MISS PEACH'S COZY COTTAGE

Welcome to the COZY COTTAGE. This is the furever home of the memory of Miss Peach, our 18 year old Devon Rex angel kitty. I am Miss Hunny Bunny, she asked me to pour you a cuppa catmint tea as you read our old fashion mewsings about this and that. Please come by often...one lump or two? Now our precious Hunny Bunny is also an angel cat...please let me be your hostess at the cozy cottage...my name is Miss Hope.



Remember...only in our tomorrows will we realize what we had in our yesterdays.

Monday, March 9, 2009

ONE MORE DAY TO ENTER THE DRAWING....

Thank you all so much for coming by yesterday to meet Kim and her new book. Mommy decided to have one more day for you to enter for the door prize if you post a comment. We are just so tired because we have been gone all day and I am sleeping under the kitchen sink and will not come out to help cut all the name apart and put them in the basket. We will draw the winner and announce on Tuesday. Kim told me her internet connection is unsteady with all the snow right now. I will telephone her with the winning name.
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is Malai...a cat who came to save Kim from breast cancer.

For 20 years mommy has been looking in and out of Kim's wonderful windows. Her style is all that we wish we could surround ourselves with each day. We dream of stepping into her paintings and sitting at a sidewalk cafe sipping coffee...or walking down to the seashore. We spend many winter evenings inside her cozy parlor paintings, weaving, spinning or doing needlework always with a kitty close by. Kim's work is reminiscent of our childhood daydreams. Spending the summer at our grandmothers house, helping her in the garden, cooking a nice meal in a cozy kitchen. No nostalgic nuance is overlooked.
Hello all!
I am so excited to share my new book with you Cottage Cats, My Companions on the Path to Joy! As many of you know, about two years ago now, I went a little round with breast cancer. I am fine now, in fact, I was fine then. It was an incredible experience. It was just the little divine push that I needed to get my life in order, the strong wind that cleared away the clouds that I was letting obscure the light of my inner joy. And then my good fortune continued when my publisher offered me the opportunity to talk about how my cats were so instrumental in my inspiration towards joy and in maintaining that joy through observing all their wonderful "cat-ish" ways. Not only would I write, but I could match my little inspirations with all my favorite cottage cat paintings.
As you will read in the introductory pages, my amazing little cat Malai helped me find the lump, then she was the most comforting affectionate, available (unlike most cats we all know that do everything on their time) cat I have ever known. I want you to meet her here as she really ended up getting only a little mention in the book. Here she is on one of her favorite perches, my work chair. She's got her ball and is ready to play baseball. She had the most uncanny ability to bat my pitches right back to me, or play soccer, a real team player, always passing the ball, and she would fetch too! She never shunned me when we returned from my long medical journeys, rather, when I'd call "Where's my kitty?," she would always run to me immediately, ready to be scooped up and cuddled! A fine welcome home, one that you will see fancifully painted (with just a few extra cats!) in the first pages of the book.
It seems as though Malai came specifically to share just that pivotal year with me. She had newly adopted us at the shelter, and when all my discoveries, doubts, decisions, and cures were handled, she simply wandered away and we never saw her again... I hope that she is with someone else now, helping them through their own challenging time.
Of course, I now have two other little lovely companions, home from the same shelter, my saucy Jeerie and mischievous Ooty. You'll hear about them in the book too. Maybe I will show them here next!
So, I do hope that you will like my book. Both the art and the writings- a challenge for me to be sure!
If it speaks to you in some way, please do ask your local book store to carry it! It would be wonderful if it were a success. Then my publisher will be happy and ask for another!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mommy and I have brewed up some wonderful Lady Grey tea to serve to our special guest and all of you as a thank you for coming by today. I think this is the most special CAT ART SUNDAY we have ever had here at the cozy cottage...

