Detours

My life's path has been made up of them, detours. I can only assume I have a lot to learn on this winding, circling path that I continually find myself on. Sometimes it takes me a while. 

I've always been a "late bloomer." Andy too. We're OK with it, as long as there are still some blooms, I guess. 

Almost nothing went as planned this past year. 

This post is to remind a future me that although it really did not go as planned, you are exactly where you're supposed to be, doing just what you're supposed to be doing. It's all working out. 

Special thanks to Lou for reminding me to "trust my process."

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Furnishing the Cottage on a Shoestring

I always tell Andy, "I want the good stuff. I just don't want to pay the good stuff prices." 

And I don't. Not for vacations, not for shoes, not for this project. If I have to pay more than $20 for a pair of shoes, I get crabby. 

My grandmother, Mae brought me up as a thrifter. I remember going to garage sales with her on the weekends, quite often as a child. She taught me to shop clearance racks and she was a coupon queen. 

Mae wouldn't have it any other way, so almost everything that goes into the cottage will have to fit into one of these categories. 

1) Free, donated or repurposed from something we already have

2) Purchased used, in very good condition, but at a notable discount over new

3) Custom built by Andy, materials only

I also like that this fits into an eco-friendlier plan by reusing and repurposing items and building with lumber that we already have, scraps and all. 

Now I admit, this is going to be a little easier for me than most, as 1) I'm closing a 4BR short term rental and have a pretty good supply of items needed. 2) My husband can build (almost) anything. 

However, I don't want the cottage to look and feel just like The Lady Next Door. This needs to feel new and fresh. Modern farmhouse.

Yes, I know, everything points to farmhouse style being on its way out. I can't be concerned with that. I live in a 100+ year old farmhouse. On a farm. Furnishing it with ultra-modern decor would be as uncomfortable for me as looking at NY apartments with oversized round wall clocks, all-white furniture with black accents and rustic decor. It may be pretty, but it just doesn't "feel" right to me. Context, people. 

This Gorgeous Farmhouse-Inspired Apartment is Hidden in New York City (countryliving.com)

I want it to feel comfortable yet a little luxurious. I'm not sure how it will all unfold, but I came across the perfect plates that I had left from a catering gig a few years ago. Ten of them. In my palette. They went directly into a tub labeled, "Cottage."

I will try to be open to the opportunities and possibilities that present themselves. 

However, I really can't see myself including any antlers. Even if I can get them for free.

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Color is Back IN

This is the color palette for the cottage. It's taken from a quilt I bought at H&M.

I've been reading that grays and whites are on their way out. People are ready to bring color back into their living spaces. 

Color has never left my living space. I can work with color. 

This palette is inspired by a quilted blanket I found at H&M several months ago. I didn't exactly know what I was saving it for, but now it will definitely be appearing as part of the cottage decor. 

I can't wait for the fun stuff to start, but I know there are so many things to get done first. 

For now, I'll just have to daydream in color. 

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Getting Back in the Kitchen

Now that I've decided where I'm putting One Li'l Kitchen, I need to decide what I'm going to stock the kitchen with, in terms of retail food items. I have lots of ideas. We'll see which of them work.

It's going to be a bit more than making food and then packaging it for sale.

I'll have to develop a menu with regularly appearing favorites and a rotation of seasonal items. There will definitely be baked goods and comfort foods, but people really look for other options too.  

I will have to consider ways to include some gluten-friendly, dairy-free, low sugar, etc., items and make sure my customers know I can take special requests. 

I'll have to start with something delicious that I think others will buy and enjoy eating too, and then create a recipe. Historically, I've been really bad at creating an actual recipe.

I wonder if I can find anyone to taste test any of these creations? Maybe I'll have to survey "the neighborhood."  What do you think I should stock in One Li'l Kitchen?

Then some testing, experimenting and more testing and then writing it all down once I think it's just about perfect. Then onto cost analysis to find out what I need to be charging for ingredients and labor. 

It sounds like I'll be doing as much math as cooking. I wasn't really great at math. I've got my work cut out for me, for sure. 

I'll report my progress and share some recipes. Wish me luck. 

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