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
Shabby Chic…
Shortly after the lockdown this past spring I started following MANY YouTubers and checking out new Instagram posts. Rachel Ashwell, the founder of Shabby Chic, caught my eye...and soon I couldn't wait to see what she would post next. I have always loved her brand but admit to never being in one of… Continue reading Shabby Chic…
Tulips…
It's photos like this one taken by Lynn Karlin (found on Pinterest) that entice us to grow tulips in our own gardens. I planted over 200 tulips last fall in my front garden, and happily, they did not disappoint. Not all of them came up, but the ones that did were beautiful...the first blooms of spring.… Continue reading Tulips…