Before and (Almost) After of My House

This is the before photo after the window boxes had been removed, blue with brown trim and light grey window boxes. You can see also that my house was already being readied for painting. There was much scraping to be done, the paint was in very poor condition. The front door is really nice wood, so it won't be painted, I would like to refinish it, though, just to preserve it. This house was built in 1927, the siding is original to the house and is cedar. It is in very good condition, the Painter told us.

The AFTER, it only has one coat of pain on it. It is a Flood paint and the name of it is Yosemite Park. I would describe it as being a muted creamy green. This does not show the color well, but I LOVE it!

Yellow was my first choice for the house, but our painter told us that yellow was not going to cover well and would cost a whole lot more, because of the time involved to give it more coats. This had been my second choice all along, so I was not unhappy to go to green.

I think it gives my house a much more cottage look, what do you think? The window boxes are going to be the color of the darker green on the bottom of the house.

I will post more photos when it is completely finished.

On another note, I was invited to tea at Millie's house from Wreathmaker, she found my blog through another blog that I had commented on. She is so nice and so sweet, she has a beautiful house, too. She mainly blogs about her lovely garden, but I am hoping she will show her gorgeous kitchen one day, it is so nice. She served a delicious Peach Coffee Cake. She gave me a Fall Potpourri that she had made herself, before I left and it is on my dining room table now in a pretty white bowl, a lovely addition to my Fall decor.

Have a beautiful Wednesday!

Hugs, Cindy

My Nephew's Wedding

My nephew Nathan Shew married Kristen Laitinen last Saturday. Don't they make a beautiful couple? I am guessing that he is about 27 years old and his lovely bride is about the same. My crazy nephew walked down the aisle to Super Hero music!

Did they pick a lovely setting or what? This is such a gorgeous place. It is in Nanaimo, B.C.. Nanaimo is on Vancouver Island, a little more than an hour north of Victoria.

This is my grandson Nate, in his little go-to-wedding outfit. He is such a sweet little guy, always so happy!

My oldest brother Tim, and his wife Rhonda, with their three children left to right, Ryan, Kindra and the handsome groom, Nathan. I don't know how all of our children ended up taller than us, but they did. Good thing I guess, we are all pretty short.

I wasn't able to go to the wedding, it was easily a three day journey away from me, clear over in British Columbia. I will enjoy it through all of the pictures that my family will put on Face book. That's where I got these, my daughter and my sis-in-law's pages.

May you enjoy a Tuesday filled with joy,

Hugs, Cindy

A Few of My Favorite Things

I had no idea what to blog about today, so I looked through my photos and decided to show you some of my favorite things, from family to blog land.

First of all, my favorite chair to sit and think in, blog in and just be in. I am trying to find a slipcover for it, but all of the slipcovers I have found are for chairs with a T-cushion and mine has the other kind. I don't know how I would make it work. I will keep searching the Internet. If you know what I mean and know where I might get it, please let me know.

This is my favorite photo of a lovely bedroom, it would be my dream come true, all pink and white, ahhh and so comfy looking. I would never do that to my husband, though. I am very girly, always have been. But wait, I have a photo of my five year old grand daughter coming up, she is so much like me! I love it.

This is one of my favorite granddaughters, I have two, they are both precious beyond words. This one is Beth, she is very girly. She loves pretty dresses, baby dolls, high heel shoes, dancing and dates with her daddy. That is where she is off to here. This photo was taken last winter, don't you love her fake fur stole?

My favorite red door! This house is just two blocks away, I think the door is so pretty, just on it's own.

This is one of my favorite houses in my neighborhood. It was for sale when we were looking for houses here last fall. It has a beautiful new kitchen and a really nice yard, two things I was looking for. Also, it is Yellow. We found it on the MLS Website, but, alas, it sold just before we arrived in the city to begin house hunting. It wasn't until we had moved into the house that we bought and I was walking around my neighborhood, that I realized it is only a couple of blocks away.

Another favorite of mine. Every time I walk by it I slow down and enjoy all of the flowers and it is also Yellow.

You have probably guessed by now what color I wanted to painted my house. But, we have had a very bad time finding someone to paint it, we had someone and it fell through. The company that is actually painting it has painted the front, one coat. They had said it would be almost done by now, what happened there, I don't know, we were gone all last week. The sad thing is that the last three weeks have been perfect for painting and the rain is expected this week. I am praying, believe me, no rain Lord, please!!! I will post a photo of the new color, soon. It has changed the looks of this little old bungalow entirely. I know I am going to love it!

