Writer's block?

I have been a little 'lost for words' (the written kind) this past week. Partly due to the fact that the sun came out for 3 days in a row and I wanted to be outside. At this time of year it can be highly unpredictable from one day to the next.
I attacked the veggie patch with relish, revealing some healthy looking strawberry plants that have not only survived a few feet of snow on top of them, but appear to have multiplied too! After crawling about on my hands and knees and raking out thousands of leaves, the strawberry patch now looks quite respectable. Craig came home early, which was a nice surprise and joined in. Even the girls donned bikinis and sat on the bench after school on Thursday.
Naturally along with the arrival of sunshine my windows were quite embarrassingly in need of a clean! especially on the outside. Dragging my trusty old shabby chic stool, rubber gloves and spray stuff, I methodically rubbed each and every window until my arms were practically dropping off. Not a job I enjoy, but crucial to get out of the way before the 'black fly' season hits. These tiny little blood suckers look so harmless, but give the itchiest bites that last for ages. We still have a couple of weeks before they invade us, so every minute we can get in the garden before then is precious. Today I even did all my ironing outside, while watching the little dopey bees flying around and the orchard activity in the distance (pruning I expect).
Moving on from my domestic doings. My friend Keriann and my sister Heidi have both started their own blogs, so now there is no excuse for having zero comments on my posts ladies (hint hint...) Even if just to say hi :)
One of my favourite artists is a French lady called Francine Van Hove. Craig and I bought one of her prints many years ago called 'The pink pillow'. This month I ordered another print for the lounge. Making use of a huge frame that had been lying in the basement (picked up at a yard sale last year) I hadn't got any further than giving it a quick coat of paint. This piece of art, which arrived in the mail from art.com is called 'Sphinx with dictionary'.
A close up. Amber had a new haircut this morning. It's still long, but with lots of layering going on and a side swept fringe, sorry 'bangs' as they are called here! I remembered to take along my camera and take a quick snap outside the florists across the road from the hair salon. On the subject of flowers, my dried hydrangeas have lasted remarkably well through the winter, though I am looking forward to real live ones in the garden in a few weeks. Thank you for listening again!
Hazel xx

Happy Monday :)

It's over a week since my last blog post, well I did write a quick mid-week post but somehow managed to delete it! I must have been half asleep at the keyboard or else the computer gremlins have been dabbling again! Anyway it wasn't particularly newsy, I was just happy it was finally April and wanted to get it down on paper so to speak. (don't know why this first paragraph has bigger spacing?)

This week I have spent quite a bit of time searching for and reading other peoples blogs, interspersed with bouts of sewing, photographing, listing, packaging, posting, chores, lifts etc. I have edited my list of favourite blog sites to include some lovely new ones that I hope to visit more often. There are always so many animals to sew and so little time! I have just ordered some 100% wool felt and am very excited to see what it is like to sew with. It is more expensive than my current felt which is 20% wool, so maybe I will introduce a little exclusive section.

This morning was a small domestic milestone. I actually hung my washing outside in the garden (instead of bundling it into the tumble dryer) for the first time since October last year!! I love the smell of fresh air-dried laundry. The added bonus this year is that the local pig farm is no more - yay!! happy happy, joy joy!! Every year we marvel at the buds on the trees, the flowers popping up and the birds and animals magically surfacing in the warmer weather. But... the smell of the pig farm is one delight I can do without and this year I will finally get my wish :D I feel we should have a celebratory BBQ with our neighbours in a few weeks. The farmer has closed his pig sheds and sold them to someone who will not be keeping piggies, but instead grows apples and blueberries (much nicer).

The weekend was quite special, we had a family movie evening and watched a dvd called 'The Golden Compass'. I chopped some melon, strawberries, grapes, pineapple, bananas and marshmallows. Made warm chocolate fondue and the four of us had fun dipping :) Yummy!

On Sunday Craig and I got invited out to lunch by some friends. Joinging them at our favourite restaurant The Port. It was a popular idea with lots of people enjoying our first real Spring like day.

Craig has been dabbling in the garden, fired up the tractor mower, just to check it's still alive. Aired out the barn, which will soon be emptied of cars and boats. The locals will be coming to collect them soon after storing them for the winter months.

Jemma is busy studying for her AP Biology exam coming up in May, it has been a time consuming course which has taken some serious dedication and hard work this school year.

Amber has been showing a renewed interest in photography again. I will add her deviant art site to my inspiration section on the right, as it has been dormant for a while and will possibly be awakened.

Archie is just sleeping in the sun and 'molting' everywhere! I struggle to keep up with the 'dust bunnies' that seem to be in abundance every day this time of year and I can't walk by one without whipping it up and disposing of it. On the subject of disposal, the valley is clamping down on our recycling habits in a big way. Already being in the habit of recycling it hasn't meant much of a change for us. When I lived in Norway in the mid to late 80's recycling was the norm, and those habits have remained with me wherever I have lived. I just had to 'remind' everyone in the house to please rinse and put in the correct bin!

This morning I have 7 parcels to post, including a collection of six that are destined for the top of a Wedding cake! Here is a new design this week, a little English black and white badger.

I hope you all have a great week :)

Hazel xx

WWF Earth Hour

An important message today ...

WWF Earth hour which is tomorrow, Saturday 29th for us here in Canada. My friend Kathy in Australia sent me a message and video on facebook earlier this week telling me about it. The concept first came about in Sydney, this time last year and was hugely successful. This year it's going Global. Although we don't live in a big city, Halifax being the closest and participating a little, I believe. We will be switching off 'our' lights for the hour 8pm until 9pm on March 29th, probably not the heaters as it will be below zero!

