On the look out...

A few months ago I was with my friend shopping. We've been friends for 41 years.  I find things when we shop together.  This end table was one of those items.  I didn't buy it, but I love it and I plan to recreate it on a piece of real wood, this was not, it was that sawdust and glue stuff.  So now I'm on the look out. I need a night table that will house my socks.  With the cold weather I have amassed a vast collection of socks. And I think this would be a great place to keep my collection for easy retrieval.  I usually dress in the dark, I'm early and my husband is a sleep-in guy, probably because he works nights.  My room is a very neutral colour and this splash of colour would just be GREAT. I may however, warm it up with a redish tone rather than the purples.I also think it might look great with the top black and ...  We'll see... It's Friday and that means a trip to my mothers and the wait at the smokey bus shelter... The possibilities are endless.

Well as it turned out there were a great many hazardous things en route to my mother's and I didn't get to the "shop" so no luck on the hunt.   I don't know what it is about Fridays but everyone goes wild on the streets, water mains explode, people do things on railway tracks that are deadly.RIP. troubled souls no doubt. So my visit with my mom was quiet, she was well, and co-operative albeit sleepy.  She sleeps so much these days, catching up I guess.  

For Today

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...it's lovely and sunny,
I am thinking...where did this week go, I know it's only Tuesday, but I'm booked for the week.
I am thankful for...the opportunity to constantly learn something new.
From the learning rooms..I going to do some Viking Knit, this weekend I hope.
From the kitchen...no idea, I'll be going shopping and I figure it out when I get there.
I am wearing...shorts and t shirt
I am creating...a wonderful new set of cards
I am going...outside to pull weeds.
I am reading...Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe, Sandra Gulland
I am hoping...to finish this book
I am hearing...the pond trickle in the yard
Around the house...still sorting out books. I have a lot.
One of my favorite things...someone else making me a sandwich.
A few plans for the rest of the week:same schedule as always.
Here's a photo I'm sharing with you... this is a plant that keeps coming back,I think it must have moved here with another plant from my mother's garden, it's lovely and purple, up as soon as the snow is gone, but boy does it spread. I've now pulled it more times than I can remember, it's crowding my roses. Some nice plants can become a nuisance can't they?

For today is hosted by the Simple Woman's Day Book.

I have to add a P.S. here. When I go to my friend Anna's and she makes me a sandwich, it's usually something I'd never make myself. Like her mother baked the bread or she went out and picked a bunch of different basil, that she brings from Italy and adds it, the meat and cheese are things I don't buy either, remember my guys are boring eaters. And then the other day I was thinking of my friend Mary, who's mother would make us liverwurst sandwiches, I gotta tell you as gross as that sounds it tasted great. I've even gone out and bought the same kind and everything, it just didn't taste as good. My mouth is watering as I write this, I think I need to visit Mary's mother.

Happy New Year

Well tonight is the night. As I'm preparing my body for a night of dancing and dining, I know I'll be so great looking that my husband will feel a song coming on. Perhaps this one

Have a Happy New Year. I plan on having a great one.

I haven't been naughty at all...

Over the last few weeks I've been somewhat distracted and unable to blog to my hearts content. Thank You to all you secret Santas. Every time I called home my son would say I got a package. It was kind of nice to receive things by mail. Haven't had that happen to me for a very long while. I only today got to open all my goodies.

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a blog via "Bird in the Hand" and an ornament exchange was the topic. I jumped right in. My sisters and I have been exchanging ornaments for some years now, but last year we said no more. So this was a new adventure for me. Since I took the "handmade pledge" it also became a GREAT adventure. I'm delighted to say I received my ornament in the mail today, all the way from California. It will look wonderful on my tree. Then I got 4 more. I must have been a very good girl this year. THANK YOU Joni and Nancy and Juliete. What great fun.

Look what I got ....

Well the Holly Jolly Christmas Show was great! I couldn't decide what to buy. The photo insert is a creation by Sharon Ginsberg. It's a lovely little box/bag for a journal. Remember how I said I was going to leave little surprises for people packing up my house when I no longer live here, well this one is for someone special I'm sure it will be obvious who should read the journal inside. I wish I could figure out how to upload the opposite side of the box so you could see the fabulous fish swimming by. Sharon did a great many little surprises in this creation, the picture does not do it justice. I'll be posting the other goodies other days this week. You see you go to shop for gifts and then can't part with your purchases. But that's how it is. And it seems I've even won something, how exciting.

O.k I've got my dancing shoes on...

