The Cottage Diaries

Molly writes sweetly, her voice and style are down to earth and kind and her photographs are marvelous and her recipes are masterpieces! The Cottage Diaries is a place you can gain tons of inspiration and get all but lost in the images and the happiness there! The photos here are for Lavender Macarons with Honey Earl Grey Buttercream. The cookies themselves are her specialty. Simply delightful. I've included a few of her pics. When I make them, (if I am successful) I'll include my own photos as well.

Hazel Village

This past weekend was my niece's first birthday. Riley turned 1 and fun was had all. I wrote her a little poem so she won't forget us, living all the way out here in California. Kinda cute. It expresses how I feel, anyway. And, I don't want her not to know who we are. Uncle Boo and Auntie Wendi.

Riley, not a little baby anymore

Ten tiny toes and fingers still, like before

Now they are one and so is she

As Riley ages more and more pretty will be

I can’t wait to see how her life will unfold

So many adventures; stories better than gold.

My best advice to you my dear, sweet niece

Please love yourself, each special little piece

You, my Riley Quinn, are the only one

So unique, so priceless and so much fun

Remember, that although Uncle Boo and I are far away

You are so close to our hearts and we will never stray.

When you turn six I’m sure you’ll tell a joke and be funny

Happy 1^st Birthday Sweet Pea! Enjoy this Juliette Bunny!

I was shopping for my sweet girl's birthday present. I had several stipulations though (not that I am high maintenance or anything). I wanted the gift to be a soft friend. I wanted it to be very personalized and I wanted something that would be lasting. 

I found a treat so unique; so magical, that I was simply prepared to pay any amount of money! And enter Hazel Village. Look at this...it makes me scream and clap and dance with joy! This little Story, "Juliette's Painted Trunk" is the reason I chose Juliette for Riley. (For copyright purposes, I have only included a wee bit of the story pictures). Click here to see this and other stories from the imagination of  Jane Van Cleef. You will be utterly enchanted.

The Inspired - A Girl Walked Into a Bar

The Inspired

So, a girl walked into a bar...

This Girl Walks Into a Bar

She wasn't sick until she walked in.

She immediately looked pale and felt thin.

Her health, rapidly declining, made her wonder

It was a little thing to take notice of, to ponder.

"Why did I walk into this bar after all?"

She held on to the greasy tables, trying not to fall.

If she hadn't walked into that place would she healthy be?

What she remembered is how she loves to be free.

But this is a shackle, this illness, the spackle

that it might take to mend before she can bend

the sickness in her chest 

you know, the one in her breast

Her head she inclined and simply sipped 

And waited, patiently, before she was stripped.
Maybe, she thought, I should quit drinking.
This ship, she looked around, is it sinking?