A parcel arrived in my mail box two days ago, another birthday present. This time from my dear friend Keriann in New Zealand. Posted a few weeks ago by airmail, I suspect it ended up travelling by sea instead. It's a beautiful hand made lavender heart sachet, the perfect colours for my bedroom and it's the 'shabby chic' print that I love. Keriann has recently opened a NZ craft webpage Sweetmary where she can sell her items. I am hoping that she will join me on Etsy soon as I am sure her little hearts will sell really well on the International market.

This week I posted another batch of felt tinies off to a Pediatric Doctor in North Carolina for her young patients. She has a heart of gold and loves animals.

My Mum surprised me a few weeks ago by starting her own blog! Living in South Africa many of her relatives are dotted around the world. We used to write long letters to each other, with the internet, skype, facebook, blogs etc. communication methods have certainly changed. Even the humble telephone seems a little old fashioned.

Today I have Amber at home with me feeling poorly. The downside to travelling on an aircraft is that a nasty little bug often gets picked up and this time it was Amber who was unlucky and has a temperature and sore throat. Hopefully by Monday she will have shaken it off (Umm, she was the only one of us to NOT take the Echinacea tablet - but maybe that's just a coincidence!)

Better go and put my nurses hat on and heat some chicken soup!!

Hazel xx

A LITTLE BIT OF EASTER SUNSHINE :)

We're back home again after a wonderful week away in Cuba. Having had just 3 hours sleep in my own bed following the return flight arriving at 3.30am in Halifax. I opened my eyes at 9am and for a split second thought it had all been a very pleasant dream :) I feel relaxed, very lucky and am already planning/dreaming/saving for a return trip next winter!

This unexpected break really was the perfect tonic, towards the end of a long cold Canadian winter. No housework or cooking for me, cold beer for Craig. Freedom to explore the resort grounds for Jemma and Amber, while being independent 'roomies' in their own space and do some sisterly bonding!

Warm air, a quiet clean white sandy beach, refreshing swimming pools, tropical flowers and plants, attentive friendly staff..... well I could go on but you might never read my blog again!!

The flights were both fine and only 4 hours long, a breeze compared to previous travels to NZ and Africa. The movies shown were Juno (brilliant, but I had already seen it) the return flight showed a film called 'August Rush' very enjoyable and sweet.
Now we are back to reality again (adjusting back to life in a fridge) Just kidding. Our little resident chipmunk 'Oscar' poked his head above ground briefly today to make sure that the grass was indeed still there. Craig found evidence in the barn that the raccoon has returned from wherever she spends the winter. The air is crisp and clear and we have the exciting anticipation that Spring is not too far away now. Archie has rubbed up against all the doorways, jumped on the beds briefly and seems satisfied that it is 'his' home again after spending a week confined to a small (but safe) room in the cattery.
I couldn't resist taking a few supplies of felt and thread along to catch up on orders whilst sitting under the shade of a tree (possibly a little sad to a non-sewing person reading this!)

My huge pile of holiday laundry is washed, dried and ironed, grocery shopping duly packed away in the pantry, so I can catch up on my computer work/play this evening without feeling too guilty.
(I think 3 photos on this post is probably sufficient, otherwise my facebook friends will accuse me of repeating myself)

Hazel xx
(a very happy bunny this Easter)

WE'RE OFF TO CUBA!!!!

I was absolutely 'gob-smacked' (to quote a delightful Northern expression) when Craig announced earlier this week that we were going on a trip to Cuba!
Thanks to his boss giving him a much deserved week of paid leave, Craig decided to 'really' get away from the office (and below freezing temperatures). With just a few days to get ready amidst the utter chaos of teenage excitement, the time has flown and we leave tomorrow!!!
Frantically digging out my forgotten cotton dresses and shorts from the summertime (a somewhat distant memory now) I have been carefully filling a suitcase with necessities; sunblock, insect repellent, aloe vera gel, medical supplies etc etc... I usually like to have a few weeks of planning and a few months of anticipation, but not this time :)
Of course I am soooooo excited myself, but as any busy woman will know, you can't just lock the door and head for the airport. Juggling a couple of large orders, library, dentist, grocery shopping and all the other boring housewifey stuff I have been run off my feet. Archie will be getting dropped off en-route at his friendly cat hotel and our next door neighbours will be keeping an eye on our house, particularly in the event of a storm hitting whilst we are away, don't want to come home to any flooded basement or frozen pipes!
I received a very appropriate and much appreciated birthday gift a couple of days ago. A book entitled 'The Princess Bitchface Syndrome - surviving adolescent girls' Need I say more ? Very informative and a must-read for anyone with daughters in the 13 to 17 age group. Sent to me by my friend Kathy, all the way over in Australia. It had been opened by customs (hence the delay) but was still in the birthday wrapping. The accompanying card is hysterical and bears a significant resemblance to Archie :DWell I had better keep this post short and report back to the keyboard on my return :)
Adios!!!
Hazel xx

Is Skype really for me I wonder?

