The nights have cooled, the leaves are changing and the toy sections in the stores have doubled in size. It seems we have officially entered the last quarter of the year and the last three months in this decade!
While there is so much to love about autumn, being in the kitchen whipping up all the comfort foods is right there at the top of my list. Soups, stews and slow cooked meals in the oven are among my favorites to make. I put together a quick batch of chili over the weekend and the sizzle as the onion and bell pepper hit the pan nearly made me giddy. It's amazing how many emotions are tied into cooking. Certain aromas can take us down memory lane like nobodies business.
The wonderful thing about this kind of cooking is that it doesn't take much to throw it together. All it takes are a few fresh ingredients, a little bit of prep work and an hour or two of cook time and you have something warm and satisfying on the table for your family to enjoy. Add to it a fresh loaf of sourdough or french bread and you'll have them lingering at the table.
Here's my quick and easy take on Family Style Chili Beans.
Ingredients
One pound of ground meat (beef, turkey or sausage work fine)
Two 15 oz cans of beans, drained and rinsed (I use pinto and kidney but black beans work great, too.)
Two 15 oz cans of diced tomatoes
1 cup of instant rice
1/2 onion chopped coarsely
1 bell pepper chopped coarsely (any color will work)
2 or 3 cloves of garlic minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp cumin
1 TBSP chili powder (to taste)
2 TBSP olive oil
Shredded Cheese for topping
Start by adding the oil to a dutch oven or sturdy soup pot along with the onions and bell pepper. Cook until tender and add meat to brown (salt and pepper to taste) along with garlic. Once the meat is browned drain any fat and return to the pot. Add rinsed and drained beans and tomatoes including juice, along with two cans of water. Add seasonings and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and let simmer for 30 minutes minimum but up to an hour. Add uncooked minute rice during last five minutes and cover with lid. Serve in deep bowls and top with cheddar cheese. Let cool a bit and enjoy!
XO, Patty
While there is so much to love about autumn, being in the kitchen whipping up all the comfort foods is right there at the top of my list. Soups, stews and slow cooked meals in the oven are among my favorites to make. I put together a quick batch of chili over the weekend and the sizzle as the onion and bell pepper hit the pan nearly made me giddy. It's amazing how many emotions are tied into cooking. Certain aromas can take us down memory lane like nobodies business.
The wonderful thing about this kind of cooking is that it doesn't take much to throw it together. All it takes are a few fresh ingredients, a little bit of prep work and an hour or two of cook time and you have something warm and satisfying on the table for your family to enjoy. Add to it a fresh loaf of sourdough or french bread and you'll have them lingering at the table.
Here's my quick and easy take on Family Style Chili Beans.
Ingredients
One pound of ground meat (beef, turkey or sausage work fine)
Two 15 oz cans of beans, drained and rinsed (I use pinto and kidney but black beans work great, too.)
Two 15 oz cans of diced tomatoes
1 cup of instant rice
1/2 onion chopped coarsely
1 bell pepper chopped coarsely (any color will work)
2 or 3 cloves of garlic minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp cumin
1 TBSP chili powder (to taste)
2 TBSP olive oil
Shredded Cheese for topping
Start by adding the oil to a dutch oven or sturdy soup pot along with the onions and bell pepper. Cook until tender and add meat to brown (salt and pepper to taste) along with garlic. Once the meat is browned drain any fat and return to the pot. Add rinsed and drained beans and tomatoes including juice, along with two cans of water. Add seasonings and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and let simmer for 30 minutes minimum but up to an hour. Add uncooked minute rice during last five minutes and cover with lid. Serve in deep bowls and top with cheddar cheese. Let cool a bit and enjoy!
XO, Patty
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It's that time of year when most of the garden has started to wane and the only plants left blooming are those flowers that can tolerate temperatures in the 90's and low 100's. One of my favorite summer blooms that can do just that are zinnias.
Every spring I start several packs of seeds knowing that the time will come when all of the showy perennials will succumb to our Southern California heat and the garden will need a punch of color to carry me through until things perk back up in fall.
This year I reserved a few seeds to sow directly in the ground amongst my pumpkin vines and tomato plants in true cottage style. It has been fun to see them pop up here and there in my little potager. Not only do they look pretty but the pollinators love them and my veggies love the pollinators, so it is a definite win, win situation.
