Into the Wild

We watched this movie last night...
not sure why it took so long to get to it,
but it was definitely worth the wait.
A true-life drama that is very engrossing
and very powerful--a beautiful tragedy.

I thought it was a brilliant performance
by Emile Hirsch
portraying Christopher McCandless...

and a magnificent job was done by
Sean Penn as the Director.

If you've ever wanted to "get away from it all" Thoreau-style, then this is a movie I think you would enjoy too. If you want to read more about it, you can click here. It is where these images were found and where more details are located.

Saturday Stroll--walk with me and this you'll see:

Neat old building...

hanging flower baskets line the
streets...so pretty!

Prettiest grocery store I've seen...

you can even get money out
surrounded by flowers!

Ten Reasons

Ten Reasons I'm Sad Summer is Ending

1. Dwindling of daylight...definite mood enhancer.

2. Warmth of the sun...sunny winter days are just not the same!

3. The lack of farm-fresh fruits and veggies.

4. Not seeing the kids as often...school trumps Auntie time.

5. Lemon water just doesn't taste as good when it's pouring rain.

6. Road trips are not as much fun. Still fun, but not as much...

7. Leaves: Missing from trees. Bleak and barren. Just different. Flowers: going to miss all that colour.

8. Leaving windows wide open all day.

9. Picnic days are limited.

10. Seeing people HAPPY. More people are wandering the streets around here happier in the summertime. Just the way it is...

Ten Reasons I'm Glad Summer is Ending (trying to be positive)

1. Christmas is coming.

2. More homemade soups being made in my kitchen.

3. September tends to bring routine. I need that.

4. Colourful socks!

5. New season of my TV shows starting.

6. The leaves changing colour...very beautiful.

7. More time indoors for crafting and organizing.

8. We have the best (mildest) winters in Canada here.

9. Less traffic on the highways.

10. Did I mention Christmas is coming? *grin* lots of Christmas decorations and traditions to look forward to.

Now, having said all this, summer isn't officially over for another month, so I'm going to ENJOY it while it's here! (whether or not the weather cooperates!)

Flashback Friday...

I've decided that there are just too many neat things from my youth that I want to share...maybe you'll remember the items/shows/songs etc that I post, and maybe you won't. They will be posted on various Fridays and in no particular order...Just a little something that I enjoyed during my childhood. A trip down memory lane if you will...so please indulge me!

BARREL OF MONKEYS
I can recall spending HOURS playing with these...
sometimes with my family and sometimes on my own.


photographer unknown

Having FUN with quizzes...

You Are Black Tea

You have a bold personality. You're not afraid of simply being yourself. You have the courage to speak the truth. You are fearless in your actions. You come off as a bit intimidating and unapproachable. Only confident people are attracted to you. You don't try to scare off anyone. You're just an intense person!

What Kind of Tea Are You?

The Role I Play...

You Are the Guru

You are a naturally good counselor. You are inspiring, encouraging, and compassionate. You are eager to help everyone who crosses your path, even those who don't want to be helped. You are a natural healer. People feel at peace when they are with you. You are so good for people, in fact, that they go through withdrawal once you're gone. You quietly do your own thing, without openly resisting. You secretly try to fix every problem. Your biggest regret is not being able to help as many people as you'd like.

What Role Do You Play?

Fun Phone--Decisions, Decisions!

I just LOVE the old-style phones...and have been
trying to find the perfect one for a while now! My
big dilemma was trying to decide between black
and red. LOVE red, but there are so many shades
of it that are not so appealing (know what I mean?)

ANYWAYS,

Today I made up my mind and have decided that
as much as I love red, black would be a better
choice! Problem #1 solved. Problem #2 is now
finding the perfect old-style black phone for us
to use! I am torn between the old rotary ones
and the new-styled ones that look like the old
ones, but actually have touch-tone buttons (but
you can't really tell that from looking at it...well
you can tell if you really stare!) I shall make my
choice soon...because I will be adding this to my
vision board! (Christmas is coming you know!)


Classic. Love it. But do I want rotary? Now
that we are having to dial the area code, this
could be detrimental to my old bones since I
do use the phone a lot...


