stirs while cooking. I cooked two pieces of bacon in a skillet, drained them on a paper towel and left the bacon drippings in the skillet to cook the chicken. I cut three boneless, skinless chicken breasts in half, seasoned with pink sea salt, ground pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne and fresh thyme. I sautéed them on each side until fully cooked. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a0a793ba-7b20-4ffd-98a1-917f4e448c6f/IMG_0553.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Faves - zucchini season! I’m always looking for new ways to use zucchini in the summertime. This is a new recipe and it’s a keeper. from “Half Baked Harvest Every Day” by Tieghan Gerard zucchini sauce pasta 1 lb. pasta 3 tbsp olive oil 2 - 3 medium zucchini and/or yellow squash, sliced salt & pepper 4 garlic cloves, chopped or grated 2 tsp dried oregano crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 cup basil pesto 2/3 cup freshly grated parmesan 1 cup fresh basil, chopped fresh lemon juice for serving (optional) cook pasta, reserve one cup of pasta water, then drain pasta and add back to pot heat olive oil in skillet on medium high heat, add zucchini & season with salt & pepper, cook until soft and tender, stir in butter, garlic, oregano & a pinch of red pepper flakes, cook until butter is melted, dump zucchini into the pot of pasta. add basil pesto & parmesan, toss, add pasta water 2 tbsp at a time. stir in basil to wilt, top with lemon juice and more basil if desired. honey mustard salmon 1/3 cup dijon mustard 1/4 cup honey 4 garlic cloves, chopped 2 tsp onion powder 1 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp chili powder fine pink Himalayan salt & freshly ground pepper 2 lbs salmon fillets, cut into pieces 2 tbsp olive oil place a rack in top third of oven & preheat to 450 degrees in small bowl, stir together mustard, honey, garlic, onion powder, paprika & chili powder, season with salt & pepper, place salmon on baking sheet & rub with mixture, then drizzle with olive oil bake until salmon is turning opaque, about 8-10 minutes, turn oven to broil and brown salmon *I only used about 1/2 lb of salmon because it was just for the two of us and reduced the amounts of ingredients a bit. I didn’t have onion powder so I used garlic powder. I also forgot to broil the salmon but it was just as delicious. I only cooked it for about 5-6 minutes. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/bookish-summer-reading-so-far monthly 0.5 2025-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/40eaf06c-32cd-4d6e-9c74-b2eac38a13ba/IMG_0209.jpeg Journal - Bookish - Summer Reading (so far) - loved it Isabella Stewart Gardner comes alive in this book. You’ll get a glimpse into her eccentric, bold life, 19th-century Boston and her relationships with the artists of her day. Her contributions to the city’s art culture remains to this day. She was truly ahead of her time. I’ve been to Boston and fell in love with that city so I could relate a bit to the setting. I love art and could appreciate that theme running through the book. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/647cc00e-1139-4d69-85a8-e285e2921d47/IMG_0282.jpeg Journal - Bookish - Summer Reading (so far) - liked it I’ve read every book Marie Benedict has written and this one did not disappoint. It tells the story of Rosalind Franklin and her incredible contribution to the discovery of DNA. As in all of Benedict’s books, women are revealed as strong, intelligent, important, brave people who make enormous positive impacts on our world. The story takes place in Paris and London, for the most part. I could relate, having been to both cities. I’ve never been overly interested in science and some of the vocabulary slowed me down a bit but overall, I went away admiring Franklin, greatly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/cf429d8d-b218-44fd-8995-9549ba614f21/IMG_0364.jpeg Journal - Bookish - Summer Reading (so far) - liked it Although this is not an historical fiction book per se, the setting and historical aspects of it make it seem true. Beanland does draw on some of her ancestors’ experiences for her characters. It takes place mainly in Atlantic City in the 1930’s. I’ve never been there and don’t particularly have a desire to visit. Themes of racial discrimination and class division, as well as pre-WW11, Nazi terror in Europe are woven throughout the story. The women are inspiring and brave! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6a04301c-2c66-42cb-a67f-030999ad26d4/IMG_0365.jpeg Journal - Bookish - Summer Reading (so far) - loved it It always amazes me how the same author can write two different books and I will like one more than the other. This was the case with this second book by Beanland. It takes place in pre-Civil War Virginia. The themes of racial and class discrimination echo the themes in her book above. A theatre plays a main part, and since I love the theatre, it struck a chord. The character I was rooting for had a happy ending, so I preferred this story to the above-mentioned one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d953120c-1d74-4ec5-8ba0-90cecc1851be/IMG_0489.jpeg Journal - Bookish - Summer Reading (so far) - loved it You had me at Cornwall. Although its not considered historical fiction, it’s a page-turner for me. It’s set in Cornwall and London England…two of my favorite places on earth. It paints a vivid picture of the aristocracy, its demise, class prejudice, the greed of a hedge-fund manager and how one family is connected to all of it. I was happy with the ending. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/43fcb57a-608c-4b1d-9517-abac65e6a7a5/IMG_0527.jpeg Journal - Bookish - Summer Reading (so far) - when your jammie pants match your book cover I must be drawn to this shade. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/nature-summer-blooms monthly 0.5 2025-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/61731154-6689-41a4-abc0-d1ed9aeb52a3/IMG_0320.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - front yard bouquet We had more peonies this year than every before! They always make me think of “My Fair Lady” and I love their delicate scent. All of our rhododendron varieties outdid themselves, too. The mountain laurel showed off, as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6d5aa2bc-7792-4e90-8cc6-07a28ba4f20b/IMG_0341.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - peony These delicate perennials are symbols of happiness, prosperity and romance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4f27e49d-c7b2-4894-8fa5-fde38da2f6c5/IMG_0308.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3e6e7d0b-48e5-4b32-8e87-4a76dcdb2d3b/IMG_0310.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - rhododendron This native plant is actually a symbol of caution and danger. Who knew?!? Apparently, the plant does have toxins which can be harmful if ingested. So…don’t eat the rhododendron. I just think they’re beautiful! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f19faafe-4a73-40a0-ac6b-ea0cac2010a3/IMG_0261.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9b4913d8-c662-4e8b-ab23-b079a2d23c78/IMG_0273.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - pretty in pink Our heirloom roses bloomed their heads off this year! We’ve never had so many buds and blooms on these climbers. They have a sweet, light scent. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/769414dc-8cad-4af5-9c78-873f0c992c08/IMG_0290.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f75c69cc-e939-424a-9d20-49d01fe6d6f2/IMG_0302.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a47110f3-0fed-4a21-94c0-7ff265b77ed6/IMG_0300.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - backyard beauty This variety of rhododendron is slightly different from the ones in our front beds. The shrub was covered with blooms! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/bf96d560-3179-46bb-a140-fe6d9ac4ea93/IMG_0491.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8183ff9c-c026-46bb-b647-1e9a5326ac11/IMG_0500.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - begonias These sweet, little flowers make me smile. One of David’s co-workers gave them to us after a friend of hers’ gave them to her. She couldn’t use them, so we gratefully planted them up on our deck. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f60df1ea-0ef3-4aca-b5f2-287ccdf402a7/IMG_0346.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - poppies These cheery flowers bloomed at McCoy along the stone wall. They are a symbol of remembrance and sacrifice, especially of World War 1, where they were seen on the Western Front. They are used as a symbol around the world to remember those who have died in military service. They are also symbol of peace and eternal life. McCoy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f32e69c0-8339-4356-a57f-d45878c3e40c/IMG_0355.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - purple cone flower This vibrant flower, also known as echinacea, has long been used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes. Today, it’s well-known for its benefits to the immune system. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2bd416c0-eac4-41ac-a76b-813c610ace36/IMG_0352.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - larkspur This pretty purple flower is also known as delphinium and just happens to be the birthday flower of our oldest daughter, Hannah! It symbolizes lightness, levity, protection and bravery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d0c724ca-37f4-4e0f-8092-71b2afc33a18/IMG_0356.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - cornflower This beautiful blue flower, also known as a bachelor’s button, is a symbol of hope for the future. In folklore, love-sick men wore it to find out if their love was reciprocated. If the flower faded fast, it symbolized unrequited love. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ecb4f7fd-ef6c-4578-a4c2-07a69cd9fd36/IMG_0360.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - when your shirt matches the flower I love wearing my Fjallraven fanny pack Lizzy gave me for Christmas! Perfect for your keys and phone when you want to be hands-free and solo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4b1447e3-d522-4278-b344-779f00449327/IMG_0276.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - do you see it? This one stopped me in my tracks. I’ve seen plenty of heart-shaped green leaves along the trail but this one…I think it’s a petal from a tulip poplar tree. I see hearts in nature as little signs from God, reminding us of His love for us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/830c5eac-67c0-41cc-a616-f5e4f569e8a6/IMG_0358.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8c8dffb3-09dd-4f90-900b-1e1614fca5fd/IMG_0361.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - mushrooms I have no idea what kind these are but I thought they were pretty. We had a lot of rain in May! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f3940c50-635f-435e-a001-fef217fc3dc0/IMG_0363.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - mini trail kit I’d recommend these two. The Hydro Flask with ice-cold water and the adorable Fjallraven fanny pack really come in handy for short walks in the woods. Hydro Flask Fjallraven https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a90080c7-ac72-4473-87de-882181b28912/IMG_0447.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/066641f5-e1a1-463e-a36d-86caf7b88369/IMG_0457.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - inaugural hike This was the first time I wore my new Hokas on a hike. They’re super light and comfy. Hoka https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c3177a97-8757-4848-b7b2-739e2d21bfbb/IMG_0454.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Summer Blooms & Walks - mountain laurel grove We missed their blooms here last month, but this shady grove of trees beside the creek is so enchanting! https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-springish-two monthly 0.5 2025-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/738b805b-1bc4-4cbf-85f1-6df051c0c738/IMG_8980.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - Easter Sugar Cookies I’ve been making this recipe for decades and still love cutting out seasonal shapes for the current holiday. I’ve lost my bunny cookie cutter but did have these cutie egg and carrot ones. recipe 1 cup butter (2 sticks) softened 1 cup sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp salt Beat butter at medium speed with electric mixer 2 minutes or until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg and vanilla or almond, beating well. Gradually add flour and salt, beating until blended. Divide dough in half, cover and chill for one hour. Roll each portion of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters and place on lightly greased baking sheets (I use parchment paper). Bake at 350 degrees for 8 -10 minutes or until edges of cookies are lightly browned. Cool cookies one minute on baking sheets, remove to wire racks to cool completely. From Southern Living’s “Incredible Cookies” cookbook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6f7249f0-0aec-428c-b7a4-3e535225ee59/IMG_8993.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - buttercream frosting It’s hard to beat this simple, delicious frosting for cookies. I love to mix food colorings in to create fun shades of frosting. recipe 1 stick butter, softened about three cups powdered sugar about three tbsp milk 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract food coloring of your choice Use a mixer to cream butter until smooth. Add the other ingredients and beat on high until smooth. I usually separate the frosting into individual bowls to add the food colorings. I find one drop is enough per bowl of frosting, depending on how dark you want the color to be. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/034c2895-a6ed-4bfc-9b34-3ea5eb3ff1ac/IMG_8995.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9802ff68-b68a-469d-b476-ebbf930f5f0d/IMG_9015.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - ham tetrazzini The first time I had this dish was when we had our second daughter. The woman from whom we bought our house brought this yummy dinner to us to enjoy after coming home from the hospital. It’s such a “comfort food” meal that’s great to just pop in the microwave the next day for a quick lunch or dinner. This recipe is from my tried and true “The Southern Living Cookbook” we received as a wedding present in 1990. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6db9a990-3a65-4013-a35c-10a81bf255e1/IMG_9016.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two I used angel hair pasta for the pasta layer but you could probably use any kind of pasta you have in the pantry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/95ba61e4-4b5d-4e89-99ea-657535ab92e6/IMG_9020.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two I came up with this recipe on my own. I based it on a potato soup recipe I’ve made over the years. I simply used ingredients I had and it turned out quite good! recipe Saute some onions and garlic in olive oil or butter until tender, add cooked and drained pasta (any kind), ham, salt & pepper. Add some chicken stock and milk. Top with chives, any kind of cheese, basil and croutons (I made these croutons from the ends of a loaf of challah bread) For the croutons, simply cut bread into chunks, toss with olive oil, melted butter, any herb you like, garlic and salt & pepper in a bowl. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread croutons out on the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about five minutes and check them. They’re done when they’re slightly browned. Watch them, they'll burn quickly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b3ec21a9-71d8-4ee5-9a72-d7cfa939165a/IMG_0112.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - Make it stand out it’s ok…go ahead and gasp and laugh…I did! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/54948173-8359-4a49-ad15-0288d4527141/IMG_0116.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting Success! Much better and worth the time and ingredients it took to make something yummy (and edible!). This recipe came from the above-mentioned “The Southern Living Cookbook”, as well. recipe 3 cups grated carrots 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp ground cinnamon 4 eggs beaten 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil 1 tsp vanilla extract Combine first seven ingredients; stir in eggs, oil, and vanilla, mixing well. Pour batter into paper lined muffin pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from pans and let cool on wire racks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6931015a-bad1-4c25-b73b-76232d2586ae/IMG_0124.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two This definitely satisfied my craving for carrot cake and I was able to share some of these little cakes with my mother-in-law during a visit to her house. Lesson learned: recipes don’t always go to plan but it’s not a tragedy. If there’s time and enough ingredients, it’s worth trying again. And as a baker, you kind of know when something doesn’t look right, even before you bake it. Not every recipe is created equal. cream cheese frosting recipe 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 (16 oz) package powdered sugar, sifted 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract Combine cream cheese & butter, beating until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5c331fef-7412-4f08-92b0-0bd13a37f964/IMG_0138.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - Make it stand out I spread a little marscapone cheese, fig jam, miracle whip, dijon mustard, arugula and dill on a small slice of store-bought challah bread. It was delish! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/80c17208-e5c3-48ee-81eb-cede1bc33e44/IMG_0139.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - sometimes, you just want a sandwich https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/136ee49f-46a0-4d89-a2e6-011342db0c07/IMG_0178.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - salsa I truly just throw in tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice, red pepper, salt & pepper and either honey or sugar into a food processor and blend it all together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/668517dc-9bef-4a1b-bdc4-959afc5060a1/IMG_0179.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - guac I mash avocado with a potato masher and add lime juice, onion, cilantro, garlic, salt & pepper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/48e42e3e-b9d3-4463-8369-03a387f1c60f/IMG_0180.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - lime crema Simply add lime juice and lime zest to sour cream. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/64a14bd8-f22e-4b18-824e-6b6a4886e8f4/IMG_0181.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - steak taco I bought one New York Strip steak and asked David to grill it for us. I sliced it into thin pieces for both of us. I crisped up the corn tortilla in a skillet and topped it with the steak, black beans, guac, Colby jack cheese, lettuce, arugula, salsa and the lime crema. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d674bb1d-bb16-45f7-a8fc-3e012f7c9b74/IMG_0199.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - creamy cheese corn Corn is my favorite veg and this is one way to enjoy its deliciousness. I cut fresh corn off the cob and sautéed it in a skillet with butter and onion until tender. I reduced the heat and added some cream cheese and heavy cream, salt & pepper. Let the cheese melt until creamy and serve. It’s also even more amazing topped with a little basil and parmesan. I know, it’s not the healthiest way to eat corn, but now and then, it’s worth the splurge! It’s great as a side or base for an entree. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9a372e8e-957e-48ab-a2a5-31c3ca4cece6/IMG_0214.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish Two - potato corn chowder This is typically what I make when I don’t know what to make. If I have potatoes and corn, this soup is a “go-to”. I had baby potatoes, which I simply cut into halves, and cooked them with some onion, corn, red pepper, and garlic in butter in a skillet. When they seemed tender, I added some chicken stock and brought it to a boil. I let it simmer for a few minutes, then whisked in a little flour and milk to thicken it. I added some herbs (rosemary and thyme work well) and topped with cheddar. It’s a fairly quick, comforting dinner, even in the warmer months, especially when corn is at its best. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/nature-late-april monthly 0.5 2025-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5190d6e0-2682-4837-9d52-917259f49491/IMG_0147.jpeg Journal - Nature - Late April - rhododendron This plant has been here since we moved here in 1997 and was probably planted years before. I love the way it looks when the buds are about to burst. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b6ae0c4e-b90c-4ba3-9b31-51b1a1c5dd3a/IMG_0140.jpeg Journal - Nature - Late April - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0edfe37e-1d9a-4898-8a21-f48e77df00cd/IMG_0150.jpeg Journal - Nature - Late April - mountain laurel This, too, has been in our yard since before we moved in. It also looks ready to burst into bloom. It’s in the same family as rhododendron but a different genus. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4efb8347-3bda-47df-bbd9-15b90c9d6773/IMG_0153.jpeg Journal - Nature - Late April - violas These little beauties survived the winter in our window boxes. We planted them last fall and they truly show off in the spring. They have the sweetest scent and are edible, if not treated with a pesticide. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0381b455-17c3-4ff1-b32a-a57e73c50650/IMG_0159.jpeg Journal - Nature - Late April - begonia I was so excited to begin planting our summer flowers after the danger of a frost/freeze had passed. These bright red blooms are potted on our deck and should last through the summer into fall. Signal Mountain Nursery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/36974278-6f59-4926-946a-e9f915c75eea/IMG_0162.jpeg Journal - Nature - Late April - impatiens These cheery red flowers are in another window box, mostly shaded from the sun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a63a57a5-4da7-41a5-ae3f-8485452aab6b/IMG_0164.jpeg Journal - Nature - Late April - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8a5ab472-b95c-478f-af45-e55648ebaa2f/IMG_0169.jpeg Journal - Nature - Late April - apple tree My sister-in-law gave this apple tree to us in memory of my daddy, who went home to heaven in 2011. The little tree was about six or seven feet tall then. Today, it is huge! It’s beautiful throughout the year, especially when it blooms in the spring. It provides so much shade now and I can imagine, one day, maybe our grandkids could climb on its branches. These little apples will grow into larger ones and feed the birds and squirrels in our yard. It makes me smile everyday and I know my daddy would have loved it too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ec7cbc40-e0fc-451d-ace3-00af11e99005/IMG_0172.jpeg Journal - Nature - Late April - hydrangea Glory be. We will actually have blooms this summer! It’s been years since they’ve blossomed. Late freezes have claimed the flowers over recent years. We’re so excited to see the beautiful blue clusters in a few weeks! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8e66f966-7c86-4b28-88f1-aa91b20221ba/IMG_0174.jpeg Journal - Nature - Late April - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/nature-early-april monthly 0.5 2025-05-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b2f6bf15-3346-4ab0-8fe0-88ae3dc29eb5/IMG_8946.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4cdf74d6-07c3-464b-a173-493495d430fe/IMG_0005.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - bearded iris This shade of pink is just lovely and the scent takes me back to my childhood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/eca66fa7-cbbf-4cac-9203-417483d0b081/IMG_0026.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - pine I love a sunny, blue-sky day but sometimes, when the fog rolls in and raindrops dangle from the trees and flowers, it’s rather enchanting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5af75a84-8bf5-411c-a3b1-fca145cef15a/IMG_0034.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - rhododendron This beautiful, native plant thrives on the mountain in different shades of pink and white. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/1cd529a8-6759-4b84-8f60-143719b75bb1/IMG_0039.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - Japanese Maple It’s hard to tell from this photo, but these rain-kissed leaves are very small on this pretty tree. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7aaaaa24-6bf9-43ce-8182-dd54e56fe590/IMG_0044.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - wild rose I love finding wild roses along a path. This one is near an entrance to McCoy. It smelled so good! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c6b13748-f6fb-4480-9ba3-a614c0f26542/IMG_0046.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - viburnum These look like hydrangeas to me but they’re smaller and have a wonderful scent. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/189513b8-27be-4c09-8b28-22259c8d96e5/IMG_0049.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - ivy I love the different shades of green and leaf sizes growing up this tree. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e8c0b0fc-0250-4c11-a5d1-7655b7690b97/IMG_0056.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - fern I look forward to seeing the ferns emerge from the forest floor every spring. Soon, these green, feathery beauties will cover large patches of earth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/fa5c73cc-8bed-418f-b22c-4d642b4231cb/IMG_0061.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - mountain laurel Like, rhododendron, this native plant grows abundantly on the mountain. These tiny buds will bloom soon, into gorgeous pinkish white flowers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/dcf4e34a-f019-4417-86bf-18c11d2525bf/IMG_0066.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2370eece-384d-4012-a085-d02c1e64828d/IMG_0082.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - annual honesty I didn’t know what this pretty purple flower was but thanks to my phone, it identified it for me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/09618a0e-a131-4cc9-a8e3-e88a28e58762/IMG_0089.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - lichen I will always LOVE lichen. The colors make my eyes happy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/da4f1154-b8ca-4c99-be3f-5101eaa73464/IMG_0091.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - trumpet honeysuckle How glorious is this archway!? It leads into a children’s garden at McCoy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/43e490df-26a4-431a-b283-cd8bc705ce72/IMG_0094.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/680950d9-2c7e-4355-b4f3-ce453fca9d60/IMG_0095.