Fall Finds

 At Wal Mart no less.   I was surprised to find a small assortment of fall decor last week...not really an assortment...more of a hodge podge of things.  Our location carries very little in the way of home goods...and you really have to go in search to find anything.  You would think with fall just around the corner...they would capitalize on fall and Hallowe'en displays...set up fairly visible to shoppers.  Not in our local store...

I found the following items...in the far back left corner of the store...not displayed...but set on shelves...almost as an after thought...with the rest of the odds and sods spread about...pool and bar-b-que supplies and planter pots, water hoses, etc. 

Such as it is...I did see a few cute items...these trucks were adorable...but the cheaply made items in the  back would need to be replaced...

I did love the small assortment of pumpkins...especially the black & white check ones....

And a couple of other choices...something different from your typical orange pumpkins....

This trio was kind of cute...more a folk art type piece...

And for under $3 I picked up this to tuck in somewhere...we'll see where I find to place it...

And my first candle order from Bath and Body Works arrived...along with a small can of room spray.  They smell amazing...I can't wait to light them and enjoy their scents.  They are each three wick candles...my favourite is Pecan Waffles.  Next month they will be opening their online Canadian store..looking forward to being able to online shop on their site....

I ordered these sandals...great to wear with cropped jeans...Mark's was having an online sale, the reviews were five star for comfort and wear...they are shown here in Cognac.  I chose dark brown, there is a zipper closure on the opposite side....but they can easily be slipped on I read...

We had a wild thunderstorm during the night...along with some much needed rain (never thought I'd say we needed rain)...loud rolls of thunder & lightening lit up the sky.  We don't usually get to many thundershowers here...but with all the heat we've had...a cold front moved through overnight...and the air is cooler this morning.

Carpet update - again.  Shipping from the western US is now scheduled for September 7... a week later than previously quoted.  Container ships are sitting in docks all over the world..so until things get moving again...there is a back log of goods and materials everywhere.

Hope you enjoy this last weekend in August!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Monday Catch Up

Monday has rolled around...and it looks like another hot & sunny week ahead!  We've been enjoying great weather...grand baby & her parents joined us for an afternoon of dips in the pool & hamburgers on the grill. 

Update on the back stair carpet - it is supposed to ship from the west coast of US on August 27, 2021...via Fed Ex and arrive here within five days.  So...it will be sometime into September before it gets installed.  We've been hearing that some have waited upwards of six months for carpet to arrive!  If ours arrives within the promised timeline...we'll be pretty happy with that.  

I've had a couple of bunches of lavender hung & drying in Mr. Seventies storage shed for a few weeks now & it was ready to be stripped...and used in little sachet bags.  I purchased the bags at Michaels...

I filled each bag with three tablespoons of lavender...and was delighted to fill six bags!  And the smell...is amazing!   I divided them between daughter and I.  These are perfect for tucking in drawers...or hanging just about anywhere...

Still picking up the odd piece of fall decor...this white ceramic pumpkin with it's crackle finish will be gorgeous with a battery operated candle inside...it was one of two available...so I placed it in my cart pretty fast...

A smaller version of the gnome wagon similar to the one I purchased last year...I love the muted colours as well...

How cute are these little guys?  I came across them at a local discount store...but at $9.99 each...I didn't feel that was much of a discount...so I left them behind.  I would have purchased them for my cabinet had they not been over priced...

This adorable planter was in the same store...and again not at a"discount" price...but was available in three different sizes.  I think this one was $29.99...and it was the mid range size.  There is a large discount store on the other side of the city I plan to check out some time this week..hopefully their prices are a bit more reasonable....

I loved this travel mug though!  Since we have an abundance of them...I didn't buy this one...but it's still pretty funny...

I plan to do a coffee bar section in the kitchen...for fall...and would you believe I don't have a sugar bowl & creamer?  I have coffee mugs in the shape of black cauldrons and orange pumpkin shape (with green handles)...so I'm hoping these will add a touch of whimsy to my set up...

Later when fall is in full swing & I have my fall decor set up...I will do a tour.  One thing I have learned to do (without a Smart TV) is to have screen savers displayed on our tv above the fire place in the family room.

Cannot wait to have fall scenes playing...and can you imagine the Christmas ones scrolling?   Some have beautiful sounds and/or music...or you can have them run silently.  I'm so pleased I'm able to do this...I did have a little assistance from my smart & helpful son in law!  I had it mostly figured out...but am so appreciative of his help!

Can you believe this is the last full week in August?  Soon the school buses will be rolling..leaves will be turning colours...and the temperatures will be dipping.  Until then though...we're going to enjoy the remainder of the summer!  

Have an awesome day & thanks for stopping by & sharing a part of your busy day with me.

Still Waiting...

On the carpeting for the back entrance stairs.  It has been a month since it was ordered...and no word yet on it's ETA.  Today I plan to call & see if there is any update...if it's been shipped, etc.  I knew the projected arrival of under two weeks was un-realistic at the time...so will see where we are at today.  It would be nice to have it installed & then the casings and mouldings can finish it off.

We are still enjoying summer temperatures...I feel like there is this big rush to get into fall..especially with kids in the US back in school...whereas here....schools don't start until after the long weekend in September.  Then...for me...fall can begin.  

That being said..look what I picked up..Pumpkin Spice wax melts!!  Not ready to use them yet...but picked up a few while they were in stock...

We have pumpkins growing in the garden...and we didn't plant any this year!  We have our own compost bin...and the compost gets spread in the garden in the spring.  Likely a few pumpkin seeds in the compost...and now we have pumpkins!  And they are a good size already!!

The table runner I purchased at Home Sense, since it is shorter....I've decided I'll place it on the coffee table in the family room...and I ordered this one from Amazon for the kitchen table....it just screams fall...yet not Halloween..and the reviews are really good...

Now...this does say Halloween...and I cannot wait for it to arrive from Michaels.  There are none in stock at my location...so ordered it online.  I had a coupon..so that took the sting of the shipping costs out a bit.  As with my Christmas one...it's battery operated as well...about 14" tall.  Luv it!!

I'm all about supporting small home business entrepreneurs...I ordered this gorgeous cloak from a seller in Ontario...how gorgeous is this??

Perfect for evening walks with hubby and Liesel on cool fall evenings!

Going to be another warm & sunny day here....taking advantage of this weather & washing our feather bed pillows!  I usually do them 2-3 times a year...along with their zip off covers.  After drying them fully in the dryer....I'll place them out in the sun and keep flipping them.  Nothing dries & sanitizes better than the hot sun!

Hope you have an awesome day where you are!  August is winding down quickly isn't it?

Looking Forward To Fall

Summer finally arrived here...and it has been very hot & humid!  I'm not complaining...we've had some lazy days...doing nothing more than grillin' & chillin'!  It seems "fall" is everywhere though..and since it is my favourite time of year.... I look forward to sweater weather, pumpkin candles and cooler days. 

Before our staycation...I had been out & about...and checked out some fall home decor that is slowly creeping it's way into the stores...luvin' this muted tone of stacked pumpkins!  

And how cute is this adorable gal with her bouquet of sunflowers? (pardon the shoppers in the background)...

I find these witches brooms adorable!  I've also seen the ones that move about themselves...but these ones are stationary.....they would be so cute as exterior entrance decor...if you are fortunate enough to have an entrance out of the wind...or were able to secure it...

This adorable little ghost went off the shelf a few minutes after I snapped a photo!  And I can understand why...so cute!!  I was tempted myself...look at that adorable bow!!

And table runners!!   Some were so pretty...just like this one...(turned sideways so the gorgeous pumpkin colours can be appreciated)..

