Summer savings and loans...

photo: Butik Sophie

Who said summer was less expensive than winter? Sure, we save on heating costs, don't have to shop for Christmas presents, and can eat more hotdogs...but it certainly isn't cheap!! In between trips to the grocery store to stock up on ice-cream and barbeque fixings, jaunts to the local nursery for perrenials and annuals, and family vacations in our gas-guzzling vehicles, summer can drain the pocketbook like no other time!!

Progress on Sophie's playhouse continues, a project that my husband has now labelled "the money pit"...not quite the whimsical name I had envisioned for it!! Still, he is right; most of the summer projects we all undertake involve handing money over fist. We opened our pool for the season, and just that cost $100 - even before purchasing the summer supply of chemicals we will need to keep the pool sparkling clean (no cost for my labour, of course...). We have discussed building planters, trellises, finishing details on the pool deck, even tossed around options for the driveway. My enterprising hubby is actually considering pouring his own concrete driveway and walkway (with his dream team of like-minded buddies). When I piped up about wanting to do something a little different with the walkway (i.e. stamped, coloured concrete to mimic flagstone), my frank husband cocked his head, furrowed his eyebrows and casually replied, "You can't afford different!"

So true...nothing like a good bucket of cold water thrown onto me every now and then to remind me that I'm not Linda Rockefeller...!!

In fact, I like being who I am. I come from blue-collar roots and you can't beat them out of me. Sure, I like pretty things; but I get the greatest thrill from doing or making them ourselves. In fact, I just finished helping one of my best friends make-over her living room. She spent a total of $300, which included slipcovers, seagrass ottomans, a new light fixture, and paint. We had so much fun putting the final touches on the room, and we share a love of getting a great look for little money. She has no airs about her and was happy to accept some of the decorative items I was no longer in need of, which we put in the room. It turned out beautifully, with a wonderfully beachy feel like the rest of her home, and that is what really matters.

So... that's my take on the cost of summer. Sure, we all pay in sunburns, too many calories, and insect bites, but what really takes a hit is our bank accounts. Camping is not cheap, a Sunday drive is not free if you stop for five ice-creams, an outdoor project always costs more than you imagined, and the power used to run your pool pump and/or heater does not add up to savings in home heating costs. Those are the facts. Now... go hang your clothes on the line and fire up the barbeques for some $2/pack of hotdogs. Now that's cheap!!

(ice cream photo: Matthew Mead Style)

Put it in the oven for baby and me...

I was inspired to show off these photos of my then two year-old daughter "baking" on my carpet. I remember this day so well. I had gone upstairs to find something, and when I came back down - lo and behold, there was my little one rolling out some icing sugar on my family room rug!! I had always kept my mostly untouched baking supplies in a lower drawer in my kitchen; and poor, little Sophie must have felt we needed something yummy to eat! Evidently, she shares my baking skills...why not roll out some icing sugar when the mood strikes?? I had the presence of mind to stifle my laughter (and surprise) and sneak away in search of my camera. I love the innocence and charm of these photos and I wish she was still as little, so I could give that sweet baby a big squeeze, and kiss those chubby cheeks...

I actually have a cake baking in the oven as I write this. Of course, never mind that it comes from a package, and the icing from a can...no icing sugar needed this time...!!!

Summer Porches...

This porch (above) was styled by Matthew Mead and is on the cover of the current issue of Country Home magazine. Isn't it gorgeous??

Well, the folks over at Country Home magazine have inspired me yet again. You all know I love a front porch, and lately have been putting ours to good use. Whether it's swinging on my porch swing... sipping tea... while watching our kids ride bikes, skateboard... or perhaps trying to hide from them (which never works...they always find us) or simply perching on the front step and watching the world go by, it is a happy spot to be.

Mine is not yet complete. We still have a privacy issue to deal with, we have plans for some great planters in which to grow my favourite flowers, and I still need to paint the floor of the porch. Still, the necessary components exist: a good swing, lanterns on a dimmer, and the perfunctory white wicker chairs to sit and relax in. Because really...isn't that what a front (or back) porch is all about??

all photos: Country Home magazine

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My porches.........old,

and new. The one above was taken last year. I will take a new photo after I do my "updates."

