a certain "MILESTONE"-BIRTHDAY - YEAR-*ONE*

and, "HOW TO *CELEBRATE* IT LONG-DISTANCE"!

IT's CPL.TAT-MOM's BIRTHDAY, Today... However, She's busy with a "WORK"-Thingy, so SISTER has Her GRANDSON for a While -- a Couple of PROVINCES over...

Just making sure that EVERYTHING is
*PERFECT* for the "Photo-Shoot"...
"QUALITY"-CONTROL is *so* IMPORTANT!

But HEY!

When it comes to CAKE and "Partying", what's a *FEW* HUNDRED-MILES, eh?

Besides, THIS is *CANADA*!!

[a Ginormous-somewhat-EMPTY-Place... So long as there's a HOCKEY GAME and We *don't* run out of BEER - We're *GOOD*!]

- We're Used to THAT sort of THING!

Hey! - I've got my own Birthday coming up...
Just getting in some *practice*-time...
CAN'T let a great CAKE go to waste!

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Forget about being *Distracted* by "SHINY-OBJECTS"...

...JUST WAVING SOME "COLOUR" IN FRONT OF ME WILL DO THE TRICK!!
- Especially, on SUCH a GREYISH Day!! -- BTW, that *bit* of SUNLIGHT through that BRIEF "EYE"-of-BLUE-SKY wasn't around Long *ENOUGH* to "Count"!!

oh! And, if IT looks EDIABLE... Well, *BONUS*!!


So... Strangely, the SATURDAY-TRAFFIC was just a tad Heavier than Usual... Hence, We stopped off at FARM BOY, first. -- As the "ROADWAY-PLANNING" at TRAINYARDS is somewhat *CONTRARY* to "EFFICIENT"-TRAFFIC-*FLOW*!

Anyhoo, the Hot-"TAKE-OUT"-Food wasn't *out* at the Time, so I missed-out on that FAB PULLED-PORK! -- pooh!

Well, ON to MICHAEL'S then... nuts! - WHY are "PEOPLE" Parked in *MY* Fav-SPOTS?!! ggrrr...

right... I have a 20%-OFF-ENTIRE-PURCHASE-Including-SALE-ITEMS-COUPON for Today. Let's see "what" *DAMAGE* We can DO!

Got 2-Each of the ABOVE Ceramic-CUPCAKE-Name-Card-HOLDERS... They're Colourful & Cute - can't go Wrong with THAT!

"COLOUR" was the Primary-Attraction for These SANDWICH-BOXES... And, that I got Them for 60%-OFF, too! -- Their Future-USE is UNknown at the Moment, but I'm sure I'll Think of *Something*!

Meanwhile, speaking of "USES", I picked-up a Few more of Those DRESS-NOTE-PADS for SISTER. She's using Them as TREATS and "PRIZES" for various Upcoming BRIDAL-SHOWERS that She's WORKING on...







We eventually headed to THE MALL -- It was a "TAX-FREE"-Day at the Grocery Store! So, of course, *most* of the TAXABLE-Things that We want are either still TOO Expensive or, NOT IN-Stock!


Although, I *did* run into an OLD-ACQUAINTANCE from where I used to WORK! We did that Quickie-5-Minute-"CATCH-UP"-Thingy...

Afterward, MOTHER ended up doing Her "SHOW & TELL"-*Not*-so-Quickie-*20*-Minute-Thingy will the NICE-YOUNG-PREGNANT-LADY and Her SWEET-ALMOST-3-Year-Old-DAUGHTER... I'll SPARE You All on the "Details"! -- Except to Say, that the PIGTAILED-GREAT-HAIR-CHILD ended up with an "Early"-Birthday-Present-CROCHETED-FINGER-PUPPET-MONKEY and that MOTHER *NEEDS* to EMPTY Her PURSE!!

More MALL-MARAUDING, then HOME!!

*********************************************************

*BEWARE* of PARKING-LOT-FAIRIES Bearing "GIFTS"...

...just saying...

AFTER, getting about 4 *GREEN-LIGHTS* in a Row, I just *knew* that SOMEthing "KARMIC" was going on...

More GREEN-LIGHTS... *Sparse* TRAFFIC... Plenty of Empty Spaces in the MICHAEL'S Lot -- I pull into "FAV-SPOT-#2".

And, as I open My Door, a *GLINT* on the Ground in the Empty-Space next to Me, *Catches* My Eye... oh. LOOK! - The PARKING-LOT-FAIRY has "BLESSED" Me with COINS on the Ground!! -- A Dime. A Nickel...

ahh.. that's kinda *weird*... WHY are Those FIVE-PENNIES *placed* like a PENTAGON..?? hmm...

[INSERT "TWILIGHT ZONE" Music... If only to liven up the Mood.]

oh! what the hell! I can't let the poor little beggars *freeze* and get run over! -- I popped Them into My nice *warm* Pocket!

