My special 21 yr old

21 years ago today, I had a baby. She was 9 lb 10 oz of the most beautiful baby girl, and I had this wonderful, easy birth. She and her Daddy had a wonderfully close relationship -- a kinship of souls. She's spent the last 3 years really growing and learning about herself. And we've been developing a wonderfully close relationship.
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I love the ways that she's so like her Dad - a reminder of him and his gentleness, depth of feeling, and artistic abilities with music and painting. And I love the ways that she's like me -- her love of cooking and her fearlessness to try new things, her inborn abilities when it comes to all things about a home (decorating, cleaning, organizing), her sense of humor and her loud, open laugh.

But I also love the way she's just so uniquely Molly. I love the woman she's becoming.
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The house today will smell like chocolate cake and Indian food. It will look like balloons and brightly colored wrapping paper. It will sound very, very female! From the 5 that usually run around the house looking for clean bath towels and hair spray to the extra half-dozen that will be here this evening eating cake and clinking glasses of bubbly stuff. It will sound like lots and lots of laughter and oodles and oddles of love.
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After all, 21 only comes once!

The wedding day!

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No; I won't be getting up at 4 AM to watch. But I did make certain preparations Thursday evening so that Friday morning I have extra time to watch telly and eat breakfast.
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Hmmm? What to have?
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I do have some crumpets on hand (with lashings of butter and honey! I say! Yum, yum!). And English breakfast tea.
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A girl's gotta get a good look at that dress! And (hopefully) that balcony kiss!
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Congratulations Wills & Kate!

Have a cracking day!

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JELLY BEANS by Ruth Lawrence

It's raining, raining, raining here in Nova Scotia. It was raining yesterday; it will rain for the next 3-4 days!
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Although that means that all around is turning verdant (I love that word!), I need a little more variety of color in my life today.
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So, I introduce to you the city of St John's in Newfoundland. Newfoundland is full of colorful houses because of the long drab winters, and in St John's, the fog! The rows of different colored houses have come to be known as "jelly beans"!






(Now for a shameless plug for my home province.) If you've never visited Newfoundland, I would encourage you to go. The scenery is absolutely wild and spectacular; the people are some of the warmest and friendliest in the entire world - no word of a lie here!; and the culture completely unique.

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Check it out for yourself here:

Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada – Official Tourism Website

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And if you need a guide or a translator (the language is a combination of fast English/Irish/Scotish/French mixture where H's are dropped or added on as seen fit by the particular speaker), I'd be happy to oblige!
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"Yis, bys! You'd 'ave some right-good time on da Rock!"
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Administrative Assistant's Day

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Hands up if you fill this bill! Me neither.
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But I'm a pretty good Administrative Assistant. And I'm grateful that my boss is aging with me and doesn't notice my brain cells that have died over the past 8.5 years. On most days, this is how you'll find me:

... the one woman show to 2 different bosses in this busy little office. Still, there's my tea 'n' bickie break (with a sneak peek at my blog and/or Facebook). And I don't have anyone looking over my shoulder; and most of the time, my bosses are great to work for and I'm treated more than fairly. My job is a blessing.
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In spite of the fact that today is International Administrative Assistant's Day, I don't expect much more than a thank you (and that only because I taped up a notice informing my bosses of the fact). I got a wonderful Xmas bonus in December and a raise last month. I'm happy.
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I could adopt these tactics:

but lucky for them, I'm on a diet. A potted plant wouldn't go amiss though!

Happy Administrative Assistant's Day to anyone out there who works in this capacity -- paid or unpaid. I wish you flowers, chocolate, lunch and bonus' today.

Now -- I think I'll have an extra bickie this morning!

And I love Her - Paul McCartney Unplugged

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Have I ever told you how much I loved Paul McCartney as a young girl? How I used to dream of moving to Britain, working at Apple and marrying him? I know there were thousands like me out there, but until the late '80s, Paul remained my dreamboat. I don't know what changed my feelings for him -- meeting my husband, maturity or just finally acquiescing to the fact that Linda had him good and fair -- but I moved on from Paul.
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I still think he's a darn fine artist; and I admire him for the good job he seems to have done raising his children. And his tenacity. We just can't get rid of him, can we!
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But I just recently came across this gem of a video on Utube; and it reminded me of why I fell in love with this gorgeous man with the melting voice and haunting music.



