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?

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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 ;)

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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?

Pretty Books to Love

Enjoyed all of them. They made for wonderful holiday reading.

Somebody just showcased their books with lovely fabric underneath. I copied you, but I cannot remember who it was. My apologies but thank you for a very wonderful idea ;)

Sale...and beautiful blue

I was going through my photos before I left for holidays and discovered a common thread. I seem to love blue, apparently.

And a little note. The lovely Fiona, at Linen and Roses is having just a jolly sale on all her etsy items. 30 to 40% off. Why don't you take a peek?

I have come across a gorgeous assortment of books lately and will list them sometime this week, so do pop by again. Oh, so pretty.

Hoping your week is a wonderful one.

Lisa xo

PS Thanks so much for all the cushion love! I will also be posting some answers to questions I have received via email regarding it.

Sew Amy Butler

Do you like it? I did tell you there was a surprise in the works. I made the Amy Butler gum drop pillow before I left to go to the country. I am very pleased with the result. By the way, there is no way this is a pillow. It is an ottoman or pouffe. It is huge. Massive. A definite footstool.

But oh so cute! It took me about four hours to complete. The more advanced sewers would be about two hours I would think. And loads of stuffing. Loads. The object here is to get as much in as possible to enhance that "overstuffed" look.

Well, are you going to try it? If I can do it you certainly can!

I will update you on our holidays soon.

Glad to be back with you!

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?