Pick yourself a tea cup and lets get to know Kim better...She has graciously agreed that we should have a door prize of a purrrsonalized 'Cottage Cats' book, so please leave a comment and I will draw the winner on Monday. When you are done visiting with Kim here, go to her webpage and see all the beautiful things she has to offer. Her calendars, books, planners and postcards that she will sign for you, but hurry because she is going on vacation soon.
A little bit about our guest: Kim Jacobs began her illustration journey fascinated by early children’s book and fairy tale illustrators such as Edmund Dulac, Arthur Rackham, and Howard Pyle, and the beautiful watercolors of Swedish artist Carl Larsson. Training herself as a painter, Kim gained insight into color and composition from the Dutch masters of her ancestral home, and practiced by drawing figures from Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.
While still in college, Kim began her professional career with her illustration of numerous stories for early childhood education. Initially working towards fulfilling a childhood dream of illustrating fairy and folk tales, the opportunity arose to begin illustrating for greeting cards in 1982 and after great success and expansion into a wide range of other products, she began the pieces for her first Cobblestone Way calendar for the year 1990. A eighteen-year tradition was born which has consumed most of her illustration energies.
From the very beginning, each month’s painting, as well as all of Kim’s illustrations, were founded in Kim’s love of creation and her fascination with worlds in transformation- from soil to garden, infant to adult, blank paper to colorful composition. She has drawn inspiration from many diverse sources such as art, literature, dreams, fantasies and from her own extensive travels, blending all together to portray unique places that exist nowhere and anywhere. Kim grew up in the wonderful world of coastal California, and there she met her soul mate Bob. Together they began a journey in search of their shared dream of a country homestead. But no matter where Kim has found herself from the beautiful mid-coast of California, to a wild river valley in Oregon and finally to the far coast of Maine where they have settled on 131 acres of fields and forest, in a home powered by the sun, her paintings have continued to reflect her surroundings as well as the detailed worlds of her imagination.

55 comments:

Goldie, Shade and Banshee said...

How beautiful! What a joyous post to read, filled with love and triumph. Malai was an angel sent as a guide.

Cats and cottages have a magical quality to them especially when paired together.

Wonderful book!

We are not too far from you Kim, over in New Brunswick, Canada. Our home is passive solar but would love to be totally off the grid some day.

Please include us in the draw!

Purrs, Goldie, Shade and Banshee

Alexi said...

Knock, knock! This is a woderful post
! My beans love tea, especially Mombean. Ms Jacobs, your book is lovely. We are in awe of Malai, a furry angel indeed.
Please put my name in for the drawing!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

It is so kind of you Miss Peach to invite us to your cottage for tea and to meet Kim and her wonderful illustrations. They make us think we would love to live in a time and place like that.

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

What a lovely joy this post was to read. I think thats cats have magical ways and understand our every mood. I will be dropping by that blog for sure.
Thank you for a lovely Sunday read and please would you include us in your draw.
Hugs Ginger Jasper and his mum Carol xx

The Island Cats said...

Thank you for introducing us to Kim! Her illustrations are beautiful! And we think Malai is one special cat!

We would love to win Kim's book!

Mickey's Musings said...

Good Morning Sunshine!!!
Your guest,Kim, is a very talented person. I am so happy she was able to overcome cancer with the help of the totally beautiful Malai. It is sad that she left though.
I am happy,too, that she was adopted by two other fine companions. I bet she is very happy in her home on the east coast. It is a greart place to be!!
Hugs & Kisses,Mickey

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

Kim sounds like an amazing woman and her artwork is lovely. We are going by her webpage to see more.

Thank you very much for the Lady Grey tea it is one of our favourites.

Socks, Scylla, Charybdis & Fenris

The Taylor CatSSSSS said...

Oh...we enjoyed your post so much. Mommy is off to visit Kim's website!!!

Have a lovely day Miss Peach!

Little Big Man said...

The artwork is simply beautiful! My Meowmy luvs books wif cat art. Please enter her in the drawing.

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

That is so cool that Malai helped Kim find her breast cancer and stayed with her the entire time she was dealing with it. We are only sorry she wandered away.

