Customer Photo Session...

We had a couple of ladies in from Halifax yesterday and one of them snapped some photos and was kind enough to send them to me. The first few are of "the other shop", but from our front door into our green shop... Have look...

:o)  Tina

Handle with Care

I am about three quarters of the way through this book by Jodie Picoult (the author of My Sister's Keeper) and although I am enjoying it, I do NOT agree with the choices the mother of the child whose life the book is based on is making. I think she is being selfish and making choices that will have as much of a negative impact (if not more) that a postive one on her family.  Like I said, three quarters of the way through.  I will post an update when I am finished the book.

Having said that, if you are looking for an interesting, easy read this is a book that will keep you entertained without being too heavy (although it is a serious subject).  It is written in the same format as My Sister's Keeper - expressing everyone's point of view - which I really like.  I plan to read some of Jodie's other 16 books that I have not read, while I am ON VACATION!!!

Read more about Handle with Care on Jodie's website.

Freebie Wednesday

I did not have time to get anything done for you today.  CH and I have been working on getting the kitchen painted (well, him working, me watching), I took 4 days off of work and am taking another 10 this week coming (we are taking the kids on a vacation to some water slides and then to a family reunion in Vancouver *just in case I have not mentioned it a time or two*), which I am pretty excited about - but it might mean that it is pretty quite around here for a few days.

SO last night we had no kids.  Which hardly ever happens.  So we worked.  Crazy huh?  We should have been home spending "quality" time together or painting the kitchen.  But no.  Responsible us, worked.  We had yummy burgers and fries from The Spot for dinner.  Very good but not so good for you.  This is a fried cheese, cheese burger.  Sounds like a cardiac arrest waiting to happen, tastes like it will be served in heaven.

Here are some other photos of my week to keep you entertained.  Happy Summer!

This a wedding dress that my Mum made from a picture in a magazine.  I did some work on it too but the majority of it was her so there are no close-ups of mine.  Don't want to toot my own own horn when she did such a great job!

The Little Man, Oliver, Trysta (Oliver's Aunt and Penelope's BFF), and Penelope.  My shorties are away with my parents since yesterday and I really really miss them.

The beginning of the kitchen makeover.  Lots has been done since this picture was taken but there is still lots more to go.  I was hoping to have it done by the time we are ready to leave for our vacation on Saturday but I won't hold my breath!.

My sweet little nephew.  PITA is his mom.



The sweet nephew's Mum, PITA, at the shop.  This is a picture I will use more than once!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!  Look how pretty the shop looks!  :o)

Fred.  Givin' me some sugar last night. Not lovin' the camera in his face. I was hoping to get a good shot of his hairless lips as I find them amusing.  He is so snugly the minute you crawl into bed and ignores you the rest of the time.  Cats are so strange a neurotic.  I think people love them for their mystery the same way people love dogs for their devotion.

Hope you enjoyed those.  I know I did. Especially the one of PITA cause I know she is gonna kick my butt over it! Love you Lady! x

:o)  Tina

Facts about Canada

I feel like I might have been a little rough on the good old US of A in my last post and that was not my intention. Having said that, here are some really great reasons why I love Canada as much as I do.

Canada is the second largest country in the world, 9,971,000 square kilometers.  There are 3.4 people per square kilometer as compared to the USA which is 9,826,675 and there are 32 people per square kilometer.

Basketball, the electric light bulb, the electric range, the electron microscope, standard time, the baseball glove, the television, the telephone, instant mashed potatoes, the pacemaker, the zipper, frozen food, and lots of other things you cannot imagine life without were all invented in Canada.

According to the United Nations Human Development Index, Canada has the highest quality of life in the world. Vancouver, British Columbia is with Zurich Switzerland for the highest quality of life of any city in the world.

All Canadian have free access to health care.  Most people over 65 receive their prescriptions for free, as do low income families.

Canada maintains 38 national parks, which cover about 2% of the country's landmass. Banff, located on the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains, is the oldest (est. 1885); Tuktut Nogait, in the Northwest Territories, was established in 1996. There are 836 national historic sites, designated in honour of people, places and events that figure in the country's history. Canada also has over 1000 provincial parks and nearly 50 territorial parks.

A few more interesting fact can be found here. Canada is big and beautiful, you should come see for yourself.

:o)  Tina

Ten on Tuesday

I am Canadian so these questions are not really going to work for me but I will alter them to fit into the Canadian version or July 4th - July 1st, Canada Day.

1. What do you traditionally do for 4th of July? July 1 is Canada Day
When I was a kid we used to, for some reason I find quite odd now, go and have a big picnic in a park in Washington State...  weird, we left Canada on Canada Day.  Now, my family and I attend a community gathering at a local park, and then have a BBQ and watch the fire works.

2. Did you follow your tradition this year? How did you celebrate yesterday? Yesterday I hung around the house while CH painted the kitchen, but on Canada Day...
the Little Man was away for the weekend so CH and I took Penelope and my nephew went to Beaver Creek park for some birthday cake.  CH developed a migraine and was down for the count so I took the kids and we went to a birthday party for one of CH's cousins. Later Penelope, CH and I went and watched the fire works. A little different than usual, but I had a nice time.

