I will take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy & Healthy holiday season...and thank anyone who has taken a few minutes of their time to read my blog!  2020 has been something hasn't it?  

Going to step away from the blog for a few days...prepare for the big day...spend time with my family...and enjoy some down time!  

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!!

Blast of Cold Weather

 We had a few days of very cold and windy weather this week...but the guys managed to get the floor in the storage shed completed in an afternoon...

There may be a day or two next week where they will get a chance to start framing up the walls...

In the meantime....I may never step inside a grocery store again!  I did an online order at Wal Mart grocery...set my time for pick up...and everything went off smoothly.  One item they exchanged for a cheaper product...after advising me by email...which was perfectly fine with me!  They brought out my order in two cardboard boxes...and set them in my trunk.  Boom....done!   I like that I can arrange pick up time so Mr. Seventies will be home to carry them in the house...as that is the most challenging for me. 

Finally my soreness and bruising from my fall nine days ago...is starting to wane.  I'm not going to lie...it's been difficult moving about...and sitting was the worst.  But...I'm thankful nothing was broken...I'm healing and bruises fade and disappear. 

Can you believe we are only a few days away from Christmas?  We finished up our shopping this week...and restrictions have been lifted so we are able to join our daughter & family for Christmas dinner. Sadly, our other daughter & family in Nova Scotia are unable to travel here to join us...since the Maritime bubble has closed for travel between provinces.  :(

The important thing is we all remain healthy.  The vaccine has rolled out here...since I am immune compromised....I will not be able to get it.  I've been overly cautious since this whole ordeal began...and will continue to do so.  

Today I get to spend a few hours with my grand baby...looking forward to that.  She is growing right before our eyes...and a joy to hang out with.

Nothing Liesel enjoys more than a snooze by the fire in the evenings!!

Have a great weekend and stay healthy!!

Storage Shed - End of Day 1

 So the guys got the footings down..using a laser level to make sure everything was square and level...

It was a mild day to get started...today it's going to be a lot colder - windy...and with the winds comes a -15 windchill...

Building materials are in short supply here...with so much home and commercial construction going on...they needed to visit three lumber supply stores to get enough lumber to start laying down the flooring...it was just getting dark when I took this photo...they unloaded the lumber and called it a day...

Tomorrow...I'm hoping they do not plan to work on the shed...as windchill is predicted to be -22.  Too cold to be outside...the rest of the week looks a lot milder...

The size of the shed is going to be 8 ft x 16 ft...much larger than the old one.  And have double doors...making it easier to roll out the garden tiller, lawn mower, etc.  Mr. Seventies did a great job purging "junk" he was hanging onto...who needs dozens of empty flower pots, old shovel handles, and odds and ends of stuff no longer needed or wanted??

We had a light dusting of snow overnight...nothing major...and our SUV should be back from the repair shop today.   It was a broken spring...whatever that is...sounds expensive...and good call to have it towed rather than drive it in for repair.  

Liesel and I are going to hang out by the pellet stove today...perfect spot to be on a cold day!

Storage Shed Update and More

After 19+ years...Mr. Seventies tore down the poor, crumbling storage shed!  It didn't owe us anything...and long overdue for demo.  It had been patched and holes plugged numerous times over the years.  One might think it's not the best time of year to take on this project...but in fact for Mr. Seventies and our contractor friend...it's the perfect time.  They don't want to take on renovation jobs this close to Christmas...so they have the time to putter away at this project!

The trailer was delivered and set up to haul away the debris to the recycling depot...

First order of business...get a good fire going in the fire pot!  (and a thermos of hot coffee to get started off on the right foot)....

And so it begins....or the beginning of the end...

Out came the chainsaw for some assistance....

And everything is loaded and ready to be hauled away...

The new storage shed will be larger...I'd like to share the plans...but they are in Mr. Seventies head...I think it's going to look something along these lines...(not sure if there will be windows in the doors)...

In other exciting news...our vehicle is hopefully going into the garage today.  Mr. Seventies suspects a spring has let go...if it cannot be driven...they will come tow it (the garage is less than five minutes away).  This just happened yesterday....as we were pulling out of the driveway...sounded like we ran over a metal can...but we knew instantly something was wrong.  So...fingers crossed that gets taken care of today.