We love the images you have show us of the book!

Forty Paws said...

This is a lovely post! We are very impressed with Kim's ability and are glad that she is over the cancer. So sorry to hear that Malai has moved on, but perhaps another person needed her comfort.

Please include us in the drawing! This is very exciting!

Luf, Us

Kimo and Sabi said...

That sounds like a furry cool book, and mommakitty had some Lady Grey Tea this morning too!

Anonymous said...

My cat didn't leave my bed except for the potty and to eat when I had my first breast cancer he just laid there close by my side I will always believe animals can sense when something is wrong,I had him for 20 years before we had to help him to the bridge still miss old Jake. please enter me in your drawing and the tea was great,we will go visit your site often

Team Tabby said...

Thanks for the invitation to tea Miss Peach, and to meet Kim Jacobs. We visited her site and it is wonderful. We especially liked the watercolours.

We are very touched to hear of the wise and comforting Malai who brought such peace and joy to Kim.

purrs,
Mindy, Moe, Bono

sammawow said...

Thank you so much for inviting us for tea. Our Lady loves tea and she had some Blueberry Breeze tea this morning! Your Lady Grey Tea is delicious.

Thank you also for introducing us to Kim and Malai. Her artwork is gorgeous and we are going to look at her site after our visit with you, Miss Peach. We would love to be entered in the drawing for such a beautiful book!

Purrrrrrrrrrs, China Cat & Willow

KitKat said...

Oh, Peachy, your post today was inspiring. Little Malai was such a special kitty. I am so glad Kim is cancer free. I admire her determination. Her book is lovely as are her paintings. Oh, please include me in the drawing.
Kissies and purrs,
Grady (Bonkie Boy)

Anonymous said...

Hello all you wonderful cats and the people they love,
Mom is typing this for me, though she is having a hard time concentrating for the smile on her face from all the beautiful comments on her art work and the acknowledgments of just how lucky she was with Malai. I just came in from playing in the puddles from the melting snow, yes I like water! and Mom showed me the blog. Cool, a blog by and for kitties! My typing isn't good, but I am great with a mouse! Miss Peach sure set up a fantastic tea party to introduce you to my Mom. She is so pleased! She is happy to make new friends.
I got to go and take care of these muddy paws! Maybe I can check in again later. Or sister Jeerie will.

Love to you all,
Ooty for Kim

Anonymous said...

Oh, I forgot! In case you email my mom directly and she doesn't answer right away- our internet connection has been going in an out- so she will get back to you as soon as possible!
Thanks again for all the lovely comments!
Jeerie for Kim

Tina T-P said...

Oh Miss Peach, what a wonderful story! I'll be sure to visit her web site & tell our local book seller about her!

Also what a nice tribute to her little black kitty. Truly an angel cat, don't you think?

XOX to you all. T.

Luna und Luzie said...

Oh I´m so glad to be here to meet Kim Jacobs and to have a good cup of tea together.
Your book is wonderful, Ms Jacobs. I wish we can get it here in Germany too.
Malai is an furry angel.
Thank you Karla and Miss Peach for showing us these pictures and for the tea.
Have a great sunday!
purrs
Luna, Luzie, Olli and Stefanie

Cory said...

What a wonderful post and I'm happy I could stop by for some tea and to meet Kim! Please include me in the drawing! Sunday is such a great day to enjoy a cup of tea!

Daisy said...

The illustrations are quite magical! Thanks for sharing such a treasure with us.

KC and the Giggleman Kitties said...

Miss Peach, this is truly one of the most exciting things you have ever hosted, and that is saying a lot. We have shared such wonderful times with you at your Cozy Cottage.
What a pleasure to meet Kim and learn about the mysterious Malai, truly an angel sent from heaven.
Please include us in the drawing.
Our Mommy ML is captivated by Kim's drawings, they touch long forgotten memories of her childhood. She can't wait to visit the link to Kim's works.
Thank you so much for this wonderful event,
Love & Lots of Purrs,
Missy Blue Eyes, KC, Faith Boomerang, Sol, Smokey & BJ

Charlemagne and Tamar said...

