I’m happy that you came by again today for a visit.  Would you care for a glass of pink lemonade for a change?  Or, maybe pink tea? It’s a beautiful sunny day here, and I could really use the company.   I am off work in misery with fractured ribs from coughing – the leftovers of a nasty flu virus that had me literally seeing double for 5 straight days. It’s just been an unbelieveable time.

I promised you  a second part to the ‘Pink Days in Bloom’ post…I’ve had this current post prepared for several months.  Some of you have been asking about it and so I thought that I would release it today.

What does it really mean to ‘Think Pink’?

There was a compelling interview on Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) Radio on Friday, January 27th with National Film Board (NFB) Producer Ravida Dinn who is challenging the iconic Pink Ribbon movement, its unending conglomerate fundraising, and where all the money goes. The interviewer referenced that despite billions of dollars raised every year to fight breast cancer, it seems we are no closer to a cure, prevention or, more importantly, finding the cause.

The pink ribbon is not new to controversy.

Some think it’s more about support and less about the solution. Breast cancer is an epidemic around the globe and, despite all that we are doing, we still have no idea what is causing it! 59,000 women in North America die each year from breast cancer.  The disease incidence remains high - I am ONE of 23,000 women newly diagnosed each year. (I was diagnosed in 2010 – 1.5 years after first seeing my doctor about the lump in my breast).

Women ARE living longer but , it seems, we still haven’t figured IT out. Currently, the biggest risk factor is just being a woman, and that’ a scary thing.  NOT GOOD ENOUGH.  Listening to what Ravida Dinn has to say – maybe we aren’t doing enough of the RIGHT things in waging an effective fight against breast cancer.  Maybe there IS a SMARTER way to engage in the battle?! This is, after all, a WAR.  Maybe we SHOULD be asking more questions.  Maybe we SHOULD be demanding more answers…

The business of the pink ribbon…

An NFB feature documentary called “Pink Ribbon Inc.” produced by Din and directed by Lea Pool opened in select Canadian theatres a week following Din’s CBC interview.  On Sunday, March 11th, I trotted off to the LSPU Hall to view the film hosted by the St. John’s Women’s International Film Festival.    It was the quickest 90+ minutes I’ve ever spent.  I was captivated from the start and the time flew – by the end of the film, it seemed more like only 20 minutes has passed!

Pink Ribbon Inc. observes the amazing staying power of the “ultra-feminine dream cause” thousands of corporations align themselves with each year and use as a powerful marketing tool, important in looking for new markets and branding themselves as good citizens.

80% of household decisions are made by women…

Pink is presumably soft and safe – a surefire way to reel in the corporate dividends. Breast cancer is the “cross-marketing poster child” for everything from airlines, car manufacturers, credit cards and cosmetics to time management, teddy bears, fashion and food products. KFC in the U.S. even has a pink bucket that has many scratching their heads! Chances are if you can think of it, there is likely a pink ribbon attached to it – legitimately* or otherwise!   Potential profits in the breast cancer marketplace are steep since 80% of household decisions are made every day by women. Breast cancer, undoubtedly, is BIG business and it’s everywhere – just like the disease…

Ravida Din, herself treated for breast cancer some years ago, admits that she has never identified with the pink ribbon  and questions our naive willingness to get into bed with companies whose goal is profits over health. The film speaks to the hypocrisy of large conglomerates who profit from the disease.  There are several riveting issues addressed in the film that are sure to stir emotions and get everyone thinking and re-thinking about the unstoppable mega PINK fundraising machine and the glitzy business giants who stand to profit from it.

What is “Pink Washing”?

• The concept of ‘Pink-Washing’, i.e. companies who promote themselves as looking for a cure, making money off the disease while selling products that could be hazardous to women’s health.   The film’s makers allude that many well-known ‘Pink Ribbon Companies’, including popular cosmetic giants, according to environmentalist claims, refuse to sign a safe cosmetics agreement continuing to produce products that contain known carcinogens. Reportedly, car manufacturers, too, are riding the breast cancer bandwagon while vehicle emissions are to be a known cause and many of the companies’ employees who happen to be women have been diagnosed with the disease.

• DID YOU KNOW? Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which began in October 1985, has its origins with a pharmaceutical company now known as AstraZeneca, creator of the anti-breast cancer drug Tomoxifen.  Shockingly, the company is reportedly the leading manufacturer of crop pesticides!

• DID YOU KNOW?  The first pink ribbon was actually salmon-coloured, the invention of 68-years young Charlotte Haley.  Charlotte was fed up watching many of her close family members battle breast cancer, so she decided to take matters both figuratively and literally into her own hands, cutting peach ribbons from cloth while sitting at her dining room table.  Her genuine intent of this simple gesture was to protest to her government the shameful lack of money being invested in finding a cure for breast cancer.  The original ribbons were affixed to a card that said, “The National Cancer Institute’s annual budget is $1.8 billion, only 5% goes for cancer prevention.  Help wake up our legislators and America by wearing this ribbon.” When asked by Estee Lauder to share her ribbon, Charlotte denied the request refusing to allow it to be used to impact the company’s bottom line.  On the advice of its corporate legal team, Estee Lauder simply changed the colour and, before long, pink ribbons adorned many of the conglomerate’s products.

• The point  that Din and Pool are making is that if companies TRULY care, there is no room for hypocrisy in this fight of our lives. Period.   The purpose of their film is to challenge us to be more demanding in that focus be on the cause and prevention of breast cancer – on saving  the lives of women.

Pink is everything cancer is not!

Pink has always been my favourite colour since I was a little girl. Pink is beautiful, calming, feminine, joyous… Ironically, pink is everything breast cancer is NOT. Sadly. Breast cancer is far from pretty, feminine or pink! There is nothing pretty or warm and fuzzy about breast cancer. It is a horrible, lonely disease. Like a thief in the night, it robs precious, irreplaceable time.  It robs women and their families of any sense of bliss or peace.  If you are lucky, it causes you to be constantly on alert, always looking over your shoulder and around the corner.  If you are unlucky, it steals your life. Women, indeed, have a right to be sad, angry, demanding, even militant for God’s sake.  Insightfully declared by feminist Barba Ehrenreich, it’s not Welcome to CandyLand, it’s “Welcome to CancerLand!”  She is author of a book of the same name.

“Do Everything!”

So here we are. We started out decades ago walking for the cure.  Now, in 2012, we find ourselves en masse running, jumping, dancing, shopping, cooking, kissing, pouring, ‘busting a move’ and more…all for the cure.  The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s (CBCF) own marketing campaign suggests:  ’DO EVERYTHING’ for the cure!  Is anyone getting tired here?!

You know that well-known adage, “It’s not time that heals all wounds, it’s what you DO with that time…”  What have we been doing all this time in searching for the cure for breast cancer?

As the producer of the film, “Pink Ribbon Inc.”, Din challenges that it is difficult to dissect where the entire pot of money goes. So, why is it that after millions of people volunteering trillions of hours and raising billions of dollars, are we not seeing any improvement?  The film asserts that a lot of money goes for treatment and control, and less is focused primarily on prevention and disease origins. Is there an untold story here?  Din is using her thought-provoking film as a mechanism for social change and it just may be the spark to ignite the fire. Her film takes a critical approach in getting people to REALLY look at the ways in which the fight against breast cancer is being waged and where it is headed down the road…

CBCF is not impressed with the film.

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) feels that the film is not an accurate portrayal of their organization’s goals or reflective of their commitment and the work that they do.  A representative of the organization stated in the same January CBC interview that there are many untruths presented in the film. CBCF reports that of the funds raised in support of finding a cure for breast cancer, 65% goes to research and, of that percentage, 10% goes to projects focused on risk factors and risk reduction.  They refute the film’s claim that new instances of the disease are up, while not enough is being done to actually STOP the disease in its tracks.  They counter that although the rate of incidence ( 1 in 9 women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year) has not changed in 25 years, survival rates ARE, in fact, up and treatments have improved and are most effective.  Women ARE living longer with a better quality of life than decades previously.  CBCF further argues that the alarming rate by which cancer is increasing as presented in the film, is somewhat misrepresented countering that it is a global number and that developing countries account for much of the increase.

CBCF defends its record in investing in cancer research.  The organization cites references to significantly funding a number of life-changing medical breakthroughs in recent years, and believes that corporate support and fundraising is a WIN-WIN-WIN for all. CBCF suggests that no one is forced to buy pink products. *And, if you are in doubt about a company’s claims about its product and support, you are encouraged to contact CBCF for validation.  Their message is simple:

“Donate wisely. Think Before You ‘Pink’.”

CBCF expressed it is most concerned about the impact of the NFB film on people who, together with their families and friends, are very involved in raising monies to find a cure,  especially those who are experiencing breast cancer.  According to a CBCF representative, those people said the film made them feel “sad”.