Thank you for visiting today, you girls make my day every time I go to see who has left a sweet comment. I love you, you have become wonderful blogger friends!

Have a happy Monday!

Cindy

Happy Monday

Good morning sweet friends, I wanted to leave you with a small look at the table top of the table that sits next to my chair where I blog. You can see all but the top book are LM Montgomery books, she is one of my favorite authors. I have read almost all of her books. It is supposed to rain today, it might be a good day to settle in and just read. Sounds heavenly! The rest of the week is supposed to be sunny and warm. I love Autumn more than any other time of the year! I hope your day is happy and filled with sweet blessings from above.

Hugs, Cindy S.

Autumn Fluffing Continues!

First off, our house is in the process of being painted. Can you guess what color it will be? I will post a photo when it is finished. Meanwhile, tell me what color you think it might end up. I am also going to re-do the flower garden in the front. They are all perennials that are not doing well or looking good at all. Time for a renovation there, as well. I love the idea that I got from French Kissed. In her lovely new kitchen she has a beautiful glass container that she has put her sugar and a lovely teacup in. When I saw it I had an "Ahah" moment. I have a container similar to hers that I have now put sugar and a "fall" colored teacup into. Thanks French Kissed for the idea that I stole from you. I know you won't mind. Her kitchen is so nice, you really ought to go take a look. Actually, I have already changed this little corner. I put a white ironstone gravy bowl with it's little plate there in place of the coffee beans. The white just looks better and brightens up that corner.

My old suitcases hold my accordion, (bottom one), the next two hold our Cd's.

I love my old Canadiana dresser. It is very old, not sure how old, though. I was eleven years old when some kind soul gave it to my family, after our house burnt down. It was painted a dark brown. Years later my mother gave it to me, after I made her promise to give it to me, when she wanted to get rid of it. I have always loved antiques, even when I was a little girl. I refinished it and love it so much.

Lastly, my bathroom. I also got the idea, for putting these little containers on a white dish, from French Kissed. I found several great ideas on her lovely blog, actually. An unexpected element here, that little white shabby carpenter's pencil. I almost retook the picture, then changed my mind. Teehee!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I may not be around next week. My husband and I are going to be gone until next Friday. He is going to be doing some teaching on "Spiritual Maturity", in a community about four and a half hours from us. The people we are staying with may not have wireless internet.

Hugs, Cindy

Autumn Fluffing!

I gave in to all of the lovely Autumn images I have been seeing on some really great blogs. And I decided to do some Autumn fluffing!

Here is one little corner, do you see the wine glass there with the autumn leaves? My husbands grandma Helen painted that by hand for my sister-in-law's wedding table. She married in October. What a great idea, don't you think?

I found some little pumpkin candles hidden away on a shelf, I think they are so cute. My birds fit right in there, too, sitting on some yellow leaves.

I love silver trays, I found this one at our Rummage Sale. I found the silver butter dish while living in British Columbia. I use it. The bread tin is definitely old. It was my mom's back in the '50's I a guessing. I have thought of painting it white and writing Bread on it, but I hate to lose the vintage patina. What do you think?

I love the ceramic gourd there sitting on a Taste of Home Recipe Book, featuring pumpkin soup on the front of it. Perfect for Fall, don't you think?

I added some black to the fireplace scape and some red candles.

I love this table cloth! I only paid $1.00 for it at a Thrift Store not far from us here. I am not sure what the fabric is called, but I am sure it is Vintage. Any ideas what they call that particular fabric?

Looking from the Dining Room back into the Living Room, on into the Sun Room.

I hope you are enjoying a gorgeous Friday, I certainly am. The weather is still sunny and is expected to go upwards to 26 deg. Celsius.

Hugs, Cindy

I Love My City

Today I am joining Susan at A Southern Day Dreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. Thank you Susan, it is always a lot of fun putting together an outdoor post and then seeing what others are doing out of doors.

Welcome to the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I am not a city girl, in fact I have always lived in the country or in the 'burbs. When we moved to Winnipeg we lived in the down town core for six weeks and I fell in love with the beautiful sights, but NOT the sounds. We purchased a house only a couple of miles from the downtown core of Winnipeg. Winnipeg was incorporated in 1873. There is a lot of beautiful architecture here. A great example are the Legislative Buildings. They sit on the shore of the Assiniboine River and is constructed of limestone. We are the capitol of Manitoba, as well as being the largest city in Manitoba with a population of approximately 700, 000.

