a near perfect day

sweet illustrations from the enchanted gardens of Anne Julie

and be sure to check out her blog here.

7:30am chilly mornings and a 2hr drive in a car with heated seats, a pit stop for coffee and perfect conversation • Value Village an upscale, well organized (by item, size and colour) second hand store for more fleece and WNTW attire • The Italian Market for bags and bags of imported Italian pasta, a big jar of capers, anchovies and hunks of cheese to take home • The Hydrastone Market - for sweet tiny mercury glass ornaments from the Henhouse, almond croissants and a baguette to take with from Juliene's, a spin through an amazing yarn store - LKYarns and on to Topiary - a gardeners delight • big fat snowflakes falling on snow covered sidewalks and holiday spirit, in the air - everywhere • A rendevouz planned with best gal pal and city girl MLou to meet at Bark & Fitz - most excellent doggy boutique, a treat or two for Missy D and next door to Sweet Jane's for all things confectionary • a wee stroll, all three of us - MLou, Harry & I, down steep snowy streets to nearby Deserres for art supplies and all things creative - tres overwhelming choice and selection for the girl from the tiny seaside village (new brushes, kneaded erasers, drawing pens and gouache) • hugs, holiday wishes & see you soons exchanged on snowy sidewalks and Harry and I left MLou to her downtown shopping and off we went over the big bridge and out of the city for our final round of errands at Mall Land • Lush for oohs and ahhs and wonderful smells • Chapters & Starbucks finally for books, magazines, coffee, bottled water and a twisted peppermint mocha Frappucino YUM ! all set for the drive home • snowy snow covered roads and slow driving home with much more perfect conversation • Masstown Market and half way home, Brothers bratwurst sausage and sauerkraut to have with pierogies and hot mustard some night soon • darkness and the final leg of our journey now off of the highway and onto country roads, houses lit up beautifully with twinkling sparkling holiday lights and big giant snowflakes • 29 Black Street and into the house for spinning & twirling, jumping & leaping and oh the sweet kisses covering my face - and how I missed her too. Sweet Oliver following me around like a little shadow kitten, seeming to ask And did you miss me too ? • My down parka with a hood donned along with snowboots, mittens and a leash and Miss Dixon and I rush out into the evening snow and our walk in a winter wonderland. Sigh.

Carols on the radio and snowploughs are the sounds of this early morning.
Coffee and bubbles and snoring black dogs.