Estate Vignette

treas•ure (trzhr) n.
1. Accumulated or stored wealth in the form of money, jewels, or other values.
2. Valuable or precious possessions of any kind.
3. One considered especially precious or valuable.

Perhaps the best place to discover that perfect treasure is the estate sale, estate auctions and tag sales. I am one who appreciates antiques, vintage and collectibles and the bliss that comes from a day consumed in the auctions. I have spent the last two Saturdays at estate sales followed by using my Sunday afternoons admiring my treasures and poring through information that will provide me their history. (Yes, I suppose this may be a bit overboard, but for me, it's part of the find.)

Compact, pottery, bisque, head vases, linens and, well there are too many to list tonight. Cottage Heirlooms is in the early stages of opening and look forward to your visit soon!

Cottage Heirlooms

Sharing a few of our classic, elegant, vintage finds!

My Coton De Tulear

Introducing "Maggie May" ~ my "Coton De Tulear" and special companion! Almost three years ago, ironically about this time of year, I was at the bookstore looking for a magazine, the aisle for Romantic Homes, Southern Lady, Tea Time and every other fav was busy so I turned to the shelves behind me. There was a pet magazine behind me with the cutest puppy I had ever seen in my life! It looked like a minature sheep dog but ooohhhh so soft and fluffy! I had to know more and bought the magazine (along with my copy of the recent Romantic Homes).

I immediately went to the pc upon arriving home and began my search. Coton in french for cotton, this is the most conspicuous feature of the Coton De Tulear, the cottony coat. Read on ~ non-shedding, odorless, free of oily dander, affectionate, extremely good around children, excellent family dog ~ okay this was the one!

I was on my way to locate my very own Coton, a female (our experience found males to be too aggressive). I interviewed breeders and once I found the perfect one, the breeder and I quickly became friends. I would have first choice of females with her litter due in mid-March. It was like awaiting the birth of a child!!! She was born in mid-March and finally she arrived by plane Memorial weekend 2006. (Little did I know that with the news of Maggie's birth I would also be elated to learn that we were expecting our first grandchild!) She has the most endearing personality, loves to cuddle and by far does not cease to "talk" with us or even "fuss" when she believes we have been away too long. Yep, she needs a little TLC, good coat brushing regularly and treats, did I say she likes treats? Oh, yes and there is her favorite stuffed toy, Elmo. We have learned Coton's will bark at the doorbell to let you know something is happening. (Maggie even barks at the sound of a doorbell coming from a TV program.) She is not yappy though, she simply barks when it is necessary. Cotons are great companion dogs and want to be with you all the time, wherever you go, even to the bathroom.

Coton de Tulear's truly enrich your life beyond measure.