Hallowe'en In The Kitchen

 It's officially fall!!  While we are still having sunny days....the overnight temperatures are dipping low!  If you have a few minutes....pour a cup of your favourite hot beverage & join me in the kitchen & enjoy a bit of Hallowe'en fun.......a couple of dish towels are hung on the freezer drawer handle....

I'm still crushing on the witch & ghost dancing canvas.....purchased on Etsy.....along with the two canvases in the family room....the wicker pumpkin place mats were purchased last year on Simons website for a fraction of the price on Pottery Barn....and the table runner was a Temu purchase from last year as well....

I now purchase all my table runners on Temu.....they are a fraction of the price Home Sense charges.   I have a number of runners folded over hangers in the guest room bedroom closet.....

The Hello Fall sign was painted at a class I took with my friend....(sadly she has passed away).....I cherish this piece & remember our evening together & the fun we had painting that evening.....the stack of pumpkins was on clearance at Michael's a few years ago....

The coffee bar area is Mr. Seventies favourite spot....he loves putting on a coffee or cappuccino or the kettle for a hot cup of tea.  I made a fresh batch of sprinkle cherry cupcakes & apple crisp....(cupcakes are little granddaughters favourites).....

She was very much taken with the witches legs in the cauldron as well....

The adorable pumpkin tissue box cover finally arrived.....this one through Amazon....as well as ordered on Wal Mart's website.....but it never arrived....(that happens a lot when I order through their website....always a good chance it will never arrive).....

I haven't filled Marvin's pumpkin candy dish yet....I live with someone who has a real sweet tooth when it comes to candy.....so I'll hold off for a couple of weeks before filling it.....and of course the candy corn tart warmer throws off an amazing pumpkin spice scent....

This little mat I found on Temu....for an economical price too....

Any wonder why this is my favourite time of year?  I am thinking ahead though....my neighbour advised Simons has their Christmas decor available on their site.....(thanks for that).....I couldn't resist this cute guy.....he's tucked away for now....but will make an appearance later in the fall.....

Since the pool is closed for the season....we also washed & packed up swimsuits & pool towels....(which are stored all summer in this wicker trunk in the kitchen).   It now holds winter mitts, gloves, scarves & hats....as well as three of Liesel's winter wear....(*sniff).  Since grand puppy Oliver is growing & will be needing some warmth this winter....I'm passing them on to him.....an adorable hand knit red sweater, a warm hoodie & wrap to keep him cozy & warm.....

I hope you join me later today over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphis Monday & again tomorrow with Joanne at https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesdays & https://www.astrollthrulife.net/ for Inspire Me Tuesday.....

Thanks so much for spending a bit of your day with me....I do so appreciate it!

Til next time.....

Halloween Sneak Peek & Stain Decision

I've been puttering around the house....finishing up my Hallowe'en/fall decor.....plan to share a full post on Monday.   In the meantime.....how adorable are these mugs (with removable lids).....

And the peek-a-boo kitty cushion...from Simons ( sold on PB for much higher price).....as well as the spooky throw I picked up at Winners....

My neighbour advised Simons.ca has Christmas decor available on their site!  I couldn't resist this adorable snowman cushion....(she currently has this cushion  last year & the quality is exceptional.). Pottery Barn your shipping and availability of some products.....is severely lacking!  Simons products typically arrive within 3-4 days.....not months....this cushion ordered Monday is being delivered today!

I  chose Early American colour stain....by Behr....the photo underneath is a pretty close representation of the final application on pine....fingers crossed....

In other news.....my friend & I took in the final chapter of Downtown Abby....such a great finale to a wonderful series....have you seen it?

The cinema was packed.....and when the movie was over....once the lights came on....it didn't escape us the viewing audience....were mostly seniors...lol!  They targeted a certain age demographic for sure.  It is a long movie.....well over two hours.....but worth it....

Another warm & sun filled day here....I plan to set out the outside Hallowe'en decor.....(minus the corn stalks....still full of corn...).   And btw.....are the prices for pumpkins in the grocery store where you live....insane?  They are also smaller this year.....due to lack of rain.

Prices are averaging $5-$6 each here....I suspect the U Picks are a bit more reasonable.  We have a few growing in the garden....even with Mr. Seventies watering them...they likely won't be very big.....

Wishing everyone a great weekend .......

Until next time.....

 

Mantle Update & Having Trouble With Stain Choice

Mr. Seventies & I picked out three pieces of lumber for the mantle build.....recommended by our contractor..  He suggested we take a look at it....we decided it will work just fine.  

Not sure if you can tell from the photo....the piece is rough....not planed....it's pine & will work great to construct the mantle....

