Happy New Year Sale

From all of us at Viva la Cottage!

Open every day through Jan. 2nd.

Big, big sale!

20% to 70% off store wide.

Celebrating The Holiday Door County Style

A couple of things came into play when I decided to publish this post.
First of all, after telling my best gal Carol that we had between 40 and 50 "young adults" at the house last night for an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" contest, she was surprised to know that there were that many kids in the county.
WHAT?!?!

The other item was a certain blog that I follow (BB), where she put a dream worthy post about the Christmas Tea that she and her four beautiful daughters have each year. Everyone adorns lovely outfits, the girls help out, the food is so enticing and the tea features a special visit from Santa.
Before I continue, one of the many reasons I follow BB is because I don't have a daughter. I love my boys... so much, but there are times that I just wish I had a daughter... you know, skipping those years where they hate their Mothers... to just chat with, hang with and to create special memories, but I don't.
Oh, and one more thing, this is how the college kids in Door County put on a party, at our house.
Allow me to present "Ugly Christmas Sweater Party"... sigh.Sammy won a prize. Only in Wisconsin.

A close up shot of Ben's hand made ugly sweater... clever.

Ugly sweaters, but darling girls... you might find it interesting to know that these girls have families in DC that are postmasters, organic farmers, innkeepers and teachers.

Sometimes, we even invite "summer people" to come to the party.
But, they have to be very special.

Can you imagine the floors the next morning?

Actually, out of these great gals, there are a couple that I could get a daughter fix from if I needed to.

This is one quirky group of young men.
We enjoy each of them for different reasons.... the hair is just one of them.

Let me just say that the lovely Claire on the right helped Ben host the party and I can't tell you how charmed I was after spending two hours in Woodman's fighting other grocery carts to see the fresh cookies, pineapple, pound cake and sweets being prepped for the party, in my house with me having nothing to do with it.

John and I came down from the upstairs long enough to take pictures, but just short enough to not be "un-cool".
Upstairs, we could hear the loud buzz of people laughing and having a great time catching up with college experiences.
The old walls of this house just soaked up the happiness of it all.

I love living in our small/town/winter Door County.

Holiday Sparkle Arrives at Viva!

Kris paid us a visit and left us with some of her newest creations.
These all have a bit more bling and sparkle, perfect for the holidays and brightening up the winter days yet to come!This one with the ivory button is my favorite!

These are called "big sweets" and are loaded with charms and sparkles.

"Sweets" for an elegant, more simple look.

The earrings are new to Kris, who prefers creating necklaces, but realized that some of you want a more matching look. These earrings do not disappoint!

We also have some lovely vintage jewelry, check out the fabulous necklace on the mannequin!
Hope you are all enjoying the holidays.
Make sure to take some time for yourselves.
Peace to you all.

And Home Again, Home Again Jiggety Jog.

Holy cow, is all I can say.
Went to Santa Fe for a meet and greet at Ben's new school.
Supposed to be home Sunday evening... got home Tuesday night at 1o:30 pm.
In our back field was a pattern that looked like one of those corn crop cuttings... all swirls and patterns, surrounded by mountains of snow drifts.
Yesterday morning, my hubby and I took our coffee outside (at this cheap hotel... more later) and sat in the sun with just sweaters on.

However,
I have never been more happy to be home.

Will post tomorrow.

Who knew that nine degrees and sunny could feel so good?
Hope this finds you tucked in and warm.

Tales of Home and The Gift.

Now that winter has landed and decided to make itself at home, I've started decorating the house.
The day before the real cold hit, it was probably 30 degrees and sunny with us putting away patio furniture and winterizing the outside.
I was so charmed and surprised when I was heading to the barn and saw this.
Our sweet Mr. Bill who decided to take us in last summer.
I've told you about him? Just a kitten crying at the corner of our garage, and now look.
Not a great shot, but I love it. (his pal Ms. Lafe is hiding in there as well)
Back to the house... two years ago I found this fantastic old coffee tin at the Gibraltar Antique show.. It says "Edward Gillies and Co." at the bottom and on the front top "French Breakfast Mocha Java" I paid a pretty penny for it. Have been online trying to get info about it and have seen plenty of items, but nothing like this. I think I may have a gem.
Anyhoo... empty-ish nest makes me want to decorate my house in cream, gold and pink.
Love these bottle brush trees with sparkly ornaments tucked at the bottom.

I filled this great jar with white, brown and gold ornaments and at the last minute decided to throw in some silver baby cups and my hubby's and my baby shoes.

Some of you know that my younger son stayed home this semester to figure out what he really wants to be doing school wise. He was lucky to be the pizza thrower for the Wild Tomato, but when winter hits, work is not to be found in Door County. He has had several weeks just being home.
Most of his friends are away at school, and being nineteen in quiet Door County can test the entire family.
He had been staying up way to late and sleeping too long.
There are only so many "chores" I can give him and he was just zoning out.

Then one night I could sense from my bedroom that the garage lights were on. I could just make out that it was Ben and couldn't imagine what he was up to... and thought I probably didn't want to know. I found out the next day that he had been going through boxes of mementos that had been stored out there. He found my husband's seersucker double breasted suit that he had worn leaving our wedding, his great grandfather's leather bike jacket and plenty of wonderful items from when he and Danny were tiny.

The next night I could sense him out there again, but in the morning I left for work before he was up.
Can you just imagine the smile that spread across my face when from way down the road, I could see this on the side of our barn? It's five feet in diameter and shines for all to see!

Ben is a gift.
Our Christmas gift.

And, far as Ben goes... Santa Fe University of Art and Design.... signed, sealed and as of January, delivered.

I did forget to mention that last night I went to bed without a Christmas tree, and woke up to a tree in it's stand ready to be decorated. I didn't ask....

Clean Up After the Show

We had such a great show! The down side is that with so much being sold, I spent a lot of time putting together new displays and bringing in new items for the shop.
Here is the "before".This gal is the bomb. She must have been on top of a trophy. Pigtails, holding a bat as well as a drink to toast her victory!

Happened upon these wonderful, huge horse shoes, and the autograph book is just loaded with sentiments.

I found this neat old tape measure with really strong graphics and twined it throughout the display like a garland. Ledger, keys and me!

Darn it!

We are opening a new "department" in the store.
"Ephemera". So many of you are looking for fun vintage smalls to use in your art projects. I don't know why I haven't brought these things in sooner.

Click on the picture to enlarge and see all the goodies!

Found this really neat fruit press. It's perfect for holding holiday greenery.

Letter boxes in great condition with the folders still in tact.
Buttons and threads.

Shot of almost after.

Somebody flipped the switch and winter has officially arrived in Door County!
I hear we're going to get a nice snow on Thursday and should be lovely for the weekend.
Come and visit this weekend!
Hope this day finds you well.