Posted on November 5, 2015
Goodbye Halloween For Another Year!!
Halloweekend is over. The lights, colour, costumes, baskets, music and decorations are now gone back to ‘Holiday Hall’ in the basement — until the next time!
Was it worth all the effort? A resounding YES!! A million trillion times yes. Over the years, I have built up a loyal group of visiting kids who I would not want to disappoint (o.k. I agree I’m the biggest kid!!) They really appreciate my efforts, as do their parents. When I open the door and see the look of wonderment and joy on their sweet little faces, my heart fills with joy and gratitude. How could I not do it? Even Lulu looks forward to the excitement. This year she fell in love with a cute little dog whose owner had lights on his little collar. The two touched noses…sweet moments…
Unlike Christmas, when we tend to open our doors to family and friends, Halloween is a time for opening our hearts and doors to complete strangers. I like the feeling of community and generosity which abounds — and the candy isn’t bad either!! Fantasy costumes, feasting, and fun — what’s not to like!
Now, it’s time to make way for the jolly jingle of Christmas bells!
Hugs,
Patricia xxx
Updated on October 30, 2015
Halloween is in the House!
It’s no secret that I simply adore Halloween. My longing for a deeper sense of community and excitement is satiated in the hubbub of door-to-door visits and exotic costumes. I love the warm rustic fall foliage and the sweet aroma of pumpkin spice candles permeating the home. Sitting by a big cozy fire on a dark spooky night, and Autumn leaves fluttering in the breeze outside, sugary treats and hot chocolate…Kids knocking on the door, dogs barking, smiles all around, and happy happy faces. Halloween is indeed a sugary treat for the heart and soul!
You will NEVER see the following in my Halloween home — skulls, skeletons, demons, eye balls, snakes, vipers, tombstones, or vomit — never! Only pretty stuff. I respect the dead and think they should be allowed to rest in peace. I love the social aspect of Halloween, the candies, colour, pumpkin pies, and generosity of the occasion. When I dress up, it is usually a fantasy trip that makes me feel beautiful. You would never catch me wearing a big fat baby diaper or dressing as a clown! I tend to gravitate towards the Cleopatra-style or exotic belly dancer costumes. Unfortunately, with the passage of time, my belly now dances by itself — so I’ll forget that one this year!!
I first became enraptured with Halloween when I arrived in Northern Alberta all those years ago. In the darkness of my surroundings, it was a beacon of light and hope. Fort McMurray had a harsh winter climate and people tended to hide themselves away indoors. Garages were attached to homes so people never had a chance to engage socially with each other, the only exception being Halloween. Doors were flung wide open to welcome trick ‘n treaters and parents alike. I loved the colour, excitement, and fun of it all.
My first Canadian Halloween was a disaster. I never realized how huge Halloween was in Canada and I ran out of candy in the first hour! The door bell kept ringing non-stop and I had nothing left, despite the fact every secret stash of candy in the house had been handed out. A very kind neighbour sent her kids up with giant bags of candy knowing I was in distress, and would not take a penny for it. What a sweet thing to do!
I remember with joy all the fun my kids had when they were little; the rituals of emptying their bags and dividing the candies into different piles, smarties in one corner, kit kats and aero bars in another. Once neatly arranged and counted, they would give Mama and Papa bear first choice of the pickings!! Sometimes they came home with toothbrushes from the dentist across the street! One elderly lady in the neighbourhood used to make up beautiful little bags of orange and black jelly beans — a delight in every sense of the word. The stories the girls brought home from their travels were as sweet as the candies in their pumpkin adorned bags.
Now, I feel it is my turn — or rather my heart duty — to return some of the joy and generosity my kids received when they were little, to other kids. I know they will remember it for the rest of their lives. At the end of the day — it’s not about the candy — it’s about the LOVE!
Wishing you all a Sweet Halloween!
Hugs,
Patricia xxx
Updated on October 19, 2015
The World has Gone Pom Pom!
