I am nostalgic at heart and treasure foods and items that tell stories about people and times of the past.
Certain things bring me great joy and I find myself drawn to them when I need solitude. Baking, finding an earthworm while digging in the rich soil of my garden, harvesting a variety of organically-grown vegetables in an old basket and then laying them out on my counter to admire, reading a great book by the fireplace or on the back porch, early morning coffee with friends, and grandkid board game-time or story time, are all activities that bring me to a peaceful place.
The Blue Cottage name comes from the 1959 cottage across the street from the home we built. We bought the old run-down home with the intention to tear it down since it was such an eye sore. As we began tearing out the interior, we discovered its bones were sturdy and there were such beautiful, timeless elements about the home. We decided to give it some love and hard work. The solid-oak wood-plank floors we discovered looked beyond repair, but after sanding away the abused layer, we discovered a new, beautiful layer of wood that looked ready to take on another 60 years of wear and tear. (As a teacher of high school students, it reminds me that if we take time to soften the rough layer of some students, we discover a layer of beauty that just needs attention and love to be able to shine.) New insulation, sheetrock, paint, and lots of sweat and labor, restored this once forgotten home to a useful, beautiful, cozy little cottage. We added a white picket fence because who doesn't love a picket fence with sunflowers growing along it or vines crawling on it?
Our grown, married children with children have used this home as a temporary home between moves and this has given us the opportunity to live across the street from grandkids like families commonly did in the past. There is nothing more heart-warming than driving home after a day at work and finding your toddler grandsons waiting at the end of their driveway to play with you. All 4 of our children and other family members have either lived in this home, or used the home as an overnight retreat. Friends from church have lived in it when they needed a temporary home. The Blue Cottage has hosted guests for Lake Belton fishing tournaments and it now serves as the inspiration for Blue Cottage Goods.
Good things and happy times have evolved from this cottage, not only for my family, but for families I only know from their names carved in the old front sidewalk.
Why Blue Cottage? It has a rustic blue metal roof that I have grown attached to. The white picket fence standing perfectly aligned, proudly welcoming the old home, along with that bright blue roof gives me a happy feeling.
My vision is that this cottage will be a gathering place for people to create and enjoy Blue Cottage Products; goods that are responsibly sourced, good for our bodies, and friendly to our earth. Laughter, joy, and social bonds will be shared while visiting the Blue Cottage.
I hope to see you one day!
