Now that it has begun, it no sooner ends: summer. The kids are excited about school, but mom is not. The weather has finally cooperated and, for me, summer ends next week. Back to work I go and back to school go the kids (in 2 weeks) and all the organizing and shopping that goes with it.

But with September, comes Anna's wedding to Thomas, Sarah's bambino arrives (knitting almost done) and my eldest baby turns 19!!!!!!!! Agggghhhhhh! Rep basketball try-outs, book club and almost as many new beginnings as Spring would bring.

Came home for a day to cook lasagna and escape the rain, while Lou picks up his MRI cd. The days of summer are ticking away and soon we'll be trudging through the white stuff. I did get my postcard from CSNF in Toronto and my sis Carol wants to go. Another thing to look forward to (did I just talk myself out of missing summer????Naaaaa!)

Isn't the hairdresser's where you feel a little more connected to fashion than usual? I mean, after all, when do you get as much time to peruse the latest magazines? I got a dose of it yesterday while Jay worked his magic. What I gleaned from this guilty pleasure is how much I am going to love this fall's trends. Always an admirer of past fashions ie 20's, 40's and 50's, the fall brings with it images of retro. Yes, I know the 80's is making a come-back and once was enough for me, but check out Lanvin and all the beautiful looks within this house of fashion Fall 09 RTW:

Yes, my days of thigh-high boots are well past me (sadly), but what struck me, especially in the 2nd photo, was the edginess of the square rims with the whole look. A little 80's snuck in, after all. Love the leather mid length gloves - that I can do!


Then there's my fav Ralph Lauren, velvet jodphurs - who else could make them look fantastic with satin wrapped blouses? I love the romanticism of these two:

And doesn't this one scent of the upcoming Amelia movie? RL never disappoints.

Thought I would try Sublime by Sirdar for one of the baby projects for the new book. Hoping Linda's Craftique would have it, I venture as far and thankfully, she did! But, of course, I had to have a good look around and notice two of my book's in the book section. I did comment and there was 12 but she was down to 2, much to my excitement. Later I was in Chapters where they were sold out!!! YEA!!!!!!! Good day!

So the Sublime is very much like Zara in feel, so nice for a bambino!

On another note I have been hooked on the re-sergence of sewing and the cult-like books and blogs of Anna Maria Horner, Amy Butler and the like. These new fashion blogs have me captivated as well. So much more interesting than the fashion blogs I had been lurking in the past. I noticed Jenn (photographer extraordinaire) has updated her site as well. Check them out on the right.

Kids way and dinner out at a Portuguese place "Mario's BBq - fantastic!!! My tummy will be full for a week!!!

Huge thunder storm happening so I may get zapped mid-post...
Lou's up on a ladder installing the last of our family room lights we bought last month. but the excitement was yesterday, when we attended our first auction (and bid)!

It was advertised in the paper - a builder model home auction. I know from Lou's days at Mattamy Homes, that they were a good thing (although we just shopped the model homes, instead of going to an auction). We got a honking great chandelier (probably too big for our house, but honkingly beautiful, just the same), a few Group of Seven prints, framed, a couple blue & white large china eggs on a stand (I know, but they look perfect on my mantle) and a set of very Napoleanesc-looking black, large candlesticks and (best of all) a sofa bed for the basement - EVERYTHING NEW!!!!

No needles Tuesday. My friend Linda and I headed down to visit Angela - a favorite thing for both of us. Angela lives in a beautiful old home she and her husband are renovating along the Niagara River. The sun was (finally) shining as we walked around the gorgeous yard and the gardens within it. Then to lunch, followed by nursery visits. The nurseries in Niagara are unlike Sheridan, Terra, Connons stack-em-high and watch-them-fly mentality. Regal and Mori nurseries are esthetically gratifying, with garden furniture and accessories and good size plants. the hydrangea were in bloom and I succumbed to the Pinky-Winky (as did Linda and Angela), a cone like flowered hydrangea (blooms white, then turns pink), a purple lace-cap hydrangea, a tricolour St John's Wort with red tipped leaves and, of course, the most beautiful hosta "Stained Glass.

This morning, I started weeding my garden (A thing I always do after salivating in Angela's inspiring garden), managed to fill a garden bag and got thoroughly soaked in the rain. At one point, I had to stop and come in. Made lasagna. Took E. to get 2 teeth pulled for braces and back at it. Now they are in their new homes (the hydrangeas temporary ones until the fence gets built).