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Ahhhh, I'm 16 again and in love with a dream!
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Happy Easter!

"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but he has risen." Luke 24:5-6

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Happy Easter my friends.

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Stylish Blog Award

Early last month, I was awarded the Stylish Blog Award by my friend Blondee at http://blondeesdiary.blogspot.com/. Me? Stylish? I am very flattered. And very appreciatative.





The rules for this award are:

• Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.


• Share 7 things about yourself.


• Award 7 recently discovered great bloggers; and contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.
  

Seven Things About Me

(that I hope I haven't already told you)

1. In spite of the fact that I work in a construction office of 2 -- my boss and I -- and that my boss doesn't even come in some days, I still dress for "the office". I can't help it. There's something about a pencil skirt, hose and heels that just makes me feel all womanish and competent.

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2. I have a British-style tea break every morning at work at about 10:30. I have tea (but it's in mugs and not tea cups) and bickies (biscuits or cookies in the U.S.) ... and I usually sneak a peek at my blog and/or Facebook. Shhhhhh!



3. I have a bucket list -- an honest to goodness list of things that I want to do OR that I will force myself to do before I kick it! Things like zip-lining over Steady Brook Falls back home at Marble Mountain. It'll be scary! And I will definately have my Depends on! But I've gotta do it!

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4. In Grade 6, I was part of a gypsy duo with a cute boy in my class, Ronnie Locke, competing for the best Halloween costume in the whole school - Primary to Gr 8! He was going to play the guitar and I would dance across the stage; and we would surely win 'cause our costumes rocked! (And I had a crush on Ronnie, his being the new boy and all!) I wore a kerchief and a '50's dress that belonged to my Mom; it was a full-skirted satin number in teal and royal blue stripes and it was gorgeous! Ronnie was a swash-buckling looking gypsy dude with high leather boots and a big shirt. The blond haired fairy princess was first; then the 2 person horse was next; then it was us. Ronnie began to play his guitar and walk on stage; and I I got out under the lights and I froze! Imagine it -- me -- frozen! (I've come a long way since then.) There were a few sad costumes after us. But we did win 3rd place. However, any future I had dreamed about with Ronnie was dashed on the rocks-of-despair because he was so upset at me. Ah well! It was 1966 and I had won half of the $20 prize; it made up for love lost!
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5. * I own a family cremation plot at the little graveyard in LaHave. And in that plot is Baby Tessa, Libby's twin. We visit her on their birthday. (She's up there waiting for me.)

6. I have really, really been in love 3 times in my life: #1 I broke his heart; #2 he broke my heart; #3 we broke our kids hearts ... but then learned to get along and care for each other again. I still believe in love. It's on my bucket list!
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7. Sometimes when I'm alone, I pretend I've won the lottery; not a huge amount, but enough to keep me comfortable and pretty up the house. Then I walk around the house making changes in my mind and dreaming of a personal masseuse named Sven who makes house calls.


So there you have it; 7 more secrets are out in the open.

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I am passing the award on to Ðαωᾔ at Creative Cain Cabin because when it comes to stylin', she's the gal! She has a great eye for color and co-ordination, she sometimes makes her own clothes, she has great accessories (and hopefully will send me those yellow shoes now that I've given her this free plug), and she makes the cutest jewellery. She's a one-woman style icon!!
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Thanks to Blondee for this award. I really appreciate it and the kind words she wrote about me.
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How to Deal with Hate Mail

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I've been very fortunate because I've never received hate mail on my blog. But I know that many of you have. I think we all agree that it's hard to understand why someone you don't know would say mean things to you. But it happens.
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Now there's a new way to deal with hate mail. The best way, I think! Spotlight the nasty, share it with other bloggers and let us help to reinforce you. (And you might possibly have a chance to laugh at the nay-sayers.)