I’ve just returned from a wonderful trip to Vancouver. The purpose of my journey was to celebrate daughter Claudia’s 21st birthday with sister Ali, who could not be with us in Victoria, due to work. We celebrated in style and had enough energy left over to do a mall crawl!! Mall crawl…now that’s always a pleasure!
The one thing that always surprises me about Vancouver is the incredible amount of wealth in the city. The price of housing and accommodation is ludicrous to say the least and the number of high end shops moving into Vancouver speaks for itself. Nordstrom have just opened up a huge new store. It seemed twice the size of Harrods. I innocently picked up a shoe in the footwear department, and when I saw the price — over $1038 — I dropped it like a hot cake!! Apparently Sachs are also opening up a store soon, and Donald Trump is also moving in.
Whatever about the shoe — it was the fur pom pom at Max Mara that really took the biscuit! Fur pom poms are all the rage at the moment. It is very fashionable to have one dangling from your hand bag like a key ring. I asked the price of one to be told casually $175 plus tax! If you had two hundred dollars to spend on clothes, which would you prefer a trip to Winners, where you find fabulous for less? or a single pink dyed fur pom pom from Max Mara? Claudia informed me that pom poms can cost up to $1000 from top designers.
Is our world really gone Pom Pom?! I think so.
Give me $200 in Winners and I promise you I could leave there with a fabulous designer outfit from head to toe!! Something to ponder…
Hugs!
Patricia xxx
Posted on October 5, 2015
Happy Birthday, All You Lovely Libras!
Libra, this is your month to shine. But then again, you always sparkle! I don’t need to tell you how to dress, or make the most of what your Mamma gave you, since looking good comes naturally to you — as does your killer smile! This also applies to anybody reading this who has their moon or rising sign in Libra.
You have an innate ability to harmonize both your surroundings and your clothing. In fact, harmony and balance is something you strive for all your life. With your symbolic scales, you seek fairness and justice in all your dealings. Because of your ability to see both sides to every story, you sometimes find it difficult to make up your mind!
You have a smart head on your shoulders, and as a Cardinal sign you are ambitious and prepared to work hard to achieve your goals. Ruled by Venus, it’s no wonder you love beauty in all its forms — fashion, music, art, and interior design.
Just in case you’re curious, I’ve put together some stylish items for your closet.
EnJOY!!
Hugs,
Patricia
- Edward Achour Jacket // 2. Nina Runsdorf Opal Earrings // 3. MSGM Dress // 4. MAC Candy Yum-Yum Lipstick // 5. Victoria Beckham Sunglasses // 6. Valentino Rockstud Pumps // 7. Diane von Furstenberg Tote
Posted on October 1, 2015
Just Another Manic Mercury Retro Day… Or Two!!
I’m writing today’s blog as I wait for the automobile association to come and start my stubborn car, which would not budge! (classic MR). After waiting 15 mins for road assistance, ears violated from all the stinky phone music, (why can’t they play Michael Buble?), I discovered to my chagrin that my membership had just expired! Quelle surprise! Another musical 20 mins. ensued waiting for accounting department, and then back to the road assistance queue, which because Mercury is retro was a long one!!
Did you notice the roads have been very busy lately? A couple of nasty fender benders this part of the world. Drive smart and turn off that phone!! Talk about phones, since Mercury began its retro dance, two of my girls had to replace theirs. I promise, I’m not looking for niggly problems — they are coming to visit without an invitation!
Yesterday, I got into a big fight with the zip on my jacket pocket. It refused to budge, just like the car today, and my keys were stuck in the pocket! The lining had got caught with the jacket material and I did not want to break the zip. Patience Patricia!! Yes, Mercury retro forces us to to chill and roll with the punches. Once I safely fixed the zip problem, I could not find my iPod. I had the ear phones, but not the iPod. I could have sworn I saw it on the car seat beside me. Where had it disappeared to? I searched under the car seats, down the side of the car and under the car, in case it had fallen and I did not want to drive over it…no sign of it! Got home to discover it sitting on the side board laughing its head off at me!
I laughed back, because let’s face it folks — Mercury Retrograde forces us to have a sense of humour!!
Loving hugs,
Patricia xxx
