Let There Be Light

I've been crushing on farmhouse floor lamps as of late.  Currently we have two table lamps in the family room...on either side of the love seat.  But nothing on the right side and not wanting to clutter things up with more table lamps (since my purge in June)....I've been thinking a floor lamp might just fit the bill.

These are a few I considered...love this one...but a bit too "industrial" for my room...

This one might be a contender...

However,  I think it might be a bit too big for the room...it certainly makes a statement. 

This beautiful gal is more a shabby chic style...but she can definitely hold her own....

And then there's my pick....this one just might be the "one".........

Stayed tuned....

It's going to be another hot and beautiful day here...a grand day to sit on the deck with a cold drink and an occasional dip in the pool!

Summer Has Returned!

It's looking like amazing weather for the next few days!  Hopefully it won't take Mother Nature long to warm up the pool water!

We plan to spend an beautiful weekend...swims, bar-b-cue with daughter & her hubby & even Liesel and the grand dog, Benson will be happy to cool off with a dip too!

I ran a couple of errands yesterday and popped in to Home Sense.  I picked up this pretty faux cactus....

If I had a large bedroom...you can bet this beautiful piece would be placed in a seating area....maybe in our downsized home....be perfect for a condo....someday...

I adore this...we need to say this each day to our mirrors....

And how perfect would this be for a cottage on the lake?

Liesel and I are going to sit on the deck in the sun!  Hope it's a beautiful day where you are.  Enjoy your weekend!

Rainy Weekend

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Canada Day!  Activities were rained out here...as is poured most of the day and very windy.  It's been our pattern of weather for a few days now.  I'm hopeful we will be able to enjoy the new patio furniture and the pool...perhaps later in the week.  We currently have the pellet stove running!

Mr. Seventies and I took in a production over the weekend at Harmony House in Hunter River, a short drive from our house.  A fun date night!  We enjoyed a delicious meal before the show...in the lower level of the theatre.  Very cozy atmosphere and a great number of other folks doing the same,  Cameras are typically not allowed in theatres...but I have to share these amazing steps and handrails leading to the downstairs restaurant....

The building itself was just as fun!  The handrail, built by hand was very sturdy.We had an enjoyable evening.  We have tickets to another production in North Rustico in August...we attended a show there last summer and it was a good time!  We saw a matinee showing followed up by a delicious meal at North Rustico Lobster Supper.  We've switched it up this year...we will go for dinner first...then see an evening production,  

And I collected my mirror!  I purchased it from Lily Hill Hideaway in NB.  The owner's husband and daughter were on the Island, I think for a youth group camping meet up.  Not the weather for it for sure...but young people don't mind the weather...they made the best of it and had a great time!  I was able to meet them just down the road from our house...and I'm so happy with my mirror!

I think the front entry is the perfect spot!  It is quite a large piece...and required a large space.

This is a bit of a close up....I love it!!  It is exactly as I pictured it in my mind...maybe even better!

A break in the rain allowed Liesel and I to stroll about the yard...everything looks so green!   Did you notice the dead tree on the left?  It was a Sand Leaf Cherry..they don't live for ever.  There were two of them on the property when we purchased the house in 1988.  One died a couple of years ago...and now the second one is gone.  It will be recycled though....great wood for the outdoor fire pit!

With such little sun the past week, our Bridal Wreath Spirea was not able to reach her full potential!  That is her in the back...still gorgeous...but she needed a few days of sun to really blossom out!

Picked up a couple of Levi sweatshirts.  These are so great and not thick and heavy.  Perfect for days when a bulky sweatshirt is not needed.  I purchased both colours....

The down side is they run really small!  I was puzzled at first, but after reading the reviews stating how small they fit...I went up two sizes to get the look and feel I like.  They wash great too, but don't toss in the dryer....hang to dry.  They could shrink in the dryer.

Hoping you have a great Tuesday!!

Take a Stroll Through The Gardens

It's been raining miserably here for days...with no end in sight.  I decided to check out the side garden and see what has been popping up...beautiful Iris...we have two oversized ones...the one shown here and another black one.  Not sure how they showed up..but we are enjoying them..

And one lone poppy has opened so far...there will be many more in the days to come.  They last such a short time...and occasionally a rainstorm will beat them down...I'll check on them in a day or two.,...

And finally...lupins!  You would think they would be easy to grow....but that has not been the case.  These lupins were started as seedlings and transplanted a couple of years ago.  Now...we have lupins! They are so beautiful...and their smell is awesome!

Our Whimpering Willow is growing leaps and bounds!  Mr. Seventies is going to give her a bit of pruning this fall....

Now don't quote me on these flowers....I think they are called Scalia...we just call them pretty!

We have some amazing Hostas...different varieties as well...

Great shade loving plants...

I couldn't help but take another photo of this gorgeous  Rhododendron. 

Hope to pick up one in the colour orange.....I've seen them and they are breath taking...

My mirror will be transported from NB to me this weekend!  I mentioned previously the shop owners of Lily Hill Hideaway are coming to PEI in the next day or two and bringing my mirror...they sent a photo earlier in the week....

We are going to arrange to meet and I can't wait to see my mirror!!  

Going to dry and stay indoors today where it is dry!  And hope this rainy weather moves on soon!

I had a fun trip to the mainland last week...the weather was perfect with the thermometer reaching 29 degrees in the city of Moncton,  Our first port of call, so to speak...was Bath and Body Works.  Because the shop is small and usually packed with shoppers, I seldom get photos and this day was no different,   The store was hosting it's Semi Annual Sale..most body washes, hand soap and body sprays were $3. each.  For $39 I filled my bag with enough great smelling goodies to last for months. They have a men's line as well...which smell amazing...so Mr. Seventies is flush with a good supply as well.

After a delicious lunch at our favourite diner, we hit up Pier 1.  So much to see...like these gorgeous candle holders!  Love the hurricane globes on the top...these would look beautiful just about any where...

I'm crushing big time on this milk can lamp...and that shade...to die for...just saying...

Would these not be beautiful at either end of a farmhouse table?  I think so too....

Who doesn't love a stack of farm animals?

I had to chuckle at this interesting fellow....a conversation piece I guess...

We then visited another great shop,,,and I cannot for the life of me remember the name of it.  I've been there many times....yet the name escapes me.  Pretty quilt sets to brighten any bedroom...and the prices were a steal!!

There is a large selection for framed paintings...this one is my favourite...

I think someone left in a hurry for work today...and forgot to take her nose and mouth....while cute she looks unfinished to me....

Back home while cruising our local Home Sense...I came across this unique floor lamp.  Yep...that's feathers.  Just different enough for me to like it....

I also came across a French Bulldog covered set of queen size sheets.  They are wrapped, addressed and ready to mail off to my nephew and his wife.   They will love them for sure...Daisy, their female Frenchie continues to recover from her back surgery and will visit one of the canine rehabilitation centres next month to continue her rehab,   She's suffered a mild setback...the rehab centre will help her greatly. They continue to work with her at home as well. 

This morning Liesel is having a spa day.  She is a lucky lady for sure.  The sun is out..the sky is blue..it's a good day to have a good day.  Make sure you have one!!

Exterior - Before and After

We had a wet and very windy weekend!  The wind was so strong...it knocked my garden flag out of the ground.  The pool was full of leaves and pine needles...thankfully the furniture and barbecue were covered from the rain.  The potted flowers were tucked in under the eaves...annoyingly I lost three potted plants...they just up and died.  Next year I'm only going to do one or two pots.

Our Rhododendrons are absolutely gorgeous this year!!  First time blooming for this purple one...she is a beauty!

And this crimson one is gorgeous!  For many years it only had a couple of blooms...now look at her...( I feel they are girls)...

The photo shows up as have red blooms...but the colour is more of a dark cranberry...either way we are enjoying the clusters of colours....

Look what I came across...and old photo of our seventies split...in all her original non-glory!  The photo must have been taken after the leaking car port was torn down...and the driveway had huge tire ruts where a camper had sat for quite some time!  

The old aluminum siding...wood windows that had been varnished shut (who does that)...and those two ugly clumps of something growing on the lawn!  Mr. Seventies got out the chainsaw, then dug for hours to remove them and their roots!   Notice how small the tree on the left is...now it's up to the roof!  And who doesn't love that "faux rock" on the front...most of it was falling off.  Its difficult to see in the photo...but if we had left the current walkway in place...it would take you right into the tree!    Funny how people plant trees and shrubs and don't consider they are going to grow!

Yet, I knew we could turn this sow's ear into a silk purse!  That...and the house was within our tight budget. 

Quite a difference...the windows and siding have been replaced, new entrance doors, driveway redone twice ...and of course Mr. Seventies landscaping abilities.  The roof has been re-done twice since we purchased in 1998. as well.

There was no back deck...just a set of rickety old steps.  We built the first deck in August 1994...it is still there.  Not one board has required replacement...although the first set of steps Mr. Seventies built were torn off last year and a new set built.   Of course, then he constructed a pedway to the pool and completely enclosed the pool for privacy and safety. 

I have some photos to share from my day trip to the mainland.  Will do that tomorrow!  Have a great day!!

My Favourite Picks

I spent an evening this week checking out a couple of my favourite stores...Bed Bath and Beyond and Michaels.  While beautiful... I'm not ready to rush into fall just yet!

Gorgeous, lush colours though!

With the rush to get to fall, Michaels has all their summer decor on sale!  Yay!

I scored a pretty wreath for the back entrance!  At 40% off and gift card...it was a grand total of $0 - my kind of sale!  Most wreaths were too thick and bulky...we still need to be able to close the inside door without squishing a wreath against the storm door!  This summery one fits the bill!

This isn't really fall decor per say...but these pieces replaced shelves of summer decor, flotation devices, flamingo cushions and melamine dinnerware pieces!

Seeing these bread boxes every were now!  Almost considered replacing ours..this one is much smaller and takes up less room.  

I hadn't been in to Bed Bath and Beyond in ages...I prefer mostly to shop on their online store as there is greater selection.  Remember that throw pillow/cushion addiction I have? I swear this one fell into my cart!!  Ok...that's a fib...but look!  It has adorable birds...and the colours are perfect! (aren't they always?)

You have to agree with me....it looks perfect in the master bedroom.   There is a shortage of pillows on the bed....hehehe.

I switched out the quilts...placing the lighter one on the bed...and the pink rosette quilt folded across the bottom.  At nighttime it gets folded and placed into a basket on the floor..with a mound of pillows piled on top! 

Oh my gosh...look at this precious piggy!  I must have been born on a farm in a previous life!  Between bunnies and cows....pigs and roosters make their way in somehow! Just saying...

A pretty dish towel caught my eye...

Is this not the cutest towel rack ever!  I almost purchased it...for Mr. Seventies install on one of the pool deck walls!  Which would work perfectly...if we didn't get such strong winds!  I could see this being used to hang pool towels...but one good gust...and towels would end up in the pool....and the sun would bleach out the colours of the painted chairs...the weather would be so rough on it. 

I'm still rustling this one around in my brain...it may appear at a later date....

I had a fun day of shopping and eating out on the mainland yesterday with my bestie.  We always have an adventure of some sorts. There was road construction going on everywhere...we sat in traffic for about half an hour or so...just to get to Bath and Body Works store.  But...oh it was worth the wait!  

With the next three days forecasting rain...and lots of it...I'm going to get out and enjoy this beautiful day!  Hope you are able to do the same!