And this one...I could not resist!!  It is shorter in length than a full 72" runner...it will lay on my table beautifully!  The pumpkins are a soft corduroy... another shopper & I fell for them at the same time!  And there were two of them...so we both were able to happily get one....

A couple of fall tea towels.. saw the dachshund...and had to have them!  I kept one for myself & gave the other to my daughter...(we've been grand paw-rents to their little wiener dog as well...for early eight years)....

Little touch of nostalgia here...growing up we had a similar bread storage bin...this one is so pretty...

I'm very excited to hear Bed & Body Works Canada will be opening an on-line store!  Our closest store location is one province away...I've always hoped they would open a retail store here.  And have long wondered why they didn't have an online store in Canada.  Well it appears now they will this fall!  

Since I've long been not able to travel to New Brunswick.....I've ordered from the US site.  And while some might consider it expensive...with the exchange in the Canadian to US dollars...I tend to think I'm avoiding a $50 bridge toll to the mainland...and about $100 in gas.  Not to mention the whole Covid thing...

I placed a small online order...I'e never tried Bath & Body Works candles...but from the reviews they are supposed to be "scentsational"...so I ordered a couple of fall scented ones...Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin...

And Pumpkin Pecan Waffles...(don't they sound yummy?).....

And a can of the same scent room spray...

I'm really looking forward to trying these out.  I tend to like strong scents...so hoping these are to my liking.  If you've tried them out...leave me a comment and tell me what you think. 

Lastly...the linen duvet cover I ordered on Etsy arrived!!  I am blown away by the quality & softness of the fabric!  And the colour.. the dark mustard yellow....is exactly what I had in mind!  I paired it here with the olive green linen sheet set.  I cannot wait for cooler nights to bring out the feather duvet & put everything on the bed!

Today promises to be another beautiful, warm day.  Not the stifling hot, humid days we enjoyed last week...but more seasonal & still very pool worthy.  

Speaking of pools...our neighbour (three houses away)...had the stanchions holding up his pool let go!!  A 27 ft round pool...holding thousands of gallons of water...just burst open...and flooded the ground!  No water damage done to their home or neighbours homes...but wow!  No warning signs...just a swoosh and it all let go!

If you remember a couple years back...that is exactly what happened to our pool. Except we noticed the damage in the fall...when the pool was empty for the winter.   It was a costly repair...and makes me wonder if our home insurance would have covered it.  Going to check into it...if it isn't. covered..we will definitely be adding it.

Our neighbour is checking with his insurance...so fingers crossed.   The other important step when installing a pool...is to obtain a building permit from the city.  Most pool owners...don't bother.  And that is just not smart.  If no building permit is issued...the city is well within their rights to mandate the pool be removed.  Very glad we have our permit. 

Hope you have an awesome day!  Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Summer Break!!

Summer has finally arrived...and with that I'm going to take some time & spend with family... hang out by the pool..enjoy some grilling & marshmallows toasted over the fire pit!!

See you back on the blog next week!!

Vanity Room

As a reminder...this is my vanity when we brought it home from Rose Cottage Antiques...it dates from the 1940's...

Mr. Seventies spent a couple of days then priming and painting it white...which was an improvement from the dark wood (there were a couple of spots that required small repairs)....

Now the white was fine...but I really wanted it to pop!  And now...it pops!!  I've ordered a navy runner...in the meantime I'm using one I have on hand.....

And how about that rug??  Now that adds some colour and personality!!  The green stool wasn't going to cut it with the colours now...this pretty mauve one is from Home Sense.  

And...yes...I did it.  I purchased the pumpkin decor...out of the six I counted in stock...there were only three left.  If I wanted it....I knew I had better pick it up.  Until fall arrives & I place it on the mantle...I set it on my cabinet until then....

I still have some tweaking to do..I'm thinking a velour bench would fit in under the windows...and a couple of decor items are needed on the walls.  This room is more....me.  