The timing of this film coincides with my desire to grow Garden Pink Days here in this province. When producing the inaugural Pink Days event at Pat’s Plants and Gardens last July while still on medical leave from my work recovering from cancer treatments, I was approached by CBCF-Atlantic who asked if we would support the organization in our fundraising efforts.  I immediately raised some of the same questions being asked in the film and that I am just plain tired of raising money for breast cancer year after year, when it seems we are no nearer to reaching that illusive cure. So at the very least, we would wish that monies stayed in our province to help with equipment and treatment programs for our ‘sisters’ living among us….The Coordinator offered to send me CBCF-Atlantic’s annual report so that I could see for myself where the monies are being spent and how the dollars are being used in this province.   I was convinced that we should support CBCF-Atlantic.

“WHEN YOU DO nothing, you feel over- whelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.” ~ Unknown

After all is said and done, I welcome the film and subsequent debate that surrounds it. Din takes a hard-nosed, critical approach in getting people to really look at the ways in which the fight against breast cancer is being waged and where it is headed.  It gets people thinking, questioning, and putting everything under the microscope at all levels.  There is always room for improvement in everything; and if this film serves as a tool to do that, then it’s all good. Right?

DID YOU KNOW?  Run for the Cure was held at  60 locations across Canada in 2011; 170,000 people participated and raised $30 million. Family, friends, neighbours and co-workers have run in my name and have raised thousands in the past two years. This event, along with other mass fundraisers, often have been labelled  as ‘cult-like’.  Well, from my perspective, anything that brings people together in the neighbourhoods and communities where we live, and inspires hope and support, and makes us all feel good while raising monies together in the quest for a better quality of life – free of breast cancer –  is a good thing.  To know that we are not alone is a good thing.

I encourage you to see the movie. Open your mind, start new conversations and thinking about how things can be challenged with a purpose for improvement and ultimately swifter action in finding a cure.  In the meantime, I am not discouraged and will keep on with Pink Days in Bloom – any collective action that inspires women and their families and that can help even in a microscopic way is well worth the effort.  We cannot underestimate even the smallest efforts.  I am proud to support CBCF-Atlantic Region.

I believe that while there may be lots of room for improvement in coordinating research efforts around the globe, increasing awareness is a positive thing. Some may argue that we are already aware. I can attest there were many things I did not know about the disease before having been diagnosed with it.  Anything that helps women feel empowered in the face of this dreaded disease and that supports survivors and their families is a good thing.   My dear friend Connie wrote to me in an email once, “Leave it to you to make from lemons, pink lemonade!”  It has buoyed me in a tumultuous time in my life and keeps me going…

I’d love to hear your ‘pink thoughts’.  Thank you for dropping by today.  And, I hope you’ll come back again soon.  Wishing you a beautiful day!

Linda

Pink Links/Sources:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Pink+ribbons+fundraising+feminism/6063744/story.html

 http://www.nfb.ca/film/pink_ribbons_inc_trailer

http://www.cbcf.org/atlantic/Pages/default.aspx

Blog Post 1:  http://beautifulideas.wordpress.com/2011/06/18/beautiful-pink-days-at-pats-plants-gardens/

Blog Post 2:  http://beautifulideas.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/pink-reigns-we-shared-we-cried-we-laughed-we-cant-wait-to-do-it-again/

Blog Post 3:  http://beautifulideas.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/pink-days-in-bloom/

Check out the great video in this post:

http://beautifulideas.wordpress.com/2011/10/02/were-gonna-rock-this-town-yay-for-today/

Check out Pink Days in Bloom on Facebook here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pink-Days-in-Bloom/382061855145657

Today I am joining friends at Masterpiece Monday, Show and Tell Friday, Feathered Nest Friday, Pink Saturday, At the Picket Fence and Simply Sweet!

This is my favourite of all Pinks!  Doesn’t this beautiful sight just make your heart go pitter patter?!  Gardening season is just around the corner…Come on out to the Spring Landscape and Garden Show on April 28-29 at the Jack Byrne Arena and talk with volunteers at the Pink Days in Bloom space to learn where there’s a Pink Day happening at a garden centre near you this summer!  We can’t wait to see you there!

These roses bloomed from a rose tree-standard in a planter on my deck last season.  They are called ‘Waterfall’…

Welcome Dear Friends, Old and New!

TEA ANYONE?  I invite you to sit and sip a cuppa with me. Do you like raspberry herbal? I enjoy it very much without anything added, but you may like to try a little lemon or honey.  It’s a tasty rosy pink tisane!  I am so excited that you stopped by for a visit today!

A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN A YEAR!  Things are happening which I alluded to in a past Christmas post and promised that I would tell you about.  We have much to talk about. In fact, I have so much to talk with you about today that there are two parts to this post!  If you are a regular visitor to ‘Beautiful Ideas’, you may have noticed that I have been taking a little break from blogging lately.  Actually, I have been so busy partly because of the blog and the amazing opportunities that it has brought with it this past year, which was my first year of blogging!  Whew! A lot can happen in a year!  First, have a listen to this gorgeous Celtic Woman with the voice of an angel.  I love how she sings, “When You Believe”.  What happens when we believe in something?!  It fuels our enthusiasm, uplifts our spirit and often becomes our passion…

I think this performance was filmed at Powerscourt House and Gardens in Ireland - a place to add to my “Must-Visit Gardens” list…

“WHEN YOU DO nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.” ~ Unknown

GROWING PINK DAYS! I have been occupied in recent months tending a garden of sorts – growing ‘Garden Pink Days’ a high-spirited fun’draiser for breast cancer research, equipment and programs in my home province. The first local Garden Pink Days was held last July at a favourite garden centre, Pat’s Plants and Gardens.  It was a beautiful success!

Pink Days is about Awareness, Hope & Support for persons with breast cancer, their families & friends; while at the same time, promoting gardening as part of healthy & beautiful living.  Raising funds for breast cancer research, programs & equipment is a bonus.  Pink Days is a way like no other that enables garden centres to connect with their gardening customers in creating a future without breast cancer.  Pink Days is a Win-Win for everyone involved!”

 

THE SEED IS PLANTED…  The first seed was planted last June as I was browsing the pages of a gardening magazine. Proven Winners, a well-known grower to many gardeners, was promoting its first hybridized pink Annabelle hydrangea, ‘Invincibelle Spirit’, specially developed in tribute to persons with breast cancer.  For every plant sold, Proven Winners will donate $1 and up to $1 million to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. To date, proceeds from sales of ‘Invincibelle Spirit’ are climbing to nearly half a million dollars for breast cancer research!

The impossible can always be broken down into possibilities. ~Author Unknown

TRUE BEAUTY AND DEEP MEANING IN THE GARDEN   I loved the idea of having a way to add beauty and true meaning to my garden, and to honour my beloved mom-in-law,  Ethel, who died from breast cancer in November 2009.  She was an avid gardener, a best friend, a kindred spirit… Every day I miss having her in my life. And, off I went in search of the ‘Invincibelle Spirit’ for my garden to honour Ethel’s beautiful spirit in our garden. I found the pink plant at Pat’s Plants and Gardens, Bay Bulls. Many of you know already that I was on medical leave at the time myself recovering from breast cancer treatments. So, for me, the plant has even greater significance.

IF YOU BELIEVE … When I returned from Pat’s Plants and Gardens, I googled the plant and discovered that Proven Winners has a ‘Pink Days’ campaign.  I immediately contacted Pat Puddester, the owner of the glorious garden centre where I had purchased my plant, and asked if she might consider hosting a Pink Day to raise funds in support of breast cancer research, programs and equipment in this province.  Pat not only said, “Yes!”, she insisted that we hold an entire Pink Weekend! What a woman! In addition to funds raised from prize draws, auction items, and other fun activities, Pat offered to contribute 10% of pink plant sales throughout the weekend!  Pink Days generated a lot of excitement and positive buzz about town. Just a few short weeks later, we had ourselves a beautiful and successful Garden Pink Day! We raised over $2,300.  You can see what we did and photos here, here , and here .  Pat and I, and many of the volunteers that day, have since become good friends – another beautiful bonus of Pink Days!

Make your optimism come true. ~Author Unknown

A TRULY BEAUTIFUL IDEA! Proven Winners actively promotes their Pink Day campaign in the U.S.  Initially, I emailed the company and thanked them for the beautiful idea of the Invicibelle Spirit pink hyrangea.  They were thrilled to know that Pink Days was in bloom here!  Shortly after that first contact, Proven Winners asked to use this blog post about our local event as part of a presentation to their major growers to let them know the impact of the plant and the Pink Days campaign in this part of the world!

Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way. ~Abraham Lincoln

 EXPERIENCE PINK…  A month or so after the inaugural Pink Days here, Proven Winners emailed me (while I was on holiday on Prince Edward Island, meeting my new friend Carolyn Aiken of the popular blog Aiken Home and Gardens!) to say they would be attending a huge international industry conference in Chicago the following week, and could they use articles from my blog posts possibly for distribution in their media kits.  Over 10,000 people would be attending. And could they, too, incorporate some of the blog photos from this post in their table centrepieces at a luncheon they would be hosting for 500 guests – just to let people know what they’d be missing out on if they didn’t host a Pink Day!!  No problem! WHAHOO!