I tried my first hand at online grocery shopping...and I have to admit...I loved it!  For someone who loves to shop as much as I do...I detest....and I do mean detest....grocery shopping!   There is nothing I enjoy about it...it's not a social outing...if I need to pick up a lot of things...I'm forced to use the oversized ginormous carts...which are heavy & difficult to push...I refuse to use anything but self check outs...as no matter how many times I request "light packing"...the concept is foreign to them.  So...I do them myself...I am required to make more trips from the SUV into the house...but at least I am able to carry everything in relatively easier. 

So...decided to give on line grocery ordering a whirl.  It was an easy process...I shopped from my family room...designated a day & time for pick up...and everything went smoothly from there.  I'm going to investigate and see what stores have home delivery available...because that would be perfect!!    Growing up...the little local grocers...delivered...free of charge!  I remember those days....seems what is old is new again!

Any Outlander fans out there?  I love the series and am currently on Book #7 in a series of 9 (yet to be released)...imagine my delight when my friend gifted me this special ornament!!  If you are an Outlander lover...you will get the meaning of Sassenach.....

And...I know I made a promise to myself  not to purchase bedding...but Anthrolopologie gets me every time!  I had some extra funds (anniversary gifting, etc)...and after weeks of crushing on this jersey quilt...I pulled the trigger and ordered it.  It's the Rivulets quilt...and free shipping to Canada...gets me in the feels...

I mean...seriously??  Is this colour not to die for?   I did not order the shams...and am thinking of pairing it with pink...yeah...can't wait to see Mr. Seventie's eye roll on that one..but come on...look at this up close detail!!  I'm fan girling all over it!!

I've had their jersey quilts before...and they are amazing!  So soft and beautiful...Merry Christmas to me!!

Not sure what New Year's Eve will look like for us this year...currently we are in semi-lockdown.  No in restaurant dining available...but if there is...Mr. Seventies & I plan to ring in the New Year by dining out! 2020 has been nothing less of a sh*t storm for sure...from Covid...to daughter having our precious Annabelle...undergoing a C section...then at three months undergoing open heart surgery....all while in lockdown...and we could not be there for any major support!  So...let's kick 2020 to the curb and pray for 2021 to be kinder and gentler...and virus free. 

If we do get to dine out...I've been wanting an off the shoulder sweater to pair with either of my leather skirts...so ordered a couple....I may keep both or neither...depends on the fit and look...

I really love them both equally...but until I receive them I won't know if I keep them or send them back...

So... that's all my goings on here!  If the day goes as planned (and when does it ever?)...the new storage building may get a start.  At least, if nothing else...they pick up the necessary supplies. 

Trust its going to be a great day where you are!  Stay safe...and please...wear the mask. 

Quick Outing

 I had a couple of curb side  pickups to do...and Mother Nature reminded me just who is in charge!  She left a nice layer of ice in the parking lot in the decor store.  I opened up the door of the SUV...stepped out...and unceremoniously landed on my arse!  Both feet came right out from under me...and down I went...hard...before I knew what happened. 

And boy did it hurt!  I quickly assessed nothing was broken...the left side of my tush took the brunt of the fall.   So..today I am bruised and sore.   Well done Mother Nature....well done.  I need no other reminder who is in charge...

My outing was cut short after that...as I needed to get home and nurse my backside...but I managed to get a couple of photos of some pretty cute home decor...and some just happens to be doxie related!    

I picked this up for a fellow dachshund friend...as they had sold out in the store closest to her...an adorable mug with hand soap...

I don't use dish drying mats....but if I did...this would be the one I would have...

I love these little trees....and wrapped in Buffalo check is a bonus!

If Liesel did not already own a large wardrobe of sweaters and hoodies...I would have purchased this adorable one for her.   A girl only needs so many clothes...(I can't believe I just typed that!!)....

And this adorable dachshund snow globe was the whole reason for my outing!  At half price...I ordered one for us...and the other for grand baby's nursery!  So adorable...with a dachshund wearing a Santa hat...and it plays a pretty tune...(I have the cover on the love seat...as that is Liesel's favourite spot to lay and bark at the world going by...)

And...since Liesel's groomer is a new French Bulldog Mom...I couldn't resist picking this up for her...her current puppy is black...but she is adding a tan one to her family when he is born and ready to come to his new home....

And with that I ended my outing...could barely sit to drive home!  Very thankful not to have broken any bones...and it's good there is extra "padding" to cushion the blow!  

