Scarecrow and Joy

The Razmataz family has lived in this house for 22 years.  Across the street from us is a man who has lived in his house since day one, along with his wife.  Now we are a friendly bunch, however in 22 years I've had about 3 conversations with him, and he's yelled at my kids a few times (they deserved it I am sure).  He used to sit on his front porch motionless for hours.  One day, my daughter's friend asked me why they always had a scarecrow on their front porch.  Of course it was the man, who was always sittiing on the porch.  From that point on, since we never knew his name, we called him Scarecrow.  Although he seemed like a bit of a grump, I knew he was a kindly man because he walked to the bus stop everyday to meet his wife and he was really sweet to my dogs and his cats.

One day last summer, he and his wife were outside while I was gardening.  They crossed the street and headed right towards me.  His wife's name was Joy.  She presented me with this water color of my house that she had done after she retired.  She told me she thought my house was pretty and wanted to paint it. 

I thanked her profusely, extremely touched and thrilled with her lovely art.  They retreated back to their side and now we wave, but no real conversation.  I think they like to keep to themselves.  It just shows you though that you don't really know people and certainly can't judge them. 

He didn't introduce himself, but Ifound out his name is Frank.  



Online Shopping

I said I wouldn't, but I just couldn't help myself. Despite a vow not to browse the MLS for a house in Florida until we sell the cottage, I perused the web this weekend and found three that I LOVE.  It's not good to fall for a house when you are not in a position to buy it.  YET.  The promise of an offer on the cottage after the buyers surgery in May, has me peeking and dreaming and furnishing houses I have never set foot in.

The one above is follows my mandate exactly.  Historic, cottagey, charming. I can picture myself sitting there, mohito in hand.

But, then again......an Historic Spanish style home could be such an interesting project... I've never decorated a house like this and think it would be great fun............

House number 3 checks all the boxes on charm and comes with two rental units......perfect for guests and my kids and renters.  This one has a real beach vibe........

Which one do you like???????????????

Beauty In The Ordinary

Red



My post title today is stolen from a favourite blog of mine Beauty In The Ordinary.  Short of interesting blogging material, I walked the banks of the creek and marsh yesterday looking for beauty.  It was everywhere.  Spring is my favourite season by far, and a very short lived one here in Canada.  Once things warm up we often have a very rapid Spring, so I wanted to capture it.  The Spring that's beginning to bud, to nest, to fill in.  Not the showy Spring, but the Early, Barely There Spring.

Copper

Natural

Cobalt

Yellow.

Goose Yoga

At the marsh today, I managed to capture a Canada Goose in the middle of a Yoga Session

Bend........

Reach.......

                                                                        Stretch....

Relax.........

Namaste...........

Pay It Forward...Thank You Erin!

In the world of blogging there has been something new happening.  The Pay it Forward Giveaway.  No selling or promoting, no need to Facebook, blog, follow, Twitter, tell 3 friends etc.  I was reading the blog of Artist and Gardener Erin of Erin Art and Gardens blog.  She announced that she would be giving away a handmade by her, gift to the first five commenter's on the post.  In turn, they should make something and Pay It Forward to 5 others to keep the goodwill going.

Of course, I flew down to the comment box and secured myself a ranking in the lucky 5 batch.  And today it arrived.  Here's what I was lucky enough to receive.

Bundled in an old dressmakers pattern as tissue were 3 little bowls made from vintage doilies.  The pink one is my absolute favourite.  Plus they were filled with chocolate eggs which I have been scarfing down as I prepare this post....

I think they look sweet with my vintage peeps that I carefully bring out every Easter.  Erin also included several of her gorgeous daffodil photographs.  I am going to frame one and re-gift (pay it forward) to my mama to brighten her room.  She loves daffodils as much as I do.

And wrapped in tissue was a perfectly pressed daffodil, which reminded me so much of my lovely Granny as we used to press clover and primroses together.

Thank you Erin for the lovely gifts from your generous giving heart.  And make sure you watch the blogs because you could happen on another pay it forward at any time........................................... 



Friday Photo Challenge - OUTDOORS

This weeks challenge was to show an OUTDOOR photo.  Spring is an interesting time to shoot outdoors as it can look a little barren.  The horses here are waiting for the grass to green up, but are content with their roll of hay.

I like the trail in the not yet plowed field leading somewhere.....but where.............This is a typical Canadian farmhouse.

Next week I thought we would move the challenge indoors again and expose a bit of ourselves.  Photograph the top of your dresser.  We want to see the dust and coins and odd bits you keep there.

