Saturday 10 October 2009

Saturday Ramblings . . .



I recently heard of a little boy, aged just three, who had met up with one of his elderly neighbours one morning. (along with his mum of course!) They got to chatting for a time, and then, just to show she was interested in the little one, the elderly neighbour asked him how old he was.

"Two." was his prompt answer.

She smiled at him and said. "Oh no, I think you are a bit older than that."

Without batting an eye, he replied, "Yes . . . but I can't say fwee!"

Don't you just love the honesty of children? I know I do!


I'm so excited to show you this morning one of my projects here at Oak Cottage. I've been working on this for a while, and just yesterday got it finished . . . well, pretty much finished at any rate.



Up over the kitchen, just at the top of the stairs, we have a room that is our living area, except we don't really use it as such because Jess can't go up the spiral staircase. We don't like to leave her down here all on her own so we basically live in the kitchen, but we still have the lounge up there and use it on rare and special occasions.



For a time I wanted to dedicate the wall up there totally to family. Because of the slanted ceilings in most of our rooms we don't have a lot of wall space for pictures. The lounge has high vaulted ceilings for the most part and beams that run across. Along the outside wall the ceiling is angled so there can be no pictures hung there, but the wall that runs through the centre of it is large and open and just perfect.



First I bought a special print about families that I liked, and had it framed to put in the centre of the space. Underneath that I hung a copy of our church's Proclamation on The Family.



Then I picked special pictures of my family and I placed them around it. But it still looked like it needed something. (These pictures are not quite finished yet though. I still have to buy matching frames for some of them and there are a few more to go up. I have to do it a little at a time because of the expense.)



Then I found this seller on Etsy, Single Stone Studios. They specialize in wall decals. When I was over in America last winter, I had really admired the wall decals I saw in people's homes. I knew when I found Single Stone Studios exactly what I needed to make my wall complete. I contacted them and asked them if they could do a custom order for me and they were very happy to oblidge.



It arrived yesterday and Todd and I couldn't wait to put it up. Doesn't it look lovely!!! Now all I have to do is to get the rest of my photos framed and up and it will be all done. I just couldn't wait to show you though, so you are getting the almost finished version!



While I was at it, I also got another wall decal for down here in the kitchen. It sits just above one of the side windows. I love it. It's a reminder to me daily of what life can and should be. Just one fantastic opportunity after another to grow and to develop my potential. It's all very exciting really!

Speaking of potential and families, I have a lovely dessert to share with you here this morning. This is sooooo easy even the kids can make it, with your supervision of course! It started off as squares, but I thought, why not bake them in a round pan and cut them into wedges like a pie to serve.



And then I thought, why not top them with some ice cream and chocolate sauce and turn them into Sundaes!!! This one's for all the families out there that are looking for something special to do this weekend, or for a special Family Home Evening treat!



*Chocolate Chunk Sundae Delight*
Serves 8
Printable Recipe

A delicious chocolate chunk cookie wedge topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Moreishly delish!!

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup chopped nuts
2 cups semisweet chocolate chunks or chocolate chips
For the topping:
Icing Sugar
a good quality vanilla ice cream
a jar of chocolate spread
(I used Waitrose brand, it's nice and dark and fudgy)



Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Grease and flour an 8 inch cake tin with a removable bottom. Set aside.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Beat the vegetable oil and eggs together in a measuring jug and add all at once to the flour mixture. Beat until throughly combined. (The mixture will be very thick) Stir in the nuts and chocolate. Scrape the dough into the prepared pan and smooth it out evenly with your fingertips.

Bake for about 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 15 to 20 minutes. Then remove the sides.

Warm the chocolate spread in the microwave until spoonable. Cut the chocolate chip cake mixture into wedges and place one wedge on each plate. Dust lightly with Icing Sugar if desired and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and some chocolate sauce spooned over top.



If you'd like to see what we had for our tea yesterday, hop on over to The English Kitchen to check it out. Cheesy Mushroom Omelettes.


16 comments:

  1. Oh Marie thank you again for your posts. Your family wall is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your wall, Marie. It looks just wonderful and keeps your family close to you. Brilliant! You are such sweet pet owners to stay downstairs for Jess. She must love you very much and vice versa.

    I found out a few hours ago I ma going to Utah on Sunday. Jennifer had a bit of a melt down and needs some help. I'll be there at least a week helping her with the girls. Hazie says Gramma now...can't wait to see all 8 of the kidlets.

    Sometimes Jen just gets completely overwhelmed and the big girls are all off school and Lowell has a big project due so has been working insane hours. She just needs her mom so I am on my way.

    I have a few things to wrap up here at home tomorrow and at church and then I leaving. One just never knows from day to day! Love those wall words! The possibilities and families!

    Love you sweet friend!

    B♥nnie

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love it when folks hang the family pictures. The main hallway in my house is lined on both sides with family pictures. For years I kept them in boxes and then one day I thought~"this is ridiculous!"
    So I got them all out, started rounding up frames in thrift shops, etc and hung them up. That dessert looks delishious. Linda in Washington state

    ReplyDelete
  4. A lovely wall -- so special and one that you will enjoy forever!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love your new additions! Your picture wall is wonderful, and those word phrases add so much! Your love of life is infectious!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I just love your blog!...What yo have done with your house..very nice, love the beams. The thought about the little boy..priceless! The recipe..oh my goodness, love it, looks so yummy. I love the thought.."why not"..when cooking, it leads to great things! thanks for sharing all the good things. Come say hi :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. Two days ago, Jesse said to me "Why don't we have family pictures hanging?" I never noticed that until he mentioned it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. It looks fantastic Marie. What a good looking family.

    Love Renee xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Im so excited to have found your lovely blog!!! I enjoyed seeing how you have been decorating your family wall, and I love your quotes!!! I have so been enjoying trying out your recipes thanks so much for the wonderful inspiring thoughts and terrific recipes!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I just love your wall. I can't wait to see the finished project. The Families are forever decal is just perfect. How I hope to be able to visit Oak Cottage one day and see it all for myself.

    We all send love. Lura

    ReplyDelete
  11. your wall looks fantastic marie! LOVE IT!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have 4 sons and I love boys; never saw that poem before;it really touched me. I also have a wall in my family room covered with family pictures, some recent but some older ones from our parents days etc.It is a conversation wall.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The wall is lovely...and that tart at the end looks SUSPICIOUSLY like an enormous chocolate chip cookie. Mmmm.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Marie I love your wall! I don't have a space like that in this house but I did in my last house and it was wonderful. I know you're going to enjoy this so much. blessings, marlene

    ReplyDelete
  15. Another old entry of yours that I've just found Marie....have you noticed I'm working backwards on them?!
    In the dining room of our old house we had all the family photos, we used to call it the 'Rogues Gallery', ha ha!! Your wall looks wonderful, it makes me want to find room for our family photos again.
    Love the recipes today, we don't have omelettes nearly enough, yet we both love them.
    Love, Pat x

    ReplyDelete

Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!