A mixed bag today

The morning was a write off as I had to take our old cat Chowie to the vet AGAIN. We were there yesterday and the poor old cat was diagnosed with diabetes. So you know what that entails.....just like a person.....he has to have two shots of insulin a day, a special diet, cause he's a little on the portly side.....so the morning was spent going over the procedures and teaching me how to inject the insulin. It's a good thing he's such a docile old man. It will make it much easier. So the Hubs will have to take over while I am away.....oh dear

In the midst of vet runs yesterday, it was our "goodbye" luncheon for one of the teachers where I work. Joelle got more time at her "other" job so we sent her off with a little lunch. I made her an apron and hot pad, because I know deep down she is a girly girl, and her hubby will get a laugh out of it. I also painted her a sign for their cabin because they spend a lot of time out there in the summer. It turned out really cute but I forgot to take a picture of it! DUH!!! But the gist of it was "What happens at the cabin........stays at the cabin! And I know Joelle and her friends, it's best left out at the cabin. She's so funny! I am going to miss her, not to mention the awesome back/neck massages......makes me sad.........



Blue and brown girly apron




Apron with its matching pot holder




More yo-yo- flowers with buttons




Girled up the pocket with Flowers




This is Joelle, she's so pretty!




Of course, I had to model it!  My friend Pam took the photo

Then after that full on day, the hubs and I went out for a nice dinner at my favourite restaurant and naturally I had my favourite meal.......beets, pears, goat cheese and chicken with candied pecans. OH YUM!
We were suppose to run this morning but of course I woke up to the thundering of raindrops......so I texted Trish and she wasn't much into being a drowned rat and either was I. A little different when you start out and then it starts to raining but to head out when there is a river flowing down the road......OMG! It can stop raining anytime. At the moment it is blue sky and the sun is shining brightly......well lets hope the morning is the same. I'm off to finish a smart phone cozy. Have a nice night.

Roses, roses, back breaking......

So..... on the weekend I finally got around to making my new flower bed for the two rose bushes we bought. And I got the red peony in it's new home. I had found a new way to start flower beds and so I gave it a try a few years ago and it seems to work pretty well. Back there against the greenhouse. I think it will look quite lovely bright read against the white walls. So with my trusting partner watching and supervising (his back is still tweaking) .......I did most of the grunt work and he wheeled the dirt over to the bed and dumped the bags in. It wasn't that hard but I tend to go at it full board and worry about the repercussions later. Even my fingernails hurt from pulling up the sod. So here it is and if it stops raining I will finish up the back bed one day soon.


About twice the size as before.





Topaz Jewel




I was going to divide the Hostas,
 but they are just too beautiful in their giant form.



Need to finish with the edging and add more soil. And move a few things around

 Well it is our 25th Anniversary today, so we're heading out for dinner this evening with Grandpa as it would also be their anniversary if Weise was still with us. Loving the days off.....busy this week......lunches, sewing, crafting.......dinners......oh my goodness. How did I find time to work? Hope you have a grand evening! Cheers!

Yipppeee! Done like Dinner!

Okay...so maybe I shouldn't be so happy......ya right! Friday was my last day of work for 73 days! That's right, works out to 10 weeks and a bit, or 2 months and 13 days or there abouts. Not that I am counting.....Hahaha! But I did! I really look forward to having the summers off, one of the many benefits of working for the School District. I plan so many things to do over the summer, I wear myself out somedays. My usual plan is to read a book a week, so I hope to make a trip to the library for a few and of course, when I am travelling I will have my trusty Kobo e-reader. I will be loading it with half a dozen books. A couple for the plane ride to Ireland and back and one or two for the evening read. Then there is my backyard and the flower beds. The hubs and I got one finished yesterday for the new rose bushes, and it looks mighty nice, if I do say so myself. I love playing in the dirt, but my nails and hands don't feel quite the same. So I had to give myself a good manicure this morning as I still have a few events to attend this week. I've still been working on one of my sewing projects which I hope to finish up today. I also made a Smart Phone Cozy for a gal at work. It is very cute. So I thought while I was at it I may as well throw together a few more to add to our table.


