Goodnight Irene!

The South Shore of Nova Scotia got off relatively scott free yesterday with Hurricane Irene. We had intermittent rains and some high winds ... but not enough to disturb my lawn furniture. Thank God!

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Some people and places were not so lucky. My prayers are with those who were affected: those who lost family or property. May God's comfort and provision be with them.

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And no, I don't think the media hyped it up needlessly. You can NEVER be too careful when it comes to the forces of nature. Mother must be respected! And better safe than sorry.

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I have a busy couple of days ahead of me as I say goodbye to my Baby Girl and welcome 2 new foreign babies. Hmmmm ... Two for one! A bargain? We'll have to wait and see if they can measure up to the Fair Libby! (I have my doubts.)

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As all this airport activity will all happen over a 2 day period and there are several airport runs involved, I'll be staying in the city overnight with friends.

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Can you say Value Village and/or the Market?

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See you in a couple of days!

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You all know that preparation for a yard sale begins long before the day of the sale. Molly and I were up by 7 am and were set up by 8:30 as the first customers were arriving. I had mostly "stuff" -- 4 tables of "stuff" -- with a few pieces of furniture and what I'd consider "good stuff".

Guess what sold?
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Yup! The "stuff". People loved my stuff! I had taken the time to put all the jewellery on cards so they were nicely displayed; that went like hot cakes.
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Our location was great; the sun didn't get around to our end of the house until just after noon. My darling daughter Molly surprised me with a delicious lunch.
... cream of tomato soup and these lovely sandwiches she created herself -- grilled whole grain bread spread lightly with mayo on one slice and dijon on the other, topped with processed mozzarella cheese and then sprinkled with feta, green onions and red peppers. They were soooo good!.

Then the sun came round and man! was it hot! Every time we seriously discussed closing up shop and packing things away, another car would drive up. We stuck it out until about 1:30 pm. The larger items went back inside (to be sold on Kijiji). Then we packed up the things I absolutely didn't want, and I dropped them off at The Daisy. By the time I got back, Molly had just about put everything else away. What an enormous help she was!.

We collapsed on the couch in front of the fan with a cold brew, and I pretended I was Milburn Drysdale. I made about $200 and gave my lovely assistant 20%. After a much necessary half hour snooze, I swept, vacuumed and tidied the house, showered and took us off for dinner.

Yum, yum! Indian food - fish masala, vegetable pulea, nan bread and raita ... followed by the lightest, fluffiest, most delicious coconut cream cake. A good days work deserves a good dinner, don't ya think?

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There's naught to do now except put my feet up, thank God for his blessings and await the arrival of Irene. More prayers for that, I guess!

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Fertilizer Friday - Aug 26.11

TGIF! It's my last weekend of total freedom. And although my garden is looking mighty sad these day, I thought it best to take a few pictures today before we get hit by Hurricane Irene.

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So, I joining Tootsie at Tootsie Time for her weekly Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Aug. 26/11.

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The star of the garden has to be the Coneflowers; that one little plant I put in 3 years ago is looking quite beautiful and lush. The Hydrangea is still blooming; I have one pretty little Hosta that miraculously the deer have eaten, one pretty little Snapdragon, one Coleus (badly in need of watering), and 2 little Gernaniums that are still blooming.

And the lower left picture shows my Holly plant with berries beginning to turn red. Eeek!

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"I will not say the 'F' word; I will not say the 'F' word!"

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Tomorrow calls for sunshine -- the calm before the storm. With any luck, I'll be hosting my own yard sale and will be able to get rid of that pile that I've been accumulating in the basement.

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If Irene is headed your way, I pray God's protection on you. Stay safe and dry.

And a wonderful weekend to all!

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Thrifty Thursday

I'm participating in Thrifty Thursday #128, Plus a Tablescape! posted by Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville at Tales from Bloggeritaville . Drop by after my post and see what's new in Bloggeritaville.
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I got some wonderful bargains at 2 different yard sales I went to on the 13th. Let me share with you.

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1. The first is this pretty canvas ($3) that reminded me of Italy.


2. Then we have this great stand-up retro looking fan for $2 (w/ 1" of slightly chewed cord which I covered with electrical tape). Someone's bad doggie allowed me to score!


3. Then we have this fantastic bargain of an Electrolux vacuum cleaner for $10! My Kenmore is not a good vacuum; I could say that it sucked ... except it doesn't very well. I was a little aprehensive about spending $10 on an Electrolux that perhaps wouldn't work well. But it works like a dream.


