Creative by Nature

2012-02-17T19:24:00.000-08:00

2012-02-16T20:47:00.001-08:00

Thrift Shop Find of the Week

2012-02-15T11:21:00.000-08:00

With all the knitting and crocheting I have been doing lately, I have started to check out the wool and yarn in the thrift shops once again. And look what I found! These are a linen/cotton blend from Italy. I can only imagine what they would have cost originally, but they were just $2.99 for all three for me!

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T19:46:00.001-08:00

It's Valentine's Day. Help yourself to a cookie. Which one would you like?

Afternoon Tea with Treats

2012-02-12T20:18:00.001-08:00

These meringues were achieved by adding a drop of red colouring to the whipped egg whites. I thought they would be white with pink swirls, but by the time they worked their way through the piping bag, they had turned pink with darker pink swirls. They still look lovely heart-shaped.

After baking all sorts of Valentine's themed treats, it is nice to sit back and relax with a hot mug of tea in one of my favourite mugs. I brought this Cath Kidton mug back from my trip to England this summer. I love its pretty floral pattern.

And of course it's only wise to try out some of that baking to make sure that it came out just right!

Sweet Hyacinthes

2012-02-07T13:48:00.000-08:00

These hyacinthes, bought at the grocery store, were crammed all together in one pot. Since I wanted to pot them individually, I uprooted them and cleared the soil away by running their roots under the kitchen tap. Each one was then placed in its own glass vase, with a few pebbles at the bottom and just enough water to reach the bottom of the bulb. They don't require soil to grow since all the nutrients are stored in the bulb. Once they have stopped blooming there will be no messy dirt to have to clean up, which is a plus.

I think they look lovely, even though the label promised that they would be blue. They are not pink, but a sort of pinky mauve shade somewhere in-between. The scent is quite strong and permeates the air in whichever room they are in. Makes me think I am in a florist's shop.

Lilies of the Incas

2012-02-05T19:29:00.000-08:00

With nothing blooming in the garden, sometimes you just have to depend on the grocery store to provide a little pick-me-up. That's why I have these creamy alstroemeria flowers at hand. They are providing me with something to enjoy until the next of my indoor bubls are in bloom. These hardy flowers are often the workshorses of florist's arrangements as they last for a couple of weeks and are not expensive. Available in various shades, these delicate beauties are also known as the Peruvian lily or the Lily of the Incas.

The lovely pink shading underneath graduating to a pretty green is what drew me to this particular variety.

Wooly Baskets

2012-02-04T19:47:00.001-08:00

I have been knitting up a storm since before the holidays, socks and scarves and squares for a throw. But now I've switched to crochet, something I haven't done in years. And before I knew it, I had crocheted these baskets to keep my knitting in!

A Simple Blue Bowl

2012-01-30T20:17:00.000-08:00

As is so often the case, I love the simplicity of things. I am much attracted to the understated, the unadorned. I am very much of the "less is more" philosophy.

I love the look of this simple deep blue bowl, perched on a tree stump. Who needs a side table, when a beautiful wooden stump will do the job?

After admiring it for a time, I decided to add a shot of colour to the depths of the bowl's inky blueness... a single coral bloom plucked from a nearby plant that is wintering indoors. Photographed in the window for the light, but now back in place atop the stump.

Tea-tasting Afternoon

2012-01-29T19:34:00.000-08:00

In the middle of a winter afternoon, how better to shake off the cold and seasonal doldrums than with cups of tea, and the taste of something a little exotic.

Add some traditional Chinese music playing softly in the background and some friends to share in a tea-tasting. Sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch... all the senses are engaged.

Teapots, tea cups, strainers and tea leaves set out and at the ready.

Multiple tea cups ready for heating with hot water before receiving multiple infusions of tea. A different set of cups for each type of tea.

What better way to enhance a tea-tasting than with an offering of sweetness: cookies with almond, pistachio, aniseed, ginger and orange blossom water flavourings.

With a Chinese tea cake made with pu-er tea and lotus leaves that measures about 4 inches across, you can see just how small these miniature tea cakes are. Perfect for slipping into a tiny silk purse to give away to your guests so they can make another pot of Chinese tea at home and bring back memories of a winter afternoon spent transported to exotic places for a short time. An afternoon shared with the serenity and relaxing ritual that the serving of tea offers.

2012-01-24T14:16:00.001-08:00

2012-01-21T19:32:00.001-08:00

Tea Cosies

2012-01-19T20:53:00.001-08:00

"Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cosy, doesn't try it on." - Billy Connolly

The Colours of Winter

2012-01-15T20:45:00.001-08:00

I have been known to think of winter as being shades of black and white, with perhaps a little grey and blue thrown into the mix.

What an eye-opener it was for me to be presented with evidence to the contrary as I walked along the river one late afternoon.

Such beautiful pinks and oranges, along with the blues and mauves.

For I had forgotten how a sunrise or sunset can add to winter's colour palette.

And things are not always as they seem.

Here was a reminder that we must continually look at the familiar in order to see the constant changes in what we might mistakenly believe is static and unchanging.

Brit & Chips in Old Montreal

2012-01-09T20:02:00.001-08:00

On our recent trip to Montreal we were so pleased to come across, just by chance, this fish and chip restaurant. We had been walking in Old Montreal and were getting a little hungry. When my youngest said that a pastie would be good, I certainly thought that it was highly unlikely that there were any pasties to be had anywhere near by.

But I was wrong, because just around the corner we discovered Brits & Chips. And yes, they have pasties on their menu... along with all sorts of different battered fish and fresh unfrozen chips. They aim for an authentic British feel and the prices are more reasonable than you'd expect for a restaruant located in Old Montreal. Good food, friendly service, nice décor.

Brit & Chips, the winner of the 2011 Best of Montreal Readers Poll, is located at 433 McGill Street, in Old Montreal.

Returning to the Scene

2012-01-08T17:47:00.000-08:00

A few more photos of McGill College Avenue with its Christmas lights, taken a week after the last one posted on December 29th. This time it was late afternoon as I passed by on Sherbrooke Street and there was a whole different atmosphere to the scene.

It was a chilly damp day, the kind that makes you want to stop in at cosy cafés for a hot drink. Lots of stops at lots of cafés along the way.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T10:16:00.001-08:00

A walk in the woods on New Year's Day brings beauty in all forms...

delicate seed pods...

and a spot of colour among the monochrome.

Montreal at Christmas

2011-12-29T05:19:00.001-08:00

A rosy warm glow of red and orange lights covering the trees and flowing down McGill College Avenue in Montreal.

Let There Be Light

2011-12-27T07:32:00.001-08:00

Even though the shortest day of the year is behind us, there are still lots of long dark nights yet to come. So why not bring a little light into the house with votives that you can design yourself?