With my birthday festivities over it was time to get back to business again and familiarise myself with the new computer. It even has a web-cam, a very exciting addition, enabling me to actually see my family and friends overseas live - Yay!
Having had my first attempt at using skype with my sister Heidi in South Africa it was a little disappointing because I couldn't hear her. However, I was really geared up for my first chat with my Mum on Tuesday morning this week. Having remembered all necessary steps (being a novice) Wearing a little mascara and lippy, with a pot of tea at the ready I was prepared to 'enjoy' my first conversation and see my Mum's face. Voila! up she popped, looking radiant and relaxed. She was pleased to be able to see me too and we waved at each other like a couple of kids! Then, I started to speak.... trying not to laugh too much, my Mum, looking a little puzzled informed me that I sounded like a chipmunk! Well, do you think I could work out how to change the 'special effect' settings? No. I had a 15 minute conversation sounding like I had 

inhaled a tank of helium gas!! Of course once I signed off and fiddled with a few more buttons I saw that my sweet daughter had in fact forgotten to change the voice control from 'Munchkin' This high pitched synthesised voice sounds hilarious when she is talking to her friends!! Ahh well, we won't forget our first Skype conversation in a hurry that's for sure. I suppose it can only get better - I hope ?*!
This week has been hectic with my biggest sewing order yet, a request for 30 animals from just one customer. That, along with another two smaller repeat customer orders has meant that I have been sewing like a mad woman. 


My paint projects have been put on hold for a while, in fact so has the housework for that matter, today is usually my thorough blitz of every room, but I think not today! Since moving some furniture around last week I have been looking (perhaps glaring) at a chest of drawers I want to attack with a paint brush so badly. You may be aware of my addiction to painting furniture in shades of white, cream and sometimes even robins egg blue! This particular piece is screaming for a makeover. Just as these projects were a while ago:Wardrobe before.... 

... and after! Fireplace before .......and after :)

There is so much dark panelling in our home, as well as doors, window frames and dark hardwood floors that it's nice to paint the odd piece here and there. I know that it is not every ones cup of tea, but it is the decor style I love.

I have been banned from touching the banister by my dear hubby, I feel it is a tad too 'orange' myself :D

Today is the start of the Canadian March break. Jemma and Amber will be home for a week and then Easter is just around the corner! Time sure is flying by fast.

Hope you all have a great weekend and week.

Hazel xx

I'm a Leapling!!

Birthday treats.

Pretty cards, Gypsophelia , tea light lanterns, a bracelet watch (present to myself) and an Asian pear!!

My friend Keriann in New Zealand heard the term 'Leapling' on her local radio station, referring to people born on 29th February. I had to agree with her that it does sound rather cute. I had a lovely birthday this year. A big thank you to my friends, family and fellow bloggers for the well wishes on the day. Although a mostly normal day, grocery shopping, housework etc. My hubby came home from work earlier than usual and took me out to dinner at a restaurant called Rosie's, where the food was excellent. He also knows that I love white flowers and presented me with a bunch of Gypsophelia and an Asian pear! (because they are my favourite fruit at the moment) crisp and delicious sliced in salad or for breakfast) Some pretty cards arrived by hand and in the mail along with a generous book gift voucher from Sandra my friend in England, which I will use on the Amazon on-line site, once I decide which books to buy. Think I will have to look at some recommendations on my favourite blog sites :) Rhonda my neighbour gave me some cream tea light lanterns, great to use outdoors in the summer evenings.

My Mum and Dad sent a beautiful calendar by our photographer friend Richard du Toit, who really does take the most incredible wild life photographs. Craig would like to put it up in his office I suspect. Even my latest copy of Canadian Home and Country arrived on the 29th. The April issue is always one of my favourites as it makes me really look forward to Spring. Hard to imagine right now as I look at the snowy covered landscape. The article on Daffodils made me smile and I loved the French country decor images.

Craig informed me that it is only about 10 weeks until our first hummingbird is due to arrive. Always a special day which calls for the hanging baskets filled with beautiful blue trailing Lobelia and to start planting containers with lilac coloured pansies.

Possibly the most exciting thing this week for us all was the arrival of our new computer! The current one was well travelled and has had it's fair share of viruses over the years and has been working on super slow speed for some time as well as being highly temperamental. The new Dell machine is terrific with a wide screen and a built in web cam and speakers. I love it! I had my first go at 'skyping' with my little sister Heidi earlier today. We both seemed to struggle to get our act together with regards the sound, mind you she had consumed a few glasses of wine I believe :) Lip reading is not one of my talents, so we ended up typing to each other instead! It was nice to see her face though, it is over 7 years since I have seen her in person :( and I haven't even met my nephew Luc.

The arrival of the computer meant a furniture move around was called for. This is something I strangely really enjoy doing (being a neat freak). Our study now has a spare bed in it (for watching dvd's on the screen) and we have kept the old computer as a spare for school projects and photo downloads. My sewing room had a change around too while I was re-arranging things, so I get to look at the other side of the room for a change while sewing. Here is my latest little one:

Little Frankie the Daschund :)

I hope you all have a great week!

Hazel xx

Is it nearly Spring??

One of the little shelves in my sewing room (a thrift store find), where I build up a collection of tiny animals every week along with ribbons and hand made items from Jemma and Amber.

Well it certainly feels like Spring is in the air today :)

The sun is out and although there are only a few patches of green grass showing through the snow, I am feeling happy.

Sitting here alone in the house (except for Archie) on a Monday morning with a fresh cup of coffee, actually my second cup this morning and a long 'to do list' in front of me, which I am hoping to get done today. I feel quite optimistic as February finally comes to an end this week and the mornings are not so dark.

I had a little mad moment of weakness early yesterday when I suggested a family shopping trip into Halifax. Jemma and Amber had been pestering me recently to visit the big City. All their homework was finished and they had tidied their bedrooms. After the last City trip I said 'never again' but the offer just came out of my mouth and before I knew it there were some loud squeals of delight (not a reaction I get very often these days when I make a suggestion or comment!) I drove into Halifax and Craig drove home. Tuning into the local Halifax radio station as we got closer, listening to some great songs, we were there in no time. Taking in some different scenery along the way; people fishing through holes cut in the ice on the lakes, while sitting in tents all day!