We will either find a way or make one. ~Hannibal

I CAN’T BELIEVE!  Okay, here’s where I say, “I can’t believe what just happened!”  Barely four short months after the first-ever Pink Days was hosted at Pats Plants and Gardens here in Newfoundland, I was invited to Toronto to speak at a national industry conference of representatives from independent garden centres across Canada hosted by Sheridan Nurseries.  I was to tell about my own story about having breast cancer and my personal Pink Day experience. The beautiful Stacey Hirvela from Proven Winners was presenting and she was playing the photos on the big screen behind her of our fun’draiser as an inspiration to others! The dream for me has been that in the years to come, the idea of Pink Days will catch on and continue to spread across our fair Island.  I could never  have dreamed in a zillion years,  that I would have an opportunity to champion the cause to owners of garden centres across the country!!!

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. ~Mayo Angelou

I am thrilled to tell you that Pink Days has grown this year to include five (Yes, 5!) AWESOME garden centres on the Avalon Peninsula in Summer 2012.  Pat’s Plants and Gardens is excitedly looking forward to hosting its Second Annual Garden Pink Days on July 14-15.  Generously joining in the cause are:  Hickey’s Greenhouses, both their Dunville (June 30) and Kelligrews, Conception Bay South (July 7) locations; Shand Nurseries, Pouch Cove (July 21), and O’Neill’s Gardlenland, Spaniards Bay (July 22).   And, interest is growing…

I hope you enjoyed your tea!

PINK BLOOMS!  This year, Landscape Newfoundland and Labrador, too, has joined the cause in kindly contributing space at its Spring Landscaping and Garden Show and Symposium on Saturday, April 28th and Sunday, April 29th at the Jack Byrne Arena, Torbay enabling ‘Pink Days in Bloom!’ to be promoted to the thousands of visitors to the show.  Canada’s own gardening guru Mark Cullen will be their special guest!

INSPIRING WOMEN… More recently, I was invited to a meeting of a local breast cancer support group (the first time I’ve ever been to anything like this) specifically to talk with members about Pink Days.  Many of them volunteered to help get the word out at the Garden Show!  Thank you to all you lovely ladies who signed up!  You are the best!

Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more. They did all that was expected of them and a little bit more. ~A. Lou Vickery

THANK YOU!  I am over-the-moon by the enthusiasm and support demonstrated by local businesses and volunteers; including women living with breast cancer, survivors, and their families and friends.  It is beyond inspiring to see all of these people so willingly give back to their communities. The high energy, big-heartedness, and all-embracing spirit – even among strangers – that springs from a Pink Day event is palpable and infectious.

A WAY LIKE NO OTHER… Garden Pink Days is really a way like no other in connecting with people, young and old, who live in our neighbourhoods, while offering comfort and support to fight the disease.  Raising funds for breast cancer research is a bonus!  To someone like me,  Pink Days mean the world.  We have to believe that the cause and cure for breast cancer will be found in our lifetime, so our children today will not have to suffer tomorrow.

 

And, speaking of children…I could not resist sharing with you this photo of my precious young grandnieces Victoria, 8 and Lily, 1. Big sister just adores little sister!  I played with the special effects a bit…I love how it looks a little like an oil painting.  What do you think?  

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.  ~Maya Angelou

THOUGHT-PROVOKING QUESTION:   ”Is there inequity between the iconic ‘Pink Ribbon’ campaign proceeds and breast cancer research?” Is your curiousity peaked?  Stay tuned for ‘PINK TWIST’ - Part II of this post…

PLEASE BE SURE TO VISIT PINK DAYS IN BLOOM ON FACEBOOK…

Many thanks for choosing to spend some precious moments of your day here!  

I’m so glad you came.

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Linda

I am joining Meet Me Monday, Masterpiece Monday, Teatime Tuesday, Bloomin Tuesday, Tuesday Garden Party, Your Cozy Home Party, Tea Cuppa Tuesday, Tea Party Tuesday, A Return to Loveliness, Friends Sharing Tea, Outdoor Wednesday, What’s It Wednesday, Time Traveller Thursday, Open House Party,   Simply Sweet, Seasonal Sunday, Sunlit Sunday and Spring Link Blog Hop Party!!

Bringing the outdoors in...A garden table, chairs and cushions from Pier 1; ceramic rooster, table linens and glassware from HomeSense; and an inviting teaset from Bowring all combine to breathe new life into a teeny senior's room.

Dear Friends,

It’s freeeezzzzing outside, so come on inside and stay awhile where it’s warm and cozy! The kettle is whistling and I’m just about to brew a pot of comfort tea…

Today I thought I would share with you a video that I made of my Mom’s room when she moved into a ‘Seniors’ Home’ last May. Would you like to see it?

The room ‘BEFORE’ was institutional, bleak, impersonal and, admittedly, depressing…While Mom had decided that she would like to move into a ‘Home’, I think when she first saw her room empty (except for the standard furnishings provided and that were adopted by the former occupant), the prospect may have seemed somewhat daunting to her. I was on medical leave from my work at the time recovering from breast cancer treatments, and I felt sad about it all. But I knew in my heart that it was the best for everyone concerned. The staff at the ‘Home’ are all such beautiful, supportive people; and I knew instantly,too, that she would be given the best care possible there.

I set to work straight away dreaming about improvements I could make to the space and how to turn it into a REAL ‘home’ for Mom. The following few weeks were spent planning, choosing paint colours (I had convinced the wonderful owners of the Home to allow me to paint over the existing ‘cold stone’ shade), shopping for furniture and accessories, scheduling deliveries and pulling it all together.  Mom hadn’t seen any of the things I had purchased for her new room (her own furniture was way too oversized to fit); and although she knew that I was working on the space, she never saw it until it was entirely finished. When she walked into the room for the first time, it was a total surprise to her!  My mom loved the transformation, as did the owners of the Home – a relief on both counts. The ‘AFTER’ was warm, inviting, personal, charming and uplifting!

My 83-year old mom sees her room for the first time! Her new friends from 'The Home', Ruby and Laura, can't wait to see the transformation either!

The paint colours are Martha Stewart’s muslin and sugar white. I kept the backdrop neutral to accommodate the cheery mix of pattern, hues and textures that were introduced into the room. The industrial-style blinds were camouflauged, layering gold silk panels (Pier 1) over floral-embroidered ivory sheers (Madison Mackenzie) hung on a brass rod with glass finials (Wal-mart) that extended well beyond the window molding giving the illusion of a larger space.

I had trouble finding a table small enough to fit in the room. Given it functions as a TV room, study, dinette, parlour and bedroom, it is, indeed, a tiny ‘multi-tasker’ of a space! Fitting numerous, much-needed furnishings in the room while maximizing storage and ensuring safety and ease of movement posed a real challenge.

A bargain mirror at HomeSense for just $34 helps to create the illusion of additional space. A second mirror in a varying shape but coordinating frame (behind the dresser on the opposite side of the room) was a find from Cohens at just $54!

A glorious ceramic rooster (HomeSense) sits atop the table.  His base fits nicely over where the umbrella is normally inserted in the table.  My mom dearly loves the rooster and laments often that it doesn’t cocka-doodle-doo! Pity! Although, I don’t think her ‘Home mates’ in neighbouring rooms would appreciate a rooster crowing at the crack of dawn!

The pretty blue transferware plates that hang on the wall came from my own cupboard!  The wall sconce was a purchase from Bombay Company (the candle inside the hurricane is battery-operated). The beautiful yellow-and-red ceramic lamp with silk shade, petite black-and-floral camel-back settee (my favourite piece) and gold armchair are from Hayward Interiors, a favourite design store. The custom headboard (it had to fit below the thermostat and fan control on the wall) was constructed from fabric found in the bargain bin at a local upholstery shop.  The cheery rooster bed linens were ordered on-line from Garnet Hill, and the buttery matelasse bedspread and sham were also ordered on-line from J.C. Penney.

The larger dresser with a stencilled pattern was a real find, just $295 from HomeSense! It is charming and lends less-bedroom and more-dining-room feel, and doubles as a TV/lamp stand.  The pair of smaller crystal lamps, coordinating mirrors, framed prints and floor rugs, were good buys at Winners.  The rugs really warmed up the hardwood floors and seemed to complete the room,  making it snug and appealing.

The scrolly iron plant stand (Winner’s) hosts a fountain with a lifelike frog (Alderberry Blum). Water bubbles up through a bamboo shoot; the sound is soothing. Realistic silken flowers and leafy ferns surround it and contribute a breath of spring to the room.  The framed prints of birds, butterflies, and dragon flies, as well as the colourful florals on the settee, and winged faeries that alight around the room in unexpected places all help to carry the enchanting garden inspired theme.

When I first toured the ‘Seniors’ Home’, I immediately noted  the doors that opened into most rooms, first revealed the person’s bed. I purposely arranged the furniture in Mom’s room so that the bed is the last thing to be seen.  Rather, a beautiful patterned rug, the pleasant music of a water fountain, life-like gorgeous blooms and an illuminated garden lamp with a tin shade (O’Neill’s Gardenland) reflected in a large mirror, that seemingly expands the space, greet visitors upon first entering the room. A marvelous chair and brightly coloured divan (I love how the yellow, melon, red, and lilac floral pattern wakes up the black fabric)  accented with a wooden screen draped with ferns beckons in the background.

