Pre Christmas Shopping

 I've been taking advantage of some pre Boxing Day sales online...since we are in restricted lockdown here...with a number of community spread Covid cases.  I prefer not to be in the stores...ordering on line is the way to go...

I love these peplum waffle tops...they look great with jeans or leggings....this dark slate blue is gorgeous...

And super comfortable as well.  I loved it so much...I ordered another in yellow...which is not a colour I wear a lot of...

I'm loving this sweater...the heart is so pretty...and great for Valentine's Day!  It is so soft and beautiful...

I have this waffle top in dark gray....and love this soft pink colour...it's a combination of pretty meets light sweatshirt...

And this teddy coat with faux fur collar is warm and cuddly as can be....great for pulling on to go in the SUV...

And this sweater has such a vintage feel...I just love how it looks and feels on...

I came across these on a local book store's website...and they were 50% off...so I ordered one for myself and  one for daughter...they should be available for pick up in a few days.  I'm crushing hard on snowglobes...and the dachshund is an added bonus!!  Adorable or what?

It's been raining and overcast here for days...the Santa Claus parade the other evening...went all around our home...but never passed in front of it!  We could hear the sirens for about two hours...the parade consisted of two fire trucks & Santa & reindeers on a flat bed truck!  But...I guess the kids loved it!   Anything to add a bit of cheer to the state of things here....

Stay safe wherever you are, wear a mask & wash your hands frequently!  A vaccine cannot come soon enough!

Christmas Touches In The Bath

 I didn't do a lot of Christmas decor in the main bath...in our continued attempt to purge and make decorating and keeping our home less cluttered...I did still keep a snowman theme in here...

The shelf is a perfect spot to add a little bit of colour...along with a couple of cute snowmen hand towels...

A bucket of snowballs and a cute soap holder....I'm looking for a tub tray to hold bath salts, bath bombs and oils...

And that is about all I set out in the main bath....just a few touches of Christmas....

We've had very mild temperatures the last few days...along with showers and rain.   We hope to continue our evening ritual of walking Liesel through different neighbourhoods and enjoying Christmas lights.  I'm noticing more and more homes decorated on the outside...I think people just want some beauty in all this mayhem that has been 2020.  

Our city Christmas parade is very different this year...with the parade travelling through different neighbourhoods each evening (due to weather...a couple of nights have been rescheduled).  If on it's planned route...it should pass by our home Friday evening.  If weather permits...we plan to set up a couple of lawn chairs in the driveway and enjoy a mug of hot chocolate and watch the parade pass by!  If do-able I plan to get some photos.  Next year we hope grand baby can see her first parade...as it is past her bedtime when it goes by this year....

The Christmas parade in the town when our other daughter & family live has been cancelled...and travel within the Maritime provinces is banned.  While we respect and understand that decision...we hope to be able to see them over the holidays...

Hope you are having an awesome day wherever you are!  Only twenty-two days until Christmas!!!

It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas

 It's only 25 days til the big day!!  It seems to come upon us quicker each year...but what a year 2020 has been!  

We decided to put our tree in the upstairs family room...for a number of reasons.  We seldom use the lower level room...unless there is a power outage..the propane stove heats without electricity.  Not to mention...Liesel...having short little legs...is not able to do stairs..so in addition to continually carrying her up and down the steps..along with my laptop, mug of tea and whatever ever else I need at the time...we quickly decided to set the tree upstairs.  We were required to move one end table...so that wasn't soon ordeal....

And I would miss the fireplace...Liesel is currently curled up on the white faux fur rug...enjoying a warm fire...

It might be hard to tell...but I did downsize my Christmas cushion collection...and I'm obsessed with my battery operated pink tree!  

And my base cover looks amazing...so happy I was able to pick it up for one quarter of the original price! I feel the shops here are a couple of years behind the times...when I was searching for a top had tree topper...there were none to be found!  I discovered this one at Pier One a couple of years ago in New Brunswick (so miss Pier 1)...now...I see them in home decor stores here!  Either I'm ahead of the game...or they are behind...

Liesel's favourite spot to sit on the back of the love seat and watch the world go by.  Which is fine...until she starts barking at every.....little...thing...so that no longer works.  I didn't mind laying a throw across the cushions for her to lay on...but she cannot control her yapper...

