It's good to be back.......

Over a month since my last blog. How very neglectful of me! Actually, I have been very busy and yet I can't quite pinpoint how. Needless to say on with show........


I found myself at the beginning of May on a roadtrip with my sister, Linda and my Mom. We went to Naicam, Saskatchewan for 4 days. We spent the majority of the time with my Great Aunt Edie, 89 and Great Uncle Roy, 98. Probably 4 of the most cozy days ever! Her home was small and old and filled lots of things that I remembered from visiting them as a youngster. Seeing the boundless energy of my Aunt was very inspiring, watching and listening to her I found that I now know where alot of who and how I am is from.

She has a very common sense and calm approach to all things in life. One thing that she put in from of me is as I was sitting at the table over about the 40th cup of tea and a bar/cookie treat (I gained 5 lbs while I was there) was this lovely book, Mrs. Beeton's Cookery Book.


Published in 1906, it belonged to my Great Grandmother. Not only is it filled with wonderful recipes, but wonderful directions on being "The Housewife" which includes everything from directing servants to table napkin folding. Sometimes we "housewives" receive "looks" when asked what it is that we "do". The opening of this book summed it up for me as to why we should (if we don't work outside of the home) and why it's important.

"It is not given to us all to become famous, but in this busy world there are few who, metaphorically speaking, need "waste their sweetness on the desert air," or, in less poetical language, lead a useless life." (Ha, ha, love it, so upfront!)

"Far from the humblest or the least dignified one is that of a housewife in whom, if she faithfully fulfills her duties, will center all the home interests and cares; while to her and to her alone is given the power of making her house, however humble, the embodiment of our ideal, "Home, Sweet Home" (That's right girl, be in control, make it happy, paint that wall and buy that couch!)

"Unselfishness, industry, patience, perseverance and thoughtful care for others are most needful qualities for the good housekeeper to possess, for with her rest many responsibilities." (Wow, will those things transfer well to a resume? They should!"

It's a lovely little gem, too bad she gave it to my sister! It sucks being the baby sometimes.

I spent some quality time at the Naicam Thrift Shop as well and found these little vintage lovelies for 50c apiece

I had two vintage aprons that I found at a tag sale about 8 years ago and have been wearing them for a long time and now I have these to wear. I'll take a couple up to the cabin (that now I have gone back to my Aunt's house, I know why I love so much and find so comforting to be in)

I love the apron on the bottom right it inspired the card below. It has a different kind of matching envelope.




The envelope is made by sealing a regular size card envelope shut, cutting off the top. Cutting paper to cover the bottom and top. I saw the original idea for this card on Splitcoaststampers from this crafty little gal. I used the Itty Bitty Buds stamp set from Stampin' Up. Little accents of white on the flowers was some 3D paint in an iridescent white. All paper and ink was from Stampin' Up. The sweet blush vintage button was from Papertreyink. The sentiment is from Favorite Thoughts, a new clear mount set found in the Stampin' Up summer mini.

I know exotic warm locations are a wonderful place to be (especially to escape the winters here in Canada) and our immediate families and the lives we lead can occupy a lot of our time, but I highly recommend making the time to be with extended family and older generations if you can, you may find some comfort and inspiration while your there!