Bluebird Notes

{happy hearts to you}

2012-02-14T05:52:00.000-08:00

sending you all oooooodles of love today

thinking of you as I have my

morning cup of tea

my girls and I made a few of these

tea love bags

to give to those we

L*O*V*E

~wish I could send you all one~

Happy Valentine's Day

hope your day is blissful in every way

{xox always}

{dear heart}

2012-02-12T21:26:00.000-08:00

sweet little heart

buntings my daughter made me

hang over my kitchen chairs

{my turquoise 50's diner chair and my pink happy chair}

reminding me what truly matters

{xox always}

{a scoop of love}

2012-02-10T13:52:00.000-08:00

Whatever you call your "sweeties"

make sure you spoil them rotten

with a scoop of love from your

own heart

happy weekend
{my little red cinnamon hearts that sit on my table}

{xox}

{tying up my apron}

2012-02-08T15:22:00.000-08:00

it's time to make another batch of these

don't you love the little wax-paper bags I put them in?

so fast and easy to stitch up with a sewing machine

Make the best of your heart days..... Valentine's Day will be here soon

xox

{pink romance}

2012-02-06T12:47:00.000-08:00

some of my pinks just for you

for the romantic month of February

"pink is the colour of romance

and a friend tells me

that the girl with the

pink dress

at the party is the one who is

selected for each dance"

{alfred carl hottest}

{xox always}

{finding a smile}

2012-02-05T07:23:00.000-08:00

it doesn't take much to make me smile

and I found one yesterday

at my local Starbucks

when I was handed my tea in one of their adorable

Valentine cups

celebrate everylove

{now how adorable is that?}

I just could not throw this cup away.......

so it now sits on my kitchen cupboard with a little silver lid

filled with

cinnamon hearts

thanks for the smile Starbucks

xox

happy new week to you all

{what truly counts}

2012-02-03T05:57:00.000-08:00

love,
genuine love,
makes people good
v.wolff

{xox}

{happy hearts to you}

2012-02-01T06:13:00.000-08:00

It's February
the month

where we speak from the
heart
and share our
L*O*V*E

{a few of my hearts from 2011}
xox
{"When God measures man, He puts the tape around his heart- not his head".....unknown}

{be unique}

2012-01-30T07:15:00.000-08:00

don't go with the flow

you are the flow

sugi tanaka

xox

{that's what friends do best}

2012-01-28T10:18:00.000-08:00

remember this cake?

this was my last years Valentine project

I dragged some of you into this project with me

we struggled with this one together

that's what friends do best

it was no easy feat getting that heart perfectly centred in that cake

it was just by pure luck that I had sweet victory

not to worry my sweet friends there is no challenge in

the works this year

but I know if I had something up my sleeve

you guys would be right there with me

that's what friends do best

plus a big thank you HUG for all the well wishes

you sent my way in the last post

that's what friends do best

I am happy to report I am feeling 80% better

thank you for being such sweet friends

"Good friends always let us know

that we're special and why"

p. stemple

xox

{just call me rudolph}

2012-01-25T16:34:00.000-08:00

........and 499 tissues

sorry I haven't been around much lately

the flu bug came a calling

hope to be up and doing my "happy dance" soon

right now I'am off to bed with a new box of 500 tissues

just call me rudolph

xox

p.s. all I can say is thank goodness for tissues....

how did they do it in the olden days with hankies

yuck

p.s.s......this isn't really what I am drinking

I don't think my tummy could handle this hot cocoa right now

we made it on the weekend

just wanted to show you how pretty it turned out

hot cocoa with peppermint ice cream

promise to visit you soon

{beautiful souls}

2012-01-22T08:19:00.000-08:00

I adore old confectionery and biscuit tins

I never pay more than a few dollars for them

they have so many wonderful uses

at Christmas I gathered a bunch for under the tree

they are perfect for gift giving.....no wrapping required

they may be old, scratched and dented

but they are still stunningly beautiful

While photographing these charmers

this quote popped into my mind........

I promise to keep on living as though I expect

to live forever.

Nobody grows old by merely living

a number of years.

People grow old only by deserting their ideals.

Years may wrinkle the skin,

but to give up interest wrinkles the soul.

Douglas MacArthur

xox

happy new week to all you beautiful souls out there

{shaking your sillys out}

2012-01-20T07:17:00.000-08:00

.........you have to have a bit of silliness now and again

this sweet little guy sits on my desk

I always thought he was an owl

but I am starting to think he may look more like a penguin

{maybe it is because of all the snow-days we are having}

what do you think?

owl or penguin?

