Turning My Cottagecore Dreams Into Reality One Curtain at a Time

It’s about time for an overdue update on my new home. I can’t believe my first year flew by as quickly as it did. When I first moved into my cottage-sized cottagecore home, I had pictured creating a cozy, storybook dream house straight out of an enchanted forest. A place where the scent of fresh bread and simmering soups filled the air, where the sunlight and the wind blew through lace curtains, the sun danced along the floor, and where my fur family lived in harmony like something out of a Disney movie.

Well, reality check. I hate to admit it but my home is still in the relatively unfinished phase (cottagecore decor) because, as it turns out, a disability salary doesn’t stretch as far as my imagination. Hence the lack of updates, but hey, I’m getting there one curtain at a time. They’re just not lace. And my home, well, it’s got a long way to go to capture the spirit of cottagecore. But it’s home and it’s my home. I’ll never tire of saying that.

Enter Peanut, my little sidekick who supervises every move I make with the wisdom only an elderly aging dog can. And then there are the cats. Oh, the cats. I didn’t just inherit a house. I inherited a full-fledged feline circus.

#catlife #catmom

Elfie, the ever-pregnant queen of the neighborhood, vanishes for days and returns only when starving or ready to give birth. No one knows where she belongs, but three of her kittens—each from a different litter—have claimed my property as their kingdom. Faith, her sweet baby with Down syndrome, wobbles through life with endless curiosity. Tubs, from her second litter, is a snack thief who believes all unattended food is rightfully his. One-Eyed Joe, from yet another litter (and yes, she’s expecting again), climbs my curtains like a tiny menace. Cottagecore lace curtains? They don’t stand a chance.

Meanwhile, up to 12 other strays sneak in daily for food—apparently, my entire town is overrun with cats.

As for my three, Chelsea, my grumpy old cat, reigns from the windowsill. Hood, who literally jumped out of my daughter’s car hood as a kitten, grew into a mischievous troublemaker I bottle-fed. Midnight, a stray who stole my heart, now patrols the yard like he owns it.

Despite the cozy feeling cottagecore decor still being a work in progress, I have fully embraced my inner cottagecore heart. Baking has become a therapeutic ritual. There’s nothing like the smell of bread in the oven, the scent filling every corner of my little home. Homemade soups have become a staple, bubbling away in my trusty crock pot or in a big pot on the stove as I watch the seasons change outside my large spacious kitchen windows.

 

And speaking of seasons, Georgia finally gifted us with a rare sight. Snow. Real, actual snow. For the first time in twenty years, the world outside my door looked like a winter wonderland. Peanut was absolutely fascinated, Elfie was unimpressed, and Chelsea barely opened one eye from her windowsill throne. Midnight on the other hand was here for it. Every little flake fascinated him.

Another unexpected passion that has bloomed since moving here is gardening. I used to think of plants as high-maintenance house guests, but now I find myself nurturing every little indoor and outdoor green sprout like they are my own children. There is something so peaceful about digging in the dirt, planting seeds, and watching them grow into something beautiful. It has also made me more aware of the environment. I’m making small changes, learning to live more sustainably, and trying my best to create a little eco-friendly haven.

And I’ve saved the best update for last! I’m going to be a great-grandma for the first time! More to come later.

So while my cottagecore dream home isn’t quite there yet, it’s slowly becoming a true reflection of me. One curtain at a time, one home-cooked meal at a time, and one cat hair-covered surface at a time. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. And there’s something exciting in the works. Soon you’ll be able to follow my progress. One newly stitched with love quilt, one warm crocheted afghan blanket, one slow walk along my woods, one new vegetable ripening, one new spiced tea at a time.

I’ve also recently lost a loved one, someone I can’t yet bring myself to talk about, and it has deeply affected me. But I’m doing my best to find my way forward, to heal, and to get my life back on track, one small, beautiful moment at a time.

If you enjoyed this blog post and the topic, I think you’re going to enjoy where my life and heart are headed with something fun in the works. Keep checking back so I can share a more personal side of myself in a new corner of the web. Of course, Shabby Chic Boho will continue on.