Winnie the Pooh

Following on from yesterday's flowers, another of my favourite English things is Winnie-the-Pooh and the books by A A Milne. I still have my childhood copy of When We Were Very Young AND I can still remember the words to quite a few of the poems. From here I moved on to Winnie-the-Pooh, Now We Are Six and the House at Pooh Corner. I have always had a soft spot for Pooh. I remember around 1970 queueing for hours to see an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum with the original toys that the stories were based around. Here they are

Earlier this Fall, I was in Collingwood for Wordstock - a great new literary festival. Fab opening evening and then a day of workshops, book signings and celebrities. I had a photo with one of them.

He was a little modern for my taste but at least not a full blown Disney Winne the Pooh. [Note no hyphens. Disney dispensed with them. Why?] The friend who took this wondered if my husband new about another 'love' in my life. I told her Winnie-the-Pooh and I go back years. We're old friends. Why I've even played poohsticks with my kids. Come on now - be sensible!

Anyway, was in the local Post Office this afternoon and saw a new stamp collection on sale. You're there already aren't you? Yup it was - Winnie-the-Pooh and here are the stamps. Not Disney's Pooh pictures, the original E H Shepard illustrations. I just love them.

I mentioned a few posts ago that we were a hankie collecting family - I have some belonging to my Grandmother, so Ivy will have some that belonged to her Great Great Grandmother! We are also a stamp collecting family. I have some old letters and postcards that were sent back during WW2, my Mum collected special ones for me, I did the same for the kids and it would seem I am about to start collecting again for my Grandkids thanks to my trip today. Oh well, what goes round, comes round.

Promise will get back to weddings and Canada next time.

Fab flowers & my Mum

Let me just start by saying something about my Mum. She died four years ago when she was 93. Hard to describe her really except to say kids adored her, she was somewhat cantankerous and we all miss her like mad. She had this wonderful way of describing things by saying 'It was marvellous. I couldn't complain .....but if I had to' and she would then relate the problems. The service was bad. The train was late. The food was cold. You get the gist. She pops into our lives every now and then in the strangest of ways. Odd things bring her to mind. She popped into my head as I finished looking through The Traditional Flower Company website. Here are some of their images but you really need to check out the entire gallery on the website.

I'll finish about Mum at the end. [She LOVED flowers, by the way]

 

 

 

 

 

Fab! Agreed? So many of my favourites are there - love-in-a-mist, scabious, roses, sweet peas, mint, hyacinth - well all of them really.

As for the site itself, it's marvellous; I couldn't complain BUT IF I HAD TO - no delphiniums!!!! You don't think it's catching, do you? Thanks Mum!

To expand or not to expand - that IS the question

Strech your imagination - get married in Canada. That was one of the phrases we though of using on the website. Now I am faced with stretching my own imagination. Should I expand into a new location? Well, a new town and province to be precise. The town is Canmore in Alberta. The shortest distance from Collingwood is calculated at 3,259 km and it's just over 1½ DAYS drive away. OK I know I can drive to the city and fly into somewhere - probably Calgary - and then drive but hopefully you're with me. This is out of province and isn't a couple of hours down the road. My [comfort?] zone is Ontario but it's a very beautiful location, a very popular one and a really nice guy has suggested using his business as the base. I've checked everything out locally - food, photography and flowers etc - and it all seems pretty good. But I don't KNOW that it is. Can't find any seriously negative reviews.

These are some choices from a personal catering company Bow Valley Gourmet

Just loved the photography on this site - Orangegirlphotographs. There are just too many fab shots to choose from so went with the boots. I am getting the feeling that the decider on photography for me at the moment is hands and footwear! Not sure what that says about me!

And the photos below are from the condos' website.
 

It fits in with the other 'dream' locations - really think I am going to have to take a trip to check it all out for myself ..........
 

What would you do. Suggestions and comments, please. Thank you.

SNOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I shouldn't be up and writing a blog at this time of night but there you are. Goes to show how excited I get about SNOW!! Was just about to go to bed when I saw that there had been snow in Collingwood today? This is just far too early for snow - good gracious, it's not even Halloween. Anyway, did a little more checking and found these photos on Facebook from this morning by the Explore the Bruce team. This is the area around Owen Sound where we do our  fab Winter Weddings at Cobble Beach.