We have a light dusting of snow covering everything...very festive.  Have an awesome day...and if there is ice where you are...walk carefully!

Pre Christmas Shopping

 I've been taking advantage of some pre Boxing Day sales online...since we are in restricted lockdown here...with a number of community spread Covid cases.  I prefer not to be in the stores...ordering on line is the way to go...

I love these peplum waffle tops...they look great with jeans or leggings....this dark slate blue is gorgeous...

And super comfortable as well.  I loved it so much...I ordered another in yellow...which is not a colour I wear a lot of...

I'm loving this sweater...the heart is so pretty...and great for Valentine's Day!  It is so soft and beautiful...

I have this waffle top in dark gray....and love this soft pink colour...it's a combination of pretty meets light sweatshirt...

And this teddy coat with faux fur collar is warm and cuddly as can be....great for pulling on to go in the SUV...

And this sweater has such a vintage feel...I just love how it looks and feels on...

I came across these on a local book store's website...and they were 50% off...so I ordered one for myself and  one for daughter...they should be available for pick up in a few days.  I'm crushing hard on snowglobes...and the dachshund is an added bonus!!  Adorable or what?

It's been raining and overcast here for days...the Santa Claus parade the other evening...went all around our home...but never passed in front of it!  We could hear the sirens for about two hours...the parade consisted of two fire trucks & Santa & reindeers on a flat bed truck!  But...I guess the kids loved it!   Anything to add a bit of cheer to the state of things here....

I'll leave you with a smile...our precious Annabelle...such an adorable little reindeer!

Stay safe wherever you are, wear a mask & wash your hands frequently!  A vaccine cannot come soon enough!

Christmas Touches In The Bath

 I didn't do a lot of Christmas decor in the main bath...in our continued attempt to purge and make decorating and keeping our home less cluttered...I did still keep a snowman theme in here...

The shelf is a perfect spot to add a little bit of colour...along with a couple of cute snowmen hand towels...

A bucket of snowballs and a cute soap holder....I'm looking for a tub tray to hold bath salts, bath bombs and oils...

And that is about all I set out in the main bath....just a few touches of Christmas....

We've had very mild temperatures the last few days...along with showers and rain.   We hope to continue our evening ritual of walking Liesel through different neighbourhoods and enjoying Christmas lights.  I'm noticing more and more homes decorated on the outside...I think people just want some beauty in all this mayhem that has been 2020.  

Our city Christmas parade is very different this year...with the parade travelling through different neighbourhoods each evening (due to weather...a couple of nights have been rescheduled).  If on it's planned route...it should pass by our home Friday evening.  If weather permits...we plan to set up a couple of lawn chairs in the driveway and enjoy a mug of hot chocolate and watch the parade pass by!  If do-able I plan to get some photos.  Next year we hope grand baby can see her first parade...as it is past her bedtime when it goes by this year....

The Christmas parade in the town when our other daughter & family live has been cancelled...and travel within the Maritime provinces is banned.  While we respect and understand that decision...we hope to be able to see them over the holidays...

Hope you are having an awesome day wherever you are!  Only twenty-two days until Christmas!!!

It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas

 It's only 25 days til the big day!!  It seems to come upon us quicker each year...but what a year 2020 has been!  

We decided to put our tree in the upstairs family room...for a number of reasons.  We seldom use the lower level room...unless there is a power outage..the propane stove heats without electricity.  Not to mention...Liesel...having short little legs...is not able to do stairs..so in addition to continually carrying her up and down the steps..along with my laptop, mug of tea and whatever ever else I need at the time...we quickly decided to set the tree upstairs.  We were required to move one end table...so that wasn't soon ordeal....

And I would miss the fireplace...Liesel is currently curled up on the white faux fur rug...enjoying a warm fire...

It might be hard to tell...but I did downsize my Christmas cushion collection...and I'm obsessed with my battery operated pink tree!  

And my base cover looks amazing...so happy I was able to pick it up for one quarter of the original price! I feel the shops here are a couple of years behind the times...when I was searching for a top had tree topper...there were none to be found!  I discovered this one at Pier One a couple of years ago in New Brunswick (so miss Pier 1)...now...I see them in home decor stores here!  Either I'm ahead of the game...or they are behind...

Liesel's favourite spot to sit on the back of the love seat and watch the world go by.  Which is fine...until she starts barking at every.....little...thing...so that no longer works.  I didn't mind laying a throw across the cushions for her to lay on...but she cannot control her yapper...

