March - Out Like A Lamb

But it's still snowy & chilly here - with a -16 C windchill this morning!   Yesterday felt more like spring....with snow melting everywhere.  Last evening we had a few flurries....

During a recent visit to Inspired Living home decor....I spotted this canvas...yep....they are a couple of "asses".  I like to think of it as a portrait of Mr. Seventies and I!!    Call me weird....but I'm obsessing over it.  Don't be surprised if it shows up in our home.   Just sayin'

You'd think I'd be falling all over this one...and I am loving it.  Maybe I'm going for more of that "barn yard" feel.   I mean...who doesn't love a cow lounging on a sofa???

And this huge white pitcher!!  I had to pick it up....it is ceramic....and I need it.  The hydrangea not so much....they are ungawdly expensive!!  But that pitcher though....

And the new electric kettle arrived.  Not going to lie...it's a bit gaudy.  But works like a charm....lights up when you turn it on....and the top pops up when you push the button....for fill up.  I'm sure it won't have a long life span....but it's better than boiling water in a steel pot!  And it automatically shuts off when boil is complete.  Perfect for this gal....as I have a tendency to forget when I set things in motion.  I miss the timer on my wall oven terribly...I use it for everything....from cooking, filling up the pool with water.....to reminders when to do somethings.  

Golden years....my "ass".   Have an awesome weekend...birthday celebrations for our little heart warrior tomorrow!   Picking up her cake order before the festivities!!

How We Do Spring Here

Welcome to spring on our little oasis!  It was snowy most of last week....here is how things looked on Monday...

Mr. Seventies loading Liesel in her car seat....

The back deck and yard....we have better chance of having a white Easter than a white Christmas!

 All this snow does is make getting around messy & sloppy.....and wet.  Quite a bit has melted and the roads and sidewalks are bare....so there is that.  And rain in the forecast for the weekend....

In other exciting news....I suspect I'm kettle cursed.   This happened....the lid handle snapped off.  It was technically not screwed on...which one would expect.  While still useable...I don't intend to use it without being able to pop the top off...

I came across this pretty lady on Amazon....love the colour!  It sits on its own base.....with built in cord storage!!

It was inexpensive...I don't expect to get years of service from it...but thought I'd give it a try....I don't seem to be having much luck with the pricier models!

Today feels like a good day to take in some retail therapy!  Hope you have an awesome day!!!

Sometimes It Pays to Wait!

A few days back, I posted daughter and I scouted out Inspired Living decor store....where I had purchased the wooden heart shape bowl & ceramic apples....and saw a couple of other items I had my eye on....

Well what came up on their FB page....but both items....now 50% off!  (pardon the popcorn ceiling....(it's a bone of contention with me).  I'd love to either have it removed or have is speckled over....still trying to sell Mr Seventies on the idea....  

And this adorable tea pot was 50% off as well!  It fits in perfectly in my cabinet....really glad I waited until bth pieces were on clearance!!

I came across this adorable planter...which I'm crushing hard on.  Hoping it will go on sale...as I wouldn't pay $24.95 for it!   Even if it is a doxie!

A a cute send of book ends...

My birthday celebration btw was wonderful.....the cake was absolutely delicious!  Rich chocolate...

As always, I was spoiled with much appreciated gifts.....daughter in Nova Scotia gifted me a new lap desk...which I desperately needed.....

And the most adorable dachshund silicone ice cube tray!   How fun are these?

Daughter & family here gifted me with an Amazon gift card, new oven mitts (for my new oven when it arrives) and a delicious meal of Chinese food!

Mr. Seventies & Liesel gifted me an additional Amazon gift card and this beautiful birthstone charm for my Pandora bracelet...

Friday afternoon I spent having yet anther iron infusion.....and one scheduled for next week.  It has been snowing here for the past three days!   I think total amounts are around the 35 cm mark!   (over a foot of snow).    One small blessing is the snow has not been accompanied by high winds!  So there is that. 

It's gotta be spring somewhere.  Maybe where you are?  This upcoming weekend is grand baby's third birthday....we are excited to celebrate this milestone.  And the following weekend is Easter!!  Great things to look forward to.

Thanks for stopping by today...be sure and check out blogger Between Naps on the Porch for  Metamorphosis Monday .   

 

Another Appliance Replacement

Without warning....but not fully unexpected.  Our wall oven stopped working!  It gave us about 12-13 years of use....a few years longer than our first one which lasted only 7 years!

I popped lunch in the oven....thinking it was happily, bubbling away.  When I check on it...45 minutes later....the oven was stone cold....and food left as I had put it in.  Mr. Seventies thought perhaps it was the elements....or the oven fuse....but after a couple of trips to the appliance supply and repair store....we were advised...the oven had indeed cooked its final meal.

