I Will Remember ~Highway of Heroes

On this Remembrance Day, as we remember the young lives cut short in their brightest of days by war,
WE WILL REMEMBER.



Here in Ontario, one of our major highways is the 401, also called the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway. A few years ago a stretch of Highway 401 was also named Highway of Heroes, in honour of Canada's fallen servicemen and servicewomen. This length of highway 401 is often travelled by a convoy of vehicles carrying a fallen soldier's body, with his or her family, from Canadian Forces Base Trenton to the coroner's office at the Centre for Forensic Sciences in Toronto. Since 2002, when the first of Canada's fallen soldiers were returned from Afghanistan, crowds have lined the overpasses to pay their respects as convoys pass. Highway of Heroes was co-written and co-produced by The Trews and Gordie Johnson. It was inspired by the 2006 death of Captain Nichola Goddard from The Trews' hometown of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. We thank and honour those who have sacrificed all in service of country.

The Highway of Heroes by The Trews


The day I shipped out,
They numbered a dozen.
Upon my return,
Were a hundred or so.
From the coast and from the prairies,
I bet they keep coming.
add one more name from Ontario.

Chorus:
Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes.
People above with their flags flying low.
Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes.
True Patriot Love,
There was never more.

I served with distinction,
No visions of glory.
I served without question,
Or personal gain.
Seek no justification,
Its not part of my story.
and it offers
No comfort to the ones who remain.

Chorus:
Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes.
People above with their flags flying low.
Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes.
True Patriot Love,
There was never more.

I took up my vocation,
I was called by my nation.
Without hesitation,
My answer I gave.
Now I am not wondering,
the things that I might have been.
I'm no consolation,
To the forgotten brave.

Chorus:
So Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes.
People above with their flags flying low.
Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes.
True Patriot Love,
There was never more.

Chorus:
Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes.
People I love with their heads held low.
Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes.
True Patriot Love,
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more

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I Will Remember ~Highway of Heroes

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September 11th

May we never forget...
 

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September 11th

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Wind Turbines

On our route up north we pass these giant wind turbines. Modern technology in the midst of agriculture. Fascinating and controversial.




My husband's family and extended family live in Grey County, near Georgian Bay, here in Ontario and we pass through Shelburne and Melancthon on our two hour trip north and again on the way home. The turbines are sculpture-like and produce huge amounts of wind hydro, but there are concerns with locals with the noise and loss of farmland. I'm not picking sides of the debate, I just think they are fascinating.


We have actually had rain a few times these past two weeks and things are not as dry now. If you drive the roads between them as we do, no matter the season, you may find yourself totally surprised by their enormous size. I hope you enjoy the week ahead!

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Wind Turbines

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Our Entry - Mirror Change

In my post from yesterday on our front entry, I mentioned switching mirrors. This is the other mirror.



I love woods and have quite a few pieces in our home, but when I saw the photos I thought the pine paned mirror might be too dated. I'd love your opinion! Below and here is our entry from yesterday with the pine mirror:



And this is with the other mirror. Another option would be to hang two identical mirrors, one above the other, because this one is a bit smaller.



I have two of these mirrors and three matching frames that I could paint white if the colour is not working. The other same sized mirror is propped on the floor in the photo above and the 3 empty frames are about 10 x 13's.



The detail on the frames is lovely. So which do you think looks better? Should I paint these frames white or another colour like my favourite blues? I'd love to hear what you think.

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Our Entry - Mirror Change

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Furniture I Would Not Paint

I love seeing a piece of wood furniture made over just as much as most of you. Paint can really update or change the style of a piece.



Paint can also add some much needed colour, or take away a bright colour by using a soft or subdued tint. It can also hide a tone of wood that is very dated or that you just don't like (our office supply armoire, below.) Years of use can be disguised with some tlc and paint (our farmhouse table and chairs, below.)



But then there are those pieces that have special meaning, history or that you just like the way they are. Different types of wood and wood tones appeal to different people. While I love painting furniture, sometimes NOT painting something is the way to go. Our oak buffet and hutch in the kitchen is one of those special pieces. It is very solidly built and a design that we really like.



Our Mennonite built farmhouse table and Windsor chairs we bought with wedding money will not be painted either.