What a sweet cat - that Malai. And a Wonderful story.

We'd like to be entered in the drawing - maybe the book will help cheer our momma up. (She got some sad news yesterday.)

Charlemagne and Tamar

Shaggy and Scout said...

We are happy to meet Kim and read of her journey and of Malai. What an angel cat indeed. We are sorry she didn't stay to become a lifelong companion. How mysterious.
Lovely illustrations, so detailed and sweet.

Jans Funny Farm said...

As ever, this is a lovely post, Miss Peach. Thank you so much for introducing us to your guest friend and author. We would love to be included in the drawing. That looks like quite an uplifting book.

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Thank yoo for da tea Miss Peach, we always love coming here for yoor teas! We wonder if Malai isn't a kitty angel sent to comfort, heal and then move on. Wonder where she went...

Gemini and Ichiro said...

This is lovely. As always Miss Peach you have fine tea and wonderful information and people to complement your parties.

Loretta said...

Wow. I love Kim's art, and would love to win her book! I have had a few of her calendars, and I have a lap pillow with one of her illustrations on it; the top of the pillow has a flat hard surface, which I use to write on. If I don't win the book, I'll be sure to buy a copy!

Roberta said...

What a beautiful book. Malai was truly an angel kitty sent from heaven. Cats are very special purrsons. Please include me in your drawing.

Mo and The Purries said...

Wow, Miss Peach - you and Karla sure have a wonderful post to share this artist with us!
Thanks for the lovely post and pictures!
And thanks to Kim for sharing part of her with us.
luv,
Uncle Mo and the purries from
Purrchance To Dream

Samantha & Mom said...

Oh Miss Peach!! This is a lovely post and we are having a fantastic time with you and Miss Kim! What a wonderful story she has!! Her illustrations are beautiful! Thank you for inviting us!! We love the Lady Grey tea!
Your FL furiends,

Mr. Hendrix said...

what pretty pictures! we have not heard of Kim's work until today and mommy finds it lovely. certianly, kitties (and woofies) are a comfort to our beans when needed.

Thank you for introducing us to this amazing work!

Carolina Cats said...

ello Miss Kim, Miss Peach & efurryone else! It's me, Jasmine, here to share a cup of tea and enjoy some company with genteel lady cats.

Mama and I are so enjoying the illustrations of the cats and cottages. Mama loves anything with flowers and cats, of course! That's why I have a flower name, and my sister who came before was Daisy.

The party is lovely, thank you so much for having us. We're sipping our tea and mingling with all the other ladies and lady cats.

Princess Jasmine

Angel MoMo and Charlotte said...

Thankyou for sharing such beautiful artwork of cats. These come straight from the heart.

Thanks for the Sunday tea - it's such a relaxing way of spending a lazy Sunday.

The Creek Cats said...

Hi Miss Peach! We have never visited before, we just read about you and the tea party over at the CB. We just had to stop in for a little visit. We sure hope our local book store will carry Kim's book cause we would love to have our lady servant read it to us on a lazy Sunday.

Thanks for the tea and introducing us to Kim!

Mr. Echo said...

My Grammy wood love that book. I think I will send it to her fur Mothers Day. We wood love to win it. Thanks fur spreading the wurd about the book.

Parker said...

That was such a lovely post! I am so happy I stopped by!

Motor Home Cats said...

It is very nice to meet you Mrs. Jacobs. We loved looking at all of your art and hearing the story of Malai.

Miss Peach, thank you for introducing us to this wonderful artist.

Tavi, Cody, Camie and Miss Jade

Unknown said...

Miss Peach, we has always loved your cozy cottage. Now that you have introduced us to yer friend we is goin to go check more of her stuffs out!

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

Thank you for introducing us to Kim ans her wonderful art and book! We are sad that Malai moved on, but feel she has helped others through difilcult times as any Angel Kitty would. I too, believe that animals know when they are needed to ease out pain. My Dad's two cats and dog never left his side as he was loosing his battle with cancer.