{today we are having a freezing-rain day.....no school again....silly weather}

xox

make sure you enjoy a silly moment today

{bits of wisdom}

2012-01-18T06:46:00.000-08:00

simply,

the thing that

I am

shall make

me live.

{William Shakespeare}

xox

{my inspiration table}

2012-01-17T08:58:00.000-08:00

it's another snow day

so this is what I will be doing today

What is on your inspiration table?

I would love to know as I am always looking for new books

to inspire and delight

xox
go here to be inspired even more today
{especially if you love trees like I do}
this short clip is so worth a peek
listen carefully to the words

{welcoming a new week}

2012-01-15T20:34:00.000-08:00

Snow is in the forecast all week long

that's okay

it really is beautiful
{plus my camera loves the snow}

hope you make the best

of whatever comes your way

this week

xox

Do you want an adventure now
or would you like to
have tea first?
peter pan to wendy

{being still}

2012-01-14T07:46:00.000-08:00

it is snowing

my world is going to be

very cozy today

I do adore these kind of days

a day where one is forced to

be still

what are you doing today?
xox

{kiss-her-in-the-pantry}

2012-01-12T21:32:00.000-08:00

next time you want someone to think of you

give them pansies

did you know that these little sweeties

are one of my

favourite flowers

and that they are also

known by the nickname

"kiss-her-in-the-pantry"

now how cute is that

xox

{happy weekend sweet friends}

{delights}

2012-01-10T18:00:00.000-08:00

I'll take mine anyway I can

{believe that the little things aren't little}

xox

hope to visit you all soon but right now I am off to the movies to see

We bought a Zoo
i think i'am going to like it

{don't lose a day}

2012-01-08T21:01:00.000-08:00

..........then your face will surely know it

Everyday you spend without a smile is a day lost

xox

{hope to show you want I am working on soon.......it makes me happy}
{and thank you for all the smiles you pass my way.......
you are such a sweet bunch}

{love what you do}

2012-01-06T14:43:00.000-08:00

do you have a passion for something?

I know most of you do........I have read your blogs

if you are like me you probably have many passions

{sometimes too many}

but there are a few things that I would put at the top my joy/passion list......

photography

and baking

I could spend all my days baking yummy treats

and photographing them

many of you have asked me about my photography

I have never taken a class

I am 100% self taught

{if I could find the time I would so love to sign up for a class...maybe this summer}

my camera is not an expensive one by any means

{I always feel I need a better one but as my husband keeps reminding me

it is not "the arrow but the Indian that shoots the arrow" or something like that

I can never remember the exact saying....but he always makes me feel good...and then I forget that I want a better camera just to keep up with the "Jones"}

I just love what I do

do you have something you love to do?

I hope so

everyone needs to be passionate about something

fill your life with what you love

and the joy you get from it will ripple out to those around you

Life is a paradise for those who

love many things with

a passion

{leo buscaglia}

{thank you.......}

2012-01-04T16:57:00.000-08:00

a thank you to all of

the human

"sunbeams"

out there

you make our lives so much
brighter

{xox}

{my middle daughter got this sweet Russian doll set from my oldest daughter for Christmas from here }

{bluebird notes... it was a colourful year}

2012-01-02T20:03:00.000-08:00

{winter to spring}

{spring to summer}

{summer to autumn}

{autumn to winter}

thank you sweet friends

{old and new}

it's been a wonderful year
could not have done it without you

I have my camera positioned and aimed

on 2012
it's going to be fun
I can feel it in my bones

xox

{here we go}

2012-01-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

let's crack open 2012 together

are you ready?

i am

xox

{my gift to you........}

2011-12-29T09:04:00.000-08:00

these are my 2012 wishes that I gift to you

along with a

huge bear hug of

many many

heartfelt

thanks
*
you
all
made
my
2011
blessed
beyond
measure
*
I can really really say I love you all
xox

{tis the season for socks}

2011-12-27T17:04:00.000-08:00

happy dance

I am stocking up

how about you?

xox

{a happy heart}

2011-12-26T13:09:00.001-08:00

joy is what happens to us when we

allow ourselves to recognize how

good things really are

{Marianne Williamson}

xox

hope your Christmas was

blessed in everyway

will visit you soon..........I promise

Just for today......

