Victorian Cottage Guest Room

You know the saying about life giving you lemons. You're supposed to make a cocktail with those lemons, sit back, sip and enjoy! Wait, is that how it goes? Anyways, there are many variations to the saying, all of which essentially say the same thing: "make the best of it."

Well, this is more of a case of, "When the house gives you a room with outdated yellow wallpaper..." So we are making the best of it! My decor theme in this room has evolved to a light and airy Victorian Cottage room, for now. I still have some things on my list of to-do's in here, including curtains, wall art, another lamp and possibly a dresser somewhere, but this is where it is now and I couldn't wait to share it!

I anticipate that this room will be transformed into a nursery within the next few years, but for now, it's a lovely guest room, always prepped with fresh sheets and an extra down blanket for those cold Vermont winter nights.

So enjoy the little photo tour :)

Guest Room / Office

I love that I can remember where and how I acquired or fixed up each piece in the room. I finally hung some things on the wall, but I have a very large empty wall across from the bed that I have to do something with! It's just so bare.

Meanwhile, I love how comfy the room is. Right now I have a little hot tea kettle in here, it is SO cold in Vermont today! It's actually -10! But come summer, I may move a few things around in that corner with the cane chair.

Right after I took the photos I set up my keyboard to practice some tunes on ;) I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Good vibes!

Blank wall needs something!

Art corner :)

Tea table!

Love this wood wind chime Kelley made me.

Mike Proposed, and I Said Yes!

Friendgiving Dinner

A few weeks ago, Mike and I invited our friends over for a wonderful chicken parm dinner! I had so much fun setting the table and prepping the house for guests while Mike cooked in the kitchen! We really are a great team :) Let me share with you now our dining room on the day of our Friendsgiving dinner back in November.

Maple Bacon Chili

It's cold out there! And that means I am in the mood for some tummy warming foods. I made this chili a few years ago actually, and found this recipe in my archives. I would likely use ground turkey and put the chili over brown rice pasta. So good! Here is the recipe! Enjoy and stay warm :)

Maple Bacon Chili

1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)

1 onion, chopped

1 package of bacon, cooked and chopped

1/2 cup of maple syrup

1 can red kidney beans

2 tbsp chili powder 

2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 can crushed tomatoes

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 zucchini, chopped

1 beer

In a large pot, cook the ground beef with the onions until the meat is browned. Remove from heat and drain as much oil as possible from the meat and onions.

Pour the meat and onion mixture into a Crock-Pot set on low. Add chili powder, the chopped bacon, garlic, kidney beans, tomatoes, zucchini and maple syrup. Cook for 4-6 hours on low heat.

Screened Porch - Final Photos

I can't believe it's taken me so long to get these pictures up! This summer I made over the screened porch. Here was my inspiration post: Screened Porch - Moroccan / Bohemian / Fresh Hippie

Here it is! :)

I love how it turned out! We recently packed all the pillows and accessories away in prep for the winter. It's too cold to hang out there now, which is why I've been so focused on the guest room! It's coming along :)

Guest Room & Life Update

Happy Friday all! Lately I have been feeling inspired. This week I made it a point to create, design, paint, write, laugh, sing and stretch as much as possible! I am feeling so fabulous! On Monday I did yoga, on Tuesday I cooked a delicious dinner with my best friend, on Wednesday I checked a few home design books out of the library before yoga. On Thursday morning I painted watercolors after my 2 mile hike with Badger and that night I hung out with Mike for some seriously needed TV & talk time.

Today I woke up feeling fulfilled in so many aspects of my life. I am so grateful! Okay enough life stuff, onto the house talk!

I've been trying to solidify the guest room design. I know I want it to be a practical home office/bedroom, I just have to design and find! I just wanted to post a photo of what the room looks like right now.

Guest room in progress!

Okay that's all for today :) I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I'll be at the shop, stop by and say hi!