Meant to Be

Or I should have "gnome" better...than to leave the adorable cartful of gnomes the other day.  I checked back at the store...and was shocked how much of the fall decor was gone!  I don't know if it sold...or was moved to another store location...but I didn't see the gnomes....and assumed they were gone!

Upon a second look...there they were!!  I took that as a sign I was meant to have them...so into my cart they went.  Upon close inspection....there were a few chips on the deep cranberry hat!  Hmmm....Home Sense is not known for their "deep discounts"....but what could it hurt to ask?  They took a whopping $3.00 off...but hey...$3.00 is $3.00.  I knew I had the exact matching paint colour at home...you can see a bit where the paint was still wet after touch up.  Once it dried...you could not tell it had ever been chipped!

I'll leave them inside for now...until we're ready to put out a bit of fall decor & pick up a couple of potted Mums.  I have my stack of pumpkins that I purchased last year from FB Marketplace to set out as well.

Wal Mart finally brought in new ScentSationals tarts!! I'm an official tart hoarder now! Two awesome new scents...(or ones they've never carried previously)...Marshmellow Crispies and Salted Caramel Buttercream!  Almost good enough to eat by the names...and they smell just as good as they sound!!

My only axe to grind is Wal Mart keeps putting the prices up!  Just a few cents...but enough to annoy me.  Not enough to stop buying them...yet.   Very few tarts on the market have "staying power"...some lose their scent after only a few hours.  I know exactly which ones in this line last...and some I cannot fathom why they sell in the first place!  You would think someone somewhere would catch on to which tarts sell the best...and which ones don't.  Also...the scents they offer in 6 pack...instead of 4 pack...are none of my favourites.   Of course....

Well tomorrow is a brand new month!  Schools will soon be re-opening...that is a bit scary...dozens of precautions in place...so fingers crossed everyone stays healthy.   It would be terrible on so many levels if we have to shut down again...but if necessary...so be it. 

In the meantime...have an awesome day where ever you are today!!

For The Love of Gnomes

Is anyone else in love with gnomes?  It can't be just me...I may have to add them to my list of weaknesses...I saw this...and may have to have it..

I saw it last year as well...and resisted...but not sure if I can do that again this year.  I'm going to check it out again...if it's gone...then it wasn't meant to be.  If not...then it's meant to be mine.  Stay tuned...

How is this for a cute little doxie witch?

And the madness continues!!  This is the last fall cushion at our Home Sense location!!  They all flew out the door...glad I picked up one when I did.  I'm crushing on this one though....I love everything from the black & white buffalo check...to the wagon...and those boots!!  And...feather filled...which are the only cushions I will buy.  Anything else are uncomfortable...and in my experience...wash terrible.  I've washed & dried feather cushions and bed pillows with no problems at all.   Once I take them out of the dryer....I set them in the sun to sanitize....easy peasy.

And....since I have so many cushions....I found these awesome covers on Amazon...four in a set.  The reviews were awesome...and I do seem to have an abundance of cushions to cover...and will share with my daughters....

Mr. Seventies has set the pool to drain...and brought in the wicker patio furniture, deflated pool floats, rolled up outside rugs and will disconnect and remove the pool pump for winter.  In the past couple of winters...we have covered the pool, but see no real advantage to doing that.  Best to let it fill will snow...and that will be next year's water to swim in! We've left the solar blanket rolled up....as it's too windy today to spread it out to dry before packing it away.

And...since it went down to 11 degrees last night....the new electric blanket I purchased a few months ago...was put on the bed.  It's a Biddeford model...sherpa lined....really gorgeous blanket.  And the controls can sit at the head of the bed...either on our night tables or tucked under the head of the bed.  

I had an awesome visit with my little Grumpy Cat yesterday...she is just so precious.  I know every grandmother thinks that...but she really is a little treasure to us!  

Hope you have an awesome weekend!!  I see we are forecast to get quite a bit of rain...great weekend to be a duck!!

Touch of Fall In the Air

It has cooled down here considerably...we had thundershowers and rain yesterday..today the sun is out and it's going to be a beautiful day!!

Sadly, we will be closing the pool this weekend.  With night time temps dipping...so too does the water temperature in the pool.  We had a great swimming season though...so I won't complain...just wish summer weather could stick around a little longer.