I wanted the space to feel less like a hospital room, or a bedroom, and more like ‘home’ where family and friends are comfortable. I easily change up the accessories just a bit with the celebrations of the seasons, and that keeps it fun and interesting for Mom and her friends at the ‘Home’.

And, well, let’s just say that since the room has taken on a new personality  (thank you to Judy and Lolly at the ‘Home’ for letting my family do this for our Mom), our outlook has changed regarding what it means to live in a Seniors’ Home.

I tried my darndest to keep the room bright, light and joyous, a space where Mom would be content and love coming ‘home’ to.  I want her to feel good about her room and look forward to it whenever she opens the door to it. And, when family visit, I want them to feel encouraged to stay longer and enjoy their visit with her. With a little imagination, Mom’s room is now an inviting, cheery space that offers a sense of relaxing comfort and hospitality that says, “Welcome Home!”

Click here for the video of Mom’s Room With A View

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I love seeing you! And, I’d love to hear your ideas about decorating a small space for a senior…Join in the conversation!

Wishing you a beautiful day every day,

Linda

Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, But beautiful old people are works of art.
~Eleanor Roosevelt

More photos…I’ll be adding some over the next day or two, so be sure to come back!

Before…

My 83-year old mom looks out the window of her new room at 'The Home'

My hubby helps me to measure the room...

After…

Today, I am delighted to be joining Masterpiece Monday, Make the Scene Monday, Metamorphosis Monday, Meet Me Monday, Show Off Your Cottage Monday, Market Yourself Monday, Do It YA Self Monday, Your Cozy Home Party, Tea Time Tuesday, Knick of Time Tuesday, WOW Us Wednesday, What’s It Wednesday, Southern Lovely for Show and Share, Home and Garden Thursday , Home and Garden Thursday, Open House, Thrifty Thursday, Time Travel Thursday, Feathered Nest Friday, Inspiration Friday, Vintage Inspiration Friday, Thrifty Things Friday, Furniture Feature Friday, Potpourri Friday, Fridays Unfolded, Saturday Splendour, Home Sweet Home, Once Upon A Weekend,  Show Me Extraordinary, Seasonal Sundays, The More The Merrier, Creative Bloggers Hop Party, Friends Sharing Tea and Healthy Wealthy Moms Blog Hop!

Carolyn gifted me her prized pink antique lustreware teapot - a rare beauty. It was featured in many of her blog posts over the years, and now it has a place of honour in my home and on my blog! I hope you don't miss it too much, Carolyn. You can know that it has a good home here.

Hello Dear Friends!

Today I am dreaming – dreaming of old-fashioned garden teas, teas on the porch, seaside teas, and tea picnics…

We are having a snowstorm in this corner of the world, and there’s not much moving outside.  So, I thought I would pass a little ‘quiet time’ and have some fun browsing through old photos and videos (I should be removing the past holiday eye-candy from my main blog page but that’s for another day).  Hmm, I came across something that I think you might like…

Some of you might recall that I travelled to Prince Edward Island last summer just to meet a new friend through blogging, Carolyn of the popular blog Aiken Home and Gardens!

During my visit with her, Carolyn gifted me her prized antique lustreware teapot!  It has appeared from time to time in her  breathtakingly beautiful blog posts like this one and this one.  She knew that I loved, it too, and I could not believe that she was gifting it to me as a remembrance of our visit together.

I featured Carolyn’s home and gardens in a series of five (Yes, 5!) blog posts listed below:

• An Enchanted Island Garden (Touring, Part I)
• Growing A Gift – A Gardener’s Passion (Touring, Part II)
• A Natural Beauty (Touring, Part III)
• A Garden’s Secret (Touring, Part IV)
• Embracing Romance, A Home’s Interior Tells A Love Story (Touring, Part V)

As a gift to Carolyn, I put together a slideshow of just some of her many teas that she has shared with her readers over the years. The photos in the video are from Carolyn’s own blog.  Carolyn has an abundant collection of the most enchanting teapots and tea things I have ever seen. I love looking at it and thinking of warmer days ahead…

I thought I would share the video with you and hope you enjoy it, too!  Carolyn’s tea vignettes are, indeed, a feast for the eyes. You’ll surely be inspired – if not to go out and dig yourself a big ol’ garden, at the very least to put the tea kettle on! Lol  After you watch it, why don’t you pop over to visit Carolyn’s captivating blog where she generously shares her life on the idyllic Island of Anne. And, don’t be shy, please leave her a comment to let her know you came by; I know she’ll appreciate it.  Won’t you tell her that I sent you! Lol  Here’s to a lovely teatime!  Thanks for stopping by.

Click the link below to view

“The Treasures and Pleasures of Tea”.

I always fear that creation will expire before teatime.
- Sidney Smith

I am happy to be joining the following wonderful parties:  Simply Sweet and Lace, Victoria, A Return to Lovelines, Friends Sharing Tea, Home Sweet Home, Potpourri Friday 2805, Show Off your Cottage Monday, Teatime Tuesday , Teacup Tuesday What’s It Wednesday, Wow Us Wednesday, Feathered Nest Friday  and Show and Tell Friday!

Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person.
— C. Neil Strait

Some carrot cake left over from "A Special Tea, Tour and More"...Click on the photo with this heading in the sidebar and it'll take you directly to the post!

Happy New Year Dear Friends,

I love you all! Thank you to each of  you for being so encouraging and supportive this past year. It has been an amazing journey with you so far.

I first began blogging in 2011 as a source of ‘happy therapy’, a positive focus while on medical leave from my work  recovering from treatments for breast cancer.  The warm words you wrote on my blog and my heart helped me get through some dark days and lifted my spirits more than you can ever imagine.

And, I could never have imagined the amazing opportunities that came these past months from blogging!  I’ll tell you a bit more about that in a later post, I promise…

First, let’s have a ‘cuppa’, shall we?  And, would you also like some carrot cake with cream cheese frosting to go with your tea? This is a moist and delicious-tasting cake.  There was a little left from “A Christmas Tea for Lucas” so I popped it in the freezer and saved it just for this visit.  It still has its wonderfully ‘fresh-from-the-oven’ goodness! Yum!

As you can see, I am still enjoying my Christmas decor.  Indeed, many of my friends and neighbours, it seems, are also a little reluctant to say good-bye to that holiday feeling.  I’m sure that will likely change in the next week or so; but for now, the house is all cozy with the warmth that the holiday decorations provide.

Today I heard something beautiful, and I just have to relay this story to you as it made my day!  TRULY!

Have you ever heard of  ’Random Acts of Kindness’?! I got the idea while watching the Oprah show one day many years ago.  Hubby and I were inspired by the program’s theme and have been doing little spontaneous things like this ever since, and it always brings us so much joy…

We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.— Mother Teresa

This morning, my husband and I dropped by our regular weekend haunt for breakfast.  I was anxious to talk with ‘our waitress’ Kim to find out the reaction of a group of four police officers (two male and two female) whom we had surprised last time we visited the cafe (the day after Boxing Day) by asking her to add the price of the police officers’ breakfasts to our own breakfast bill – but please not to tell the officers about their complimentary breakfasts until AFTER we had left the restaurant and they were waiting on their bills.  We wanted it to be a SURPRISE to them.  :-)

And, apparently, it was!  A BIG SURPRISE! Kim told us that the officers were totally blown away when she announced to them that their breakfasts had already been been paid for by the YOUNG (she did say young ) couple that had been seated at the table next to them. They hardly knew what to say and couldn’t believe that someone would actually do something so nice for them – I can’t imagine why NOT?!  (Police officers, and other uniformed service persons, are often under appreciated for the potentially dangerous work that they do on behalf of public safety, I think.) The officers told the waitress that IT made their Christmas and New Year’s! And, I could hardly believe THAT!  I started to get goosebumps to know that they were just so thrilled.  Kim went on to tell us more…

When you carry out acts of kindness, you get a wonderful feeling inside. It is as though something inside your body responds and says, “Yes, this is how I ought to feel.”
— Harold Kushner

As the four officers were leaving the cafe that morning, they were still commenting on the anonymous gesture that had so pleasantly shocked and surprised them.  Within mere seconds after the door had closed behind them, one of the male officers quickly popped back inside and headed toward the cash with a purpose in mind. He told ‘our waitress’ Kim that because someone had been so nice to do that for him and his colleagues, he wanted to pay it forward and asked to take care of the breakfast bill for the couple who had been sitting at the table behind him and his fellow officers!!!  Oooh, the goosebumps are getting bigger by the minute!!!  But wait, there’s more yet to tell…

Try to make at least one person happy every day.  If you cannot do a kind deed, speak a kind word.  

If you cannot speak a kind word, think a kind thought.  

Count up, if you can, the treasure of happiness that you would dispense in a week, in a year, in a lifetime!  

Lawrence G. Lovasik (The Hidden Power of Kindess)

Some ‘Pink Love’…See more in posts Ornaments of Wonder and Angels Among Us!