To begin, all you need is a clear glass votive and a tea light, along with a selection of plain or patterned papers. Once you've selected a paper, cut a rectangle to the size of your votive and allow a little extra for overlapping. Wind around the votive and glue the overlap down.

These votives were covered with Japanese origami paper whose flecks of fiber become evident when lit by candlelight. Origami paper comes in such a wide selection of colours and prints that the only difficulty you might encounter is limiting yourself to just one. So rather than make just one, perhaps you'd like to make a coordinating set of votives in similar or contrasting colours and patterns.

This plain white paper, slightly thicker than bond paper but thinner than card stock, looks lovely when various shapes are punched in to let out the light.

A metallic finish was created by using a piece of kraft paper, then swirling and rubbing metallic paints across the surface, then going over the whole with a coat of dark brown shoe polish cream.

The possibilities are endless, limited only by your imagination. And this a is quick and clever way to instantly create votives that coordinate with any table setting you might come up with.

Indulge in a Tasty Treat

2011-12-26T20:21:00.000-08:00

Now that Christmas is done, take some time to relax and enjoy all that baking that you did in preparation for the big day, or the baking you may have received. Whichever the case, indulge yourself with a plateful and a nice hot drink, a good book and either a cosy fire to nice view to the outside. The point being, to rest and relax a little and treat yourself.

Happy Christmas

2011-12-25T19:43:00.001-08:00

Happy Christmas to all!

Last-Minute Decorating

2011-12-23T12:59:00.001-08:00

Here are some ideas for quick and really easy last-minute decorating. Each of these ideas can be achieved in minutes, and hopefully you can find most of the materials around your home.

This natural looking design is achieved by using only plant material... whatever you can gather from your garden or by trimming bits from your Christmas tree. A few evergreen boughs, some pine cones, and then if you have them... some twig and moss balls. If you don't have either of these balls you can substitute something else, perhaps a few bare branches or some berries. Try to find a container that has a similar natural feel to it.

This arrangement also has a natural feel to it but is a little more colourful thanks to the addition of the red berries, and pine cones that have been painted white. The birch branches add another shot of white and the red is emphasized by using the red container.

The absolute easiest of the three options, is as simple as finding a glass container and adding some Christmas balls.

The tone is set by the colours you choose, either a festive mix that contrasts nicely, or by going for an elegant monochrome choice.

If you have different shapes and textures in your colour range, they can add additional interest to your display. Whatever you choose, it would be hard to come up with something easier than this almost instant but snazzy display.

Thrift Shop Find of the Week

2011-12-22T09:42:00.003-08:00

When I saw these old hand-knit socks with their bright cheery red at a thrift shop, I knew right away that they would somehow be used during Christmas. So I "socked" them away in the basement with the rest of my Christmas decorations until it was time to decorate the house for the holidays.

It didn't take long to come up with an idea of how to use them this year. I stuffed them with cedar and pine cones, some cinnamon sticks and candy canes and then attached a ribbon to hang them. A very quick decoration and so informal and fun. Maybe next year they will be filled as stockings for someone, but who knows...

Quick Christmas Cards

2011-12-22T09:42:00.001-08:00

If you find that you've run out of Christmas cards, and just need a few more, don't go out a buy a whole box, consider making some.

These two designs are deceptively simple and just require paper, some glue, and a little strategic cutting.

Fold a piece of paper in two to make a card, then trace half a star (or half a tree) along the fold. Cut out around the shape, but do not cut at the fold. Then using the cut-out shape, trace around the star onto a contrasting paper, this time tracing a whole star. Cut out the star. Open the card up and glue the contrasting star onto the first star.

Open the card, making sure that the star is bent so that it sticks away from the card. Your card is done!

Follow the same instructions for this card, except, instead of cutting and gluing the whole tree shape in contrasting paper to the inside of the card, cover the whole of the right-hand side of the card in a contrasting paper. Your tree will then become half one paper, and half the other.

If you have edging scissors, you can cut a decorative edge along the side of the card.

Thrifty Birch Bark Candles

2011-12-20T21:19:00.001-08:00

After blogging on December 8th about my idea of how to get more out of candles by hollowing out a space to use replaceable tea lights, I saw another version of my idea using birch branches. They were for sale at a local Christmas Farmers' Market.

I think these look very elegant and I love that they will never burn down and have to be thrown out. And if you're handy with tools, you can make them yourself.

Vintage Ornaments

2011-12-19T21:20:00.001-08:00

Vintage ornaments can be so lovely and with their delicate colours, these are so pretty and feminine.

While it can take quite some time to find enough old ornaments to be able to decorate a tree from head to toe in vintage, the hunt is half the fun. By staying on the look-out throughout the year, you can add to your collection whenever you come across them and when the price is right.

Place Cards

2011-12-18T21:02:00.001-08:00

Even when there are small numbers, having place cards as part of your table decor can elevate a dinner to an occasion. And what better time than at Christmas to take a few minutes to place a card with a person's name at each setting? It makes everyone feel just a little special.

There are endless ways to personalise each setting, some requiring a little more time and effort (like buying a small gift for each person and wrapping it), but some of these ideas take only minutes and can be done even at the last minute.

Cutting a slip of paper, writing on the person's name, and slipping it between the tips of a pinecone is fast and easy. If you wish, you can take the time to paint the tips of the cone or add a little glitter.

If you have access to a birch tree, select a branch that is about an inch in diameter and saw small segments into tiny logs. Cut a slot along the top, write your card in contrasting coloured paper, and slide the place card into the slot.

If you are baking, you can monogram an icing initial onto a cookie for each person as a delicious and ready-to-eat place card.

Three small candy canes can be used to support a name card.

Just tie them together with a ribbon to create a tiny stand.

Small Christmas balls can be pressed into service with ribbon threaded through the metal loop and tied in a bow to hold a place card in place.

Small fruits such as mandarine oranges become place card holders with the insertion of two old-fashioned hair pins.

Push the hair pins through the rind until only the loops are still visible, positioning one directly in front of the other. Then, simply guide the name card through the middle of the wire loops.

Take a Moment

2011-12-17T19:52:00.000-08:00

With Christmas just a week away it's a good time to take a break from the chaos and bustle of getting ready for the holidays.

So step back from the mad shopping and all the items on your list to take a moment to enjoy a hot chocolate or some other soothing drink. Take the time to make it a little special, perhaps add a cinnamon stick or candy cane, froth some milk to drizzle across the top. Then sit down to drink it leisurely.

Spend those precious moments to slow down and catch your breath. Pause to consider what truly needs to be done and what isn't really all that important. It will help you gain perspective and set you back on the right path for the coming days.

Gift Tags

2011-12-16T20:45:00.000-08:00

Gift tags are one of those things you often forget to buy and only remember once faced with a wrapped gift. But they are such an easy thing to make. If you have blank tags, then it is as simple as drawing on a design with pastels, as above.

