Finally, Kitchen Pictures

Before: Ugliness, Blech

After: Clean

Organized

Shiny

This is the "drop everything here" area. Don't judge ;)

Sigh

Happy to do dishes

I am a pack rat and I know it. A major purging has taken place over the last two weeks. There will be some very happy shoppers in the charity shops over the next little while. I cannot believe the stuff we/I keep. All the cupboards have been painted, cleaned and re-papered. I put new knobs on all the drawers and doors and we had the backsplash put up.

It looks so fresh and clean now. I was so sick of that washed look that has been there for 15 years. It was so popular in the 90's. I am pleased.

Sidetracked

Changed the bedding

Gazed at new chandelier

Hung pictures

Filled basket

Almost There

Sooo close to finishing the kitchen. Why do we collect so much junk over the years? I am finding it impossible to find space to put everything back, nicely.

In the meantime, I received this in an email today and it is lovely.

A COPY OF THIS SHOULD BE ON EVERY MIRROR !!!
HOW TO REALLY LIVE
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to be a light in someone's life today.'
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good..
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words:'In five years, will this matter?'
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. Faith in something is important
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change, and you will survive.
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following
Statements: I am thankful for _______. Today I accomplished _______.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
25. Please send this to everyone you care about.

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Will see you soon with pictures.

Lisa xo

Kitchen Ideas

Help.

I have so many ideas running through my head right now. The painter is coming tomorrow to paint the cupboards and put up some beadboard. I am supposed to be packing the kitchen away right now. I am not doing that. I am searching through all my stored pictures looking at my favourite kitchens.

I know I want white/cream cupboards. That is a start. I also know I want to change colours a wee bit. I seem to be leaning towards a more simple background with splashes of colour and prints.

I seem to lean towards greens, blues and pink/reds for colour choices lately. And of course, that vintage feel.

I love collections, too. But I don't want that "too much" look. You know, when there are so many bits and bobs crammed onto the dresser shelf you can't really absorb everything?

I think I am looking for soothing, cosy and practical.

I am not quite sure if I can achieve all three.

So there you are...

Did you think I dropped off the face of the earth? Busy little me. My birthday was spent with kids and hockey. We did manage a brunch together before DN2 had to go away for the hockey Nationals. I've had better birthdays. Of course, the week was crazy going back and forth 3 or 4 times and it is a 2 1/2 hour drive each way. Glad that week is over.

I tried my hand at a lamp shade cover a couple of weeks ago. What do you think? I just love the ones some of the bloggers have on their sites so I gave it a try. Just a practice run, really. I will try it with nicer fabric next time. It was very trial and error. A basic tube with a gather at the top. I am sure many of you seasoned sewers out there are saying "easy peasy". I will make another attempt when time allows. Oh, and a picture of some of my china that really has no where else to go now that the dresser is filled with all my blue and white transferware. But this will be moved shortly as I have the painter coming on Monday to start painting the kitchen cupboards. Yayyy! I have been trying to nail someone down to do this for over a year!

A few books I am trying to get through. I just grabbed a few as DN2 injured her knee on the weekend and is requiring therapy 3 or 4 times a week. Hence, the need for serious reading material.

And I finished the little hat for the baby shower. We are not sure if it is a boy or girl so I figured blue with the crochet flower and that way they can take the flower off if it is a boy. I still have to sew the baby granny square blanket together. Yuk, I hate the sewing up part.

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I think that is all the catching up. Oh, one other thing. Bloglines is acting really weird. Today I have 7896 unread posts. I know I have been away from the computer for a while but puleeeze.

Salutations on this most Hallowed Day...

In celebration of this Hallowe'en day I present to you one of my most favourite set designs of all time.

The Practical Magic home.

This home was featured in a Victoria magazine shortly after the film debuted. I have this magazine somewhere but how divine is this chair? This set designer is a genius.

How gorgeous is this conservatory?

This aubusson is stunning.

Aga love.

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Happy Hallowe'en

Source: Amasveritas and Google Images

Trying to fit my birthday in...

I am sitting at my desk trying desperately to figure our schedule over the next week or so. Friday night is Hallowe'en and DN2 has a hockey game. I must stay to give out sweets while my husband takes her to her game. My youngest will go with a neighbour for the trick or treating part. Saturday is my birthday. We have two hockey games so any kind of celebration will be postponed.