Add your LINKY below.







Milestone

I celebrated a milestone birthday yesterday and actually most of the weekend.  The Raz Man was going to throw me a bash, but I do so much with friends, what I really, really wanted was to have a weekend with my kids.  All of us are together only a few times a year, so it was really special to have them all in one boat for the weekend.  B & T arrived Friday from Montreal and we all spent Saturday morning moving Ky into her new apartment in Toronto.  She's got such a cute little place that I will post about once the rest of her furniture gets in.  Because of school, she's splitting her move, the rest to be done at the month end.  Miss her living closer already :(((

After the hauling was done we headed to our hotel, met with my brother and GF for dinner, then went to see Billy Elliot.  Drinks back at hotel, then breakfast on Bloor Street, drop Ky off home to do homework in move day chaos, then up the CN tower to show T a birds eye of the City.

Yesterday I was treated to lunch at a cafe run by 2 Aussie snowboarders, then home where 3 bouquets of flowers arrived, followed by gifts and dinner with my sister.  I feel very spoiled and grateful to my family and friends.

OK, so now you know I am 50.  A big milestone that is supposed to scare women to death, but I actually like it.  My 40's weren't my favourite years, so I am going to make the most of this decade.  I like that I don't have a boss, I never set my alarm and set my own hours. I like that my hairs gone curly, my confidence is boosted and Raz Man and I have loads of plans for the next while. Plus we have a wedding to plan and a new daughter to welcome into the family who I love and adore and I know that BABIES will come in this decade...............................

We almost broke out the champagne yesterday as we thought the cottage was sold.  I had already mentally moved into 3 houses in Florida and was mentally listing all the Bits I needed to take with me.  The buyer though needs heart surgery and decided to wait until after May 9 to see if he lives through it (his words).  He still wants it, so maybe it will still be a go...........

Made my girl a little bouquet for her room as she just popped by.......leaving a little laundry I may add.

Tonight I having peanut butter toast for dinner because I am worn out from dining out and all the goings on...



Vote for Krista

I am asking for a very quick minute to vote to help a fellow blogger win a new closet system makeover.  If you could click HERE to vote, Krista from HOPELESS CHEST would very much appreciate it.  She is a young gal starting out and is moving into a new place and would love a change to win.  So I am asking you for a kindness in helping her out.  THANK YOU>

Friday Photo Challenge

First of all I wanted to mention that to the person who posted The Handsome Melvin on last weeks challenge, the link was wrong and we couldn't access your post.  We weren't ingnoring your lovely photo, just couldn't get to it or tell who posted it.

Today's challenge was to photograph a DOOR.  I apologise to anyone who recognises this door as one I have posted before, and indeed it is.  I fully intended to get my behind out walking the neighborhood today and find one fabulous inspiring door, however I live in the burbs and would have to travel to the older part of town to get anything other than a Home Depot Designer Door, plus it is piddling down today and the photo would be lousy.

When I looked though my photo archives, this shot stood out because of the size, design and stunning colour of this door I spotted in Toronto last year with the Cerulean Blue and fabulous brass door knobs.  I think a good photo of a door should beckon you to want to open it and peek in side, or wonder from the outside who lives behind it.

Next week, since it Spring for half of us and Fall for the rest, I thought we could capture an OUTDOOR SHOT of your choice.  Lots of freedom on this one, and I promise not to be a lazy cow again.

Link up your photo Below

DO You Think He IS HOT!!!! American IDOl, Steven Tyler and Blogging Ettiquette..

Until he became a judge on American Idol, I had barely noticed Steven Tyler.  But wow, I think he's gorgeous.  I think on IDOL, he is sweet and charming and kind, and encouraging and has a great SMILE and I love his crazy hair and feathered braids, beads, flashy shirts, chains, belts.....the whole thing.  IS it just me because I am turning 50, or does anyone else think he's hot stuff?

And How about IDOL.  Do you watch?  Do you have a favourite?  I love the show.  I like raw talent, although it doesn't take long for them to be IDOL-Ized and lose their freshness.  So at the risk of upsetting the Apple Cart, here are my takes on the current top 11.  Feel free to chime in here.

Scotty - Although I think this guy does the "country" thing well, to me it lacks authenticity.  I feel like he is play acting at being a Country Singer.  Are you a Singer or an Actor SCOTTY ??He needs to- _ _ _ _ or get off the pot.

Pia -Perfect in every way.  The judges love her. She's gorgeous and sings beautifully.  I want to see her be vulnerable NOT PERFECT.  Wear jeans and you hair in a pony and dance Girl, dance.

