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Alfresco Dining...

Today is the first of Autumn, a perfect, cool, Autumn beginning...as we watch the leaves change shape & colour, it signals the beginning of another season, my absolutely favourite season...we continue to enjoy the sunshine during the day, with cooler evenings. Alfresco dining, casual, relaxed, yet understated sophistication...perfect against the beauty of the changing backdrop...

So from me to you, Happy Autumn, and I hope that although these images represent Spring, you enjoy them as I do, as they represent a new season in all its glory...

Enjoy the unfolding natural beauty around you...

Me, me, and more me.

photo source: squareamerica.com

I have been asked to write six interesting things about me by the talented (and fellow Canadian) Design Ties ladies. You know me, I always fail miserably with the whole blog awards and tag thingies... I have never been one to be great with rules. However, something about their request/command that I take part has prodded me into action. Fear not - after this one, I will go back to my lazy ways! Because really, there is very little that is interesting about me. I kind of wear myself on my sleeve, you know?

~Sigh~ Here goes (now is your chance to click on out of here):

1. I cannot physically dance in public unless I've had a few...and because I rarely have more than a glass of wine or two, dancing and me rarely partner up. But when we do, I can dance!!


(photo credit: Anne Taintor)

The rhythm, normally suppressed within me unleashes in a fury of Eighties and Nineties glory! Now, I'm not a geek -I won't moonwalk (although I know how) or do any dances that you see groups of drunken wedding guests doing in a circle or line. No, I pull out my Madonna and C&C Music Factory moves and squeal if the DJ puts on a 80's New Wave song by Depeche Mode or the like. Am I embarrassed the next day? Heck no! I am not that girl on the dance floor who thinks she's a Pussycat Doll!!! My next dance gig? My brother's wedding in July! Get your tickets now!!

2. As much as I love babies, I have to say I am really loving the early teenage years my sons are in. Their humour and insights make them so interesting to talk to (when they are up for talking). A few weeks ago, my sons and I stayed up till midnight discussing so many topics - dating, drugs, poverty, discrimination, school, their futures...I counsel and try to advise (and impart moral lessons, of course) and I love to hear their opinions on such matters. I pray the lines of communication will remain open and that they take the best paths for them.

But not leave me. I'm kidding. I think...

That said, I am also trying to brace myself for the scary stuff.

3. I measure my success as a parent by how my children treat others. I teach acceptance, not tolerance, as tolerance suggests the individual is doing something we must tolerate. I love that my eldest calls people out for discrimination and for treating others badly. He is like everyone else, flawed, but he is someone who gets the message...truly gets it. Sometimes I think he is more mature than me. His dad and I always say: he got the best bits of both of us and cast off the rest. He guides his younger, care-free brother and scolds him as needed. It is funny to watch sometimes. Other times, not so much!!!

And they face the wrath of me if they don't hold the door for others. Seriously, it makes my blood boil when anyone does that! The next worse thing is if you don't thank the person holding it for you. Adults do it all the time.

4. I think, think, think, and worry even more. Sometimes I wish I could silence my thought processes. Ideas pop into my head constantly and I seem to look at things lately and wonder how to improve, alter, recreate them, instead of just enjoying the view. I thought that a return to writing would quiet my creative yearnings, but instead they have just intensified. Conversely, I worry more than ever. I worry about the economy, war, pandemics, terrorism, family, financial security, people. When I read that back, I guess that is not so strange at all. I am sure most of you fret over the very same things...

5. Simplicity and simple things make me happy. Going for a drive with my husband, Tim Horton's coffee in hand; watching my boys play basketball, sitting down to Sunday dinner; playing Scrabble; walking and talking with a friend; spending time with my girlie; and shopping with the women in my family (shopping with anyone, really). I love the thrill of a great bargain, making things myself, and planning birthday parties for my kids. I don't wish for millions, someone to clean my house, or fancy cars. I dislike pretention, and would rather be heard than seen. I root for the underdog and admire people but never worship them. I give compliments honestly and can spot transparency from a mile away. I am intimidated by those with tons of self-esteem, and recognize it as my problem, not theirs. Big egos repel me, and I won't stroke them for all the tea in China. I care about others' problems, but lose respect when they don't wish others well. I am the fiercest of Mother Lions, and take no prisoners if my children are threatened.