4. And how serendipitous! The next yard sale had 2 Electrolux bags for 25 cents each!


5. Lastly, these gorgeous and comfortable slip-ons for fall ($6).

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Considering I began the day with a delicious dark-roast coffee and a flakey almond croisant at the Farmer's Market, I'd say I did well for my $30!
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Happy shopping!
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Cha-cha-changes!

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Yesterday the baby got her driver's license and today it's her 19th birthday. Wasn't it only yesterday that she was asking for crayons and pencils? And today, she's asking for the car keys! Yikes! When did that happen? When did we both grow up?

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Well, okay. SHE grew up ... and I just grew old! Cha-cha-changes!

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Next week, Little Baby goes back to Newfoundland for her 2nd year of nursing school. But Middle Baby came home yesterday from the BIG city to stay. Cha-cha-changes! She's going to attend college this year (and just generally complain about my acting like her mother!) But I'm so happy to have her home again.

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AND my 2 Foreign Babies will arrive next week as well. Cha-cha-changes! (So, I have to stop skiving off and become a responsible mother again. Cha-cha-changes!)

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Yes, change is exciting and often wonderful .... but also difficult. Do I even remember where the freezer is and how to use the electric frying pan? It's been a while!!

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Thursday's Confessions on Sunday?

I didn't get to Thursday's Confessions until today. But it is Sunday, the Lord's Day, (early Sunday -- like 12:27 AM) AND Sunday seems like a perfect day to be confessing (unless you're Catholic and you need to sit in that little booth on a certain day of the week) AND I am drinking wine (which is mentioned a number of times in the Bible). So, perhaps if I take my biblical glass of vino and drag the computer into the closet, it'll be okay to be 3 days late for Thursday's Confessions? Anyway, here goes.

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Jerusalem at the adventures of jolly goode gal is the host of Thursday's Confessions. And just like her, I too love using those little shower cap thingies on my bowls. My Mom used them when I was a little sprout; and my local Dollar Store has been carrying them for the past 3-4 years. They are great! Wonderful value for a buck (I've had my current 3-in-a-pack set for 3-4 years); they're quick 'n' easy; they can be stuffed down the side of your cookie sheet cupboard; they're washable and reusuable; and they come in different colors and patterns -- so they can be geared to your specific mood as you're putting the leftovers away! .

Also like Jerusalem, I love cotton nightgowns -- cool, breezy and oh so 60's! (And easily found at my local Frenchies.)

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Unlike Jerusalem, my Saturday nights are usually spent elsewhere -- dances or art shows or movies or author readings (like tonight) and good food (like most nights). But sigh with relief and wipe your brow because similar to Jerusalem, Friday or Sunday nights will find me mending or patching in front of the telly watching BBC mysteries or classic novels.

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Unlike Jerusalem (unless she's still holding some things back), you'll usually find a glass of wine nearby ... and sometimes a bowl of homemade popcorn. (Which means that I constantly have to be wiping my buttery 'n' salty fingers before I pick up my needle or patch. But the yum factor is worth the inconvenience!)

This one is pretty yummy!

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And that, bloggies, is my Thursday confession on Sunday.

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What? Not juicy enough for you? You were expecting something more risque?

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Hey! I'm 56 years old with a thyroid condition and aching knees! The most risque thing that happens these days is when I flash myself in the full length mirror getting out of the bathtub. And that ain't so pretty!

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If you want more confession, please visit Jerusalem at The Adventures of Jolly Goode Gal- Thursday's Confessions. It's one of my favorite blogs.

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Now, I'm comin' out of the closet and going to bed. Night night!

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Life is Short!

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Short and to the point, this video reminds us that life is too short to spend it on the meaningless and trivial.
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In The Fall from Steve Cutts on Vimeo.

• Don't sweat the small stuff


• Enjoy the time you're given.


• Go down the slip 'n' slide


• Eat that piece of cheesecake


• Have a glass of bubbly


• Help serve at your local soup kitchen or foodbank


• Listen, hug, offer a shoulder


• Shower the people you love with love!

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I'm Back Again!

