Thinking All Things Christmas

And those cooler months ahead.  I spent a bit of time over the weekend gathering Liesel's fall and winter wear!   It's convenient to have hoodies, rain gear, and warm wraps close at hand...great time to sort out what no longer fits or can be passed on dachshunds in rescue.

A great spot to store my doxie mittens too!

I strolled into Michael's last week...and to my delight...look at all this Christmas goodness!

I luv, luv, luv these nutcrackers!!  Might be on my must haves list!!

And stunning picks to choose from....

I picked up a couple of smaller items...these styrofoam balls are going to be "snowballs"....stacked in a tin bucket...with the cute little red truck pick.  I checked the price of the styrofoam balls at Michaels...almost $9 per bag....mine are from the Dollar store...work just as well.

And while I was at the Dollar store...I came across these cuties...too cute to be left behind...will make an adorable addition to our tree this year,...

Who doesn't love Pugs?  I know I do...and it was my breed of choice before falling in love with dachshunds....I sure wouldn't mind having a cup of hot chocolate in this little guy!!

Adorable cooke jars and salt and pepper shakers too!  Awesome gifts for the pug lover in your life!!

Switching back to fall....Mr. Seventies and I were chatting the other day...and I asked him if he knew the reason I loved fall so much?  He replied, "Pumpkins?"  "Falling Leaves?" "Crisp mornings? "Warm Sweaters?" "Football"?  And while I do love all those things...(well....except football...) the real reason I love fall so much is because we starting dating in the fall!  And were married in the fall! He says he knew that too, he was just teasing me.   It's true...on our "second date"....we enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with my parents and family!  So fall has a very special meaning to us...and in a few weeks we will be celebrating thirty six years of marriage!!  (forty years together).  I think there might be something sparkly in the works to commemorate the years!  Little tease there...

BTW - I am still loving the pet furniture covers I purchased...but decided to order a love seat sized one for our family room chair.  It is larger than a regular chair...almost a chair and a half and the cover does not quite cover the arms as much as I would like.   I chose this one...and it should arrive tomorrow...although it is made for a love seat...it may work for our chair.  It is water repellent as well..win-win!   I will share my findings once it arrives. 

Much cooler temps here today...as we wrap up another month!  I love cool, cloudy and windy days!  Perfect for short walks with Liesel!

Last Weekend in September

Can you believe next week we are in to October?  Fall is moving right along...winter weather in a couple of the western Provinces...snow and lots of it in their forecast.  So happy we went to Alberta early last fall when we did.

I've been puttering around outside...remember the faux stack of pumpkins I've been crushing on?  When I saw one for sale on Marketplace...I contacted the seller and made an offer.  I'm happy how it fits right in with my lanterns and potted mums.  We've decided not to pick up real pumpkins...will leave it up to Mr. Seventies if he wants to do his usual cornstalk and straw bale display.  Still lots of time to decide....

I've been out and about a couple of times this week...will share some of my finds...I am so close to picking up these adorable gnomes in a wagon...I didn't have time to lift it up and check out the price (which they always stick on the bottom...)...I'm crushing on them big time...and am thinking I may do a small display at the back door...stayed tuned...

These pumpkins looked so real...I had to tap one...

Of course...a beautiful cushion caught my eye...and it did not come home with me...

I had such a chuckle with this sign...some spooky Hallowe'en decor...

I have been wanting an insulated, double steel walled drinking bottle for a while now...some are really expensive.  I knew when I came across not one...but two in a pack...this was a good deal!  Snapped them up pretty quick!

In other news, one thing dachshunds do not like is rain!  After Dorian dumped high winds and rain on us....and torrential rains earlier in the week...it was time Liesel had a raincoat to keep her dry during bathroom breaks...

This is her adorable happy face...she will appreciate wearing it when it is pouring rain!  She is used to wearing warm wraps and sweaters during the winter months..

A friend of mine and fellow dachshund Mama...convinced me to try out this all in one harness and leash combo...(one of her dachshund's name is Charlotte...).  I can't tell you how much I love this and how easy it is to use!  It is also impossible for a dog to slip off...and eliminates the need for both a harness and leash!  I chose the orange reflective colour....I plan to order a pink one for the summer months!  Liesel was being so co-operative to model...it's difficult to see how it works using photos...I'm looking forward to Liesel using it.  Another bonus...it slips easily over thick sweaters and wraps...one end goes over her head...the leash goes under her front legs, then loops up around... and through a slot behind her head.  Then you slide the disc down..and you're ready to go.  Harness and leash in one!  It's made of very soft chenille rope like fabric...

I spotted these steps...and considered replacing Liesel's steps she uses to get beside me in our chair...these are softer and lighter...as hers are hard vinyl.  The $50 price tag brought me to my senses pretty quick!  Crazy...and definitely not worth that unrealistic price!

I have my fall Hallo'wiener nails!  My nail gal is also an awesome artist...and she will be doing an adorable wall mural in my new grand baby's nursery!  Doing the nursery is going to be so much fun!

