My Cozy Country Life

It's hard to believe Christmas has come and gone. It seems we prepare so much and so long and then it's over in a heartbeat. 

The Guest Room Is All Grown Up!

I'm very fortunate to have a dedicated guest room in my little house. It doesn't get much use, but it sure is nice to know it's there when I need it. 

It's also the home of the Big Green Monster. 

Gifts For The Foodie In Your Life

I first posted this last December, after Christmas, but this is the perfect time to repost and update this list, as there are only 11 shopping days left until Christmas!!

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It's no secret that I'm a foodie. Big time. I absolutely love to cook, and love to find new gadgets and tools to make my meals even more amazing.

My sweetie is my guinea pig. He eats each and every one of my experiments without question.....and usually without complaint.

There aren't many fails, although there have been one or two.

Making A List And Checking It Twice

At the end of a very busy wedding season I started compiling a list of things that needed to be done around the house. 

The crazy thing is, every time I crossed one thing off the list I added two or three more!

Holiday Home Tour 2017

It's the most wonderful time of the year, no doubt, and, like most of you, I've been busy gussying up my little cozy house, getting it all dressed and ready for Christmas. 

It seems a ton of work at the time, but isn't it all worth it when it's all said and done?

The Very Best Pot Roast

Let me start out by saying I'm not a big pot roast fan. Never have been. 

And now, let me revise that statement by adding two words: until now. 

Yup, that's right....this recipe changed the way I view pot roast forever. 

My Cozy Home Got Even Cozier!

So, I think you all know by now how obsessed I am with my dining room. 

I'm not sure what it is about it, it just makes me smile so much when I look into that space. 

My Cozy Home

We had our first snowfall yesterday, which was pretty awesome to see. 

Not much stuck, just a dusting. 

Just enough to make it the perfect evening to crank up the woodstove for the first time this season. 

Before & After

Thanks to all of you who chimed in on the door decision in my last post. It's great to know so many of you have Larson doors and love them - I had never heard of the brand previously, until I started doing my homework on purchasing a new storm door, and I have to say I'm sold!

A New Door and Decisions To Be Made

It seems forever since I've been here with all of you wonderful readers. 

I miss you and always wish I could spend more time posting here and also visiting all my sweet friends around Blogland. 

Life gets in the way, no doubt. 

Easy Peasy Roasted Tomato Sauce

We've had an Indian Summer for the past few weeks, which has been a welcome extension of the growing season.

We had a very cool August, a very hot September, and now October has been warmer than usual as well.

That was....until just a couple of nights ago, when the temps were predicted to dip to 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

Autumn On The Mountain Top

Autumn has well and truly settled onto the Mountain Top. 

Well, at least Autumn colors. 

The temperatures, on the other hand? Not so much. 

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed

I know, I know....I've been missing. 

A lot. 

I can't help it....this is a crazy time of the year for me. 

Welcome Home, Little Miss Molly

We have a wonderful new member of our family that I've been dying for you to meet!

Say hello to little miss Molly!

5 Things I'm Making This Fall....and Only Two More Days To Vote!

The leaves are changing like mad up on the mountain top, and there is most definitely the excitement of autumn in the air. 

This & That

It's hard to believe the summer has come and gone, isn't it? 

For many, that means the kiddos are heading back to school. 

I kind of miss those days.

Home Sweet Home

My heart goes out to all those folks in Texas that have lost loved ones, and also to those that have lost their homes.

 

The loss of a life is devastating. The loss of a pet, equally so for those of us who count our pets as our family.

 

And the loss of a home is without a doubt also a tragic thing.

Five Ways To Use Up All Those Cucumbers

Wow, our cucumber plants are OUT OF CONTROL!

The cukes are coming out of the garden much faster than we can use them up, no doubt.

Zucchini Marinara

If you are anything like me you've got more zucchini than you know what to do with right about now. 

Last year I came up with all sorts of ways to use it up. My freezers were stuffed, and we ate out of our garden all winter long. 

Sunny Mountain Mornings

I never lived in a house with such great sunshine. 

I have to say, it never gets old. 

Lily Love

I have many flowers that I absolutely love. 

I guess that's why I'm a gardener. 

Mountain Mama Is Nominated For An Award!

I can hardly believe it, but for the second year my little blog has been nominated for an Amara award!

I Finally Did It!

I know some of you are going to think I'm nuts, but I'm ok with that. 

It wouldn't be the first time. 

But, I'm super proud of myself!

Why, you ask?

Well, I'm going to tell you!

The Garden In Mid Summer

Wow, this summer is flying by, without a doubt. I can't believe we are at the end of July!

