Clematis

I bought a lovely pink clematis a few years ago and planted in my front garden.  Seemed like a good idea at the time and it is doing well.  Unfortunately the bushes have grown and you can't even see it unless you are standing on top of it.  I promise myself every summer that come the fall, I will move it to a more prominent place.  Then the fall comes and in the rush of getting everything tidy, I forget all about it.  Maybe I won't now...

Julie

Lockside Trading and Lakefield

Yesterday, my sister, Cheryl and I went to Lakefield for a little outing.  Lakefield is a great little village about 20 minutes north of here and it has almost everything you could want.  It is definitely one of my favourite places in the world.  It might be one of Prince Andrew's as well.  He went to school in Lakefield and often returns to this area for official functions and private trips.

We had a delicious lunch at Nuttshell Next Door and we both ordered the same thing - Clubhouse sandwiches ( truly a piece of art - grilled chicken breast, smoked bacon, fresh tomato and lettuce on a French stick) and mesclun salad with matchstick vegetables and homemade dressing.  Great way to start the afternoon.

We looked through a craft and gift store, Stuff and then headed to Young's Point (another 10 minutes north) to walk through Lockside Trading.  This store used to be a lock keeper's house and was purchased and turned into a store.  They still display bedding on the second floor.  I took some pictures for you...

Looking down the stairs to the original front door

Display of colourful goods in front of the original front door

Cute sign above an old sleigh bench seat

My Mum tells stories about the lock keeper's kids being so lucky during the 30s when she was growing up and going to school.  They all had nice houses as part of the job and earned good wages.  She also remembers a kindly neighbour picking her up in his sleigh on a particularly cold winter day.  She rode home that day in style listening to the sleigh bells on the horses.

This one is my favourite

I bought this rug for my bedroom

After Lockside, we swung by The Greenhouse on the River so I could buy a few more plants for a little project I'm working on.  I'll post that in a few days...

Julie

Road Trip - my first linky party

I am joining my first linky party - yay.  Thanks to Elaine at Sunny Simple Life.  Check her blog out - you'll love it.  If you want to join her party, she's made it really easy, just click on link below.

Sunny Simple Life Linky Party

As a guest at my first party, I've decided to add to my June giveaway.  When I was on a road trip to Bancroft last week (the post I linked to the party), I went to a thrift store and one of the things I bought was this vintage apron.

I am adding this to my giveaway (after it is laundered and ironed of course)....here's the rest of my loot from that thrift store.  The pieces of fabric are embroidered but I have no idea what the are for.  At $2.75 for the lot, I decided I'd figure something out.

Have a nice Sunday.

Julie

Garden Bouquet

I spent the day in the garden.  The work is hard but the beautiful bounty makes it all worth while.

Julie

Pink Peonies

The pink peonies have started to bloom.  They are so beautiful...

They are so fragrant...

They are so abundant...

They are so PINK....

But if you need to rest in a quiet, verdant corner, the garden has that too...

Julie

My Name is Julie and I am a Magazine-aholic

A couple of weeks ago when I was spending time in hospital waiting rooms, I told you I bought a lot of magazines and I wasn't kidding.  I have developed an addiction for British magazines.  I just love the style of decorating, so homey and comfortable.

I especially love Country Living - both the UK and US editions...

But I bought anything that caught my fancy...

I even bought a book put out by Country Living UK that features some of their best articles...

and a magazine was recommended by a fellow blogger...

then of course one of my favourite Canadian subscriptions arrived...

Style at Home

The articles, the photographs, the recipes, the ideas...just made me swoon.

Country Homes & Interiors UK

Country Homes & Interiors UK

Country Homes & Interiors UK

Country Living US

Country Living UK

Country Living US

Romantic Homes

I NEED a little trailer to decorate now - wish I had room for one!

Country Living US

Country Homes & Interiors UK

Country Living US

Julie

Road Trip

I went on a road to trip to Bancroft today with my friends, Sandy and Anne.  We had a lovely lunch and did a little shopping but I left my thrift store finds in Sandy's car so I will show you pix later.  My favourite stop was at the Old Tin Shed.  It is an amazing store.  If I owned a bricks and mortar store, it would be like this one.

I bought this cute little tin heart and this candle - it smells delicious - like cinnamon candy hearts.
The little glass lantern with the wire hanger is from another one of my favourite stores Garden Style in Bridgenorth.  I am adding these items to my June giveaway.  To qualify for the draw, you only need to leave a comment on either of my blogs. Check my June 1 post for details.

Here's the other part of the giveaway...

Julie

Blue day, blue irises

It's a grey, overcast, rainy day here in southern Ontario.  I decided this gives me a perfect excuse to take the day off, while away the hours with your lovely blogs and to catch up on reading my magazines.  At first, the rain had me feeling a little blue but I've been so busy lately that I decided it was Mother Nature's message to slow down and relax a little.  The garden has been watered by the rain and it's too muddy to do anything useful outside so I've had my feet up all day.  Soon it will be time to go make Chicken Diane for dinner  http://dinneratjulies.blogspot.ca/2011/02/chicken-tuesday.html . Speaking of blue, I will share a picture of my beautiful blue Siberian irises and wish you a happy Saturday.

Julie

Announcing a Giveaway

I've decided to start a new feature on my blog - a monthly giveaway.  I don't have a cute name for it yet but I'll let you know when the brain cells regenerate and I come up with one.

Here's how it works...leave a comment (good, bad or indifferent) on either of my blogs and you will be entered to win.  A comment left any time during the month of June entitles you to one entry (only ONE per month) in the draw.

How will the draw be done?  The old-fashioned way - your name will be written on a piece of paper and put in the hat (so sorry but Anonymous can't win ;) and my mother, who is honest as the day is long, will draw a name.

When will it be drawn?  The first day of the next month so check to see if you've won so you can e-mail me your shipping details.

What's the prize?  Well, it is going to change each month and I'm not sure if I will eventually come up with a monthly scheme or colour (like I do on Pinterest) but I do know that it will be something I've come across on my travels (shopping or junking) or something handcrafted by little old me or a much more talented artisan if you are lucky!  I also expect that it will be several smaller items because I've always been a lots of presents kinda gal so stay tuned to see what gets added on as the month progresses.

To kick off this month, I have a lovely little glass hummingbird that I purchased at a local stained glass studio.....

Julie

White Peonies

My white peonies came out in bloom today.  They are gorgeous and I'm so happy that I got them tied up before they all flopped to the ground.

The buds open white with red stripes and then turn a pale blush pink.  

The fragrance is heady and fills the room.

I love this time of year when I can cut a beautiful bouquet of white flowers and bring the outdoors in.

Julie