HAPPY HIPPIE SUMMER & A LITTLE GIVEAWAY!

We are in the middle of a very hot summer and nothing feels better than wearing a floaty, long hippie dress.

There are some beautiful dresses out for the summer.  Long, light with gorgeous patterns.

There is something for everyone.  Retail stores carry some really nice, reasonbly priced ones, we all cannot afford to pay the $300.00 price tag of the last dress by Free People, although it is yummy.

And to finish the look a fab hippie/bohemian bag.  Roomy, gorgeous colours.  You can find some great vintage ones in thrift stores, Ebay is another great source.

I love the cloth bags but if leather is your thing than this GYPSY TRAVELER BAG from luxdivine on Etsy is for you.

To celebrate this summer of Floaty Hippie Fashion  I am giving away one of MY HIPPIE HEART Necklaces from my Etsy Shop, WICKED FAERIE QUEEN.

This is AZURE SKY and it is hand wrapped organic cotton, hand beaded and finished with a sun charm.  It can double as a bracelet.

The Giveaway starts today and I will draw on Saturday June 27th.  

Just BE A FOLLOWER and LEAVE A COMMENT on THIS POST.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

WE AREN'T IN KANSAS ANYMORE DOROTHY!

It has been a few days since I have posted.  The weather here in Southern Ontario has be sweltering.  Friday we were suppose to have rain which would cool us down.  There was a Tornado warning for Mississauga where my son and his family live.  Well, he was lucky enough that it passed his area but...

 ...here in Jerseyville we were not so lucky.  Around 5:30 the skies got dark,  the dogs were out and it started to rain just a bit.  I went to the gazebo to put the cushions away and the winds started.  Slightly at first and then they picked up.  I heard trees cracking all over the farm.  I ran and brought Atticus and Daisy inside but could not find Rufus.  The rains were coming in torrids and the wind was blowing harder than I have ever seen it.  Lightening came right after thunder.  I finally found my boy and we went for the safety of the house.  My husband was at work and I called him.  There was a huge crack of lightening and the phone went dead.  About 20 minutes after it started it stopped and the sun was blazing again.  I went to check the damage....

 ...this huge tree hung over my studio.  We had just talked about cutting it down.  When I first walked outside I knew something was different but it took a minute to realize the tree was not over the studio.  At first I thought it had blown to the other side so I went inside thinking the roof was caved in.  The studio had an inch of water all over the floor from the french doors being open and anything that could blow around had.  When I went back outside that is when I saw that the tree had been ripped out by it's roots and was resting on another tree.  Poor Atticus did not know what to think.  The tree in the first pictures was an old 4 trunk beauty by our screened room.  It was struck by lightening and one 30 foot trunk fell across the farm onto the fence resting on the neighbours porch.  Thank goodness just the top fell on their house with a little damage to the eaves trough.

A tree on the other side of the studio fell right beside it resting between the studio and the fence, another tree we had just talked about cutting down.  The tornado ripped through the part of the farm near the studio and luckily away from the house.  We have lots of debris in the front and back.  Amazingly none of the gardens were damaged or the outdoor furniture.  The house was saved as were the out buildings.  We have a lot of huge trees down and a lot to clear up.  Thank the goddesses our animals and ourselves and neighbours were safe.  Just around the corner they did not do as well.  One person lost their home when a massive tree fell on half of it and that road, which is covered by forest on either side, is still closed.  We were without power for 15 hours which was an inconvenience but a light price to pay.  This weather is very unusual for us, we have always been fortunate to live in a pretty good area.  I cannot imagine the devastation for our neighbours to the south who get this weather all the time. 

That is an update and I must go to restake the tomatoes and help my husband, who rushed home that night to make sure we were safe, clean some more.  I hope you are all well and your weather is better than mine.

BABY, IT'S HOT OUTSIDE!

 I don't know what the weather is where you are but here in Southern Ontario it is a scorcher!  We had a little break last week but the heat is back.  I hope if you are not lucky enough to be cooling off in the water you are have some nice ice cold drinks today.

And let's not forget our furry babies in this heat.  A kiddy pool is a great idea for a cool down for your pups.  This little guy saw an opportunity and took it!  My three big sweeties have a nice air conditioned mudroom to lounge in and they love it.  Remember, no matter how small the dog, in this weather you are better to leave them home instead of taking them with you in the car if they have to be left inside for any l time without air conditioning and always leave a large container of water when you go out, we fill a big wagon for our guys.

And don't forget kitty, they love water too.  Fill up your birdbath for the squirrels as well as the birds.  We have squirrels leaning over into our pool for a cool down.

 

This guy has the right idea.

Now, if you see a Moose in your pool, don't shoo them away, they get hot too!

BEAUTIFUL DAY AND A POOR PUPPY!

 Good morning everyone.  It is a gorgeous day here on the farm.  The heat broke, the rain stopped and the weather is nice, sunny but with a lovely breeze.  I am enjoying a cup of coffee in the garden watching the birds and squirrels start their day.  I have a little favour to ask you this morning.

You know I volunteer with RESCUE DOGS MATCH and raising funds for these lovely dogs never stops.  We found out yesterday that this beautiful 3 year old Sharpei named Gambit needs surgery on his eye or he will lose it.  The Rescue needs to raise over $2,000.00 for the surgery.  There is a little fundraiser at PETSMART in Cambridge on Saturday and I am posting here and asking everyone if they would blab about this guy on their blog.  If anyone would like to make a little donation you can do so through RESCUE DOGS MATCH with PAYPAL, CREDIT CARD or CHEQUE.  Let's spread the word so this sweet boy can keep his eye.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER!!!!

I want to thank all of you who joined in the Giveaway to win the CUT THE CAKE Dress from SHABBY APPLE VINTAGE CLOTHING.

Without further ado the winner is.....

Number 3  Henria. O.  Please send me your address and dress size by e-mail so I can pass it on to SHABBY APPLE, they will send the lovely dress to you directly.  CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

A very special THANK YOU to the folks at SHABBY APPLE VINTAGE CLOTHING for letting me host this fabulous Giveaway.

COUNTRY STORES & LAST DAY UNTIL THE GIVEAWAY WINNER!

When I was a little girl, there was an old country store near my grandparents farm.  It was a lovely old shop that you walked down big steps into a old fashioned building.

You went through a big screen door, you know the ones with the advertising on the front.  It would slam behind you letting the shop owner know you were there.

There were wooden floors, wooden counters with glass display cases.  Baked goods and penny candy.  I fell in love with the look of this store, perhaps that is one of the reasons I love antiques now.

The old metal pop machines had all of the pop lined up inside sitting in cold, cold water.

But my favourite thing of all was the ice cream counter.  Borden's Ice Cream was served.  I adored seeing Elsie the Cow with her Daisy around her head.  We always got Ice Cream.  The outside of the store had advertising in the window and Borden's was a huge prominent sign.

Now, I occassionaly see the old Country Stores when I drive through little towns in Ontario.  There are not many though.  I envy my U.S. neighbours, there seems to be a lot more old Country Stores still left there.

It breaks my heart when I see an abondoned store.  Still standing, paint worn, windows broken, like the owner just walked out one day and left it to age all on it's own.  I really miss the mom and pop stores.

So now, when I am driving, if I take a wrong turn this is my motto.  If I see an old Country Store I stop in because you never know when you will see another.  Try it some time.  Get in the car for a drive and take the path less driven, you might be in for a pleansant surprise.

Just one more day until I draw the winner of my GIVEAWAY sponsored by SHABBY APPLE VINTAGE CLOTHING.   Go to the BLOG POST  to sign up for a chance to win this CUT THE CAKE dress.