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - chives Believe it or not, these are chives. Apparently, they bloom in the spring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d095604c-6681-44c1-bf12-ed973e5e80e4/IMG_0105.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early April - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/travel-nashville-spring monthly 0.5 2025-05-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/dd62f160-90bd-4f5c-8de5-0c4459a873ec/IMG_8807.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - but first, brunch Saturday morning, we enjoyed a delicious brunch at East Nashville’s, Audrey. This petite, yet scrumptious take on an omelet, arrived at my place setting in a piping hot cast iron skillet. Audrey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/505d00c9-7b0d-4ab2-bc62-70023dda4074/IMG_8808.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - get the hash browns! I ordered a side of hash browns, which was a trio of crunchy potato goodness. I believe they cook them with cornmeal, making them extra southern. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6ccfdf16-27db-41b9-a44a-2f96981394cc/IMG_8806.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - cheers! I had a delightful mimosa to celebrate our togetherness. We were also joined by Lizzy’s boyfriend, Scott, for our first time at this cozy eatery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4932e2ed-f0ee-4e79-b072-5771425e72da/IMG_8815.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - inspired If you go their website, you’ll read about the inspiration for this restaurant. This quilt and the logs are in the entryway to the establishment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ac5e5606-93d6-47ea-9ce0-44bee43af8de/IMG_8828.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - full bellies We liked our experience here. A heads up…it’s a bit hard to find, even though our directions took us right to the street. It’s located in a separate, black-painted building but there is no obvious signage. This is the tiny sign for the restaurant on the side of the building, kind of tucked away in a sort of courtyard. There is a small parking lot at the restaurant and street parking surrounding the building. Lizzy and Scott ordered the eggs benedict and liked it. Lizzy also had an espresso martini and approved. The service was very good, and the chef/owner gave us a friendly “thanks for coming in and have a great day!” as we got up to leave our table. The kitchen is open to the dining area, which I like. It has a casual, open, slightly rustic and industrial vibe with comfy velvet booths and dried flowers hanging from the ceiling. We felt nourished to go on to our next activity….Cheekwood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0e0cf695-52f0-4a2a-abd4-01fbb6fcb103/IMG_6754.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - Make it stand out Cheekwood was still showing off its beautiful tulips! As the sky hints, a strong storm was approaching, so if we had visited just a day later, we would have missed them. Cheekwood https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/36845946-f262-43cc-a7ec-b0716737548b/IMG_8833.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ddee9d0a-032b-4bfe-b8b9-03d5fc8e8963/IMG_6763.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime I was trying to blend in with the flowers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f44265fc-2b86-4e24-b8b1-2201d663c8ad/IMG_6771.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - lovely Lizzy It was a warm April day with a little sun and clouds but no rain…..yet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/380c8f0b-5418-4458-ba24-ec61de5b79b4/IMG_8834.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - Japanese Garden This section of the gardens was so peaceful and gorgeous. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2dc03c4a-0d4f-4f31-b3a9-033423e0ea68/IMG_8838.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7f1119d1-db87-457a-837c-aa609eb798fc/IMG_8839.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7d9f0f50-7220-488d-93e0-3497625bfdce/IMG_8842.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - Japanese Maple I loved this little tree! The leaves felt like feathers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7a7974c8-099f-4873-8993-5516cba870ad/IMG_6778.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - happy girls in the garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ed1e838f-8ec8-4d74-bc9d-574622970b03/IMG_8844.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - rock garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a1485825-6cd8-4136-b171-5000d1f8d52f/IMG_8850.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e8c402a6-47fd-4567-9e5d-2a7ba10d1f42/IMG_8851.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - Lenten Rose or Hellebore https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7c29b9cd-bfeb-4b2e-aa64-82f90988ff74/IMG_8852.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/68013668-06b4-4950-bb19-d6e3f9eea861/IMG_8853.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - Daffodil I loved this frilly one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b7e93a64-aedc-4f38-9083-32b2b9e4ca14/IMG_8857.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - Make it stand out Although some of the daffodils had faded, there were still plenty to be found. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/14fc835f-0acb-44fa-b946-c010cc49f90f/IMG_8858.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime I loved this plaque. The colors of nature mentioned here, are some of my favorites indoors and out. What a peaceful, pretty image it brings to mind of God’s creation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ead4bacf-bb83-4208-a626-5b3d78fcaf57/IMG_8860.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/074b4268-af25-4a5f-868e-f61049f3c4fd/IMG_8859.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - Bearded Iris This pretty purple beauty is our Tennessee state flower. When I was growing up, we had purple, yellow and white irises along our driveway. I can still smell them when I close my eyes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/70afae3c-a6c0-405c-9f51-85cd5f3ca408/IMG_8861.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3b1f09a1-026b-4d51-bec9-0c0eabda31e7/IMG_8866.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0849f641-585f-42d1-bb7e-039c3e50da0e/IMG_8868.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - Make it stand out We loved walking along the boardwalk and paths through the woods. These ginormous sphere sculptures are made of granite and marble. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/172a87fc-9c30-42e0-9034-29a26a5e375a/IMG_8873.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime very relieved we didn’t experience a tornado and were ready for a night out! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2ca78041-a8b4-4427-b690-41138e794cbf/IMG_8877.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - Lucia This was my very first opera and Lizzy’s second (bless her, she had to see her first opera in ITALY). We had great seats and the performers were incredible! Nashville Opera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/16947b89-7ce1-4948-a97b-ab85ccb12e5d/IMG_8879.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville in Springtime - precious time We had a wonderful weekend together! Lizzy made a delicious breakfast for us the next morning before I had to say “see you soon” and head home. Thank you, Lizzy, and Nashville, for a fun few days, making new memories I’ll always cherish. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/bookish-spring monthly 0.5 2025-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6f056ef4-3de4-4bb4-80da-f2539d96b46c/IMG_8751.jpeg Journal - Bookish - Spring - The Salt Path by Raynor Winn The fact that this story takes place in Cornwall, England grabbed my attention. David and I traveled there in 2022 and I fell in love with the breathtaking beauty of the place. This true journey reminds us to persevere, be brave, be open to new and challenging experiences and to carry on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ae32abcc-7d95-435c-9129-5b79a0726f33/IMG_8752.jpeg Journal - Bookish - Spring - America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie Historical fiction is my favorite genre. This is a fascinating peek into life in America and France in the early days of the American Revolution and the first few years of our democracy, from the viewpoint of one of Jefferson’s daughters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/37f28275-74d9-4f51-b8b1-023525f5e924/IMG_8776.jpeg Journal - Bookish - Spring - The Swan’s Nest by Laura McNeal I LOVED this one. This “hard to put down” book is another historical fiction find, giving a glimpse into the life of famous British poets, Elizabeth Barrett-Browning and Robert Browning. It paints a picture of Victorian life for women, the upper class culture with its pleasant aspects, as well as its ugly, evil side, and a rare love story of two kindred spirits. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/home-eastery monthly 0.5 2025-05-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ed21e5bf-4350-4701-8223-373663414fca/IMG_8740.jpeg Journal - Home - Eastery - spring bowl If you’ve seen some of my previous posts, you’ll know I like to change out items in this pretty wooden bowl from Sophie’s. For the Easter season, this cutie paper mache bunny hopped into the bowl, along with an egg-filled nest and new taper. The brown bunny came from Target, years ago. I honestly can’t remember where the nest and eggs came from but it was either Sophie’s or Shops on Main. The brass candlestick belonged to my parents. Sophie’s Shops on Main https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8e51dc34-097d-44e5-bebe-c7cadf6c74ec/IMG_8742.jpeg Journal - Home - Eastery - Peter This little Peter Rabbit music box is very special. My mom gave him to me a long time ago. She and dad traveled to England once, to the home of Beatrix Potter. They gave our girls many Beatrix Potter books and stuffed animals when they were little. One of my dreams is to travel to the Lake District of England and walk the pathways my parents walked on the land where Beatrix Potter lived, bought and forever preserved hundreds of acres of countryside for future generations to enjoy. Beatrix Potter also inspires me, as a writer and illustrator. Another dream I have is to, one day, create children’s books. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3c760a29-9f6a-4bff-b875-f60641a424e8/IMG_8745.jpeg Journal - Home - Eastery - mantle I love decorating our mantle for every season or holiday. What I love more, is that this mantle was found in an old farmhouse by my daddy. He lovingly restored it when I was a child. When my parents moved out of my childhood home, thankfully, they asked if I wanted it for our new home. Memories of countless Christmases and winter fires remain every time I look at it. One day, when we move from this house, it will go right along with us. Maybe years from now, it will live on in one of our daughters’ homes. The topiary preserved boxwood trees, egg trees and mercury glass votives are from Target (from years ago). The Easter garland is from Vinterest Hixson. Vinterest Hixson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4f2733d5-4c34-4ad7-843d-c70497ce42c1/IMG_8747.jpeg Journal - Home - Eastery - the cross This special cross is from Montreat, North Carolina. When the girls were little, our family went, with other church members, to this beautiful place in the mountains to serve during a conference, helping with the children’s activities. I bought this cross in a local shop there. We made sweet memories in that special place. The cross represents the reason we celebrate Easter. Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins and give us eternal life with Him in heaven. Three days later, the Son of God rose from the dead and lives today! Montreat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4739df74-9f38-46d7-9631-c74d51bd1540/IMG_8895.jpeg Journal - Home - Eastery - welcome home I found this sweet egg wreath at Target a long time ago. It welcomes us home on the garbage door. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8af2c9c8-2af6-4ac0-b40a-d7440d760e58/IMG_8780.jpeg Journal - Home - Eastery This bunny admires the frilly daffodil on the kitchen table. This white ceramic rabbit is from Target from years ago. I had to rescue this bloom from the flower bed after heavy rains beat it down into the dirt. I clipped it, gave it a gentle shower and placed it in a little vase. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/329f7c3b-df97-4793-bf21-bc5d245dfa69/IMG_9013.jpeg Journal - Home - Eastery - new & old, casual & fancy I kept our Easter table simple this year, with my mama’s china, my bamboo utensils and sea grass placemats, napkins from Sophie’s and precious votives Hannah gave to me years ago. I added little vases of azaleas from our yard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/50c3d8c6-05c1-491a-8309-80fea4368ef9/IMG_8998.jpeg Journal - Home - Eastery - not just a pinecone…. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4f6c543f-c836-4de3-adec-0bf70d3f3b95/IMG_8997.jpeg Journal - Home - Eastery - sweet surprise inside I found this ceramic pinecone at Dirty Jane’s recently. I love pinecones, because, you know, nature. Also, when we found our first house in Brainerd in 1991, the 1940 house had original pinecone wallpaper in the stairwell going up to the second floor. These pretty chocolate eggs came from Trader Joe’s and were different flavors of deliciousness. I knew this pinecone would come in handy! https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-meat-amp-potatoes monthly 0.5 2025-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6b3b5286-a980-4541-8bcc-a89e6a099f9f/IMG_8728.jpeg Journal - Food - Meat & Potatoes - filet mignon To add more flavor to my favorite cut of beef, we marinate it in a little soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt & pepper and garlic powder. David is THE BEST griller and always cooks the meat just right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c93f1cfa-dc98-4e09-af58-546e98cef83a/IMG_8727.jpeg Journal - Food - Meat & Potatoes - rosemary butter It’s amazing what a little butter and rosemary can do to a steak! These two simple ingredients add ALOT of flavor when melted on top of the steak. I used Kerrygold butter this time. It’s so soft and creamy, already, that you really don't have to set it out ahead of time to soften. Simply press some butter into a bowl and mash in pieces of fresh rosemary. It’s ready to spread on top of the steak when it’s hot off the grill. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d73052ad-0237-496b-be74-e8f1abbfdb3a/IMG_8726.jpeg Journal - Food - Meat & Potatoes - mashed chive parmesan potatoes Adding a little fresh, chopped chives and fresh grated parmesan cheese to homemade mashed potatoes adds that additional deliciousness. After I chop, boil and drain a baking potato, I mash the pieces with a potato masher, then add butter, sour cream, fresh garlic, salt & pepper. Simply stir in the chives (I snip them with kitchen shears) and grate the cheese with a microplaner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6a60b268-cdfd-49e4-a7a1-aaf784983e48/IMG_8730.jpeg Journal - Food - Meat & Potatoes - lemon butter asparagus I’ve been preparing asparagus this way for years and it’s still my favorite way to enjoy this beautiful green veggie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f7df84d3-e3f8-41d2-bf5a-faf507f6d624/IMG_8733.jpeg Journal - Food - Meat & Potatoes I drizzle melted butter and lemon juice over the asparagus and sprinkle a little lemon zest on top. The green goodness is tender yet crunchy. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-springish monthly 0.5 2025-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9d3a9702-230e-4771-9190-d83c63aca10b/IMG_8695.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish - roasted veg This is one of the easiest, quickest sides you can make. I found all the fresh, colorful veg at Trader Joe’s. I just kept pulling veggies out of my fridge to toss with olive oil, fresh garlic, salt and pepper. I mixed in fresh herbs - rosemary, thyme and sage. I roasted them on a foil-lined cookie sheet at 425 degrees for about 20-30 minutes. I included broccolini, asparagus, rainbow mini carrots, shallots, brown shimeji mushrooms, red peppers, and cherry tomatoes on the vine. For someone who has never liked mushrooms nor tomatoes, I actually liked these! We had the veggies with small filet mignon steaks (sometimes I’ll buy one steak and cut it in half, horizontally, for David to grill…it’s less expensive and enough for both of us) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d015ed81-1f47-4162-b288-147131f84047/IMG_8690.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish - cutest pear ever! I used a Bartlett (my fave) pear for the crostini. It was tiny but perfectly ripe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/235dbac9-af1b-4456-abb1-36d1439e43ab/IMG_8697.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish - pear crostini I can’t tell you how delicious and simple these are to make! This one is a variation of the blueberry crostini I made last summer/fall (found on another food post on the blog), from Athena Calderone’s amazing cookbook, “Cook Beautiful”, found at Sophie’s. Sophie’s I found the baguette at Trader Joe’s. Simply cut small pieces, brush with olive oil on each side, broil them, turning so each side toasts slightly. Let the bread cool completely on a cooling rack. Spread ricotta cheese on each slice and top with thinly sliced pears, fresh thyme, orange zest and honey. They are heavenly! I can’t wait to make them with fresh, May strawberries and maybe some mint! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/1f16579a-9331-4a27-8f82-9d45d18c96ae/IMG_8721.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish - shrimp, veg & udon noodle stir fry Sometimes, we just crave stir fry and this is so quick and easy! I still had plenty of the raw veg from the roasted veg recipe above. I added frozen edamame, fresh ginger, yellow onion and spring onions. I added peeled and deveined shrimp, along with sesame and canola oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, rice vinegar, salt & pepper. I really just added each ingredient as I saw fit…no specific amounts. I also added a tiny but of cream of tartar to thicken the sauce. I cooked the udon noodles in boiling water for about five minutes, drained and added to the veg and shrimp. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4149f03b-968e-42ec-893b-8e9d76b33464/IMG_8725.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish - light and delicious! I sprinkled sesame seeds on top. You could also add cashews. So yummy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5954454a-f509-4a43-8165-2e03e7b98569/IMG_8720.jpeg Journal - Food - Springish - worth repeating I included these chocolate-covered dates on a previous post but man, some things are worth repeating. These are incredibly quick, easy and decadent. I used pitted medjool dates, dark chocolate chips, crushed pistachios, peanut butter and orange zest. Simply melt your chocolate in a double broiler or microwave until melted, dip the dates and place on parchment paper. Sprinkle the pistachios on top, add a little zest or stuff with peanut butter and drizzle chocolate on top. When you bite into one, you almost think you’re eating chocolate-covered caramel because of the texture of the dates. Such a delicious little treat! https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/nature-inside-amp-out-springtime monthly 0.5 2025-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/25852d4d-6faa-4e34-a2c2-6be7912a3f12/IMG_8551.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime - Crocus These precious crocus were planted by our Lizzy, years ago, around the playhouse. They’ve come back every year since and have multiplied. They’re the first flower to appear in the spring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f04e2591-202e-43dd-9270-f071fd653146/IMG_8575.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime - Violas I love these sweet-smelling flowers. They tend to survive the winter even better than the pansies. These live in our front window boxes. Signal Mountain Nursery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/23b1c12a-4052-4aa6-8c80-dee564fd46f2/IMG_8586.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime - Make it stand out McCoy has many different varieties of daffodils and they’re all gorgeous. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6b77accc-f2a9-430f-bb95-1c88a39fcb66/IMG_8579.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime You can see the lovely stone house in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/1f13cad9-1810-413e-b5a4-9226693f2bb5/IMG_8578.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime - Make it stand out These snowdrops are enchanting! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5899db8e-b889-4582-81a7-e8f2cda1fd57/IMG_8583.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime - Forsythia This happy shrub has been extra full and bright this year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6136f52d-f4d1-4cc0-8475-7ede37bd32cb/IMG_8593.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime - Vinca These tiny, purple flowers grow on the forest floor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b5f455bf-9af5-4d7a-bae7-64d0fd69f112/IMG_8616.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime - Make it stand out I clipped a few branches from our cherry tree to enjoy inside. I placed the vase up on the mantle so our kitty couldn’t get to them, as they’re toxic to cats. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/16555710-c4ff-4d03-bf4f-abaa2b483264/IMG_8613.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime I also cut a few forsythia branches off of our neighbor’s shrubs, which conveniently grow through out fence. ;) I placed it on my sweet, wooden bowl from Sophie’s in our living room. Sophie’s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c431c9e0-56ac-4291-a317-ba807f37903f/IMG_8619.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime - Make it stand out These petite daffodils were a happy accident. I didn’t realize how small they would be when I planted the bulbs. I love them in this tiny vase, which held matches in a previous life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/048b1a0f-1002-41cb-b851-f4f0097d231c/IMG_8667.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime - Make it stand out I’m going to gush about these and include a few photos of them. I have decided ranunculus are one of my very favorite flowers! I found these beauties at Trader Joe’s and fell in love. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d819cf4a-3d12-4ef3-84d3-8185786fb2e6/IMG_8671.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime - the layers and buds! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c9d8f0a8-50a5-416c-8485-f20ac88b814b/IMG_8677.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/aa8b6224-0dee-40ad-b084-ca4401bba116/IMG_8687.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime - Make it stand out just so beautiful! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2d49a664-fabb-4a1a-8be7-79fb6240276e/IMG_8699.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime I found that their stems are very fragile and some of them bent over the vase, so I simply cut them and let them float in this glass bowl. So sweet! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7fa01294-c9d8-495c-aff7-ab49c1450f28/IMG_8713.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime I also found pussy willow at Trader Joe’s and had to get a few branches! It reminds me of my childhood, when we would make Easter cards in Sunday school and glue the branches onto the construction paper. They’re so soft! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c763b62a-d3f5-4d1e-b7d2-ceba664cc2cf/IMG_8717.jpeg Journal - Nature - Inside & Out Springtime I placed the branches in two separate, tall vases on our hutch in the dining room. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/holidays-st-patricks-day monthly 0.5 2025-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b677de8a-f36f-42ed-a5a6-a8aa2292647e/IMG_8623.jpeg Journal - Holidays - St. Patrick’s Day - Make it stand out One of my sweet friends gave this shamrock plant to me “for old time’s sake”. She and I worked together at preschool and I would borrow her shamrocks to teach the kids about St. Patrick. I transplanted it into this cutie bird pot I received as another gift, years ago. The adorable planter is from Sophie’s. Sophie’s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/69d2c7bb-5ac4-4503-8196-9e5003b1d1df/IMG_8628.jpeg Journal - Holidays - St. Patrick’s Day I just so happened to have this charming Baggu reusable bag for my St. Patrick’s Day food shop. I’m a sucker for gingham. Lucky me. ;) I found the bag in Manhattan at the Baggu store when I visited Hannah last spring. If you’re ever in the city, go to this amazing shop! They have every size and color you could imagine. They also have other types of bags and purses. Baggu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ffde06e5-a235-493c-b4ee-3747e2b98820/IMG_8631.jpeg Journal - Holidays - St. Patrick’s Day Our local grocery store featured an Irish cheese assortment and it was scrumptious! It was fun to try cheeses we’ve never had before. They included Kerrygold Dubliner with Irish Stout, McCalls Grass-fed Irish Sage Cheddar (my fave), McCalls Grass-fed Irish Porter Cheddar and McCalls Grass-fed Irish Whiskey Cheddar. We nibbled on the cheese and crackers while I made the beef stew, mashed potatoes and scones. Pruett’s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8962e987-6597-4027-8185-a814da07160a/IMG_8639.jpeg Journal - Holidays - St. Patrick’s Day Our mini charcuterie looked yummy on the pretty board Hannah gave to me a few years ago. The fig jam was perfect with the cheeses and crackers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/daec7933-d03e-460e-9ee8-ba9d434c09db/IMG_8634.jpeg Journal - Holidays - St. Patrick’s Day veggies ready for the stew, in Irish colors, I might add (chop as much celery, green pepper & carrot as you like) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0634134c-72c5-4b05-be08-558277e783c8/IMG_8646.jpeg Journal - Holidays - St. Patrick’s Day I made scones from a recipe in a little cookbook given to me by our dear Irish cousin, Gay, when we traveled with them in Ireland back in October. They tasted so good with the Kerry Gold butter spread on them! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f0b383e2-9770-48a9-a208-976adee33dbf/IMG_8640.jpeg Journal - Holidays - St. Patrick’s Day - David He didn’t wear green but did wear his Guinness hat we found in Doolin, Ireland. I did, of course, still pinch him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a41e7397-962f-4921-876f-590132106389/IMG_8630.jpeg Journal - Holidays - St. Patrick’s Day - Me I would never dare not wear green on St. Patrick’s Day but even if I didn’t, my green eyes count. ;) https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/home-winterearly-spring-interiors monthly 0.5 2025-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b772d555-62f4-4eb1-892f-e3e870555bee/IMG_8237.jpeg Journal - Home - Winter/Early Spring Interiors - snow white There was a little bit of snow left on the ground outside and these snowy white tulips looked beautiful in the afternoon sunlight. I found the tulips at Whole Foods. The pretty water decanter is from Sophie’s. Sophie’s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c340e46d-c250-496b-b130-4e5feafc7205/IMG_8241.jpeg Journal - Home - Winter/Early Spring Interiors I love choosing a large bouquet of flowers at a grocery store and scattering little vases around the house. You get a lot of bang for your buck. These sweet tulips lasted for a full week. The antique table, gray chair and brass candlestick is from my childhood home. The green glass lamp is from World Market. The drapes are from Ballard Designs. World Market Ballard Designs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ff829d68-c124-4677-8841-b15b04ba6dc6/IMG_8246.jpeg Journal - Home - Winter/Early Spring Interiors I like to move items around the house sometimes. We recently moved this painting from our bedroom to the living room. It’s special to me because it hung in my childhood living room for years. It ties in with my love of all things nature…subject matter, colors and textures. And yes, I know, the wall is screaming out for a couple of sconces to flank the painting. I’m looking at a British brand called “Pooky”. We’ve had the sofa, ottoman and side table for years. The gray, velvet pillow is from Sophie’s. The ikat cushion is from Ballard Designs. I found the white lamp and shade on clearance at Target! The green throw is Studio McGee from Target. Pooky https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4cf02dd4-e0cd-4335-a0ef-512cb4fac6b1/IMG_8247.jpeg Journal - Home - Winter/Early Spring Interiors This is another example of how I’ve moved items from one place to another. I had these coffee table books scattered around the house, where they weren’t as accessible or inviting to pick up and flip through. The sweet round, wooden bowl was on our dark, wood dining room table but I thought it looked better on the cream-colored ottoman. I love pinecones and thought these from our backyard added a wintery look. The white tulips brought in the promise of spring, just around the corner. The tufted ottoman is from Ballard Designs. The wooden bowl, “Sense of Place” and “Create” books are from Sophie’s. I found the “Ireland’s Heart” book during our trip Doolin, Ireland. I don’t remember where I found the “Tennesseeans” book. I collect brown transferware and thought this cutie plate was perfect for holding this pillar candle. The jute rug is from Amazon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/18925fc3-cf9d-406e-ae72-effab5cfcdbe/IMG_8248.jpeg Journal - Home - Winter/Early Spring Interiors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/34b1c471-2804-4341-ab27-6a4ee59c2e49/IMG_8492.jpeg Journal - Home - Winter/Early Spring Interiors I love this versatile, wooden bowl from Sophie’s. I look forward to filling it with seasonal touches throughout the year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c035732c-4571-4d9d-9a40-448042cc37e1/IMG_8522.jpeg Journal - Home - Winter/Early Spring Interiors These happy tulips spoke to me at Trader Joe’s recently. These sunny flowers called out to me, “Spring is here!” and I brought them home for the kitchen table. They were so reasonable and lasted all week. I love their scent and cheerful color! Trader Joe’s https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-winter monthly 0.5 2025-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/de12b53f-5478-465f-afa7-7133f3c7f444/IMG_7905.jpeg Journal - Food - Winter - Cinnamon Rolls before https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ba292471-8a80-470e-8645-8eb96501917c/IMG_7944.jpeg Journal - Food - Winter - after Our daughter, Lizzy, began making these mouth-watering cinnamon rolls a few years ago. She preps them on Christmas Eve and pops them in the oven on Christmas morning, much to our delight! The smell coming from the oven while they bake is amazing. Pinterest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e68a3aa7-5cbc-424e-845a-3fe81ed0b641/IMG_8216.jpeg Journal - Food - Winter - Chicken Noodle Soup After a fun, snow day, a hot bowl of this goodness hits the spot! recipe: one store-bought rotisserie chicken one carton of chicken stock any kind of pasta you like carrots, celery, garlic & onion olive oil salt & pepper remove chicken and shred into bowl cook pasta in separate pot & drain saute’ sliced carrots, celery & onion in about a tablespoon of olive oil in a pot until slightly tender, then add fresh grated garlic (you can use any amount of veg) add the chicken, stock (as much as you need to cover the ingredients), pasta, salt & pepper ( you could add some fresh rosemary if you wish) let it simmer for a few minutes, then serve! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f9a58f6e-9141-4b98-8f4c-9a0c4af03e5d/IMG_8069.jpeg Journal - Food - Winter - Black-Eyed Pea Dip This is an old tradition in our home for New Year’s Day. We wouldn’t dream of not having these “good luck” peas for the new year! It’s so simple yet delicious, served with Fritos scoops. recipe: 2 cans black-eyed peas (drained) 1 can white shoe peg corn (drained) 1 can Rotel original 4-6 green onions 1 green bell pepper (diced) 1 tomato (diced) 1 small bottle Italian dressing salt & pepper to taste mix all ingredients together in a large bowl let marinate in refrigerator for a few hours or over night https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f3ce5660-24a9-4dcd-9e1f-449c8ad8a99a/IMG_8091.jpeg Journal - Food - Winter - Gingerbread Cookies I didn’t have time to make these over the Christmas season so I made them in January when life slowed down a bit. And you know what? It snowed a few days later. Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not. I made homemade buttercream frosting to decorate them (see recipe below for sugar cookies). I ordered a piping bag set from Amazon which really made piping so much easier than using a baggie. Pinterest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/00f830cd-659b-4b4d-b319-dd0dea274587/IMG_8263.jpeg Journal - Food - Winter - Red Snapper, Roasted Veg & Mashed Potatoes We love grilled fish, even in the winter. I found this delicious red snapper at Whole Foods. I only needed one fillet since it was just the two of us for dinner. David is the best griller, so he cooked the fish. I seasoned it with salt & pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, coriander, fresh thyme, olive oil, lemon juice & maple syrup. For the mashed potatoes, I chopped, peeled and boiled one white potato, drained and mashed them then added butter, sour cream, fresh garlic, salt & pepper and little pecorino cheese. For the veg, I chopped and roasted carrots, shallots and green peppers in olive oil, salt & pepper, and garlic in the oven at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes. You can as much veg as you like and use any kind of veg you have on hand. We like a good bowl meal and this was scrumptious! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/adde0489-ae69-4363-ba55-bceb007097f8/IMG_8278.jpeg Journal - Food - Winter - Chocolate-Covered Dates with Pistachios Oh. My. Goodness. It seems dates are all the rage lately and I can see why! These are a quick and yummy treat that happens to be somewhat healthy. I’ve found pitted mejool dates at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Just melt some chocolate chips (I used dark but you can use milk) in a double boiler or microwave, dip the dates in the melted chocolate and top with crushed pistachios, then let cool on parchment paper. Heavenly. I’ve also topped them with sliced almonds or cashews. You can also slightly split them down the middle and tuck in some peanut or almond butter and drizzle melted chocolate over them. They will keep in a closed container in the refrigerator for a few days (if they last that long). They are such a yummy snack or sweet treat after a meal. They’re rich so you really only need one or two at a time! But no judgement here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c958cb1a-22f9-48ad-8d91-4fd54dc59891/IMG_8498.jpeg Journal - Food - Winter - Sugar Cookies I’ve been making these sugar cookies for decades. The recipe is from a Southern Living Cookie cookbook and it never fails. The frosting is buttercream and, like the gingerbread cookies, I used a piping bag to decorate these little loves for Valentine’s Day. 1 cup butter (2 sticks) 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp salt beat butter at medium speed with electric mixer 2 minutes or until creamy gradually add sugar, beating well add egg & vanilla or almond, beating well gradually add flour and salt, beating until blended divide dough in half, cover and chill for one hour roll each portion to 1/4” thickness on lightly floured surface cut with desired cookie cutters and place on lightly greased (or parchment paper) baking sheets bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned cool on wire racks until completely cooled Buttercream Frosting about 3 cups of powdered sugar (sifted) 1 stick of softened butter (at room temp) about 3 tbsp of milk about a tsp of vanilla or almond extract a drop of food coloring of your choice mix ingredients in stand mixer or with a handheld mixer until well-blended and smooth https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e77e0338-c646-44e2-a7fa-80859d8e88a0/IMG_8505.jpeg Journal - Food - Winter - Chocolate-Covered Strawberries These are a sentimental favorite for my valentine and I! David made these for us on our first date on his sailboat back in 1987. I made them for him this year for Valentine’s Day. Simply wash and dry your berries, melt chocolate chips (either dark or milk) in a double boiler or microwave until fully melted, dip them and let them cool on parchment paper. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/nature-early-spring monthly 0.5 2025-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3302004c-cde2-4293-aade-584da0a1bda0/IMG_8551.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Spring I don’t remember seeing the pretty lilac color before. I thought we had only white but what a beautiful surprise. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/95665e87-eee9-4b46-b01e-03497904cb80/IMG_8575.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Spring Our little violas survived the winter snows and have come back in our front window boxes. They smell so good…sort of a grape scent to me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/bbc1a139-5dce-47f5-b334-ab146e9bc898/IMG_8578.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Spring - Back at McCoy A couple of weeks later, in mid March, and more flowers are blooming! How sweet are these snow drops?! I’d love to plant these in our yard for next year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5e0e52ea-b195-4961-8f5a-3ff40dc58a45/IMG_8583.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Spring - Forsythia I love this bright yellow shrub. It grows abundantly where we live and makes me smile every time I see it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3cce5e60-6228-4b6a-b5ec-98f9cb626f7e/IMG_8579.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Spring - Make it stand out delicate daffodils in the foreground wave to the lovely stone house in the background https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0d6dbee6-8b37-4014-b7d3-1929bf1bd6ff/IMG_8593.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Spring - Vinca Seeing these tiny purple flowers return in the woods every year makes me happy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/25a5e79c-b6c4-4046-83d9-fa6c950c85c3/IMG_8591.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Spring - Star Magnolia I’ve never noticed these enchanting trees before. I really like them! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7bc5309e-77d8-4d3f-9a52-2c5583d9e35b/IMG_8586.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Spring - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/edc30ff1-9a6d-4eeb-938e-8443fca66ab9/IMG_8595.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Spring - “Beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze…” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/19674e8a-8aa7-4b3b-b672-6bb666b282b9/IMG_8589.jpeg Journal - Nature - Early Spring - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/outings-winter monthly 0.5 2025-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/cb0bae1e-5399-4dca-86b2-acab9de4d592/IMG_7893.jpeg Journal - Outings - Winter - As Isaac Concert We kicked off the Christmas season in the best way! The amazing group, “As Isaac” performed at the former Mountain Opry site on Signal Mountain, in what has become a wonderful tradition! They are incredible singers and musicians who sing Christian and secular music. They always invite guest performers to join them on stage, too. It’s a warm, joyful, worshipful experience that definitely gets you in the Christmas spirit! As Issac https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/bac9562b-ced6-4159-b00e-95edf32ffc57/IMG_7894.jpeg Journal - Outings - Winter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ff10c9f8-141b-4a71-a274-de47b3717781/IMG_6140.jpeg Journal - Outings - Winter - Family Night A few days later, our daughters came home for Christmas! We try to go out to eat at a local restaurant at least once while they’re home. This year, we went to Ernest Chinese in downtown Chattanooga and it was delicious! I love the atmosphere, as well. Ernest Chinese https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/103211ce-249b-4d5f-8e26-3d40fc5bbed5/IMG_6144.jpeg Journal - Outings - Winter There’s nothing like having your kids home for Christmas! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/62cebaf6-e37a-4321-a681-b70ef7c6f1c8/IMG_9602.jpeg Journal - Outings - Winter - Family Fun Night We drove up to Lookout Mountain to famous “Rock City” to walk through their “Enchanted Garden of Lights”. Rock City is known for their “ red barn advertising” over the decades and is open year-round, with seasonal events to enjoy. Rock City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/71174dc1-a6ea-4cc0-9ca2-d5664e84b592/IMG_9584.jpeg Journal - Outings - Winter - Party of Five Lizzy’s boyfriend, Scott, joined us for Christmas! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/86c7d519-60db-4b82-89e5-4164b0ecadd7/IMG_7283.jpeg Journal - Outings - Winter - Daddy/daughter time While the girls were home, David and Hannah went to see our boat one afternoon. Lizzy was under the weather so we stayed home together. We’ve had this boat since Hannah was about eight years old. She’s 29 now. Special place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ef60e4c6-29ed-481d-9bc4-2482dff8ac81/IMG_8057.jpeg Journal - Outings - Winter - 2025 After the girls left, David and I welcomed in the new year with a quiet New Year’s Eve at home and champagne toast, and a walk in the woods on New Year’s Day at McCoy. McCoy Farm and Gardens https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/home-christmas monthly 0.5 2025-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/cb224335-ff46-4c3a-a254-c0f4b8a95928/IMG_7967.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - Make it stand out Welcome! I found all of our real wreaths and garlands at Trader Joe’s this year. I added a few other greens from our yard. I found the bells at Vinterest Hixson a few years ago. All of my satin ribbons are from Hobby Lobby. Vinterest Hixson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e6bae134-6e60-42f1-ac36-1d449e58d468/IMG_7965.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas Battery-operated lights are a game-changer. I found these on Amazon last year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7e51bb8a-e575-4689-b074-94bd90bdfb24/IMG_7912.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas I love to use our red and brown transfer ware plates on this cutie hutch. The adorable vintage Santa mugs and tea cup are from my aunt and the Mason Cash red bowl was found at Good Kinsman. The brass candlesticks, given to me by my parents, hold cheery red candles from Sophie’s (which do not drip!). The little boxwood tree adds a touch of green and looks enough like a Christmas tree. ;) Good Kinsman Mason Cash Sophie’s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7259ecd0-bae0-4fdc-bd51-04bae65bd119/IMG_7843.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - before https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d17e91b5-d223-40d3-807c-7323018cb1b5/IMG_7910.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - after We’ve always had a real tree. We love the scent of a Fraser fir. We found this one at Ace Hardware this year. Ornaments the girls have made over the years, ones from our travels and others that have special meaning adorn our tree every year. It’s always a warm, sentimental feeling when unwrapping these treasures at the beginning of the Christmas season. Memories of loved ones, adventures and chapters from our lives cover the tree to remind us of happy times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/78f0d6b9-c0eb-4325-b320-0a48725cda20/IMG_7931.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care…” - Clement C. Moore “Twas the Night Before Christmas” The polka dot stockings are from Ballard Designs, which we’ve had for years, and the quilted stocking is a treasure I found in a Dunlap antique shop years ago. We always have an extra stocking for our pet or friend staying with us for Christmas. Ballard Designs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0bfeebb0-ffc4-4aae-bb26-0baa12542552/IMG_7928.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/028cd8a3-895d-4295-a251-39236050aa75/IMG_7930.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - Make it stand out This sweet “Willow Tree” nativity was given to me by my parents, David and the girls over the years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7353bf51-6b4a-4ed1-932a-de09e0948456/IMG_7918.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - Make it stand out Christmas morning finds our Spode Christmas china (wedding gifts) on the kitchen table. We began a new tradition after our trip to England a couple of years ago…the elf crackers are from Meri Meri. The bamboo utensils are from Amazon, placemats and salt & pepper shakers from Target. The wooden bowl from Sophie’s holds our advent wreath, which I made from a round foam circle and candles from Hobby Lobby and greens and pinecones from our yard. Spode Meri Meri Sophie’s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f4146e33-4a83-4f85-8122-67762ca02cdd/IMG_7903.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas The boxwood wreath lives above our bed every day but is dressed up a little bit for Christmas with this beautiful, blue satin ribbon. I found the wreath at Target years ago and the ribbon is from Hobby Lobby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/600cd40f-0cb0-4160-8321-a8bb8a13a924/IMG_8019.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas I love to place a little Christmasy touch to the girls’ bedrooms. I hope it’s a “welcome home” pretty addition for them. The scent of the real wreath makes their rooms smell so good. Trader Joe’s comes through again with the small wreaths and I’ve had the ribbon for years, found at Hobby Lobby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/825b28c6-9f37-42fa-ae9b-246672db59c5/IMG_8022.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - tiny trees I like to scatter festive bottle brush trees around the house. I’ve collected them over the years at vintage and local shops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7ef9331d-dac3-40f8-bffe-6d33cbf0fdea/IMG_8028.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - pretty in pink I have an alter ego that likes aluminum trees, as well as real trees. I found this one at Target years ago. My granny had a large one in her living room when I was a little girl, so it reminds me of her house. The pink glass ornaments are vintage from my parents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e9be8cc6-b77f-4bee-ae52-3d81b69bde08/IMG_8031.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - items in conversation I love it when small items “talk” to one another. This little vignette is in our guest bedroom/art studio. I picked up the books and crumb catcher at a local vintage shop. To me, the “gold” on the black book speaks to the silver of the tree….reminding me of the song “Silver and Gold” from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” movie from my childhood. It’s a stretch, I know, but that’s how my mind works. I love how the pink rose on the mint green catcher talks to the pink ornaments. Vinterest Hixson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3f445382-beb8-4a03-a2c0-266fe07df545/IMG_8052.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - green on green I love tone on tone color. This little wreath adorned our antique armoire in our family room. After the girls left after Christmas, I simply moved their bedroom door wreaths downstairs to enjoy them for a few more days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/49e83e01-3c6d-4745-92bc-f5e56b466d5b/IMG_8032.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - memory on memory So many memories living in one spot. The pine armoire was given to me by my parents when I was a teenager and has lived in my bedrooms, dining room and family rooms over the decades. We think it has Swedish origins. The Fortnum and Mason hamper was a surprise Christmas gift from David a few years ago. It is so very special to me because it’s a permanent reminder of our amazing trip to England and the iconic store from 2022. It was filled with their teas, biscuits, jams and chocolates. I fell in love with London and England and hope to live there one day. Fortnum and Mason https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/aa542bd1-8065-4e7d-9b6d-afb9b128ba4a/IMG_8036.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - Make it stand out why we celebrate This precious nativity is extremely special to me. It’s the one I remember from my childhood home. This year, it sat atop an antique chest, which belonged to my daddy, and has lived in my bedrooms, Hannah’s bedroom and now in our foyer. The mirror above the chest was originally an inexpensive frame I found at a local antique mall. I had a glass company make it into a mirror. I like how the reflection of the garland bannister lights show in the mirror. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ef32ad7d-0be5-4b0f-9615-dac9c8241110/IMG_8040.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas This is another wreath I moved from the girls’ doors downstairs to the living room. I love how it looks on the antique mirror. This mirror was found decades ago at a local shop (now closed) and was one of the first purchases we made for our first house. I love the vine and leaf carvings on this pine beauty with the beveled glass. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/56282a91-48f0-4a28-b5f8-b257a1b10358/IMG_8060.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas I have a large collection of Byer’s Carolers, given to us by my parents, David and the girls over the years. This is one of my favorites because sheep is my favorite animal. I display some of my carolers every year and they remind me, especially, of my parents. I inherited many of their carolers. They make me smile every year when I open the box. I also love getting any kind of Christmasy china/ceramics out in December. This cutie mug is from Target from years ago. Who doesn’t love a hot cocoa topped with whipped cream?! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8da3be93-fb97-4fe5-ad36-6694b2d72e85/IMG_8065.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - Ho Ho Ho! I LOVE this Santa! I found him at a local vintage mall a few years ago. He’s just the right size for my kitchen counter and adds such a warm, friendly glow in the evenings. The Fortnum and Mason teas were a gift from David and are sooooo good! The Christmas tea tastes like it sounds…cinnamon, cloves, chocolate…and the round tin behind it is the Rose and tastes like a summer day. The HT green tin holds the best peppermint tea we’ve tried and is from Target. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/60a09272-510d-4fcc-8c0f-8fab052b4c83/IMG_8068.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - Oh, Christmas Tree! I took a close-up of this vintage ceramic tree because I just love the bright, happy colors of the bulbs. I never had one growing up but my friend did and I always wanted one. I won this one on eBay a few years ago. It’s small but so charming, sitting on our kitchen counter. You can find them everywhere now. Some are vintage and some are new but I love this original one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e5fdad78-58a9-44ca-8be2-7210ec2144f9/IMG_7870.jpeg Journal - Home - Christmas - Make it stand out After the fun, busyness of the Christmas season, I love to curl up under a cozy blanket with a snuggly cat at my feet, a cup of hot tea, and relax in the quiet to reflect on the the new memories made and the blessing and miracle of a baby born in a manger who shows His love for us every day. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/nature-christmasy monthly 0.5 2025-03-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0a8caec7-e3cf-4dc4-81af-594f80c2ae15/IMG_9572.jpeg Journal - Nature - Christmasy What a blessing it was having our daughters home for Christmas! Our sweet Lizzy wasn’t feeling well on this day so she had to sit this walk out at home. Our sweet Hannah joined us for a winter walk in the woods at McCoy Farm and Gardens. McCoy Farm & Gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/09619559-8a44-4c21-872d-42c757e2a896/IMG_8047.jpeg Journal - Nature - Christmasy - Make it stand out One of our favorite things about winter are the stunning sunsets we see through our front windows. This heavenly sunset graced the sky on one of the last days of the year. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/nature-snowfall monthly 0.5 2025-03-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3906e9d3-d76e-4f44-a483-c70475307d21/IMG_8139.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall - Make it stand out our little bluebird house https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/fce6c7d9-84e0-41cf-93e5-fb4edae349f7/IMG_8136.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall Our sweet, tiny trees held tiny fairy lights the month before, for Christmastime. I was worried the weight of the snow might break the branches but they survived. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0546864b-16d7-4413-9166-a004e93fab16/IMG_8145.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall This candelier lived in our dining room and bedroom for years until it made its way outside to hang near our fire pit. Instead of fire from candles, cold, soft snow topped the holders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e86b72cd-bae3-427e-be7b-d5bb8ddd2910/IMG_8152.