sunshine and happiness...

began the day with the sun coming up
over the treetops...
a beautiful way to start the day.
words to describe my sunday...
crisp, bright, calm, cozy,
coffee, toast...
orange.
(i'll fill you in on the orange part later)
happy winter sunday from muskoka
xox

still in the making...

our little space for creating
got a bit of a switch around

we took everything out
and started over

stuff finally went up on the walls

our smiles grew as things just kind of came together

there's more than a few nooks to fill

and i have more than a few boxes to sort through

but this room is becoming...
a bit of a dream come true

and we're not done yet...
ok, back to Christmas...

brrrrrrr..

oh sure it looks lovely out there...
but it is so cold,
oliver doesn't even want to go out.

glad i can just watch the snow pile up
from in here.
tired of looking at my tree and fireplace yet?
i'm not.
i can't take my eyes off them...
they are a great form of relaxation therapy,
after a few nights of entertaining
i've needed it.
now it's time to get the gift shopping finished up.
i guess that means i'll have to go outside...

i am so mad at myself...

at about this time last night, my dining table was
completely covered with beautiful packages of cookies...
and i FORGOT to get my camera out!!

i played host once again to the now
annual cookie exchange party
we had 13 girls all excited to take part in the fun
 

i was sure to share my love of christmas decor...

of course there were bits of evergreen...

and christmas trees...

and we enjoyed some wine and goodies 

it was so much fun
i wish we could do it more often...

you never know where a day will take you....

today started with a list of things to do.
most days do.
two parties in our home later this week.
cleaning, baking, decorating
sewing, laundry, shopping, wrapping, mailing,
more laundry......
but forget all that!
at noon we decided to make over our little studio room.
around 5:oo we finished.
we are very proud of ourselves.
now it will be such a pleasure to create and wrap.
it is SO ORGANIZED NOW!
photos will follow for sure....
my feet hurt.
my back aches...
and now everything that i was going to do today,
is added to tomorrow's list!

on a roll....or a mission

what is this you ask? two posts in two days?? crazy...i have been busy, busy around here.
yesterday got me thinking that my buffet needed some attention.
so i emptied her out.
it has been the place where odd homeless stuff goes.
so today it all got sorted out.

everything is now going to have a place to go.
not everything went back in.
this is my spot for vases.
i love the pooch.

it feels so good to finally get organized.
now that we're near the end of the 4 year reno...
it really feels like a home.

my last kitchen, in the big old house...
well it had more of a vintage feel.
i keep the pastels handy though
 ...they're expected to make an appearance  every spring.

all my candles are in the same drawer now.
excellent.

perfect example of what was in the buffet...
and didn't belong there.
my baby mittens.
cira 1969.
like i'm supposed to just toss these out?
how does one do such a thing?
....into my keepsake box.

today...around the house...

today it's rainy with the occasional snowflake.
oliver is being cute.
...i'm feeling a deep desire need to blog.

i would also like to show off my new favorite thing...
can't wait to pretty her up for the holidays!

on a day like this...i'm glad to have a pot of coffee on.
this little nook always makes me feel good.
i just need to take the time to appreciate it more often.

and while i've got you here...
i LOVE that my girls are self-governing their bathroom.

peek into elsie's room...

...and emma's.
ruffled patent leather heals and a periodic table
she's no simple girl...

so that's it for today.
i feel better.
do you?
xox

hurry up and spring...

i am ready for it. i need it. today it is raining again. yes better than snow, but guess what? more of that is in the forecast... 

so let's just focus on the pastels shall we? the lovely pale shades. they can really cheer up a grey day like today. i can be all serious with chocolate brown and deep cherry red, but my alter ego is a sucker for soft pinks and greens. i have no control over it. a lesson to share: when we were first married i was convinced we needed a sea-foam green sofa. someone talked me out of it. thanks mom. so...many years later we finally did buy a sofa. brown. my point here. don't spend the big bucks on big stuff that satisfies your alter ego. make those the little things. things you can store easily or take to the thrift shop without a trailer on the back of your car...

the studio....work in progress...

We're almost there! I think I now have the happiest girls in the world...We have made a special spot in the house, especially created for creativity!! This pink caddy was the jumping off point for us. Luckily everything else we own goes with it. Go figure.

And now Mommy has a place to display and enjoy all of her pretties and littles. The Barbies have come out of their cases and they are dressed in their finest. 

But we're not even close to being done yet...more to come. Stay tuned!

pretties

i believe i have come to a conclusion. when you share a home with other people (a husband) it may not be appropriate to apply every decorating whim upon them. for example, i have a strong love of old lovely, flowery, glittery, nostalgic girly stuff. some people in my house(husband) would prefer just about the opposite. leaning more towards leathery, rusty, woody, sports bar stuff. so i will find the balance. because i love them(him). perhaps i will satisfy my needs by flipping through these lovely books i own. i am willing to compromise. maybe we could each have our own "space". i believe his style would really look fabulous in his favorite places. the workshop, the furnace room and if he's lucky maybe the garage too... i am ok with that. really, i am.

a marshmallow sunday

sometimes, often actually, i have no words. but i think this photo says alot. today was messy, pretty, warm, butterscotchy and marshmallowy day. throw together orange, yellow, green and pink and that is what today was. it was a nutty yummy day.

keeping warm in the north