Simply gluing on a spare button makes a gift tag that is, well... cute as a button.

If you have a little more time, you can get out some markers and create something that is slightly more elaborate but still light-hearted. Best of all, you can match the tag to the giftwrap.

The key is not to stress. Almost any small scrap of paper can become a gift tag. Everyone knows about cutting up old Christmas cards to make gift tags, but any interesting paper can be used. Soaps often have beautifully designed wrappers so they are good candidates. Look around at the packaging on things you have at hand, and see what you can re-use as gift tags.

Thrift Shop Find of the Week

2011-12-15T21:04:00.001-08:00

2011-12-14T21:00:00.001-08:00

Pomanders

2011-12-13T19:50:00.000-08:00

Pomanders were used centuries ago to sweeten the air with the delicious scent of citrus and cloves. To make these lovely old-fashioned decorations, first pierce the skin with a skewer and then press a whole clove into the fruit's rind. You can experiment with various patterns. I have used oranges, clementines and lemons for variety.

If you would like to keep the fruit for years, cover the entire fruit in cloves and place in a bag with some orris root powder. Shake the fruit until it is evenly coated with the powder and remove. I have an orange that I made in this manner over ten years ago and it has dried beautifully. You can also give your pomanders a dusting of cinnamon powder for added scent.

Gathered in a bowl or hung by a ribbon, they are a traditional and natural way of adding festive touches to your Christmas decorating.

Christmas Card Display

2011-12-12T19:15:00.000-08:00

Once the Christmas cards start to arrive the question of how to display them comes to the forefront. Maybe you'll tape them around a window or door frame, or stand them along the mantle. Perhaps you'll gather them in a basket or tape them to a ribbon and run them down a wall.

Or you could try something a little different, using that classic toy from 1945... the slinky! Tape one end to a surface and stretch it out and tape the other side down, then place cards between the spirals.

Or twist the slinky into a circle and tape the ends together to make a circle, then place cards all around. If you want to make the circle larger, wrap the slinky around a glass ball or bowl (which you can fill with pine cones, cranberries or Christmas decorations) for a table centerpiece.

Gingerbread Cakes

2011-12-11T20:29:00.000-08:00

There's nothing quite like the delicious smell of gingerbread baking. And I have to say the taste is one of my absolute favourites. There is something old-fashioned and so cozy and comforting about the smell and taste of deep and rich spicy gingerbread.

I had decided that this year I was not only going to make gingerbread in a loaf pan but that I was going to make some mini gingerbread in small fluted tins.

While the large of the tins was non-stick, the smaller ones were old vintage tins. Instead of coating with oil and flour I oiled them and then sprinkled cocoa in them, so that I wouldn't end up with big white flour lumps when I turned them out. The oil and cocoa powder, worked like a charm, they slid out easily once baked.

The small tins are just two inches across, making them two-bite size. The "larger" tins are also quite small, only three inches across. Just enough for two servings. Either size is perfect for giving as gifts, especially if you like to give an assortment of baking and want things to be sampling size.

They look lovely straight from the pan, but I also like to sprinkle them with icing sugar as if they had just had a light dusting of snow.

The recipe I use makes a truly delicious moist gingerbread with rich flavour and comes from the Crabtree & Evelyn Cook Book, c1989. Here, with a few changes of my own, is the recipe.

English Gingerbread

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (I use allspice)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon ground gingerroot (optional)
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup boiling water
3 tablespoons icing sugar (to dust with once baked and cooled)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In saucepan, melt and mix in brown sugar, molasses, and corn syrup. Stir over low heat until well dissolved and mixed. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

In mixing bowl, combine flour, spices, lemon zest and salt. Add butter mixture and eggs in center of dry ingredients. Stir well until mixture is smoothly blended.

Add baking soda to boiling water, stir and add to mixing bowl. Pour over batter and stir slowly until batter is well blended.

Pour batter into a 9-inch square pan or a loaf pan (buttered and floured), or a series of smaller pans or tins. Bake in 350 degree F. oven for 30 - 40 minutes (less perhaps for smaller tins or pans). Test with a toothpick or skewer to see if done. Toothpick will come out clean when inserted into the middle of baking

Remove from oven and let cool in pan. Turn out and dust with icing sugar before cutting.

Enjoy!

Amaryllis Blooms

2011-12-10T20:40:00.001-08:00

What could be a better gift at this time of year than the promise of life and colour? Amaryllis bulbs come in an assortment of pretty colours and the size of the blooms never fail to amaze. It is such an easy gift to put together for someone. All you need is an amaryllis bulb, some potting soil and a container.

If you have ever had the disappointment of growing an amaryllis bulb that put forth luscious green leaves but never developed a bloom, do not despair. I have a small "tip" that will ensure that this never happens again. When you buy a bulb, take a close look at it. If this means opening the box that the amaryllis comes in, then don't be shy, open that box up and have a look inside.

After several large disappointments, I will never buy another amaryllis bulb without first performing this simple inspection:

Look around the top of the bulb for new growth. If there are no tips showing, then put that box back and keep trying until you find a bulb with at least the beginnings of white or green tips showing. (Don't worry that the new growth is white, it will turn green once it has been exposed to the light for a short period.)

You will notice that one tip may look a little different from the other. One tip has a little indent, or notch, at the top (the lower tip in the photo above). This is a flower bud. The tip without an indent (the upper tip in the photo) is a leaf. If you are lucky or willing to check enough bulbs, you will be rewarded by finding bulbs that have not only one flower bud tip, but two!

This amaryllis has two flower buds and several leaves coming up through the middle. Now, here's the next important point. If you buy a kit, your amaryllis bulb will come with a plastic pot of some description. While the plastic pot will do the job and certainly you can use it, why not make your gift a little more pleasing to the eye and to the delight of the recipient by using a lovely pot instead? That doesn't mean that you have to spend a lot of money on an expensive pot. It doesn't even mean that it has to be a new pot! The ceramic pot here was a $1.99 thrift shop find.

Just fill up your pot with some potting soil and place your bulb firmly on top, pressing down gently until it is securely nestled in the soil. (These bulbs like to be exposed at the top.) If you like you can cover the soil with some moss, or pebbles, or anything else you can dream up. Give it a little water and set it in a well-lit spot.

After several weeks, the stems will grow quite tall and the bud or buds will begin to open. Add a festive ribbon and it will be ready to give away. Or, give it to someone as soon as you've potted it and allow the recipient to watch it grow day by day. Once those gigantic trumpet-like flowers appear, it will seem like a little magic has occurred. A burst of colour to brighten a winter's day.

Bittersweet Chandelier

2011-12-09T16:39:00.000-08:00

This is such a simple idea but gives such a lovely effect.

Just wind branches of bittersweet or some other berry, through your light fixture for a modern chandelier-like look. If they dangle down a little, so much the better.

