BOO & MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I have been kind of busy this past week, a lot of driving.

Finally I have gotten most of the Halloween signs done.  This year I did something a little different.  I love the wood I used for the signs.  It was pieces of old drawer fronts from a chest of drawers we could not repair.  I like to use old salvaged pine for signs because it just looks so nice.

I loved the wood so much I did not want to waste any of it so I painted Halloween on one side and Christmas on the other.

My customers who visit my Etsy Shop WICKED FAERIE QUEEN get twice as much for their money.  It works out well when you have a lot of seasonal ornaments like I do, saves space.

This little witch makes it on a sign every Halloween, I always want to keep her for myself but she always sells right away. 

I have some larger signs coming out this week too made from a gorgeous old set of drawer with a nice beveled edge, ohhhhhhh, how I love old pine.

AHHHHHHH.....AUGUST!

It has been such a busy week that today I just noticed we are already half way through August, where has the summer gone?

 August is a bittersweet month for me.  I love the summer's bounty in August.  All of the fresh veggies, and the corn!  How I love that delicious, buttery  cob.  We just had some fresh from the farm last night.   It is so nice to eat fresh vegetables every day.

It is also Sunflower and Gladiola time.  Big bright yellow faces and a rainbow of Gladioli splendor.  But it also reminds me that summer is winding down.

The days are still hot enough for picnics but the evenings are getting cooler and sometimes it is nice to sit around a fire.

It is the time of year for the fairs to come to town.  Before you know it the Fall Fair will be here in all of it's Autumn glory.

The August skies are alway filled with fluffy white clouds, there seem to be more this summer.  And the evening sky is ablaze with stars so many you think you could reach up and pluck one out and hold it in your hand.

So I will savour these last days of summer in August.  I will hold on to them as tight as I can and hopefully they will last a little longer.

OOLALA...CREPES!!!

I have been a long time lover of Crepes.  If you have never had a Crepe I am sure you will want to try them after reading this post.

The Crepe is a French paper thin pancake.  Made with basically the same ingredients as a pancake but much more liquidy.  Poured into a hot pan and in seconds turned into a deliciously, thin, crisp on the edges delight.

There is a great recipe at CUBAN MARKET PLACE for the perfect crepe.

The Crepe is filled with just about anything.  Most people are familiar with the Sweet Crepe.  Filled with fruit and topped with powder sugar or whipped creme they are simply fab.  For a devilishly delicous treat have your Crepes with melted chocolate.....soooo good!

Savory Crepes are to die for!  I made a batch for our Christmas Party a couple of years ago.  I added fresh herbs to the batter and served them with a variety of fillings like rice, chicken, veggies, and spiced beef.  There is nothing like biting into that soft yet chewy Crepe filled with something yummy like smoked salmon, mushrooms or asparagus.  You can roll your crepe or do the traditional triangle fold which is great for appetizers.

I love making Crepes, they are really easy, don't worry if the first one does not work out it never does.

To my delight I was watching the Foodie show " You Gotta Eat Here" which features Canadian Food from across the country.  There was a segment on Crepes, sweet and savory.  Like a gift from the Crepe Goddesses, the restaurent was not far from me, in Port Dover, Ontario.

The Crepe House features a huge selection of Crepes, from Breakfast Crepes to Dessert Crepes.  The one that caught my eye was the Turkey Crepe.  Filled with the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Fare, it looked absolutely scrumpcious. Being a vegatarian, I will have them put my turkey on hubbies plate but I cannot resist the dressing, sweet potatoes, cranberry and gravy.   My husband and I are going out there on Tuesday to give it a try, I am sure we will not be dissapointed.

Port Dover is a nice little community filled with shoppes owned by Artists and Antiques people.  It sits on the Grand River.  Well worth the visit if you are in the area.

I hope you have enjoyed this taste bud titilating post and if you have not had Crepes it makes you want to try them soon.

THE SWEET SIMPLE LIFE!

I had to go into the "City" this week.  Now, we live near Ancaster and Brantford but they are smaller "Cities" and don't bother me so much.  Hamilton is another story.

The conjestion, smells and soooo many cars just drives me crazy.  Too many stop lights, too many "mini malls".

It took me so long to get to my destination, almost as long as it takes to drive on the highway to ours sons near Toronto.  I could not wait to get home to my little piece of Valhalla.

As I drove down our sweet, quiet country road, I did not see one other car.  Just the cows, sheep, horses and fields of green.  I thank my goddesses everday for the life I have here.  The bliss of fresh air and quiet.

Give the the country life any day. 


Images from  PINTEREST.

THE UNION JACK FOREVER!!!!

I love the Union Jack!  Being part British I saw it all my life with my Great Grandparents. And of course being Canadian it was our flag until 1965.  There is just something about the design that I adore.

You see the Union Jack all over in fashion.  Something as simple as this lovely cardigan pattern from Ravelry to a beautiful gown or these fabulous pants on Kate Moss, these were made from a vintage Union Jack and actually sewn onto her for the shoot.

Or how about a fab handbag or tote,  I love the last one.  The first one is only $79.99 and the second is a real bargain at $22.99, both available through Amazon.com.

How about a gorgeous time piece.  These clocks are really lovely or something a little more personal like this watch from LUULLA, I think I am going to get this at just $19.99 and $5. shipping how can I not?

 Home Decor has just gone wild with the Union Jack pattern.  Love the sofa and dresser but this JACK PORTER Chair really does it for me.  At $8,625.00 I will just have to look at it in pictures.

You can go for something smaller like this adorable stool or make your own table from an old electrical spool or just about any flea market find.  I made a great footstool from a small antique one I had.  I just painted the Union Jack onto heavy cotton then distressed and polished it.

Or maybe just  a throw rug or a throw pillow.  The Union Jacks in design are not just red, white and blue anymore.  I think the other colour combinations are so chic yet organic looking.

If you don't want to go all out why not just hang a picture on the wall or add a funky teapot or cup like the gorgeous one in the middle with the Union Jack and the bunting ( that's another whole post just on bunting) from NOT ON THE HIGH STREET.

A Union Jack throw always looks fabulous like these from AN ANGEL AT MY TABLE.   I love the idea of sleeping under the Union Jack especially with a great vintage looking quilt like this one from  R & H BABY AND CHILD.

Whether you choose a little Union Jack or a lot of Union Jack, there is just something about this grand old Royal flag that adds a bit of class to everywhere it goes.