About the only drawback to planting zinnias is that they can be prone to powdery mildew so make sure you allow plenty of airflow to help hold it off as long as possible. And be sure to discard the entire zinnia plant when you see signs of white on the leaves as it will spread to other zinnias in the area.
Given the fact that the seeds are inexpensive (even six packs of zinnia plants from the garden store only cost a few dollars), I know I will continue to plant them year after year.
What are some of your favorite heat tolerant cottage flowers?
xo, Patty
Here's the latest video of my cottage garden if you'd like to see the full tour...
Every spring I start several packs of seeds knowing that the time will come when all of the showy perennials will succumb to our Southern California heat and the garden will need a punch of color to carry me through until things perk back up in fall.
This year I reserved a few seeds to sow directly in the ground amongst my pumpkin vines and tomato plants in true cottage style. It has been fun to see them pop up here and there in my little potager. Not only do they look pretty but the pollinators love them and my veggies love the pollinators, so it is a definite win, win situation.
About the only drawback to planting zinnias is that they can be prone to powdery mildew so make sure you allow plenty of airflow to help hold it off as long as possible. And be sure to discard the entire zinnia plant when you see signs of white on the leaves as it will spread to other zinnias in the area.
Given the fact that the seeds are inexpensive (even six packs of zinnia plants from the garden store only cost a few dollars), I know I will continue to plant them year after year.
What are some of your favorite heat tolerant cottage flowers?
xo, Patty
Here's the latest video of my cottage garden if you'd like to see the full tour...
Are you like me and find yourself going through seasons of decorating inspiration. Don't get me wrong, I love my home and I love making it cozy and welcoming but there are times when no matter how hard I try the mojo to make changes and freshen up just can't be found.
I find myself on the tail end of that particular season and am so happy to bid it farewell. All of the sudden my head is swimming with little (and not so little) changes and tweaks I want to make to the cottage.
The first thing I'll be tackling is finishing up on all the partially started projects in the dining room. Back in January I ordered buffalo check fabric for new curtains and had high hopes of revamping the entire room before the months end...that did not happen. As a matter of fact, that same fabric has been propped against the wall in my craft room just waiting to be transformed.
I'd also like to freshen up the table displays and add a skirt of fabric around the little entry table and use it for more practical storage.
And I'm feeling a need for a little good old fashioned purging but where do I start? That's always a touch and go situation around here. Do I love it? Do I use it? Does it bring me joy? You guys know the drill. I want to feel less clutter but I do love having my pretty things around. I 'll be sure and share the final room reveal just as soon as I get it done. Which will hopefully be sooner rather than later.
xo, Patty
I find myself on the tail end of that particular season and am so happy to bid it farewell. All of the sudden my head is swimming with little (and not so little) changes and tweaks I want to make to the cottage.
The first thing I'll be tackling is finishing up on all the partially started projects in the dining room. Back in January I ordered buffalo check fabric for new curtains and had high hopes of revamping the entire room before the months end...that did not happen. As a matter of fact, that same fabric has been propped against the wall in my craft room just waiting to be transformed.
I'd also like to freshen up the table displays and add a skirt of fabric around the little entry table and use it for more practical storage.
And I'm feeling a need for a little good old fashioned purging but where do I start? That's always a touch and go situation around here. Do I love it? Do I use it? Does it bring me joy? You guys know the drill. I want to feel less clutter but I do love having my pretty things around. I 'll be sure and share the final room reveal just as soon as I get it done. Which will hopefully be sooner rather than later.
xo, Patty
We had such a mild and wet spring here in Southern California that my late June garden looks and feels much more like it does in April instead of early summer. Not that I'm complaining...
I know that all too soon the heat of summer will bear down and the soft pink and blue hues in my garden will fade and the more hardy seasonal annuals with their warm colored flowers will dot the garden landscape.
So I figured if I was going to share the garden at its peak, I better do it sooner rather than later. As always, our backyard is a work in progress but with most of the hardscape done, this year is all about those finishing touches that transform it into all those things we imagined it would be.
A place to find solace in a noisy world...
A place to grow food for the table...
A place where friends and family can gather together...
A place to enjoy my morning coffee or evening glass of wine...
A place where birds and bees and butterflies reside...
It's not there yet, but it is getting close and I am enjoying every minute of it.
xo, Patty
I put together a video tour over on my YouTube channel if you'd like to take a look.
