Merry Christmas & Thank You!!

As 2022 winds down,  thank you for taking time to share in our lives through our Seventies Split!  It's been an eventful year with many upgrades and updates to our humble home....and now it's time to sit back, reflect on the past year and enjoy this beautiful time of year.  

We plan to spend quiet days with our tight knit little family here...and video calls with family & grandchildren who cannot join us in person.

We hope you will join us in 2022 and send you love & blessings of the season.  Stay safe everyone.  And above all wishing everyone a very....

Christmas Dinnerware

 I ordered my Christmas dishes (Certified International) when Bed Bath & Beyond were having a sale...and they arrived a few days ago.   As I was unpacking them I set them on the table & took a quick photo...keep in mind the table is not fully set.

I'm so happy with them...and the quality!   Even Mr. Seventies commented inquiring if we can use them or if they are "just for looks"!  And we do intend to use them!  

When my friend and I visited a shop located in an old train station in Kensington a couple of weeks ago, it was closed.  Luckily it was open when we visited again...and there was an abundance of amazing items in the shop!  There was a large selection of Prim items...and I didn't think it was still a thing.  Apparently I was wrong.  

I love this lantern and cardinals...and there were candles of every shape and size....

A cabinet full of goodies...loving the trucks...and I did pick up a couple of packages of soy tarts and a candle...

How cute are these signs with adorable mittens...

Another cabinet loaded with Christmas awesome-nesss!

And I couldn't help but notice adorable camper tree ornaments...

Next to the shop there is a little cafe, where we had planned to enjoy a quick lunch...and of course...it was closed!  As was the pub across from it!  So we opted for a hot cup of tea & muffin at the coffee shop!

I had planned to visit the shop close to our house the other day....but the weather was miserable!  The wind blew hard all day...and add snow into the mix...it was a nasty day!  There is still time...so hopefully a day next week I'll make the short trip.

Here's my girl...just sitting there...looking all adorable!  Don't you wish you could read their little minds?  I'm pretty good at knowing her wants and needs...but this one....just says she is happy and content!  (and maybe wanting a treat)...or to play with her little toy beside her....

Mr. Seventies brought this card in that was attached to our compost collection cart!  The sanitation worker left it...I think he deserves a candy cane next week!  These cards are left when they recognize you are doing a great job with sorting compost, waste, and recyclables.  If you are not doing a great job...or put something in the wrong bin...you will get a rejection sticker and your cart or bags will not be taken until the situation is rectified.  But every now and again they like to acknowledge when you are doing a great job!  Recycling is taken very serious here...we are on an Island after all. 

I've ordered a new car seat for our SUV for grand baby.  The one we currently have...is difficult to get her in and out of...and the straps are a real pain.  The motor vehicle office will install car seats at no charge.as some are pretty complicated for these old gaffers...but our son-in-law is getting to be a pro at it...so he's going to install it when it arrives.   We take her frequently in our vehicle so a safety seat is a must.  

We're inching closer to Christmas aren't we?  Schools are closing early for Christmas break (as in tomorrow) and it is unsure when they will re-open in January.  Covid is spreading and wreaking havoc...we have new restrictions in place...and more to come.  Very glad we've been able to get out and about and have things done so we can be a home more if necessary.

Stay safe where you are and have an awesome day!!

Christmas Beauty Everywhere!

Is it just me or has everyone noticed how beautiful homes, yards and stores are amazingly decorated for the holidays?  I think people are just ready for some pretty distractions after the year we've just had.  In our neighbourhood, streets are lined with wonderful outdoor lights and decor.  Some are elegant and simple...others have gone full elf mode...lights and blow up figures, manger scenes, grinches, snowmen and Santas everywhere!  So festive and fun to see!

Mr. Seventies sister sent us a beautiful arrangement...such a pretty lantern in the centre! There are roses, pine cones, pretty ribbon...and an adorable cardinal ornament.  Long after the greens are done...we'll still be able to hold onto some pieces as keepsakes....

My friend and I took a day and visited a number of decor shops outside the city area...the first stop...at a shop called Prestige...is huge and takes in three shops in one...a decor shop, home goods and a floral studio.  The number of trees decorated was wonderful!!  This first smaller tree had the cutest ice skate ornaments...

I can honestly say I've never seen a red tree before!!  I presume they are available...or perhaps it was spray painted...although at close look...I think it is an actual red artificial tree!  Simply stunning....red & gold...

