My Heart Responds 'I Am Coming'

So picture this... A woman is walking down a street late at night, puddles mar the pavement from a recent rain. Everything in her gut tells her shouldn't be on this street- not by herself and especially not at night. A figure steps up behind her and a hand wraps around her mouth-  she freezes as a knife touches her throat, the umbrella she is holding falls to the ground,

“The last thing you will feel is the tickle of my blade,” a cold voice hisses in her ear, a mental image of a snake plays at the back of her mind. She begs the man to take her purse, but he only laughs.

“Help! Please help!” She screams but no ones around. No one is there to hear her screams. She tries to wiggle free of her attacker's arms but he holds her firmly, the knife presses harder against her throat, she stills,  “I've been hunting you for a long time- now I finally have you," She knows she is going to die.

“Freeze,” suddenly someone stands in front of them. “Let her go. She's mine.” The knife drops away from her throat and her rescuer pulls her away and pushes her behind him.

“Are you ok?” he glances over his shoulder at the frightened lady. Yet she doesn't respond- in fact, it's almost like she can't hear him. He repeats the question but she still doesn't answer. As if nothing had happened she stoops to pick up her purse and umbrella tossing in the small bible that had spilled when the purse had dropped. Then promptly she turns and strides away back up the street leaving her rescuer to stare after her.

Here you scoff- how dumb of her. He just saved her life- rescued her the least thing she could do is say, “Yes I'm OK.” and thank him. She is either crazy or stupid- maybe even a little selfish. Christ died for us, to save us from our sin- so Satan couldn't have us because we are HIS. But how often does He swoop in and save the day and we simply pick up our scattered things and walk away with out a thank you?

 I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4 NLT

We pray- often beg Him to fix the problem, when we need something, need someone to save the day when something horrible has happened. When we need to be rescued- but the moment He does - we put the genie back in the bottle and walk away. Only to pull the lamp back out to rub like crazy when we need something else.

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalms 27:8 NLT

He doesn't want that kind offf relationship- He wants a friendship with us, a conversation, not an occasional wish when the world is crumbling at our feet. He doesn't want two seconds here and there.  Just long enough to drop a list of wants and needs at his feet and say have at it. He wants us to spend time with Him.

How long would you stay friends with someone who just dropped off all their dirty laundry at your house and said I'll be back to pick it up after awhile- I'm going out with friends?

The one thing I ask of the LORD--the thing I seek most--is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD's perfections and meditating in his Temple. Psalms 27:4 NLT

Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Psalms 27:11 NLT

The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries, and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident. Psalms 27:1-3 NASB

He wants to be the friend that is always there for you. The one that walks with you on the brightest day and on the darkest. He's ready to hold your hand and face life with you. But you have to let Him. You have to want to spend time with Him. He wants to be the first person you tell about what made you happy.  He wants to be the one you tell your fears to, the one you cry with because as your're curled up in bed and feel all alone- He is there with you. He wants to be the one you lean on when life is hard. But you have to make Him first in your life, all of it.

You have to spend time with Him- He is there waiting for you, all you have to do is open the door and be there. Tell Him your coming and then show up. Make the time to spend with Him. I know your busy, trust me I understand. But make it a priority. Carve out the time- it will change your life.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

New Living, NLT, and the New Living Translation logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers.

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

Spaghetti Squash

For those of you who have never heard of this unsuspecting veggie, I will introduce you.  

Friend this is Spaghetti Squash. This is a really easy squash to cook and it makes for a tasty meal. You can serve it plain with a bit of butter, salt and pepper or add it with your favorite spaghetti sauce recipe.

First, wash the outside and cut in half from the flower end to the stem end and just like a pumpkin scrape out the seeds.

Next get a stock pot and put some water in the bottom of it. We don't need much because we are steaming this baby. Place the squash on end and lean against the side of your pan and place the lid on it firmly.  Now turn on and let it steam.  

Once in awhile I open it up and take a steak knife and attempt to stab it.  When it is done, the knife will glide in easily.  

At this point, I take a fork and remove them to a large bowl and pull the water off of the heat (I usually add this to my soups.).  