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Summer is whizzing by. Don't go summer! I'm enjoying you sooo much this year!
(As evidenced by my new embarassing yet exhilarating profile picture of me coming down the slip 'n' slide).
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Once again, I had a "To-Do" list; and there's so much I haven't managed to do. But this weekend, I took the time out to do the beach! On Sunday, Libby and I headed to Green Bay, her favorite spot because it's quiet and there aren't a lot of other people. In fact, there was just one other little family there that day besides us. I swam in the ocean -- so refreshing! And I ate potato chips and collected shells and Sand Dollars and read my book. It was glorious!
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On my way back home, I got a call ..........
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....................................... a call on the lobster phone!
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Yup! One of the local churches was having a lobster sandwich supper. And I only felt it my duty to God to help with funding. We ate gorgeous lobster sandwiches with potato salad, coleslaw (prepared just the way I like it), fresh garden tomatoes, tea and the most delicious selection of homemade cakes. We sat with 3 friends, so all 5 of us shared our desserts. .
I can't believe how many times I've eaten lobster this year! But when the opportunity arises, my advice is to "Carpe crustaceum!"
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Now that vacation time is done AND as I've only 2 more weeks of relative freedom before the beginning of school, I'll be 'scravelling' (as we say in Newfoundland) trying to catch-up at work, catch-up with blogging, sand and paint doors, stain little decks, organize for foreign daughters, help blood daughters either leave for school again or move back to begin school, and ....................
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go to the beach as much as I possible (and eat more summer treats).

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I refuse to say the "F" word yet!

(Fall)

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Aarrg! Twas a good time!

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Isn't vacation grand! And ain't it busy at work when you return, especially when you are "IT" in the office! Ah well, this too shall pass.

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In the meantime, let's have a look at the pirate party I attended. Here's Kim, Carol and I waiting for our cab to arrive to take us to the ferry terminal. (Carol was not the least bit intimidated by our nerf swords.).
We took the Darmouth ferry to the Halifax waterfront, and it was a glorious sunny day. We got a lot of odd looks and a few "Aargs"; one fellow asked us when our performance began! (And see those pieces of eight around my neck? After 5 min on the ferry in the sunshine, they commenced to begin burning my delicate decolletage! I guess I'm not as tough a pirate as I thought I was.) .
We met a few more pirates at the Lower Deck for grog and grub -- both delicious..
And then we met our tall ship, The Silva. The party just happened to coincide with the local Buskers Festival; so most people assumed that we were part of the entertainment. I felt like a celebrity: so many people asked to have their picture taken with us; and everywhere were walked, we heard "Aargs" and children saying "More pirwates, Mommy"!

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There were 64 pirates on the waterfront waiting to board The Silva! 64 pirates! Some in simple made-up garb, some in gorgeous rented costumes, all of them in good spirits. There were also about 50 non-piratey people on The Silva who had to put up with us. The Silva ran the Jolly Roger along with the NS and Canadian flags; and 2 of our female pirates got to hoist the mainsail..

After our hour long voyage, we piled back onto the Dartmouth ferry and caught cabs to our hosts' house for food, fun and prizes. The place was decorated beautifully. .
Then we were treated to either lobster or steak as well as lasagne, chicken, salads, desserts, Jello shots?? and copious amounts of coolers and beer. But everyone behaved themselves. Prizes were awarded later in the evening (everyone got at least one); and the hosts' were cheered and praised and thanked with their own commerative hoodies for this, their 4th annual Pirate Party..
What fun it was! I stayed in the city for another 3 days visiting friends, sight seeing and shopping; and I'm already scouring the thrift stores for piratey garb. Can't wait until next year!

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The Garden and A Harvest

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It's been a busy week (or should I say "half week") back at work. And I'm off again tomorrow for the second leg of my vacation.
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But I couldn't leave without touching base with my bloggy friends.
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For the gardeners out there, here's what's blooming in my garden this week. One of the lilies that's in bloom (1st picture, bottom left) has been planted for several years; but this is the first time it's bloomed. And it's really pretty.

Poor garden badly needs a weeding: but Mama needs a vacation slightly more!
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My vegetable garden plot at the Community Garden has grown great-guns since I was there a week and a half ago. We've had several hot days followed by several rainy days. Just look at this bumper crop of green and yellow beans! I blanched 5 bags of beans for the freezer. But I did get to eat Swiss chard (with oodles of butter and a splash of white vinegar) and beans for dinner last night and tonight. Yum, yum! So delicious! I'll have to pick again next weekend; and then perhaps one more time before my beans are spent. Tomatoes are growing well though.
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Now my lovelies, I'm off for a 4 day mini-vacation which includes a pirate party on a tall ship and food fit for a Queen.
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Hmmmm? I wonder what the peasants are doing this weekend?
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PS - Don't forget to drop by Tootsie Time for Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Aug. 5/11
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posted by Tootsie at

Family Matters

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Anne of Green Gables - Me - My Mom

The family resemblance is uncanny!

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• I'm back


• I'm fed


• I'm fat


• I'm happy

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Will blog more later!
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