Hump Day, January 6, 2016

Today being Wednesday, hump day, I decided to go downtown to the American Girl doll store on Broadway and Granville. I never go on Jan 1 for the GOTY of the year reveal as I don't like crowds. The new doll for 2016 is Lea Clark, and at the astounding price of $164 Cdn not including tax, I won't be buying her anytime soon unless I sell a few dolls or get a job! That is an exorbitant price!!!

But I did buy the mini Lea for $40 which is also extremely high. She is very cute though.

I plan to have a few adventures with her in 2016, and I might make her a hut. Don't hold your breath though!

The cute little fruits and veggies and tropical animals were bought at Michael's craft store. They were only $5 a pkg.

While at Michael's I noticed a salesperson marking down the Springfield 18" dolls from $32 to only $10!

So Emma came home with me, as I can't resist a sale like that, not that I need another 18" doll.

I bought her cute bunny slippers for only $2.99.

Did I ever say how much I love a sale?

I plan to make each Wednesday in 2016 "Hump Day" and follow my nose and do something fun, unless of course I have a migraine. I did get the 2nd migraine of 2016 this afternoon after I was back home. It seems that too much fun isn't good for me. The first migraine was on Mon Jan 4.

Anyhow, it was a fun day.

By Loretta Houben

Christmas outing downtown.

On Saturday, December 8th, Leona, Linda and I went to see "Anna Karenina", loosely based on Leo Tolstoy's novel. The politics were left out, but the plot line of selfishness and greed, forgiveness and kindness was still there. It's the basic tale of human debauchery, told from the life of a grand lady living in Russian aristocracy. The main actress was Kiera Knightley, played with Jude Law.

I really enjoyed it, as I love Kiera's acting, and the scenery was superb.

A movie attendant kindly took our photo.

We went to the theatre downtown as the movies we like never play at Silvercity.

There are many Christmas trees around!

It was a fun way to spend the afternoon.

Teddy bears at the Bay.

Eating supper at Fatburger.

Linda's birthday is coming up...

At one of my favourite stores; Bath and Body Works.

Playing a puzzle game on the wall electronically. 

Christmas shopping 30 years ago!

Dec 28, 1981...Boxing Day shopping!

Christmas Day was on Friday of that year, so I assume that Boxing Day sales were on that Monday.

I can't remember! Anyhow, my Aunt Pat and cousin Judy Brutka came up from Brooks, Oregon and spent a few days with us. There was snow on the ground so we took the #27 Rupert Bus, near Rupert and McHardy, to Champlain Mall off Kerr St in Vancouver. That was a really nice little mall, but it was torn down around 10 years ago and a row of town houses were put in. I still miss that mall!

Left to right above: Marlene (16), my Mom (48), myself (21), Judy, and Marie (11).

We usually shopped at Hallmark, where they had the most beautiful things half price.

Hallmark items used to be made in the USA or Canada.

Do you remember those days? We also bought Purdy's candy half price.

Left to right: Myself, Aunt Pat, Marie; in back: my Mom and Marlene.

I don't know why Leona wasn't with us.

CHRISTMAS AT HYCROFT HOUSE 2011

Yesterday my friend, Linda and I, took public transit to Hycroft House downtown.

I believe this is the third time we've done this.

Hycroft Mansion is owned by the UBC women's club and each year they decorate and open to the public.

Here is the traditional tree in the front hallway.

It was bitterly cold and snowed last night, which is why I'm dressed warmly and not elegantly.

This is the tree in the dining room. It isn't traditional at all, but I loved the theme this year; copper and brown.

The gorgeous mirror and sidebar.

The dining room table. How I wish I could entertain like this!

The mantle and fireplace. The canldes looked very realistic.

(they're fake!)

Owls appear to be the "in" item this season.

Ah, Christmas red, more my style!

The fireplace in the main living room.

Linda and I didn't stay for long this year, as our favourite craft vendors weren't there.

The items for sale were mainly jewellery, jewellery, scarves, ceramic items and yet more jewellery.

So we left early and had lunch at the Bay on Granville, and then browsed the Christmas decorations just outside the restaurant on the 6th floor. It was a fun outing.

Shoes from a vintage shop.

Yesterday I went shopping in New Westminster, in the Army and Navy store.

It's like going back in time.

It's been a Canadian institution since 1919.

I love the bottom level, which has oodles of shoes.

I don't know where the store purchases so many styles.

I tried on the blue pair above.

