5
Jan

Bacon, Onion, and Sweet Pea Risotto

I love making risotto.  I'm not sure why I don't make it more often, I guess I just forget about how delicious it is.  People seem to think that risotto is a fancy, complicated dish, but it is quite the opposite.  Risotto is a wonderful dish because you can combine it with many different things such as; mushrooms, butternut squash, shrimp, and in this case, bacon, onion or peas.  If you've never made risotto at home, give this recipe a try - here I'll take you through step-by-step!Bacon, Onion, and Sweet Pea RisottoServes 3-4 Ingredients:1 cup Arborio Rice 4 cups … continue reading

4
Jan

Homemade Soft Pretzels with Honey Mustard Sauce

My husband, Brett, is a homebrewer - I don't know if I have mentioned that on the blog yet.  Brett makes his own beer and wine in the cottage basement, which is not much of a basement, more like the cottage dungeon.  And though I know I am probably bias, his beer is some of the best I have ever tasted.  Since yeast is a major component in the brewing process my hubby is very familiar with its workings.  So recently he has taken an interest in other things involving yeast such as baking bread.Do you know what goes really well with beer?  Soft pretzels!!  This is my … continue reading

3
Jan

The Best Soap & Cleaning Product EVER!

Have you heard of Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap?  Well I had heard of it and seen it in our local Trader Joe's, but I hadn't really paid much attention to it.  Lately, I have been trying to get my family "back to basics" by trying to eat more organic food as well as incorporating more earth friendly products into our daily lives.So yesterday I was at Trader Joe's and thought "I'm going to give this Castile Soap at try."  And boy am I glad I did - it is AWESOME!!  This one bottle of soap can tackle 18 different tasks and has the most amazing peppermint scent ever.  … continue reading

31
Dec

New Year’s Resolutions

It's resolution time again and this year (in no particular order) I will.........1.  Be more present in the moment instead of always looking to the future (I guess that's the planner in me).2.  Sew most of my children's clothing (aside from some of the basics like socks and onesies, ect) and try to stay away from Gymboree as much as possible.3.  Attempt to buy more organic/locally grown produce.4.  Open my etsy shop (The Cottage Mama) to sell my handmade girls clothing.5.  Organize my office and turn it into my crafting room - might need the hubby's help for this … continue reading

29
Dec

Christmas Tags from Old Christmas Cards

Over the last month I have certainly enjoyed all of the wonderful Christmas cards we have received in the mail from our friends and family.  It's so nice to see what everyone has been up to and how the little ones have grown.  But now that Christmas is over, what do we do with ALL of those holiday cards? Well, you could recycle them, that would be one option.  Lately I have really been into repurposing items, so rather than get rid of your cards, why not turn them into something useful?  Why not turn them into gift tags for next year?!  That's what I did!My … continue reading

28
Dec

Community Supported Agriculture – CSA Programs

One of my top New Year's resolutions this year is to incorporate more organic food into my family's diet.  I feel like I have fallen off the wagon lately when it comes to what we are putting into our bodies.  The more I hear about what the effects of pesticides and growth hormones are having on us, I feel it is my responsibility as a mother, and as the main cook in our household, to take charge of what my family is putting into their bodies.Are you familiar with the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in your area?  Or have you heard of CSA?  I have … continue reading

27
Dec

The Snowy Cottage Home

We got almost a foot of snow here yesterday at The Cottage Home!  I guess this is what you would call a white Christmas.  I just had to post this picture of our house all snowy and white.  I usually prefer our home in the Summer months with all the greenery growing up the side of the house, but as I was outside taking this picture, I was in awe of what beauty the snow has brought us.I love old homes - our cottage home was built in 1934.  I cannot foresee my family and I ever living in a newer home, my husband and I feel that the older the better.  There is … continue reading

26
Dec

Olive Cheese Bread

I feel the need to shout this from the roof-top - I LOVE OLIVE CHEESE BREAD!  This recipe is out of my Pioneer Woman Cooks cookbook that I got about a month or so ago.  I've been dying to try this recipe and I decided Christmas Eve would be the perfect opportunity.  And, oh my gosh, was it good!Now this is definitely not a figure-friendly recipe, but when you are looking to indulge a little bit (such as around the holidays), you cannot go wrong with this bread.  I served this with our Christmas Eve meal - we had a barbequed turkey, potatoes gratin, cornbread … continue reading

26
Dec

Tutorials Featured – Someday Crafts

My giant stuffed fleece fish and cloth baby doll diaper tutorials are being featured on Someday Crafts.  Head over to Michelle's awesome blog and check it out (www.somedaycrafts.blogspot.com )!!Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! … continue reading

22
Dec

Christmas Stockings

I have always loved my Christmas stocking.  My Mom had a beautiful velveteen stocking that her Grandmother (my Great-Grandmother) made for her.  It was beautiful - with all the hand-sewn bead work - you could definitely tell a lot of time, effort and love went into making that stocking. When I was a young child, my Mom decided to make my brother, Dad, and I a version of her stocking.  It was SO exciting to have our beautiful stockings with all the special ornaments sewn onto the Christmas trees.  And even to this day, there is something so comforting to me about … continue reading