After the rains...I picked a pretty bouquet of Zinnias...very much fall colours...

I found this tart burner at Wal Mart...but it had a crack in it...and was the last one...very happy to have been able to order it on line!  Such a cute retro radio...

Mr. Seventies and I plan to take a trip to Scotland...when the world opens up and it's safe to travel again.  In the meantime...I subscribe to Weebox...a monthly subscription box of items authentic to Scotland!  I received my first one a few weeks ago...what a sweet box of goodies I received!  I cannot wait to try the cannier of tea...and the Coos tray & tea bag holder are adorable!  Some great recipes in the Scottish Baking Bible too!

My favourite item is this gorgeous sterling silver bracelet....just look at the adorable teapot and cup & saucer!!  Fitting for me...as I don't drink coffee...tea is my beverage of choice!

There are various subscription options...I chose a six month subscription.  Really just wanted to try it out...and the fun part is some items are wrapped in Scotland newspaper....so I get to read a bit of local news from there!

I plan to spend a few hours with my new grand daughter!  She is doing amazing...hit the 12 lb. mark last week!  She is taking more feedings by bottle now as well...can't wait to keep the feeding tube & pump to the curb!!

Hope your day is awesome as well!!

Melamine Dinnerware Sets

I cannot tell you how pleased I am with the quality of the fall melamine dinnerware sets I ordered!  They are absolutely gorgeous pieces...great thickness and quality.  I was half expecting thin, lightweight plates and bowls....and I couldn't have been more wrong.  They are thicker than any Corelle I've seen...and much prettier...

Perfect for fall...covered in pretty pumpkins!  These are dishwasher safe as well...but not suitable for microwave use.   I ordered two sets...each a set of twelve pieces.  Mugs are not included...which is fine for us....we have enough mugs...and I have the pumpkin and caldron mugs on order to use.

And whenever I find dachshund pj's...I just have to have them!!  And will gift another set to a certain doxie grand dog's Mama....I discovered these in the clothing section of our Atlantic Superstore location.  These will be great for hanging out in the cool fall evenings...the quality is amazing...very soft and such pretty colours!!

I'm anxiously awaiting our sunflowers to bloom so I can pick a fall bouquet!  Even though the calendar still says August...you can definitely feel a shift in temps...humidity is gone...and the mornings and evenings are much darker.  Lower night time temps bring the water temperature in the pool down as well...still quite warm at 26 degrees yesterday...we will stretch the swimming days as long as possible...but three months of continuous use is a great pool season for us!

That is all the news from here - hope you have an awesome day wherever you are!!

Fall In Love With Fall

I love fall!  It's my favourite time of year!  There...I've said it.  Don't get me wrong...summers are awesome...but always too short.  Once the nights cool down...like they have been doing...it pretty much means pool season is over.  We've had three great months of hot, humid temperatures...I'm okay with enjoying some great fall days and colours.  Fall doesn't arrive in most areas for a few weeks yet...but here usually by the third week in August...we notice a shift.  

That...and pumpkin spice exploding everywhere!!  So...time to share some fall decor inspiration!!  If your a fall gal like me....go ahead and swoon...

I suspect it's the colours that attract me the most...browns, oranges, teal greens, sunflowers....potted Mums....I'm not so much for the glitzy glam...but in some homes...it is gorgeous!

There are so many colours and textures for pumpkins now...and I crush on them all!  This teal beauty almost came home with me....I need to take stock first...

Awesome idea for tobacco basket decor...would make a beautiful door or wall hanging...

And fall cushions...you know cushions are my weakness!!  Took all my strength not to purchase this one...had a dachshund been on it...no holds barred...it would have been in my cart!  But I resisted and bought no cushions!!

Okay...that last statement was a lie!  But you will forgive me...who could resist this beauty!  Apparently not me!   I think I need a support group...

Saw this cute little toy...and bought it for my wire girl!  She's been a bit obsessed with it...but girl....I understand...and it is currently being well loved...

I love this dinnerware...so cute for a Hallowe'en get-together!  

Even got a start to my Christmas...(yes...Christmas...) shopping for my precious Annabelle!  An adorable puzzle...so cute!!  She is doing amazing....and can you believe at four months...she has two teeth just about through!!  This girl excels at everything...but then she is our grand daughter after all...lol!!