Here in the mountains, we are already seeing the first hints of fall with pops of autumn color showing up here and there in the trees and shrubs.  Every year it seems to take me by surprise! 

Cozy Nights At Home

Life is busy, no doubt. People talk of the lazy days of summer and I'm envious. 

Lazy days? You have got to be kidding me. In what lifetime?

Sweetie Strikes Again!

Remember earlier in the week I told you there was another project going on at my house?

Well, it's nearly complete....as in, phase 1 is complete. 

Disappointment & More Projects

Remember how excited I was in my last post about the treasure that was coming to my home?

Well, I'm still not sure what quite happened, but apparently when my mom and sister went the next day to pick up the piece it had been sold to someone else.

What??? How does that happen? 

A Decorating Dilemma

I have a bit of a decorating dilemma. Or perhaps a quandary. 

And it's all my sister's fault. 

Early Summer In The Mountains

Well, here it is a week later and I'm just now getting around to posting. 

Remember, I told you in my last post, I plan weddings and events.

This time of year I'm like a complete nut job. 

Creating a Rustic Chic Centerpiece

What many of you don't know is that in my real life (non blogging life) I plan weddings and events for a living. 

Yup, that's why I disappear at certain times of the year. 

I'm swamped.

Here Comes The Sun

After a very rainy, cool spring, we woke this morning to gorgeous blue skies and abundant sunshine. 

Yayyyy!

Take A Walk On The Wild Side

Thank you all so much for your sweet and incredible comments on my last post! I'm honored that you think my garden is so beautiful....and I do also. 

However, I also know the wild and not-so-beautiful side of my garden.

The Garden In Early June

We've had buckets and buckets of rain this spring, which is great for the garden and my well, no doubt. 

However, not so great for taking photos of said garden. 

More Changes Around Here

It's well and truly spring in the mountains, which delights me to no end!

Adding Unique Style To Your Garden

I'm sure, like me, many of you are doing a ton of planting these days. I have been logging some serious steps on my fitbit, no doubt!

I love gardening season!

What I've Been Up To

You know when I go missing for a while I'm usually crazy busy. Not only at home, but also at work. 

Yup, I'm one of those bloggers who has a full time job. 

I miss being here, but there are only so many hours in the day. 

An Amazing Soup & A Celebration

We had a very special family dinner Saturday, to celebrate three birthdays, two anniversaries, Mother's Day, and a huge welcome back to Mom & Dad. 

Not to mention, the Kentucky Derby, of course. 

There may or may not have been a little gambling going on in my house. I'm not saying. 

A Visit To The Garden Cottage

I still have big plans for my garden cottage. 

It's sort of been on hold while I tackled other things, but I want to make some progress on it this season. 

April Showers and All That

Spring has landed on the Mountain Top in the most beautiful way this year. 

It takes its sweet time getting here, but once it does, it's glorious. 

Saving Money With Seed Starting

I realize I haven't given you an update on my seed starting experiment. 

Sorry about that, there are so many things I want to share with you, and yet only so many hours in the day!

Finally Happy With My Awkward Living Room

Well, it took over two years and more than a few attempts, but I think I'm finally at a place where I can rest easy with the layout and decor in my awkward living room. 

It's not finished, by any means....but it doesn't hurt  my eyes any longer. 

Ready For Planting!

After a LOT of very hard work, my crooked little country garden is ready for spring planting!

I'm always a little overwhelmed with the amount of work that needs to be done around the gardens in the spring. 

Somehow, I always manage to get it done, but it sure would be easier if I had a clone. 

Early Spring On The Mountain Top

Down in the valley Spring is in full swing. 

Not so much up here on the Mountain Top. 

Another Big Project Finished - Whew!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! 

Sweetie surprised me with a sweet bunny centerpiece on Easter, which makes me smile every time I look at it!

A Few Of My Favorite Facial Products For My Over 40 (Nearly 50!) Skin

I've been meaning to write this post for quite a while, but time just seems to slip away from me. I have so many things I'd like to tell you, but there aren't enough hours in the week! However, I'm so enamored with these products that I just had to share. 

An Update On My Awkward Living Room

Since Spring has finally made its long awaited arrival to the mountain top, I've been spending as much time outdoors as possible, getting the gardens ready for the season. 

However, I didn't forget that I owe you an update on my awkward living room solution....I just got sidetracked with that darned bear!

What I Absolutely Hate About Spring

Spring in the mountains is a wonderful time of year.

 

The snow is melting, the creeks are gurgling happily through the forest, the birdsong is spectacular.

Our Favorite Low-Cal Healthy Dinner

Before I begin, I have to warn  you that this post is full of photos that are going to make your tummy growl.

 

Don't get mad at me if you drool on your keyboard.