This is the fountain that lays between the Legislative building and the river.

The whole front of the building at dark. Inside the architecture is breath taking, I won't bore you with the details, but it is worth seeing if you ever pass through our fair city.

Do you see the Golden Boy standing atop the dome?
Downtown Winnipeg
A revolving restaurant is at the top of the tallest building there.

The Fort Garry Hotel and our beautiful flag!

Another view, we have many trees in our city, for which I am very grateful.

St. Vitel Cathedral, above and below, it burned down some years ago and only the shell is left, but it is very picturesque, don't you think?

Thank you to my dear husband for taking these pictures.

That is my city, that I have learned to love. My heart swells every time we cross a bridge and we see the city silhouetted against the sky and I realize that I have learned to love many things about Winnipeg.

Don't forget to see what else is available over at A Southern Day Dreamer and have a beautiful Wednesday.

Hugs, Cindy

Decorating in the 1800's

These are pictures from our visit to Lower Fort Garry, Manitoba. Lower fort Garry was erected in 1830 by the Hudson's Bay Company on the western bank of the Red River. It is the oldest intact stone fort in North America and treaty number one was signed there. The picture above is of the Big House. This was the residence of the Governor and his family, as well as other high ranking officials. The people were in costume, it really felt like we were back in the 1800's.

This is the kitchen in the Big House. The cook and helpers were baking bread and allowing the children to help kneed it. There is a bed in the corner where the maid actually slept. They had alot of room to work, but it's not a real sanitary place to be preparing food.

The Laundry Room, I don't have a nicely finished place to do laundry, but I certainly have better facilities than this!

The Governor's bedroom, it is a double bed, but it sure looks small to me.

The Dining Room.

The bedroom for one of the high ranking officials of the Hudson's Bay Company.

One of the ladies who worked there.

One of the high ranking officials at work. My grand kids were "hired" to deliver a letter to the Men's House for him. It was a day of fun for children at the Fort. They signed on as "employees" and worked for the HBC. It was a lot of fun for them. Notice the stove pipe going around the room to the fireplace. It was meant to add warmth to the room, I found that interesting.

The Parlor in the Big House. Everything in the house had to be brought over from England, nothing was made or purchased in Canada. The house was very nicely furnished considering that.

I hope you enjoyed a peek into the past!

I hope you have a beautiful Monday, I am certain to, it is going to be 25 deg. Celsius here today!!! I am so happy to finally have some beautiful weather. I am off to shop at my favorite thrift stores and Home Sense.

Hugs, Cindy

Contrasts

I have always loved the cottage style of decorating. I love white dishes, white accessories, black and white photos, old silver, crystal and china. I think I am leaning toward contrasts, though, rather than all white or all light colors at least. Can you see how I am already leaning in that direction on my tray that is on the foot stool? While perusing blogs today, I was looking through older posts at Chrissy's beautiful blog The Apothacary Shop, (you really need to check it out). My eye was continually drawn to the light contrasting with the dark. I also love the industrial look contrasting with the elegant. Again, contrast. jeannedarcliving

jeannedarcliving

Isn't that sweet? I love it, this is Chrissy's design, she is really good at what she does.

I don't know where I picked this picture up, if it is yours, please forgive me for using it. I love the white cabinets with the dark door and drawer pulls. I also adore the contrast of dark counter top with white cabinets.

As I look around me in my own little cottage, I can see that I have already started down that road.

One of the things that has gotten me thinking about all of this is that we have a Kitchen designer coming in tomorrow to give us a quote on redoing our kitchen. I have my mind made up that I want white cabinets, beadboard backsplash and dark pulls on the cabinets. Also, I will have a black counter top, like the photo above. And, I am really hoping that there are wood floors under the lino that is in there. I am very nervous and excited! Hopefully I will have some good news on that front to relate to you very soon!

So, what do you think? Do you like the contrast? Or are you all white or do a select few colors work best for you? I tend to treat my butter yellow walls as a neutral and so I don't use yellow anywhere else. I am simply a wannabe decorator, I just enjoy playing with furniture and moving accessories around in my own home.

Have a beautiful weekend,

Hugs, Cindy