To a caring and loving home!!

Yes, my friends, the curio cabinet (from "The Queen's Cupboard") has arrived, yesterday to be exact, but I had a few things to do to it before I could write about it.  You remember what it looked like in the store (check out previous posts).  This is what it looked like when it found it's new, loving home.............................

And this is what it is looking like now that I have started to fuss around with it.  Doesn't mean that I will leave it like this but I had to rustle up a few things to make it feel welcome.................

For some reason it has taken on a bird theme and, notice the cloches?   Yes, they each have a birdie inside them also.

I finally decided to paint a mirror that I have had for over 30 years.  It has followed us all around to every new home we have lived in and this is how I repay it for all it's loyal service, but I LOVE it, I'm just surprised that I haven't done it before now.........................

Here is some artwork I have just framed.  I took cheap Dollar Store frames and painted them cream and gave them an aged look.  I think they make the prints look so sharp.  The first four are my son's paintings and the last one is my dear friend Laurie's (from:  http://laurie-whentheboughbreaks.blogspot.com/  ). I'm not that good at taking photos and can't seem to get them completely straight, but you'll get the idea.  At least when they are up on the wall they will be straight, LOL

Well, that's about it for now - just had to let you all see the beautiful curio cabinet.  After it had arrived I had to do a little work on it.  Unfortunately the door wouldn't close, probably because the dampness of the paint made the old wood swell, so this afternoon I spent about 3 hours sanding the top and bottom of the door and now it closes like a dream.

Finishing off with a new photo of my darling grandson that my son sent me today, can't wait to see him and my new little grand-daughter (when she arrives - just two more months for the latter) .............................

Have a great weekend.  Talk to you again soon.  Oh, and I cancelled my Etsy Account.  It wasn't doing anything for me and I decided not to put more money into it.  I think there is a knack to it, but it escapes me.  So, it will be the Craft Shows again this year.

What a difference a day makes!!

Yesterday was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and it was above zero, but today, what a change.  We woke up to lots of snow and now, late afternoon, the wind is howling and swirling the snowflakes around and around.  We have been so fortunate (only if you don't care for snow) that the weather has been temperate so far this winter, but I think we are going to start paying the price.  Take a peek.......................

Spent a very nice afternoon with my son, Gareth and his lovely girlfriend, Chelsie.  They stayed for supper, very plain this time, just roast pork, potatoes, turnip mashed in butter, gravy and Finnish apple cake with custard for dessert.  How quickly we turn away from sickly sweet or overly rich foods.  I'm sure I am like you, I still have too much left that hasn't even been touched yet.  I guess it will keep.  This same son received a Keurig coffee maker from his lady for Christmas and very kindly passed his used one on to me.  Not complaining, it's a Cuisinart, makes fabulous coffee.........................

I did very well for Christmas also, my son Phil who came to visit me (that in itself was a wonderful gift) gave me a new set of bathroom scales and a lovely wall plaque which I showed you in a previous post; the son and girlfriend, previously mentioned, gave me a great DVD player amongst other things like this..................

and my third son and his wife gave me a safety bar to put on my bath to help me get in and out......................

My dear friend Laurie, a very talented artist, of  

http://laurie-whentheboughbreaks.blogspot.com/

gave me permission to frame one of her latest creations.  Here it is in a beautiful frame given to me for Christmas by son Phil...........

All in all, I did very well for Christmas and I must say it turned out to be one of the best in a very long time, being with family makes all the difference.  The only thing missing was not having my son Dave and his wife and baby here.  Maybe next year I will spend Christmas with them, who knows.

I reduced all the prices on my Etsy account - haven't been selling anything anyway.  I think I had better stick with my Craft Shows.  I had created an Etsy shop so that I wouldn't have to lug all my stuff around, this being difficult for me because I don't drive and if I couldn't get my jewelry, etc. to the destination in my carts, then I would have to ask for help, which wasn't always easy to get.  We'll see what the New Year brings and if nothing then I will cancel.  At least I tried.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChrisCarterCreations?ref=em

I put all my decorations away, except for the tree which is going tomorrow and changed my furniture back to the way it was.  I had moved it around to make it easier for everyone to watch the old goggle box, so it's now back to normal and I wonder what happened to Christmas.

I changed it back to this......

That's about it for now.  Have to check out the blogs of other bloggers and see what they have been up to.  Have a wonderful week.