Modern Classic. It is basically today's version
of the old phone I really like. It's touch-tone
and would be very easy to use. As I type, I'm
starting to remember the old rotary phone and
how, if your finger slipped even a teeny bit, you
would have to start dialing all over again...


Standard Black...old work-horse type that did
not ever seem to have problems. Why is it so
difficult for me to decide? Am I frolicking in
the past again? lol I really need to keep things
simple. I am complicating a matter that is so
trivial. Crazy eh? Welcome to the world of us
THINKERS. We think ALL the time...about
everything!!! I am trying to 'train my brain'
as it were, to stop all this thinking, but after
this many years I know it's going to take time!

The good news is, I did reach a decision about
the colour. Red, fabulous red is out. And that
IS my final decision! *grin*

Scandinavian Soap

http://www.victoriasoap.se/

Smells DELICIOUS!!! Using the Lavender bar
at the moment and loving the scent, the texture
and the richness...Made in my MIL's hometown
of Helsingborg, Sweden...a taste of home that she
brought back for me. (Thanks again Momma H!)

And here I was, devastated, thinking I would not
be able to use it due to my Swedey's sensitivity
to fragrance, but THANKFULLY he doesn't seem
to be affected by the scent at all---->you know
what this means, don't you? I can now add soap
to my Swedish Wish List! (alongside Vanilla
Sugar and other various must-have delights)

With Christmas on it's way, I am putting the
Victoria Christmas Soap and Elf Soap on the top
of that list...but would be delighted to find any/all of
their products tucked away neatly into my stocking!
(and yes, I have my own Swedish Tomte that could
make that happen for me! *hint hint* *hee hee*)

Wednesday's Wise Words

We can get words of wisdom from a variety of sources
throughout our days, but ultimately it is up to us to make
the changes we want, crave, or need in our lives. If only I
were wise enough to remember this on a daily basis...
One day I will be, because that is one change I will make
for me!!!

-- Twos -- another blog-filler thingy!

*Two names I go by: ChickaDee and Doko (ask the kids! lol)

*Two things I'm wearing right now: jeans and a tee shirt

*Two of my favorite things today: Going out to lunch with my niece and my Swedey...Catching up with my inbox!

*Two things I want very badly at the moment: For summer to last a few more months and to finish the several books I have on the go...I'm getting them read one at a time now which should help dwindle the pile.

*Two favorite pets I have had: Only one:
My Whitlee!!! Gone but not forgotten!!!

*Two people I hope will fill this out: Tracy and Marilise

*Two things I did last night: Added more songs to my blog's
playlist and read.

*Two things you ate last night: Chicken/Peppers

*Two people you last talked to:
My Swedey and My Mom

*Two things you are doing tomorrow:
Going for a walk...Visiting the Gardens (weather permitting)

*Two farthest trips you have taken in the last 5 years:
Vegas and Banff

*Two favorite holidays: Christmas and My Birthday
(technically not a holiday, but I think it should be! hahaha)

*Two favorite beverages: Earl Grey Tea and Water

Now tag your friends and hope at least TWO of them respond...

Time for Tea

because there is

The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook
FOR Monday, August 25th, 2008

Outside My Window...the sun is shining and there is nobody

around. Very peaceful...very private...very pretty!

I am thinking...I should get my butt moving and jump in

the shower so I can get out and enjoy that sunshine!

I am thankful for...fresh fruit, Hugh Laurie's brilliant portrayal
of Dr. House, living in such a beautiful city, and my Swedey, who brings
me a hot cup of tea each morning with a smile!

From the kitchen...I can hear the kettle...my cup of

tea is moments away!

I am wearing...three bracelets on each arm...two different

styles which I feel represent the two sides of me. You know,

the Pisces fish--being pulled in two directions? That's me!!!

I am creating...my vision for how I see the next six months

turning out...I like it! *grin*

I am going...to look at a variety of home gyms today and

find one that works for both of us.

I am reading...The Brain that Changes Itself
by Norman Doidge, MD

I am hoping...that I can get a routine of sorts back. I like the

freedom of not having to be anywhere or do anything at any particular

time, but I need some structure put back into place so that I get things done!

I am hearing...the sound of silence. I'm enjoying it for the moment.

Around the house...there is housework to be done. I've been away

this week and have the laundry to prove it! Things have been dumped

unceremoniously where they don't belong, and they need to go back to

their "homes"...

