All Things Green

My mantle is all dressed up and ready to go for the 17th! (I'm thinking it looks a bit sparse though... maybe needs some different colours added to the mix. I'll have to be on the lookout for some extra things to add to the collection between now and next year.)

I stitched this piece in 2009, but this is the first year I've had it displayed. Didn't have it done in time to have out that first year, and last year it was packed away while we did our renos, so when I unpacked it this year, it seemed like it was brand spankin' new!

LUCK

by Bent Creek

This mug is very special to me. It belonged to my Nana and I can still see her sitting in her chair with her hands cupped around it drinking her morning coffee. I know her and my Bampa made a trip to Ireland once in their married life (I don't remember when, so I'm thinking it was before I was born), so I think this may have been brought back from that trip. I never noticed the band of little shamrocks (so cute!) until it came into my possession when she died. Now, I don't drink coffee or tea, but I still love it and the memory behind it.

This sweet little gem also came from Nana's house, in amongst a pile of other hankies. Did it come from that same trip? Did she buy if for herself, or was it brought back as a souvenir for her daughter Dorothy? I guess it's something I'll never know, since my Dad and his whole family are now gone...

I am truly thankful to have these cherished treasures to remember them by.

Tracey

Another Blast of Winter & A Finish

I wish I was writing that winter was finished for this year but not a chance. Woke up to a winter wonderland again this morning. Looks like another good day to stay inside and stitch.

I am happy to have another finish under my belt for 2011! At least this vintage snowman looks like he is happy to have more snow... means he'll get to stay around for that much longer :^)

I know you read a while back that I was hoping to have this one finished before Valentine's Day (ha ha), but I'm sure you can all relate... picking up something new to stitch and putting those other projects on the back burner. Well, that was the case with this one.

So I think I will get Mr. Snowman and his little friends all framed up and tuck them away until later (much later) in 2011... when we are actually looking forward to having snow again.

Now onto stitching something a little more spring-like...

Tracey

TUSAL- Post #3

New moon = TUSAL update.

Yes, some threads have been added to the jar.

Dreary, drizzly day here... the perfect elements for a stitching day.

Tracey

Luck O' The Irish

March is here, so it's time to gather up all things Irish and green to display on the mantle.

You may remember the heart garland I crocheted for Valentine's Day. Well on YouTube I found a video on how to crochet a shamrock. Along with the video, the lady gives you a link to her blog where you can print off the instructions as well. I have to admit the shamrocks were actually easier to crochet than the hearts. It took 5 minutes to make each one so the whole thing took a little over an hour to complete.

It's always fun to add a little extra something new to each holiday collection every year!

Tracey

I've tried soaking, I've tried scrubbing....

.... oh wait! That was the Ring Around the Collar....No, really. I HAVE tried soaking and scrubbing!!!! .... My shower that is.

A few years ago I remodeled my teeny-tiny bathroom and because of space limitations I had to have a custom built shower installed. I love it by the way... Thanks again Ryan! Oh, I remember how excited I was when I got to clean my shower for the first time because I knew I would no longer have to scrub endlessly. However, much to my dismay I can't say the same thing for the floor of the shower. I chose the marble shower and the base of the floor is textured to avoid slippage of course, but I cannot get it clean. I have tried everything.

I've used every type of cleaning solution you can purchase, I've used home remedies: lemon juice, baking soda, peroxide, vinegar, every kind of scrub brush imaginable to get in all the tiny crevices. I even bought one of those flat rubber plugs to plug the drain, filled the floor base with water, added bleach and left the bleach bottle on the plug to ensure it stayed in place. For 8 hours!!! It helped, but not much.

Nothing really addressed the problem. Until now! I purchased the Enjo cleaning system. For those of you who have never heard of this product, it is simply 'cleaning cloths' that you only use with water, no other cleaning solutions. Just water. I was skeptical for years despite all the rave reviews. But I was seriously getting tired of my weekly cardio workout in the bathroom. Well ok.... almost each week (guilty sulk).

Yesterday I participated in a "Vendor Day Fundraiser' and I kept staring over at the Enjo booth. Do I? Don't I? Do I? Don't I? So I moseyed on over to the booth to speak with Jamie and I finally decided to purchase this product after thinking about it for close to 2 years now. Remember, the 30 day rule. Wait 30 days before making impulse purchases. So I did the math and concluded that I have waited 24 times and I am justified in this purchase.

So Sunday morning when I got up I decided to try this Enjo cloth and prove everybody wrong and get my money back with my 30-day guarantee. Suffice it to say... I will not be returning this product EVER!

