The arrival of August

 

For those of us in western Newfoundland, August has brought with it cooler temperatures and a few rainy days. The garden has been beautiful all summer; the roses are almost gone now, but that little bush has had so many blooms and has been beautifully fragrant! 

And after living with the newly painted 'Persian Cat' white walls in my cottage for over a month, I have come to the conclusion that I don't care for just white. I need some colour! The committee had given me half a can of blue paint so I could paint the closets; but there was enough to also paint 2 of the walls in my bedroom . Ahhh! Much better.

I found a can of mis-tint blue/grey paint for 50% off at the local hardware store which I used to paint the hallway wall that entends into the living room; and then using the Persian Cat paint, I stencilled that wall in a mandala pattern. I'm really pleased with the result. (I ordered the stencil off Temu; but since then, I've heard such horror stories about Temu! All has been fine so far for me. But had anyone had a negative experience with them?)

I found the wave painting at the
local Sally Ann for $10.

I used to use stencils back in the 80s; it's a great way to add colour or just interest to a space. Have you ever tried it? In the meantime, I have lots of other decorating ideas on my list. But I need to pace myself as up-and-down on step stools and lifting my arm overhead to paint takes a toll. So, those ideas will wait until fall.

My daughter and I went to see the Barbie movie last week, and we loved it. Have you seen it yet? I loved that it was full of positive feminist messages and was so funny and fun. Also, I recognized some of the clothes from my eldest daughter's 1980's Barbie: Ken's shiny silver jumpsuit from the dance scene and those matching hideous multi-coloured roller skating suits. Hahaha! 

I'm still walking Rusty's Run every day. But I decided to walk to the beach once day, about 45 min each way. Getting there was fine; but even after sitting for an hour, the walk back was really difficult and I think I overworked my calf muscles as I was sore for a few days. I guess I really do have to listen to my doctor's advice and stick to 30 minute walks. Well, most of the time anyway! 😜 🤷

The raspberry u-pick has just opened up. So this week, I'll probably make jam. And bread 'n' butter pickles are also on my to-do list. I've run out and am missing them a lot.

 

I hope it's cooler where you are now and that you get to enjoy the rest of summer.

Namaste, y'all!

Back from the Land-of-the-Dead Computer!

Hello my dear blogger friends!

It's been almost 2 years since I posted. Two years!!! My deepest apologies for leaving you high and dry with nary a word of farewell. But just after my last post in March of 2021, my home computer died. And almost immediately after that, Covid hit! 

With the tightening of my financial belt, the possibility of dying from Covid, my dad's death, 2 of my siblings fighting cancer, and what has been the unfolding, almost total breakdown of the world around us, I have muddled through these past 2 years using my phone for social media; Any remaining energy was put into  trying to maintain a positive outlook on life and finding pockets of blessed joy and serenity. I would read your posts sometimes at work, but I couldn't myself post. 

But I've recently gone through a number of very big changes. My long-awaited retirement happened in early November 2022; and while I was ready to sit back and enjoy this new-found freedom, within days, I got a call to say that a senior's cottage had become available for me in the next community. So, I had 3 weeks to pack up my life and move, for the 3rd time in 6.5 years! Xmas came, Xmas went; I finally bought myself a new laptop, and now that the dust is settling, I'm ready to begin blogging again. 

I'm in a new location, my time is (almost) my own, I have the necessary technology, and I have an excitement and zest to discover what my new life will be! I've never been retired before!

I'd love it if you would once again join me for whatever adventure and (safe) mischief I can possibly get into.

I'm back ..... and happy to be here with you.

 

Spring Spruce Up

Due to my life-of-leisure lately (laid off, collecting EI and working casual), I am way ahead of my usual spring spruce-up game. The gardens have been weeded, fed and mulched; they are looking mighty pretty for Nova Scotia in May!