My snuggle spot...this is where I'm currently perched..with my cup of tea...

And my beautiful Willow Tree nativity set...my cabinet is the perfect place to display it...I wish I had picked up that angel with the copper lantern at the thrift store...I may visit it again...it might still be there.  When my daughter and I were in the Hallmark store last week...I checked out the creche that accompanies my set...but it's over $350!  And for me to pay that price...I'd have to love it a lot!  And I don't...it's large and cumbersome and if it ever fell over and broke a figurine or two...I would be heartbroken.  So...leaving it as is...

That's is...the sum total of our family room...all decked out for Christmas!  Last evening...with a full moon...was a beautiful night to harness up Liesel and walk the neighbourhood and admire the beautiful Christmas lights!  We love doing that...as opposed to seeing them through a windshield.

The annual Santa Claus parade is being done differently this year...it is travelling various routes in the city...and on Friday evening...it will pass right by our house!  We hope it's a nice enough evening (since it starts at 5:30 p.m.)...to sit out with our neighbours in a couple of lawn chairs and hot chocolate!  Otherwise...we will sit in our vehicle and watch as it goes by!

Unfortunately, it will be past grand baby's bed time...so she won't be able to watch the pretty lights and floats...but hopefully next year the world will right itself..and we can watch the parade along a city street!

Toolbox Reveal

 By looking at the before photo...you would think the toolbox could be used as is.  But in truth...it was very dirty (used for tools...after all)...there was a large paint dripping inside...and a leather strap secured inside at one end.  Not sure of it's purpose..but I'd hazard a guess it was used to stand up screwdrivers and such.

Here is the before...as I mentioned...it didn't look that bad in photos.  You can see a bit of the leather strap in the right side of the photo...

Mr. Seventies removed the strap without issue...then sanded it down to fresh wood and applied two fresh coats of cherry stain.  

I wanted to keep it quite natural...added a few greens (with battery lights)...laid in some pinecones (from our property)...and stuck in a few springs of holly (from our shrubs).  The black & white buffalo check flowers are from Wal Mart...and match the runner on the table.  

And just like that...something old...is new again.  And I can remove everything and use it all year round with various trimmings inside.  

Very mild here today...Mr. Seventies is busy putting together a fresh wreath and outdoor container for daughter's exterior door and step.

Have an awesome weekend!!  

What A Wienerful World!!

 I did a little bit of Christmas decor in the master bedroom...not a whole lot...as I'm attempting to purge and downsize a bit.  I have purchased nothing new this year...in the line of Christmas decor...but rather use what I have...and in my mind...it's less clutter...

I apologize for the photo quality...the sun was gorgeous this day...and I didn't want to close the shutters and block all that gorgeous warmth & light.  The faux fur shams and spread at the end of the bed were from Bed Bath & Beyond a few years back...the  set also pairs well with a red & white toile quilt set I have.  But...since it's the holiday season...I chose to use my Christmas dachshund quilt set.  The faux fur red throw...I think was an Amazon purchase last year...

The Santa hat dachshund..moves and sings "Low Rider"...drives Liesel insane...she barks and wants to play with it...the cute Black and Tan stuffed doxie was probably one of the first plush ones I received...there are some I can't part with...the square Santa doxie cushion was a gift from a friend in New Brunswick...the other I ordered a couple of years ago from Simons.  We don't use the Canada knitted stockings..they are keepsakes...along with matching mittens...

A great spot for this wreath...and a couple of my nutcrackers I purchased last year...I placed on the dresser.

And that is about all for the master bedroom Christmas decor...as I've mentioned many times before...the bedrooms in this Seventies Split are small...if Liesel's night time crate was not sitting next to the dresser on the floor...I would put a slender tree in this corner...would be so pretty at night lit up!  But girl needs warm & cozy sleeping quarters close to us...so I'm okay with her having her own space.  She's happy...makes me happy.

Finally...after two days of high winds...and rain...today is looking like a cool but decent day.  Mr. Seventies hopes to finish sanding the toolbox (the inside left to finish)...and then apply a couple of coats of stain.  I'm excited to get it filled and place it on the kitchen table...since I've downsized the Christmas decor in the kitchen as well....

