Major Storm and Power Outage

The past couple of days have been wild here on our fair Isle!!  A major wind, snow and rain storm blew across Prince Edward Island yesterday...leaving us with an Island wide power outage!  Our power went off at 5:00 a.m. yesterday morning....and did not come on until 4:00 a.m. today!!

We spent most of the last 24 hours snuggled up downstairs...so thankful we had a propane stove installed a few years ago!  It does not require electricity to operate...and it kept us toasty warm...

We were even able to heat a small Paderno pot of water...for tea and hot cocoa!  We made sandwiches and munched on snacks...and Liesel was very warm and content with her dog bed in front of the warm fire.

Last evening, a warming station was opened up down the road from us...so my friend and I packed up our lap tops and cell phones and went in to use the charging stations.  And today...I am going to find a battery operated radio to have on hand for the "next" big storm!   And replenish our candles supply!

Thankfully, we didn't get the amount of snow forecast...but I suspect a combination of extremely high winds and wet slush brought down many transformers and power lines.  

This photo was taken just down the road from our house...power poles snapped like twigs...

And downed transformer right in the heart of the city....

There are still thousands here without power still!  Crews from New Brunswick and Ontario are on their way to assist with repairs and clean up!  

This is Ma Nature sending us a little reminder just who is in charge!!  It was a wild ride folks!!

Christmas Master Bedroom

Some folks go all out decorating each room in their home...and I applaud them!!  Me on the other hand...scale down..our rooms are small...so overcrowding them is easy to do...any time of year.  I try not to...there is only so many times your toe can take a good smack on a piece of furniture!!

Anyhow...we did add a little Christmas to our master bedroom...so without further adieu..

I should have rolled back the faux fur comforter...my Hudson's Bay blanket is on the bed...and I cannot tell you how much I am loving it!!  Mr. Seventies gifted me with it a couple of years ago for Christmas.  At night...we do roll the comforter down...and with flannel sheets...we are toasty warm.  The poinsettia plates I purchased a couple of years ago at Home Sense.   And the Christmas wreath was 50% off (of course) at Michaels.....

This is a small master bedroom...so the tour will be short and sweet! The cute cushion on the bed is from PB.   Even Liesel's crate (to the left of the dresser) is dressed in Christmas bedding.  

So that's it..cozy but not over done.  We don't use fresh greens inside..way too messy for my liking and they would dry out in a few hours with forced air heating.  I love using them outside..they will last for weeks and weeks.  Weather permitting...we hope to get our planters and wreaths done this weekend.  Ma Nature is calling for rain..with some wet flurries for the next day or so.

Liesel did great at her vet appointment yesterday...annual exam and immunizations brought up to to date.  Thursday she is having her yearly dental surgery...x rays and teeth cleaning. Dachshunds are prone to periodontal disease...it's important to keep on top of any dental issues. 

I Must Apologize!!!!

I am feeling pretty stupid....for some reason blogger (yah...let's blame them) was not alerting me when there were comments to publish!!   I thought I was all alone in the big world of blogging!! 

Please accept my sincere apologies....I am thrilled readers are finding their way to my little part of blog-ville!!    If I have missed your much appreciated comment...please forgive me...it was not intentional.  

I love hearing from folks...and I'm so thankful for anyone who takes time to comment.  From here on...I will read each and every one!! 

Outdoor Market

Whew!!  Very busy weekend..but loved it!!  On Saturday my daughter and I braved the cold temperatures and attended the outdoor Victorian Market downtown.  It felt much colder, as the vendors were set up close to the water front.  But we were well bundled...we found a parking spot close by and began our trek through the market.

How cute are these guys guarding city hall?

Mr. and Mrs. Claus complete with reindeer and sleigh set up around the corner...

Some brave carollers....we stopped to enjoy some carols....

Some beautiful fresh green arrangements are always popular....

 Very happy that we can put our own greenery together...these are anywhere from $35 to $50!

We browsed for ideas and tips...

How cute are these outdoor decorations?  Such a great idea...blocks of wood done up to look like gifts!

And these guys...so adorable...stacked slabs of wood...very Christmas-y!

Some great outdoor signs for sale...

All along the street...were warming stations...some with soft throws to snuggle up in....

Some cute snowmen and outdoor decor....

We decided to head to the downtown mall for pumpkin spice hot drinks...and warm up our toes and enjoy more entertainment...beautiful decor...

