Giveaway Goodies

First, before I get to the real purpose of this post I want to make a shameless plug for my own giveaway. There are still a few days left to enter. And don't forget, there will be some surprises added!

Now the really great news. A bit ago I was the very lucky blogger who won Jody's giveaway at Cobblestone Corner and Grandma's Biscuits. Well.....it arrived and what a fabulous box of goodies she put together for me.



I can tell you, the most wonderful fragrance came out of that box as soon as I opened it. There were some orange spice melting tarts, candles and some of Jody's own soap. Oh I love homemade soap. And who doesn't love buttons!



A perfect notepad for all my lists and a box of candy made in her town. Jody, I opened the chocolates.....yummy!!

And some lovely wooden spools. Now I ask my prim friends - any suggestions for how to display these great wooden treasures? I'd love to do them justice.



I can't thank Jody enough for the wonderful goodies. She is a warm and generous soul. If you've never visited her blog Cobblestone Corner and Grandma's Biscuits I encourage you to do it. You won't be disappointed.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Butterfly Day

Today was a special day.  A day to spend with wonderful friends to celebrate all things butterfly and all that represents for us.  Four years ago today I lost a great friend to cancer. 

Every August 14th friends and family gather at his parents house for a "celebration".  It is exactly the kind of thing he would love.  After his death, his young daughters declared that he was now a butterfly. That idea has stuck with all of us.    Butterfly everything has been exchanged back and forth.  

A few months ago, for my birthday, I received the most special gift.  It was a butterfly house for my yard.

What made it more special was that it was a "true family" gift.  This house was given to me by Tim's sister, constructed by Tim's father and painted by his mother.    I just simply love it and all that it represents.



Delicate little forget-me-nots painted along the sides.

A resident of the house perhaps.....

I love sitting out on the back deck and looking at this house. 

As each year passes we share more laughs than tears on August 14th.  We sat around in the sun, and watched the children in the pool, while the adults had a few refreshments.  Even Sasha the dog got worn out from all the people.

3rd anniversary Giveaway time

A few weeks ago I hit a milestone - I've been keeping this blog going for 3 years. I would have never imagined it.

And it's all because of my wonderful followers who are with me every post. Your comments always brighten my day. So in honor of this anniversary, and to show my appreciation, I'm having a GIVEAWAY.

It's open to my followers, but new followers are always welcomed (and appreciated). Just leave a comment on this post and you will be entered. If you mention it on your blog or help me promote it on your sidebar I would greatly appreciate that too. And you will get an extra entry.

Now I suppose you are wondering what you'll win.....



I stitched up this little pillow tuck for you. I've also got some local made goodies too - local Anointment soap (you will love it), and some local honey products - lip balm, soap, and honey sticks. A few hand knit wash cloths and a surprise or two....Or three...

I'll make the drawing on Saturday, August 18th.


Thank you for making this little blog experiment so much fun!

Kim

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A Market Morning

A light rain and cooler temperatures greeted me this morning. Such a nice change from the heat and humidity. It felt so refreshing. Miss Millie even seemed a little more perky.

It seemed like a good opportunity to take the new car for a little run on the highway. (drives like a dream btw). Sackville Farmers Market - here I come.




I tried to take some pictures this morning, but sometimes I feel funny about it. I need a t-shirt that says "I blog so I take strange pictures". Lol




I got some yellow string beans, carrots, and some good size beets. The farmer vendors were thrilled with the rain. The crops here were starting to struggle with the dryness.



The honey man suggested I cut off his head for the photo. (oops....lol)

Then I hit the sweet jackpot - the German baking table. Look at these beautiful cheesie buns. They were huge.




And dessert - cinnamon buns, apple cinnamon donuts and chocolate blueberry muffins. And there was a hidden pocket of chocolate liquid in the middle. Mmmmm




I love market day.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

And the stereo played Hotel California

I suppose this will not come as a big surprise but I succumbed to the temptation.  It was too powerful to resist.

The glint of the fresh metallic paint.  The intoxicating aroma of leather seats.  The alluring blink of all the lights and gadgets.   The pure fun of starting the car from my iPhone.......

And the sound of Hotel California blaring from the BOSE speakers.

Yes, I bought the new car.   And I have a bit of an odd tradition.  When I was 18 years old I got my first car.  A real old beater but it got me back and forth to university.  The first time I got in it I was so excited - My first car!  And the song playing on the radio was Hotel California by The Eagles.  I never forgot that first few minutes in my own car.  I felt so proud and grown up.  So every car I have ever owned since then (now 10) I have played Hotel California as I drove off the lot.  Cassette tapes, then CD's and now an iPod. 

