Vintage suitcase filled with squash and pinecones.

I’m a big fan of vintage style. And I love decorating with vintage containers. I use them in my garden and in my home. Let me show you a few ways you can use vintage containers in your decor as well. With the weather turning cooler, the gardening season is winding down. But I’m still using vintage containers in my garden. They’re a great way to show off your autumn displays.Read More →

A cup of coffee, flowers and books with watering can.

The news these days is always negative and it seems that everywhere we turn people are down and discouraged.  So I decided that I needed to spread a more positive attitude to counteract the negative.  I’ve learned a few things and wanted to share some tips on how to be more encouraging. Do you frequently catch yourself getting sucked into people’s negative attitudes.  This can snowball and pretty soon youRead More →

Picnic table set for an autumn picnic

Autumn is the perfect time to go on a picnic.  The weather is cooler but not yet cold.  The changing colors of the leaves are so beautiful and inspiring.  And you get to spend time outdoors with friends and family.  But do you ever struggle with getting out the door?  You intend to go on a lovely picnic but can’t seem to make it work?  I want to share myRead More →

Park style bench with pillows and 2 pots filled with pumpkins

Usually when I talk about porches I am referring to the porch on Pinecone Cottage.  But today I want to talk about the porch on the front of my house.  It’s very sad looking right now and needs a redo.  By this time of year the flower pots are looking scraggly and it’s time to add some cozy to my furnishings. Do you need a fall update for your porch? Read More →

A bicycle with a suitcase and picnic supplies.

I walked out to the garden a few days ago and my heart sank.  Changes that signaled the end of the growing season were everywhere.  I had been out of town for about 3 days and in that short time it was evident that the seasons are changing.  Autumn can be a wonderful time of year with all it’s colors and crispness.  But I don’t like losing the garden.  AndRead More →

A fall pillow on a red metal chair on the Autumn Garden Porch

It’s starting to feel like Autumn…well just a little.  The mornings have a crispness to them.  The sun hangs at a lower angle which diffuses the light differently.  The garden is slowing down just a bit.  Definitely not as many zucchini growing in the autumn garden. So what’s a gardener to do when the season is slowly changing?  Embrace it!  Every season offers some enjoyment and beauty in the garden. Read More →

5 Ways to stop procrastinating

I have to face the truth…how about you? I am a procrastinator. I’m not really sure why, but I know that it’s a habit that I want to break. I have been procrastinating at hanging pictures back on the wall after our paint job. I have been procrastinating at going through my paper piles and I have definitely been procrastinating on dealing with all the zucchini we are growing. WhatRead More →

Cabin in woods with red adirondak chairs

Although I’ve alluded to my recreational property in some of my posts, I’ve never shared about it directly. So I thought it was time to talk about my cabin. Because Secret Springs is a big part of my life. It’s a place that we retreat to most weekends during the summer. When we first bought our property, we pulled a trailer up to it and that worked for a fewRead More →

A turqoise table set for lunch

One of the best birthday presents I ever received was a table. Actually, it was a Turquoise Table. And I love my table. Have you heard of The Turquoise Table? It’s a book and movement by Kristin Schell to help connect people and build communities. The premise behind the Turquoise Table is to set a table in your front yard and then be available to your neighbors. I have beenRead More →

Decorated porch with flag and bunting

Don’t you just love a good porch?  It offers a great way to enjoy your yard and garden on a warm summer night or a crisp fall morning.  Whether you have a massive wrap around, a full size or a postage stamp size porch, they can all provide wonderful benefits.  These 6 tips for decorating your porch can help you to make the most of this space. Here are someRead More →