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall We placed string lights on our fence for Christmas and decided to leave them for the winter months. They looked especially pretty covered in ice and snow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ab46252d-2657-4c68-b01a-503c9776fffa/IMG_8153.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/62bd04fa-8bc9-4c00-9430-8c32bf9a0e28/IMG_8118.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/754b3c87-cb6e-4bd3-91d7-29a68626ad77/IMG_8157.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d843df4a-6e98-4552-88a6-647b0c606d61/IMG_8120.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall - snowy lavender https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/330a7b84-6039-41e9-85c2-2432541da7da/IMG_8129.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall nothing like coming in from the chilly, snowy outside to snuggle up under a warm blanket to sip a hot tea https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/375ac323-e920-4604-a833-c10c4866bb36/IMG_8164.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall - Make it stand out This is one of our very favorite places to walk almost every day. It looked like a winter wonderland after the big snow! McCoy Farm and Gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5d784400-01e5-4f31-b80b-7b60b8eea6d8/IMG_8166.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a57cfe48-3216-48b0-80ca-3846941a5135/IMG_8167.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2cf0ed2a-9c36-421b-b912-e81b270e5f7f/IMG_8174.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/be200dec-8dc6-4ef8-867c-8d5828c2bbe8/IMG_8175.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall Someone built this amazing snowman in front of the house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/008a99e9-f315-4bc9-823d-e594047d0095/IMG_8177.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/765cc15c-7f49-40ee-b43c-ce1b9c64de50/IMG_8185.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7cbe1a55-8552-46a0-92ca-0e681d06a5d0/IMG_8182.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6d55a37a-3417-49b1-bd31-60997717d3ca/IMG_7350.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/15ea84b6-3a7f-45ca-b986-f8af5cba0253/IMG_8189.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/77ec7e5e-d690-4be5-9841-96a0efef9648/IMG_8200.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/114e70c4-42b2-48b7-b365-a90c845138f6/IMG_8204.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/025dfd19-6576-4bce-a5a5-132ba4cd2f6f/IMG_8206.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c59acefb-1918-4545-a197-46062c9745a9/IMG_8216.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall Homemade, steamy chicken noodle soup hit the spot after a long, snowy walk in the woods. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b46e11d2-54d7-4cc0-91a2-666c6d4ac89c/IMG_8221.jpeg Journal - Nature - Snowfall - a little after-dinner backyard sledding https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/travel-highlands-nc monthly 0.5 2025-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f607a4ea-e90f-4dd6-b28d-42ebb7ac1ab8/IMG_8289.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - Make it stand out We took the “river road”, as we call it, from Chattanooga (I-75 toward Knoxville, Cleveland & Ocoee) toward Highlands. This spectacular view was from a pull-off spot near our destination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/16c72627-66a9-44bb-a8c2-66e2f3750285/IMG_8294.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - Highlands Smokehouse When we arrived in Highlands, we were hungry for lunch and this casual, cozy place hit the spot! I had the brisket nachos and David had a brisket sandwich. My nachos were delicious and could’ve fed four people. ;) Highlands Smokehouse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b8126431-3bfe-48de-a436-d89c8283bb51/IMG_8305.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - Make it stand out I loved the branch peace sign on the front! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7d2ee075-8955-4ac3-bfcf-84c403affebf/IMG_8297.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - Highlander Mountain House We checked into Highlander Mountain House that afternoon and I was very happy to see which room was ours! This is the one I admired on their website and hoped we would get to stay in this beautiful space. I fell in love with the wallpaper and everything else about it, really. The furnishings were a perfect combination of casual, mountain antiques, a nod to British furnishings, a few mid-century modern touches and a respectful homage to Native American art. The headboard is covered in a printed velvet fabric featuring pheasants and grouse. There was a cute, retro-looking radio on the bedside table. The bed linens were so soft and warm and the mattress was very comfortable. The vaulted ceiling made the small room seem more spacious. Highlander Mountain House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/56363131-1628-4ba9-888b-1c486bfa97b5/IMG_8329.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - I loved the Native American art placed throughout the hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/dbf45efb-10b9-49f3-917a-75597cf6ab0a/IMG_8299.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - nice touches On top of the lovely antique chest was a record player and a coffee & tea station. There was a mini fridge in the room with drinks and snack selections for purchase. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d1ac8ba1-8a42-435e-b721-b09747b5e0ea/IMG_8328.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC This beautiful chest provided good storage for our clothes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/da1d6d24-e9da-473c-843e-9721c38e30e5/IMG_8301.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - charming What a sweet, antique desk and orange velvet chair! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/cd012ef6-fb04-45cc-9ec0-a59e098db196/IMG_8304.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC This gorgeous sink and taps was located in the room, outside of the bathroom but that didn't bother us. The bathroom featured a huge blue tiled shower with brass fixtures, tile floor and toilet. The entire room and bathroom was spotlessly clean. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e401245b-ac22-473b-a1f0-d1b7aa2d42ae/IMG_7430.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - The Ruffled Grouse On the first evening of our stay, we ate a delicious dinner in their restaurant, The Ruffled Grouse. I had pasta and David had fish. I enjoyed my first martini, The Alpine, and it was delightful. It’s open to the public and reservations are recommended. The Ruffled Grouse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/21c6ea96-41cb-4c0a-9c2c-151733f34921/IMG_7433.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - timely There was a stone fireplace in the adjoining lobby, complete with plenty of excellent coffee table books to flip through as you relaxed in front of the fire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a870b5b0-350e-4310-9b05-dd510477ad7d/IMG_8324.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - slow, quiet start The next morning, we went downstairs to grab a complimentary coffee and slice of banana bread in their lobby. We had a Sunday brunch reservation later that morning. While we waited, I took the chance to read out on the small balcony of our room. I would recommend this book, by the way. The movie is coming out in April. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f0f06b34-03e9-45c6-a0ba-64fc5dbd20e3/IMG_8353.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - coffee to go After brunch, I grabbed a coffee to take with us while we explored the shops and trails. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/36d72e1a-a3e2-4054-a421-838a301034a3/IMG_8354.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - fun fact The ruffled grouse bird lives year-round in the mountains of western North Carolina. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/09974b54-1b61-4530-b5c8-8faa465d962d/IMG_8405.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - side view Our room was the one with the balcony on the left of this beautiful, historic house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4c3e8451-8fb5-45ae-a39e-0e620ebfe194/IMG_8406.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC There are several seating areas encircling the property. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7b4738d4-98ef-49d6-ae42-1ecd757bb109/IMG_8407.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - well-stocked There’s plenty of firewood on hand for the two, huge stone fireplaces inside the lobby and tavern. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/46aeeae3-9939-48fc-a0e5-9df2aceaadf7/IMG_8308.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - churches on every corner We love walking down Main Street through town, admiring all of the old churches. This is First Presbyterian Church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/322146fe-0da5-40dd-aacd-792f504385ca/IMG_8313.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - First Baptist Church https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c09b0792-cf88-4d1d-883c-11ac62642feb/IMG_8306.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC This is the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, built in 1896 and on the National Register of Historic Places. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2b96cd92-de0c-40df-9e34-8cf12eebc759/IMG_8356.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/163e9596-3ecc-4431-a9bb-491e9a52256f/IMG_8310.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC There are many shops to wander through and gorgeous, old buildings to see. I loved this lantern on one of the shops,, up on a hill, above Main Street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e0124866-88b9-4a76-b78f-9d705c493285/IMG_8311.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - Make it stand out This shop, by far, was my very favorite! It was a delight to walk through, full of nature-inspired candles, linens, gifts, etc. The “twig” tapers in beautiful colors and the best-smelling candle EVER was super tempting to purchase. I believe the scent was called “forest floor” and truly, it smelled exactly like dirt and pine needles, in the best possible way. Citizen Wilder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9916a41b-2ad9-4de0-bc2f-8aceef7c2459/IMG_8361.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - Highlands Nature Center We met a friendly, local woman at the hotel and she highly recommended this glorious area. In years past, we’ve hiked the many, more challenging trails around Highlands but this time, due to my back and foot issues, we needed a gentler trail. This was perfect! We only saw a couple of people the entire time and it was so peaceful and quiet. It’s a very short drive from the town center with parking at the nature center. It’s free to simply walk on the trails. The Nature Center itself was closed on Sunday and there is a fee to tour the facility. There are easy, fairly level paths through woodlands and around the lake. On this day, most of the water was still frozen, which added an enchanting element to it. Highlands Nature Center https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4533efa9-3404-49f3-8eec-7f7187fbcfec/IMG_8365.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC We stopped for a little sit-down on a cute bench and just took in the sound of the wind and birds, looking out onto the frozen lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9d9d9646-4d61-4a46-a76a-6ba760ad54de/IMG_8386.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d8e66072-7f30-4cc5-b88f-f71418d629ee/IMG_8368.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b4e9dfd8-1f61-47ab-a20e-a2e47c7cde4a/IMG_8379.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8e30f48a-1a2c-4e6b-84b8-8ea1609f714f/IMG_8380.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC We’ve discovered, over the years, there is more rhododendron in Highlands than anywhere we’ve ever visited. I’d love to come back in the spring to see them in bloom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ccd503ac-6eab-4d45-91f3-25fc14cec474/IMG_8374.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4d4bcf5f-3338-4bcc-abae-259e27a32c87/IMG_8381.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC There was still a smattering of snow along the boardwalk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/175674b9-4769-49e4-ab4e-aa301280c167/IMG_8398.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/69c90756-6a72-44e7-919e-0f497a1bedd0/IMG_8416.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - Four 65 After an absolutely wonderful day outside in nature, we walked from our hotel to this casual, inviting restaurant for dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/1cb229d6-7744-46f1-987e-06efc5d064f8/IMG_8417+2.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC In case you’re wondering, like we were, the name comes from their street address. The service was good and the prices were reasonable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4305ba4d-3fcc-424a-bf11-764820a95298/IMG_8412.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - and then this happened! and then, this happened! Their pizza was soooo gooood! They have two ginormous pizza ovens in the back of the restaurant. This hot goodness hit the spot after a chilly afternoon exploring the woodlands. and then….. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ec1fa4ae-de1e-4e6a-9022-dab3e41d249f/IMG_8415.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - “leave the gun, take the cannoli.” - “The Godfather” We had the trifecta of chocolate chip, plain and pistachio. Four 65 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e4b3beba-a6fb-40aa-ac3e-4a6dfec437da/IMG_8418.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - “It’s a marvelous night for a Moondance.” - Van Morrison It was a clear, moonlit night, walking back to our hotel. The half moon was hanging above this beautiful stone archway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/dd5ea717-21ec-4af1-9c60-b7ddedec1ca1/IMG_7461.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC I loved this tall, bronze bear sculpture tucked away off the street between shops. We touched his paw for luck. I used a black and white filter because I didn't like the colors around him. I’m glad this is the only bear we ran into during our day outside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a9197b81-2b33-4340-9bd8-dd5f7b34817a/IMG_7460.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - Make it stand out We returned to the hotel and were greeted by the roaring fire and this adorable sheep! (sidenote: sheep are my favorite animal) We relaxed by the fireplace, perused a few more coffee table books and then called it a night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/36696a3b-eb1d-4129-88f2-3a168b44b991/IMG_7457.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - tavern’s namesake This is the only grouse we saw, perched above the lobby fireplace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9c752027-484f-4fba-82e2-1951ed692f1f/IMG_7459.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - interiors The following photos will give you a glimpse of the look of the interiors of the hotel. We loved how they meshed pieces, reflecting the original residents and settlers to this area of North Carolina…the Cherokee Native Americans, Scotch-Irish and English peoples. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d71bd8d1-89d1-448d-b864-6a4300b5fded/IMG_8349.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - pub There is a quaint, pub room adjacent to the lobby and tavern with a pretty bar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f9e9b059-89ee-4590-8c72-3250ee1b9fbc/IMG_8352.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC This beautiful wooden, carved bust is sitting on the front desk as you enter the hotel. There is an old-fashioned key cubby behind the desk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5bfe2923-4fd8-4ea8-b42d-fbf284f55dd0/IMG_8332.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - refreshing I love it when accommodations still use real door keys! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9ddaeafd-b0d8-4fdc-a812-c5af0a09625a/IMG_8330.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - not your typical tags How charming are these door signs?! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/af3cb850-c8c9-4955-a169-966e34658366/IMG_8331.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b98b9d4a-02c6-49a2-b9ba-c372d86d9523/IMG_8341.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC - not your typical railing We really liked this railing made from real branches at the top of the staircase. I loved this wallpaper! I think it’s “Willow”by Morris and Co. I also liked the lovely shade of blue paint on the wainscoting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7f7f33a5-f55c-4613-ae10-f993a91fd062/IMG_8340.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC The hotel is filled with so much art on its walls. I love this vintage oil that’s a bit worn with more modern sconces flanking it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/df49a51c-f62b-47e3-991e-93ea559c1327/IMG_7464.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC There was ice remaining from the much colder temps and snow from the previous week. Usually, you can walk down behind the falls but it was blocked off on this day due to the slippery conditions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c87144aa-f1a3-48ad-9d95-ed5fd5309b45/IMG_7485.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC I don’t know if anyone else would notice this or care, but I love how we’re accidentally color coordinated to the scenery. ;) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f675fc58-acb9-47e7-808f-58aa7ab40b9d/IMG_7470.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC I do so love different shades of green in nature. These tiny plants and moss were growing on the rock wall leading down to the falls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6dd62e20-5024-4cec-8c21-2895d506e4c1/IMG_7475.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC I also have a thing for ferns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ce54178f-36d9-4361-90c7-94942fe456f2/IMG_7488.jpeg Journal - Travel - Highlands, NC We said a “thank you” and farewell to Highlands on a mild February day. We would definitely recommend a weekend in this beautiful area of North Carolina. It’s about a 4-hour drive from Chattanooga. Highlands was affected by September’s Hurricane Helene but fortunately fared better than other Western North Carolina areas, such as Ashville. Highlands experienced power outages, downed trees, road closures and damaged homes. You would never know it now, as everything seemed back to normal where we stayed. We would encourage everyone to visit these beautiful areas of North Carolina! Our favorite thing to do here is get out into the woods and breathe in the fresh mountain air, enjoy a change of scenery and just slow down for a bit. My favorite singer says it best. “In my mind, I’m gone to Carolina. Can’t you see the sunshine? Can’t you just feel the moonshine? Ain’t it just like a friend of mine to hit me from behind? Yes, I’m gone to Carolina in my mind.” - James Taylor https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/travel-brooklyn monthly 0.5 2025-02-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7f567514-572f-4782-b304-cc8cd4a8473f/IMG_7691.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Brooklyn bound David and I drove up to Nashville the day before our flight and stayed with Lizzy in her pretty apartment. We woke up with the chickens the next morning to catch our flight to New York. It was our first experience with Jet Blue and I have to say, I was impressed. It was a direct, two-hour flight into JFK. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/72dcdf30-9f5f-4770-9e8d-f0b0edfc4bbc/IMG_7692.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - blues on blues The plane looked new and clean, we actually had more than one snack choice and the crew was friendly and professional. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6bd0cde0-e658-4b0b-b2a5-82fc37fa398f/IMG_7831.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - pretty view! Hannah welcomed us to her beautiful apartment that afternoon. This was our first time in Brooklyn in autumn and there were still fall colors on the trees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9f60d4e8-ad20-4a84-ae7a-ec4e1d6b61cc/IMG_7730.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - city cats We were happy to see our grand cats! The little ginger blonde is her new kitten, Sebastian, and the fluffy black cat is Tybalt, who has been her baby for many years now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2cd14455-73e4-4511-b3ea-70fddb06239e/IMG_7736.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7a788ca6-be65-4812-99b2-b383b702e25d/IMG_7742.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5057d3c0-7942-43c7-97c8-3e411bc67ed1/IMG_7698.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - our gorgeous girls Of course, they joined their dad for a Guinness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e02b47b0-ee08-459a-8516-1e0bd8dcf3a1/IMG_7706.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5cff058c-65f3-47ac-b01a-25cf076fc96b/IMG_7707.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Hartley’s Pub Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6f00f171-a8f2-4a2b-baba-1017aac10225/IMG_7728.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - After we left the pub, we headed over to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to enjoy the “Lightscape” event. Hannah treated us to a fun frolic through park, all lit up for the holidays. The 52-acre gardens were founded in 1910, originally designed by the Olstead brothers (who also designed Central Park, Prospect Park, the Biltmore Estate and the U.S. Capitol). I’ve also visited the gardens in early Spring when the cherry trees are in bloom. The park contains food and drink options, a beautiful glass conservatory with many flora and fauna species, lakes, ponds, trails and green spaces for picnics. There are different levels of ticket prices to enter the gardens. Botanic Gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/69859c25-5662-42b8-87a3-0e9d5f7af4d4/IMG_7710.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Make it stand out The colorful light displays throughout the gardens were delightful! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5bf7092e-3cd2-40cb-b677-9002edc92a71/IMG_7714.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - even the sidewalks were an enchanting work of lighting art https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ea703f23-6985-428e-90f9-4a3b85925bc0/IMG_7715.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/81491418-cd73-4714-a8ba-865b2608c65c/IMG_9296.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - the fam in the huge light tunnel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f157c5e5-5449-4041-891b-ead9a73fe671/IMG_7750.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Turkey Day! The next morning, Hannah’s apartment was a flurry of activity, with all hands on deck cooking a feast for Thanksgiving lunch. Hannah set a lovely table for us! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/cb5cac35-c1f5-453a-a49e-fbbfefab6b4b/IMG_9299.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - tradition As always, David was in charge of the bird and dressing! The girls and I whipped up the sides. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/22667aab-d8e1-4414-bbc4-4ebb1495d0fd/IMG_9312.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/65e6b71f-45e7-4e9d-9e19-045daa07af14/2C3DBEA3-141D-4FC9-88DC-67A254EAAB96.jpg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - before https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d86e6d91-7c49-41e4-9166-4b3eafb5de43/IMG_9320.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - after https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/34f2f081-0f7b-4d8e-b48d-7c5b11d87e8c/IMG_7754.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - feast We were so very thankful for this delicious food but most importantly, for precious time together to celebrate God’s countless blessings. The girls and I made squash casserole, sweet potato casserole, brussel sprouts, roasted carrots and it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without crescent rolls. Lizzy made a yummy apple tartine for dessert! After lunch, we enjoyed a relaxing, cozy, afternoon at Hannah’s…napping, watching a little Netflix, playing with the cats and leftovers in the evening. It was the perfect way to spend the holiday on a rainy day in Brooklyn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/eab37f82-fceb-48d5-abc3-33e55ce23e4d/IMG_7759.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - 58 The day after Thanksgiving was my birthday! First thing in the morning, I walked into Hannah’s living room to be surprised with this thoughtful, festive birthday banner. It was a beautiful, sunny day, perfect for the disco ball’s reflection in the room. My family made me feel loved and special as soon as the day began. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c3f31fa3-6e80-4bc1-91ab-b9ca35feceb1/IMG_9331.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - ready for a day of exploring https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9c327199-5ab0-425f-a409-0b6d4bb50443/IMG_7770.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - brunch We made our way to the amazing Castello Plan to start the day off right. Hannah took me here once before in the springtime. We ate outside in the sunny, warm weather that day. This day, we ate inside in the warm, cozy space, out of the chilly weather. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4e12cfe3-1a17-4ce1-9bda-509635055837/IMG_7769.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Make it stand out I have a thing for doorway mosaics. A little history for ya….Jacques Cortelyou was the 17th-century creator of Manhattan’s first map, called the Castello Plan. This charming place is on Cortelyou Road in Ditm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d0ba930b-04b5-46ff-85b7-d1a513195321/IMG_7763.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - To get to spend my birthday with my favorite people in the whole world made me ecstatically happy! My love for these three people is indescribable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7ae58dc1-817d-438f-9192-ff06b3ee9e33/IMG_7768.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/be5ac578-d3df-4a2b-bfc4-d6ea9bf50683/IMG_7760.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - perfect chi latte on a chilly November day best chi latte ever https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8954d96e-391a-436f-b41f-de282a9c83be/IMG_7761.