Friday, December 28, 2012

On The Go!

I found this image and inspirational
 words of wisdom while
scrolling through the Facebook feed.

I have repeated this to myself on a daily basis
(several times a day).

It sits well with me because
~I am a dreamer~

...and it's words are true.

This morning I thought about my life's story.

Is it what I want to sit around 
and tell my grand kids?
Not really.

 I need some more adventures!

I want a real story:
A, "How did you get here?", story.

I think I'm getting closer.


Here's to a New Year and New Adventures!

xo, Amber

Friday, December 21, 2012

Christmas Wishes

Merry Christmas
to all of my friends and family.

image from the internet, source unknown.
Thank you for following my
ramblings and taking the 
time to let me know 
what you think.
I truly appreciate
every single one of you.

image from the internet, source unknown
 but I sure wish he was mine!
May all your Christmas wishes come
true and the New Year
bring you nothing but goodness,
prosperity and good health.

From my heart, Amber



Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Chalky love

Chalkboards have become a staple
at Black Rooster Cottage.
Step into the shoppe and you will
always find several to choose from.
 
From rustique handmade frames
to insanely ornate ones,
there's always one to please the eye.
 
This particular one,
will always be in the family.
 
It had an interesting canvas in it that
wasn't quite my style,
but the frame... oh, that frame!
THAT'S what caught my eye.
 


Oh, how I love chalkboards in the home
with wonderful sayings.
What a fun way to set the mood for
a gathering or season.
 
 




 
Or as a daily reminder that if you
believe...
anything is possible.
 


 
I believe.
Do you?
 
 
May your magical dreams come true ~
 
xo, Amber


Saturday, December 8, 2012

Taking Reservations!

 
 
 
Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

Hmmm.

You never know.

 
She's a little shabby but with our love,
she can shine like the gem
she's meant to be.
{Honestly, she's not bad for 1856!}
 
Did I mention the cottages that will be refurbished
as the rentals?
 
Yes ma'am.
 
I am wishing on every star, remembering
what my knees are for {praying} and
uncovering every cotton pickin'
rock, to try and make this a reality.
 
About those reservations...
The investment and dream getaway
of a lifetime!
Only $100 for two nights,
a gourmet breakfast each morning,
my sweet hospitality and some
GOOD junking {I'm sure}!
 
Local activities include:
~Year round hunting and fishing.
~Year round local theater.
~Antiquing and junking.
~Rich in American history.
~Historic home tours.
~Ghost hunting.
~Beautiful Countryside.
~Horseback riding.
... and so much more!
 
This pre-registration and sweet deal
 is reserved for my
 Black Rooster Cottage
fans, friends and family
only!
I'll even have a glass of sweet tea
waiting for you.
MmmmHmmm.
 
How can a Bank refuse a loan
to someone that already has
customers?!
LOL!!
 
 
I just keep reminding myself:
 
Sometimes dreams do come true.
 
 
xo, Amber
{I'll keep the light on for you}
 
p.s. lips are locked to where this is... sorry! ;)
 

Sunday, December 2, 2012

When All Else Fails...

 
...Make Cupcakes!!
 

 
Friday was a special day.
I should have been at
The Vintage Marketplace
selling goods
but I chose to
"take the show off".
 
I didn't miss it though!
I made a special delivery to a special friend
{see photo below}
Friday morning then returned Saturday to
visit my girls!
 
photo courtesy of Rita Reade~Mammabellarte
 
Those cupcakes...
I also made LOTS more for a
bus full of fun ladies at my
Boutique #17.
 
For Rita, I made Vintage Vanilla on Vanilla
with a surprise batch of
Red Velvet and Cream Cheese.
 
For the store...
nothing but Red Velvet!
And white chocolate pretzels
and some mixed nuts.
 
 
I knew the store would be bustling so I made
extras. Lots and LOTS of extras.
Total for both events, I think I made close to
500 cupcakes (minis).
 

 
 
It was a great day.
I love the look of surprise
from shoppers that are
taken back by the site of treats...
in a space...
at the Antique Mall.
 
Quite fun, I have to say!
 
The next great cupcake adventure:
Saturday, December 15
for the Granny's Store Wide Sale!!
The sale is both Saturday and Sunday.
 
I think Red Velvet will be the flavor of choice.
 
So, save the date and come see me at...
 