I know that all too soon the heat of summer will bear down and the soft pink and blue hues in my garden will fade and the more hardy seasonal annuals with their warm colored flowers will dot the garden landscape.
So I figured if I was going to share the garden at its peak, I better do it sooner rather than later. As always, our backyard is a work in progress but with most of the hardscape done, this year is all about those finishing touches that transform it into all those things we imagined it would be.
A place to find solace in a noisy world...
A place to grow food for the table...
A place where friends and family can gather together...
A place to enjoy my morning coffee or evening glass of wine...
A place where birds and bees and butterflies reside...
It's not there yet, but it is getting close and I am enjoying every minute of it.
xo, Patty
I put together a video tour over on my YouTube channel if you'd like to take a look.
Disclaimer - I am not a veterinarian or doctor just a fur mom that loves her pet and found research that put my mind at ease. I always recommend you do the same.
If you are anything like me, your pets are very much a part of your family. I know with my dog Jackson I am very careful what I feed him, that he gets enough exercise and even that he is not feeling lonely or stressed out when I'm gone or he's in a strange environment. That's why when the question of essential oils being safe for our pets came up I went scrambling for any information I could find on the subject.
The answers I found were twofold. Yes, most are safe but no, some are to be avoided with cats and dogs. Also, it matters how you are using them, topically, internally or aromatically, how they're diluted, and most importantly what brand oils you are using.
It is perfectly safe to use whatever oils you like in your diffuser. As long as the room is well ventilated and your pet has a way to leave if he/she feels the need.
Now let's talk about what not to use topically and internally on your pets.
For dogs avoid - Birch, Melalueca (Tea Tree Oil), and Wintergreen.
For cats avoid - Basil, Citrus oils (Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime Orange, Tangerine), Birch, Cinnamon, Clove, Dill Fennel, Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Oregano, Peppermint, Thyme, Rosemary, Spearmint, and Wintergreen.
Aside from that list I feel comfortable using carefully diluted pure therapeutic grade essentials oil from doTERRA on Jackson as needed but not daily. My favorites are Lavender for calming during storms, loud noises or unfamiliar company that might stress him out and DigestZen for occasional stomach issues or inconsistent bowel movements. Again as needed and not daily.
Now let's talk about how to apply and how to dilute.
I found a number of dilution charts on Pinterest and while I did not research their accuracy, I found most have the same ratios listed. Still I would error on the side of the less essential oil to carrier oil side of the charts until you see how your animal reacts or check with you vet.
As far as application goes, I pre-measured and diluted my oils in a roller ball and labeled them for pet use so that I would feel safe each time I used the oils on my dog. For Jackson who is around 20 pounds, I used 5 drops of doTERRA essential oil in a 10ML roller ball and topped off with fractionated coconut oil and I rub the mixture on the back of his spine being careful to avoid his eyes, ears, nose and genitals.
And lastly, brand does matter. I wouldn't use essential oils that are less than 100% therapeutic grade oils from doTERRA on myself and I wouldn't use them on my animals. I am not recommending these protocols for any other oils.
Here's a recipe I found for a natural flea collar that I have been using that has worked well without any side affects on my dog. Again, all animals (much like people) are different and may react differently, so monitor for signs of irritation.
FLEA COLLAR RECIPE
In a 5 ML glass bottle add the following doTERRA essential oils and top off with fractionated coconut oil
5 drops Lemon
5 drops Lavender
5 drops Cedarwood
Place drops all along a cloth collar and let soak in for 30 minutes before placing on your pet. Repeat monthly.
I hope you found this information helpful. I found good information here and here.
If you are interested in getting started with doTERRA essential oils, here is a link to the oils I used to make these pet friendly recipes.
Have you used essential oils on your pets? Which are your favorites? Let me know in the comments.
XO, Patty
If you are anything like me, your pets are very much a part of your family. I know with my dog Jackson I am very careful what I feed him, that he gets enough exercise and even that he is not feeling lonely or stressed out when I'm gone or he's in a strange environment. That's why when the question of essential oils being safe for our pets came up I went scrambling for any information I could find on the subject.
The answers I found were twofold. Yes, most are safe but no, some are to be avoided with cats and dogs. Also, it matters how you are using them, topically, internally or aromatically, how they're diluted, and most importantly what brand oils you are using.