You're showering where??

photo: Anthroplogie.com

Would you, could you, shower outside? Exposed to the elements, vulnerable to the biteS of mosquitoes... trusting that the shower curtain won't be flung open by a laughing child?

photo: Canadian Home and Country.com

Well, that's the question. Outdoor showers are the newest trend in extending one's outdoor living space. They range from the simple, rustic shower meant for rinsing off before jumping into the swimming pool (with no worries about supplying a heat source to warm the water), to more design-worthy, quality-tiled masterpieces meant for serious showering - fitted with all the comforts of their indoor cousins. The grander versions are often housed in large pool/beach houses, doors flung open to allow summer breezes to float in. Outdoor showers have also become de rigeur for those lucky enough to have summer cottages, and complete the picture of easy, summer living. photo: Pottery Barn Kids

What do you think? Are they practical, or are they just another outdoor accessory that we are "not meant to live without?" Are they the new summer staple...along with beach chairs, barbeques, and portable campfires/chimneas?. As for me, I love the idea of them, and we have toyed with adding one to our pool deck. But then I ask myself: when is enough, enough? Must we have all the comforts of our homes outside...when we are merely steps to our homes???

Or, is an outdoor shower just as refreshing, and welcomed, as a real summer shower? My verdict is not in, just yet, but I definitely feel swayed by these gorgeous photos!!

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photo: Coastal Living.com

photo source: http://www.toast.co.uk/

Who am I kidding? Outdoor showers are divine...maybe someday I'll have one...!!!

Garden Getaways...

Ask yourself: are you making the most of your garden? Does it inspire you to steal away for a spell and read, chat, daydream...or create? While it can be as simple as a great Adirondack chair or a breezy hammock, have you ever thought of creating a place that is yours alone? We are in the midst of building our daughter a playhouse, and it has me thinking that someday I'd love such a place for myself..

photo: Butik Sophie

The current summer issues of our favourite magazines have wonderful examples of cabanas, potting sheds, artist's cottages, pool houses and boat houses with glorious lofts. Each option sounds heavenly, doesn't it? Well, of course we can't all conjure up (or afford) such perfect spaces, but we can carve out our own little corner of the garden for our use.

photo: Victoria Magazine

photo: www.coastalliving.com

The next photo is of my mum's former backyard (frequent moving runs in the family...). This is a shot I took of her pretty garden shed. She also has a sweet, little potting shed in the garden of her present home. It is not as large (or functional, she might add) as this one, but it is charming all the same!

A couple of homes ago (which I know sounds odd...), we had what we jokingly called a secret garden of sorts. It was a small area at the bottom of our deck steps that served as a threshold to our open-area backyard. It was a sheltered spot, with a canopy of trees that provided the only shade in our garden. We knew it was also the only spot that afforded us some semblance of privacy; so we decided to create a garden within our garden: a place to sip a cold drink on a hot day - shaded as we watched our then-toddler daughter play with the neighbourhood children.

Below is the only picture I could find of it...and it was obviously taken during the construction phase!

My husband built a bench with a trellised back on which to grow vines and hang flowering baskets. The floppy branches of the trees above served as the perfect spot from which to hang our outdoor chandelier. We used pea gravel as the ground cover, and we placed an iron bistro set underneath. We thinned the little wooded area (more scrub than woods) for our boys to play in, and planted shrubs and flowers in the planter behind the bench. It turned out quite charming, and was the only pretty spot in our otherwise treeless, back garden.

My sister has a wonderful big yard and plenty of trees to shade herself under. She has wooden, outdoor chairs that I have coveted for many years now, and they are the perfect spot to sit and chat when I visit her each summer. She loves to comb the local yardsales every Saturday and her incredible finds kill me...!!!

My current yard's tiny proportions are utilized to capacity, but someday, when my children are grown, I will strive to create a beautiful garden get-away of my very own to perhaps pot flowers, create something of interest, nap or just read. I am a shade lover anyway... so by that time, I will undoubtedly also be trying to prevent further wrinkles as I enjoy the great outdoors. For now, I will enjoy ducking my head as I enter Sophie's playhouse to admire our work and squish myself into one of her little chairs and pretend I am seven again. It is a bigger project than I first anticipated, and I look forward to sharing the outcome of our joint venture with those of you who share an appreciation for whimsical get-aways!

photo: source unknown

What happens in Toronto, stays in Toronto...??

I was thinking back to my family's trip to Toronto this past January, and recalled some odd behaviours I witnessed; well, besides nearly being plowed over at every turn (which of course I turned into a social experiment of sorts) by younger, hipper, more urban types. Indeed, I found myself side-stepping everyone and "excuse me's" ran from my mouth like a leaky faucet.

Spies like us...

One of the funnier places to people watch is definitely the subway. The conversations that take place between passengers were surprisingly unedited and bold. One of the more comical conversations took place between a twenty-something Jude Law look-a-like and a pretty, artsy-type blonde. Initially, they canoodled and flirted between stops, and I was pretty certain he was a little intoxicated by one or two stiff after work drinks. Anyway, he was fairly sure of his appeal, and stood thisclose to the young lady in question. Perhaps a little too close, as she was able to get a good glimpse of Jude ever so casually brushing his hand against the (ahem) bottom of an unsuspecting (and equally attractive) female passenger. Well, poor Jude had quite a time trying to convince his lady friend that he "absolutely did not do such a thing!!" Hubby and I had a good chuckle at the drama of it all, and I was ready to rat Jude out if blondie asked me to testify...