The main reason I wanted this product was for my tub, but the shower floor is my 'bonus'. When we remodeled, I had my cast iron claw foot tub refinished. However, with the new finish, you cannot use any harsh chemicals to clean it. The problem is, with the skin conditions in this family we tend to use a lot of product that has oils and that causes a lot build up. I wish I could impress upon you that my arms are in good shape from all that scrubbing, but I confess to say that when riding in my friends convertible last summer I commented on the noise of the flags flopping in the wind as we drove by our friends house. She promptly informed me that it wasn't flags, it was my arms making that noise as I was waving to them.

While I'm cleaning the shower I decided to only clean half, take a picture and post it to show the difference this cloth makes. The results are from a one-time clean. I am confident with regular use of this cloth I have finally found the answer to my cleaning problem!! to contact my Enjo rep, just click on Enjo anywhere in this posting.

And of course, for the followers who have read about my cat... yes she was right there to help as usual! Next week, I'll post the before and after pictures of the bathroom.

Finally, a solution to the 'stain look' floor.
I LOVE Enjo.

Sushi, of course, always there to help!
So they say animals take after their owners,
does that mean I'm always curious and nosy, or always there to help?

The Red Carpet...

.....or wooden staircase. Same thinnnnngggggggg.

As I arrived at Tracey and Paul's to dine before the Oscars (see previous post), this is how Tracey greeted me at the door. Jolly good fun.

Stunning in her shimmering emerald evening gown adorned with a satin sash, and complimented with a turquoise orb necklace (not to be confused with an ort) Tracey certainly makes the Best Dressed list. Topping the Worst Dressed list is Melissa Leo in her white lace gown with gold tinfoil underlay. Definitely not my cup of tea.

And many thanks to Tracey for not dropping the F-Bomb in front of millions of viewers/followers. Tinfoil appears to have the tendency to to make you ramble and curse. Tracey, I'm glad you chose to wear satin.

In reference to our previous post... tonight I will sleep royally. Colin won Best Actor, The King's Speech won Best Movie, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay ... and Bob's your Uncle.

Cheerio !

It's OSCAR Night !!

I love the Oscars. Probably because I love movies. I love movies probably because I worked in a movie theatre from the time I was in grade 6 until I was married and had my first child.

Now when I say movie theatre I am talking about the Kineto. (Pronounced Kin-ett-oh.) The Kineto has been in operation since 1905 and was family owned and operated by the Rumfords. It was sold in 1977 to the local Kiwanis Club who still own and operate it as a non profit venture. But here is the unique part. Before the Kiwanis Club renovated it, the concession booth was not separate from the theatre. Which meant I could watch the movie from start to finish while working. Every night, every weekend, every movie, for free.; and paid to work. Talk about luck.

Hence, my love for movies and the Oscars. There aren't a lot of people I know who share my love of the Oscars and I had commented on that to Tracey just last week and she said, I'll watch the Oscars with you! So that's the plan. We are going to get together to watch the Oscars and cross stitch of course... but.... it gets better!

Wait for it....

Paul's New Years resolution is to make dinner for Tracey every Sunday. So he's invited me to dine with them and Tracey said "Come over early so we can watch the 'Red Carpet' "

I have found new Oscar friends!! I asked Tracey if she was going to wear her evening gown, so that I knew what to wear, but she informed me "unfortunately, it's at the cleaners." I'm secretly thinking about showing up in one of the evening gowns from the kids 'tickle-trunk'. shhhhh...don't tell her...

I don't know what Paul is preparing, but I am hoping that it is some True Grit followed by a dish of the Kings Peach cobbler. Don't look for us because we won't be on The Social Network tonight or out on The Town, because we will be watching the Oscars for 127 Hours and it will be so Biutiful. The Kids Are All Right, they can get dinner for themselves.

I really want Colin Firth to win! I love him and he did a fantastic job in this role. So did Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen - she really had the mannerisms of the 'The Queen Mom' down pat. Can you tell what my favourite movie is...??? It was a little difficult to picture Colin as anything but Marc Darcy, but he pulled it off magnificently. My fingers are crossed for the King!

Marc Darcy - looking adoringly at Miss Elizabeth Bennett in
BBC's Pride and Prejudice.

Marc Darcy - looking adoringly at Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones Diary.

Now here he is looking adoringly at Bonnie as she journals about him on her blog.

... and now here is is looking adoringly at Bonnie as he invites her into the tub.

The Queen looking adoringly at The King after his speech.

The King looking adoringly at his speech therapist during his speech. 

Long live the King. ooops, too late... Long Live the Queen.

Does anyone remember singing that in school? We used to have to start the day with the Lord's Prayer followed by the Royal Anthem. We would stand, face her picture, hold our hand over our heart and sing this song:

God save our gracious queen!
Long live our noble queen!
God save the queen!

Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save the queen.

Man, I'm dating myself!
Might as well, I'm not dating anyone else.
Bonnie