Candle Thrift

2011-12-08T20:46:00.001-08:00

If you're the thrifty sort, as I am, then you too probably get frustrated when a candle's flame keeps going out and there is still a lot of candle left to burn. Such a waste!

This sad fact of life led me to think up this solution. With a heated knife, hollow out the top of your pillar candle until a tealight can fit inside. this is much easier to do if the pillar candle is quite wide at the top as you don't have to worry about getting too close to the candle edge as you carve. And if you sink the tealight a little deeper than I have here, you won't even notice that it is there.

Carve, pop in your tea light, light it up, and you're back in business. Once the tealight has burned out, you can simply replace it with another. In fact, I think this is such a good idea, I might just carve all my new pillar candles and fit them with tealights before I ever use them at all.

Just think, no more throwing away perfectly good large candles after only a short use.

Garnishes for Gifts

2011-12-07T20:43:00.001-08:00

What could be prettier atop small gifts than vintage earrings or broochs? Scour vintage sales, church bazaars or thrift shops for charming possibilities. And if you've lost an earring of your own, save it to use as a gift garnish.

By choosing carefully, you can use a piece of jewellery that the recipient will want to wear, doubling your gift. If you use an earring as a garnish, consider including the other earring with the gift so the receipient can wear them later on.

Consider your giftwrap and select the perfect embellishment to coordinate or contrast beautifully.

The same set of earrings, used with different paper and ribbon creates a different style.

A little bit of sparkle never hurts, and pearls are always soft and elegant.

This informal trio has light-hearted touches. The child's gift is festooned with a tangle of paper streamers (traditionally used to ring in the New Year).

The other gifts look festive with the addition of tiny dollar-store evergreen trees, pinecones and tied with bits of jute.

Shabbily Chic Wreath

2011-12-06T19:32:00.001-08:00

This was a really quick project that came about because I wanted a small decoration to hang at the entrance to my office cubicle at work. Just a passing nod to the season, something understated but pretty. Naturally shabby chic came to mind.

The wreath is quite small, measuring less than six inches across. I began by digging out the smallest vintage Christmas balls I could find from my stash. Using a small bowl to trace around, I drew a circle on a piece of thick carboard. I cut the circle out and then cut a smaller circle from the middle to create the foundation for my wreath. I then punched holes in the cardboard and inserted the neck of a ball through each hole, holding the ball in place with a little glue. Once the carboard was completely covered I tied an old bit of pink ribbon at the top. Presto, my shabbily chic wreath was ready to hang, using straight pins through the ribbon and into the fabric of my cubicle screen.

Handy Hankies

2011-12-05T20:16:00.001-08:00

No one seems to use handkerchiefs anymore so they're easy to find at vintage sales and can be picked up for $1 or less each.

Why not use them to wrap a small gift by gathering one around a gift box and tying it off with ribbon.

They can be used inside to cushion a delicate gift instead of tissue paper.

For larger gifts, use a silk scarf. Just tie opposite corners to create a big soft bow, tucking the pointy ends into the knot. Once unwrapped, the wrap becomes a gift in itself.

Or, as in the gift below, simply tie the ends and let them dangle.

A thrift shop scarf is less expensive than a sheet of wrapping paper and best of all doesn't get used only once before it is thrown out.

Alternative Gift Wrap

2011-12-04T17:05:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been caught with a gift but no gift wrap? Or maybe you like the idea of re-using. Well, I'm posting this idea to give you time to look around and think of all the things you have that can be used to wrap a gift.

If the gift is Asian-inspired, why not use sheets from an Asian newspaper, distributed free at places such as public libraries or Asian grocery stores? Whether simply black-and white-characters or bright colourful ads, both have great design appeal, especially paired with a garnish like these Japanese chopsticks.

The newspaper is a great place to find gift wrap: brightly-coloured comics for the young or young-at-heart, the sports section for a sports fan.

If you have a movie-buff on your list, why not use the local film society's printed monthly schedule for wrap?

For the world-traveller, why not wrap a travel book or travel-themed gift in a map?

There are so many sources of paper that can be pressed into service. These wee gifts were covered in small bits of leftover wall paper. So look around at all the paper you encounter. What can be re-purposed as gift wrap? The possibilities are endless. These are just a few ideas to get you going, now it's your turn. Why not get creative?

Swag-making Afternoon

2011-12-03T19:37:00.000-08:00

Following yesterday's post on using evergreen boughs to decorate, here's a nice idea for a pre-Christmas rush get-together. Why not invite friends over for a swag-making event?

All that's required is some greenery and a selection of ribbons, ornaments and dried plant material. This is a great way to re-cycle old Christmas trimmings.

Keep things simple, have some evergreen boughs cut and sorted by size so that your guests can choose the ones that work for their project.

Once your guests have wired their boughs together to create a swag, the next step is to select a ribbon. With that choice made, zeroing in on what to decorate the swag with becomes easier. Especially if you've already pre-arranged and laid everything out by colour or theme, (for example: home-spun, glittery, or natural).

It's such fun to see what each person creates. Every swag is as unique as its creator.

And best of all, using one's hands to create something is so relaxing, a great respite from all that hectic craziness that surrounds us at this time of year. Stopping to ponder various choices, hesitating over different ways of placing ornaments, these all have the effect of slowing everything down, if only for awhile.

So, have some tea, coffee or hot apple cider at the ready to sip with conversation. And perhaps a yummy treat or two. At the end, everyone has a beautiful swag to take home with them, carrying with it some Christmas cheer gained from a peaceful, creative interlude.

December Garlands

2011-12-01T20:56:00.001-08:00

Now that it's December, I feel like I can start decorating for Christmas. I'll be sharing various creative projects and ideas throughout the month, so stay tuned.

This garland was made by overlapping lengths of evergreen, and wiring each segment where they join. A mixture of several different types adds texture and interest and in this case I used cedar and spruce. It doesn't take long to make a long length and the finished product not only looks lovely but it smells great.

Once wired, you can hang your garland from a post as I have here, or drape over a doorway or fireplace mantle. Or perhaps you'd like to wind it around a stair railing.

You can either add decorations before you put it in place or afterwards. I like to hang or drape it first so that I can see how the ornaments will hang.

If you don't have evergreen boughs you could try other branches such as twisty grape ivy vines, and bittersweet would be beautiful with its gorgeous orange berries.

So look around and see what you have at your disposal, and if nothing comes to mind, you can always use the bits and pieces you trim off the bottom of a live Christmas tree. You know, those branches that need cutting in order to set the tree in its stand.

Winter Urns

2011-11-29T20:22:00.000-08:00

As the seasons change and I ready the garden for its winter nap, there always comes the time when I must toss out the flower plantings in my iron urns at the front entrance to our home. Rather than look at two big empty urns all winter long, I always try to create a display that will take me through the winter and bring a little colour and cheer.

