Windows!!

Hi everyone!

Simple surprises make me the happiest. I love the thrill of not knowing something is going to happen, and then it does, and I'm giggly for days! Today was a great example and tonight, I'm still in awe. We went out to "visit" the house today and look what we found: 

Windows peeking at us thru the trees!

In the front gables ....

.... and in the back ones too!

Inside the Art Studio.

Even inside our walk in closet!

Lots letting in light in the turret.

And creating light for B walking down the hall.

Not a window pic but my favorite one 

of the day showcasing the arches. 

Do you find wonder in the simplest things?

Late Bloomers!

Hi everyone!

Just a few quick shots from our garden. We have a few "later bloomers" that have decided to share their vibrant colors with us before this sunny and hot summer is finally done for the year. Enjoy!

How is your blooming garden this year?

Can you believe it?

Hi everyone!

I know that the retail market likes us to start our Christmas planning and shopping early. I like to be proactive with our preparations, especially in our cold climate. Gathering gifts early in the season, before the blizzards blanket our region with mountains of snow, always makes me feel better. However, the news I received tonight that our local Costco has their Christmas trees up, decorated and lit, along with aisles of decorations and toys blew me away!

Can you believe it?

Christmas in August!!

What is the earliest you've seen decorations out?

Fringe Week!!

Hi everyone!

I'm so excited to have just one more day of work and then I'm off for a much needed break until the 26th. I plan to purge the house, pack the things we'll keep and paint the rest of the walls and trim. Busy week but no schedule to follow, other than a theatre schedule that will keep us on our toes. 

Theatre schedule, you ask?

Why yes, I answer!

My dh and I met when we were cast together as a young couple at the tender age of 18 at the Citadel Theatre and the theatre/acting/film world has been a big part of our lives ever since that fateful summer. This summer, like most, begins to wind down with our involvement in the Fringe Festival.

Last year's parade on Opening Night. 

My dh is the guy on the right side, blue shirt!

Outdoor performances in the park.

Always draws big crowds of all ages.

Daring performers, music, theatre and creativity.

A favorite summer event each year!

For 10 hot, summer days, Fringe is our life.

Fun, festive, food and frivolity!!

Do you have a Fringe Festival in your community?

Oooohhhh!!!!

Hi everyone!

I've fallen in love with old wicker and have collected a number of pieces for our future veranda. To date, we've bought 2 rockers (1 white, 1 green), 2 white chairs, 2 green chairs and some nice baskets to put plant pots in. I'd love to find a couch and a porch swing. Maybe a small table but waiting to see how much space we have once we're out in the country. Keeping my eyes open all the time for the next piece, look what I found today online, in our community: 

Wouldn't this be a sweet addition to the veranda? I can just picture it, sitting off to the side, with a soft crocheted blanket gently laid across the interior. I've sent a note to the seller to see if anyone else has expressed interest. Fingers crossed I get a positive reply back! Wish me luck. Send a blessing!!

Do you have a sweet veranda?

What special items grace your space?

Too Hot to Work!!

Hi everyone!

We're back to having a heat wave this week in our little corner of the wold and today, it was way too hot to work. I went to the hospice but ended up spending quite a bit of time helping my student and my volunteer down in my basement classroom, organizing for start of the fall programs. It was so nice and cool down there! I should have been up in my office working on a budget or sending out notices but the heat on the upper floor was literally, unbearable. We were all sent home early but I came at 7:45 anyway, to beat the heat, so it was still a full day for me. 

I did plan to come home to get some work done but our house was just as hot, so the evening has been a bit of a bust. One load of laundry and some tv watching were the order of the night. My youngest daughter and I had a bit of fun "measuring" out different rooms in the new house to compare the difference in size with the old one. Fun! But quickly we all retreated to various rooms with fans running on cold. Tomorrow is a repeat of today for the forecast but thankfully, I'll be working at my other centre and we have deliciously cold air conditioning there!

How was the weather in your world today?

Our World is Sad Today ....

Hi everyone, 

It's hard to watch the daily news now. I often leave it off. So many conflicts happening around the world, causing grief and loss, of life, homes and livelihoods. Senseless and for most of us, a mystery why war is the only option for resolving conflicts that often have been raging for centuries. My wish for the world is that the weapons and the words stop, to be replaced with love, kindness, goodwill and compassion. A wish that likely will not ever happen but one that I can at least, in my own little world, give to others.

But today, we lost a wonderfully talented and giving individual who brought laughter to our hurting world. Robin Williams died today, at the young age of 63, a victim of suicide. I know the world for a time, will talk about and mourn his death, and then move on. Will we talk about his pain? Will we move towards an understanding of the pain that so many feel and live with, a pain that sometimes becomes so overwhelming, the only option, in the mind of those who suffer, is to end it by ending their life? Will his death create paths for communication? Will we promise to let his death make a difference? 

I hope, after all the shock wears off, and we take time to remember such a special and gifted man, that we'll turn the sorrow into care for his family and for those in the future who may walk down this path. Only I hope in the future, the stigma around suicide will stop and in that process, the need for suicide will stop. We need more programs, we need an openness and willingness to talk about the struggles in life that can be so overwhelming, and we need to offer a safe place for the sufferers to come when they get to this turning point. Not just a phone line. Or counselling. Or drugs. An actual healing place. We rehabilitate drug users. We rehabilitate alcohol abusers. Can we not rehabilitate those who view suicide as an option?

Rest in peace, Mr. Williams. I hope Heaven has welcomed you with open arms, and provided you a place to heal, until your loved ones arrive. Thank you for all you provided for this world: laughter, talent and energy. Robin, we'll all miss your smiling face!

Blah!

Hi everyone!

 

I'm currently snuggled up on the couch on our deck, with a cold Starbucks green tea to ease my hurting throat. Not feeling the best today. A bit rundown, with aches everywhere. Dh let me sleep in this morning and this afternoon we drove out to see the progress on our house. Not exactly the relaxing day I had in mind, which usually involves gardening or writing or dreaming. Today, laying around has been the only task to tackle. Hoping tomorrow I'm better so I can drive my dear friend P to her doctor's appointment at the hospital in the morning.

 

On to the progress on the house ....

 

 

The last part of the roof being lifted up.

 



 

My dh, always joking around, photobombing a pic!

 

 

Our Art Studio now has a floor!

 

 

Dh's gabled Art Studio nook for his desk ....

 

 

.... and across the room, my nook for writing and creating.

 

 

The long window that will go horizontally

above our "lockers" in the mudroom.

 

 

How the building team leaves notes for each other!

 

 

No floor in the garage. Where the workbench will be.

 

How was your day today?

Any exciting Sunday plans?