And a couple or pretty red & white traditional trees....

And this so pretty in soft pink and gold accents....beautiful for a bedroom.  I'd love to do a smaller tree in the bedroom...but Liesel's night time crate takes up the necessary space...and it's her corner....so she is priority over a tree....

This is my pal, Judy...modelling with a tree she was pretty smitten with...perfect for a nursery!!  She and her husband just welcomed twin grandsons in November...adding to their collection of five! grand children!  The boys are still in the NICU...but now weighing over seven pounds each!  And hope to be home in time for Christmas!!

We had such a fun day...a lot of laughs...and managed to get lost a time or two!!

And then the home decor...oh m gee!  I love this place!  The large cow painted pallets hanging behind our sofa came from this shop...it is one of my favourite haunts!!

There is just something about barns...gets me every time!  You would think I was raised on a farm!  (I wasn't)...maybe I should have been....

There are furniture pieces...sofas...chairs...and this beautiful piece!  Would make an awesome sideboard...or if you have a large entry....*swoon*...

Judy & I both stood with our mouths agape...admiring not only the awesome-ness of this swag...but those light fixtures!!  Available in two sizes....

And some adorable decor pieces...everywhere in the store!!  I just took photos of my favourites....like this one...

Pretty cushions....and quilts...and throws...and did I mention an abundance of candles and tarts?  The smells were amazing!  I felt right at home...

Oh...peeps....I could have photographed so much more!  But I feel most readers would be nodding off by now!  And we visited a couple of smaller shops...I'll share those photos another day.  

We plan, weather permitting...to scour out some of the after Christmas sales!  The weather was perfect for our outing...what bit of snow we received...has been washed away by rain showers.  I much prefer a green Christmas anyways!

This afternoon I plan to visit a small shop not far from our home...I've heard some wonderful things about it!  And free hot chocolate for shoppers! Win-win. 

I hope you have an amazing day & thank you for stopping by!!

Warm Winter Wear

We've had a touch of winter here this week...a bit of snow (10 cm or so) and windy.  With the colder weather arriving....I've ordered a few warm, cozy pieces of clothing...nothing like a pretty pair of mittens to keep my hands toasty warm...these are from Hudson's Bay...

And the mitts will match perfectly with this longer winter jacket...I'm really looking forward to wearing this.  It is not overly bulky or heavy weight...as I prefer lighter weight...but warm jackets & coats.  And the drawstring is awesome for a snugger fit...

I am so in love with this wool mix sweater...not only are the colours gorgeous...but it is so warm and snuggly...perfect for these cooler days...

And this jacket is perfect for car trips...shopping....and just out and about running errands. And I love the colour & again...it's not a heavy weight jacket...it's looks a bit oversized here...but it fits me perfectly...with room for warm hoodie or sweater underneath...

This sweater is lovely...a bit dressier but I've worn it with distressed skinny jeans and my Ugg ankle boots (with the bows on the back)...

And some days...a puffer vest and sweater is all that is needed.  I had previously ordered one...and it was too big.  I sent it back, downsized & ordered this one...it hasn't arrived yet...so fingers crossed it will fit great!

My friend and I had planned a day of retail therapy this day...but have rescheduled for next week.  Grand baby's daycare is closed yesterday & today...so Grampie & I get to spoil our little one today!  Looking forward to spending time with her...she is such a joy.  And a captive audience for Mimi's singing of nursery rhymes!

Thanks so much for spending a bit of your time with me!  Can you believe only 15 days left until Christmas?  Have an awesome weekend!!

Outdoor Greenery

In keeping with tradition....Mr. Seventies put together a couple of outdoor wreaths & planter (using our stoneware crock)...

The front door wreath is so heavy it required two suction cups to secure it...but we've used this wreath base in the past...and fresh greens were added here & there...

Everything in the planter was foraged from our property....we are careful when using holly...as the berries are toxic...should Liesel ever decided to eat one.  I didn't use my bow maker & put together the bow...I picked it up at the discount store...and it works great.  This photo was taken at night...as Mr. Seventies was putting outdoor lights on our tree closest to the house.  After Christmas we will pick up new lights...the current ones have a few sockets that have stopped working...and the bulbs are older in style & getting harder to find replacements...

And reindeer baby is making an appearance again this year...these are super popular here right now...available in various sizes...

