Cozy Little Corners

Dear Friends,
Do you like cozy corners?
I always have liked to tuck my little flea market finds into cozy little vignettes.
Now, it is really hard to take pictures
of cozy corners because the lighting isn't very good...
the whole reason that they're cozy!
~*~
Great lighting, or not, here are some cozy corners in Hickory Hollow...


This is a cozy corner in my laundry room. I found this primitive country shelf at a garage sale last year. It was too wide, but my favorite husband, Doug trimmed the sides for me so I could squeeze it between the wall and my cabinet. Of course I needed a little lamp for cute lighting. This is also a great place to display a couple of country aprons. My mom gave me the teacup embroidered one for Christmas.


My friend Cheryl, made me an herbal wreath for my birthday! Isn't it precious. Cheryl loves all things cozy and toile. If in a pinch I run out of herbs in the pantry, I probably could harvest a couple of stems from here!


~ A Cozy Kitchen Corner ~
Here is a cozy corner tucked between my built-in pantry and my black cupboard.
This a perfect place to tuck in another apron. Cheryl also made this for me for my birthday.
Remember when I found the free Susan Branch apron pattern and shared it with you?
Well, Cheryl made me a toile Susan Branch apron!


A little red berry wreath and teapot hanger.


On the other side of my cupboard is a stack of baskets.
They are my Longabergers. Much to pretty hide in a closet.


I bought these several years ago.
So glad that I choose a red, green & gold liner!
The one on the bottom is a cupcake basket.
It has a wooden tray that sits in it so you can transport a dozen cupcakes!


A little wire hen.
Usually she sits on my kitchen table with flowering plant.


~Cozy Living Room Corner~
I cozied up a corner in my living room with a new plaid curtain.
Love, Love LOVE this curtain!
My inspiration was from looking at pictures of Paula Deen's living room.


I tucked in my little white wicker table.
This was the table I bought at the country auction, some of you may remember.
Behind it is a mirror that I daringly painted black!


Love this little pot of posies and the glazed pears!

~A Cozy Counter Corner~
Goodness, I play with this corner all the time.
Sometimes I have my flour and sugar containers sitting out
with their toile teacup scoops. Sometimes I have a basket of seasonal cookbooks nestled in here.
Just last week, I remembered a thrifty painted tray I had and thought that would be great to add behind Mr. Rooster. My Rooster is a pitcher, what great thrifty find!

~*~
I am on the lookout now for a cozy little chair to add to a corner in my bedroom.
I want to make myself a little reading nook.

~*~

I have been keeping very busy this past week!
I am substitute teaching for an extended time in 1st. grade.
I even get to do some lesson planning!
March will be here soon,
so I have been gathering rainbows, leprechauns, and shamrocks
for some fun things to do with the children to decorate the classroom.
Today I am off to purchase green glitter!
Dangling shamrocks need to be glittery, don't they?

~*~

I want to say *Hi* to all my new followers!
Welcome to Hickory Hollow.
And THANK YOU to all who leave me such wonderfully sweet comments.
I do try to return the visit, but sometimes, I just don't make it.
But just know that your comments brighten MY day!
See You Soon!
~Jill~

Valentine Wishes

Dear Friends,

Hope you are enjoying a very lovely Valentine's Day!
It has been so cold and so wintery white, I felt that I needed a reminder that greener days are coming soon!
I treated myself to a bouquet of red tulips.
They smell so fresh...so green!

Tulips and a bunny...
makes me think
"SPRING"

Lindsey and I baked and decorated sugar cookies yesterday.

So much fun!

Loved the heart sprinkles.

Oooh, here is another reminder of Spring!
Tasty chocolate dipped strawberries.
I am already planning on planting
50 strawberry plants this spring.
Sweet, delicious homegrown strawberries...
Bliss!

A cute way to celebrate Valentine's Day!
Sometimes we just need a nudge
to make a day special.
Do something a bit out of the ordinary.


If you have been a follower of my blog for awhile,

you will know that it isn't a holiday for Jill unless I have a special whimsical sweater to wear.

Isn't this a cute one for Valentine's Day!

There are little heart-shaped charms along the bottom of the sweater.
The buttons have beaded hearts sewn on them.
Yes, I found it at a thrift store!

Some of you may remember that I found a little shabby pillow in a thrift store that had these adorable gold hearts sewn on it.
I retrieved the hearts and made a bracelet. I love that it looks vintage and Victorian.

***********
I have a couple of cute recipes I want to share with you!

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your sweeties.


I looked at the window just now and guess what I saw?
Hmph...More SNOW!
~Jill~

Sweaters & Granny Boots

Hello Friends!
I have a secret to share with you.
I'm not all that into the most current styles.

Yes, it is true.
Maybe that is why I like Thrift Stores...
nothing is in or out of style at the thrift store.

It is all there for the taking depending on how daring you are!

I'm not all that daring, but in my closet at one time was a vintage 50's coat with faux fur collar! That one was beautiful blueberry blue. I passed it on when we lived in Mississippi. Now I have a jaunty red number that I wear with a black scarf and gloves! Lindsey gave me a sparkly monogramed J pin that looks quite cute on the lapel.
~*~
Seriously though,
I love wearing denim skirts with tights and boots.
I picked up on this style back in the 90's in the Victoria magazine.
Those girls always wore classic, beautiful clothing.
That is what I love, classic sweaters, classic shoes, classic handbags & jewelry.

In the winter, I want cozy Fair Isle Sweaters.
Sweaters that remind me of going on woodland walks, ski lodges & hot chocolate.
Sweaters that smell faintly of woodsmoke.

These are so easy to find at the thrift stores.
Seems like nobody else is interested in these traditional winter garmets.
This gray/green one is classic Eddie Bauer
Lucky for ME!


Sweaters with a little bit of wool in them are fun.
Yes, they can be a bit itchy but you wear them over turtle necks.
This cute little sweater was a thrift store find from last year.


I researched the label and it is from New York and sold for about $175.

Now to wear these with a denim skirt, you need the right type of tights. You want the thick, warm tights. The ones I bought this year are chocolate brown, and black. The boots are a bit harder to find especially for a good price. I did a search on Etsy and found a lot of them. Some were a bit pricey though. My favorites though are the ones with...

Buttons!

I have worn my granny boots with...
long denim dresses,
short denim dresses,
denim prairie skirts,
and just plain denim skirts.
Denim skirts are a dime a dozen at the thrift stores.
But to me they are always in style...Victoria magazine says so!
~*~
So my friends let's enjoy winter!
Wear cozy sweaters, and
warm, woolen mittens,
and
Granny Boots!

************************
~ Jill ~

French Country Cupboard

Dear Friends,
After the taking down the holiday decorations, I decided I would spend a little more time putting things back in their normal place. I dusted, washed dishes, baskets and bunnies. It took me awhile, but I finally found an arrangment I liked with all my found "goodies".

I've had this little conservatory for awhile, it was a thrift store find.
The design idea is from a Nell Hill's book, the tea cups an antique store find for $3 each.


I have a couple of friends that see transferware and think of me.
This one is from my friend, India.

On my last thrift shopping trip in Colorado, I spotted this little silver teapot lamp. It wasn't a bargain, it was in the "display case". But I had to have it, and it is a wonderful reminder of fun times.


The beautiful transerware teacup set, was a great Salvation Army find. I found a set of 4, they were $3 each. I was certainly doing the happy dance that afternoon! The dark transferware plate in the back came from a friend who was stationed at the time in Germany. Thank you, Trisha it is such a treasure!

Aren't they beautiful!
I use them when I have my morning coffee.

The pair of chicken pictures was another Thrifty find.

I may paint the frame black, still deciding.


Cute finial birdies and floral hat box.
I love how the white, red and apple green go together



This hooked rug is one of my favorite possessions.
It came from my friend Peggy's garage sale.
Oh, Peg it is as you would say, "to die for"!

This little basket sits in the open space at the bottom of the cupboard.
I found the Julia & Jacque cookbook at a garage sale for $2.
After I watch the movie, Julie & Julia I pulled it off the bookcase and sat it here.
I ran across this book on Amazon and it sells for over $120 now. I think it was a gift when you donated to the PBS show!