The front bed is bidding goodbye to the last of the tulips and hello to the primrose and grape hyacinth. The planter under my Newfoundland flag contains basil, thyme and Italian parsley. I don't get a lot of direct sunlight, but I'm hopeful that the herbs will continue to grow throughout the summer.

 









The side bed next to the brook is filling in. The sunlight only reaches the tree-garden bed for short periods during the day, but the creeping phlox is beginning to bloom and Astilbe, faux Sunflower, sedum and other plants are showing their wee faces. In that area, it's a futile fight against nature, I know; but somehow, I love its wildness.

I've also been painting the entire main floor, ceilings and trim -- something that's not been done in total in the 8 years I've lived here.   I've had some help with that; also, because I want to retain some feeling in my hands and fingers (carpal tunnel), I've made sure there were 4-5 days off in between painting sessions. I choose a lovely light, airy color called "Bluegrass White" by Dulux. (A lot of color for white, huh?) I've been gathering new cushion covers for the past year or so with the intention of changing up my color scheme a little; and I've shopped my house for other "new" do-dads. 

The 2 red cushions were thrifted. The elephant is from Wicker Emporium ($12 on sale); and the anchor was a recent purchase online from Rosegal ($5)

And I just found this beauty at Frenchies last week for $4, cushion included.

What a difference a color change makes! Besides the downstairs looking clean and fresh, I feel more energetic and positive every time I look at it. As they say:  "A change is as good as a rest"!

Next chore are the 3 decks. I'll hire someone to scrape and then I'll tackle the staining. And when I "shopped" my paint can area of the basement, I was lucky enough to come up with just enough stain and paint in all the right colors. Nice to know that won't cost me any money. (Must keep in mind the summer wine supplies, huh.)

Now to get back to sprucing myself up! Several weeks of painting and gardening have ravaged my hands and nails. I guess I need a week of soaking in the bathtub with wine spritzers. 

Not a problem at all!

Get me out before I'm pruny!

Happy Earth Day

It's another glorious day in my little part of the world. The sun is shining, birds are singing, green things are growing.

Nova Scotia was the first place on earth to make recycling and composting mandatory. It's become a way of life for me that I proudly teach each of my international children. It takes practice but there's really nothing to it; and it gives you such a sense of good stewardship to help in this small way. (Now, if we could only convince manufacturers to not use as much packaging!)

Another way I take care of the earth is by carrying my reusuable cloth bags with me whenever I shop. And I have my own water bottle which I use 99% of the time. I could do so much more, I know. But each little bit helps especially if others join in.

What will you do to celebrate Earth Day? I'm walking to meet a friend for coffee; and I'll carry a bag with me (plastic this time) to pick up any garbage I see along the way.  I love this planet and all it gives to me. This is just a wee way to give back.




 

A good way to begin the new year!

I awoke on January 1st to a quiet house -- babies all gone and only Elly at home but fast asleep.  This was the best Christmas I've ever had; and although I'm sad to see my girls leave, returning to "normal"  is okay.  After all, how can you miss someone and enable your heart to become fonder if they don't go away?  

I had a leisurely breakfast with my feet up on my new red storage ottoman, reading "Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie", the warm winter sun bright and reflecting off the snow outside.  That's a good way to begin the new year.  

Then I  perused my Value Village shopping from the day before.  Two new pairs of shoes for under $20!  That's a good way to begin the new year!  

I shed a tear or two as the tree and all the Christmas trimmings came down and the usual chatchas came back upstairs.  Indeed, the only nice thing about having to dismantle and pack away Christmas is the fact that things are clean and organized afterwards.  Clean and organized is a good way to begin the new year.

New Year's supper was 떡국 Duk Guk - Korean Rice Cake Soup.    A recipe consisting of a simple fish and beef broth, chopped beef and  disc-shaped rice cakes.  You garnish your soup with chopped green onions, slices of flat-fried egg and chopped Gim (seaweed).  Very quick and easy to make, and a lovely relief from the richness we enjoyed over the holidays.  Plus, eating this on new year's day ensures a year of good luck -- a good way to begin the new year.  

