Our Christmas Card to You...

We can't send you all Christmas cards in the mail (although we wish we could, because we LOVE mail!) so we put together this post , as a Christmas card from the Crazy Daisies. We had a traditional photo shoot just for you, including the classic Christmas family photograph. Thank you to our talented, honorary photographer, Mr G for being oh so patient with all our Daisy requests.

On behalf of all three of us, we wish you all dear readers a very 

 Merry Christmas!!!

May the peace of the Christ Child be with you and your families this holiday season!

 We are taking a break to feast and be merry, and so will be back on 

Jan 2, 2014. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love The Crazy Daisies

A Friday Ritual

One photo without explanation. A moment captured- a time to be still, to breathe and remember.

Happy Friday!

With a heart full of joy..

Kissing fish make us smile!

We love this painting! The Nativity by John Singleton Copley

We were flipping through the channels the other week and caught the end of a Dr Oz episode. It was on mental health and the huge health benefits of being grateful. We always knew how important it was to be grateful but never knew that an attitude of gratefulness can prevent depression and help boost your immune system. Dr. Weil (whom we love) explains  that being grateful is a positive state of mind, and so when you are optimistic, healthy hormones pump through your body and help your immune system ward of illnesses.

 Dr Weil says: "Optimism and other positive emotions are also associated with lowered production of the stress hormone cortisol and with reduced risk of chronic disease"

 -from Dr. Weil's website found here 

Really who wants to be sick during the holidays? Not us! So today perhaps take some time and think of three things you are grateful for. Your mind, soul and body will benefit! 

and so with a heart full of joy...

We are grateful for...

Our brother John and all the baking zeal he has taken on this year! We all have had so much fun icing cookies, making marshmallows, and laughing with our Mr. Fields in the kitchen. 

We are grateful for...

The friendly cashiers at Costco. Last night our goal was to finish All our major shopping. We went to malls, Superstore, LCBO and lastly Costco. By the time we reached Costco, we were on blitz mode and so didn't want to stop for dinner. It was 7pm and we just wanted to get it done, so we could get hope and decorate our tree. At the Costco cash we were a little hungry, a little tired and ready to be home. It was such a nice welcome to have friendly cashiers who chatted with us and made us laugh. We left our cash feeling happy and grateful..which leads into the next..

We are grateful for...

Running into close family friends at Costco! In the midst of mad shopping, it was such a treat to chat, laugh and make plans to visit over the holidays. It was such fun to run into them again at the same cash! Yes we know, it is a small, small world! 

We are grateful for...

The strength of our Grandma who planned and threw a lovely Christmas dinner on Sunday.  Our family has been grieving this past year, and so it was a real joy to be together at the table. Our Grandma even thoughtfully prepared individual dishes for all of us fussy eaters! (like quinoa salad!) We are so inspired by her inner strength, and pray that some of it runs through our blood. 

We are grateful for...

Our dad for taking the time to clean all the salt off my car! He surprised me last week by cleaning all the windows and making sure my license plate is readable. Love you dad! 

We are grateful for...

Having our sister Leah home from school!! She is all done her exams and has done so well. We are all very proud and so grateful for our live in hairstylist! 

We are grateful for...

Last but not least, all of you dear readers! We are grateful for all of you who take the time to read our blog and give us such positive feedback. We started this project together during a particular sad time, and it has brought so much joy to our lives. 

Sugar Sugar..

Right now we have our very own Mr. Fields in the house. He is up early, has his dough in the fridge and bakes all day long. We arrive home to an elaborate spread of cookies, eat dinner and then Mr. Fields is at it again..baking until bedtime! Who is this special baker and how did we get so lucky? It is our brother John! Under the guidance of the lovely Leah, John has become an expert baker. Why the nickname Mr. Fields? Because we grew up with baking Mrs. Fields cookies, and still reverently treasure her cookbook. It is now in many pieces and covered in chocolate, flour, cocoa and more,  but every year we carefully unfold them to bake our favourite Christmas cookies. When we couldn't handle the white flour and butter, our Mama switched the recipe up so it would Timinski tummy safe.

Here you go:





























Timinski's Favourite Sugar Cookies
adapted from Mrs. Fields Sugar Cookies

3 cups of spelt flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup of vegan margarine or Earth Balance
3/4 cup of white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp of vanilla
1/4 cup of coloured sugar for decorations.

