Happy Thursday sweet friends. It has been an unusual summer in our Appalachian Foothills. We have had more days of clouds and rain than sunshine, or at least it seems that way. How has your summer been? School will be starting in a couple of weeks for my sweet EM. I cannot believe she will be in K5!
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:11
Before I start decorating for autumn (my favorite season), I thought I should share summer in the sunshine cottage!
I don’t constantly change decor in the cottage, usually just seasonal changes. I do enjoy changing the table square on the round table. The topper and tea set are “blue roses”, a collaboration between Victoria and April Cornell. It was first used here. A few hydrangeas were cut and placed in the tea pot.
The changes that happen most often are the dishes I display on the shelves. Since I have a dish addiction, the shelves give me an opportunity to play. Portmeirion “Botanic Garden” dinner and salad plates line the shelves on the right.
I have kept my silver service on the counter for sentimental reasons.
Cappuccino is always a treat, especially when I settle in at the cottage to read.
Some think bunnies are for spring and Easter. Our gang of resident bunnies did not get the memo. They are still scampering around the cottage and garden. So far, they have not eaten any of my flowers. With all the rain, they had lots of clover to munch on. However, it is now gone, we shall see what they do. The Fitz and Floyd bunny is welcomed inside, she is happy to sit in the air conditioning. You can see the spring and Easter cottage here.
My sweet blogging friend and talented artist, Jenna from Painted Apron, painted our hydrangeas several years ago. It was a fabulous surprise! I love the painting and it is perfect for the summer cottage. The hydrangeas have certainly grown, they have covered the fence.
The shelves on the left are showing off “Rose Garden” by Sur la Table for April Cornell. If you missed this dinnerware on Monday Morning Blooms, you can see it here.
A decorative butterfly bird house is so very special. Ella Mae chose it as a gift for me. You might not remember, she named the cottage Butterfly Cottage, but she said I could call it Sunshine Cottage.
I haven’t moved my Daddy’s old Underwood typewriter…I like it sitting here. It makes me think of him being in high school and learning to type. He graduated in 1948, so that was a few years ago. Did you take typing? Typewriters are now obsolete, but I remember typing book reports and term papers using a manual typewriter when I was in junior high. Making a mistake could bring tears!
I keep books in the cottage, especially ones about flowers and gardening.
The cottage is now a year old. Many wonderful memories have been made with my girls…tea parties, slumber parties, playing dolls, reading stories!
“Our minds remember days; our hearts remember moments.”
-Greta Crank
The petite vase holds a little memory of our first visit to our favorite mountain hideaway, The Swag. A few little clippings from the garden brighten the table.
Several years ago there was a fabulous Waverly and Schumacher fabric outlet that was only forty minutes away. I always found wonderful buys including this needlepoint pillow. Since English country is my favorite, it found a home for the summer. It will move back inside to the pillow closet soon.
My favorite spot! It does get a little crowded when both of the girls join me, but I love holding them close. Emma and I often take a nap in this comfy chair.
We shared this photo on a recent Sunday post. It was a day with blue skies and puffy white clouds!
Thank you for spending time with me, I always enjoy your company. Wishing you a delightful day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Pam, Summer looks so good in your Sunshine Cottage and you have A/C to keep you cool! Love all your seasonal touches and I know the girls must love their time with you there. Jenna’s painting of our hydrangeas by the fence is a beauty. Happy Thursday ♥
Thank you Mary. It has been a sweet place to spend time with the girls.
Oh Pam, I love all the sweet vignettes you have created in Sunshine Cottage! I especially love the tea service with the picture of you and your beautiful mother and your sweet Daddy’s typewriter (I loved typing class!). On a rainy day, it must be a restful place to nestle with the girls. Even in the pictures, it is easy to see love and the peace of the Lord dwell there. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Roxanne, thank you for your sweet comments. Happy weekend to you!
How charming, such a lovely place to step back and relax. I have a few bunnies that stay out all spring and summer too.
Thanks Carole. Enjoy your day!
Sunshine Cottage looks charming in the summer. Great memories are being made there for sure!
Thank you, Penny. Happy Weekend!
I love your cottage, Pam, and am so glad you’re sharing the beauty of your summer there. Using seasonal dishes is something I always enjoyed in my sunroom, so now I can vicariously do it with you. A local friend of mine recently spent a special anniversary at the Swag and enjoyed it as much as you & Butch do, also recommending it. For the record, I think bunnies and sheep are timeless and welcome visitors year round, as are birds! All your decorating details are just wonderful.
Thank you Rita. I am glad your friend enjoyed the Swag. I wish I was there now. I agree about birds, bunnies, and sheep! Happy Weekend!
Your Portmeerion (and the Cornell) plates are just fabulous there. It is so pretty. I love the look of them, so cheery and summery. I still have a few bunnies out, too. They are favorites. I love everything about your lovely cottage, right down to the books on your tables!
Thanks so much, Jeanie. I am enjoying the cheeriness of the plates. I so enjoy the books. Happy Weekend!
What a wonderful place to play in! Everything is so pretty, but I especially love your needlepoint pillows and that beautiful lamp shade behind your chair. Your granddaughters will always remember the times they shared with you in your special place!
Thank you so much, Ellen. I am trying to make everything memorable for them! Happy Weekend!
