My Pretties!

I have missed you! We have been so busy here the last week or two. We have done 14 university interviews and have to more in the coming weeks. My daughter will have to narrow it down to 2 or 3 favourites then we will make official visits to the campuses sometime in September or October. These meetings have eaten up so much of my summer! Thank goodness we are going away soon. It has been utter chaos trying to get everyone together for holidays. The oldest can only get two days off of work which do not coincide with DN2 days off between tryouts for both the National Hockey team and the Provincial Hockey team. Does anyone else have this trouble with older children? Trying to get everyone together just for a few days has been exhausting to say the least.

Our weather here has been very rainy. No picnics or outings, really. Perhaps I should be utilizing this downtime with craft? Mmmmm? Could there be a little surprise in the works? I am also starting to get things together to go to the country. I always pack some nice rosy sheets to take along in case I dislike the furniture or if it is leather (sticky humidity + leather seating = well you get the picture). I also bring a few blankets and of course our favourite pillows with our vintage pillowcases. As a result, once I get there and arrange things to my specification it almost looks like home.

There is a George Carlin skit called "stuff". Whenever I pack, I think of this routine. That is me. I have to have my "stuff" around me to feel comfy, cosy. Are you like that when you go on holidays?


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Will pop back when I can. And thanks for taking time to read my little bits.

Lisa xoxo

Please, Please Tell Me...

Why do the clotheslines break AFTER you have put the last item on them?

Overwhelmed

I did tell you July would be crazy for me. It is. We have had two universities visit us per day for the last couple of days. These visits are lasting close to 3 hours each. I think we need a little break. I have been trying to squeeze in some crochet along the way and found a wonderful deal at an online shop quite close to here. I love the Cascade 220 for the ripple blanket and managed to snag quite the bargain. If you are interested in the name I will look it up for you, the name has popped out of my mind at the moment.

I am also trying to catch a few moments in the chubby chair for reading. However this is the favourite chair in the house for reading so you almost have to reserve it. Great for napping too.

A quick shot of the garden. I have been negligent in this department. We must spend the weekend weeding, trimming and mowing. (Is that any kind of break?!)

Finally a bit of bloom. We have had below average temperatures with quite a bit of rain. But I am not complaining! Others are, which astounds me. What is wrong with 22/24 degree temperatures? We are usually frying in the mid 30's at this point.

Lovely pink hydrangea is also loving these days.

As is her cousin, blue.

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I do not know when I will be able to pop in again, but I do hope you are all having a fantastic summer and trying to keep cool in the heatwave some of you are experiencing. Poor you!

Lisa xoxo

Happy Birthday!

Today is Canada's 142nd Birthday! What better way to celebrate than to showcase the foody bits that we have contributed to the world. First, buttertarts! Yummmm. You have had a buttertart before, yes?

Of course, you have had the delightful epicurean experience of letting a Nanaimo bar melt on your palate?

A beaver tail perhaps. Deep fried goodness with syrup or chocolate drizzled on it?

And one of my personal favourites, poutine. Chips with gravy and melted cheese.

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Happy, Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends!

for more info on Canadian cuisine visit wiki

Read, Reading, Will Read

Read

Reading

Will read.

Rose and Peony Parade

More peonies to love and admire. My mother's are not fully in bloom yet but I will be pilfering some from there as well. Mine are almost finished.

This is Earth Song. What a heavenly shaped rose. Such a pretty colour as well.

John Cabot is doing his bit. It was so windy I was unable to get a really nice photo. I am sure there will be more to come.

William Baffin looking every so charming. He is a very hard worker and loves where he is living. Morning sun and later afternoon sun seems to be his preference. There are hundreds (thousands?) of buds, just waiting to open.

We are still waiting for the Fairy and my Celeste. Soon.

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My summer is really shaping up to be a busy one. I have enrolled the youngest in a camp for two weeks and hopefully a soccer camp later in the summer. We will be away up north for a week or two with my mum and dad, which we do every year. I am also suppose to be going away again with some friends for a weekend shopping in the US and will also be making some trips down there for University trips for DN2. We also have 8-10 home visits lined up with the US universities that wish to come see my daughter at home. This will be taking up much of July.

Again, not sure where all this "time" is suppose to materialise from.

Also, I just made up another batch of the laundry powder. It really lasted quite a long time and am ever so pleased with it. Have you tried it yet?

