Seasons Greetings

Seasons greetings..
Originally uploaded by jetbluestone

color blocks 5

color blocks 5
Originally uploaded by DallanQuilts

I Shall Fight to Stay Alive
Originally uploaded by Hamed Saber

What the?

Lazy Cow - Flatford, Dedham, Essex, England - Sunday June 10th 2007 - Highest Explore position - #1 on June 14 2007.WOW!!.:O):O):O)
Originally uploaded by law_keven

Yep. We're gone. Come on over here.

A thank you to law keven for sharing this photo on flickr.

You Still Here?

Gen. George B. McClellan
Originally uploaded by dbking

Please come on over here.

A thank you to dbking for sharing this photo on flickr.

A New Blog

We've moved over here. Come on over.

Life Support for This Blog

children's play stack best shot
Originally uploaded by DallanQuilts

(If I don't post once in a while, the blog will disappear. So, I'm posting.)

Closing Up the Cottage

Just torches
Originally uploaded by abrinsky

To celebrate my 450th blog post here, I am closing up shop. I have four spin-off blogs now, and they suit me better. So Cloudcover Cottage is hereby officially boarded up. I have emptied the fridge, swept off the porch, and snuffed out the lights. Feel free to pick up a torch and poke around here all you like. When you are finished, come on over to Seven Ways Simple.

Hope to see you soon.

Thank you to abrinsky for sharing this photo on flickr.

Litla Kirkjan

Litla kirkjan
Originally uploaded by omarrun

A church for your Sunday.

Thank you to omarrun for sharing this picture on flickr.

By Popular Request: Posting How-To's

To post a video from YouTube:

Part One: (1) Double click on the video wherever you find it. This will take you to the video as posted on the YouTube website. (2) To the right of the video there will be two boxes with HTML text in them. One will be labeled "embed." (3) Right click on your mouse while holding the cursor over the embed text. Choose "select all" in the drop down box. The embed code will then be highlighted. (3) Right click again over the highlighted embed code and choose "copy" from the drop down box.

Part Two: (1) Go to your blog. (2) Go to where you make a new post. (3) Click on the tab at the top of the new post screen which says "Edit HTML." (4) Right click and when the drop down box appears choose "paste." The video should now appear on your blog. (5) Do a little dance.

To create a link to other places:

(1) Go to the blog or website where the item you want to link to appears. If it is at a blog, double click on the title of the specific post you want so that you get a page for just that post. If you don't do this, you will send your readers to the home page of the blog with its latest post, rather than the specific item you want them to see. (2) Right click on the address in the box at the top of the page and choose "copy." (3) Go back to your blog and compose your new post. Note that the new post page has an icon in the tool bar which looks like a green blob with horns. Don't try to figure out what this represents. This is fruitless. (4) Type your post as usual and then highlight the text you choose for a link by holding the left mouse button down while you drag it over the text. (5) Once it is highlighted, click on the green monster with horns and a box will appear. Delete the highlighted "http://" which appears in the box. (6) Right click over this box and choose "copy." Your link will now be in action when you publish your post. (7) Sing a happy song.


Of course, you need not dance or sing if these instructions don't work for you. In that case, please let me know, and I will try to do a better job of explaining. :0)

Sally wanted to say hello...
Originally uploaded by sally_monster

Thank you to sally monster for this picture. Take from it whatever meaning you come up with to make it applicable to this post. I just thought it was cool, so I used it.

Vintage Tacoma Garage

A big thank you to Stephen Cysewski for suggesting this lovely Tacoma garage to accompany the lovely cottage seen below. Be sure to check out his pictures here. They are also available at the Tacoma Public Library for you locals.

(You rock, Tacoma.)

Cottage FAIL

Simple is good, but let's not overdo it!

See more fascinating photographs of the 1970's Tacoma we have all tried to forget here. Thank you to Stephen Cysewski for putting his work online. (And thank you to Joseph for the lead.)

From 1978--Neal A. Maxwell Saw Our Day

The Cruise Ship Trombonist's Blog

Cabo San Lucas (Google Inter-Grouplet Offsite) - 348.jpg
Originally uploaded by Ian McFarland

Our favorite trombone player will love it if you visit his blog. He likes comments, too. Read all about his adventures at Scott's Happy Blog of Cruising and Awesome.



(Thank you to Ian McFarland for sharing this picture from Cabo San Lucas on flickr.)

Pictures from Home

As requested, here are some snapshots of the living and dining rooms at Cloudcover Cottage. I did not stage these in any way( as you will be able to tell). Now that I learned about some of what photographers go through to get good pictures of homes, I feel less bad about how pictures of my own home look. Not good, but less bad. So, here they are.

