Blimey!

Was I thrown for a loop last week. I went to my daughter's ball hockey tournament feeling out of sorts. Achy, sinuses but I reckoned after I was up and running things would get better. No. They did not. I left her with another mum and took myself to bed. But I worsened as the afternoon wore on and ended up having my mother take me to the doctor as I kept feeling like I would pass out. Good thing. I had a temperature of 102. It has taken me about 6 or 7 days to get back to feeling semi normal. But enough about me, how are you? I have been reading my bloglines like there's no tomorrow. Bloglines and I get along like a house on fire! I just go online, see who has a new post and Bob's your uncle! Love it.

But is it normal to have more than 100 blogs to read? I am addicted to the beauty. Thank you all for making my day, everyday. How lucky are we to have a window to look through whenever the feeling strikes us? To peek into other homes, other countries, other worlds?

I am trying to get the garden into shape. It is going ever so slow. We have had rainy days and more in the forecast. I am so very jealous of those that have lilacs on their kitchen tables when we just have forsythias blooming.

And thank you all so much for the well wishes for my little, handsome man! He is fitting in quite nicely.

Thanks for visiting, and Keep Calm and Carry On!

Have a wonderful weekend!

P.S. Who figured I would go back and buy the wellies?

Me and Martha

Martha and I have been at it again. Thanks to Vee for the link. What a wonderful way to utilize your vintage linens. I am always so happy to find different and innovative ways to showcase my quickly expanding collection. I love the way it came out and it only took me about 2 hours which isn't bad for a novice I guess. It will be a wonderful bag for books or produce I would think. And, well, this picture is kind of self explanatory. We now have a pug. He's not brand new. He's used and well worn. We actually babysat him several months back for a girl my daughter works with. She had just had a new baby (do you have "old" babies?) and did not feel she could dedicate the time to him so we looked after him for about 2 months. Of course we fell in love but we had to give him back. However, last week she called my daughter and told her he was just too much with a teething baby, no sleep, etc. (I soooo remember those days!) How lucky are we? He's back and very well loved. Everybody can't get enough of him. He is a delight.


Did I mention the hair? Everywhere.


But he's worth it.

Things were going so well...

My thoroughly productive morning went out the window when I received a phone call from the school to tell me DN3 had a headache, can you come get her? I am home for half and hour and the phone rings. DN2 has cramps, mum can you come get me? An hour later all was well once tea, sandwiches and chocolate cake was safely in their tummies.
So other than cleaning the oven, nothing has been done, nor will it. I have laundry to put away and ironing to do but some of my old standby books are calling me and I just want to sit for a quiet few with my tea and thoughts. The above image is from the most charming book, Romantic Style.

These images are from English Country. The images are gorgeous and the wallpaper samples are divine.
Doesn't this bed look comfy cosy?
Well, that really is all I am doing right now. I may visit the country tomorrow for tea with Elizabeth and then a busy week from there. DN2 has been chosen as one of the athletes of the year by a large newspaper here and she needs to go for a photo shoot on Thursday. I also desperately need a haircut so I will squeeze that in too.

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I am still adding sites to my blog list but it has grown so much over the last few months, I think it looks a little tacky with so many. What do you think? Should I just start using bloglines? I have even left some that have not posted in a while. I just like them all soooo much. They put a smile on face. I hope some of you get that feeling when you visit me ;)

Have a great week!

Pinking Fears

Is it possible to have too much pink? Too many flowers? My quest to beautify this home seems to lead to roses, pinks and overall femininity. Do I sometimes forget there is a man in this home that happily cohabitates with four females? Should I be concerned? My latest purchases seem to obliterate the fact that there is testosterone that floats around this home. But the need for vintage florals and roses is just too strong to ignore.
As you can see between Spring rummage sales and awesome deals on ebay the beautification continues. The plate (I know, I do think I have one very similar), the creamer and the jam pot were found at a church sale on the weekend. The sugar pot is an ebay find that replaces the exact one DN2 broke at Easter at Mum's. She looooved this sugar pot that was found at a Quebec farmhouse about 20 years ago with cement mixed inside of it. I just know I paid more for it than she did! The basket was found for 2.00 and has a top on it that folds over with a dowel inside to keep dust off? The lovely ticking fabric is another ebay find. How can you give up 5 yards of Laura Ashley for 8.00? Wouldn't it make a great tablecloth? Not sure yet what to do with it. But it is delightful.

The adorable linen tea towel was 10 cents.

And, of course, tulips. Our outdoor ones are barely peeking above the soil. Spring has not quite sprung yet but the temperatures are starting to rise. Thank Goodness. Did anyone see the snow that fell on London a few days ago? Wouldn't that have been more welcome about 5 months ago?

