Sunny Day...

The sun is shining brightly. It was 82 degrees yesterday! I was wearing a black long sleeve under my Gap overalls and began to sweat. Today I'm dressed more appropriately in pale grey cargo pants rolled up, with grey tank and denim button shirt. I even painted my toenails in a new Revlon shade of 'Silver Screen' since I am wearing flip flops. I am out and about today but would much rather be sitting here sipping iced tea. Isn't this a lovely deck set? Though it wouldn't look too lovely in my gardens...my backyard is a forest of weeds! How on earth do they grow so fast? It seems as if they appeared overnight. Have a beautiful day. ox

Sea tidings,
kerrie

*update*





Here I am, wrinkles and all(no editing, just keeping it real), after a bike ride to market. I adore when the weather permits me to ride to market for our groceries. There is something so refreshing about carrying fresh bread from the bakery in a bicycle basket.



Tonight is First Friday Art Walk in our little Old Towne. It is already warm at 8:30 in the morning so we will be riding our beach cruiser to the event. I was photographing my old prom dress yesterday afternoon which I will share with you in a post to come.

ox kerrie


*image~ 1.internet, 2,3. Grace's Beach Cruiser, 4. me at Sea Cottage.

British Rose

Just thought I'd let you know what I've been up to. I've been busy attending to the details of preparation to open my Etsy shop. I've also been very busy with my daughter Grace's final months of her Senior year of H.S. There is a neverending list of calls to make, papers to sign, deadlines, etc. Her Senior Ball is in two weeks. She received a scholarship that we have a dinner to attend where she will be presented with the award. Then there is all the college decisions, finances, registration, etc.



I wanted to open my Etsy shop in April, but I may have to wait one more month. I want to be there for Grace wholeheartedly 100% in these final days of H.S. I still have to design her announcements and am planning an Asian themed dinner party for after her Graduation ceremony.

I have enjoyed many hours in my Seawashed Studio painting and creating. I look forward to summer when I will have the time to do more.



I got the pillows I ordered from Target in the mail. They are a 'come back' from the Rachel Ashwell line...the British Rose collection.



When Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic first appeared in Target this was one of the introductory collections. I have six seat cushions and woven placemats from it.



I had intended to furnish the 'Pearl' in British Rose but then it was gone! So I was pleased to find that the pillows are now available again online for only $23.00 for two! I am hoping they will bring back more of this lovely collection.



The British Rose pattern reminds me of my Great Grandmother Nora Pearl whom our wee vintage cottage camper is named after. She had the kindest blue eyes, her favorite color was blue, she lived in a tiny white farmhouse in southwestern Nebraska with the old vintage wire fencing lined in roses. She had 15 children, four sets of twins, and lived independently until she was 87. She was still frying her own chicken and baking pies. She lived to age 90. I remember her vintage dresser topped with strings of pearls, and rinestone broaches. She would let me try them on. She laughed alot and loved us all more than anyone.



I also received a giveaway gift from My Petite Maison...



An antique rosary, antique statuette of the Christ, a vintage mason jar filled to the rim with tea, white holy candle, natural lip balm, and the ever so lovely Jeanne D Arc Living magazine...



Perfect for this season of Lent and approaching Easter. Merci` Tracie.

I have been spending more quiet time in reflection, contemplation and prayer. Reminded of my weakness and his grace that keeps me going. Allowing his love to embrace me, knowing that I am nothing without him. Letting go of my own strength and trusting in his. Breathing in hope while remaining thankful.



I look forward to lingering in sun drenched days...on rose covered quilts in green pastures, beside the salty waters of the sea, and under the canopy of blossoming trees.

Sea tidings,
kerrie

Joining in A Good Life with A Beach Cottage and White Wednesdays with Faded Charm Cottage. ox

Comfort Food...Vegan Chili

For those who are still in the chill here is a recipe to warm your bones. After a week of storms and no sunshine the rays are peeking through clouds today...but it is still cold. I made this last week, in the middle of a downpour, and my family gobbled it down.



Vegan Chili

1 pkg. vegan soy ground crumbles(I used Yves)
2 cans organic black beans
2 cans organic pinto beans
1 can organic kidney beans
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 Tbsp. minced dried onion
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. sea salt
dash of pepper
1/2 c. chopped carrots *optional


Pour all ingredients(be sure to drain beans) in a cooking pot with a lid. Heat on med. high heat until bubbly. Lower heat and let simmer for an hour, stirring occationally. Serve piping hot in a bowl with tortilla chips and sprinkling of cheddar cheese.



I ate mine in my favorite white tea cup with organic corn chip dippers.



A simple healthy meal to eat while preusing your garden catologs. Maybe I will get some of mine planted this week. ox

Sea tidings,
kerrie

*images~ Sea Cottage chili, Skona Hem garden seating.

Comfy Cottage Living

Another rainy week keeping me indoors. I'm finally well from that terrible flu, but am staying out of the rain just to be safe. Remaining home due to this wintry weather and being sick has given me more time to blog. I do need to scrub floors...but dishes, laundry, dusting are all caught up. I've been baking and cooking wholesome meals for my family. There is nothing like eating from scratch!



I've slowly been spring cleaning which basically is de-cluttering. I'm always simplifying our lifestyle. With four kids and a messy hubby(I love him, but he is messy) de-cluttering is neverending. I think trash collects on them...Gracie's dresser is heaped full of empty soda cans, wrappers, paper plates with pizza crust from who knows when. Holly's room is worst...I can't even see the floor. We bought her a dresser from Ikea last September but has it made a difference...no. I don't complain though, I just keep picking up after them, knowing that one day I will miss not having their messes to clean.



