Judging by the number of views received on all my posts the past twelve months, these were your favorites:
#1 - All American Cottage Tour
Hilltop Cottage Copyright © 2012 Ross Chapin Architects Used with permission |
I have to say, this may be my favorite post this year, too. It was an honor, and so much fun to feature the wonderful homes of Ross Chapin Architects. It took many hours to pull the post together, but it was worth it. In a real estate world of cookie cutter homes, Chapin's charming cottages are a tribute to American design.
#2 - Baking At A Joyful Cottage - Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies
The popularity of this post tells me that many of you like cookies. I'm right there with you, my friends. If you tried this recipe, I hope it met your expectations.
#3 - Finding A New Writing Space in Our Joyful Cottage
For me this is a bittersweet post to revisit. Right after I published it Dennis and I started talking about selling our sweet cottage in the Rocky Mountains. If you've been following our journey, you know that we sold our cottage in July 2013 and began our search for our next home in Oregon. (We're still looking.) Our complete top to bottom remodel of the 1926 Colorado cottage was a labor of love. You can read all about it at Remodelaholic, where it was featured.
#4 - More French Cottages
#5 - Bread Baking at A Joyful Cottage - Honey Wheat Bread
Long live the loaf! The greatest invention since sliced bread is more sliced bread. (I think you must agree with me.)
Oh my, we do love to look at pretty gardens, don't we? I especially like cottage gardens like these, and enjoyed my stroll with you.
My husband brought home a truckload of furniture from a yard sale. One piece which probably originated as a kitchen cupboard became a bookcase for my office/sewing/craft room.
Photo owned by Knockahopple Cottage and Tours. Used with Permission |
It was a privilege to introduce you to Irish American Liam Hughes and his charming guesthouse in County Tipperary, Ireland. Many Americans may dream of owning an Irish cottage, but few will take the plunge that Liam took. We also had a chance to see the beautiful shard jewelry he designs.
After we sold our Colorado cottage, we headed farther west for a 5-week tour of Oregon. This post chronicled our return to Colorado in preparation for our move to Oregon in August.
#9 - To Paint Or Not to Paint
I like to paint furniture, but sometimes a piece -- like this chest of drawers -- speaks a different language. As Sue at Serendiptiy Vintage Furnishings says, "Each piece 'tells' me what it wants to be. . ." . Exactly.
#10 - My $7.29 Table Redo
This was another piece that spoke the language of natural wood. When I got underneath all that yucky black paint I found a really pretty piece. It remains one of my favorite furniture redos.
I hope you enjoyed looking back at 2013 with me. It appears that cottages, food, flowers and furniture makeovers rate high on the list of things you like to see. Which suits me just fine, because that's what I like, too.
Thank you so much for joining me on my journey. You make it joyful. Your comments encourage me, inspire me, and make me smile. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the best part of blogging is meeting nice people like you.
God bless you in 2014, and please come back on January 1st when I kick off my new month long blog party: Every Room In The House.
Come as you are and bring a friend.
Hope to see you then!
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