I know it doesn’t sound very festive but, I’m glad it is over, mostly  anyways.  I don’t think we will do much for New Years Eve so the festivities are over for us.  I can’t wait to get started on our renovations which we have been putting off until the new year.

 I am doing a little last minute sewing that I know I won’t have time for, at least for a little while.  I made this yogo bag for MYSELF using the Amy Butler pattern from here http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/free_patterns.php

yoga bag

gazebo

Maddie finally got to show her horse at the Bobcaygeon Fair.  We had trailer and truck issues on the first day of events.  It nearly didn’t happen but, after some ups and downs there she was on Saturday for the Western Show.

Maddie and Cheers

We didn’t realize she was suppose to wear her riding helmet as she didn’t have a cowboy hat.  Oh well, she still managed to place 6th out of 12 people in this event.  She also rode in a Walk Jog event which she received a 4th place in.  Cheers started limping and wasn’t able to compete any more that day.  I was kind of anxious to get back home.  Robin’s dad had gone missing.  He went for a walk and got lost.  Robin looked for him for about 2 hours until they decided they would have to call the police.  He was found safe and sound some 4 hours later.  Scary.

We are very proud of our fair lady.  Next year I hope things go a little smoother.  Maybe Cheers will be able to enter the costume competition in her lovely outfit.

I can’t believe it is almost over.  Our fall fair is next weekend and we have been busy because Maddie is riding her horse, Cheers in it this year.  This will be her first competition.  We went $hopping tonight after school and bought her a jacket and new pant$.  Wow.  She is riding English and Western so two completely different outfits are needed.  She has also informed me she wants to enter the pony and the horse in the costume show.  I have almost finished a pink tutu for the pony.  We sent this photo to a Toronto morning show and they showed it on air!!! We were soooo happy to see it.

final dress fitting before the fair

Well Charlie and Melissa were married June 7th. It was a crazy hot day but, everything worked out very well.  I managed to have Maddie and Inez’s dresses done on time. Maddie’s dress was Butterick 4385 and Inez’s was McCalls 8667 and 8679 for the bloomers. Maddie’s hair looked great at the spa but, fell rather quickly.

The female side of the wedding party minus one shy flowergirl.

She did decide it would be fun to pose in the back of Uncle Jere’s truck though.

wedding party

Maddie, my mom and I went to the Toronto Creativfestival on Friday.  I took her out of school for it.  I think it was really educational.  She loves to craft and it was great for her to see so much of what is available. It was inspirational  to see the number of young people with businesses selling craft supplies and products.  Maybe she will chose a career in this someday or just do it as a hobby.  Whatever. 

Grandma gave her $20 when we picked her up.  Maddie was really surprised.  I think it was the second or third booth we visited and she bought 2 half metres of some really cute fabric.  I bought her  and myself Amy Butler’s stash and dash bag pattern in the next booth.  She put me to work that same night making the smallest coin purse size bag.  We luckily had a zipper in the right colour and length.  Only problem was it was made for pants and was metal.  This made it a little difficult but, it will do.  I was tired after driving to Toronto (2 hours one way), to the airport (another 40min), walk thru the show and home again.  I could not resist giving in to her request because I was just as inspired by everything we had seen that day.  Crazy? Yes, probably.

I also picked up the Lotus tunic and cami pattern that I have wanted for quite some time.  I never do this but, I am going to make it using the same fabric as on the pattern cover.  Not very creative I suppose but, I think I fell in love with the whole package.  I have the fabric coming from ebay and I can’t wait.  I got really lucky and found a pattern I love for $1.  It’s from Favorite Things and is called the Prairie Girl.  I am going to try and make a top for myself and Maddie with the same pattern.

Here is the just some of the big haul.

Maddie loved it and I hope it will be an annual event.

This is the greenhouse on April 29th.  Everything looks so healthy.

We had a relatively small crowd this year.  Somewhere around 12 I believe.   It was nice to have young ones present.  Kyla, who is  four, really enjoyed the egg hunt this year.  Next year Inez will be nearly two and will give her a run for her chocolate.   Maddie did the hiding and took some pressure off me for a nice change.

 We had a visit from the Easter Bunny who enjoyed snacking on bird seed.

Our kitty joined in on all the Easter fun.

Things where a little strange this year without Grandma Carey.  We miss her dearly. She always kept me company in the kitchen and was the first to start the dishes.  Auntie Freda stepped in and helped out lots though.  Change is always difficult and we are in for some big ones.  Hold on to your boot straps, missy!

Well, the break has come to an end and spring is starting to appear.  It has been a very busy and emotional week.  We had to have our oldest cat, Barney put down.  She had heart disease and was starting to have breathing and circulation problems.  Poor old girl, she was such a sweetheart.  Never a nasty cat, always the lover.  I have many pictures of her with Maddie as a baby.  She was Maddie’s little nurse maid.  Never minded a squeal and the occasional tail tug.

Maddie had a friend visit, who had moved away a couple of years ago.  They have stayed in contact which is nice. She also took the babysitting course which I think she already knew most of. She has always taken an interest is caring for the little ones in our life.

Last night I read about the 5 minute artisian bread on  Mushroom Villagers blog and just had to give it a go.  It was delicious and I will definiately be trying it again.  I made a small loaf and will try a little larger size tonight. 

The heat is on and the plants have arrived.  The arrival date was off by one day due to the bad roads but, they are here now.

The plants look to be in great shape.  Hopefully the weather gets a little warmer so we don’t have to count on producing so much heat.  Robin is using the outdoor wood burning stove with propane as a backup.   Maddie and  Robin are doing most of the planting, because I’m busy with some sewing and painting jobs besides the paint store job of course.  Robin is paying her well.  She is a wealthy child.  She is saving for horse gear and she wants to have a portrait painted of her two ponies.  She should have enough for most of it by the end of this planting season.  Lucky girl.

Meanwhile, outside still looks like this…

We have been having a crazy cold never ending winter this year.  We had yet another snow day for the kids yesterday.  Maddie entertained herself while I put in a couple of hours at work unexpectedly.   I dropped in to buy some paint for my newest job (more about that later) , and found my boss working by himself because the others were either late or having trouble driving in.  Once back home I actually excercised and had a shower while Maddie helped her friend babysit for the neighbour.  They brought the sweet thing over for a visit with me.  Personally I think they were at their limit and needed a little back-up.  Pushing the baby stroller up our hill in the snow and ice kinda knocked the life from them.  They collapsed on the sofa while I made silly noises at Inez to make her smile. 

I’ve started painting and decorating a customer’s kitchen.  I’ve done her living room and dining room a couple of years ago and now she is ready to update her kitchen.   She has a century old farmhouse that is really lovely.  It will soon be a little lovelier, I hope.  I will post before pictures soon, if I can remember to bring my camera next time.  I have removed some of her cupboard doors to paint them here at home.  I have started painting them with soft fern (2144-40)by Benjamin Moore and now she isn’t sure she wants them green.  I’ll take a door over for her to see this week.  Luckily, I have only done a couple so far.  The whole room will be painted in oil  because that was what was used originally.  I like the finish on the oil paint better anyways.  It won’t be fun doing the ceiling though.