Local entertainers and choirs entertained everyone...kids enjoyed face painting and balloon artists...

We also took in a couple of home tours and craft fairs....my daughter purchased this large wooden piece for her home...our beautiful Isle...

I didn't purchase anything (shocker right?).  We decided to forgo the Santa Claus Parade this year...we were worn out and it was much colder this year...it appears we made the right decision...as the parade was nearly 40 minutes late in starting.

We decided to enjoy a warm fire and hot cocoa at home!!

Yesterday we got a start decorating inside...the tree is up!  Whew!  It's getting to be a lot of work...not only getting everything out...but cleaning up.  Our tree is flocked...and don't let anyone tell you flocked trees aren't messy!  They are beautiful...but extra work.   

Liesel has her annual veterinary check up today...not her favourite place to go!!  And a dental cleaning appointment will be booked...and her rabies vaccination is due.  Maybe an extra little treat is in order afterwards. 

PS - Please feel free to leave a comment...I'd love to hear from you!  

Christmas Workshop

After a delicious meal at one of our local pubs, my daughter, my friend Judy & I made our way to the venue where the Christmas Workshop was being put on by a local interior designer, Damien Lewis.  It was a fun filled evening....Damien is very personable...and downright funny...keeping us entertained and taking questions, etc.  He and his wife reside locally with their two children....and put up no less than 12.....yes 12....Christmas trees in their home!!    They host a Christmas Tour each year...(sold out...darn)...with proceeds from the admission going to charity.   Talk about a tremendous amount of work!  Not for the faint at heart...one trip to Michaels...he filled 9 shopping carts!!  But his biggest home decor supply spot...is Dollarama for Christmas picks, containers for arrangements, etc.

I didn't have the opportunity to take too many photos....as it was very crowded at break time..but I did snap a couple....and I apologize for the crappy quality...the lighting was horrible..and they are cell phone pics...

This was a small live arrangement...done with a vase and burlap cover from Dollarama.  He buys his fresh flowers at half price at the grocery store...picks out what he wants to use..and tosses the rest out...if they are un-usable..

This was a larger arrangement...again with a vase from the dollar store...live greens and a couple of real flowers...

Unless you are able to re-fresh live greens....he uses faux greens.  And again either from the dollar store or Michaels...with coupons..of course! 

This was a rustic tree...decorated with burlap ribbon...and for garland...he took apart a grapevine wreath and wrapped it around the tree.  I thought this would be perfect for an outside tree!  

He also decorated two other trees, a wreath, a stair garland and a mantel display.  Most of it pretty standard....but I did pick up a couple of tips.   Our mantel is narrow....and above a pellet stove....but I am able to decorate it nicely...and use battery operated mini lights.

And speaking of batteries...there was an article in our newspaper...warning folks not to store batteries loose in a drawer...especially with things like dish towels etc., as a home had nearly caught fire...and the smoke damage was intense.  Well...that was Damien's house!!!   He and his family are staying in a hotel until the repairs are made...he's not sure if they can salvage the trees he already had up...due to the smoke they may have to be tossed.  But...this fire could have been very fatal.  Thankfully and I'm not sure of the details but they were able to save their home and reminded people to store their batteries safely in their package.  Who would have thought?  Oh and do not buy them at the dollar store!!  Purchase good quality brand name batteries.  Note to self.

It was a fun evening and we thoroughly enjoyed the snacks and drinks at intermission.  The workshop finished at 9:30 p.m. and when we came out...it was like a whole other world!!  It was so windy...and visibility was very bad....and the roads were really slippery!!   Like someone threw a switch on the weather!!  But we all crept along slowly...and made it home safely.  Winter has hit us hard and early this year!! We are getting typical February weather in November!!

We plan to take in a Christmas house tour tomorrow, attend the Christmas parade then finish off the evening with some hot chocolate and or beer for the guys!!    Remembering the parade last year...we had not one flake of snow on the ground!!  Quite a difference this year!!

Oh..and remember that adorable bunny canvas I crushed on?  Well...it seems someone else has impeccable taste....it's gone!!!  I am heartbroken...but I know better.  At stores like Home Sense and Winners...if you find something you like....buy it....immediately!!  You can always return it if it doesn't suit...but you cannot buy it if someone else gets it!!  Little bummed...gotta admit.    Hard lesson learned....again.