This is a new blog called My Favorite Hate Mail: Where Mean Comments Go To Die. It was started a short time ago by Mandi from Vintage Revivals and Vivian from The V Spot.

• . If you've had enough of the nasties out there;



• If you feel that everyone is entitled to their own personal style



• If you feel that we're entitled to our own opinion (as long as it doesn't hurt others);



• And if you need a healthy way to bury the vicious barbs of negative bloggers

then I'd encourage you to not just check out this new blog but to follow them and give them the nods up!

There's just enough negative in the world already!



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Easter Decor

My baby came home from university Friday night. She's safe in Mama's arms again, talking non-stop and livening up the joint with her cheery disposition. While all the young'ens slept Sat morning, I cleaned and rearranged the living room and dining room. And I decorated for Easter!

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I didn't remember to cut an Easter tree this year, so I have a bowlful of our blown eggs. I love putting them out! There are eggs that the children colored, one I did when I was pregnant with my baby, one that my eldest did for her Daddy when she was only 5. Such wonderful memories.

Then I just sprinkled downstairs surfaces with bunnies and eggs. I'm looking forward next weekend to celebrating the holiest of holy days as well as the most triumphant of triumphs with my little family. (And the yummy food and chocolate will be a treat as well!)

Friday Fill-ins - Apr 15.11 .... A Short, Demented Easter Love Affair!

It's time to play Friday Fill-Ins with host, Janet. And today, I want to tell you about someone who's near and dear to my heart. The "season" is right for me to share with you. Here we go!

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1. For me, it was love at first sight!

2. When I saw him at my local supermarket, I had to have him! I could feel desire growing in me!

3. I ran home with him. Behind the sound of the wind in the trees, I heard "Don't do it, Sandy! Don't give in to the impulse!"

4. But biting his head off is something I always wanted to do.

5. When it was over, I felt so happy .... guilty .... and a little bloated!

6. But even if our time together was short, with Mr Lindt Bunny in my hands, I never felt alone. He was delicious!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to eating salad; tomorrow my plans include exercise class and Sunday, I want to eat more salad and exercise!

Thrifty Thursday - Apr 14.2011

These are all items I bought last month because I haven't been thrifting for a few weeks: I've been such a good girl lately .... (read cheap)!

• Everybody needs their own luggage, right? Especially if she's given up every piece she did own to her children. So, when I found these 2 pieces for $15 at my local Daisy store, I scooped them up. I especially like that the large suitcase even has a built-in check list.


• I was delighted to find this Jim Shore garden plaque for just $2 at Value Village.


• And we all know how much I love cheap jewellry, especially bug jewellery. This sweet little butterfly broach was $2.99 at Value Village.


• This necklace was $2.99 and the pearls were $1.99.

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Don't forget to stop by Thrifty Thursday and check out all the other great thrifty goods. .

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Shoesday - Apr 12.11 - LET'S DANCE!

. It's another Shoesday here in Bridgewater, and today I wanted to wear something that I could dance in. Not that I'm going dancing today. But isn't every day an opportunity to dance? Shouldn't we grab any and every opportunity to trip the light fantastic and/or kick up our heels (while we can still actually kick)? So, I choose my Liz Claiborne flats (purchased brand new from Value Village for $6.99). And to add a cheerful "get down and boogie" flavor, I paired them with this purse gifted from my friend and pastor, Jocelyn. . hello I dance all the time; if there's music, you'll find me dancing. In the car, in the supermarket, around the house, and at the office. If I'm having a hectic &/or stressful day, dancing breaks the evil spell and rescues me; it loosens me up -- body, mind and spirit. And I can dance to any kind of music. . hello This morning, I want to share this gem of a musical number with you. The young woman is Desi Gordon, the young man who breaks a string is Liam Friar: they both spent a lot of time at my house with my daughter. Also included in the group are a brother and nephew to the late Harry Chapin. The group is now based out of Montreal. I hope this lightens your mood and lifts your spirits ..... and perhaps even makes you shuffle across the room with delight! .

Enjoy!

We have a Winner!

