Bastille Day at Wellington Garden Centre

Wine tasting at a beautiful garden center. What a perfect thing to do on a perfect evening in July.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to work in such a place?

Everywhere you look is another beautiful vignette.

Strolling the grounds, I don't believe it is possible to take a bad picture.

 A little wine turns the evening into a special affair.

 Robin can't resit a chance to fool around. ("The devil made me do it!" he would say)

So many blossoms. Here are only a few.

Ever the practical ones, we went home with a new hoe. Next time though, I think I bring home this:

I will sew cushions for it and put it in a shady spot. And then when you come over, we will relax on it and enjoy our iced tea.

A little OCD moment.

Had to do something about my ribbon collection. Especially after looking at all the links on this blog:

http://wookiemouse.blogspot.ca/search/label/ribbon

Started like this:

Took over an hour to remove them from their restrictive packaging. Boring and tedious. I used to think that I didn't like to open new spools because they stay so neat in their packages. After this morning, I know now that it is because I don't like to waste my time trying to get the plastic wrapping off.

Then the fun part. I sorted them by colour. Made cardboard dividers for their drawers and popped them back in the desk.

Took a  trip to town for some items for tomorrow's party. Ice, a bucket to hold the ice and bottled beverages, limes. Stopping at the best little used store in the country, I snagged a basket, silver plate pie server in "my" pattern, a plaque that says "carrots", a pepper shaped salsa bowl, terracotta pot, RETRO FABRIC!

Metal tray with a lovely summer scene. Ahhhh....

More retro fabric.

Was planning on buying four hanging baskets to go in the patio holders that son-in-law gave us. Found them on sale at 33% off so went home with six baskets for the price of four. You can never have too many flowers.

Time to done my scullery maid's ensemble and ensure the threshold beckons my guests with a gleaming welcome. Wish you were coming too.

Shopping Spree and Fabric Flowers

Went to my favorite re-sale shop today. Riddle Used Store in Athabasca, Alberta. Had in mind a retro look for a barbeque I am hosting this Wednesday. Came away with dishes and doodads and magazines and cookie tins, and plant pots and the list goes on.  Baskets, fake fruit, scented wax for melting.

A charming salt shaker, I have named Sherman.

A cute cow pitcher that hence forth will be known as Gertrude.

Lots of plates in retro patterns and colours.

Delightful pasta bowls and a Morrocan inspired mirror.

A couple of pieces of barkcloth.

And much more, all for about $10. It is the best little shop in the world. Well, at least in the world, as far as I venture out into it.

On my last trip to the Farmer's Market, I purchased two packages of pre-cut fabric circles. Each bag had about 100 circles  in coordinating patterns and colours. What to do with a bunch of circles? I stacked them, sewed on a button, snipped them and put them through the wash and ended up with cheerful flowers. A little thick for a page embellishment, but I think they would be dandy on a card.

Going out to start the lawn mower. I am telling my self it is like going for a walk, and that is supposed to be a good thing to do. I am not convincing me very well. I should be having a cup of tea.

Welcome summer! Come in and stay awhile.

Ahhhh.....June. The most wonderful time of the year. The sun beckons. Fluffy clouds cause me to stop and ponder their ever changing beauty.

  Blossoms abound.

Dandelions go to seed, and distribute said seeds in flower beds and tilled areas.

Well, it can't be all good. And I do enjoy the cheerful yellow blossoms at the beginning of spring.

We've made great strides on the garden house this week. It was delivered last summer,  but I was stalled on the interior prep for some time. Turns out I had picked the wrong colour, and that made all the difference. Florentine Plaster does not evoke the feeling of an Italian getaway. It would be more aptly named Boring Beige. While painting the girl's room at Easter, I happily found a shade called White Rock which is actually a pinky yellow. And soooooo fitting to shabby and retro decor. So three and a half gallons to the interior of the garden house and then the floor. The floor! The floor! It make the space so civilized.. Laminate from IKEA's "as is" department for $7 a box.. "Start the Car!" is right!

And then we transferred all my funky furniture and terrific treasures, from the garage to the garden house.

Time for iced tea in my big girls play house.

Pop on over,. There is plenty for sharing.