Thank You for Your Hospitality

  Hospitable : given to generous and

cordial reception of guest

Today, dear ladies, marks my second year blogging anniversary.

Can you believe it?

 

As I sat thinking about what blogging has meant to me, I realized that it is like being cordially

 welcomed into your homes.

 

Kind of like my  daily visits to my MIL's apartment.

We don't intrude on one another's privacy, but one of us drops by each day just to say hi and see what the other one is up to that day.

We talk about what projects we are working on or what we are going to prepare for supper.

 We might discuss a book we're reading or a DVD we enjoyed watching recently.

 

Here in blogland we have the advantage of learning about life in parts of the world that we may never have opportunity to visit.

I think that is very much what blogging has been for me.

I am so blown away when I occasionally visit my stats and find that someone in Croatia, Indonesia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Poland, Australia, Russia, Greece or France have bothered to visit me!

I was just thrilled to get visitors from the U.S. and The United Kingdom.

Anyway, it is just so amazing to me and I guess what I'm am trying to express is my thanks to all of you who have been faithful followers here at my blog.

 And please know how much I enjoy visiting yours.

I'd better shut-up now before I start thinking I'm Bob Hope and begin singing,

'Thanks For the Memories'.

 

Have a great weekend friends-Kimberly



Driving the Superior

 

As many of you know my husband and I have recently moved  to a Northern Ontario community.

 It is located almost exactly half way between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay.

If we want to shop in the 'Big' city we have to drive five hours to one city or the other.

 We opted for Thunder Bay this time.

 



The scenery is gorgeous as you drive along the lake.

There are many high cliffs or what I call mini-mountains!

When we arrived we booked a room at The Prince Arthur.

It's a historic hotel located near the waterfront in the old downtown of Thunder Bay.

My husband always wanted to stay at The Prince Arthur

and now he can say that he has.

We had a beautiful view of the harbour and waterfront from our hotel window.

We later walked the over-pass and toured the park just like we often did when we had lived there several years ago.

Here is a close-up of the lighthouse.

You can see from this photo what a gorgeous day it was there Saturday.









This is a photo of the Sleeping Giant.

 I wasn't able to take my own because it was cloud covered while we were there.

The Sleeping Giant is Thunder Bay's 50 million ton mascot!

The Ojibway people, who have made Lake Superior their home for over 500 years, identify the Sleeping Giant as Nanabijou.

Ojibway legend has it that Nanabijou was turned to stone when the secret location of a rich silver mine was disclosed.

If you are looking for a summer vacation, the Circle Tour around Lake Superior has fabulous scenery.

 I like it in both the summer and the fall when the foliage colours are so vibrant.

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I couldn't close without showing you a photo of the most patient man in the world.

 Well, at least he was on Saturday!

My MIL and I dragged him through two Salvation Army shops, a Value Village store, Canadian Tire, The Home Depot, The Home Store, Dollarama,  and then on to The Hoito to eat.

Finally, after hours at Wal-Mart I ask him if he would mind running over to Chapters for me to buy a book I had picked out for him for Father's Day.

He was more than happy to oblige.

All in all he's a pretty good guy, I think.

I hope you all had a good Father's Day weekend as well.

                                                      Blessings-Kimberly









Forget Me Not

 

This evening I wandered out to our backyard to gather a small bouquet of one of my favourite Spring wildflowers-Forget Me Not.

It was a beautiful evening.

 However, the mosquitoes and black flies were wanting to have me for  their supper.

So I didn't  stay out very long.

I did manage to get Tim's Grandparents clock unpacked and placed on a shelf today.

A big accomplishment, eh?

Several of you have asked for photos of the house, but I just don't have it put together yet.

I guess I'm getting slower in my old age!

But I can show you a shot of our backyard leading out to the alley.

We have our own little bridge that crosses over a small creek bed, which is full of Marsh Marigolds right now.

I hope someday to plant a vining flower over the arbour.

And look what else we have.

A visiting fox.

I couldn't believe it when I say this fellow across the street this morning!

Do you think he's followed us from Goulais River?

Or maybe he just called a relative of his and told him to drop by to see how we're making out.

Whatever the case may be, we've sure enjoyed watching him!

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I want to say a big thanks to the Sherri and Pat for instructions on how to change my banner!

It may take me a while to collect the photos I want, but I will get it done-someday.

Blessings to all-Kimberly

 





 









Summer Tour of Homes

 

Today I went on a Summer Tour of Houses.

It is a tour of 25 amazing blogger homes.