And speaking of new grand baby....the happy parents are planning a gender reveal party for us grand parents in November!  Cannot wait!  Mr. Seventies says no need for a reveal...baby is a boy!  I'm thinking he and I will have a little wager on that!  We've never had a grand son...just grand daughters...so a boy would be different!  Not that it matters...a healthy, happy baby is much more important.  But I do pink really well...just saying.

Mr. Seventies tulip order from Vesey's arrived yesterday..he's going to be busy planting.  And his 35 year old chainsaw was able to be repaired...he has a dead tree to take down...as well as the one that broke off during Dorian.  

And finally....driveway repaired.  It isn't pretty...but at least it is done...and much safer!  A representative with a local landscape company dropped by as well...he is going to top soil and reseed the damaged area along the driveway.  He says we still have 2-3 weeks left to get grass established again. 

That's just about what has been going on here!  A head's up...Christmas decor is set out...and I'm dreaming about Christmas decorating all ready!  Will share what I've seen so far next week!

Trip To The Hardware Store

We had 54 mm of rain yesterday morning...it literally came down in buckets.  Some city streets flooded..and there was thunder and lightening.  By afternoon...it had cleared up and since Mr. Seventies was available after lunch...it was a good time to do a little fix up job for daughter and hubby, while they worked.   A new set of faucets was needed in the master bedroom ensuite.

We picked up grand dog and he came along for a shopping excursion.  Unlike Liesel...he is an awesome shopper!!  Loves to be in the cart and see everything...and of course...have people stop and fuss over him.

While his Grumpy shopped for taps...we cruised the hardware store!  Which sells much more than hardware and paint...they have branched out into home decor.  We stopped to check out this adorable cushion...

I picked up a couple of pumpkin spice candles...they smell amazing....

I've mentioned we are expecting a new grand baby...and my daughter and I plan to decorate the nursery dachshund theme.  There is an Etsy store where a wonderful lady makes crib mobiles...and different colours and various dog breeds...how perfect is this one?  We will wait until after the gender reveal before ordering one in the perfect colour.  The mobile attachment for the crib is sold separately.  

Mr. Seventies had the faucet switched out in no time...it was a great little job to have done.  

A Start to Outside Fall Decor

After a warm, summer like weekend...complete with apple picking...the calendar says we are now officially into fall.  And I am so ready!  The smells of fall are intoxicating...pumpkin spice and strong earthy scents.

And a start to fall means...apple picking!  Mr. Seventies and I loaded Liesel into the SUV and headed to a local U Pick....Wintermoor Orchard.  Since being empty nesters...we don't need an abundance of apples and sadly my favourite MacIntosh variety....were not ripened.  Growing up...we did not have the assortment or varieites available now...and there is nothing like a crunchy MacIntosh in my opinion.  Liesel was buckled safely in her car seat for the short road trip!

The last number of years we have enjoyed Wintermoor Apple Orchard...it's a short drive...and they have beautiful grounds and plenty of parking. There is even an area set up for little ones to play with various toys, picnic tables...decorated with pumpkins and scarecrows.

Having to watch my blood sugars...I sadly can no longer bake pies or apple crisps...but am able to enjoy fresh applesauce stewed in the slow cooker!  And it is delicious...could never go back to eating store bought applesauce.  Our little pumpkin took a break on one of the benches...and enjoyed a cold drink...

And met a friend...her name was Lola (now get that song out of your head...lol)...she's a gorgeous red girl....

Since the MacIntosh wasn't ready for picking...the orchard owner recommended William's Pride as the next best thing...and excellent for eating and making applesauce.  Mr. Seventies didn't need to pick very long before our bag was full..(you can just see a little wiener head on the bottom left of the photo...)

A fresh batch of applesauce was stewing slowly in the crockpot not long after we arrived home.  Not only did the house smell amazing....the applesauce was delicious!

Remember when I somehow ripped a hole in my leather bag?  The amazing creator repaired it, free of charge...and dropped it off!  If you search Janie Nicole Leather on Etsy...her site will come up.  

Before...

And after...she did advise me she was required to make the bag smaller to rework and stitch it good as new...it is quite a bit smaller.  In all honesty...it probably was the size I should have chosen in the first place!  It fits my essentials, wallet, cell phone and keys.  I don't carry a heavy, suitcase like bag.  I know some women carry their life in their bags....I am not one of those women!

I continue to be baffled as to how and when I ripped my bag in the first place...but am very happy to have it back and very much useable.  Maybe down the road...I may purchase another style of bag...she is an amazing artisan and delivers an exceptional product...

I thought it time to get my lanterns done up...after the hot summer months...I had brought them inside and gave them a thorough cleaning...and tossed in some dollar store pumpkins and pine cones...easy peazy...

I brought out my EZ Bowmaker...and voila...lanterns completed.  Mr. Seventies bought me two potted Mums...gave some pretty fall colours to the front step.  We still need to pick up a pumpkin or two...he does a display every year using our corn stalks, a small bale of straw, another Mum and a few squash from the garden....

