COTTAGE GEMS

 

I’m not sure why, but the cottages I’ve been to (you know, the “rustic” type) all have this mish-mash of decor. It was like someone said “boy this dresser that Grandma left us is in pretty good shape! Anybody want it? No? OK, let’s use it at the cottage!” To me, that’s part of their charm 

We spent a week recently at a cottage full of all sort of gems. It is a 5 bedroom cottage big enough for both my kids, their spouses, the grand babies and even my DIL’s parents joined. And it was full of treasures! The couch was straight out of the 1960’s, chintzy sunfish from the 1970’s hang in the bathroom, and there are two dining sets: one a classic oak and another a more elegant dark wood affair. 

The dishes cover all eras from the past.

These delicate china cups hang in the cupboard with a cornucopia  of bowls, plates and coffee mugs. 

Remember BlockBuster? The place to go on a Friday night in the 1990s? A booming business now extinct thanks to Netflix. But I found the popcorn bowl! 

Not to be outdone, I picked up a Paint-by-number set from the local Dollar store for the adults to dabble with. It was cheap, with cheap paint that you could still see the numbers through. In some places, there was NO number so you could take some artistic license. 

Most of the adults took a stab at it and here is the finished product:

Fitted right into cheesy cottage decor! 

But I found a few other cottage gems -some truly precious ones:

Like Little Prince #1 and his penchant for bugs (or in this case a frog).

And Little Prince #2: One Cool Dude! 

Precious Princess Eva (note the mug, anyone place the year?) is worth more rubies than the world holds. 

This bunch is priceless!

There were so many cottage gems all around me, I could scarcely take them all in. 

 I’ll just take a few home. 

THE GARDEN WORLD

When my children were teenagers, there go-to-escape computer game was “Sims”, especially my daughter! She loved creating the little families, building and expanding their homes, making sure everyone was fed and happy. Seems to me gardening is kind of like Sims but with plants!

I spent a lot of time this week making sure my plants were fed and happy. I evicted a lot of free-loading weeds making room for other plant families to expand.

      The morning primroses are growing into one big happy family. 

But the Garden world is not always easy. For some reason I’ve struggled getting poppies or cosmos to grow, until this year. The poppies are snubbing me but the cosmos are finally coming along! And after a fair bit of wooing lavender decided to settle into my garden world. 

  Of course, there’s always divas that need extra pampering - roses!

                                 And check out the nursery!

I started these peppers from seed and transferred them into a raised bed.

And my baby lettuce, tomatoes and beans will soon be rewarding my efforts. 

The garden world is always evolving: the plants have their moment to shine and then step into the wings for the next to take centre stage. Some I move to new areas in hopes they will establish there. Some just fade away. Others are bossy and try to take over everywhere and I need to use a firm hand of discipline. 

Any gardener will tell you it’s cathartic to get your hands dirty and be rewarded for your efforts as you work with the plants, pruning and molding your own little Garden world. Beats Sims hands down!

 

ARRIVING IN BOHEMIA

 

I’ve often thought I had a bent towards a “bohemian” lifestyle and if you were to look up the definition it would describe someone who generally does not follow the crowd, hangs out with like-minded people and has a focus on artistic, literary or spiritual pursuits. Sounds about right! But I never, EVER, considered taking a trip to the Czech Republic, the birthplace of Bohemia. So when my husband suggested I tag along while he participated in a work conference in Prague I thought….Why Not? 

Typical of Europe, Prague is ancient, full of history and culture. Everywhere is beautiful architecture leaning towards renaissance and gothic spires.

The people are warm and friendly; many reminded me of gypsies with dark swarthy looks and flashing eyes. As we walked along we past musicians and artists entertaining us with their talents. 

Prague Castle will take your breath away!

How can you not be in awe of this incredible workmanship? 

As Sheldon was in the conference for a few days, I was on my own. Now this is dangerous business! My sense of direction is nil and the thought of heading out in a strange country alone was unsettling! But I wanted to take this challenge on and with the help of Apple Maps, I made my way to a beautiful Italian Renaissance style park about 20 minutes from our hotel. A couple of wrong turns, but I found it!

So, there I wandered in my best Bohemian style snapping pics, people watching and spending an hour or so reading “The Secret Garden” which is an excellent book to read in a park. I’ve discovered that pairing a book with the location you are reading it in is much like pairing wine and cheese; it is a fine art! 

The next day my target was the Cafe V Zahrade. 

This one was a bit closer so once I located it, I wandered the shops nearby. I found a Second Hand Clothing store which was busy with locals snapping up deals. I snapped up a deal myself: a sundress that cost $2.50 in Canadian! And I found a Bakery and bought an Apple strudel for Sheldon and Babovka (Czech local cake) for me. 

In the evenings there were Conference dinners to attend with Sheldon where the food and wine/beer flowed with abundance. 

Prague is a beautiful city. If you ever get the chance to visit, by all means do so! Come live your best bohemian lifestyle and pursue the music, read a book in the park or be enveloped in the hushed, awe-inspiring atmosphere of their ancient churches. 