This year, I'm happy to say, my displays cost me nothing... thanks to a friend who lives in the country who brought me these beautiful birch branches...

and these lovely red-coloured branches.

Add in some cedar cut from my hedge, bright red berries from the garden next door, some wavy branches and oversized pinecones that I've collected over the years, and you've got a gorgeous winter urn.

Why not try creating your own rendition, using whatever plant materials you have at your disposal? If you don't own urns, any large flower pot or container will do.

Vintage Find of the Week

2011-11-27T20:51:00.000-08:00

Time once again to show you my "Vintage Find of the Week". How exciting to find this unusual wreath at a Salvation Army for $10.

The brass bells are a little rusted in places giving it a really lovely patina and vintage feel. Even though the bells look a little worn, they still make the loveliest gentle jingling sound when I give the wreath a little shake.

All that remained to do was hang it outside on the shed door.

A Mighty Oak

2011-11-26T20:45:00.001-08:00

Driving by the Arboretum today, I noticed for the very first time, this immense tree. How I have missed it all these times I don't know for it is placed quite close to the road. I was so taken with it that I stopped the car to have a closer look.

The tag on the tree identifies it as Quercus bebbianna. As you can see, the limbs spread so far horizontally, this one has to be supported.

The photos cannot truly give the sense of this oak's magnitude, not even with the bench included for scale. When you see it in person, the branches just seem to extend forever. A mighty oak indeed.

Cozy Vintage Blankets

2011-11-20T17:38:00.000-08:00

What a chilly day it turned out to be, after all the lovely mild weather we've been having. It was so cold outside that my thoughts went straight to curling up with a good book, covered with a warm woolen blanket. I rushed to our linen closet and pulled out my stock of old vintage blankets that I have been able to pick up at thrift shops for a fraction of the price one would pay for a brand new 100% woolen blanket.

The colours are so appealing and I love the ones with the striped borders. They are all soft, broken in by countless washings.

Two of them are Canadian made.

And two are from England.

But any one of them will provide cozy comfort all winter long, as I curl up in an armchair on a weekend afternoon to read a good book.

Vintage Find of the Week

2011-11-19T19:13:00.000-08:00

It being a Saturday, and an autumn one at that, I was up and out early to visit a couple of church bazaars. You know how I like to do that!

While I didn't find too much at either one, I did make my "Vintage Find of the Week". Aren't these old bridge score cards adorable?

At first I thought they were old Valentine's cards. Well really, wouldn't you have made the same mistake?

But upon opening them up, I discovered their true purpose. I was taken aback for only a brief moment...

For I quickly decided that I will use them as gift tags instead. And what sweet little vintage gift tags they will make. And what's more, I have multiples of most of them!

November, Up Close

2011-11-15T18:35:00.000-08:00

Having focussed for the past several days on the lovely landscapes November has given us this year, I thought it was time I turned my attention to what nature has to offer up-close.

Bringing the camera in close to capture the radiance of a single leaf,

or even closer to reveal the pattern on a leaf, I am reminded once again of all the beauty that surrounds us if we only take the time to open our eyes and see all that is before us.

There is also the delicate fragility of leaves, transparent in the sunshine, a reminder of the transience nature of all living things.

A gentle fluttering as the wind rustles the leaves, threatening to detach the stems from their source.

All we can do is pause to catch the moment, to take in all these miraculous details and store them for the days ahead.

November in Strathcona Park

2011-11-13T20:34:00.000-08:00

One of the prettiest parks in Ottawa is Strathcona Park in Sandy Hill, with its magnificent fountain and hilly setting beside the Rideau River.

I had noticed back at the beginning of October that the change of season seemed to be running a little late. There was just something about the way the leaves were looking, their colours weren't turning when they normally would, and then once they did... the bright oranges and reds that you usually see seemed in short supply.

It is amazing that here we are approaching the middle of November and there are still leaves on some trees, making it seem more like October. I am grateful to find the autumn days stretching out before us and to have the extra colour around to lead us into December.

November's Colour Palette

2011-11-10T19:23:00.000-08:00

At the river's edge, the blues of the water contrast with the warm browns of the grasses, producing a pleasing palette of colour for this time of year. November is usually filled with greys.

This year, the sunshine continues to provide warm colour combinations to please the eye.

Go Softly, November

2011-11-09T20:10:00.000-08:00

One of the lovely things about November, among all the doom and gloom of grey skies and shortened days, is the softness of the landscapes.

As colour is stripped from view, it is easier to discern the multiple textures that make up the endless varieties of grasses, bushes and plants that are left behind.

There is a gentle lightness to the whole... a soft fluffiness that floats on the wind.

Go softly, November.

Treasures from the Vintage Sale

2011-11-08T19:33:00.000-08:00

After talking yesterday about this year's Chateau Laurier Vintage Sale, I thought I would share my finds with you.

I have picked up and looked at this Christmas ornament from the '20s or '30s for at least three years now. The vendor keeps bringing it along every year and I keep wondering whether I should buy it. I am always attracted to it because it reminds me of a similar ornament that had been on my father's family tree and he was born in 1918. It had similar coiled wire but the ornament was a copper colour and had a slightly different shape. At some point it was dropped and broken and I still feel a pang when I think of it.

So this year I decided that perhaps instead of gazing at it and thinking about purchasing it, I should actually do so. Because I knew that the vendor has been lugging it to these sales for years, I asked if this was her best price and was rewarded with a $3 reduction. While $17 dollars may seem like a lot of money to spend, I realised that I could easily spend almost that on some mass-manufactured ornament for sale in a chain store, and after all, this particular ornament is a survivor. Likely most of the others like this one suffered the same sad fate that our family's copper ornament did.

I am so glad that I brought it home with me this year.

After deciding to splurge on my vintage ornament, I came across a vendor who had a bowl of old fountain pens for sale. I rooted around and came up with this one which I think is quite handsome. I don't know if I will find cartridges for it but I can always just dip the nib into an ink bottle if need be. It has a beautiful fine nib and was a lovely find for $10.

And last but not least, I chose these four hankerchiefs from a basket marked $2 each.

Chateau Laurier Vintage Sale

2011-11-07T19:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, once again, lovers of vintage clothes, accessories and fabric made their annual pilgrimage to the Chateau Laurier for the Ottawa Vintage Sale. Held in three spectacular ballrooms, these beautifully appointed rooms add their ambiance to make visitors feel like they have taken a step back in time to an age of splendor and elegance.

Arriving for the 10:00 a.m. opening, I eagerly stepped into the first ballroom where I was greeted by this lovely lady who looked as though she was about to share a special secret with me.

Later on as I traveled among the vendors whose booths were buried at the back of the ballroom, I came across this mannequin whose disembodied head looked so realistic it was a little disturbing!

Time to move on to have a look at this lovely collection of ladies hats ...

and this line-up of sophisticated hats for men.