Of course, this being "My Seventies Split".....nothing is of "normal size"....and since our cabinet opening allows only for a 24" wide oven...we spent the better part of the day attempting to find one.  As now...most come in 30" or wider....so it left us with limited options!

The now defunct appliance was a Kenmore...from Sears...and our daughter had just starting dating her boyfriend...now husband....and they came with us to pick it up...and help load it in our SUV and carry it into the house.  They've been together almost 13 years....so that is how many years of service the wall oven has given us!   And Sears is no more...

Of course, the prices have doubled in those years....and in some cases tripled.  There were features I was hoping to get in a new oven.....such as a swing door!  Placement of our wall oven is high....so to have an oven door than pulled down....makes reaching over the door awkward and an opportunity for burns.  The new one has a door that swings to the left...exactly as the previous one did.  

So...having a swing door....if possible...was a must.  And luckily we found one...which is also a convection oven as well.  After careful measuring of the cabinet opening and the potential oven....we were in luck!!  This model is fingerprint resistant...and although I preferred black stainless as opposed to the brushed....beggars can't be choosers.  We were just happy to find one that would work and fit the specifications!

And will be delivered April 4, 2023!  One appliance store...had one double wall oven in stock..that was it...and another had a delivery time of 8-16 weeks!  So to get this one delivered in a couple of weeks...we can happily wait!

Since December we have replaced three appliances!  Four now counting the wall oven....

So, ya.   Happy Birthday to me!

My Birthday Week!!

Tomorrow is my birthday!  Birthdays seem to come around every six months, don't they?  Especially when you get older!!

The original plan was to celebrate with daughter & family tomorrow.....sadly our son-in-law's aunt passed away....her services are being held tomorrow.  Fully understand...."festivities" have been moved to Saturday!   Daughter in Nova Scotia has sent a parcel for me....it is idling on the kitchen table...tempting to tear into it...but will restrain until the weekend!

And...it's officially "spring"!  Which means nothing....other than a day on the calendar...at least where we live!  Currently it's -5 and windy....so not "spring" like at all.  We don't feel winter is officially over until about May...even then we've had snow storms then too!

We spent an afternoon with grand baby....taking her around to a couple of parks...but other than slides....she is still too small for most things at play grounds.  And swings...taken in for winter....are still packed away.  But she and Grampie had a fun time on the slides....

Climbing is fun too!!

And we even found a teeter-totter!  She had a great time!  To hear her giggle & laugh makes my heart full of joy....

We finished off the afternoon with a takeout pizza from Domino's to share with her parents....and rumour has it - she was ready for bed early!   Nothing like fresh air...even if it was cool & brisk!

I'm heading back to the hospital this week for another iron infusion....one of two I'll be undergoing.  Can't seem to get my iron levels up.  I am anemic...caused by an auto-immune disease that prevents my body from absorbing iron.  The Dr. has to keep a close eye on my levels....although it's evident in how I'm feeling.  Sometimes though my levels drop dangerously low....as they are now....and a blood transfusion may be required in the future I've been advised. 

Such is life!  Grandbaby's birthday is coming up fast upon us....as well as Easter!  We are looking forward to those celebrations....and dreaming of warmer days and being able to get outside and get into spring clean up!!

Thanks so much for spending time with me today.  I hope you have an amazing day...and it's Monday!!  And that means we'll be joining the blog party at Between Naps on the Porch for  Metamorphosis Monday.

Exterior Doors & Shutters-New Colours

It doesn't seem like that long ago we painted the exterior shutters, doors and window boxes....but we noticed the paint is peeling!   Never had that happen before...and cannot remember the paint used.  Normally we use paint this is for exterior metal (since the shutters are metal and doors are steel)....

I'm looking forward to warmer days & getting outside and freshening things up.  I've chosen two colours I've fallen in love with...for the shutters Benjamin Moore Cedar Path....

And for the doors and window boxes Benjamin Moore Rhubarb...

I love these two colours together....and the green will bring out the green undertones in our siding.  Of course the decks will get a fresh coat of stain....and we are considering building on to the smaller deck...to add an additional 3-4 ft. of space.  Currently, it can can quite crowded when we have family and guests....and sitting out on the pool deck is not an option.

It gets so hot there and it wouldn't matter what you attempt to use as shelter...unless it's early morning shade....the sun is pretty much blazing down out there until the sun goes down.  The deck flooring gets so hot....sandals are needed to walk...and we don't allow Liesel out there when it's hot....it could scorch her paws.....

Right now, it's in the "planning & discussing" mode.  We also plan to remove the "wiener ramp"... as we can carry Liesel down the stairs....and a couple of new gates need to be built & installed.  

We are gearing up for Easter and grand baby's birthday!!  Two things she loves....play doh and ice cream...so we've purchased her very own ice cream cart!  She & Grampie love rolling play doh at her little table...this should entertain her for a while.....