do not wish to be anything but what you are

{xox}

2011-12-22T21:28:00.000-08:00

may your hearts be filled

with
peace
and
love
xox
{this sweet little peace bird was made by andrea ~ please visit her at the cottage market}

Just for today.....

may peace find you

{taking time for a tea break}

2011-12-21T08:36:00.000-08:00

{ yummy new tea from my sweet friend tina.....tinajo at home }

xox

Just for today.......

find something new to try

{the kind of situation I want to be in}

2011-12-20T06:41:00.000-08:00

xox

Just for today.....

wrap yourself up in warmth

{let's play a game of JOY tag}

2011-12-19T06:12:00.000-08:00

this little print hangs in my kitchen

it is always reminding me to find the

Joy in My Days

{i usually do not have to look very far}

May your day be filled with oodles of

Christmas Joy

xox

Just for today......

play tag with your JOY.....pass it on to all you meet

{I tag you today.......now that you are "it"......you must pass the joy on}

{snow where are you?}

2011-12-17T17:42:00.000-08:00

no snowflakes here to make outside snowfolks

so I will be content with

my sweet inside ones for now

{will you have snow for Christmas?}

xox

Just for today....

give yourself the gift of time to nurture your spirits

{self confident gifts}

2011-12-15T16:43:00.000-08:00

my Christmas motto this year.......

every gift deserves to be adorably dressed

I want my gifts to be proud of who they are.......

to feel jolly good about themselves

so I am piling on the pom-poms

making them as cute as can be

can you ever add too many of these
roly poly woolly bits?

I think not
xox

Just for today.......

anticipate joy

{it's a red and blue kinda day}

2011-12-13T20:41:00.000-08:00

in my world today.......

a sweet handmade heart

packages of vintage bluebird buttons bundled up with a pretty string

{both coming from my sweet friend Dagmar.....visit her lovely blog here}

sour cherry strudel baking

bowls of red soon to be filled for gift giving

threads to complete a project
blue and red everywhere I look today

what colour is your world today?

xox

Just for today.....

believe in magic.......if you don't you will never find it

{share some}

2011-12-12T05:53:00.000-08:00

{xox}

Just for today.......

keep those promises

{a little something more}

2011-12-09T21:17:00.000-08:00

my tree needed a little something more

all the pretty glass balls of silver, turquoise, gold and hot pink

just did't tickle my fancy

while skimming through the pages of my old British Country Living magazines

I found the perfect little somethings

hand crafted paper birds

15 of them now fly merrily around my tree

hand crafted is always the best

xox

Just for today....

Be in it with all your heart

Winner of my Giveaway........ #32

sweet Andrea

who I must say is one amazingly talented girl

check out Andrea's blog andrea creates

{is it just me?}

2011-12-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

Is is just me

is Christmas coming way too fast this year?

I just want to slow these days down so I can cherish every single moment

or better yet

I want to slow down my whole life

Is that possible?

If so please let me know how

What is life?

It is a flash of a firefly in the night.

It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.

It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunlight.

{Cowfoot, Native American Orator}

Just for today.......

remember life is here and now...... don't miss it

xox

my giveaway here

{remembering not to forget.....}

2011-12-06T16:55:00.000-08:00

...........that hot cocoa is not just for kids

it is especially useful to bathe drooping spirits after
a terrible-rotten-no-good-day
or

to celebrate a
phenomenal-marvelous-as-good-as-it-gets-day

and remember not to forget that dollop of vanilla ice cream on top..........pure bliss

xox

Just for today.....

be enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own

still time to enter my giveaway here

{a simple lace garland}

2011-12-03T20:42:00.000-08:00

xox

Just for today......

find a smile among the familiar

enter my giveaway here

{where women cook}

2011-11-30T18:37:00.000-08:00

a few of my favourite things that I share in the

newest issue of

Where Women Cook

and to celebrate I am giving an issue to one of

YOU

just leave me a comment on this post

and if you pop over and leave a comment at

Where Women Cook

come back and let me know

you will be entered for another chance

{tell me on a separate comment}
~
Jo Packham is the lovely lady behind
this beautiful magazine
you can visit her here to
keep up with the current happenings
and you have to go visit
Where Women Create
for their 12 days of Holiday Giveaways
{YES....a giveaway every day.....48 artists..it starts today....JOYx100}

xox

Just for today.....

don't go with the flow

be the flow

{girly up some hot cocoa}

2011-11-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

easy to make

melt white chocolate pipe onto spoons add sprinkles let cool

stir into a cup of hot cocoa

yumadoodles

girls only

{sorry boys}

xox

Just for today.....