Thank you for visiting.  I appreciate your spending time with me.  I hope that someone is kind to you today and that you are, in turn, inspired to perform a “Random Act of Kindness”…

Fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds.  Buddha

I found the news clip below on-line and had to add it to this post.  It seems this is happening in many other places, too!  Isn’t it so refreshing?!

 RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS MULTIPLYING AT A BLUFFTON COFFEE SHOP

I am happy to be joining Hope in Every Season for Homemaking Weekend, 2805 Potpourri Friday, French Country Cottage’s Feathered Nest Friday, At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday, Home is Where My Story Begins for Home and Family Friday,  Cozy Home Scenes for Your Cozy Home Party, A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday, Lily Rose Cottage and Simply Sweet, Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage for Teatime Tuesday, Southern Lovely for Show and Share, The Charm of Home for the Home Sweet Home Party, Lily Rose Cottage for Lace and Crafty, Scrappy, Happy Me Thursday and My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday!

Fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds.  Buddha

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.
~Author Unknown

Dear Friends,

Happy Christmas Eve!  Won’t you share ‘A CUP OF CHRISTMAS’ with me?  In celebration, I’d be happy to brew some Twinings Christmas Tea in my holiday teapot.  I keep it on the mantle along with a beautiful ‘Brown Betty’ that once belonged to my dear mother-in-law (we miss you Ethel especially at Christmastime...)

On this special night, as my gift to you, gentle readers, I am sharing a little Christmas ‘story’ and Smilebox slideshow of past Christmases in our home (the living room looks much different now as you can see in the previous post “A Christmas Tea for Lucas“). So, let’s all put on our Christmas jammies, curl up for a bit and “Dream a wee dream of Christmas”…

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!  Sweet dreams…

I am joining The Charm of Home for Sherri’s Home Sweet Home Party.  My post “A Christmas Tea for Lucas” was featured there for last week’s party!  I am new to the blog parties and was so surprised to see my first linked post featured there!  Thank You so much, Sherry!  I appreciate that you felt mine was worthy to be featured on your beautiful blog!

I am also re-joining Honey at 2805 for her Potpourri Friday party.  It’s a lot of fun! Thanks Honey!  I’m joining up, too, at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell , French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday, Southern Lovely for Show and Share, Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, and Be Colorful for Motivated Monday!  Thank you to all the wonderful hosts of these fun parties for bringing  so much inspiration to our fingertips.  It is especially a wonderful opportunity for a new blogger like me.  Thank you lots for visiting today…

Customize your own slideshow design

CAUTION:  There’s alot of Christmas spirit in this post!  Take a few moments to yourself away from all the hustle and bustle, settle into your favourite armchair with a cuppa, put up your feet, and just breathe…

A Christmas "Togetherness Tea Party" at our home was actually a fabulous fundraiser. Holiday teas were poured from beautiful teapots. There were sweet treats, hugs and lots of fun! At long last, it seemed, the Christmas season had officially begun...

Welcome Kindred Christmas Spirits,

It is such a pleasure  to relate to you something wonderful that happened just over a week ago! Last Sunday afternoon (December 11th), my husband and I hosted the most beautiful Holiday Tea that we have ever held in our home.  It was an open house: a buffet tea and tour of our home decked out in all the season’s finery. The event was actually a fundraiser named: “A Christmas Tea for Lucas”…

THE SEASON OF GIVING  Over 60 persons (50 adults plus children) gathered at our home over a few joyous hours for the sound of jingling bells, twinkling lights, a rejuvenating cuppa, home-baked treats and heartwarming friendship - a time to celebrate all that is good about this time of year. Together, feeling inspired by the beauty and giving spirit of the season, we raised a grand total $1,475.00! Isn’t that AMAZING in just a few hours over tea and dessert?!  A Christmas miracle, indeed!

OVER TEA AND BLOGGING  I had been planning “A Christmas Tea for Lucas” for months – since late summer when we visited Prince Edward Island solely to meet my new friend through blogging Carolyn Aiken (you can read about it here) of the popular blog Aiken Home and Gardens. Undoubtedly, many of you already know Carolyn and are long-time fans of her gentle blog about her romantic life on glorious Prince Edward Island.

Lucas with a sock monkey named "Linda" that was made specially for the Tea and sent along in the mail from Prince Edward Island to my Island of Newfoundland. I must admit that I've never before had a sock monkey named after me!

On the final day of our visit with Carolyn and her husband Andrew back in August, and before leaving the Island, Carolyn and I sat together at her table in her welcoming kitchen and shared a cup of friendship.  She relayed to me that she and Andrew are blessed with 7 children and 9 grandchildren. One dear grandson, 6-year old little Lucas, had been diagnosed at the young age of just 2 years with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). It  affects only boys – as many as 1 in 3,000. I never knew that. In fact, I knew very little about DMD at all before then.

Lucas and his mom, Jen (Carolyn and Andrew’s daughter), were about to embark on a journey that would cause them to travel from their home on Prince Edward Island to a Montreal hospital each week for 52 weeks for Lucas’ participation in drug trials there.  It is hoped that these drugs will slow the progression of the disease. We are all wishing the best for sweet Lucas and his family.

As Carolyn and I were chatting on for hours, the time seemed to just fly by!  We shared  our common interests, pursuits, dreams, AND worries while sipping soothing peppermint tea and eating Carolyn’s tasty home-baked scones and pie. I promised my new friend then and there that come the holidays, I would host “A Christmas Tea for Lucas”.  It would be a way to embrace dear Lucas and his family on their journey, to let them know that someone was thinking of them, sending them positive energy; and to demonstrate, in some small measure, financial support for Carolyn’s daughter and her family during a most challenging time in their young lives. Christmas, after all, IS a time for family.  And, aren’t we ALL family? Every one of us needs a shoulder sometimes and a helping hand. The kindness of others helps to make our load a little lighter at times. People, even strangers, were so kind to me when I was going through treatments for breast cancer not so long ago; I just wanted to pay that forward somehow.  And, thus the seed was planted there on verdant Prince Edward Island at Carolyn’s hospitable kitchen table…

Singing angels (from left to right Memorial University of Music students Steven Griffin, Courtney Woodford, Chris Davis and Teri Slade) lend a neighbourly caring to the afternoon's event. These outstanding (pardon the pun) young people volunteered their precious time to raise funds for cancer research! Carolling is a rare and precious treat nowadays in this age of cds, music dvds and satellite radio! Thank you for the beautiful gift of your voices. You were truly wonderful and just made the day for all of us! I hope you will come back and share with us again next year...

FOUR MONTHS LATER, ON ANOTHER ISLAND… Christmas carollers with the voices of angels spreading the good news of the season greeted guests as they came up the walkway to our front door on that festive afternoon, immediately elevating everyone’s mood!

Can you see the crown of fresh fruit over the door?

Smiling, happy faces. Cheery greetings. Big hugs. Waves of gratitude and giving.

All were met with a fresh pineapple welcome (notice the door crown fashioned from a whole pineapple and bunches of shiny red apples), Colonial Williamsburg style.

Hand-and-tummy warming apple cider on the stove top. Frothy vanilla egg nog served in a vintage amber glass bowl and cups. Steaming flavourful teas poured from beautiful teapots. Fresh-from-the-oven desserts and special sweets of the season in abundance to tempt the taste buds.

The merry sound of jingle bells with each opening of the door. The warmth of twinkling white faerie lights all through the house. A holiday home tour. Prizes to be won and surprises, too!

Even an astonishing pop-in visit from jolly old Saint Nick himself in the finest cherry-red suit that I have ever laid eyes upon! (How on earth did you get word to Santa, good neighbour George, that we were having a special party that day?! And, how did Santa ever find time at this busiest time of year?! Muuuaahhh!). Children and adults alike were wide-eyed with wonder at the sight of the jolly gent. And, oh, the laughter!!! What holiday fun!

Handmade season wreaths plentifully fashioned from natural pine, fir, cedar and LOVE were for sale, contributed by a dear young friend with all proceeds going to the cause. Thank you, Brittany, for your generous heart! Every wreath sold and for a pretty price! People gave way more than we were suggesting – and, in one instance nearly ten time mores! WOW!

THE BEST GIFT  Kindness. Caring. Generosity. Sharing. Wide-open hearts. There was a real camaraderie, a connection of some kind in the air that is hard to describe with mere words. The sheer excitement was almost palpable. It was true Christmas spirit like I’ve never experienced! And, to top it all off, snow started falling softly outside the windows, as if we were inside a ‘living’ Christmas card…What a perfectly lovely day!

This door crown (also shown in the photo above) was created in mere minutes while waiting for a wickedly yummy carrot cake to come out of the oven the night before the party (rather, in the wee hours the morning of the party). I have been using the same wooden cut-out in the shape of a semi-circle for this annual project for over 20 years! The fresh fruits are pushed downward over top of long galvanized nail spikes. Cedar branches are hot glued to fill in the gaps between the apples. Using the large picture hander attached to the back of the piece, hang atop your door for a Colonial Williamsburg-style welcome and your done. A resplendent door crown! 1-2-3 Easy.