The evening was spent with one more game of Skipbo.  Daughter Molly went incognito as her hair was a mess, so she says! We ate fruit with a really yummy yogurt/sour cream dip (Epicure Berry Dip mix) and drank soda water with ice and lime.  Fun and fresh fruit - another good way to begin the new year.

I like to begin the year as I mean to go:  thrifty shopping, a clean and organized house, healthy eating and fun times with the family.  Didn't I do a good job of it?

Then why am I sitting here at work on my break eating Godiva truffles that somehow found their way into my early morning shopping bag full of spinach and bananas and 2% milk?

Oh well!  Shall we try again, Sandy?  After all, you're only a failure if you give up completely.  And I haven't given up yet.

Trying once again -- a good way to begin the new year!

   

C'est finis!

Maybe I should have said "I'm finished" instead of "It's finished".  After all, when you decide to re-organize, simplify and re-decorate on your own time and your own dime, is it ever all done?  

• Should I have added another pillow here?  
• Should I have not hung as many picture there?
• Do those patterns/colors really match?

Oh well!  Je suis finis!  Absolument!

I have boxed up and toted & carried.  I have painted and painted and painted!  I have cut and glued and sewn and plumped.  And (happily) I have thrift shopped and refueled with mostly delicious food and thrift shopped some more.  The students will soon be home and my baby will once again be leaving.  Summer is coming to an end and the season is getting ready to change as my everyday routines must.

Ici, il est!  The results of my sweat and toil.........  

Elly choose the color for her room; I added the thrifted chenille bedspread, fleece throw, clip-on bed lamp & French Provincial night table (after a good scrubdown and a couple of coats of paint, that is!); and I stencilled the bench at the end of her bed.  What is that sitting on her pillows?  Don't know!  It's a stuffed Korean thingie!  Total cost of Elly's bedroom makeover = $60.

I bought the sad looking boudoir chair at a yard sale for $5.  After spray painting and recovering with part of a $2 swatch of fabric, I think she's pretty cute.

This desk chair has been sitting around (and falling apart) for a couple of years; it was a $2 yard sale find.  I re-covered the seat with that same fabric swatch.

I bought 2 lamp sconces at a yard sale this spring for $8; then I found 2 Toille placemats at Frenchies for $1 each.  Voila!  C'est joli, n'est pas?

I've been looking for a desk like this for a long time and was rewarded just a few weeks ago on Craig's List.  Not a thrifty price by any means; but I didn't break the bank either.  And I do love it!

This lamp was a recent church sale find for $1 and the $4 Value Village shade was a plain Jane until I stencilled it.   

I have a row of shelves behind my bedroom door that used to contain books, books and more books; they've been culled and moved to the rec room.  So now my shelves display my cobalt blue Depression Glass pieces (doubling as jewellery holders), my Eifel Tower candlesticks and my antique glass jars (which hold my emergency supply of M&M peanuts and choco-covered caramels).

And here's part of the finished product!  Frenchies finds include the coverlet ($6.50), the Battenburg lace pillow shams ($1 ea) and  the Williamsburg hand-needlepointed pillow ($2); my beautiful crown pillow was a win from a fellow blogger.  As well, I finally framed some of my favorite prints, and all the frames and mats were thrifted.  (The empty macrame hanger you see hanging there will hold a little battery-powered candle stick.)   

Total cost for my bedroom (much of which has been collected over the past 3 years in anticipation of just such a makeover) = $200.

Total sense of peace, comfort and satisfaction = Priceless!

I shall spend the remaining week of freedom reclining midst my pillows, reading by lavender sprinkled lamplight, and sipping cool fizzy drinks in fancy glasses, candles flickering, feet elevated, sighing in almost total contentment.  


(Total contentment would be mind if only I'd budgeted for a tall, handsome servile "Sven" to rub my aching arches or my stiff shoulders!)

How's your week been?