PS Thank you so very much for your lovely comments on my flowers and the new header. As always, you make my day (week, month...)

Wednesday, Really?

I know what you are saying. I know I am taking way too many flower photos but I am truly just trying to see how this camera works.

Apparently there is this menu for colour. I have just discovered it. It is Vivid. I think it makes a bit of a difference. More vivid, maybe. (I am so funny)

Okay this one not so good. I don't think I waited long enough for full power after the last picture. Trial and error.

And finally, this is Celeste (celestial) rose. It is always a gamble whether she will bloom. Aphids attack her like there's not tomorrow. Will I get blooms? We shall see. I am patiently waiting for John Cabot, William Baffin and the Fairy to bloom. Aren't you excited? More flower pictures coming soon ;)

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Have a great day Ladies!

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Did you notice my new banner?

Lazy, Rainy, Flowery Sunday

Most of us are still snuggled in bed. It is very cloudy and overcast today with rain expected for the next few days. Motivation to run out to the garden and get a few of these beauties before they are pummeled by rain. That would be my luck. The hail storm we had a few weeks back destroyed many of the leaves and a handful of buds. I have showcased them in my enamel teapot and or coffeepot.

This picture is definitely more true to the colour. What a pretty blue. I wish I could find more enamel in this colour, it is so delightful.

Doesn't she seem terribly happy on the dresser?

The rest of the day will be with Romantic Homes. Me, tea and romantic charm. That's it.

Oh, and Mr. Youknowwho as well. He doesn't take well to rain at all. He is usually curled up into a ball with BOTH feet and part of his snout in my slippers. How cute is that?

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Happy Sunday, Ladies.

Yummy Potting Sheds and other Ideas

How absolutely delightful. During my quest for shed resources I have come across this brilliant book. Yes, maybe a little more Chic than Shed, but I am loving this book. How utterly bohemian would it be to have this caravan in your back garden!

A relaxing cup of tea and a biscuit here surrounded by all the flowers you love?

Or to dine alfresco with all this Christina Strutt loveliness? How beautiful is that?

I want to cosy up on this daybed with a book and revel in the squishiness of it. And how gorgeous is that heart shaped cushion with that stunning print?

A guest bedroom shed.

I must admit I am truly loving this but where would my lawn mower and bug killer go? It just doesn't co-ordinate somehow with the chintz.

Love the rustic charm of this.

I just like this. No special reason other than a feeling of contentment.

I love the white beadboard and the chandelier.

Okay, maybe technically they are not true potting sheds but the photography and rooms are amazing. I love this book and have been through it at least 5 times. You simply must beg, borrow or buy this as I am sure you will be as captivated by the beauty as I am.






all photos :: Shed Chic by Sally Coulthard

Enamelware Goodies

While my husband and I were busy all weekend painting the porch, my mum was off at garage sales. As we are busy painting, my mum calls, my husband answers and tells me she wants to speak to me. As busy as I was, I am glad I took the call. She was at a garage sale where the woman was getting rid of all her enamelware. I quickly shot over (after telling my husband, "My mother needs me") and got these lovely pieces. A white bucket for planting flowers, a white jug and the soon to be favourite, baby blue teapot/coffee pot. It truly is baby blue. Not this colour my camera has chosen to show.

Really, it is blue.

And a few other treasures I have picked up along the way. A charming jam pot already low on jam! A lovely refrigerator box and these adorable plates.


I love the rosy trim with the blue. So delightful, I just wish there had been more, I only found 3 of them.

The little white lantern was picked up as well. Blimey! Who can pass up $1.99 with the candle too? (Even if you already have too many to count, they are great to have)

Oh and the wicker sale. Just kidding. This is the porch furniture waiting to go back as soon as the floor dries. Please ignore the major construction going on next door. Speaking of which, would you be angry if you constantly had strangers up your driveway almost in your back garden at least once a day? This gets me mad. People checking out the renovation next door. No problem. But not on my property, please! My youngest is eleven and I really do not need strangers in my back garden especially if my daughter is playing back there. Do you think I should put a PRIVATE PROPERTY sign out? I really don't think it will stop them. Do you know I have had one man get mad at me for telling him to move? Just a little venting, thank you. Moving right along...

My little rosy mat for the porch. And a peek at my very bright blue toenail polish.

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Believe me there is much more going on in my life but I feel I can only give you little tidbits, lest you nod off in your cuppa...

Happy Monday, girlies!