A Crafting We Will Go

Phew, the last few days have been so busy with Craft Shows that today I decided to have a very quiet day and not do a thing, but it was such a nice day out there, cool but sunny, that I couldn't stay home so I walked to the Mall and picked up a few things, some more bits and pieces to make Christmas earrings as the ones I made the other day were disposed of very quickly, LOL  I should have taken a photo of the last ones I made because they were very pretty, with red and green pointsettias.  The new ones I made today were more like Christmas tree decorations.

I also picked up a few things to make a small Christmas table centre, nothing fancy, just something to brighten the place up.



Here are a few pictures from the last three craft shows ............

The Community Business Centre

The Nursing Home

The School

Fortunately I have a break from Craft Shows until the weekend when I have one on Saturday at a Nursing Home and the second one at the Moose Lodge.  Just two more after that and I am finished for this year.  My Etsy account so far is doing zip so I may just have to keep doing the Craft Shows until everything is sold.  If Etsy doesn't pick up over the Christmas season then I might consider closing it in the New Year, afterall it isn't exactly free.

One more picture of my darling grandson, just because I am so proud, LOL...................

Have a wonderful week, until we meet again, God bless.



I feel like a "Shut-In".

The weather here in the Soo has been terrible the last two days, rainy and gale force winds, not funny.  I haven't been able to get out and walk to the Mall, which I usually do at least once, sometimes twice a day.  Of course I could catch a bus, but by the time I got to the bus-stop and then to the Mall from the bus-stop I would be absolutely soaked, so what would be the point?  I'm just hoping for better weather tomorrow.

So, what have I been doing with myself to stop going nuts?  Well, I just finished refinishing an old microwave stand.  My plan was/is to do some art work on it and make it look like my deacon's bench but that will have to wait for another day - have to practice painting flowers and leaves before I attempt that.  Here's a picture of the painted stand.

I think I did a pretty good job.  I got a "thumbs up" from Laurie from http://www.howmytimeflys.blogspot.com/.  She is my resident expert on anything artsy.  I always go to her to ask her what she thinks of anything that I create.  She is such a good friend and so encouraging.

Gosh, I think the sun just came out, the first time in days.  Of course it's too late to walk to the mall now, talk about bad timing, LOL

With all this awful rain, Laurie, down the end of my hall has had a bit of a flood in her bathroom.  We have the roofers in putting a new roof on our building and they have just started to take off the old roofing so I guess an area around Laurie's apartment was a little vulnerable and water began to drip through.  She told me she was in the bathroom cleaning her teeth when she felt "drip, drip, drip" - she does have a wild imagination but this time it was for real.  The ceiling will have to be replaced, just another annoyance for our already overloaded supers to deal with.  At the present time we have the Cable people in replacing all the tv cable throughout the whole building, the Elevator people in replacing both of our elevators (huge job) and the Roofers.  All major jobs and all coming with their own smaller problems.  I bet the supers sometimes wish that Calgon could whisk them away.

I've just about wasted the day waiting and hoping that it would clear up and haven't accomplished much.  My apartment is nice and clean though, except for my craft room so I guess I could go and start on organizing that, but everytime I get it tidy, I untidy it by pulling everything out for a Craft Show or to pick out items for Etsy.  At least it gives me something to do.

I was wrong, the weather isn't getting better, the wind is still howling and blowing but the sun is still trying to peak out.  A waste of time if you ask me because it will begin to get dark soon.  Ah well, you can't blame him/her for trying.  Have a wonderful rest of the weekend my friends and I will talk to you again soon.

I'm linking this with Debbie's Newbie Party.



That kind of a day

Good morning - it's just that kind of a day today, not quite sure if it is going to rain or not and I'm not quite sure what I want to do either.  I have so many things that I could be doing but don't feel like doing any of them - perhaps the sun will come out and I will go for a walk.  Anyway, what I have been doing is making a few new necklaces and for the wont of something to post, I thought I would show you my latest ones.  These are just a few, very similar just different colours.  Glass hearts and crystal beads.  Pictures are not very good I'm afraid, dark and dreary indoors today, just like in my head, LOL

I'm slipping this one in here as I forgot to include it before.  I made some earrings for Halloween and this is one of the pairs.  Cute, right?  Well, I wouldn't be seen dead wearing them, LOL

I don't know why I am making new ones, I can't find homes for the old ones, LOL  So far, with my new Etsy account, I have sold one Jewelry Grab Bag.  I am very grateful to the buyer, but I would love to be able to sell just a couple a week, is that asking too much???  If the Etsy thingy doesn't take off, then I will have to be happy with the Craft Shows where I do quite nicely, thank you very much.  It's just that with the Shows, it's difficult to get to them as I don't drive and have to rely on some kind person to get me there and back and lately it has been Eileen, another crafty person.  We have at least three shows planned together in the next couple of months and perhaps more.