Step 1. Preheat oven to 325'F
Step 2: Mix flour and salt together, set aside.
Step 3: Blend margarine and sugar until combined.
Step 4: Add egg and vanilla to sugar mixture and mix well.
Step 4: Gently stir in flour mixture and blend.
Step 5: Wrap up dough in saran wrap and place in fridge for at least an hour. We like to put ours into two disks.
Step 6: Using a floured surface and rolling pin, roll out dough until desired thickness. Cut out cookies and sprinkle with sugar.
Step 7: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until cookies are slightly golden.
Either eat the whole plate or store away in freezer :)
Your choice.























































Enjoy!!

Words of Christmas Joy..

During these dark last few days before Christmas, there is a great sense of anticipation in the air. Can you feel it? We saw our little cousins on the weekend, and they are so excited! Christmas is only a week away!
To celebrate here are a few wise words about Christmas. Happy reading!

"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years...Underneath all the bulging bundles is this Christmas heart." George Matthew Adams

"Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn't come from a store..maybe Christmas perhaps..means a little bit more?" Dr. Seuss

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." Charles Dickens

"The simple shepherds heard the voice of an angel and found their lamb; the wise men saw the light of the star and found their wisdom." Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

"As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, with the sleigh full of toys and St Nicholas too."
Clement Clarke Moore

"I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is the darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses." Taylor Caldwell

"Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas."
Dale Evans Rogers

"My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?" Bob Hope

"Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land--
Ring in the Christ that is to be." T.S. Elliot





























"Christmas is not in tinsel and lights and outwards show. The secret lies in an inner glow. It's lighting a fire inside the heart. Good will and joy a vital part. It's higher thought and a greater plan. It's glorious dream in the soul of man." Wilfred A. Peterson.

Our Grandmother's Art

A few years ago our Mama and Grandmama were at a quilting convention in Chicago. Our Grandmama was there to accompany our Mama, hoping to get in some great American shopping. While looking at all the embroidered red work quilts, our Grandmama became very critical.  She said that the stitches were sloppy and the pieces unfinished. Our Mama asked her how she happened to know all of this? As to our Mama's knowledge her mother had never shown interest in quilting or sewing. Grandmama proudly said that she learned at her mother's knee and if her mother were here and saw this sloppy work, she would have made these artists undo everything. Our mama was surprised at this hidden discovery and so bought her a few panels to work at. All of us were blown away by the hidden talent of our Grandmama!  She is a Very Skilled Embroidery Artist!! Her stitches are so precise, it looks as if she has drawn the lines with her thread.

This past year has been a challenging one as she has been grieving the loss of her son, but through it all her art has grown. Our Mama has been providing her lots of work, and through her grief she has been embroidering the most beautiful pieces. Her hand stitched pieces are so lovely, we just had to share. Embroidering is a lost art these days, as we now have machines that can do it for us. It is one that we hope to continue. If you are interested in learning how to embroider, or need a neat gift for your artsy lady, check out these etsy shops here and here.

A Friday Ritual

One photo without explanation. A moment captured- a time to be still, to breathe and remember.

Happy Friday!

Charstar's Five Minute Chocolate Bar

Usually by the end of the week, on a busy Thursday evening  you will find most of us Timinski's scrambling for dinner ideas. Fried egg sandwiches, take out Thai, toast, etc. We work, have school, there is traffic, and well hey it's the end of the week and we are tired. Once our tummies are satisfied with dinner, we sit around the table and wish we had dessert, or more so wish we had the energy to make dessert. The amazingly talented Charlotte came to our rescue last week, when she came up with the EASIEST and DELICIOUS dessert. It's our classic go-to favourite combination: peanut butter and chocolate. What more can you ask for on a busy Thursday evening? Thank you Charlotte!

We call it:  Charstar's Five Minute Chocolate Bar 

You will need:

For the Bar:
1/4 cup of dark chocolate chips
1 tbsp of peanut butter
1/2 cup of Rice Krispies

For the Drizzle:
1 tbsp of peanut butter
1/2 tsp coconut oil

To make: 

1. Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter together.
2. Add the Rice Krispies and mix together.
3. On a sheet of parchment paper, press the chocolaty mixture down, creating a thin bark.
4. Place the bark in the freezer for five minutes.
5. Now make the topping by melting the peanut butter and coconut oil. Drizzle over the bar and freeze for another five minutes.

































ENJOY!

