Greetings All,

It has been 16 months since my last post. I was warned by my Mother that the older you get the faster a whirlwind time becomes. I now understand why people leave their Christmas lights up year round.

We moved into our new home August 2010, departed for Australia in November where we travelled for five months. Home again home again in time to do lots of prep for the vegetable gardens and host a wedding in May.

In July we left for a summer aboard on our new-to-us little boat. We meandered the BC coastline as far as the Broughton Archipeligo which is on the mainland, north of Vancouver Island. It is a natural wonderland full of whales, dolphins and plentiful supplies of prawn and crab, spectacular scenery and isolated anchorages.

Home by September we welcomed our middle son and his two children to live with us while he returned to school.

November arrived dark and dreary once again so I unpacked the mini house. I would really like to finish it before I have to pack it away again..... but we all know the saying that it is the journey not the destination that is the adventure.

Exterior Progress:

Quoins and trim under sills made of plastered bristol board. Decorative wood above windows created from combination of assorted trims.

I have made the summer window boxes but thought I might think about how it would look like with the vines in winter - just for fun. A few examples of different options.

No, the shutters are not upside down. I want them in an open position, when they are closed they will be placed correctly to shed rain.

Photos show:

Final choice of vines.

Vine options.

Progress steps of east wall.

Sunrise from our cottage.

Moonrise from our cottage.

Enjoying visiting so many of your blogs and then stepping to your followers. One can get lost out there. Such a lot of inspiration. Thank you.

Hope you are getting into the Christmas/holiday season spirit.

Janine