Take a second fork and use it to hold the squash still by stabbing into the flesh of the squash.  Then with the second fork put it into the squash just past the skin at the edge and drag down toward the empty center of it where the seeds used to be.  Rotate and do this all the way around the squash until it is all like spaghetti.  Scrape it into a bowl and put the skin into your compost.  Season with some organic grass fed butter, salt, and pepper.  It is great just like this!  Or you can top with your favorite spaghetti sauce, etc.  

Let us know what your favorite way to serve spaghetti squash and what you think of it if you decide to try it!  

Enjoy!

Kitchen Remodel Week 17

Well hello again! Thank you for joining us on this 17th week of fun that we have called the D.I.Y. kitchen remodel. What have I learned on this kitchen rehab you ask?  What have I learned "installing cabinets" adventure?

That I'm a perfectionist, I'm a perfectionist until my shoulder and back are so out of whack that I can't sleep and have a massive headache, until my nails are shredded and my fingers are smashed. I'm a perfectionist to the point that there we've screwed, removed and re-screwed so many times I can't keep track of it.

 I am a perfectionist- the slightest space drives me CRAZY. I will sit there and glare at it until finally very reluctantly Mr. Cottage climbs the ladder and adjusts it one more time to get it perfect.

I hate the way "cabinet" is spelled.

That taking cabinet doors off before you install is way easier (and lighter), so if you are someone that can't follow the rules and has to try it like me- never mind if you're like me you won't listen anyway. Have fun!

I didn't like 100 piece puzzles when the neighbors gave us one for Christmas -put sticky notes on the cabinet doors before you take them off, having to guess which one goes where after is not fun. Especially when you guess wrong twice before you get it right.

The dog like clockwork wants to go for a *looks both ways* walk at the most inopportune moments- like when you are under a cabinet.

Measure twice, cut once is a sentence to live by.

When in doubt don't try to squeeze between cabinets, trust me your backside isn't going to fit and unless you are a gymnast you aren't getting back out of that position until the family comes to rescue you.

New to our story check out weeks 1,2,3,4,6,7,13,14, 15 & 16

Faith Or Joy?

This time of year it is everywhere, from songs on the radio to signs on our front lawns. Joy. Glittering lights, Christmas trees, cookies, caroling, time spent with family – and if you're lucky a sleigh ride. From outside it looks perfect, doesn’t it?

But once you open the door and step across the threshold a new picture meets you- a race for perfection, stress over the right gift, if only that family member will put in an appearance, traffic, grumps, and for some the question of “Will I be invited to the family get together this year?” “Will I be ignored again?” and the worst one “Will someone even remember me?”

In this season of ‘Joy,’ I think we often we forget the real meaning of ‘Joy’. A quick look in the dictionary reveals “a feeling of happiness” But if you look in the bible it gives you a completely different meaning. It’s an expectation of something great. It's a rejoicing, rapture- like Christmas, the birth of a baby that would save the world.

Joy is not happiness. Happiness comes and goes like the tide, but joy? Joy is like gravity- constant, never ebbing or swaying. It reaches each of us where we are and turns us into a beacon, a mirror to reflect Him to others. Joy gives us endurance to finish the race, it gives us hope to carry on and Faith that when we fail- He will be right there to pick you up again.

Joy is a gift, it can’t be faked like happiness. Joy is the focus on the prize and not what is right in front of you.

Joy, Faith and Hope go hand in hand. Like sisters. They hold each other up. Because of my Faith I have Joy, and because of Joy I have Hope. Joy is something to be received, to be prayed for…

Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Burrito

Ok, breakfast... who doesn't love a good breakfast to start off their day and when it comes to breakfast the big daddy is the breakfast burrito.  I love it with hot sauce slathered on it.. a little spice in the morning is Great, right.  So scramble those eggs and warm your tortillas because this breakfast burrito is top dog!

2 Eggs scrambled
Himalayan Pink Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
2 Pieces nitrate free bacon
1/4 Cup cheese
1 Tortilla (check out our recipe here)

Related Post: Breakfast Sausage & Egg Muffin

Scramble eggs in a bowl and season, fry bacon, cook eggs and then add bacon and cheese. Heat tortilla and spoon on one side, fold the end over and roll the tortilla up.

This post contains affiliate links.

What Is The 'Christmas Spirit"?