Glow from the early morning sun



Deer having looking around

A back yard

and a not quite so covered back yard

Oh, I want to be there! It's snowing!

[Bet it's all gone by now, though - just saying that quietly before anyone else does]

The Ranunculus Adventures

I stumbled across this blog - it was quite by accident but VERY timely as I am trying to re-organise my office. This is the sort of photograph that gives me inspiration

If only .... The thing that always worries me though is did they buy the books to match the colour gaps? I can't imagine going out shopping for a 'yellow' book because there's a gap to be filled - what if the book you really want to read has a purple cover and that section is full? Or do you cover the books when you get them home and colour code the covers by topic or author?

Anyway, this resourceful florist goes on to explain how to purge your stuff. I am going to follow rules 3 & 4 the Will, When, Where and Cut the Cord although FATS sounds good too - File, Act, Trash & Shred.  It seems she is serious about organising professionally for people who don't know where to start and calling her business Purge - great name, shame she's in the States.

Check out the full purge entry on October 12 2010 but scroll the page slowly to take in the fab wedding photos too. http://ranunculusadventure.blogspot.com/

Here's a preview of some of the pictures. The photography is by Julie Harris

What tree did you fall from?

I regularly scan the Martha Stewart websites - Living & Wedding. I just wish we got the TV programme in the UK. There are great ideas & loads of fab recipes, however we don't.  On the wedding site the other day, I came across this as an idea for a distraction in the Wedding Programme [or as we would have in the UK, an Order of Service] whilst waiting for the Wedding March or whilst signing the Register. Not sure how it would be received over here but maybe it could be used elsewhere.

APPLE TREE (love) of slight build, lots of charm, appeal, and attraction, pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination

ASH TREE (ambition) uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over the heart, takes partnership very seriously.

BEECH TREE (creative) has good taste, concerned about looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).

BIRCH TREE (inspiration) vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

CEDAR TREE (confidence) of rare beauty, adaptable, likes luxury, of good health, not shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, likes to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

CHESTNUT TREE (honesty) of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, sense of justice, vivacious, born diplomat, sensitive in company due to a lack of self confidence, sometimes acts superior, feels not understood, loves only once, has difficulties finding a partner.

CYPRESS TREE (faithfulness) strong, muscular, adaptable, content, optimistic, craves money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate and insatiable lover, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic, and careless.

ELM TREE (noble-mindedness) pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, oddest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.
FIG TREE (sensibility) very strong, a bit self-willed, independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves family, children and animals, a social butterfly, sense of humor, likes idleness and laziness, of practical intelligence.
FIR TREE (mysterious) extraordinary taste and dignity, sophisticated, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to them, rather modest, very ambitious, talented, industrious, discontented lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable
HAZELNUT TREE (extraordinary) undemanding, understanding, charming, knows how to make an impression, fighter for social cause, popular, moody and capricious lover, honest and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgment.

HORNBEAM TREE (good taste) of cool beauty, cares for looks and physical condition, good taste, not egotistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgment in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, seldom happy with feelings, mistrusts most people, never sure of decisions, very conscientious.

LIME TREE (doubt) accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates fighting and stress, dislikes laziness and idleness, dislikes labor, soft and relenting, willingly makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make them blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous but loyal to lovers and friends alike.

MAPLE TREE (independence of mind) full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

OAK TREE (brave) robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps feet on the ground, person of action.

OLIVE TREE (wisdom) loves sun and warmth, values kind feelings in self and others, reasonable, balanced,
avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, has a strong sense of justice, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read, loves the company of sophisticated people.

PINE TREE (particular) loves agreeable company, very robust, very active, natural, a good companion but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but the passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, everything disappoints until the ideal is found, trustworthy, practical.

POPLAR TREE (uncertainty) very decorative, not very self-confident, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organizer, leans toward philosophy, reliable, takes partnership seriously.