Living With An Obsession

Oh, that title sounds ominous doesn't it?  Well, don't let it scare you.  See my obsession...is with anything dachshund...and believe me...I am not alone in suffering with this affliction.  I am in a dachshund group in the maritimes...and we boast over 1,000 obsessed members!!  So I'm in great company.

So, when one of the members, who lives close to me...posted a photo of this adorable dachshund mug...I knew a trip to Home Sense was required.  I was just there...the previous day...and there was not one dachshund mug on the shelves.  They must have been put out after I left.  Silly clerks!
Now I ask...how adorable are these?   The dachshund reindeer is the one I picked up...because we clearly don't have enough dachshund mugs in our house!

I was so proud to spot these as well....and I resisted the urge to get them.  See?  Sometimes I can control myself.  Sometimes....

But friends...I have my limits.  I am crushing so hard on this canvas....I can't believe I didn't get it.  I may have to go back...just saying...

As soon as I figure out where to hang her...I mean...look at those adorable ears...not to mention those short legs!  See a pattern here?  Floppy ears...short legs....hmmmm.....

And this large canvas...how cute is this?  An adorable kitty reading "To Kill A Mockingbird".....love it!!!

And I really love this adorable bicycle...but not the $24.99 price tag...

And this reminds me of someone I know...very well....if I was still working...this would be on my desk!!

Tonight is the Christmas Decor workshop with a local interior designer!  If photos are allowed...I will get some pics! We have a blowing snow (yes...you read that right) warning and cold windchills in the forecast today..it's way too early for this kind of winter weather!   Hoping the workshop isn't rescheduled...but will wait and see what Ma Nature tosses at us. 

Christmas Master Bedroom Sneak Peek

We are certainly having "Christmas' weather here...we received about 15-20 cm of the white stuff last week...and it's been cold...so it is sticking around for a bit.  But that will likely change...and we're hoping for a mild spell to get some decorating done outside.  It feels more like December weather...which I think is why people are decorating for Christmas early here...I've seen a few Christmas trees up!

I got a bit of a start on the master bedroom...

I chose to use my Hudson Bay blanket, given for Christmas from Mr. Seventies a couple of Christmases ago, as my cover.  I've not had the opportunity to use it before...and I paired it with my faux fur comforter and sham set!   And one of my many Christmas cushion covers...of course I have dachshund ones...but this one is new to me this year!  And the adorable tray I picked up at the Christmas in the Barn craft sale last week.  

I was on the look for a winter jacket....when this one came on sale 50% off....plus I had a gift card....

Not sure how I will do with the pom poms...but they are detachable....and pink is one of my favourite colours.  

And this is not a colour I have a lot....but it looks so soft and comfortable....I decided to order it...

While it was storming outside last week...I spent the afternoon doing some Christmas wrapping...or at least got a start on it.   

Come back later in the week...I hope to have a full bedroom reveal!  It's nice to have a little bit of Christmas all through the house!!

Materials Gathered

All set to put my "cupcakes" together!  I forgot that I purchased three planters...I had considered spray painting them red and green....but I really like the colours they are!

I decided rather than spray paint the foam, once it hardens, I'll use a brush and paint them pink frosting!  You would think the foam spray would be easy to find, right?  Well, not here in the great white frozen north!  The spray is supposed to be used during warmer months...15+ C degrees!  

I could not find it anywhere...and Mr. Seventies went to three hardware stores before finding it at Metro Building Supplies!  The best I could come up with was calking and I knew that wasn't going to work!  

Right now the weather is currently crappy....snow, rain and winds.  I will wait a few days to see if it improves...if not I may have to put them together in the furnace room.

While I was at Home Depot...searching for the foam spray...I browsed their Christmas section...loved this large guy...put not the $90 price tag!

I have my sign similar to this ready to be set out...not sure if you remember I got it when my BFF & I were attending the wooden flower painting workshop a few months back.

Now this guy was just as adorable as his big brother....and half the price.  I may have to go back and retrieve him!  Pretty adorable...and love how he is carrying his skis!!

It's windy as heck here today...I suspect the Confederation Bridge has restrictions for high sided vehicles.  So we're going to curl up by the wood stove...maybe with a cup of hot chocolate and stay warm!!!