This afternoon I had my iPod all cued up and ready to plug in as I drove off the lot.  The windows down, sunglasses on and the volume up loud!!!

Here she is.......

This weekend I will be cruising and trying to figure out all the buttons.  Zoom...........

Lordy, give me strength

OK - honestly, this is exactly how this started.....
The other day my black car got bombed by some apparently very well fed birds.  I took the car through the inexpensive car wash.  It did the job with the exception of a particularly vile "drip" on the drivers side door. 

The next day I took it to the serious super car wash.  Drove home only to discover it was still there.  Seriously??  What in the heck did that bird eat to produce that kind of indestructible poop???

Today I decided to be a big girl and take a wet cloth and wipe it off.   Oh oh,  its not coming off and its spreading in a sticky gooey mess.  IT WAS GUM.  Someone must have thrown it and it stuck to the door and melted in.  The more I wiped, the bigger and worse the mess became. 

CRAPPPPPP!!!!  So I went to my friendly downtown service station and Wayne removed the goo --- with gasoline.  Who knew??  But then it left a residue.  Then......(this is where I start to get in trouble) my favorite car salesman pulls in and takes a look.  Coincidence??  We will never know.  He says, just follow me to the dealership and I will wash the car for you.   My spidey senses should have tingled, but instead I thought "Hmm, free car wash".   Gee I'm stupid sometimes.  (No need to comment on that point - Lol)

So I go to the dealership and he washes my car.  Then he says, you should look at this and leads me over to a brand new shiney car.  And if you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know I get all starry eyed and stupid in a new car lot.  I should have run screaming to my car, but NO - I climb in and take it for a spin. 

It is soooo pretty and it has everything - Every.thing....  So many gadgets and pretty buttons.  STOP IT.....  I tried to play it cool and pretend it was just OK and I wasn't "in love" with it......... But now I can't stop thinking about it.  (Don't tell him)

I walked away.  But I know he will call me tomorrow.  I've been playing with the calculator and I have my "line in the sand" offer.  I hope he doesn't accept it.  I hope I can stay strong.  Lordy, give me strength.

(Did I mention it was all leather, voice commands, heated seats, keyless start - - - and I can control parts of it with my iPhone......)  

Can you believe this all started with bird poop?  I need to join NCA (New Cars Anonymous)

Markets and meltdowns

Yesterday morning I decided to go check out a farmers market in a nearby town, Sackville. A few of my friends have been mentioning how great it was, so off I went. I knew they blocked off part of the street for the morning. I was expecting a few tables along the sides. Well, imagine my surprise as I approached and saw this....



The street was tented all the way up. I really should have been a good blogger and taken more pics but I was shocked. There were people everywhere. As I walked up the sidewalk, several sidewalk cafes were bustling and little shops were full. Inside the tents there were loads of vendors with fruits, vegetables, baking,crafts etc. I'll be back there next Saturday, armed with a shopping bag to hold more goodies. For a small little town, this was an event to be proud of.

That was the extent of my excursions this weekend. It's HOT. Way to hot for me. And today is worse. This is the reading on my car temp gauge at 11am this morning.



And with the humidex it feels like 35 degrees. That's hovering around 100 in Fahrenheit. Gotta go sit in front of a fan for the rest of the day.

(this winter when I am whining about the cold, someone remind me of today)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Everything's coming up roses

I had one of those days that everything seemed to be going my way.  Do you remember that song "Everything's coming up roses..."?  That's what I thought of all day.  And if you are like me, that song will now be stuck in your head for hours.  (sorry)

Yesterday's rain stopped and the sun came out and it was Hot, Hot, Hot (and humid).  So a nice drive in an air conditioned car seemed like the best plan. 

We headed out to Parrsboro, along the Bay of Fundy.  It's a nice drive and not too far, only an hour.  We stopped at the little summer restaurant I like, right on the beach.  A few months ago I blogged (well, whined) about them taking my scallop burger off the menu.  And you know me, I have trouble letting go of disappointments......   We had one of my favorite waitresses today - she is usually there when we are, except for that last disappointing visit.   After I gave her my order, naturally I had to whine about the missing scallop burger.  (I know, I can't help myself)   She says "Oh, do you want one?"  My eyes dilated in excitement.  "Really" I say, "Can I have one even though its not on the menu?"   Sure, she says.  I'll get you one.  WOOHOO!!! 
And yes, it was every bit as good as I remember.

