Daytripping in Sparta

One of my favourite things to do is "daytripping".

There are always little places tucked away within a reasonable driving distance that we can plan a day trip around. And there is surely always a Tea Room around to rev up our engines to keep shopping!

 I had a day like that a few days ago.

 I had a day off work on Wednesday and I asked my sister if she would like to meet up in a small town called Sparta near London Ontario.

 I have been there before and love the peaceful tranquility of the whole area.

We met up at a place called  Winter Wheat.

The Store

One of the props inside the store.

My sister Renita

Renita and Tammy in front of a small cabin. Would love one of these in my back yard!

Renita and I

The song, "The Wind Beneath My Wings", was playing.

Love this for a front porch!

There were lots of beautiful gardens,

with beautiful flowers...

some quirky

and fun-loving characters

old wood doors,

and the keeper of the gardens!

There were old windows for sale in this cute sunroom.

A man can't have too many tools!

After our stop here, we drove up the road into the town of Sparta, and did some more shopping.

After all that shopping we were well ready for lunch

at the Green Frog Tearoom. These pictures were taken two years ago when my husband and I were here. I took pictures when I was just here but my batteries must have died.

The food was good now and two years ago. This is my wonderful husband Doug who is always willing to go with me on some of my day trips as long as he gets a good meal out of the deal!
There are tables outside and an area where you can go for a walk. So peaceful and tranquil here as well.

If you live near the area or will be visiting, this is a beautiful place to visit. You won't be sorry!
Thanks for sharing my daytrip.
Blessings, Diane
 

Candle Love

 

I LOVE candles!!

 A few weeks ago, we had a girls weekend away and we spent Sunday afternoon in one of my favourite towns, Elora. http://elora.info/

 I lived a few minutes up the road and went to grade school here, but I never tire of walking up and down the streets, visiting the quaint shops and taking in the beautiful scenery. In one of the shops, called Epiphany, I saw this candle and fell in love with it. So unique! Maybe the measuring tape had something to do with it! Of course I couldn't resist! It smells so nice too!!

 

There is something about a lit candle that adds warmth and coziness to the atmosphere. Good friends do the same thing. Here is a picture of us all together.

 

Blessings, Diane

Burlap+Jar=Vase

I have to say that I am a Pinterest fan.

Not a die hard fan, but I do enjoy snooping around once in awhile, and getting ideas and pinning them. I definitely pin more ideas than I actually try.

If you're a follower of Pinterest then you most surely have seen all the burlap ideas that are out there.

The funny thing is,

I have several different colours of burlap that have been laying around for years and did little with it.

So I thought that I would get crafty one evening and this is what I came up with.

I have several old bottles and milk jars and a varying array of white/cream silk flowers picked up at thrift shops.

I decided to start with a small jar.

 As you can see,  the silk stems don't look as nice as natural stems in water.

 So this is where the burlap comes in!

 I purchased this role of burlap at Michaels to use to decorate on my Christmas tree,

 and cut a small piece off. I glued on a strip of lace to the edge of the burlap and then glued it on the jar using white glue. It dries clear.

Oh ya, work on a plastic table cloth or wax paper like I did.

I put a twine bow around it and glued a little heart button in the centre.

Voila! You have yourself a cute little vase!

Hope I've inspired you. It would make a nice and inexpensive gift for someone. (You could add real flowers for them!)

Blessings, Diane