It was an oh-so special Tea Party in celebration of this magical time of beauty and wonder, and giving from the heart. One and all opened their hearts and their wallets in good old-fashioned Christmas spirit and rejoiced in the gift of giving. A THOUSAND THANK YOU’s EVERYONE!  It means the world that you gave so freely and in so many ways. I was able to send the gift of a Moneygram and all your best wishes off to Lucas and his family soon after the Tea. The much-appreciated gift will be used to purchase a new bed and mattress for Lucas.  Doesn’t it feel good knowing that you were able to help in this way?!

The sweets table...I was up until 2AM and again at 6 AM baking up a storm before the Tea so everything would be fresh. The gorgeous window pane and chocolate dipped cookies in the centre were compliments of Sugar Mama's Bakery! Thank you Lainie. It was very sweet of you!

The best gift of the season for me was knowing that everyone who came enjoyed themselves to the fullest, and that we were able to join together in sharing a little goodwill at this magical time of the year in effort to help our fellow man.

On that day, our home was filled  to the rafters with the love that is the very essence of this beautiful season…It is something we will never forget.

A handsome guest remarked, “NOW it feels like Christmas…” It was the first time he had been to our home, and he had brought with him his lovely family in support of little Lucas and his dear family.  It  was such a beautiful compliment that they, and all who came to be with us that day, had taken precious time out of their own hectic Christmas preparations – the shopping, baking, decorating, stringing outdoor lights and getting the tree – to join in offering their friendship and strength of support to strangers. Lucas and his family are truly, truly appreciative and can’t thank you every one enough. YOU left a smile on their hearts, as well as ours, and we will always be grateful for  your kindness and generous, caring collective spirit…TRUE Christmas spirit!

Perhaps a NEW Christmas tradition has already begun in our home, one to anchor the coming holiday seasons. Hmm, next year, maybe I’ll host “The True Spirit of Christmas” Tea…

I ran out of greens just before fashioning this urn, so I used other elements from the garden to fatten it up: a garden cherub sits on the edge of the urn with his feet dangling over the edge, an iron obelisk and a shiny red gazing ball inside it are strategically placed in the centre, large pinecones, tall twigs, a garden sign on a stake, almost anything I could find...

LOVE IS IN THE DETAILS  Those of you who have ever hosted a large at-home party and enjoy entertaining can probably relate that in the weeks leading up to the Tea, I spent many blissful hours immersed in my favourite Christmas books and hundreds of magazine clippings from past years, still kept in a special holiday file, making endless notes that I would later tuck into my purse to have with me when running errands.

While perusing my favourite holiday recipes collected, too, over time and planning the once-a-year and first-time-ever fancy desserts I would make, I compiled ingredients lists and contemplated the special serving dishes to be brought out of the cupboards.

Pouring over seasonal decorating magazine issues both current and saved from Christmases past, while sipping spiced tea and daydreaming about how the house would look all decked out, and  the holiday trims I would attempt to make; I spent days and days (time here and there) cleaning and readying the rooms, imparting little inspirational touches of the season into each one, creating Christmas all through the house…

My husband did a wonderful job of orchestrating the adornments on our home’s exterior. The walkway, front door, garden gate and benches, planters and window boxes, statuary and obelisks, and, yes, even the shed and deck were festooned with fresh greens of all kinds in a spur-of-the-moment – yet surprisingly artful – arrangements! In contrast, he did not spend a goodly portion of his time thinking all these things through. He just went for it and all turned out beautifully!  There is something to be said for that! But then, the anticipation is part of the pure enjoyment of the entire process for me….:-)

'The Christmas Shed'...Didn't my hubby do a great job filling this planter box?!

Won’t you come with me and have a little look around?!  I promise you’ll find some ideas to dress up every room in your home during the holidays: draping greens over the beds, hanging stockings of every kind from everywhere imaginable (I’ve hung them from knobs on dressers, chairbacks, doorknobs, cupboards, bed posts, footboards, headboards…I looove Christmas stockings), creating lighting ambience with candles and chandeliers, pretty paper wrappings, ways with ribbons, even gift ideas and more…

I don’t think you ever stop giving. I really don’t. I think it’s an on-going process. And it’s not just about being able to write a check. It’s being able to touch somebody’s life. – Oprah Winfrey

First, before we begin our home tour, please bear with me while I’ll announce the winners of the many lovely Christmas-themed prizes. All the gifts have been delivered, but some of you have been curious, so here goes:

AUCTION PRIZES

Six-year old Natalie Moss won "A Child's Christmas" package including: Lucas' Sock Monkey, Christmas storybooks "The Gift" and "House of The Wooden Santas", along with holiday DVDs "A Christmas Carol" with Jim Carey and the newer version of "Miracle on 34th Street". Lucky Natalie! Congratulations and enjoy!

Charlene Peckham won "A Christmas Tea": A precious holiday basket filled with biscuit mix and strawberry-and-champagne preserves both from the Prince Edward Island Preserve Company (I brought them home with me from my vacation in PEI with exactly this in mind even then), Belgian chocolates, pretty beverage napkins, royal-themed teas, and a special Christmas tea book all beautifully presented for giftgivingt...

Harold Hayward won "Movie Night": "The Bells of St. Mary's" DVD, a gorgeous pair of red crackled-glass poured candles with tassels, and yummy holiday chocolates...I looove this movie!

Julie Bennet won "The Baker's Gift": Large bottles of cinnamon and vanilla, Paderno measuring spoons, Pier 1 measuring cups, festive recipe cards, and snowflake cookie cutter all gathered in a gorgeous red bucket planter!

Linda Harnett won: the 'Hostess Gift": McSteven's delicious hot chocolate in a beautiful Santa tin, coordinating Jim Shore 'Santa' dinner and cocktail napkins in a sweet basket...

Terry Richardson won "Holiday Glam": nail polishes, hand cream and hair product thanks to Signature Salon! It was so very nice of you!

TICKET PRIZE:

• Costco 9-piece set hand decorated red glass Christmas ornaments
• Punch Studio Victorian gift wrap (Winners/HomeSense has gorgeous papers, tags etc.)
• Victorian gift bags
• Red foil gift wrap
• Victorian christmas tags
• 2 rolls of sparkly gold ribbon
• 1 roll of cording in red/green/gold/blue
• Multi-colour tissue paper
• Box of Christmas greeting cards
• Red mercury globe/pedestal candle holder (Thank you O’Neills Gardenland)
• Coordinating red mercury glass votive holders, candles…

DOOR PRIZES:

• Lauren Hayward:  McStevens hot chocolate, Punch Studio dinner and beverage napkins
• Courtney Woodford:  Red mercury glass filled candle, sweets
• Joanne Bennett, Lauren Hayward, Courtney Woodford:  Swarovski crystal dangling hearts earrings created by Gail Perry, Beadazzler.  Thanks, Gail!

 Special Thank You’s:  

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO JOINED US FOR  ”A Christmas Tea for Lucas”!  And, THANK YOU to those who could not be here but sent along contributions.  And, too, to those who heard about our Tea for Lucas and sent along donations with friends – it was very kind of you!!! Now, on with the tour…

Although it hadn't snowed yet, there was a real chill in the air. Our neighbour Joanne ran across the steet to her own home to grab caps and mittens for our carollers. They later came inside and serenaded us the entire afternoon. It was so beautiful...

Our very kind and caring friend Brittany made these gorgeous wreaths for sale with all proceeds going to Lucas and his family...I displayed them on my flower cart!

'A Pineapple Welcome' DID YOU KNOW? The pineapple, once the food of Kings, has, through the ages, been a symbol of welcome, good cheer, human warmth and family inherent to gracious home gatherings?! How do you like my door crown fashioned from fresh fruit? It will last a couple of weeks.

The Christmas Shed! My husband did a great job of outlining the shed door with a gentle cedar garland and filling a plant cage that hung on the shed door. Can you see the mirror and the statuary tucked among the lushness of the natural greens? The cage normally has an ivy twining through it during the garden season.

This garden furniture's home is usually on the decking off the shed. Hubby moved it up onto the deck off the kitchen. He laid a plain wreath atop the table to encircle a set of glass cylinders that hold cedar and cranberries frozen in ice. I can't wait to insert a tea light in the canister in the evening hours. It will look so pretty...

Hubby also strung white lights in the tree branches off the deck, filled the flower boxes as well as a trough near the barrel fountain on the lower deck portion. Can you see the heart-shaped wreath hung on the deck post? It will have a wide red-satin ribbon soon. Even the rooster seems happy enough among the 'winter decor'...

I love the 'waffle look' left by the snow on this iron bench on the deck. As it was starting to snow, I removed the bright red-and-black plaid Christmas blanket and ice skates saved from school days that previously rested on this seat. I'll save that for another day...The 'wreath' is actually a cedar garland yet to be unfurled!

My Aunt Eleanor and cousin Brenda arrive amidst all the excitement.

Was that Santa who just went by?!

