7
Dec

The Great Christmas Tree

This past Sunday I finally started to feel somewhat normal again (pneumonia is not a fun thing)!  So we decided to go forward with our annual tradition of cutting down our Christmas tree.Growing up we cut down a Christmas tree each year and my husband and I have kept with this tradition ever since we got married (6.5 years ago).  Our favorite tree farm experienced a terrible drought in 2004, so for the last two years we had to go somewhere else for our tree.  But this year, our favorite tree farm was open for two weekends and even though pickings are still pretty … continue reading

6
Dec

Time for Me: Part 1 – $100 Visa Card WINNER!

And the winner of the "Time for Me: Part 1" $100 Visa gift card is #6 - Jennifer who said:Jennifer if you could please email me your contact info at thecottagemama@gmail.com, we will get this $100 gift card in the mail to you ASAP.If you haven't entered the "Time for Me: Part 2" $100 Visa gift card giveaway there is still time - click HERE to enter!Congratulations Jennifer! … continue reading

6
Dec

Time for Me: Part 2 – Beauty and enter to win a $100 Visa gift card

Last week, in my month long series, Time for Me (part 1), I was discussing how I just weaned my daughter Matilda.  I nursed her for 15-months and it was finally time to call it quits. Now that I have my body back I have been feeling like it is time to finally focus on me.I've got my skin care under control and now it's time to focus on beauty.  Come check out what's in my make-up bag and tell me a little about your beauty regime. Click here to read more and enter to win another $100 Visa gift card. … continue reading

3
Dec

A Very Special Thanksgiving Week

So, I have pneumonia.  Needless to say, crafting, cooking, decorating and all the fun Christmas stuff has been put on hold until I see the Dr. again on Friday.  I'm feeling a little better, so hopefully all will look good and we can go cut down our tree this weekend!  But meanwhile, I thought I would share kind of a personal post with you all......... This last Thanksgiving week was very special for my family.  We (Cottage Mama, Cottage Papa, Savannah Rose and Matilda Jane) flew down to Houston, Texas on November 19, 2010 to be there to celebrate my mom, Jane … continue reading

2
Dec

Another Fabric Hunting Adventure – Texas Style!

Whenever we travel I am always on the hunt for the next greatest fabric store.  I think it is so fun to check out new places in other cities besides where we live (Chicago).  So, this past week we were in Texas for my Mom's wedding and Thanksgiving.  My Mom had mentioned to me that there was this giant fabric store only 5 minutes from her new house with over 5000 fabrics.  What?!?!?! The thought of this place got my heart racing.So the day after the wedding, after all the relatives had said their goodbyes, Mom and I headed to "Fabrics and More" in Houston, Texas.  … continue reading

30
Nov

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potatoes

My family did not grow up eating sweet potatoes and we definitely did not have sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving.  And quite frankly, I don't really care for them.  But as many of you know, when you get married and start a family of your own, you adapt to new traditions.  One of which, in my case, is sweet potatoes.This past week, we spent Thanksgiving with my Mom and her new (as in just got married a week ago) hubby, Allen.  Like I said before, Mom and I don't do sweet potatoes, but we wanted to make sure we kept our guys happy so we added sweet potatoes to the … continue reading

29
Nov

Time for Me: Part 1 – Skin Care and enter to win $100 Visa gift card

For the last almost three+ years I have either been pregnant or nursing.  Yes, that’s right.  I had my daughter Savannah and then when she was 7 months old I found out I was pregnant with my younger daughter Matilda.  Two weeks ago I finally got my body back.  After 15-months of nursing my daughter Matilda, I finally decided it was time to wean.  I’d definitely say weaning was a bittersweet time for me.  But all and all, I think it’s a little bit more on the sweet side.Click here to read more and enter to win a $100 Visa gift card. … continue reading

25
Nov

Happy Thanksgiving

Just a quick post to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!Gosh, I sure am thankful for those two little faces in the above pictures.  I can't imagine my life with out them.  It's probably cliche to say, but having children is like having your heart walk around outside your body.  What a great joy they bring to our lives! And I am definitely thankful for this man........The Cottage Papa!  What a truly magnificent father and partner.  So thankful that he chose me to be his for life!I hope you all enjoy your turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, … continue reading

23
Nov

Gadanke Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Gadanke Book Giveaway is.............Jonna, if you could please email me (thecottagemama@gmail.com) with your contact information we will get this special book in the mail for you!  Congratulations!! … continue reading

22
Nov

IKEA Swedish Meatballs: Knock-Off Recipe

This post may make you feel differently about me, but I have to come out and say it - I l.o.v.e. IKEA Swedish meatballs.  Yes, I love IKEA, but the meatballs really put the experience over the edge for me.I decided I wanted to try to recreate the IKEA meatballs experience at home and I think I came pretty darn close!  The gravy is out of this world, so that is what I really tried to focus on with this recipe.  If you think meatballs and gravy for dinner is totally weird you can stop reading right now (I won't be offended), but if you love these savory little … continue reading