It is perfectly safe to use whatever oils you like in your diffuser. As long as the room is well ventilated and your pet has a way to leave if he/she feels the need.
Now let's talk about what not to use topically and internally on your pets.
For dogs avoid - Birch, Melalueca (Tea Tree Oil), and Wintergreen.
For cats avoid - Basil, Citrus oils (Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime Orange, Tangerine), Birch, Cinnamon, Clove, Dill Fennel, Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Oregano, Peppermint, Thyme, Rosemary, Spearmint, and Wintergreen.
Aside from that list I feel comfortable using carefully diluted pure therapeutic grade essentials oil from doTERRA on Jackson as needed but not daily. My favorites are Lavender for calming during storms, loud noises or unfamiliar company that might stress him out and DigestZen for occasional stomach issues or inconsistent bowel movements. Again as needed and not daily.
Now let's talk about how to apply and how to dilute.
I found a number of dilution charts on Pinterest and while I did not research their accuracy, I found most have the same ratios listed. Still I would error on the side of the less essential oil to carrier oil side of the charts until you see how your animal reacts or check with you vet.
As far as application goes, I pre-measured and diluted my oils in a roller ball and labeled them for pet use so that I would feel safe each time I used the oils on my dog. For Jackson who is around 20 pounds, I used 5 drops of doTERRA essential oil in a 10ML roller ball and topped off with fractionated coconut oil and I rub the mixture on the back of his spine being careful to avoid his eyes, ears, nose and genitals.
And lastly, brand does matter. I wouldn't use essential oils that are less than 100% therapeutic grade oils from doTERRA on myself and I wouldn't use them on my animals. I am not recommending these protocols for any other oils.
Here's a recipe I found for a natural flea collar that I have been using that has worked well without any side affects on my dog. Again, all animals (much like people) are different and may react differently, so monitor for signs of irritation.
FLEA COLLAR RECIPE
In a 5 ML glass bottle add the following doTERRA essential oils and top off with fractionated coconut oil
5 drops Lemon
5 drops Lavender
5 drops Cedarwood
Place drops all along a cloth collar and let soak in for 30 minutes before placing on your pet. Repeat monthly.
I hope you found this information helpful. I found good information here and here.
If you are interested in getting started with doTERRA essential oils, here is a link to the oils I used to make these pet friendly recipes.
Have you used essential oils on your pets? Which are your favorites? Let me know in the comments.
XO, Patty
Just before Memorial Day I switched out my Spring decor for a few patriotic touches in the dining room hutch. I love pulling out a few things from my stash and making each holiday a little special in the cottage. Gone are the days when I decorate the entire house for each season (I have definitely entered a phase of less is more) but I can't resist adding a bit here and there.
Our dining room is the hub to the rest of our home. It sits right in the middle and you must pass through it to get to every other room. Our big white hutch sits smack dab in the center of the room, making it the obvious place to transform as the mood strikes.
I haven't been buying new seasonal decor for a few years now relying more and more on things that I hold near and dear like these little pails in red, white and blue, a pair of adorable Adirondack chairs that were gifted to me by my SIL and twinkling lights from the Target dollar bin.
The hutch will stay this way until August when I will add a few summer sunflowers to begin the transition to fall. But I'm getting ahead of myself now. I think I'll just slow down and savor all that summer has to offer for a while.
Do you still change out your decor for each season. Are you an all in kind of girl or just a touch here and there? I've been both and have nothing but encouragement for those of you who spread so much joy to those of us who get to take in all your hard work!
XO, Patty
Our dining room is the hub to the rest of our home. It sits right in the middle and you must pass through it to get to every other room. Our big white hutch sits smack dab in the center of the room, making it the obvious place to transform as the mood strikes.
I haven't been buying new seasonal decor for a few years now relying more and more on things that I hold near and dear like these little pails in red, white and blue, a pair of adorable Adirondack chairs that were gifted to me by my SIL and twinkling lights from the Target dollar bin.
The hutch will stay this way until August when I will add a few summer sunflowers to begin the transition to fall. But I'm getting ahead of myself now. I think I'll just slow down and savor all that summer has to offer for a while.
Do you still change out your decor for each season. Are you an all in kind of girl or just a touch here and there? I've been both and have nothing but encouragement for those of you who spread so much joy to those of us who get to take in all your hard work!