Well, I have been retired for just over four months now and have enjoyed every moment of it - not missing work at all, just the ladies, but things are winding down now and winter is coming so I will have to find new things to fill my days, hence my trying the Etsy thing.  There is no way I will be able to hibernate for five months in my apartment so I will have to look for some volunteer work, somewhere close by and not too strenuous.  Any ideas, anyone?  Well, that's it for me today.  Think I will go and paint a cabinet I have plans for.  Have a good one.

Happy Thanksgiving

Stopping by to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving.  It has been a beautiful week weatherwise and it looks like the weekend is going to continue with more of the same.  We are so blessed.  Have a safe and most enjoyable time with those that you love.  I will be cooking a beef roast for my eldest son and his lady on Monday (no traditional turkey for this young man, if I fed them just potatoes and gravy they would be in heaven).  I do have some orange cheesecake left over from when a very dear friend came to visit, so that will have to do for dessert.  Been working very hard on my new Etsy account and am hoping that it will take off and give me something to do in my new found retirement, especially with the winter months approaching (too fast).  If you are so inclined, please pop in and check out my "creations".  Also, if you have any ideas to help me on my way, I would appreciate them.  Don't forget to take time to count your blessings this weekend (as we should every day).  Huggers, Chris



My New Etsy Account

Hi everyone,

Just a quickie to tell you that I have just opened my very first online Etsy account where I hope to sell my jewelry, etc.  Please check it out and please link it to your other friends' blogs (I yet have to learn how to link, LOL).  I hope you enjoy your visit there.  Let me know what you think of it please.  Here is the link... 

Thank you so much,

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChrisCarterCreations?ref=pr_shop_more

Rainy Day in Paradise

It's another rainy day here in the Soo.  Nothing much to do.  I'm still waiting for all the information I need to begin my Etsy account where I am hoping to sell my Crafts.  I am very anxious to start - don't know where this will take me, could be successful and give me something to do during the long winter months or I could be a dismal failure.  I certainly will give it my best shot anyway.  I have been busy taking photos of everything I need to set up and hope in a day or so I will enter into the world of Etsy.  Keep your fingers crossed for me please.  I will try and post a link on my blog, but that will take time as I have to master all the fundamentals first.

Just changed the wreath on my apartment door to reflect the season.................

The trees outside are beginning to change colour and I can't wait for the full-blown effect.  My friend Laurie will probably beat me in posting gorgeous pictures of our Fall - her hubby takes really great photographs - you can check out her blog here if you are interested, she is a wonderful artist also.......... 

http://www.howmytimeflys.blogspot.com/

I'm off to the movies this evening with the ladies from work.  I'm so happy to still have them in my life even though I have been retired for three months.  They very kindly include me in things like this.  I'm not sure who all are going, but I do know that Janis, Helena and Maddelena are.  Hopefully they have chosen a decent movie - some of the choices, well, at my age let's say, I can do without watching, LOL

The rain isn't letting up and I need to get out to the Library to pick up a DVD, so here I go, umbrella to the ready............

Of course I got drenched, but it sure does look pretty out there.  Now to while away some time before going out to the movies!!  I'm thinking of going to visit the family again in a couple of weeks.  I'm hoping this time I will get lots of cuddles from Rhys but will try and not be too disappointed if it doesn't happen - terrible two's and all that!!!! but who could resist trying to sneak a cuddle from this little darling..............



Apparently the movie we are going to see this evening is called "I don't know how she does it".

"I Don't Know How She Does It" follows a Boston-based working mother trying desperately to juggle marriage, children, and a high-stress job. Kate Reddy devotes her days to her job with a Boston-based financial management firm. At night she goes home to her adoring, recently downsized architect husband Richard and their two young children. It's a non-stop balancing act, the same one that Kate's acerbic best friend and fellow working mother Allison (Christina Hendricks) performs on a daily basis, and that Kate's super-brainy, child-phobic young junior associate Momo (Olivia Munn) fully intends to avoid. When Kate gets handed a major new account that will require frequent trips to New York, Richard also wins the new job he's been hoping for—and both will be spreading themselves even thinner. Complicating matters is Kate's charming new business associate Jack Abelhammer (Brosnan), who begins to prove an unexpected source of temptation."