The old dresser is now in the living room. CD's are inside, toys underneath, Brio in the box on top with quilts to warm us while watching television. All of the toys are in the dining room, with cards and board games in the lower part of the corner cupboard.


We are ready to snuggle. We are ready to play.

Ilam

Ilam
Originally uploaded by kev747

A church for your Sunday.

Thank you to kev747 for sharing this photo on flickr.

Chatsworth House Gardens

Chatsworth House Gardens
Originally uploaded by kev747

Thank you to kev747 for sharing yet another beautiful photograph on flickr.

Castle Gardens

Castle gardens
Originally uploaded by kev747

Thank you to kev747 for sharing this photograph on flickr.

We Will Remember Them......

We will Remember them......
Originally uploaded by law_keven

Thank you to law_keven for sharing this photograph for Veterans Day.

Clean Kitchen

thrift score: the view from the window
Originally uploaded by jek in the box

The only thing I hate more than getting up to a dirty kitchen is . . .

cleaning up the kitchen before I go to bed!

How about you?

Thank you to jek in the box for sharing this picture on flickr.

Ross Chapin

Did I tell you that Ross Chapin is my favorite architect? Has been for years. His website is beee you ti ful. Here is a sampling of one of my favorite houses. I love the detailing in the woodwork in each of his cottages. I particularly love the decor in this one, as well.

I'm glad that more than one person at a time can visit a site. I don't mind the crowd. Let's all spend a few hours over there looking around, shall we?

Welcome, Christia

Thank you for following!

Dunchurch, Warwickshire

dunchurch 18102008-48
Originally uploaded by Walwyn

Thank you to Walwyn for sharing this picture on flickr.

Bradgate Park

Bradgate Park
Originally uploaded by kev747

Thank you to kev747 for sharing this picture on flickr.

A Photograph and a Silver Locket

A Photograph and a Silver Locket
Originally uploaded by Lightchaser

Thank you to Lightchaser for sharing this photograph on Flickr.

Joy in Kenya

A Kiva worker shares what Obama's election means to Kenyans.

Thank you to Boyznberry for sharing this photograph on flickr.

Caring and Sharing

If you have ever had the impulse to share of your bounty with a mother who has barely the means to care for her children, you will want to see this new website. Amanda Soule has added one more beautiful creation to the world. This time it's a place for caring and sharing.

Thank you to Prato9x for making this photograph available on flickr.

Foxton Locks

Foxton locks
Originally uploaded by Robert Silverwood

Thank you to Robert Silverwood for sharing this photograph on flickr.

Quilts Piled On

These were my bed covers this morning. One good thing about cold and cloudy November: I get to pile on the quilts.

Elder Marlin Jensen on Political Affiliations Among the Latter-day Saints

For your consideration . . .
I paid some money yesterday and got an official copy of the following from the archives of The Salt Lake Tribune:

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE GOP Dominance Troubles Church; It hurts Utah, says general authority, disavowing any perceived Republican-LDS Link; LDS Official Calls for More Political Diversity

Author(s): DAN HARRIE THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Salt Lake Tribune Date: May 3, 1998 Page: A1 Section:

COPYRIGHT 1998, THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE The LDS Church, through a high-ranking leader, is making its strongest public statement to date about the need for political diversity among members, while expressing concerns the Republican Party is becoming the "church party."

" There is sort of a division along Mormon/non-Mormon, Republican/Democratic lines, " says Elder Marlin Jensen, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. "We regret that more than anything--that there would become a church party and a non-church party. That would be the last thing that we would want to have happen."

Jensen said major national political parties may take stands that do not coincide with teachings of the 10 million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but that should not put them out of bounds for members. . . .

Jensen . . . was designated by church officials to respond to The Salt Lake Tribune's request for an interview on the topic of partisan imbalance in Utah and among LDS members. . . .

In an hour long interview at the church's worldwide headquarters in downtown Salt Lake City arranged and overseen by LDS media-relations director Mike Otterson, Jensen discussed leaders' views about the seeming demise of two-party politics among members. Among the concerns he aired:

--The LDS Church's reputation as a one-party monolith is damaging in the long run because of the seesaw fortunes of the national political parties.

--The overwhelming Republican bent of LDS members in Utah and the Intermountain West undermines the checks-and-balances principle of democratic government.

--Any notion that it is impossible to be a Democrat and a good Mormon is wrongheaded and should be "obliterated." . . .

Jensen, who was called as a general authority in 1989, said high church officials lament the near-extinction of the Democratic Party in Utah and the perception--incorrect though it is--that the GOP enjoys official sanction of the church. . . .