Anonymous said...

This is serendipitous. I just had Lady Grey tea with ginger. I made a recipe called London Fog, which is steeping the teabag in steamed milk and adding vanilla and sugar.Now, I have read your wonderful post and it warms my heart to know we have enjoyed the tea together so to speak.
Wonderful story about Malai. Cats are so-o-o-o wonderful.

I would love a copy of this book. please put my name in the draw.

Shirley Baker in Canada

The Dutchess said...

How wonderful and what a great post. Thank you for introducing me to this lovely lady..I will visit her website.
Breastcancer unfortunately is something our family is fighting.
Malai is a little angel:)

Isis said...

Oooh Miss Peach if I'm not too late, please add my name to the draw! :) The book looks lovely and I shall certainly be putting it on my Mummy's reading list that she keeps, so that D'Boy and Daddy know what to buy her for a present - they're very bad at getting good ideas for girly presents you know! ;)

Other than that I wanted you to pop by and see a photo of Delta-Peach and Dandy taken today as they both turn from kittens to cats and celebrate their 1st Birthday! :) Their little siblings are turning 3 weeks old today too, so I have more photos of them as well. It seems LG likes posing for the camera already! ;)

Purrs,
Isis
x

Shirl said...

Hello Miss Peach! What a sweet tea party you are having! I'd love a cup of Lady Gray tea even though I am a day late. We had a busy and beautiful weekend. It was so pretty out that we spent the weekend outside getting our gardens ready for summer. All my kitties were outside to help. You would have loved to of been there. They love to run an play and chase the leaves. Bowser has his hugh weeping willow tree that he loves to climb.
I can't wait until I have some time to visit all your friends from your blog. Hopefully this week I will be able too!
Kim's new book looks wonderful, thank you so much for sharing it with us. I will go check out her website!
Please enter me in your drawing!
Bless you, Shirl
Shirls Rose Cottage

Tommy and Teaghan said...

We are so happy that Kim has found her inner spirit. It is amazing how we cats can bring guidance and wisdom to our humans. Thanks for sharing your story and for the tea time.

Robyn and The (Mostly) Badass Cat said...

Fanks for inviting us. She does really gorgeous stuff!
Purrrrrrrrrrrs,
All Us Hotties

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Good luck with all the work cutting out. Good luck everone in winning this lovely prize. Hugs GJ xx

PB 'n J said...

We're so excited that the deadline has been extended! Mommy hasn't help os visit much at all, so we're glad that we have a chance to say how wonderful the book looks.

We hope that you're enjoying under the sink, but that you come out soon Miss Peach, it's not good for one as beautiful as you to be away in the dark too long.

Purrs,
Pearl, Bert and Jake

Anita B said...

Thank-you, Miss Peach, for a lovely tea party. The Cozy Cottage was just brimming with love and joy. And thank-you, too, for sharing Kim and Malai's story with us.

Stay warm. It's snowing here.
Anita

Anonymous said...

OH Miss Peach what a wonderful book and such great illustrations!

*hugs to you all from our house to yurs*

Momma has been tired a lot lately too :(

Jake and Micah said...

Miss Peach, your mommy is an amazing artist! Her work is truly magical and heartwarming. What a beautiful tribute and inspiration this book is. We're happy we "just" made the deadline to enter!

Liss said...

We'd like to be entered if it's not too late

mog said...

Cats have a way of comforting us in our time of sorrow. They seem to know when we need extra love.

Thank you for introducing us to Kim. Her artwork is just beautiful. What a lovely thing to create, a book about cats. So tempting. Malai was one special cat.

Jennifer said...

Just found your blog through my mom.I love it!Your book is beautiful.I will be on the look out for it.Your kittys are beautiful.I hope I'm not to late to enter your giveaway.My cat like to lay under the sink too.Come visit by blog to see my crazy kittys too.Hugs,Jen