Monday, May 31, 2010

Our Little Garden Cottage

Hello everyone,
I am sharing our little garden cottage with you today. It was used by our children when they lived at home but since then I think you would have to say it is my little play house-I'm not too old to play am I? I enjoy setting it up each spring and changing a few things from year to year.
We have our first house and garden tour on Saturday with 16 visitors from Japan. This little cottage is always one of the high lights of the tour . I always have quiet background music playing and some fresh bouquets of flowers -hopefully fragrant ones to enjoy their sweet perfume.
I love the dollhouse that I found at a thrift shop in Maine for $20. a few years ago. Our little grandchildren love it too!(I did but it for them,honest)
The vanity came from a yard sale a few years ago also. Actually,everything in here was free or cheap.
This is shot through the screen at the south end of the cottage-the french doors are usually open all summer.

This is a shot of the outside a few days ago -you can see our garden is just starting to fill in.
The cherry tree and the pear tree are in blossom by the cottage now.


This is our little granddaughter Abby who just celebrated her third birthday with a big family dinner. She was so excited !
You gotta love that hat and I bet you will see more of it before the summer is over! I am joining in with Cielo's Show off your Cottage Monday at the beautiful House in the Roses. Hopefully you can join in too.
Thank you for visiting,

Carolyn

39 comments:

Jenny H. said...

So pretty and inviting! Do you ever sleep out in the cottage?

It's me said...

Woww....your little garden cottage in wonderful !!!

And what a sweetie your little grandaughter........happy week enjoy !! hugs from me...........

Marilyn said...

Your granddaughter is a sweetheart. And the playhouse is a dream come true! I love visiting your garden over and over, as it is an inspiration of the best kind! ♥♫

Marilyn said...
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Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I too am wondering if anyone ever sleeps in the cottage - a guest maybe? Our 7 year old granddaughter would just love to play in there.
'Cheap & cheerful' is the way to go when you don't want to spend a lot of money on a project and you've been very lucky to find things.
Judith

Ticking and Toile said...

That does it....I'm moving in! Love it! Love your garden.....

xo,
Shellagh

Pamela said...

What a beautiful garden shed!! I would love that. The visitors from Japan will not want to leave.
Your granddaughter is lovely!!

Carolyn said...

Yes, Jenny and Judith I do sleep out there on some warm nights and I am looking forward to doing that again soon but it is still cool here at night.
It is also a nice place to curl up with a book on a Sunday afternoon.

Thanks for your lovely comments.

Carolyn

A Garden of Threads said...

I would spend all day curled up with a book in the cottage and forget the world. Happy Birthday to your granddaughter, she has a wonderful hat and looks very pretty in it. Take care and have a great day.

Cass @ That Old House said...

Oh Carolyn, that cottage is scrumptious! As is your little granddaughter -- what a beauty.

So dreamy, so romantic -- no wonder the tourists love it. Beautiful!
Cass

Crystal said...

Beautiful! Everything is just perfect! Abby is beautiful too (love that hat)!

Erin | Bygone Living said...

Your little cottage is absolutely magical... it's truly awe-inspiring! And what a beautiful granddaughter you have!
Are you sure you didn't pop out of a fairy tale book??

hand painted by cheryl said...

Your garden is so pretty.Thanks for sharing it with us.I enjoy it so much

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

So pretty and peaceful, Carolyn! Little Abby is adorable all dressed in white.

Blessings,
Sandi

Betty Jo said...

Carolyn your little cottage is soooo adorable! And your gardens - oh my, they are beautiful. I saved the best for last; your granddaughter is absolutely gorgeous! ♥

Deanna said...

Dear Carolyn, You are in no way too old to play!!!!

Makes us lots of fun to be around when we are playful.

Your cottage is lovely and I can see why so many think it's a favorite. It is sweeeet.

I just love your decorating touch and think it's so pleasant.

The pics of your Grand is beautiful!

Have a great week and God Bless,
d from homehaven

Virginia said...

Your grandaughter is adorable and your cottage is sooooooooooo charming. Beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Hi Carolyn! Oh, I just love your play house! You're never too old to play, trust me! :) I'm sure everyone was in love with your little cottage from the tour. You've got such a knack of making everything look so romantic!
Oh, and a belated happy birthday to little Abbey - she's gorgeous! Love how she's posing with that pretty hat! You took some great photos.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Katy Noelle said...

So much fun prettiness, Carolyn. Don't you just love it when work is play?!

Candylei said...

