Thursday, May 28, 2026

An Afternoon of Retail Therapy

Nothing I love more than having time to browse the stores & shops!  It's been wet & cold here the last few days....the sweater I had previously purchased for Clancy Mae.....is now too small!  Trying to find warm hoodies or sweaters in the pet stores is impossible this time of year....but I scored a hoodie at one for $10 that fits her now!  

It was in a mark down bin....and I picked up this rubber chew toy at Home Sense....


She has also outgrown the harness we purchased the day after her arrival....Mr. Seventies extended it as far as it would go....but it's is too tight on her now.  I had purchased a pink one on Amazon that is awesome, so I ordered this orange one as well.  They have a secure clasp along with velcro closing...

Look at that adorable face....


I had a great time checking things out at Home Sense.....as I mentioned before it's not my favourite time of year for decor....I'm not into the whole "beachy" vibe in the stores right now....but look what I came across!  Now this is summer decor....right?


I'm loving this adorable dish towel....since Clancy Mae arrived....I've been unable to hang mine from the freezer drawer handle.  She might be short.....but she can reach them....


I'm crushing on this adorable sheep...something about that face....


Even though I'm not a fan of their candles....these ones would make awesome pieces after the wax is completely melted....like these pretty ones....





Is this a Gurgle pot with wax inside?  The tag did not say....but it is giving off Gurgle pot vibes....


This pretty pink trunk is adorable....I almost picked it up for the end of the bed in our third bedroom....I'm crushing hard on it...


I almost picked this up for our little grand daughter's bedroom....except she has not one square inch of room....but it is adorable....a perfect piece to hold stuff toys maybe.....



Now I did purchase this cute tote....can you guess what use I have for it?


If you guessed a toy box for Clancy Mae....you guessed right!  She has amassed a small collection of toys already!  I'm certain her stash will continue to grow!


I've been on the lookout for a treat jar to hold her treats.....but nothing has caught my eye....I did ike this glass jar.....it looks small in the photo....but it was a tad too big for Clancy's needs....and not what I'm looking for...(although I have no idea what that is....I'll just know it when I find it)....


Now these mugs.....I could not resist!  I wish there had been four....but I purchased them anyway & will take a look at Winners....they may have a stray one or two there....

These are the perfect size for my tea....I do not like a large mug....I cannot drink a full mug....but these are just the perfect size....



After browsing Home Sense....I decided to pop into Old Navy....a store I seldom check out....but has aways been my go to for jeans!  And it did not disappoint this time!

It's wonderful to pick out a pair, try them on & have them fit!  After years as a plus size gal....I struggled with buying clothes....I'd get so discouraged trying them on....only to not have them fit....and usually left in tears....

These in size 12 fit perfectly....and were on sale - 40% off!  Being a teenager in the 70's & wearing "bell bottoms"....never thought I'd get into the wide leg jeans....but I'm loving them!!  The embroidered flowers are a bonus...



I have a couple of these knee length t shirt dresses....with a couple of calf length ones as well....I wear them usually as night shirts!!  Or for kicking around the house....these ones were 50% off....I picked a fuchsia one.....I would have gotten a navy one as well....but sizes were limited....



Switching gears a bit....remember the fall wreath I ordered from Etsy?  It arrived....and it is stunning!  The colours are amazing......can't wait to hang it in the fall....


I took advantage of Wal Mart's "free shipping" and ordered some tarts on their website....one that aren't available or I've not found in the store here....also scents I've never tried...


I ordered Cedar & Lavender, Watermelon Sugar, Blueberry Marshmellow & Dreamsicle Cream.  They all sound yummy & smell amazing....looking forward to trying them!

Today the weather is.....you guessed it....rain.  At this rate...it's going to be a while before Mr. Seventies can til the vegetable garden...and there is no rush to open the pool!

Somebody...somewhere....please send us some warm temps & sun!  This is depressing....it always amazes us how things are able to grow here.....but yet they do!

Have an awesome weekend friends!

Til next time.....


Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Tell Me It's Raining

Without telling me it's raining.....



 It started to pour here yesterday afternoon.....and continued into late evening.....cause we need the rain!

Not.

Monday, May 25, 2026

Outside Work Progressing....Slowly

I'm sure we've had wet springs before.....but it seems this year it's been raining & cool for two months!  Makes it very difficult to get any outside work done!

We were able to putter a bit a few days ago....while Mr. Seventies scrubbed (daughter is currently using our power washer....prepping her own deck for fresh stain).....the pool deck....I gave the pool deck steps two coats of stain.  Mr. Seventies built them last fall & they needed staining .....


Mother Nature at least gave us a day or two of reprieve from the rain.....it felt good to be outside & getting some chores done....


Of course....everything was done under the supervision of Miss Clancy Mae.....from her perch on the pedway......


There were a number of pool deck boards in need of replacing....each year there is always a few.  The decking was built by Mr, Seventies...seventeen years ago!!  It's no surprise a few boards needed replacement...he ran into an issue with a part of the deck frame actually needing replacing as well....


