A Few of My Favorite Things, again!
Shelves in the kitchen are so handy dandy, don't you think?

A quiet and wonderful view while eating a summer meal outdoors


The beauty of paddling a canoe on a quiet lake.  Of course you have to wear plaid. Oh and bring a thermos of coffee or hot tea, and a rustic sandwich filled with red onion, cheddar, cukes and tomatoes.

Drinking hot coffee by the water, just in time to watch the sun come up! (best time ever by the water)

Picking apples because I love apple pies and it brings back sweet  memories of when the my children were little and used to help me pick them. Apple pie, hands down, my favorite dessert of all time!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well I just can't believe that in one month it will officially be fall!  Really?  Wow, summer always seems to fly by!  We have had amazing weather here on the West Coast of B.C.   In fact we broke a record for the amount of days without rain.  Soon the time will come when I will be pulling out the plants and vegetables and getting the gardens ready for fall. Things always seem a little bare with out the vibrate colors of geraniums and petunias. The leaves will start turning color which always puts a smile on my face!!  Although raking them up is quite a chore!     After getting the gardens done I will be bringing out the sweaters and scarves for the winter and going through all the clothes in the closet.
Change up some pillows, bring out more candles and stock up on some fall supplies for the kitchen and freezer.  We have  finished picking all our blackberries and look forward to blackberry pies for fall and winter. 

I always have to have a cup of hot tea while I do this.

 I do love the season of fall!  The colors, the crisp air on my face.

I love to bake pies in the fall, and put a large pot of stew on the stove.

SUMMER....
Already I am picking the peas, fresh dill and just waiting for the tomatoes to ripen.  Summer seems to come and go so very fast.
We have a long stretch of warm weather coming here on the west coast.  The grass is starting to turn a little brown and already I have so many leaves falling from some trees.  I love the summer evenings when it cools down and then you can enjoy the evenings outdoors. The summer gardens are giving wonderful additions to our summer salads and flowers are in full bloom to grace our tables.  I have managed a little tan but am careful to apply my sunscreen, especially on my face and lips. My hair is bleached even lighter and whiter but its all okay.
Here are two older models who have aged beautifully
and gracefully.  I realize I went from salads to hair but its
summer and I am relaxed. Enjoy everyday to its fullest! Eat well, live well!

nothing like a summer salad

peas are ready now

tomatoes ripening

Gorgeous hair

don't forger the sunscreen

Another beautiful head of white hair

                                                             
                                                           

This Week Is Spring

Today was a wonderful and sunny day.  The air was still a bit cold but I couldn't resist working outside in the yard.  I put on my boots and gloves, got some garden tools and dug around a few plants today.  It always amazes me that the first things to appear are weeds!  Why is that anyway?  Oh well, I did see rhubarb making its way to the surface and some chives.  I managed to pull out some weeds and then decided to sit in a chair, enjoy the sun and soak it up.  Here's to spring!  I welcome you this week!

Feeling Like Spring Cleaning?

I don't know about you , but when the sun shines after so many dark and wet days, I feel like cleaning.  I guess its because you can see the dust and dirt so much better, especially at my age.  I want to get the floors scrubbed, the windows clean but I also want to get outdoors , so it is a bit of a struggle trying to decide where to go and what to do.  Today was a clear and beautiful morning , with the moon out and the sun coming up.  I opted for outdoors today. A long walk, then home to light an outdoor fire with a cup of coffee was perfect.  I couldn't help but notice a few things coming up in the garden.  Chives, primroses, and the leaves on the rose bushes are starting to bud.  Soon the cherries blossoms will be gracing us with their beauty.  Spring is such a wonderful and beautiful season. This is the time of the year I like to take long drives in the country and look at the animals with their babies.  Lambs, calves and colts, so wonderful to see them lying in the sun or kicking up their heels. Anyways, enjoy the soon to come sunnier, drier (hopefully) weather.

Candles

I love the pattern of the way this one shines

This is a wooden one from Sweden 

These 3 are Scandinavian and the chandelier below was passed  to me by my  Swedish  father in law.

These dreary grey days do make me want to light up the home with some candles.  I really am such a fan of candles no matter  what the outdoors is doing but especially in the fall and winter.  It seems to bring a warmth and a relaxation to the atmosphere around the home. Lately I have really enjoyed candles while taking  a long, hot bath. Oh there is nothing like it to let your cares fly away, and dream of lovely things and the ones you love. The flickering warm glow just helps the stress all slip away.  Wrap yourself in a thick warm robe after, go sit by the fire, drink some tea and you will soon be as warm and toasty as can be.  Put your feet up and read something wonderful and encouraging.  Now that we are empty nesters, I can do this anytime!!!  Here is a few of my candle holder, most of them from Sweden.

I like to begin my day with this. Its really great to get up early, take some time in the quiet of the morning and read the bible.  There I read, pray and journal , shed some tears, smile and yes even sing to myself.  I have done this for a few years now and found that it has become so very special and comforting.




Of course while I read etc,  I have to have one of these!
Which brings me to the subject of coffee.  It is a drink that used to be just with cream or sugar, or plain black. Now it has become so complicated (although delicious) but really, sometimes when I listen to what people order I am trying to figure it all out in my head.  A double, double is one thing but ugggg, I have heard things that would simply amaze those of us from the 60's and 70's.  I mean 1960' and 1970's .  Anyways, its all good but I choose to drink it black and very hot!  I even sometimes add a little pepper.
I have only a few mugs I like to drink out of!  I don't know why , but it does make a difference.  Anyways, to all you coffee drinkers, have a great cup of coffee today, no matter how you choose to drink it.

I don't know about you but on the West Coast it gets so damp and wet in the winter that most of us  just want to hunker down, sit by a fire and sip on some hot tea.  However, when it isn't raining, I love to go for a walk and  get some good fresh air. I love the West Coast.  Its absolutely beautiful with the snow capped mountains and the beautiful Pacific Ocean. I don't know what it is about a walk in the country but it does something wonderful for your soul as well as your mind and body. If I feel a little down it does wonders as I breath in the fresh air, so please take some time, put on your shoes and go for a stroll.  Yes I go even in the rain, not the wet rain but the other kind of rain, the rain that doesn't fall too fast and too hard!

Welcome to The Old Kitchen Chair

I have read so many amazing and beautiful blogs over the last couple of months!  Blogs really about everything  from beautiful homes to humble homes, recipes that are amazing, decorating, fashion, people and places. Its really so much fun to learn new ideas and recipes, and to learn about the person blogging.  I have decided to give it a go and start my own. I am treading new water here and really don't know what I am doing yet. Here I will post not only ideas but thoughts and feelings. Today is a little special for me.Its my 60th birthday, its snowing and quiet and I am celebrating it by starting this new adventure!