When in doubt add another ornament

{here we go}

2011-11-25T06:14:00.000-08:00

{xox}

Just for today......

"Jingle all the way"

{small tokens}

2011-11-22T18:49:00.000-08:00

{place wicks in teacups, melt old wax candles, pour wax over wicks and let set}

xox

Just for today.....

Listen, really listen

{Christmas Colours}

2011-11-21T06:52:00.000-08:00

adding gold to my silver and turquoise tree this year

and maybe.........just maybe

a splash of fuchsia

I would love to know what your essential colours will be........

xox

Just for today.....

switch things up a bit

{petite sweeties}

2011-11-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

a recipe isn't a secret

it's more like sheet music

each player, conductor, or singer adds

his or her own personality

Joanne Chang

{owner of the flour bakery & cafe}
xox

Just for today......

if you love someone hurry up and show it

{noteworthy friends}

2011-11-17T15:57:00.000-08:00

time to share a few links to some of my

favourite

etsy shops
{and sweet friends}

a. kara rosenberry

b. mary jane's tearoom

c castles crowns and cottages

m zibagz

off to do a bit of Christmas shopping myself

xox

Just for today......

wink at someone you love

{what's in my sugar bowl today}

2011-11-15T16:42:00.000-08:00

a very sweet reminder

as we head into the holiday season

xox

Just for Today...

Look all around you and feel content

{the button jar}

2011-11-13T17:51:00.000-08:00

xox

Just for today......

thank a friend

{cozies}

2011-11-11T21:11:00.000-08:00

xox

Just for today.......

stay cozied up in bed for a wee bit longer

{sparkling jewels}

2011-11-09T06:08:00.000-08:00

Just for Today....
be a sparkling jewel and light up the world

{get inspired}

2011-11-07T16:20:00.000-08:00

The sweet Amy Powers

has done it once again

She has created another amazing

online publication of

Inspire Ideas

just in time for the holidays.......

filled to the brim with JOY and LOVE

projects you will surly want to make.

She asked me to contribute a little Christmas Idea

and here it is

my pom pom wreath

{details on how to make are in the magazine}

oh me oh my

the best news is that this online publication is only

$3.99

to order and find out more about this treasure

just pop over HERE
to flip through some of it's pages
visit here
just double click onto the magazine

xox

Just for today.......

Smile at Strangers

{tin it}

2011-11-06T08:42:00.000-08:00

lately I have been

"tinning it"

storing everything in sweet tins

my latest beauty is this

blue charmer

it has found a home on my table top

any guesses on what it might store?

xox

Just for today....

Be gracious & kind

{flowers and suds}

2011-11-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

one of my favourite things to do.........

wash my pretty dishes by hand

call me crazy

Happy Friday Sweet Friends

Just for Today.....

Treat yourself to a small joy

{a Starbucks Christmas drink is on my list....love seeing those red cups}

{it's a sweet life}

2011-11-02T19:54:00.000-07:00

my pretty collection of sweet papers

help to make my daughter Ali's hot chocolate cookies

even sweeter

xox

Just for Today.....

discover your gifts and use them wisely

{what truly counts}

2011-11-01T06:11:00.000-07:00

{source Donna Hay }

*sigh*

Just for today.......

Don't take it all too seriously

{what do you know ~ a heart in my cinnamon bun}

2011-10-30T20:34:00.000-07:00

~cinnibliss~

a little of what you fancy

does you

G-O-O-D
xox

Just for today.........

Inspire someone

{a lovely weekend thought}

2011-10-28T17:52:00.000-07:00

in the end

what affects your life most deeply

are the things too simple

to talk about

Neil Blane

xox

{the start of something BIG..........}

2011-10-26T06:36:00.000-07:00

{I hope}

my collection started out with just one turquoise pyrex bowl
{the little one in the middle}

and has been growing slowly ever since

I really am hoping that this is the start of something

BIG
these colours look so wonderful together
what are you collecting these days?

Happy midweek my sweet friends

Just for Today.......

Don't be so hard on yourself

{tie one on and...........}

2011-10-24T20:36:00.000-07:00

do you have a "snug as a bug in a rug" scarf

to tie around your pretty little neck?

the chilly mornings are fast approaching

Isn't my sweet cozy bird adorable?