Liesel has a spa treatment today.  In other news, we have switched to a new vet clinic...after going to the same clinic for almost 20 years.  Our veterinarian is retiring and sold his clinic...and while we are sad to say goodbye..the location of the clinic accompanied with the loss of connection we had there prompted us to make a move to a new clinic. 

After much thought and consultation with friends....we chose a new clinic...with amazing recommendations for a couple of veterinarians.  We chose Dr. Jody Mokler...she is part of a small animal clinic at a clinic in the city (there are also large animal veterinarians as well)...and as nervous and stressed out as Liesel was...we couldn't be more thrilled with our new vet!  She is amazing....she took time to get to know Liesel as well as spend a great deal of time talking with me.  Her vast knowledge of the dachshund breed was much appreciated...and I felt instantly at ease.  

Liesel received a first rate examination...and I'm happy to report she is in excellent health, weight and condition. Her teeth are beautiful...no need for a dental cleaning at this time...we will continue home care dental brushing.  One vaccination was required...for kennel cough...as Liesel does visit a groomer.  Even then...spread of disease is low key...as her groomer attends to one dog at a time...there are never other dog present.  It's one on one dog grooming...and Liesel has built up a trust with Tracy...her groomer.  It's very important to us that Liesel receives the best of care...she is a much loved member of our family. 

I'll have a few more Christmas decor room posts in the upcoming days...can you believe one month from today is Christmas!!

 

Outdoor Christmas Decor

 We did a little bit of Christmas decor outside..while it seems like a good idea...realistically most of the time it just isn't feasible.  We get a lot of wind...like yesterday...when it blows hard enough to restrict high sided vehicle traffic on the Confederation Bridge to the mainland. 

With that in mind..unless you want to never see your outdoor pieces again...we sometimes have to bring them in...the snowman sign at the front door...blew off twice yesterday...so I set it inside until the winds died down.  The crock of boughs is heavy enough it usually stays put...although..we have had winds in previous years that have caused it to tumble.  Here you can see the holly wreath Mr. Seventies put together....

So far so good at the back entrance...it depends on the direction of the wind...so we keep that in mind daily to ensure nothing flies off the deck...a smaller holly wreath hangs on the door...

We hung lights on the tree closest to the house...and a flood light aimed at the front door to illuminate the front step display.  It will soon be time to hang our bird feeders with seed in the tree...we usually have three or so...it's a great spot for them as Mr. Seventies hangs them in far enough that the tree provides protection from the winds...as well as nourishment for the winter months.  Each spring we bring the feeders inside for a thorough cleaning and disinfection...to avoid spreading disease amongst the birds...and squirrels...

And a recap of the holly wreath...I love that we are able to use branches and holly from our own property...it will stay fresh for weeks...

Sure sign of things to come...when the SNOW sign goes up...

I've been puttering away at decorating the inside of our home.  We decided not to put our Christmas tree in the downstairs family room...for a few reasons.  One being...Liesel...being a dachshund...does not do stairs...so she needs to be carried up and down...add my laptop...water bottle...hot cups of tea or hot chocolate..the odd snack or two...and it becomes a lot of work.  We don't use that room much...therefore the propane stove is only on when we do use it...and that requires an hour or so to warm up the room.  Whereas upstairs...we have the wood pellet stove running most times. It seemed feasible to keep the tree upstairs on the main level...it's where we spend the most time. 

Mr. Seventies is going to saw up a tree on our daughter's property... it was in danger of falling on their house (or their neighbours) during a potential storm...so the tree was taken down...but not blocked up.  Enter Mr. Seventies and his trust chainsaw.  Their neighbours wanted to pay half the cost for the tree being taken down...and it wasn't even on their property!  Of course, daughter and her husband declined that generous offer....but that is what great neighbours they have!

We don't know anyone who burns wood...so it will either be piled at the end of their drive with a "Free" sign or placed on FB marketplace.  They don't have a fire pit (too many trees on their property)...and we have no place to store the wood...but I'm sure someone will take advantage of free firewood.

Another rainy, blustery day in the forecast today.  PEI decided yesterday to no longer participate in the Atlantic bubble...which means people from New Brunswick or Nova Scotia can no longer travel here (or us there) without first applying to do so...and must self isolate for fourteen days.  Of course compassionate or medical travel will be allowed with proper documentation...and essential workers (truck drivers) can still go back and forth...following all safety protocols.   We do what is necessary to keep our family and friends safe...and hope a vaccine will be rolling out in the near future.  And we can put this ordeal behind us.  

