It's Spring!

...and we better not get any more snow!

Because I planted mesclun seeds in my cold frame yesterday...

Because my bulbs are peeking through...

And because I went to Bigley's in Bobcaygeon today and got my Keds for summer (at 80 percent off!!)...

Julie

Custom Comforts Cushion

The pillow I ordered from Etsy arrived yesterday.  It is even more gorgeous in person.  I was thinking it was going to be a gift but I can't part with it.  I've now decided to redecorate my bedroom and use this pillow as my inspiration.

I have Cindy at http://customcomforts.blogspot.com/ to thank for this beautiful addition to my home.  Check out her blog and Etsy store.  You'll be amazed and impressed.

Julie

Before and During

I wanted some more storage in my sunroom and I've been trawling the Kijiji website looking for furniture bargains.  I found a hutch that I looooved and it would fit in my sunroom PERFECTLY.  But it was $160 and I couldn't talk the seller into $75.  I am being frugal and couldn't talk myself into $160.  I am replacing my baker's rack and hoping to sell it for $50.

So I found a sad old china cabinet that needs some love and was able to get the price down to $50!

It's a little chipped and the veneer is cracking and warping in places but I think I can make her beautiful again.  A lot of sanding and a little paint.

Because I have so much on my plate right now.  I decided to dress it up with some dishes and live with it as is for a bit.  That's why you are seeing the before and during today.  Someday, hopefully soon, I can show  you the after.  I'll get some paint chips and maybe you can help me choose - pretty please?

Julie

Fabric and Buttons are Better than Flowers and Diamonds

So bright and springy that it makes me want to do a jig.  I was at Walmart buying the cheapest replacement camera that I could find.  I took a little wander through the fabric department and couldn't resist these lovely rolls of quilting cotton.  Not to mention a big bag of cheap as chips buttons in the brightest hues.

Funny how a rainbow of colour can turn a frown upside down....

Julie

In these frugal days...

I have been thinking a lot about what I need, what I want and what I can't live without.  By necessity, I have been hit by frugality in 2012, being off work, I am living on savings and some unemployment insurance right now.  Money is tight and budgets have to be tightened.

So I've done a little soul searching to determine what I can live without.  The list isn't very extensive but I can give up most formal entertainment - concerts, CDs, DVDs, movies, travel, meals out, etc.  I can't give up reading but I'm happy to give up buying books, and borrow from the library or friends.  I can mostly give up magazines too as your lovely blogs replace that need.

I'm having trouble giving up shopping but am trying to be thrifty there.  I can give up drinking alcohol and fancy dinners out.  I don't know if you have Wag Jag in your area but I've been buying ones from restaurants and entertainment for half price.  I bought $100 at my local butcher shop for $50.  I paid $22 to get $50 at my beauty salon and I have enough for my next 3 haircuts including gifts I have received.  I am extremely limiting clothing purchases.  I'm trying to lose some weight so I can fit it into the smaller clothes in my closet.

I can't however give up my hair app'ts, I can't give up my Honda CRV that isn't paid for yet, I can't give up my internet connection (what would I do without you) and I can't give up my Fruits and Passion (the only bubble bath I am not allergic to)...

I also couldn`t live without fresh flowers although I buy them less and I couldn`t live without Lore, who keeps my house spic and span although she only comes 50% of the time now.

I found I can cut here and there and stretch a dollar but what I truly can`t live without are my family and friends, including all my blogging friends

Have a nice evening...

Julie

Spring Wishes

It is a grey and misty day here and I miss the sun.  We haven't had a bad winter but for some reason, I need spring to come now!  My desire to see green shoots pushing through the earth and buds opening to beautiful flowers is stronger this year than ever.  I thought I would share some past pictures from my garden flowers...

I hope we'll see some of this colour in Canada soon....

Julie

It's the Bees Knees

It's the bees knees.  I love candles but I have a lot of allergies and can't handle most scented candles.  Pure honey-scented beeswax candles though, well let's just say they are a whole new ball of wax ;).

I bought this beautiful amber depression glass bowl at Vinnie's for $15.  Once I got it home, I wasn't sure what to do with it. Yellows are not a prevalent colour in my decor.  Then last Sunday I went to Warkworth (Ontario) for a drive.  It's a cute little village that seems to attract a lot of artists and artisans.  If you are in southern Ontario, you should it out.  I'm heading back on March 10/11 for the Maple Festival.  Hopefully, I'll remember my camera this time.  They have a craft and vintage sale -yay!

Anyways, I went to the Cheeky Bee http://cheekybee.com and was over the moon when I saw (and smelled) their gorgeous beeswax candles.  I bought a large pillar one and knew I had found a use for my bowl.

It looked a little stark just sitting in the bowl and then I remembered Brenda at http://www.cozylittlehouse.com piling shells around the base of one of her candles.  Sooo I went to the buck store yesterday and found bags of shells.  The purple just ties it in with my dining room so now it sits in front of the window - ready to scent the house with sweet honey.

Bye bye for now.  I'm off to make a batch of chili for the freezer and creme caramel for tonight's dessert.  Check out http://dinneratjulies.blogspot.com later for the creme caramel recipe.

Julie

Snow Day

I'm having a snow day today.  I'm not leaving the house!!

Yesterday I was wearing running shoes when I met the girls for lunch.  There was no snow left and today we are a winter wonderland again.  I took pictures through the  window so the quality isn't the best but brrrrrrrrrrrrr.

This the gingko tree in my backyard

This is the beautiful magnolia tree in my backyard

This is the view down my street today

Now we need something colourful - the tulips I bought yesterday to celebrate the smell of spring in the air.  I guess I was a little premature.

Here's some plates from my leaf collection...

Here's some of my McCoy pots...

and here's a lovely plate I got at Value Village...

Have a nice  Friday.......

Julie

Lazy day....

Winter is back, there's snow on the ground again and it's a day to just lay around.  That's Finn, my little guy.  He's about a year and half and a wild little cave lion kind of cat.  But like any 2 year old, he's an angel when he's asleep.

So nothing productive was accomplished today but sometimes, that's the kind of day you need.   Today it was good to sit back, have a cup of tea and read a book.

I'd rather be inside, warm and cozy when it snows outside.  But my beautiful niece, Allyson is an outdoor girl so I thought I'd share one of her pictures with you.  She actually goes camping in the winter, IN A TENT!  Enjoy the scenery...

Julie

Vintage Handkerchiefs

I was washing and ironing fabric today so I could start some sewing.  I found these vintage handkerchiefs in the drawer and put them through the wash as well.  They are so beautiful.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them but I would like more of them...

and this one is my favourite...



Good night from Lucy and Finn

Julie