Pam, Your Sunshine Cottage is relaxing and welcoming. The summer decor is beautiful. I remember those typewriter days but not fondly!😂 I love the pewter rooster tucked close to your Daddy’s typewriter. Hope your sweet Daddy is doing well! The display plates are so colorful and I love the English garden pillow. Your chair looks so comfy and I know the girls love it! Your round table linens and decorations are lovely. Enjoy your day! Clara❤️
Thank you sweet Clara. My sweet Daddy is doing well and thank you for checking on him. Happy Weekend ♥️
Oh Pam you always take my breath away with your sweet Butterfly/Summer Cottage and all the memories you are building with your girls. They will always remember their grandma making them feel special. Your attention to detail is perfect as you change out your shelves. I LOVE it.
I have one little bunny who greets me in my Secret Garden daily and I talk to him, telling him to leave all the “pretties alone” as I don’t know if I would have the energy to repot, etc yet. And he seems to understand as I have not noticed any nibbles. LOL
Have a great and blessed day my friend.
Kari
I am happy to know that your little bunny understands and is leaving your pretties alone. I love the idea of a Secret Garden. Thank you for your sweet comments. Happy Weekend, Kari!
Oh, it was wonderful to sit down and catch up with you today! I have missed being able to have time to enjoy and relish your beautiful posts. That photo at the end is just stunning! I am trying to pin it, but am having Pinerest issues. Hope I can get it resolved! The memories with your precious girls in the Sunshine Cottage will linger with them forever. You are a wonderful grandma! God bless you and your whole family!
Cheryl, I have missed you. But you have had important work to do. Thanks so much for visiting day. Blessings to you and yours!
Good morning, Pam. Your cottage is just beautiful and I know you and the girls it enjoy it so much. Your memories have only begun. You will make many more and have such fun times. And what a special place for you to simply ‘be.’
Yes, to simply…be! Thank you Sandra.
What a wonderful summery retreat, and yes, it has been such an unusual and rainy summer, even at the beach! Thank you for the shout out and it makes my heart happy you are enjoying the painting! I can’t believe school is starting next week for my grands, summer has really flown by!
Jenna
Thank you Jenna. Enjoy your weekend!
Sweet Pam, I always love a visit to Sunshine Cottage. You have decorated it beautifully for the summer months. What a wonderful place to spend time making memories with your precious girls. Your shelves look so pretty with your dish collection. I always look forward to seeing how you have styled them. Jenna’s painting of your hydrangeas is stunning! I know you must treasure it so. She is such a talented artist. Wishing you a wonderful weekend, dear friend!
Shannon, thank you for your sweet and encouraging comments. Wishing you a lovely weekend, my friend!
The Sunshine Cottage is looking quite stunning. And I am swooning over your plates but also Jenna’s painting! What a treasure that is.
Special memories with the girls in Sunshine Cottage will live on forever… precious!
Enjoy your weekend!
Thank you my friend. Making memories is my goal! Happy Saturday!
We have had bunnies in our back garden for years with no bad results. Mom and dad have there babies under the junipers on the terrace. Our next door cat finds the babies every year. My sister would say she was going to cut that cats tail off behind its ears. Makes me so sad to fine their little heads, the only thing left.
I love your dads old typewriter. I typed our Ag teachers reports one year on an old manual typewrite. Electric ones hadn’t made it to my desk by then. My goodness that was a few years ago.
Your chair in the cottage looks ideal to take a nap with EM and EK. Can’t believe EM will be in K5 already.
Thank you dearest Alice. Terrible that the cat finds the baby bunnies. Happy Weekend!
A delightful post Pam! I love your blue & white tablecloth… yes I do remember typing on a typewriter! And those tears that came when a Typo was made on a essay.
Bless you sweet friend,
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. Bless you my friend!
I’m glad your dream of having the cottage came true as it has given you such pleasure as well as providing a place where your grands will have such memories.
Making memories is my goal. Thank you Linda!
I love your dish collection! My mom used to have a set of the botanical dishes… they were my favorite! Come link up to my Centerpiece Wednesday linky party and share your post. https://karinskottage.com/2021/08/refreshing-august-centerpiece-wednesday-linky-party.html
Karin
Thanks so much Karin and for the invite to join your party. Have a wonderful week!
The cottage is such a snug and welcoming haven from the cares of the world and you have festooned it in sweet sentiment and balanced beauty … what a legacy of happy remembrance you are planting in the hearts of your little ones…..that chair looks like the perfect place for snuggling and reading together. If one enters with a weighted heart, you assure they will leave uplifted and inspired… your gifts of sharing are so far-reaching, dear friend.
Thanks so much, Mary. You always encourage me with your visits!
Such inspiration and beauty! You have brighten up not only my day,but my soul…Thank you for all you share.
Thanks so much Maristella. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Personally I glad that you have a dish addiction because I enjoy seeing them all and how wonderfully you display them in the cottage.
Karen, thank you. I am trying not to purchase any more dishes!
Pam, can’t believe your dear Sunshine Cottage is a year old!! Birthday party time!!! Love that your cottages holds wonderful treasures from travels, family and friends. Your sweet loves will always treasure happy memories in the Sunshine Cottage. I adore the painting from Jenna!!
Thank you, Shirley. Making memories is most important!
Pam, I could be very happy living in your little cottage surrounded by all the pretty vintage pieces 🙂
Everyone loved it as much as me – it was the most clicked post for this week.
Thanks for sharing it and the other fun news from your blog.
Hugs,
Rachelle
Thank you so much Rachelle!