I got mine at this lovely shop

Grandiflora Home and Garden

xox

Just for today......

book yourself a mammogram

had mine today {easy breezy}

a little voice inside of me told me I just had to share this with you today

my little voice is never wrong.....please listen to it
then after you have your mammogram treat yourself to that cozy scarf....
you so deserve it
love you guys

{I spy.........}

2011-10-23T07:32:00.000-07:00

..........with my little eye

something turquoise

{if you say that in my home........the game could last for a while}
hugadoodles to you

xox

Just for today......:

Be courageous & wild at heart.

{around my home today }

2011-10-21T06:02:00.000-07:00

pretty dishes

florals on my ladder

waiting their turn to dress up my table

sprouting teacups

pure bliss

{remember this post here ....}

couch potato

xox

Just for Today...........

Live life with ABANDON

{a june berry moment}

2011-10-19T06:33:00.000-07:00

whipped up a batch of

strawberry curd

the other day

{like lemon curd only with berries}

I know it is not strawberry season here

but somewhere in the world

I am sure that it is

{I can still find fresh berries in my local markets}

My curd brought back sweet memories

June berries

I decide to try to dry some berries as well and it worked

happy dance

They came out such a

pretty colour.........

..........a perfect way to top off my

strawberry curd whipped cream tarts

xox

A hugs is a great gift........

one size fits all and it is easy to exchange.

{unkown}

Mid-week hugs to you all

{weekend joy}

2011-10-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

pretty days

around my home this weekend

inside and out

set my table with pretty china and linens

painted another pumpkin this time with turquoise chalkboard paint

spent many hours in my PJ's

hung some charming plates on my wall

today identify what gives you

JOY

and do more of it

hope to visit you all soon

can't wait to see what you have been up to

xox

{blooming teacups}

2011-10-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

pretty tea cups
&

some sweet grape hyacinth bulbs

looking forward to some
blooming teacups

to fill my home once
Mr. Winter comes calling

so easy to do
a container...in my case a tea cup
some little rocks on the bottom
soil
bulbs sitting on top...do not cover with soil
more little rocks all the way around

May your weekend be filled
with joy and laughter

just a few penguin jokes from one of my students to help you get
started on the laughter part........
What do penguins wear on their heads?
ice caps {cappuccinos}
What's a penguin's favourite footwear?
flip{per}-flops

xox

{Autumn Treats}

2011-10-11T20:07:00.000-07:00

the apple orchard

is one of my favourite places to be

collecting apples and sticks

to make an Autumn favourite

red candy apples

one Autumn Treat deserves another

caramel popcorn

made into balls

red candy apples + caramel popcorn = Joy x 100

don't you agree

xox

the winner of the special addition of Holiday with Matthew Mead is

# 23

Nezzy

Congratulations my friend

remember you can still order your copy here

{more pumpkin love}

2011-10-10T18:07:00.000-07:00

Pumpkins

are one of my favourite things

I know they would make my top 10 list

now homemade

pumpkin ice cream has made it to

the top of my ice cream list

I made it last week and can't get enough of it

paired with molasses crinkles

and my life is complete

I am so ready for the new week......

are you?

one more day to enter my giveaway here
a copy of Matthew Mead's Holiday could be in your mailbox soon

{felted gratitude}

2011-10-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

It is only with gratitude
that life becomes rich

Canadian Thanksgiving

is being celebrated here this weekend

so thought I should bring out my felted acorns to sprinkle around

our festive table

we will go around our thanksgiving table

taking turns telling each other what we are grateful for......

one of the things on my list will be

YOU

I am truly and utterly thankful for every single one of

YOU

grateful that

YOU

would take some of your precious time to visit me
YOU really are a blessing to me....

so I thank you

from the bottom of MY heart

xox
we will be at my mom and dad's home
my sweet mom loves to make pies
we will be celebrating with many
pumpkin
apple
pecan
peach
what is your favourite autumn pie?

{bits of wisdom}

2011-10-05T21:25:00.000-07:00

Life isn't always tied up with a bow, but it is still a gift

{r. brett}

xox

make the best of it my friends..............for life is zoooooooooming by at
rapid speed

giveaway here

{apple nibbles}

2011-10-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

Monday Apple Day

just me, myself and I .......

with a few Autumn Apples

a tub of ice cream and a cup of David's Tea

pure joy

the perfect way to start my week

hope your week began well my friends

xox

enter to win a copy of Holiday 2011 with Matthew Mead here and here

{Holiday with Matthew Mead...win a copy here}

2011-10-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

It's coming

and I am doing a happy dance once again

Holiday 2011 with Matthew Mead
is ready to be purchased here

While the magazine will be sold on newsstands

the expanded keepsake issue can only be purchased on-line.