Jemma and Amber spent a long time in one of their favourite stores, Old Navy, while I popped into Michael's next door (a huge craft superstore) and found the 'perfect' colour felt for some of my animals :) Craig got lost in the 'man gadget' shop, drooling over big screen TV's!

Afterwards we met up for lunch at Manchu-Wok in the nearby shopping centre a real treat.

Back at home the girls modelled their Spring purchases, both had found cute pairs of shorts a couple of strappy tops and even flip flops! Maybe that's one of the reasons for my optimistic Spring mood today ?

Amber wearing her new stuff.

I suppose I should (reluctantly, wincing slightly) mention that it is my 'real' Birthday this week !! Seeing as it only comes around every 'four' years, I don't think I can get away with not celebrating in some way this leap year, especially as I keep being reminded by my close family!

Thank you for the lovely comments on last weeks blog post, they are very much appreciated.

Well, I had better nip downstairs to add another log to the wood stove and let Archie out for a frisky run around in melting snow! Then I will move down my 'tick list'.

Bye for now

Hazel xx

Mid February Ramblings!!

I sometimes wonder how many people actually read my ramblings at this time of year and was going to skip a week or so. Then I received a couple of lovely emails referring to my blog and I now have 3 comments on my last post, so the select few who are reading it have inspired me to write a few lines again this week. My news these days is a little sparse and not quite as upbeat as in the Summertime. I long to get outside and do some planting, mow the grass and get out my tins of paint without having to breathe in all the strong fumes indoors!
I did manage to venture out on Friday as the snow had stopped falling. I am not as bothered by the cold weather now that we are past mid February. After dropping Amber at school and getting my weekly grocery shopping, I came outside to find that another snow flurry had appeared from nowhere and it was already about 2cm's deep on top of my car. Taking the back roads home I did my first spot of 'ice dancing', in the car!! A complete pirouette in fact (fortunately I was on a quiet country road) Once I had come to a stand still and was facing in the right direction, apart from feeling pretty shaken up, both car and myself were just fine. Resisting the strong urge to brake, as my car did it's own thing, I will put down to the 'ice driving test day' many moons ago, which was part of my Norwegian driving test. Along with a night time driving test, long theory test (in Norwegian) and a mock theory and practical test, before being allowed to take the 'real test' I guess this equipped me for the Canadian roads, plus of course the 20 years driving experience since then :D
I have not been totally confined to the house this week I have to admit. Last weekend the whole family (children included!) went to visit some friends further down the valley. Craig has just started doing some consulting work for them in their Timber frame house business, and they had us over for a lovely lunch. Being Quakers, they had plenty of home made goodies to eat and drink and some funny and interesting stories to tell of their travels overseas.
I met my friend Tina for lunch and proper catch up girlie time mid week (between snow days) Then this weekend it was my friend Rhonda's birthday, she came over with her hubby and we had a lovely evening while all the children were over at their house. One of the gifts I gave Rhonda was a Holly Hobbie calendar for her kitchen, it brought back memories for both of us, both Holly Hobbie and Betsy Clarke were my favourite characters which adorned my bedroom walls in the mid 70's.
In my Etsy shop last week I introduced a couple of new designs, the first being a Westie puppy and a baby blue whale! A cat loving customer enlightened me to the fact that a Calico cat is in fact a tri-coloured cat, and I made one up for her as a special order.Bye for now, I hope you all have a lovely week.
Hazel xx

Another Wednesday post

Amber with Amber the cat!!

Wednesday seems to be the new Sunday for me as far as writing my weekly blog is concerned. I am sure most bloggers would agree that you have to be in the right mood to write, but my weekends recently have been taken up with other stuff, generally centred around driving children to and from various places.
We are lucky to live in a beautiful house on a hill, in a tranquil country setting, which sounds idylic. However, as both my friend Tina and I have both discovered during the month of January, we tend to get forgotten up here and are referred to as 'mountain' or 'lake people'! Not an identity I ever aspired to being labelled thank you very much! Trying to remedy this rather lonely existence we are meeting for lunch next week, which should do us both some good and get us out of our hibernation mode for an hour or two. (I have to say that the internet does keep me fairly sane as I may have mentioned before, it is my main link with the outside world!)

The older I get the more I am realising the importance of special friendships. Now a regular blogger and facebook addict, I have been contacting a few friends from long ago and finding that we have far more in common than I ever realised. There are not many facebook users over the age of 35, so we are in the minority, but I really don't care to be honest. I like to keep up to date with what my children are doing on the computer these days, not that I am anywhere near as well versed in the ever changing world of technology, but I do try :) We certainly live in a different world now to the one I was part of aged 16 (I remember we had just one 'giant' computer for the whole college and we had to share it!) Word processing was the 'new thing' in some of my early secretarial jobs and it was so exciting when we got to attend courses to learn the latest programs.

Last weekend as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award scheme Amber started doing volunteer work for the local SPCA and is now officially a 'Cuddler'. Along with two of her school friends they went to care for about 60 or so cats, all staying in a special little house. All the cats seem to get on really well, amazingly enough and are super affectionate with each another and any visitors, or cuddlers as they are referred to. Apart from breathing in plenty of fine cat hair and looking quite furry herself when she came home in a dark brown hoody (this generated a huge amount of interest from Archie our little furry friend at home) she had a great time and is looking forward to her next visit.

