Christmas Decor Has Exploded in Stores!!

I popped into a local store a few days ago.....and sure enough staff were putting out Christmas decor, blow ups, lights...and everything Christmas!  The seasons are fighting with each other....still lots of Hallowe'en goodness in the stores.....with Christmas items pushing them out of the door!

I found some nice items.....I'm crushing on these velour nutcracker tree ornaments....and picked up a few brown ones....although the dark green ones are gorgeous.....

Aren't these pieces awesome?  My problem is I am limited in space.... where to place everything....

I'm crushing on these candle holders....they are a bit darker than the photo shows....I'm waiting to catch them on sale & will get a couple then.....(sold separately)....

This rocking horse tho....first thing I'd do would change the bow colour....I'm almost certain I have a rocking horse in my stash.....I need to bring my decor pieces out & go through them....

How's this for an Elf on a Shelf?  A life size one!!  This is the first year our grand daughter will be waking up each day to discover where he is hidden!  She came home from dance class last year & asked her Mama what an Elf on the Shelf was......as her little dance friends were discussing the different places theirs had been found....

Of course she was curious & her Mama was able to score the book & elf after Christmas to begin using this year....what a fun idea!  Hers won't be life size though....

Of course, I had to set this guy off....nothing like a dancing Highland cow I always say....

I stopped into Inspired Living a few days ago.....to pick up tickets for this wonderful event in November....

Myself & two friends are attending....we plan to enjoy supper at a local restaurant before the evening starts....I offered to pick up tickets the morning they came on sale.....and word has it they are almost sold out!  Can't wait to attend!!

It was cold & windy most of last week...I'm hoping this hat will provide coverage and warmth from the wind....I especially appreciate the attached ear warmers....walking Clancy Mae one morning, while it was sunny....it was extremely windy....and quite cool.....I'm in need of  warm, serviceable head coverage....I hope this hat will provide both....

While picking up the tickets, I took a few minutes to browse the clothing boutique....which is  a separate shop from the decor part of Inspired Living.....Love It is the name of the shop....

I came across this chocolate brown boucle jacket....which is lined & the buttons are covering up closure snaps.....I sized up as I want to wear sweaters underneath....I would consider this a "car" coat...nothing too heavy or bulky....and it was marked down $10.....sold!!

Today promises to be sunny with temperatures climbing to the double digits....all this week looks great as well!!

Our anniversary is later in the week & we're tending grand daughter for an evening while her parents attend a birthday celebration for a friend..  With it getting dark earlier now, we hope to take her for a drive to see all the outdoor Hallowe'en decor....and perhaps an ice cream cone afterwards.....

Daughter & family joined us yesterday for supper....a delicious chicken stew and dumplings in the slow cooker.....fresh rolls & lemon pie from our favourite bakery as well....

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.....

Thanks so much for being here with me today.....I so appreciate the company.....

Til next time....

 

Join Us On The Trail!

I mentioned a number of times how much we enjoy walking Clancy Mae on our beautiful trails....I hope you take a few minutes & join us....the sky is blue, the sun is shining & there is a brisk wind! Bundle up!

This trail is my favourite for a couple of reasons....it is not far from our home & it is very sheltered from the winds.....with many trees on both sides.  Many people use the trails for walking & cycling & during the winter months the trails are rented to a snowmobile club for their use.....and they do a wonderful job protecting & maintaining the trails during the winter months....

We're greeted by this noisy fellow....chittering away at us....Clancy Mae had no interest in him...preferring to chase leaves that were swirling about....

We can't understand why anyone would take the time to place downed branches across the trail...in a number of areas.....very dangerous for cyclists....

These branches were sawn down by the maintenance crew & set aside in the ditches next to the trail....you could see drag marks from the ditches to the trail....whoever did this had too much time on their hands....and spite in their heart....

We walked this trail last evening & there were no branches then....so between early last night & this morning....someone set them on the trail....

Some branches were larger & longer than others.....Mr. Seventies pulled each one off the trail & back into the ditches...

We'll continue.....there not being any more branches hauled across the trail....aren't the leaves gorgeous?

No wonder this is my favourite time of year....I wish it could last longer...

Mother Nature is quite the artist....she does a beautiful job with the fall colours.....

So many people use the trail system every day.....we meet numerous people walking their dogs....cycling & just enjoying nature....these trails were once railroad tracks....moving freight & travellers from one end of the Island to the other....

When the trains were no longer used....the tracks were taken up.....and the Confederation Trail was implemented...many people have walked, ran or cycled the trails....some stay overnight in small towns & villages along the way....how awesome is that?

When I was a child....and the ferry was the mode of transportation back then to get to and from the Island...(long before the Confederation Bridge was built).....I came here with my family on summer vacation....