This week a lot of hate has come out, a lot of anger has erupted. We've allowed our "worst" to come out instead of our best, as we slip ever closer to Christmas. In this month we are supposed to thank God for what we have, for the many blessings He has graced us with all we seem to be able to find is anger because we didn't get our way, greed because we need more and un-thankfulness.

Yesterday a post from one of my friends popped up on my Facebook feed, every day she posts something she is thankful for in a #gratitudechallenge. It read something like "Today I'm thankful for my life," you see yesterday she survived a 7.8 earthquake. We forget so often that our lives are a gift- a gift we aren't entitled to. As Christmas rolls, closer this world seems especially dark. So many need a good dose of Christmas spirit. I was talking to a friend last week about how nasty everyone was being and mentioned that to her. Her response was interesting- "What does that even mean anymore? Because the norm isn't what happens at my house." As I sat there thinking about her words, I was a bit stunned that even I couldn't explain what the "Christmas spirit" was.

What is it? A warm feeling when the family is gathered near? A big feast? Cookies? Presents beneath the tree? A nativity scene? Another day off? What is it?

Christmas is a day of giving, of remembrance that Good Friday is only four short months away, that a baby would grow up to save the world. Everything about this holiday should point to Jesus- but we've gotten caught up in the fast pace, the commercialism of the holiday. We've forgotten that that tree not only points to heaven but Christ would die on one. The childlike hope that shines from the faces as we gather round that tree to unwrap presents because the greatest gift has been given to us all- forgiveness.

Our Christmas songs have become just songs, but they hold the answer, they cry of peace and love and hope and goodwill,

Of peace on earth, to men of good will.

Longfellow wrote these words, what does that mean to be men and woman of good will? How do we live like this? I have a challenge for you, let's find the real spirit of Christmas- I don't mean the "classic" Christmas, the one in the movies, or one with homemade presents or even caroling. But the Christmas spirit of changed hearts. Like Scrooge in the Christmas Carol. Let this be a Christmas of finding lost hearts, of opening our hearts up to His love, of reaching out and loving our neighbor, of being the change we want to see in the world. Of holding our hand out to the person we deemed an enemy and making peace.

Maybe that means making Christmas cookies with the kid's and taking them to an elderly neighbor. Maybe that means caroling at a nursing home or visiting someone who is hurting, Maybe that means turning off your phone and computer and being there in the moment. Maybe it's volunteering, getting outside our little worlds and doing something for others. Maybe that means making amends- I don't know. But let's find it, you and me. Let's give this world some good to talk about, because what we've all forgotten is that light shines the brightest when it's the darkest. Tonight, when it's dark take a candle outside and light it. Watch how even though the darkness surrounds it, the light stands out- refusing to be swallowed. Be that light. Be a reflection of Him. And remember that Good Friday is only a few months away.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

There is nothing like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold night, whether you're sitting around the bonfire with friends or watching a movie with the family it's the perfect treat!

Related Post: Chocolate Bark Recipe

4 Tablespoons Agave, Maple Syrup, or Sugar (you substitute these for a few drops of stevia)

1 Cups Milk (Can use a nondairy milk if you don't drink milk)

1/8 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla 

1 Tablespoon Carob Powder or Organic Chocolate Powder

Whipped Cream or whipped coconut cream

Peppermints (optional)

Heat milk in a saucepan, add sweetener, vanilla, and carob. Wisk until combined, and allow to heat. Ladle into your favorite mug and top with coconut whipped cream and peppermints. 

Remodeling The Kitchen Week 16 - Installing Cabinets

The arrival of our cabinets was heralded by a Deputy Sheriff arriving at our doorstep. The dog being the smallest and able to squeeze through the many piles of boxes to make it to the door first, and greeted our visitor with a tirade of barking. When the rest of caught up, we just stared out at him for a moment like that split second when the headlights fall on a critter attempting to cross the road as we tried to figure out why he could possibly be here. Did the neighbors finally make good on their threat (our craziness is quite famous- according to them things like keeping chickens isn't done in "polite" company)?

We quickly informed the very nice officer that we hadn't dialed 9-1-1, everything was indeed ok and no we didn't know where our phone was. After he was well assured that no tom-foolery (except Brianna yelling she didn't do it- me thinks someone has a guilty conscience) was about, he bumped back down the driveway (Sorry!) and we were left with our boxes. Apparently, someone had called and hung up from outside our house (come on people! We've all heard those annoying commercials, don't hang up when you've dialed 911).

