When something makes you laugh out loud...

...at the expense of an others misfortune, you simply must grab the camera to capture it so you can laugh later...minutes, hours, days, even years later. To me this picture is one to revisit. I was at the dining table with Roland when I here a little whimper than a very dramatic "ohhh nooo mommy, mommy, I don't know what happened". I going running (not really, just moved slightly faster than I normally would walking to Sasha's room, because...well...Sasha cries a lot, so you never know when it is serious or not, they sound the same) As soon as I saw her I laughed out loud and not a "lol" (totally overused and annoying, and I just don't always believe the person actually "Laughed out Loud", some people even attach it to the end of every sentence as if it were a period, HOWEVER with that said there are many times when it is appropriate and the person really did laugh, I have even used it myself a time or two) kinda laugh, it was a giggle then a deeper in the throat laugh. Anyway...(my, my that was a bit long winded, sorry)
I told her to stand still, grabbed my camera cause she looked to darn cute. What was she taping you might ask? Her teacher gave her a book for Christmas and she thought it would look nice taped to her wall. I gotta hand it to her for creative displaying.
Have a lovely day
Mar

Shopping in my Parents Basement

Popped by my mom and dads after work/kids school day for a cuppa Joe and a chat. While dad and I were chatting I had mentioned I wanted to give Sasha one of my Cabbage Patch dolls for Christmas and would he mind digging "Nicholas Albert Adams" out of one of our many boxes of dolls and stuffies. No problem. Then I remembered seeing these funky green glasses ages ago on their "Garage Sale" (btw the "Garage Sale Table has been around for about 12 years...my parents are not garage sale people so looks like I will have my own personal Eco shop for a while)table that I thought I would like. So I ended up having a wee shop. I have been wanting some good solid mixing bowls as well and lo and behold there was a perfectly good set in hues of avocado green. Fun. I remember loathing this colour as a child, possibly because it was the colour of everything in the 70s/early 80's, tub, toilet, sink, home decor, glasses, clothing...but now...I LOVE it, it just feels so retro yet earthy and goes great with pink or red. Next we found the glasses I had spotted, and there ended up being 2 types of glasses in 2 shades of green. Wow wow wee wow! Now I think the stubby glasses would be great for 'egg de nog' with fresh grated nutmeg and the mini wine glass shaped ones would be great for sherry and for the kids drinks at Christmas dinner, lovely for 'cheerzing'. oh oh then I found a box marked "Barbies". I opened the box and saw all these wonderful dolls and a flood of childhood memories went through my head. I saw my Brook Shields doll, with her luscious brown locks cropped to her head, a couple of other Barbies with their hair cut too, a couple with brown marker coloured on their crotch and underarm area...nice. (that one was compliments of my cousin Karen) All these beautiful gowns that I remember so vividly, the funky green and pink furniture, oh and the Cindy doll with the huge head, she was always the "bad" one. The ken dolls were wearing knitted outfits my Grandma from B.C. would make and send us. We closed up the box before I ended up tearing the whole box.
Me - "I can't believe you still have these."
Dad - "We have everything, the box is clearly marked "Barbies"
Me - "I know you have everything I just assumed these got lost"
Dad - "You and your sister need to come and take a day and go through all this stuff, I keep telling you guys"
Me - "I know"

My parents are not pack rats per say. They are the neatest, cleanest most organized people EVER. But I know why they keep everything...memories. You would never know they had a treasure trove of knickknacks, home decor, lamps, clothing, all of our toys and a mountain of high school and college stuff. And with a bunch of this stuff my sister and I have reused, re purposed for our homes and our kids. Watching Roland, Sasha, Lucy and Molly playing with our Strawberry Short Cakes, and Fischer Price Record players, ovens and little people is so much fun. Getting to relive our Childhoods through our kids...absolutely priceless. So this I say "Thank you" to my mom and dad. Just know it is truly appreciated that you have kept these treasures and one day soon Amy and I will help go through it all, and as you mentioned today "You're going to have to do it one day or another" I think it will be great fun, I can already hear the laughter and tears.

Coming to an end...& Shop Local Please

Well it is official. I announced my Boutique is closing. I had already told my family and friends but it still did not feel like the end, until yesterday. Have to say I can feel the weight starting to lift off my shoulders, so much so I even took the time to apply red lipstick today. I'm feeling flouncy and excited for the future. The kids are looking forward to me being more present. And I know as my stress from the Boutique starts to fade, my happiness will transfer to my family. I started this venture of opening the Boutique as a need and a want to serve the community of Kincardine.

Here are two things I have discovered, my loyal customers were loyal and really and truly lovely, a pleasure to serve. (I simply needed 10 more people for every one on them to last) The second thing I learned is this is a tough town to break into, sometimes you are not even given a first chance and a lot of times there is no second chance.