Then we went to a great little shop in town - Sweet Briar Boutique.   Joan, the owner always has a great selection of unique items.  I get a fair amount of jewellry there and always get compliments on the pieces.  She also stocks a nice selection of purses at very reasonable prices.  My last visit I was looking for a spring purse and all they had were small ones.  That's no good for me, I like a big bag you can dump a bunch of stuff in.   So today I same more of the same.  UNTIL.....I meandered into the back room.  A day bed FULL of big beautiful leather bags.    I found my new Fall bag

Then we cut across country and stopped into a little bakery in Oxford.  The name is Grumpy's Bakery, and I have to say I think he lived up to his name - Just sayin'
But luckily he had just put some fresh blueberry pies out in the case.   Blueberry pie made in the Blueberry Capital of the World.......How could you go wrong?   It was so good, we had it for supper with ice cream.  (Yes, we only had dessert for supper)
   

I'm so glad my friend Kim didn't tell me to eat healthy on vacation!!  Tomorrow morning I think I'll check out the Sackville Farmers Market.

This and that

The stay-cation is off to a great start. I got up early and had breakfast with The Captain (Crunch). Then dropped Mom off at adult day care and hit the highway for a bit of me-time and shopping.

I found a great little crafty shop and the ladies there were so friendly and helpful. Not at all like Michaels! But unlike my Walmart trip, I came home with just one bag ;)

Then I stopped at a Sports Bar for lunch and watched the Olympics on the big screen. And you can't sit in a sports bar and watch sports without one of these




And some spicy Thai chicken and a really tasty spinach salad





It was a nice little break for me. Now it's time to start on my new project and plan tomorrows activities.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The good old days??

Well girls and boys, I am officially on a 5 day stay-cation.  I practically sprinted out of the office at 4pm. 

I went out to the store after supper and this little excursion spawned this post.  Remember the good old days before we were controlled by technology?  There were no cell phones.  How did we stand it when we couldn't make or receive a phone call anywhere??  And worse, if you are like me and have a smart phone, how did we cope when we couldn't read an email on our phone or (gasp) check out what is happening on facebook from anywhere??  Or the worst....not know immediately when someone has commented on our blogs!   The horror!!!!   Worse thought, before there was internet and blogs.........Can you imagine the sadness in a blog-free world?  (Too terrible to think about)

And remember when we had to carry a large enough quantity of cash to purchase what you need.  There were no debit cards or cash machines open 24 hours a day and on every corner.  We had to get ourselves to the actual bank, before 3pm when they used to close, and withdraw enough cash to survive until the next time you were forced to stand in a line.....to get your own money!

I rarely have more than $40 cash in my purse.  Tonight I had $20.  I went to Walmart to buy dog treats.  That's all.  Well, I walked in and cases of pop were on sale.  Hmmm, I should pick some up since I'm here.  Then I took a short cut through the cereal aisle on my way to the dog treat destination.  That is when things really started to unravel.  I saw a box of Captain Crunch.  Mmmm, that would be good.  I wanted it.  And then my friend Kim (Farm Girl's) last comment came into my mind.  She told me I should eat whatever I wanted on vacation.   So I grabbed the Captain Crunch, all the while very pleased with myself.  

Slippery slope ladies.  Then I spied those yummy sugar waffle cones for ice cream and some caramel sundae syrup.....Grabbed that too.  Salt and Vinegar potato chips.......Yep!  Eventually got to the dog treats but by then I was too far gone on the "spoil myself binge".   Wandered down another aisle and spied these cute little pink and brown leopard print undies.   Well, had to have those!   Oh, and last week I bought a bottle of Oil of Olay face cream but Auntie stole it, so I had to get another (to keep my girly complexion in tact)

When I finally got to the cashier we got into this discussion about how bad it was in the good old days when you needed a wallet full of cash to shop.  I told her I had just come in for dog treats!   She looked at my 4 bags full of stuff and burst out laughing!

So the point of all this is it is Farm Girl's fault but I am happily listening to my friend and eating whatever I want on vacation!! 

Tomorrow I am going to take a quick trip to Moncton to look at crafty supplies and go have lunch.  It will be my little me-time break.   Maybe I might find an idea for a soon to be announced giveaway......