Hey Jude, you messed up this time. Not all blondes are dumb...!! I guess you found yourself a smart one...

Earlier in the day, I was in Jacadi Kids (and if you are at all familiar with this line, you'd know I was just browsing), when I tuned into a mother-toddler conversation that took the cake for absurdity. Said toddler was attempting to pick his nose and his perfectly coiffed mother was admonishing him. As she offered him a Kleenex, I nearly snorted with laughter as she instructed him to "invite the mucus out, honey" Say wha??? He was clearly as confused as I, for he asked, "Music mommy?" Not one to let it go and/or risk getting her hands dirty, she corrected him: "No Xavier (of course I remembered his name...), it is mucus. Say... muuu-kiss!" Good grief- poor, little Xavier. Is that what the urban toddlers call it? I guess that definitely rules out the use of "pee-pee" and the like for other scenarios...! Apparently oblivious to the snickering coming from me, she resumed her perusal of all the pedigreed clothing on hand.

Well, I guess I, and my country bumpkin children, had better stay where the air rosies your cheeks and where little kids call mucus a boogie; and Jude Law wouldn't get away so easily with his wandering eyes (and hands). I guess it's like the Lotto commercial: The Maritimes: where a million dollars gets you what a million should..."

The look of love...

photo: Country Home magazine

I was browsing through the latest issue of Canadian House and Home magazine, and one home, in particular appealed to me. I was very happy to see a gorgeous home that exuded a feeling of true down-to earth, old-fashioned house pride. I got the feeling that the homeowners truly loved their home, and made the most of each and every corner, without necessarily choosing the best of the best, or what was recommended by a designer.

I think we are very hard on our homes. We nitpick and make to-do lists, and come up with ways to improve it... and yet never seem to be truly satisfied. Can you imagine if we treated our spouses this way? Sure, we make jokes about our messy/slow/stubborn/spendthrift/corny/snoring husbands (and no, I'm not describing my husband), but we overlook those traits because we know we ourselves aren't perfect, and we expect them to love us! Our poor houses, though, they suffer from our critical eyes and biting criticism nearly every day.

I say, we should let up on our homes a bit, and stand back and make a mental list of what we love about them. Perhaps it's the front stoop where we watch our children ride their bikes, or the pretty mailbox we finally splurged on. It can be the kitchen table where we eat good food, laugh at each other's jokes, or help our children with their homework. Perhaps your favourite house trait is the fact that your hot water tank allows you to fill a nice deep tub each night, or maybe it's the view of your backyard as you stand at the kitchen sink. You don't have to have granite counters to bake a favourite pie in your kitchen; nor do you have to have a huge master bedroom to enjoy a good lie-in on a weekend morning. Even your drafty, old windows can be beautiful if the view out of them is pleasant, and who needs a big yard if you live on a quiet street?

I love that line from the song, "If you can't be... with the one you love, honey...love the one you're with". I think it should apply to our homes every now and then. Turn over that to-do list, and sit in your favourite room and be thankful for the walls around you. Surround yourself with items that mean something to you - your children's art, a handmade blanket, your favourite collections, the people you love. I'm not saying you should surrender your home improvement goals, but simply take a break from wishful thinking. After all, if we tried to change our spouses as much as we try to change our homes, we'd never notice their good points, would we? And all of a sudden, we might not look as rosy, either...

before...after...
all photos: Country Home

Living at the Island...

photo source: www.cottageliving.com

A kitchen without an island is no place to be, apparently. At least that's the impression I get when I talk to any client planning a kitchen reno. A (big) island is always tops on their wish list, and who am I to disagree? In fact, I wanted a kitchen island so badly a few years back, that I requested one for my tenth wedding anniversary. My husband had always planned to make us one, but there always seemed to be something more pressing that required his carpentry skills, that the island always seemed less important. Once I finally got mine, I wondered how I ever lived without it!

Because we hadn't the room for a large island, I designed ours with every desired function in mind. It has two drawers to keep our spices and awkwardly shaped utensils like our nutcracker, lobster tools, tongs, etc. I also incorporated two shelves which hold baskets to store our potatoes and apples. Two lower cupboards with shelves house my bread machine, which is so clunky and big, and all of my party supplies, napkins, seasonal dishes and crock pot. I always wanted it to look like an old-fashioned candy counter, so my husband built it with vintage style in mind. We used old pine lumber for the top, which we salvaged from an old property we used to live on, and while it is too small to realistically sit at it for meals, I love my island for preparing the kids' lunches, and for when we host buffet style meals (which are my trademark).

