Happy New Year to One and All

Best Wishes

to all of you

in the coming year

Love Always

Kim

The Day After

It is the day after Christmas, the meal has been eaten and the gifts are unwrapped. It happens so fast. It takes hours, days and weeks even to prepare for this one day. When I was a child I was excited and found it hard to sleep on Christmas Eve. There were no worries about food or family. We had food and family was always around. 

Then I moved out on my own and made my first turkey. I wanted everything to be perfect. Children came into my life and I made Christmas for them. What a delight to watch their eyes light up when they saw the tree on Christmas morning with its sparkle and lights and shining ornaments. They knew that there was a present under that tree with their name on it. It was their turn to feel the excitement. 

At the end of the day we have our memories. I cherish my memories. I am grateful for those in my life today and very grateful for those in my memories.

Love Always

Kim

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Love Always

Kim

Pink Pictures for a Grey Day

 

I hope that you enjoyed the pictures and that they brightened your day.

Love Always,

Kim

Christmas Kittens

Eva had her babies on Friday night. I knew on Friday morning that she was acting different. On Friday evening she hopped up on the couch and cuddled with Rudy. She was trying to burrow under the pillows. It was not long after that when she went into the box that we prepared for her. She has 7 beautiful kittens. She is a very gentle and caring mother. Mother nature is incredible. It will be easier to take better pictures as they get a little older. We have Christmas kittens.

Love Always,

Kim

Winter Colours

We took a trip to Southampton on Monday. You can see my hubby digging out the car. He had to do a bit of shoveling before we could get the car out. The roads were not very nice. It was cold and very windy. While he was busy I drove down to the lake to take a look. I held fast to the door as I got out of the car to take the second picture. The lake was icy green and the sky was a lonesome grey. The waves were lashing the shore. I wanted to take a walk but it was just too windy. We did our chores as quickly as possible so that we could get back home to the warmth and a pot of tea. 

Rudy was sitting on the printer inside the door waiting for us. He is just like a puppy. He follows me everywhere I go. He sits in the room where we are. He loves to talk and these days he says it is much to cold to venture into the backyard. I don't blame him. 

Our little one is not so little these days. She is pregnant and judging by the size of her stomach she will give birth any day. "Christmas kittens", how wonderful.

Eva doesn't look very small in this picture. She was curled up in the chair beside the window. She sleeps on a blanket we gave to her last Christmas. It is black fleece with  white paw prints all over it. I took the picture looking down at her, I must admit it looks a little strange.

I am thankful to be inside where it is warm and dry.

Love Always,

Kim

Things that I Love

 

I Love

Holding my  husband's hand when we go for a walk 

a pot of Darjeeling tea

listening to Mozart

making bread

hot chocolate topped with whipped cream

putting up the Christmas tree

talking to my best girlfriend on the phone

skating on a frozen pond

watching the snowflakes gently fall

having warm boots on my feet when it is cold outside

relaxing in the Jacuzzi

having my cats beside me

being complimented by my husband

Christmas dinner with family

lights on all the neighbours' homes

setting the table for a meal

sharing a steaming bowl of soup

watching the stars twinkle in the sky

giving tea parties

writing letters

candles everywhere

the smell of roses

warm wood floors

shortbread cookies

down comforters and feather pillows

baked squash

the lake even when it is cold and green

pretty dishes

teacups with roses on them

flannel sheets

long winter coats and silk scarves

the sound of the church bells on Sunday morning

vintage hankerchiefs

Chandeliers with crystals

Victoria Magazine

Catherine Klein's Rose Paintings

shopping at second hand stores

manners and respect

vintage table linens

Edwardian clothing

pink

Love Always,

Kim

Pink Christmas Ideas

These are some of the pictures I have collected for myself for inspiration.

 Pink and Silver Mercury Glass

 7.5 Foot Pre-lit Tree

 Pink Glass Ornaments and ribbon in a Tea cup

 Pink Chargers, aren't they wonderful.

 Crystal and Pink Rose Decorations

 Teacups with votive candles.

 Pink Roses in a Silver Bowl.

 Pink, Gold and Silver Glass Ornament Wreath.

 Pink Glass Ornaments in a Silver Bowl.

 Pink Roses, Berries, Bows

and an Angel Wreath.

I hope you enjoyed all of the pink.