My snuggle spot...this is where I'm currently perched..with my cup of tea...

And my beautiful Willow Tree nativity set...my cabinet is the perfect place to display it...I wish I had picked up that angel with the copper lantern at the thrift store...I may visit it again...it might still be there.  When my daughter and I were in the Hallmark store last week...I checked out the creche that accompanies my set...but it's over $350!  And for me to pay that price...I'd have to love it a lot!  And I don't...it's large and cumbersome and if it ever fell over and broke a figurine or two...I would be heartbroken.  So...leaving it as is...

That's is...the sum total of our family room...all decked out for Christmas!  Last evening...with a full moon...was a beautiful night to harness up Liesel and walk the neighbourhood and admire the beautiful Christmas lights!  We love doing that...as opposed to seeing them through a windshield.

The annual Santa Claus parade is being done differently this year...it is travelling various routes in the city...and on Friday evening...it will pass right by our house!  We hope it's a nice enough evening (since it starts at 5:30 p.m.)...to sit out with our neighbours in a couple of lawn chairs and hot chocolate!  Otherwise...we will sit in our vehicle and watch as it goes by!

Unfortunately, it will be past grand baby's bed time...so she won't be able to watch the pretty lights and floats...but hopefully next year the world will right itself..and we can watch the parade along a city street!

Toolbox Reveal

 By looking at the before photo...you would think the toolbox could be used as is.  But in truth...it was very dirty (used for tools...after all)...there was a large paint dripping inside...and a leather strap secured inside at one end.  Not sure of it's purpose..but I'd hazard a guess it was used to stand up screwdrivers and such.

Here is the before...as I mentioned...it didn't look that bad in photos.  You can see a bit of the leather strap in the right side of the photo...

Mr. Seventies removed the strap without issue...then sanded it down to fresh wood and applied two fresh coats of cherry stain.  

I wanted to keep it quite natural...added a few greens (with battery lights)...laid in some pinecones (from our property)...and stuck in a few springs of holly (from our shrubs).  The black & white buffalo check flowers are from Wal Mart...and match the runner on the table.  

And just like that...something old...is new again.  And I can remove everything and use it all year round with various trimmings inside.  

Very mild here today...Mr. Seventies is busy putting together a fresh wreath and outdoor container for daughter's exterior door and step.

Have an awesome weekend!!  

What A Wienerful World!!

 I did a little bit of Christmas decor in the master bedroom...not a whole lot...as I'm attempting to purge and downsize a bit.  I have purchased nothing new this year...in the line of Christmas decor...but rather use what I have...and in my mind...it's less clutter...

I apologize for the photo quality...the sun was gorgeous this day...and I didn't want to close the shutters and block all that gorgeous warmth & light.  The faux fur shams and spread at the end of the bed were from Bed Bath & Beyond a few years back...the  set also pairs well with a red & white toile quilt set I have.  But...since it's the holiday season...I chose to use my Christmas dachshund quilt set.  The faux fur red throw...I think was an Amazon purchase last year...

The Santa hat dachshund..moves and sings "Low Rider"...drives Liesel insane...she barks and wants to play with it...the cute Black and Tan stuffed doxie was probably one of the first plush ones I received...there are some I can't part with...the square Santa doxie cushion was a gift from a friend in New Brunswick...the other I ordered a couple of years ago from Simons.  We don't use the Canada knitted stockings..they are keepsakes...along with matching mittens...

A great spot for this wreath...and a couple of my nutcrackers I purchased last year...I placed on the dresser.

And that is about all for the master bedroom Christmas decor...as I've mentioned many times before...the bedrooms in this Seventies Split are small...if Liesel's night time crate was not sitting next to the dresser on the floor...I would put a slender tree in this corner...would be so pretty at night lit up!  But girl needs warm & cozy sleeping quarters close to us...so I'm okay with her having her own space.  She's happy...makes me happy.

Finally...after two days of high winds...and rain...today is looking like a cool but decent day.  Mr. Seventies hopes to finish sanding the toolbox (the inside left to finish)...and then apply a couple of coats of stain.  I'm excited to get it filled and place it on the kitchen table...since I've downsized the Christmas decor in the kitchen as well....