6. I am embarrassed by how much talking I just did about myself, and I have just written my final me-me (is that what they are called?). I look forward to reading others', but the pot is empty for me. We are all interesting; but it is so much more fun to draw people out with questions, don't you think?

Another final bow...

I am stunned.

Again.

I just discovered (while attempting to renew my subscription) that Canadian Home and Country is closing its doors.

What's next? Country Living? Martha Stewart Living? House and Home?

My mouth hung open when I received word that Country Home was no more. I didn't see it coming, nor this one.

Is this the end of all great magazines?

Whiteport for home...Chic, Classical, Versatile & Timeless

I love white in interiors. White is such an easy base palette, it never dates, & always works regardless of your interior architecture. In my constant search for beautiful pieces, I was delighted to find the gorgeous online white homewares business, Whiteport.This is the brainchild of Jennifer McCabe, a Sydney business woman who in leaving the corporate world, discovered an unfilled niche for classic & timeless white interior homewares.

"Whiteport is a way of life; stylish, relaxed and comfortable. We believe every product we sell should improve your way of living. Our mission is to inspire a Whiteport lifestyle in every home. Whiteport offers a unique range of premium and affordable lifestyle products, all themed around a stylish white palette. Why white? Because white products are simple, timeless and complement any colour scheme. “There are no limitations when you decorate with white,” Jennifer states.

Share what Jennifer has created in her divine Sydney home, in the February 2009 issue of Home Beautiful (pp 22-27), & visit www.whiteport.com.au to see the gorgeous pieces you can find for your own home haven!

The Girl in me...

I played in this on Sunday:

I wasn't exaggerating when I told you that the play house is as much mine as my daughter's! I decided to poke my nose into it to make sure it was wintering well (and it was) and when Sophie caught wind of what I was doing she duly followed me inside. Although it was fairly cold, we had a lovely little meal of (plastic) spaghetti and meat sauce, replete with crusty bread and smoothies. She tossed in some plastic strawberries and cherries into her toy blender, and within seconds we were (pretend) sipping on a seriously delicious drink. I held her baby while she cooked and the sun coming in the peak's window warmed me as I pretended to eat and care for my toy grandchild. I didn't feel at all silly, as the joy she got from rediscovering her playhouse was contagious. She had forgotten this, and had wondered where that had been...she was in her element.

And I was in mine.

Twenty cold toes later (we took off our boots to protect her hardwood floors - like every good Canadian does), and we headed inside for some real hot chocolate.

The next day, when the sky was dropping snow and freezing rain upon us, she asked if we could do it all over again...

The grown-up in me declined.

I don't particularly like frozen toes...

So I "ate" this instead:

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If you want to see the rest of Sophie's playhouse, go here!

Dreaming of Slipcovers...

above photo: Country Home.com

My living room is still in need of two things: an area rug (which I refuse to buy until I can find one that I both love and can afford) and a new slipcover for the comfy armchair in the corner of the room. While it is not offensive in any way, it doesn't reflect my style. I bought it because it was the nicest one in the furniture store at the time, and it fit the requirements of what I was looking for in a chair.

As I search for the perfect fabric (again, one that I love and can afford), I find myself browsing beautiful sites online where the slipcovers leave me longing for something equally lovely. Patience is not my virtue, but it seems I will have to master it anyway...

Now, for your viewing pleasure:

Above photo source: Flickr.com

above two photos: Country Home.com

I think I am leaning towards a powdery blue fabric, with a piping in a fun, retro fabric. I'll see what I can find...

No, (gulp)...that's not mine.

I love order.

I'm hooked on it, in fact.

I love hitting the aisles at Homesense where they have all of the great storage solutions like beautiful baskets, boxes, hooks and more. I am not a cluttery girl at all. I find it torturous to sit down and have my cup of tea until the kitchen is tidied; and orderly spaces send a feeling of calm through every cell of my body until I am completely relaxed. I clean my "junk drawer" once a week.

So how did this happen to me?

I snapped this photo after Christmas and thought about making it a screen saver to shame myself for letting things get this bad. However, simply taking the photo and admitting my messiness spurred me into action. I plunked myself down on the floor and began the organization process from the bottom up. Out went the toys that had somehow landed in there, the Christmas wrap I didn't even know I had, picture frames that I could put to use, and extra linens, that I finally admitted I didn't need, were packaged up and put in a pile to donate.