Now for the rant section:
I am always amazed when I hear a comment from a local when they say "I never even knew about this great shop" (this is in reference Harbour Rose when they were on Harbour St). In my head this is what I am thinking "Seriously in FOUR years you have not walked or driven down Harbour St., you have not watched the KCTV ads, you do not listen to our radio station or read our papers...REALLY, it never occurred to you to go downtown to get your friends/mother any ones gifts...REALLY." Harbour Rose is now on Queen St. It is a true jem in our downtown core, in fact, I have purchased many lovely things for my home and kitchen, wedding and shower gifts and I was just in there yesterday purchasing gifts for 5 people on my list, it was easy, to pick out things. Gabby, is so helpful and has such a love and passion for her shop, it makes me want to support her so we never lose her. (don't worry she's not going anywhere, just bare with my little rant). Here is my other PEEVE...when I here "Westshore is expensive"...grrrr...really, have you every been to any comparable shops in Toronto, London or Kitchener??? They are on par with them and sometimes cheaper than the city and very often have a great sale going on. Not only do you get great products you get honest suggestions you get a personal stylist when you go in to buy something. When you go to the states for a shopping weekend and get all those great bargain they come at a cost too, hotels, food, gas. So really not a huge savings, if its a girls weekend you are after go to a resort or spa or the city. Stop helping the American Economy and help jump start ours. People like Gabby and Tonya are the heart and sole of our downtown, it is not an easy job, perhaps a "Thank You" would be nice the next time you are shopping downtown. With all that said, I know we are all watching our pennies a little more closely but my message here I guess is, if you have a job be it Bruce Power, Municipality, Banks, Restaurant, School Board whatever, start spending your hard earned money in town and if a shop happens to not have exactly what you want perhaps you really don't need it. Just a thought.

Warmest regards from an almost free woman
Marcia

1940's Cookie Press

Many moons ago I bought this cute cookie press for $12 at a flea market with the intentions of using it All the time. I really liked the graphics on the box and that every piece was still intact and in perfect condition. Well after X amount of years I finally used it tonight. Me and Sassy Cat baked Vanilla Cookies from the little recipe book that came with the press.
The Cookie press is sooooo easy to use and cookies are a perfect size for little hands. And the recipe said it makes 4 dozen and guess what?...It made 4 dozen. That has never happened to me before. Long live the 1940's and their tiny portions.

"New" Fireplace

After 2 years of living in our 17 year old house I finally painted our UGLY brick fireplace. I have nothing against brick fireplaces "per-say" just mine and its horrid pinkish/taupe/cinnamon colour brick (yes the same colour as my whole entire house outside) that you cannot match with anything (and why would you want to). So, day one removed everything then scrubbed the brick down with soap and water. Day 2 taped it and painted 3 coats. Done. I LOVE the new look. It changed everything. Then I needed a new mirror, blinds, an assortment of pillows and a lovely throw blanket to drape ever so non-shalantly over my leather club chair. My complete vision for my pocket sized living room is not finished yet. I will post when new things, arrangements take place.
Getting one thing done at a time and at a snails pace.
Lovely living room,

Marcia

Oh my Goodness!!! LOVE!

I am absolutely in LOVE with this company. www.loveheadmistress.com This one is going on my Christmas wish list. (note to self, introduce Dalton to my blog) How fun is this headpiece? I look forward to wearing one gallivanting around at the Lions Park or Tiny Tot, what a statement.

Headmistress is my lovely contribution for the day.

Over and Out
Mar
xo

Beginning of December...please snow soon.

December has started off with a bang. Got to see Lady Gaga on her second night of her concert tour. I LOVED it. She may not be for everyone but I sure do love me some dramatic, creative, funny, talented, women. I was actually surprised at how engaging she was with the audience and how funny she was (think Miss Piggy funny). And a little side note for any Gaga haters...her voice is lovely and she is not a cookie cutter pop star, she is 23 and doing her own thing and she wants to provoke and entertain, I'd like to see you play the piano with an art instillation circling your body! She is fantastic! Okay I'm done going gaga for the Lady.

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When Roland was a wee baby I took him to Walmart to get some photos, the photographer sucked and had a crap personality, next we tried Sears, they were a little better, just really boring. Then I discovered...wait for it...wait for it...professional photographers. My love of them started when I got pregnancy/family photos when I was preggers with Sasha. Julie from Dream Catcher Photography www.dcpcanada.com in London was friendly and energetic and great with Rolie, . Next I tried the Great Canadian Superstore for photos, while my sister has great luck with these guys...sadly I do not...at all. Then came Lisa Stead www.photosbylisa.ca, fabulous, she was able to do a wonderful shoot with the kids at 1 1/2 and 3 years old at their bedtime (bewitching hour)and I absolutely treasure the pictures she took. Next came Shandra at Exquisite Exposure in Kincardine, www.exquisiteexposure.ca, we did family photos at the beach then later a photo shoot with just Sasha. Shandra has a great eye for detail, the photos are fun and fresh, plus she is excellent with the little ones. My most resent success was with Kathleen from Wink Photography, www.winkphotos.ca. I love these photos, to me they are clean, crisp, funky with a side of "album cover creativity".

(If you are trying to check out the websites you man have to copy them on to a new page, not sure how to do the hyperlink properly.)

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Lovely Things so far in December
Pink Christmas Trees
Butter Pecan Cupcakes
Watching my little lady sneak tastes of the cupcake batter
Listening to Roland read...in french! (so clever)
Extra large Christmas tree in our tiny living room
White Christmas Trees on top of my mantel (Harbour Rose Boutique)
Dancing in the Boutique with Sasha
All the awesome sales downtown Kincardine (plus all the shops gift wrap...for FREE)
Santa gifts already to go
New job in the works
Kitchen ready for all the baking

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Have a lovely day...I know I am
Marcia