She will be able to make "pretend" ice cream cones for everyone!!

I picked up the cutest jumpsuit (for me) at Maurices the other day!  I saw it in a flyer that arrived in the mail....and went in to check it out.  As luck would have it...it was on sale.  The photo does not do it justice...it will be very cool and comfortable this summer....(and it has pockets!!!)

We didn't get much of a snow storm (happy dance) at all.  Just a couple of cm of snow....barely enough to shovel.  It's a wet. heavy snow....so blowing is not an issue....and schools and businesses are a go as normal.  The sun is currently trying to make an appearance!

That is all for now folks!  Hope you are having an awesome week!   Until next time.....

Trip To The Seed Store

Normally we wait a few more weeks to make our annual trek to Vesey's Seeds....but last year things sold old quickly....so we decided to go a few weeks earlier.  Not that we are anywhere near garden season....especially with a snow storm forecast for mid week....

 The store has been fully renovated on the inside....everything has been moved...but Mr. Seventies was able to pick up the stash of seeds he wanted...

The gift section of the store has been downsized considerably!  It didn't come as a huge shock...as beautiful as everything was....it was overpriced....in my opinion.  But I still enjoyed browsing about...and I adore these fish tail mugs!!

And had a chuckle when I showed Mr. Seventies this mug....

A couple of pretty ceramic tea pots....crushing on the green one....

I picked up this cute little pitcher...my friend is really into dragon flys!!  She made a beaded one for me and it hangs in one of the kitchen windows....

And this truck...well...I do love trucks!  But it came with a hefty price tag...

This beautiful make up bag was on clearance....and I love cardinals!  Sadly, we never see them around our home...maybe some day they will visit....

And this pig watering can...I could see being used to hold kitchen utensils...but that is just me.  I would think water would cause it to rust....I suspect it is best suited for decor purposes....

And garden flags to no end!  Again....over priced...but this one is my favourite....

I'm a lover of all things Canadian...but not a fan of Cour mats!  But if I was...this would be the one I would have.   I have no place to put one outside where it wouldn't get soaked in the elements....

It was fun to browse around and see all the beautiful decor pieces....while Mr. Seventies went through his list of required seeds.

I'm very happy to report daughter's curtain panels drama...has come to a close!  I dropped the panels off to an amazing local seamstress (who makes curtains...she is my new go to lady).   One panel required shortening about  1 1/2".....and the other panel had not been properly serged or hemmed on one side.    But here they are....properly sewn, hemmed and hung to perfection!  Only took three months or more!!

A bit of a close up of the fabric....it has a linen quality feel...and is really quite beautiful up close...and neutral colour just as my daughter wanted....minus any tassels on the sides and bottoms....

And since it's Monday join me over at at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

Thanks so much for stopping by.....I so appreciate you spending time with me.  I may have some storm pics to share mid week....depending on how much of a storm we get.  Both Mr. Seventies and I are trying to get head colds cleared up!   It's been a bugger of a winter on us....health wise.  We've been able to walk with Liesel on sunny days...but as always we have a cool north wind breeze accompanying us...keeping it cool. 

Till next time!!

Second Time's A Charm

Years ago...more than I can remember.... I purchased this beautiful tapestry jacket...online.  It might have been available on Danbury Mint....or a similar site...it's been a long time ago.  The jacket ran big...and I was never comfortable with the fit...as it was too big on me.  

A friend and fellow dachshund Mom asked to purchase it from me...since it was a perfect fit for her...which I did.  When I attempted to re-order in a smaller size...it had sold out!  And I was never able to purchase it again,

Until I came across it on Etsy!  In the size I need!  I am so excited it's on its way to me!! (as any dachshund obsessed Mama would be!!).  This is the front....the little black & tan resembles Schatzi, our previous black & tan girl!

And the back!  All three coats represented, long hair, smooth hair...and our beloved wire hair!!  This is a perfect spring jacket....and I'm excited to have found it! Can't wait to put it on & share with you!

Remember these?  In my day, the pattern was called "Granny Squares"....  and every home had a couple!  I noticed them at Home Sense....brought back a few memories!  $79.99 price tag for each!

In other news, daughters curtain panels are hemmed and re-worked and ready to hang!  I'm so grateful to have such an amazing and accommodating seamstress living near by.  And...she makes curtain panels!  In the future...if we require any panels...she is our new go to!  She does amazing work and is very reasonably priced!   Cannot wait to get them hung.  At first we thought the curtain rod was hung crooked...but I know Mr. Seventies is a stickler for having things level.  Upon measuring and closer inspection of the panels...we discovered one was about 1 1/2" longer than the other...and the side hems were not serged.  First washing...and what a mess they would have been!  Very happy to have them proper now and ready to hang.  