Love Always,

Kim

Winter arrived Today

     This morning we woke to the sound of plows on the main street. The wind blew most of the night. There was a winter snow squall warning in effect until today. The winds on Lake Huron were to carry the moisture across the lake and give us a lot of snow. We did not get the snow predicted. Our yard was only dusted and our roads are bare and wet. When the wind howls across the lake it always makes me feel so cold. The lake is such a beautiful blue most of the year; but when the winter arrives it is cold and green and the white caps beat the shore. 

     I have seen a lot of owls lately, on the fence posts, perching high in the trees and one day on the telephone wire as I was driving on the highway. I caught a glimpse of a Junco with its beautiful grey feathers. We only see them when the weather gets cold. Our cats went out to play in the little bit of snow first thing. Now they are curled up sleeping and keeping warm. It is a good day to stay close to the fire with a warm fuzzy blanket wrapped around my toes.

Love Always,

Kim

Pink

 

Today this lovely picture is posted on Amy's "Maison Decor" site. You can see more at

http://maisondecor8.blogspot.com/. She is having a Romantic Style Giveaway. 

 I love this bedroom as well. So romantic. It would be so relaxing to spend time in this room. It would make me feel like a princess.

 A hint of pink for your living room? The draperies puddle on floor, the large

mirror catches the light and a 

touch of gold is perfect.

 A pink dining room.

Have a wonderful pink day.

Love Always,

Kim

Preparations for the Holiday

     Our leaves are raked but not yet gone. It is only the branches that blow in the wind now. I have been thinking about Christmas. It is not that far away. The stores are starting to display wonderful decorations. We have a blue spruce tree in our front yard. I suggested that we decorate it before the cold is upon us. We saw the sun briefly this morning. It soon gave way to the clouds of grey that fill our skies so often. The wind whistles in the large evergreens at the side of our house and I shiver with the thought of the snow that will surely come soon.
      For me Christmas time is full of memories of Christmas past. When I was seven years old Santa came to visit my brother and me to ask what we wanted. He came to our home, right upstairs into our bedroom. We were amazed. I asked him for a Barbie doll. When Santa left we both jumped from our beds and ran to every window on the second floor looking for his sleigh and the reindeer. We were so excited we could hardly sleep. I received the Barbie doll as my present and that assured me that Santa was real. Years later I learned that my father's cousin had dressed up to play Santa that night. I will never forget it.

     
     Christmas is family, shortbread, the smell of turkey, Christmas pudding, skating and driving to see the twinkling lights on neighbourhood homes. I have already set my dining table to see how the Christmas table will look; just a dry run. We will put up our tree in December and I want to make a wreath for our front door this year. I found this picture of a beautiful wreath. This could be my inspiration. 

Love Always,

Kim

Thoughts for Today

     Today the sun is shining after a wind storm during the night. I know that there are not many leaves attached to our trees now. We have just had our municipal elections here in our township and we have a new mayor, deputy mayor and councilor. It was time for a change. I am hoping that these new people will be a voice for all of us. Living in a rural community is so different to a big city. I lived most of my life in the city of Toronto. The pace is very different here. The issues are different. We have so many farmers that need their voices heard. They supply our food; we must take care of them. 

     I was reading Bellas Rose Cottage blog the other day and she was making Rose Jam with the petals that were left in her garden. I was inspired. I do not have any roses in my garden as yet but I had some dried rose petals in the tea cupboard and I made a batch of scones with rose petals to take to a dear friend. We had a wonderful lunch. We donned ponchos and sat on her front porch and drank our tea. It was warm and peaceful. 

     I am grateful for my friends and where I live. I am very fortunate.

Love always, 
Kim

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. 

Love Always Kim

Autumn Colours

This picture is one that my Dad took of the beautiful colours in town a few years ago. The colours really are striking when you can stand back and take a good look. I love the portrait that nature paints. It changes just like the seasons. Our longest season is creeping up on us. Soon the leaves will be in the compost and the only green will be on the evergreens. Enjoy a walk and take it all in.

Love Always Kim

My Friend from Australia

 

     I have just had the most wonderful visit with a friend that lives in South Wales, Australia. She has just come back to Canada to see family and friends after a seven year absence. We had a wonderful afternoon and evening, reminiscing, talking, telling jokes and laughing. I can tell you that laughter really is the best medicine. It is amazing how you don't see someone for an extended period of time and you are able to carry on from where you left off the last time.  Friendship has no barriers.

