Cottage Keeping #42

Cottage Keeping is my weekly post where I talk about my week and share my favorite DIYs, home decor, recipes, and other great posts from around the web.

The Cottage Keeper’s Thoughts:

I debated whether or not this post was going to be written this week. I intended to publish on Saturday morning, but decided Saturday would be a “do-nothing” day. I piddled in the morning. Took Harper to the pool in the afternoon. Got the laundry caught up. I even managed to take a nap in one of the hammock chairs on the back porch.

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We got B-Bop through freshman orientation at Milligan University last weekend. He’s registered for classes and everything. We left there feeling even more sure that this is the right school for him. Since it’s a small school, the teacher-to-student ratio is really low and every freshman is assigned a faculty mentor who will be a point of connection during their first year at Milligan. Now to get through the next 2 months or so before we drop him off for his first night in his unairconditioned dorm room!

While in Johnson City, we stayed at the cutest little Airbnb. As someone who loves a well-decorated space, this place was dreamy! We walked through saying lots of wows before we brought our stuff inside. They had even written Bentley’s name on the nameplate on the dog bowls! The condo was well stocked with all sorts of coffees and teas and a fancy Ninja coffee maker. I actually ordered a similar one on the ride home to replace our single-cup Keurig that we’ve been using for several years. We will definitely be checking in at this place again on future trips to East TN.

On the blog this week, I finally published the finished covered porch project! My photos don’t do it justice! It really is one of my favorite spaces I’ve thrown together. While I was napping in one of the hammock chairs today, I kept thinking of more places I could add plants back there. Am I becoming a plant lady? Thankfully plants aren’t cheap so that’s a definite deterrent!

Thanks for stopping by this week! Enjoy your Sunday as you prep for a new week!

What the Cottage Keeper is Loving:

One of the things we talk to our kids about often is effort and initiative. Anyone with a job these days knows those two traits are greatly lacking in the workforce! So when I read this article where Mark Cuban talks about effort being a trait of successful people, I was like “Preach, Mark!”

I have two oars that I bought at the Target Dollar Spot a few weeks ago that I’ve yet to do anything with. I’m thinking a nautical wreath will be a great place to use them!

I’ve been trying to do better about writing down our meals and actually cooking lately. Having a meal plan posted on the fridge is super helpful. I have one I created in 2020 here or I also like this option, too! There are also magnetic notepad meal planners that are super useful!

One of my next projects involves my laundry room and its need for a better flow and function. Really, it needs someplace to hang pool towels, if I’m being honest. I’m also loving green in a laundry room, like this one.

And since I’m feeling all patriotic, I’m thinking these fun vanilla oreo truffles would be a great addition to a 4th of July gathering! Yum!