 CHRISTMAS ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE…

 The Front Entryway…

A large Santa made by my friend Jean's heart and hand greets people as they come through the front doorway. Hubby hung up the NOEL shutter upon the wall above Santa just hours before the party started. In the process, he broke his toe when he dropped the hammer on his foot! Yikes! On the day of the party, a fresh pineapple appeared next to Santa atop this little chest.

Don't you just love the donkey and the detail on this gentleman?! This Santa was my reward for setting up my friend Jean's booth at a craft fair a long time ago. Her display was featured on the front page of the local newspaper that year. Ahhh, sweet memories....

In The Kitchen…

This vignette sits atop the fridge in our kitchen. DID YOU KNOW?! In France and the Netherlands, the season officially starts on December 5th with a visit from St Nicholas and Sinterklaas? According to the legend in France, he arrives with a little donkey carrying baskets loaded with gifts. In Holland, he arrives by boat. St. Nicholas' modern counterpart in France is named Pere Noel, a much slimmer version of Santa Claus, who dresses fashionably, of course, in long red robes.

The Littlest Angels. See this post for more pics. Just click on the photo in the sidebar. Remember, you can click on any pic to enlarge it if you want to see more detail...

A trio of 'Frosty Ferns' on the the kitchen windowsill above the sink...

Thank you to Sugar Mama's Bakery for the gift of the Wow! cookies in the foreground. When my husband stopped by the bakery to pick up my cookie order (I was running late and ordered them up in a hurry), the owner offered them with her compliments! What a SWEET surprise! Thank you Lainie for such a thoughtful gift!

Orange-chocolate swirl loaf sits atop a half wall in the kitchen. It was a huge hit! This recipe is coming, ladies!

In The Living Room…

Wide-eyed little Grace, my co-worker Krista's beautiful daughter, was amazed that Santa would stop by my house! And, so was I!

This year's staff photo! Left to right: Moi with co-workers Joan and Debbie

Santa really knows how to make us all laugh! Left to right: Bonnie, Connie and Lauren

My co-worker Sherri and me

The girls from our street who've we've watched grow through the years into the most wonderful young ladies! Standing left to right: Best friends Donna and Andrea. In the foreground: Left to right: Sisters Julie and Laura and moi. We are so proud of you all! Laura and Julie's mom, (and my garden faerie), Joanne, was a colossal help to me the day of the Tea. Thank YOU, Joanne!

In The TV Room/Study

In The Bath…

In The Bedroom…

Sweet Holiday Wishes, Everyone!

I am joining A Delightsome Life for A Return to Loveliness and Lily-Rose Cottage for Simply Sweet (January 15, 2012).  I hope you will visit these beautiful blogs.

Filed under: CHRISTMAS, EVENTS, HOUSE DRESSINGS, INSPIRATIONS Tagged: Beautiful Ideas, Carollers, Christmas, Christmas decor, Christmas decorating, Christmas Decorations, Christmas entertaining, Christmas fundraising ideas, Christmas mantles, Christmas spirit, Christmas Tea and Tour, Christmas Trees, Decorating with Santas, Holiday Home Tour, Holiday Tea, Santa, Season of Giving, Tea, Tea Ideas ]]> http://beautifulideas.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/a-christmas-tea-tour-and-more/feed/ 30 lindamryan IMG_0813 lucas and monkey IMG_0450 IMG_0459 IMG_0434 IMG_0473 IMG_0546 IMG_0457 IMG_0518 IMG_0530 IMG_0521 IMG_0527 IMG_0522 IMG_0520 IMG_0460 IMG_0451 IMG_0459 IMG_0549 IMG_0553 IMG_0545 IMG_0550 IMG_0484 IMG_0485 IMG_0786 IMG_0787 IMG_0309 IMG_0311 IMG_0327 IMG_0605 IMG_0442 IMG_0346 IMG_0362 IMG_0475 IMG_0465 IMG_0468 IMG_0445 IMG_0424 IMG_0447 IMG_0426 IMG_0425 IMG_0427 IMG_0467 IMG_0374 IMG_0373 IMG_0370 IMG_0486 IMG_0752 IMG_0727 IMG_0725 IMG_0726 IMG_0728 IMG_0729 IMG_0739 IMG_0741 IMG_0742 IMG_0734 IMG_0724 IMG_0753 IMG_0716 IMG_0750 IMG_0757 IMG_0760 IMG_0490 IMG_0773 IMG_0759 IMG_0756 IMG_0768 IMG_0763 IMG_0512 IMG_0492 IMG_0496 IMG_0498 IMG_0843 IMG_0792 IMG_0797 IMG_0793 IMG_0796 IMG_0798 IMG_0799 IMG_0801 IMG_0803 IMG_0805 IMG_0802 IMG_0804 IMG_0806 IMG_0811 IMG_0832 IMG_0816 IMG_0817 IMG_0827 IMG_0823 IMG_0839 IMG_0790 IMG_0789 IMG_0819 IMG_0830 IMG_0700 IMG_0704 IMG_0701 IMG_0707 IMG_0710 IMG_0694 IMG_0620 IMG_0288 IMG_0268 IMG_0284 IMG_0595 IMG_0270 IMG_0269 IMG_0409 IMG_0637 IMG_0646 IMG_0649 IMG_0650 IMG_0637 IMG_0657 IMG_0619 IMG_0662 IMG_0421 IMG_0665 IMG_0687 IMG_0664 IMG_0668 IMG_0631 IMG_0632 IMG_0626 IMG_0670 IMG_0680 IMG_0682 IMG_0361 http://beautifulideas.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/to-lift-your-christmas-spirit-high/ http://beautifulideas.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/to-lift-your-christmas-spirit-high/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:55:50 +0000 Linda at Beautiful Ideas http://beautifulideas.wordpress.com/?p=8032 ]]> Merry Greetings, Everyone!

This AMAZING commercial is so beautiful and heartwarming that I just had to share it with you all. Be prepared to get up and move! Get your ‘happy’ on and share the love…

Enjoy! Happy, happy Christmas,
Linda

PS. I will have at least one more very special (Christmas Tea and Tour) post before Christmas, so stay tuned, my friends.

Dear Kindred Spirits!

I have some lovely NOEL tea steeping in my Portmeiron Holly and Ivy teapot. Every cuppa just tastes so wonderful when poured from a beautiful teapot, doesn’t it?!  Would you like some?!

It’s romantic December, time to unwrap a trove of  Christmas treasures.  Decorations are just one of the ways to bring the beauty and wonder of  the Christmas season into our homes.  And, when it comes to the time-honoured tradition of trimming the tree, I permit myself to indulge – it is one of this season’s greatest pleasures.

Collecting beautiful Christmas ornaments and treasures is a year-round pursuit. In our travels over the years, my husband and I try and visit antiques malls and Christmas shoppes. I’m continuously on the hunt for beautiful ornaments to adorn the boughs of our magical Christmas tree. My tree ornaments are among the most personal things I own.  They remind me of travel holidays, tradition and past Christmases together. Sandwiched between layers upon layers of white tissue paper, they rest in special boxes. And, it seems, the unpacking and re-packing of the decorations has become an inherent ritual of this season of comfort and joy.

Many of us have special decorations and treasures, saved from one year to the next, and passed down through the years from one generation to the next.

DID YOU KNOW?! The ornaments were first sold by Woolworth’s around 1880?

Often entire German families were involved in preparing the special Christmas ornaments for sale. The father and oldest son often did the glassblowing. The mother and younger children would decorate and laquer each glass figure before adding the hangers. The mother would carefully pack the family’s week’s work – perhaps as many as a thousand or more glass figures – and deliver them to the wholesaler.

Because the ornaments were so fragile, few survive today. A rare treasure can sometimes be found at antiques markets or on e-bay and sell for $200 plus.

Queen Victoria and her beloved German Prince Albert introduced Christmas trees with the intricate ornaments to England in 1840. Glass ornaments, decorative beads, paper baskets with sugared almonds and hot air balloons adorned the trees.

Germany dominated glass ornament production until 1939. The Second World War caused the closure of glassblowing factories around the country.  By the time Europe finally recovered from the war, American manufacturers had already captured the domestic market with the production of cheaper ornaments with new technologies.

Post-war America demonstrated a preference for uniform, single-colour balls over the unique and more interesting, and often irregular hand-blown German-made ornaments.

In recent years, demand seems to be again growing for many of the molds and the old  techniques once used by German glassblowers as collectors long for historically accurate Christmas ornaments.

DID YOU KNOW?  Early Christmas trees were typically trimmed with real candles, wafers, gingerbread cookies, fruit, candy, as well as paper flowers and tinsels fashioned from tin and silver.

A glassblower in Lauscha decided to create a unique collection of small glass balls to hang on his family’s tree. And, within only a matter of years, glassblowers in Lauscha (a district long recognized for the quality of its glass) became a hub for making tree ornaments, and they were filling orders for glass balls by the thousands, and also for hollow glass ornaments either molded or free-blown into the shapes of pinecones, fruit, flowers, animals and birds.