New Cooktop

 Things happen for a reason...and in this case..we were very lucky not to have had an electrical fire!

The electrician arrived and discovered the wires from the previous cooktop had burned through the marrets!  These marrets are the proper size for light fixtures...not heavy duty wiring...like an appliance!  Neither Mr. Seventies or I can remember the electrician hired at the time to install the original cooktop...and perhaps at the time these smaller marrets were up to code....but I highly doubt it...

You can see where the blue marrets were burned away... the exposed wire was hot enough to melt them.  This could have been deadly...and gone from smouldering to an electrical fire very quickly.  We are very thankful we decided to replace the cooktop....and not continue to use it...it scares. me to think of what could have happened...

To recap...this is the previous cooktop...

I'm am loving the new one!!  The knobs on the side are taking a minute to get used to...but clean up is super easy...burned or boiled over food....just wipes clean!  Very happy that it is installed properly as well. 

I happened to come across some tart warmers (electric) on clearance...and picked up this pretty one..

And when turned on...it really lights up a room...not to mention the awesome scent of the tarts...

Mr. Seventies sanded the toolbox...I need to pick up a couple of stain brushes so he can freshen it up.  It was fairly dirty...and once sanded and wiped down...it really needs a couple of coats of stain before I fill it will greenery, holly and candles....

We decided to use holly from our shrubs (which needed trimming anyways)...and made a couple of wreaths for the exterior doors....bit of a sneak peek!

Mr. Seventies has been cleaning out his storage building...he and our contractor friend are planning to build a larger one next month.   I questioned the time of year for such an endeavour...but houses, apartments and commercial buildings go up during winter...so a storage shed shouldn't be an issue.  Fingers crossed we don't see cold temperatures....or snow!

Busy upcoming week ahead...appointments...Liesel has a grooming session...and our Home Decor Trends evening out with daughter and friends is this week!  (and dinner plans beforehand).

How is your week shaping up?

Tools Of The Trade

 Or should I say toolbox!  I've been wanting an antique wooden toolbox for ages...and my favourite junk/antique shop in Summerside posted one on their FB page!  I immediately purchased it...and didn't even need to drive forty-five minutes to pick it up.  

The shop owners daughter works close by our home...and brought it with her to her work one evening.  She left it in her unlocked trunk...and Mr. Seventies and I retrieved it.  

It's in gorgeous condition, as is....despite needing a good cleaning.  I've been scouring Pinterest for ideas (I don't as a rule go on Pinterest...it is too overwhelming..) and found some great ideas!  I think for the upcoming holidays I will fill it will greenery, candles, pine cones, red berries...and set it on the kitchen farmhouse table. 

The sky is the limit once Christmas is over!  I am so happy to have found my toolbox!

Mr. Seventies was a huge help this week with our Christmas wrapping (a chore I do not enjoy!). Gift bags were made for people like me!  Having him assist with cutting and taping was very welcomed!  

Tomorrow is supposed to be a milder day...with sun.  We plan to put together our outside planters, wreaths and decor.  We've seen an increase in homes fully decorated earlier this year...and trees up...people are in the mood for some festive joy!  

We may even put our tree up over the weekend!  How about you...do you have your home ready for the holidays?

Oh Yes I Did

Resistance was futile...

Whose Ready To Decorate For Christmas?

 I suspect with all the craziness going on currently in our world...the reason many are chasing to decorate inside and outside their homes this year!  The mild weather we embraced last week had many people putting up outdoor lights and decor...those are smart people!  Mr. Seventies says it doesn't feel like Christmas unless your are freezing your extremities off putting up outdoor lights!! 

There's a back story to that...when I was a child..my Dad would wait until bone freezing temperatures to put up the outdoor lights.  Back then...they were coloured lights...which had to be in a certain order....red, blue, yellow, green....then red, blue, yellow...and so on.  One particularly frigid Saturday...while Dad was putting up lights (of course they were lit...so see if any had blown out...why this wasn't done inside...beforehand...as a child...I was not one to question).  As he struggled..not only to stay on the ladder....but get them attached to the house...my Mom demanded I go outside and inform my Dad he had two blue lights together...and that needed to be remedied!  Yah...that worked out well.  Mr. Seventies still chuckles about that...as he knew my Mom and Dad in the early years of our dating and marriage.  