Rain again here for the next couple of days.  Big surprise.  I read we had 12 days in July where it didn't rain!  Not that there was sun...it just didn't rain on those days.  And August is not looking to improve much.  On the positive side...our potatoes are ready in the garden...and they are delicious.  Nothing like new potatoes!!

Hope you are having better summer weather where you are.  Thank you for stopping by.

Entry Update

Mr. Seventies finished the flooring in the back entry....and it looks amazing!  He did such a great job...I love how they look!  He ended up using three tubes of Gorilla Glue...but only needed three boxes of tiles (with a couple of spare left over)...so I was able to return one full box.

He installed the step edgings...and Liesel's leash holder & my broom & dustpan are hung along with his hat rack & hooks for his ball caps...all things needed in the entry.  The final jobs will be the carpet and putting up the door casing and base mouldings.  Then we can knock this job off our list.

I received my "Hello." decal...and the seller did not include transfer tape.  I picked up a roll...but I was unable to get it to transfer the decal to the door.  I've never had an issue before...so not sure what is happening.  The seller is sending me a replacement...I'm hoping it works better...

I dropped into Home Sense the other day...they have a few fall pieces out...and I am so getting this piece for our mantle!  I needed to measure it's height...then determine if there is enough height between the mantle and the tv.   There is....I will be going back to pick it up (there was four in stock...).  I love the wood base...and the colour of the pumpkins!!

Pumpkins are beginning to show up everywhere....I love the wooden one on the left...but not a fan of the candle holders....

While I was at Michaels (picking up the transfer tape)...I spotted a couple of cute items.  I love the darker stain on the bread tin covers...

Great pumpkin decor...but unless these are kept indoors or in a sheltered area...they would definitely be blown around outside...if left standing & not secured.  I love that mine are heavy enough for that not to happen...we get a lot of wind here...

And pretty tablecloths...in fall colours...this one with the maple leafs is my favourite...might just be the Canadian pride in me...

Perfect for a fall or Thanksgiving table...fall is my absolute favourite time of year...even over summer....

And some of the cutest dish towels...I may pick up a couple of these as well...

This sign struck me funny...I would have purchased this for my sister...but sadly we lost her in 2016.. she would have loved this....(and she always had a cat or two)...

I'm crushing hard on this gorgeous bowl...I have no need or use for it...but it's just really pretty....

I found this pretty lap desk for my laptop on Amazon...it arrived a few days ago & I'm loving it!  Very comfortable and soft on the underneath...and holds my Mac beautifully.  Some have slots to place your phone in...but I needed one just to set my laptop on...and this one is perfect....

Mr. Seventies has my vanity prepped & ready for a couple coats of paint.  Going really girly on the colour too!!   It should tie in with the new area rug which will be arriving Wednesday.  We rolled up the larger rug & dropped it off at our daughter's....she plans to use it in their bedroom.   I will be much happier with my vanity room when it's done to my liking!

We picked up the main bath window that had the glass replaced....very happy to have that completed.  I spent two hours last week...going through the linen closet & filling two very large totes and one smaller one with quilts, comforters & shams.

Mr. Seventies cleaned out the furnace room...we still have the old stair carpeting to get clear of (it's cut in four foot lengths, tied up & ready to go out to the curb for pick up)...and our old non working ash canister vacuum for recycling.   It's amazing how fast we collect cardboard boxes & bags of recyclables...and that's with Mr. Seventies taking them to the recycling site on Saturday mornings....
 

We plan to sort through our Christmas decor later in the fall & have decided to pass on our large, flocked Christmas tree to daughter.  It's a lot of work (and mess) for us to haul out every year...and with getting a smaller tree...we won't need as many decorations.  Time to continue to downsize a bit....

We have sun today...fingers crossed we finally get a few days of summer weather.  I feel cheated...as we've had rainy, cloudy cool weather for weeks.  Someone forgot to tell Mother Nature to send us summer. 

Thanks so much for stopping by & have an awesome day!