     We had a lovely dinner and enjoyed time in the backyard before she had leave. She is on her way today back home. There are a few places that I would love to visit in the world and Australia is one of them. 

     This morning we have rain again. The cats have all been out and come back in for their morning nap. The beach is not in the plans. The lawn will not get cut either. That leaves housework and there is always lots of that

Love Always Kim

Lazy Summer Days

     I saw this picture and right away I fell in love with it. It is such a delicate picture. 

     I am sitting in the yard this morning. The cats have had their run and are sitting in various spots so they can keep an eye on the squirrels. We have three black squirrels; one mother and her two babies. I have found them annoying at times. They are veracious eaters and can reek havoc on any bird feeder that their little paws cannot get into. Our neighbour has a lot of feeders in his yard and he does not like the squirrels. They have provided a lot of fun for our cats as well as us. It is interesting to watch the game but you and I both know that the squirrels will always win. 

     The rain came again yesterday. The pond was swimming in the yard. When the sun finally came out it was very humid. We have had about six blue jays in our yard for the last week. They are so regal looking but they can be very noisy. The other day I heard the nuthatches again. We were blessed with seeing two woodpeckers in the pine trees. This morning I heard the chickadees. I have not put up the feeder yet. It is for the goldfinches and the small birds only. I will have to purchase some Niger seed. I love the little finches. They will make a nice addition to our pond.

Love Always Kim

Glorious Summer

     It has been a while since I have posted. We have received unusual weather lately. We have had a lot of rain. It has made it difficult to do a lot of gardening. The pond was put on hold. I have managed to get rid of a lot of the ground cover that I have been struggling with. I have had to dig down into the earth and turn it over and take the plants out with my hands. It seems to be working. 

     I have celebrated my birthday. I invited two best friends to have a pink tea party with me in the backyard. Everything was so pretty. I purchased a pink lace cloth from the closest second hand store. I put it over my white damask cloth. I used my Grandmother's dishes which are decorated with roses. I have delicate glasses with pink, blue and green accents. My one friend brought me a pink lily from her garden in a pink fairy purse filled with rose petals. My other friend brought me a single pink rose and baby's breath. It was a wonderful afternoon. We sat under the shade of our maple tree. There was a lovely breeze. It was a very memorable afternoon.

     I have been waiting patiently to clean out our garage. I want to use it as a studio. I want to paint our dining room furniture and the furniture that we use in our breakfast room. The picture above is one I found. I cannot remember where I found it. I fell in love with the picture. This is something that is doable in our dining room. I have a suite that consists of a rectangular table with one armchair and five side chairs. I have a buffet and a china cabinet. I have always wanted a circular table because I think it promotes more conversation than a large table. I will take before and after pictures and share them later with you.

     The picture below shows how I would like to decorate my breakfast room. We do not have the small side window behind the table. We do have a large window the same as in the picture that looks out onto the garden. We will be having a fireplace installed in this room soon. At the moment we have a pellet stove. It came with the house. It does not work the way that it is supposed to. I would never recommend to anyone to invest in a pellet stove after our experience this past winter.

Love Always Kim

June to July

     It is hard to believe that June has come and gone already. We had warmer and nicer weather in April and May. June was the rainiest June on record. I have been to the beach but the lake is really not warm enough to swim in. We stood in the water at the shore and the water was so cold that it made our ankles ache.

     Our backyard is really looking wonderful. The cats are having a lot of fun chasing each other. The love to sit under the bushes and then run out when the other cat it near. They are not at all interested in going outside when the weather is wet and cold.

     We have just had our "Canada Day" celebration. It is always celebrated on July 1st no matter what day of the week it falls on. This year is was Thursday. There was a lot of cottage traffic going through town on Wednesday evening so I suspect a lot of people are having an extra long holiday weekend this year.

     They always have a fireworks display down by the lake but we decided not to go this year. We put our flag in the front window and we had a nice barbecue. We started our dinner with salad and homemade sun-dried tomato dressing. We cooked t-bone steaks and had baked potatoes. I am just hoping for some really nice weather. We need sunshine and warm temperatures.

Love Always Kim

Wise Words

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to

mourn for the past, worry about the future,

or anticipate troubles, but to live

in the present moment

wisely and earnestly.

- Buddha