And of course, our newest acquisition...we've named him Wally...Liesel gives him a bark or two when she sees him in her yard...

The wreath at the back door...Mr Seventies used a base we had on hand and covered it with holly!  I still have to attach a bow...but it looks amazing!  

I popped into Home Sense one afternoon last week...and could not believe what I found!  And there was just one!  A plush wire dachshund!  Wire dachshund anything are hard to find...I couldn't believe it when I saw it.  Of course...it had to come home with me!  

Our first wire hair dachshund, Xena...was about the same Wheaton colour!  Liesel is what as known as Wild Boar.  I have to keep this one up away from prying eyes...lest she think it a toy for her to shred..

I absolutely love this piece...and as I was in the line up at checkout...it was going through cash with a shopper!!   Gorgeous cake stand....and the handle is a beautiful bow!

A cute cushion for anyone who is a camper...or just loves camping style....

I had seen this Rae Dunn piece on previous visit....and thought it would be perfect after the holidays to use in the kitchen & dispense dish soap!  It was currently discounted in price...so popped it in my cart.  I've tested it already as a dispenser and it works perfect.  

A bit of messy weather forecasted for later today...rain, snow & ice pellets.  I plan to run a few errands this morning...pick up new wipers for the Outlander.  We replaced the back window wiper...and the front ones are due.  

Thanks for stopping by today!  The countdown to Christmas is on!!  How is your shopping coming along?  I finally finished wrapping...not a chore I enjoy.  Gift bags were made for people like me!  But it's completed...I have a little bit of holiday baking ordered (I'm not much on baking these days).  Grand baby & her Dad are constructing a gingerbread house...it should be pretty "spectacular" when completed!

Say safe & have an awesome day where you are!!
 

A Visit To A Home Decor Boutique

My friend & I spent an afternoon visiting an adorable home decor boutique located in Cavendish.  If you've heard of Anne of Green Gables....then you likely know the homestead of the writer of that series, Lucy Maud Montgomery's homestead is located in Cavendish.  It's a little tourist destination...with shops and activities for adults...as well as children.  

A couple of home decor pop up boutiques have opened around the Island...one such place on the way to Cavendish we planned to check out...was closed.  But we continued on...and were not disappointed when we visited Cottage Life Boutique.  I mentioned in a previous post I ordered a couple of pottery snowmen mugs...and rather than have them shipped...I picked them up at the store.  I'm loving these mugs...

The shop is small...but jam packed with amazing decor and goodies...these cuties were readily waiting to greet us upon entering.....

A beautiful assortment of Christmas decor and gifts...gnomes are so big this year!!  

How cute are these snowman mugs as well?  I was so tempted to pick up a couple...but since I have a number of Christmas mugs...I held off.  As with the mugs I purchased, these are hand made pottery, so each one is slightly different...

Now...this sign made absolutely no sense to me!  My friend explained I needed to watch the Christmas movie Elf apparently to understand.!  Regardless...I love the sign.....and the delicious sounding wassail kit in the background....

Now this mug....spoke to me!!  We had a great chuckle upon seeing it...yup...more me than Ninnymuggins I guess...

There was an assortment of beautiful cushions, throws and adorable door mats...

Upon leaving the shop, we drove the short distance to Kensington and while another shop in an old train station was closed...we enjoyed a hot beverage and treat at a small cafe that was open!  We thoroughly enjoyed our outing...my friend picked up a few great gifts for her family and loved ones and we've decided to pick a day next week...and venture to the western part of the Island to take in a few more decor shops, have lunch...make a day of it!  

Mr. Seventies was busy at home while I was perusing the decor shop...he put together a festive planter for the front step!  With nothing but items we have on our property.  (except for the bow).  Planters being sold here are going for $35 and upwards...set in smaller, plastic pots....my crock comes into service for our planter...

He wrapped lights around the tree closest to our house...and I'm loving our newest addition...tacky I know...but cute.  Liesel enjoys giving him the odd bark or two...

Much cooler here the past couple of days...still wet with a mixture of snow flurries and rain!  I hope you enjoyed tagging along with me....fingers crossed the weather co-operates some day next week so we're able to venture west & visit different shops!

Have an awesome day!  I plan to get some wrapping done today...I've put it off long enough...since it's one of my least favourite activities.  Gift bags are meant for people like me!!