Sunday Sayings and My Word for 2018 . . .

It's been so long since I've blogged.  I've been posting on Instagram almost daily for the last month or so.  It's become a bit of an addiction in all honesty.  I've noticed a good number of the blogs that I follow post less frequently now due to Instagram.  If you'd like to follow me, I'm Crickleberry Cottage there as well.  : )

Have you picked your "word" for the new year?  This is something I've done for the last several years, ever since I saw it popping up all around "blogland."  It took me a few weeks to come up with a word that I haven't used already.  I always seem to be drawn to the same few words.  This year, I've gone with . . .

. . . "FORWARD."  I feel like it's the perfect word for me right now.  : )


Have you picked a word??


Many blessings to you.  If you're living in the northeast I hope you're staying warm.  We're in the midst of cold weather like we haven't experienced in a few years in my part of  New York.  It's actually been in the negative digits.  I haven't left my house in five days.  I even told my husband that I'm rethinking moving north when he retires.  I little warm weather with the sun beating down on me while sitting on the beach sounds good right about now.  That would last for about five minutes though and I'd be looking for a beach umbrella and air conditioning in no time.  Who am I kidding??  : )


~ Wendy

A Quote and a Cottage . . .

Quote of the day: 

I don't care whether people like me or dislike me. I'm not on earth to win a popularity contest. I'm here to be the best human being I possibly can be. -Tab Hunter


Amen to that.  Thanks Tab Hunter.  : )



On a completely different note . . .

I reeaallyy want to live here!!!  : )

Happy Saturday ~ Wendy  xo

Sunday Sayings . . .

A few quotes that resonated with me this week.  How I love a good quote!!  xo


Happy Sunday!! ~ Wendy 

Sunday Sayings . . .

Really makes you think, doesn't it?  : )


Have a beautiful Sunday ~ Wendy  xo

Sunday Sayings . . .

Hoping you have a beautiful Sunday and a peaceful week ahead ~ Wendy xo

Sunday Sayings . . .

I'll be posting more about this quote on the private blog that I created.  If you'd like to join in, please leave a comment or message with the email address that you'd be viewing and/or posting to the private blog from and I'd be happy to add you.  Sometimes there are things that we don't want to share publicly on our blogs.  I created "Speaking Our Truth" to give us a safe, private, judgement free space to share these kinds of things.  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful Sunday ~ Wendy  xo

Sunday Sayings . . .

It's been a crazy week around here.  School ended.  Our friends moved in with us until my husband and my friend's husband finish ripping out their bathroom and putting a new one in.  Their house is has been having lots of problems lately and horrible mold has been showing up in their bathroom.  They found lots of leaks behind the walls and pipes not up to code and, long story short, decided it would be best to take everything apart and start from scratch.  My honey knows how to build a house from the ground up so he and our friend are doing the work themselves.  In the meantime, there are two very happy seven year olds that are thrilled to be having a week long sleep over.  : )  The mamas are holding up well but this mama doesn't do well without "alone" time and that's been next to impossible.  This is the first time I've had a chance to even go on my blog while they're all at the playground.  It's been going very well and we'd honestly do anything for our friends.  We know they feel the same way about us and, these days, honest and caring and happy people seem harder to find. It's amazing to me how the Universe puts people in your life when you seem to need them the most.

Amazing grace!!

Wishing you a beautiful week ahead!!  xo

~ Wendy

Sunday Sayings . . .

I've been feeling under the weather this weekend.  A sore throat and very achy but I think I've turned a corner today.  : )

Happy Fathers' Day to all of the wonderful men out there that have taken on the responsibility of raising the child or children they've helped bring into this world.  There are far too many that choose to walk away.

Wishing you a beautiful week ahead!!  xo


~ Wendy

Sunday Sayings . . .

Many blessings for a happy Sunday.  My thoughts and prayers are with the people of London.  There are truly no words for any of this.


~ Wendy

Sunday Sayings . . .

Many blessings for a beautiful Sunday ~ Wendy  xo

Sunday Sayings . . .

Wishing you a beautiful day!!


~ Wendy

Sunday Sayings . . .

Wishing you a beautiful Sunday!!

~ Wendy  xo

Sunday Sayings . . .

Wishing you a very happy and peaceful Sunday ~ Wendy xo

Sunday Sayings . . .

It's been a busy weekend around here.  It's chilly and grey here today so we'll probably light a fire, think of something to bake, work on the never ending pile of laundry and get ready for the new week.  I want to wish all of my blogging friends across the pond a very happy Mothers' Day filled with lots of love.  xo


~ Wendy

Finding My Passion . . .

Eight or nine years ago my husband surprised me with a Nikon D40 digital camera.  I was definitely a little intimidated by it and I am also a creature of habit.  I hate to admit it but that camera sat unopened for a long time while I still used my little Kodak Easy Share.  Remember those? 

Fast forward to summer vacation at the Jersey shore.  My husband, unbeknownst to me, has brought along my new camera and is taking lots of beautiful photos with it.  I, of course, take it from him and, after a quick lesson on how to use it, begin to see the world in a whole new way.  That was the day I discovered my passion for photography.  And it didn't take long to discover that my true passion is in the genre of outdoor and nature photography.

I am a homebody by nature.  I think one of the reasons why I love winter so much is because I get to hibernate without feeling guilty about not wanting to go out.  Now though, if I go for an extended period of time without using my camera, I honestly feel like something is missing in my life.  One good car ride around town with my camera  (especially since we moved to a new town and I have all new surroundings)  and I feel balanced again. 

I just signed up for a two day class with a professional photographer and I have to tell you that I'm really looking forward to it.  There are settings on my camera that I know nothing about and I want to learn.  I'm ready to step out of my comfort zone and stop being a creature of habit.

What sets your soul on fire?  I'd love to hear your stories of finding your passion!!  xo


~ Wendy

St. Patrick's Dinner at McDonagh/Valentine Cottage and a Sunday Saying . . .

Friday night we feasted on corned beef with all the St. Patrick's Day trimmings, compliments of my husband. 

The chef.  : )

We caught up with friends and family that we haven't been able to spend much time with lately and these two besties got to run around and play for a few hours. 

The many faces of Megan and Gracie!!

Lucky indeed!!!   🍀

Happy Sunday to you!! ~ Wendy xo