Now. At some Point in the PAST, I had sorta Promised Myself to NOT Buy any *more* BOXES! - Unless of course, They were Priced at 6 for $10. - However, the $2.50-Each Ones in the OUTSIDE-BINS had THESE 3 "CANADIANA" TYPES in them!! - I got TWO of Each...

Well, that pretty much FILLED My CART, and I wasn't even *completely* INTO the STORE yet!! -- yes... "FORCES" *are* at WORK Here...

The TIN-ish PLAQUES at the $1.50-Regular-Price were My next Cart-Deposit. - [$1.35 after the SENIORS'-DAY-DISCOUNT]

Hey! There's MANAGER-DAVE putting out "90%-OFF"-Signs on the Leftover-CHRISTMAS-Stuff... Let's check IT out, huh?

With the DISCOUNT --

• LARGE TINS - 44-Cents each
• SMALL TINS - [ABOVE] 31-Cents each - got Two
• MINI-SOCKS - 76-Cents each - got Three of each Colour
• CHECKER-SOCK - 22-Cents

[ABOVE] - RIBBONS

• PURPLE - $1.07
• RED - $1.52 - Got Four
• GREEN - $1.21 - Got 4 in Both-Sizes

THEN... In an Aisle-Display just across from the from My "HOLIDAY"-Pillaging, was "CAKE"-STUFF...



"CLEARANCE"-*ON-SALE* CAKE-STUFF!!


Stuff that is *usually* Priced from $10. to $22. STUFF!


Stuff that was now going for *ONLY* "$1.99"-Each STUFF!!


I had to GET an Extra SHOPPING-BASKET!!




BTW, These PUNCHES also *need* a Special "BASE"-UNIT... [Not pictured] - *THOSE* were NOT "ON-SALE"!

However, *not* to FEAR! A couple of 40%-OFF-Coupons got THOSE down to $15.-Each! -- I needed TWO-Sizes...





WELL! -- SISTER's Future "Birthday" and "CHRISTMAS" GIFTS are now COVERED!!

MEANWHILE, I had been IN the STORE for over 40-Minutes and STILL hadn't gotten to the YARN-SECTION!!


But, WHEN I did...


okay. So. The SAME Bins of the PATONS "$19.99" 5-BALL-PACKS have been around for WEEKS. Loaded with "PINKS"... That, I have "enough" of.

[cough!] - yeah. right!



Anyhoo... so, I'm "Helping" this OLDER-FRENCH-LADY to find *another* Pack of the HEATHER-Shade as We "Discuss" the YARN and ITS "PRICE"...yadda, yadda...

BUT, it's not until AFTER I find Said Colour, that I happen to finally "NOTICE" the *TINY*-Somewhat-HIDDEN-SIGN that says "$9.99"!!?

MERDE!! -- NO Wonder She was Babbling about the LOW-PRICE!!

[NOTE TO SELF -- *REMEMBER* to give MANAGER-DAVE an "AUNTIE"-Pout when I see Him again!! - He's disappeared...]

Well... THOSE will soon be Selling-Off... I *piled-on* TWO-PINKS and a lone ORANGE Pack! -- TIME to head to the CHECKOUT!!

I ended up Steering TWO CARTS to THE CAR! -- The TRUNK was now *FULL*!!

And, apparently, The PARKING-LOT-FAIRY had LEFT for the Day! -- I checked. No more "Extra" MAGICAL-MONEY to Apply to My *NEXT* CHARGE-CARD "BILL"!! -- pooh!

I had "PLANNED" on Perusing a Few OTHER Stores, but the Hour was getting on and, I still HAD to get to THE MALL for some GROCERY-SPECIALS... I'm almost *Tempted* to get CAKE!?

*****************************************************************

YAY!! THEY're NOT *Extinct*!!

YET...

In Recent Times, I've been "pondering" over the Highly-UNlikely-Ginormous-LOTTERY-WIN-*FANTASY* of Owning a Natural-Fiber-*ONLY*-YARN-TEA-ROOM-BAKERY-BISTRO-ARTS-CURIO SHOP... With, My various "CRAFTY" RELATIVES and FRIENDS creatively slaving away in a Roomy-*well*-Equipped-WORKSHOP.

-- *MY* slightly-Southern version of "SANTA's Workshop". Sans the Red-Suited-Old-Fat-Guy... And, more like MRS. CLAUS' Several-Times-Removed-4th-Half-COUSIN and a few Wayward ELVES running the Place. --

And, I would Call IT, "The WOOLY-RHINO"! -- [I keep envisioning one those old wooden PUB-Signs creaking in the breeze...]

Anyhoo, SORRY for the DIGRESSIVE "sorta"-segway into My "Day"... But, IT does - sorta - meld Today's *High-Points* together. -- I hope..?


