It's been such a long time since I have even viewed my blog I started years ago...dare I start to blog again? Blogging is such a great way to connect with wonderful people and share ideas, recipes, DIYs and a bit of anytime and everything. It is also a big commitment. I think I will start with a few small painting projects to get me started again, or should I say motivated again to be more creative and to finally complete some things I have been procrastinating about for far too long. Before and after pictures to follow...starting small so I don't get overwhelmed. Life is busy with working full time outside the home, keeping on top of household chores as well as balancing a healthy family life. Of course I try to squeeze in some me time with things I like to do and there are oh so many things on my 'To Do' list. Can any of you relate to this...please say yes! With this first post since 2012 I have lots to share and, by the way, I realize I need to update my look so be patient with me please🙃I also have to edit some areas that need changes. I am looking forward to the days ahead and sharing some seasonal decor and life in general in the 'Joy' household. This darling girl came into our family almost 2 years ago. She is a bundle of fun and has filled our lives with abundant joy!

Weekend Activity

Another Saturday morning...Yay! Today I will be heading to my daughter's new house (they just moved in on Wednesday) and I will assist her in getting organized and making her new house homey. It's quite lovely and her backyard is already naturally pretty. I just love all of the big windows they have at the back of house where the view is lovely. Noah is settling in quite nicely and he even has a buddy next door, named Harley. Well, I say buddies but yesterday all they did was bark at each other but I'm sure it's just because they are both excited to have a new neighbour. AND there's this cat in the neighbourhood who, other than she is slightly lighter in colour, looks exactly like our beloved cat we had years ago, named Bates. I miss Bates!

I forgot to tell you that I am on vacation! I am hopeful that after the weekend I will be able to concentrate on my  own plans for the remainder of the week.  I won't share any of my projects yet but keep in touch and you will see what I've been up to.  It's Father's Day weekend so we will be planning something special for Paul and Joel who are both amazing dads.  I've mailed my dad's gift and my mom confirmed that he received it yesterday so I am delighted he will have it for Sunday.  I read every Hallmark and Carlton card out there and could not find one that said what I wanted to say so I created my own greeting in a letter stating all the "I remember when(s)" as far back as I could remember.  I hope he enjoys the letter and I'm sure he will remember many of  them as well.  I should have done something like this years ago; after all, who can tell my dad how I feel about him better than me.

I'm scooting over to the TSC website now to order some of my favourite fashions from the Joan Rivers collection. I viewed her segment earlier this morning and eyed a couple of amazing pieces I just have to have...see you later!

Thanks for stopping by...Gale

Saturday Mornings

Ahhhhhhhhh...Saturday mornings...I love them!  My get-on-the-go coffee was delicious this morning and the pancakes; well, scrumptiously yummy...loaded with fresh (well previously frozen) cranberries, blueberries, pineapple, coconut and some crunchy granola...mmmmmm!  I sneaked a small dollop of whipped cream and just a drizzle of caramel sauce on them...honestly!  I only ate one and would have resisted altogether but before my feet even landed on the floor this morning, my hubby requested my berry-loaded pancakes - so what's a girl to do, right? 

As I sit here typing, I'm eyeing my packages which were courier-delivered earlier this week from TSC...the boxes contain a new healthy meal plan and exercise bar.  I think the reason I am procrastinating about opening the box is because I know I have to at least attempt to make some changes in my current lifestyle.  I really do  plan to open them  sometime today and I am going to give it a try...no more pancakes in my near future...sigh.  Anyway, remember my rant about my unproductive weekend?  This weekend WILL be different.  I'm already energized and ready to go...I will update this post throughout the day and publish it tonight so you will be convinced that I followed through with my plan.  Enjoy your Saturday wherever you are!



This is the before shot of one of the 6 chairs I will be painting and recovering.  My hubby has already removed the chair seat and I'm ready to get started with the sanding and painting.  I will post an after shot once I have the first chair refurbished.  I'm excited to see the transformation and can't wait to use my new electric stapler which Paul bought me for this project.  Wish me success!

Well, just to let you know that we finally hung our new abstract canvas.   I purchased this canvas quite awhile ago at HomeSense.  It has been leaning against the opposite wall on my  mirrored accent table until I decided where I wanted to hang it.  I'm proud to say that it's now properly displayed and looks quite lovely...do you like it?  I wanted to bring in another bit of sunny yellow without overdoing it.  Yellow is such a cheerful color, isn't it?



Our new canvas...really liking the soft creams, greys, greens and, of course, the pop of yellow!



