The Painted Ladies of Grimsby

How cute is this circle of houses on the beach of Grimsby?

\
source:   flickriver


source:  flickriver



 Pretty. Don't you just want to go? Or would you rather have a taste of their gingerbread details?

 signed, the willow

A Tree under the Sea

This year I've decided to do an Under the Sea Christmas Tree theme.

*Mila* said she'd make the Dolphin topper.  I'm making some blue whale ornaments from papier mache.  We're thinking of some other things to add to the tree, like:

some coral?

Source: zgallerie.com via Pinner on Pinterest

Instead of Gingerbread men and ladies, starfish sugar cookies

Source: cutestfood.com via The Sugar Tree on Pinterest

Source:  starfish garland  via brassbinnacle

perhaps a paper mache kraken?

Source: anthropologie.com via Teri on Pinterest

how can we take this from a necklace and turn it into a seaweed garland?

Source:  Vynn's Ravelings on etsy

I had trouble choosing on Petit Pan to pick which lamps to hang on the tree (seahorse? whale? sea tortoise? fishies?)

Source:  Seahorse lamp via Petit Pan

Et toi?  What are your theme ideas for your tree this year?  Or are you opting for the traditional choice?

signed, the willow

On occasion

On occasion we meet someone who cares enough to listen and pay attention.

*L* is one of these people that I was fortunate enough to meet.  An old soul and she's been chosen by my cousin to join him in life.  I've respected my little cousin (they're all littler than me in age) and looked forward to the moment that he'd marry and bring a wife into our nutso family. He didn't disappoint.  Funny thing is, because of geography and circumstance, I'm here in this obscure suburban city at the same point in life as they are.

It's rare, isn't it?  To spark a friendship so instantly? We've sparked a friendship and influenced each other more than we know.  Not in that silly old school girl way.  In a mature, eye-opening way.  I've just finished a portion of my life that I'd like to sweep under a carpet in some ways.  I made mistakes.  Big ones.  Mistakes I regret making.  Mistakes I am also thankful to have experienced.  I grew.  Grew in so many large leaps.  I gained some really great friends on that journey. Friends I long for and miss. Friendships have always presented themselves to me, but I refused to let myself get attached in the event that I would get attached and I'd get hurt.  Human nature goes here.  The unique friendships I gained in Muskoka were brief, but deep.

They affected me in a way that I had never expected.  There were women and some men that genuinely wanted to see my life's purpose work out.  What I didn't know then was, that was not my life's purpose.  It was the adversity I needed to face in order to pick myself up and dust myself off to discover my life's purpose.  Do I know what my purpose is?  Hmmm.  Maybe not perfectly clear on that yet.  I do now know that I feel better about myself.  

So, where is this all leading and where does it tie in back to *L*?  Well, what happened to me when I left that portion of  life behind and my friends situated on the map 3 hours north was I found a new friend.  Immediately. The first day we arrived back into our southern nest, she was an immediate and natural relief.  Opened her arms and hugged us.  She must have followed us from Muskoka where I had tearfully left so many great huggers behind.  She allowed me to be myself.  She's my instant friend and we've discovered so many great similarities and lessons to learn from each other.  We've learned to drag ourselves out to meet up with other new friends too.  And that's the best part.  We can teach each other how to be a friend.

Most importantly, I learned the other day that *L* clearly paid attention and cared.  She recognized that I'm celebrating a birthday this month and while it's not until later this month, her thoughtfulness reigned over the day and she brought me a special surprise.  One I did not expect.  One I certainly shall express my gratefulness here.  Grateful for listening and being a true friend.


A "K" mug.  So stylish and reminds me of 'Steven and Chris' but with edge and way more class.

A bag of coffee I've always wanted to try.  Named for a famous Canadian author (Guess who?) and also the name of my grandmother.  So very special.

A bag to hold it all with a motto that I live by.

And then there's this book.  One that I've been eyeballing online and dreaming that I'd go buy it when I was willing to part with my ...*ahem*... money.  Okay, okay:  my husband's money.  I dove right into that book and had trouble putting it down.  *L* really gets me.


I'm sure you feel the same about someone you've met.  Share.  And if you can't share it with me, share your story about a great friend with someone.  Shout it from the mountaintops.  Just don't hold it in like I did for so many years with so many really true friends, who still stand by my side.  You know who you are.

signed, the willow

Candy Corn Nails

*Mila* asked for some candy corn nails.  I struggled with how to create these ones.  

First, I pulled out a Science project book.  Why not?  Use it to protect the table and use it to maybe come up with a better idea than intricately painting finger nails.  This is not my forte.

I figured some scotch tape might help us out for this and taped the top 2/3 of her nails.

So far, so good.  She thinks this is all legit and what the candy corn nail process is all about.

Paint the bottom layer orange (yep, I'll get to this later).

We let them dry and got down to taping off the top 1/3 of her nail and carefully painted in the yellow.  How fabulous is that yellow nail polish by Joe Fresh?

Order some cucumber slices from the kitchen for your tired eyes and relax.

We topped it off with some globs of white for the tips and hello Candy Corn Nails.  