I started my new Monday job, spent 3 more days at my regular job, and then took Friday off to work at home.   

My work at home involved this color that Elly choose before going home to Korea for the summer.  I found a pretty comforter on one of my many thrift store trips this summer; and rather than buy another gallon of paint just to finish the closet, I think these rolls of thrifted wallpaper will do the trick.  (And they'll put up a better fight when the hangers and the wall meet!).

There were a few after dinner walks through the garden with tea; this one Hydrangea bloom is almost as big as my head (on a normal day, not after the new boss has told me yet again how pleased he is to have me work there!) and the lovely Bee Balm almost as red as my sleepless eyes tonight.  (Darn that 9 am cup of coffee and that 9 pm supper!)

I tuned in Friday night to see the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics ..... and the evening was made more enjoyable with the addition of a glass of vino, a bowl of popcorn and Sir Paul. 

I spent a leisurely Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market where I drank that delicious (yet evil) cup of dark French roast, ate a massive apricot/almond pastry and toted home fresh carrots, beets, basil and Mesculin mix.

Saturday evening was spent with a friend at a book reading.  Canadian author Beth Powning read from "The Sea Captain's Wife" (She was wonderful!  Animated and colorful.)  There was a delicious luncheon at 9 pm (delightful finger sandwiches, decadent sweets and a glass of wine ... all for $15!  What a great deal!).

I was driven home in style, washed, brushed & donned my jammies, painted both fingers and toes, read my new book, yawned and snuggled under my bedsheet.  Sleep alluded me, so it's the perfect time to blog.

Now!  Let's try sleeping again.  Thank goodness Sunday is "the day of rest"!

How did you spend your week?

Goodnight John Boy

Goodnight Mary Ellen.

Good night Erin.

All hands on deck!

Ewwww!  Look at that nasty deck!  

Because my home has so much shade, the deck accumulates spots of mildew.  So, before I host my annual July 1st Canada Day Sangria party, I wanted to give her a sprucing up. 

I choose a product that would work specifically on mold and mildew (about $12 -- and there's lots left for future summers).  I  brushed it on in small patches  and scrubbed it with this specific stiff-brush.  (No wire brushes please!  Those gouge the wood.)    


It was hard work!  But look at the lovely difference it made.

Because this product contains a bleach ingredient, you have to leave it for 2 days before you re-stain.  Easy peasy!  Two days in the lovely sunshine to dry and cure.


Then it began to rain gently all weekend.  No re-staining! And the weather man said it would rain all week.  Egads!  What's a charming hostess to do?


Thank goodness for my wonderful boss.  The weather changed (as it is wont to do!!), and yesterday the sun came out bright and hot.  By 2 pm, the deck was once again dry; so Sandy took the afternoon off to stain her deck -- because it's rain again for the rest of the week.

And here she is, her lovely self, looking all pretty in teal.  

And as you can plainly see, the weather man was not wrong.  The rain has once more begun.


Fingers crossed for July 1st; it would be so nice to sit outside and enjoy her loveliness rather than on the sofa gazing wistfully out the patio doors!


I'm told that this will be a yearly occurrence -- dealing with not just the mildew but the usual wear and tear on a deck.  Anyone out there with sage advice?

There's light at the end of the carpal tunnel

Hey Bloggies!  Long time, no blog!  I have been keeping up with your blogs though.


Where have I been?  I've been up to my eyeballs in "cornsilk" colored paint.  (I call it lemon lime because in different lights, it looks either green or yellow.  Tres joli!)


One weekend, I painted the living room -- and you know that means removal, wall washing, hole filling, 3 coats of paint (because I was going with a lighter color than before) and then the reloading and rearranging.   

I added a few new pillow covers.

I also tried lightening up my black lamp shades .... but Ms Not-so-Crafty isn't satisfied yet, so she's still working on that one.  

I did put the Easter tree in it's new birdie vase; and there are several green leaves coming out!


