Admittedly So I am not a fan of Summer, but at this time of year I do get excited about creating a Cottage Garden around our Home….and I also must admit my hubby does most of the work.

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My Garden Hats are ready….and very high fashion too! Read more about my Garden Hats thru the Daily Dose 2026 (here).

Jerry’s veggie garden is growing ~ and this year he added Cauliflower.

So far so good.

We’ve also added some new Cottage Garden Friends ~ Vintage Doorstops make the perfect garden accent, like hidden little treasures in our Garden.

Along with a metal duck purchased on a trip to Luckett’s Market (shop here).

And a few new family members were welcomed by our duck family of 9 ~ a gift from a sweet friend.

Our newest members will be finding their way once their flower bed is completed.

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We’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting on our new front porch to be completed ~ from a 3 month wait on the permits to a 3 month wait on the roofing and still waiting ~ fingers crossed by Autumn we will have a completed from porch, one year in the making.

We’ve been working on the landscaping in the in-between-moments, always something to keep us busy in the meantime.

and…..we have new grass growing too!

We’ve purchased most of our perennials and annuals from local garden centers ~ but when I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for this year ~ I ordered echinacea (here) and a rose bush on-line (here). The echinacea arrived just perfect….and the rose bush should arrive today.

PS ~ that is chocolate mint thriving in our Garden from last year (below). I hope to be making Sweet Tea with the mix soon.

Our Zinnias have been planted from last years harvest ~ and we also planted seeds of new varieties (purchased here). I cannot wait to see the buds popping up!

I’m hoping the Zinnia’s look like a beautiful meadow.

And how about our Dahlia’s!

We purchased a garden ‘salad bowl’ for fresh lettuce pickin ~ delicious for sure! …”we just go out, grab a few pieces of lettuce, add to a sandwich or whip up a salad with added veggies……….I just love that.”

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Our Cottage Garden will enjoy some creativity too ~ I’ve been working on ‘Garden Bees‘ in Pottery ~ each bee will be placed on ‘a pole’ at different heights in the Zinnia Meadow. Just one more firing and a few finishing touches and they will be ready.

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As for the inside of our home ~ I finally picked out a paint color to replace SW ‘Rain’ which has been on our walls for 21 years ~ I still love it, but wanted a change.

After painting I will be adding an all-over wall stencil to a few walls~ then moving to curtains, chair cushions and lamp shades. The color is SW ‘Peacock’!

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We’ve also made a few new good recipes this Summer. From Whopper Salad in a Bowl (sharing soon) to Homemade Croutons and Cole Slaw to Steak and Chicken Thighs.

We eat good.

You can find the Coleslaw recipe thru our ‘Daily Dose 2026‘ (here).

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We ordered a trellis for our new rose bush to be assembled and placed in the Cottage Garden and cement work will be completed this summer as well ~ all in good time.

We also have a fireplace insert ordered~ we’ve been saving and dreaming for 21 years. I’m really excited.

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And it is time to get started on our Candles for our Travel Shop and Open House Adventures ~ 10+ new scents and our popular Heart Warmers too…along with a new line of Home Goods that I cannot wait to share with you.

Here is a sample of what’s coming in our ‘little snowmen’ collection ~ including cake picks, cake testers and charms too!

We are certainly content to enjoy what we have been blessed with, working at our own pace, and enjoying the in-between moments too.

I hope the same for you.

Just when you think you’re not accomplishing anything. Stop and look around….and then smile.

Creatively Yours, Amy

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Join us thru the Daily Dose 2026 (here) ~ Sharing Everyday Life thru recipes, crafts, gardens, home care, art and more.

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