The keepsake issue will be filled with more holiday ideas, recipes and projects

plus it will arrive in your mailbox before the newsstand edition.

check out the sneak peek in the video above....make sure you
double click
on the video for full screen mode after it starts

To win a copy of Matthew’s latest keepsake magazine, Holiday with Matthew Mead 2011, just leave me a comment on this post. For extra chances...... share this video sneak peek with a friend via a blog post, tweet or Facebook making sure you let me know in separate comments!
link found here

Thank you for helping Matthew spread the word about
this very special expanded keepsake issue of
Holiday with Matthew Mead.

And be sure to head over to the holiday website for their launch week of contests which will feature cash prizes, home accessories from Matthew’s new home décor collection, and free copies of his books and magazines.

I don't know about you but all this talk about Christmas is making me

very EXCITED

Hugs for a great new week my friends

xox

{zippity doo dah}

2011-10-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

"zippity doo dah

zippity aye

oh my what a wonderful day"

it's the weekend

my Saturday morning is looking fine

the whole weekend is a head of me

my cozy fireplace is on

my tea in my hand

my plans on paper

what more could I ask for?

"Mister blue bird's

on my shoulder

it's the truth

everything is

satisfactual"

loving this song today

please make it a great day.....remember it up to you

Every morning we have a choice

we can count our blessings

or we can count our calamities

we can count our joys

or we can count life's blows & burdens

It's our choice

we decide

we choose

and as we decide and choose

our lives are formed

xox

Thank you sweet Renee for the lovely bluebirds

......they now hang so sweetly on my wall

and remind me to count all my blessings

each and everyday

Renee's lovely blog is Sewn with Grace

if you have a moment please visit her
her lovely thoughts and images are sure to cheer you up

{my joys this week}

2011-09-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

What I am loving about my week so far

some pretty new {old} books my daughter #1 found

my new 7 foot tall mirror

a sweet bunting my daughter #2 made me for my kitchen window

my cookie jar filled to the brim with home-made ginger snaps made by daughter #3

thinking about tomorrow when I get to meet my sweet blogging friend Maaike

face to face for the very first time

my comfy worn out old flannel jammies......the first thing I put on when I get home from school even if it is only 4pm ....jammie love

happy it is almost the weekend and I am still healthy.......I have been dodging sick kids all week

xox

A family is a unit composed not only of children,

but of men,

women,

an occasional animal

and the common cold

{Ogden Nash.......a 20th century poet}

hope you are all staying healthy

{xox}

2011-09-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

I have met so many wonderful friends through my blog

you all mean so much to me

I wish I could meet each of you in person

What does it mean to have a friend?

Simply everything

thank you Maria for the sweet tea cozy

thank you Molly for the adorable pot holders

Always give without remembering

Always receive without forgetting.

-unkown-

{"blue pumpkins?" you say}

2011-09-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

what else would you expect from a bluebird?

xox

happy new week to you my sweet friends

{and a welcome to all my new followers}

{what's on my mantel this week}

2011-09-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

pretty flowers

from my daughter's employer

thank you June

light turquoise vases

I painted myself

{easy as can be instructions found here}

have a great weekend

I will be heading here tomorrow

A GREAT LIFE IS NOT SOMETHING WE EXPERIENCE.......

IT'S SOMETHING WE CREATE

xox

{felted joy}

2011-09-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

all my cold tootsies want to do is

cozy up

to my new turquoise slippers

ooodles of pure felted joy

made with love by my daughter's sweet Norwegian friend

thank you joh

hope you all have something you can cozy up to today

xox

{celebrating simplicity}

2011-09-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

"the simplest things are often the truest"

{richard bach}

some pretty napkins strung on a ribbon

a friendly smile

the touch of a child
the warmth of my new turquoise slippers

xox

{romance}

2011-09-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

so happy to be back

the creative connection event in

St. Paul, Minnesota

was amazing

a big welcome hug

to all of my new friends

that I met there

this year cooking classes were added

so being the foodie that I am

I just had to share with you

some of this yummy

joy

TasteBud's Floral Kitchen

a class presented by

Carolyn Robb & Sarah Champier

lovely English tea treats

were so romantically displayed

using beautiful edible florals

the cupcakes at the

Cupcake Farewell Party

were not only pretty but delicious

lots more to share with you

but for now I have to catch up with all of your posts I missed

can't wait to see what you all have been up to.......

leave me a comment and I promise I will stop by and visit you

Hugs and love for a great week

{it's back to reality for me}

xox

{still having fun in St. Paul}

2011-09-16T05:52:00.000-07:00

hope you find some time to create today

see you soon

xox

{off I go}

2011-09-13T05:46:00.000-07:00

image taken by my youngest

off I go........