It was hosted by Gina at  The Shabby Creek Cottage.

Honestly, if your day is anything like mine has been, this tour

will work like a  tub of  hot Calgon bath water in taking

you away from reality for a while.

 

What is my whine? I have no phone yet!

Yes, so sad something like this can send me over the edge....

I know it's just a culmination of so many things, not just the phone.

I'm not going to go into all the bloody details.

I mean really, who wants to hear it?

But just to give you a little taste of what's been happening with this move,

and remember this is just a taste.

The day we went to pick up our moving truck and trailer we were

informed that they only had a small trailer available.

We were booked weeks ahead with this company.

So to make a long story short I had to leave a lot of my

stuff behind!

I wouldn't have minded lightening my load at all.

But it would've been nice to have known ahead of

time so I could have picked what I wanted and

didn't want.

 

In the end I keep telling myself it is just stuff.

I have my health. We have shelter, lots of food,

and opportunities ahead.

 So what really do I have to complain about, right?

 

As far as the phone goes, we had made arrangement way ahead of time to have it connected last Monday.

I was expecting a VIP call today which I was

unable to receive.

But that's life.

 Little bumps in the road, they call it, I guess.

All I know is that I'm so...glad tomorrow is a new day!





The Worlds Worst Blogger

 

Yes, I know I'm right up there as one of the Worlds Worst bloggers lately.

I've just been so darn busy it seems.



I did take the time yesterday to step outside to take a quick tour of our new yard here at the new house.

As you can see my Spring flowers are just blooming!



When we looked at the house to buy, everything out doors was covered in snow.

It was a nice surprise to see this sweet cement border, with cement houses all around the front flower garden.

They need a little re-freshening, but that will come with time.

And lastly, here is the screened in porch off of our garage.

I got a feeling I'm going to be spending some quality reading time here this summer.

Believe me, I can't wait!









Migrating Geese and the Bear Visit

Hello Friends

We are right down to the wire now. It's Wednesday night and we  have the truck  loaded Friday morning.

Whew!

I am putting my video of the geese that flew by over the lake

on Memorial Day as I promised I would. Play it if you'd like.

It won't hurt my feelings if you don't.

Like I told my husband I sound like a ten year old, not a lady who's pushing 60. He just laughed and said that the voice on the video sounded exactly like mine.

Thanks honey, just what I wanted to hear.

Migrating Geese

Click above to see video.

 

This photo of the bear is blurry because it was dusk and I ran to get the camera but I didn't have time to make any adjustments on it.

After all, I wasn't sure how long he was going to hang out in the yard.

There is a little story behind this bear sighting. And you can laugh if you want or you can say that ladies really wacko.

I can take it...

But for at least the last two weeks I have nearly daily told Tim that it was going to be hard leaving here, but if I could just see a bear one more time before I go I'd be happy.

And, lo and behold, on Memorial Day evening he shows up.

Yes, you know where this is leading....

I happen to believe this little bear visit was a gift from God.

I do believe that he cares about even those silly little things in life that make us happy and bring us joy, don't you?

Here's an unusual photo. Do you see the bear?

Somehow the packed boxes were reflecting on the window as I was taking my picture of him.

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I hope this finds you all well and enjoying the somewhat late Spring.

I'm off to catch up now on your post.

Blessings-Kimberly

 





An Amazing Memorial Weekend

 

Two of our four children and their families were able to join us for the weekend, the weather was perfect, and we had a visit from

several of our animal friends; Mr. Fox, Mr. Bear, and hundreds of migrating geese!

Here is our newest addition to the family-Brigam with

his mother and our DIL, Lauren.

Of course, everyone wanted to get there hands on the little fellow!

Here's our g'daughter, Starlet with her cousin.

Lambie was hamming it up for me as usual.

Reece and Papa appear pretty enthralled with their

Mickey Mouse DVD, don't they?



It was so wonderful to have the kids here for our

last weekend on the lake.

It was good for Emily, Clayton, and Lauren to

all have a chance to re-connect and catch up

again too.

Maybe someday we'll get all four of the children

and their families together.

Can't wait!

I don't want to over load you with photos, so

I'll try to get back tomorrow with my

animal pictures.

Happy Memorial Day to all of you who are celebrating it today.

And my deepest gratitude to all of the men and women who

serve in the military and to the families of those who have

given the greatest sacrifice to keep our countries free

and protected.

God Bless You All

and

Thank You





 



 

 

 

 





Heart Attack Time

 

When I looked at the calendar today I realized that my moving date is only one week from tomorrow.

Yikes!