One of my favorite things...is being organized.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: housework, chats with friends, daily walks--camera in hand, a trip out to see the gardens and just relaxing at home as I've been running around this Island all summer it seems!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

Lemon Tart

I am not sure where
this image came from,
but I definitely know
that I would love to
serve these at my
next tea party! Aren't
they pretty? I bet they
taste divine too!!!



(if you know who deserves credit for this photo, please let me know)

Colourful Cooking

I love colour!

I am surrounded
by colour...it's a
part of my
everyday life!

I often take
colourful pics
and I will share
them as often as
I remember to!

Colour
is
Everywhere!!!

Colour brings
me JOY!

Tea Time

There is ALWAYS time for tea!
I think we, as adults, should be more like young
children and have more tea parties. I love
tea parties! The endless menu options...the time
spent with dear friends...What are you waiting for?
An invite? My kettle is boiling as we speak...

Friends

"Gratitude consists of being more aware of
what you have, than what you don't."
~~Unknown~~
I am grateful for all my friends...
and wish more of you lived closer!

How Cute Is This Grill?

Cute enough to change my picnic world!

Check it out here:
http://www.evasolo.com/products-tabelgrill.html

Friday-night Feast

Figured since the oven was still warm from roasting a small, savoury chicken this morning that I would mix up a batch of healthful muffins for dessert! While they were baking I decided to whip up a couple of cold salads for our dinner picnic tonight. Did somebody say PICNIC??? Did I ruin the surprise Swedey? Or have you not visited my blog today? I guess we'll see when you get home...

Remembering Aprons

Received an email forward from my Mom last week about aprons. I have always LOVED aprons. I do not have a huge collection, but in my collection I do have three very important (to me) aprons. The very first apron I ever owned as a child, and one that belonged to each of my Grandmas. The incredible thing about the ones from my Grandmas: they are my two most favourite two colours: red and lime green! I did not pick them. Coincidence? You know me by now---> I think not! Perhaps that is where my love for those colours came from! It's all about the memories and that which links past with present.

The email from my Mom is one that I had seen before several times and enjoyed each time...but this time, for whatever reason, it inspired me. I have been thinking (for quite a few months now due to that whole procrastination thing I've got going on) about sewing aprons myself. Reading that email kicked my butt into action yesterday...I went out and purchased some vintage materials and other bits for adornments and am going to get started. I am visualizing them and am keeping my fingers crossed that they look the same way when they are completed!

Remembering Aprons...

(Author unknown -- received via email)
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner. It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that "old-time apron" that served so may purposes!

REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
I feel that there is something just so sad about this, but I am hopeful that it will change back...I think it has already started....aprons are making a comeback...perhaps baking from scratch will too!!!

And for those of you that didn't know:

National Wear Your Apron Day is
~the Monday after Mother's Day~

Never had a green thumb of my own....

but I certainly appreciate the outcome of those that do!

While out walking I usually stop to smell the flowers...and I definitely stop to photograph them! (Ask my Swedey, he's always waiting patiently for me so we can get on with our walk!) Heard a quote about gardens that has always stuck with me. I'm not sure who the author is, but it's a great line in my opinion: to plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

Here are some "tomorrows" I spotted during a recent walk for you to enjoy as well--->Can anybody tell me what the name of that orange-flowered one with the pod-type things is called? I thought it was just so beautiful...so very unique!!!

Back to School...

BACK TO SCHOOL...
it's still three weeks away here and MANY MANY years since I headed

back to school myself...but it's like an old familiar feeling...I loved getting

my school supplies together...organizing my things...the pencils that needed

to be sharpened and colourful binders/notebooks (deciding which colour to use for each subject)...oh, and don't get me started on the wonderful smell of

a brand-new box of crayons! I have in my possession a wonderful collector's tin...I've had it for years...waiting for
the right moment to open...to start using

those crayons. Kept thinking I'll wait until one of my nieces or nephews comes

over...and then I'd forget about it. Well, today is the day. I have just opened

my new box of crayons and will be colouring soon! Oops, I forgot to have kids. Does that mean I can't colour? Absolutely not! In fact, I am going to go out and pick up a brand-new colouring book for myself. I am going to drift back to the days when I would spend HOURS colouring...I'm sure my Mom would love to have another one of my 'artful' creations hanging on her fridge. I can share the white space on her fridge with all the grandkids she does have! It's very relaxing too...remember the last

time you coloured? has it been far too long? then get out your crayons and colour with me...you'll be glad you did----and so will the fridge! Guess my art supplies of yesterday, were just the beginning of a habit that my craft room of today can be thankful for! Proving to me, once again, that the past is a part of the present...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook
FOR Monday August 11th, 2008...
completed during the wee hours of 12th.

