I’m running around cleaning up from our weekend celebration…..I’ll be sure to share all about it!
Last summer when I was given a can of Fish Foam Glass Cleaner I had never heard of it before…..and was interested to try it.
This stuff is incredible! You can use it to clean any glass….it’s great for car glass….countertops, appliances, mirrors, etc. I have never used a better glass cleaner. It doesn’t run or get messy…and it starts to work as soon as you spray it on.
When I sent a quick note to Fish Foam to thank them for giving me a can to try…..they wanted to give you guys some, too!
So, Fish Foam will be giving one of our readers a 3-pack of Fish Foam Glass Cleaner.
All you need to do is be sure to follow Cottage in the Oaks blog and leave a comment below.
We have had one can for over 9 months….and it is still going strong! We used it a ton this past weekend to get ready for No. 1 Son’s graduation party. It really goes a long way.
I’ll pick a winner via Random.org on Friday, May 24 and announce the winner on Monday, May 27.
I have a passion for excellence. Not power….but excellence. There is a difference, a world of difference. It is the spirit behind the passion that can go either way.
I love this excerpt from Max Lucado’s book, The Applause of Heaven…..I thought I would share it with you. I think it’s great encouragement to start the week….to keep in mind as we go about our days.
A Passion for Excellence, by Max Lucado
Remember playing “King of the Mountain” as a kid? The object of the game is to get high on the heap and stay there. You push, claw, and climb until you get to the top. And once you get there, you fight to hold your position. Don’t even think about sitting down. Forget enjoying the view. Slack for even one minute, and you’ll be slapped down to the bottom of the hill. And then you’ll have to start all over again.
As grown-ups we still play “King of the Mountain,” but now the stakes are higher.
The push for power has come to shove. And most of us are either pushing or being pushed. I might point out the difference between a passion for excellence and a passion for power. The desire for excellence is a gift from God, much needed in our society. It is characterized by respect for quality and a yearning to use God’s gifts in a way that pleases Him. Recall the words of Antonio Stradivari, the 17th-century violin maker whose name in its Latin form, Stradivarius, has become synonymous with excellence:
“When any master holds ‘twixt chin and hand a violin of mine, he will be glad that Stradivari lived, made violins and made them of the best…If my hand slacked I should rob God—since He is the fullest good … But He could not make Antonio Stradivari’s violins without Antonio.”
He was right. God could not make Stradivarius violins without Antonio Stradivari. Certain gifts were given to that craftsman that no other violin maker possessed.
In the same vein, there are certain things you can do that no one else can. Perhaps it is parenting, or constructing houses, or encouraging the discouraged. There are things that only you can do, and you are alive to do them. In the great orchestra of life, you have an instrument and a song, and you owe God to play them both sublimely.
But, there is a canyon of difference between doing your best to glorify God and doing whatever it takes to glorify yourself. The quest for excellence is a mark of maturity. The quest for power is childish.
Happy Monday, Friends~
daune
PS If you haven’t already….be sure to head on over and RSVP for the show tomorrow, “Think Outside the Pot – Creative Planter Ideas”. I’d love for you guys to join me! Click below to RSVP and register to win a set of 6 vintage blue Ball jars!
It’s amazing the celebrations and planning that go into an event that is less than 5 minutes! If you go to the restroom….you’ll miss it! The running of the 139th Kentucky Derby is coming up this weekend…..and here in the U.S. it is highly celebrated all week.
Growing up there was a family here in our town that hailed from Kentucky and grew up in the box seats each year with their family. Each year they would host a huge Derby Party on Derby Day on the lawn of their antebellum estate. Everyone looked forward to it. Due to sickness, the past few years there has been no Derby Party….and there always seems to be a bit of a void on that day.
Much of Handsome’s family lives in Kentucky…..and we have enjoyed spending time at the Kentucky Horse Park and the Kentucky Derby Museum over the years. When Handsome returned from there this past January he brought be back a pair of horseshoes that had been used by one of the racehorses in last year’s Kentucky Derby….they still have track dirt in them. This weekend they will grace our table as part of the centerpiece. =)
We grow Kentucky mint in our garden…..we brought it back from Kentucky years ago. Even though we won’t use it for mint juleps….we do have fun putting it in our iced tea.
If I was attending the derby this year……this would be outfit…….
You don’t have to be in KY to celebrate and join the fun…..this Saturday you could turn your dinner into a fun family derby party. Here’s some fun, free printables ………
If you’re headed to the actual derby here’s some hints as to where you might want to be….
Kentucky Derby Traditions: The Infield, just across the track from the clubhouse, but worlds away in social strata, you’ll find the infamous Infield scene. There are several distinct experiences found herein. The third turn, so named for its relationship to the race track, is home to a raucous crowd of singles and young-at-heart party goers. If that’s not your scene, head to the grassy first turn where family and picnic types go for a modicum of Southern mores and etiquette.