Amber's friend Jennifer with an assortment of friendly felines to choose from!Bye for now

Hazel xx

Putting things in perspective

Yes I do believe I was feeling a little blue when writing my last blog post, now I feel guilty, as I don't have much to moan about really. An email from a friend, who I have known since the age of 18 really put things into perspective last week, she had received some very sad personal news. My thoughts are with her and I am seriously making an effort to have a more positive attitude to my life without complaining about the winter time, after all we did choose to come and live in Canada!!

Of course after also saying how quiet my shop was it did pick up and since then I have sold another 40 animals. This has meant that I have been busy snipping and stitching whilst semi-hibernating in my sewing haven with Archie and my IPod for company. My newest design is this little Australian fellow who I decided to name Oliver.

Jemma is in the midst of her exams this week and is a little tetchy. Although she does have a sparkle in her eyes due to her new Japanese friend, Tak. They are now officially 'boyfriend/girlfriend'. This means a new chapter has opened in my role as a Mum/parent and I am trying my best to be understanding and not too 'controlling' with regard to house rules during their time spent together.

Craig returned from Atlanta and has decided he most definitely does not miss the big City at all, the pollution was thick and everyone was in a rush and quite rude and unhelpful.

Having been feeling a tad nostalgic again of late I managed to get the girls together one evening and watch a 'chick flick', as Craig was away. The three of us snuggled up on the sofa with the dvd The Nanny Diaries, with Scarlett Johansson . It was funny and took me way back to the days I spent as a Nanny myself, in Norway aged just 18. The lady I worked for had me cleaning windows, cooking meals and even ironing her knickers! As well as taking care of her two 'adorable' little boys!

First day in my new job, looking a little nervous I think.

Still I was glad of the experience and opportunity to learn a language. I fell in love with the country and after finishing college was able to work in the oil industry for another 6 years. By my early 20's I was the proud owner of my first car, an old style VW Beetle, which I loved. Not too sure about the 'big' hair or those white slouch boots though!!

Oh the 80's fashion!

Hazel xx

Blue sky in the middle of January !

I have to say that January is NOT my favourite month! However, the sun did come out and shone in a brilliant blue sky, not once but 'twice' this week, so I can't really justify whinging, it was just the medicine we all needed to zap any SAD symptoms in the bud.

Trying very hard to kick myself into gear, I have been mostly locked away in my sewing room, busy cutting out endless pairs of wings, feet and other fiddly bits for my hand made animals. This will save time later on when I am too busy to do so, 'fingers crossed' (fingers which gradually go numb sending me running downstairs to put another log on the fire).

My etsy shop is the quietest it has been for a long time, but I never know when a large order may come in, so I am getting prepared :) Motivation is somewhat lacking right now strangely enough. I look forward to my computer time on facebook early in the morning and just before bed, keeping in regular contact with my friends so far away makes me feel less isolated.

With quite a few heavy snowfalls over the past 3 weeks or so it has not always been possible to drive anywhere until I have been 'plowed out' by the local blueberry farmer. Craig takes my Rav4 to work as it is much safer on the icy roads and the girls have been happy to have the odd surprise snow day off school.

Craig is much calmer this week following a nasty case of work politics between the company shareholders that has been brewing for a number of weeks now. He got dragged into the whole fiasco as 'piggy in the middle' being the financial advisor . It seems to have been resolved now without the costly court case that was looking likely at one point. (a very long and complicated story) Thus avoiding the worst agricultural hiccup in the valley for the past 10 years!

Jemma is on cloud nine now that she has a new male friend in her life. A Japanese exchange student called Tak (shortened from Takuto). They have been spending every lunch time together at school and he has been over to visit a few times. On Friday he brought along his guitar and sang a few songs which impressed us all, along with his good manners and stylish dress sense :) (this paragraph may well get edited out by a certain someone I suspect if she reads it!)

Jemma getting to wear shades yesterday with her new trench coat in Port Williams

Amber is smiling a lot these days too, with her new set of pearly whites and is generally enjoying school, where it is warm and she does have a great teacher this year. We are all longing for the Spring weather of course and will once again (after our 3rd winter here) appreciate it when it does arrive. Oh to wake up to it being light outside!
The laundry/mud room/woodstove room is stacked very high with logs thanks to a joint effort between Craig and I yesterday, it should keep us going for at least a week! Craig is flying off on a business trip to Atlanta next week which will make a nice change for him even if it is only to attend an agricultural expo.
Not such a newsy report this time, but perhaps February will be a little more exciting :D

Thank you for taking the time to read my 'ramblings'

Hazel xx

Our 19th Anniversary

Early mid week post.
Today is the anniversary of the day Craig and I met 19 years ago!
Unlike most couples we don't ever celebrate our wedding, which was a couple of years later sometime in June. This is because it was quite an uneventful day, tinged with sadness as it was held in a registry office in Johannesburg, SA with no guests. We were leaving a couple of weeks later to live in England and didn't want a big 'do' at the time. I have to admit that it is one of the few regrets in my life, wearing a cream suit and standing outside an ugly building does not quite compare to the memories that should have been made along with all the froth and attention a posh church wedding would have brought.
Anyway, our meeting 19 years ago was very romantic as it was on board a flight from Cape Town to London. So January 10th going into the 11th is officially 'our' anniversary.
Craig has booked a lunch at a nice new restaurant in town tomorrow where I will be meeting him after his morning at work close by.
Other news this week is that Amber has finally got her fixed braces OFF! Her orthodontic treatment began about 3 years ago with retainers, palette expander etc. I haven't managed to pin her down for a photo of the new 'smile' as yet, but now she just has a thin wire across her top teeth, which is attached to a retainer, to be worn for a couple of years.
The snow has all melted again, so the grass is quite soggy and has been hacked about a bit by the snowplow, as it is difficult for the driver to see where the driveway actually is underneath 30cm's of snow! Archie is running around like a Spring chicken and can't believe his luck after being cooped up again for a while. I can't seem to train him to wipe his feet/paws though, and have to ambush him every time he comes home from his exploring outings and plonk him on an old towel in front of his biscuits!