Smart Phone Cozy hanging with the geraniums




Not a Smart Phone but you get the idea




Lined with Pink Ribbon fabric

So need to get a move on here and back to the chores at hand. there's sewing, baking, gardening, shopping, laundry, and a whole bunch more. So I shall return and hopefully a little more frequently over the summer.Ciao for today. I hope you have a great sunny day!

Whoa! Where did that week go..................???

Well I did have good intentions of writing a few things this week but darn it all! I missed it. And not because I have been lazy......no sirreeee Bob! The hubs is slowly on the mend, so I have been in charge of mowing the lawns....and well I have to do it just right apparently......Like I don't.....pfffffff....then I started all these little sewing projects and crochet projects, because I thought I was getting behind on things for our table in the Fall. So I made a couple of Kobo/Kindle carrying pouches......in between "aprons" of course. Trish and I have had a couple of longish runs this week and back in the pool. Last Saturday we did a 15km run and I thought I had done myself in...... but I was okay on Monday to go out running again so we found a nice loop but toooooo many hills! Yikes! They are a killer. Then on Wednesday we just did our usual run.......she said they both were not good runs.....but I seemed to be okay. Touch wood. I know I am about a 15km girl and I can't push it right now.....but I need to be well rested so that when I get home in August, I will be able to train up for the Kelowna Half Marathon. I am looking forward to it so I really need to be careful......

According to the calender it is suppose to be summer now........I think it has by-passed us this year. Sad.....well with any luck it will appear after Friday when summer vacation starts. At this rate the grass will be a foot high and I will need a couple of goats. I picked up a couple of plants at the nursery on Sunday, a dark red Peony, not sure of the name off hand but I have been looking for one forever, and also two yellow roses. One is a Persian Yellow and the other is a Topaz Jewel so now is the dilemma of hmmmmm......where shall I make a new flower bed(s)??? Ripping up some more lawn! Ya baby!....As it stands now there are sections of our back lawn that needed an overhaul. So making a flower bed shouldn't be a big deal.....it's just putting it in the right spot.


Red Peony




Topaz Jewel




Persian Yellow



I really liked this saying when I saw it......and honestly just think of the mess when you're done. It's just too exhausting. So the Happy Dance will be starting at three tomorrow......everybody get your shoes ready!

Oops! I'm doing it again!

Well my friends that know me well can attest to the fact when I get into something new I kind of go over the top with it......so I started a new little sewing project! But I promise!!!!! I will not get carried away and become obsessed with making these little ditty's! They are just so darn cute! Look out friends you know you're going get one eventually! Sooooo it all started with these.......



Pink and yo-yo flower gingham apron from my daughter Jane.




The black and white paisley is from Kait, it's a little bit dressy.




This is the Sunflower Apron I just finished. Cute!




I love this one, and I love that the shoes match! And "no" I didn't make this one.




This is going to be my next one, just need to finalize the design. It certainly would help if I had a pattern.

So I been perusing a few blogs and have found a few that are dedicated Apronista's. In fact that is one of the blog names. Too funny! Just when I think I thought of something new .......I live such a sheltered life! Anyway, for now I am going to do a little crocheting before I pack it in for the night. So I am off to drink my tea and finish crocheting a cowl......why is it when the weather turns warm my mind wonders???? Running tomorrow just need to check with Trish as to the time. I know it won't be early so it's a sleep in morning....have good night!

Treats for my Sweets

This morning I decided to use some of the rhubarb I have growing and make some muffins for my girls. Not 'My" girls but my girls at work. I have these little dainty muffin tins that my mom had given me and so I made three dozen Rhubarb and Streusel muffins. Some to put in my cute little cake dish that I picked up at Winners yesterday. Cause you know it's all in the presentation! Some for the freezer and a whole bunch to bring to work. I think I am on a roll with the baking right now, I have a few other mini cupcake recipes I want to try, so they will be next on the list.


Rhubarb Muffins



Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

Strawberries and Whip Cream cupcakes

All of these look absolutely delish! So Ican a see a trip to Michael's in the near future to pick up cupcake papers and if I could find a cupcake holder......even better!