IT was *another* over-90F Scorcher! WITH, a "Bonus" SOLAR-STORM rumoured to be hitting THE PLANET!? -- [NOTE-to-UNIVERSE: We asked for "RAIN", NOT *RADIATION*!!] -- Hence, a profound Absence of YARD SALES...

However, not a Problem as MOTHER wanted to go over to the Other FABRICLAND in ORLEANS. She had a GIFT-VOUCHER that She'd "Won" a few Months back that Expires at the End of JULY. Although Larger, Our Local Store didn't have WHAT She wanted. -- Besides, We haven't been There for quite some Time...

After nearly an Hour of *enduring* the rather ANNOYINGLY-LOUD-RATTLING-albeit-COOL AIR-CONDITIONING, We left and headed just down the Road to the PLACE d'ORLEANS SHOPPING MALL. -- We haven't been THERE in probably TWO-YEARS..??

Thankfully, the ZELLERS is *still* OPEN! - THIS Location has always had the Largest YARN Section...




Oh... **LOOK**!!!


"FACTORY-ENDS"!!


WOOHOO!!
- I thought I'd NEVER See THOSE again!!
- [HAPPY DANCE!!]




okay... So, THEY're
"COTTON", not "WOOL"!
But, still *YARN*! Same-Difference...



There were only THREE PACKAGES left. That I could FIND... And, the PRICE is Higher!?
-- whatsup with THAT?!! ..no matter...


IT's a LARGE, weirdly-Designed MALL... Lots of New Stores... The Geyser-FOUNTAIN is still there. - A Refreshing Treat!

huh. There's an ECKO STORE..?


Oooo... RHINOS!!

Well... sorta...



I'm really NOT a STUFF-ON-My-T-SHIRT Person. For the most part anyway... And, certainly NOT at those Prices.

However, the $1.99 Recycled-"RHINO"-TOTE-BAG did grab My Attention!


I especially love the part, where My RHINO-BAG went into Another Rhino-Bag!









EVENTUALLY, We found Our Way OUT... So glad I Parked in the Covered-Area!

The Afternoon was getting ON, so off to THE MALL We were, along the Route HOMEWARD...


A JOURNEY that was not WITHOUT ITS bits of "Excitement"... The EVIL-STUPIDLY-PLACED-TRAFFIC-CIRCLE is always a "Challenge"! - Thankfully, I wasn't IN IT yet when the AMBULANCE was going through...

And then, further on, near BEACON HILL, some "CAMPER-RV" had *very* recently caught FIRE!! - I didn't really see MUCH as I was just a tad BUSY-DRIVING-TO-AVOID-IDIOT-PEOPLE... Don't know if Anyone was Injured. Hope not.

Meanwhile, at THE MALL, the Grocery-Store had CAKE!! -- MOTHER was getting a bit Peckish...

BTW, "YELLOW-ICING" does get EVERYWHERE!! -- just saying...

*******************************************************

A CAR, CUTIES, And Ooooo... CUP-CAKES!!

JUST A FEW of My Fav Words that start with the Letter "C"... Right after, "CASH"!! *And*,
"CHOCOLATE"!!

So. NO YARD SALE EXPEDITIONS Planned for Today... Instead, Our "Scavenging Prowess" was geared for the Semi-Annual NATIONAL WOMEN'S SHOW over at LANSDOWNE PARK.


More "C"-Words...

• CONSTRUCTION - I hadn't realized that the BANK STREET "Construction" - for THIS Year - went as far South as it Does... Right SMACK IN FRONT of the Park Entrance!!
• CROWDS - We arrived just as the Doors were Opening at 10am. Dropped MOTHER off near the Ticket Kiosk. I went in Search of Parking, and then, the END-OF-THE-MOVING-LINE that was wrapped Halfway around the Building... Once, INSIDE, it was a MASSES-Morass! -- LADIES, LEAVE-THE-BABIES-AT-HOME!!
• CROWS - Hours later, as We took a Break at THE CAR to Dump the "First" Round of BOOTY, I happened to notice a couple of Crows atop the Building... I'm looking at Them, then People below, "comparing" the Size of Both... Okay! Those Birds were FREAKING *HUGE*!!
• CRAP - Meanwhile, the rather Spacious Parking Lot was Host to numerous GULLS... Who, have this "Thing" for BLACK CARS... WE got Lucky! THIS Time!

As for Some of the more "Interesting" Highlights...for ME...

THIS absolutely shockingly COOL TESLA!! - Seriously, NOT My "CHOICE" of COLOUR. BUT, WHO CARES??!! Right?

And, Moments later... THESE CUTIES!! -- From The OTTAWA PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS - a Few of  "The GREAT BOYS OF FIRE 2012 CALENDAR" GUYS!!

By This Point, I had pretty much gotten My Ticket's Worth! However, it was almost another Hour before We LEFT!

