Our Little Cottage in the Big Woods: 3/1/18

March 31, 2018

The Office.

Not really but we did use the hot tub

for more than just relaxing in it.

It became our "office" to discuss

a number of topics and points.

We made future plans, talked about

the past and in between, tried to

make headway on some big items

we need to spend time exploring.

It was a great experience to enjoy

the comforts of the hot tub but

also have time to just sit and talk.

I highly recommend a warm hot tub.

Spring Flowers.

A coastal climate means that Spring

flowers are vibrant and full in March!

The Sea.

We've not been to our little

island for a couple of years.

There are so many things we

love about our special place.

But the sea that surrounds the

whole island is a favorite for us.

The waves, the smell and all the

things that wash ashore are amazing.

And then ....

.... the clouds disappeared and

the bright sun appeared again.

The cottage is so much nicer in

the sunlight, don't you think?

Almost all gone now. The

clouds were thick and white.

So happy they weren't here

very long and are gone.

Much nicer to see the pretty sun

and feel it's warmth and light.

Have you ever watched the movie "84 Charing Cross Road" or read the book? It's personally one of my favorite old movies. My cherished scenes are the ones in the book store. So much to look at in such a small space. If you haven't seen the movie, I encourage you to do so. And to take in these shots of the book store we love to visit.

My favorite spot in the local book store on the tiny island is the tiny windowed office that the store manager uses for bookkeeping and the daily duties of her job. Upstairs, the other manager was very busy making new dust jackets for books that were waiting to be placed on the shelves. They were talking about a recent visitor to the store who was in to drop off her resume for an assistant manager position within the store. I would hire her on the spot as one of the first comments out of her mouth was "I love the smell of old and vintage book stores. The books tell their story but the smell speaks of history." Perfect new staff member for this vintage book store.

In the Clouds.

When the air gets misty and clouds form,

up on the mountain, we can get disoriented.

We are used to looking at the side of the

mountain but with the clouds low, it's gone.

March 30, 2018

Perfect Find.

But we have no way to get it home. Isn't

it amazing? We need to send our old arm

chair in the Great Room back to our ds

and his wife, who asked us to keep it in

safekeeping for them when they lived on

the West Coast. But now they're back and

need to chair to fill their space. So we're

on the hunt for a replacement chair. Sigh ....

Quiet Monday.

After a busy Sunday, it was nice to sleep

in on Monday morning. We hot tubbed ....

.... then decided to head in to town for a

late lunch instead of an early breakfast.

Found a sweet little cafe on the waterfront.

With roses in cups and cool drinks to sip.

Dh had a pate of lamb and herbs and fresh bread

and pickled veggies. He really liked it. I had a taste.

But mine was even better. Fresh, homemade pasta

with shrimp, crab and scallops and fresh dill in an

alfredo sauce and fresh cheese bread. So good! I

hope to have this again when we're here this week.

Warm Dinner.

Our first night's dinner was simple affair

of Cream of Mushroom soup with fresh

bread and warm butter. Filling and all

we needed after a very long day of travel.

Claw Foot Heaven.

I remember sleeping over at my gramma and grampa's house when I was small and gramma would always give me a bath before bed. They had a massive claw foot tub in their bathroom and I remember always looking forward to the chance to practice my "swimming" in the big tub. It seemed to take forever to fill but soon I'd be paddling away until my gramma would finally pull me out of the now chilled water, the floor wet and the towels soaked. Years later, they sold that tiny, vintage house and moved to an apartment and I recall the first time I slept there as a young adult and walking into the bathroom and feeling so much nostalgia for the old claw foot that no longer existed. I've always hoped that one day I could have one. In our new house, we tried to fit one in but it didn't quite work. I still hold out hope that one day, we'll enjoy baths in a claw foot tub. There is always hope.

It was a wonderful surprise to discover the cottage has a claw foot. I couldn't wait for my first soak in the warm water. As large as this tub is, I wasn't able to do any laps around it like I did as a small child. But I still enjoyed the spaciousness and the nostalgia of a tub that brought back so many wonderful memories from a sacred childhood.