"One of the things that prompted this discussion in the first place was the regret that's felt about the decline of the Democratic Party [in Utah] and the notion that may prevail in some areas that you can't be a good Mormon and a good Democrat at the same time," Jensen said.

"There have been some awfully good men and women who have been both and are both today. So I think it would be a very healthy thing for the church--particualrly the Utah church--if that notion could be obliterated." . . .

"There is a feeling that even nationally as a church, it's not in our best interest to be known as a one-party church," Jensen said. "The national fortunes of the parties ebb and flow. Whereas the Republicans may clearly have the upper hand today[1998], in another 10 years [2008] they may not." [!] . . .

Jensen said it is time for LDS members to take a broader view of political affiliation.
"We would probably hope that they wouldn't abandon a party necessarily because it has a philosophy or two that may not square with Mormonism. Because, as I say, [parties] in their philosophies ebb and flow," Jensen said.

"You know, the Republicans came very close last time to bringing a pro-abortion plank into their platform. That was maybe the biggest battle of their [1996 national] convention," he said. "Which shows that if you're a pure ideologue, eventually you're going to have trouble in either party."

"Everyone who is a good Latter-day Saint is going to have to pick and choose a little bit regardless of the party that they're in and that may be required a lot more in the future than it has been in the past. But I think there's room for that and the gospel leaves us lots of latitude."

(Italicized portions of the above were added by me.)

Wolff Patch Quilt

I love Nancy Wolff's fabrics. This quilt's colors were drawn from one of her works, which makes up the binding and part of the back. Thank you Ms Wolff.

Halloween Babies

Click here for the cutest baby costumes ev-er!

(Thank you, Tom.)

For Brothers--More from the Farwest Jazz Choir 2008

More great music from the Farwest Jazz Choir. That's our boy (the trombone-playing singing drummer) on the first male solo.

Now that these pictures are public, I expect some serious crushation to go round the world. (I just wish I had a picture of the third brother in that groovy tuxedo. That is one thrift store buy that gave us laughs for years. Note the bare feet on Mr GQ.)


The Allan Brothers 1980-2008 from A Girl Called Dallan on Vimeo.

A Tribute to a Wonderful Grandpa

I'm Glad There is You from A Girl Called Dallan on Vimeo.

Thank you to Our Favorite Trombone-Playing Jazz Singer and the Farwest Jazz Choir 2008 for the beautiful music. You continue to amaze us.

Thank you to Kate and Emily and Chris for the lovely photographs (and Dale for the goofy one).

Be Sure to Read This

There is a beautiful, touching, heartwarming, sad, hopeful, endearing account of Christian and Stephanie Nielson and their exemplary families at this link today.

Be sure to read it.

Be sure to have tissues nearby when you do.

Iceland / Reyjavik

Iceland / Reyjavik - Tour: Beautiful Church ...... Island / Reykjavik - Rundreise: Hübsche Kirche ( 1.264☺26 )
Originally uploaded by Juergen Kurlvink

A church for your Sunday.

Thank you to Juergen Kurlvink for sharing this photograph on Flickr.

A Quick Video Collage of Some of My Favorite People

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

A big thank you to Emily Wood and to Coldplay!

Old Warden Bedfordshire

OLD WARDEN BEDFORDSHIRE
Originally uploaded by petercowham

Thank you to petercowham for sharing this photograph on Flickr.

The caption:
"Old Warden is [a] beautiful village with its beautiful thatched little cottages and the Shuttlworth Estate with the Swiss gardens and the vintage airplanes and museum."

Loverly, dontcha think?

One reason I want to live in a small home is because so many live in so much less than I. It is difficult for me to still my conscience when I live in a palace compared to most of the rest of my brothers and sisters in the world. It seems only right that I ought to live more simply, and by doing so have more means to share. Our home pulls so much cash, even at under 2,000 square feet.

I am so encouraged by the efforts of others to provide homes to those who have so very little. Here is one example. To read more click on this link.



Thank you to Tiny House Design for posting about this inspiring organization.

"Does Your Church Support Political Candidates?"

Here is the answer from a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Ballard:

Mildew Buster

1957 Clorox Advertisement
Originally uploaded by Roadsidepictures

I am really no fan of chlorine bleach, but, living here in Western Washington, nothing else that I have ever found will kill the persistent mold and mildew which are inevitable house-filthing enemies in this climate.

Today I discovered a great trick. The underside of our toilet seats (gross, I know--sorry) are the worst sites for the black spotting of mold and mildew. Today I dotted all the spots with a Clorox Bleach Pen. When I came back after a few hours (which may have been more time than was needed as I forgot about it) I was able to wipe the stuff away with a damp cloth.

Presto! No more black spots!

