Going online at the moment is an exercise in frustration. As my computer guy is out of town at the moment I've decide to give myself a computer break until I can fix things.
I must confess I'm pretty happy about it though. I've got a garden to put to bed, a room to finish painting, what feels like an entire basement to reorganize as Holly moves into Morgan's old room and my stuff moves into Holly's old room. Then there's the cleaning, laundry, bill paying and baking to do.
And Thanksgiving. This weekend it's Thanksgiving and I've decided to treat my self to a reading marathon.
Which will only work if I can stay out of the garden. As I see the glorious day unfolding I'm thinking it might not happen . . .
I've visited my sisters and family in British Columbia many times over the years but never made the time to visit these amazing gardens. Until this last visit.
Minter Gardens is closing at the end of this season. Somehow I had to find a way to get there. Thankfully my sister and brother-in-law Sabrina and Rob, her mom Linda and their oh so sweet baby Damian were gracious enough to bring me and my camera for an exciting stroll through the gardens. (Poor souls. Little did they know how often I stopped to take pictures. . . They sent a lot of time sitting on benches. . .)
Grab your coffee or tea and, if you're feeling really decadent, a slice of coffee cake and settle in to enjoy a stroll through Minter Gardens.
I feel so blessed to have been able to see this garden before it closed. If you live in the area and still want to visit they will open until the 14th of October.
I've got the sneaky suspicion he might be stretching the truth.
The day after Ladies Night out. . .
This next one really makes me cringe. . . probably because this isn't a result of the Ladies Night Out. I'm just terrible at keeping up with the laundry . . .
Luckily for me I bought some of Melissa's fabulous cupcakes. Nothing makes the bad stuff disappear like a hot cup of tea and a delicious cupcake. . .
To bad the bad stuff comes right back once the cupcake is gone. . .
We are teaching two classes, Terrariums and Clay Tags, as well as having a table filled with concrete leaves, terrariums and an assortment of other items we've been working on for all the ladies to peruse.
I am blessed with a husband who just wants me to do what makes me happy. (with the occasional load of laundry!)
However, if I only did what makes me happy, which is to create beautiful things, our tiny house would be filled to bursting in no time. This gives me a reason to create beautiful things for others to enjoy and if I was able to just give these things away, it would make for a simple and rather laid back life.
Since we aren't independently wealthy, I have to find another way to do things.
That's how my gardening business Growing Wisdom and now Whimsey Design's vintage and garden inspired goods came into being. If I can earn money sharing my garden knowledge and pretty handmade things I can dream and create everyday without resorting to mac and cheese for supper every night.
Running a business requires a pretty extensive set of skills, several of which do not come naturally! Organization and consistent bookkeeping being at the top of the list.
Stuff like that can keep me up at night as I wander around online or hit the library searching for the knowledge I lack. I have become acutely aware of my strengths and weaknesses.
Every so often the enormity of what I'm trying to do causes me to break out in a cold sweat . . .
How thankful I am that I'm not doing this in my own strength . . .
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV) And then there's my family . . .
They cheerfully pitch in and help out with whatever mad scheme I've got going. Most of the time. Frequently Once in a blue moon they'll roll their eyes, sigh, turn off my computer and lead me to bed, reminding me that tomorrow's another day.
How often have you gazed at fabulous photos from a friend's vacation and thought "There's nothing like that where I live!"
Here's the thing though,
The lady who lives down the street from the fabulous location your friend visited??? . . .
Looks at pictures fromherfriend's vacation in yourtown and thinks "There's nothing like that where I live!"
It's time to look at your town or city like a tourist.
Before assuming there's nothing of interest to see or do in your home town, Google it. Design Sponge, a design blog I enjoy, had an entire post on everything that's amazing about Edmonton. There's enough there to keep me going for months, maybe even an entire year!
I'd love to look at an old castle but as there's nary a castle to be found in a city as young as Edmonton, I do the next best thing. . .
I grab my camera and head to historic Old Glenora. Truthfully I drive there at least once or twice a week with Jada but it never gets old to me and I always feel like I'm taking a mini vacation as we wander our way through the neighborhood.
Can't you imagine a fairy tale taking place in this house?
I LOVE 'eyebrow' windows!
The parties you could have on this porch. . .
Is there anything more fabulous than a brick house covered in virgina creeper turned red in the fall?
So I want to know . . .
What fabulous place should I visit in your hometown?
Tamara's out of town today and unable to play so I'm on my own. Why not join me today? Don't forget you can post on our Travel Tuesdays Facebook page if you don't blog or if you're just short on time and can't blog.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Posts
.jpg)
