Crazy days of summer

Isn't the weather odd?  Recently we had really high and humid temperatures and now it has turned much cooler and we have been deluged with rain, to the point where our streets have been flooded, some like this......

Toronto had similar weather a week or so ago - what is happening to our seasons and weather patterns - changing so, so much and it can't be for the good.

I mention my Boutique quite a bit in my blog so I thought I would show you where it is - it's in an old MNR building, an old warehouse type setting.............

It's perfect for our kind of store and being old and quite shabby, the rent is just right.  I don't think our "landlord" makes any money out of us.

It's been very peaceful at the Boutique for the last couple of weeks, the stress level has gone right down, and I hope it continues.  A few new ladies have been added to the room where I was (I think 6 people have their "stuff" in there now) and I hope we can all get along.  I must say though, I do so much like being on my own and anyway, the lease states that there is no sub-leasing allowed, so on my own I will stay, LOL

Here are a few things that I have been working on..........

Painted this mirror for a friend.  She wants to make a willow stand for it and put it on a dresser.

Turned this calender holder....

into this, a beautiful chalkboard.....

Found two old drawers at the side of the road "free", so I lugged them home and gave them a coat of home-made whitewash paint.  Looking good and now they hold my vintage linens in the Boutique..........

Made this out of another old, and really battered, calendar holder.  I think it looks so cute with its shabby paint job......

Here are a few pictures of my neighbourhood.  I live downtown so it's really nice to see some prettiness.....

This one is taken from the side of the Library where I used to work, it's just across the road from the apartment where I live....

and these are just round and about my apartment.....

A new blogging friend of mine is Sharon Srock and Amazon.com explains her far better than I can....

"Author Sharon Srock went from science fiction to Christian fiction at slightly less than warp speed.  Twenty five years ago, she cut her writer's teeth on Star Trek fiction.  Today, she writes inspirational stories that focus on ordinary women using their faith to accomplish extraordinary things.  A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Sharon serves her local chapter in the role of treasurer.  Sharon lives in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma with her husband and three very large dogs.  Her books include:  The Women of Valley View:  Callie and The Women of Valley View:  Terri, both of which are currently available.  The Women of Valley View:  Pam will release in early 2014."

Here is a synopsis of her book "Callie".  I'm sure you will want to read this one and the sequels.

"Three dire circumstances. Three desperate prayers. One miracle to save them all.  Callie Stillman is drawn to the evasive girl who’s befriended her granddaughter, but the last time Callie tried to help a child, her efforts backfired. Memories of the tiny coffin still haunt her.  Samantha and Iris Evans should be worried about homework, not whether they can pool enough cash to survive another week of caring for an infant while evading the authorities.  Steve Evans wants a second chance at fatherhood, but his children are missing.  And no one seems to want to help the former addict who deserted his family.  For Steve to regain the relationship he abandoned, for his girls to receive the care they deserve, Callie must surrender her fear and rely on God to work the miracle they all need."

You can also find out more about Sharon at these links:

Visit her BLOG at: http://www.womenofvalleyview.blogspot.com/
Connect with her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock#!/SharonSrock
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SharonSrock
Find her on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448789.Sharon_Srock

If you'd like a chance to get acquainted with THE WOMEN OF VALLEY VIEW you can download a free 39 page PDF here:
http://bitly.com/SmQmUs

My favourite topic.... My granddarlings just came home from spending a beautiful week with their mum and dad at a cottage. The weather was great and they all had a fabulous time.  They needed a good time away.  To finish up, a couple of photos of darling Rhys and sweetheart Katherine.........

Well, that's it for now.  I hope you have a wonderful, happy and healthy week and I will "talk" to you again soon.

Hugs,

One week from today

I painted up this sign for the wall outside of our Boutique doorway.  Hopefully people can see it as they walk down the hall.

It's hard to believe that in just a week it will be Christmas Day.  I don't know why, but it doesn't feel very Christmassy.  Perhaps it is because the weather isn't typical winter weather.  Not that I am a lover of snow, au contraire, I can't stand it, but at least it does add to the Christmas atmosphere.

This evening I went to the movies with my ex colleagues from the Library, Helena and Janis.  It's always a pleasure to spend time with these two lovely ladies.  (Jenny-Wren, I missed you this evening - the ladies told me you were coming and I was disappointed when they said that there was a change of plans - perhaps another time.)  This is the movie that we watched and we all seemed to enjoy it.  I had never seen a 3D movie before so it was quite an experience and I loved how I could reach out my hand and almost catch a bird.



"Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, is a magical adventure story centering on Pi Patel, the precocious son of a zoo keeper. Dwellers in Pondicherry, India, the family decides to move to Canada, hitching a ride on a huge freighter. After a shipwreck, Pi finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean on a 26-foot lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan and a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, all fighting for survival."

I'm enjoying the time we (Carol, Gary and myself) have been spending at our Boutique.  We are only open on the weekends and decided to open on Sunday afternoon, along with our normal Saturday, until Christmas.  What a waste of time, LOL - two weeks ago I made $8 and this last Sunday I made $5.  One more Sunday to go (this weekend).  Saturdays have picked up since the main street in town has re-opened after having been closed off for the whole of the summer for construction.

Here are a few of the items I have been working on this past week.  Hope I sell them this weekend.  Along with these new items, we have lots of great ideas for Christmas gifts.  We have such a variety of both old (antique) and new and even repurposed items, all waiting for new homes.  Stop by and visit us if you can.



I picked up this little basket at our Church's bazaar a couple of weeks ago and it is perfect for holding my received Christmas cards.

Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas filled with all good things, but especially with those that you love and cherish.

Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
Joyeux Noel
Froehliche Weihnachten
Buon Natale

Hyvaa joulua

Feliz Navidad

and so on and so on and to all....

Happy New Year

Day after Canada Day

Hi there, this post was supposed to be sent out on Monday, the day after our Canada day, but unfortunately I deleted it by mistake.  I was so ticked off at myself.  I had walked around my neighbourhood taking photographs.  It was very quiet, nothing was open, not even the concession booth to get a pop or ice-cream.  Lots of people here own cottages or camps and the weather being so glorious, I guess that's where they were.  Well, here goes, I managed to retrieve the photos..............

 And the Library, my blog having commenced after I retired after almost 25 (mostly happy) years.

A few pieces of artwork outside the Art Gallery, which is right next door to the Library.  I also have my jewelry featured there for sale also.

 Our beautiful modern City Hall.

Whilst I'm typing this, the fireworks across the river in Sault, Michigan are filling the sky with beauty.

 Canada geese and one little ducky swimming on a little inlet from the St. Mary's River next to City Hall.

 Gardens around City Hall.

People having fun on the St. Mary's River.

 A few more goosies, LOL

I hope you enjoyed the scenic trip around my town.  I was going to post more of my cushions I made but I think I have tested your eyes enough, LOL  Something for another post.  Have a wonderful rest of the week.   Finishing with a photo of my darling grandson Rhys......