Retro Saturday

Found these a few weeks ago at the 'Sally Ann' shop. I really don't know what it is that attracts me to this stuff!

                      This 'bowl' is missing a utensil of some sort. Any ideas?


It's not like it is 'fine china' or anything near it. Guess it's the 'cute factor' and the fact that it was made in Japan. I remember when anything made in Japan was considered cheap and not made well.

I think times have changed or at least the 'country' has changed. Now everything is made in China and I MEAN EVERYTHING! That's a totally other story.

Or it could be that I 'missed' something during a very important developmental stage in my life. Who knows? lol

The 'character' items are all shakers and that could be why I felt a pull towards these! You see I love S/P shakers. I just do.

The Wait Was Worth It

Over the past few weeks I have been documenting, through photos, the progress of our yellow magnolia........Magnolia Acuminata "Yellow Bird'.

And since this spring was rather on the 'cool/cold' side, the buds were very hesitant to open too early....for fear of dying from exposure and frost bite!

Nonetheless, the buds remained intact throughout this cooler than usual spring. So starting with the top photo you will see the progress that has been made up until today, Friday.

By the way, last year was the first year that this Magnolia bloomed. It had one blossom. This year I believe it will have over two dozen! We have been waiting 8 years for this 'flush' of blossoms. It will be well worth the wait.

And when they are all in bloom, I will show you a photo of this wonderful tree.

Taking A Stand

I admire the U.S. government for taking a public stand on the middle-east 'crises' recently. Albeit it is an unpopular stance for some, but I feel that President Obama is sending out a message that in order to bring this 'insanity of a situation' to some kind of resolution, it is time to take a stand.

Israel and the Palestinian state have been fighting each other ever since the state of Israel was created after WWII and way before this as well. Neither side will get what it wants from 'talks' for a resolution of this mess. It is time for not only compromise but recognition that the Palestinian state has a right to exist.

For a more 'in-depth', Reader's Digest version, of the history of this conflict please click here.

I do not pretend in the least to understand all the nuances of this conflict. But I do see the necessity for this to end once and for all. And both sides will have to 'bite the bullet' and recognize that each exists.

I can't imagine how this has impacted the lives of all the people in this region. The darkness and negativity of this 'way of living' for the peoples of this region will take generations to heal.

It is 2011! Time for this Medieval way of thinking to stop.

Tuesday's This and That

You know how this whole blogging thing could be misconstrued as being a tad voyeuristic? Well, Annie from The Day After Yesterday, has taken it a little step further.

She has 'invited' herself right into the homes of her followers!!! Check her out to see what I mean. Actually it was a lot of fun to participate in this and Annie can turn just about anything into a work of literary art and she is getting pretty good with her new camera too!

I am taking Dad to be fitted for another type of hearing aid today. He didn't like the first  ones as they were too difficult for him to manipulate.....they were so tiny but VERY effective! He could here you coming from down the street! lol

He has moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears. He is 'missing' a lot from conversations and gets frustrated when he can't hear us. He would rather us shout all the time but this gets frustrating for us too! I have been trying to get him to understand that 'hearing aids' will help out everyone and make our time together more productive....and quiet.

What they say about 'old men' seems to be right........they can get very cantankerous and stubborn! But you see, as far back as I can remember Dad was always this way. Don't get me wrong, I have learned to accept this about him and love him dearly.

But I do expect some resistance today with the whole procedure of the fitting and the adjusting afterwards. We will see.......

It was a holiday in Canada yesterday........Victoria Day. It was named in honour of Queen Victoria who reigned over her 'kingdom' for a very long period........otherwise known as the Victorian Period. It is considered the first long weekend before summer begins in earnest here in most parts of Canada.

OK. So a little about a blogger friend, 'old men', a bit on Canadian history and all that's left is to give a 'shout out' to all the new followers that have checked  in at 'Ocean Breezes'. If you like good photos, check these blogs out. You will be very impressed. Just 'click' their icon in the side bar on the left.

Contemplative Monday

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Sunday's Selection

This is what we are all singing here in Nova Scotia for the past month......if we can't beat 'em, then we will join 'em.






Nancy over at A Rural Journal has started a photo 'display' by various contributors called Your Sunday Best. Use this link to check out some very nice photography: Your Sunday Best.

Retro Saturday

We were at the 'very pricey' Value Village last week and I saw this glass bowl that looked decidedly early 1960's to me.

It had that 'Mod' look. Remember that time when everything was very geometrical and very bold in colour?

Let's see, I would have been in grade 8 in 1962 and I am sure I would have seen this bowl in one of my friends' houses. Not in my house because it was glass. Everything was plastic due to all those kids running around the place!

It has a few 'wear/worn' marks on it but nothing too serious. It definitely screams 60's. I think it may have been intended for salads.

Nonetheless, I snapped this bowl up and headed for the cashier.