Outside My Window...night has fallen and it's very, very quiet out there.

I am thinking...I should probably be in bed right now! I am also thinking that I am going to really enjoy this whole blogging thing and am glad I started.

I am thankful for...being able to just be myself!

From the kitchen...colourful creations have been concocted and devoured.

I am wearing...ruby red Crocs! The perfect slippers for moi!

I am creating...greeting cards in my head. I hope to create them with
paper REAL soon! I can't wait to get started...

I am going...to have to drag myself off to bed real soon. I can't believe I'm still up. I will pay for it in the morning...

I am reading...too many books at the moment...I should really focus
on getting them read one at a time.

I am hoping...that my decision to take the rest of the year off will
reward me with extra time with my family and friends and provide
me with the time to get all my craft projects started and/or finished!
I am also hoping to make ALL of my Christmas presents this year...

I am hearing...the call of my pillow. I guess I should have left these
questions til morning when I will be thinking more clearly!

Around the house...are little projects that I hope to have done
by the end of the week.

One of my favorite things...is taking my camera with me when
I go for a walk...there is ALWAYS a photograph that NEEDS to
be taken!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: have been changed. I
am hoping to enjoy the gorgeous weather and finish some projects.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing: the ultimate picnic box!
I will own one of these one day...and use it often!

http://www.125west.com/Optima_Blyton_Vintage_Picnic_Box.html

Remembering the Past...

when I chose the name tag for today, I realized (once again) that there are NO coincidences in life...that everything happens the way it is supposed to. What we do today does affect our tomorrows. Is the past really past? or just part of the future? "They" say you can never escape from your past..."I" say, "Why would you want to?" You may not always make the best choices or do the right thing, but it's all a part of who you are....who you were, and who you will become. Live with your mistakes...Laugh about your mistakes, and most importantly: LEARN from your mistakes!!! Don't try and hide from them...they'll catch you eventually...either physically, or mentally or both. Life is way too precious to be looking backwards...I think we should remember the past fondly...look forward to the future optimistically, and embrace the present eagerly. Then again, I could be wrong and learning from this mistake years from now. lol See? No point in making things complicated...just enjoy each day as it comes and treat it as if it were your last.

and sometimes...

it's just easier to order in a pizza when you can't decide what to have. Or if you're feeling lazy...which was probably more the case with me last night. It was hot, it was good, and it was just what we ordered...And having leftover pizza can be fun too! We all know it tastes good 'as is' for breakfast, or thrown on a plate with salad and fruit and served for lunch...I have also been known to make a big salad and toss a couple of cut-up pizza slices into it to make pizza salad for dinner which is quite tasty and a hit with all that have tried it. Guess tonight's decision isn't going to be as difficult! *grin*

Decisions Decisions...What to have for dinner?

I often think about what to make for dinner...I'm sure I'm not alone in this. Several years ago I started taking pictures of our meals...and now, when I'm having a hard time trying to decide, I look through the food-fun folder and pick out something to eat! I will one day scrap a recipe album...it's on the old to-do list of mine! One day...yes, one day! So, which of these delicious meals would you pick if you could?

The Spontaneous Picnic Dress...

A picnic must-have for avid picnickers!!!

Design: Reddish Design Studio
www.reddishstudio.com

This picnic dress was made from 3 different food related fabrics:
Plastic bib, kitchen towel, and table cloth.
A proposition for a weird Japanese competition in 2002.
I can’t believe it didn't win a thing!

Scrumptious Eats

My mouth is watering...remembering...SO tasty!

A Berry Delightful Time Indeed...

Sorting berries is very therapeutic

and takes a lot of time...but is
definitely worth the effort when
you are helping in the preparation
of homemade jams and jellies.