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I am trying to organise the blogs I read on my sidebar, so if you are missing, you needn't worry, you'll be back! Thanks for visiting I do love all your comments, they never fail to put a smile on my face ;)

Pasta, Pictures, Purchasing and Pillows

I am trying to concentrate my effort on achieving some kind of order in the house today. It is undetermined yet as to whether this will actually happen. I do know that we are having Pasta al Forno for dinner tonight, so I figure I am at least one step ahead. Right?
I have also been fiddling with my new camera, trying to not always use "manual" and to figure out some of the features I am obviously not using to my full advantage.

I have a lovely pink geranium that has doubled in size since bringing it inside in the fall. It has decided to bloom.
The beautiful mauve/green hydrangea I picked up for the holidays.
I have thrown this picture in to give you a little hint on my latest project.

Don't you just love spotty fabric?

Oh, did I mention I am suppose to be ironing RIGHT NOW?

My ebay delivery finally came. It was sheets I had ordered in a quaint little gingham pattern, however, gingham does not like to appear live. But it is there and it is adorable.

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Oh, and Colin and Justin are designers that have had many shows here and in the UK. They are hilarious with, I think and very skewed idea of what is desirable but I do love to watch their shows. They now reside, at least part time, in Toronto. I am very sorry to those that had no clue as to who they were. I tend to live in a tiny bubble here. But if you do get a chance to see them, let me know what you think.

Happy Easter

Just a few items I picked up at the grocery store. And, of course, the little Easter cards we made over the break.

The cheery rug was picked up so we could pretend Spring will very soon be upon us.

Oh, and had to leave by 2:30 and the boys still had not shown up.

Have a wonderful Easter and thank you so much for dropping by and saying a few words. It really means so very much to me.

What Do You Wear to Meet Colin and Justin?

Rumour has it Colin and Justin will be at my father's store this afternoon. Well not at my father's toy store but right next door at the furniture store.

What do you wear to meet Colin and Justin? Lest I become a subject for a future show called "Desperate and Disgustingly Dressed Housewives of Toronto", I must go find something decent to wear.

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Oh, and guess what I found at the Supercentre? There's one melting in my mouth right now. Guess I should wipe that chocolate from my chin before seeing the boys.

What One Does Whilst Waiting for Ebay Delivery

Take pictures in ensuite bath and wonder if room looks better through the mirror.
Think about rearranging items on dresser in ensuite. Don't touch a thing.

Sit and have cup of tea in corner of bedroom while staring at three full baskets of laundry to be put away. Realize cannot relax with three full baskets of laundry waiting to be put away. Also realize have put hot pot of tea on table without trivet.

See that silver needs polishing before Easter. That is the extent of it, basically just evaluation.

Think about how original I would have been if I posted my beautiful and somewhat blooming shamrock on St. Patrick's Day.

Still no delivery.

A Word About Chocolate Biccies

Sorry for the long absence but we have had the March Break here and there was a whole lot of chaos going on with kids home, kids needing rides and kids needing mum for crafts, marathon movie watching and cups of tea with interesting (enlightening?) conversation. 'Nuff said. Now for some very serious discussion.

Biscuits/cookies are a much debated subject in this family. They are very important to us as we are tea drinkers and nothing beats a great biscuit with a hot cuppa. The problem is availability. You see, my hands over favourite is the "Tim Tam". If you are not acquainted with this particular indulgence you are sadly missing out on one of the most delightful epicurean pleasures of all time. There is no describing this with any justice. Some say it is reminiscent of the Penguin biscuit, but alas, I have never had the pleasure of savouring one. However, the TT are only available in Australia. I mean, of course there are mail order companies, that goes without saying, but the sheer volume that we consume cannot warrant case load deliveries of cookies from across the world, well at least not as far as my husband is concerned. My only solution to this problem is begging those off to the land of Oz. But of course this will only satisfy me for a very short period. Hence the discovery of the Marks and Spencer Milk Chocolate Rounds.

Elizabeth was actually the fellow biscuit explorer that turned me on to these little gems. In Canada they are packaged under a different name but still available in selected food stores. These are important biscuits. They satisfy the most demanding cravings. The chocolate, like the Tim Tam is top quality. Absolutely no waxiness whatsoever. Very important feature. So when I visit the few stores that do stock these I purchase in bulk. Sometimes up to 15 packages, depending on how many they have that day.

Then I hide them.

Estate Sale

Some little thrifty deals I have picked up in the last week or two. A sewing manual by Reader's Digest, the most beautiful edition of "Cider with Rosie", a square plate with blossoms, an enamel bowl with a delightful floral motif, another Cath Kidstonish pillowslip and some vases. The green one on the left is a hyacinth vase.

Isn't the spotty cover adorable? I just love the illustrations in this book. They are divine. You simply must read this book. So endearing. The author is Laurie Lee and his writing is captivating.

And a picture of a rug I picked up for the girl's bathroom. Soft pastel blues and greens.



Oh, and just in case anyone was interested in moving, Skeffington House is for sale. This home belonged to my ancestors at one time and is now available for the princely sum of 1.95 million pounds. All offers will be considered.

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Have a great weekend! And thanks for stopping by.

