I MADE THIS!! I REALLY DID~~Coconut Cake!

Yes, I made this!! Can you tell I'm excited? I got the idea from Tina at Cherry Hill Cottage, one of my favorite bloggers. It's a Dunkin Hines cake mix (i used vanilla) with 1 cup of coconut added to the mix. Then I took another idea from Family Circle Magazine and added Strawberry Preserves in between the two layers. I opted not to put to much coconut on the cake's frosting because not everyone in my family loves coconut, and I served this when Andy and I had everyone over for "Christmas Cake and Coffee".

I painted that little wooden birdhouse with acrylic paint and glued some fake "snow" on top. This actually only the 3rd cake I've ever made, so I'm reaaaalllly pleased with how it turned out!

I didn't get a picture of it when it was cut...darn! Guess I will have to make it again. These days I can barely get a picture of this one below too! Arden runs away every time I get the camera out. Here she is on the night of out 'Cake & Coffee' party...

Tonight we will be attending a 'Christmas Potluck'. Can't wait to see all my friends, although one very special friend will be missing...Vanessa! We will miss you, "V"!!!

TTYL,

Angela

A Cottage Tree Returns!

Remember when the tree in our front yard died? (sniffle, sniffle, wipe tears) Well, I'm happy to say that our new tree arrived today and it's a beauty! If you'll look in the picture above you'll notice our hedges are uneven. That's because we also had to replace several shrubs that kicked the bucket. (more tears, long sigh) It was a tough summer for my front yard.

We decided to let a professional garden service put the tree in because they offered a one year warranty on it. It's a good thing to, because they had an awful time removing the old tree's roots and stump. One of the guys was pulling so hard with a pick ax, he actually fell backwards!

No one was hurt though, and besides the chaos of the phone constantly ringing (why does the phone always ring when this kind of stuff is happening?), the dog getting out the front door and almost running down the street, and Arden constantly going up to the gardeners and SHOUTING "hi" as loud as she possibley could, everything turned out nicely.

Did I mention she also kept going up to the front window and KNOCKING on it to get everyone's attention? Arden that is, not the dog. She was inside knocking on the window like she was knocking on a door. I didn't even know she knew how to do that. I don't know where she gets these ideas from! Anyway, life is so much better with a tree in your front yard. Even when you live in an almost but-not-quite cookie cutter neighborhood.

I made this Halloween banner over the weekend. It's the first banner I've ever made and I was so happy with it I decided to go ahead and post a quick pic. I will be posting pics of all my Halloween decorating soon. I heart Halloween!

Look who is growing up to fast...

Arden says, "HI"

TTYL,

Angela

LUVS it!

I'm sooo getting ahead of myself since I haven't even gotten around to posting any fall decor pics. However, I'm sooo in love with this Halloween wreath I couldn't wait to share it. I MADE THIS!! FOR LESS THAN $12.00!!

I found these wooden signs at the Dollar Store and bought the wreath at Hobby Lobby for $4.99. I attached them with wire and made a hook in the back for hanging. I can't wait to hang this on my front door for our Halloween Party!

Our wonderful friend, Vanessa brought Arden this dress from California.

She looked perfect in it at Church a few Sunday's ago...

TTYL,

Angela