Winston Says Party

Let's party like it's 2012...

Happy New Year peeps...I am SO gonna 

catch that ball wen it drops THIS year.

Yup. 

Be safe and have fun!

Love,

Winston

Summer Is Here And That Spells...

...busy, busy, busy! You all know what I am talking about right? Of course you do.

So much to do around the house and yard, so many sweet things to take part in!

And add in a busy 12 year old's schedule and you have...well...you have one pooped old Mom! But I love it...I DO! Just ignore the bags under my eyes and the annoying yawning...

The last 2 weeks have been such a joy. We celebrated my Mom and brother's birthdays, the end of elementary school of Grace & the end of the college semester for Dan. I had lunch with dear friends on several occasions, dinner with our oh so special neighbors and dear friends, several sleepovers, trips to King's Island, an end of the year school party, a Sheryl Crow concert, 3 graduation parties, the start of Summer School and Summer Strings Camp and...um...okay. We get the point Susie Q! It's been busy! Sheesh!

This is my sweet Mom and my kids on her 83rd birthday!

We had a *week of Mom* with dinners out and at home, a trip

 to a local dinner theater and another to a great restaurant in Cincinnati!

This is our wonderful nephews, (Bill's brother's sons) Chris and Nate, with Grace. Chris graduated from High School last weekend! He is entering Wright State in August to study Law Enforcement.

Nate will begin HS in the Fall and Grace will start Middle school. Wow. Where does time fly? *sigh*

Mom's cake at the La Comedia dinner theater. We had such a great time,

 the food was so good and the musical, Church Basement Ladies, was lots of fun.

That Sunday we all took Mom, and our friends Julie and Kelly, to

The Grand Finale near Cincinnati for Sunday brunch. It was delicious!

The decor is such fun and so pretty and warm.

Julie and her daughter, Grace's BFF, Kelly!

Grace and her Uncle Jim! Jim took Grace to see the Sheryl Crow/Colbie Calliat

concert this week! It was a surprise to her and they had a wonderful time!

My Mom with her two kids!

Don't Bill and Jim look like the *Champagne Brunch Bouncers*?

I love this picture!

The Grand Finale is in Glendale and the area is

both historic and beautiful. Truly lovely old homes...

Several gorgeous old churches...

...and a beautiful town square filled with shops, cafes, pubs and

this old train station museum.

I have also had such fun over the past 3 weeks meeting friends to see two great local bands, The Stumps and White Rabbit. Each plays classic rock and are so talented! The bands have one other thing in common, their drummer! I went to High School with Gary and it has been my honor to be asked to take a band photo for each one, images that will appear in the newspaper along side their recent interviews.

The Stumps

White Rabbit

Just a glimpse into the  Summer craziness at Rabbit Run Cottage! It is a busy season but we wouldn't have it any other way right?

I hope you are enjoying June and staying cool...the swimming pool is calling so we are off again!

Love to each one of you!

Autumn At Rabbit Run Cottage

Hello!

I bet you recognized our home by the front door basket! I had already

posted it hadn't I? I was just so excited about October's impending arrival that

I had to share just a few decorations earlier!

But now Rhoda's party is in full swing! Wow!

Uh huh. And I already shared this dining room centerpiece with you last week...

and are we ever enjoying it! Remember the precious painted

tray that I received from Robin ?

It truly IS the jewel in our 2009 Fall decor!

But another jewel at any time of year is our cottage's mascot, Miss Harvena Norbert Burns! Here she is all decked out and ready for Halloween! I haven't done a lot of Halloween fluffing quite yet and Harvena is miffed beyond words! I will get to it Harve old girl! Nobody likes a pushy rabbit!

Sheesh!

Why even her best friend, Benjamin P. Bunny, is ready!

Benji? I hope your little pumpkin is overflowing with goodies soon!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well! Where are my manners?

Welcome to our home, Rabbit Run Cottage!

It's just a little place in Ohio,

nothing too fancy, but we hope it's warm and welcoming.

We are just so happy you are here!

October has finally arrived!

I am just so excited and I hope your are as well.

Every season has it's own particular magic but the Autumn

has always been my favorite.

Chili simmering on the stove, bread baking in the oven...

Pumpkins in all shapes and sizes, fragrant mums in pots by the door.

Woolly sweaters and cozy denim jackets, there is a chill in the air!

Reading an old favorite book by a crackling fire and listening to the

wind whistle at the window.

The laughter of children as they scamper down the sidewalk calling, "Trick or Treat!"

Yes, Autumn is finally here!

Ooh but it's brisk outside. I am so glad you are inside where it's warm!

Would you like to take a peek at some of the seasonal decorating around the cottage?

Our foyer is tiny but cozy...let's hang up your jacket!

A closer peek at the decor...

In the living room I added a paisley shawl, in the rich colors of fall, to a round, skirted table.

Go ahead and take a look at the little treasures on top!

A little blown glass scarecrow...

Uh huh. That IS a turkey! I know it is only October but I LOVE

turkeys and they just say Fall to me!

Our fireplace is all dressed in it's October finery...

Take a closer look!

Go ahead! Step closer!

In the Fall I pull out the transfer ware in browns...I love each piece.

And look! There is a squirrel looking for acorns! He is a wonderful collectible, picked up at Tuesday Morning last Spring! He was quite inexpensive as he had been a *left over* from the Fall/Winter. Lucky me huh?

This sweet transfer ware dish was one of my estate sale finds! Sssh...just $2.

Isn't it wonderful?

The window over our kitchen sink is all dressed up too!

And in case you need reminded, the chalkboard let's you know what season it is! Yippee!

I adore this Susan Branch book and don't you love this dear old metal truck?

Especially when it's filled with the perfect Autumn treat! Candy Corn!

I've brought out the gourds and corn to place on the pot rack...

And a sweet little crow is nesting under glass!

Our blogger friend Kathy made him and oh! If you have yet to meet

her, or to see her creations, run over now and say howdy doo!

Uh huh. Another turkey. They are beginning to flock around Rabbit Run in earnest!

Moving into the dining room...gosh. This room is always fun to decorate!

I added some orange twinkling lights and lots of little goodies to the hutch...

And pulled out the old transfer ware turkey plate! That was a happy find when we lived near Tampa a few years ago. I was puttering around a little shop and uncovered it.

The man sold it to me for $7 because it was April and "No one wants a turkey plate in April!" Um...I sure did!

I pulled out a few more plates adorned with turkeys andput them

in place of the white ironstone

plates which usually hang here.

I hope you have enjoyed your little tour around our downstairs..and remember

I told you! Nothing too fancy but I hope it's fun and cozy.

Now! How about some fresh baked pumpkin bread and hot chocolate?

I've got plenty of marshmallows!

Love & Hugs,

Susie Q