Just a little Southern Hospitality

I love living in the south. Yes we have some very hot days and a hurricane or two, but all in all, I love the south.

So in the south, there are stores with southern names. One of our favorite places is called Southern Hospitality.

It is more like a warehouse, but also carries furniture, floral accessories, candles, baskets, lace curtains etc....

One of the basket aisles.

Rows upon rows of every kind of flower you can imagine.

Aisles of just greenery and dried flowers.

Seasonal and theme items. So many it takes lots of time to browse through.

Fine laces for table, windows and walls.

We recently had a minor leak in our laundry room. Which means that the whole floor has to be replaced. So we might as well paint and do a little redo. It is a very tiny laundry room, so when I found this little plaque I thought it would make a nice addition. The clothespins will be great for notes.

I also found this cute Market basket. Don't know exactly where it will go yet. Right now it will hold my coffee and filters for the morning brew.

It is always so much fun to take a tour in Southern Hospitality. I'm sure there are places like this in other parts of the country, but at least we don't have to trudge through snow to get to it :-)

Have a wonder filled day!

Cravings...........

As the clock strikes 3:00, are you overcome with a strong need for chocolate? Or do you hear the potato chips calling? I have often wondered why I sometimes have food cravings. Surely scientists will tell you that it is a drop in your blood sugar, or emotions or (gasp) hormones!
A clinical professor at Boston University says that I may crave carbs because eating them triggers the release of serotonin, a mood-calming neurotransmitter.

I am sure there is all kinds of scientific studies and data to tell me why I have food cravings. But what scientist has studied the need for fabric?? I know many many blogs talk about going on a fabric diet, squelching your stash, donating orphan and unloved textiles. But I NEED FABRIC! Just coming within a mile of a fabric shop requires a fabric fix. Stroking some fabric sometimes helps to forestall the need. But how long will it last?

Last week we drove 1 1/2 hours to the only fabric shop in range. We walked into the Gardener's Quilt shop in Jackson GA and took deep breaths. It was like getting oxygen when you are lacking it. We wandered from room to room, just taking in all of the fabrics and quilt samples. I knew that I did not NEED any fabric, but there were so many lovely fabrics just begging to be taken home. I found a cute little pattern that makes up into a small project.

And you know how hard it is to find nice pieces of Reproduction fabrics in black prints. And there was a lovely red too.
I was very happy to find some complimentary fabrics to add to my repro collection. (I was good, I promise. I didn't go overboard. Just a little for serotonin).

On the way home, we made a stop just at the GA/FL line. And what should we find, but a new Quilt store (Gone Quiltin at Exit 5) in the shopping center. Of course I had to check it out. They have only been open two months, but it was a very cute store. They had some delicious samples and a nice selection of fabric. But you know sometimes you don't buy fabric when you go to a quilt shop. Sometimes there are other things that draw you in.

Like -



and -


I may have to change my banner :-)

Teacup Tuesday

Today I am again joining Kim on Teacup Tuesday. She has so many very beautiful teacups, and has been sharing them for several weeks.

My teacup was purchased last week when we traveled to mid Georgia. It was found at one of our last stops on the way home.

I always keep an eye out for a pretty new teacup when we travel. This one caught my eye. It is "Dolly Madison" by Castleton China made in USA!

I have never seen Castleton China before. Come to find out that Castleton was commissioned during the World War by Rosenthal China of Germany to produce Rosenthal shapes and patterns. In 1951 Shenango Pottery purchased all the stock of the Castleton China Co from Rosenthal. In 1970 production of Castleton China was stopped. In 1979 Shenango China Company was bought by Anchor Hocking Corporation.

Many sets of Castleton China were commissioned for the White House as a state service.

I so enjoy my teacups. It has been fun to find so many different and beautiful cups. My favorites are those made in England. I don't normally come across U.S.A. fine china. So this one is a special teacup to add to my collection.

Enjoy your day!

Sneaky kids

After yesterdays "hack" unto the Happy Cottage Quilter by my sneaky children, you all are probably thinking that they are some kind of nice kids or something. On Saturday evening I found this on my kitchen table from my very sweet daughter -


It was fun being with my children on Sunday and spenting a very nice day with my husbands mother. When came home in the evening, there was a package on the table with an array of cards. We gathered together and this is what I found -


Now wouldn't you be surprised to find this?

Woo-hoo.......... this is what was really in the little package -


My son showed me how to retreive my email and go to my blog from the iPod touch. Can you imagine my total surprise when I read that I had been "Hacked" on my own blog! I first read about the iPod touch from a review here. You have to scroll down to Gift Ideas and read about the "World's Best Portable Computer."

Now I ask you, are these sneaky kids the best or what? I think they are! Love you guys ;-D

******HACKED******

Happy Cottage Quilter's blog has been hacked by her CHILDREN to say HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO THE BEST MOM IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"How thankful we are that God has given us such a wonderful mother as you. You have been a comforter, an encourager, a friend. Through your concern for our spiritual growth, we have found the joy that comes in knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

It is our prayer that God will shower His blessings upon you because you have blessed our lives in so many ways"

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!!!

Ruthann, Matthew and Aaron

<3 <3 <3

Happy Mothers Day

Wishing each of you a Happy Mothers Day, whether you are the nurturer, or have ever been nurtured by a special lady in your life. May this day bring some sweet memory to cherish in your heart.


"Psalm for Mama"
Forgive me for the times I may have hurt you. Hear the song of love in my heart.

I do not remember the times I drank from your breasts, or the times I slept in your arms, or the times you sat beside me as I tossed with fevers.

I do not remember them, but I know those times existed. I have experienced those times with my daughter who will also not remember them.

I now understand things only mothers understand.

And at night, when I bend over and kiss your granddaughter, I sometimes feel your love in the room.

I only hope.... you can feel mine too!
(Terry Helwig)

Miss you Mom...........

One more time.....

Do you think you can stand one more post about my trip?? We had a lot of fun finding these little towns and cute shops. Here we stopped and went through an old Ice House. They had a lot of very interesting things set up in the rooms where ice used to be stored.

Believe it or not, we are not in Ohio or Pennsylvania but in Georgia!

This storefront was actually an antique shop, but I loved the old painted sign on their front window. Can you just go back and think about when folks bought groceries from the local store downtown?? I am sure they had a soda fountain at that time. Probably fabric dry goods too.









We ended up at the Peach Antique Mall one day. It was another place with rows and rows of booths. I found this beautiful milk pitcher. I don't think it is very old, but I just loved the spray of roses as they cascade down the pitcher.

In one very tiny booth, my daughter found these very cute depression glass snack sets.



We just couldn't imagine not going home with these. Now with all of these lovely glass pieces, I think it is time to have another tea party. Won't you join me??