I will be as busy as a bee in a lavender farm

fun busy

because I am off to here.............

St. Paul, Minnesota

if you are going I would love to meet you

so if

you see me running around

{this year I am helping the events coordinator and designer.........making everything pretty}

please stop me and

introduce yourself

I would be thrilled to bits

xox

will be back soon with photos

extra hugs tell then

I will visit you all when I get back

{September Cherries}

2011-09-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

{sorry I got a little silly with this}

1. you can hide the pits outside under the Fall leaves in hopes that a squirrel will find them

for his winter pantry

2. celebrate uniqueness...everyone else is munching on apples this time of year

3. what other time of the year can you eat cherries and pumpkins together?

cherry and pumpkin muffins.......one of the best combinations ever.......try it.

4. cherry stained lips are the "it" fashion for this Autumn

5. make yourself a cozy pit pad to warm your chilly feet........
pit pads are heating pads that are filled with dried cherry pits
that have the ability to retain and slowly release heat
for long periods of time
your cold feet will thank you

6. extra reason.......... no other pie can make you as happy as a
fresh cherry pie
pure JOY

You may want to forget reason #1......I just read that cherry pits are poisonous if eaten in
large quantities.......I wonder if Mr. Squirrel know this?

Make it a good week my friends
xox

{giving away Free Wishes}

2011-09-09T21:26:00.000-07:00

the sweetest little cake bunting

arrived in my mailbox the other day

I didn't have time to bake a cake

but I placed it in my pretty vintage tin

so you could

go ahead and

Make a Wish

{thank you Jooles}

You must pop over to visit

Sew Sweet Violet

and her

etsy shop

Jooles makes the most adorable

buntings ever

xox

The winner of

my giveaway

{Where Women Cook Magazine}

#47

Jane from Blondie's Journel

congratulations my friend

{just a pretty image today}

2011-09-07T16:50:00.000-07:00

my mind is jam-packed with school stuff today

so no wise words to share with you

just a pretty photo I took

oh wait...........

I did learn a new word today from one of my students........

do you know what a zedonk is?

the offspring of a zebra and a donkey

it truly is I looked it up

boy my students are smart.... I really think they may not need me at all this year

hugs

xox

I will pick a winner this Friday for my
Where Women Cook giveaway
enter here if you wish

{blackberry shades}

2011-09-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

the girls made jam the other day

i think it turned out
stunningly beautiful
plus it tastes as good as it looks

i now have these beautiful rich colours stuck in my head
so

i am on a mission to find a sweater...skirt or blouse in a one of these
wonderful blackberry jam shades
but until i do i think i will go paint my nails some
pretty autumn colour from here
xox

a thought to fill your week.....

The human race has only one really effective weapon
and that's laughter.
The moment it arises, all our hardnesses yield
all our irritations and resentments slip away
and the sunny spirit takes their place.
Mark Twain

May a sunny spirit fill your week

remember to enter my giveaway here

{just peachy goodness}

2011-09-04T07:16:00.000-07:00

peaches........

and blackberries are such a great taste combination

when mixed together in a crisp ........pure joy

Happy September

xox

all I want to do is put a wheelbarrow of pumpkins on my font porch

but our weather has become very hot again

roasted pumpkins ?

I guess I should wait.

{pretty inside and out}

2011-09-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

remember these?

Hostess Cupcakes

I found them in

strawberry

the other day

usually not something I would put into my

shopping cart

but I couldn't resist how pretty they looked

as pretty as they may be..........I would only give them a 2 out of 10 for taste

remember looks can deceive

a lesson I forgot

be pretty today......inside and out

xox

{polkaroo}

2011-08-31T21:33:00.000-07:00

someone is always having tea

in a

polka dotted mug

at our home

I took this image for my sweet friend Francis at **by surprise**

who loves polka dots as much as I do

does anyone remember the children's T.V. show The Polka Dot Door

with the Polkaroo ?

