Trimming Christmas Trees has been happening for hundreds of years. Originally a pagan practice, the Christmas tree then became a part of Christian religious celebrations, and today it's central to the holiday tradition of many. (More history of the Christmas Tree is on the December 8, 2017 blog post.) In earlier days,… Continue reading Trimming the tree…
Home…
Like many of you, I feel like our world has been turned upside down. The days slip by, but every day is the same as the last, and there's been nothing to look forward to. Now we are under another 3-week restricted shutdown... By the end of November, I usually have the house decorated...or at… Continue reading Home…
Forcing Beauty… with seasonal bulbs
Forcing bulbs (by tricking to bloom out of season) marks the beginning of the holiday season at my house...Paperwhites (Narcissus Tazetta) being my favourite. I know many of you dislike the scent of Paperwhites, but to me, it is the sweet smell of Christmas! I also love the way they look en masse...the more, the… Continue reading Forcing Beauty… with seasonal bulbs
Wine Wednesdays
Last March we all found ourselves living a new reality...our lives were about to change drastically. Many of us were shut indoors during a mandatory lockdown only venturing out for the essentials. I remember having such "cabin fever" that I would get in the car and start driving around the city amazed at how little… Continue reading Wine Wednesdays
Protecting Boxwood…
I'm grateful for the warmer temperatures we've enjoyed this week. It's given me that extra bit of time to check off the last-minute chores in the garden. Most important is wrapping the boxwood hedges with burlap to protect them against the north-west winds. Getting the supplies together takes more time than actually covering the… Continue reading Protecting Boxwood…
Wo(man)’s Best Friend…
2020 has cast a dark shadow across the planet bringing with it so much sadness and for many, unbearable sorrow and grief. My family has not been immune from loss during this dark period of time, and now this week, we had to say "goodbye" to our sweet little dog, Chloe. She has… Continue reading Wo(man)’s Best Friend…
The Warm Glow of Beeswax Candles…
About 10 years ago, I started selling beeswax candles in my store. A friend, who ran the general store in Colinton, (a small town in northern Alberta), would stop by for a visit and shop at CC when she came to the city to pick up supplies. She supported the farmers in her community… Continue reading The Warm Glow of Beeswax Candles…
The Loss of a Friend…
Earlier this week I found out a friend had passed away. Although she had been sick for some time, it still came as a shock...are we ever prepared for bad news? My friend's name was Lynn. I first met her when she was in her early 20's at a party we had at our home.… Continue reading The Loss of a Friend…
The Fall Cleanup…
October has been a glorious month allowing me to spend my time enjoying two of my favourite things...the fall season and gardening. Although many of my shrubs and hedges haven't started to turn the warm shades of autumn, the elm tree shimmers a spectacular golden hue against the blue, blue skies we've enjoyed this month.… Continue reading The Fall Cleanup…
Apres CC on Whyte…the Online Boutique
After the store closed, I became an avid gardener, so much so that I have now created a very high maintenance garden. This kept me occupied over the summer months, but I was floundering a bit over the winter. We did drive to San Diego for month-long stays at the beach, and that was wonderful.… Continue reading Apres CC on Whyte…the Online Boutique