Sunday Bits #55 (Remembrance Day, the holidays, making bows, hearts)

Happy Sunday! Have you had a hard time adjusting to the time change? I stayed up late last Saturday, watching 'The Whale', and so relished that extra hour of sleep in the morning. It seemed to help me get on track pretty much right away. Have you watched that movie?

The dogs are still messed up a week later. They sit and wait, wondering why I am not getting their supper ready, when their bellies are saying it is well past suppertime. In the mornings, they watch and wait for me to get up, popping their heads up each time I move a muscle, thinking 'this is it, she is finally getting up', only to be disappointed when I just roll over. Daddy would get up with them if he were home, he is much nicer about less sleep than I am. Then again, they are ready to start the bedtime routine at 8pm.. too early, even for me!

Hemingway hanging out, waiting to see if treats are involved.

Yesterday was Remembrance Day here in Canada, Veteran's Day in the States. I think, when people today think about Remembrance Day, they mostly think about the ones we lost in World Wars I and II, but forget that we still have soldiers today.

The husbands/wives, dads and moms, who are away from home months and months out of each year, training and preparing for when they go away to far away places to fight for peace... and then sometimes come home a little bit broken, and some not at all.

Mikie, my brother from another mother.

My husband was in the Forces for 20 years, an army man. On Remembrance Day, I think of all the men and women lost over the years, including my brother from another mother. Here's to Mikie, a good man, a fine and proud soldier to the very end, but most of all, a really great friend. A man who would walk through fire for his family and friends. Never forgotten, buddy. Miss you always, you sarcastic, crazy, funny son of a gun. Rest easy, soldier.

Gardening Bits

I only have one Gardening Bit today, a read with some really nice pictures. You know how I love looking at pics to get garden ideas. In this read, 7 Things People Do Not Tell You About Designing a Landscaping. I love the shade pergola the most. I am trying to find the best way to create shade on my patio, without making the yard look closed in and small.

Decor Bits

How to make a gracious guestroom. Love these ideas. My guestroom is pretty basic, I really need to up my game! The holidays are coming up fast, just 43 days left till Christmas!

This Forgotten Farmhouse is pretty spectacular. Love the sink. Not sure I want it but I realy love it. How do you feel about marble sinks? Oh, and I need you to check out the paint on the pantry door wall and tell me what you think of that idea.

Another super cute cottage. You know how I love them so much. This one is only 656 square feet. How did they make it look so roomy?

This eating nook. I love it. I am always looking for ideas for what to do with mine. Really love the cafe curtains.

Making a great bow is quite the skill! One that I need to practice at and relearn each and every year. I remember one year, when I was working at Hole's, a large greenhouse by Edmonton, I had to cover for the ladies in the indoor plants section while they attended a meeting.

This was at Christmas time, so we offered a seasonal prettying-up of the poinsettias and potted plants. In other words, we added bows, lots and lots of bows. These ladies made bows all day long. There were other things but they were easy, decor on sticks and such, but bows were my nemesis. The ladies premade a few bows to get me started, set me up with the supplies, gave me a quick tutorial, and then left me alone with fear crawling in my belly. I kept saying 'please don't ask for a bow, please don't ask for a bow' as a mantra (not out loud, lol), while practicing my bow making. When the ladies returned an hour and a half later, I could make a semi decent bow. While my bows were nothing to write home about, I was proud as punch.

Here are two lovely reads about how to tie a bow. This one is so good, she is such a fantastic story teller. This one has really great pictures to show you exactly what she means, very pretty and inspiring. I am in love with that blush hue (may just make it my colour this yuletide ; )

Recipes & Food

This cranberry apple pie! Fruits and pastry cream in a flaky crust. I may have to get my daughter or hubs to make this one, as I cannot make a good crust to save my life.

My biga for the ciabatta buns.

I love bread. I love eating it, but also making it. I have yet to learn the art of sourdough but hopefully some day. Honestly, I am afraid of having to take care of this thing and feed it, haha, so one day I may overcome that fear. For now, check out this great ciabatta bun recipe! So good. I made the biga last night and look how lovely it is this morning!

Holiday Bits

I have two posts about how to dry citrus for the holidays... This one that I also posted last week, about how to keep the colour vibrant, and this one has such great photos of the oranges, and the process.

The best food gifts to give on the holidays. I think you will really like these gift ideas. Lots of new ideas, not the norm.

Hearts for the holidays. A how-to for making your own hearts. I love hearts, and actually make lots of them... some garlands, some bigger ones to hang about, and little ones to put in bowls. I just love 'em! In fact, I have a heart giveaway coming up soon, so stay tuned!

Fun sustainable gift wrapping ideas. You all know how I like kraft paper, handmade tags, anything a bit shabby chic or retro...

Happy Crafting!

Have A Lovely Sunday, Friends ~ Tanja