Table linens were reorganized into a neat stack, bed linens were folded as best I can (I refuse to try to fold bottom sheets like Martha instructs), pillow cases wrapped around them (which is such a neat trick), and all of my fabric remnants were neatly folded and placed in a zippered plastic case that some new curtains came in. Curtains are also a problem for me: I keep buying them!

So a good hour later, and here is my new and improved linen closet. Not as pretty as some (certainly no cedar lined shelving!), but it gives me that calm feeling every time I reach in to retrieve what I need.

I can't believe I showed you that! Gives new meaning to "cleaning out my closet," doesn't it?

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Head on over to see Julia at Hooked on Houses. She is hosting a round-up of what everyone is hooked on. I can't say I liked showing what I did, but don't worry...everyone else is showing something pretty!!

When I was young and foolish...

Check out this flower pot cake I made many years ago for a fundraising cake walk. My boys were not yet in school, so where I found the time or pateince to attempt this, I'll never know. Apparently, I was channelling my inner Martha, or something like that...

I do remember the process of making this masterpiece, however. The daisy petals were flattened, sliced jumbo marshmallows with orange gumdrop centers; the hyacinths were made of (food-coloured) puffed wheat (assembled like Rice Krispy squares), and the tulips were fruit roll-ups wrapped around a marshmallow, and snipped with scissors to mimic the tulips petals. The actual cake was baked in a clay pot, removed, and then iced in clay-coloured icing (tricky getting just the right colour...). I recall the cake being very tipsy, and probably too soft, as the flowers were threatening to topple over and out of the cake. Although I was mighty proud of this creation (proud enough to snap a photo, apparently), I think it sold for a measly $15.00.

Slap!

What an insult!

And I even made a little ladybug out of a red M&M, studded with melted chocolate polka-dots for authenticity!

Some people know nothing.

But I'm much wiser now. In fact, I have chocolate chip muffins baking at this moment.

Courtesy of Quaker Oats.

Martha Stewart has indeed left the building...

...or I'm older and wiser!!

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Although I was dumb enough to try these.

Good looking, but good for nothing...

Even though it's completely shallow to go for looks only, we've all flirted with it; and some of us have even fallen for rugged good looks with little substance. As visual beings, we are easily distracted by charm, chiseled features and attractive first impressions. It is not our fault - we are bombarded on a daily basis by the notion that beauty can camouflage imperfection.

My advice on this topic: resist temptation! Rebuff that gorgeous but good for nothing piece of...................................................furniture, lighting, you name it. Heed your mother's advice: do you want a chair that just sits there, empty - looking beautiful but so not comfortable or sturdy? So unreliable? Do you want to be the one to clean up after that retro-modern shag rug...shine the silver service for twelve that looks worse for the wear after just a few times out of the case, or dust the intricate light fixture with one hundred crystals? Basically, ask yourself, is the beauty of the object in question worth the extra work, discomfort or high maintenance? Does it give back in any way other than just setting pretty, waiting for you to compensate for its shortcomings?

It's up to you. But here are a few items I won't be investing my time, money or emotions in, any time soon:

This sofa/daybed by Jonathon Adler is drop-dead gorgeous, in my book. The colour is perfect, the lines are lovely...but look closely: just how functional is it? Sure, it would serve fine as a place to nap on, but would you really want someone curled up there unless they were adorned in pristine, white clothes. There is no room for dusty, bare feet or errant drool here! Then try using it as a sofa. What do you lean against, the wall? You see? Sometimes the most lovely pieces fool us. In fact, this piece might be the perfect metaphor for the handsome, but aloof, self-absorbed male (or female!). Sorry Jonathon. It is stunning, but a bit of a letdown...

Now, when I first laid eyes upon this photo, I was hard pressed to find any faults within its delicate beauty. Who could find fault with white, soft pink and great architectural details? Well, from a design standpoint, only a fool perhaps. But if you are an everyday homeowner, even without kids, would you really want to maintain the cleanliness those white, painted floors command...and deserve? Honestly, unless your hair was white - or both you and your spouse are bald - stray hairs, crumbs, tea splatters, even dust bunnies would look downright offensive on that floor. I know many of you adore painted white floors. I do, too. But I also know I am not committed enough, nor willing to take on the high-maintenance issues that go along with them.