I wish they had two of these...one for each daughter!  I may go back & pick this up...if it's still there...and continue to watch for a second one.  So appropriate...and possibly a bit true...lol.  

It looks like today will be the last of the warm temps for the unforeseeable future...so going to hang out on the deck...read my book (fourth book in the Outlander series)...and chillax!

Hope you can do the same!!

Happy Monday!!

Monday has rolled around again...and we are into seasonal temperatures now...low to mid twenties.  We need rain desperately...have not had anything but a few sprinkles here and there all summer.  We need a day or two of rain...

There is a talented woman close by who makes tobacco baskets...and you can purchase them either stained or unstained....I ordered a stained one...I'm still wanting a large one...which I requested...but this was the size I received...and I'm loving it. She does amazing work!  And the adorable cow canvas...a $2.99 thrift store find...and ya'll know I can't pass up a good cow!!

With all the heat this summer...our corn will soon be ready for shucking!  Cannot wait for that first feed of fresh corn on the cob!!  As always...we have a very productive garden this year!  Enjoying new potatoes...the peas and yellow beans...are done!  We've shared with neighbours and friends...

And the sunflowers Mr. Seventies planted are beginning to show off their awesomeness!  I had forgotten he had planted them...until this beauty appeared.  

This beautiful lady is known as "Schatzi's Rose"....one of three various rose bushes planted in memory of our fur kids...I had thoughts to snip it and place it in a rose bowl...but it has new buds..and so I left it.... to bring her closer to my heart.  She was my heart dog...

The coneflowers are in full bloom...and give stunning colour...people walking by stop and admire the gardens...Mr. Seventies is blessed with two green thumbs!

This pretty lily is blooming along the back walkway...sometimes you just have to stop and admire the beauty of flowers...

Mr. Seventies is busy working on a few projects...currently replacing screens in the windows in the lower level....yesterday he detailed the SUV.  Next up is laying 12 x 18 patio stones on the crushed rock at one end of the drive.  He's been wanting to do that for a while now...and he moved the water hose from it's hanger on the house...to securing it to the lower part of the pool deck.  Still within reach of the outside tap...for pool fill ups, washing the SUV and veggies. 

We're still waiting for an estimate for gutters...the installation is being handled through our general contractor...and since it's been over two weeks since we requested the estimate...he is on top of it.  So annoying...if it were up to me...I'd move on to another gutter company...which may happen yet.   It's extremely difficult to get trades people right now...so much construction and renovations going on here.  

Fingers crossed we finally get much needed rain today...every day there is a "chance" of showers...but they haven't materialized.   Fire pit fires have been banned until things are not so dangerously dry...

Hope you have an awesome day!!  Til next time....

Feeling Like Fall - During a Heat Wave

It continues to be hot here...and I luv it!  Mr. Seventies is struggling a bit to sleep at night...a couple of nights...we pulled on our swim suits and swam under the stars!  Highly recommend it!  We've never needed any type of air coolant....other than a few fans running...but I may take peek at small air conditioners...even one just for the master bedroom.  It doesn't hurt to check them out...I'm sure other summers will have hot weather as well.

We are dealing with heat warnings the last few days...and it continues into this week...things are dangerously dry...with no rain all summer.  Lawns are brown and the ground is hard....

BOGO. continues at Michael's....I picked up two fall pieces...a wreath and floral arrangement...and gave daughter & her husband their choice of either.  Due to winds...they struggle to keep any type of decor on their main exterior door...so it did not surprise me they chose the football vase with florals...it will look gorgeous on their mantle....or his football themed man cave.

The wreath is very light weight...we may even have issue keeping in on our main door...I will either need to bring it in during windy weather....or hang it inside....perhaps on the mirror window in the front entry....

And since fall seems to be on my brain...I came across these adorable pumpkin mugs...and ordered a set of four...

And just a couple of these....for my tea...( my friend calls it "witches brew") ... very fitting!   Cute little cauldrons on legs!!  Perfect for this old witch...lol....

I received the blue hoodie I ordered...and am thrilled with the fit and quality.  So much so when I saw the yellow one in store...I decided to get one.  Since it was sold out in my size....I ordered it on line...I'm not usually a fan of yellow....but this one is so soft and pretty...

I've been looking for a zip up hoodie as well...and love the raisin colour of this one..so ordered it as well...

