Recap:
We just rolled in from our VERY long, somewhat stressful drive, and finally arrived at Karen’s vacation home on 100 acres.
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Karen had described the cozy little cottage as, “It’s nothing fancy, it’s an older home that’s been fixed up. And it’s just filled with things from the thrift store. I hope you’ll like it…”
Before we came up, I visualized maybe a little outdated carpet with 60’s swirly stuff all over it. Probably in avocado / orange / brown. Maybe even a purple toilet and sink. And thinking of thrift store finds, the sky’s the limit on that one! I mean, I remember finding a doll head shade on a lamp one time. The light shone through the eyes… creepy!
Regardless, I figured it would be clean. Maybe not all that pretty, but clean.
And I couldn’t have been more wrong.
{ click for larger pictures }
The moment we cracked that front door open,
our worlds felt like Disneyland took over
in two very different ways.
With my jaw in full drop mode, I wide eyed the amazing thick sage green moulding and perfectly implemented accessories, while Cody dove for the kitchen, exclaiming how much FOOD there was. LOL Hey, whatever works!
What’s not to love?! Quaint, comfortable, and beautiful!
The colours, textures, nests, eclectic coasters, everything and anything… it was all so delightful and inspiring!
Karen is not just a wonderful designer, she is AMAZINGLY wonderful. But there was a secret ingredient I couldn’t put my finger on. Why did we feel so much joy in THIS particular home?
It may have been all the colours. I don’t really know. But CHEERFUL is how we both felt. BOTH of us!
Stunned, I sat back in one of the cushy chairs, leaned back and closed my eyes, shaking my head in amazement.
It was as if we were handed the keys
to all of our dreams.
Think about it. We could have dashed off to parts unknown, and stayed at a price efficient (tacky / cheap) hotel. Having to wake up and head to a nearby restaurant and hear other people have their breakfast at the same time as we’re rubbing the sleep from our eyes.
Instead… we ended up in a beautiful ‘old’ home that was absolutely driving me mad with pleasure, on acreage, (which is sooooo us!), filled to the brim with food my son (and I) could only dream about, with barns, trails, junk piles and a pond yet to discover.
You know this was way more than coincidence, right? Absolutely no mistaking this one… this indeed was miracle #2.
The cozy little kitchen
Ohhhh!! Everything was just perfect!
This table felt so familiar! I must have grown up with one similar. It sure made having my morning coffee even more delightful!
The cozy little bathroom
I know!!!! That dresser vanity was absolutely perfect. And with the checkerboard bathroom floor and claw foot tub, with aqua / black / white accents… dreamy.
Yes, I had a tiny little bit of fun with some staging here and there. 🙂
And then exhaustion hit like a cement wall. This is where I generally go sit in front of a computer to catch up on things while I ‘rest’. But… no wifi. Huh. What to do… goodness, I heard myself think staying at this place.
After Cody gathered up a few treats to munch on, he sat down and looked at me. We looked at each other. We seriously didn’t know WHAT to do.
And then Cody piped up… “Uh mom… where’s the TV?”
Looking around the room, there was none in sight. Woa. I could have sworn there was suppose to have been one. So lemme get this straight… no wifi and no TV, for a wifi and TVaholic.
Thinking quick, I remembered there was another section to the house… a 2nd suite of sorts in another building. “Let’s check out the other building… it might be in there…”
Positively groaning with exhaustion (days of unnecessary stress will do that to you!), I forced myself out of that completely content cozy chair state, and we made our way to the building next door.
But what was found was not quiiite what my son would have hoped for… although I was secretly rejoicing in the biggest way…
And that’s in part 5!
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About “Our Summer Adventure”
A blogger who mentally can’t pause her social media world. A boy who lives for video games. This is the story of how an absolute miracle brought a mom and her son into a much quieter, simpler world, far far away from their own internet driven world. With no wifi. Will they survive? You’ll soon find out!
Visit all Summer Adventure instalments HERE
Oh my goodness, this is just to die for. When is part 5? I can’t stand it! Love every part of this place. Judy
Oh for Pete’s Sake! That is just too charming! I absolutely LOVE purple and yellow….that is probably one of my most favorite color combinations. I just can’t seem to use it in my own home. Thanks for sharing…I bet this was wonderful to stay in! ~Tammy
It was SO awesome! I just felt cheerful all the time. 🙂
I didn’t know you were such a mystery writer – Part 5!!!!
The pictures are superb! What a joy that must have been.
This was absolutely perfect for you two. I’m so glad this happened and thank you for sharing it with your readers.
I am inspired by this happy, colorful place ~ and looking forward to the next part.
FlowerLady
I absolutely LOVE the way you write stories!
I have unsubscribed from so many other’s journals, but not yours! You capture my heart in ways only YOU can express! Love you!
Wow, thanks!! And here I went and published a junk post for tomorrow… oops???? 🙂 The story shall continue, no worries!
Great story and an amazing cottage! Can’t wait for the next installment!
What a heaven sent gift to end up at that darling cottage with your son. I can see in your pictures and your writing that it refreshed and rejuvenated you! I see a book in your future – just keep writing everything for us to enjoy on the way to the book – cause I’m hooked!
What a fabulously happy space – it would have been hard to leave!
Thanks for sharing your adventure!
Kathy
Except for the fact that this post is making me want to CLEAN (I feel so shamefully deficient) I am loving the way this story is unfolding.
I gasp when I see a few items I actually own yet they look so much better in her “cottage.”
Can I ever relate! Guess what I did when I got home… CLEANED! haha
This place is abosolutly adorbs!! but I have one ques. Were you at all worried when you saw the chalkboard sign that reads welcome Sarah and Conrad?
Looking forward to the rest of the story.
K
Hahaha, not at all! It turns out that Karen and Gary are very accommodating to their friends using the cottage from time to time. 🙂 I nearly erased the names to change it to their own but I didn’t dare… I don’t have pretty penmanship. 🙂
What a lovely cottage! Can’t wait to read more about your adventure.
I love green color in the kitchen!
D.
What a wonderful surprise! It’s adorable! It’s so bright, cozy, happy, fun and cute!
What a beautiful house! I love the bright cheery colours used everywhere. It’s just sweet. Now, I can’t wait to hear about the ‘entertainment’ in the other building. Pam
You sure know how to keep us guessing. I really love everything about this home. Can’t wait to hear more.
And a Sophie Kinsella novel, to boot! Absolutely wonderful! Can’t wait to read the next installment….
oh I am sooo happy for you! What a sweet non hotelish /motelish place. Yes, we did the very same thing in upper Washington, booo…ended up in a tiny nondescript mom and pop motel, nothing like the ad and pictures! I love the cheeriness of this place..I am so happy it worked so beautifully for you!
That’s the most adorable lil place I’ve seen.
Love it!!
do you have any idea where those ADORABLE green polka dot canisters came from that are on the kitchen counter?
Hey Mindy, everything inside the house is from thrift stores. They ARE adorable!
Hello Mindy,
Yes, all those polka dot canisters came from the thrift stores, one canister at a time! I think I have a built in green detector when I am thrifting! Can you tell?
SWEET……………..
This gives a new meaning to the word delightful. Oh I would have been in heaven. Those colors are fantastic!!!
Such a happy place. I love it. Hurry part 5!!
Um…what you liked about this house was the COLORS! You don’t really have any in your house. Ann
That’s my kind of place! Love the décor Hope you2 had fun!
I absolutely LOVE it!!
It’s adorable & so cozy. I’m sure the two of you managed.
Charming.I love the interior color and each and everything.
I love what my sister Karen has done with her farmhouse, you so deserve a wonderful place to get away from it all!