Getting Ready for Some Outdoor DIY

It's been kinda quiet here lately...on a personal note I've been dealing with arthritis in one knee.  I've dealt with arthritis in my spine my adult life and with the help of an amazing pain management doctor..I've been able to keep the pain and discomfort under control.   But this knee is proving to be a challenge.  Final course of action will be an injection...later this week.  For more years than I care to remember I took anti inflammatory medication...but can no longer take them.
Keeping my fingers crossed the injection works..and for a few months.  My only other option...is to see an ortho surgeon...which we really don't want to do.

So, with all that in mind...I've been on the down low.

But it's time to turn my attention to prepping for outside Christmas decor.  Remember the cute Christmas cupcakes I had written about?

I found two perfect pots to use and will pick up the expanding foam and spray paint (for the "icing") this week.  The next fine day, Mr. Seventies will fill the pots with small bits of broken concrete (for weight....need that with our winds)...then a good, thick layer of foam can be sprayed.  I purchased a bag of small red Christmas balls at the thrift store...perfect for use as cherries.  Once the foam hardens, since it will likely turn yellow...we will cover the pot & cherry & spray paint it.  This year I am attempting two cupcakes....if they turn out..maybe next year I can put together a couple more! 

Outdoor decor need not cost much money!!  We have an abundance of trees that need trimming...the branches are perfect for pots and wreaths!  This is last year's pot of greenery...using my crock, holly from our own shrubs and ribbon left over from daughter's wedding!  Easy Peasy!!

These are a few of our creations from last year!!

I used a grapevine wreath I had on hand for the base of the this wreath...but when making one for my daughter...I used a pool noodle...shaped in a circle and held together with duct tape!

Again, the greenery, branches and holly were all from our property...and leftover wedding ribbon!  I added a couple of large Christmas balls...and purchased the baby reindeer from a local artisan!  Is it not the cutest thing ever?   He made a couple for his wife...and things just went crazy from there...he had so many orders for them!  And no wonder...they are adorable and take up little room!

I didn't want to hang anything heavy on the outdoor lantern...again with the winds we get...I was a bit scared anything weighing too much could damage the lantern.  Chose to make a small spray instead.

Mr. Seventies put a few concrete pieces in the bottom of my lanterns so the wind would not blow them off the steps....then I added a few balls and more leftover ribbon from the wedding.

This year..I plan to use the Christmas balls I purchased at the thrift shop...a huge haul!!  And I have yards of ribbon (mostly from the thrift store)...Michaels had wired ribbon at 50% off on Saturday....I picked up a black and white buffalo check roll.  Just in case...right?

Other than putting the cupcakes together...we will wait until December to put our outdoor decor together.  It stays green and fresh well into the winter!  

Do you decorate outside for the holidays?  We cover a tree with clear lights, put a spot light on to illuminate the wreath on the front door...and we purchased a laser projector that makes it look like soft snowflakes falling on the front of the house. 

Getting Ready for Christmas!

Has anyone started their Christmas shopping yet?  Do you wait until the last minute or are you like me...and have it done early...while there is still a selection.  And...I admit..I shop on line for a lot of things...and gifts are no exception.  And with wait times and Canada Post participating in rotating strikes...now is the time to order.  I've already had a couple of items arrive!

It's been raining here..but I wasn't got to let that deter me from doing a bit of shopping!  That's what rain jackets are for!

I didn't purchase these...but the mere fact that Wal Mart had them was a surprise!  My favourite are the bear plates on the left!!  If I didn't already have so many...these would have come home with me.

This cutie I couldn't resist though!  He will add some fun when I decorate our master bedroom for the holidays!  (and yes...I do that).

And these adorable snowman towels will be cute in the bathroom....my hand pump is a snowman...so everyone should get along fine!

These cute cannisters are covered with Christmas doxies!  Tempting...but I really don't have a place to put them!

And I was very pleased to find my favourite buffalo check wrapping paper..I have some from last year...but an additional roll will come in handy!  I dislike wrapping immensely...so if I'm going to do it...at least I have pretty, durable paper to do it with!!

Looking forward to decorating the house...usually around December 1st.  I haven't mentioned it on here..but I've been bothered my arthritis in my left knee for quite some time.  We've pretty much exhausted all methods of treatment...except for injections...which we are going to do next week.  If that fails to help...then my last resort is seeing an ortho doctor.   Not what I want to do..but also cannot live with pain and discomfort...not to mention difficulty walking.  I've dealt with osteoarthritis in my spine all of my adult life...and with medication have been able to control the pain and discomfort.  But this knee is a whole new ballgame!   So hopefully injections will give me some much needed relief!