I got up bright and early and pursued yet another DIY project…the front entrance and closet.  I’m leaving the intense palette at the front door. Ten years ago, I wanted to keep a triad sort of palette going, with the three primary colours, but recently I’ve been muting the colour throughout my living space to create a more peaceful sense. I’m continuing to work my way through various categories inspired by The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo and translated by Cathy Hirano.  I’ve still got so far to go, but, at times I can see my space evolving.

This is what this part of the house looked like at 7:30 yesterday morning.  See some history of the objects here.

I didn’t take a photograph of the inside of the front closet.  Suffice it to say, it was a disaster.  So…I got Max out to Frank’s Flats and then began in earnest.  Does Max look pleased?  Would anyone else publish photographs such as these on their blog…NAH…but, I’m putting them here as a way of explaining just why I’ve been isolating a tad during this summer.  With the broken foot tying me down to this space for all of July, I’ve spent August transforming my spaces, beginning with the top level.  Now, for this one!

My place looked just like this, when I got myself cleaned up and excitedly, headed out to the Bogners!  Escape!  Vacation time!  Friendship!  Laughter! Jane and Randy are angels and the day could not have been more glorious for a drive toward the mountains and all that green!  Four dogs are presently sharing their space and so there was extra fun upon my arrival.  It was great to observe and talk about other folk’s DIY projects as Randy has also been up a ladder for a good part of the summer, painting the stucco and window frames of this beautiful home.

See all that green…uh huh…see those white window frames!  Yuppers! Moose Mountain, straight ahead…the view from the deck.

Dog walking, Forestry Way…fun times with Charles, Ripley, Stella, and Juno…Max was waiting patiently, in the DIY chaos back at home.

Looking toward home…gosh, I love this beautiful Juno!

Do you see her?  Peek-a-boo!

I GOT A STUDIO TOUR!  What light!  What space!  A wood stove and everything!  A potter’s paradise.  The kiln space also wonderful!  And I received the beautiful 60th birthday gift of a Bogner tea pot, fired in this very kiln!  WHOOT!

Arch within the kiln. East side studio windows…lovely mature jade plants next to a wood fire place.

North facing studio windows…wowsah!

The artist stands before the signage for the house entrance.

We finished our tour in perfect time to enjoy one of Jane’s beautiful meals…salmon marinated in olive oil, garlic, ginger, soya sauce; broccolini, garden fresh green beans, tomatoes and roasted potatoes followed by fruit crisp, with bits of lemon and orange zest served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.  Nummers! Wining and dining with Alex, Jane and Randy…a beautiful afternoon/evening after a tour of the studio.  Before the grill…

During the service…warm, homemade bread with needle nose pliers. :0)

Dogs overseeing the operation…

The feast… Saying good-bye to exhausted Great Dane, Stella. (and hoping that she would have a good sleep through the night)

I am grateful for friendships that last the years and believe that they must be preserved and tended with care.  Now that I have found my way out to visit the Bogner’s, I hope to do it again very soon.

This was a delicious holiday experience!  With gratitude, I headed home before sun faded to the west, silently and slowly passing a deer out on Forestry Way…amazed by the peacefulness of the scene.

Back at home, I applied the second coat and began putting my space to rights.  I feel rejuvenated and happy to have had a get away.  It’s been a long summer, but there has been magic along the way.

Walls ready for some art and a light fixture crying to be out of here.  When my table was finally clear of the clutter, I set out the gift of a tea pot and felt grateful.  Thank you, Randy.  Its aesthetic reflects that sense that I wish to create in my home.