The above photo shows a mirrored kitchen back splash (this was the best photo I could find). While this can look quite sleek and sophisticated, and reflect great light back into the room, all I can think of is do I really want to Windex my back splash each day, and do I want to see the back of my toaster and coffee maker? In a word, no!!

The photo below shows my worst nightmare: floor to ceiling stainless-steel kitchen cabinets. Have I told you lately how much I despise cleaning my stainless appliances? I don't even find this look particularly attractive; but I liken it to the flashy good-looking man who tries too hard...over-gelling his hair, tanning all year long, and wearing too much cologne. Throw in some manicures, teeth-whitening and other metro-sexual habits, and you don't want to go this high-maintenance!!

Now tell me, what will you not venture into in the quest for design beauty?? Does beauty always win out?

Dare to Dream...

Don't these images just make you feel hopeful?

Hopeful that the snow will soon melt, the birds will return, pussy willows will bud, and picnics will be possible again?

As my boys head off for a day of skiing (yes, on a school day!) with their dad, and I ponder taking a walk through slush and ice, I will cling to these thoughts and know that sooner or later, spring will come and melt all of this blasted snow!!

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images: (top) decorative country living.com

(bottom) Ideal home.com

Lunch By The Pool?

The Plantation Group is an Australia furniture & homewares company based in Sydney, that offers the most divine range of furnishings, including day beds, sofas, armchairs, side tables, coffee tables, dining chairs and indoor/outdoor homewares. The group umbrella incorporates the brands Kenkoon, Kettal, Water Hyacinth and Plantation Outdoor. Whether you want something stunning for beside the pool, for entertaining, for indoor relaxation, every piece of furniture from each of the four collections is meticulously designed & crafted, and offers a kaleidoscope of colour for any interior palette. I don't quite have the outdoor aesthetic (yet!) to house such beautiful furniture, but it is definitely in my decorating plans! Visit http://www.plantation.net.au/ to view each of these divine collections, and if you are in Melbourne, I can highly recommend a visit to Grant Dorman Interior Products, at 544 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn, Victoria (http://www.grantdorman.com.au/, or phone: 03 8525 8825) where you can enjoy actually sitting in some of these fabulous pieces of furniture. Grant & his staff are wonderful, and will help you with your every decorating enquiry (and you can take away the Plantation Group catalogues for your own decorating reference).

Trip the light Fan-tastic!

What is that saying about turning lemons into lemonade?

Well, I think I did just that on Sunday afternoon. We outfitted Sophie's room with a fan when we built our house nearly four years ago. We decided on a fan as the summers here get quite muggy, and I am not comfortable with leaving her window open at night (a healthy dose of paranoia is a mother's prerogative...). Thus, I chose as unassuming a fan as I could find; but let's face it, fans are not known for their unique beauty!

So, after having fairly cool summers for two years in a row, I decided to continue to live on the wild side after dabbling in red during Sophie's room make-over. Perhaps I could do away with the fan and select something more fashionable? After a quick search, I did find a beauty of a fixture, replete with an etched glass drum shade (sooo pretty). But sadly, it was $250 - a figure I could not feel comfortable with spending for a variety of reasons, the main one being that it is a complete budget breaker!!!

Never one to be deterred by a lack of money, and in keeping with my theory that you can redecorate by shopping from your own home, I took a hand-me-down drum shade (given to me by my sister), combined it with a light bulb moment (which occurred one insomniac night) and fashioned a new light fixture for zero dollars!!!

One aching back (from reaching up to unscrew the fan blades), a blistered finger, and a few mild curse words later and I was the proud owner of this new light:

Realizing, as I gazed up at it, that I did not like the finial that came with the shade,

I remembered the pretty glass finials that came with the $3.99 curtain rod I purchased at the Christmas Tree Shop last spring. A quick change of a screw and it fit perfectly. So much better!!

This is the view of the light from directly beneath:

Not perfect, but good enough for me...and free!! Now don't worry - I will change out the ribbon for fishing line, but of course, I was too impatient to wait!! I like immediate results!!
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And I guess I'll have to shop for a floor model fan for those muggy nights this summer!!

Also, check out the windowless window seat we made for her room!

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**If you want to see other ten minute make-over ideas, head on over to Nesting Place:

And if you want great frugal tips and inspiration, check out this great round-up here:

Happy Valentines Day.