Hi: I am new to show off your cottage Monday. I can imagine your visitors loving every bit of this cottage and your gardens. I love it and wish I could be on that tour.
Fragrant Blooms here are roses, honeysuckle and mock oranges...real aromatic therapy!
x, Candylei

Susan said...

Oh my goodness, Carolyn, that little granddaughter must just steal your heart every time you see her.

Your guest cottage is enchanting. Sincerely, Susan

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Your garden is so beautiful. It seems like everything you touch turns to something lovely. Your blog is like opening the pages of Victoria magazine from the old days. So much charm and sweet images. Thank you!

evcilik said...

Hello dear Carolyn,
I cant believe,they are all very nıce,hier look lıke a small paradıse and your granddaughter lıke an sweet angel in your dreamhause....
greatings,
Ä°jlal.

PASSIONEDECO FRANCESCA said...

Is this a dream? I love your garden cottage so much!
And what about your grandaughter, she's so sweet and beautiful! Congratulations to your family!
Fra

Andi's English Attic said...

Carolyn, I've fallen in love with your garden. You've already enthused me into planning a pergola and now I WANT A COTTAGE! I was planning a greenhouse, but now I want a cottage! It's just beautiful, and what makes me even more jealous is your telling us most of the items were cheap or free. *sob*.
And I want the dolls house, too. Can I come and lodge with you? xx

september cottage said...

HOW beautiful!!! I LOVE your garden house, absolutely beautiful!!! And I think, one is NEVER too old to play! What a wonderful thing to have, an adult's fairy tale play house - would love one too!!!!!! I can only begin to imagine WHAT fun it must be each year to 'put it up' again!!! And is it being used for visitors? I am intrigued, you mention you are having a house and garden tour....???

Love the pictures of your gorgeous grand-daughter - SO pretty!!! 3 yeas old - what a cute age!!!!

Have a lovely day! Kind regards

Nicola

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Carolyn....Your little outdoor cottage is enchanting! What a nice little place to escape and enjoy your garden. I have the same dollhouse that I built piece by piece...and I paid more for the kit than you did buying it finished! You got a deal!~Hugs, Patti

Kathy said...

Love the cottage! I think we all wish we had some place to 'play' in like that! You have done a terrific job! That would have been my highlight! Wish I lived closer!
Great place for a summer nap!
Kathy

WhiteWhispers2u said...

G'Day~I just found your blog and I am already Lovin it! Simply Beautiful! I will be back to visit again real soon.~Cheers Kim

Bernideen said...

Your garden is looking fabulous and as always that darling cottage is the envy of everyone!

Anonymous said...

Hi Carolyn, I'm in love with that beautiful cottage!! I would be in there playing too!!I love the dollhouse, and your granddaughter is so cute.....Kathy

Georgianna said...

Gee, Carolyn, everything you do and create is just perfect. Your garden cottage is anyone's dream retreat and I love all the little details, the steps up to the bed, the plates in the niches, everything! I wish you lived next door so you could advise me on our guest room. Your granddaughter and the hat are too adorable! Have a super week. – g

Olivia said...

Oh my goodness I think I just fainted with delight over all this beautiful white! I loveeeeee it!
Excellent job!
Hugs,
Olivia

Paula said...

Hi sweet Carolyn,
I love your garden cottage! It is gorgeous!!!! I love all of the pretties you have so lovingly placed around the room. The whites are so pretty and peaceful! I know the Japanese tourist will be delighted and thrilled over your cottage, home and garden! Your garden is looking so beautiful and your granddaughter is so adorable! I love her in that hat! Happy belated Birthday to her! Love, Paula

THE VERANDA HOUSE said...
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THE VERANDA HOUSE said...

YOUR GRANDDOUGTHER,IS SO SWEET,ALSO YOUR GARDEN COTTAGE IS SO INVITING,I ALSO VISIT YOUR GARDENS OVER AND OVER...BLESSINGS...SANDRA

Kathy said...

Well, I'm in love with your cottage, Carolyn! And your little Abby is just too precious for words. Our youngest granddaughter Isabelle will be three in July - a charming time! We will be grandparents again in December...is there anything better?
xoxo...Kathy

Naturegirl said...

Carolyn simply a dream garden cottage oasis!I'm sure this is every girls dream...I know this girl can only dream of having a space such as this charming cottage.So girly..so pretty..so inviting..so relaxing!
And your wee Abby is so precious!

Entertaining Women said...

You have been truly blessed with your garden cottage. Thank you for sharing it with us. Cherry Kay