Michelle Hawes

Not my usual Sunday Stills but our little village have made the most beautiful Rememberance Week decorations. Seeing the monument covered in these beautiful poppies surrounded by the autumn leaves falling seems like it deserved a place on my grid this Remembrance Sunday. Sending lots of love to everyone today x

The blankets of white frost, hot chocolates by the fire, the angels suspended like magic over Regent Street. What do you love about Christmas in England? Last year was our first Christmas in the cottage. We had only got the keys 2 months before so we hadn't had much time to settle in. I loved filling it with sparkle and greenery tho and I'm so excited to get started with it again this year!

I've had a lot of messages about my hops garland this week. They smell so lovely as they are drying out. You can have them delivered fresh in August just as they are harvested and then watch them dry out slowly over the winter. They are much greener when delivered fresh. Or you can have them delivered anytime already dried out and ready to be hung to brighten everything up. They are a much more subtle colour this way. They have been hung traditionally in English cottages and pubs for years, supposedly they aid in sleep.

There's a peaceful pause at the cottage. That moment of peace and stillness between breathing out and drawing in another breath. The pumpkins have all gone and I'm enjoying this slow calm moment before we press go on Christmas. I had my Mum, Nan and Aunt for lunch yesterday, it was lovely to be able to all sit and talk for a few hours, I cooked a vegetable lasagna with layers of roasted Butternut Squash between sautéed courgettes and bechemal. Hope your all having a peaceful week too!

Happy Saturday, super lovely Spotmycottage friends .. Karen here @our.little.slice.of.kernow  .. 🥂 If you're suffering miserably damp weather, just like me,  I have an absolute joy of a cottage here to cheer you & ENJOY ! Michelle's gorgeous shots are from sunnier days & really showcase her beautiful Warwickshire home. Fabulous fireplaces & kitchen  .. I absolutely love her  stairway reno too .. all that paint stripping was so worthwhile! And Michelle DID make me smile naming her sour dough starters in pic 6 😂 .. Check out sweet little Ronnie in the last pic for the p...awwww factor too .. 🩵 Don’t be too disappointed if today wasn’t YOUR day we search our whole # & beyond for wonderful cottage style posts to share, so there WILL be lots more share opportunities to look forward to .. If you’re a new follower wanting to share a cottage style post, it’s REALLY easy to join in ... ⬇️ 🌸 Use #spotmycottage on stills 🌸TAG @spotmycottage in reels 🌸 Follow our page @spotmycottage 🌸 Follow our hosts - Karen @our.little.slice.of.kernow Amy @heapscottage Max @little.cottage.in.the.shire Susie @thatch.and.thread . . . . . . . . . . #cottagestylehome #cottagestyle #cottagestyling #cottagetime #cottagehouse #cottagecountry #cottagedesign #cottagelove #cottagelife #cottagelifestyle #cottageliving #cottagerenovation #cottagechic #cottagegoals #warwickshirecottage #kittensofinstagram #frontdoorgoals

Are you a get the decorations out the loft in November fan or should this be a strictly December only thing? My pumpkins have gone and I am super excited to get started with Christmas, my tree won't be going up too soon tho as I want a real one and it won't last until New Years Eve. I think I might spend the next few weeks planning and maybe have a visit to London to get some inspiration! I am definitely going with a garland and big red bows theme this year! Have a lovely weekend everyone x

November has arrived and if like me it's already brought with it the cold and flu this Spicy Butternut Squash Soup is my perfect medicine. I large Butternut Squash 1 Onion 1 tbsp of curry spice 2 tbsp Olive Oil 1 tin of Coconut milk Save it for later or send it to a friend who's feeling under the weather x @lauraashleyuk @myvquk hand blender previous Gifted item. #soup #soupseason #comfortfood #comfortfoods #butternutsquash #curry #easycooking #lunchideas #souprecipes #homecooking #homecooked #recipe #cosyfood #delicious

I can't believe it's time for Sunday Stills already, the week has literally flown. 1. I moved the gorgeous @ruggable rug back into the living room, I love how much easier it is to clean and vacuum than the longer pile rug. Just a few little white pumpkins left in here now. 2. The dining room has had a move round too! We spend most of our day in here and I love being able to fit a chair in next to the fireplace, it's a cosy corner away from the distraction of the television. 3. The staircase sanded and stripped, this look so much better now when you come through the front door. 4. Staircase view from the top of the stairs. I want to strip the front door now. 5. The new bedroom! I am so happy with how this room has turned out. It was a collaboration with @laredoute_uk for an autumn reset and the colours and textures in here are definitely giving it all the autumn feels. 6. My morning chat with Ronnie. He fell asleep. 7. The very last Pears I got from the tree this week, I have a new tried and tested recipe I'm going to share with you soon. 8. Sourdough discard pancakes with lemon and honey. So fluffy and light. 9. Sorry had to squeeze an extra Ronnie one in. He claimed my new spot by the fire as his own very quickly Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday! I will be going to have Sunday lunch with my Mum 🤎

One is much older than the other! I've moved the dining table around at the cottage which has given me space to sit by this fire and I just love it.. I'm having to fight Ronnie for the chair tho he already thinks it's his! I love the fireplaces at St Joseph's Cottage, the gas one is clean and instant heat where as the log burner takes a little bit more attention but the crackle of the logs makes it worth the effort. Wishing you a lovely weekend x..

Come Inside !! I'm still very much in Pumpkin season here at the cottage, there's a few more weeks of spiced lattes and autumn 🍂 walks before I'm ready to settle in with the tinsel and fairylights. Although I am loving planning this year's 🎄 decorations!! I still haven't got round to carving a pumpkin or making some pumpkin soup but I definitely plan to do it next week. Happy Friday Everyone!

Ok so it was totally worth the blood, sweat and actual tears! One of my favourite things about living in an old property is it's history. Now, everytime I walk up these stairs I can't help but think about how many other feet have treaded this wood. Tired mums going to tend to their children, excited feet on Christmas morning, elderly feet wondering how much longer they will still be able to make the stairs 🤎 It was a horrible, messy job but I love how it's turned out and now I'm thinking I might do the front door too! Happy Thursday Everyone.

Classic Country Kitchen Styling. The worktops need sanding and oiling again in here and I'm in two minds whether to go darker like the @karndean_uk flooring instead of the lighter oak. What do you think? What's your must haves for a classic country kitchen? Butler Sink Solid Wood Worktops Or open shelves brimming with spices and cookbooks? Hope you all have a lovely week x