Quote of the day

When one door of happiness closes,
another opens;
but often we look so long at the closed door
that we do not see the one
which has been opened for us.

Helen Keller

I hope you look beyond the closed door today
and dream of the possibilities...

xo

Family Treasures ~ Plates

As you all know by now
I love hand me downs
well loved hand me downs
family treasures
like old crocks
quilts
and dishes...

When I moved into my 1st apartment
on my own
I brought along a box of old dishes
I collected from the farm
and hung some plates in my kitchen.

Since I am a creature of habit
I have drug these plates
from place to place to place
and hung them the same way
each and every time

I know ~ vanilla girl
plain Jane...

these plates all have special meaning though
as they are all part of my history
I also grabbed one from my mother in law
so I have more history on my wall.

Mom gave me this one
another little part of my history
which I will post about soon...

the big turkey platter belonged to my maternal great grandmother

Gram said that her Mom brought it over on the ship
when they came to Canada
I love it among all my old pictures...

a peek inside the cabinet has my paternal grandmother's china
Johnston Brothers ~ Queen's Bouquet
I keep an eye open at flea markets for additional pieces

there are other treasures in there too
but that is also for another day...

found here

I have also collected little saucers
and bread and butter plates

found here

I use them under plants and want to do something more with them
sometime soon...

The balance of the photos were in my file
and I apologize that I do not remember where I found them.


We all need fresh ideas
and since I know my plates
will always be displayed in some
way, shape or form
I have a folder...

so next time I go to hang these
maybe I can be more creative
and not so vanilla!

I like this one but it is still very vanilla to me

I like these ones too

who would have thought to put them in the bathroom??

funky plates ~ funky display

this one spells L*O*V*E

I really like the chocolate brown wall
and the way that these cascade

this is really fun
I am thinking that this is someone's flat
because it is too cute to be an apartment!

xo

It's Saturday

Part of my long range plan
to get myself out of my funk
is to clean my house

Yes ladies
it is as simple as that...

Not that I don't enjoy cleaning
oh wait
I really don't enjoy it
.
.
.

I do not live in a dirty house
it's just a little dusty right now
and cluttered...

I need to start fresh
like an artist

because I love a clean slate

and as much as I hate cleaning
I love the house when it is done
all sparkly and fresh


so I must log off for now
and start my journey
to the kitchen
and the bathroom
and the floors
the dreaded floors!

I tend to like this quote:

"My idea of housework Is to sweep the room with a glance"

Unknown

and
after it is all said and done
I will soak in a tub of bubbles
make an amazing meal
and when our neighbors arrive tonight
will partake in a couple of these.

xo

Traditions ~ Cards

I am a creature of habit
and some of those habits are good ones

really...

While I embrace the cyber world
I do love to send and receive real mail

you know the stuff that the postman delivers
into the real mailbox
the one outside your door
not on your computer

something that you actually are excited to open
not something that you have to pay.

Although I am not a great letter writer anymore
I love sending cards
birthday and just because cards

so...
with the season coming
I get excited
I have been browsing the Christmas aisles
for the last 3 weeks

found here

I have bought a few things
some gifts and some new things for me

I also bought some new cards
and have made my list
I am ready to go...

found here

I love sitting down
and writing a little note in each one

these ones are from here
aren't they the cutest!

once they are all addressed and mailed
I sit back and wait...

because as much as I love sending them
I love receiving them too!

I want to find a fun new way
to display my cards this year

I know it is not something that a lot of people do anymore
but this is one tradition I want to keep alive

last 4 photos found here

Thursday Thoughts

Keep calm and carry on should be the quote I post today.

It has been a different kind of week
I have been out of sorts

I feel like I am in a rut

stuck deep in the mud

I want to climb out
and get some stuff done

I have to change some things
find some energy
I feel so drained

Now I am whining
maybe I need some wine??

My long range plan will start this week-end
I have something up my sleeve
to get me out of my funk

I hope I follow through
and listen to my heart.

xo

Remember

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day

it is the day that we honour
the brave men and women
who fought in past wars
and present ones

we pin a poppy
over our hearts
to show respect
and to show we care

Flanders Field in Belgium

so although I will remove my poppy tomorrow
I will continue to honour the veterans
that gave me freedom

I remember learning this poem in school
and reciting it on Remembrance Day:

all photos found here

Lucky ~ Lucky

I got home on Wednesday night
I was on the fly
just home to change and then right back out again

I ran upstairs ~ changed my clothes
down to feed the girl
yelled a hello to my hubby
and was ready to run back out the door
when I cut through the dining room
and there was a parcel sitting on the table

what is this...
my gift from Cathi
when I won her 100th post giveaway!!

she said that her gift would encompass
the 5 senses
and would include some of her favorite things

It was a gift basket
and it was filled with the most wonderful things

chocolate and candles

and hot chocolate

a movie, a book

and another book on CD

writing paper and bubble bath

and last but not least
a sweet little note.

Thank you so much Cathi
first for the opportunity to win your giveaway
and for being such a great friend!

xo