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - delectable and pretty breakfast sandwich Castello Plan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d900b86c-3981-4df6-887e-c9161f05b54b/IMG_9336.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d71c1997-4c99-4b04-86bd-5c77344d820c/IMG_7771.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn We walked through part of Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Bridge Park and ended up in DUMBO. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/21b04091-69e0-4591-a5f8-c46d913837f8/IMG_7774.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn We walked down a hill and spotted this lovely lady. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4eee2f3f-2480-474f-928a-2a6f8665ed9d/IMG_7776.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - There was still plenty of fall color in late November. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/bd5fedda-170d-4837-b1b2-787a683987a5/IMG_7235.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Make it stand out This view of the financial district of Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge Park is stunning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/433e12ae-6a05-4853-960f-bc78446226a2/IMG_9350.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Brooklyn Bridge over my shoulder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/bf4939d5-6a50-4d1d-a987-970f8b736692/IMG_9346.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7453da77-6025-4361-bd5f-8bf635524221/IMG_9341.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e35c2421-4d76-457b-b621-39a5c7552734/IMG_7782.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b5a2197f-05fe-4907-8593-52b5081053de/IMG_7783.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Hannah knows the best place for ice cream…. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/daa4d5ed-d325-43ba-b2d8-cf0925063139/IMG_7786.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - which makes this man very happy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/1ae93e1a-c1cd-4a8d-b4e6-c8d8ef64792f/IMG_7784.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - agreed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a866477d-b9bf-45a1-b9dd-5db219cd834f/IMG_7785.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - happy girls with their coffees Van Leeuwen Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/05e0d318-85b0-4c82-bf74-cd4eaf9ea538/IMG_7790.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Make it stand out This icon was completed in 1883 and connects Brooklyn to Manhattan over the East River. It spans over 6,000 feet and was the first suspension bridge to use steel cables. We’ve walked over it before and I’d highly recommend doing so when visiting the city. Brooklyn Bridge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e0b5527d-56ca-43dd-92ae-6d21930e0fae/IMG_7791.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/20664768-e841-44d8-99a1-02d5c29e435e/IMG_7779.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - sisters https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9c7f1d30-6300-47bc-94a5-282d6f90e8cb/IMG_7795.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Make it stand out and then, this happened! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2b1f4a61-ae66-4457-b4b8-a6ce7a318b47/IMG_7797.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn kids at heart https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4460ac87-1ed8-42ee-a9e7-ef38f385cc49/IMG_9352.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - proper https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e8f0d560-ce70-4d4b-b12c-9ac1714c0fc4/IMG_7798.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d3a3e07f-6a94-4e01-963a-0ecdbe7cddbc/IMG_7801.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c80f07ab-3fcd-489b-bdb3-facb261cb98c/IMG_9353.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn forever holding hands https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e8554e6c-ce1d-4e19-84ba-cf8465230668/IMG_5998.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Make it stand out thankful for fun-loving kids https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b20bd911-afcb-4d82-ab79-a12d16ed5873/IMG_9356.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - What a wonderful surprise in Brooklyn Bridge Park! It’s located in the DUMBO area of the park. Jane’s Carousel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6504da34-c4cd-490e-9d58-e4d9e2e8d4ad/IMG_7808.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - “autumn in New York….” - Ella Fitzgerald https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e852636f-aaec-4160-977b-6fb3f21f52d8/IMG_7780.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - loved this mural https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3d388cbc-713d-47b5-ac93-5cf5cf081cb7/IMG_7809.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Make it stand out We made our way to the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3f069f84-3f5d-4e9e-b5e7-1693d834ffad/IMG_7812.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - I have a thing for cobblestones and DUMBO is known for them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8a18a9b5-d622-4fd5-b49f-3486eb1efdd4/IMG_7814.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - I couldn’t help but think of “When Harry Met Sally” when I saw these Christmas trees for sale. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/39766c36-5cb4-4a17-aa88-c68e82922259/IMG_9359.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - feeling sassy in this iconic photo op spot https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/aa8bf02a-bd72-4a70-8f71-630ed990db98/IMG_9362.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Make it stand out family iconic pic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/381e7ccb-8b13-41d8-93f2-0a8ecc847c9a/IMG_7823.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - After a full day of exploring Brooklyn, we went back to Hannah’s apartment for a bit before going to dinner at Fausto! Hannah took me here last spring and I loved it so much I requested a birthday dinner here this time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f8f25328-402a-4b6d-8eae-4431a1fd75dd/IMG_7817.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - our beautiful daughters https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d809ac0a-6844-4638-ad4a-70708a26320e/IMG_7822.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Their pastas are delicious and if you ever go, get the focaccia…trust me. Fausto Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/59e3f820-88d6-4614-90e9-6e848b52cc94/IMG_7826.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Hannah ordered this gorgeous cake for me! She made a special trip to pick it up before dinner, which just happened to be right next door to the restaurant. ;) It was scrumptious! Ladybird Bakery Brooklyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8980d497-0ab0-41cb-8455-ef7534766a94/IMG_9339.jpeg Journal - Travel - Brooklyn - Make it stand out What a wonderful Thanksgiving and birthday! Anytime, anywhere, is my favorite place to be with my precious family. We flew back to Nashville the day after my birthday, dropped Lizzy off at her apartment and drove home that night. Thankful for new memories made and the blessing of these amazing loves! https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/travel-ireland monthly 0.5 2025-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ec930e93-6205-4983-b616-6d50f95b50e6/IMG_6911.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - First Leg This photo shows us fresh and excited as we began our journey. We drove to the Chattanooga Airport to catch our connecting flight to Dallas. We should have taken off for Dublin that night but due to a “mechanical issue” with the plane, we had to spend an unplanned night in Dallas at a hotel American Airlines provided. We were very disappointed but knew those kind of things happen sometimes. We had heard other people’s flight stories and were always grateful we hadn’t experienced this kind of hiccup before. Now, we had our own flight story but were thankful to have a hot shower and comfortable bed to sleep in. Our flight the next day, which happened to be our 34th wedding anniversary, wasn’t until 2:00 p.m. which caused us to miss an entire day and night in Dublin and all the costs that went with it. It also limited our time with Hannah. We had a bumpy flight across the Atlantic but arrived in Dublin safe and sound the next morning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5c21ba7b-0281-4c59-939c-276002be044b/IMG_6926.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Full Irish We arrived at the Schoolhouse Hotel around 6:00 a.m. on October 7th, David’s 60th birthday! After a few hours’ sleep, we met up with our oldest daughter, Hannah, for a full Irish breakfast, complete with a birthday candle and “happy birthday” song, Hannah arranged ahead of time. The Schoolhouse Hotel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e86fba96-c559-4c9a-a251-2a1866d58e7e/IMG_6930.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland Hannah had taken a solo trip to England and was able to meet us in Dublin to celebrate her daddy’s special birthday! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6bba6dd9-4b21-4100-bbf0-253a95726fdd/IMG_6931.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Day One Our first day in Dublin was full of sunshine and mild temps; perfect for walking from our hotel into the city. This lovely canal was directly across the lane from The Schoolhouse. We strolled down the streets and wandered through Merrion Square on our way to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/bfb20418-e15e-4e34-8b03-2c87001d54dc/IMG_6934.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Merrion Square We found Oscar Wilde in the park, with his “two faces” of happiness and sadness he experienced in his famous literary life. Merrion Square was beautiful in the autumn morning with fall colors on the trees. This was the first time we experienced autumn in Ireland and it was stunning. Merrion Square https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0108c4bf-f76e-452e-80af-5892ac01df3c/IMG_6935.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ae22137a-4433-42e2-973b-b1d397970f70/IMG_6937.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d7cf56b6-36c5-4bce-b319-babd2ba8d0df/IMG_6948.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin is a an easy, walkable city. We enjoyed taking our time, popping in local art shops on our way to the cathedral. The gothic cathedral was founded in 1191! St. Patrick’s Cathedral https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/14bcb501-76b9-45aa-881a-bc7c8c1637d8/IMG_6942.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - The interior is truly majestic and full of history and beauty. There is a nominal cost to walk through the cathedral but very much worth it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9615191c-bddf-4de4-9eed-20fb49bd819e/IMG_6957.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Dublin Castle Our next stop was Dublin Castle. For centuries, it was home to English and British royalty and courts, until The Republic of Ireland gained its independence from Great Britain in 1922 in these very buildings. Today, it hosts foreign dignitaries, inaugurations, government offices and hosts tours. There is a tour of the buildings and grounds for a fee but we decided to simply walk around the grounds and gardens. It was opened in 1204 on the site of a Viking settlement. I felt a strong sense of history here. Dublin Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/54f28b0b-f4fc-4b3b-999f-375e27a46cdb/IMG_6967.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/343d9774-61f1-4c31-b4bb-b197587fa879/IMG_6963.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e3659ab2-c6ed-4703-ac89-3b6f7240d464/IMG_6964.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/612b93ed-6d03-4cc7-9124-f4bea340f5f9/IMG_6969.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/eb4e042b-020f-4fd5-baa1-fef4e1f2ed62/IMG_0052.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/49ab86ee-1045-4bd6-bb4f-db2d853ef668/IMG_0034.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland - The Mothership After walking around Dublin and stopping in a cafe for a coffee/cake break, we found the storehouse! Guinness Storehouse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a5ada636-6df6-46cf-bf6e-379482f56524/IMG_6988.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Slainte! That’s one happy man right there! We toured the Guinness Storehouse, which is well worth it, and enjoyed a complimentary Guinness at the top. David swears it tastes better there than anywhere else. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5147f11a-8eb7-4a3a-89e9-231d1923622f/IMG_0090.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ea1c24a8-5a4f-4194-9efe-c2693a4a6bb7/IMG_0096.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland - From across the pond… What a sweet surprise to be able to FaceTime with our youngest daughter, Lizzy, from Nashville! She just happened to have a Guinness at home to toast with us. Lizzy would have joined us in person but she visited Ireland in March for her 25th birthday and didn’t have any more vacation days for the year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7c03a1d7-8d03-4fd4-97f2-05c11ae04c00/IMG_0107.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland - Irish Family We were joined by Billy and Gay, our Irish family, who live in Dublin! We hadn’t seen them in person since 2015 and it was a blessing to see them again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4385ffa2-c975-4762-84e0-e21e21634807/IMG_6999.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Daddy Daughter Cheers What a gift to have our oldest daughter, Hannah, with us for his 60th! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a2a0e3c2-57ff-49d7-8375-3acaee590884/IMG_6994.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - 360 View From the top of the storehouse, you can see a 360 view of Dublin! We had an unusually clear afternoon to look out at the beautiful city and hills in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9e4086b6-771d-4321-92fe-573206b189ae/IMG_6979.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Excellent Tour The tour of the storehouse is well-done, very interesting and interactive. I loved these famous toucans from decades of Guinness advertising campaigns. The multi-floor building tells the story of the history of the beer, how it’s made and a tasting room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/32327e9b-66f5-45fa-8c77-a92188cfe82a/IMG_6977.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Check out the top Take a gander at the circular top of the storehouse from the outside. This is where you get the 360 view and a Guinness! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/823264d6-da4a-4653-83f6-a1eb40d4f5c6/IMG_0042.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland After our time at the storehouse, Billy and Gay treated us to fish and chips and birthday cake in their home! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/85aac3cd-7f96-4831-8f15-8dc67a4784f6/IMG_7001.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - We made happy memories at this place! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b8e4b310-dbca-4193-ac50-b8ce563faff3/IMG_7009.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Our Hotel I can’t say enough good things about this hotel! We loved everything about it, from the historical significance, charming character, comfort, location and delicious breakfasts. We would highly recommend staying here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/be58322a-5569-484c-aa1d-1356152997c1/IMG_7013.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland The architecture of the former school is stunning! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8f44a79d-64af-4469-9371-ad5fb37b911e/IMG_7016.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - The building and quaint garden was full of colorful flowers and green spaces. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/071c5455-0935-47be-b86d-27e2cdfd9289/IMG_7030.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland We loved the canal directly across the lane from the hotel, with the beautiful fall colors on show. We sadly had to say a farewell to Hannah on this morning, as she began her journey back to New York. We ate one more scrumptious breakfast at the hotel before Billy picked us up to begin our adventure to Ireland’s west coast! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a1e808c0-7318-4dfb-adb5-9f05bfd5cc16/IMG_7027.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ac03e242-0922-4393-85a3-cf0df9bd39ef/IMG_7543.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland - Day Two Billy and Gay drove the four of us across Ireland on our second day. We stopped for lunch at this lovely pub on the way to Doolin. This photo was taken in the parking lot of the pub with this gorgeous view in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/60471a78-50da-49d6-bc51-5fd20650401b/IMG_7037.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Monk’s We loved this cozy, warm pub Billy and Gay knew about in this beautiful location. Monk’s at the Pier https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4c45866d-2a8a-47a2-b160-9e66945294c8/IMG_7537.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland - “Give me oysters and beer, every day of the year…” - Jimmy Buffett two of David’s favorites at Monk’s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/89e021a1-69f2-483b-a7c6-4a7859e75b55/IMG_7032.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - I enjoyed a delicious hot seafood chowder and brown bread! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/1947b20a-d4b0-4e87-bf5b-330115b69154/IMG_7034.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - pub with a view! I loved the interiors of this pub, with plaid wool curtains and cushions, a fireplace and this view out of the front window. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8590fe82-dd32-4462-b2e2-54559d0c94af/IMG_7038.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland We left Monk’s with full bellies, ready to continue our journey west. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/44f0da5f-322e-4c53-955a-0f4337a84035/IMG_7040.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland This was from the top of a hill, on our way to Doolin. Billy drove up a steep, winding road and pulled over for us to take in this beauty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a9fe0aed-43c4-4fdd-8ff2-3016488e4951/IMG_7047.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Doolin We made it to Doolin in the late afternoon. This was our gorgeous view from the parking lot of our bed and breakfast! Doolin Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3a91b3b5-a917-4576-abe5-9651ad16b3a7/IMG_7049.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland I love this shot. It gives you an idea of the charming bed and breakfast we called home for a couple of days. Fun fact….the hare is the official animal of Ireland. The location was very quiet, yet convenient, to the town and the Cliffs of Moher. The breakfasts were hot and delicious! We ended the day with the boys heading to a pub down the road for a Guinness and Gay and I making an early night of it in our rooms. This was really the only night or day it significantly rained during our entire trip. Billy and David were soaked when they returned, as they had walked to the pub. They didn’t care as they had a good cousin time together! The Piper’s Rest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/390907a3-46cf-4a28-844c-b0c84a03249f/IMG_7052.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Day Three We woke up the next morning to a yummy breakfast, then drove to the Cliffs of Moher area for a day of exploring! It’s a short drive from Doolin town to the car park to enter the cliffs area. There is a small fee to park and walk along the cliffs. Some of the pathways are paved and some are not. There is a long trail from Doolin to the cliffs but it would take approximately 3-4 hours, one-way, to hike it, with no bathrooms along the way. We opted for the quicker route but still saw plenty of stunning scenery! It was cold and windy at first, but warmed up as we walked along. There were many people there but it didn’t bother us. There is a very nice visitor’s center with bathrooms and food options, as well as gift shop stalls. Cliffs of Moher https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0a10388b-62bc-4b42-9c9f-97bda4c3bba2/IMG_7053.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland amazing wood carving at the entrance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a1953d54-561b-4864-9d71-88494116eda8/IMG_7090.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - seastack It was a spectacularly clear day at the cliffs! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/87e4f340-9f7b-4e3c-8a6f-56a27cb5e38f/IMG_7055.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - majestic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e5d6adf6-92e8-4d0d-ad8e-52c5ba0cfc7c/IMG_7096.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - cousins at the cliffs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/44fa71fc-f2aa-40dd-b833-b7f3faf92532/IMG_7554.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland - couple at the cliffs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7342e8f9-dfd6-4ed6-8fae-2500bb62a10f/IMG_7123.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4d4c126d-7573-4b7b-94c4-ef3cf916c84c/IMG_7075.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Padraig (Irish for Patrick) This precious man sang “happy birthday” to David from the cliffs! Best thing ever! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f5b23924-0a86-4ce7-b86b-93da68bd109d/IMG_7111.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - “you know, I speak seagull…” (Finding Nemo…sort of) This very friendly gull chatted with me for a few minutes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c1674ba6-fdff-41c4-a650-22d738abc12c/IMG_7078.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a27695bd-d4ce-4cff-b0f2-e03322ef67d7/IMG_7104.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/900c3f50-c803-4f58-b849-1b4c018abe7b/IMG_7108.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6d6a1c29-f113-466a-8925-f67e2ecd47b1/IMG_7094.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/80c7663c-aeb0-4708-9b16-02617359a5a4/IMG_7127.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - As we walked along the paths, we had to shed some layers as the air warmed up and the sunshine felt amazing ! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/02edbd54-0210-4841-96af-e5afd83e0e47/IMG_7131.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - peace https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8bb94c25-555b-40b5-8ec1-3cb98f253b4a/IMG_7136.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - foxy This adorable little fox met us in the carpark! We think he was looking for a snack. I’ve never come so close to a fox before and wanted to give him a hug but thought better of it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9816cb44-7b90-4b62-852d-9342aafa479b/IMG_7139.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Rainbow Connection (ask Kermit) On our way from the Cliffs of Moher to the Bridges of Ross area, we spotted our first rainbow. There would be several more to come. Breathtaking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/be34d789-de5e-4ab4-a3ac-4954b54eb3d0/IMG_7147.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Bridges of Ross Billy and Gay took us to this absolutely stunning area, where cliffs and a natural bridge stand beside the Atlantic. We loved this spot! Bridges of Ross https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e495dfb5-3baa-4b2e-b1dd-3a154487809a/IMG_7150.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ccb242ff-0245-4bb8-8947-295c2d99dc32/IMG_7158.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - The rock formations and layers were incredible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/fca1becb-0420-4f07-9eb6-314087c751d4/IMG_7157.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ea7f74b6-dd67-4f07-a625-93371a23a30c/IMG_7154.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - “Don’t you think daisies are the friendliest flower?” - You’ve Got Mail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9e65b142-0b07-4583-bf08-b94bb9a05120/IMG_7160.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e5a4a660-8c13-4b4f-9677-f48a43fb7488/IMG_7168.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f77d1d48-3bee-466e-90f8-108990b7f8e8/IMG_7164.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - the bridge This is the only remaining bridge. There were two more natural bridges at this site but due to centuries of people walking across them, they eventually fell into the sea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6a93f240-32ba-4222-b631-8a01453a1adc/IMG_7672.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland - that’s us! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9be3f692-c9dd-4733-91b2-30fc2ad2675d/IMG_7172.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - only God. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/513d39df-5e9c-4a4c-8455-d9b6658a3930/IMG_7169.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland a bit breezy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/60e0adb7-b554-47d1-910f-57bcab350082/IMG_7175.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - beautiful blackberries in the hedgerows https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/06cec575-e363-4ce2-bb81-ddb962a6c70a/IMG_7178.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - We were so grateful to have seen this unbelievably breathtaking area! We left the bridges and headed to the Loop Head lighthouse next. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4d0f893a-cd5a-4ec3-987b-d188049a88b1/IMG_7193.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - David and Billy at the Loop Head cliffs. Loop Head https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/94059bdb-82a3-4e86-aa3d-ed211916ef89/IMG_7180.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland Loop Head Lighthouse Loop Head Lighthouse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/beb15c6e-67e1-4664-bf58-04e116d1d4c5/IMG_7696.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland - We said it would be a perfect place for a proposal so….. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f8f24987-f994-464a-9974-fa9a2b0cf6ec/IMG_7182.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland David, Leza, Billy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ada32ffa-3b35-48ab-8c91-f18670646856/IMG_7197.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland Loop Head was such a peaceful, remote place and, like the Bridges of Ross area, it was far less crowded than the Cliffs of Moher. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/81589c1d-fa71-4127-8da2-1562d2218519/IMG_7199.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - We said farewell to Loop Head in the late afternoon and headed back toward Doolin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/aa85ddef-58a1-44e6-802a-52b4620b6b96/IMG_7204.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - one of my faves We stopped at this beautiful hotel/pub on our way back to Doolin. Hickie’s Bar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b236fb65-9c09-4f4e-95b8-64186216feef/IMG_7205.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland We sat next to this lovely fireplace, with the whimsical Guinness toucan on the mantle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0364860f-51bb-4c02-b2b8-4c5a1f2e76f7/IMG_7206.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0745e968-bc93-409d-993a-35c31d6df2ad/IMG_7208.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - cozy vibes This is one of my favorite shots. It is a perfect picture of how inviting and warm this moment was in this friendly pub. We had been outside most of the day and although it was a sunny, beautiful day, it was quite windy and chilly at times. To come in and sit down and have one of the employees come in our room and light the fire, without being asked, was magical. Sipping a hot tea and resting our feet with Billy and Gay in front of the charming fireplace, was one of my treasured experiences of the trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/bf18822e-1ab0-4080-9261-670deede7407/IMG_7211.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - O’Connor’s We ended the day back in Doolin at O’Connors pub for dinner. I devoured my Guinness stew. O’Connor’s Pub https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f980a7ed-7ea3-45e9-beb6-b77cd08d0ee1/IMG_7218.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3a7407b8-2b45-4206-af5d-21b792d291d1/IMG_7216.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - dessert After dinner, we moved into the other room where the musicians were playing. David had a Guinness, of course, and I had a delicious, homemade Baileys hot chocolate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b26212f1-a30d-4ed9-a480-295b4cf6ed55/IMG_7213.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - cool This was one of the best things that happened during our trip. Two years ago, Hannah and Lizzy visited Doolin and this same pub. They left a signed dollar bill there and the bartender attached it to the wall behind the bar. So, we had to add ours, of course! Now they sit together on the wall, so if you’re ever in O’Connor’s, be sure to look for them! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/62d613d1-53a9-4e88-9bb6-6ea2ce1b8a82/IMG_7215.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - family dollars The Simpsons are well-represented in O’Connor’s! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/41959d6d-8a43-46d3-8b61-b5b1c36d9415/IMG_7220.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - day four This was our home for two days in Doolin. We said farewell to this quaint bed and breakfast, on a bright, sunny day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/eb91ce24-c6d9-48d2-a8c7-f14faf80fa75/IMG_7219.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/27a85f89-0269-4351-bee4-5bc0996a192e/IMG_7222.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - colorful Doolin Before we left Doolin, we popped in the shops, just down the road form our b & b. The shops were very nice with woolen products, souvenirs and books. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e6241c47-a3ec-4557-9597-130e1cae12b4/IMG_7224.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6ee1e87e-a3bf-45e9-9281-b8fa8657b06b/IMG_7226.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - O’Connor’s This is the pub where we enjoyed live trad music, a delicious dinner and drinks and most importantly, where we left our dollar bill to join our daughter’s dollar bill on the wall above the bar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/687a3b5b-8a72-4fa0-9f7f-39b1ede57dc1/IMG_7783.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland - Doolin Pier After visiting the shops, Billy and Gay took us to the Doolin Pier area, where we saw a portion of the burren landscape, where it meets the ocean. Ferries leave the pier to carry people to the Aran Islands. Doolin Pier https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/04871881-cb00-4be1-91b3-e9773c3efaf1/IMG_7240.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland This view is looking back toward the Cliffs of Moher area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/919e5ddf-de91-448b-999e-c6be5c6a21d8/IMG_7250.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a22d2bb8-063d-4466-93ab-0e9c7857f01f/IMG_7257.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b7a8adb3-f462-488c-9b33-99ebfaa2ab72/IMG_7260.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland The burren landscape is bedrock with a vast cracked “pavement” of limestone formed from glaciers millions of years ago. The tiny plants growing in between the rock are unique. It is the only place in the world where you’ll find a combination of mediterranean and arctic-alpine plants growing side by side. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b6a92a34-3f33-4179-88c6-75a7cb32af59/IMG_7261.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Doolin’s other residents Our last farewell in Doolin was to these gorgeous animals in the fields beside the road. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7be76d8d-db19-4701-97d3-e805b6544627/IMG_7265.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - I loved her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7940fe90-fcb0-43b1-8740-b60cdad333e1/IMG_7271.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/86d3e007-a5ea-45a9-8db4-c255522b3c96/IMG_7280.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - He came up to say “thanks for coming to Doolin and hope to see you again someday”. We loved our stay here and would highly recommend a visit to Doolin, County Clare. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b9373730-bf93-4bf4-8a2b-9e8b7ffbff18/IMG_7281.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Connemara After leaving Doolin, we drove through the Connemara region, on our way to Westport. These views were absolutely breathtaking. We pulled off the road and took these shots. Connemara https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/20bc73ca-8151-4e2d-aaf4-6f214e0725b0/IMG_7288.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8d39b4f2-f9d3-4d78-abba-816e02e498fa/IMG_7300.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3ab7a729-413b-408b-b6ed-51b622578256/IMG_7291.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - autumnal We had only ever experienced Ireland in the early summer. I was in love with the autumn colors and different look of the flora and fauna in October. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9696c75a-bb33-4e53-a3dc-fc1c7b09f72b/IMG_7293.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - mountain burren You can really get a glimpse of how the burren landscape stretches from the oceanside at Doolin to these majestic hills and mountains in Connemara. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/eadd9242-9228-49c6-a812-325ad1b9055a/IMG_7299.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/bfc7c950-591b-469b-a41b-0d0b0f04a5d8/IMG_7297.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - heather This was the first time in my life to see heather in the wild. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9cba7cd5-ca58-4431-990e-27c8a852ee91/IMG_7306.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2af7efd9-ad6c-4539-b0c8-04e502a8b032/IMG_7308.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland This was truly a peaceful, enchanting, wild place to breathe in the fresh, crisp air. We continued to be so incredibly thankful for Billy and Gay and how they knew just where to take us to experience the less-traveled route and remote, breathtaking Irish landscapes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/50a7438d-fc44-4dde-aa51-e538f60143f0/IMG_7316.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Roundstone We stopped in charming Roundstone village for a hot cup of tea and snack. Roundstone Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e403bc1b-4359-4428-84c9-704b33328aad/IMG_7318.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - O’Dowd’s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c7bca030-9220-4096-b751-11e7e376d61e/IMG_7320.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2447025b-6152-4a49-bd28-e649de1b4fde/IMG_7319.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Roundstone is one of the oldest fishing villages on the west coast and known for its arts and culture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2ec5b3d1-8a18-4fca-9fe8-b38a0b5d65cb/IMG_7322.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out And then, this happened! This magical rainbow appeared as we sipped our tea. We suddenly saw this gift through the window behind our table in the pub!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9fa94f16-ae6a-4bc1-8ab2-f79149c2b5ed/IMG_7325.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland We left Roundstone in the late afternoon and stopped along the roadside to see some of Ireland’s beautiful beaches and coastline. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/34d061d3-e211-4c19-aa2d-169e3e10596d/IMG_7326.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/470f2ed9-ef79-49f0-a8be-1da2f4c21ed7/IMG_7327.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out Dog Beach https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5c858390-cb27-44c3-be22-19f220ed3cd0/IMG_7328.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/669b9dbd-0e6f-4c11-8590-dd32b87776a7/IMG_7330.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/04bdc689-e698-4a6e-a1d8-8d1cc34332f0/IMG_7331.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out Coral Beach https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c122cda8-d16c-48ba-a476-ebc22f12ab93/IMG_7335.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d3540200-c256-43a4-a774-e23115f95b64/IMG_7847.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out Kylemore Abbey and Estate We made a brief stop at this peaceful place on our way to Westport. It was built in 1868 as a wedding gift from a husband to his wife. It later became a home to Benedictine nuns and is known for its Victorian walled gardens. Kylemore Abbey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/afd1297c-ba87-438a-a9ee-bd6b164bc382/IMG_7338.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e5f0d089-334d-4de4-b6b0-bad647154e0f/IMG_7343.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8d66a2ca-ff63-4b5b-a31e-3bcfb2be3c1b/IMG_0325.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out We stopped one more time after leaving Kylmore Abbey, before arriving in Westport and saw this!!! My first fjord! This stunning view of Killary was absolutely breathtaking. This glacial beauty is in northern Connemara, between county Galway and Mayo. It’s average depth is around 148 feet deep! Killary Fjord https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/dcac5071-2193-4c8e-a812-ef6a66573325/IMG_0316.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e9ca38e6-1740-468b-86f4-e3007a317682/IMG_0363.JPG Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out Westport And then, this happened! Our third, full rainbow appeared right outside the window of our hotel breakfast room! What a perfect way to begin the day in Westport. Westport Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/08f888f6-3226-424f-aad9-16f138e088b0/IMG_7346.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - walking to town After a full Irish breakfast, we walked from the hotel into town for a day of shopping and exploring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e8b659bc-f64e-4cf2-8a21-fb0b545a2992/IMG_7349.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland This was one of the lovely views on our walk up the street into town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/11269df2-9488-4823-a4e5-7ddb42355375/IMG_7351.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - St. Patrick This is the town square with a beautiful statue of St. Patrick in the middle, surrounded by pubs, cafes and plenty of colorful flowers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3eb8bdb8-5479-4c6a-9986-1d704c88db7e/IMG_7356.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland We popped in this charming pub for a quick tea break before hitting the shops. I loved the way it was decorated inside. It was part of a local, old hotel right off the town square. The Cobbler’s Bar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e3d467ad-70e9-4d17-8991-9cc1d2b154c3/IMG_7352.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland symbols of Ireland The lion represents courage, strength and nobility while the fiddle calls to mind the traditional Irish music played in pubs all over the country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5aafcbee-d8d6-4315-b72d-7fbade27e1a5/IMG_7355.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland Although we sat inside, this outdoor space was so cute! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4068cb9c-094d-4721-8ee4-d9f86dcfb031/IMG_7357.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - There were pretty flowers and plantings everywhere you looked throughout the town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2423b480-7123-4728-8492-d7b20e820b72/IMG_7358.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland I love everything about this spot! It’s so cheery and inviting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c2c8d79b-e584-4f3d-8aa0-40f2e390931e/IMG_7362.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland This is the world-famous Matt Malloy’s pub! Some say, it’s the best pub in Ireland. We experienced this icon later that evening. Matt Molloy’s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/1d789716-8e20-425e-9842-a6e180595e55/IMG_7364.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out This is the Carrobeg River, running through the heart of Westport. I love the beautiful stone bridge with the flowers on the sides! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c34f0318-3d3c-4993-906a-07d9262f7aa2/IMG_7365.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/22f28c50-1b2a-4d84-9be3-795970e7562c/IMG_7366.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - if you know, you know We stopped in a hotel for a lunch break and this amazing piece was hanging on the wall. They were the soundtrack of our dating years and on our concert bucket list. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/44afc808-2597-4dc2-84ac-cd169f271dd6/IMG_7372.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - This was sweet, homemade, local gelato. I had the coffee flavor and it was amazing. Krem Westport Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/beb39c7b-49ee-401e-bec5-a0f1ed4cb933/IMG_7373.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out The beautiful “tricolor” is displayed above a shop in the sunlight. The green represents catholics, the orange represents protestants and the white represents peace between them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e0bd5443-a1fe-40b5-a5a4-ee72f3d7b043/IMG_7374.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - All the colorful storefronts made me smile! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0bb4114b-348d-44db-ad47-946044091d7c/IMG_7375.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - clever https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/99046ff0-7d15-4323-91b4-5578b17eab91/IMG_7376.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland After a full day of shopping, we walked down the road from our hotel to the grand, stately Westport House. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/622f4544-0b84-4e85-b063-86372cf394a5/IMG_7379.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - cosmos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2b546cf0-0e66-4442-bd47-7a8991ba6826/IMG_7380.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - thistle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c042f076-a64b-47bf-99e0-af48bf087cca/IMG_7382.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/735e1b7e-1d83-4344-946b-b01d8ba71d71/IMG_7383.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland I love it when God places hearts in nature, like these ivy leaves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3155e853-435e-4bd2-bda2-12d0be972d55/IMG_7384.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - I have a thing for moss. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8bced0f8-d105-4609-a28e-fc32f9b90fe9/IMG_7387.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland I had never seen swans this age before. These cygnets glided by silently, gracefully on the water. Their gray feathers signifies they are in their first year of life. They turn white during their second year of life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/eb1be530-06b4-4b98-9358-c77182fae5d7/IMG_7388.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out Westport House The first look at this 300-year-old house is simply stunning. The Georgian country house was the family seat of the Marquess of Sligo and the Browne family. The Browne family have connections to Mayo that date back to the 1500’s and are most likely related to the pirate queen and chieftain, Grace O’Malley. In 2017, the house was sold to a local hotelier. The grounds of this 455-acre estate are gorgeous! Westport House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/db44f6c8-23c0-4c6a-9706-d9c614e6d832/IMG_7394.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - This was the first time I saw wild fuchsia. Apparently, it grows wild in parts of Ireland. I had only ever seen it in a hanging basket from the nursery. ;) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ec5b1060-5218-46d1-a692-8794a69154f5/IMG_7396.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9fa367ca-c44e-4c8e-962d-4c1b426176b0/IMG_7399.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out Pirate Queen and Chieftain, Grace O’Malley This bronze statue was created to depict her on her boat looking out over Clew Bay and to represent her courage, resilience and determination. She negotiated with Queen Elizabeth I to secure her property and lands. It is said if you touch her sword, it’ll bring good luck, so, of course, we did. ;) Grace O’Malley https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/52ba5ffa-fdb4-40d6-a31f-c1eb0e2e2b97/IMG_7402.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - I loved these pretty hydrangeas. They looked similar to the ones we have in our yard, but a very different color that I haven’t seen anywhere else. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b56fc867-3a30-4b22-95a6-7f443b113ba0/IMG_7403.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/fd4e1978-8500-4cb4-9fa3-e9e4ff3061d3/IMG_7404.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - cosmos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/54860677-6fee-48c3-a4c0-9c39873315dd/IMG_7405.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - foxglove https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/cd7b0ea6-bdf9-4675-9f0a-2f99d49b2f18/IMG_7406.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/95a00cd6-70e1-4fe0-9bed-32ec5537ac82/IMG_7407.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/47b076ae-2ff0-4ada-b1dc-48782e288320/IMG_7409.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/1d29f23c-81df-4b4d-8e4a-9390e5cbf14b/IMG_7412.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/563d33d2-467e-43eb-897c-fc44df18e429/IMG_7432.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4281cb7b-b42e-49a2-9a53-79aa3533b87e/IMG_7431.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e8b87088-86c9-400f-a61c-1b5616d16b6c/IMG_7428.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - notice the horse on the frieze over the doorway and then….. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/36805f97-4872-4e8e-ac8a-d415ddc58c31/IMG_7418.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - This gentle beauty came up to the fence to say hello. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6ac80fdb-8d7a-4596-9a92-dc5aa208d43b/IMG_7423.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/995a6bc1-b198-428f-bece-306cad616644/IMG_7425.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ce630922-c1ae-4294-a5e7-de62ea70c401/IMG_7438.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - We said farewell to Westport House in the early evening light, then said goodbye to the adult swans. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/fbbc3419-de5d-4ff6-a460-7bea5d57fb36/IMG_7441.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Dinner at Il Vulcano Il Vulcano https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7b96a587-36a0-42f4-8315-f32465e92967/IMG_7442.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - I loved this place! Great Italian restaurant in Westport. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/67ff8163-01ad-4038-bcb6-fc59d1c0fb94/IMG_7439.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - my ravioli was scrumptious! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/67c1020d-9493-4fab-b16c-6cdbed5e4caa/IMG_7443.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0b404695-f348-4957-a89b-a7cbf35edadd/IMG_7453.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out After dinner, we walked to Matt Molloy’s pub. You just need to go there once to experience it! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/74299fe9-467d-4f72-bc2a-059fe81a8398/IMG_7444.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Of course, David had a Guinness https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/faa47abe-e319-4d02-8b27-4aedf341b2e1/IMG_7445.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - If you look closely, you can see David in the mirror. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f4368a5d-b630-45dd-a92e-e37d3fcd428f/IMG_7447.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - We were lucky to get a seat on barstools! I could not believe how many people were in this iconic pub! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/60b1132c-ddb6-41ea-9ecc-02c296d309a2/IMG_7451.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - One reason this pub is so famous is because the former flute player of the Chieftains, Matt Malloy, opened the pub. Today one of his relatives manages the pub. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/306b98c7-9655-410c-8bf1-207bbec43d48/IMG_7450.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out These incredible musicians were in the next room, playing delightful traditional Irish music. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5f9a2815-5166-4f56-85db-17f66c624b03/IMG_7454.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Day Six After a hearty breakfast, we checked out of our hotel to begin our journey back to Dublin. Westport Coast Hotel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/031169a2-26df-47c5-a55d-80b556efa1fd/IMG_7455.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - We enjoyed our stay here. It was comfortable, convenient, reasonable and featured a stunning view from the top of the rooftop restaurant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f7084288-b865-4335-84a0-df11f5b8523a/IMG_7456.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Right outside the front door, the hotel featured an amazing view of Croagh Patrick Mountain. Croagh Patrick https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/fc78cf13-9344-4d1d-bab0-7f9eef894b47/IMG_7457.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out Croagh Patrick is known as an important place for pilgrimage where it is said St. Patrick fasted for 40 days in 441. Also, some say it is a holy mountain since pagan times when people would meet at the top to celebrate the beginning of the harvest season. Thousands of people climb the mountain on “Reek Sunday”, the first Sunday in July, every year. More than 100,000 people climb Croagh Patrick annually . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7c1afc66-a1df-4206-8703-bcd5986bad75/IMG_7460.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out and then this happened! On our way back to Dublin, we stopped at Foxford woolen mill (est. 1882), where I finally found the perfect plaid throw to take home. After leaving the mill, yet another full, breathtaking rainbow appeared in the sky! We had to pull over and take in this miracle. Foxford Woolen Mill https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9d6c2216-873e-4904-a6f7-e76a6375ea97/IMG_7466.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out When we returned to Billy and Gay’s home in Dublin that evening, we ate pizza for dinner, watched rugby and caught up with cousin Aideen. Gay cooked a delicious breakfast for us the following morning! These beautiful flowers were growing in their flower bed beside the driveway where we loaded up their car with our luggage and headed to the airport. To say we had a fantastic time with them and appreciated the planning, driving, laughs and memories made would be such an understatement. We will forever cherish our journey across Ireland with them! God blessed us with loved ones, safety, stunning nature, delightful music, delicious food and laughter the whole time we were there. We didn’t want to leave but also looked forward to being home again. And so, we hugged our family and began our adventure back to Tennessee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/97242ef0-a635-43e0-a7a3-f7273b38679a/IMG_7469.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - No delays going home….our overnight flight left on time, headed for Charlotte. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/1b55aadb-fdce-402b-a72a-4fad549df18b/IMG_7471.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out I believe these were part of the Appalachian Mountains, somewhere near North Caroline/Tennessee. It was bittersweet, seeing a familiar terrain but knowing so many people down below were suffering from the recent hurricane that ravaged the area, especially Ashville. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/2eafd529-6790-4c4a-b86c-d6be81db2622/IMG_7475.jpeg Journal - Travel - Ireland - Make it stand out After a smooth flight from Dublin to Charlotte, we approached Chattanooga, where our flight path took us directly over Chickamauga Lake, where we sail on its waters. We could see our marina down below. As thankful as we were to celebrate David’s birthday in Ireland, there’s no place like home. We brought back precious memories of a grand adventure! https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-chocolate-chip-peanut-butter-cookies monthly 0.5 2024-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d5316e47-9422-407a-a11a-d6da6838c9a5/IMG_6883.jpeg Journal - Food - Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - classic combo These remind me of the peanut butter cookies my mom made when I was little. Fork imprints take me back. She never added chocolate chips, though, which only adds to the yumminess! This recipe is from “Crazy for Crust” on Pinterest. Depending on how big you make them, you may get around 24 cookies from this batch. We like to bake as needed, over a weekend, so we can have hot, fresh cookies when we want them! Ingredients 1/2 cup unsalted melted butter (I used salted butter and omitted the salt) 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 1/4 cup granulated sugar 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1 large egg 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips ( I used dark chocolate) Mix or stir butter with peanut butter until smooth. Add brown sugar & granulated sugar and mix until creamy. Beat in vanilla, egg, baking soda and salt. Mix in flour slowly until cookie dough forms. Stir in chocolate chips. Scoop 2 tbsp sized cookie dough balls onto cookie sheets covered with parchment paper and chill 30 minutes preheat oven to 350 degrees press cookie dough balls flat with tines of a fork bake for 8-12 minutes cool on rack https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/1fbc8046-3135-4c32-a6e5-d9cff4c9ed16/IMG_6885.jpeg Journal - Food - Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies I had the dark chocolate Ghiradelli chips and the Whole Foods brand of chips in my pantry and the two different kinds came out just fine. I’m sure milk or semi-sweet chips would work. too. Perfect devoured warm and melty with a cold glass of milk! https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-granola monthly 0.5 2024-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/09d5fd8c-9d56-4aac-b472-52526cd348ec/IMG_6891.jpeg Journal - Food - Granola - homemade I wish you could smell this while its baking! It makes your whole house smell so good! ingredients (any amount you like) any kind of nut you like…I used what I had in the pantry…pistachios, cashews, pecans, sliced almonds any kind of seed…I had pumpkin and sunflower nuts oats coconut flakes cinnamon & nutmeg sea salt coconut oil maple syrup pour all ingredients into a large bowl and stir to combine spread onto a parchment-lined rimmed cookie sheet bake at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes place sheet on cooling rack & let cool completely before storing store in airtight container for a few days (ours usually doesn’t last more than a couple of days ;) ) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/983b570e-5acb-48a8-825c-281d09e89e4c/IMG_6900.jpeg Journal - Food - Granola - very versatile This is my favorite way to eat granola. Simply spoon your favorite yogurt into a bowl, sprinkle with any kind of fruit (I chose apple this time because it’s in season), and drizzle with honey. I love just having the granola as a little snack and munch it by the handful! I’ve also enjoyed it as a cereal with milk and topped with fruit, like bananas or blueberries. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-veggie-soup monthly 0.5 2024-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/286bd05a-121b-4068-9285-aa393ce4f8bd/IMG_6889.jpeg Journal - Food - Veggie Soup - veggie tales What I love about making vegetable soup is that you can truly add any kind of veg you have on hand and either chicken or vegetable stock. I’d say you must have some kind of onions, celery, carrots and tomatoes but other than those, you can add any type of veg to it. I’ve also added white or red beans before and orzo pasta to this particular batch. ingredients (slice & chop any amount) onion carrots celery tomatoes (fresh or canned petite) potatoes red pepper zucchini yellow squash garlic thyme (or any other herb you like) 1/4 cup orzo pasta salt & pepper to taste chicken or veg stock (enough to cover your veg in the pot…you can also add water if needed) olive oil Pour about a tbsp of olive oil into large pot on medium high saute onions, celery & carrots for a few minutes until they begin to tender add all other ingredients and bring to a boil, then simmer for about 30 minutes or so check to see if potatoes and carrots are completely tender, then it’s done enjoy with crackers, bread or your favorite sandwich! https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/home-bits-amp-bobs-2 monthly 0.5 2024-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a4580304-3ee4-4db7-a29d-a48f16121b88/IMG_6809.jpeg Journal - Home - Bits & Bobs 2 - kitchen corner It’s sweet how just a few little items can make you smile when you see them everyday. The cutie lamp is from Target, the cutting board is a gift from my oldest daughter (more on that below), the clay pot and succulent is from a former preschool family (found at Signal Mountain Nursery), the brass bell is from my childhood home. I can’t remember a time when we didn’t have it and I cherish it, the wooden swan is from Shops on Main and a recent addition. I brought her home because she reminds me of our trip to England, where we saw several graceful, beautiful swans swimming on the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park. I’ve never seen so many swans in one place. She takes me back to London every time I look at her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/cbc47f2e-2a0f-4e58-a2bb-f24d8871eb15/IMG_6810.jpeg Journal - Home - Bits & Bobs 2 - practical & pretty I wish you could smell these cutting boards! They are both made of olive wood and have that delicious fragrance. They come from two very different places but absolutely go together. The taller one in the back is from Marshalls, bought by me several years ago. The one in the front with the lovely rosemary wreath is from my oldest daughter. She found it in Brooklyn from an artist who “burns’ a design into boards. I love it so much and think of her every time I look at it. I have used these for charcuterie but I like to keep them on display, too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/99d820a0-1cae-4614-bdba-a162c4663299/IMG_6765.jpeg Journal - Home - Bits & Bobs 2 - shades of blue I like to make little groupings in similar shades of colors, like these blues. I love a mix of new and old, shiny and natural elements together. This lamp is from Target from years ago and I still love it! It’s a painted wood base with a burlap shade. The ceramic pot is from Sophie’s Shoppe and did have a plant in it at one time…need to find another one for it. The blue ceramic wall flower is also from Sophie’s and was a gift from my daughters years ago. The mercury glass owl is from Marshalls, I think, and is sentimental to me. I was a Chi Omega and the owl is its symbol. I wouldn’t have met my husband if I hadn’t been a member of that sorority, as a sister and friend introduced us. The basket was actually a little purse from my childhood. It had a red bandana lining at one time. How it survived all these years intact, I’ll never know but I adore it. The adorable ceramic kissing couple was in my parent’s home for years. I really don’t know where it came from but it says “Holland” on the base. These items sit atop our 33-year-old pine chest of drawers in our bedroom and I enjoy seeing them every day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/715de32a-23eb-41f5-8025-5c865470bede/IMG_6782.jpeg Journal - Home - Bits & Bobs 2 - any guesses? If you are of a certain age, you might know what this cute little inset shelf was used for decades ago. I only know because my Mema had one in her house. It’s a telephone table! Back in the day, some houses had these built in to hold their phone and phone book. We actually did use it for this purpose for a few years, giving our daughters a land line phone in their upstairs hallway until they were old enough for cell phones. Now, it holds sweet little yellow ceramics from local vintage shops and such. Every time I look at it, I think of my Mema and our girls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/59d8b94c-4f88-431a-8009-619c07d2a09a/IMG_6812.jpeg Journal - Home - Bits & Bobs 2 - going green This little nook is beside our fireplace and has held different things over the years. When tv’s were smaller, this is where it and our vcr lived. I do like to switch it out from time to time, with other mementos and objects. Currently, it holds an Irish donkey (painted by me from a photo from our family trip to Dingle ), a basket from Vinterest Hixson, vintage books from various antique shops, a glass hurricane filled with corks from past celebrations, big and small. Above it, hangs an old rug beater, found at Vintage and More in Red Bank. Green is my favorite color and I’m drawn to anything derived from or related to nature. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7079b993-c115-470a-858c-e3ced7786e29/IMG_6554.jpeg Journal - Home - Bits & Bobs 2 - best surprise ever There are moments in your life when you are completely, overwhelmingly surprised by a gift. This basket was one of them. My sweet husband thoughtfully gave this Fortnum & Mason hamper to me as a Christmas gift a few years ago. I had no idea what was in the huge box and hadn’t asked for it. It was filled with teas, coffee, biscuits, candies, jams and crackers. He knew I fell in love with England when we visited. He knew how I loved wandering through the centuries-old F & M store in London. To have a little piece of that memory in our family room brings me much happiness. It perches atop an antique pine armoire I’ve had since I was a teenager. My parents bought it for me and we think parts of it might be from Holland or Sweden. It has held many things over the years but now holds games and such. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/home-bits-amp-bobs monthly 0.5 2024-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ebe395de-d5bb-422f-8e94-764a2cdc6f54/IMG_6771.jpeg Journal - Home - Bits & Bobs - any guesses? I had no idea what this was used for when I spotted it at Dirty Jane’s Antiques. I was instantly drawn to the mint green color, wooden handle and hand-painted flowers. The metal piece opens up and I had to know what its purpose was in the past. After some searching on the inter web, I found it. It was used back in the day to catch crumbs brushed off a table during or after a meal. They’re not worth much but I just love it. I’ve hidden chocolates in it for friends staying in our guest bedroom. I’d love to know the history of this particular piece…where and when it was used and I’m always struck by how practical, everyday objects were made beautiful for such mundane tasks. I think it’s charming and an inexpensive way to add a little art and conversation piece to a room. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/home-tole-trays monthly 0.5 2024-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/55848315-12be-40b9-b784-2bcbfbe9ed8e/IMG_6766.jpeg Journal - Home - Tole Trays - bathroom beauties These two gorgeous trays live in our upstairs bathroom, which will always be “the girls’ bathroom”. This black one is from my aunt’s house and it’s my favorite so far. We used command strips to hang all of our trays. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f07fba48-06c5-425e-ae2e-b666c748ddaa/IMG_6767.jpeg Journal - Home - Tole Trays I found this sweet yellow tray at The Refindery. This is a 1968 bathroom, complete with yellow tile walls, floor and bathtub so this fit right in. ;) I choose to lovingly embrace the vintage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/3449e747-c9fd-4e6e-bb76-59deee000d7c/IMG_6840.jpeg Journal - Home - Tole Trays - living room lovely I discovered this one at Dirty Jane’s Antiques and it found a home in our living room. I love the gold background and the shades of green, blue and white, which go perfectly with the colors in this room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4fdda096-8293-4898-992f-d73515bc5b5a/IMG_6841.jpeg Journal - Home - Tole Trays here’s a close-up to show the pretty details of the hand-painted flowers and leaves https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/home-gallery-wall monthly 0.5 2024-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/85ddb5cf-977c-445a-a6e8-ea1eb9a651f3/IMG_6781.jpeg Journal - Home - Gallery Walls - kitchen greens, blues & browns top to bottom: left row: Lizzy’s drawing of David for Father’s Day a card print of an artist’s painting of Cotswold sheep from our trip to England…we found it in a mill shop in Lower Slaughter after we actually stumbled upon sheep in a field on our walk down from Upper Slaughter…they’re my favorite animal ink drawing by Juanita Sterchi, my lifelong friend’s grandmother…this is of their family farm…I have fond memories of going with Emily to play here as children middle row: our beautiful Lizzy’s self-portrait painting study when she was in college a painting by my daddy when he was in junior high a print of a woodland I found at a Blowing Rock, North Carolina art show a print of a snow-covered Cades Cove, which belonged to my parents…I have sweet memories of visiting the cove throughout my life right row: another print of a Cades Cove scene…a church I’ve been to another card from England…this is a cool graphic art print featuring Cornish symbols…found this one in a gift shop in Falmouth, Cornwall our beautiful Hannah at 5 years old Several of these pieces also feature nature, which is dear to me, as are the people as the subject matter or the ones who created the art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/dd0a5017-ec48-49d4-809b-2a8b7a202176/IMG_6763.jpeg Journal - Home - Gallery Walls - bedroom blues This was a large wall space to fill and we had fun choosing pieces to add to it. left to right: top row: print of different shades of the mountains given to us by a former neighbor graphic art bee piece created by Lizzy in college middle row: photo of 2-year-old me pastel sailboat piece by my daddy…years before I would go on a first date with David on a sailboat my painting of the year of our wedding graphic art piece of sisters and their adventures by Lizzy graphic art piece of whales created by Lizzy as part of her senior project painting of Killarney, Ireland by David’s aunt, Monica…she gave it to us when we visited Ireland in 2015 after we had seen this lake in Killarney on our trip years after she painted this scene bottom row: painting by me of flowers photo of Hannah & Lizzy as teenagers sheep painting by Lizzy from our family trip to Ireland and given to me for my birthday family photo of my daddy’s side of the family when he was a child https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d3c5c207-74b3-45ba-9198-ae45ad7f5cfa/IMG_6769.jpeg Journal - Home - Gallery Walls - guest room/studio pinks I love this combination of pinks! top to bottom: left row: Lizzy’s self-portrait for a college project..I took the photo for this and she painted it on wood my cow painting from a photo I took in Ireland middle row: two Williamsburg prints from my aunt right row: mystery painting of a beautiful girl from 1917 which hung in my granny’s house Lizzy’s painting she created in college https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/home-living-room monthly 0.5 2024-09-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9f58d987-85da-4b80-9b39-6b677589095c/IMG_6785.jpeg Journal - Home - Living Room - looking in We’re so thankful for original hardwood floors and tall windows in this room. When we moved in 27 years ago, the walls were a dark hunter green. We painted them a cranberry red not long after moving in. Years later, the walls changed to a khaki shade and most recently, we chose “Simply White” by Benjamin Moore. The ikat drapes and ottoman are from Ballard Designs. The piano is from my childhood home and I can’t part with it. The gray ceramic lamps with the burlap shades are from Walmart! The blue linen chair sat in my parent’s living room and was covered in a pink and blue stripe originally. It’s extremely comfortable! The jute rug and faux sheepskin rug are from Amazon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/29660f51-1690-4199-b7f6-c5f2539cccf1/IMG_6793.jpeg Journal - Home - Living Room - collected over time These sweet little French-style chairs were in my childhood home, upholstered in a pretty blue velvet, sitting in our living room. I always loved them and when they came to me, I had them reupholstered in a gray linen. They’re very comfortable and I am very sentimental about them and cherish them. The wood had yellowed over the years but my upholsterer recommended using lemon juice to lighten them and it helped. The antique table is from my paren’t home and lived in their family room. The green glass lamp is from World Market and a recent addition. Green is my favorite color and I thought it was perfect. The pine carved mirror is from a beautiful shop, now closed, in our old neighborhood. The carvings are of leaves and vines and ties in with my love of nature. The brown and white transfer ware bowl is part of my small collection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/21ccc402-d549-4289-9780-74f5fb20365e/IMG_6830.jpeg Journal - Home - Living Room - memories make me smile So many memories and special pieces in one photo…the beautiful lion painting was created by our youngest daughter when she was in middle school. He has green eyes, which I love. She is now in her mid-twenties and an amazing artist and graphic designer. When she revealed her finished piece, it took my breath away. It was one of the first times I realized what a truly gifted artist she was. The charming secretary desk is from my daddy’s home. We’ve had the buffalo check chair for decades and it holds a newer Ballard pillow, which matches the drapes. The couch is decades old and was formerly covered in a lovely floral linen. It desperately needs stuffing and recovering again but it’s sentimental to me and I want to keep it. The basket on the ottoman is from Target and holds a pretty “z” plant from a friend and a stack of “English Home” magazines from another friend who passes them to me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/542d98f8-52f8-44df-9180-e8760aa93283/IMG_6837.jpeg Journal - Home - Living Room - what’s on the desk? I love to collect vintage books in colors I like. Old books have the coolest, prettiest covers! The ceramic angel is from my childhood church choir days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ac6a531a-8326-4f0a-8f8c-3384a27f4a08/IMG_6839.jpeg Journal - Home - Living Room The oil painting is by my daddy and I adore it. It’s of a place called Regal Dale Tavern he and my mom went to back in the day. The photo is of his mother, my Mema, holding me on her couch in her house. I love her green dress! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/1fffc3f8-bc05-47f1-b5fc-0d5d89de5f81/IMG_6838.jpeg Journal - Home - Living Room This sweet little lamp is from Target! I stalked it for months on-line during the pandemic. It was sold out forever but alas, I prevailed and snagged it eventually. I love the green chinoiserie scene of birds and flowers, the gold accents and white linen shade. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/nature-charlotte monthly 0.5 2024-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c58fc626-ea8b-4f0f-bd98-bccbc2996457/IMG_6867.jpeg Journal - Nature - Charlotte - Charlotte https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/bread-banana-bread monthly 0.5 2024-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/51c3e99e-a98f-41ae-bd99-f80b4257cfa2/IMG_6863.jpeg Journal - Bread - Banana Bread - Banana Bread Ingredients 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 cup sugar 1 1/4 tsp cream of tartar 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 vegetable oil ( I also use coconut oil instead sometimes) 2 ripe bananas, mashed 350 degrees I also add fresh grated ginger, a dash of cinnamon & nutmeg, a tsp of vanilla and sometimes chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts- as much as you like) combine first 5 ingredients in large bowl, make a well in center of mixture, combine remaining ingredients and add to dry mixture, stirring until moistened. pour batter into a greased (I use parchment paper) 9x5x3” loaf pan, bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, cool in pan for 10 minutes, remove from pan and let cool on wire rack I love to spread Nutella or peanut butter on slices but it’s yummy plain, too! https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-trader-joes-haul-2 monthly 0.5 2024-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5cac1dfb-5aa5-47aa-b880-12462b68d1ab/IMG_6818.jpeg Journal - Food - Trader Joe’s Haul 2 - Please notice the mushrooms! I don’t even like mushrooms but these are just so adorable! The recipe (shown on another blog post for risotto) called for mushrooms so I had to find some. These are brown beech mushrooms and they were delicious! I also found the sage, thyme, chives, lemon, blackberries and shallots at Trader Joe’s. I have a rosemary plant and already had garlic on hand. All the produce was so fresh and reasonable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f6580192-1987-4223-b08c-460f6389bd8f/IMG_6815.jpeg Journal - Food - Trader Joe’s Haul 2 - These mushrooms deserve two photos. This is how they looked out of the package before I sliced them. I can’t handle the cuteness. Sorry for geeking out on mushrooms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/55cf60b0-c307-405d-8c51-0fe19f1b6b14/IMG_6859.jpeg Journal - Food - Trader Joe’s Haul 2 - Thomcord Grapes These are THE BEST grapes I’ve ever eaten! They’re a cross between Concord and Thompson varieties. I feel like I’ve never really known what grapes taste like until I tasted these. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d1bcdba9-575c-4601-8497-b45e7a295e7b/IMG_6843.jpeg Journal - Food - Trader Joe’s Haul 2 - Delicata Squash This delicata squash was a first for me. The recipe is on a previous blog post (Autumn Dinner). This is how it looks after de-seeding and slicing. How pretty! It was delicious, too! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5d3c7cbd-b323-4244-8a1e-6204f6b852d1/IMG_6866.jpeg Journal - Food - Trader Joe’s Haul 2 - Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups After enjoying all that healthy veg, a little treat is in order. These come in a small tub and don’t last long in our house. I try to restrain myself to two at a time after a meal or as an occasional treat. I MAY partake in a few more than that at times. ;) https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-autumn-dinner monthly 0.5 2024-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5714b038-32a7-4a9d-b966-b2ab81b7b607/IMG_6846.jpeg Journal - Food - Autumn Dinner - Delicata Squash Agrodolce from “Cook Beautiful” by Athena Calderone Ingredients 2 delicata squash, seeds removed & cut into 1/2” rounds (For just the two of us, I used one squash but used the same other amounts of ingredients and it was plenty!) 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 4 tbsp honey, divided salt & pepper 1/2 tsp minced red habanero chili or 1 red Fresno chili, minced (I deleted this ingredient) 1/3 cup white wine vinegar (I didn’t have this so I used part apple cider vinegar and white wine) 1 large lime, grated & juiced (I only had a lemon and it was fine) 5 - 6 fresh sage leaves, very thinly sliced (I used my kitchen shears to cut) 2 tbsp pepitas, toasted Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place squash in large bowl & drizzle with oil and 2 tbsp of honey. Season with salt & pepper and toss until evenly coated. Transfer squash to two large rimmed baking sheets, spreading in a single layer. Roast until golden brown, 12-15 minutes per side, flipping squash halfway through baking. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring the habanero, vinegar, lime juice and remaining 2 tbsp honey to a boil. Season with a pinch of salt. Reduce heat & simmer until the mixture is syrupy, 8-10 minutes. Just before serving, spoon the agrodolce over the squash. Garnish with the sage, pepitas and lime zest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b93cec62-551c-45c6-a45d-3a4a6e2ed4a7/IMG_6845.jpeg Journal - Food - Autumn Dinner - Garlic Green Beans Honestly, I don’t know for sure where I found this recipe. It’s just so easy and good. I found these beautiful bagged & washed beans at Trader Joe’s. Ingredients green beans (as much as you like) butter (use as many pats as you think you’ll need for the amount of beans) fresh, minced garlic (as much as you like) salt & pepper (dash of each) bring beans to a boil in a pot, boil for 10 minutes, drain in a colander melt butter in a skillet, add garlic and saute just until you smell the aroma of the garlic, add the beans to the skillet and sprinkle salt & pepper over beans, coat the beans with the butter mixture and transfer to a bowl https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8dced696-3dd3-4858-9ad2-6795ff971c09/IMG_6847.jpeg Journal - Food - Autumn Dinner - Rosemary Pork Tenderloin I’ve made this for so long, I don’t remember a specific recipe. It’s so easy, delicious and makes yummy bbq leftovers. heat oven to 425 degrees one pork tenderloin (I found this fresh one at our local grocery store but I’ve also bought a packaged one at Aldi) on a plate, baste & season with olive oil, maple syrup or honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, salt & pepper, garlic powder, coriander and fresh rosemary ( you can really use any kind of seasonings & herbs you like) transfer to a rimmed baking sheet, lined with foil roast for about 30-40 minutes, depending on how large your tenderloin is remove from oven and let it sit for a few minutes to seal in the juices slice and serve https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/trader-joes-haul-recipes monthly 0.5 2024-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e8230436-4fce-4f52-91f4-9c26cde0c7a2/IMG_6819.jpeg Journal - Food - Trader Joe’s Haul Recipes - Mushroom Risotto “Cook Beautiful” by Athena Calderone Ingredients 4 1/2 low sodium chicken stock 5 tbsp unsalted butter divided 2 cloves minced garlic 2 large finely chopped shallots 12 ounces fresh wild mushrooms (chanterelles or hedgehogs) I couldn’t find these so I used the brown beech super cute mushrooms ;) 5 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped (I used my kitchen shears to cut) 3 sprigs fresh rosemary (leaves minced…again I used my shears) 4 sprigs fresh thyme (I took the leaves off first and didn't include the stems) salt & freshly cracked pepper 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice 3/4 cup dry white wine 3 tbsp mascapone 3/4 cup finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano, plus more for serving (I used pecorino) 3/4 cup wild currants or blackberries, for serving 1 tsp fresh chopped chives and/or parsley 1 lemon, zested I medium saucepan, bring stock to simmer over medium heat & keep it at a bare simmer, covered. In a heavy saucepan, melt 4 tpsp of butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic & shallots and saute until softened, 1-2 minutes. Add mushrooms & herbs, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are softened and just turning golden brown and their liquid has evaporated, 5-7 minutes. Season with salt & pepper. Add the rice & cook, stirring, until it turns opaque, about 1 minute. Using a ladle, add 1 cup of the hot stock & simmer, stirring, until it has fully evaporated. Continue to add stock, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently and allowing each addition to be fully absorbed by the rice before adding the next. When the rice is just tender and creamy looking, in 20-25 minutes, it’s done ( it should be cooked through but still have a bite to it.) Remove the risotto from the heat and discard the thyme stems. Stir in the remaining 1 tbsp butter, marscapone, perorino, and season to taste with salt & pepper. If the risotto is thicker than you’d like, thin it with some of the leftover stock. Just before serving, garnish with berries, chives, pecorino and lemon zest. Adjust the seasoning to taste and serve immediately. *I added sautéed shrimp (cooked in a separate skillet in some butter, fresh garlic, salt & pepper). Don’t let the number of ingredients and long instructions stop you from making this. It does require a good bit of time but totally worth it! It was also good without the shrimp the next day as leftovers. