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The Cookbook Rack Solves a Problem

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  No matter where you live, whether you rent or own, living spaces create challenges.  If you've lived in your home for a long time, you've probably overcome all, or most of them.  At least I hope you have. Moving into a new home means new challenges and our new home has a few, to say the least.  If you remember the first kitchen post, one of the those challenges was the dishwasher.   Its size and location were problems so we removed it and this is what we did: Adding the drawer cabinet gave us great space, but a standard cabinet wasn't quite wide enough and we were left with about a 3" space on the end.  Yes, we could have ordered a custom cabinet, but I wasn't willing to spend that kind of money.  No worries, I had a plan!  Here's how it looks from the front now: Before we move on, yes, I know there is also a space on the right side of the cabinet, next to the stove.  That's a countertop issue and a challenge for another day! I knew it...
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Join Me in 2026

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Happy New Year and welcome back to The Cottage.  When I started this blog in 2014 I asked you to "join me on the porch for the stories of this little cottage."  We're no longer living in that same cottage, but the stories have continued.   As we enter 2026 join me for: More 'Creating a Charming New Cottage' posts.  We have a 'to-do' list that rivals the length of Santa's naughty/nice list, so there will be house projects to share.   More recycling, upcycling, and recreating.  I still have a pretty extensive stash of goodies in need of makeovers, many of which can (and will) be incorporated into that 'to-do' list I just mentioned.  More posts stressing the importance of creating a home that is a reflection of you.  I've never followed trends and I'm not about to start now.  Have you heard the phrase:  'You do you'?  I'm a big fan! As I said in the beginning,  join me on the porch for the stories of this little cottage....
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Christmas at the Cottage

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 🎜 Christmas Time is Here🎝....can you hear the song from 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'?  I read that the lyrics were written to capture the blend of melancholy and hope from the special.   Hmmm, almost 60 years later and still so relevant. Christmas has come to the Cottage.... The wreath is on the door. It's a live wreath that I dressed up with velvet ribbon and some things from a former wreath that was taken apart.  This post may contain affiliate links. The candles are in the windows. They are battery-powered with dusk-to-dawn sensors.  I'm impressed since they've been in the windows since Thanksgiving and I haven't had to change the batteries. The kitchen window has this little lamp found on Marketplace. Yes, the windows are a hot mess.  This was a rental house and new windows are on the list.   Sadly, Santa will not be bringing them this year.   Maybe in 2026... My upcycled cutting board is now adorned with a little Christmas t...
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The Last Glass Bowl Christmas Tree - I Promise!

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Just when I thought I was done making glass bowl Christmas trees ...  ...I went to an estate sale...   ...and brought home this: I was SO excited!   Why, you ask?   Because it makes the perfect tree topper.    I really did think I was done making these trees.  The first one is on display and the second one I gave away.   Then I saw that sweet little bell with the bird on top and I just HAD to make one more! This post may contain affiliate links. A few more pieces of glass were acquired. I already had a candlestick for the base. If you want detailed instructions, start HERE .   Time to get started. The two largest bowls were glued and left overnight to dry. The next day they were turned over and the candlestick was added. After another overnight wait, the whole thing was turned right-side-up and the next piece was placed on top. One more day and it was time for the final piece. First the glue : Then that sweet little bir...
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Upcycled Scrabble Tile Ornament

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Hello, Friends!  It's December and the holiday crafting is in full-swing. I'm all about the upcycle DIY projects and here's a cute one for you!   Today, I'm using Scrabble tiles to make an ornament for the tree.  I've made them before using paint stirrers  and there was the Grinch ornament .  Incredibly, I still have a bag full of Scrabble tiles, so let's get started on a Santa ornament. This post may contain affiliate links. I pulled out 2 things:  scrabble tiles that spelled 'Santa" and some little Santa hats. Do the hats look familiar?  Yes, they are the same ones I used for the Grinch ornament !  They must be multiplying in the box since I still have a bunch of them! Anyway, I started gluing the tiles together along the edges.   Once glued, they were set aside to dry.   For a little more stability, I glued a craft stick to the back. Once everything was dry, the Santa hat was attached to the edge. Some ribbon was glued to t...
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Let's Make ANOTHER Glass bowl Christmas Tree!

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That's right!  It's time to make another glass bowl Christmas tree.  You may remember the one I made last year.   Wow, was that a popular post!  Since then, I've been collecting thrifted glass and have a new one to share.    This post may contain affiliate links. The process has 4 easy steps and to be perfectly honest, the hardest part is Step 1:  F inding the Glass.   For all the details on finding your glass, check out the original post.   Keep in mind, the pieces have to stack together and you want some flared edges to give you that 'Christmas tree' look.  This time I found a hefty candlestick to serve as the trunk of the tree and a beautiful plate with pointed edges. Sometimes those flared edge bowls are elusive! Even without as many flared edges, you can still make a pretty tree and I was thrilled to find a glass bell as a topper. Step 2:  Clean your Glass Bowls As long as they're not crystal (which I try to avoid), you ca...
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