Faith discovered that our new cabinets make a great obstacle course for border collies and is running over, under, around and when possible through. The neighbors probably think someone was being murdered with all of the barking and loud noise echoing from our house. Oh well something to brighten their day- if they're going to talk about us they might as well have something to discuss.

Living in a house that is a current construction zone / storage room / assembly area is much like living in a room with all of the puzzle pieces that went missing. Lots of there you are, but nothing fits. It makes for some very interesting games, like how to do laundry when you can't get back and forth, or how to do dishes when there is no where to dry them or sit them while your washing- forget sweeping its pretty much impossible. To top it all off we had our first freeze last night, so all plants that we wanted to survive the winter had to come in. How we still have room to walk around is beyond me.

Putting together cabinets and then installing them takes teamwork, lots and lots of teamwork- and at some point smashing of fingers, pinching of necks, backs, arms and digets, cutting of skin and getting splinters becomes less of a worry compared to dinging paint jobs. It's amazing how priorities change. You learn to be ok with resting a gigantic cabinet on your head/back while someone looks for the drill and screws that have gone missing for the thousandth time.

See, it's the greatest exercise in teamwork!

-And fitting into tight places while pushing your limbs into odd positions that they've never been in or should be in, we may make it in the circus after all of this.

So anyway cabinets- you should know one thing, our house isn't exactly straight or even however you want to put that. Which is one of the many reasons we were hesitant to put in tile. So everything has to be adjusted over and over. Get one screw in and check to make sure its level, then put the next one, check again, then the last one. The words "oops", "is it supposed to look like that?", "uh-oh", and anything else that could possibly fall in this category have been banned from the house.

We have all but three of the upper cabinets installed and we can now partially walk through the living room. It's been quite the undertaking, lots of "Oh my gosh, I need to sweep!" moments, and lots of hiding in the pantry moments (we finally have the door on!) while hugging a mug of apple cider and whimpering (think Rapunzel in Tangled when she ventures outside her tower) that we never should have tried this.

So with muscles screaming in protest I bid you adieu, until next time- the dog is demanding a walk. Seriously we created a monster taking her on our last hike. Mr. Cottage took Monday off so we will hopefully be doing some counter top shopping, yeah we still have't ordered those. "I'm coming!"

New to our story check out weeks 1,2,3,4,6,7,13,14 & 15

An Autumn Hike

I love this time of year! The colorful leaves, cool air, gorgeous days- heaven! We took Faith on her first hike in Bledsoe Creek State Park, she loved it.

We chose a beautiful trail by the lake, we didn't realize it also had a very long, very steep stair case. Also I forgot to mention that Brianna and I had a cold. Probably not the best idea but we couldn't resist.

I love how the light dances through the trees.

It was the perfect day for a hike! Look at this view!

Faith eager to continue our hike, she met lots of other dogs while we were here. It seems a lot of people had our idea. She did amazing, and we can't wait to take her hiking again.

Related Post: Bledsoe State Park

Related Post: Cragfont Plantation

Related Post: Bledsoe's Fort 8th Annual Colonial Fair

I love this shot of Mr. Cottage and Faith, it's a miracle I got them both looking at me.

We ran into these fellows near the end of our hike, they just stood there and looked at us. It was amazing!

The Silent Songbird Book Review

Today we have the great pleasure of reviewing Melanie Dickerson's newest book The Silent Songbird! We were SOOOO excited when we opened the mailbox and found a package from one of our favorite authors! And so with no further ado our review,

The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wait, no! It's over? This was an AWESOME read! I've read almost every book by Ms. Dickerson and this was no letdown. It had me on the edge of my seat through the entire story, I laughed and chewed my nails down- definitely going to need a new manicure. The characters are lovable and inspiring! The storyline is full of twist and turns! This is a beautiful story of a girl desperate to get away from a political marriage to her cousin the king's closest advisor- and true love.

Received this book from the Author.

View all my reviews


This article contains an affiliate link. We received this book from the Author, but all opinions are our own.

A Different Kind Of Peace...

Peace. Everyone wants it but few truly have it. When most people think of peace it involves world peace, Christmas, everyone getting along, or just a day laying on the beach.