Until we saw this:

Yeah!  Yellow goes on the bottom.

signed, the willow

Nia Bo-Bia, Shanana-Bana-Po-Pia, Nia!

The past two weeks, I have been sneaking off to a Nia class in Hamilton.



click {here} to read who & where



Laura, a friend from *Mila's* old school, is the instructor.  She's got a natural knack for this relatively new way of moving one's body.  It's described as Nia (neuromuscular integrated action):

Nia is a sensory-based movement practice that leads to health, wellness and fitness. It empowers people of all shapes and sizes by connecting the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Classes are taken barefoot to soul-stirring music in more than 45 countries. Trainings are designed for those seeking personal enrichment and professional development. Every experience can be adapted to individual needs and abilities. Step into your own joyful journey with Nia, and positively shape the way you feel, look, think and live.  (source:  Nia Now)

source:  niawellness

You can read all you want at Laura's site or the Nia Now site.  The expected response is going to be "Oh, it's like yoga!"  Sure, logical.  I brought my yoga mat.  Don't fret.  But I got so much more.  Dance steps.  Stretches.  Kenpo punches. (insert my Viking heart here)  Booty shaking.  Spirituality.  Enlightenment.  Insightfulness.  Introspective.  Aha, see where I'm going?  No, not to Yoga!  I love yoga, don't get me wrong.  But, Nia offered me so much more.  A chance to pop out a "no" while I punched the air. (insert more Viking heart here)  An opportunity to throw out the trash of my daily life.  A practice for me.  A giggle.  An expression of me.   

Oh, hello there "Me".  How have you been?  

I felt alive, a sweat had broken, with no pain.  A relaxed rejuvenation.  I was genuinely rejuvenated.  Enough to come home and suffer the pain of wall squats with Tony Horton's P90X after.  Nia offered me no pain.  Nia offered me satisfaction.  And so, I'll continue with Nia.  She's a good friend.

It was nice to get out and try something new.  Will you join us?  

signed, the willow

What else would I write about this week

First Day of School

signed, the willow

Why being a dottir is all that and a bag of lutefisk too!

Reasons that the Scandinavians rock.


felted ball rugs
source:  mjolk




icelandic silk velvet
source:  mjolk



the ability to find a way to work white and lots of it into the decor
source: i lay my hat and wish to stay



they're incredible artists
source:  camilla engman



they make the coolest plates!  Gadzooks, this is too cool.  And anyone who spells Kristine with a K is mighty fine too.
source:  meyer lavigne



signed, the willow

Cotton Ball Snow

In November we anticipate and expect snow.  When we can't get it in time for our creative brains, we create it ourselves with cottonballs on fishing line.  Now, we wanted marshmallows, but no go.  Too sticky for our fingers.

She's one super sweet window!  Thanks to Mandy Higgs for all of her tremendous help.

And now, let's see if our Fort survives the clutches of the Girlfriends and their Getaway!  Yikes.

signed, the willow

artist:  me.

signed, the willow

Clutch is the Magic Word of the Etsy Day

I am finding it so hard to blog lately.  And to clean my house, play with my daughter, who will be a tween before I know it.  Everyone deserves a little R&R, right?  So today is my day.  We're moving slow.  Going to find a way to the playground, get a latte and an ice cream, and play with the dog.  Today is a great day.

Now, off to find the best clutches on Etsy.

(in no particular order)

clutch purse, chartreuse telegram by red ruby rose




silk lined bird on a branch by Briana E.



lotus flower clutch by upstyle




which clutch would you pick?  Me?  I'm all about the navy blue and polkadots.  These are the delectables from lynndavid



zipper clutch from allisa jacobs




and no list would be complete without our Muskoka girl, Lisa Roy.  I'm loving the Leigh clutch in gorgeous plum embroidered floral.  Visit Lisa's etsy store here and just get yourself that clutch!  Hurry!

signed, the willow

The word of the day is .... CLOCHE

Cloche hats  (source:  delux hats)





Garden Cloche (source:  the plant directory)



I love the word cloche.


source:  velvet and brown

What is your word of the day?

signed, the willow

Modern Muskoka

As we turn our new venture, The Finds, into Modern Muskoka, I thought I would gather up some of my favourite moose goodies from etsy.com

Loving this hand printed donkey brown rustic moose and maple cushion by helkatdesign.



Cast iron moose, anyone?  Mmmm, I could drip chandeliers with these.  Okay, maybe not the cast iron version.  Find this moosey here @ monkey and squirrel.



And just who wouldn't want their Muskoka cottage dressed up with a little moose wall art.  Very reasonably priced @ route3 studios.





Fred Large Moose Trophy from Cardboard Safari



silver antlers on a necklace by bethtastic


signed, the willow

Sorry Dudes and Dudettes, it's still 1976 for some of us

I love the fact that my Dad is coming to visit.  But, I hope he wears his brown corduroy ski knickers and I wonder if his buddy in the white knickers will come to town?  Believe it or not, that dude was in the Olympics and can still out-ski and out-run most 19 year olds that I know.

signed, the willow

Inspired

source:  macha jewellery

A bit more inspiration!  herriott grace

signed, the willow