Birthdays and Taylor Swift

We are in the big city today because tomorrow is our granddaughters 13th birthday!  

She is a “Swiftie” and was lucky enough to attend one of the concerts in Toronto.  I was watching “The Social” on Canadian television last week and saw a segment with the author of this book.  It all about the Taylor’s sense of style thought out her career.  What I really love is that the edges of the pages are gilded with glorious gold.  Always love gold especially on books. 

I included some of the gift wrap I used even though the package said it was wedding paper. 

My mothers engagement ring

I thought I should document that I found the box that holds my mother’s engagement ring.  I had forgotten all about it because I had hidden it away for safekeeping, then I happened upon it.  When I tried, the ring fit so it will stay with me now. 

I checked online and I could buy a similar vintage Birks jewelers bell-shaped silver box for $295CDN.  Wowzers!  My father always had expensive tastes (on a beer budget mind you).  They married in 1952 in Goose Bay Labrador (Canadian Air Force Base).  I think my dad was stationed in Bagotville before going to Goose bay so he might have purchased the ring in Montreal where Birks Jewellers began.  Maybe they even had a store in Quebec City but I don’t know. 

I used my Blackwing pencil, Violet Blue Prismacolour and Gold for colour. 

What I wore

So happy that I had something “new” (new to me at least) to wear for my meet up with my friend this week.  I already had the earrings and jeans and luck was with me last week when I found the sweater and blouse at the Sally Ann (Salvation Army) charity shop.   The tone-on-tone dots are a lot smaller on the fabric than what I have depicted here.  I used the flat end of a skewer.  I bought it because I love the deep blue colour and for the tactile nature of the dots.  Kind of felt a bit like flocked wallpaper without the ick of said wallpaper.  I don’t buy lots of green stuff so when I tried it on and it fit, I grabbed it too.  All washed up and good as new! 

I love thrift store shopping!  Often I come out empty handed but last week was an exception. 

I got to wear my Sailor Girl earrings again too, they are handmade glass beads.  I usually only wear them in the summer time, now they can see the light of day this winter.  I the artist at an arts and craft fair in town (Kempenfest Art and Craft festival, Barrie Ontario) but I bought these from her on line.  I see that she has a store now that sells her jewelry on Queen St in Toronto Ontario.  I might make a point to have a look sometime. 

If it’s Tuesday it must be….

Today is Tuesday so I put my rings in my recycled ring keeper before I went to physio. 

I used mostly graphite with some soft pastel (and used unscented hair spray), and coloured markers. 

I found that my mother’s engagement ring fits me now so it’s in the little glass jar already. 

Strange Brew

Supersonic Puppy Dreams is a “must try” (for some anyway) even though it is a STRANGE BREW!  The Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery is an 20 minute or so drive to the south of us. They normally brew beer and have created this new beverage.  I can taste the pineapple and the orange creamsicle but there is just something about it that is strange to my tastebuds.  I can’t put my finger on it.  I guess I will have to try it again and see what I think then.  I love all the bubbles and the gentle straw colour reminiscent of a fine bubbly wine.  

It is available at the grocery store here in Ontario since it is produced by a craft brewery.  Grocery stores and other outlets have to reserve a certain amount of space on their shelves for products made here and by craft breweries. 

I noticed on the can that it is exported stateside and is imported by a company in Canton Ohio, USA. 

The Lost has been Found

I thought it was about time to get rid of my husband’s suitcase that he hasn’t used since 2015!  Unbelievable but true.  Anyway, he has been telling tales for years and years about how I must have thrown his prized autograph out.  Yes, it’s true I do throw stuff out but I wouldn’t do that without checking.  This is the stuff that I found in HIS old suitcase.  Not just the newspaper with the Pete Rose signature on it but the pill container from Rome that he thought he had lost.  

Yup, he’ll be eating humble pie for awhile over this. 

Coincidence

So weird!  I’m not much for coincidence so I couldn’t help but notice this one.  I’m not into numerology so I don’t know if there is another way to understand what this might mean. I don’t have a “lucky” number per se since I’ve never won a lottery.  For me, it’s just a simple coincidence that my employee number at work was 111.  Could be that I had the “old farts” (retiree) breakfast on my mind.  Who knows.  I created a page in my sketchbook. 

Making Thank You cards

I was diagnosed last November (5) with cancer.  I started chemotherapy treatments in January and radiation in March and April.  After a rest period and a 7 hour operation, I had the tumour removed on June 10th.  These (along with others) will be mailed out today to friends who sent me cards and beautiful art. Their kindness brought me so much joy.  I LOVE receiving snail mail. It’s a 400 foot walk down our lane way to our mailbox and I am always happy to see the flag up on our box! Yippee we have mail!