Reason to Be Cheerful, Ecstatic and Completely Overwhelmed

Do you see what this is? No, your eyes are not deceiving you. That is, indeed a bag chuck full of Cath Kidston. Yes, it is hanging off a handle of our front cupboard. It is mine. All mine. And I am in Cath heaven. All this time I am complaining about our lack of Cath. Remember? Well on Thursday I received an email from a girl named Joanne that told me she visited a little shop last summer, not far from here, that had, you guessed it, Cath Kidston items. Are you kidding me? Not only do they have CK items, but they have had for about 4 years! Do they realize I sent my mum to England for Cath? I have googled "Cath Kidston" and "Canada" many, many times. Never, ever did I get a hit on this store. And to top it all off, they are no longer going to carry her line. Would this be considered irony? So I quickly gathered up all my favourites and there they are, from their now limited selection. The book bag, napkins, a paper tablecloth and tea towels. Oooooh I want more. How gluttonous am I?

You just know I am going back, right? Those lovely wellies have my name all over them.

The Winter of Our Discontent

Apparently, this is the feeling for many. Too much snow, not enough sunlight and a feeling of despair. So many bloggers out there are feeling the blues. I do understand but I just cannot help loving winter. The snow, the crisp air, the sparkle. Of course having Valentines Day and a new holiday helps. Last Monday was Family Day here in Ontario and I must say, I quite enjoyed it. I would talk further about Valentines Day but what do you say about romance when hubby gives you a massage, asks if I need gas in my truck, disappears for 20 minutes and comes back to a snoring wife? He did love his card though. Isn't it just adorable?
These are the Valentines I made for the kids from the Purl Bee site. They went over very well along with the pink cupcakes I suprised them with.

This is my little garden that puts a smile on face every morning. The tulips do not want to bloom together apparently they are very independent tulips and wish to do their own "thing". I am patiently waiting for the blue hyacinths in the blue transferware dishes.



And a quick update on the ripple blanket. I am so loving the colours. Especially with this paisley duvet. Aren't they fetching together? I love it so much but I think I may give it to my mum for her birthday. She is loving it as well and I don't think I have ever given her an item I have knit or crocheted. Isn't that funny, she is a knitter so I have just never thought of it.

Oh, just to let you know, the Beside Pocket has been quite a hit and they are starting to crop up using whatever cloths, doilies or hankies are available. Vee is on a roll!

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Lisa xo

On the Bright Side...

I am feeling so much better. And my pear branches blossomed beautifully. You are seeing them in their last stages but oh, they were simply gorgeous. I also forced some lilacs and they were splendid as well, but they are quite finished. If you have never forced branches before you should give it a go. Easy peasy, and most satisfying. Martha will teach you.
Why didn't anyone tell me sewing was fun? This is an idea I have had in my head for oh, say, 10 or 15 years. Maybe I read about it in a magazine but now that I have a sewing machine, voila! I am constantly tidying up my night table that has piled books, phone, clock, tissue box, converter, pictures, some carnations in a vase, where are you suppose to put all this stuff? Well, in this little bedside pocket of course! Oh so basic. Long embroidered cloth, folded over and sewn. Tuck in between the mattresses and there's your pocket. Stick your water bottle, converter, book, whatever. This one may stay in DN2's bedroom. Or it is just too cute and will go in mine.

See how easy? Go make one, you will love it.

And, since I was changing the beds anyhow, I thought you might like to see how the rippling is doing. Fine, thank you. And can you see? It's foldable.

PS. Please ignore my hands in the camera with the branches. I so did not see that until I went to write the post.

Snow, Sew and Stew

This is what we woke up to this morning. We were hit with 20cm on Friday and today will be about another 20-30cm. We already got about 16cm this morning and this is what it looked like. Did I mention I love snow?

As you can probably tell, I did not go to Ottawa. I sent my husband as my sinuses did not clear up at all. I am just happy I visited the doctor last week and got some antibiotics or I can just imagine what shape I would be in!

I have been busy on the sewing, knitting, crochet front though. Isn't that what snow days are all about? Friday I sewed little heart pincushions with DN3 for her little friends at school for Valentine presents. I would show you a picture of everything but the camera is dead after the outdoor snow pictures (there are 9 batteries beside the recharger, am I the only one that notices dead batteries?). I am also thinking about some crafty Valentines to do with her. Do you ever visit The Purl Bee? Well their tutorials rival Martha's, let me tell you. I was thinking we could try these or these crochet Valentines. Aren't they adorable?

Speaking of the Purl Bee. There has been an obsession floating around in my head waaaay back when I first saw these on Posy's blog. See how cute and stripey? As I am delighting in all the wonderful cosy items on the Purl Bee site don't I spot just the most charming slippers. I'm thinking these just may be do-able.

And since I am known for my late bandwagonning (is that a word?) I'm thinking I may start one of these. Because something like this was created just for snow days.

Oh, and the stew? That will be for dinner, isn't it scrummy looking? The recipe is from BBC Good Food.