Anyhoo... We still had several SATURDAY-Things to DO... TRAINYARDS was along - sorta... - the Route Home.

A short Cruise through WALMART, then across the Complex to MICHAEL'S... Just Inside from The Entrance, was the CUP-CAKE-DECORATOR-LADY churning out THESE Culinary-Creations... Unfortunately, They were for DISPLAY Purposes ONLY!!

From There, it was additional Grocery-Getting, Losing-LOTTERY-Ticket-Acquisition, HOME, and the Division of Spoils... I think I have enough FREE Toothpaste now to get Me through to Year's End!

***************************************************************

"MAY the 4TH Be With You!"

YES.. It's TRUE -- I AM a STAR WARS "Fan"...

Granted, I was never One of Those "Dress-Up" DIEHARDS with UNLIMITED Theatre Passes, Who would go EVERY DAY to SEE that First "1977" Version! ..I think I went about a Dozen Times, perhaps..? -- However, *OVER* the DECADES, I have "made up" for it!

LET'S SEE... Besides the Obligatory "Collection" of YARD SALE FINDS of Action Figures and Ship Models that are scattered and "buried" about the House, there are a Few CHOICE "ITEMS"! Mostly obtained by way of Charity Auctions - PRE-"EBAY"! There's an *Almost* Complete PRESS KIT for the 1977 Movie. TWO of Those LIMITED EDITION From-the-"Original"-Official-STAR-WARS-Fan-Club-*ONLY*
"REVENGE of the JEDI" POSTERS! Still Rolled-up, BTW.

And then, there's the Assortment of AUTOGRAPHS from Several of the ACTORS that I've had the enjoyable opportunity to MEET at various SCI-FI CONVENTIONS over the Years... Alas, that was all "..a Long Time Ago, in a..."

Anyhoo... in the Meantime, how about Celebrating The DAY with a CAST of CUPCAKES!?

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/08/amazing_star_wars_cupcakes.html

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"ORIGINALS" Spring Craft Show - Part 2

IT WAS A DARK AND GUSTY DAY... So, of course, I decided on finally getting around to LOOKING *at* My INCOME TAXES! -- Unlike the U.S., Here in CANADA, We have *until* the END of the Month to do Ours... I've got waay TOO much Paperwork to do than is probably *really* necessary to GET *My* own Money BACK! ugh!

Anyway, ENOUGH "Nastiness"... Let's RETURN to PRETTY THINGS, shall We? -- PART 2 of My Observations of the "ORIGINALS" Spring Craft Show!

BTW, *All* of These PICS have been gleaned from The ARTISANS' Websites and were not all particularly AT The SHOW.


I love WOODWORK! It runs in the DNA on Both Sides of My FAMILY... So, I appreciate the SKILL that goes into Producing such Artistry.

http://www.stephenhaighmarquetry.com

When We went by His Booth, STEPHEN HAIGH was in the midst of having His Lunch - which, I *didn't* want to interrupt! These SHOWS are hectic enough as it is, and that whole "Starving Artist" bit needs to be kept in check...

So, I took His CARD, expressed My profound Admiration for His FINE MARQUETRY Work, and moved
on to leave Him in peace...

I was taken with the Subtle Palette, yet Expressive Composition of ROXANE TRACEY's Inspirational ARTWORK...

http://www.poeticart.ca










Have I mentioned that I also have this "THING" for GLASS...?

LLYOD and DIANE PROULX of OUT OF RUINS had this wonderful
"Bright & Shiny" Corner Booth that bought all of Their GALLERY GLASS to Life!

Why settle for plain old Stain-Glass when You can have THESE!

http://www.outofruins.com


Well, I'm in the Mood for some "Dabbling"... Me and THE HOOKS are in need of a little Quality Time..

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I became a "TWIT"...and THEN, there was CAKE!

Sorry...  But this is going to be a SHORT Post Today.

WHY...?

Cause, I've spent the last 3+ HOURS - **TRYING** - to "Access", "Set-Up", and "Save" my info on my *new* TWITTER Account!!!  --  AUNTIE_SHAN

Seriously!  IF I see that "over capacity" screen ONE MORE TIME---  "Fowl" will be falling from the Sky!

Personally, I'm strongly beginning to suspect that this whole TWITTER thing is Secretly run by those Nasty Sh*tty CANADA GEESE!!  -- Cool to gaze at from afar, NOT so much, when they're on the ground...

Anyhoo... the ONLY reason I signed up, was so to NOTIFY You All WHEN a POST Entry goes up. And, well, you know... "Advertise"... -- However, so far... ???


Whatever. On to MUCH better Stuff!!

Got to see WEDDING Pictures earlier!!  MAID-MARE looked positively STUNNING amongst her MERRY *Young* MEN!! 

This lovely little CAKE says it ALL!!!

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