Feeling Good Friday - My guest blogger

I can't believe it's already Friday!  It really should be called 'Feeling Good' Friday, because when you stay at the Cranberry Portage you can't help feeling good.  I'm being treated like royalty; from the gourmet meals (Luckie is amazing in the kitchen), to the memorable excursions, to the quiet times when we just talk (it's been great getting to know Jeff)!!! Luckie and I already have a 'pile' of special memories, and now, thanks to her commitment to our friendship, I have many more to think about.  I can't wait to place my ceramic dish (painted by me) and hand-made towel set (made by Luckie with Love) in my new kitchen.  Every time I see it, I will remember by dear friend. Thank you for being you!!! 

Your forever friend,
Lorna

Cinnibar Wine Tasting Room, Saratoga

Lorna's serving plate from Petroglyph, Willow Glen

Luckie's new syrup set for her B&B

Washable Wednesday - Reversible Apron

When you use a particular kitchen item, you would want them to be easy care and ironing required.  Lately the items I am making have to meet those requirements.  It's a great gift for people who love home made crafts and are original.  Sometime in November, my neighbor and I are thinking of having a One day boutique sale in our area.  Which is the reason why I have been busy sewing different items that are easy to make but are very useful.  For now I just wanted to share the items that I made for my friend Lorna.  Since she recently moved to a new home, she has different color scheme for her kitchen.  She wanted some kitchen towels but I added a potato bag and a plastic bag holder.  I can't remember if she wears apron when she cooks, but hopefully now she can because she will have one that is reversible.

Tailored Tuesday - Not really but close enough

Yesterday morning I asked Jeff to put our little flag holder outside with my Canadian flag.  After searching the garage and inside our home, he could not find it.  I have been wanting to make a seasonal flag for our outside front door.  There's several flags that you can buy but some of them are a little too expensive for me.  What usually happens if I want something, I end up making it.  It so happens that I have some left over fabric from making potato bags, etc.  Although I have never done this type of flag, I thought I will just wing it and be creative.  I started measuring the holder for the hanging part and the length that I need.  It took all of an hour and a half to finish my first seasonal flag.  The colors are just in time for autumn but with the flowers growing it's like spring.  Anyway, introducing the flower flag.

The sun in the corner makes the flowers bloom.

Momentary Monday - BFF's visit

Just got a call from my BFF (Lorna) and she's on her way.  I am so excited because she picked me to be her first holiday after retirement.  Although I got a chance to see her last month, it is still something I look forward to always.  She mentioned that she has a little surprise for me but she's not sure how well it will travel.  At first I wonder, could it be a Beaver Tail (my all time favorite pastry from Canada).  Now I just need to be patient and wait.  We have been friends since 1995 while I was on a two year assignment in our national headquarters.  She was also on assignment and we got along right from day one.  We both have been present at our second wedding.  Sometimes we would travel together to places that are both new to us.  She's always been there for me, through good times and bad.  For my 50th birthday, my retirement party and most special when I lost my son.  She flew to be by my side, within a few hours after I told her the saddest news of my life.  Oops, I got carried away.  This is actually a special post to let everyone know what a special friend she is.

I have planned some interesting things for us to do while she is visiting.  In case I miss my daily post, it means I have having a great time with Lorna.  Today I have been busy sewing some things for her which I hope she will like.  It's a surprise so I won't post it until later.

This was three years ago when I visited her the week of her birthday.

 

Special Sunday - Happy Thanksgiving Canada

Happy thanksgiving Day to all my family and friends in Canada.  When I moved to California four years ago, we celebrated the Canadian thanksgiving at our home since my friends from Canada were visiting.  It was fitting to have a small gathering and they were so happy that we had a thanksgiving dinner.  The second year, we still celebrated it but only my MIL and my cousins were with us.  The third year, we did not do anything since everyone is not really into it in October as they only celebrate the US thanksgiving which is the last Thursday of November.  Since every Sunday we have my MIL for dinner, it's almost like every Sunday is a special day.  It all began the year I moved in with Jeff and we have continued since.  Since Jeff still works, the weekend is perfect for spending time with family.  Although I see my MIL during the week, Sunday is her time with Jeff.  Let us give thanks to all our blessings.

Simply Saturday - My new bed ensemble

It must have been all those beautiful fall colors that inspired me to start looking for a a new duvet cover for our bed.  After checking several stores, I ended up buying it at Kohl's using my the discount that my MIL gave me for this week.  Today I decided to make some new decorative pillows to match our new bed ensemble.  Two of the pillows were the right size and I thought of just making a new cover.  The one accent pillow was a different shape and I actually did not have enough material so I just used left over fabrics.  My friend Jean was over last night and she was giving some ideas on what color to use as accents.  She couldn't believe that I did all that sewing just this morning.  I asked Jean, my sister and my daughter to pick one arrangement of the new pillows.  Introducing my new spring like bed ensemble which makes me really happy every time I go into our bedroom.

My sister liked this arrangement.

No one chose this one.

Jean and Alysia liked this one.  Notice the word on the lace of the middle pillow.

All three pillows were made within a couple of hours. I was very pleased with what I had accomplished this morning.  It was nice to have left over fabrics, lace and buttons.

Friendship Friday - Thank you

Friendship is sometimes complicated but most of the time is just easy, fun and amazing.  Last month I was very lucky to be able to reconnect with some of my BFF's and special friends and of course my immediate family.  It was also a beginning of new friendship which makes life full and complete.  Today I wanted to acknowledge those friends that made my trip so special.  Of course I am so grateful that I was able to spend time with my daughter and her hubby who has a very busy work schedule.

• Percy - thank you for everything.  The road trip was short but sweet and I am glad I did not have to experience "quiet time".
• Rose and Lulu - thank you for taking the time to hang out including our golf and casino day but mostly just talking and sharing about life, reminiscing and how to fold t-shirt.
• Lorna - thank you for having us for part of the weekend during your moving days. Percy and I had a good time organizing one of the rooms.  I wish I could have stayed longer to assist you with your closet.
• Bob and Jacinta - thank you for getting everyone in Ottawa to come out and meet us for drinks at the pub.  It was such a nice surprise to see the rest of the gang.
• Catherine - thank you for taking time off your busy schedule and meeting Alysia and I for lunch.  I'm sorry that I was not there 100% but I know you understand.
• Al, Christy and Maricris - Thank you for lunch and for taking the time to hang out.
• Manny and Carolina - I'm so glad you guys were so flexible in getting together for dinner, last minute plan and it all worked out.
• Marg - Maybe nextime I'll try to stay a little longer than half an hour but I am still glad that we were able to see each other even for a short time.
• Sandy - Spending the day with you in the country and seeing all the changing of leaves was very peaceful.  The side trip that we took made my visit more complete. Thank you.
• Russ - thank you for making a detour to meet us for lunch. I hope you did not miss the appointment with that guy.  Hopefully you enjoyed the treats along the way.
• To all my friends who attended the Wednesday get together at Lone Star, thank you for taking the time so we could all reconnect.
• To my friends who worked downtown, thank you for letting me in the building in order to reconnect with you guys.
• Alex and Jamie, it was a fun-filled awesome wedding.  You two will have a happy married life for many many years.  Jeff and I had a great time and it was nice to reconnect with other friends from our work.
• Anna - thank you for getting up earlier in order to meet us for lunch, then coffee and a ride to the airport.  It was nice to take the airport train from T3 to T1.
• Alysia and Mike - Thank you for showing us what downtown living is like and of course all the training of how to take public transportation.  It was fun but sometimes a little overwhelming.