Whether at home or at the derby…you will definitely want to make Derby Pie…..featured yesterday in the New York Times. {Click the link below for the recipe.}
I had fun writing a post about one of my favorite Southernisms….Bless Your Heart last year. I’ve had several requests for some more Southernism enlightenment….so, here you go…today’s the day!
This would be for all ya’ll that don’t know the difference between a hissie fit and a conniption..and the fact that you don’t have them…you pitch them.
Probably the most used, right after Bless Your Heart, would be Fixin’ To….I’ll start with that one.
Fixin’ To: getting ready to do something. About to do something. Planning to do something in the near future. Ex.: ”I’m fixin’ to go to the store”. Keep in mind that the amount of time ‘fixin’ to’ covers is completely subjective…and only the one who said it knows. It could mean within the next five minutes, or the next few years.
Now..this one really gets messed up by non-southerners. I’ll try to break it down for you:
Ya’ll : two people {southerners would never refer to one person as ya’ll..always two.}
All Ya’ll : three or more. That’s waaaayyyyy more than one.
Mash : what southerners do to elevator buttons. Never push. It’s mash. Ex: Mash floor 3, please.
Yonder : a general direction that could cover anywhere from over in the corner of the kitchen to 500 square miles in any given direction. Ex. “It’s over yonder.”
Short End of the Stick : you received the least desirable of all choices. Like, if your chore for the week was toilets, or you got the blind date with the short, not-so-cute guy…you would say, “She got the short end of the stick on that one.”
Heebie Jeebies : the way crazy creeps! This is far beyond your regular feeling of creepiness. Like..the guy beside you in the elevator that has high waters and really bad breath, and tells you he likes wearing white socks….you would say, “He gives me the heebie jeebies!”
Like White on Rice : two things that always go together or that can’t be separated. For example: “She was all over him like white on rice!”
Well, I don’t want to overwhelm you…that’s probably a lot for just one day for all ya’ll. I’ll share more later. Any fellow southerners out there that might have a favorite southernism…share it in the comments. I I haven’t said it, I’m sure my grandmother has. Be sure to head on over and get a complete understanding of Bless Your Heart.
Thank you so much for all the sweet comments and e-mails, and gifts that many of you guys sent in honor of the 2nd Blogoversary of Cottage in the Oaks! I have the best readers in the world!
So, who’s ready to find out the winner of the SUPER HUGE Giveaway???? {a.k.a. “tons of stuff arriving in many boxes….so get ready!”}
Comment #45! Rhonda Till!!!
Rhonda…e-mail me at cottageintheoaks [at] me [dot] com with your mailing address so I can contact the 18-wheeler and send out your fun goodies! =)
Looking forward to another year of fun with you all!
It’s our blogoversary! I can’t believe that Cottage in the Oaks turns 2 tomorrow! Wow! We’re a toddler.
I appreciate you guys hanging out here at the cottage with me. So, I wanted to do something special just for all of you……I put together a HUGE $750 Giveaway. Lot’s of fun stuff!
{Also…my designer just sent me some preliminary peaks at my new design…..eeeekkkkk! I love it! Can’t wait for it to be done and to show you all!}
OK…back to the program. {Squirrel!}
I’ve had fun gathering some of my favorite things from our etsy shop, as well as other places….and all these items put together equals over $750 worth of goodies!
Here’s what the giveaway includes…..all $750 worth!
(Mandatory) 1. Become a follower of the Cottage in the Oaks BLOG and leave a comment letting me know how you follow: e-mail, RSS, etc. {1 entry}
(Optional) 2. Follow Cottage in the Oaks on twitter & comment to let me know you do {1 entry}
(Optional) 3. Like Cottage in the Oaks on Facebook & comment to let me know you do {1 entry}
(Optional) 4. Follow Cottage in the Oaks on Pinterest & comment to let me know you do {1 entry}
(Optional) 5. Tweet the giveaway & come back and leave a comment with the link {1 entry}
(Optional) 6. Blog about the giveaway and leave a comment with the link {1 entry}
(Optional) 7. Pin the giveaway and leave a comment letting me know {1 entry}
(Optional) 8. Post the giveaway on your Facebook page and leave a comment with the link {1 entry}
(Optional) 9. Follow Cottage in the Oaks on Instagram & comment to let me know you do {1 entry}
Whoa! 9 possible entries…what are you waiting for?
This contest is open to US and Canadian readers only….so sorry, the shipping everywhere else keeps us from being able to open it up internationally at this time.
This contest will end on Friday April 19, 2013 at Midnight EST!!
A winner will be announced on Monday, April 22, 2013!
Want to do some shopping?
Here’s a discount code JUST for Cottage in the Oaks readers for our etsy shop:
use the code 2YEARS
to get 20% off your ENTIRE purchase through April 30, 2013 !
Thanks for joining me here at the cottage….I love you guys!