The winter months are hard on the decks.....with the arrival of snow & parts needing to be shovelled off....


Today, before a week of forecasted unsettled weather Mr. Seventies plans to finish replacing the last pieces of decking in need of replacement.....we'll need at least 2-3 good weather days to finish up staining....

He's been able to putter in the gardens.....grand daughter was on for a full day to "assist" her grandfather..the apple didn't roll far from the gardening tree!  We call her out little "GIT" - gardener in training!  

I gave my garden flag holder at the back walkway a couple of coats of spray paint....grand daughter loves the garden flags.....especially since Clancy Mae is shown on them!


Mr. Seventies had placed an online order with Vesey's seeds and the perennial plants arrived....they ship when planting time arrives.  He got busy & got them in the ground....he's been clearing out the flower beds, moving plants around....adding compost to the soils.....he'll order black mulch in the coming weeks...


Now that Clancy is a bit bigger (weighing in at a whopping five pounds now).....she is using her pretty water bowl....she's "grown into it" so to speak.  I picked it up at Home Sense on the mainland a few months ago....even before we knew we'd be adding a girl to the family.....I was hopeful then!


I was browsing the magazines in Wal Mart a number of days ago....and am so sad my favourite magazine has changed its format.....it's nothing like the previous editions!  I've been enjoying & collecting these magazines for years.....until now.  And the price...a whopping $15.99 here!  For a magazine!!

I know times have changed.....with digital versions being available.....but this new "glossy" magazine no longer appeals to me & I'm not sure if my prize of  the "free" editions of Country Sampler Farmhouse I won was ever completed....especially now since it is no longer published.....


Moving on....I'm crushing on this sweatshirt....so much so I couldn't decide between these two....so I ordered both!  They should be arriving any day now......one can never have too many hoodies.... 



It's hard to believe we are in the last week in May!  Clancy has a second vet visit next week....for her final set of immunizations, along with the rabies vaccine....and a recheck of her ears to confirm they are fully cleared up.  She is also due for her monthly flea, worm & tick preventative medication - I'll be picking up a few months supply of that.....

We completed puppy socialization classes....they were "okay".   Not so much socialization as much as playing with your dog.  We've been teaching her to come when we call her name......and she recognizes her name now....along with a couple of other key words....

Join me later today....I'll be sharing over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphosis Monday and again tomorrow at https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesday!

Thanks so much for spending a bit of your time with me....always greatly appreciated.....

Til next time....


Thursday, May 21, 2026

One Day of Summer Temperatures

We had one day where the temperature reached 27C (80F).....and it was lovely!  Today's high will be 14C (57F)....with rumour of a risk of frost overnight!!  Welcome to Prince Edward Island weather.....enuf said.

Mr. Seventies took advantage of the warm day to install a retractable gate across the back steps....so Clancy can be on the deck with us.  After installation - we discovered she can get underneath the mesh!  Ugh.  We'll need to put a board down to prevent that from happening....she's too smart for her own good...


He worked under the close supervision of one Miss Clancy Mae....scheming likely how she can crawl underneath....

Mr. Seventies also mowed the lawns for the first time this season....tough going in places....with all the rain we've been having,  the grass was super long......then he put two coats of stain on the small deck & back steps....


Today there are boards on the pool deck that need replacing....he plans to do that & power wash the deck before staining..... likely on Sunday as the temps warm up again then....

I had planned to set out the wicker furniture....may wait until Saturday to do that.  At the end of last summer I tossed the furniture covers in the trash....they were torn & had seen better days!  This set of covers arrived....I haven't opened them yet.....will do that once we have the furniture in place.  The coffee table cover is not required....there isn't one with our set.....not that we would have room for it...

This set is heavy duty waterproof material & had great reviews.....I considered placing a rug on the small deck....under the furniture....but from experience know it doesn't work well.....especially when it rains & the rug gets wet!  Nothing worse than having a wet rug underneath.....until it dries out.

So I thought better of it...and will forgo that idea....



I so wanted to place a gazebo in one corner of the pool deck....but after Mr. Seventies measuring the area...there just isn't enough room!  Our daughter has one on her deck with shades that pull down to give protection.....she had the same issue we have....the sun doesn't just shine overhead.....but hits all sides of you.  Even a large patio umbrella doesn't help...as it only provides shade directly above you....the umbrella on the small deck works great for us there ........

It gets so hot on the pool deck....people usually don't sit out there too long after swims in the pool.  Mr. Seventies attempted to think up a solution he could build....but then there would be no room for chairs.....defeats the purpose!  I'd love to have a waterproof seating there!  

Because the pool deck falls within the legal size limit allowed in our area....we couldn't have gone any larger when he built the deck & walls surrounding the pool.....our home has always come with challenges.....

I'm still wracking my brain...a seating area may work for those who want to warm up once out of the pool....but I don't sit out there in the heat.....

My old tin stars were looking a bit beat up....(they hang on the deck walls).......I laid them on a couple of boards and dug out a can of spray paint....



