Monday, June 30, 2008

Ashes to Ashes, Tree to Dust

Current Mood: SAD :(

We are very sad to report that we have suffered a great loss here at little bird cottage. don't worry, it's not a family pet or anyone human. IT'S OUR TREE! the tree in the front yard contracted some sort of disease and within a matter of days turned to a dry, ashy, matchstick. i kept thinking it looked thirsty and so we kept watering it, and watering it, and watering it.
apparently this was the equivalent of giving someone with a hangover a band-aid, bcs i'm pretty sure that tree has bit the dust.

This is very depressing for us since A) this is our ONLY tree in the front yard, and B) this tree used to house a nest which was home to several birds, and C) we now have a very ugly...and very sad...and rather scary looking "has-been" of a formerly healthy oak tree right in front of our house.

When i said in my last post i couldn't wait until halloween i certainly did NOT mean i wanted a spooky tree in my yard. we are at a loss right now as to how we will handle this. i'm trying to convince myself it's still hanging on and can be helped through medication or therapy. Andrew says it's a "GONER" and we need to get out the chain saw. since we don't even own a chain saw, we won't be making drastic decisions anytime soon. in the meantime, i'm certainly not going to post any pictures of a spooky looking tree, so i thought this pic was much more appealing....

That cake is not real, but i like to PREtend that it is. i pretend that i baked it from scratch and i need to reward myself for a job well done by eating handFULs of dark chocolate. i highly recommend that you try this. pretend you've dusted your chandeliers or cleaned your toilets and now you need to REward yourself with chocolate. i've found that if you eat enough chocolate, and really stare at your chandelier, after awhile it really looks like it's just been DUSTed.

I have not however, tested this theory out with toilets. i refuse to eat chocolate in the bathroom. a girl has to have some standards, even when it comes to chocolate.

Pray for my tree.
TTYL,
Angela

Sunday, June 29, 2008

"Ladies & Babies" Luncheon

It's been awhile since i've posted bcs i have been BUSY with family stuff, friend stuff, arden stuff, and everything in between. i hope to get back to posting regularly this week.

Anyway, i wanted to share these photos from arden's "Ladies & Babies Luncheon", which was held at a local tea house called Apple Annie's. we were so pleased with the way everything turned out. these are pictures of the centerpieces i brought which consisted of tall and miniature sized bird houses. you can also see the favor boxes in the pic below which were pastel colored "chinese" take out boxes filled with dove chocolates. i HAD to buy these bird houses as soon as i found them at Hobby Lobby (also known as the greatest place on earth), bcs i knew they would be perfect for my little bird, arden.



Apple Annie's made the cake which as you can see was beautiful, i couldn't have asked for more!


Several of Arden's little friends from her babie's music class were also at the party, although we all know this was really just an EXCUSE for all of us grown up girls to get together!


And of course Daddy was there too.....

It was a great day and we can't believe our baby girl is already 1 year old. this first year has gone by so fast, i can already tell 16 will be here before we know it. Get ready world, here she comes!

Well, 4th of July is just a few days away. this summer is flying by, but i can't say i'm sad about it bcs it is SO hot here in the south and we are experiencing such an awful drought. is it to early for me to say, "I can't wait till Halloween?" haha...
Hope to post again soon,
TTYL,
Angela

Thursday, June 12, 2008

One down, Part II to go

I haven't had any time for posting bcs we have been doing ALOT of celebrating around here. Arden turned 1 on june 7th, and she is marking this milestone with not one, but 2 parties. what a party animal!

The first party took place on her actual birthday and was a "Cake & Ice Cream Party" here at Little Bird Cottage, with just our family. even though it was just family, we all had a blast watching arden play and open presents and have her first taste of birthday cake.

My mom made this cake especially for Arden. this was SO special bcs when i was a child Mom made all of my birthday cakes, every year until i was 13 (13 is when i discovered ICE CREAM CAKE--the best invention ever!!!).
Anyway, my mom used to decorate my cakes in the same style as this teddy bear was done; with so much attention to detail and...well...perfection!

Thanks for making the cake Mom!


Well, Arden's next celebration will be this saturday when she has a "Ladies & Babies Luncheon" with her friends from 'Babies' Music Class' and their Moms. Andy will be there too...as technical support--he's working the video camera.
TTYL,
Angela

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Lazy Loungers

There are SO many comfy places in my little cottage for someone to relax and take a BREAK. unfortunately, most of those places are always occupied by 2 smitten kittens who think they REALLy do own this cottage. my charming window seat is the lion's lair.....
I've taken to laying out egyptian cotton towels for these "royal highnesses" so that i can keep them comfortable AND keep my upholstery fur free ;)

Even the bistro table where one is supposed to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine at night is fair game for the furry creatures in this garden.....
Luckily this little rabbit below that used to hop all around the floor started walking on friday! Congratulations Arden, you're officially a "toddler"!

3 days until Arden's B-day!
TTYL,
Angela