Sending you all some green!

After visiting so many blogs across the States and hearing from friends back
home here in Canada it seems you all could use some green! Every one is struggling
with the January blues...it has been a very cold winter with lots of snow.
Here on the South Coast of Vancouver Island it is green , green and more green!
I thought I would send you all some mild temperatures and lots of green!

On my hike up Maple Mountain I took some photos. Moss grows like crazy here.
It just seems to be all over the place. Some homes have their roofs covered in it.

But I love the look of moss on the trees...
It gives it that enchanted story book look doesn't it?
It's great how they have all the different trails here marked...
so you hopefully won't get lost.



This is my second winter here and all I can say is winter here is a breeze!
Today was around plus 9 and sunny! Unbelievable. I am so not used to
this mild winter. It's a joke actually.



There are so many interesting things to see on the mountain like this old
tree stump. I love the way it looks like a piece of art...




From this view I can hear the seals barking on a warm day! When I first heard
them I thought they were dogs!! I mean for me to see marine life meant having to
visit Marine Land!! Where I come from the only wild life is coyotes , fox , raccoon, deer
not Marine mammals! Actually I can hear the seals when I am on my front porch!

For fun I thought I would throw in a beautiful photo of Cowichan Bay!

Stay warm everyone ...spring will be here before you know it

and then you'll all be complaining about the HEAT!!!

Pamela xo

An award for my little blog...

Well I am very late

in accepting this award

from my Lovely ( I know she is cringing at that word)

Cousin Karen at Ow my , Angst

Karen's blog is witty, sarcastic, unrated
and very funny!
She is my cousin from my dad's side of the family.
Humour runs rampant on this side so Karen
comes by it naturally.

Decorating and constant rearranging also run in the family
Our three Aunts are fabulous decorators so I am guessing
I took after them!

Apparently the rules to accepting this award is to
list 7 things about myself...

1. I am a huge animal lover but CATS are my favourite animal...

(Don't tell this to Pilot...she would never forgive me!)

2. My biggest accomplishment so far in this little life of mine is my SON...

Every day I am completely in awe of what an amazing child he is..bright

extremely funny (thanks dad for those genes) , loving and just a joy to

be around. I can brag here since I was only given one and I did want more.

This spring at his teacher's request he will be taking the gifted testing.

He is also very HUMBLE about all his great achievements, straight A's,

Bursary award in Piano. Lead role in Christmas play.

3. The reason why we moved 3,000 miles from home is not a happy story.

But following your dreams never pleases other people.

4. I have always been a very generous person. Countless friends, strangers

and animals I have always given to. When I see a need I do my best

to help.

5. I am still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up

but until then I am focusing on my son and cooking lots of big meals

for my hard working husband.

6. I have been with my husband for 19years ! He is the hardest working man

(next to my dad) that I have ever known. He has never had help from anyone.

He put himself through school working three jobs , feeding himself no care packages from

home or support of any kind.

Through these 19 years we have overcome many challenges and heartaches some

that still continue but I would say our marriage is stronger and more loving than ever.

7. I have finally learned that when life hands you lemons (and I had plenty) you don't make

lemonade...you have a big glass of wine instead!!

Thank you Karen for this award!!!!

Lavender bubbles

It has been a long drawn out week and I am happily embracing this weekend...

This is what I am off to do right now... indulge in one of my favourite places
my
claw foot tub!

My lavender water is waiting patiently for me...
I can hear it calling me...


And when I am done with my long soak...
I will enjoy my lavender powder...

Here is just a pretty photo to share with you...

But no bath is complete without a good book...

and I will be in heaven reading and savouring all the yummy photos

in my new book!

This book is really inspiring!!

Happy Weekend everyone!!

Pamela xo

My Pearl Magnolia style bedspread

Magnolia Pearl has to be one of my favourite designers out there. I swear
when i first saw her home and the clothes she designed i new i found another
kindred soul! I thought wow l love all this gypsy stuff because I have always been
a gypsy girl at heart. My idol since i was 9years old is Stevie Nicks and if Stevie has
not found Magnolia Pearl than someone better tell her about her stuff. It is total Stevie.