Christmas tunes

We love Christmas music, and especially love it when the local radio station starts playing Christmas music all the time. Our Mama was just saying the other night how special it is to be able to listen to music that reminds us of Christ's birth on a secular station. Yes the radio does play secular Christmas songs, but we love being in the middle of a busy grocery store and hearing songs like 'Do you hear what I hear?'..Makes us all smile. While we are baking Christmas cookies or busy making our various Christmas gifts, guaranteed the tunes will be playing in our home. Today we are sharing a few Christmas music favourites, a few of which you can't find on the radio.  Enjoy and let us know what holiday classics you love! We are always looking for new songs to add to the medley.

Happy listening!

Brooches a do or a don't?

We say a do! Brooches are a fun and creative way to dress up an outfit. We three girls have a few different brooches, most given to us from our Mama, some purchased and others found at flea markets. Today we thought we would show a couple of ways we love to wear a pretty brooch.






























First: Pinned on a knitted triangle scarf. Charlotte walked downstairs the other day with this amazing idea! To switch up wearing a triangle scarf, simply pin it with a neat looking brooch! Brilliant and such a great way to draw your eyes to the beautiful scarf. Charlotte pinned on a tiny ladybug brooch on her coral scarf. Our Mama has on a grey/forest green triangle scarf which we pinned a large purple, pearl brooch. The purple picked up the flecks of green and instantly catches your eye.






























Second: We like to wear men's vests and make them  feminine by adding a colourful brooch. Depending on how I feel I like to either wear the brooch high up as on the lapel, or to switch it up, down low by the pocket.































Third: On a knitted headscarf or hat like we did here. The possibilities are really endless! Dig out your brooches and some spice to an everyday outfit. : )

If you are in the Ottawa/Gatineau area, we like to find our brooches at: Peaberry Studio & Boutique and Heavens to Betsy

Peaberry Love

Charlotte and our Mama were out last week buying our weekly loaves of bread from our local bakery, when their eyes caught hold of the cutest sign:

Peaberry Studio & Boutique

Were they dreaming? Was there really a new boutique only five minutes from our house? And does it really sell vintage, local handmade goods??

They had to step inside to see...and they fell in love! That night they came home and told me all about this new shop that had opened, how everything was displayed so thoughtfully, how there was little touches of vintage love everywhere, how the shop owner Renee (which I love how we have the same name) is so friendly and absolutely enjoys what she does, and how I absolutely.had.to.go.immediately.






























Well my work week was kind of crazy busy and so I couldn't make it there until this past Friday. Unfortunately Renee had put her back out, so the shop was closed at the time. I pressed my face to the glass and my heart stopped. It had everything I loved: knitted and felted goodies, homemade soaps and the best antiques and art everywhere! I fell in love and knew I had to return as soon as possible. So the next day our Mama, Charlotte and I headed down to Peaberry.

It was pure shopping heaven! Not to mention, the perfect place to decompress, look at lovely art and feel inspired. It is always a real pleasure meeting an artist, but also DOUBLE pleasure meeting one who is a vintage/antique/recycled artist. Throughout the store are original pieces of art created by Renee, which you can find at the shop and also: here on etsy


























You can also find the adorable stuffies from Truly Charlotte, right near the store window.

My eyes fell on a wooden crate with thoughtfully displayed metal work. Tiny stamped heart earrings, delicate chains with vintage lockets, turquoise bracelets and so much more. It is by the artist Salvage Jewelry and I knew I had to buy a piece.

Charlotte found the perfect of felted mittens, and couldn't resist trying them on. Our favourite colour, and made out of Lopi wool! Such a lovely combination and one she couldn't pass by. Her talented fingers will be kept warm all winter thankfully by a lovely local knitter.

From candles made in recycled bottles, to homemade soaps, and original art throughout, this shop is definitely a place worth visiting. The best part is the owner Renee is not just incredibly talented, but oh so kind. She has a great attention to detail, as shown in the careful way she packages her wares. We loved the brown paper bags with the Peaberry sign and it made us both so happy to walk out with such a pretty purchase. We can't wait to stop by Peaberry again.

Make the trip to Aylmer and check out Peaberry studio & boutique at 112 rue Principale.

A Friday Ritual

One photo without explanation. A moment captured- a time to be still, to breathe and remember.

Happy Friday!

A Christmas gift idea...

