Ahhh, My Personal Favourite...Hallowe'en

Wishing

You

All

A

Truly

Frightful

Hallowe'en

except for the first image and the Grimshaw painting, these are all truly haunted homes

Selina Lake

Another girly crush

Congratulations, London!

I know you will love it!

Anthropologie

Am I the Only One

That wishes Greengate had stores here in North America?

Why must we be deprived of cosiness and comfort?

Where are we to find the beauty of autumn and winter patterns with the Scandinavian touch?

And how gorgeous is that blanket? Hmmm, lovely colours, slightly felted, I wonder if I could copy that...

What I Am Doing

I was trying to figure out which gingham I wanted for the cushions I wish to sew. The phone rang. DN1's professor lost her assignment. Can you please email it to me mum? Now, I need to hand it in. Stop.

Thought about adding another row to my ripple blanket (yes, I am still crocheting this, unbelievable, I know). And thank you so much Fiona, for the lovely cushion! Phone rang. DN3 has forgotten gym clothes. Stop.

In between sad and pathetic distractions, I gaze at my new (to me) enamelware teapot. It matches the coffeepot I got earlier this year, do you remember?

Arrange potted geraniums in window in slight haphazard manner. Phone rang. DN2 and billeted hockey friend are sick at school, need picking up. Stop.

Come home and make cup of tea. Decide to pack it in for the day.

While lying on sofa reading Caroline Graham (good one) and drinking tea, I look out window and think I should have just done this all day...

PS Thank you all so much for the fabric love. Now who will be the next one to snag a bit of this loveliness I wonder?

So Much Prettiness

I would truly like to say I have been a busy bee. That has not been the case. I mean I have been busy doing the usual, but nothing crafty or really fun. I have such a chaotic schedule over the next little while I just feel a bit overwhelmed. But nice things are happening as well. For example, do you remember this charming fabric I found last fall and have been meaning to make into curtains for the kitchen? (We will not discuss exactly how long it has taken me to actually take the fabric to my lovely seamstress that does extraordinary things with the wee bits of fabric I give her). Well as I was perusing Nostalgia at the Stonehouse, don't I come across just the most gorgeous fabric on this little chair she re-covered?

I thought "What beautiful fabric!". Then thought, my gosh, is that the same fabric that I have? Niki seems to be pretty sure it is. And if a professional like Niki thinks it is well than so do I.

Well, what do you think? I am sure you have all visited her before but if you haven't why don't you drop by? She has lots of handmade goodies as well.

And another little surprise that warmed my heart. Jane (sadly blogless) emailed me to tell me she has been using my hexagon knitting pattern to make this stunning blanket for her son that is going away to University. She got the idea from this magazine page and had googled "knitted hexagon pattern" and found mine. It is so terribly nice to hear from people that have used the pattern. Brilliant job, Jane!

I am working on one or two things as well but the camera is missing (again) and I will not torture you all with the other sad excuse of a camera that is our backup.

Stay tuned, I will have pictures eventually.

Lisa

Always Hungry for Toast

Gather the wood

Light the fire Pour the wine

Fall is here

Images :: Toast

Nigella

As I was watching an episode of "Nigella Bites" the other night, I was totally struck by the appearance of Nigella. She had long stringy hair, parted in the middle, a not quite so beautiful complexion and nose that appeared much larger than what she has now in more recent shows. This particular episode was many years old, I presume. I wasn't even sure at the time it was her. I found this older photo of her and it is very much like what she looked like on the old program.

I'm thinking some polishing was done over the last few years. That being said I think she is a beautiful woman. I may even have a little girly crush on her. I think she exudes sensuality with that mix of domesticity that is charming and at the same time nonthreatening.

But that is just my opinion ;)

Home

I know, I know, I could be a bit more inventive than the jug of flowers. But I did some cleanup yesterday for a little get together for the two oldest birthdays (bad mum, 3 weeks and 6 weeks late) and I just thought they looked pretty. And quite frankly, the tidiest area in the whole house.

Things have been so busy and chaotic around here. Loads and loads of laundry (3 or 4 full loads per day), appointments, shopping well you all know the routine, right?

We are still doing tours of schools. The above picture are the dorms at Renssaeler (I will get the correct spelling of this one day). What a lovely campus. Just not sure about the surrounding area. Our first introduction to the city was a transvestite in a purple dress, running shoes and soccer socks at the gas station. Hmmm...

This is Quinnipiac. I did not go with her to this one. She went on an official visit there on the weekend. She is in loooooooove with this one.


And Clarkson. Beautiful, scenic campus. Gorgeous rink (yes, rinks can be gorgeous to hockey players). And did I mention it is only 5 hours from Mummy?

Guess which one I am loving so far ;)

The Girl in the Cafe

I watched this movie on Saturday.
I think Kelly MacDonald is so beautiful.


What a great movie. If you get a chance, watch it.

Liberty At Pottery Barn

Did we know Liberty of London was at Pottery Barn for Kids?

I obviously need to get in the loop!

Still travelling...

Browsing and Planning

I miss Canadian Home and Country Magazine. It truly was my favourite Canadian magazine. It is now just an online resource. What a shame.

It had lovely photos, helpful hints, and a great source directory in the back to access all the lovely things locally.

I have been very busy the last week or two. We are now billeting a girl on my daughter's hockey team and I had to set a room up for her. She will be here with us for the next nine months and attend my daughter's school as well. Add that to the five of us already here and DN1 boyfriend that is here 4 or 5 times a week and things can get pretty chaotic. But really cooking for 5, 6, 7 what difference does it make really? At least they are here right?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am leaving Friday morning for a girls' weekend away and will be back Sunday. Then Wednesday I am on a road trip with DN2 for unofficial visits to some of the universities that are offering her scholarships. We are starting out at the University of Connecticut, then on to Rensaeller, Syracuse and Clarkson. It will be a hectic few days. As you can see I really, really want her close to home. She will be officially visiting some other schools as well and she has to narrow that down to three or four. Possibly Northeastern, Yale, Princeton, Quinnipiac, Boston U and UNH. But these are so faaaaar! I know I am going to have such a hard time with this leaving thing. In another year this may be a very depressing little blog to read ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope all is well with you and that you are squeezing in as much summer as possible.

Lisa xo

The Perfect Colour

No not the lavender silly, although that is a perfect colour is it not?

I meant trying to find the perfect blue for my gate.

I know I want blue but I cannot find the blue I want.

Does that ever happen to you? Or do you always find the perfect colour as soon as you get to the paint shop?

I want that colour blue you see in France on all the shutters and doors.

I cannot describe it but have seen it so many times in books and magazines.

Are there any blue experts out there?