THE BITTERSWEET FINALE

Over the course of the past 9 months I have spent nearly everyday at The House On Cottage Grove. Those days were filled with dreaming up how I would renovate each room, shopping for the building materials, searching for inspiration, and sometimes getting down and dirty in the process. But now, after what truly was a 9 month labor of love, we have come to the bittersweet finale.

As fulfilling as the journey has been, and as satisfying as the result is, I find myself missing the process. I loved making the short drive from my Lake Arrowhead residence along the lakefront highway and then up the beautiful forested street called Cottage Grove. During this time I watched the seasons change, and have seen how nature transforms the atmosphere & ambience of Cottage Grove. When we purchased this vintage treasure it was winter and snow blanketed the property.

We would light a fire in the old stone fireplace to take the chill from the air as we worked.

Eventually the beautiful blooming dogwood trees announced the arrival of spring with their fleeting, snow white blooms. The tranquil stream that meanders through the property would sing to us like music in the air. And the many varieties of birds, who also make their home on Cottage Grove, provided a chorus of their own.

We knew it was summer when the neighbor arrived and would stay for a week or so, escaping from their busy lives down the hill. I’d enjoy watching their young son cast his fishing line into the stream, and build dams to trap pollywogs. What a privileged boy he is to be able to spend the innocence of his youth making summertime memories on Cottage Grove.  And thanks to the canopy of trees that make Cottage Grove so special, we never really felt the heat that often stifles summer days. Instead we felt the cooling breezes that waft through what is known as Burnt Mill Canyon.

Now fall has arrived and I will watch as the trees that line Cottage Grove provide us with a new kind of beauty. Leaves will turn amber & gold and then blanket the ground. I like this time of year because the forest suddenly opens up, giving us small peeks into places that were previously hidden away by thick foliage.

The bittersweet finale has arrived. I have loved bringing new life to The House On Cottage Grove and consider it an honor and a privilege to have been able to steward her transformation and renewal. I am now anxious for a new family to take ownership of her, becoming her new caregiver. The House On Cottage Grove was born long before I, and she will remain long after I’m gone. I take comfort in knowing that I’ve contributed to her sustainability and in some small way, through her, I will have left my mark on the future.

Here’s a final look at The House On Cottage Grove…

If you’d like information about how you can make The House On Cottage Grove yours click here.

So there you have it: THE BITTERSWEET FINALE

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All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Unless otherwise noted, all photos are the original property of Celia Becker @ www.AfterOrangeCounty.com and may not be reproduced without specific permission.