Road Trip To Summerside

My friend and I enjoyed our outing yesterday...it was overcast...with a few rain drops...then the sun would come out.  And humid...it is so humid.  We came to the decision a road trip to Maine is warranted in the fall!  We are both all in...and will be plotting our excursion over the next few months!

We visited a number of shops...unfortunately most were full of shoppers and I was unable to take as many photos as I would like.  One home decor store....had mostly furniture pieces.  Gorgeous, good quality furniture pieces none the less...I found their inventory was lacking...canvases were beach themes....or horses only.  Not my thing. 

This sofa is gorgeous....I love everything about it!  The colour is gorgeous....and everything was 25% off!

The decorator cushions....are down filled!  Like the softest cushions ever...and $99 or more each.  But so beautiful....and I love the fabric...

And these chairs were simply amazing!  So soft....and comfortable...even with no arms....they were plump and soft at the same time.  The fabric was nubbly....but extremely durable....

This one was a set of two....with one being sold...beautiful quality build and fabric...and those legs!!

My favourite piece of all...was this bench...used with a dining table!  Oh, I'd love to have a dining room...because this piece would be in it!  It could be used anywhere...an entry way...at the foot of a bed...but I loved how they paired it with a gorgeous farmhouse dining table....

I wish I could have gotten more photos...but there were so many shoppers mingling about....and sales people asking if we required any assistance...

We had lunch break at the Star Lite diner....a retro 50's style diner....Mr. Seventies and I have frequented it a couple of times.  The food is amazing...but again....it was lunch time and the diner was full of patrons having lunch...

We dropped into the Salvation Army thrift shop....and the parking lot was full!  I had a difficult time finding a spot to park!  I knew I wouldn't be able to get photos with so many people crowded into a small shop.  I picked up a wicker basket to hold bathroom tissue and two stuffed toys for Liesel....

We stopped into a couple of antique/junk shops.  One antique place was beautiful....with gorgeous dishes, furniture, odds and ends...but the owner was right there the whole time & I didn't feel comfortable hauling out my phone and shooting pics!  

The second place you could barely get in the door!  The were unloading a huge truck at the back of the shop.  It is the shop where my recent Gripstand bowl was purchased!  Every now and then you can find something you are looking for.  It's that kind of place...

The last place we stopped....was a furniture/decor store.  It's where we purchased our leather furniture ...and they sell excellent, Canadian made furniture.  My friend is looking for a couple of new chairs for her family room.  I came across a rack of handbags and purses....on sale for 25% and ended up brining this beauty home!  It has a detachable strap...which I will be using with it...the colour is beautiful.  It was available in light brown also.  Isn't the handle gorgeous??

We received word our family physician is closing his practice!  Leaving us without a family doctor.  We will join 30,000 Islanders who are without a doctor here!  He's only been our doctor for 13 years and is amazing...taking excellent care of our family.....but is burned out.  The status of our health care here...is crisis mode.  We are battling a huge loss of doctors, nurses, and health professionals....and it doesn't appear anything is going to improve anytime soon.  

People hear about our "free" health care in Canada...but it isn't free.  Our taxes are high to cover the costs of medical care...we pay one way or another.  I am all for a two tier health care system.  If I'm charged to get to see a doctor...so be it.  At least we could see a doctor.  Have to make a few calls today to determine how to get prescription refills...and where testing results go.  If you can get testing done....who is going to receive the results?  Housing is also in criss mode here...yet more and more people are moving here...with no place to live.  House prices are insanely high....and apartment vacancies are nil. 

For the first time in 39 years...I'm sad to be living here.  Most provinces are facing the same issues...so moving is not the answer.  And have I mentioned the weather sucks?

That being said....I wish my fellow Canadians a wonderful (albeit wet here) Canada Day tomorrow!  We will muddle through this somehow my friends....

Gus Is In The House!!

I have a thing for fall!  And Mummy's apparently!  Introducing Gus the Mummy..I think he's the younger sibling of Marvin!

He was just too adorable to resist!  I tucked him away for the summer months....but he will be making a reappearance in the fall!