Would I want a larger island if space permitted? Well, technically, I suppose...but my island was made as a gift for me to mark a special time in my life, and therefore is more than just an island to me. It is another gift from my talented husband, and is a symbol of a mantra that we have lived our entire married lives by: live off your skills and talents where possible and make the most of that which you have. Then, fill in the gaps as you can afford it.

No way will my island become a deserted island...

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Here are some photos of beautiful islands that take pride of place in their respective kitchens:

photo: source unknown

photo: Ballard designs

Technically, this is not actually an island, but who cares? This picture is for those who cannot fit an island into their kitchen. With this pretty set-up, who needs one?!!

photo: Cottage Chic Store

photo above and below: source unknown

photo: Martha Stewart.com

The following photos are all from www.countryhome.com

This island is my all-time favourite!!

Life's lessons...

image: Square America

This photo inspired this post about life's lessons. Sometimes they're hard to learn, but they must be absorbed all the same. I thought I'd pass on a few that I've seen "layin' around"...

These I've been told by those wiser than me; or perhaps come from me, adapted after years of seeing them in print, but not necessarily listening to the advice:

Go with your gut, not your heart, and know when to cut your losses...

That which we give for free isn't always valued. Sometimes others just think because it was free, it cost nothing...

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...and from this source: Blessings for Life.com, the following:

I believe that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change... but sometimes, the changes happen for a reason and we must move on.

I believe that no matter how good a friend is, she's going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive her for that...it can also be a huge obstacle to overcome, get past, ignore...

I believe that you can do something in an instant that will give you a heartache for life...think before you speak and act.

• I believe that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them...sad, but true.
  


• I believe that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe that either you control your attitude or it controls you...again, so hard at times.

I believe that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. Same goes for the volunteers in life.

I believe that money is a lousy way of keeping score...and a lousy way to measure worth..of others or yourself.

• I believe that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time... Sigh...

I believe that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up...and vice versa.

I believe that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

• I believe that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
  


• I believe that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

• I believe that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

• I believe that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
  


• I believe that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I believe that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you..

• I believe that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you you will find the strength to help.
  


• I believe that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I wonder who wrote this and why? They sure had a firm grip on what is important...

Been a long time gone...

A little dab'll do you, or so the saying goes. I am home again after my little jaunt south of the border, and I have nothing but respect for the American buyers working for my favourite stores! My sister's mini-van was positively wheezing - it was so full of loot that we (very happily) acquired on our second annual shopping adventure. It is a journey not for the faint of heart; as it is non-stop action, and we take no prisoners! Having just come off a stretch of insomnia, our overnight stay was no different, and I tossed and turned and awoke with burning eyes and tired feet. Still, the shopping was fantastic, and the company like-minded.

Me and my mum...

I was relaying all the great bargains I encountered to my husband, and he told me a little story he had heard recently. It was about a tourist couple viewing a native American gentleman's hand-made baskets at a roadside stand. They were very impressed with his craftsmanship and attention to detail, but couldn't help notice that he had virtually identical baskets priced very differently. As they queried what accounted for the difference in price, he replied very simply: "Some people want to pay $15 for a basket, and others want to pay $50 for a basket." How utterly true! While I am in the $15 crew, I do know of others who truly feel they are not getting value for their money unless they pay a higher price. Case in point: Target has an incredible line of dolls and doll accessories that are so similar to the American Girl line that it is incredible! I picked up this salon set for Sophie's Canadian Girl, and it was only $12.98, compared to American girl's counterpart at $49.00 for just the salon chair, and another $14.00 for the hair accessories! Last I checked, both are made in China...! I also got the doll table and chairs with a tea set included, all for the grand price of $19.99!!

Here are some more of my treasures, all in pink and white. I adore the Shabby Chic line at Target, and always pick up some of Ms. Ashwell's goodness while there. I had a distinct shopping mission this year...the playhouse...that my husband is, at present, hammering away at. I found quite a few accessories and pieces for the little house, and suffered from a fair bit of teasing about it from my more sensible sister. Oh well... she'll be thanking me when she comes down to visit and our daughters actually leave us be while they play in it!

Some more goodies...

I got the bench at TJ Maxx for a steal, and the quilt was only $20!!

These sweet, little rugs were just $1.99 at Marden's. Guess where they're going?

I returned home to my children and husband, who had been well cared for by my mother-in-law. While I was away, they feasted on lobster, steak and scallops; and although they deny it, likely didn't miss me a bit! My kids did present me with lovely heartfelt cards and crafts and we snuggled up together to watch the finale of Survivor. My sister summed it up best: the best part of going away is returning to your family.
So true...