I was inspired to share these pieces that I don't plan to paint by Kathy at Creative Home Expressions. Do you have furniture that you would not paint?

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Furniture I Would Not Paint

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Canadians Looking for Chalk Paint?

Are you looking for a Canadian stockist of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint?





After emailing a few American stockists of Annie Sloan Chalk paint I was kindly directed to a new stockist here in Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth Sarich-Harvey of The Melon Patch Home and Garden near Kingston, Ontario has a shipment arriving on Monday. She will have all 24 colours of chalk paints, waxes and a few books.


I'm looking forward to trying this product one day! You can reach Elizabeth at:


Phone: 613-541-0231

Email: Elizabeth@themelonpatch.com
http://www.themelonpatch.com/

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Happy Father's Day

I am very fortunate to have a lot of great Fathers in my life. My own dad, my father-in-law, my hubby, and my brothers and brothers-in-law, and adult nephews. Men of good character who are very kind and considerate to their children and families. Dads who work hard. Men who spend time with their children and extended families and are really good examples. Dads you can count on - gentle men every one of them. We truly are blessed.



Today I visited my dad and brought him his favourite lunch and watched our dog Remington who had surgery this week. Hubby chose to spend his day up north with our boys (visiting his dad, a car show, and their favourite farm.)

Wishing all the Fathers, brothers, uncles, big cousins and role models out there a Happy Father's Day!

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More Than A Game ~Go Canucks!

Hockey is a big thing in our home and family. We play it, we watch and cheer in arenas from Fall through to early spring and we watch it on tv. It is part of our national identity.





Both of our boys and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews play hockey. Hubby used to play and now coaches. And we watch it. In the local arenas watching the Ontario Junior A and Junior B teams, and the NHL.






You may be wondering why I am sharing ICE hockey pictures in June, but while we may be cutting our grass instead of shovelling snow lately, we are still watching hockey. In honour of the Stanley Cup finals, Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins, game 6, I thought I would share this video by the Mike Plume Band, More Than a Game.


It's more than a game! Will you be watching?

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More Than A Game ~Go Canucks!

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Country is Cool!

Country is cool again, but then I always thought it was!





I love getting my Country Living magazine in the mail each month. In Redefining Rustic, The Country Living March 2011 issue shares 25 Reasons Why Country is Chic Right Now.  





The feature discusses how popular designers and famous chefs are incorporating country rustic into modern design and restaurant fare. From recycling materials for new products, to Etsy (what they call "an online arts-and-crafts renaissance"), to quilting, to fancy restaurants cooking with rabbit, the interest in homegrown and homemade is making a comeback.





Organic farming, sustainability, and greener thinking are still hot topics and continue to grow in popularity. Anyone who reads blogs knows that home canning and local farm to table are becoming more and more common, and in many cases being both small and big businesses. I think it is refreshing to see country rustic, for many years scorned in the design world, become more popular. I also love seeing more and more people move towards greener living and sustainability and I think 'home arts' make this more possible.





Not surprisingly, many of the blogs and bloggers I follow are once again way ahead of the times, as we have been seeing all these things in the blogging world for some time now.



Country and rustic style design is still my favourite. It was back then, and it still is now. I'm trying to freshen things up in our home, especially by taking away some of the visual clutter, but I will always have some kind of country rustic style. Things like quilting, needlework, making jam and baking are an important part of my life. We dream of a simple farm life in the country one day, but we're doing pretty well enjoying some country lifestyle here in the 'burbs.


So maybe I'm a little bit 'in style' once again.



all images above: countryliving.com


If you are interested in a chance to win a $75 gift certificate to NOVICA, click here to go to the giveaway post. They have a huge selection of ethically made and sustainable items.

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My Visit to Not Too Shabby Boutique

I love finding local businesses that have unique home accessories and vintage furniture.


 


Lisa from Suburban Retreat posted about a store in downtown Brampton, Ontario, that had an adorable boutique called Not Too Shabby. I made plans and stopped by for a visit today. Am I ever glad that I did.



 
The window displays alone are worth the drive and the owner greeted me at the door with a friendly hello.