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We had a cool, sunny Saturday! Alas, I was inside for most of the day preparing space for my daughter's return from university next Friday. She has to share space with her sister; both are extremely messy but seem to mind when one person's mess encrouches on the other person's mess. Go figure! But I divided the space down the middle, so to speak, so neither has to even walk on the other's side. Let's hope it works and there aren't too many squabbles!

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In between the housework, I took lots of breaks and took my tea outside while doing a few garden inspections. It's exciting to see the various plots come to life with greenery.

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I was fortunate enough to spend a quiet Saturday evening by myself with a glass of wine, the sofa, and "Mama Mia" on WTN ..... and the box of entrants for my giveaway.

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And the lucky winner is (drum roll please) ............................

from House of Hawthornes: Congratulations Pam. I'll don my thinking cap soon to compose your poem and get your fabulous gift package in the mail!

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Thank you to everyone who signed up. I appreciate your comments.

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Thrifty Thursday - Apr 7.11

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Time to show you my Thrifty Thursday purchases of late. I know I can be a greedy little pig when it comes to thrifty clothes and shoes and jewellery for myself. But just to prove that I can sometimes think of others, look what I bought for the office. These 2 gorgeous mugs with their little attached spoons. Aren't they sweet; and for 50 cents each, I didn't have to go too far outside my budget. More money for clothes! Such as ..... .. This beautiful blouse: It's not my size, but the colors and pattern and fabric are so gorgeous, I had to buy it. It will make a nice birthday gift in June for my girlfriend. .

Now this one is mine. The necklace I thrifted last year; and it's a perfect match for this oh-so-soft jersey knit v-neck 3/4 sleeve shirt ($3.00 at The Daisy).

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And this is mine as well: another very soft cotton shirt with just a little stretch in it ($3.85). Although the color looks a little mauve here, it's actually a gorgeous periwinkle blue -- my favorite color.

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And I was very fortunately to find this brand new, still with the tags on, 20% cashmere black short-sleeved sweater ($3.00)..

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Don't forget to go by and visit with Leigh of Bloggeritaville at Wednesday, April 06, 2011 for other thrifty purchases. She has some beauties today including a guestpost how-to for a barrel sunburst mirror.

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Don't forget my giveaway. Closes tomorrow at midnight, draw this weekend!

Surprise Package

. . I came home from work yesterday, and there in the mail was a small package. . No, I still haven't gotten my invitation to the Royal wedding (and if I don't get it soon, I'm bringing those tea towels and that can open back to the store for a refund and I'll just spend that wedding gift money on myself). . . I received a gorgeous little "half" cocktail apron just for entering a giveway hosted by France at Passion of Milkglass Collecting. It's gorgeous front and back, and the button flower detail is so sweet. . Now I just have to make me some cocktails! Perhaps this weekend. . I'm a very lucky girl! Thank you France. I loved it. And she has an absolutely wonderful collection of milk glass. She's been a lucky girl too. . . mcmcmcmc And don't forget to enter my giveaway. Details are at the top right corner of my blog screen. . .

ShoesDay Apr 5.11

. . It's a dull, damp Shoes-day here on the South Shore. I woke to a sprinkling of snow on the ground which has since melted, and now it's drizzling outside. Spitting, as my mother would say. I think I'll wear something a little more substantialon my feet today. . Ah! Here we go! How about these gorgeous brown suede boots. They're mid-calf in height, look practically brand new and never worn, and they're very, very comfortable. They were a bit pricey for thrift at $14.99; but for fit, comfort and fashion (plus a little va-va-voom), they were well worth it.. They make my feet feel happy. So, seeing it's National Poetry Month, I composed a little poem about them.

My calf and foot is wrapped in suede.

The wedge has just a wee, slight grade.

They're cheap but stylish, comfy and cute.

At 15 bucks! That's a darn fine boot!

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To brighten what seems to be a dreary day for me, I'm wearing a new thrifted scarf ($1.25 at Frenchies). I love the bright colors and the polka dots. The only jewellery I'll add are these blingy little hoops from Fifth Avenue. . Hi ho, Hi ho. It's off to work I go. Happy Shoes-day my friends; I hope your feet are happy too. . .