Love...

I actually got down on my hands and knees and cleaned my hardwood floors today, then I shuffled around a few things in the living room...just slight changes but it does look much nicer. I  now have to get focused again since I decided to take a break and accompany Paul to Canadian Tire and the supermarket.  Although at Canadian Tire I did find some lovely white wicker  square baskets to replace the black ones I now have.  The baskets just slide into the openings in my front entrance table. They will brighten up the area quite nicely, I think.  I also purchased 2 cans of Rustodeum spray paint to change the base of my now bronzed buffet lamps.  These will go on our sofa table in the living room.  I can't wait for them to dry!

Here it is folkes...the results of my first attempt at distressing and recovering a chair; I am quite pleased with the outcome...just 5 more to go!

A 'Joyful' heart is good medicine

Rain, Drizzle and Fog

I am determined to remain positive in spite of the weather we are experiencing in our neck of the woods; I mean, how much rain, drizzle and fog can we take?  My inner voice says "Count your blessings, Gale, it's not all about the weather, right?"  Right!  Okay, I'm alright again...we have to count our blessings, folks...and remember all the wonderful things we have going for us in our beautiful province.  The weekend promises sunshine and warmer temperatures...get out and enjoy it!

Summer Mantel

All good things must come to an end...

As the weekend winds down I reflect on what I have accomplished over the last two days and, really, I haven't done much of anything. I did manage to get a Saturday morning doctor's appointment which kinda interfered with my laid back morning routine. I came home after spending 30 minutes in the waiting room, so by the time I returned home I had lost all motivation to do much. I actually spent a lot of my day with my laptop on my lap...I fear addiction! This blog thing is more challenging and time-consuming than I anticipated.

I did participate in our annual walk-a-thon with my co-workers on Sunday morning and cooked a turkey supper but I now feel the urge to nap...not good! I guess we all have weekends like this when Sunday evening rolls around and you wish you could start over. I'm already planning what I will do next weekend. Oh, I almost forgot, I did rearrange my mantel for summer and after three attempts I ended up with a look I liked. The focal point is a vase filled with bright yellow flowers which is reflected in the mirror behind. I tied a huge burlap bow around the neck of the vase with the ribbon tails landing on the mantle top where a fat pretty-coloured bird has landed. I hope he stays around for a while! Another smaller yellow bird is captured and sitting beneath a glass cloche...poor birdie! I finished it off with a weathered-look lantern, some mercury glass candle holders and I then placed a large willow deco ball atop a stack of seasonal books on birds and gardening....loving the large and small willow deco balls I found at HomeSense!

Here is the little birdie who has perched on my mantel.

The wicker deco balls atop a small stack of seasonal books adds texture and interest to the mantel.

I'm not sure if I will keep the little birdie refined to the glass cloche...he's peering through the glass longing for freedom so I think I will let him go.

I love the bright yellow flowers with a few pussy willows added which, with a flick of a switch , give off a soft glow.

I decided to release the little yellow bird from his glassed-in cage and, "Look...he decided to stay!"

A few seashells, starfish and a piece of faux coral bring the beach inside.

Wonderful Wednesday

Well...Good Morning to you all! I'm off today thus I have the luxury of sitting down in my favourite chair and relaxing rather than rushing out the door and heading to my place of work. Don't get me wrong, I love my job but having a day to relax in the middle of the week is quite nice. As you can tell, I've made some progress...I have actually managed to upload a photo from my personal files to my blog header...good for me; I think I deserve a star! I'm not sure what I will accomplish today. I know for sure that my daughter will be dropping by for a visit and will pick up our... oops! I mean her puppy (75 pound 2-year old Lab/collie) who we have been doggy-sitting while her and Joel have been away. We will miss Noah around here...constantly at our feet, the dog hair EVERYWHERE, putting him outside, taking him back in, walking him, feeding him...oh dear, he's a lot of work BUT we love him! I am very anxious to see our girl after almost 3 weeks. We will have lots to talk about and I'm looking forward to hearing all about her trip to Rome.

Here is a picture of dear ole Noah...isn't he adorable?

I'm not sure what I will do for the remainder of the day...I may decide to take a trip to HomeSense which is normally my Saturday morning adventure but it will be a nice change to head out on a week day.  I may just stay at home and relax or take on one of those tasks I have been putting off.  Right now, I think I will have my second cup of coffee and browse through my newest Style at Home magazine before I start my day or do anything.  Enjoy your Wednesday...I plan to!

This is the day that the Lord has made...REJOICE and be glad in it!