Sunday is a whole other matter. We must drive DN2 3 hours east of here as she has been chosen to represent Ontario at the 2008 National Women's Under-18 Championship. She is then gone for the whole week til the following Sunday. We then have to be back here to prepare for a charity function at 5:00. Not sure when I will eat cake?

Perhaps just a celebration with my bloggy friends?

Canadian Home and Country Magazine

You simply must go visit and order a subscription. They have a brand new website with tips, forums and wonderful pictures and ideas. You know I have talked about them before.

Still in love...

A Day in My Life

Not that it is exciting by any means. My days consist mostly of driving children to and from schools and subway stations. All three girls go to different schools, the oldest in university. In between jaunts I shop, cook, bake, knit and crochet. Notice I didn't mention cleaning, ironing and laundry? But there is that too. Today I went directly to the supermarket after dropping off the oldest, specifically for barley for the beef soup I am making from the Sunday prime rib roast.

That being done, I found a recipe for yummy brownies and decided we were in need of a chocolate fix.

My little man has been wondering when there will be time for a walk along the ravine. Poor guy. Mummy hasn't taken him for a good walk in days. Today is a definite coat and wellies day. The temperatures have really started to drop and leaves are blowing around like a true autumnal day.

And, finally, last night I did another row of the ripple blanket. And guess what? The yarn ran out about 15 stitches away from the end of the row. I do not have any more of this particular yarn. Don't you just love it when the wool gods are not on your side?

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Please forgive the super lousy photos. As you may have guessed, the camera is not fixed and I am still using the not so brilliant one.

PS I just loved all the comments on my rose fabric post. I am elated to know there are so many people out there just like me that totally love fabric and buy it with absolutely no plan for it whatsoever.

Knitting (The Planning Stage)

Grab your bag, you are coming on a knitting tour with me...

I love to knit when the weather turns, like it has here. I have so many projects in mind I do not know where to start. There is a baby coming in the family soon so I must concentrate on that, I know.

The problem is I already have a couple of things on the needles and hook. I have not finished the Ripple blanket yet. I have a granny square baby blanket I have to sew up (yuk) and one or two other items that need finishing.


But I sooo want to dive in and knit something for myself. (Selfish thing that I am).


Don't you just adore Rowan? Their patterns are always shown so well in their magazines and books. Don't you just want to grab your carpet bag and hop on a steam train?


So lovely. I am also a huge fan of Louisa Harding.


Well, for heaven's sake, go knit something!





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Have a great weekend!



Sources:



Rowan

Kim Hargreaves



Louisa Harding

Fabric and Roses

On Sunday my girlfriend and I went to a large antique market and all I came home with was a Laura Ashley cosmetic bag and what else? Fabric. It is truly beautiful and when the camera is repaired I will show it to you.

This brings me to the question of what the heck am I going to do with all this fabric? I have quite a bit for someone that is a novice sewer. The problem is I cannot resist gorgeous floral fabric. Period.

I absolutely revel in it. It gives me such a wonderful feeling it is almost indescribable. I am sure those that have this addiction know exactly what I am saying. But I only have the need for so many cushions. And blankets. And sheets. And pillowslips.
What is it about these fabrics that evoke such euphoria in me?

That being said, I had some lovely sheer fabric in a cotton print that I just used for curtains on the back door. DN1 was kind enough to point out last night that they have a floral print in them. Gee mum, more florals? I cannot emphasize enough the sarcasm that was in her voice.

Do you love fabric as much as this? Are you addicted? What do you do with all your fabric? And does hubby ever comment on the growing pile or the florification of your home?

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I will update you with photos as soon as there is a working camera available;)

Potting Bench

I receive many googled searches for potting bench, potting table and vintage potting bench. Since I had these stored on my computer I thought it might make some one's day today to find a whole collection of them on one page. Not to mention I still do not have a good camera and thought this may fill a post nicely.

I just love this one, up against a stone wall. I don't think I would keep books out there, however.
Here's a little space saver. In the galvanized metal. What a great idea.

How pretty is this? What a lovely shade of blue.

I adore the scalloped edge on this one.

This is a cute idea.

How easy is this? A table and some simple trellis at the back.

Storage can be as simple as a few planks held across by pots or bricks.

It really is only limited to your imagination. I have seen the simplest ones made just using a table and old wooden crates. It certainly does not have to be elaborate, it is for potting and dealing with dirt for heaven's sake.

Sources:

Becky's Barn

Family Home Plans

Argos

Country Home