Well since my post a couple of days ago, I can't stop dancing. I'm earnestly pursuing someplace to dance on New Years Eve. New Years Eve use to be a "for sure" with my husband, sister and brother-in-law. We haven't done it for a few years for some reason or other. But this year might be different. So stay tuned. Or I might be dancing in Janice's kitchen again. We've done that more than once. I think Janice decorates with this in mind. Isn't she the best.

The first Sunday of Advent...

When my boys were little Advent was such an exciting time for them. I think it was the lighting of the candles that made it so. There is something warm and wonderful about eating by candlelight. Well now I'm HOME ALONE on the first Sunday of Advent, can't find my advent wreath. I turned my usual hiding spots upside down, and I'll be dining by electric light tonight. The challenge I always gave my boys was that they were to come up with an advent prayer each week, (new one) self composed. Wish I had kept them all. I did keep ones they tried to pass off as their own, ones they brought home from school. Daniel at one point really got into it (pyromaniac that he is) and we lite candles everyday. I will not rest tonight until I find my wreath. Take time to enjoy the little video below.

Eurika!

O.k. Now we've done it! You know how Leslie and I have been looking for these small hangers. WELL Eurika. We've found them. Yet another project to do! It will be great when we get to it. We've now decided that we need to get back to our Thursday doing things day. We've sort of got side tracked with life and neglected all these things we love to do. After a lovely trip to the ONE of a Kind show yesterday our inspirational juices are exploding all over the place. Carmi's booth was fabulous. These hangers were found in the most unlikely place. No antique store, just a scrapping wharehouse sale we had not planned on going to. We have a fierce loyalty to Bizzy B's so we thought we should at least check it out. Well thank you Bizzy B's. We'll be back. Can't say that without thinking of Arnold.

I think I need a bigger house...

I was out in Roosters Retreat yesterday,(the garden shed). Originally my husband(Rooster) wanted a shed so he could get a snow blower. Well that was probably 5years ago, no snow blower to date. My husband is frugal. So the shed was designated as a storage space for garden things. Of course this was when Daniel was still doing pond related things. Now that the pond is well established and the garden is perennial I only need a few tools to maintain. Still no snow blower. So the shed was slowly becoming a further car parts storage. Well yesterday I needed to move some things around and Roosters Retreat has the large tools in it now. But what to do with everything else. Well.... My friend Leslie has been looking for a child's wooden hanger for a project she's working on. I offered to help her look in the antique stores on my life's route. So, I've come across some interesting items, but dare not even think about it since I have a full house and some items coming from our family home that I cannot part with. Today I saw a most interesting rocker that would look great someplace. But where? I've already moved all those things people keep in the garage into the retreat, all those things people keep in the basement into the garage. And I'm still struggling for space. Maybe it's time to move. I'd really like a house with a conservatory. I think I might need another husband then as well. We all know how well a Rooster does in a conservatory.

The Third Sunday of the Month is bookbinding...

The Third Sunday of the Month has just become bookbinding Sunday. And Yesterday was no exception. Carolyn Disher once again patiently instructed us in our "Little Fat Book". I wish I had a digital camera to show you mine. I had decided to keep a gift journal. Since my memory is sometimes not at it's peek, I've decided to write down what I buy for whom. I hate missing a birthday, so this is the way I will have to remember. The little fat book has twelve signatures. One for every month. I can not only record birthdays, but check off what I bought as a gift or if I only send a card, to the celebrant I can check that off. The little fat book can stand on my nightstand so I can check what's happening tomorrow. It also has a woven spine with fibres and coloured ribbon and beads. It's not only decorative and functional but was a fun project for seven very nice ladies. Sometimes you can do a class with just the right kind of participants, you sometimes get to know people and are introduced to some great careers and the discussion goes into many territories. Yesterdays was Coronation Street. Apparently, according to Juliette (one of the participants) not everyone in that British town lives that way. We talked about pets, and health and much more whilst creating. Looking forward to the next time ladies. By then Santa will have brought me a digital camera and I'll post a photo of my creation.

Adventures with Nancy

The last year or two or three have been sort of a blurr with my artwork. I've decided on my 55th New Year to do something about that, and even though I start out great saying O.K. Wednesday is painting, and Thursday is scrapping, and Friday is something new. I just don't get to it. Other very heavy responsibilities have gotten in the way. Well yesterday I didn't let that happen. Leslie and I drove out to Nancy Donaldson's. Nancy was a very enthusiastic, talented and organized instructor. What a pleasure it was to be in her class. I would love to steal a little of her energy. So what great therapy it was to hammer this "fence wire" into my beaded heart. I shall keep my promise to myself every once in awhile. Check out Nancy's etsy buys.