XO, Patty
I have always been a natural skeptic when it comes to non traditional ways of doing things so coming to the realization that essential oils could really make a difference in my life took a while. As my life has taken a turn toward a more self sufficient and natural wellness lifestyle in the last couple of years, I have begun to investigate alternative ways to alleviate some of the physical and mental things we all deal with as we age.
In an effort to create a healthy lifestyle I am growing more edibles in the garden, cooking healthier meals, and taking walks, as a part of my daily routine. Scheduling quiet time every morning and getting a good nights sleep are also an essential part of this equation. While these things have certainly helped on me on my journey to personal wellness, I still found myself dealing with the occasional headache, sleepless night and increasing aches in my hands and feet.
That's when I turned to essential oils. After asking my more "natural" minded friends and family I found that the name that kept coming up was DoTerra. So when Angela - A Parisienne Farmgirl - asked me if I used essential oils (specifically Doterra essential oils) I knew it was time to do some research and give them a try. I purchased the Home Essentials Kit shortly after because I knew if I was going to legitimately give them a try I needed to go all in. I was a little skeptical as I rubbed Deep Blue on my hands and felt relieve within five minutes and dismissed it as a coincidence. But when I repeated the application the next day after a long session pulling weeds in the garden and it worked again, I knew I was on to something. If one oil worked so well could the others do the same.
The answer is definitely, yes, they do. And now I can say essential oils are a big part of feeling better both emotionally and physically and I can't ever see going without them again.
I know I missed sharing the best part of Southern California gardening with you but thankfully we have had a nice wet, mild spring and everything still looks gorgeous. It wasn't until the last couple of days that true SoCal weather reared its ugly head.
We have had weeks of rain and temperatures in the 60's and I have to admit I was longing for a bit of good old West Coast sunshine. This week has definitely reminded me to be careful what you wish for. Ha! Ha!
So I thought if I was going to share the beauty of late spring and all that goes with it I had better hop on here and do it sooner rather than later.
This is my first year with the redesign of my potager garden and I absolutely adore everything about it. The gravel pathway, the vegetable garden and the wild flower garden have brought so much joy and even though much of it is past its peak, I am truly ready to see what summer looks like in this space.
I've already harvested all the lettuce, broccoli and radishes. The garlic was pulled up just a couple of weeks ago. The tomatoes are coming on strong as are the cucumbers. I just put in watermelon, zucchini and pumpkins so the next round of veggies is in the ground. There is still so much more to come and my plan is to share a bit with you each week.
Is your garden just coming on or has it been going strong for awhile now? I love how each region is just a little different. I'd love to hear what's blooming in your neck of the woods.
We have had weeks of rain and temperatures in the 60's and I have to admit I was longing for a bit of good old West Coast sunshine. This week has definitely reminded me to be careful what you wish for. Ha! Ha!
So I thought if I was going to share the beauty of late spring and all that goes with it I had better hop on here and do it sooner rather than later.
This is my first year with the redesign of my potager garden and I absolutely adore everything about it. The gravel pathway, the vegetable garden and the wild flower garden have brought so much joy and even though much of it is past its peak, I am truly ready to see what summer looks like in this space.
I've already harvested all the lettuce, broccoli and radishes. The garlic was pulled up just a couple of weeks ago. The tomatoes are coming on strong as are the cucumbers. I just put in watermelon, zucchini and pumpkins so the next round of veggies is in the ground. There is still so much more to come and my plan is to share a bit with you each week.
Is your garden just coming on or has it been going strong for awhile now? I love how each region is just a little different. I'd love to hear what's blooming in your neck of the woods.
xo, Patty
I put together a little tour of my backyard garden on my YouTube channel. I'd love to have you subscribe.
One of the wonderful things about having a garden is the ability to gift friends and family from your abundance. It doesn't matter if you are a vegetable or flower gardener or if like me, you have a bit of a potager going on in the backyard, giving to others is such a great way to spread the joy being in the garden brings to you.
Living in Southern California (zone 10a) the winter months are prime cool season vegetable weather and that means an abundance of leafy greens, brassicas and root veggies. This year I am having wonderful success with cabbage and finding ways to use it has become a bit of a challenge. So, I thought it would be the perfect time to put together a little (large) gift basket for my sweet niece who loves juicing and feeding her family healthy meals.