Last night during that fiasco of a game 6 Stanley Cup playoff......I decided I was going to make an apron for a friends birthday that is coming up so I tore myself away from the TV ( believe not a hard task at all) and went in search of fabric.....I found just the right combination and then started to make up some little yo-yo flowers for the embellishments. I just need to run down to our "ONE and ONLY" fabric store and grab a few things. I'll keep you posted on that project......no pattern just going to wing it......we'll see how that works for us. Later my friends.....have an awesome day!

            Do not let what you cannot do....
                  interfere with what you can do.

The "Things" that get me sooo excited!

I have to just share this with my blogger friends. Yesterday, I finally convinced the Hubs I "needed" a push mower. You know the kind....if you're over 50.....anyways the rolling blade and you push it, and it doesnt' take any gasoline, it takes two legs and two arms.......Well we picked one up from Sears yesterday.....and I was sooooo excited to get home and try this baby out. Well.... let me tell you "Gracie" did not disappoint me.  (Of course she has to have a name!) No sirree! She is wonderful. And what a good workout! The brute that the Hubs bought nearly finished me off last week, way too big and heavy for this petite femme fatale! But "Gracie" now she is a real dream, it doesn't mulch the grass clippings but you know what it, the lawn looks wonderful! So you see.......it doesn't take much to make me happy! I was doing the "Happy Dance".....now can you say that mowing the lawn?


Me.....doing the Happy Dance!




My new Love




This is a my new "need to have"

 I will be hitting Winners today to see if they have any of these adorable glass cake holders. I saw them last week but didn't get back this weekend to pick one up but I will be going there today because won't  some sweets just looking darling sitting in here? I think so......well today it is pouring cats and dogs.....I was suppose to go running this morning with Annie but since I didn't get to sleep until 2 am. this morning,  getting up at 4:30 to run in the pouring rain wasn't going to happen. Not that the rain usually deters me but the lack of sleep certainly does, and that happened last week so "nada" today. I'm looking out my backyard and I have come up with a few ideas to add to the flowerbed dilemma. The Hubs and I looked around Art Knapp's yesterday and there are "many" plants I want to try. Well it's Monday and you know what that means...........time to pitter patter......have a great day!

It's Saturday night.......and now's its Sunday!

Chocolate seems to be calling my name.....but the Hubs thought we should go for a drive instead of staying around the house. With no hockey on till Monday night not much to do in the evenings, we really aren't movie watchers and there isn't a chance of doing anything outside with monster mosttquitoes dive bonbing you and gnawing their way into your skin. So a drive we went.....as we are always on the look out for a smaller house but when it comes down to location, location........there is not another place that we have found that Steve would be happy with. Well.......there are a few places but I don't think I won 649 last night!

Our venture landed us up on the Hart in the Highlands and we drove around looking at yards and houses and came to Trish's street, but I don't think she was home, and as it has it, another couple we know were outside planting and washing their car so we stopped in to say "Hi!" and well one thing led to another and we were there for a few hours. Yvonne is "Gardener Extraordinaire" after wondering through her back yard I wanted to come home and rip out our yard! OMG! It was gorgeous! But...... it is also half the size of my yard. And that's a good thing! I think I would like to put a few more beds in, now that I have seen hers but I'm not sure really where to start....but I will think on it for a few days. She gave me a cutting of Lady's Mantle with a beautiful leaf and a real spreader so I will be careful where I put that baby! I wonder if she is will be available for a consult? I will have to ask her.

Lady's Mantle



I've always wanted a little bridge over a pond. Steve could go fishing!



Love the fact that there is no grass! I am sure the bird bath would be a perfect spot for Steve to have a perch!



Can you imagine moving these boulders around?!



I love these manicured lawns and yards and dream of having oodles of flower beds and bushes. So maybe that will be my next project when I am down work here in a few weeks........ before I head out for the Isle of Green. Hmmmmmm.......... wonder where I should start. Hope you're having a great weekend!

All you need is deep within you waiting to unfold and reveal itself.

 All you have to do is be still and take time to seek for what is within, and you will surely find it.