Two additional pieces....I chose ones with a bit of knots & character....the mantle will basically be a box that sits over the current brick mantle....

I thought I had chosen a stain....but once I tested it on a piece of pine.....it was too "red"....I mean really red.  I had thought I would go with Dark Walnut.....but it shows really dark....almost black.  Not what I'm wanting.  

The colour on the stain can.....is deceiving....the only way to know for certain the actual colour....is to test it on actual pine....(most samples in the hardware stores are shown on oak).....so my quest continues.  I also love the coloured stains....there is a beautiful teal shade....but I don't want to be stuck with a particular colour for years to come....

While roaming through Winners one afternoon.....I spotted a couple of adorable lamps that can melt a candle.....rather than lighting it!  There were a number of styles to choose from....

This is the one that came home with me.....they come with a bulb in the shade....the box houses the cord & on/off switch....which has an optional timer.....

I currently have a delicious smelling candle melting..... a bit of Hallowe'en decor out....hope to finish this week....

I asked Mr. Seventies if it was starting to feel like a Home Sense in here....to which he responded "it brings you joy".   I do luv that man. 

Speaking of Hallowe'en decor.....remember the ghost walking a dog statue I ordered?  This is how it arrived....much to my disappointment.   Since the broken piece was not in the box....I can only assume it was placed in the box broken.  I'm waiting to hear instructions from the seller.....to ship it back...(which requires a prepaid shipping label from them).....and a replacement.....or I toss the piece & receive a full refund.....

And look what else arrived!  I may get Mr. Seventies to lower it a bit....but for now I'll leave it as is!   It's the same size as the two in the family room....with a black frame....

We attended our nephew's birthday celebration in Nova Scotia on Saturday....daughter accompanied us.  He was very happy & appreciative we made the road trip (it's three hours each way).....here's a sneak peek at their pool....(the fence around the pool is for safety to keep their three French bulldogs from falling in).....

The pool house to the right....is affectionally known as the "Dog House"....... a man cave of sorts complete with a massive wall mounted television, beautiful sectional, kitchen area and nostalgic red fridge for snacks and drinks.   As well as a powder room.....it's a great hang out for them & their friends to watch sporting events.....

There was a large number of friends & family in attendance....I was unable to get any additional photos...there is an outdoor kitchen, grill & sectional seating area under a covered gazebo.....oh & a hot tub!  Luxury living at is best....

Dozer....crashed from all the excitement....he's such a character....

Please join me later today over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphis Monday and again tomorrow at https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesdays as well as https://www.astrollthrulife.net/ for Inspire Me Tuesday.....

Thanks so much for stopping by today....I so appreciate you spending your time with me.

Until next time....

Mid Week Catch Up

It's cool here this morning.....it's currently 9 degrees Celsius (that's about 48 degrees Fahrenheit) ......a touch of fall is definitely in the air....

The pool is draining....we will need a new solar blanket next year....Mr. Seventies removed it from the pool, cut it up & placed some of it in our trash bin.  It's too much to dispose of all at once.....he will get rid of it in stages until it's fully disposed of......

We had a couple of leads on old beams for potential use on the mantle....but neither worked out.  The first place we visited....the beans were not thick enough..... we want a beam 8" x 8" x 6'.  The beams we saw were only 6"..... so we kept checking around.

The next ones we found...could have worked....firstly they were located on the eastern end of the Island...(which wasn't a big deal).....but the asking price was $225.  Not willing to pay that much.  Our search led us to a local wood millers....where we could have ordered a "faux" beam....for $300 and it would take about a month for it to be ready.

We decided to go with that option.....until Mr. Seventies ran our plans by our contractor...who felt if the wood millers can build it....so could he & Mr. Seventies.....for a much better price too.  I'm checking out some wood he wants me to view at the lumber yard. My initial plan is to use the stain colour Chestnut....on rough pine it will look something like this....

I like how the colour has red undertones....as does the brick on the hearth.  This is my first choice....but it could change....we'll see how it goes.  We are stopping at the lumberyard today.....stay tuned. 

Finally, after a five month wait.....the Euro shams from Pottery Barn arrived!!!   My only complaint with PB is the long, long time it takes for items to arrive!  A number of times....things are not in stock....add to that the wrong size shams being sent (king size) they took forever to be delivered..... this is not the first time I've waited months for something to arrive.  Other than that, I love PB....I guess they were worth the wait...

My second canvas arrived.....Mr. Seventies hung it & to say I'm obsessed is an understatement! (sorry for the dark-ish photo) .......

