The Washi Tape Goes To...

The winner has been selected by random.org and the winner of the Washi tape package is Stacey Johnson... I know  you'll love it!!!  Let me know your mailing address and I'll have it in the mail tomorrow.  Thanks to everyone for entering and my new followers on my blog and on Facebook - I appreciate you taking the time to read my posts and view my pics...  Have a great day!!!

Win Some Washi Right Here

A few months ago I had never even heard of washi tape - I know what it is now and I'm addicted to it, I use it in my SMASH books and I use it to decorate envelopes and packages - it's just a fancy kind of tape that is just so pretty.    This is my stash below, I know, I might need help!!  There's a lot more people out there just like me, trust me!!  This might be a small collection, compared to some!  Type in washi on Pinterest,  you'll see boards dedicated to the beautiful tape - crafty people love it!!

In the last few weeks I've been really lucky to find some really nice washi at the dollar store.  It's all in the container on the right.   I've posted my find on the Facebook group SMASHaholics and people were crazy for it,  I went back, bought some more to share and now you have a chance to win the rolls that are pictured below.

The prize includes two - three packs of washi - each roll has 8 ft.  Also included are 3 individual rolls, each with 33 ft.  The brand of this washi is Forever in Time.  It's really nice tape and sticks really well!!

If you want a chance to win, you must leave a comment on this post - and be a follower, either on Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin.  You can also "Like" my Facebook page here and leave a comment there, whichever way is best for you!  This draw is a worldwide draw, I will use random.org to select the winner, on Sunday, July 14th.  Good luck!

Vera on the Fence

Yes, it's another Vera post - as long as I keep finding them, I'll be sharing them - don't they look pretty on the fence?  Of course, I had to hit the thrift stores when I was home in Prince Edward Island and once again, I had success.  There is one shop that has so many scarves, it is a whole bin full, you have to dig   down deep to get a look at them all, it's been worth it every time I've gone there though.  There are a few that didn't come from the thrifts though - the peach belonged to my mother in law, I was sure surprised to find it!

I had a  package waiting for me when I got home, from the very generous Erica from Golden Egg Vintage - thanks so much, Erica - she sent me the dotty square and also the paisley one - this one is real special, it's a wool Vera, I don't have one and have never seen one before.  And, they both have the luck ladybug!!

Before I went away, I had a package from Sir Thrift A Lot - he sent me four Vera napkins - I really appreciate it, thanks so much.   People from Blogland are the best!!!

 

I'm linking up this post with the blog parties at Share Your Cup and Time Travel Thursday.

Linguine with Clam Sauce

If you're looking for a tasty and easy meal - give this Linguine with Clam Sauce a try - it's one of our regulars meals - I cook enough pasta for two - usually I use  whole wheat but I only had the Catelli Smart kind - fake whole wheat, I call it - they call it - white pasta with the fibre benefit of whole wheat.

Cook linguine or spaghetti.  Meanwhile, in skillet, heat 2 tbsp. butter; cook 1 chopped small onion and 2 minced garlic cloves until softened but not browned.  Stir in 1/4 cup white wine and the liquid drained from a can of baby clams; cook until reduced by half.  Add drained clams, some parsley and black pepper to taste, cook for 1 minute more.  Toss with hot, drained pasta.

I'm linking this recipe up with Addicted to Recipes, Sunny Simple Mondays and Homemaker on a Dime

Yard Sale Jackpot!

I very rarely am ever out at a yard sale when it begins, maybe that's why I don't  often find anything very exciting.  Yesterday I was at one at 8 because I had seen an ad the night before that this one had scrapbooking and craft items, I was hopeful!  She had quite a bit, I picked out this pile which she let me have for $2.

Another person was set up at her yard sale, so I strolled on over - I ended up  needing a box - I bartered, ended up with  everything for $6 - I was feeling pretty proud of myself, $6 for such lovely items!!

I very seldom ever buy a vase but the color of this took my eye, I figured it was old, I researched it when I got home - it's a Fire King Hob Nail vase in such a pretty coral color - it's in pristine condition - isn't it beautiful?  I need some flowers for it..

Then I spotted these glasses - we were just in the process of getting a box going for me and another lady put her hand on them, the seller  hollered out - they're sold!!!  Take your hands off my glasses!!!  She thought they were so retro - I agree with that!! There are ten glasses of one size and two of another - I love them!

I have a small collection of red handled instruments - I never see things like this at a yard sale..

My last item there was a Christmas tablecloth - it's lovely and not a stain!  Six dollars for all that stuff - it's hard to believe!!!  But, read on - I found more great stuff!

I found these three old books at one sale for $1 - two more different ones for my Christmas collection.

This was sort of an odd thing to buy - I'll be taking off all these old decorations and fixing it up with something nice -it was 50 cents.

The last sale I pulled up to was a big one and so sad - a woman in our Town had been killed in an accident just before Christmas, her daughter had gone to school with Darcy,  her husband was moving and selling a lot of stuff - there were bins full and boxes full, I didn't go through everything because my hands became full very quickly.  I really had no business buying any of this stuff - but, it's really nice, I just had to  and wait 'til you hear what I paid.

I never stopped by this sale until probably an hour or so after it started, why had nobody picked up these bowls??  They're beautiful!!  I just got rid of a bunch of overflow Pyrex and now I'm buying these - but I think they're perfect for summer.  They're Federal bowls - I've seen a blue one while I was researching, is the blue one another size or maybe the same size as the orange one?  