Of course  I had to put my back out of place....

Not by lifting a heavy box.

No, I managed to do this by twisting while I was throwing

an empty box into the back of the car.

Fortunately my chiropractor was only half a block away

and was able to fit me in later that day. But the forty five

minute drives back into town since for appointments

have been a real pain. Especially now that my time

is so valued.

Well that's enough whining....

House & Gardens Home Tours

Since I've been spending so much time sitting, rotating between ice packs and a heating pad, I've had plenty of time to collect

a mountain of ideas for decorating the new (really old) house.

poppyview.BlogSpot

I seem to be drawn to all things kitchen!

Well, that is the heart of the home after all, isn't it?

poppyview.blogspot.com

This kitchen was sure a cute re-make.

I love the mix of so many colors she's displayed here.

To be honest, I've been admiring a few bedrooms too.

What I need to do now is quit looking and get busy

sewing something. Anything!

I really love the bright colors in this comforter.

Don't you think this would make for a cheery bedroom?

Here is the place we will soon be calling

'Home Sweet Home'

I'd be lying if I tried to tell you it isn't going to be

hard leaving the lake to go to a house in a small town.

 

But I know there are seasons for everything and

when we fully retire the plan is to come back to

the wonderful Gitche Gumee.

 

Be Blessed My Friends

Kimberly













Fabric Inspiration

 

While browsing through the fabric shop for a new bed comforter (yes, they sale all kinds of other home decor products too), I ran across this bright and summery lime buffalo check fabric.

I knew for the low sale price on it I had to have it for our new living room curtains.

Next I found this coordinating bird of paradise fabric that also has the burgundy of our leather couch and the lime green of the buffalo print.

This will be used for sofa pillows.

My original plan was to cover the leather with a white sofa cover, but after much research I couldn't find one that would fit the sofa properly. And I sure wasn't going to pay $500. for a custom one when my plan is to replace all of the living room furnisher next year anyway.

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It was a gorgeous sunny day here today.

 It was such a thrill to see the sheets flapping in the wind again

 and then tonight we'll enjoy their sweet freshness at the days end.

Now I'm wondering what's happening in your neck of the woods today?

Are you working in the garden or doing a Spring housing project?

Or maybe, like me, you're just relaxing and enjoying

 the long awaited sunshine.

Finally!







Before and After

 

Before

After

An old pair of shoes I was going to get rid of

just got a new look.

What do you think?

Should I go paint the town red in them?





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Dreaming and Planning

 

As the moving day draws closer I am dreaming and planning in my head how I want to decorate each room of the new next  house.

You know how it is....

I wondering where I'll place each piece of furniture, wondering whether I'll want to paint the walls this color or that color, and what pictures would look best where.



I decided it might be smart to go back and review the things that I liked about the homes I've had and decorated in the past.

This is the kitchen from the home we bought on the lake right after we sold our business eight years ago.

 It was a camp, so we pretty much gutted everything and started over.

It was so much fun!

I designed this kitchen counter and my FIL built it for me.

I wanted it open for displaying all my retro kitchy stuff.

As you can see, I really loved red.

I still do.

But I believe I'll use it as an accent color for my new kitchen, not the dominant theme color.

 

This house was a real labor of love.

My MIL painted cabinets, my FIL made the counter and hung all the open shelved cabinets. 

 This was the home my husband cut his teeth on

concerning his carpentry skills!

Wow, looking back on this has really brought to mind some really happy memories we all shared creating this kitchen.

houzz.com

And now I leave you with this inspiration piece for our next kitchen.

Will I be brave enough to actually do it?

Well, only time will tell......



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What a Week...

 
This last week has really been a roller coaster week.

After all the negotiations and the dealings I don't mind saying I felt spent.

But now it's settled and we have a new town to move to and a new dwelling to move in to.

I spent a good deal of today searching the yard for signs of Spring.

I found a Marsh Marigold in a flower bed.



 I found this. Whatever it is, I know it spreads easily.

And it blooms a pretty purple flower.

The gulls were noisy today and seemed to be

having a gay ole' time in the water!

The water was so calm and clear today I could see the rocks shining through.

When the lake is shimmering it always reminds me of Anne of Green Gables.

After crossing over a rumbling bridge she looks back at the water and says,

 "Good night, dear Lake of the Shiny Waters. I always say good night to the things I love, just as I would to people. I think they like it. That water looks as if it was smiling at me.

L.M. Montgomery

And now I say good night to you from my own shiny waters.

I think Anne and I might have been kindred spirits

had she been for real......