This one hasn't shipped yet....but I expect it will within the next few days.  I'll hang it in the kitchen & take down the cow canvas.  As mentioned in Monday's post.....I chose the black frame for this one as well....

My Bath & Body Works order arrived....I used two e-vouchers I acquired....switching out air miles points to e vouchers for use on Bath & Body Works website....

This ghost candle holder.....was on sale for 50% off..... luv how it lights up....adorable....

I've got to get moving on my fall/Halloween decorating....

While on our morning walk....we stopped to admire this red maple.....already showing off fall colours...(it's early for them to turn...with lack of rain trees are under stress & changing early)...

I have a dentist appointment today as well....in early October I'm needing  an implant (dental not boob) removed...much to my dismay!  Once healed.... a bridge & crown will be put in its' place....today my dentist needs to do a scan of my mouth in preparation for that.   An oral surgeon will be removing the implant....and there will likely be a "healing time" before the work is finished.  I will be so happy when it's done & over with!!  This will be the third...and final surgery......with failure of the implant & removal required.   Such is life.....

Thanks so much for hanging out with me today!  Have an awesome day.....

Until next time....

As Summer Ends....

And just like that....our summer temperatures have cooled down.  Saturday was warm....we enjoyed the pool one last time for the season.....Mr. Seventies will close & put it to bed this week for the winter months.  We've still have had no rain to speak of.....the odd sprinkle now & then...

The above photo.....is a canvas I'm crushing on & ordered it for the kitchen!  I chose a black frame....not the white as above.  This one is to be delivered this morning....can't wait to get it hung ......

Our contractor & friend is coming this evening to discuss the mantle & take measurements.  As there is a brick mantle currently, I suspect he will need to build a "box type" mantle to set over it....and attach to the wall.  I'm so looking forward to having it completed!

We're off to Nova Scotia this weekend....a day trip planned to celebrate my nephew's 50th birthday!!  I have no clue how that happened....I remember the day he was born....it can't possibly be 50 years ago!!  But it is....

He is my sister's only child....(his parents have passed away).... . we are his surviving family.  For that & many other reasons....he is very special to us...we visit back & forth.....even when he & his wife lived in Ottawa....(prior to moving to Nova Scotia) we visited & stayed in constant contact.  It saddens me my sister won't be there to celebrate with us.....but she is always with us in spirit......

In honour of his milestone....I purchased a red dirt t-shirt to commemorate his day!!  

I case you are wondering what a red dirt shirt is.....our soil here is reddish-brown in colour....due to iron oxide being in the soil....it looks like this....

A company started up a few years ago....with the concept to "dye" t-shirts in the red "mud"....and they are super popular for adults, children, toddlers & pets!

I think the "Older Than Dirt" t-shirt is appropriate for my nephew!  Mr. Seventies has a gift bag full of his favourite craft beer for him as well!

Daughter will be travelling with us....since her cousin is a Patriots fan....she chose a Patriot's apron, chef's hat & oven mitts for him....he will make great use of them at his outdoor kitchen & grill area!  Looking forward to an enjoyable day!

I plan to have Mr. Seventies retrieve my totes (and totes) from the storage shed & basement shelves.....of the Hallowe'en & fall decor in the coming days...I can hardly remember what I have.....but that's a good problem, right?

Be sure to join me later today over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphosis Monday......and again tomorrow at. https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesdays as well as  https://www.astrollthrulife.net/ for Inspire Me Tuesday..... 

Thanks so much for spending a bit of your time with me.....I greatly appreciate you joining me....

Til next time.....

Bit of A Hodge Podge

This post is not about anything in particular.....more a mixed bag of things we've done & seen over the last few days....

Mr. Seventies required three additional cement paw prints for the gardens.....that meant a short road trip to Kool Breeze greenhouse in Summerside.  They are available in two sizes.....with lots in stock so picking three smaller prints was successful.....

A few varieties of squash.....and corn stalks readily available.....we have both in our own vegetable garden.....yesterday we had a delicious feed of fresh corn on the cob!

Grand daughter accompanied us and we stopped at Island Preserve.....enjoyed seeing a few of these happy campers....and a couple of bunnies as well!

We dropped into a thrift store..... it was crazy busy!!!  I was unable to get many photos....but these items caught my eye....

I'm old enough to remember when milk was delivered (yes delivered).....in glass bottles...along with cream in smaller bottles....

I quickly gave up trying to shop around....I'm hoping, since school starts here today.....the frenzy will be over & the stores & shops won't be quite as crowded!

And.....my latest FB Marketplace acquisition!   Isn't he amazing?  (and huge).   I may hang him...as is....on the front door instead of a wreath this year!!  He was listed for $30...I offered $20 & the seller accepted!  