Hazel xx

2008 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Almost a week into the new year and things are pretty much back to normal after the holidays. Jemma and Amber went back to school on Thursday (a nice 2 day week for them), gently breaking into those cold 6am morning wake up calls.
New Years eve brought an abundance of snow in a winter storm. Sadly this meant that our number of expected visitors for the evening was on the sparse side. I had catered for about 20 or so friends plus a bit extra. The assorted cheeses, fruits and fancy prawn Melba toasts (decorated with a twist of lemon peel), sat on the plates looking pretty sad, as there were far too many of them! Our next door neighbours' bravely trudged across the meadow and orchard on both sides, dressed in heavy coats and snow boots. It was a cosy neighbourly gathering in the kitchen, where a few of bottles of good red wine were shared by candle light into the small hours. The children had fun in the lounge watching dvd's and laughing a lot. Getting into bed at just after 2am with not even a hint of a headache (something to do with being a responsible hostess?) meant for a good start to the new year.

After much pestering this week, Amber convinced me to let her try out a dark rinse on her hair. Going from a dark blond to deep brown. I have to admit that it does suit her, despite my objections (that would be the boring Mum side of me) It is supposed to wash out in about 28 shampoos, so she gets to be dark and mysterious for a few weeks :)My little etsy shop has got off to a nice start with an early January order for 12 tiny felt animals. These are being shipped off to the US to a lady who gives them to her young and very brave patients in pediatrics.
Now, as if I hadn't already received enough gorgeous and thoughtful presents from my family and friends I had one more late arrival in the post a few days ago. This delightful Cath Kidston recipe organizer is a joint gift from my girls who had both spotted the same item on the internet. I will be on the look out for some special recipes this year to start a nice organized collection. Well I just had to mention it as I had already taken a photo you see!

Hazel x

Merry Christmas friends and family!

Today is boxing day and I am feeling a little tired after another late evening spent with our neighbours'. I feel like curling up on the sofa and finishing my book this afternoon. I am reading The Quickie by James Patterson, a thriller which I am enjoying but never seem to have enough time to read more than a few pages every few days. This means that I forget what I have read and have to go back a page or two for a re-cap, so I am taking forever to finish it!
The last mail delivery on the 24th brought a surprise parcel from my blog/flickr/etsy friend Kat, (Secrets of a butterfly) over in Newcastle. I opened it on Christmas morning and found 3 pretty Cath Kidston soaps for Jemma, Amber and I, nicely presented in a red organza bag with the cutest Belle and Boo tag! It was so sweet and unexpected.
Christmas eve was lovely, we meandered over to the Dupuis' house next door in the early evening, ate, drank and chatted for hours. They all came over to us on Christmas day for more festivities. We also watched the movie The Holiday, which I had seen before but it was the perfect day to watch it and I think it's a great feel good Christmas dvd.
I got some special gifts from my family, beautiful hand made items from the girls and a spa/beauty voucher from my hubby! I also got the warm pj's and fluffy socks and watched plenty of smiling faces throughout the day. Keriann, as I suspected had made a pretty Christmas heart which looks perfect on the tree amongst all my other Scandinavian decorations.

Archie loved his new bed (an igloo style) and was curled up in it fast asleep within a couple of minutes, after playing with the wrapping paper! He remained there for the rest of the day. He is so happy now that the snow has MELTED (typical on Christmas day!) This morning he was keen to get outside and go investigating the newly revealed green grass which has been buried under snow for a few weeks. Having said that we now have another weather warning, predicting about 20cm's of snow tonight. I will try to remember to take a photo of the lounge tomorrow to add to this post.

Thursday 27th - photos added above and below of the lounge. Hazel xx

Happy Holidays!

Mid morning on Saturday and I am all alone as Craig and the girls have gone into his office to do some secret 'stuff' before Christmas.

Feeling a little tired after a late, but fun evening, which consisted of Craig's office Christmas party followed by a visit to our friends up at the lake.
I was so excited when a parcel arrived this week from my good friend Keriann all the way from New Zealand! The parcel included a lovely letter, a couple of local newspapers from the village of Havelock North, where I used to live. Also some pretty tissues from Cath Kidston and cute Christmas napkins (pictured above), which I love. The little tissue wrapped surprise has gone under the tree to be opened on the 25th. Such a thoughtful friend who knows my taste exactly. Very sweet Cath Kidston tissues sitting amongst my cookie cutters!
Christmas eve is just around the corner and we will be visiting our next door neighbours for the evening. We all get on so well as families, it does help that the children are the same age. Of course just being a stones throw away it certainly has its advantages at this time of year especially. The snow is still quite deep and the temperatures below freezing almost every day.
Archie our cat is a bit depressed, which I may have mentioned before? He sits looking out of the window with such a forlorn look on his face and is not eating very much. Occasionally he will venture outside a few feet away from the back door, only to do a swift about turn and come rushing indoors with his 'crazy wild cat look'
My shopping is all done and hidden away, with just the wrapping and labelling to do. Lots of small gifts as usual, to compensate for having no relatives around. Each year I get more nervous of getting it right as far as gifts are concerned, anyone with teenage children can relate I am sure to the ever changing fashions and trends, this weeks purple could be next weeks red! I hold on to all my receipts very carefully, just in case :)
My own wish list for material presents this year reads as follows; warm pj's, warm sweaters, warm fluffy socks, warm gloves, warm..... Actually I will be happy just to see happy faces on the day and get a few hugs from my family (even if some of them are only on facebook)
Sunday evening.
I decided to paint the lounge :) A sort of spur of the moment thing! It got finished this afternoon with Craig's help and I am really pleased with it. Previously the wall were a dark dusky pink which was ok, but looking at it for our third winter I decided a change was due. Now a warm cream with just enough contrast against the white ceiling. No longer confined to having pink soft furnishings I can make some nice new cushions for the spring. No photo to show yet as it is now too dark.Happy Christmas!Hazel xx