This is a photo out of Romantic Homes on the motor home Robin Brown of Magnolia
Pearl owns. It is so cool! I love all the colours and layers of different textures
and fabrics....sigh...
(photo courtesy of Romantic Homes)
Magnolia Pearl was first famous for her cool carpet bags made from old blankets.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw one. I said to myself that carpet bag
material looks like the bedspread I have from my Italian grandmother!

Today I wanted to share with all of you another treasure of my grandmothers.
This velvet bedspread was so popular back in Italy. Thankfully grandma brought a
few with her when she moved here. This blanket she passed on to my mother who
then gave it to me.

I can remember so well as a little girl loving this bedspread and getting sooo excited

whenever my mother would bring it out of her cedar chest. I used to call it

my "naked babies blanket" and roll all over it!

As you can see there are angels in the design...

Sadly alot of the fringe has worn off.

I rarely use this as the colours are loud and i do prefer a calmer look in my

bedroom.

Do you see this round pillow on the bed? Pearl Magnolia has the same ones on

her bed...this was just recently purchased at the thrift shop!!! I also saw it

in my new book The French Inspired Home...alot has to be said for this thrift shopping!

Thanks for visiting !

Pamela xo

A snowy day in the Valley

A snowy day in the Cowichan Valley....

Some photos around the yard for you to enjoy!

The snow only lasts a day and then the rain comes and washes it away...


My little studio looks so pretty dressed with snow... i am planning a romantic barn
sale this summer!!

I love this view to Sam's tree fort...

Life of spring not far away evident by this tiny fir twig sprouting...

The snow was lovely but now i am ready for spring

and to start planning my little sale...wishing you all can make it!

Pamela xo

A new lamp changes everything

After taking down the Christmas tree the window nook in our living room was
completely barren. Just before Christmas I bought two french style lamps at the
local thrift store!
They are so pretty and have a real french look to them.
I couldn't wait to display them but the only problem was they had no shades.
Luckily i have had this beautiful silk shade for some time now. I wish I had two
but one is better than none. It fit the lamp perfectly.

Here is a close up of the base of the lamp....

The shade was also a real steal! It is pure silk and was originally $120 but marked down
to $30. I just love HomeSense!


So the empty window nook is no longer empty...

I have a vast selection of decor books and I am loving the new book

The French Inspired Home...check it out! The photos are pure eye candy.

A very old photo of my Italian grandpa...I love this photo of him!

It never ceases to amaze me the great things you can find at your local

thrift store.

Wishing you all a wonderful creative weekend!

Pamela xo

Heirloom bedspread

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share

with all of you

my Italian Grandmother's bedspread.

She brought this beautiful silk bedspread

with her

when she came to

Canada

back in 1950!

Lovely detailing on the fringe...

I have also put it on my
harvest table at
Christmas time
due to it
being
the colour gold.


This bedspread is more of a decorative piece.
It has a tendency to slide of the bed!
I think it's main purpose
is just
to add a
touch of
elegance to the bed.



...and i think it really does!

Thanks for stopping by

Pamela xo

Winter in Niagara Falls

Hello everyone!!
I wanted to share with all of you winter time by the majestic Niagara Falls.
These lovely photos where taken by my girlfriend back home. She has kindly
given me permission to use them. She works down at the Parks so she is able
to get incredible shots of the Falls.

Please enjoy!!

The Canadian horseshoe falls...
This photo here is the American falls... theirs is smaller but still beautiful.

The Canadian horseshoe again...

So much mist comes off the falls that everything in the Parks freezes over.

Look at the ice on this tree!

This is my favourite bird. The red male cardinal. I have not seen one since I left

Ontario. I don't think they live here on Vancouver Island such a pity. They sing

such beautiful songs!

More amazing ice on the lamp posts.

(all photos by Cyndie MacKinnon)

I have always loved the old stone and iron fencing along the falls. This is a

perfect shot of it.

From this photo you can see the mist coming off the falls.

Hope you enjoyed the winter tour of Niagara Falls!

Much love and thanks to my girlfriend Cyndie for her superb photography

of the Falls!

Pamela xo