Lest we forget...

It's a particularly emotional day for me today. I'm not sure why? You know all those soldier marching past. I think there was even a fly by in Hamilton today. I just happened to be there in time for the parade and placement of the wreath. It makes me think of my dad and my uncle, and how they must have looked in their uniforms. Just thought I would give you all a glimpse. In Polish.

It's no coincidence

I don't believe in coincidence. A few months ago when my mother became very very house bound I thought I would like to enable her to continue in the practice of her faith. My mother was a daily mass person. And all of a sudden November 2007, she couldn't even do that. So I went through the proper channels to become a minister of the Eucharist to the home bound. I approached her parish priest about this with positive results. However, I felt I needed to partake in the celebration before I could share it. The mass was at 8 a.m. in Hamilton. That means me starting from home at 5:30 a.m. I just couldn't do it. One day, I'm not even sure why, I was walking up the hill from the Hamilton Go Bus Terminal and discovered a church that had a mass at 9a.m. Perfect I thought, I get off the bus at 8:45a.m. and I'm there. I approached the priest and was very warmly greeted, and not just by him but also by the daily mass goers. There are usually only 7 or 8 people there. They soon discovered that I was Polish. On Friday one of the men who have been so kind started to talk about how old he was and his life history. It seems he was in Italy with my DAD! at the battle of Monte Casino. His ride arrived and I was unable to get into the thick of things, but just when I thought I would be doing research on line forever, for this portion of my scrapbooking, I met a live participant with a memory. I'm not sure if anyone will appreciate all this research but I'm sure feeling good about it. So my next scrapbooking Tuesday should be very interesting. Coincidence you say, I think not!

Tuesday's is scrapping day

On the third Tuesday of each month the seniors residence where my mom has recently moved has a scrapping club. Think I'll check it out, they may have a tabletop that doesn't have a bunch of other stuff on it. Maybe I'll get something done. I've gotten so behind in my photos that once a month is not enough but it will have to do for now. I'll be doing some research re: family tree hope it's a success.

It's the end of the day...

Don't you love that song by REM, it's the end of the world as we know it... and I hum after that. Well it's only the end of the day it's the end of the week. It's been one heck of a week. Today however was quite good. I've taken a class with Jane Wynn, I learned to do things I would have been afraid to do with fire. Somehow when everyone else is doing it it's o.k. I may just be ready to do some welding on that car in the garage. Wouldn't that shock the sh... out of my men. And I officially don't have to beg my husband to solder rings on my lightbulbs for my Santa's anymore. (One more thing I don't need him for.) Tomorrow is the second half and an opportunity to complete something I had wanted to do for some time. I hope it all works. It's kind of hard to explain, but we are doing bezels. The title for tomorrows class is pipe dreams, plumbers beware. I'll be checking garages for anvils. And purchasing a drill press. Today also gave me an opportunity to spend some time with my friend Leslie. We haven't been together for a few months now and I really missed her. It's going to be a better week ahead. All the trees are saying it's fall and the stores are definitely into Halloween. I'm looking forward to spending the rest of the evening in my pajamas, watching nonsense on T.V. I get the remote tonight. Have a good one.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I try to be thankful for everything, everyday, but somehow some negative little worm crawls into my life to just mess things up. I am so thankful to all my readers that send positive, funny comments or even comments at all. I'm thankful for the powers that be, for guiding me down the path to feeling better. I can't believe that the smallest gesture, or phone call just happens. As you can tell I don't believe in coincidence. On Thursday evening when I arrived home from my mother's home, Sasha said I had a call and that a product I had ordered had arrived and I should pick it up. Of course being of unsound mind, I could not recall ordering anything. I thought o.k. yesterday was a nice day for a road trip I'll just go and see what it is I ordered, and lo and behold a lovely lady made my day. I'm thankful for Katie.(Princess Katie that is). I not only got a my order which I had obviously forgotten about, but found a home for my mothers cat. I love Katie, I would let her have my children, that's how much I trust her so to know that my mother's cat will be well loved and looked after is such a relief. When my boy's were little we use to always do some Thanksgiving craft with our hands, like the one in the photo, I would like to put my hands together now and say thank you indeed. While I'm still having a negative feelings, the good stuff keeps coming to the top, thank you to those of you who care enough to help me feel that way. Enjoy your turkey and pies.