Creeping Slowly Towards Spring

Despite the fact that we got yet another winter storm Friday into Saturday, there is evidence all around that spring is coming to the mountains....slowly but surely.

Back To The Drawing Board!

A while back I told you about my struggle with my awkward living room layout and the never-ending hunt for a coffee table.

 

Well, I thought I had it all figured out, and I showed you in this post what I had ordered.

 

Well guess what? The new tables arrived Wednesday!

How The Weather Can Affect Your Cabinets

Most people have temperature and humidity control in their homes, but if you don’t, your wood cabinets could be affected by the weather.

An Amazing Birthday Weekend

I know I'm quite late with this post but I wanted to tell you all about my amazing weekend last weekend. 

Pillow Talk

Despite Mother Nature's cruel practical joke, dumping over 3 feet of snow on us, it is still that time of year when I like to bring some spring colors back into the living room. 

The Nor'easter That Kicked Butt

Yesterday on the Mountain Top and in many other parts of the Northeast it snowed. 

And it snowed. 

And then it snowed some more. 

Taking a Chance

So, remember I told you all about my awkward living room situation a while back?

I have been struggling for nearly two years to figure out a coffee table for the space.

The Ultimate Creamy Garlic Chicken

This recipe has been in my repertoire for a long, long time, since neighbors of mine in NYC made it for a dinner party many years ago. 

I loved the creamy garlic taste of this dish, but knew I could find a way to make it healthier for my family. 

The Things That Make My Heart Sing

It's truly all about the little things, isn't it?

Often I will be in the middle of doing something and I will spot something that makes my heart sing. I'll grab the camera - it's always close by - and snap a few shots, hoping to capture that feeling in a photo, to savor on another day.

The Ultimate Beef Broth

We have a new favorite restaurant in our little village and we go there often on our 'date nights' which makes me very, very happy.

 

On Valentine's Day, the menu included short ribs, and we brought the bone home for my old girl, Lily.

Creating A Dream Bedroom

Last week I wrote a post all about the Danish art of Hygge.

 

One of the most important places to practice the art of Hygge is in the bedroom, without a doubt. When you walk into your bedroom at the end of a long day, it should feel like a warm hug.

Getting Hygge With It

I find it kind of amusing that all over Blogland these days folks are embracing the Danish art of Hygge.

 

Meanwhile, I've been doing exactly that my entire adult life.

Losing Weight....and My New Toy

It's no secret that I'm a big foodie.

I love to cook....and I love to eat.

Here's the thing....I can't eat what I want to all the time, because I also like to fit in my clothes!

Small Changes Around Here

It's funny, I've owned my house for nearly two years now, yet it still seems so 'new' to me at times.

I feel like there are still so many things I want to change, but bit by bit I'm making this little house my own. 

Books, Books, and More Books!

I have been reading some really amazing books lately. You know the kind....the ones you just can't put down. You read late into the night, because you just can't stop.
 
One more chapter. And then another.

A Day In The Life

I guess you may have noticed I've been sort of missing from Blogland for a bit.

 

I'm sorry, life's been crazy busy lately, but I've missed you all.

The Most Amazing Chicken EVER!

Remember a few weeks back I told you about my new toy?

 

And then I reminded you about it when I gave you some great gift ideas for foodies in this post.

 

By the way, Valentine's Day is right around the corner....wink, wink!

My Awkward Living Room Solution?

I think I might have found the solution to my coffee table dilemma.....and I'm so grateful to all of you for your comments and suggestions!!

Dealing With Awkward Room Layouts

I've said it a million times, my living room layout is not ideal. As much as I adore my home.

 

The space where I can actually put furniture is quite narrow, as I have to leave a 'hallway' behind the seating in order to be able to reach the bathroom and bedrooms.

Clearing The Clutter

It just seems that once January rolls around we all jump on board the organizational craze that sweeps across Blogland and Pinterest.

 

I imagine it has to do with clearing out all the holiday décor. Once we put away everything, it seems a natural progression to want to continue to clean and clear our homes, and keep them clutter free.

Winter Mornings on the Mountain Top

Winter has settled in to stay on the mountain top and we are heading into a deep freeze for the next few days.

 

Sunday night we will be hitting zero.

 

Uggghhhh.

Recipe Roundup - Top 16 from 16

Yeah, I know. I should have posted this last week. What can I say, I'm a busy lady! :)

A very sweet and talented friend and blogger suggested that I should do a recipe roundup. Thanks for the suggestion, Kim!

I went back through all my posts for 2016 and decided to repost the top 16 from 16 because I'm cheesy like that.

Yup, that's me. Mmmmmmmmmmm.......cheese!