The Little White Cottage

Re-building Little Town: Check here for a step-to-step tutorial.

Thanks for visiting, Little Town Mayor

We here at Little Town thank you for your enthusiastic cheers for our rebuilding. Many have asked for a step-by-step tutorial to demonstrate how our easy maintenance village can showcase a storybook land.

The planning commission gladly put together a tutorial about what has worked. This plan can be as simple or advanced as you wish...yet really fun and easy no matter the stage.

Although not compensated for any item by sponsors, Little Town Mayor shares what has been convenient and successful. Some items are new, but most items are from her craft and housewares stash:

Building (I like the size and quality of Plow and Hearth, but more expensive and less expensive are easily available. The size will determine the container size.)

• Container (I like this one.)
• Small cement blocks to place under container for drainage (about $1 each)
• Large bag of potting soil (I like the moisture enhanced versions.)
• Small creeping plants that survive your climate/seasons
• Stones and optional fish tank gravel

For the faux water in this mill version: plastic container (sandwich size); flower arranging "faux water" kit; flower arranging gems, glitter, gravel


STEP ONE: Drill holes in the container.

  

OPTIONAL: Make faux water with the florist-arranging kit found in your craft store. This process requires that you make the item many days in advance to allow for drying.

 

  

STEP TWO: Determine your location according to plant requirements. Place cement blocks, and balance the container on top.

   

STEP THREE: Gather your plants and soil. I had nurtured my plants since this incident.

    

STEP FOUR: If there are significant plant roots and soil, fill the container three-quarters full, and arrange plants. Otherwise fill with an appropriate amount of soil - remembering that all will settle when watered later. Place a flagstone for the base of your building. Arrange according to your vision. Fill with plants, stone, gravel, sand, etc. Water carefully. Enjoy!

 

OPTIONAL for this Mill Design: Here are the visual steps for placement of plants and décor to create a stream effect for the mill.

       

   

Here is the new mill located "up the hill" from the farm at Little Town.

 

 

 

Thanks for visiting, Little Town Mayor

Like Tolkein's Hobbits, I am a home-body also; however, I do like occasional big adventures - though none as amazing as those of Bilbo and Frodo. My husband loved Hobbits too, so I imagined that the best place to have a little Hobbit home was in his beloved wheelbarrow.

Thanks for visiting, Little Town Mayor

This one is Nona's house...small with a good-sized garden and a fenced playground on the side for grandchildren. I need to find some toys.

Tomorrow is the updated farm. See you then! Little Town Mayor

Two years ago vicious yellow jackets invaded Little Town. They held off all heroic assaults and gave fierce warning to Little Town's protectors: "Do not return! This town belongs to us insects."

2014

The yellow jackets, however, did not survive the winter. Unfortunately for Little Town, damage came in the forms of weakened infrastructure, wounded helpers, and plant devastation. Inhabitants waited two years for a new plan and renewed financing. Today a progressive new town plan begins. Follow our progress in the next entries. The last post will demonstrate steps to building your own Little Town.

2016 

Many thanks, Little Town Mayor

"Nona, Don't Wear That!"

"... I don't like it. Wear your Nona clothes."

I have to admit that never have I had someone tell me so directly that I exhibit incorrect fashion. Leave it to a three-year-old grandson to set me to pondering.

What are "Nona clothes"?

He did not know me during these fun times.

In the fifties and sixties, I was to wear dresses in public - especially to school. In the seventies, pants were beginning to be proper work apparel. In the eighties, I loved my aerobic wear!

He did not know me during these maturing times.

Since I always enjoyed a relaxed, sporty look, I appreciated the fit and comfort of these fashions most of the time. They were also perfect for a mother of three. Now I am a grandmother. What has gone wrong with me as a fashionista?

First of all, I am not a fashionista! My mother was a masterful seamstress. She made the majority of my clothes for twenty years. She had a creative but conservative flair. She encouraged me to do the same.

I grew up knowing how to select really nice items for bargain prices. That was helpful when I first began teaching with a salary of $6500 annually.

According to my observations, I have always been: current, but not too trendy; thrifty, but not cheap; somewhat conservative, never flashy (except the 1980s, of course); sporty, but always with a feminine touch; comfortable, but not frumpy (except maybe at home after a long day); business casual, but very open to formality and also beach wear; comfortable in all-black or tropical brights; most happy with classic statement jewelry and my own fun creations.

I understand myself, yet I do not understand my three-year-old grandson's dislike for the above. What are "Nona clothes"? Let us observe:

Matching outfits while we play

Warm cuddly clothes before bedtime 

Comfortable clothes for the occasional scream-fest

Large sweater to cover little boys from Hollywild cows

Matching clothes for celebrating birthdays

I am going to do what every woman should do. 

Actually ask the man in your life what he means! Do not try to guess what he means! 

If he is brave (like all the ones whom I have known), he will tell you.