My Dad, being a train engineer took me to watch them load the train (on tracks) on the ferry!!  I would have been 7-8 years old at the time....I remember it like it was yesterday....

We usually walk Clancy Mae in the evenings..... a shorter bedtime walk.....it's dark now by 6:45 pm....soon we will need flashlights & reflective vests.....in the not too distant future it will be dark by 4:30 pm....

Thanks so much for coming along today.....I hope you enjoyed spending time with us!  

Til next time.....

Catching Up

This post covers a little bit of everything.....let's take a few minutes & catch up!  

Sadly, my neighbour's 93 year old Mom passed away....while not a sudden loss.....a loss still the same....and when someone passes.....we send food....right?

I put together an easy to reheat casserole....and since I was making one apple crisp ...I made second one for Mr. Seventies to drop off for our neighbours...... (both the casserole & crisp)....(keeping one apple crisp for us).....

It had been two months since Clancy Mae had a "spa" day.....long overdue...and not greatly appreciated...

After enjoying a couple of zoomies around the house.....she enjoyed a little treat....and found a sun puddle to enjoy & dry off ...... she's not terribly impressed with her Mama .....

I dropped off a bag of donations at the thrift store....and took a few minutes to browse around....picking up a few stuffies for Clancy Mae....at $1-$175 each.....she now has a few more to add to her collection....

This oversized mug is adorable....I could see it holding candy canes or peppermint sticks on a kitchen counter....

This platter is from International Harvest....which is fairly expensive to purchase full price on Amazon....this one must be discontinued as it is not on the site...but a steal at under $6.00......

This cute tray, although not hand painted could be a useful serving piece....

A couple of cute gnome mugs....but the fox one is my favourite.....

Can you believe there are only nine Saturdays before Christmas?  Nine!!  I've been doing a bit of shopping on Amazon.....I think daughter might like a candle warmer....I think she will love this one.....I'll pick up a candle at Bath & Body Works to use with it....

When grand daughter joins us for supper.....rather than rush away afterwards for her bath before bed....she sometimes has tubby time here & is all ready for bed when she gets home!  She loves using bath bombs....and watching the water change colour.....I came across these for her......she will have fun using them (180 times!!)

A number of other items I have ordered on Amazon....some have arrived & others are due to arrive within the next few days....

Clancy Mae has long outgrown her toy box....I had originally ordered this one in the large size....however it was too tall for her to pull her toys out....

I sent it back & reordered a medium size....hoping it will work....

Winter & snow will be upon us before too long....and while I have sweaters & wraps for Clancy Mae...I'm going to see if she will tolerate wearing a snowsuit....this one appears not to be overly thick or bulky....(ordered in her size obviously).....

One annoying habit she has begun.....barking when anyone knocks at the front door or rings the doorbell...she has somehow during the last three or so weeks.....found her "voice"....same with when she sees a dog while in the SUV.....while I'm sure our trainers will be able to give us tips to curb this behaviour....I've ordered a citronella bark collar....and a can of citronella spray.....(which used to sell for $5.99....now $15.99)....

Dachshunds tend to be "barkers"....but she has only recently began to do so....citronella collars are much more humane than shock collars....and we've used them in the past.....and I would never use pain to control unwanted behaviours....

The collar will shoot a spray of citronella if Clancy Mae barks....if she doesn't like the spray....it should curb the barking....we'll see how it goes....

If the collar is unsuccessful....I'll try using a spray bottle (filled with water)....give her a squirt of when she barks....I prefer the collar....I don't plan to haul a spray bottle in the SUV....

I've ordered this harness in two sizes, one for use now & a larger one to fit over sweaters & hoodies during the colder days....we've been using it for a few weeks now....and it is very sturdy & "escape proof".......

Mr. Seventies loves Starbuck's coffee.....I think he will enjoy making one in the Keurig from time to time....Amazon has the best price for it.....

I went looking for a set of warm & cozy sheets.....years ago there use to be a company that manufactured & sold them out of New Brunswick....but they have long folded.  I found these ones on Amazon & we love them!  They wash & dry beautifully, no pilling....just continued softness.....

They come in a variety of colours....this is the set I chose....and I think I will get a second set in another colour....

This gorgeous velour quilt set is wonderful on the bed....lightweight (we also have an electric blanket on the bed) and so soft....it's not quite as dark as shown in the listing photo....

That's about all the news from here.....the weather is forecasting sun all week....but the temperatures have dropped considerably.....with frost overnight last night......

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

Please join me over there with a number of awesome bloggers.....

Thanks so much for spending time with me today....

Til next time.....

Quick Visit to Mode Choc

While in Moncton last week, I introduced my friend to a Canadian home decor & fashion (men, women & children) store .... Mode Choc.  They have a website....actually two... French & English....

