Organized Rolls.

This year has been one that included a lot of purging and re~organizing. For years, I've had a very lovely vintage wooden box that holds our Christmas gift bags, bows, tissue paper, ribbons, and gift boxes. In our closet, my dresser has two long drawers at the bottoms that holds all our regular wrapping paper, gift bags and tissue paper. I felt like Martha Stewart the day I set that up when the kids were little. So much easier to be ready for holidays and celebrations when the wrapping piece is organized. However, the one area I had not figured out was the long rolls of Christmas wrap. They ended up in the back of a closet, or in the new cottage, behind the door in the linen closet. It's a walk in space, so there is room. But at times, I'd walk in, only to see a few of the rolls knocked over if someone came in to get more toothpaste or fresh sheets. The answer was easy ~ we needed some type of container to store the rolls in. I decided last week when I had an afternoon to just chill, and started googling. And found the most amazing option that arrived at our door a few years later. It feels good to be so organized now.

Photo #1 is the mess that was prior to my order. Varied rolls, always falling over! Photo #2 is the new option, ready to be put to work. Photo #3 is the finished task, with all the rolls neatly stored and secure. I love there is also extra space for bows as well as 2 big pockets for extra tissue or anything that is more flat but needs to be stored. And finally, photo #4 is showing how neat and compact this option has turned out to be. No more mess in our linen closet! This can also be stored under a bed but I prefer to not use the space under any beds to store items ~ I would probably forget they are there and then head out to buy more items! 

So how do you stay organized for Christmas?

~ Chy

Birthdays.

Starting in March, our "babies" will begin to celebrate

birthdays. I was thinking of that and decided to post

this sweet Susan Wheeler print of a mama holding

her tiny baby. Love the vintage carriage and the quilts.

When do your children have birthdays?

~ Chy

Welcome June.

Welcome June! This month has many celebrations. Our younger son's birthday is on the 11th. Then Father's Day on the 20th. And Summer begins the next day. For the entire month, we celebrate Pride ~ an important time for our family and friends who have in the past struggled with their identity but now find support and honor in the community. June is also the end of the school year and our Spring programs. A time to take a bit of a break before we start new programming later in the Summer. Great month!

Do you have many things to celebrate in June?

~ Chy

Happy Canada Day!

A national holiday that celebrates our

vibrant history, culture and diversity.

We're a quiet country, intent on a peaceful

existence, kind to our neighbors and guests.

A country intent on spreading the love, 

sharing the wealth, spending time in the 

great outdoors and making sure our people are 

well cared for. I'm proud to call this nation home!

Today, for the first time ever, we're staying 

home instead of lining up for the big pancake 

brekky at the lake, enjoying all the fun outdoor 

activities all day (all free!) and finishing up with 

the big fireworks display when the sun finally 

sets, around 11 p.m. For today, we'll be picking 

weeds, hauling dirt and enjoying watching/helping 

our amazing contractor create a new circular 

drive (okay, its really more like a nice big loop!). 

Lots of work that was pushed back a few days

due to the intense storms all week, including

being under a Tornado Warning for most of

the afternoon yesterday. The sky is now blue,

the air is warm and the soil a bit wet but

perfect for pulling weeds! Wherever you are

and whatever you are doing today, I'll hope

you'll take a moment to raise a glass (or

a shovel!) and whisper "Happy Canada

Day" into the wind. I'll be waiting to hear it!

What are your big plans on this beautiful Canada Day?

Will you be celebrating along with us wherever you are?

My 400th Post!!

Hi everyone!

I woke up this morning with a happy and light heart. Some days are so hard, some days are better and many are great. Today is one of those great days! Celebrating my 400th post is top of my list and although I have no grand plans, I feel like I've accomplished something in this small feat. 

Next on my list is the news that I have a new boss. Well actually, I'm getting my old boss back! We had a new Executive Director for a very short 8 months but he was definitely not a good fit. So he resigned, she stepped back in to the role that she had left 8 months ago and we're off on our journey again, after months of being "stalled". So excited for this transition. She is an amazing boss and it's a joy to work under her leadership.

And last on my list today, the utility companies we contacted yesterday to set up our services on the land already contacted me back. Wow! We're doing this early, thinking they will have long wait lists but so far, it looks good to have all our services contracted in well before our move in date. 

Hmmmm, after reading over my post, maybe I should plan a little celebration today! Maybe I'll bake, or make a nice dinner or sit in the garden and sip sweet, icy raspberry lemonade. 

Or do all three!!

Hope your day is off to a good start. Happy Monday!

It's a ....

 .... healthy, beautiful, not born just yet baby ....

 

GIRL!!

 

And we are thrilled to have her

join our family in about 8 weeks.

 

Our second grandbaby, first granddaughter.

 

Can't wait for this special birth day!!

This boy ....

.... loves Santa Claus and gets so excited

every single time he sees the man in the plush red suit.

 

It could be a Christmas card that comes in the mail,

with old St. Nick on the front.

 

Or a tv commercial.

 

Or out shopping and the visuals are every where.

 

He talks about Santa, says his name clearly and with glee.

 

But put him on the man's knee and this is what happens ....

 

 

Think we'll skip the visit to the North Pole next year!!