3. What’s the best fireworks show you've ever seen?
Surely and I used to attend the Symphony of Fire in Vancouver when I lived there.  It was so amazing to be on the beach at night with thousands of people who were hardly speaking as they listened to the radio through their headphones and watched the amazing display. If you have never been, I highly recommend it. We always loved it thoroughly.

4. Have you ever been injured by a firecracker?
No. And I don’t plan on it! I am very cautious by nature.

5. Burger, Brat, or Hot Dog?
I don’t eat tubed meat. So my answer is obviously burger but having said that, I am fussy and it is complicated.  I have food fobias...

6. Do you sport red, white and blue on our Independence Day? We are red and white in Canada.
I don't but I usually, but I do dress my kids (at the very least Penelope) in something colour appropriate.  I slacked off this year as the Little Man was away and Penelope looks nice is pink...

7. If you had to be from any country other than the USA Canada, what country would it be? 
I have been anywhere besides the USA and Italy.  I would not, could not (sorry) move south of the border but might consider Italy if I could find a reasonably priced place to live.  It is an amazing place but I would have to investigate their health care and school systems.  I would not move to the USA as it does not offer much positive change from Canada other than more (and cheaper) shopping. (Again, not meant as an offence, but I am a Michael Moore fan and watch way too much TV).

8. Charcoal or gas?
Gas - it is just so easy. But I also like a steak cooked over a camp fire.  VERY tasty.

9. What’s your favorite thing about this fair country of ours?
I am a positive person so “favorite” things aren’t easy for me to answer - there are always too many of them! Canada is beautiful and vast in climate and culture.  Canada's people are known throughout the world as being passive, polite, friendly, kind and considerate. I love that I have freedom of speech, health care based on my income, a high standard of living even at my modest income level.  I love that I do not worry about crime and that it is not because I am in denial but because we have a low crime rate. I love that my children get a good education that is paid for and that mother's can collect unemployment benefits for a year after their child is born. I think that my absolute favorite thing is that this is my home and I am so very proud to be Canadian.

10. God Bless the USA, My Country Tis of Thee, or the Star Spangled Banner? Oh Canada or God Save the Queen
I do not prefer one over the other as they are both a tribute to things (a place or a person) whom I love very very much.

I hope I did okay with these answers....  kind of tricky....

:o)  Tina

Stumbled Upon #2

I have spent more time reading than looking this week.  I am addicted to the saucy blogs.  I love the laughter in my belly.  Check them out - they all have funny stories to tell (with that perfect amount of swearing that seems to make them just that much funnier). The Blogess, dooce, Mommy Wants Vodka, Mushroom Printing, and Band Back Together.  Each of these blogs is a great read, but please do not visit them if you are offended by colourful language and sarcasm - they are full of it (but hilarious and in some cases heart warming).

So a couple of things I passed by on Etsy this week.  Well the pumpkin thing I have been kind of stocking...

I have had my eye on this pumpkin casserole dish for sometime but as I rarely entertain and rarely go anywhere besides to my in-laws for a BBQ... sometime in the future maybe.  You could buy it though, on Etsy.

Beautiful and creative pottery flowers (I love flowers), also on Etsy.

With school out and summer well on the way I have had a little less bloggin time.  The next couple of weeks are scheduled to be hectic, I will take lots of photos and post from my phone while I am on the road...

:o)  Tina

Fill in the Blank Friday

the little things we do

Happy Birthday Canada!  I am so done for the day. The regular bra is off, the sports bra is on, and my feet are up... but I still have to drag my tired bum to watch the fireworks (I don't love watching the fireworks, but as a mother, I am obligated). I hope you have a happy Friday and have amazing things planned for the long weekend.  I am going to take FOUR days off and relax... perhaps even finish Penelope's curtains and her quilt...


1. The best news I ever received was when the doctor said "It's a boy!" and three years later and much more surprisingly, "It's a girl!"

The Little Man on the left and Penelope on the right.

2. Something I'm looking forward to is going on our family vacation to beautiful amazing Vancouver, BC for my family's annual Sports Day.

3. Something I would never do is go skydiving or bungee jumping - I have a hard time forcing myself to jump from the rope swing at our local pool.  I redefine chicken.

4. If I could choose someone to be my life coach (famous or not, living or dead), I'd choose this older man who lives in my city who came from Germany or some such place with like $12 and now owns half the town.  I might be less of a slumlord than he is but I would love to have outright title to a large amount of real estate, it would make me feel secure.  That is for my business life - my money making life. Personally, CH (although he often feels like dirt as a result of his degenerative joint disease and the complications arising from that) is a wonderful life coach on his good days.  He is kind and patient and understanding of human nature - like I said, on his good days...

Good Day....Not so Good Day

5. If I had to put a label on my style it would be plain.  I almost always wear the same combination of plain pants or capris or shorts with a bright orange, red, pink, or blue t shirt.  Pretty lame.  I need a makeover.

6. One should always be kind to others. I believe that there is always a reason for people to bring them to a place where they are acting badly and it is a good idea to always remember not to burn bridges and to take the feelings and reactions of others into consideration.  My email signature reads "Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.”  It costs you nothing to be kind but it may cost others dearly if you are not.


7. I want to become wealthy and famous for my amazing skills as a blogger, sewer, crafter, mother and spectacular wife! hahaha


Have a safe and happy long weekend!

:o) Tina