So, if all of a sudden you don’t receive our posts….be sure to come back and re-subscribe to the feed! We don’t want to lose anyone….you guys are too fun! =)
Today I received something in my inbox that spoke deeply to my heart….because for the past several weeks it is almost exactly what has been written in my journal. I will share it at the end of the post.
In the fall No. 1 Son went off to China. Several years ago when I helped him pack for one week of summer camp… I knew. I knew it would be the first of many letting go’s. He’s like me….he loves adventure, and travel, learning new things, and being exposed to all kinds of people in all kinds of places. We’ve always been kindred spirits in that way.
But the China trip was the first big trip without us…and it was for longer than a week. I wanted to let him go. But I didn’t want to. But I did. And I’m glad.
We’ve always travelled together as a family….and it has been a wonderful launching pad for a budding adventurer. We’ve been able to be there as he learned how to navigate foreign places, big cities, countrysides, planes, trains, taxis, subways. How to handle being out of his comfort zone in a strange place. How to relish and enjoy every minute…and work through the mishaps. We’ve been there with him…showing and teaching. And he’s a good student. It was still hard….that letting go.I wanted to go with him.
I’m told that a good mom works her way right out of job?
When he returned from China he was so excited to give me a present. He had spent hours in a pearl factory in China picking out just the right ones for me. {He’s meticulous with his gifts and always puts his heart in them.} They were expensive. He spent his hard-earned money.
When he went to get his suitcase it had been broken into by a worker at the airport. The insides were a shamble and the pearl necklace and earrings were gone.
Oh, his face. I know how much of his heart he put into that present for me. I mustered up every ounce of self-control I could muster and encouraged him [and reminded myself that murder is a sin]. Thanked him. And shared with him how I had learned the same hard lesson when I began to go off on my own: to never put valuables in your checked luggage. That was on the outside….on the inside my eyes slanted, ears became pointed, nostrils flared, fangs grew, and I may or may not have had slobber slinging from my jowls. I’m a mom….and someone had messed with one of mine. Ages of children do not change this Mom Fierceness.
More letting go. For all of his life I have encouraged him. Given him pushes when needed and held him back when needed. {If I ever run into that airport worker…he may need to hold me back! } I know his strengths and I also know his tender spots. I’ve been able to protect those tender spots…physically, tangibly; but over the past year or so I have had to let go and realize I am entering a time of only being able to protect them with prayer. {The best protection, anyway….but, you know, I’m a Mom. I like to do it myself. I like to see to it.} I will have to work on my trust while letting go….many of my prayers for No. 1 Son lately have been “God, I know YOU will see to it. Thank you.”
For weeks now I have been sitting down with him filling out college applications. Now that the scholarships, offers, and options are rolling in I realize there will be another big letting go. Even if he stays at the university here….it will be a big letting go. He brings his essays for me to look over….he wants my opinion and corrections. Without even reading them I know they are incredible. He’s a wonderful writer. But he wants to make sure. He says they have to be perfect. I remind him that his excellence is more than enough.
There’s so much more I want to teach him! Did I remember to tell him to always wear black socks with black dress shoes? Have I made sure that he knows the One that he can always run to? Have I taught him how to choose his battles and how to know when to say ‘yes’ and when to say ‘no’?
This mom thing. This letting go thing. It’s exciting and hard all at the same time. I mean, can God really take care and protect him better than me, his Mom? Maybe even better?
Oh dear. It is such a wonderful, exciting, hard time!
As a boy-child…..Always by his side….teaching him the ropes…..
As a man-child……Letting him go…….and trusting in the One that created him…….
I find myself constantly in the luggage section of stores. Even though I have tons of luggage, I thoroughly enjoy looking at it and imagining. I don’t need to buy anymore….I have every style and size imaginable. Ones to fit my every need. So, I’m not really shopping, just drawn to the luggage section to wander.
I think I’m drawn to luggage because when I see it it says “ADVENTURE!” I love to travel and head out on new journeys and adventures. So, I’m drawn to pictures of luggage, luggage, luggage departments in stores……other people’s luggage……
I think we are always looking for signs…..and love it when we receive them. Praying for answers, looking for signs. Lost our direction, looking for signs.
The power of words are immeasurable…..spoken and written.
They go places. They peak my curiosity. They can keep me safe or give me freedom. They symbolize opportunity or a safe haven. And I always want to know what is on the other side. They can be inviting or repelling. They can be open or locked shut.
While in NYC last week with my son he got a kick out of me stopping all the time to take pictures of doors. He finally got to the place that he would point out unusual and neat doors for me to see. {Bingo! *wink* *wink* I got him looking for doors, too!}
Doors lead to new places and to cozy, familiar ones.
What are some things that you love and that have special meanings to you? Maybe things you have always been drawn to for much of your life….or something you’ve just discovered?
Opening doors, unpacking luggage, and seeing the sign of lots of laundry to do……..
Due to the winner below not responding after many days of notifications….we have picked another winner. Here is the info of the NEW WINNER of the giveaway!
Be sure to head on over and get a complete understanding of 