I had made the rounds and thought that the bowls were my only purchase and then I spotted these - 

An ice bucket and seven glasses, it looks like a red one is missing, I don't care at all about that - they're Hazel Atlas - I couldn't believe my luck - and you won't either - I paid $2 for the bowls and the glass set!!!  

I've been thinking about that poor woman ever since - I wonder if they had belonged to her mother...I'll take real good care of them.

I moan and complain about the yard sales around here - this is actually the second one this year that I've gotten some great things, it sure makes up for all the bad ones..

Check out these great link ups - Junkin Joe, Thriftasaurus and  Thrifty Things Friday

Just a reminder - you can follow my blog, my SMASHing and whatever else on Facebook - "like" me here

The Place I Come From

I haven't done a blog post in almost two weeks because I've been "home" and home for me is Prince Edward Island - I've lived away from this beautiful place of my birth for over 30 years, but still I go back - hopefully, some day I will be able to stay there for a little longer than a couple of weeks at a time..

Since we only spent nine days on the "Island" we flew but we'll drive when we return in the fall for a couple of weeks.  This is what you see from the air - farmers fields everywhere..just like a patchwork quilt.

The famous PEI potatoes are grown in many of those fields - when the potatoes are in season, you can buy them on the side of the road, just leave your money in the locked box and you're on your way.     For many of you, Prince Edward Island means Anne of Green Gables, I so enjoyed those books when I was young and have read them numerous times since.  Although I didn't visit Green Gables this time, I did stop by the post office - it was late in the day and it was closed, I would have gone in to see the exhibit.

This is the view we see every day when we open our blinds - it's just a little fishing village called Murray Harbour, it was bustling when we were there as the lobster season was just ending and the fishermen were landing their traps.  We like to sit on our swing and just watch the comings and goings - can't get much more relaxing than that!

Lobster season means this.. lobsters bought right at the wharf - it just doesn't get much better  - we need no fancy trimmings - just lobster, melted butter, and rolls from the bakery - and some beverages, of course!!  We had seafood nearly every day we were there - clams, mussels, snow crab - love it all!!  As always, click on the picture for a better view.

PEI is a haven for good food -  we had these fried clam dinners at Sharkey's in Summerside - clams are my very favourite!  The first night we were there we bought clams and live snow crab to steam - oh, it was good to be back!!!

We just have to walk across the bridge to the little restaurant called Brehaut's and we can order up a bowl of this delectable seafood chowder, we've tried a lot of chowders across the Island, this is as good as any we've tried on the Island and we've had a few - lobster, scallops, fish - oh, so good!!  Notice that home made biscuit on the side - oh, my....  We finished it off with one of their homemade desserts,we had pecan pie that day and of course, it didn't disappoint!

And, while I'm on the subject of food - there's no better ice cream than COWS - this flavor was Fluff n Udder.

The beaches and shoreline of PEI are breathtaking - this is just a few minutes from my house.

If you are driving to PEI - you can cross onto the Island via the Confederation Bridge which is a 12 km drive or 8 miles or you can travel there by ferry..  My Dad used to work on this boat so this is always a place we go...

We love PEI!!  It's no wonder it was just voted number 5 on the top islands of the world by Travel and Leisure Magazine - it's amazing - here's the link to the list.

Maybe you will make it to this beautiful land some day - once you're there, you won't want to leave...it always happens...

Linking up today with Time Travel Thursday, Share Your Cup Thursday and Thursday Favorite Things

Loved Barbie!!

I loved Barbies - did you?   I saved up and sent away to the Sears or Eaton's Christmas catalogue for mine - the Twist 'n Turn Barbie is the one I had and   still have , sadly, the bathingsuit is no longer around - I had one Barbie, Carla must have had fifteen, so, I think some of my Barbie pieces were mixed up with her friends Barbie collections... I have been wanting to do this post for months, finally, I am doing it today so I can pack all this stuff away again....

How about a little fashion show with my Barbie?  I had very few store bought outfits, my great aunt made most of Barbie's clothes - she had quite a wardrobe!!

My poor Barbie's feet are not in the best of condition, they're all twisted  and out of shape!  I wonder too if Carla gave her bangs a trim - her hair is a bit wild!!

Carla had the whole set of these Barbie cards - look what 1966 shows - my outfit!

One Christmas I got a set of wigs and hair pieces - this blondie is one of those - wearing another store bought outfit.  The dress had a sheer shawl but that seems to be missing too.

Isn't that little zipper the cutest?

This is a homemade set - perfect for travel!

Party time!!  How 60's is this?

Barbie even had a pair of Prince Edward Island tartan pants!

Evening wear for another party - this dress has a little top to go with it.

Barbie deserves the best - including a fur collar!

This is my Susy Goose Barbie closet - I was so proud of this, none of my friends had this, they all had the plastic Barbie bag - it's seen better days, it's missing a leg and one of the door hinges is broken, I played with this a lot and then Carla used it.

I had the Susy Goose Barbie bed too - it's gone!!

There's that Barbie head sitting in there - these are all pieces that I had with my Barbie.  I had so much fun playing Barbies with my friends, I remember having fashion shows at my birthday parties..  You know, it was kind of fun dressing her up again....

This is a wonderful book that I have about all things Barbie - I don't collect Barbies nor do I want to - I'm just happy to drag my one lone Barbie and all her finery out from time to time.  

I'm linking Barbie up with Junkin Joe, Time Travel Thursday ,  Sunny Simple Monday and The Blog Post Office