Last weekend, I repeated the multi-stepped task in the dining room and hallway, taking the time to also wash curtains, shine a little silver and feed 6 Koreans and 1 Japanese girl & her new pubescent Canadian boyfriend.  

(Pubescent!  I have experience with pubescent teenage boys!  Hackles go up; eyes-in-back-of-head engaged; maternal sensors on full alert! 

Did you know that word is derived from the Latin pubescens, “to become hairy, downy, or an adult”?  My Super-Doris spidey-skills have so far only detected "downy" on the upper lip of the poor little, terrified, pimply-faced, hormonal boy.  Further inspection and/or interrogation may be necessary.  I'll try to be gentle.)

Painting?  Yes, yes, very nice; the dining room looks slightly more yellow than the living room's changing color.  My Petalware looks very pretty next to it.

And it's lightened the dark hallway wonderfully.  I repainted my little shelf and added some spring-like decals.  

And I rearranged some of the artwork on the wall.  

A nice long vacation wouldn't go amiss right now as well as some serious massage work for my arms and hands.  But I made do with this weekend with an ice cold beer and chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream and homemade chocolate sauce.  


What?  A Weight Watchers diet?   Points?

It was for the Koreans!  Really! 

Happy St Paddy's Day

Today while Ireland and most of Western civilization are "wearing the green", I will be busy in my living room "clearing the green".


I'm repainting my living room yellow.  The colors you see here are not true -- they're much prettier.  

And I do like the green that's throughout much of my first level.  But  my house is in shade for most of the day, so I wanted to bring as much light as possible into my home.  The yellow I've chosen I call "lemon lime". (It's actually called cornflower).  The color is light and bright without being too vibrant; and it's so cheerful. 


I also have a few accessory ideas floating through my head that are based on these gorgeous throw pillows that I bought last summer.

(Will my cherished free time, my over-worked hands, and my "Awww whatever" attitude accomplish any of these wonderful ideas?  You just have to stay tuned to find out ................... but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.)


However, in spite of my busy Saturday plans, I shan't ignore St Patrick altogether.  I have plans for a breakfast green smoothie, some afternoon Irish soda bread and a much needed green beer after the days work is done.  


And there'll be a phone call to my favorite leprechaun who was born 25 years ago today.   

Happy Birthday my darling, Amy!

Enjoy your day.

Happy Healthy New Year

Life is slowly returning to it's normal flow.  My 21 yr old daughter is busy with college projects; both my international students are back; there's a backlog of laundry downstairs and long hair is once again clogging up the sink and bath strainers.  Ahhhh!  Home!

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One of the advantages of students arriving or coming back from vacation is that they do sometimes bring you back a gift from their foreign country.  I love receiving things from other countries!    And so far, I've found that when it comes to presentation and packaging, the Koreans are tops.  

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Look at this beautiful box:  green and gold; paisley and embossing. I thought Wow!  This must contain some precious object.

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And it does.  But not the type of precious object I expected.
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Lying there resplendent in their gold lining are 3 bottles of Super Omega3 capsules.  (When Elly first arrived, her Mom sent me a jar of very expensive night cream.)  And from what I've heard, the Koreans produce some of the best pills, herbal remedies, vitamins and beauty products that can be found on the globe.

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As you may already know, Super Omega3 contains essential fatty acids and have a plethora (isn't that a great word!) of health benefits, among them - lowering the risk of colon cancer, reducing the risk of psychotic disorders (That's a relief  'cause I sometimes wonder about myself!) and improving heart health (another concern of mine).  
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To buy a quality product like this in Nova Scotia would be fairly expensive, and I think there's probably a 3-4 month supply here!  But what impresses and delights me most is that my student's Mom thinks about my overall health and skin care.  What thoughtful gifts indeed!
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This is a great addition to getting back on track with my health and exercise regime; next purchase for me will be some super green supplements for my morning smoothie.
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Do you take supplements?  What do you take and how often?  Any recommendations?
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