Sounds like fun - it had better be, LOL.  I'll let you know later.  I'm home now from being out with the "girls" and I have to say that the movie was cute.  We had a few chuckles and it was good to spend time with them.  I'm hungry now, so I think I'll dig in the fridge and see what I can come up with.  Nighty-night and have a wonderful day tomorrow.

Now that Fall is here (almost)

As dismal as it would seem to be, being the fact that Summer is almost over (officially that is), Fall is quickly coming to our neighbourhood.  I find Fall to be one of the most beautiful seasons of all and I treasure the cooler temperatures, not being a sun lover and never having been.  This is what I like, it sure beats pictures of the beach, at least this is my opinion - check this out - this is what we have all around us at this time of year...........

Now, isn't that GORGEOUS??  I'm not an outdoors type of person, except for my continual walking to the Mall (does that count?) but I sure do have an appreciation for the beauty all around me.  Today, it's a very wet day and, believe it or not, I do enjoy rainy days, as long as I am looking out of the window and not having to go anywhere........................

View from my window, looking towards the Library where I worked until three months ago.  Now that I have been home from my trip visiting family and missing my darling grandson so very much (another trip perhaps?)....................

I have to find things to fill my days because shopping at the Mall and losing at the Casino are just not good enough for the long Fall and Winter days ahead.  I have some very lovely friends with whom I spend time going for dinner, theatre and different shows throughout those times, but I also need something else.  I have decided to open an Etsy account and try and sell my handcrafted jewelry.  I have begun the process, but just like everything else in my life I need a push to continue with it and I think the PUSH is the change in the weather, which will keep me home more often.  So, look out dear friends, I just might be pressuring you to purchase my creations, LOL  This is a photo of a friend wearing one of my creations, I don't think she will mind if I show off her neck, LOL



Anyway, back to reality.  I was talking about how beautiful it is here during the Fall but I have to say that we are very blessed with lovely scenery all year round.  A while back I featured a few of our local historical buildings and I found that most people enjoyed reading about them, so I thought that I would add a few more this writing.

This is our beautiful Courthouse.

The Sault Ste. Marie District Courthouse, completed in 1922, was designed by Frank R. Heakes at the height of his career as Chief Architect of the Ontario Department of Works. The courthouse is a fine, and largely unchanged, example of Beaux-Artes Classicism combined with fine workmanship, material and attention to detail. The imposing nature of the structure demonstrates the economic confidence of the Sault at the end of the Clergue Industrial Period (1894-1911) and the Provincial desire to symbolically demonstrate the power of the judicial system.  (Thanks to Linda Burtch).

This is our local Museum.  It used to be the Post Office.



Designed in 1902 by David Ewart, Chief Architect of the Department of Public Works in Ottawa, the Old Post Office is a fine example of turn of the century federal architecture, combining Victorian Classicism with excellent workmanship. Its significance as a symbol of the authority of the Federal Government is conveyed by its size, its dominant location in the downtown core and the use of the Classical Style as expressed by the use of pediments and pilasters. This building now houses the Sault Ste. Marie Museum.  (Thanks to Linda Burtch).

Here is a beautiful picture of St. Andrew's United Church (actually, my Church) and if interested, you can read up it's history from the Church website, it's too long to include here.......

http://www.standrewsunitedssm.ca/

This is a picture of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal Administrative Building.



The Administration Building was completed in 1895-1896 and housed the administrative functions of the canal.

I began with a beautiful picture of our area and I shall end with one (or two) also.  Another beautiful place to visit here in the Sault and which is very popular, especially in the summer for walking and the winter for cross-country skiing, is Hiawatha Park and it's gorgeous Falls................

These are called the Crystal Falls, worth a visit.  Now that I have you all excited about the Sault, perhaps you would consider coming for a visit and taking the train tour - it really is fabulous in the Fall....................

This is where you can read all about it.  I have taken the tour with friends and it truly is a wonderful experience.

http://www.agawacanyontourtrain.com/content/tours/canyontour/

That's about it for now.  Have a wonderful day.  Talk to you again soon.

