Sunday, March 28, 2010

The Best-Laid Plans…

My intentions this week were indeed noble and that was to finish my BBD needle case from their book, “Thank You, Sarah Tobias”…

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But alas, it didn’t happen.  So, to quote from the 1937 novel “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck who paraphrased a verse from Robert Burns’ 1785 Scots poem,

The best-laid plans of mice and men go oft awry”, and that’s what indeed happened…but in a good way.

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As planned, my friend Lucie and I drove to the small town of Oxford Mills, Ontario to meet up with our other friend Pat for a girl’s day out.  Lucie and I started out about 8:00 a.m. because it’s about an hour and a half drive from our place, not including a stop at Timmy’s ( a Canadian donut chain) for a tea and a goodie.  *wink*

We arrived in Oxford Mills, just as Pat was already making her way into the Olde Porch Primitives shop.  If you recall, I had already been there with Pat about a week and half ago but it was near closing and I didn’t have enough time to really browse.  However, I knew what I wanted and Debbie, the owner, said that she had some extras in her store room and that they’d be there when I returned.

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When we were there previously, I didn’t have my camera with me because it was an impromptu visit and this time I remembered to bring it…but not until we were inside.  I’ll leave it up to your imagination as to what the outside of the shop looks like,  because it’s just as wonderful as the inside.

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Lucie, checking out a rabbit pull toy…

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Debbie, the owner behind the counter…

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Lucie and Pat posing patiently for me while I take their picture…

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And Yvonne, Debbie’s friend and assistant, helping her to display new merchandise that they just brought back from a buying trip to the states…

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Debbie also told us that lots of ‘new’ primitive furniture pieces were being delivered this week , so you know that I’ll be going back sometime soon.

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As soon as I can find the ‘right’ sofa and wing chair, we are going to make some changes to our living room…even if we decide to stay in our current house.

At the risk of boring you with the details, we are second in line with an offer on an 1840 stone house, contingent upon the sale of the first-in-line’s house which will expire on the 30th of April, after which, if they don’t firm up, we can then purchase it.  Que sera, sera.  If it’s meant to be…well you know the rest. 

So with this in mind, I purchased three new paintings which my dear friend Lucie refers to as, “the big head kids”.  Ya gotta love her.

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And the third one…

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Yesterday was a boring day spent running around shopping for groceries and new tires for the car and by the time we got back home, I was too tired to even think of stitching. 

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I don’t know whether to blame it on the mice or the men but my stitching plans went ‘oft awry’…but there’s always this week.  I hope that yours is both good and productive.

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

24 comments:

Darlene said...

Let's blame it on the 'mice and men' - LOL

What a delightful day you had with Lucie and Pat - I'm going with you next time. And, when I do we must make a stop at Timmy's Donut Shop. I LOVE the "Big Head Kids" LOL.

Mimi said...

Oh!! That is SO my kind of store. You are so lucky to have gotten to shop there ...twice!! and soon to be three!!! times. :D

Diane H said...

Glad you had such a lovely day out. I'm sure I could get lost in that wonderful shop for hours. Hugs.

Monica said...

I'm crossing my fingers for you. I hope you get the house!

Karen said...

Is this the same stone house you wrote about previously?

Annette said...

Beautiful paintings! Shopping with friends is every bit as fun as stitching. Especially at a shop like that one. Awesome!

Carrie P. said...

Even though you didn't get to stitch any it looks like time well spent with your friends.
Hope it goes your way with the house.

Cathi said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful day out and found some real treasures. Keeping my fingers crossed for you on the house.

Elyte said...

A wonderful day and no excuses needed. Those paintings were meant to be yours and you had to find them. It is like our quilts, the many pieces come together to make one, and not necessarily the way we originally planned.

Linda said...

Looks like you had a great day with your friends. I think that is the best. Is the home you are looking at close to where you are now?

Anonymous said...

Oh no she isn't! Darlene dare not travel to see you all without me! I just love that shop!!

Allie said...

That sounds more fun that stitching, lol! We have Timmy's here in Michigan too - one of my favorite stops. Love the look of that shop.

Your new paintings are great - I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed you get that house!

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Kaaren, I think I have more of the days of not stitching than doing the things I enjoy so much. Today was a day of stitching, happy dance.

Love the shop and the rabbit pull toy I had in my store. Loved it, seeing it brought back memories.

Hope you get to stitch soon.

Quilts And Pieces said...

I love your big head kids! And I love that pillow of the flowers and bird I see on the couch!

Sherri said...

Hope you get to stitch soon...I haven't been able to sew for a few days either...must get into the sewing room tomorrow!

Beertje Zonn said...

Hello Kaaren,
I visit your blog for the first time,thanks for the Free Pattern on your blog!
Bear regards,

Beertje Zonn

Abby and Stephanie said...

A day well spent with great friends. I love peeking inside your beautiful home.

Pieced Pastimes said...

Kaaren - I have lots of days like this! The days have a way of taking over and our 'plans' get put on the back burner for another day. Your 'big head' paintings are just wonderful.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Your post caught my eye at "Oxford Mills, Ontario"...My ancestors are from there and we have several of them buried in the cemetery on the edge of the town.

Sounds like you had a good day out!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

The good thing about stitching is that it will be there when ever you are ready, but friends , enjoy them when ever you can!! And boy it looks like you had a fun day!!

Jeane said...

I enjoy your blog and your trip to the Primitive Shop, I see the box on the counter Swift Current Produce, Swift Current, Sask. right where I live...small world.
Jeane

Siobhán said...

What a fantastic trip! What a fantastic shop! It looks like a treasure chest full of goodies. I like your new paintings--love those big head kids! LOL I'm crossing my fingers and toes for you that things work out with the house, but as you said... if it's meant to be, it will happen. I know what it's like to get your hopes up and mentally decorate a house and lose out--I hope that doesn't happen to you. Fingers crossed.

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

What a great day for you. You can always finish your project another day!

Heidi said...

Love the big heads kids!!! That shop looks really fabulous so you are excused from stitching to visit there. I am hoping you will have a chance at the farmhouse but you are right...if will happen if it is meant to be.

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi