tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14818059166808674012024-02-06T18:53:38.383-08:00Fresh Catch VintageFresh Catch Vintage is a postcard journey, a virtual display case of rescued relics, and an homage to the simple life.S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-40219407565846275492014-10-23T11:01:00.001-07:002014-10-24T06:12:31.122-07:00Glamorous Vintage Guest Room<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I made over our guest quarters to look like a mid-century motel room. Check it out...</span></div>
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S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-41379205288558293912014-06-14T11:39:00.002-07:002014-06-14T11:39:53.399-07:00Lazy Summer Mud Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This summer's mud room design inspiration came from magazine photographs of 1960s camper trailer interiors.</span> </div>
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A comfortable throwback reading spot.</div>
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I found a few vintage souvenir cushion covers at the thrift shop then </div>
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made a few of my own with touristy tea towels, such as the ones above. </div>
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The mud room had to maintain some function as a storage space, </div>
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so the table beneath the window is actually a steamer trunk full of sporting equipment.</div>
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Also for function, I had S.B. install space-saving hooks for deck chairs. </div>
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I found this ceramic lemonade dispenser at a local flea market.</div>
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The SUN YOUR BUNS ashtray is like, my favourite thing ever.</div>
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S.B. discovered several of these old tin advertising signs nailed to the ceiling of our crawl space.</div>
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This is our new sunny breakfast spot. My soon-to-be mother in law gave me an unused bistro set,</div>
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which I spruced up with a few coats of emerald green.</div>
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S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-407156614252116232014-05-18T18:34:00.000-07:002014-05-18T19:03:11.556-07:00Making Cooler Shit Out of Existing Shit<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Some darling items were procured today on an antiquing adventure along the South Shore with my friend S.D. (her: an English floral jug, an ice cream dish, a 'Sweet Honesty' cologne bottle from the 60s shaped like a Volkswagen bus with peace and love decals you apply yourself; me: a cottage-blue antique match holder, a teensy pill tin and a couple of 1920s Parisian postcards.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Before we left home, I was showing her some of my latest up-cycles or repurposes (or whatever the heck the term is for making cooler shit out of existing shit) and realized I hadn't posted any of them. </span><br />
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I was quite taken with this ol' potato sack, so much so that I had S.B. </div>
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build it a frame and stretched it over. It now hangs on our kitchen wall.</div>
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Tacky painting-turned-less-tacky-sign.</div>
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S.B.'s talented cousin handmade this wrought iron chandelier. The lines </div>
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Cool stand from Mom plus vintage Pyrex = one of a kind herb planter.</div>
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S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-35198445187564409272014-01-10T08:54:00.001-08:002014-01-10T08:59:02.006-08:002013 Round Up! A Cavalcade Of My Favourite Vintage Finds From The Past Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I got addicted to chairs in 2013 and this weathered gem has the perfect patina for a beach house.<br />
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S.B. talks to these salt and pepper shakers like they're his friends. We found them at a yard sale for 25 cents then found matching creamer and sugar dispensers buried under dust at a Caledonia general store.<br />
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This old gingerale crate is the perfect receptacle for winter hats and mittens.<br />
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I thought this ship lamp was too kitsch at first, but it's so unique I couldn't resist. </div>
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My mother (the original thrifter) left this mysterious, heavy, gold-painted candle holder in my Christmas stocking. I love the way the whole hand seems to glow when it's lit at night. <br />
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Speaking of Christmas, CHECK THIS OUT. I begged S.B. to drive to New Germany and help me stuff this 13ft long masterpiece into his car. Someone was selling it for a measly twenty-five bucks on kijiji because their elderly mother who owned it was going into a home. It makes me sad to think about her, but I bet she'd be pleased to know it became a joyful part of someone else's tradition. <br />
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With no sign of a hook on the back, I'm not sure what this was supposed to be originally - a tray? She's too pretty to have her kisser covered up. I hung her up in the mud room.<br />
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If you see me this winter, I'll be wearing this coat. The photo does it no justice. Think Sharon Stone in Casino. It's 70s era, made in Canada, 100% leather, has a raccoon fur hood, is warmer than any coat I've ever owned and was worn exactly 0 times before I bought it for a song.<br />
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First I painted the mirror, then I found the blue vinyl chair, then I found the folksy pillow that matches both. Some days, the vintage gods are smiling.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Not too "shabby." </span>Total</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> cost of all this delightful crap: $135.25. Only about a third of our holiday booze budget ;-)</span></div>
S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-6248899583636900392013-11-22T06:22:00.001-08:002013-11-22T06:25:20.634-08:0020s Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After spending the summer in headscarves and kimono robes, my Gatsby fashion fever is still not abating. I got engaged in May (!) and my ring, which came from an estate sale, is an antique 1920s art deco with a central diamond surrounded by baguette sapphires; as I was admiring it one day, I had an idea. I compiled some old broken jewellery, feathers, cufflinks and a glue gun and created this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then this</span>...</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm not sure what I'll do with them all. Wear them in rotation? Sell them? Give them as bridesmaids gifts someday? All I know is, I can't seem to stop.</span></div>
S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-2689139941437170812013-08-13T07:31:00.000-07:002013-08-13T07:31:34.934-07:00Vintage Drinking Glasses<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Life's too short to drink out of boring glasses, so every time I'm at a yard sale or thrift shop and spy a fun little beauty for less than a buck, I take it home. From vintage carousel animals to Mad Men whiskey tumblers, here are some of my favs:</div>
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S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-41632849468140775942013-07-26T09:34:00.002-07:002013-07-26T09:34:51.624-07:00Weekend Project: Door Belle<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Poor S.B. All he does is work, work, work. This time it was repainting Old Blue, our peeling, weather-battered door. </span><br />
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Old Blue</div>
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New Blue!</div>
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<br />Lookin' good, coming or going!</div>
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S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-75720632801631346552013-07-01T06:04:00.002-07:002013-07-01T06:19:16.361-07:00Magic Mike Ate My Parsley!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mike choosing his next snack.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Living in this house is a constant battle against nature. First, there's the ants who we discovered had built colonies in our walls. Then there are the giant spider webs that reform daily over our windows. Then there's the mice, including the one with the giant head with whom I had an epic day-long, Itchy and Scratchy-esque battle royal. Then came Jeremy the Weasel, who made a brief but memorable appearance, leaving behind a souvenir turd in our bedroom. And throughout all this, Magic Mike the Muskrat has been the decent one, hanging out under the shed looking cute and minding his own beeswax. Until yesterday, when he scampered up to the garden, hunkered down in the dirt and ate all my parsley in three chomps. He ignored our yelling, grinning with green stems sticking out of his teeth while I snapped a picture to show the cops. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">S.B. sprinkled some cayenne pepper around, but I fear Mike is making our garden his</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">P.S. - Giant sunflower update: Sadly, the sunflowers are no more. I started the seedlings too early and the growth of the roots was stunted by the small pots. I moved them to bigger pots, but they instantly outgrew those, too. By the time I put them in the ground after last frost, they were deformed and twisted, and finally withered. Lesson learned. S.B. took it hard, as he had given them all names. Sally Sunshine, Matilda Sunshine, Tallulah Belle Sunshine...</span></div>
S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-21550994083516081612013-06-26T06:04:00.003-07:002013-06-26T06:07:14.930-07:00Wanderlust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A religious procession on Hvar Island. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We just happened to be sitting on the dock as it passed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The top ten most memorable moments from mine and S.B.'s journey through Italy and Croatia:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Sprinting through the Frankfurt airport Amazing Race-style after a series of unfortunate events. We only caught our flight by a hair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Getting lost in Venice. There's no better place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Eating the most delicious food in the world in Naples. At a famous pizza place, we ordered two huge pies and two full bottles of wine by mistake because the prices were so cheap.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Exploring the eerie ruins of Pompeii.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Being rocked to sleep in our bunks on the ferryboat to Croatia.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Entering the imposing old city walls of Dubrovnik.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Swimming nude on a deserted beach on the island of Vis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Having drinks in a crumbling mansion with a quirky Maltese diplomat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Watching the fish jump in the teeming Plitvice Lakes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Running into a friend at check-in at the Zagreb airport and sharing one last adventure on layover in Germany.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As wonderful as it was, I was just as excited to come back to the beach house. In my adult life, I've lived in 15 different apartments; none of them felt like home until I'd gone on a trip and then returned. This time I had that feeling times infinity. I wanted to roll around in our bed, frolic on the lawn, blast our records and drink out of all our cups. Except that I was absolutely exhausted and fell asleep the minute we walked through the door. </span></div>
S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-30157353087170998952013-05-31T10:00:00.003-07:002013-05-31T10:07:45.715-07:00Mudroom Makeover<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As balmy summer nights approach, S.B and I started brainstorming where we can sleep more guests. We decided to put a daybed in the mudroom, and in a flash S.B. built a frame using wood leftover from our deck rail (which he also built!) Inspired by how it freshened up the space, I overhauled the whole room into the ultimate chill-out zone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The white floor was dingy from muddy winter boots and piled wood.</span></div>
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There's S.B. in the background, running away from home.</div>
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First we painted the floor a dark chocolate brown. Afterward, I added a </div>
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large mat in the same colour to protect the paint from sandy beach feet.</div>
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We acquired a comfy wicker chair, courtesty of Mom.</div>
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I placed a soft hemp rug under the daybed, moved in some plants and a </div>
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woven ottoman to use as a side table. I sewed most of the cushion covers </div>
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myself out of colorful cloth lap napkins I bought for 50 cents a piece.</div>
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A portable turntable provides the soundtrack to summmer. </div>
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On the other side we have additional seating (recognize the chair?), </div>
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walls hooks for coats and a steamer trunk for footwear.</div>
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Presto! Mudroom, guest quarters and relaxing hang-out zone in one. </div>
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Total cost of makeover: $40 (for paint, cushion covers, candles and mat)</div>
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S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-70288405932984994332013-05-25T08:23:00.002-07:002013-05-25T08:28:54.545-07:00Rock Revamp<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">S.B. has about ten band t-shirts that are too small for him so he asked me if I wanted them. I watched some online tutorials and found all kinds of ways you can redesign t-shirts without sewing. My favourite is a sort of braiding technique that brings in the sides and makes the shirt more fitted. I'm going to invite my girlfriends to come over with some old t-shirts and have a contest to see who can come up with the most kick-ass revamp.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Two of my re-creations.</span></div>
S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-25354881321445768642013-05-11T08:55:00.001-07:002013-05-11T08:55:44.437-07:00Giant Sunflowers - Week Four<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whoah!</div>
S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-61488071902447384712013-05-05T10:44:00.001-07:002013-05-13T07:46:02.578-07:00Weekend Project: Pretty in Pink<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, I'm driving to work when I spy this hard-done-by chair sitting on the sidewalk. It had been left out in the rain all night, seat covered in cat fur, legs that had served as the naughty cat's scratching posts for years. But it had some exquisite detail in the woodwork, and as I cringe at the idea of antiques going to the landfill, into my backseat it went.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Blah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At home, I unscrewed and removed the seat cushion before cleaning and sanding all the wood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Next I stripped off the filthy seat fabric and reupholstered the cushion with a white bandana </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">from my old Bandidas roller derby uniform. Then I painted the chair cotton candy pink, which surprised even me. I've never been a fan of pink, but lately I find myself intrigued by its moods. When I first found this chair, it was sort of masculine and authoritative-looking. But now... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Can I get a witness?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopsgRKWuojwclaiMD5QGuXK92Hfs7jf2HIlj9LXMCHzZju0oMQBYKMolt_Lj4w6nvubOcdQu9ErOiojBNtGQVtgnelDRXo6mbsa-zKVcNkrnBnBB4rfEmS1Gwpyrpe8v9FxvOid5bP4Ox/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopsgRKWuojwclaiMD5QGuXK92Hfs7jf2HIlj9LXMCHzZju0oMQBYKMolt_Lj4w6nvubOcdQu9ErOiojBNtGQVtgnelDRXo6mbsa-zKVcNkrnBnBB4rfEmS1Gwpyrpe8v9FxvOid5bP4Ox/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Since the chair and the fabric were free, altogether this project cost only the price of three coats of paint, which was on sale for $6.00. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've never done this refurbishing stuff before. I wouldn't have had the patience for it in the past. But now I'm hooked, and I already have my next challenge...</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A woman at a rummage sale gave me this for free. Apparently it came from an old church that used to stand across from Queensland Beach. I kind of hope it's haunted.</span>S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-26489995701769663892013-04-29T06:58:00.004-07:002013-04-29T08:36:42.500-07:00Fresh Catch!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love the musical knocking sound of bamboo wind chimes. Back when I lived in England, I bought some at the market in Camden Town and have hung them at five different addresses since. I finally had to find a replacement after they got beat up in this winter's icy winds, and it wasn't easy. Most of the ones in Halifax shops are mass-produced, flimsy things. But kijiji saved the day. Look what I found! A gigantic carved wood and bamboo work of art...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This heavy sucker is 35" head to tail!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The woman who sold it to me said she bought it at a yard sale in Edmonton and hung it up back home in Hubbards. Now that she lives in the city, she hasn't got a place for it, and is happy it's returning to the water. It's funny how objects can adopt a </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">kind of personality. He looks happy, doesn't he? I already find myself saying hello to him in the morning. </span></div>
S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-27591156206973864852013-04-17T09:47:00.002-07:002013-04-17T10:05:27.476-07:00Giant Sunflowers - Week One<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcd4afPvCwk_wFECCEKFGAQrBQCCM23SJ4_DoTOjJkADWjvF8KhhMPXYe0FIp24SbubFQ98gDx4BXaICQ8P7uYeMMmhZwVAGHGQUktUcDDMA1sEaF-pC5N2MLz9QkzgxgPbAUtJtSWB5T/s1600/sun+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcd4afPvCwk_wFECCEKFGAQrBQCCM23SJ4_DoTOjJkADWjvF8KhhMPXYe0FIp24SbubFQ98gDx4BXaICQ8P7uYeMMmhZwVAGHGQUktUcDDMA1sEaF-pC5N2MLz9QkzgxgPbAUtJtSWB5T/s320/sun+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now that the spring breezes have melted all the snow, we've been thinking about starting a vegetable garden. I've never planted anything in my life (hell, I've never had a yard before</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">so I'm testing my prowess on sunflowers. I decided to start the seedlings indoors and they sprouted within a few days. Apparently these babies can grow up to 14 ft. and now I'm worried I may have started them too soon. I can't safely transfer them outside until after last frost in early June, and at this rate, they'll be busting out of their pots before then! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When I woke up a few mornings ago and saw green, I screamed my head off. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Don't you think there's something inherently creepy about plants?" I said to S.B. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He patted my shoulder and sighed, "City girls." </span>S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-15192065225074029872013-04-04T07:50:00.000-07:002013-04-05T05:05:13.159-07:00Weekend Project: Mirror, Mirror On The Wall<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u>Step 1</u>: Buy an outdated old mirror. This heavy bastard was $10 at Salvation Army.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u>Step 2</u>: Clean it, sand it, update it with a fresh coat of paint in a modern colour.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcOaj63RPHZ4iP48U6SE1SHnnryWwK-fKUCqfzDVsFNLiHWvHdi5NjY2y9aeQgE2_8zG2w2Kz-aEAtR8XFrPJyP5dXyodJGYOjFgPhxGgHfMxBKOivAdPZXqyZZoxLP1Qc8dSMvL_gzk5/s1600/IMG_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcOaj63RPHZ4iP48U6SE1SHnnryWwK-fKUCqfzDVsFNLiHWvHdi5NjY2y9aeQgE2_8zG2w2Kz-aEAtR8XFrPJyP5dXyodJGYOjFgPhxGgHfMxBKOivAdPZXqyZZoxLP1Qc8dSMvL_gzk5/s320/IMG_0121.JPG" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Et voilà !</span></div>
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<br />S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-54792437479752561542013-03-28T07:51:00.002-07:002013-04-04T07:33:46.643-07:00My Favourite Room<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">With only one guest room to display many objects and double as my writing nook, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">the decor has a bit of a personality disorder. Yet, call me crazy, but I think there's an offbeat harmony in the mash-up of By-The-Sea, Girly Vintage Cowgirl and Wordsmith. </span><br />
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The 'Howdy' sign is a souvenier from my Texas road trip.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn00fI5qqFzF4u0g1lyG89lyayrRpstID9_xtMtn5ZYJ3nHTgzpewfjYqwlzVImjdP1S_CHXuV3KP1phu0e9yiWnL0uNJRuPqmkAkVAWOnPla6sWcycrklohcuopDyo_Yb1atn8p_2OZiw/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn00fI5qqFzF4u0g1lyG89lyayrRpstID9_xtMtn5ZYJ3nHTgzpewfjYqwlzVImjdP1S_CHXuV3KP1phu0e9yiWnL0uNJRuPqmkAkVAWOnPla6sWcycrklohcuopDyo_Yb1atn8p_2OZiw/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This wall seemed a natural place for my shell mirror.</div>
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The birdcage was a housewarming gift used as</div>
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S.B.'s mother found this wrought-iron wind chime.</div>
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My writing corner. </div>
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Can you spot all three themes?</div>
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Boots. Shells. Flowers. </div>
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Everybody loves a cowgirl. </div>
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But how about a cowgirl writer by the sea?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RvAl7HbilUj9sP7RSFZFN7RUOfogVzTzsaggss0gAEmUhk3_LGpzDNQ6lpm23VnklsdgQ3VV-8bkZFLkpLOTAPJiulrg_PurehesXGqOj1ZLqNsVScAd_gdDHFAheeEQwJnx1Il5MywB/s1600/IMG_0081+(800x547).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RvAl7HbilUj9sP7RSFZFN7RUOfogVzTzsaggss0gAEmUhk3_LGpzDNQ6lpm23VnklsdgQ3VV-8bkZFLkpLOTAPJiulrg_PurehesXGqOj1ZLqNsVScAd_gdDHFAheeEQwJnx1Il5MywB/s320/IMG_0081+(800x547).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This one came with the original cheese knife, which clips on to the board so </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't tear </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">kitchen apart trying to find it in a drunken, cussing, pre-party frenzy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes I put toothpicks where the knife is supposed to go. Naughty.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFqIiqOoRrSqPfmALX7zUn46hdwr7vrBPdDUNbRrL0owNOE_bM4EURhta-l3ZpEuQEXQhyphenhyphenAzlR2Y4D5IY68KYT0MHSQLbMrL1trxdiloDu_v6UjAfnvN_RQQqIBMB8WRl35RCs-TnyXWc/s1600/IMG_0085+(800x536).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFqIiqOoRrSqPfmALX7zUn46hdwr7vrBPdDUNbRrL0owNOE_bM4EURhta-l3ZpEuQEXQhyphenhyphenAzlR2Y4D5IY68KYT0MHSQLbMrL1trxdiloDu_v6UjAfnvN_RQQqIBMB8WRl35RCs-TnyXWc/s320/IMG_0085+(800x536).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think the handles are for the kind of hostess who actually walks around </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">serving </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">guests, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">saying thing like, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I'm so pleased you all made it over to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">play </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridge </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">with us this evening</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">" </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">rather than those who yell from the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">sofa, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Grub's over there. Don't forget to put your keys in the bowl!" </span></div>
S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-63428926245533997652013-03-11T17:35:00.001-07:002013-04-29T08:42:36.586-07:00The Tickle Trunk Album<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxbYwS7-2mlzlJ0_-c2LYKRvGIkwcgwVpnCylbTvhrw-whETA2VSjcsBl3dWEQO4BNOK0WD-NU_k5M-nBx4MQVL5meg0gfPZtfRdlIkBSwHypGFS1DcRmXIQ-ZAmmztoC6wk2BBORsSum/s1600/costume+trio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxbYwS7-2mlzlJ0_-c2LYKRvGIkwcgwVpnCylbTvhrw-whETA2VSjcsBl3dWEQO4BNOK0WD-NU_k5M-nBx4MQVL5meg0gfPZtfRdlIkBSwHypGFS1DcRmXIQ-ZAmmztoC6wk2BBORsSum/s1600/costume+trio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Left to right: Age of Aquarius, Elves, Wanted Poster.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A friend just asked me, "How the hell did you ever find someone who likes to play dress-up with you?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Fluke! Bizzare, awesome fluke. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">As a kid, I was obsessed with Halloween and costumes, and to this day everything I am drawn to: theatre, roller derby, even writing is an extension of my desire to try on different personas. And I obsess about the details, which is what led to the photographs - all that hard work ought to be shared, right? So before S.B. came along, many scenes from my imagination had already been brought to life on camera. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifseOFU4cOYdFMxc6CVCDims5_j57N7hITgQk37ftjJXz8wK95ItsrVQOPWDVr2soCldELU5JFOX7OD-L2d48xpI2EH8RT_zk-dbGHacPd-2NrsakJpNhF8iYekiP5o2XBw06p9hg5kOFa/s1600/moon+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifseOFU4cOYdFMxc6CVCDims5_j57N7hITgQk37ftjJXz8wK95ItsrVQOPWDVr2soCldELU5JFOX7OD-L2d48xpI2EH8RT_zk-dbGHacPd-2NrsakJpNhF8iYekiP5o2XBw06p9hg5kOFa/s1600/moon+river.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Breakfast at Tiffany's 'Moon River' scene.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I don't think I even asked him if he wanted to join in my warped little hobby. I think he suggested it. And now that he's in on the photos, they seem to have twice the effect, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">generating comments ranging from wow!!! to wtf??? (not a week has gone by since Christmas that someone hasn't mentioned our Elves Photo Spectacular, which included shots of us frolicking in the yard, drinking beer and doing calisthenics).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I'm glad people get a kick out of it, at least. The adult world is entirely too serious, and I for one won't ever let it take me. So stay tuned for weirder and more elaborate tickle trunk photos in the years to come. Perhaps I can even convince some friends to get in on the fun.</span></div>
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S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-40756625206313691682013-02-25T12:54:00.001-08:002013-03-11T19:26:18.788-07:00Sea Glass Mystery #1!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZxq9G6QsSAzuSKnbZkz3mr49lNPH-5HsdbxxvYJj9lOOHkz10TfiUYmDA6zAu3gM0K2vgb5R5GL-2Ipfc8EhY1Y0deBHnRjTkdB1k1lhvcKFjiZaE__HRxLiVrjPSpiwB6Ciw_0qI__y/s1600/sea+glass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZxq9G6QsSAzuSKnbZkz3mr49lNPH-5HsdbxxvYJj9lOOHkz10TfiUYmDA6zAu3gM0K2vgb5R5GL-2Ipfc8EhY1Y0deBHnRjTkdB1k1lhvcKFjiZaE__HRxLiVrjPSpiwB6Ciw_0qI__y/s320/sea+glass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The growing collection.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's happened already! I have a case to solve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yesterday S.B. and I went beachcombing in nearby Blandford where I found a giant piece of sea glass with a bordered triangle insignia embossed in its centre. I thought it may be the bottom of an old Vicks Vaporub bottle, as the company has a similar logo, but the border around the triangle on this one is wider and flatter than those on an antique Vicks bottles.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkyUVeUu4FuPdhxxgw1p9XfuzaAvV0qgeUw4hjszCqKZkT7qLpOcpmAlisjTpPNkvYRyU5ezBIJ9mBc1QrHvbu8LjRUNXt8z4dgMyQ2HWq35mA3mHZBNVAnwb2Kj5ZDaCkrMb1Lq4cjf8/s1600/mystery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkyUVeUu4FuPdhxxgw1p9XfuzaAvV0qgeUw4hjszCqKZkT7qLpOcpmAlisjTpPNkvYRyU5ezBIJ9mBc1QrHvbu8LjRUNXt8z4dgMyQ2HWq35mA3mHZBNVAnwb2Kj5ZDaCkrMb1Lq4cjf8/s320/mystery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Can you see the triangle mark?</div>
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<img border="0" gsa="true" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpUEpBz2ZHuczUzHgms81flU30orQ-MHGBeJs0hME-QXFFouGuAWnPz0JFPqIsPKZ6XJuDdxs8gj9WrtsG2z18lDIKbr_7ompJSFlGK3sscly98wUubHogzn6ZZvF-NsTbRGg47PQps79/s1600/il_fullxfull_373189784_4rck.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Vintage Vicks bottle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Due to its thickness, I now suspect this isn't the bottom of a bottle at all. I did some research and discovered that it may be part of a glass insulator used along Canadian railways and telegraph/telephone lines in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Take a look at this picture of a screw-top insulator made by the Boston Bottle Works Company:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Exciting isn't it? I'm not sure what next. Are there sea glass historians? Could a particularly keen antiques dealer date this ocean-warped artifact? Suggestions welcome.</span></div>
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S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-91093346109007552472013-02-18T04:47:00.003-08:002013-02-20T11:28:49.682-08:00Mellow Yellow<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This year I've fallen in love with yellow, especially shades of goldenrod creeping toward orange. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We have a garage that will one day become a guest cottage, and I've already begun to procure an assortment of yellow objects that will splash it with sunshine:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Vintage Sadler England teapot with folk art birds.</span><br />
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The happiest cookware in the world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFa6dqj1GdHwWL64zZGam8YpGOwARNWIi2EVnUSnnVQKrUphG9d8mEy83BJcZjRQSBioZJVrUtTnAzebOpxSF1JaUi8fKchptOEpXfeQvmMhJw6y68FUl3lBkN33inDghA16tUV80h_Xs/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFa6dqj1GdHwWL64zZGam8YpGOwARNWIi2EVnUSnnVQKrUphG9d8mEy83BJcZjRQSBioZJVrUtTnAzebOpxSF1JaUi8fKchptOEpXfeQvmMhJw6y68FUl3lBkN33inDghA16tUV80h_Xs/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lamps from Value Village. </div>
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One had a small gash that I filled with plaster then disguised with yellow </div>
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nail polish I happened to have kicking around. It was an exact match!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigB5OHFch2vMauGw8OFs0IC4gsoqy2hW78ChsGx-aIcQOxw-a5vqETFV9fAuo_N8DpvM1ynFX8qd-stmtXC291X9uwAlvD112daKaFD8EP8epyTazgQ0nShjDbAtHUz-PLUWPHcqOUN6-Y/s1600/snow%2521+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigB5OHFch2vMauGw8OFs0IC4gsoqy2hW78ChsGx-aIcQOxw-a5vqETFV9fAuo_N8DpvM1ynFX8qd-stmtXC291X9uwAlvD112daKaFD8EP8epyTazgQ0nShjDbAtHUz-PLUWPHcqOUN6-Y/s1600/snow%2521+025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Future guest cottage.</div>
S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-64380210171837794602013-02-15T07:23:00.001-08:002013-02-15T08:03:31.422-08:00What The World Needs Now (is love, sweet love)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWxASiNbcZil3-mJq8i7xBHNdSlMHja2evE0XTzS0FIbRPZK4rrgdy49jGFD9d23vD0jBQtmGrLiLlLGChkewNFJRWwyr5IEQGu2-FusXtGVTbwuytE3LfrbtE3mJtNHwmocK8st17KNj/s1600/Shawn+and+Sarah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWxASiNbcZil3-mJq8i7xBHNdSlMHja2evE0XTzS0FIbRPZK4rrgdy49jGFD9d23vD0jBQtmGrLiLlLGChkewNFJRWwyr5IEQGu2-FusXtGVTbwuytE3LfrbtE3mJtNHwmocK8st17KNj/s1600/Shawn+and+Sarah.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Last night, S.B. and I had our first gig playing love songs during a fancy three course dinner at The Galley Restaurant & Lounge. The restaurant is in a spacious haunted house originally owned by a sea captain, and a camera crew had just been in to film an episode for a ghost-hunter type television show!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For a month we have been practicing a set list of thirty songs, everything from Oasis to Patsy Cline, and our harmonies were really tight. A surprising number of partrons stopped by to thank us for enhancing their Valentine's Day. They especially liked S.B.'s intricate finger-picking on 'I Can't Help Falling In Love With You'. Hopefully, this will lead to us getting more gigs when the restaurant gets crazy busy this summer with boaters from the marina. Our house needs a new roof, and we can always use the extra money!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr53jSGL_YYlBE-RJmFTgBOkPrnvymVJKExMKQydmB7BN53sJmVxIbBYGYnmn9sOsigbYzAVJsKmMSDmP4r35Y_X53CphFtZgBNd1MbFHKpFxnfRV1YjI06k_2-z4aj8goAFMAkO2YQNk/s1600/stage+clothes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr53jSGL_YYlBE-RJmFTgBOkPrnvymVJKExMKQydmB7BN53sJmVxIbBYGYnmn9sOsigbYzAVJsKmMSDmP4r35Y_X53CphFtZgBNd1MbFHKpFxnfRV1YjI06k_2-z4aj8goAFMAkO2YQNk/s1600/stage+clothes+2.jpg" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our stage outfits.</div>
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<br />S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-69362177762956082372013-02-12T07:08:00.005-08:002013-02-12T11:02:09.818-08:00Treasure!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9M3ixQMSeS8SmSaDqR57pBuOU69wJdNKjr7oSatY1rdCoA8TpIRxwTERmnR5CDyz_8WSo0xpvuFkNQA-b9q1vjMXRgpRatv6CdZfOxGGDFj9Rm7AVFG_t6bF_s842bs9b1KuTsQEbTEpT/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9M3ixQMSeS8SmSaDqR57pBuOU69wJdNKjr7oSatY1rdCoA8TpIRxwTERmnR5CDyz_8WSo0xpvuFkNQA-b9q1vjMXRgpRatv6CdZfOxGGDFj9Rm7AVFG_t6bF_s842bs9b1KuTsQEbTEpT/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Things I didn't know about sea glass: A lot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For instance, it can take the sea twenty years to soften the edges of a shard of glass. Our beach has very few rocks, just the odd mussell shell and a few tendrils of seaweed along the packed sand, so it's very easy to spot the coloured gems of sea glass that seem to wash up with every new tide. I started harvesting the beach a few weeks ago and have collected pieces in opague white, green, amber, a tiny slice of blue. </span><br />
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The prime time for collecting is the first low tide following a storm. </div>
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Take a look at what S.B. retrieved after Saturday's snowstorm!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhninLDmF6ZbBUH9_egVXNk3bVbJ22e2m9B7vDOBXzD1q1f7CgRMUoCfS8C2uZf3VIQEESlwJyt-2QPbm_kjcB7ccY5qiGZNrbijyLDeKa5CVsYp9ocsIt_FI3uon_Md3M0CzGunqyM5jFs/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhninLDmF6ZbBUH9_egVXNk3bVbJ22e2m9B7vDOBXzD1q1f7CgRMUoCfS8C2uZf3VIQEESlwJyt-2QPbm_kjcB7ccY5qiGZNrbijyLDeKa5CVsYp9ocsIt_FI3uon_Md3M0CzGunqyM5jFs/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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S.B. has an eagle eye. He found sea china!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">According to my online sleuthing, "sea china" originates from 18-19th century pottery, earthenware and porcelain made in Europe and America. Some pieces contain markings that can help history buffs (like me!) trace their origins. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In my fever, I joined the Sea Glass Association of North America. They hold a "Shard of the Year" contest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When I was a child, I had (and lost) a large round piece of sea glass that was an exquisite ruby red colour, and now I desperately want another. Short term goal:<span style="color: red;"> </span></span><a href="http://seaglassblog.blogspot.ca/2009/01/rare-red-sea-glass-beach-combed.html" rel="" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Find the ruby</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. Long term goal: <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: black;">Gather enough sea glass to make a patio floor mosaic</span></span><span style="color: black;">.</span> I envision a giant bowl on the coffee table that our friends can help fill over the years. So far, we've got half a mason jar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To think - I put roller derby on hold in order to pluck at the novel and pick sea glass off the beach. I'm really getting in touch with my inner old lady. I should get a shawl. And a walking stick. And a basket. </span></div>
S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-72443556047080668642013-02-08T09:32:00.003-08:002013-02-12T07:19:38.149-08:00Snowshoes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LfVIfPdjPqFVDuqI-EXwXaa0mVaB_XlQeqXjPt9zLptXTxofIc_FA34CrFx6TRz_wh3fdrcZZyIY6uL4RXoVO3jrv2dqyPfx8MliQtVF0NKiNYcM4byrDPOQZGFBpr4uZAnUm171w_gg/s1600/snow!+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LfVIfPdjPqFVDuqI-EXwXaa0mVaB_XlQeqXjPt9zLptXTxofIc_FA34CrFx6TRz_wh3fdrcZZyIY6uL4RXoVO3jrv2dqyPfx8MliQtVF0NKiNYcM4byrDPOQZGFBpr4uZAnUm171w_gg/s320/snow!+030.jpg" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Until we moved to the beach house, I'd lived in cities my entire life. After my childhood years, the wintry outdoors was just a frigid tunnel I had to endure to get from one indoor location to another. But winter is everywhere out here, and it's tempting. Snow doesn't get promptly removed by trucks and plows the instant it hits the pavement, it's not confined to dirty piles, and you don't have to suck in car exhaust to be out in it. So I've decided to go outside and play more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Last night, S.B. and I went snowshoeing on Graves Island. We signed up a few weeks ago for a hike followed by chilli and hot chocolate, which was served around a stove in a shelter (a Recreation Nova Scotia event that cost us a paltry $5). I was a snowshoe virgin expecting wooden contraptions, but while they remain one of humankind's simplest innovations, modern snowshoes are metal and more streamlined. I tried them out in deep snow, and they really did keep me afloat. Our guide was an astronomy student who pointed out constellations as we trekked. I can usually spy Orion and the dippers, but now I know where to locate Taurus, the Seven Sisters and Jupiter - currently the most brilliant thing in our winter sky. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Back at home, we warmed up our toes with a hot bath and two tumblers of whiskey. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">P.S. - One of our fellow hikers was named Cosette, as in the Les Miserables character! Thought you'd want to know.</span>S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1481805916680867401.post-27448156245520515402013-02-05T13:06:00.000-08:002013-02-12T10:38:08.505-08:00Winter Wonderland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pRkhc5N7v1fHnD6aTL0e-MfoYmaZ0qHeand5uNQzOPJ8TTOHI2-7f6QiOgrF1l0IX__tbz6jV5-_06CzpfnwGdePcxtCQ0O6yDqI_RBI4b_md8tphz23FOUdX5HtpaOkZvchYiFpK0Ow/s1600/snow!+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" jea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pRkhc5N7v1fHnD6aTL0e-MfoYmaZ0qHeand5uNQzOPJ8TTOHI2-7f6QiOgrF1l0IX__tbz6jV5-_06CzpfnwGdePcxtCQ0O6yDqI_RBI4b_md8tphz23FOUdX5HtpaOkZvchYiFpK0Ow/s640/snow!+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We made a skating rink! With a lake practically lapping at our front lawn, it was easy; well, maybe not for S.B., who did the bulk of the snow-removal. I haven't skated on a lake since childhood, and it feels extra surreal with the sunset and the sound of the sea crashing on the other side of the lake.</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My vintage Hudson's Bay Company coat is made with 100% virgin wool and was a $40 thrift store find. I love the brown doves on the pockets and hood. It was missing a button when I bought it, but on inspection I found an extra sewn on the inner lining (I love it when designers include such courtesies). This coat rarely leaves my closet for fear I'll spill something on its whiteness, but ice skating is the perfect venue!</span>S.M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00397899149913174842noreply@blogger.com0