Etsy refunded 100% of the cost of the curtains....and the seller did replace one of the panels...albeit it the wrong length.  So...in the future...we'll order local!

It's been windy here the past few days....Mr. Seventies & I are finally getting our colds cleared up!  What a miserable winter this has been...health wise.  Windy & cool here again today...I have a good book to curl up by the fire and delve into!  

Have an awesome weekend....and thanks so much for spending a bit of time with me!

 

Small Bath & Body Works Order

I had quite a substantial number of Air Miles....idling.  While you can convert them to cash....the places where I shop...no longer accept Air Miles...but have moved on to other gimmicks....

So, what to do with this collection of Air Miles?  After browsing their site....I soon discovered...I could exchange air miles for e-vouchers!   The first two vouchers I picked were from Bath & Body Works...and within a few days....the order arrived!  Two amazing smelling candles....and seven hand soaps!!  The candle on the left is carrot cake scent...and it is a-w-e-s-o-m-e!     The other is Watermelon Lemonade...haven't lit it yet.  Both are three wick.....btw!  And all basically free!!

I also ordered a $50 e-voucher to Dominos Pizza....some evening we don't feel like preparing a meal!!

And three e-vouchers to the local movie theatre!!  When it re-opens.  It sustained a huge amount of damage when Fiona hit last fall...so they have been re-building it from the ground up!  The Summerside location is open for business...but the one closes to us will be a few weeks yet.  I suspect it will be gorgeous when it's completed!  Looking forward to seeing movies again!

Mr. Seventies and I were due to have Covid boosters tomorrow...however we are both full of colds...again.  We can't seem to catch a break.  I re-scheduled our appointments for later in the month....fingers crossed. 

Daughter, grand baby & I took a trip to Home Depot over the weekend...she wanted to replace the blinds in the nursery.  And found just what she was looking for!  A friendly employee cut them to the required size and Mr. Seventies installed them yesterday.  They look amazing!!  Wonderful Home Depot offers blind cutting service!!

A quick update on daughter's curtain panels.   Remember...one panel was damaged.  Etsy re-imbursed the full amount paid....and the seller replaced the panel.  Well...we soon discovered the panel was about an inch too long!!!  Go figure!  I'm going to give the seamstress who shortened our guest room panels a call...and hopefully drop daughter's panel off tomorrow to be hemmed the correct length.  So, the curtain saga continues!!

It's lightly snowing...have a chicken stew on the go in the crock pot.  Will spend the day curled up by the wood pellet stove and see if we can't get clear of these colds!

Be sure and stop over at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

Liesel-Switching Kibble

A few weeks back we ended up at our vet clinic....as Liesel had, what I can only describe as dark brown sores/scabs on her "elbows".  I noticed she was licking (she is not a licker per se)....and upon inspection we discovered the "scabs".  Obviously they were itchy..and the licking was making things worse.

We were off to the vet who prescribed anti itch meds (which worked like a charm) and a cream to apply to the areas (followed by quickly putting on a t-shirt before she was able to lick the cream off).   Everything cleared up...and we thought everything was back to normal....

Not so.  Yesterday, while she was snuggled up beside me...I happened to check and sure enough...the scabs are back...on both elbows!!  A quick call to our vet...and we picked up another bottle of anti-itch medication and the cream....I have about 1/4 tube on hand....since only a thin layer needs to be applied.  

Our vet says we will give the medication a month to clear up the issue & if it returns....further investigation will be required.  

Now...Liesel is not our first dachshund.  Nor is she the first one to have a skin issue....I just found it puzzling it came out of nowhere.  She's never had a history of allergies or skin problems.  But our previous pie bald dachshund, Oskar...suffered skin issues....until we discovered he had food allergies.  I remember eggs, white potato, tomato paste, dairy being on the list....the first three items....in his kibble!  Once switched to a limited ingredient diet....allergies disappeared.

A couple of months ago....Liesel's standard kibble...which was a limited ingredient was discontinued.  We learned many years ago....she requires a fish based diet...no turkey, beef, pork, etc.  - it makes her vomit.  So...I read the ingredients on her current bag of kibble (Pacifica by Acana) and while grain free it does contain fruits and vegetables.  Not sure if her food is the issue....but after being on the same food for all these years...it isn't going to hurt to switch things up a bit.

I picked up a bag of Go! Solutions Sensitivities - Limited Ingredient Grain Free Salmon food.

The kibble itself is about 1/4 of the size of the Acana...which she will like as she leaves bits & bites of it everywhere!  And she seems to like the Go!   Portion size will be larger...since the kibble pieces are much smaller...but if she will eat it....and it solves any skin issues...I'll do a happy dance!

So here's hoping!   We barely got a dusting of snow from the latest "storm"...only a couple of inches if that.  I'm okay with that!

Have a great weekend!!