ROWAN TREE (sensitivity) full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egotism, likes to draw attention, loves
motion and unrest even loves complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

WALNUT TREE (passion) unrelenting, full of contrasts, often egotistic, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, difficult partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, jealous and passionate, no compromise.

WEEPING WILLOW (melancholy) beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful and tasteful, loves to travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but isn’t easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but sometimes finds an anchoring partner.

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/goodthings/take-a-bough is the link.

Good luck tradition - Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

Something Old
is meant to represent the link with the bride's own family and the past. It’s also symbolic of continuity. Many brides choose a piece of family jewellery.

Something New
represents good luck and success. Often it’s the wedding dress that’s new. It symbolises the couple creating a new union.

Something Borrowed
is to represent to the bride that friends and family will be there for her on the special day and in the future when help is needed. Strictly speaking the item borrowed should come from a happily married friend or family member so her happiness will rub off. It could be a hankie, a bracelet, even a ribbon worked into your bouquet or tied around the stem. But remember, it MUST be given back.

Something Blue
symbolises faithfulness, purity and loyalty. Often the blue item is a garter, a hankie or blue jewellery. [Don’t forget to move your engagement ring to your right hand for the ceremony and then put it back on top of your wedding ring after you are married.]

Old, borrowed and blue is quite easy in our family as we have hanky collectors for several generations now. The favourite, favourite has to be a Liberty handkerchief. And that reminds me, my Granddaughter will need one for Christmas – this one, I think.

The latest addition to the collection has been designed for twobirdsbridesmaid by Rob Ryan. I will be writing more about two birds soon and I’ve mentioned Rob Ryan before - I just think his work is fab so how could I not buy it?

 

I may even lend it to my Brides – borrowed and blue!

The kissing tradition

Traditions vary from country to country. One of the really cute things that happens at wedding in Canadais the kissing tradition!
I'll try and explain .....
During the reception, there is a theme and guests stand up all through the meal and tell stories about the bride and groom relating to the theme. Depending on how well these offerings are received by the audience, the bride & groom get a long - or short - kiss!
So, at one wedding we attended, the theme was "Hoola Hooping" - the couple's son was SO good, he had to be stopped after 5 minutes!!!!! Imagine THAT kiss.
Another theme was "How well do you know the bride or groom?" The groom's grandmother was first up with stories of his wilder teenage years [I wondered if she had written all the secrets down over the years in case she could use them at the wedding!] and she got a huge round of applause. The stories went on, each getting an appropriate response and related kissing time. Almost at the end of the meal, when we had all had quite a lot of wine, one of the bridal party stood up. She related a story about the bride saying "THIS   IS   THE   ONE" very early on in the relationship. So far so good. But then the wine took over. I can't remember the exact details [nor should I] but on one particular occassion, it turns out that she had walked in on the couple on the floor - and yes, that is what they were doing!!!!!!! The entire wedding company were silent, you could hear a pin drop, the bride went red, the groom went red, the bride's father looked as if he needed restraining, all the guests looked at each other ....... then [as I remember] Granny cheered and the roof was lifted. It should be noted that the Bride & Groom gave each other a quick peck and said they'd leave the rest for later.

This all came back to me yesterday when I saw a post from Sept 28th  on Lori Hutchinson's blog - The Caketress. The beautiful photography was by Elizabeth Kaye at Elizabeth in love.  Check out the cakes and the photography. This couple had such a lovely idea to follow the tradition. On each table was a money box and a bell. Guests put money into the box and rang the bell and the couple kissed. All the money collected went to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

You might like to try the kissing tradition in a similar way.

Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. It's all about being with family, having a traditional turkey dinner and being grateful for what you have. And I know how much I have to be grateful for - my kids, their kids, my husband, terrific friends and food on my table. 

Autumn - or Fall - is well and truly here now, It's almost my favourite time of year. I just love the colours and the warm glow. Maple leaves are amazing at the moment with so many colours on one tree,

 I remember, too, the kids used to sing something at primary school about "Autumn days when the grass is jewelled and the silk inside a chestnut shell"

What fab colours for a wedding !!!