It is Canadian produced and very silly with a theme song that gets stuck in your head and never wants to leave.

click here for a peek at the Polkaroo and the shows theme song

that show may very well be where I developed my

love for dots

xox

remember to enter my giveaway here

happy day to you my friends

{Spud hugs and a giveaway}

2011-08-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

how do you like your spuds?

I like mine in little plastic cups that I covered
with pretty fabric

which are perfect for holding my mini potato doughnuts
I call
"Spud Hugs"

The newest issue of
Where Women Cook
is on shelves now
Yahoo

{this is just a little peek of my latest article that you will find among it's pages}

to celebrate just leave me a comment on this
post and you could win a copy of the new Autumn issue

Hope to visit you all soon...
I am back at school and life has just gotten a whole lot busier
hugs

{new home......new clock}

2011-08-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

I love my clock

it is a very large one and takes up a lot of wall space

this is it hanging on my wall in my old home

{kinda miss my old wallpaper}

I ordered a bunch of vintage wallpaper sheets the other day

from here

and gave my old clock a facelift

{new home .....white walls}

next project

my little vintage shelf

another set of

vintage wallpaper I ordered

very 50ish

from here

I am thinking of covering a dresser with it

or maybe covering a wall in my laundry room

kinda like a patchwork quilt

what do you think?

xox

hugs to you

dear friends

and

new friends

thank you for coming by today

~{thank you berry much}

2011-08-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

did you know that I live in the Berry Capital of Canada?

berries are everywhere

black.........blue.........rasp........straw

fields and fields of them

my youngest picks blueberries for $$

{not an easy job}

to my joy just a few steps up the street from

our new home are oodles and I mean

ooooooooooodles

of wild blackberries

free for the picking

and we have been picking

any ideas what I should do with them?
thinking today is jam day

Oh and I found out our forest in my back yard

has wild loganberries

hokydina am I ever berried out

no wonder we have fat bears wondering our woods

xox

~giveaway winner ~

2011-08-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

I know Summer is almost over when.....

i pack up our camping dishes for another year

{image above}

the number of fingers on one hand is how many days i have left before heading back to school

autumn mums have landed on my porch

new fall boots have arrived in the stores....happy dance

the scent of cinnamon spice candles fill my home
i am craving "stick to my ribs" oatmeal with brown sugar for my breakfast

and

the new Autumn with Matthew Mead will soon be on my doorstep

which brings me to an important announcement to be made..........

the winner of a copy of Matthew's spectacular magazine is
#60
{picked by random generator}

sweet Emily
of
Fern & Flora
{take a peek at her etsy store here filled with adorable vintage inspired accessories}

remember you still have time to order your copy of
Autumn with Matthew Mead here
{ it will not be sold in stores}

Thank you all so much for entering my giveaway

xox

extra HUGS are being sent your way today

~piled high pretties~

2011-08-23T08:04:00.000-07:00

little piled high flowered hankies

fill my home with smiles today

they are just waiting for me to make them into bunting....

hope they do not have to wait too long

as my to-do list is never ending

do you have one of those lists too?

I bet you do

these sweet hankies came from a dear friend...

thank you for the joy I found in my mailbox Molly

please stop by and visit my birdie blue friend Molly here

last day to enter my giveaway here

~soul-satisfying~

2011-08-21T20:30:00.000-07:00

The things you love in your childhood

you love all your life

{susan branch}
xox
just a few more days to enter my giveaway
here

~happy pills~

2011-08-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

my husband asked me if I had forgotten to take

"happy pills"

the other day

when I was a tad bit grumpy/stressed

hmmmmmm

his comment made me realize that I had not

been around

my jar of

"happy baking sprinkles"

for a while

and

what I really needed was

a spoonful of these babies

and a day of

baking something

PRETTY

to get my

happy back

sprinkles + pink dough = happy happy happy

now if it was always that easy

HUGS

to you all for a great weekend

and

remember to take those

"happy pills"
{hmmmm...you know what I mean}

xoxo

please enter my giveaway here if you haven't already

~whimsical fun~

2011-08-17T18:51:00.000-07:00

we were having some whimsical fun the other day

while photographing my cake bunting for a special project

don't you just love anything mini

{except chocolate bars}

xox

remember to hop on over here to enter my

Autumn giveaway