If hats are not your thing, there are plenty of other accessories to tempt you. Jewellery, footwear, belts, scarves ...

and of course, handbags and delicate purses of all descriptions.

Once you have bought all these irresistible items, there are no better places to keep them but in appropriately retro containers such as these charming hatboxes and mini trunk.

I didn't take photos of the clothes but there are racks and racks of them, from Victorian times to the '80s or '90s. If you missed this year's sale, mark your calendar for next November. It truly is an event for anyone who enjoys taking a trip back in time.

Fall Bulbs, Spring Flowers

2011-11-05T20:11:00.000-07:00

How incredible that these small bulbs, only an inch wide, will become 16-inch tall stems of double narcissus with beautiful ruffly petals in sunny yellow, cream and peach. An awe-inspiring miracle in each tiny bulb.

If you haven't yet planted any spring bulbs, there is still time. A half an hour spent planting now will bring weeks of beauty to enjoy in the spring.

Happy Halloween, Montreal Style

2011-10-31T16:11:00.000-07:00

I saved these Halloween-inspired window displays that I spotted and photographed when I was in Montreal for today.

A beautiful collection of plants and objects from nature in the window of this florist on Laurier Avenue.

A collection of pumpkin and Halloween coloured clothes on this rack that surely was not accidental.

Happy Halloween!

Rock and Driftwood Memories

2011-10-30T18:45:00.000-07:00

We found these rocks on Brighton beach when we were in England in August. We had been looking for rocks with holes that went all the way through for the entire trip, and then there they were on the beach on the very last day of our trip.

When we got home I went down to the river to look along the shoreline for bits of driftwood.

After drilling holes in the driftwood...

I threaded a length of jute through each rock and piece of wood, alternating them and tying a knot between each.

Hung, they make an interesting piece of natural art, with both the rocks and driftwood weathered and smoothed by the action of water.

Saturday Thrifting

2011-10-29T20:03:00.000-07:00

I love church bazaars. They often yield some of the most wonderful thrifty finds. The church bazaar I headed to bright and early this morning was no exception.

I spotted this wonderful old wastepaper basket with its shabby chic feel for $1.00.

This great old faded print in a wonderful linen flax fabric was only 50 cents.

The stamp on the wrong side of the fabric states that it is of English manufacture.

It is hemmed on all four sides and is rectangular so my guess is that it was a runner or for a small table.

Then I came across a bunch of items that had a retro kitchen feel. Twenty-five cents for a pair of old tin cookie cutters, a cheerful orange floral reversible apron for 50 cents, and a hand-knit tea cozy for 25 cents.

Kiddie Drinks

2011-10-28T17:15:00.000-07:00

Here's an easy idea for fun drinks for a children's birthday party or celebration, courtesy of Laurier Gordon Ramsay.

1. Wet the rim of a glass (or mason jar) and sprinkle with pop rocks candy.
2. Fill glass to the 3/4 mark with ice cubes and seven-up.
3. Add grenadine syrup and a drinking straw.
4. Garnish with a slice of lemon or lime, or better yet, a candy lemon slice.

There you have it, a colourful, sparkling, bubbly, exploding fancy drink that's as entertaining as it is tasty.

Cafe Myriade

2011-10-27T18:56:00.000-07:00

If you'd like a cup of coffee that's a work of art, Cafe Myriade is the place to go. Located on McKay Street just down from Nocochi Cafe, it's small and cozy and a favourite haunt of the locals, many of whom are Concordia students.

On Sunday morning, the place was full. People had spilled outdoors on the patio despite the chill in the air. As we waited for our coffee, a spot opened up and we happily sat inside to enjoy a our morning latte and croissant.

Before we knew it, we had drained our cups.

Nocochi Cafe

2011-10-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

After shopping on Sainte Catherine Street and a quick stop at the Museum of Fine Arts, it was time to rest and rejuvenate over a cup of chai tea at Nocochi Cafe on MacKay Street at Sherbrooke Street. But what was under the teacup?

One of Nocochi Cafe's tiny cookies! Which as you can see, is as small as a teaspoon.

The owner, Shahnaz Bagherzadeh, is Iranian and her traditional Persian desserts are marketed around the world. All these wee delights are of such a diminutive size, they are ideal for sampling. Beautifully arranged in a glass case directly in front as you come through the door, they beckon with temptation ... marzipan, turkish delight, endless varieties of cookies and pastries flavoured with spices, fruits, flowers, nuts and chocolate.

Gleaming bright white walls provide a blank canvas for the deep pink of the chairs' upholstery and...

the pretty prints on the cushions that line the benches along the walls.

Nocochi Cafe is located at 2156 Mackay Street in Montreal.

Window Shopping

2011-10-25T17:40:00.000-07:00

After lunch at Laurier Gordon Ramsay we went for a stroll and did some window shopping on Laurier Avenue, which has some wonderful boutiques and windows dressed with lovely merchandise.

And then we headed to Saint Catherine Street to do a little shopping and take in some fashionable window displays.

Just like the mannequins in this window, the majority of Montrealers on this particular Saturday seemed to favor black for their outfits. As usual, no matter what their age, the women looked very chic.

Laurier Gordon Ramsay

2011-10-24T16:29:00.000-07:00

Count me in with countless others who were brought up with dinners at Laurier BBQ in Montreal. An institution for over 75 years, our family often stopped there for dinner on a Sunday night after visiting my grandmother, throughout the 60's. The quarter breast of chicken with fries, coleslaw and sauce along with mocca cake for dessert was my staple.

So it was with interest that we learned that this Outremont landmark had re-opened in August after celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, had taken it under his wing (no pun intended).

Since we were already in the neighbourhood, after picking up our cakes at Cocoa Locale, we decided to give Laurier Gordon Ramsay a try for lunch.

Redecorated inside with distressed white walls and a combination of genuine antiques and reproductions, the decor is light and bright and has a cosy warmth, if a bit on the "chain design" side. Some of the distressed bits and pieces look a little like the stuff you find in Winners and HomeSense. But we weren't there for the decor... it was for the food.

The menu retains some of the old favourites: the rotisserie chicken, coleslaw, fries and sauce. And some of the old desserts such as the mocca cake,carrot cake and Hello Dolly squares remain.

The new menu...

On the new side, the water is flavoured with cucumber slices, a unique touch. Jars of pickles adorn each table for you to help yourself to while you wait.

My old quarter breast of chicken, with coleslaw, fries and sauce.

Followed by my old favourite mocca cake for dessert.

The new decor with light fixtures from an old arena...

and the original washroom signs, if I'm not mistaken... after all, my sister and I did spend a lot of time as children exploring the ladies washroom.