Traditions

Traditionally, Thursdays were my creative outlet. Why should today be any different? When I was newly wed, my husband always started his shift on Thursdays, and then they had these gettogethers, which didn't include wives. Always hated those gettogethers. So, my friend Karen, who did the work schedule, and I worked Thursday evenings. In the morning she and I would take some artsy course, have lunch at her apartment, which I thought was so cool, since only cool people lived in high rise apartments, and head off to work. It was usually a wicked salmon sandwich. Imagine remembering it, I can almost taste it. She made the best salmon sandwich. Then she got married. Life changed. Then we had babies together. Funny, I can't remember when I've seen her last. Well then I joined the painting ladies at Leslie's. Love those babes. Leslie makes a mean egg salad sandwich, and great tea. Leslie and I have expanded our horizons and not restricted ourselves to creative Thursdays, we do it anytime and pretty much anywhere. Well today is is Thursday, and the most creative thing I've done is make a wicked kapusta soup, and parsnip and sweet potatoe, and leek and mushroom. I do have a craving for celeric and pear, it being pear season and all. I can't believe Leslie has not made it. It was a recipe in our LCBO magazine. Well tomorrow is another day, and I'll have to do something creative to make up for my not producing something today.

Antiques Road Show

Often when I'm in control of the T.V. remote, I get to watch the Antiques Road Show. Usually I have Sasha's laptop with me and am eager to look up things. One of the things I looked up was an artist that I could swear my mother had hidden in her moldy basement. The excitement mounted as I took my bus to her house to pull it down from the wall and out of the frame anxiously looking for the # I had researched to see if it was a treasure. Alas it was a five and dime copy. I am so amazed that people don't know what valuables they have in their basements. I'm sure there are couple of other goodies down there. Not sure if I'll benefit from the hunt, but it can be exciting. And what would I do with such treasures. I like treasures with history, I don't think that's what the experts call it. Like the clock that my mother use to have in her living room, it belonged to a lady named Zofia Jendreczyk, she wanted my mother to make her more than one dress and this was the payment. I don't think it ever chimed, (my father being on night shift too often). One day when Zofia's husband got wind that she was trading off his antiquities for designer garments(my mother's designs)he dropped in and paid the bill and asked for his clock back. What a shame, I wonder where it is now, since they have both died, no kids. Probably at some Goodwill. I'm always looking there too. I have a couple of vases that Pani Kowalski talked me into buying when I was a starving student, she was working at Mills ( the china store) and I kept looking at them when I waited for the bus to go back to my dorm room, she convinced me that they would be worth something someday. It was a consignment. I loved them, and she let me put them on layaway. Imagine that, the bill totaled $30 and I put them on layaway. I still have them, Daniel plans on buying himself a Lamborghini when "I no longer need them" not a bad investment. Anyway I hope everyone looks at their treasures a little closer before you get ready for the garage sale. Like my crochet/embroidery treasures, I can picture Pani Dubiel crocheting, my sister Donna sleeping by the heat knitting, such memories you can't buy those. You could however, scrap them.

Sunday Morning Thoughts

I've just finished reading my favorite blogs, and can't help feeling like I need to crochet something. Where would I get the time? I guess I'll have to make it. Years ago, I use to knit on a machine, but since I didn't have girls and my boys were big, I gave my machine away always knowing my mother had a better one that I could borrow and use. I think I might. My sister Donna is a beautiful knitter and even though my boys have long outgrown her designs I still have them, I might hang them up in "the home" just so I could see them and remember how Daniel was always so cold until he put on one of those sweaters. He still wraps himself up in the sitchi when he is sick. It's still absolutely perfect. Leslie knits beautifully, and Mrs. Wilson too. I've always needed to know how to do that. I think I embroider o.k. and I'll always be grateful to one of my mothers clients for teaching me to cross stitch it was a little Uki but I can adapt. I still have a breakfast cloth that Hanika Banika embroidered it's in Slovak but that's o.k. too. I've actually framed the crocheting Pani Dubiel, and Kim Coculuzzi did, makes it quite contemporary. I would still love one of those flowery crochet pieces that Pani Dubiel did, so I could have a beautiful tree ornament. I'll have to keep my eyes open at my mom's since I think she's chucked just about everything. I hope someday someone else will appreciate these things when my boys are selling them at a garage sale.

The right to vote

I know most of you know that I work in Electoral Co-ordination in some form. After I posted my blog yesterday I continued to read my favorites with my coffee. I read Leslie's blog and Carmi's faithfully everyday, even if it's midnight. Well Leslie posted a very important blog that confirms my belief in voting. I know it's a joke for my husband's family, that I work for elections, I'm not sure why? Please read Leslie's blog you will have a renewed appreciation for being Canadian. Leslie Jane Moran on Saturday Sept. 20/08