That's not to say we don't have a couple of Clarke Griswold moments decorating outside ourselves.  One particular year comes to mind when Mr. Seventies was putting lights on the tree near our large window,  It's early evening...dark...snow on the ground...and while daughter and I are there for assistance (or comical relief)...we watch...as Mr. Seventies loses his balance...and falls into the tree.  I swear it happened in slow motion...the ladder fell sideways...and he was left hanging...clutching to the tree for dear life.  Where were daughter and I?  On the ground...unable to breathe...laughing hysterically!!  It took us a few minutes (and a few choice words from Mr. Seventies) to gain our composure...and come to his assistance.  It was one of those moments where you wish you had video...

Sorry to digress there...we haven't started decorating yet...but I'm pretty certain I'm going to be needed one or two of these cute fellows!!   Serious Santa vibes going on.  And the heads and mittens can be kept and used each year...I'm sure at least one will be coming home with me!

I've been debating whether I've wanted a Christmas tree collar...I've seen everything used from baskets to metal tubs to even an old wheelbarrow!  I found this one at Michael's...regular price $69.99.  Now I wasn't about to pay anywhere near that...so when it came on sale for 40% off...that weighed in on my decision.  And of course...and additional 10% off...(Senior's discount & all)...plus I discovered a Michaels gift card in my wallet...apparently a gift from last Christmas!  I took that as a sign this collar was meant to be mine...and when all was said and done...I paid around $18.00 for it!   It's going to look awesome around the base of our tree...not to mention hide the base!

I popped into a couple of home decor stores last week...it was so busy...traffic was insane...so I didn't stay too long.  I picked this up for a certain doxie Mama...great to use for when she goes back to work...a water bottle/travel mug combo...

They keep tempting me with cushions...it's like they know my Achilles heel!  Daughter is looking for Christmas cushion covers...not cushions...but I was tempted to pick this up for her!  But Mama had a couple of covers to spare...and share...

This tray is not only adorable...but so functional for finger foods, spring rolls, cheeses and snacks...and the little center has a place to store toothpicks!  Such a great festive piece!

That is about as long as I stayed in the store...there was a maximum of people allowed in...and social distancing was becoming increasingly more difficult...and I can go to the stores during days when they are less busy.  There happened to be no school Thursday or Friday of last week...so it was busier in the city...

Liesel has her annual check up today...with a whole new veterinarian and veterinary clinic!  The clinic and veterinarian we have been going to for the last umpteen years...has sold the clinic and is retiring!  When we previously had three little rescue dachshunds...it seemed we were at the veterinarian at least weekly with one of them!  We had a great relationship with not only our vet..but his staff and technicians.  Now...we never see the same people twice!  Thankfully, over the past six years...Liesel has been very healthy...with just a couple of minor issues...and has undergone a dental cleaning yearly. But times...as they say...are a changing. 

After much consultation with other animal owners...and vet technicians...we decided to switch clinics..another reason being location.  The new clinic is in the heart of the city...as opposed to the other one being further distance.  It worked well when my office was located across the street from our former clinic.  We also have a clinic within walking distance to our home...but I prefer a clinic that comes highly recommended...so we booked our appointment...and Liesel gets to meet her new veterinarian Dr. Mokler today (and I hear she is amazing).  There are sixteen veterinarians at this clinic...some deal with small animals only....others larger ones.  Fingers crossed it is all we hope it to be.  The gal I booked the appointment with was super friendly...and answered all my questions...and Liesel's records will be transferred to their clinic....as I requested.

I've almost finished my Christmas shopping!  Of course that doesn't mean I won't be out there in other people's way...just because I can.  Actually...with a second wave of Covid on the horizon...I'm keeping fingers crossed we won't go into another lockdown.  Getting things done in the event that happens...and taking every precaution in the meantime. 

That's a wrap for today!   And speaking of wrap...wrapping is next on my agenda!  That way...I forgot what I purchased...and it's a surprise to me on Christmas morning as well!!  

Have a great day all!!