Even though temperatures are slowly rising, it still is very cold outside!
The Kansas City weatherman said it was 7 degrees in our area this morning.
Brrrrr.
I am enjoying wearing all my sweaters though!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Burpee garden catalog came in the mail a couple of weeks ago.
I have picked out some strawberry and blueberry plants I want to order.
We bought some picket fence at an auction last month, and I am so excited to begin planning and building my cutting flower and herb garden. It is going to be beside the little chicken house, complete with an arched arbor and an antique garden gate!
~~~~~~~~~~
Hope everyone is staying warm because I know it is chilly everywhere!
Jill

Soup makes me Happy

Dear Friends,

I love soup!

I look forward to fall and winter so I can make heart warming pots full of soup.

My family loves soup too, especially Tyler. I get so tickled at him when he starts to smell the soup simmering on the stove. Yum he says, is it ready yet?
This soup is a new recipe I tried, Cheeseburger Soup. Oh creamy and delicious. I was so glad that I had dried some herbs this summer. I sprinkled in my own dried basil right before I served it. And now is a perfect time to use my snowman dishes!

I have had this set of dishes for about 14 years. This little snowman never fails to melt my heart. When Tyler was just 2, I would make homemade French toast for him every winter morning, served on a little snowman plate. What a wonderful memory.
What goes wonderfully with homemade soup?
Why, homemade bread of course!

I adore dilly bread and whipped up batch and baked it in my flowerpot baker!
Fresh and hot from the oven with a little butter...

Oh be still my heart!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*Cheeseburger Soup *~
1/2 lb. ground beef, 3/4 C. chopped onion, 3/4 C. shredded carrots, 3/4 C. diced celery, 1 tsp. basil, 1 tsp. parsley, 4 Tbs. butter, divided, 3 C. chicken broth, 4 C. peeled & diced potatoes, 1/4 C. flour, 8 oz. Velvetta, 1 1/2 C. milk, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 C. sour cream
***
In a large saucepan, brown hamburger; drain and set aside. In the same saucepan, saute onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 Tbs. butter until vegetables are tender, about 10 min. Add broth, potatoes and beef; bring to boil. Reduce heat;cover and simmer until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, in a small skillet melt remaining butter. Add flour; cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to soup; bring to boil. Cook and stir for 2 min. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese, milk, salt and if you wish pepper; cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat; blend in sour cream. Yields 8 servings.


~*Easy Dilly Bread *~
3 C. all-purpose flour, 1 pkg. active dry yeast, 1 1/4 C. milk, 2 Tbs. sugar, 2 Tbs. butter or margarine, 2 tsp. dried dill seed or dill weed, 2 tsp. instant minced onion, 1 egg
***
In a small mixer combine, 1 1/2 C. of the flour and the yeast. In saucepan heat milk, sugar, butter, dill, onion and 1 tsp. salt just until warm, stirring constantly to melt butter. Add to dry mixture and add egg. Beat at low speed with electric mixer for 1/2 minutes, scraping bowl. Beat for 3 minutes at high speed. By hand, stir in remianing flour. Cover and let rise until double (30-45 min.). Stir down. Spread evenly in a greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan ( or flower pot baker). Let rise until nearly double (about 30 min.). Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cover loosely with foil if bread browns too quickly. Remove from pan and let cool. Makes 1 loaf.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~
It is very wintery here at Hickory Hollow and it is very cold!
It snowed almost all day yesterday. Made for a very cozy day tucked inside.
I have been doing a little thrift store shopping and have found some lovely cozy sweaters. Every day when I snuggle into one, I remember years ago when my Grandma told me I was a sweater girl. Yes, Grandma B. I am a sweater girl. I am glad there are so many to choose from at my favorite stores!

~*~
I have also had a challenge trying type, my little Socks cat climbs on my lap and kneeds my arms, she is doing it right now with her kitty purr motor on! Oh my, we just Eskimo kissed, her little nose and mine! She also likes to prance on the computer desk, and I can't see a thing! I'd rather she stay on my lap all warm and fuzzy! I do love my pets.

~*~
Hope you are tucked in safe and sound wherever you may be!

Love,

Jill

*Ho Ho Hello!*

Dear Friends

I sat down this morning and just decided to stop in here at Hickory Hollow. I am so touched that many of you have left me notes saying that you miss me! Oh ya'll that means so much! I'm still here!

~*~

Still behind in the scrapbooking department, but my New Year's resolution is to work on getting caught back up. We have a nice scrapbook store that does monthly all day crops so I am planning on going EACH month! Something I have recently accomplished is adding a cute red and cream checked wallpaper to the back of my garage sale hutch!

I found the cutest snowman lamp at the flea market...


We have decorated the outside of the house with icicle lights! Doug even put lights on the little chicken house. Tyler bought two Bantams at an Amish auction last week... a little bitty rooster and hen! He cockadoodle doo's every morning, she looks like a little pheasant! I''ve named them Fred and Ethel.

~*~
I have found a new hobby I LOVE! Dollhouses! Long story, but what you need to know is that I am building a Victorian cottage from a kit and having a ball. I have been collecting little shabby chic furnishings and wallpapers. My mom and dad bought Lindsey an older dollhouse that I am renovating. So far I have finished the nursery...I even sewed a little bitty quilt and made precious tab top curtains!

The pink in the background is the walls of the house. Here are little windows I sanded, and painted and sanded and painted again! The little rose cut out is going to be a picture for the wall. Do you see that adorable Victorian door!

Cute cottage wallpapers most are really truly doll house wallpaper that I purchased in Kansas City at a doll house shop.

Here is the nursery I renovated in Lindsey's vintage dollhouse. It has new carpet and wallpaper. Here are the little tab top curtains I made and the little bitty crib quilt.

~*~

Thank you everyone for checking in on me! I will try to get back in the swing here and at last blog once a week...how's that for another New Year's resolution!

~*~

Hope everyone enjoys a warm & cozy
Christmas Season!
~Jill~