Whether You're Married, Single, have family, or are with friends, have a wonderful day celebrating with the ones you love...

Love Hearts Fudge

Need a last-minute recipe for a treat to send in for your child's Valentine's party?

Although we were encouraged to send in a healthy treat (which I endorse, of course), I don't want to be the mum who sends in broccoli and dip.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

No sir. I want to be among the ranks of mums who send in something that Sophie's classmates might ooh and aah over as she passes her treat around the class.

So, I made my Valentine standby, which I have been sending in for years with my boys and now Sophie:

Love Hearts Fudge (makes 36-48, depending on size)

That was the picture, now here is the recipe:

milk chocolate layer: 1 1/4 C milk chocolate chips

1/2 C sweetened, condensed milk

dash of salt

white chocolate layer: 1 1/4 C white chocolate chips

1/2 C sweetened, condensed milk

dash of salt

**Line and 8x8 baking pan with tin foil; set aside. In med.-sized microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate ingredients and microwave for 30 second intervals (takes approx 60 seconds total). Smooth and spread chocolate into pan. Wait until slightly cooled and set. Then add white chocolate layer. Let set a few minutes, then score into equal pieces (you decide the amount) and put Love Hearts (conversation hearts) candy on each square. Chill uncovered in fridge at least two hours. Cut and put in mini-muffin cups.

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I also wanted to thank everyone for their great, kind feedback about my four-second question. I feel so buoyed by your response and I am so glad I don't have to edit every post into four second sound bites!! You are a wonderful bunch of caring, talented women (and a few men, too!!) and I so appreciate you actually reading what I take the time to write. I think we are all unanimous that blogging is a lot of work, but can be so very rewarding.

Thank you and Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Four things in four seconds?

Julia, from Hooked on Houses just got back from BlissDom, which is a huge meeting of bloggers for bloggers, and she wrote a little list of what she learned there. The thing that shocked me the most is that, apparently, most visitors stay at your blog for an average of only four seconds.

Four seconds!!! Is that right? Because if it is, that means I am spending far too much time writing my posts! No, I choose not to believe it. Because a talkative gal like me can't possibly write a post that can be read in four seconds...

Instead, I will go with the four theme and offer up four things that are on my mind:

1. Does it make me a bad mother if I book a hair appointment for my daughter during school hours?

2. Does it make me a really bad mother if, on the way, I buy her a Cafe Mocha, albeit decaffeinated??

3. This display of compassion and sharing made me so happy and sad: the look of such a hungry child looking so earnestly into her eyes...I don't know how she didn't crumble into a sobbing mess, knowing that his own mother cannot give him what he so desperately needs. Heartbreaking and heartwarming...

4. I'm sorry, but I just can't get past this: do most of you really spend just four seconds scanning each blog? Because I don't. I may not get around to as many blogs a day as I'd like to, but I certainly give more than four seconds to those I visit. Unless, of course, they haven't posted new material since my last visit!!

I need to know. And if it's true, I apologize for my run-on posts...and I had better start taking and finding more pictures!!!!!!

The Joy of Friendship to Make You Smile...

Today is a special birthday for a friend of ours. Six of us enjoyed a wonderful breakfast celebration this morning where we shared laughter, converation, flowers, yummy food, and lots of smiling :-) It was the perfect way for her to begin her birthday, & the rest of us were shared in her enjoyment.

With the tragedy of the Victorian Bushfires, every Australian, and in fact many nations from around the world, are feeling the grief and overwhelming sense of loss from afar. As a result, I don't recall a time in my life when I have ever witnessed such phenomenal generosity from the Australian Community and our overseas friends. The outpouring of donations of services, products, essential items, care, kindness, food, shelter, warmth, compassion and incredibly kindness of heart has been so incredibly moving. People from all over the country and globe, individuals to corporations, have given so much, that as a Victorian, I want to personally say thank you for helping in so many ways. As human beings, we all want to do what we can to help rebuild the lives and communities, and nurture those in such need.

This morning was a wonderful reminder that to being happy is vital for our wellbeing, and sharing special occasions is all the more fantastic when it is shared with wonderful friends...Life is precious, and it is a journey that we must enjoy in everyway...thank you to all my wonderful girlfriends, and a special happy birthday to one of you today:-) CJ x