So there it was .....gone!

That was one of the most productive weekends in a  long time. Having Friday off too "professionally develop" myself did wonders for my mood and for getting things accomplished. My day started early-ish 6:30 which is a few hours later than the norm but hey I'll take it. Trish and I were running up her end of the city so it was a nice change of scenery and a good all round run. Although......we did take off rather quickly and realized half way the error of our way....but too late we were running like the wind. And still managed to yap up a storm. With both of our days planned and a tour around her beautiful yard I was going home to start my mission. I finished planting the remaining geraniums along the driveway, ahhhh they look so nice. Then a quick bite to eat and a coffee I sat down to enjoy an episode of  "The Young and Restless".

Ya, ya, I know.....I've been watching that show longer than I've had kids. Funny none of them get any older looking. The characters remain the same, just the faces are different, anyways I love that show and very rarely do I get to watch it, so I did and got caught up again........then I was down to the dungeon to clean out the creepy crawlers and all the Spanish lace hanging about.....Yech! with that done in record time and smelling all bleachy I went outside and proceeded to mow lawns cause I am a wonderful wifey and didn't want the Hubs to have to come home after his week and do them. Plus being a tad OCD I usually like to do them once a week just to primp and fluff. I know eh! Give it up already Woman!  I have tried but to no avail I'm afraid. Born and bred that way. Not only did I mow them once but TWICE!!!! Sicko!!!! Yup that's me.....with that I knew I still needed to edge a few flower beds cause I live next door the Gardening Guru. So onwards .......I finished up around 2:40 after moving some flagstone stepping stones around, I heard a "pop" in my back so I knew I was pretty much done for the day......in to clean up......Oh my.....had to have a shower before I could have a soak in the bubbles! Just a wee bit dirty......but no problem two muscle relaxants, a great cup of "Jo" and back for Fridays episode of Y & R.......yup she's a  tough one I know. "Big Mistake!" one should not sit and stop.......the rest of my day was spent horizontal .......where's a good masseuse when you need them? The rest of my weekend was pretty uneventful, other than a bake-a-thon on Sunday for the Hubs to take down to the girls....but hey that's normal.....so how was your weekend? Good thing it was back to work today......I need a rest. Crikey!!

Happy June!

I'm so far behind,  I think I'm in first place! I can't believe it is June already..... We've been home from Hawaii for a month and so far I think I have accomplished "diddly squat!" But how can that be when I have so many projects on the go? Oh I don't know, I just think it never ends.....so I go downstairs to the basement yesterday because we were getting an estimate on new windows......well....   "Holy Guacamole!" What a flipping mess! It's been since Christmas that any of the kids have inhabited the basement so it's been a dropping ground for junk. So some serious cleaning is going to happen down there tomorrow. Cause yippee eye yo! Its Pro-D tomorrow (professional development) so I am taking the day-off and cleaning. Well that is after Trish and I have a long run planned for a wee bit later than usual so we can have a little bit of a sleep in. I love long weekends. So once things are put away and wiped down and all the creepy crawlers have been sucked up in the vacuum.....I may paint. I wish I could sell our pool table. No one uses it when they are home....and it takes up soooooo much room. So I will hide down there, put on the music and get it cleaned up. And it will be so much better when the new windows are in......and possibly I will put some new paint on the walls.

I found some more red and white geraniums yesterday and they need to be put into the front flower bed and the front will be planted. The Canucks are playing again Saturday against the Boston Bruins, so I want to BBQ and make a nice meal. I plan on trying something new Trish told me about, after work today I will get the ingredients and  it will have time to marinate.

June is a generous month with her precious gifts of lilacs and peonies. I can't wait for them to start blooming and to fill the house with their fragrances. Hopefully the days will be long and hot. Our smiles deepen, our laughter increases and our hearts lighten with the stress of winter behind us. Summer vacation is the best time of the year, time slows down to a flip flop routine. Nothing is written in stone and chores seem more pleasant. I hope you are making your plans for summer and enjoying the longer days. This month we can rediscover that it is life's enrichments rather than the "riches of life" that bring us true contentment. So bring it on!