Gorgeous colours and vintage loveliness throughout the shop. I love that so many of the items have been given a new life. Perfect earth friendly shopping!





The owner has created and collected some lovely pieces and they are reasonably priced. There were so many interesting pieces, and I took my time, making several trips around the store. I purchased an antique washboard to go with two others I have. The metal with the worn wood is just perfect.





After my package was wrapped, I was heading out the door when I spotted the ladder. I had walked by it twice, admired the vintage linens on it, but didn't truly notice it until I was on my way out the door. So perfect a colour, with the most wonderful patina, I had to buy it. I have been trying to find a ladder at yard sales with no luck and this one came painted the perfect colour for our home.




So far today I have placed the ladder in our dining room, family room and it is now in our living room. I may hang some throws and quilts on it. One of those great pieces that can be used in so many places.




I love the chippiness and the colour goes so well in our home.





I will definitely be making another trip to Not Too Shabby before too long. There are several pieces that I could easily find a place for.





Not Too Shabby is located in downtown Brampton. In winter be sure to bring your skates as only one block away is the quaint Gage Park with an outdoor skating surface that meanders through the park. Any time of the year, Not Too Shabby is located in front of the new and gorgeous Rose Theatre. We were fortunate to attend two quality performances there this year. Directly outside the back door of the shop, and in front of the Rose Theatre, is a vintage carousel. The downtown area has many festivals and events, including a Farmer's Market from June to Fall. If you are in the area, I hope you get a chance to visit

Not Too Shabby
46 Main Street North
Brampton, Ontario
L6V 1N6
(289) 752-7911
Email: info@nottooshabbyboutique.com

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Happy Twenty-Eleven! and Giveaway

Wishing my blogging friends a very Happy New Year!

image: Ontario Travel
 I wish you Health...
So you may enjoy each day in comfort.
I wish you the Love of friends and family...
And Peace within your heart.
I wish you the Beauty of nature...
That you may enjoy the work of God.
I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities...
For those things that really matter in life.
I wish you Generosity so you may share...
All good things that come to you.
I wish you Happiness and Joy...
And Blessings for the New Year.
I wish you the best of everything...
That you so well deserve.
Anonymous
HAPPY NEW YEAR!



The RAMSIGN giveaway continues here at Blue Clear Sky. Click here or in the sidebar to go to the giveaway post.
 

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Sign me up!

I'm going to need to sign up for a camera course this Fall, just like my friend Andrea at Rural Revival  recently did.



I have been using a point and shoot that I received as a gift, and while it was okay, I knew it was time to explore a camera with more possibilities. I chose the entry level Nikon D3000, partly for the deal, but also because I think it is as much technology as I can handle right now. My 15 year old niece was already over helping me set it up. Now I need to research some camera courses around here.

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Sunshine Blog Award x 2

I am honoured to have received two Sunshine Awards from two blog friends. Leslie at Goodbye House! Hello Home!  and  On the Banks of Squaw Creek, have both so kindly awarded me the Sunshine Blog Award. I am hounoured to receive this! As you all know, life can get pretty busy and I am just getting a chance to respond now.
The rules of the award are:
1. Put the logo on your blog within your post.
2. Pass the award onto other bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they have received the award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and the link to the person from whom you have received this award.

I am passing this award on to the following:
Grace at Sense and Simplicity
Andrea at Rural Revival
Kim at Cheap Chic Home
Sharon at Sharon at Home
Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie
Michelle at Between Cottage and Cabin
Cynthia at ITLLDO

I hope you are all having a great week. The Cottage Charm giveaway is still going strong at Twice Remembered, including the giveaway here at Blue Clear Sky. See my previous post or the link in my top sidebar to enter your name for some great prizes.

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I've reached 100 Followers!

 My blog has 100 followers!


Thanks to all my followers, and to Debbie at Ribbonwood Cottage for being number 100.  I started blogging just over a year ago and I never thought I would see this number. Thanks also to Kim at Twice Remembered for creating my blog button last year. There are so many kind people that have inspired and helped me along the way. It is amazing how much we can learn and experience in one year of blogging. I am blessed to have 'met' so many of you.  My 39th 45th birthday was this week and this is a wonderful present. I'm off to plan a giveaway in celebration.

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