My friend introduced me to the store a few years ago....otherwise I wouldn't have known about it.....in my opinion the store is a bit tucked away....you have to know it's there....

Prices are reasonable.....and they do carry some nice home decor & bath items....cushions, bedding, canvasses floral decor, curtains & family fashions....

Let's take a quick peek around....how adorable are these throws.....stuff toy included!!

This pretty little pot-planter caught my eye.....so many uses for it....

And these throws are so pretty & snuggly....and a generous size....

I'm loving these flower cushions.....and they're available in small and larger sizes....

The candle holders were all $5 each!!  These double ones are single holders....though they appear stacked....and the kitten ones are adorable....

Of course doxie holders are my favourite....and just in time for fall....with the pumpkin able to hold a candle....

And it's a gurgle pot!!!  I have a couple of these....I was surprised to find one at Mode Choc!  Gurgle pots do in fact gurgle when you pour them....

It was getting late in the afternoon so we didn't spend too much time browsing.....we had one last stop to make before heading home.....

It's much calmer here today.....rain of course in the forecast this afternoon.   Yesterday we had extremely high winds.....the Confederation Bridge had restrictions-  cars & low sided vehicles only allowed to cross.....no high sided vehicles, transports, motor bikes, campers.....etc.

It was still blustery when we took Clancy Mae for her early evening walk...we have a favourite trail that has trees on either side which provide shelter from the wind....and by 6:45 p.m. the sun is just about set.....

We enjoyed hot chocolate & marshmallows after our walk.....having to wear winter jackets & warm hats.....and Clancy Mae wore a warm sweater....

Almost time to hit the trail this morning.....good to get ahead of the rain...

Have an awesome weekend!!

Til next time.....

Shopping on The Mainland - Part 2

The second stop we made on our shopping trip to New Brunswick was Wheaton's....a home decor/home furnishing store.....and one of my favourite stops!!  It never disappoints!!  

Right as we walked in - a sale of fall decor going on!!  And candles....and tarts....yay!  And I did pick up a package or two of tarts....

The first room we visited was mainly various trees for sale....and this beautiful bench...wouldn't it look great in an entry?

This framed canvas is lovely....I remember seeing one similar....

Before we went into the what I call "Christmas Wonderland" room....(a huge room with nothing but Christmas trees, ornaments & decorations & decor).....I noticed these sweet mitts for sale...complete with our Maple Leaf on the cuff....love them!!

This room is ginormous....almost a bit over whelming....but we muddled our way through....the first things to catch my eye were these adorable tree ornaments....

I'm crushing on this birdhouse & cardinal....were they not too big for our tree....I would have purchased them.  I'm going to browse here & see if I can find a smaller version....

Beautiful hand painted foxes on balls....*swoon*......

This tree is stunning.....loaded with Christmas goodness....there must have been 7-8 trees fully decorated in the room....I had to be mindful of other shoppers....and for a mid-week day.....it was busy....mostly old gals our age....lol

These canvasses though....I'd need a huge home to hang everything I fall in love with.....

This display was beautiful......so sparkly and gold...

I turned & saw the jolly old guy himself....keeping a watchful eye.....

Ohhh.....these stars though.....I'd love to have separate ones for tree decorations....(to compliment the bells I picked up at Marshall's)....these were tied together with one bow....although now that I look at them....I could have cut them apart & used new ribbon to hang each one.....why didn't I think of that then??  Senior's moment perhaps....note to self to look for these locally.....

We did visit a store.....Mode Choc....which sells home decor & clothing at great prices...I was able to get a few photos there....for another day....

In other news....after our morning walk....we decided to take Clancy Mae & head to the apple orchard & pick a few apples for eating....Mr. Seventies has requested an apple crisp...

Clancy May got right busy.....taste testing apples!  She fully approves....nothing like a fresh apple that has just hit the ground....

Daughter has some Hallo'wiener costumes so we tried a few on Clancy Mae on the weekend....a dragon possibly?  Or an adorable lobster?

We settled on a prisoner costume....easiest for her to wear & we do plan to take her out with grand daughter trick or treating....so she needs something easy to walk in....

Miss Giddy Goose recovered from her tumble off the step.... I switched out her pumpkin costume to the ghost & pumpkin one....so cute!!

It's raining here again friends....we can't seem to get more than the odd day or so without rain.  My face is a lovely mess of scabs....gross.  And I can't even use anything to cover them up.....hopefully in the coming days they will be healed fully...there is about 8-9 areas that were removed with liquid nitrogen....

It's a balmy 6 C here currently...(about 43 F)....but feels about 4 degrees cooler....there is a wind of course! I might take some time & browse Winners & Home Sense here....scabby face an all!

Thanks so much for being here with me today!!   Greatly appreciate the company....

Til next time....