Are you thinking of fall and cooler temps?  We are enjoying hot and hazy days...summers are too short for my liking!  Hope you have an awesome day wherever you are!!

Retail Therapy

I decided to do a bit of retail therapy earlier in the week...and we are still loving the hot and humid weather we are having!  And more is on the way!!

So, let's dive right in!  Michael's was having a BOGO sale on fall items...so I picked up a few things I've been eyeing...namely the tray!  The pumpkin...was my "free" item...

The little flower pot I picked up to set in the tray...and this cute piece was a "free" item as well...

And how they look on my coffee table...(the pumpkin is on the kitchen counter).....

A few other items included in the BOGO sale...I'm crushing hard on this wreath...sorry for the crappy photo...they were hung really high...they also had gorgeous football vase arrangements...but again...placed high up on shelves!!  I may have to make a second visit for these....just sayin'.....

Something about trucks...just love them!!

I have a blue truck similar to this...it's a tart burner!!  This one is a cute decor piece....

Crushing on this floral arrangement...adorable!  Anything pumpkin grabs me...

Yup...crushing on pumpkins in a red wagon no less!!

I took a quick spin around Home Sense...still not a lot of stock...super cute footstool....

This canvas just says it all...

And I'm not a fan of lamps covered in feathers!  Little too much for me...but I'm sure in the right home...they would be awesome!  If I brought those home..Mr. Seventies would have me committed!  

Now the taller ones would look gorgeous on a table behind a sofa....

A couple of weeks ago...I dropped our pepper shaker...and broke it...tile floor is very unforgiving!  Scored these cuties as the Mission Store....love the maple leaf on the fronts!!  I think they were $1.99 for the set...

It felt good to get out and about...and so pleased to see so many shoppers wearing masks!  Without being ordered to!  Just one store required it's customers to mask up....and supplied disposable ones .. but most shoppers wore their own.  Our province is running a campaign..."I Wear A Mask For"....and you add your name & who you are wearing your mask for.  Of course....our choices are easy...to protect our precious Annabelle...and since I have an auto immune disease...we selfishly wear one for me!!  Wal Mart carries nylon masks...which, in my opinion are cooler and more comfortable than cotton or disposable masks.  

So..that's all my news for today.  It's going to be another pool day here!!

August Already

We are back into a few days of heat..which is awesome!  Today the house is quiet. today..and Liesel & I will be taking a few dips in the pool for sure!  It is hard to believe how fast July slipped by!

I've been wanting to replace my worn leather jacket for ages now...but have been unable to find just the "right" one...til I came across the exact one I was looking for.  And on sale...even better.  My previous jacket was dark brown...so decided to go with black (as shown) this time...cannot wait for it to arrive.   It's the perfect length...

I have this top in the red & navy stripe...and absolutely love it!  I'm a huge fan of 3/4 length sleeves...

It's such a great fit...and beautiful quality...I ordered it in avocado and white stripe.  These are great to wear when the seasons are changing...

And I came across this amazing bag (with leather closure & handles) on Amazon...and just had to order it!  How cute is this??  And perfect size for my wallet, phone, face mask & hand sanitizer!

And so pretty on the inside!

This was another cute hoodie I picked up for fall....I love the colour...and it is so soft and comfortable!!

I had to venture out early this morning (before it got too hot) and purchase a new tea kettle.  Mr. Seventies...put the kettle on yesterday...and not only neglected to tell me....he went outside and forgot about it!  Needless to say...it boiled dry...damaged the insides...and stunk up the house.  It was my MacKenzie Child's kettle..if you are familiar with anything MacKenzie Child's...you know they are very expensive!  

I debated on purchasing a whistling stove top kettle...or an electric kettle that shuts off automatically (especially when boiled dry)...and decided to go with electric.  I love the look of this kettle...it sits on it's own base & remains plugged in....

I also picked up a microwave bacon dish...we buy low-sodium turkey bacon...and do it crisp in the microwave...and although most of my dishes say "microwave safe"...they can be used to heat up...not cook on.  After cracking 4 of my Pioneer Woman salad plates...I needed to pick up 4 replacements.   I knew they were sold separately...so had no problem getting them...

So that's about it for today!  Hope you have an awesome day...and the weather is beautiful where ever you are!