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It is hard to believe that this is January in Canada this year!! The pachysandra ground cover is full and green and no snow cover of any description as of yet!! But best of all the moss covering on the garden is a beautiful shade of green and thick and lush.... The small pond and stream has some water in it from the heavy rains....yes....rains yesterday, and looks very much like it does in early Spring....quite unusual for this time of year...... The moss on the lower terrace has never looked this good in January....like a carpet.....I took this pic yesterday!!!!! Large rocks from our woods, which comprise the small waterfall in a section of the man made stream, are covered in moss and looking very green from all the rain.  We drain the stream and small ponds to prevent frost damage and heaving in the winter. Although it is over thirty years that the garden was begun, it is holding up fairly well with just a few cracks which had to be repaired... Here you c...

In the center of the above photo you will notice a tiny little garden folly.  It was built originally as the outdoor home for our last doggie, Tukk, our beautiful Siberian Husky who loved being outside. He has been gone for a while, and before the holidays, I came across a gorgeous book, while shopping our Indigo book store for Christmas gifts, The Birding Life, written by Carol Sheehan and Kathryn Precourt. It was while perusing this gorgeous book, that I finally realized what Tukk's little home could become! I had it built out of old tin ceiling tiles, which were the perfect shade of green, and cedar lumber which was painted the same colour and would blend in with the surrounding woods. Tukk, loved his new home, and went inside as soon as we put it in the garden, his doggie castle! I have always had an affinity to avian related objects, besides the winged creatures themselves, bird houses, aviaries and especially bird coops have always caught my eye, the dovecote being my favo...

I'm quite certain that many posts have been circulating the web about ex votos for the last few years. I was vaguely aware of them and what they were, but never really became interested in them until this fall during my trip to Italy. At the giant outdoor antique market in Arezzo it was one of the first things that caught my eye shortly after entering the grounds, actually the first stall of interest for me. Ex votos originated in Italy during the 15th century and are devotional objects offered as a symbol of thanks for prayers that have been answered. Grazie Ricevuti, or thanks for grace received.  It is a custom in France, Spain and Mexico as well.  The one above, that I purchased, caught my attention because of the lovely M in the center of the heart. Obviously, it stood for the name of the donor, Maria, which was written on the back in a hand written script, with the date and year of the graces received. ...beautifully tarnished with a lovely, vintage patina.... ...wi...

Well, with the advent of January, comes the full onslaught of the trade show schedules, for almost any endeavor you might be involved in, with the retail industry. Whether it be home design, fashion, food and event planning, the trade shows begin running from now until mid summer. After being so tapped out from the holiday presentations so many retailers have experienced, you are thrust right back into finding those new and exciting items for your customers. Although I have been involved in both aspects, from the buying and selling end, it is an exciting and also daunting experience!  I still attend the shows, although have become more selective, since I am mainly interested in wedding related themes and products.  Several years ago, I participated in a local wedding show and while editing some photos today, came across a few I had recorded of our booth. The vintage theme always being present in our presentation.... I like to incorporate little details in my work, like this...