As a rule...we get lots of wind in the fall months...whatever goes outside needs to be heavy enough or able to be secured to withstand the gusts.  If strong winds are forecast...we bring in the flowers and lanterns....rather than have them blow off the step.

Cloudy and overcast here today...with a rainfall warning in effect for overnight and tomorrow.  Have an awesome day wherever you are enjoying fall!!

Day Trip!!

I had an awesome day trip to the mainland yesterday!  And our first stop was Pier 1!  And it did not disappoint.  So much fall goodness on display!!

Of course, my cushion obsession was working overtime!  The adorable French Bulldog on this cushion caught my eye...since they are owned by two Franchies, my nephew's wife is going to scout out Pier 1 in her area in Ottawa!  I wish they lived closer..I see so much Frenchie decor.  Or...maybe it's best I don't....hahaha....

And wouldn't you know they were having a BOGO sale on cushions!!  See that cute doxie on the right side of the cushion?  Didn't take much for a couple of them to end up in my cart.  I took advantage of the sale and picked up one for my daughter as well...such cute fall cushions!  

Another stop we made was at Marshalls....a Home Sense/Winners combined!  An abundance of Hallowe'en decor available...

Some spooktacular decor items...

A scary doxie skeleton...a very heavy piece...luv it!!

We stopped for my friend's appointment and then grabbed a bite to eat...and stopped at another favourite store...Bath and Body Works.  

Two stores that need to break into the market here in Charlottetown are Pier 1 and Bath and Body Works!  Then I wouldn't need to drive off Island!

I was happily surprised Bath and Body Works wasn't over run with shoppers!  Usually, it's so crowded and over whelming with so many people, but there was just the right amount of people mulling about!   And great sales....they were busily restocking shelves as stock was flying out the door!

Great smelling candles to soothe senses...

I have enough body wash and hand soaps to last a few seasons!  Their men's line of body washes and lotions is amazing!  

My stash of great smelling awesomeness!

My friend uses their line of electric plug ins with a huge assortment of essential oils you click in place and plug in!   The plug ins are also night lights...I'm going to check them out next time we visit.  I use tarts in electric warmers...and I think these would be amazing smelling too!

We arrived home just before supper...back seat full of goodies!  Next visit will be the latter part of November...just in time to see Christmas goodies!!

Very cool here over night...we had frost in some areas...behind the garden and in the field behind our house.  The next few days are going to much warmer...plan to get our and enjoy the last kick at summer! 

Hump Day Happenings

It's only been four months since the damage was done to our driveway...so this is a start at least.  The paving company came by and cut out the 12 foot section that was damaged.  Since it rained yesterday...I think they are coming by today to do the repair.  Finally.

I dropped by Home Sense the other day to pick up more velvet clothes hangers...and saw this adorable cushion.  She's a pretty cute little witch!!

A gorgeous velvet down cushion...I resisted..it is such a rich, fall colour!

Sunny and cool here today!  Off to the mainland...will definitely be visiting a couple of my favourite haunts!

Have an awesome day!!

Few Touches of Fall Decor

Here we are....half way through September already.  Mr Seventies officially closed and covered the pool for winter....disconnected the pump and put it away.  He's going to have it checked before next swim season...it was making a loud whining noise...it will be repaired or replaced.

The wood from the broken tree branch was picked up...great to have that out of the way.  After 35 years of service...Mr. Seventies chainsaw needs to be replaced.  He dropped it off in the event it can be repaired (doubtful)...and if not, then he will be shopping for a new one.  Since he is very experienced with a saw...he will be looking for a Pro Series model.  He shakes his head when he sees guys sawing without the proper safety pants and boots and eye and ear protection.

In other news, Michael's is having a fabulous fall decor sale....60% off!  I picked up a few things that caught my eye....

I love the arrangement I picked up and hung it on the front door.  The wreath I had displayed on the door..has now moved to the back door...

I couldn't resist the small dough bowl...and asked Mr. Seventies to give it a couple of coats of stain...perfect size to display my apples...

The tobacco basket was stained as well...although it's a dark brown stain...it looks black in the photo. These baskets range in size from small to really large...this one is about a medium size...

I was browsing my favourite shoe store and spotted these awesome Doc Marten boots!  I didn't purchase them...but mulled it over for a week or so.  I still wanted them...so went back and bought them.  I have a couple of ankle height Doc Martens...these are higher.  Doc Martens and Blundstones are very comfortable...and last forever.  I take good care of my leather footwear...keeping them clean and use protective spray.  

Baby's first photo...we are excited to be having another grand baby!  Isn't it amazing how you can see as baby develops...such an adorable little face!  Everything is progressing as it should be...with baby due in March 2020!  Maybe on my birthday?  Wouldn't that be awesome?  I was born on my grandmother's birthday...so maybe this little love with choose the same arrival date!!

Are you a Downton Abbey fan?  My friend and I are huge fans...and have pre-purchased and reserved seats to see the movie coming out later in the week!

Also have a road trip to the mainland planned for this week!  Will scout out our usual haunts!  Have a beautiful day and enjoy the lovely fall weather!