Daisy Cottage

Chocolate Chip Cake

This yummy Chocolate Chip cake JUST came out of the oven! It is the easiest cake in the world to make. It doesn't require a rolling pin, but it sure looks nice beside one! ;-)  I did, however, wear this apron. I love love wearing aprons while working in the kitchen. It makes me feel like I actually know what I'm doing! We are going to my sister's house for New Year's Eve and I'm also making a crab dip and artichoke dip to bring for the festivities. It is going to be a nice time. I can't wait to bring this cake in my new-to-me cake dish. I still can't believe that we are saying goodbye to 2006 and hello to 2007! One of my many blessings this past year was finding YOU... my blogging friends. I treasure ALL of you ~ the old and the new ~ my friends in "real life" and my friends out there in this world who I haven't met in "person" but feel that I have always known! Kindred souls, I'd say! Have a safe and wonderful New Year and may you have many many blessings ahead! xo, Kim

Chocolate Chip Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix

1 package INSTANT chocolate pudding

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup oil

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1- 12oz bag of miniature chocolate chips

Lightly spray a bundt pan. Mix above together in a bowl. Pour into bundt pan. Bake @350 for 45-50 minutes. Cool. Sprinkle powdered sugar if desired.

Pasta by Daisy Light

Well of course this silly daisy lamp from Goodwill had to come home with me to Daisy Cottage! I just couldn't resist it. It does give off a pretty yellow glow in the kitchen. My hubby and son are away on a father and son fishing trip. My daughter and I thought about going out and grabbing a quick bite for dinner, but we decided on having pasta at home. I'm glad that we did.  It has been really nice, having this "girl" time ... funny how the house is so much calmer without the men. We enjoyed our dinner by Daisy Light.

 

Too Cute Mini Poof

My VERY talented sister, who along with being an artist, sews up a storm and has made lots and lots of things for me and Daisy Cottage. From my beautiful slipcovers to this adorable "Mini Poof".... am I not THE LUCKIEST girl in town?!! It is just the sweetest little thing ~ made from vintage pillow cases. TOO cute!

I bought this vintage pillow case from a thrift shop,

loving the fresh green of the fabric. I'll give it to her and keep my fingers crossed that another delightful creation will be coming my way!  ;-)

Good Morning!

I hope all of you had a WONDERFUL Christmas! The day comes upon us so quickly doesn't it? And then in a blink...  it is over. BUT.... maybe.... we can all continue to give and to receive the many joys of the season a little bit longer.  Wouldn't that be nice? I had a truly special Christmas eve with my little family ~ we went to dinner and then to our church service. It was all so lovely. Standing with the congregation and my loved ones... holding our candles, singing Silent Night ~ it just doesn't get any better than that. So magical... so hopeful.

Everyone loved their presents, especially me! My sister, an artist, drew a sketch of our home and made beautiful note cards. I love them! They are just perfect. My sister-in-law gave me a pretty pen and letter opener set for my desk... aren't they great? 

AND my dear hubby completely surprised me with a new camera! I am thrilled! I hope that my "point and shoot" technique does it justice! I took these pictures with it   :-)

The Night Before Christmas

My mother read this story to us every Christmas eve when we were growing up. It was a little tradition, but so comforting. We would nestle beside her on the sofa and study the pictures while she read out loud the poetic words of Clement C. Moore. This is the image of Santa that I love. I adore these illustrations in this Golden Book. 

I carried on the tradition and read this book to my children every Christmas eve too. They would be dressed in their new Christmas jammies and one would sit on each side of me quietly listening to the story. I will always remember their childhood eyes large with wonder. Their innocent anticipation just filled the room. It was truly a magical moment. The reading of The Night Before Christmas is one of my favorite mothering memories.

But I heard him explain as he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night." 

Good Luck Goodies

I AM very lucky, as some of you have pointed out, to have the fabulous thrift stores that are in my town. Our Goodwill and Salvation Army stores, just to name a few, are wonderful resources for the sweet and shabby. I had SO much fun the other day when I found these goodies at the Goodwill. This is a little Christmas tree that I thought would be so sweet for our table ~

and I love these for this spot by my red box ~

This cute round box was buried underneath some old Tupperware containers and of course it had to go in the cart too ~

   

and then I spotted the ironstone platter and now it is a member of my growing collection ~  

BUT the BEST goodie from that visit to the Goodwill was this vintage cake cover ~ I love it! Dent and all! I hope YOU have good luck in your thrift stores too! Just keep hunting... the treasures are out there! :-)

Old Florals

I have a soft spot for sweet old floral prints. I have found quite a few for a song and dance over the years. When we moved here to Daisy Cottage, they ended up in our bathroom. I'm still keeping an eye out for more.

Broken Wing

I find that I really prefer imperfect things.  I know that I am FAR from perfect and so I guess this should be fitting. The shabbier the better. The chippier the better. The more worn the better.... for me. I appreciate perfection and all of its' beauty, and can admire beautiful brand new objects. I even own a few. I just don't want to "rescue" them or collect them. I don't feel the need to be surrounded by them. I don't get as thrilled when I am buying a brand new perfect item in the box as I do when I find a less than perfect treasure. This is why this little brown haired angel with her broken wing "spoke" to me. She is old and she is worn. She was sitting on a crowded shelf of other misfit tchochkies being ignored. Until now. Now she is home at Daisy Cottage and fits right in with all of the other less than perfect, shabby and worn things. She is a cute little punch of blue and she makes me smile. Broken wing and all.

Black & White Doggies

Please excuse the randomness of my posting. I just thought I'd share this picture that I snapped of these two little black and white ceramic doggies. The one on the left was given to me by a friend a year ago and I have so enjoyed having him in my home! The little guy on the right was a Goodwill score.  I also don't think that I have shared a picture of our other black and white dog, Marley. Our son adopted him from the SPCA four years ago and he has been a much loved member of our family. I will take a real life picture of him soon, but this is a picture taken of him on the day we brought him home.

Thoughtful Gifts

Probably just like you are right now, I've been running around trying to finish up my Christmas list of things to do and trying to keep up with the regular every day tasks that DON'T seem to take a holiday! I've just finished balancing the old checkbook and wrapping some presents. Before I start on the laundry or decide to ignore the pile again and head out the door to run another errand, I want to stop a minute and take the time to share some thoughtful gifts that I received from two very sweet ladies! The first, is a fantastic vintage vase in the most perfect orange color! My friend Lori sent this to me... wasn't that so nice of her? She knew that I would love this and I do!! Thank you dear Lori!

And this adorable handmade ornament is from my friend Roseanne. Isn't this the cutest thing? I wish I were crafty! Thank you Roseanne for ALWAYS being so thoughtful!