The word ‘peace’ is used 429 times in the King James Version, but what does it mean? I can mean tranquility, harmony, security, prosperity or well being. In the Old Testament the word used is “shalom” for peace. It is often tied to covenants or promises kept or in some cases a familiar friend. So technically peace is something like a best friend… that one person who holds your hand and walks through life beside you.

Shalom – completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. In modern Hebrew the word is Shelem which means to pay for, and Shulam meaning to be fully paid.

Paid for. The only way for us to find Peace is embracing the one who paid for us with His life. Its the only way to complete. To be whole, to prosper, to find rest. When Jesus came he came as a friend to fulfill a promise that we could find peace and forgiveness. In the Jewish culture Shalom is used as a greeting like “hello” and “goodbye” but it isn’t just a simple greeting its a blessing.

Elderberry Muffins

Ingredients:

2 cups of organic all purpose flour                           
2 tsp. Non-Aluminum baking powder
1/2 tsp Himalayan Pink Salt
1/2 cup of Organic Butter
1 cup Organic Raw Sugar
2 Organic Eggs
1/2 cup of Organic Milk

1 tsp. Vanilla

1/2 cup of elderberries (fresh or rehydrated)

Topping Ingredients:

1/2 cup Organic Sugar
1/3 cup Organic Flour
1/4 Cup butter (cubed and room temperature)
2 tsp cinnamon

Makes 12 regular size muffins

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 F

To make the topping place your dry ingredients into a small bowl and add the butter cubes.  Use a fork or pastry knife to cut in the butter.  It will be in little clumpy crumbles. Sit aside.

In your mixer mix your butter and add sugar and mix until nice and creamy. Add to this mixture your eggs one at a time and continue to mix.

Add milk and vanilla

In a separate bowl mix your dry ingredients.  Add this a half at a time to your wet ingredients. Don't over mix, muffin dough should be sort of lumpy. Add to this your berries.

Put muffin tin liners into your muffin tin and spoon in the dough filling the cup about 2/3rds full of your mix.  Spoon some of the topping to the top of each muffin and place in your pre-heated oven.  Cook for about 20 minutes (depending on your oven) or until when you pierce it through to center with a toothpick, the toothpick will come out clean.  Transfer to rack and allow to cool or eat hot out of the oven.

This article contains affiliate links. 

Remodeling The Kitchen Week 15 - We Ordered Our Cabinets

So I suppose you can tell by the title that we ordered our cabinets.

WE ORDERED OUR CABINETS!!!!!!!!

After 81 days, 3+ months and days of craziness, we finally have ordered cabinets! You may have noticed over the last aforementioned time that we shared a TON of designs. Yeah, sorry about that. We've been to 7 different companies, all with very different ideas of what our kitchen should look like. (90% of them didn't like what we wanted. I've not heard so many "buts" since my kids didn't want to go to bed.

We use our kitchen to cook, preserve, bake, as a photography studio, for our blogs, etc.  It needs to be a place that is bright, pretty, functional and sturdy.  I want the cabinets white with light counters.

Why can't you tell me the price?  Too many variables? Well, tell them to me.

No, I don't want these dark cabinets and dark soapstone counters.

No, I don't want to spend $100 a s.f. on these black granite counters that I've never even seen before and that you picked out for me, I said light and sturdy, remember?

I want the kitchen to fit into the cottage like it has always been here, to look like a cottage kitchen,

No, I don't want it modern and sleek.

No, we don't have a microwave, no we plan on putting one in, No, it will not be the end of the world...

We have tons of dishes.  We use them for our blog and I need lots of storage that looks great in a relatively small space.

Yes, I want 42" cabinets. No, I don't care I can't have crown molding, no the world will not spin off its axis if I don't have the crown and I still want 42" cabinets... I mean, if it were a REAL crown!  You know, sparkly and pretty!

Speaking of Sparkle, I want a touch of sparkle - let's add a bit of glass! No, I don't care that the cabinet will have to be neat inside! Sigh... really?

To give you an idea of what we went through here is sort of a road map, call it a collage of what the kitchen could have looked like.

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Round- ok you get the idea (there are more but the computer seems to have eaten them). I have so many kitchen designs they're coming out my ears. I'm dreaming about them in my sleep. But of the many designers that were helping us, only one really listened.