Paul. LOVED Paul on the first few weeks, but he deflated this week and last.  I like the way he moves, so maybe he needs to put down the guitar and get tangled up in his dance and song again.

James I think this guy has talent, is very entertaining and would be good as a warm up act for a bigger band, but I am getting a bit ticked with his ego. Steven said something people didn't really get this week about "overstaying his welcome" and I think he was referring to the endless bows and kisses and bows he takes after he thinks he does really well for himself. Be HUMBLE Boy.

Jacob Lovely voice....moving....is he a front man or a back up singer?

Naima  The lovely fluctuating Naima seems to be trying too hard to be something that she either is or isn't.  She looks fab with her African inspired outfits she wears to rehearsal, then she dons some garb with the Jamaican flag and pushes Elton to be Reggae and she seems to lose her Authenticity.  I like her.  I want to see the real her.

Lauren Not sure if she has made an impact yet...

Hailey She fun and REAL and sexy and uber talented.  Yes I would pay money to see her perform in a club.

Stephano BEAUTIFUL VOICE.  I want to see him in Musicals not IDOL.

Thia  So young and fresh...not going to win, but has many years to hone her craft.  I thought she was great last night.

Casey  I think I needed saving after the drama of his save last week.  At first I thought he was different and interesting and true to himself. I Liked HIM.  But over the weeks, I am not digging him anymore.  And that drama over the judges saving him, seemed way over the TOP.  Did you think he was going to vomit.????  Was that all real?

And now for something completely different.  Susan from oldgreymare has an interesting post today on Blogger etiquette with respect to bumping your blog up the ladder on the blog roll.  I completely agree with her and think it bad manners to do so.  You can read what Suzan had to say HERE

Painting by Sherri Ward.

Come For Dinner

Yesterday my new dining room table arrived.  I managed to sell the old one and finally found exactly what I wanted for the dining room.  This one came from Pottery Barn.....not a usual source for me as I much prefer vintage, however, I couldn't find one the right length and width and with an apron that would accommodate my mums wheelchair.  Plus, I am fed up with place mats and tablecloths.  I wanted good hearty wood so you can work at it and plonk a beer down if you want.

I also had to contend with the wood on my cabinet which is a little orange, so the table had to relate to it well.  I think they are getting along fine.  This table has 2 leaves which are not in the photo.  I can easily seat 12 with the leaves in.

I mentioned before that I have made some furniture mistakes in my own house and these 2 upholstered dining chairs were one of them.  Wonderfully comfortable to sit in, they seem to eat up the space when placed at the table ends.  I have placed then rather unconventionally on the one side. They can be moved for larger parties.

                                           I can now sit here and do some work quite comfortably.

So if any of my blogging friends are in the neighborhood, I can have you for dinner!



La Sardine

We travelled to Montreal for the weekend to visit the Boy Child and his Fiance.  The guys took in a hockey game and my future DIL and I scarfed down the most delicious take away curries that I always like to get when we there there.  We ate nann bread and looked though wedding books, while I gave my 2 cents on what she should wear.  She asked how I was going to wear my hair......wild and wooley is how I usually go....

Montreal to me is about the architecture and the food.  We stayed in the Old Port at Hotel Place D'armes. which had reclaimed brick walls and gorgeous bath products and excellent service. I inisted on breakfast at Le Cartet because I love boiled eggs for breakfast and my latte in a bowl.  They also have the most amazing array of French products to purchase.  I bought this can of choclolate sardines because they were just so lovely....I just don't really want to eat them.

Thay also have the largest assortment of chocolate bars I have ever seen.  I bought these pink and white mini bars because of the wrappers alone.

And some lovely tubs of seasalt.....

And because I miss a real market in my own town, we went to the Atwater Market.

The French know food alright....everything was so beautifully laid out and garnished.  I love market food.

Bakery.

The hotel lounge for our comlimentary drinks.......

And we tried the restraurant Steak et Frites for just that.  Ontario should have BYOB.  It makes eating out so much more affordable.......and even more affordable is eyeing a large platter of pastries at the table/party next to us and being offered their handmade "puffs" for our desert.  And just to be even cheekier....we asked the waiter for a takeaway bag for the desert that we didn't even get from the restaurant....the one that T mooched for us.  The puff, as we discovered, is a Portugeuse light batter all puffed and glazed with slightly lemony icing.  Delicious.  Montrealers are very kind and accomodating. 

Lovely seeing the kids.........................................................I've missed them.

The Puff.............................................