As much as I love my small, heart shape waffle iron...it's very time consuming to make a large batch to have ready in the freezer.  I usually end up having to triple the recipe...and it takes a full morning to make enough to have on hand.  I ordered this one & it arrived the other day....

Hopefully, I'll be able to churn out larger waffles in half of the time.  They are great to freeze...and pop in the toaster for a quick breakfast.  We had one years ago...when our kids were younger....looking forward to testing out my recipe again!

The dreary, overcast & rain is with us again.  And humidity!!  It makes the air outside stifling!  Tomorrow...my friend & I have a road trip planned...going to hit up some shops in Summerside and west. Likely visit a couple of thrift shops along the way....hope you can tag along!

Wishing you an awesome day where you are!  And hoping it's a lot drier there!!

Decks Are Done...Pool is Ready..Gardens are in Bloom!!

I am so happy to have the outside work completed!!  Mr. Seventies worked so hard for 4-5 days while we had amazing weather.  The last load of mulch was delivered...and now all the flower gardens have been topped up!!

And the decks, gates, steps...and even the privacy wall are stained!!  The pool deck was the first order of business...since it gets sun from early morning til sunset...it gets really hot...so Mr. Seventies began early morning for the first coat..while I did the steps.  The next day...the second coat was much easier...and it feels awesome to have it completed!!

The pool has been fully vacuumed & cleaned...and Mr. Seventies secured the steps....

A seating area...to the left of the pool...a spot to dry off.  I'm not sure the rug will be staying...unless I pick up carpet tape...it tends to bunch up...and a tripping hazard.  We have an additional six folding chairs in the storage shed when needed.  The tote behind one chair holds the pool vacuum.  

The steps leading from the pool deck and into the back yard and garden look so much better with a couple of coats of stain....

The ped way from the small deck to the pool is looking much nicer...and the little gate Mr. Seventies constructed is perfect for keeping Liesel off the pool deck when the floor is hot or she is not in the pool with us.   And also a safety feature when grand baby visits...the gate latches on the other side....

And this is where we pretty much live in the summer months....love having our morning tea & coffee here..

Very happy we decided to go ahead and stain the privacy wall...and added a little bit of decor...

And the steps leading up to the small deck and back entrance.  This area is on the north side of our home...which takes the brunt of the weather when it settles in from the north.  The little pot of Impatiens was so dried out and pathetic in the garden centre at the hardware store....out of pity I brought it home and gave it some love.  I don't think it was watered since it was planted.  But after a bit of dead heading, water and TLC it is starting to spring back to life.  Red & white blooms just in time for Canada Day!!!

And at dusk....the Edison lights come on...absolutely love them....you can see here the second newly constructed gate  and wall addition received fresh stain as well....

We hung the second set of lights across the privacy wall....behind the wicker love seat...

At the front of the house the lamp post....spray painted black...turned out great!

Even the bird house was spruced up this year...booked for the season & waiting for it's occupants to arrive.  Usually a Mama chickadee will build a nest inside....once the family has vacated Mr. Seventies cleans it out for next summer arrivals....

I am so happy to see our Bridal Wreath Spirea survived Hurricane Fiona...after a huge tree landed on it!  (we have two additional dead trees to take down before winter).  We thought we might have lost this spirea...but she is back in bloom...looking a little bit worse for wear...

And the first of our peonies are in bloom!  I'd love to have a bouquet....but ants loves peonies.  And I don't love ants.  Plunging them into cold water after cut is supposed to take care of them....but it doesn't...so I will enjoy them where nature intended for them to be....

The Pink Weigela is starting to bloom!!  This will be covered in pink blossoms in a matter of days!  Another variety...the Red Prince Weigela will bloom a bit later...

The side garden is a bloom with colour every day!  The poppies are huge buds....just ready to burst open!  This is such a wonderful time of year....a chance to see everything spring back to life!!

Remember the mat I ordered from Plough & Hearth?  This one....