They were very comfortable, and made in Spain.

I can't decide which colour I like best, so I didn't buy any.

They are called "espadrilles". I'd heard of this type of shoe, but had never seen them before.

They remind me of the 1940 - 1950 era.

Do you like them?

Freebie Friday May 13 2011

Aren't these cute? Would you believe I got them for FREE?

I'm an avid and loyal shopper at Sears Canada.

By using my Sears card I collect points.

These points add up to dollars.

These shoes were regularly $50.00 but were on sale for $25 yet I got them for FREE by using my saved up points. They seem very comfortable. I bought them in hopes that one day soon the warm sunny weather will arrive!

The month of April was the COLDEST and WETTEST on record.

I tell my friends we live on the Wet Coast (instead of the West Coast) and they chuckle.

But it's so wet here the local farmers can't plant the potato crop. We haven't had one week of sunshine since last year. I mean a full sunny week. I think the most we've had this year is two days of sunshine in a row.

So I hope I can wear those sandals soon!

Christmas Memories

Beginning today, December 1st, I will be posting pictures from Christmas times past and present.

This Christmas memory is a new one, which took place on Sat Nov 27/10.

I took my Mom and Leona to the Secret Garden tea shop on West Boulevard in the Kerrisdale area.

This was my Christmas gift to them.

Marie and her daughter Ashley joined us, and we had a lovely time.

We window shopped in some lovely stores along 41st Avenue.

Aren't these Christmas scenes lovely?

We met at the Secret Garden tea shop at noon.

I brought Yvette Marie, my Bleuette doll, along to show her new dress and cape to my Mom.

If you click on the pictures, you'll see a larger view.

I also brought along gifts for my sisters and Mom and niece.

Here's my Mom and Leona.

Here's Marie and Ashley.

And here we all are, with the lovely tea things before us.

We each had a variety of delicious little sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and tantalizing desserts. The menu changes each month. The price is $26.99 each.

My Mom had her own little tea tray, because Leona's things were separate due to her nut allergy.

The desserts were fantastic. The orange things on top of 2 of them are sugared Clementines.

Another view of the tea tray.

Ashley and I enjoying tea together.

Me and my Mom.

It was a wonderful day, and we hope to make it a yearly tradition.

Isn't this the sweetest little thing?

Antiques and other old things

Today while Robert was busy with his Scout group, I went to an antique fair in Kerrisdale. A friend and one sister were to have hopefully joined me, like our expedition 2 years ago, but it didn't work out.
The above photo shows what I purchased. The prices were excellent.
The American Beauty rose cup and saucer were only $10.00; I've seen this pattern go for $35! The tray was only $15.00, and the vintage hankie was only $2.00 People were buying in some kind of frenzy.

A lovely old doll, which I did not buy.

The hankie which will be turned into a Bleuette dress.

I'm always on the lookout for the Bleuette's house which I hope to create one day soon. I found this darling fish vase for $3.00 and the sweet little porcelain plates for $5.00 each.

Robert loves mustard, so I bought this darling little mustard pot for $10.00 There were so many good deals. I love looking at antiques, but it's much more enjoyable to go with someone. I bought a scone at the Secret Garden, but ate it at home with a hot cup of tea.

More great sales!

In desperation I took my cart and slithered to the Skytrain today. I believe I'll work off a few ounces just by dragging a cart through the slush! It was so nice to get out with it. I haven't done that for one whole month! I went to the local mall of course. One way costs $3.75 C. That's fairly expensive, as it's only 2 stops from my house. I bought Faresavers; 10 tickets for $28.50. If you buy the tickets separately it would cost $37.50, so I save quite a bit this way.

The mall had way less people in it than I've seen in months. It was lovely. There's a big sidewalk sale going on this week. My first stop was the dollar store, where I bought M & M chocolate peanut candy bags for only $1 each. I'm planning to give some to Matthew.

I bought some paper serviettes, cupcake holders, and a Christmas ornament for 75% off. The cupcake holders are made in the good ol' USA; the new ones are all made in China. I stock up whenever I can find them. I also bought the necessary fruit and veggies from my favourite Langley Market, and had a piping hot cup of decaf coffee along with a raisin bun from my favourite Manzano bakery. (not too nutritious but it hit the spot) I also bought salmon for supper tonight, and then checked out a few more sales. I found a darling Thomas Kincaide mini house that lights up for only $3.50, to add to my dolly's village scene. Let me see if I have a picture: (click to enlarge)