Space #17
Granny's Attic Antique Mall
28450 Felix Valdez
Temecula, CA 92590
Open daily 10-5
 
Happy Monday Friends,
Happy Monday!
 
xo, Amber
 
 


Sunday, November 25, 2012

A Work In Progress

Decking the Halls
on the Homefront.
 
my kitchen window
Christmas time is my absolute favorite
time of the year.
I love hearing and seeing the excitement
in the kids voices and eyes when they see
something spectacular
{a blow up Santa or Frosty in a yard}.
 
I think I'm off to a good start decorating:
The trees are up and lit and
the garland is in it's appropriate place.
 
Still on the list:
Finishing the embellishing
and
the Yard.
(and shopping).
 
I'll share more as I go.
 
{I photoshopped these different than normal.
Not sure if I like them. Your thoughts?}
 
Oh, and I brought out some red!
 






 
 
Now, I'm off to plan my baking week.
I have a HUGE cupcake order to fill!
 
xo, Amber
 
 


Saturday, November 24, 2012

'Tis the Season...

Today, Saturday, November 24th,
is the official
"Shop Small Business"
day.
 
 
My wish is that people really do care
and support the heart of our Country.
I know that I am.
 
Today, just sharing photos of
Black Rooster Cottage ~Space #17
at Granny's Attic.
 


 






 
 
Gift idea: Perusing an Antiques store in
search of something that will bring
back joyous childhood memories
to a loved one...
 
A gift that took thought, time to find and the priceless
gift of hearing of someone's memories.
 
Merry Christmas to you and yours...
 
xo, Amber

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Dirty Laundry

Black Rooster Cottage
is keeping me busy for a few days
but once we get through
 decorating and stocking
for the busiest time of year,
some Home changes are coming!


Paint, paint and some more paint!
 
Most walls in this house are an Antique Cream
and what's not, is WHITE.
 
I like white but when you add white tile,
white counters and white flooring,
it's a bit much.
 
I'm going thrifty here...
 
There's 10 gallons of paint sitting in the garage
and it's all mine!
 
This paint was for one of my husband's customers that decided
it was too dark after they started painting their house.
As you know, you can't return paint!
 
It's definitely darker than white.
 
Our color: Nomadic Taupe.
 
It's a cross between a gray and a sage green.
It's very soft and sweet.
 
Petunia's bathroom in Nomadic Taupe
 
The first dreary room to get a new do:
The Laundry!
 
I did a sample patch...
 
 
 
I think it'll look way better.
 
After the laundry:
*Family Room accent wall
*Master Bathroom
*Master Bedroom accent wall
*Backsplash in the kitchen (second coat)
and maybe the downstairs bathroom.
Yeah, that too.
 
Pictures as we go!
 
So, instead of shopping on Black Friday,
I'll be roll, rolling away!
 
I will be out on Saturday though,
to Support Small Businesses!!
 
Happy Thanksgiving!
 
xo, Amber
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

New Treasures

Tell me to put on grubbies
and boots and I'm there!
 
I went treasure hunting yesterday, in the dirt,
and came home with just a "few" pieces.
 
 
 
I'm becoming a bit concerned though...
 
I pick things that I love, knowing they need to
be for Black Rooster Cottage (the boutique),
but I find that I question whether they leave the
threshold of our home.
 
But then...
I've been known to "shop" the house and pick things
of Vintage age, that I've fallen out of love with, to
take to Black Rooster Cottage.
 
The beautiful thing about that is,
those items have found new loves and new homes.
 
I guess that's not such a bad problem to have, huh?
 



 
 
Now for the *Keepers*...
 

"New" chairs for the formal dining room ($5 each!!!!)
I got a full set of 6. Nothing wood glue, paint, stain
and new cushions can't fix!
{These will be a future post, for sure!}


 



A heavy solid wood door with the original key hole
still intact. The narrow-ness and chippy
paint caught my eye. Unfortunately,
most of the paint is chipping badly
so I'll have to strip it.
I was thinking a
long table for the wall beneath
the staircase,
BUT....
Unbelievably, it is the EXACT
size of our pantry door
SOOOO... I will paint, rough sand
and stain the frame of it
then chalkboard paint the center.
I already have a crystal knob
 set I've been hoarding
so she'll go on there too.
The original pantry door will go
in the the storage cubby
till we move so we can put it back.
{Yes, this will be another blog post. ;) }
 
 

 
I have caught a breath of fresh air this weekend.
I was very hesitant to make this transitional house
our "home" but the Mr. and I have made a
plan that we are so very happy with
 and will work towards our new found goal.
This means... I'll be painting a little and re-doing
some of our own furniture pieces.
 
I'll share some more next visit.
 
Till then, I wish you a peaceful week...
 
xo, Amber