This & That Spring 2025

 Hello again!  It's time to catch-up.  Pour your favorite beverage and let me tell you what's been going on around the Cottage. 

Since the last time we chatted it's been Winter...not my favorite season.  It's been cold and icy, except last week we had a little glimpse of Spring. I was actually able to sit outside and read a book without wearing a jacket.  So far, I've read 28 books in 2025.  If you need any recommendations, let me know!

That little glimpse of Spring was short-lived. This week I need my winter coat and I actually woke up to some snow one morning. Fortunately it melted by the afternoon!  

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So, what do you do when it's cold outside?  You go to the museum!  They had three exhibits I wanted to see.  

First, there was a lovely Sally Mavor exhibit and it did not disappoint.   

Sally Mavor is a self-taught fiber artist.  Her work is featured in several books and her most recent one, My Bed was on display at the museum.  Every bit of her work is stitched by hand.  The detail is incredible and absolutely gorgeous.  

Little Bo Peep is from another of her books.

If you ever have the opportunity to see her exhibit, take it.  You won't be disappointed!

Second was another featured artist, Joan Steiner.  She is described as an illustrator and puzzle designer, but I know her from her Look-Alikes books.  Using every day objects in ingenious ways, she created all different scenes that were photographed for her books.  My children had one of them and I had one in my classroom.  Over the years, they disappeared, but I did manage to find a copy of her Look Alikes Christmas book.

 Here's a picture I snapped of one of her scenes at the museum:

What everyday objects do you see?

Sadly, her books are out of print so keep an eye out for them online, at yard sales, thrift stores, and used book stores.  You can spend hours searching each scene for the objects used. They truly are a treasure.

Last, a trip to the museum isn't complete without a visit to the Ancient Egypt exhibit to see the mummy.  

Yes, it's a real mummy - 3,000 years old.

I've also done a little thrifting this winter. Since yard sale season is still a few weeks away, I've done my 'shopping' on Marketplace where I found this lovely lot of glass and silver.

I just love the little creamers!

A word about those candlesticks in a moment.

Who doesn't love some pretty china in a metal bread/fruit basket?

There are 3 sets of candlesticks. No chips or cracks and 2 sets have a lovely 'ring' when tapped!

I paid $10 for all of it and a few pieces that had damage did get tossed out.  After counting up the pieces and doing the math each piece cost about 33 cents.  I didn't feel bad about the pieces that were tossed!  

In case you're wondering what I will do with all of it, let me tell you there will be upcycling!  A post on what will happen to the pieces is certainly in order.  I have a few 'irons in the fire' right now but, I promise I'll write a post!

Speaking of shopping, I'm sure you've heard Joann is going out of business.  I know, right?  Who hasn't heard?  Ha-Ha! My husband (aka: The Enabler) told me I needed to get over there and get felt for my fiber art projects.  While there he helped me pick out almost every color they had in stock.  This really wasn't my plan, but he even ran back to the front of the store and got a cart.  This was the result:

I think I'm stocked up for the rest of my life!  Thank you, Honey! 💕

We went back a couple of weeks later when the app sent me a message telling me they were selling @ up to 50% off.  The key words were:  'up to'.  We walked through the entire store and most items were 20 to 25% off.  Except for fleece, that was 40% off.  I did see some of the Christmas ribbon for 40% off although there wasn't much of it left.  Probably because it was on sale for 70% off last December...when I bought it...along with a few other goodies!

During that glimpse of Spring, we took a few walks at the pond where I picked some pussy willows.

Then, on another walk, I spied this beauty sitting next to a dumpster:

Not a chip or crack anywhere.

Thankfully no (dumpster) diving was required!

I did some closet cleaning and removed 3 garbage bags full of clothes and shoes.  How I accumulated that much that could go out the door is beyond me.  My husband told me to go shopping to replace what I don't have anymore.  I do love that man!  

Winter is also my time to bake and try new recipes.  These carrot cake bars were a huge hit.  

I also created what I'm calling a Nacho Bake Casserole recipe.  I guess that's another post I'll need to write and share with all of you!  

That's about it!  I'm working on a few projects to share and now, after writing this post, I have 2 more that need to be worked on and shared.  I will - promise!

What have you been up to this Winter?