They're not perfect....but they look a bit better....will get a year or two more out of them....



Wal Mart garden centre is selling hanging baskets...I purchased one & hung one a bird feeder bracket.....wishing I had room to hang a couple more....not doable tho - the hanging pots are too big.....


I would love to place some planted flowers in pots on the small deck....but know from experience there just isn't enough room!  It's a small deck (8'x11') ....when the wicker furniture is placed on it....and people...planted pots get in the way.....and in full sun out on the pool deck....even with daily waterings...nothing survives & besides I'm not into babysitting flower pots!

My new garden flags arrived from Temu....this one is hung at the front of the house.....with a different flag to be hung at the back walkway.....the holder is pretty rusty so today I plan to lay it on a board in the storage shed & give it a couple of coats of fresh paint....I'll share that one in a few days....


And look who is sitting pretty on the front steps.....Miss Giddy Goose....already for her first strawberry  social!! She will need to be set inside when the front step gets a new coat of stain....or on windy/rainy days....can't wait to dress her up for fall/Hallowe'en!!


I picked another bouquet of tulips....we have such an assortment of varieties & colours....(I  trimmed that one tall tulip down a bit).......


That is about all the happenings going on here....at least it's going to be sunny...so there is that!

Have an awesome day wherever you are & thanks so much for sharing a bit of your day with me!

Til next time.....

Monday, May 18, 2026

Long Weekend Happenings

 


Wishing everyone a very Happy Victoria Day!  The weather has been beautiful for the long weekend!  A few days ago we took our little grand daughter & Clancy to Summerside.....Mr. Seventies wanted to pick up a few more cement paw prints for the walkway to connect the gardens....they are available at Kool Breeze greenhouse.....

And....we are still 3-4 paw print stones short!  We'll make a quick trip again to grab a few more...Mr. Seventies has been busy setting the new paw prints in place....digging a trench & once they are laid he will add black mulch around them......


The paw print pavers come in two sizes......we prefer the smaller ones & they have quite a few available at the garden centre there....

With grand daughter & Clancy in tow....we perused the garden centre....Clancy Mae was quite the star shopper!!  Everyone stopped & wanted to pet & chat about her....with grand daughter telling everyone one "her name is Clancy Mae" and that she was Mimi & Grampie's puppy!

Mr. Seventies got straight to work digging the trench & getting it ready.....


The pavement path connects from the front lawn pavers around the right side of the house.....to the back of the house.....


The tulips are popping up more & more each day....we plan to plant a number of different varieties this fall....spring is such a magical time.....



This is a "double tulip"......is it not gorgeous?  It almost looks like a peony blossom....but it's tulips....I hope to have a few more in different colours planted this fall....they are a show stopper....


We enjoyed lunch at one of grand daughter's favourite burger joints.....since we had Clancy with is...we ate el fresco...it was a gorgeous, warm day to be outside....afterwards she & I took a quick browse around the thrift store there......grand daughter is a great little shopper....and this thrift store location is packed with various items.....way more than the location here....

The first thing to catch my eye....was this vase!


Does it look familiar?  I almost bought it a second time for daughter.....but she has a number of vases on hand already.  Mine does a beautiful job of holding my faux tulips...



We kept going & found a few more treasures....like this large soup tureen...


I know these pieces are popular with collectors....I think it is called Fire King....


These pie keeps come in handy for storing any type of pie....


This was a great collection of pottery mugs.....they were sold separately rather than in a set...but they are the size of mug I prefer...


A couple of paintings.....there was a huge selection of paintings & prints.....



I wish I had picked up these Christmas decor storage totes.....they were only $6 each!!


There was a large selection dedicated to Christmas decor only.....I probably should have gotten this wreath to use at the back door....but we will be going back to Summerside to pick up more paw print pavers & I'll take a much longer visit at the thrift store...


I could see this piece attached to a wreath....with a large bow & maybe wooden star(s) added....


And speaking of wreaths.....remember the fall wreath I had ordered through a seller on Etsy?  This one to refresh your memory....


For whatever reason.....my order was cancelled!  It annoys me when sellers on Etsy either no longer have item (yet it is still listed for sale).....of they may have closed their store but still have items listed for sale...

Anyhow....I found a second choice of fall wreath....fingers crossed this seller is able to ship it...I actually like it more than my first choice....my order is confirmed....but not yet shipped...

Clancy Mae "endured" a quick spa treatment.....complete with a bath & ear cleaning....


The raincoat I ordered arrived.....and it fits great!  Hopefully the weather will continue to be sunny & she won't need it too much....

Typical of dachshunds.....she does not like rain or wind....


Since tulips are popping up every day.....I picked a pretty bouquet & took an additional one to daughter's for an enjoyable barbecue & visit....



I hope you are enjoying a long weekend wherever you are....it's cooler here today than it had been previously....but the sun is out & it's not raining!

Join me later today I'll be sharing over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphosis Monday and again tomorrow at https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesday.....

Have an awesome day!!

Till next time.....