I love the detail and eyeglasses....he is in pristine condition!

Today is forecast to be another hot one.....and for the next three days!!  Then....things begin to cool down & we'll get into more seasonal weather!

It's looking like a pool weekend for sure....the fire ban (because we're so dry here with no rain....nor any in the forecast).....we cannot enjoy the fire pit in the evenings....

Thanks so much for visiting with me today....wishing everyone a great weekend!!

Til next time.....

 

Touches of Fall

 

Is anyone else excited it is now September?  While it's still warm here.....and no rain...the evenings are darker.....and the overnight temps are cooler!   

A good time to share a few of my latest acquisitions.....the square salad/dessert plates I ordered arrived....they will look awesome on 8" black dinner plates for our Hallowe'en meal celebration in October.....

I used some of my Air Miles  for e vouchers to use on Bath & Body Works website.....since this adorable ghost candle holder was on sale 50% off.....I ordered it.......and it lights up!!

A few years back, Bath &Body Works carried dachshund air freshener containers to clip on your vehicle visor.  I purchased two at that time......for daughter & myself (we both still have them in our SUVs).  I wasn't aware til later my son-in-law wanted one for his vehicle!  Sadly, they sold out.....and never brought back in....

This one is on sale as well....and while not the same as the ones I had  previously ordered..... it is a close second!  (I also picked out four pods - as the freshener opens & you pop in a flat pod).   I plan to tuck it in a gift at Christmas....I almost settled for a football shaped one (as he referees & is a huge football fan).....until I saw this.....I think he will luv it!!

And Pottery Barn has done it again!!  I've been obsessing over these for weeks.....and they go & put them on sale!!  And yes.....I ordered a set!!   Adorable peek-a-boo cat mugs!!  It's like Pottery Barn knows me.....all to well.....

I've been seeing this ghost walking his/her dog.....all over the internet....Home Sense even had a couple very similar.  I came across this one on Amazon.....on sale.....I quickly ordered one!  In an extra large size....which is 10" in height.....it's arriving in a couple of days....

I have plenty of Hallowe'en pieces now (according to M.r Seventies).......it is my favourite time of year after all!

I came across a few treasures while out & about a number of days ago.....I intend to pick up a soap dispenser for the main bath....I'm leaning towards the pink ghost.  I'm pretty sure I have a pumpkin one for the kitchen.....

A couple of adorable mugs....for anything pumpkin spice flavoured....I'm crushing on the ghost dip set...

While these pumpkins are candles.....they would be awesome to use after the wax burned & cleaned out....

And how adorable is this little guy??  And those sneakers....too cute!!  Obsessed....a little....

These next pieces were brought to my attention....by my little grand daughter!  She & her Dad came across them while out running errands....and she finds them terribly scary!!  And I admit....they are pretty creepy.....as they move & make loud growling & screeches...

The wolf man......raises up very high.....and howls....loudly!!  Scared the b'jezuz out of me....I fully understand how a little one would be scared....

Now I did see one she might be okay with....and when it comes on sale....I will purchase it for her front yard...pretty sure she'd be okay with Bluey skeleton....

A quick chuckle on this piece....and the white pumpkins are a good size....

This large pumpkin is one of my favourites....

Even though the weather for the next week is anything but fall-like....I'm so ready!  Although it is nice we can still enjoy the pool & being outside.  We have our grand daughter for a day this week....and have a few fun things planned to do with her!  There is a "butterfly" house here....(yes real butterflies).....we intend to check it out....she & her grandfather came across a beautiful one while picking veggies in the garden!  And speaking of veggies.....the broccoli & corn will be ready this week!  

I had an eye appointment last week.....a few surprises!  The optometrist had planned to dilate my pupils....until he discovered I have fluid build up in my eyes....and cataracts starting  (nothing to be alarmed about this early).  For the fluid he prescribed drops....and a referral to the ophthalmologist to have my eyes scanned.  There is a brown patch on one eye he wants to investigate further..  

My lenses needed updating as well.....he highly recommended wearing sunglasses when outside or driving.  I'm not a fan of the magnetic sunglasses to place on your eyewear .....and switching to sunglasses all the time......requires more patience than I possess.   I ordered lenses that will transition to sunglasses.....and while you can choose from a variety of colours (when they darken).....I prefer the regular gray tone....

Be sure to join me later today over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphosis Monday and again tomorrow at https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesdays and https://www.astrollthrulife.net/ for Inspire Me Tuesday.....

And....before I forget....wishing everyone....

Til next time.....