Imagine my disappointment when I received notification it is not available for shipment to Canada!  Well that would never do....so I found an amazing Canadian company in Ontario that carries the mat!  I quickly ordered one....and it is on its way!!  I'll give their site info here https://maggieanddix.com/.   Have a peek when you get a chance...they carry some beautiful decor!!

And my latest addition to my Gripstand bowl collection!!  You may remember the antique/junk store I visit from time to time in Summerside?  This was on their FB page...and they know my obsession/growing collection of these bowls....so this one is now mine!!!   (or will be when a sweet family member of the shop brings it to Charlottetown for me to retrieve)...

I've never seen one with the green stripe inside...apparently manufactured from the 1930's to 1950's!  This one is 11" in diameter....I saw a 13" one on an auction site....for $200!!  And of course...stamped on the bottom for authenticity.   This one makes #14 in my collection....and still room on the cabinet tops for more!!

That's what we've been up to...enjoyed a day in the pool....the water temperature showed 25 C 

(77 F)...which was perfect for cooling off!

And my favourite day for linking up with Between Naps on the Porch for  Metamorphosis Monday

As always, I hope you drop over to Susan's blog later today and catch up with some amazing bloggers.

Usually Tuesdays I hang out at A Stroll Through Life....https://www.astrollthrulife.net/ for Inspire Me Tuesday!!

Thank you for stopping by & spending time with me...I so greatly appreciate it.  Feel free to leave a comment....and have an awesome day!!!

Staining Decks Marathon

The weather looks perfect....for the next three days!  Today...we begin freshening up and staining the pool deck!!  

Mr. Seventies replaced a few boards, removed leaves & debris laying about the deck....and scrubbed & hosed down the deck and pool steps...they will be ready for placement in the pool.  Pool water temperature last evening was 19 C.   We need sun...and more sun...

Winters are hard on the deck with snow covering it for months at a time....although we didn't get much snow last winter.  That tote holds the pool vacuum...which will be put to use in a few days.  It has taken us longer this year to get the water clear...so much wind and rain hasn't helped...

This end is where the solar blanket roller is attached to the deck...it will be moved before staining begins.  Once the temperatures warm up....the blanket will go on the pool each night...it does help to keep the water temperature up....the roller makes it easier to roll up & remove the blanket during the day....

And the steps off the pool deck need a couple of coats of stain...wear and tear shows on them....

I'm picking up a gallon of the wall colour this morning...not sure I can live with the "unstained newly added pieces" until next year.   What can it hurt to stain them?  

Once the pool area is finished....we will then do the smaller deck!  It will be awesome to check these chores off the list! And the front steps need to be done...but that is less than an hour to complete.

When we were at the green house the other day.....I came across red and yellow lupins!  Lupins are one of my favourite perennial flowers....but we usually have purple or pink varieties.  We decided to stop into the green house again....and picked up two pots...with three plants in each pot!  Mr. Seventies planted three red ones and three yellow ones along one of the back walkways!

Thanks so much for stopping by today....I'll share pics once completed!  It will likely be mid-morning before we get started....waiting for the dew to dry & temperature to come up a bit!

Til next time....

Shopping & Fall Decor Finds

Since summer refuses to show up....and it's feeling more like fall...(my favourite time of year)....it's not too early to pick up a couple of pieces of fall decor items!  It's a balmy 9 C here currently (that's 48 F)....with a cool breeze from the North.  Everything is green and lush though...thanks to endless days of rain...

Mr. Seventies had an additional four yards of black mulch delivered.....with a final (hopefully) four yards yet to be delivered....the front gardens are looking fresher.  When it's not raining....it's overcast & cool...perfect for spreading mulch...

Forgot to mention...the job of portering at the hospital....was too much for Mr. Seventies.  There is so much more than pushing patients for X-rays or tests.  Long, twelve hour shifts...and he was on his feet pretty much non stop!  Delivering blood samples to the lab constantly....among numerous other deliveries.  He truly enjoyed the people he met and worked with....and as fit as he is....he's not cut out to be a "runner'.  He prefers to putter away at small construction work...it's where he is happiest...and can move at his own pace.  He retired from his professional position eight years ago...so working is not a priority....