I won't critique the food as there are lots of online reviews to consult, except to say that while it was a pleasant dining experience with friendly waiting staff and big in nostalgia... the chicken plate I had was nothing special. Perhaps the new additions to the menu are better. If you're curious to frequent a Gordon Ramsay establishment or feel compelled to relive a piece of your childhood, then give Laurier Gordon Ramsay a try at 381 Laurier Avenue West, Outremont in Montreal.

Cocoa Locale Revisted

2011-10-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

What better way to begin a visit to Montreal than at the wonderful cake shop, Cocoa Locale. It is such a delightful little place, filled with a retro vibe. Just look at all the pretty little details that make up the whole.

But in the end it's all about the cake. And the cake is so good you have to arrive at Cocoa Locale's fairly soon after opening time since they sell out quickly. Once the cakes are gone, that's it... they are closed for the day. Knowing this sad fact only too well from my very first visit, I made sure I arrived at three minutes before noon yesterday, which is when owner and baker Reema Singh opens the store on Saturdays.

I ended up selecting four cakes to take home: vanilla orange, and chocolate lavender (which I'll show you another day because they are now in my freezer), and my personal favourite...

chocolate chai...

as well as a seasonal choice, pumpkin.

If you want to try the cakes at Cocoa Locale, you'll find the shop at 4807 Park Avenue, Montreal.

Autumn's Splendor

2011-10-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

I'm off to Montreal tomorrow for the weekend. With my blissful holiday in England fading into the background and life's realities taking hold once more, I could use a pick-me-up. Montreal's charm is the perfect antidote. Life has been so busy, I feel that September and October have flashed past me without my being able to take in all of autumn's splendor. But there's still time to remedy that. So off I will go tomorrow morning to stroll about the city's streets reintroducing myself to autumn, stopping for coffee at a cafe, shopping at some of the unique boutiques, taking in an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, and enjoying countless other special moments as they arise.

Tea and Pomegranates

2011-10-15T20:45:00.000-07:00

One of the loveliest books I've read recently is Nazneen Sheikh's Tea and Pomegranates. This memoir weaves family, food and culture into an evocative feast, filled with memories and beautiful phrasing. The descriptions are so tantalising that it makes the reader want to run to the kitchen to try one of the numerous recipes that Sheikh has generously selected to share.

When I read the passages about her introduction to pink Kashmiri tea and delicious pastries by her grandmother, I thought of summer visits to my own grandmother's house in England as a child and the cups of tea "Nannie" would bring to me in bed, along with a few digestive biscuits for dunking. Only once this morning ritual was completed was I expected to get on with the day.

Though not nearly as exotic as Kashmiri pink tea and pastry, the memories of my grandmother's tea, served lovingly to a child in bed, are just as precious.

From Tea and Pomegranates:
My grandmother poured the pink tea from the samovar into a cup. I watched the straight line of her black eyebrows crease as she shredded a spiral of gossamer-thin pastry into the tea.... Many years after that memorable breakfast, when I first discovered that a handful of green tea leaves could be transformed into a rare delicacy called Kashmiri pink tea, I sensed the tapestry of my grandmother's life unfurl before me.... Although Bashirabad is lost, my grandmother's history lives in every cup of Kashmiri tea I drink. (Penguin Canada, 2005)

Lavender Bundles

2011-10-12T20:15:00.000-07:00

The crispness in the air this time of year conjures thoughts of all the cozy times around the fireside that will be coming soon. Why not cut some lavender branches to tie into small bundles? These bundles can be dried and kept to toss onto winter fires to infuse the room with the scent of lavender.

Lavender Sachets

2011-10-10T19:49:00.000-07:00

Lavender sachets are easy to make and give your closet or clothes drawers a clean scent that also reputed to keep the moths away. I used dried lavender from my garden, but you can buy it if you don't grow your own.

What You'll Need:
Fabric
Dried lavender buds
Quilt batting
Ribbon

Instructions
1. Cut a fabric square, around 6 inches. Handkerchiefs make ideal squares.

2. Cut a rectangle of quilting, approximately 3 by 6 inches.

3. With the fabric square design side down, sprinkle a few tablespoons of dried lavender into the middle of the square.

4. Fold batting in half and place on top of lavender in middle of fabric square.

5. Ball batting and bring up the sides of the fabric to encase the lavender and batting.

6. Cut a length of ribbon. If you wish, tie a loop in the middle of the ribbon to use to hang a sachet over a coat hanger.

7. Hold the bunched quilting and lavender and gather up the ends of the square.

8. Tie around with a length of ribbon and fashion a bow.

Thanksgiving

2011-10-09T18:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving. There are so many things to be thankful for, including the vivid beauty of these sunflowers and the saturated colour of their petals.

Thanksgiving Centrepiece

2011-10-08T17:18:00.000-07:00

Here, just in time for Thanksgiving, is a quick and easy flower centerpiece that doesn't take up much room.

What You'll Need:
1. A small pumpkin. Mini or pie pumpkins are ideal.

2. A glass, small enough to fit inside the pumpkin. Shot glasses work well for very small pumpkins.

3. A selection of autumn flowers.

Directions
1. Cut the lid from the pumpkin.

2. Scoop out the seeds.

3. Arrange flowers in a water-filled glass.

4. Place the glass and flowers into the pumpkin.

5. Re-arrange the flowers as necessary.

A grouping of three small arrangements looks great, or use very small pumpkins so that each person can have their own arrangement.

Friends that Rock

2011-10-06T20:43:00.000-07:00

There are some who might wonder about a gift like this. But anyone who knows me understands how chuffed I was when M. brought me this present. Rocks for my garden are always welcome and I love that friend M. wrapped them in bright pink tissue and green-coloured jute. It's fun and whimsical, and totally charming. My friends rock!

Leaving Space

2011-10-02T16:43:00.001-07:00

When too many cares and concerns come to the fore, they can take up a lot of space in your head... leaving little room for creativity, inspiration and being present in the moment. I am trying to remind myself to leave space for life to happen; to not allow thoughts of "what ifs" to crowd out all of the incidental moments in my day that make life rich and joyous.

Welcome Autumn

2011-10-01T19:27:00.001-07:00

The English gardener who created this bonneted charmer with golden curls, not only displayed their creativity but a sense of humour as well when they left this transformed sunflower growing in the garden to greet passers-by.

The colder weather that arrived with October confirms that autumn is indeed here. The season heralds the start of all that October brings - gourds and pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and textures; harvest fairs in the countryside; and the sensory overload that is to come, first hinted at with the turning of foliage. The smell of fires crackling in the fireplace and dried leaves underfoot, the sight and sounds of honking geese flying in formation overhead, the taste and scent of ginger and cinnamon that seems to find its way into autumn recipes. All these and more add up to this wonderfully evocative season we call autumn.