A white Christmas perhaps?

Some re-vamped Christmas decorations.
The snow is still lying on the ground and it looks like this year we may well have a 'White Christmas'. After the two previous winters we have pretty much adapted to having heaps of snow fall on our doorstep, although according to the locals, we haven't seen a 'proper' Canadian winter yet! We did get snowed in last Tuesday and the girls had their first 'snow day' so were thrilled to bits to have an unexpected day at home.
Last weekend was a busy one and included a get together with some friends on Saturday evening where there was even some dancing! Well, just us girls, I had great fun as I haven't moved to music (out in public) for quite a while.
Ladies having fun on the dance floor!
Our Christmas tree has been decorated by my two little helpers and it looks lovely in front of the picture window in the parlor.The photo at the top of this post is of some tired looking doves which were a faded gold colour and are now painted white, the little birds along with some felt snowflakes are this year's new decorations, which are dotted around the downstairs rooms. This is a pic of Jemma's chandelier (mentioned in a previous post) She bought it with her saved up pocket money during our trip to Boston. It comes from a shop called Urban Outfitters. A sort of contemporary meets traditional look in her bedroom.
I have been feeling festive all week because of the snow everywhere, people dressed in wooly hats and scarfs running in and out of shops with rolls of wrapping paper and fresh green wreaths. The decorations look lovely down the streets and Christmas music everywhere.
It's early Sunday morning and I am the only one up and about, the fire is already roaring and a pot of fresh coffee is brewing :D
Hazel x

November comes to an end!

Well, the trip to Boston certainly threw me off course a bit and I have been trying to keep my head above water since our return. I left with 4 orders pending and arrived to find more orders waiting for me. I am not complaining at all, but keeping up with the sewing this month as well as juggling other things in my life has been pretty tricky! November has been my best month of sales so far since starting this little business, with over 100 tiny animals sewn and posted off to various parts of the world .

Tomorrow is officially Amber's 14th birthday. However, this year she has decided 'not' to celebrate on December 1st, instead she wants her presents and a party in the middle of next year. June 1st will be her 14 and a half day!! Every year she feels that everyone is caught up in the Christmas excitement by December, herself included, and she sometimes feels that her birthday is a little insignificant :( With Jemma's birthday being in the summer as well as our next door neighbours children also having birthdays in July and early August, she wanted to be a part of that and have something to look forward to along with them. We will give it a try and see :) I am sure that tomorrow will bring a few cards and a cake of course.

If I thought that the girls would be fed up with shopping after visiting Boston, I was wrong. Last weekend they asked to be dropped off at the New Minas mall while I had my winter highlights done. They had fun browsing and taking a few photos too!

A rather stylish Amber

Jemma heading for the changing rooms?

I finally managed to write and send off all my Christmas cards, I always forget how early they need to be posted to go to places as far away as S. Africa, Australia and New Zealand. I am usually very organised with hand written letters and photos in each and every one, but this year with my blog posts and facebook activity it seemed a little uneccesary and I didn't want to repeat myself with old news.

In the past we have always waited until a week after Amber's birthday to decorate our Christmas tree. This year we plan to do it on Sunday, which will be nice and early for us. The Canadians are into decorations in a big way with lots of lights, especially in their gardens, on bushes, trees as well as animated reindeer etc. Being quite a minimalistic person our tree has a Scandinavian theme with hearts, wooden figures, embroidered mini pillows etc. Every year the girls and I make a couple of new decorations and remember how young they were as we pull out the old ones from the boxes where they are carefully wrapped in tissue paper. They all seem pretty much intact apart from the occasional 'salt dough' figure which may have gotten a little damp and had to be bid farewell.

Decorating our tree on Sunday will be a time for reminiscing, laughing and donning our red Santa hats of course!

Decorating the tree in New Zealand a few years ago.
No doubt the camera will capture the moment once again :)

Hazel x

BACK FROM THE BIG CITY OF BOSTON!

Yes, since my last blog post we have indeed been to Boston and back by car!

This little adventure came about after one of Craig's impulsive suggestions over dinner on Tuesday evening. Jemma and Amber were grinning from ear to ear whilst spewing out endless names of places they wanted to visit on a weekend trip. I, on the other hand adopted a jaw dropping expression whilst numerous thoughts came into my head of why this was a bad idea. When some of these thoughts were vocalised they were met with snide comments of me being far too sensible, negative and quite positively boring! The discussion continued the following evening by which time I had given in to defeat and decided to be excited instead, the majority vote was to go ahead....