I ordered a couple of fall decor items!  I am obsessed with this mat from Plough & Hearth...I'm thinking of placing it in the kitchen....

And introducing....Gus the Mummy...I came across him on Poshmark!  Sent an offer to the seller... she accepted...and he is on his way to me!  He's 10.5" tall & will keep Marven the Mummy company on the counter in the fall....

We visited the greenhouse and market a few days ago...and the first place I head is the gift shop!  I wanted one of these hens for my dish cabinet.....but at a $69 price tag...not happening...I was scared to check out the price of the rooster....

I would have gotten this gnome....for the patio deck...but his price was $103!!  Is that not insane?  Things are usually higher in price during tourist season...but prices on everything have skyrocketed here!!

There were some lovely Plough & Heart mats....(not the scarecrow one though)....this tulip one is gorgeous....

And I'm crushing on this sunflower shaped one!  I wanted this for the back entry....but that's an area that gets too much traffic....and it would get dirty and ruined in no time....but a girl can dream...

And this pretty floral one...wool, hooked rugs are a weakness (among many) of mine...

And these adorable canvases painted by a local artist...foxes!!  Our fox population has depleted significantly....due to an outbreak of mange!  Absolutely breaks my heart....we spent years enjoying them in the field behind us....haven't seen one in 2-3 years!  *sniff*

Mother Nature can be so cruel...I'm praying the strongest ones can sustain....and soon we will be seeing them again.   They were great for keeping the mouse population under control!!

It was about this time Mr. Seventies lured me out of the gift shop with the promise of an ice cream....so I caved....

A couple days prior....I picked up another set of patio lights....even they've increased from $14 to $18 a set....Mr. Seventies hung them on the "ugly for now" privacy wall....

And peeps....I struggled to stay up til dusk to see them come on....at exactly 9:15 pm!!  The sky still looks light....but the little solar panel...screwed onto the ledge...was out of daylight....just in time....

And the set from last year...is still working and came on around the same time....it will soon be time to replace the "Rabbit Hound Inn" sign......it's been hung along the ped way for six years!

I picked up a couple of items for grand baby's Peppa Pig obsession....the carrying case is perfect to transport her Peppa collection around....and the book is a seek and find...she enjoys these type of books....

The long range weather claims we may get summer temperatures this week!  Fingers crossed there will be a couple of those days we can get some deck staining done!  The pool is operational...that's about as far as it's gotten.  Water is too cold for Mr. Seventies to set the steps in (he has to get in & place a bag of sand on a shelf behind one of the steps).  The sand weighs the steps down so they don't move.  The pool vacuum needs to go in and do its work for an afternoon as well.....

I did pop into Winners and Home Sense the other day....only purchase was a bottle of granite cleaner....and then picked up an order from Sephora.  I use Moroccan Oil products (hair and body)....and believe it or not.... it's cheaper at Sephora than other local beauty shops or Amazon!

I think a quick trip to the greenhouse is in the plans for today.  I spotted a red lupin....and a yellow one...and they are not colours seen here....nor in our gardens.  I saw them on a trip a while back...and Mr. Seventies thinks we should have one of each.  Yes we should. 

That just about covers all my "news".... thanks so much for hanging out with me.  Be sure & check out Between Naps on the Porch later today for  Metamorphosis Monday . 

And be sure and stop over at A Stroll Thru Life....for Inspire me Tuesday...just click on the link...if you're feeling the need for a bit of inspiration!!

https://www.astrollthrulife.net/2023/06/19/686th-inspire-me-tuesday/

To Dads Everywhere an Early Father's Day Wish....

 

Thrift Finds and Catch Up

Happy Monday!  The sun is out...and it's going to be warm the next couple of days!  The staining of the decks will depend on the long range forecast.  Mr. Seventies had replaced a number of pool deck floor boards...and constructed a small gate at the end of the ped way....to keep Liesel on the small deck when not in the pool with us.  I've mentioned before how hot the pool decking gets....and we don't want her paws getting scorched....

