WREATHMAKER

Have a wonderful Christmas, dear friends!

Last week I spent a lovely afternoon with Cindy of Oakview Cottage . Cindy and her hubby have  a lovely home near the Red River. She gave me a cute star made from sheet music, and that got me started on a few little paper projects. I had an old music book  so I mod-podged a few candles, and then used my hounds tooth wrapping paper to cover the back of a hutch. Nice little changes, and fun to do….

At this time of year, Tartan seems so appropriate. I am joining Mary at Little Red House with a few photos of Tartan around my dining room. Thanks, Mary!

A few weeks ago Pat from Back Porch Musings created a post using Lenox Holiday . It appealed to me, and I thought I’d try something similar, using that as inspiration. This is my humble effort: The cake is the fruitcake I bake every year.…(we happen to like fruitcake!) I have been a follower of Pat’s blog for a long time, and appreciate her beautiful photos, and the poems she often quotes.

On Sunday we saw a wonderful live production at the church our son and Daughter-in-law attend. It was called “One Quiet Night” and deals with the hectic pace at this time of year, and what it can do in families. That Mom was totally frazzled! Eventually, she realizes that she needed to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. I can certainly relate…can you? Our granddaughter had the part of one of the children in the family, and did a great job. We were so proud! She plays the part of the eldest daughter. So today, my wish for you is that you enjoy the season for it’s real meaning, and let’s not let the shopping, decorating, cooking, etc., get in the way!

  I am once again joining in with Mary’s little Red House for her weekly look at lovely mosaics. Yesterday we attended the annual Pineridge Hollow Christmas Home Tour. Besides seeing lots of beautifully decorated homes, the five of had a really fun time. One of us is a professional decorator, but that didn’t stop the rest of us from chiming in with our ideas and comments! The youngest among us was my 12 year old granddaughter who especially enjoyed carrying around the pet cat at one of the homes. Burlap, lanterns, and mercury glass votives: A tablescape using fresh pink flowers, and burlap again… Notice the two trees flanking the fireplace… the candles in the fireplace were placed on slices of birch wood (very pretty!) I loved this bed…a birch bower was built around the four poster, and hung with evergreen and crystal…we all chuckled at the mental image of our husbands crawling into this bed! Outside a home which featured retro furnishings and acc...

I don’t ever remember picking flowers from my garden in November, but this year is very unusual. There are still a few brave petunias, daisies, and rosebuds. Of course dusty miller and ornamental cabbages are quite hardy, so they are still nice. I made a little arrangement for my kitchen.    Over the summer I picked hydrangeas and dried them by leaving them in a vase with just a small amount of water, which evaporated as they dried.  I have gathered them together in a silver pedestal bowl. And finally, a very pretty purple mum, in an arrangement given to me by a dear friend: Now , pop over to Tootsie’s blog, the gal who hosts  “Flaunting your Flowers” every Friday.

Last week we visited the Vancouver Aquarium…time well spent. I was intrigued by the jellyfish, each one unique…. I am joining in with Mosaic Mondays , with thanks to Mary.

Yesterday I posted photos of the flower market at Pike place here . There is so much more to see at and near the market, but because our trip was a one day whirlwind affair, I know we missed a lot. I loved the colourful peppers arranged in wreaths and swags Oh, seafood!   We stopped for lunch at Ivar’s, a waterfront restaurant we had visited about 30 years ago when our children were young. The food is still great! To “top” it off, some of us went up on the space needle…not me! (can’t do heights) If you want to see more of Pike Place Market, Judy at My Front Porch has some great photos in her interesting post today.

This week we spent a few days in Vancouver, British Columbia. We drove to Seattle for a day and visited Pike Place Market. I just loved the beautiful bouquets and cut flowers! They were also reasonably priced, but since we were cross-border shopping, we couldn’t bring the real thing home, so I took lots of photos to enjoy in the coming days when snow flies… Even though these aren't my flowers. I am taking the liberty of flaunting them over at Tootsies anyway.

  I had no idea I would have any flowers to show this week…we are having an unusual fall season. After an abundance of rain this last summer, and then a light frost, we had lovely warm weather followed by cool sunny days. I am so happy I didn’t rush to pull up the annuals as some , like the petunias, are nicer now than they were all summer.  The few alyssum I have are totally covered in bloom!  There are many more flowers to see at Tootsie’s place, and thanks Tootsie, for hosting again.