Opulent Cottage

My Cats, and Places They Should Not Be

Welcome to the Friday Edition of Places Cats Should Not Be. All photos taken between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. so please excuse the low lighting.

Cats should not be on kitchen tables having morning spa time!

They should definitely not be on kitchen counters, sneaking a sip of Mom's water,

Or eating the last few SunGold cherry tomatoes right from the bowl.

They should not be waiting for breakfast on the dishwasher door,

 

Or napping while doing so.

Cats should NOT be surfing the internet! There's dangerous stuff out there. 

"What, I should not be on the table? I'm here to help with the sewing!"

This post is brought to you by Ginger and Minnie, who are almost always some place they really should not be :)

 

Joining:

Ricki Jill's Happy List at Art At Home

Kim's Wow Us Wednesday.

Friday Happy

A few happy sights this morning --

I made a centerpiece with a basket, some fresh lemons, wildflowers in a mason jar, and the pretty plates my girl gave me for my birthday. From Pier 1, of course :)

Our outside kitty girl has made the morning glory teepee her cozy spot! I have seen this little cat around here for years, and now she comes into the garden to visit me almost every morning. Abby has named her Lila. I'm pretty sure that I woke her up when I came out this morning.

The morning glories are finally starting to bloom. And this is the first time I have ever had enough sun to grow zinnias. 

We went to Costco the other day, and I found a pack of dish towels that included this cute rooster towel. Adorable! Seven assorted towels for $10, no need to resist that purchase :)

I hope you are all looking forward to a good weekend! 

Joining:

From the Farm Blog Hop

Elaine's Sunny Simple Monday

Kim's Wow Us Wednesday.

My Tabletops These Days

Someone asked recently why I have not been showing my seasonal table decor this spring. Well, there's a reason for that. Ever since this girl came to live with us, we have had to take a more un-decorated approach to the tabletops here.

Maybe I should just let the pictures do the talking.

I think that poor plant in the background has been a little munched. Oh and did you see my new lamp? No? Well, if I can get the princess off of the table for a few minutes this week, I'll grab a few shots for you. There's a newly recovered lamp shade back there somewhere, too.

More decor coming soon!

Joining:

Kim's Wow Us Wednesday.

Debra's Be Inspired at Common Ground

Cindy's Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

The Creative HomeAcre Blog Hop.

Our New Girl

Last week I told you all that Maurie brought a super-special surprise home after cleaning out his parents' house. Here she is! Meet Ginger, our new little furry bundle of joy --

This sweet girl showed up at her former home one day out of nowhere. Maurie's mom had never really been a big fan of felines, but this one had her at meow. She's a lovey, rubbing, purring little sweetheart, weighing in at barely 7 pounds! She looks like she's a good size in these photos, but believe me, it's all fur. Her teeny-tiny meow goes right along with her diminutive figure. 

Funny this is, right after his mom took her in, she figured out that Ginger was expecting. And sure enough, soon after, she delivered 5 little kittens, all boys. I never got to see them, and I just can't imagine this tiny cat having 5 little babies! All found good homes, and Ginger was a loving companion to Maurie's mom to the end. 

She sure does love the camera! The cellphone, too. I have been texting photos of her to Abby every day. She seems to just come running every time I pull my iPhone out!

There's only one member of our family who is not exactly happy with this new arrangement . . .

It's only been a few days, and we're hopeful that each day will get a little better, and soon they will be the best of friends. 

Thanks for coming by to see our new girl!

I'm joining

Claudia's A Favorite Thing at Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Kim's Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Goodbye, Sweet Lizzie

Last week was a tough one. We spent the last few days nursing our sweet, sick doggy, and in the end, lost the fight. We loved her so much.

 

We will cherish every memory of our Lizzie. We were blessed to have her as our darling dog.

 

It's a reminder to us to appreciate every day, and count our blessings, large and small. Each day is a gift! Thank you all for the gifts of friendship and support that you always give to me. I appreciate it more than you could ever know!

xo, Andrea

The New Coop in Town

Hello friends, I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! Just for fun today, and for Outdoor Wednesday, I have some adorable photos to share of the new “house” in the neighborhood. This is our local elementary school’s new chicken coop! Isn’t it the cutest thing ever?

 

This sweet coop was built by a neighborhood dad, an architect who is now building chicken coops along with people houses. Every detail is so charming, and the hens seem comfy-cozy in their new digs.

 

Alas, the girls would not come out and show themselves off for us this day. It was hot, and their run is in the full sun in early morning. The coop and run are both locked up securely when the teachers aren't there to supervise.

 

I have been meaning to get back up there again with my camera, but we have had day upon day of rain, compliments of Hurricane Alex. Looks like a few more days of rain this week, too, although we’re not complaining, after the dry spring we had!

 

Poultry fever has spread like wildfire, and now the science teacher is almost finished with his custom coop, also. Local chatter is centered around the coop frenzy that’s taken hold of East Dallas. I’m afraid that we may have been bitten by the chicken bug here at our house, too. Remember the playhouse, turned potting shed, in our back yard?

 

So, what do you think? I think I feel another project coming on!

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing a few photos of this darling coop. There are more to come, when I can get back over on a nice, sunny day. Please stop by and see Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday!

February Glums

My sweet friend Kim at Vintage Pretties was talking about the “glums” the other day, and can I relate! It’s just  been so cold, rainy, and gloomy in Dallas for most of this new year, that I feel like I’m in a funk. The one thing that cheers me up is thinking about how pretty our garden will be this spring, after all of this rain! And Kim’s idea of a nice relaxing bath and some magazine therapy sounds like a great remedy.

I’m getting ready for the Valentine’s party on Friday at Bargain Hunting With Laurie.  I’ve been sitting by the fire and crocheting hearts (my free pattern is here), while also randomly organizing all of my jewelry-making supplies and massive fabric stash. It’s cheering me up a little. Blogging helps, too! As does a warm computer on the lap and a mug of hot cocoa.

A cozy corgi to cuddle with is kind of nice, too!

Stay Warm,

Andrea

Comfy

 

 

We go to great lengths around here to make sure that our pets are as contented and relaxed as possible.

 

Here is the spot that Minnie is given to nap in during the day

 

 

But she seems to prefer the kitchen table

 

 

Or on the laundry piles…

 

 

Or my crochet basket…

 

 

In the background you can see her basket, yes with a heating pad, and this is where she should be napping. But the sun came up, and it was just too irresistible…

 

 

LET IT BE SAID that if you have a great aversion to products that come from a home where pets reside, you should probably never, never, buy my merchandise. Sad, but true. Over here, a little fur and feathers is sure to be woven in to everything. But I can assure you that it's all made with love, and now you can see that everyone is participating.

 

Here is one pet in our family who is probably not so comfortable at the moment. I’m not sure that Lavender enjoys having a feline 18 inches from his cage.

 

 

But soon it will warm up, and he will get to sit outside in the courtyard, by the bird feeder, and play with his pals all day. As much playing as a birdie can do while still in a cage.

 

 

I hope you all have some time to play today, too!