Thrift Deals and things

October is simply skipping along!

I scored some lovely transfer ware at a local thrift.

I planned to resell it but it’s too sweet.

(From G&W Late Mayers, Melbourne)

The tureen is in nice shape, no chips.

The platter is good too.

I adore the owl on the platter.

The tureen and platter were $50 Canadian total.

My other purchase was a numbered photo 

of Bette Davis:

My pregnant onion plants look awful.

How come my outdoor gardens thrive 

but my indoor plants die?

I give up.

Our rug hooking meetings have re-started for Fall

with lots of precautions in place. 

I’m working on my son’s 30th birthday rug.

Our covid numbers are climbing for the first

time since March. 

My face masks are just a part of my wardrobe now.

May your weekend be wonder-filled.

Thanksgiving Time in Canada

Autumn has long been the season when

my spirits get an infusion of life.

It prepares me for the long winter ahead.

Some years I need the lift more than others.

My father just broke his pelvis (fell from his bike)

 and my mom is struggling to cope.

I’m in another country and my siblings are 

shuffling work to help them.

Frustrating to the extreme.

So this weekend gave my spirits a lift.

I did things that I love.

Friday evening: a potluck, wine, and crafting

with two dear friends. 

Here is the result.

My food contribution was my Harvest 

pumpkin chocolate chip bread.

It has long been an autumnal tradition but it’s so

addictive I only make it to share with a larger group.

Saturday we woke to a warmer than normal day

and news that a small community nearby was hosting 

an outdoor craft market. 

The colours of the trees provided the perfect 

backdrop for the vendors.

I was tempted by pottery but 

we came away with honey and goat milk soap

and bellies full of wood fired pizza.

  

After the market we stopped by Johnny Appleseed

to pick Macs and Lobos 

(which I used later for apple butter).

Beside this dear little orchard is a cemetery with

some interesting stones.

There must have been disease or flu mid

1800s in NB as siblings died within days

of one another.

I wrote a paper in university on this stone art,

such beautiful motifs.

To top off a good weekend

I found this gorgeous cupboard on kijiji (similar to craig's list).

I paid $75!

I adore the squiggly old paint.

The piece was from a rural one room schoolhouse which

held classes until the early 20th century.

Hubby doesn't see the beauty of it but

being the sweetheart that he is, agreed to cram it into

our tiny apartment kitchen until we find a house.

And last night I was part of what makes me alive-

praying for and sitting with a friend who lives with

anxiety and cancer.

May you pause to reflect on things you 

are thankful for this coming weekend.

For us here in Canada, it is Thankgiving.

September Flying

September is flying

The leaves are beginning to turn

here on the town walking trails of New Brunswick.

I have decluttering jobs here and there

but for the most part my time is mine right now.

I framed two cross stitches which I finished in August:

They will go on the walls of our rv

which are pitifully bare.

I’m trying to locate all of my rug hooking supplies;

since the move to our temporary apartment the

boxes are in chaos.

I’m also stitching a small piece from 

Modern folk on Etsy.

It’s a Japanese alphabet for my daughter who

loves Japan and speaks a little Japanese.

The highlight of my week was seeing 

two special friends visit at a nursing home.

The 81 and 94 year old besties have been apart since

February!

They communicate using 

Two handed British Manual language because

one of them is deaf AND blind. 

Words are spelled into the hand using specific points 

on the hand.

As the time drew to a close, the 94 year old said,

“I wish we could all get good and drunk.”

I had debated bringing gin, but their current medication 

wouldn’t jive with it.

They both endure painfully lonely times.

There are three cases in the province now so we 

need to take advantage before the numbers rise.

Happy Fall to All.

Kings Landing visit

My favourite place in New Brunswick 

is Kings Landing!

The collection of homes from different

eras of NB life is magical.

Being a feeler of history (I sense age and am enraptured)

I become a kid when I go there.

This particular trip was a treat from friend Teresa.

Including lunch: a spectacular pheasant stew,

molasses brown bread, cider and gingerbread.

Take a gander at some of the sights we enjoyed:

 

From the open hearth cooking and harvested

fields to the worker making molasses 

cookies and the animals in their pens—

we had entered a different time!

After gaining permission, Teresa and I picked 

globe amaranth for dried bouquets.

A farm hand and actor then invited us to 

glean the fields for any squash and veg left over.

We filled a huge bag and topped them with their apples!

I call this kind of day a “soul feeder.”

The cares of the world were put on hold while

we indulged in an escape.

May your weekend have soul feeder moments...

50 Fifty Fiftee

Happy 50th Me!

Wow, how can it be?

I remember thoughts and feelings from when I was 2.

I remember thinking a 12 year old
in my neighborhood was old!

Hubby and I left the apartment and pets
in a friend’s care and hit the back roads
of our beautiful New Brunswick.
The day was a cool 68F.

A nursery and grill for lunch:

One of many covered bridges in this province:

After shopping a couple of antique stores
along the way we reached our destination,
Shadowlawn Inn in Rothesay, NB.
Five course meal done, we climbed the stairs to
our lovely room.

Hiking some trails the next day helped us work
off our rich foods.

I got gifts and well wishes from many
and I still have a brunch with friends
and a catered celebration this weekend
but I have to say that the Zoom call with my kids
and my parents and siblings on the eve of my
birthday was my most treasured gift.
Each recounted a fav memory of me and
a reading of what was popular in my teens—
which sent us off into even more laughter and memories.

Have a weekend full of memories and make some new ones
♥️♥️♥️♥️

Good Intentions, Gentle Thoughts

We are settling into 810 sq feet of apartment

after living in 2300 sq feet for years.

Yes we sold and donated lots but the remains 

of the storage unit will be emptied early September.

With unexpected cooler temps

(I had a blanket on last night in the deck)

my thoughts are turning to Fall colours and patterns.

I’m close to done with Good Intentions:

Designed By Kathy Barrick 

I made several mistakes and switched 

a couple colours but she’s cute!

We’ve got a family member down South waiting 

results of a covid test.

They will likely find out on their birthday.

I would be surprised if it’s positive as they’ve 

only left the house to go to outside church services

since March.

On a gentler note, being in the rv and living

outdoors led us to observe the changing 

of nature in New Brunswick.

What a comfort to know seasons continue

their march, no matter our chaos.

The geese began to congregate early August 

to chat about their trips South.

The loud honks and heavy wings beat the

hot air above us while down below

cicadas’ incessant hums filled the air.

A child was at our site when I murmured 

“Those cicadas!”

He looked at me startled, “You mean that noise?” he asked.

“I thought it was the ground saying it was hot.”

I love his version ♥️♥️♥️

May you take joy in observations of the changing seasons