If you are a knitter or crocheter, you understand the necessity of a great project bag. Over the years we knitters have used all kinds of different project bags: ziplock bags,  paper bags, Starbucks canvas bags.. to name a few : ) Lately though our favourite bag of choice has been the beautiful reversible ones our Mama has made for us. She made the first one last year and gave it to Leah for Christmas. She gave it along side a gift of wool, which was just right amount for Leah's grey sweater. Leah has toted that project bag all year, and the lovely bag has held up through the entire creation of her sweater. Our Mama chose prints of British guards and tiaras as Leah dreams of one day visiting England. She is also our Princess Leah of course ; )

I was surprised by our Mama on my birthday with my own new project bag and am so grateful. It's been the perfect companion for all my Christmas knitting. The fabric she picked on the inside is extra special, as it is from our travels last year to Philadelphia. Every time I see it, I am reminded of the Amish and Mennonite fabric shops, and how I fell in love with vintage prints. Now I just have to learn to sew : ) Thank goodness for the talented fingers of Charstar and our Mama!





























If you are looking for the perfect gift try this pattern here
It also makes a great lunch bag if you aren't a knitter : ) Enjoy!

'Tis the season for words of meaning...

Today we bring you a few words that we have been re-reading, re-writing and meditating. May they inspire and lead you through this Advent season.

"Advent's intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. The purpose of the Church's year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart's memory so that it can discern the star of hope...It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open the doors of hope." Pope Benedict.

"We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill

"My inheritance is the Lord, says my soul; that is why I will wait. The Lord is good to those who hope in Him, to the soul that seeks Him. It is good to wait in silence for God's salvation" St Hillary of Poitiers

"Thou who wast rich beyond splendor, all for love's sake became poor; thrones for a manager didst surrender, sapphire-paved courts for stable floor." Frank Houghton

"No one has ever become poor from giving." Anne Frank

"Now God be praised, that to believing souls gives light in darkness, comfort in despair."
William Shakespeare

"Alms giving during this season can be in the form of money, food, or clothing. Not everyone may be able to give these, but we can all give the alms of words, which we all need. We can give the alms of words everywhere." Catherine Doherty

"The light is shining in the darkness, but the darkness does not comprehend it...In the seasons of our Advent-waking, working, eating, sleeping, being-each breath is a breathing of Christ into the world."
 Caryll Houselander

"The value of a man should be seen in what he gives, not in what he is able to receive." Albert Einstein

"We always think of Jesus when He preaches, when He heals, when He travels, walks along the street, even during the Last Supper..But we aren't used to thinking about Jesus smiling, joyful. Jesus was full of joy, full of joy. In that intimacy with His Father: "I rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and I praised the Father." It is precisely the internal mystery of Jesus, that relationship with the Father in the Spirit. It is His internal joy, the interior joy that He gives to us." Pope Francis

The cutest Elf on a Shelf...

In our home a certain little elf has popped up in the most surprising of places...

He is a one of a kind Truly Charlotte elf and can be found: here

Have you heard of the book: The Elf on a Shelf? It is a cute Christmas story of a little elf whose main priority is the report back to Santa the behaviour of the children it's watching.



Many teachers use their special elf as a way to guide students towards obedience. Our Truly Charlotte Elf has made itself at home in some very unusual spots...
If you are looking for Elf on the Shelf creative ideas check out: Artsy-fartsy mama and imaginationtree has an awesome idea of spreading kindness with the cute elves.

Welcoming Advent into our home...

"The time of Advent that we begin again today returns us to the horizon of hope, a hope that does not disappoint because it is founded on the Word of God. A hope that does not disappoint, simple because the Lord never disappoints! He is faithful!" Pope Francis

Happy First Week of Advent Friends! Are you like us and get super excited when the flicker of light shines from the first purple candle? We love Advent and love using it as a special time to prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ. In the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, our parents worked hard to instill in our family a  few Advent traditions.

First we take out our Christmas and Advent books and they all get passed through many hands in the home. A few of our favourites include:

Donkey Bells by Catherine Doherty



The Story of St Nicholas by Julie Stiegemeyer



The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg



The Other Wiseman by Henry Van Dyke



And of course: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. John and I are studying it together and Dicken's classic words never grow old.



Second: Our parents take out the Advent wreath and make it a prominent place on our table. Our Mama clips real evergreen boughs and ties them with the ribbon.

Third: Upon the lighting of the candle, we have a special prayer and reflection time before dinner. For example on the first Sunday, our Dad blesses the wreath, we read the readings of Isaiah and when we were young, we sang the classic: Light the Advent Candle One

When we were younger, we made Jesse Trees etc and if you are looking for more Advent activities and crafts to do with your children check out the following sites:

Simplekids
Catholicmom
Catholicicing

What about you? Do you have a special Advent tradition? Share with us! We would love to hear from you!