My thanks to Roadsidepictures for sharing this great old advertisement on Flickr.

Empingham,Rutland

Empingham,Rutland
Originally uploaded by kev747

A church for your Sunday.

Thank you to kev747 for the photograph.

Let's Have Some Laughs for a Change!

Senators Obama and McKain were both very funny at the recent Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner. Watch and see.





(Thank you, Chris.)

A New Blog for the Cruising Trombonist

Our favorite trombone player has his own blog now. See it at StanKenton.blogspot.com.

Picture by Scott Allan.

House in Borensberg

House in Borensberg
Originally uploaded by Köttbullekvist

From Southern Sweden. So cute.

Thank you to Kottbullekvist for the photograph. Found on Flickr.

Newtown Linford

Newtown Linford
Originally uploaded by kev747

Thank you to kev747 for the picture.

Old School House Cottage

Old School House Cottage
Originally uploaded by stanleymoss

From Hilderstone, Staffordshire.

Thank you to stanleymoss for sharing this photograph on flickr.

Tumbleweed--Lusby

Nicola Cabin

From The Wilderness Cabin Company.
You like? See more pictures and read about this house at the Tiny House Blog.

Uley

Uley
Originally uploaded by flash of light

A church, and a village, for your Sunday.

(Click on the picture for an enlarged version.)

Thank you to flash of light for sharing this photograph on flickr.

Doors

Check out today's post at "The Inspired Room" for some gorgeous entry doors.

October Kitchen Views

Thank you to FarmBoy for providing this beauty in our kitchen. It is such a blessing to me to be able to see such sights first thing on an October morning.

The Obama Family

Please take 15 minutes to watch this video and get an idea why I love the Obamas.

Farmers Delight

Farmers Delight
Originally uploaded by JK FARMS

When you have a few minutes for a great read, I recommend you visit this post today at "How Many Miles from Babylon." There you will find a great essay about blackberry jam and cast iron water pumps and gardens and the current economic crisis. If you like "CloudCover Cottage," then I am confident that you will like what you read there.

Thank you to SansAuto for linking to this post at his own blog and to JK FARMS for sharing the picture of the pump on Flickr.

The Original Wind Power

Sailing along dutch Kinderdijk
Originally uploaded by Bēn

"Sailing Along Dutch Kinderdijk" by Ben.

Ports Report

Us and Them
Originally uploaded by kuyman

I asked our favorite trombone player to write about his schedule. Here is what he shared:

Sunday is LA, Monday is at sea, tuesday is Cabo, wednesday is Mazatlan, Thursday is Puerto Vallarta, and the rest are sea days. I play in what is called in the production band. We play for the singers and dancers in the stage shows. We also play for the Welcome and farewell shows. We generally do two 45 minutes sets with a 45 minutes break. The are anywhere from 7 to 10. We also do a big band show on friday after our production show. That's from about 10 to 12. We generally do the same things in each port, yeah. There isn't exactly a lot to do. I usually try to get something good to eat, and spend some time in the sun, or use the internet.

Sounds fun, don't you think?

Thank you to kuyman for sharing this photograph on Flickr.

Red and Turquoise Girly Quilt

This one's beauty is courtesy of the Portobello Road Collection, the Strawberry Lemonade Collection, and Bella Solids in Robins Egg and Christmas Red. (All purchases from the Fat Quarter Shop.)

Cottage by Rob Crusoe

Originally uploaded by Rob Crusoe

Thank you to Rob Crusoe for sharing this picture on Flickr. So pretty.

Pachamama

Anne Etchegoyen - Pachamama from Smog Films on Vimeo.

Please leave a comment if you can translate any of this. I just think it is so beautiful. (Click on the links to see a better-quality version.)

Dartmoor--So Beautiful

Oooh. Another lovely British blog. Visit Lily's House today for a trip to Dartmoor.

Quilt Inspiration for Thursday

I'm in love with this quilt at A Quilt is Nice. See what you think.

Irish Window

Irish Window
Originally uploaded by yveerin

"Typical Irish cottage window, Donegal." Thank you to yveerin for the picture and caption.

Mothers Doing What Mothers Do

This is such a sweet story.



Thank you, Robin, for sharing this.

Happy Stan

Here is a little four-minute video of where our favorite trombone player is hanging out once a week.

He is probably not very homesick.

(Thanks T, for the lead.)

Quilt (and Color) Inspiration

There is a great brief lesson about combining colors, as well as some beautiful quilts for inspiration today at MrMonkeysuit. Check it out!

Hot Water

Hot Water
Originally uploaded by Happy Zombie

This is so cute. Thanks to Happy Zombie for the photo. See her charming blog here.