Liesel has a spa treatment today.  In other news, we have switched to a new vet clinic...after going to the same clinic for almost 20 years.  Our veterinarian is retiring and sold his clinic...and while we are sad to say goodbye..the location of the clinic accompanied with the loss of connection we had there prompted us to make a move to a new clinic. 

After much thought and consultation with friends....we chose a new clinic...with amazing recommendations for a couple of veterinarians.  We chose Dr. Jody Mokler...she is part of a small animal clinic at a clinic in the city (there are also large animal veterinarians as well)...and as nervous and stressed out as Liesel was...we couldn't be more thrilled with our new vet!  She is amazing....she took time to get to know Liesel as well as spend a great deal of time talking with me.  Her vast knowledge of the dachshund breed was much appreciated...and I felt instantly at ease.  

Liesel received a first rate examination...and I'm happy to report she is in excellent health, weight and condition. Her teeth are beautiful...no need for a dental cleaning at this time...we will continue home care dental brushing.  One vaccination was required...for kennel cough...as Liesel does visit a groomer.  Even then...spread of disease is low key...as her groomer attends to one dog at a time...there are never other dog present.  It's one on one dog grooming...and Liesel has built up a trust with Tracy...her groomer.  It's very important to us that Liesel receives the best of care...she is a much loved member of our family. 

I'll have a few more Christmas decor room posts in the upcoming days...can you believe one month from today is Christmas!!

 

Outdoor Christmas Decor

 We did a little bit of Christmas decor outside..while it seems like a good idea...realistically most of the time it just isn't feasible.  We get a lot of wind...like yesterday...when it blows hard enough to restrict high sided vehicle traffic on the Confederation Bridge to the mainland. 

With that in mind..unless you want to never see your outdoor pieces again...we sometimes have to bring them in...the snowman sign at the front door...blew off twice yesterday...so I set it inside until the winds died down.  The crock of boughs is heavy enough it usually stays put...although..we have had winds in previous years that have caused it to tumble.  Here you can see the holly wreath Mr. Seventies put together....

So far so good at the back entrance...it depends on the direction of the wind...so we keep that in mind daily to ensure nothing flies off the deck...a smaller holly wreath hangs on the door...

We hung lights on the tree closest to the house...and a flood light aimed at the front door to illuminate the front step display.  It will soon be time to hang our bird feeders with seed in the tree...we usually have three or so...it's a great spot for them as Mr. Seventies hangs them in far enough that the tree provides protection from the winds...as well as nourishment for the winter months.  Each spring we bring the feeders inside for a thorough cleaning and disinfection...to avoid spreading disease amongst the birds...and squirrels...

And a recap of the holly wreath...I love that we are able to use branches and holly from our own property...it will stay fresh for weeks...

Sure sign of things to come...when the SNOW sign goes up...

I've been puttering away at decorating the inside of our home.  We decided not to put our Christmas tree in the downstairs family room...for a few reasons.  One being...Liesel...being a dachshund...does not do stairs...so she needs to be carried up and down...add my laptop...water bottle...hot cups of tea or hot chocolate..the odd snack or two...and it becomes a lot of work.  We don't use that room much...therefore the propane stove is only on when we do use it...and that requires an hour or so to warm up the room.  Whereas upstairs...we have the wood pellet stove running most times. It seemed feasible to keep the tree upstairs on the main level...it's where we spend the most time. 

Mr. Seventies is going to saw up a tree on our daughter's property... it was in danger of falling on their house (or their neighbours) during a potential storm...so the tree was taken down...but not blocked up.  Enter Mr. Seventies and his trust chainsaw.  Their neighbours wanted to pay half the cost for the tree being taken down...and it wasn't even on their property!  Of course, daughter and her husband declined that generous offer....but that is what great neighbours they have!

We don't know anyone who burns wood...so it will either be piled at the end of their drive with a "Free" sign or placed on FB marketplace.  They don't have a fire pit (too many trees on their property)...and we have no place to store the wood...but I'm sure someone will take advantage of free firewood.

Another rainy, blustery day in the forecast today.  PEI decided yesterday to no longer participate in the Atlantic bubble...which means people from New Brunswick or Nova Scotia can no longer travel here (or us there) without first applying to do so...and must self isolate for fourteen days.  Of course compassionate or medical travel will be allowed with proper documentation...and essential workers (truck drivers) can still go back and forth...following all safety protocols.   We do what is necessary to keep our family and friends safe...and hope a vaccine will be rolling out in the near future.  And we can put this ordeal behind us.