As much as I like a clean, simple cottage I do like a cozy cottage. I always want my family to feel comfortable. Our white slipcovered sofas could use a washing, but I don't mind them looking worn and lived in. It just adds to the coziness. A scattering of books left out, used tea cups, blankets draped over the arm of a chair, soft pillows on the floor...give warmth to the home.



Sweet smells from the oven...my family loves to come home to fresh baked goodies.



Yesterday I baked Chocolate Chip Scones. Sarah asked for the recipe and so I am including it in this post. I found this recipe about 15 yrs. ago in Victoria magazine. I've tried other scone recipes only to return to this one. It is that good.

Victoria English Scones

3 2/3 c. Flour
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2-3 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 c. dried fruit(blueberries,cherries,cranberries) or choc. chips
1 1/4 c. milk

Preheat oven 400
makes 1 dozen

Measure flour into mixing bowl. Cut in butter till crumbly. Stir in sugar, baking powder, dried fruit or choc. chips, milk. Stir till well blended. Place ball of dough onto floured surface and kneed until dough holds together. Roll dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into triangles or use a round(or heart shaped) cookie cutter. Place onto greased cookie sheet, pat top of scones with milk and bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden. Enjoy with tea or coffee



Preferably at a cozy kitchen table like this...



or on a lovely sofa by the fire. Aren't these images comfy? Skona hem has been my inspiration lately. I have many more to show you in the days ahead, as we enter sunnier days. My glass bottles are on the mantel waiting to fill with roses.



Hope all is well with you. ox

Sea tiding,
kerrie


and praying for Tiffini. ox

*images~ Skona Hem, Country Living

She Came From The Water

After many hours of printing artwork for my soon to open Etsy shop: Seawashed, I am now resting with a cup tea, homemade chocolate chip scone, and Ondine. ox

Sea tidings,
kerrie

Rain Droppeth...

“The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed- It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.” ~William Shakespeare



The rain droppeth upon Sea Cottage. We remain cozy at the table, sipping tea, eating oatmeal with blackberry preserves, reading and pondering.

Sea tidings,
kerrie

*images~ Pottery Barn

Farmhouse

This is our 18 yr. old farmhouse table. We bought it for our first home. Back when we were so young(in our 20's) *wink* and had two small children. We bought it as a set with four windsor chairs.



We have so many memories of family time at this table. We ate most meals together at this table, homeschooled, did crafts, science projects, celebrated birthday parties, etc.



When we moved to Sea Cottage we discovered our kids had carved their names underneath it. We will never get rid of this table, but we were tired of the honey glazed finish. So recently we sanded all that gloss off and what is left is this soft bleached wood.



We may still paint it white, as intended, but for now are liking the softness of the light wood.



Rachel Ashwell rose covered pillows are slowly being brought out from winter hybernation, adding whisps of summer days that most of us are waiting for.



Brewing my third cup of tea, to keep warm on this stormy Saturday, while preusing the dreamy pages of Country Living.





Sea tidings,
kerrie

Into Wholeness...

"turn our mourning into gladness
and our sorrows into wholeness.” ~the book of Esther



Turn our sorrows into wholeness. These words I ponder as I pray for Japan. I ask the Lord, "turn their sorrows into wholeness." The Lord is near those who are brokenhearted. His mercy flows to the suffering ones. He is consumed with compassion, moved beyond our understanding, to reach out and touch our every need. He LOVES...deeply, jealously, endlessly. How far, how wide, how deep is the love...the love of God.



Did you hear about the four month old baby found alive in the rubble? Breathing hope.
I am joining in the Bloggers day of silence for Japan.

praying,
Kerrie

*images~ Skona Hem

Cozy Cottage

It's a rainy week so we stay in. Though I did go for a walk with the dog on Monday morning in pouring rain...with an umbrella of course. Just when I thought I was fully recovered from the flu I wake up this morning coughing again and feeling fatigue. Tea and toast for me. We have been watching Downton Abbey and yesterday Persuasion from this cozy room...



This wicker chair used to be a rocker...I rocked all four of my babies in it. I moved it from the living room into here. It has become the favorite napping spot of



Lily Monet. She comes in from the fields and curls up for her cat nap every afternoon. I'm grateful to have such a cozy cottage to rest in with my fluffy companions. I love home.

Plans for our spring vegetable garden are under way. We will begin planting snow peas this weekend. ox

Sea tidings,
kerrie

linking up with Good Life Wednesdays at A Beach Cottage.

Painting For Japan...

Cherry Blossom with Japanese symbol for 'Beauty' in watercolor...visit my Seawashed blog.

Sea tidings,
kerrie

Seaside Sundays...

A bit of modern coastal...









I like the uncluttered look of modern coastal...the seagrass baskets, wood, rocks, seaglass, and whites. I took my new seafoam green beach cruiser for a ride only to find that it had a bent back tire and broken parts. So we returned her. Back to saving my pennies for a Nirve beach cruiser...



possibly this one...

Nirve Lahiana.

It is an ocean weather kind of day with a storm blowing in. Hubby and I had a lovely night out in the city yesterday. We attended the Rite of election at the Cathedral and then to the Hyatt for drinks by candlelight. Here I am in my shimmery ruffled skirt. ox


Sea tidings,
kerrie

The trauma in Japan is unbelievable...praying.



*images~ sproost blog, nirve, me.