I hope you enjoy the photos of some of the ornaments that hang from our  tree in our living room. It looks a little different this season.  In a previous post, photos showed the room painted a cozy shade of brown. It’s now a warm winter white…

I’ve decorated four trees this year (two full size and two about 4 1/2 feet high  in urns on tabletops).  The photos below are of the tree in our living room glammed up with pink, gold and silver themed ornaments…

Thanks for dropping in.  I know you’re all busy  as bees with your Christmas preparations.  I hope, though, you will manage to find a moment to come back later this week when I will be sharing some photos of the house tour and tea that we hosted yesterday.  Until then…

Merry wishes,

Linda

My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”~ Bob Hope, American film actor and comedian.

The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect!”
~ Charles N. Barnard, American author, travel writer

Even as an adult I find it difficult to sleep on Christmas Eve. Yuletide excitement is a potent caffeine, no matter your age. ~Carrie Latet

I love my pink-themed tree.  Hmmm…I just may leave it up until Valentine’s Day!

I am joining 504 Main for Tickled Pink and How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday! Brew yourself a cuppa cause you’re going to be browsing awhile…

Be an angel to someone else whenever you can, as a way of thanking God for the help your angel has given you.  ~Quoted in The Angels’ Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

Dear Friends,

I hope this season of beauty is filled with joy, contentment, and good health as you delight in the company of  family and friends, and in keeping alive the traditions of hope you hold near and dear.

As we are all hustling and bustling about these days, I thought I’d keep this post brief in sharing with you two darling harbingers of this spiritual season of love and giving.

The ‘Littlest Angels’ are new this year to my collection of Christmas treasures.  Every year I declare that I am never buying another holiday decoration!  Have you ever told yourself this?!  But, honestly, who could resist these sweet winged creatures?!  They just bring a smile to your face, don’t they?! Their perch this season is on a half wall in my kitchen near my pantry cupboards.  All the sprigs of pine, cedar and fir, as well as the hydrangea, are faux!  Can you tell?!  You’ll have to look closer. You can click on any of the photos to see more detail, if you like…

The tallest white ironstone pitcher was given to me by my  husband’s mother many years ago.  It had belonged to her mother-in-law; and even though its lip is chipped, she knew I’d love it.  And, when it’s filled with flowers or greenery (which it most always is), you can’t even notice the imperfection. I think it just adds tons of character.

I am dressing up my kitchen a little more than usual this year, preparing our home for a special holiday fundraiser  - A Christmas Tea for Lucas in support of my dear friend Carolyn Aiken’s grandson and family.  Many of you already know Carolyn from her blog about life on glorious Prince Edward Island, but for those of you who haven’t met her yet, I hope you will visit her here.  I promise you will enjoy it.

The Tea my husband and I are hosting features merry carol singing on the front lawn!  Yay! The carollers are from our Memorial University School of Music  here in Newfoundland. They are a wonderful volunteer group of students carolling to raise money for cancer research, a cause close to my heart.  And, of course, a holiday house tour is included, as well as lots of prizes and surprises.  It’s hard to believe that it will all be happening in just a little over a week on December 11th. Carolyn herself is hosting a Homes for the Holiday Tour in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association on her Island the day before the Tea, on the 10th. You might say from an Island to an Island… There are so many things yet to do, aren’t there Carolyn?!

Enjoy your holiday preparations!  And, I know you’re all busy as bees, so thanks for taking precious time out of your day to stop by for a visit.  Have a lovely weekend!

Warmly, Linda

I am joining Tiaras and Bowties for their 25 Days of Christmas party.

Pay attention to your dreams – God’s angels often speak directly to our hearts when we are asleep.  ~Quoted in The Angels’ Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

Today I am joining Romantic Home for Show and Tell…and French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday!

You’ve touched my life like an angel…Thanks for being there for me!  Anonymous

Dearest Friends!

The teapot’s at the ready offering a brew of orange spiced tea. Hmmm…I do hope that you will join me in a cuppa.  Let’s share a little of heart and hearth, shall we?

Since Christmas is the season for giving, is it any wonder that I chose to trim our mantle in the TV room in tribute to the most merry and generous gift giver of all – Santa himself?!  I thought I’d indulge in a little holiday bliss and share with you some photos of the end result.  

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.  ~Roy L. Smith

As some of you may know, I will be hosting “A Christmas Tea for Lucas” on December 11th, so there are some treasured teapots in honour of the occasion among my collection of merry men.  

As promised in an earlier post, I thought I’d show you the  new addition to this legion of charming fellows. He is called a ‘Possible Dreams’ Santa. Riding in his magic sleigh, he has been christened ‘World Traveller’ and is made of something called ‘clothtique’ and is a mixture of cloth and resin. 

Aren’t these fun and festive fellows so handsome all dressed up in their holiday best?! It’s no wonder that Santa’s robes are brilliant red – it is the most glamorous colour against the white snows of December.  His cheery red robes just seem to evoke instant grins…

Do you have a treasured collection of festive fellows that conjure up childhood memories of laying awake, wide-eyed well into the wee hours of  the night before Christmas, excitedly anticipating the arrival of Santa?!  I was once convinced that I could hear the reindeer on the roof and would keep jumping out of bed and running to the window to have a look…

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.  ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Twinkling white lights, loops of exquisite sparkly ribbons (I tend to use those that are sheer to let the light shine through), shiny ornaments, and strings of shimmering beads evoke the magic of the Yuletide season and capture the imagination…Varying heights add interest – I use a wooden box wrapped in a taffeta runner that serves as a perch for this season’s focal Santa – the World Traveller. He travels with his map, compass and blanket on his lap while he navigates through the skies using his magical telescope.  

The gift giver in all his forms, dressed in rich ruby robes, lend lush texture to the manteltop.  

I am enjoying the mantel this evening. Its happy colour energizes the room and lends a cozy feeling throughout  - some real comfort and joy…

Wishing you a little holiday cheer and happy decorating!  Thanks so much for dropping in and I hope to see you again very soon…

Linda

I’m joining The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday where there is lots of inspiration!

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.  ~Peg Bracken

I am joining these wonderful blog parties for the very first time

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

A Thoughtful Place for Christmas Cheer Link Party

Sally Lee by the Sea for 24 Days of a Coastal Christmas

No Minimalist Here for Open House Linky Party

Sue Loves Cherries for Rednesday

Shabby Art Boutique for Simply Christmas Inspiration Party

Very Merry Vintage Style for Share The Love Wednesday

Tiaras and Bowties for 25 Days of Christmas

I hope you will visit there and join the holiday fun.

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!  ~Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836

November Greetings,

You’ve probably noticed that I’ve been a little lazy with the blog lately – so much has been going on here and it’s been hard to find the time most days. I was in Toronto last week (I’ll tell you a little about that next post), and this week I’m trying to gather myself to do all that is needed to be done around here readying for the holidays (including a small reno).  And, of course, we are gearing up for a fundraiser, “A Christmas Tea for Lucas” on December 11th. We are really looking forward to it – but more about that later, too.  There’s so much to tell!

When I realized the date on the calendar (yikes! time is flying by), I thought I’d better hurry up and post about my blog give-away.

Thank you all for your lovely comments.  When I first announced the give-away in October, I was celebrating reaching upwards of 15,000 visits, and already we are climbing to 20,000 quickly.  I can’t thank you all enough for caring and your interest to take time out of the precious moments in your own day to stop in for a visit. Your comments keep me motivated and lift my spirits always, no matter what is on the day’s agenda.  Thank you for this!

Well, I am thrilled to tell you (if you haven’t already guessed by the top line of this post) that Madelief is the lucky winner of my special give-away. She has a beautiful blog and I hope you will visit here to learn about her wonderful life in the Netherlands.

I am about to post Madelief’s gift in the mail to her.  I am hoping that it arrives in time for her family’s celebration of Sinter Klaas – the Dutch exchange gifts on December 5th. Madelief tells me it is after this celebration, that her Christmas decorating will begin in earnest.  Madelief’s decorating style is minimalist – very sophisticated and  stunningly gorgeous!

The festive contents of my holiday give-away to Madelief include a set of four quality linen table napkins in the most fantastic cherry-red colour I’ve ever come across, festively printed paper napkins (love the vibrant bird and flowers on these), a box of delicious Rogers Victorian creams, a set of four tins of hot chocolate in a variety of flavours (in a sweet series of collector tins) and a darling little porcelain ‘Peace’ star to wish upon and hang anywhere your heart desires…It was so much fun gathering these items for this special give-away!

Congrats Madelief!  I hope you enjoy your holiday gift!  I have never before posted anything to the Netherlands and am curious to know how long it will take to arrive to you all the way from Newfoundland, Canada to Rotterdam! We’ll be tracking the parcel all the way until it arrives in Holland, and it will be so interesting to see its path…

Do you know the intriguing story of Canada’s relationship with Holland?  The post JOYFUL FALL BULBS will give you some idea…

For those of you who know me personally, you know that it has been a long-time dream of mine to visit Europe in early December to tour the enchanting Christmas markets there. Sigh. I have had this dream since I first read about the Christmas markets when I was just a little girl. I hope one day it will come true…

I hope you enjoy the photos of these little Christmas treasures.

Wishing you all a beautiful week ahead.  Thanks again for visiting!

Linda

May

Peace

be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!  ~Author Unknown