THE HEART OF LIFE IS GOOD

 There is a very, VERY fine balance between a good avocado and a not good avocado. I play a balancing act of timing and placement to score a good avocado. First, they start rock hard hanging out in the fruit bowl to mellow with the bananas. Then with careful little pokes to check on, I move them to the fridge at just the right time: still a little overly firm but on their way to “nailed it.”

This avocado was timed just right and was so good with a poached egg, salt, pepper, tomato and a sprinkling of cheese.

We all have struggles. This business called Life is not easy. It throws pain, anxiety, fear and other curveballs at us. Dreams slip through our hands. People, pets, even places we love get taken away and we grieve. Oh, what is harder than a broken heart? 

And yet, as we move from year to year, so many good things also come our way! 

In Genesis Chapter 1: 31 after 7 days of work creating the earth, God says: And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” He made the light, the dry land, the animals, the winged birds and after careful review of each, deemed them “Good.” It’s a Good Foundation we have!

The weather people tell us we in Ontario have experienced the darkest winter in 80 years. Apparently the sun snubbed us. But tomorrow is the first day of spring - just be persevering, you can find The Good.

In Psalm 23:6 “Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my Life.” Seems you can’t even escape it, Goodness is following you around, tailing you and showing up everywhere. And he brought a friend! Mercy! 

So, as I look around I find the Good there with me in the midst of it.

A Good Cup of Coffee

My Grandchildren

Canada is Very Good!

Not to mention my children and all my family, friends and experiences I’ve had over the years. 

Of course, it’s not always good, not always easy. But in the midst of my journey, I can find goodness hanging around. 

Tonight I’m going to see Jon Mayer in concert and I’m hoping he plays The Heart of Life (which by the way, SOMEBODY better play at my funeral). 

He knows: at the crux of it all, the Heart of Life is good.

WE’VE MADE SOME PROGRESS!

 I’m not a big fan of cold. Never have been. I  appreciate winter’s beauty and stillness but in truth I “endure” it more than “embrace” it. 

But for the past 9 years or so, I’ve supported a fundraiser that impacts across the nation, raising funds and awareness for homeless called “Coldest Night of the Year”. I suppose it strikes a chord with me that everyone, EVERYONE, should have a warm place to lay their heads at night. 

Back in 2015 I volunteered to stand out in the cold and wet snow, holding a sign that basically directed the sponsored walkers which way the route went. Here’s a pic from way back then:

Last year I got to drive my little Mini Cooper around like a pace car, ensuring the walkers were doing well and not in need of anything.

That was a pretty sweet gig!

A number of times including this year, I’ve helped with registration and managing money raised. 

Back in 2015, we raised a little over $20,000. This past year, close to $65,000 was raised! 

Not only has the amount of funds increased, but the awareness and support in our community has tripled as well. 

I’m not sure how many actually participated in the walk this year, but I do know we were very busy checking in the registrants! 

Since 2015, we now have an amazing homeless shelter called “Grace Inn” and a transitional home open with eyes of continued expansion and growth, supporting the homeless in our community. 

I know “Coldest Night of the Year” truly impacts and makes a difference. Way to go Quinte and thank you for getting behind this fundraiser! I can attest to the fact: We’ve made some progress!

PUTTER THE DAY AWAY

 

I’ve come to the conclusion a day of Puttering is a privilege, a gift. 

To Putter means to move around without hurrying and in a relaxed and pleasant way.

Puttering is not open to those with children underfoot! If they are young your moment to “relax” happens when they decide to nap. And usually your have a million things to do in the 2 hour nap window. So you had better hurry. If you have teenagers there are sports to get them to or a job to drop them off at or pick up. 

No Puttering is for the 55 and over group or for the 10-12 year-olds who refer to it as “I’m bored”. Little do they know the next opportunity to putter is when you are old and gray! 

I very happily puttered away this past weekend! Oh sure, I did a few necessities like vacuuming and mopping but mostly I moved from one moment to another in a relaxed and unhurried pace. No pressing agenda.

I went to the market and picked up fresh eggs and homemade raisin bread.

I stopped to pick up cat food and bought myself some flowers

I replenished the bird feeders and enjoyed watching them have their lunch!

And yes, I know that says Squirrel Buster but who are we kidding? They gotta eat too.

Saturday night we went for dinner with friends at Flame & Smith for a leisurely 6 course meal. And believe me, we puttered through it for over 2 hours!

From the seafood appetizer,

To the death by chocolate dessert

Tomorrow it is back to the office Monday - Friday and all the pressing details that go with it.

But Oh, to Putter the Day or even the Weekend Away! 

A BLANKET INVITATION

 There is something about a blanket. They are just so dang inviting. 

As soon as I throw one on, you can bet a pet is not far behind!

“What’s this? A cosy lap complete with blanket? Count me in!”

Blankets mean welcome and warmth. They are cosy and protecting.

I have a couple bargain blankets that I drag around from living room in front of the TV to back yard when the wind picks up to the cottage for coolish mornings by the lake. 

Eva is partial to the yellow one with the flowers. A snuggle on Dad’s lap makes it even better!

And Soren was not going to miss out on the fun either. 

                      It’s hard to resist a blanket invitation!              

                                 Well, most of the time….