Summer's End

Well, it really isn't the end of summer, not officially anyway, but the weather here today was absolutely, downright cold.  The temperature was 10 degrees celcius and that's pretty cool for around here at this time of year.  I notice from the weather forecast that it will get warmer for the rest of the week and for that I am grateful because this week I am heading down south to see my darling grandson and his mummy and daddy on the Greyhound bus and nice weather would be a blessing.  The evenings are drawing in and it gets darker much earlier now.  In some ways I like this as it is cozy indoors but not good if you still want to be out and about.  Living downtown I always make sure that I am home before sunset, unless of course I am with a friend with a vehicle.

I was not very happy today, well, actually it was yesterday that it started, but the bus that I have been catching home for years is not going to make it's usual stop at the Mall.  It was so handy, especially if one had made lots of purchases, to catch the bus just there, where it is also protected from any bad weather.  From inside the mall entrance one could watch the bus approaching from the Main Street.  I was so upset by this that I wrote a letter to the local Transport Manager and I said that I was writing on behalf of myself and others who are not familiar with voicing their opinions.  I don't suppose it will change anything but at least I think they should be told, afterall, it is the general public who keep the wheels turning, right? 

Well, that is off my chest, now what next?......................

As I said earlier, the evenings are drawing to a close much sooner.  It's dark now by 8.00 p.m. whereas just a short while ago it was at least 9.30-10.00 p.m. before it was dark.  I don't really mind, I certainly make sure that I am home before it starts to get dusky.  Living downtown it's not a good idea to be out alone when it is like that, so I make sure that whatever I do, I'm home when the sun starts to go down.  Here are a couple of pictures of what it is like around at 8.30 p.m..................

Okay, now onto something else.  I had just typed in a whole load of stuff and the blog said it was saving it, but.............it all disappeared.  Don't you hate it when that happens?  I have to try and think of what I wrote now.  So, if I have repeated anything, you'll understand why.  Darn.

Recently I told you that I had sunburned my face whilst doing a craft show last weekend in the "country".  The burn on my face is okay now but my lips are still sore and swollen.  They are better than they were, the pain was something awful, can't believe that such a small area could cause so much pain.  Here's a pic of how much better they are, still somewhat swollen but healing.  Who needs Botox?...............

"I feel pretty, oh so pretty" - do you ladies remember me singing that to you at work and how much you used to hate it?  I miss those days when we had so much fun with Jane, Doreen, Marlene, Joan, Gloria, Nancy, Helena, Beth, just to name a few.  We would get into some mischief, but all in good fun and we ALWAYS got our work done.

Last evening one of my sons, Gareth, came over for supper and brought his lovely girlfriend, Chelsie, with him.  Supper was delish, at least everyone thought.  I served: porketta, new baby potatoes boiled in their skins, broccoli, mashed turnip (Gareth's favourite), gravy, Italian style tomatoes and cucumbers and of course the regular garden salad and garlic bread.  We finished it off with walnut pie and cream.    Gareth's girlfriend is of Italian background so is not used to my cooking, but then again, who is? LOL  She really did enjoy the new potatoes and gravy and couldn't get enough of them.  How sweet and to think I was worried.  I know what to feed her next time she visits!!!  I've already been told what to serve the next two times they come over.  Gareth told me that he would like ham and scalloped potatoes and then another time, roast beef, roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding.  Of course I will oblige.  Oh, I made this little arrangement for a centerpiece for the table...................

After their visit, I moved the arrangement to the living room.

Something special I have to mention.  A dear friend and neighbour Laurie has just opened an online Etsy shop where she will be selling her beautiful art.  I think it would be a great idea if you popped on over there to check it out.  Here is the link...........

LauriesPaintbox

All the very best and much success Laurie.  I'm sure that you will do very, very well.

Oh, three friends, myself and two others, made it to the September issue of SNAP which is a local magazine depicting many interesting events in the community.   http://www.snapsoo.com/  We had been at a musical evening where a very talented young man (Joseph Kargi) played the piano and sang, very well I might add.  Anyway, here we are......................

One last thing, I sold another of my "Chats" to a lovely lady who volunteers at the library where I worked.  I hope you have fun with it Sandra.



Well, that's it for today - I sure have waffled on and on.  I hope you find something of interest here, or at least have a chuckle.  Until I talk to you again, be safe and God bless.