Enter Sophia Carter and Wholesale Cabinets Warehouse, lady, you're a light saber I mean life saver-

When I thought I would go crazy, you made me see that although this chaos was stressful, that this too would pass. And so with no further ado her final masterpieces. In all sincerity, Sophia thank you so much for going above and beyond for us. For not just being a designer, but a friend.

You are such a blessing!

So, we scurry around, busy like bees waiting for the delivery truck to bump up our driveway (Sorry in advance guys!) and deliver the culmination of all these months of stress and worry.  It is coming together.  Now, the next exciting part!  Building the cabinets and installation! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

If you're looking for a great company to buy from and a wonderful designer call Sophia at Wholesale Cabinets Warehouse call 855-462-3354 ext.1006!

New to our remodeling adventure? Check out weeks 1,2,3,4,6,7,13,14

Remodeling The Kitchen Week 14 - The Truth About Buying A Sink

What is the truth about buying a sink you ask? I mean how hard can it be?

You're so adorable, let me pop that little bubble for you.

The truth about buying a sink is your going to want to pull your hair out. They'll be "buyers remorse", did I buy the right one????????? What if I'm disappointed? (I do love a white sink) Is it too big? I mean I don't think my teenager will be bathing in the sink at this point...What if it doesn't fit? What if it's too small and I can't squeeze my cookie sheets or cutting board into it and I feel like a giant T-rex with teeny tiny arms trying to wrestle the huge cookie sheets and cutting boards under the water trying to rinse off the soap all because my sink is too small.  What if the world ends, and the galaxy goes spinning off because I didn't buy that stunning white fireclay sink? What if, what if, what if!

And then the I wish stage hits, where you second guess all of those decisions you made when buying aforementioned sink, and at some point your kids find you hiding in the pantry with a blanket (there isn't a door because we put in tile and now it doesn't fit) eating chocolate and listening to a radio play wave sound effects.

In other words- you're going to have so much fun! But in the back of your head your hearing your mom tell you that on your first day of school- and she was always, always wrong. Hehehe yeah. Anyway, after our first pick turned out to be a scam, and our second was the wrong sink, we decided to try amazon again. I mean what are the chances it could be wrong again... *crickets chirping*

So we ordered a 32x30 inch stainless sink from _, not really paying attention we skimmed over the fact that it's a 40+ lbs sink and holding our breath pressed "order". See so much easier than the Lowes one!

About a week later we got a notification that it was to arrive. FINALLY! And we waited. And we waited some more. And we waited some more. No doorbell ringing. No large box containing our sink sitting on our front stoop like a package from Santa on Christmas morn'. And so as the sun began to sink behind the tree line we got a sinking feeling. Surely not! Surely they didn't. We wander outside forgetting our shoes (it's 80 some degrees here in Nov, don't judge.) and sure enough- the delivery guy had left it in the driveway. Wimp. But at least he braved our driveway and put it at the top instead of the bottom.

Cheyenne, not one to wait for help pulls the giant appliance dolly (can you tell we have done this before) from the garage and drags said sink onto the dolly and goes clattering across the gravel with me trailing behind a camera in hand. Here you may ask yourself why I didn't help, well someone had to take pictures! Right? Besides the aforementioned T-rex arms thing does describe me quite well. After a wonderful experience with a lady (on lots of medication) that swore my car was moving when indeed it was stopped at a red light.  Since then I can't raise my arm above my head on one side. .. T-Rex arm.)


With a bit of growling and a lot of clanking she and the sink made it up all front 6 steps- with me behind yelling to Brianna to help hold it so it won't fall down the steps just as Mr. Cottage turned into the driveway.

He kind of just hesitated there for a moment as if asking himself if he should drive around the block once or maybe even twice before coming home (he knows our insanity well, it has been his close and personal companion all these years). Right about then Cheyenne and the sink stumbled into the door -the door swinging wide like it does in the movies when the police kick it in- with Brianna still standing where she was when I was yelling for her to grab the sink, staring open-mouthed after them.

So now our new sink sits beside the fridge waiting for cabinets so she can be installed. Side note: the box works great as counter space a little low, but when the floor is your only other option, a box on your floor becomes your dearest friend (as long as the dog stays off of it).