After picking and washing the greens and herbs, I separated them and tied them up with simple twine. Next I needed a vessel to deliver them in and found the perfect one in an old basket I had in storage. I added a white bar towel and started layering from the largest bunch to the smallest.
Once I had it all tucked in I added a jar of my pretty handmade soap and a bit of my sourdough starter, which I knew she would appreciate and use regularly.
Such a simple idea, and it cost me nothing but the time to gather together and make it special.
What a perfect way to bless someone in your life, sharing what you have in abundance. So now it's your turn. What is it that you have in excess either collected, grown or hand made, that you can gift and encourage another with? Let's make the year of 2019 a giving one.
Trust me, you will be just as blessed as they are.
xo, Patty
I put together a video garden tour on my YouTube Channel. I'd love to have you take the tour and subscribe for more.
Living in Southern California (zone 10a) the winter months are prime cool season vegetable weather and that means an abundance of leafy greens, brassicas and root veggies. This year I am having wonderful success with cabbage and finding ways to use it has become a bit of a challenge. So, I thought it would be the perfect time to put together a little (large) gift basket for my sweet niece who loves juicing and feeding her family healthy meals.
After picking and washing the greens and herbs, I separated them and tied them up with simple twine. Next I needed a vessel to deliver them in and found the perfect one in an old basket I had in storage. I added a white bar towel and started layering from the largest bunch to the smallest.
Once I had it all tucked in I added a jar of my pretty handmade soap and a bit of my sourdough starter, which I knew she would appreciate and use regularly.
Such a simple idea, and it cost me nothing but the time to gather together and make it special.
What a perfect way to bless someone in your life, sharing what you have in abundance. So now it's your turn. What is it that you have in excess either collected, grown or hand made, that you can gift and encourage another with? Let's make the year of 2019 a giving one.
Trust me, you will be just as blessed as they are.
xo, Patty
I put together a video garden tour on my YouTube Channel. I'd love to have you take the tour and subscribe for more.
As I reflect on all that happened in 2018 both successes and failures, I can't help but focus on one word...growth. I learned so much about myself, what makes me tick, what ignites my passions and what I don't want to repeat.
I floundered in finding my voice, trying different things that just didn't seem to ring true to my authentic self, I am casting aside what I thought I wanted to share with the world. Those things, that while they are good and necessary things, they aren't who I truly am.
The amazing thing is that even in the failures, maybe mostly in the failures, I found myself.
Honing in on what brings me joy while encouraging others, is definitely where I see myself going in 2019. Things like gardening, baking from scratch, sewing and learning old skills like soap making and herbal medicines are where my focus will be.
Of course there will still be glimpses of work inside the cottage and plenty of friends and family because I don't ever want to lose sight of just how important those closest to us are in keeping us grounded and healthy. Relationships will still be front and center as will you my online family.
Without your encouragement I would most likely have thrown in the towel when I stumbled but now looking back, I am so thankful I kept pressing on. What is it that you feel discouraged about today? May I be the encouragement to you to just keep at the thing...yes step back, reassess your destination but don't give up. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, often times the most important thing is that we keep growing even if we don't end up where we thought we would.
Happy New Year! Now let's get out there and just do the thing!
xo, Patty
I floundered in finding my voice, trying different things that just didn't seem to ring true to my authentic self, I am casting aside what I thought I wanted to share with the world. Those things, that while they are good and necessary things, they aren't who I truly am.
The amazing thing is that even in the failures, maybe mostly in the failures, I found myself.
Honing in on what brings me joy while encouraging others, is definitely where I see myself going in 2019. Things like gardening, baking from scratch, sewing and learning old skills like soap making and herbal medicines are where my focus will be.
Of course there will still be glimpses of work inside the cottage and plenty of friends and family because I don't ever want to lose sight of just how important those closest to us are in keeping us grounded and healthy. Relationships will still be front and center as will you my online family.
Without your encouragement I would most likely have thrown in the towel when I stumbled but now looking back, I am so thankful I kept pressing on. What is it that you feel discouraged about today? May I be the encouragement to you to just keep at the thing...yes step back, reassess your destination but don't give up. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, often times the most important thing is that we keep growing even if we don't end up where we thought we would.
Happy New Year! Now let's get out there and just do the thing!
xo, Patty
I'd love to have you join me over on YouTube where I share more of my cottage style in the home and garden. Here's the link, Lemon Lane Cottage.
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