That's when they all went off to school and work, leaving the packing, ironing, cleaning, sandwich making, camera charging, unplugging of electrical appliances, turning off heaters, posting parcels, sorting out a cattery for Archie and putting out the garbage to ME! As well as grabbing handfuls of felt, thread, scissors and patterns for my etsy orders to do en-route.

This of course all had to be done by noon when I attempted to bundle a non-complying Archie into his carrier while he scratched me frantically thinking he was off to the vet again. After picking up the girls at different schools we drove to Craig's office to swap cars for the long journey ahead. Fortunately I do manage to remain calm in these situations and my tick list got steadily 'ticked' and added to throughout the morning, whilst I was on a buzzy coffee high!

The 12 hour journey there went well with Craig doing most of the driving to our first stop at Bangor, an hour past the border post. After our first overnight stay in a Motel I started the early morning drive towards the city and we managed to navigate our way to an Ikea! We did an spot of shopping and had a lovely Scandinavian lunch too.The second overnight stay was on the outskirts of the city. Saturday was the 'big day' Watching two teenage girls getting ready to do some serious shopping is quite sweet, they were so excited and their saved pocket money was burning a hole in their purses. Taking the tube in we arrived at H&M as their doors were opening, that sorted out some clothes shopping. A quick stop at 'Wet Seal boutique' and it was on to the 'Oh so posh' Fairmont Copley Plaza, where the security guard wouldn't let us take a photo of the Jimmy Choo shop :( We walked the entire length of Newbury street doing some window shopping before finding 'Urban Outfitters' right at the very end. Jemma had some specific things she really wanted to buy for her bedroom and was in retail heaven.

I loved all the brownstone buildings and the sheer size of the downtown skyscrapers (remember I am now a country gal) There were to be no tourist visits this time, being such a short trip. But then we have done all the museums and historical buildings in London, scenery in New Zealand and wildlife in Africa. So this really was great for us rural Nova Scotian residents.

Our last morning in Boston sadly meant that it was time to head home. The roads were dry and practically empty as I took the wheel and drove to the border with the sun shining all the way, even though it was constantly minus temperatures outside. The drive home was long, actually very long. After collecting Archie and my car arrived home early evening to a roaring fire, kindly lit by Wayne our next door neighbour. It all went by so quickly like a dream.

On reflection it was a memorable weekend. The girls remained best friends throughout. We probably made too many stops for 'junk food' but then we haven't done that for a few years and I was impressed to find that they now all do a 'version' of a salad, with the dressing on the side :) The girls found it highly amusing that I carried my bag of apples, sunflower seeds, water and herb tea with me everywhere.

I would like to do a city trip again, but probably in warmer weather and preferably by plane not car. Definitely a longer stay, which would be less hectic (my feet are worn out). London would be great with all my favourite shops; M&S, Next, Laura Ashley, Whittards.... I could go on.

Until then we will have to make do with much smaller buildings, little local shops and e-bay!

Hazel x

SNOW!!

Seems like the most appropriate title this week! This pic was taken this morning looking over to our neighbour's house across the meadow. I never used to be one to talk about the weather, leaving that topic of conversation to my husband, who is well versed on the subject. His favourite TV station is the weather channel funnily enough :) However, the weather here in Nova Scotia is certainly varied with very defined seasons, with the recent hurricane and now this early snow there has certainly been interesting. In New Zealand the weather conversation would sometimes lead to the subject of the serious danger of skin cancer (hole in the ozone layer etc.). In South Africa, where the climate is enviably 'perfect' the conversation usually got followed by " if only there wasn't any crime". In England it was often just weather 'whinging', too hot, too wet, too many leaves.... (but quite honestly nothing that couldn't be cured by some excellent retail therapy! I still miss the shopping)

This morning we woke to 15 cm's of the pure white crisp stuff, lying silently on the ground and covering the branches of the trees, many of which still have some leaves on them and even apples up in parts of the orchards. The snow has arrived a few weeks earlier than normal so today we aren't going anywhere. It's hard to believe that just a couple of blog posts ago we took photos in the sunshine picking apples.
Craig collected a super new treadmill while we were out (which has been on my 'wish list' for the last two winters). This was after much debating on whether we should re-join the gym which is in the opposite direction to his place of work. It didn't make much sense, so the treadmill was a good compromise and we can all use it hopefully. He and I managed to assemble it yesterday afternoon, after it was removed from a box the size of a small house! It came flatpacked with a set of less than clear assembly instructions and we didn't swear once! We have all had a go on it and are very impressed, I am certainly not venturing up the hill anytime soon.

I deleted the bit on my last blog about the land in Gaspereau as it wasn't completely finalised. Now it is a done deal and we are quite excited to own a couple of acres in a lovely area just 3 minutes drive from the town of Wolfville, further down the Annapolis valley and much closer to the city of Halifax.

Just a quick mention of my etsy shop. I sold another elephant to a lady in Toronto. Posted off the 18 animals to Hawaii, made my first Panda bear and am currently working on Christmas orders.

Molly, the pink elephant and Gregory, a tiny Panda.

Facebook continues to be fun, I was so pleased to make contact with my brother Michael in Australia and Amber's old schoolfriend from nursery school in SA. At least I don't feel too isolated, as long as the computer works. It is my lifeline throughout the winter months.

So, as my good friends and family enjoy the summer sunshine I hope they think of us snowed in as we rapidly head towards the 'season to be jolly' I love Christmas.

Hazel xx

Happy birthday to my nephew Luc in Johannesburg (who sadly I have never met!) he will be 3 on Monday 12th. Also happy birthday to my other nephew Alec, in Adelaide (also never met ) who turned 6 on November 9th.