An Urban Cottage

Christmas is Packed Away

Authors: An Urban Cottage


I had the best weekend filled with rest and relaxation.  How about you?


The living tree is planted outside although I can't help but feel guilty everytime I see it.  It looks so sad and lonely out in the cold.  Am I transferring?

I undecorated the pruned tree today.  It took me about three days to
...

Read more at An Urban Cottage

Happy New Year 2012

Authors: An Urban Cottage



I'm just going to say it:  I don't love New Year's Eve.  

I never have.

For me it's more of a time of reflection than of celebration.   I don't usually review what I've accomplished in the last year; rather, I set goals for the new year.   

Tonight, I'm getting together with a few close friends for a
...

Read more at An Urban Cottage

Helen Frankenthaler

Authors: An Urban Cottage


Helen Frankenthaler in Life Magazine, 1956

When I went to MOMA a few years ago, there were a few artists' work that stopped me in my tracks.  Robert Rauschenberg, Cy Twombly, Willem De Kooning and Helen Frankenthaler.

In case you've never heard of her, or seen any of her work, I wanted to see a little bit.


Mountains and
...

Read more at An Urban Cottage

Christmiscellany

Authors: An Urban Cottage


I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.  



The cats were surprised by little gifts left in the tree by Santa.  Three little mice were more exciting when wrapped and tied with twine than they were once they were open.



And speaking of surprises, look what I found in my mailbox on Christmas Eve:  a personalized
...

Read more at An Urban Cottage

My Christmas Card to You

Authors: An Urban Cottage


I'm normally a very humble and self-effacing person so I hope you'll forgive me if I gloat for a moment about winning "Best Tree" in the Holiday Decorating Contest on Scot Meacham Wood's "The Adventures of Tartanscot" blog.  The contest was judged by a panel of esteemed judges and prizes were awarded in three
...

Read more at An Urban Cottage

The Other Tree

Authors: An Urban Cottage


First of all, WOW, thank you for all the comments!  This blog is a creative outlet for me but it's also a part-time job and your comments are my salary.  I think it's safe to say I just got a Christmas bonus.

Thank you very much!


The second tree I bought is a Weeping White Spruce and it's a living tree.  Since
...

Read more at An Urban Cottage

The Tree

Authors: An Urban Cottage


This post says a lot about me.  I'll let you qualify that.


 

So here's my $24.50 tree.  I forgot to take a picture of it before I started hacking away delicately pruning the branches at the top.



I knew the fresh cuts were going to stick out like a sore thumb and I planned ahead.  I bought a bag of
...

Read more at An Urban Cottage

Expectation and Hope

Authors: An Urban Cottage


The tree pruning is coming along...


...and my helpers are on the job.

I was hoping to finish the tree for Jane's Flowers in the Holiday House party today but you can't rush perfection so I'll have to show you some of what else is going on in the house.


The window seat in the dining room has become a planting bench for the
...

Read more at An Urban Cottage

A Different Tree

Authors: An Urban Cottage


For as long as I can remember, I've wanted a different kind of Christmas tree.  A natural, unshaped, old-fashioned Christmas tree.


Maybe a little bit "It's a Wonderful Life"...


...or a little bit Victorian...



...or just one that isn't trimmed into a perfect cone.


Some of friends say, Oh, you mean a Charlie Brown Christmas
...

Read more at An Urban Cottage

The Lights are on...

Authors: An Urban Cottage

 

I swear...I just about had to do the limbo to get the cedar garland, the moon
and the attic window candle all in one shot.

But let's back up a bit.


On Sunday morning, I took a few swigs of courage, grabbed the ladder and cautiously popped my head up to make sure nothing was up there.  I think it's scary
...

Read more at An Urban Cottage