Salisbury Cathedral

2011-09-30T20:53:00.001-07:00

Shovels, Sweets and Sand Pails at Sunny Seaside Shops

2011-09-29T20:09:00.000-07:00

When you tire of the beach at Westward Ho! you can always do a little shopping at the nearby shops. You'll find everything you need for a day by the sea. Fun-coloured pails and shovels (or should I say spades) to make sand castles, traditional rock candy with the name of the town that magically never disappears to the very last bite, and walls of old-fashioned loose sweets. Makes me nostalgic for those childhood trips to the sea, where we spent the day listening to the seagulls while playing in the sand or being tossed by the waves.

Westward Ho!

2011-09-27T14:17:00.000-07:00

The Beach at Bucks Mills

2011-09-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

The Green Door

2011-09-25T06:26:00.000-07:00

Birthday Roses

2011-09-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

These amazingly beautiful roses were from my aunt and uncle's garden in Devon. I had picked them for an arrangement for my aunty's birthday. And today I am posting them to help me celebrate mine!

Bucks Mills

2011-09-20T18:33:00.000-07:00

Bucks Mills Stream

2011-09-18T19:45:00.001-07:00

There's a wee stream that flows beside the road at Bucks Mills. It culminates as a waterfall, cascading from a rocky cliff down at the beach.

Bucks Mills, Devon

2011-09-17T19:10:00.001-07:00

We're moving along today to the picturesque small village of Bucks Mills, in the tongue-twisting parish of Woolfardisworthy, on the north coast of Devon. Try saying Woolfardisworthy three times! This wee fishing village is not too far from Clovelly, and reminds me of it in some ways, though much quieter with less visitors. Built on a steep hill, you travel down the road from the top... to the rocky beach at the bottom. Bucks Mills has lots of appeal, with stone walls and cute gates that lead you to the front doors of the many charming small cottages that line the narrow winding road.

Chambercombe Manor, Ilfracombe

2011-09-15T20:52:00.001-07:00

Ilfracombe Harbour

2011-09-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

Path to Ilfracombe

2011-09-13T20:57:00.001-07:00

Back to Bath

2011-09-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

We're back in Bath so that I can show you some of the sweet wee gardens that lie hidden from sight. If you wander up to the Royal Crescent, have a peek over the fences and look down, you will find these charming patios with just the right amount of garden added to the space. The Georgian townhouses that form the Royal Crescent were built in the 18th cenutryand were designed by architect John Wood the Younger.

Flowers - Ready for Their Close-up

2011-09-12T19:50:00.001-07:00

Some flowers are just so beautiful they deserve a close-up shot. Just look at these ruffles... like a ballerina's tutu.

Salisbury Gardens

2011-09-11T20:20:00.001-07:00

Stonehenge is not the only reason to visit Salisbury. There is a splendid cathedral, and as is the case all over England, some very lovely gardens everywhere you walk. And of course those gardens usually have gorgeous buildings as backdrops.

Stonehenge

2011-09-09T21:30:00.001-07:00

Healing Waters

2011-09-08T19:18:00.001-07:00

The Roman Baths

2011-09-07T20:47:00.001-07:00

Bath from Above

2011-09-06T20:02:00.001-07:00

Standing at the top of Bath Abbey, you can see the beautiful city of Bath in all directions. What a wonderful place to take photos from a bird's eye view.

Bath, England

2011-09-05T20:40:00.001-07:00

Just a few photos to whet your appetite for more. Bath is such a picturesque city with its beautiful limestone architecture and blooms. Really, you just have to point your camera and shoot and you will be rewarded with a captivating photo.

Scones and Clotted Cream

2011-09-04T19:54:00.001-07:00

An English cream tea includes a pot of tea, a scone or two, clotted cream and jam, usually strawberry. The scones can vary greatly but the clotted cream, whether Cornish or from Devonshire, is thick and creamy and absolutely delicious on a scone.

Imagine my delight, after lamenting that I had enjoyed my last cream tea of the trip, when I was served a cream tea on the flight home (pictured directly above). Nothing could have been more welcome!

English Tea Rooms

2011-09-03T20:21:00.001-07:00

Just a wee sampling of the tea rooms we came across, and all too often succumbed to on our travels. After traipsing about all day, it's comforting to know that around just about any corner, there's a tea room ready to provide you with a place to take the weight off for a bit and a good cuppa to restore your spirit and set you on your merry way for more holiday making!

Cream Teas

2011-09-02T19:43:00.001-07:00

Just about everywhere you go in the South of England... in our case Cornwall, Devon and Somerset... you will come across signs like these inviting you to take time out for a lovely English cream tea. I am happy to say that we hardly ever passed up the chance to consume one, and made it our mission to compare the subtle differences of scones we sampled while considering the relative merits of Cornish versus Devonshire clotted cream. I am not absolutely certain we were able to reach a definitive answer. I think a few more cream teas will be in order!

Borough Market

2011-09-01T18:37:00.001-07:00

Another market that we visited on our trip was the Borough Market, just south of London Bridge. I have read that there has been a market in this spot since the first century. Ponder that for a moment! The whole market is devoted to food, which makes it a food lover's paradise. We wandered and explored the many food stalls and bought and ate as we strolled about.

These photos don't begin to convey the wide variety of foods on offer. I would guess that whatever you have an urge for, you will be able to find it among these market stalls! Lots of samples to lure you over, including the amazing number of varities of powdered Turkish delight at one stall. We bought a small bag full of our favourites, so soft and fresh, with real flavours, no artificial flavourings. So good! But that wasn't all we sampled, there were the gigantic meringues (larger than your fist), German sausages on a bun, baguettes, beautifully designed cookies (like the elephant cinnamon cookies pictured here) and wonderful pastries.

Portobello Market

2011-08-31T19:23:00.001-07:00

Portobello Market is hopping. Especially on a Saturday, which as it turned out was the day that fit into our itinerary. Getting off the tube at Notting Hill station, and surfacing at street level, we only had to follow the sea of humanity to find our way to the market. The crowds flowed down the road and there were so many people it was hard to see what was for sale in the market stalls. No one was getting anywhere fast. Patience was the order of the day! Fortunately, as we walked further down the road the crowds thinned a little and we were able to get to the market stalls and shops that line the street.

It's a bustling carnival atmosphere with lots to look at! Antiques galore, there are also no shortage of souvenirs, clothing and all sorts of interesting things. There are also food vendors so you needn't go hungry and entertainers, like this stylish headless couple who were happy to pose for a photo with you!

The Charm is in the Details

2011-08-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is the details that catch your eye. These cute little fellows were often part of a larger and more complex whole. But singled out for the spotlight they are perfect in their own way. They were spotted, from top to bottom in: Barnstaple, Torquay, Bath, Bath, London and London. And in every case, all you needed to do was look up!

Signs of the Times

2011-08-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

These are some of the signs that grabbed my attention while on holiday in England, some amusing, some nostalgic and some simply evocative of this country's wonderful style.