I happen to notice the seal had let go in one of the windows in the guest bedroom.  It''s easy to spot...as the window will appear foggy.  The windows are sealed with argon gas for energy efficiency...or they were when we had them installed in 1995!  Sometimes....for whatever reason...the seal lets go...and you get the foggy effect on the glass.  This is the fourth window that has required new glass.....

We've replaced the glass in one window in the smallest bedroom, the main bath, a kitchen window...and now this one.  Mr. Seventies removed the interior shutter...and took the window out...placed it in the back of the SUV and while out running errands....I stopped into the glass shop...

They measure for the glass...I take the window home...Mr. Seventies pops it back in...and in a few weeks we will get a call to take the window back in... the old glass will be removed...and a new piece installed,  Since windows are of every dimension...they don't keep all sizes on site. Once measured, the replacement glass is ordered...our windows are small so it is not a huge job to remove them.  For larger windows...the glass place will come work on site and do repairs and replacements of any windows too big to take out.  I think the cost to replace one small window is about $108 or so....worth it... as having foggy or unclear windows...is annoying...and not pretty to look out...

I decided to pop into the Mission Store (thrift shop)....after the glass shop...it's a great spot to get stuffed toys for Liesel....and cheaper than any pet store...

Remember I mentioned a few posts back I was looking for a glass pitcher for mixing cold drinks?  Well I found this beauty....for $5.00!

And a couple of vases...I have an idea...still formulating my plans...

These are a couple I picked up...at great prices....

And my idea involves this bottle of clear glue!  You'll have to stay tuned and see if my idea comes to life.  I may want to use one for fall decor....and the other for Christmas....

Besides finding a couple of toys for Liesel to love on....I thought this tray (for $1.00) would be great for my coffee/tea set up at Christmas!  Since I have snowman shaped mugs....this will be perfect.....

Do you remember the cushion covers I ordered a couple weeks back?  I'm not sure what I was thinking...but peeps.... these were so ugly!  And Liesel was actually terrified of them!  Mr. Seventies called them Thing 1 and Thing 2!!  I sent them back asap...talk about a lapse in judgement...yep....I have them more often than not!!

Their replacements arrived a few days later....much nicer and I love the quality...the buttons are for decoration....under the flap is a zipper.  These cushions are 18"x18"....but the 20" x 20" size fit much nicer.  I set them on the chair...mainly to deter Liesel from jumping up and barking at imaginary outside noises....

And if you've ever wondered what 4 yards of black mulch looks like....hear ya go...this is just load 1 of 2...the second one to be delivered at a later date.  The delivery truck can only handle 4 yard loads...so that works out fine for Mr. Seventies...

He was a busy beaver....completing spreading in one day!  You'd never know there was a huge pile of black mulch on the driveway in the morning....and spread out in a couple of gardens by later in the afternoon.  First top up was the side garden...any large brown areas you see....are new patches of grass sown...where trees used to be....not much colour in the gardens yet...peonies are just about ready to bloom....

And enough to get a start around the pool deck....next mulch load will finish it and the front gardens.....

And along the back walkway.  Rather than having a bed of perennials (other than hosta)....Mr. Seventies chose to plant a few Impatiens annuals.  And those ugly pipes...are used to pump fuel into a tank in the basement (which we don't use).  You are not allowed to paint the pipes....as there is a metal tag secured on the pipes that states date of last inspection.   Some places heat with natural gas....which is not available on our Island...before heat pumps...oil and wood were the main sources of heating homes.   Anyhow....ugly pipes it is...

This bleeding heart....in the pool deck garden...is half pink-half white....

These are only a couple of Bleeding Heart perennials...there are at least one or two more in the gardens...

Still so much outside work to do...but it's coming.  Mr. Seventies is checking off his "To Do" list really quickly though...

Daughter is recovering from surgery...still sore and unable to lift.  She will be home from work the next couple of weeks...I'll visit with her today.....and care for grand baby after supper while her Daddy is a referee at a game....

That's it for me for now...thanks for hanging out with me today and remember later to check out Between Naps on the Porch for the blog party on  Metamorphosis Monday .

Til next time.....