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/home-natural-amp-earthy monthly 0.5 2024-09-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/beb02901-2075-4c40-913d-e6181154b8ed/IMG_6741.jpeg Journal - Home - Natural & Earthy - Desires of Your Heart This beautiful, driftwood cross is from a shop in Rosemary Beach, Florida. I found it years ago during one of our family beach trips. It symbolizes my faith and Jesus’ love, the natural elements God created and lives in our foyer beside our front door. I see it every day and it brings me such happiness, comfort and peace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6b86a4c4-60e1-40a9-97fd-d00c8db2b4e7/IMG_6745.jpeg Journal - Home - Natural & Earthy - why rocks in a bowl? These little natural treasures are from trips to beaches in Ireland, England, and on local trails. I especially love the “heart” stone I found while hiking in the mountains. The striped rocks are from Cornwall, while the smooth rounded ones are from Rosbeigh beach on the west coast of Ireland. These free souvenirs keep a little bit of those memories of our special trips and days alive in our family room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/49d6c3ca-f009-4a9d-b440-166a585d8926/IMG_6746.jpeg Journal - Home - Natural & Earthy - nature on nature on nature This vignette is full of symbols of nature and our precious earth. The small green bowl has images of leaves, a frog and lizard on it (from Southside Antiques from years ago) holding the above-mentioned stones and sits atop an antique pine sofa table, the photo frame has inlaid wood leaves and flowers on it (from Sophie’s Shoppe) the glass bottle (from Shop on Main) is that lovely shade of earthy green and sits beside a trio of wooden green candlesticks my parents gave us decades ago…all sitting in front of a view of the greens of the grass and trees outside. I also love the contrast of meaningful objects with texture, reflective qualities and solidness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9a4cca2c-ba2c-4bd4-b2aa-7ae65d02a315/IMG_6744.jpeg Journal - Home - Natural & Earthy - greens & browns After a while, you begin to notice colors you’re drawn to…clearly I love browns and greens! The green and white block print pillow (Ballard Designs) sits next to a creamy textured pillow (Vinterest Hixson) on a caramel-colored leather sofa with a textured glass lamp from Target shining down on it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/74eade13-cf9d-497b-aafd-8ca528ac8b94/IMG_6670.jpeg Journal - Home - Natural & Earthy - that light! I don’t know about you, but when the natural light from outside comes gently into a room, it’s just magical. This late afternoon/evening light comes into our living room every day (during sunny days, of course) and it makes me smile every time, even after 27 years of living here. This sunlight shines on a comfy, rush seat chair we’ve had for years, a new pillow from Ballard Designs and a jute rug from Amazon. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/autumnal-september-things monthly 0.5 2024-09-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a7b31dd5-e09b-432c-b32c-3e64c645c10a/IMG_6750.jpeg Journal - Autumnal - September Things - first autumn purchase Believe it or not, this is real! On my last weekly grocery shop, I found this beauty at Food City. Isn’t she lovely?! Every year I look forward to gathering pumpkins to enjoy in different rooms around the house. I think white pumpkins are so pretty and perfect for when I’m not quite ready for the orange ones yet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/68a29b5a-6c57-460f-ae2b-a7d78727ebee/IMG_6752.jpeg Journal - Autumnal - September Things - Oatmeal - September Edition I love to switch out the fruit with the what’s in season at the moment. I posted a summertime oatmeal bowl with peaches on a different page. Here’s my September bowl with honey crisp apples! This one also includes cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower nuts, goji berries, coconut flakes, maple syrup, fresh grated ginger & turmeric and almond butter. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-ziti-amp-veggie-marinara monthly 0.5 2024-09-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/00d43bd7-6aee-4f5a-b6ed-0bda7ffba889/IMG_6757.jpeg Journal - Food - Pasta - Ziti & Veggie Marinara Ingredients fresh chopped tomatoes ( one tomato, depending on size..sometimes 1/2 will do) sliced shallots or onions ( as many as you like) chopped garlic (as much as you like) about a tbsp olive oil zucchini (sliced in half moons, as much as you like) sliced red & green peppers (as much as you like) fresh basil & thyme (I cut my basil with kitchen shears and remove the thyme from the stems with my fingers) one can of tomato paste chicken stock (about 1/2 cup but you can add more or less depending on how thick you want your sauce) salt & pepper (dashes) splash of wine (optional) pinenuts (optional) pecorino (could also use parmesan) ziti Pour the olive oil into a large skillet on medium high heat. Saute the veggies in the oil until tender (add fresh garlic last). Add tomato paste, chicken stock and wine. Simmer to let the tomatoes cook down. Stir in the herbs, salt & pepper. While the sauce simmers, cook the ziti, drain, add to the sauce (you can add a little pasta water if you like). Top with pine nuts and pecorino and dig in! https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-bread monthly 0.5 2024-09-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/626c715b-6ef4-422f-bb6e-b9670449d0c9/IMG_6700.jpeg Journal - Food - Bread - summer zucchini, in season, is the best! I use a food processor to shred the zucchini, but I’ve also used a hand grater. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b4ef24dd-3d6f-4e10-8f6e-e29c5580f573/IMG_6702.jpeg Journal - Food - Bread - recipe Sadly, I don’t have my mom’s recipe but I did find one on Pinterest that seems to be identical. 3 eggs 2 cups sugar 1 cup oil (I’ve used coconut or canola) 2 tsp vanilla 2 cups grated zucchini 1 cup crushed pineapple (I found not draining it works better for a moist loaf) 3 cups flour (I use all-purpose) 1 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon 3/4 tsp nutmeg 1 cup chopped nuts - optional (I've used pecans before) whisk eggs, vanilla & sugar in large bowl stir in zucchini & pineapple in separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda & baking powder, cinnamon & nutmeg, nuts mix dry ingredients with wet ingredients & stir pour into 2 greased (I’ve used parchment paper instead) loaf pans bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour cool in pan for about 10 minutes, remove and place on cooling rack Sometimes I top the loaves with cream cheese buttercream frosting. :) https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/home-old-amp-new monthly 0.5 2024-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9ba392c2-62c8-436d-a0d6-eb4831e35eca/IMG_6737.jpeg Journal - Home - Old & New - Antiques & Repurposed This cutie chest of drawers is likely at least 100 years old, if not older. It was in my daddy’s home when he was a child, moved to my teenage bedroom, our oldest daughter’s bedroom and now sits in our foyer. It’s been stripped and painted over the years. The last one to change it was my daddy when he painted it with enamel for our daughter’s room. Recently, we wanted to repaint it in a green tone but it would’ve been quite the job to strip and sand the enamel. So, we’ve left it the same white my daddy lovingly painted it all the years ago. It’s special to know when you touch it, his hands touched it, too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/00294d6c-8b57-4c55-9d1b-ace9834fa03e/IMG_6735.jpeg Journal - Home - Old & New - surprise storage I bet you wouldn’t have guessed what was in these drawers. Hey, storage is storage and we needed a place to keep these sweet pieces of china. It really makes sense, since it’s near our dining room and kitchen. These precious antiques include my mom’s blue & white Syracuse “Celeste” and my Mema’s charming pastel floral Syracuse “Briarcliff”. To be honest, I rarely use them but when I do, it brings me happiness, a wave of memories and a chance to make new memories. We did change the drawer knobs to these new brass pulls from Ballard Designs. I think they speak to the age of the chest. On the top, is a wooden lamp base from Pottery Barn, which we’ve had for decades, topped with a newish white linen shade from Target. The brown transfer ware bowl is an antique find, the plant (can’t remember the name of) is from Signal Mountain Nursery, as is the clay pot and the oval mirror was an antique mall find. When I found it, it was just an inexpensive frame. I took it to a glass company and they fitted it with the mirror. The colors of the wood remind me of some pieces of furniture we had in my childhood home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/edd7cb89-389e-4c7a-9b39-b4c9b82d6785/IMG_6740.jpeg Journal - Home - Old & New - Collection I love collecting brown transfer ware! Whenever I look at it, the brown tone makes me think of chocolate. It’s such a great neutral, too. I especially love this bowl, with the acorns on it, perfect for the autumn season. I honestly can’t remember where I found this one but it was probably at a vintage shop or on eBay. It’s W. T. Copeland & Sons “Stoke Upon Trent”. It’s pretty and functional…sometimes I put chocolates in it during the holidays. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/bookish monthly 0.5 2024-09-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ca786c66-9122-4471-a5c1-e9f18fdec28e/IMG_6704.jpeg Journal - Bookish - read it https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/55be5cf4-8363-44fd-acb6-0685c6c13987/IMG_6734.jpeg Journal - Bookish - reading it Currently in the middle of this one and loving it! Historical fiction is probably my favorite genre. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-pasta monthly 0.5 2024-09-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5a665285-4352-4013-8479-97375a2a4472/IMG_6691.jpeg Journal - Food - Pasta - rigatoni with zucchini & corn This was made with a 99 cent box of rigatoni from Target! I simply cooked the pasta, sautéed some shallots, garlic and zucchini in olive oil until tender, added leftover fresh corn, and sprinkled with salt, pepper & pecorino. I think everything tastes better outside, too, so a little al fresco lunch on the deck is good for the soul. It’s a super easy dish to enjoy the last of the best summer zucchini and corn! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7bc15478-7d1b-424b-ba48-5f598790dd09/IMG_6732.jpeg Journal - Food - Pasta - mac & cheese Even though mac & cheese is fine by me any time of the year, I begin to crave it more when autumn is on the doorstep! It’s one of those comfort, cozy foods that’s easy and delicious. I usually just use the pasta I have on hand (this is ziti). I make a simple rue with a little butter (melted in a small pot on low heat), flour, milk, salt, pepper, paprika and nutmeg. I don’t measure…just eye-ball it until it seems creamy and combined. I add shredded cheddar and with this particular version, I added a little pecorino until melted. When the pasta is cooked and drained, simply add it in a baking dish and pour the sauce over it, top with more cheese and bake at 350 for around 20 minutes. I like to broil it briefly to get that lovely browned top. (and let’s be real here, I also still like a bit of Kraft mac & cheese if offered. Takes be back!) https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/autumnal monthly 0.5 2024-09-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5fbc102a-90fb-4fa5-9f05-8fb3357f9b21/IMG_6731.jpeg Journal - Autumnal - When your flowers match your veggies! Autumnal colors found in nature, these pics were taken on two different days, totally randomly and not planned to coordinate. These purple and orange zinnias are gorgeous! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/bcaa1151-74d6-4840-a4a5-5c6c4a413ba2/IMG_6725.jpeg Journal - Autumnal - How beautiful are these purple and orange sweet potatoes!? I cut these in half, tossed with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, maple syrup, cinnamon, corn starch and fresh rosemary, then roasted them at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes (flipping once at 15 minutes). https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/highly-recommend monthly 0.5 2025-01-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d7d5b2b3-6af7-4809-bd80-cf7935441695/IMG_6674.jpeg Journal - Highly Recommend - Poppi I’m not a big soda person but this is such a fun treat AND has a healthy benefit…apple cider vinegar! I promise, you can’t taste the vinegar, which is so good for your gut. It was invented by a woman, which I also admire. Raspberry Rose is my favorite flavor but I also like the orange or ginger lime. It’s a wee bit pricey but worth it for a “sometimes” beverage. I adore the branding and packaging, as well (and of course, it’s recyclable). I’ve seen it at Target and Whole Foods. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/14e0e060-0eef-423b-b2f1-5afc506e0480/IMG_6650+2.jpeg Journal - Highly Recommend - Hu Oh. My. Goodness. Chocolate lovers, just get this one! It is simply scrumptious. This is my favorite flavor but the chocolate mint and almond butter bars are delicious, too. I love that the packaging is recyclable. It’s a tad bit pricey but totally worth it! I love how you can break off a couple of squares for a quick treat. But let’s be honest, these don’t last very long in our house. Like Poppi, I’ve seen them at Target and Whole Foods (and sometimes, they’re on sale at Whole Foods!) https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food-quick-amp-veggie monthly 0.5 2024-08-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5cde85ec-34e6-45a4-ae70-b89f7de54a48/IMG_5981.jpeg Journal - Food - Quick & Veggie - green open face sandwich Slice a piece of store-bought challah bread (or any type of bread you like), spread Miracle Whip or hummus and top with avocado, gouda, arugula, micro greens and salt & pepper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/13e1a99d-5691-4387-a20a-37dfde2e853e/IMG_6477.jpeg Journal - Food - Quick & Veggie - veggie spring rolls chop & slice baby kale, red cabbage, celery, carrots, cucumber, red & green peppers These are the veggies I had but you could really use any kind of veggie you like. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/88d0aa59-aee6-42f6-8dfc-1fea9e9aa7b5/IMG_6479.jpeg Journal - Food - Quick & Veggie dip rice paper rounds in warm water for just a couple of minutes, place on flat surface, add veggies and roll up (I had leftover steak so I added that to a couple of rolls but honestly, I liked the veggie-only ones better) peanut butter dipping sauce: add all ingredients to a food processor or blender 4 tbsp creamy peanut butter 2 small garlic cloves 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp sriracha ( I only add a tiny bit) 1/2 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup 5 tbsp water 1/2 tbsp sesame oil https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/7de02973-3602-478f-9655-3ce33267f536/IMG_6414.jpeg Journal - Food - Quick & Veggie - Peanut Sauce Rice Noodles cook rice noodles or any other kind of noodles according to their directions, drain & set aside chop green onions & garlic (the garlic is for the peanut sauce recipe above) use as many onions & garlic as you like make the peanut sauce (as shown above for the spring rolls dipping sauce) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/e515df15-2101-4e01-9493-53a9f8bf76b3/IMG_6424.jpeg Journal - Food - Quick & Veggie stir peanut sauce in with the noodles, top with green onions, peanuts, cashews and sesame seeds https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/5d96956d-fca8-41ca-b83e-9c7602257fbb/IMG_6163.jpeg Journal - Food - Quick & Veggie - salad jar When I worked at preschool, I loved taking this easy, healthy, portable lunch to enjoy at my desk. It would be great for a picnic, too! Simply chop any veggie and fruit you like and pop in a glass jar. Make sure you put the dressing of your choice in first ( I made a simple balsamic: brown mustard, salt, pepper, lemon juice, sugar, honey or maple syrup, balsamic vinegar & olive oil), add the hard veggies/fruit next, and top with the softer foods (lettuce, spinach, micro greens). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/36361742-215b-4fe1-9fae-29fe424140a7/IMG_6170.jpeg Journal - Food - Quick & Veggie Another thing a love about this recipe is it’s a way to reuse a pickle jar! I added cashews, seeds and frozen peas to this particular salad. You could also add a grain or noodles if you wish. Pour out into a bowl and enjoy! https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/nature monthly 0.5 2024-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d2980341-4d2d-4670-9e85-056814febcba/IMG_6660.jpeg Journal - Nature - Flowers zinnia I love planting tiny zinnia seeds every late spring and watching all the rich, vibrant colors emerge throughout the summer. They’re such bright, happy colors and make perfect cut flowers for bringing inside to enjoy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c9c585f6-37c9-4c36-9912-0b1adca108d9/IMG_6487.jpeg Journal - Nature - Flowers - This is my first year growing these delicate little flowers. I like them because when there’s a breeze blowing, they seem to “dance” and their stems appear to bob around invisibly in the wind. I love this orchid color. I have more plants to bloom so we’ll see what colors will appear. cosmos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/726e5510-a5f2-45a6-a603-dda8628cd608/IMG_6443.jpeg Journal - Nature - Flowers - daisy Who doesn’t love daises?! This plant came back from last summer, bigger and better. They just make me smile. “Don’t you think daisies are the friendliest flower?” - You’ve Got Mail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d3a1070b-6f92-4911-9a03-89a96a1e1760/IMG_6655.jpeg Journal - Nature - Flowers - fuchsia The first time I saw this flower, I didn’t know what I was looking at. We were eating breakfast outside a London cafe (Les Filles) and this fairytale-like flower was hanging in a basket outside their door. Months later, I saw it at our local nursery and immediately took it home with me. This year, my husband gave one to me for Mother’s Day and it graces our deck with its gorgeous pink and purple blooms. In a way, their shape makes me think of a ballerina. It’s a tad high maintenance but with a little tlc, it’ll bloom all summer. https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/home-summer-project monthly 0.5 2024-09-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/b1d224d4-4d1e-4c77-affc-0cfc2afc9979/IMG_6480.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Project - Before https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/883d67ff-8bbb-48a0-b2df-a5b30f71c4fc/IMG_6505.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Project After https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/47ba35fc-2d66-47b3-9b73-af98595cada7/IMG_6504.jpeg Journal - Home - Summer Project https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/food monthly 0.5 2024-09-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/de55494a-618f-4fae-adec-9422105cbfd0/tempImage01CQnl.jpg Journal - Food - Summer Bounty - Make it stand out There's nothing like fresh cherries & plums! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a7c3cf0f-19d0-4b23-8837-635aed1ed2e5/tempImageCBsk7D.jpg Journal - Food - Summer Bounty - Make it stand out Blueberry Crostini This is probably my favorite new recipe from the “Cook Beautiful” cookbook. It’s so simple, quick and scrumptious! cut small pieces & drizzle both sides of baguette slices and place under oven broiler for 1 to 2 minutes per side…really stay with it and watch to see when they begin to brown and remove once completely cooled, spread some ricotta cheese on slices & top with blueberries, lemon zest, fresh thyme, honey and sea salt https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/cf290c1c-2546-4303-ab46-2a7fa01952c5/IMG_6449.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Bounty - side 3 ingredients! watermelon, fresh mint leaves & feta so refreshing!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c67be15e-2f20-4b8e-9949-b9ee46e90d5c/IMG_6633.jpeg Journal - Food - Summer Bounty - breakfast oatmeal with milk, sea salt, fresh grated ginger & turmeric, and cinnamon stirred in and topped with fresh peaches, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower nuts, goji berries and maple syrup https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/home monthly 0.5 2024-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/331dd07d-37a7-469d-b458-aadd485e4cf3/IMG_6575.jpeg Journal - Home 70’s crewelwork wingback chair from my childhood home & newish velvet pillow from Sophie’s Shoppe Sophiesshoppe.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a02991b5-238e-4143-84f8-296cf34f5926/IMG_6584.jpeg Journal - Home - vintage books from antique shops and travels with a ceramic angel which played her violin in a secretary in my childhood home…I love to create a color palate in different shades, mixing objects which have a sentimental meaning or memory of a place, such as Cornwall..I found this book in an old, vintage bookshop in Falmouth Color Mix Memories https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a442f894-e4a7-4a25-bfa8-ca1e54e5d13a/IMG_6532.jpeg Journal - Home Collections & Facelift Ballard chandelier from decades ago with new Ballard shades our pine hutch from our first house circa 1991 with my collection of white ironstone & ceramics gathered over the years from various vintage, antique and gift shops or gifts from friends and family so glad we never painted this charming English reproduction cabinet and hutch…keep something long enough and it’ll come back in style…usually :) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/a428a9a4-7281-40b1-a547-608c24d25ed8/IMG_6527.jpeg Journal - Home Inherited & Collected this charming little cabinet is a family piece with some of my collection of brown transfer ware…I like to think of the brown as chocolate ;) I used to display it only in the autumn or for Thanksgiving but I like them so much they live there year round now. The brown is harder to find than the blue or red so I try to snag one when I find it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/1dc9c357-40a0-43b2-9b45-7b0ebc63961d/IMG_6511.jpeg Journal - Home when pieces talk to one another separated by decades…it’s magic to me…this super comfy chair was in my parents’ house when I was a child and moved with them when I was an adult..eventually it came to me and I had it recovered in a light blue linen…the gray velvet pillow is from Sophie’s Shoppe, the ikat drapes are from Ballard and the tole tray (another item I collect) is painted with whites, greens, blues & grays on a gold background..I love mixing sentimental family pieces with newer items like the drapes and vintage finds from shops, like the tray https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/travel-1 monthly 0.5 2024-09-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8d155baa-5623-4541-9439-c08f0d17a096/IMG_6463.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville our favorite reason to visit Nashville and her dad https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0566ae37-ec6e-45e2-be12-24dddc9df222/IMG_6473.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville Snooze https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0b817707-c5de-482c-939d-210b356e5cec/IMG_7759.jpeg Journal - Travel - Nashville the birthday girl and me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/fe2ce69c-8b45-4648-868c-7f0b3c9401a2/IMG_6468.jpg Journal - Travel - Nashville Bicentennial Park the fam strolling through the park on a beautiful, hot summer day with the state capital in the background https://www.leland-cottage.com/journal/travel monthly 0.5 2025-01-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/707aafaa-6d49-4231-b1e6-942ea4c9d3f9/F3C11DA0-E4E2-4A6B-B2A4-DA6F5EB60665.jpeg Journal - Travel - Savannah - Make it stand out Forsyth Fountain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f657f039-1676-4d77-8f57-1d6583daa9fc/tempImagenk4dVK.jpg Journal - Travel - Savannah - Make it stand out Bar Julian https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/88b65a42-68ab-4d32-9683-12f6bf60309e/tempImagercZ9k1.jpg Journal - Travel - Savannah - Make it stand out St. John the Baptist Basilica https://www.leland-cottage.com/home daily 0.75 2025-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/0ce78b30-aba5-4a86-8de3-96f3a85eff56/IMG_6511.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/707aafaa-6d49-4231-b1e6-942ea4c9d3f9/F3C11DA0-E4E2-4A6B-B2A4-DA6F5EB60665.jpeg https://www.leland-cottage.com/our-story daily 0.75 2026-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/8e60f0fc-26b6-4eff-9031-efe1d8c40a12/IMG_9361.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/97ec2f8c-a261-4c8b-a1af-501f40adbcd5/IMG_6405.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f657f039-1676-4d77-8f57-1d6583daa9fc/tempImagenk4dVK.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/9fbbbe50-18c4-4258-8c19-0495f7acc9fc/IMG_6041.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/af3286f3-7eaf-4d28-8aec-1f0a26ea10cb/IMG_5786.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/6e786d76-080f-49d2-882c-5fe088bc66a5/IMG_8119.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/35989b73-2154-4f06-bbc0-b715ceb45980/IMG_5529.jpeg https://www.leland-cottage.com/general-2 daily 1.0 2026-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/f23f8c8d-f307-468c-85bf-06c11eb490c9/IMG_1787.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/4e967014-ba2c-400a-a3b9-9816240cef63/IMG_1803.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/edfbede8-46cf-4e9b-9979-ff6a56788db4/IMG_1859.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/c73b5ff7-b546-4996-8a4b-525215ceae85/IMG_1835.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/d223862c-fb5c-43bc-b70b-0063145d6a42/IMG_1794.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/667b1474d27e494bde969a92/ea845c0c-5712-4287-b18b-d61ef458df27/IMG_1802.jpeg https://www.leland-cottage.com/contact-us daily 0.75 2025-03-10