Another new year is upon us – welcome 2016. 
So…..any resolutions for this year?
I resolve to ignore resolutions and live life with balance.
EAT MORE CAKE!
‘Cake’ being code for what makes you happy.
Life should be happy!
Find more love, 
Spend time with your BFF’s, 
Let pent up emotions go. Chill out. 
Find beauty in simple things, 
Take time to reflect, 
And definitely take time to eat cake! 
All images created and photographed by MODMISSY
December 1st marks the start of winter for me.
Black ice and whiteouts, 
Snowed in and digging out, 
And ice storms, 
The hazards of winter. Get ready. Be prepared.
But fortunately December also marks the month of celebration – Christmas!
When ‘whiteouts’ are beautifully decorated white Christmas trees with ornaments, 
‘Snowed in’ is a birch bark inspired decoration for the fireplace mantle. 
And ‘ice’ is only found in a bold black ice bucket or whiskey glasses. 
The first 3 photos are my snaps taken over the last few winters and the celebration photos were taken this past summer when I attended the PC Home Holiday Preview.
Yup…..Christmas in July! (Actually it was August)
I could not and would not mention Christmas in sweltering August to you but today I officially can.
And next time you are in your local Loblaw’s or Real Canadian Superstore® check out the stunning holiday products that will have you jingling all the way home.
And this year enjoy your HO-HO-HOsting and entertaining!
Cheers
All images photographed by MODMISSY
Today is the first day of Spring.
Or at least that’s what my calendar tells me because where I live the temperature keeps dancing around the freezing mark.
Mother Nature teases with blue skies and sunshine, 
And due to the piles of snow in my back yard I certainly could not entertain the idea of setting up my patio furniture this weekend.
But one can anticipate. And plan.
Actually a few weeks ago I attended a few Spring Previews showcasing what’s on trend for Spring 2015.
The Home Depot’s campaign of ‘Spring Starts Here’ certainly brightened a cold, snowy day in February. 
A fabulous lineup of outdoor furniture, colourful BBQ’s and zippy looking lawnmowers helped chase away the winter blahs. 
Then I sledded (still lots of snow) across town to Loblaws Outdoor Living 2015 Spring preview for a glimpse into what’s hot for this year. These gorgeous colourful beach towels are Loblaws’ interpretation of “A Heat Wave”, “Soft With a Pop” and “Very Vivid” colour palettes introduced into their outdoor furniture and accessories. 
As for this season BBQ’s, Loblaw’s knows that backyard cooks get personal with their BBQ’s so each one has been named based on their character; the Ami BBQ is trustworthy and petit while Troy is tough, powerful and big. Choose as you may! 
Anyways I’m glad spring has finally arrived and with it the onset of COLOUR.
Bring it on!
All Images by MODMISSY
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These are my ‘carved’ pumpkins. Enjoy your day!
Images via MODMISSY
Remember when I recently said a sad welcome to summer?
Weird I know.
But my thinking was the longer I have to wait for summer the longer summer will feel.
My case in point, “where did summer go?”
Summer in all its glory with so many wonderful moments…..
Watching the sunrise,
Being one with nature, 
Spotting in the back of the ski boat, 
Admiring the scenery, 
Relaxing in the backyard, 
Enjoying long bike rides, 
All these wonderful moments are but distant memories now.
But oh well……autumn does have glorious colour like the view out my kitchen window.
All images via MODMISSY
It’s often said that where you buy a home is all about location, location, location.
And I agree.
But the neighbours are a big part of that detail too.
Good neighbours are good, great neighbours are great.
And so it was on a recent Friday evening that I dined alfresco with my great neighbours at our annual Laneway Party.
(A laneway being the lane at the back of houses shared between 2 adjacent streets providing each neighbour access to their parking/garage/backyard.)
Introductions were made, 
There was a meet and greet for all ages, 
Entertainment for the kids – a piñata stuffed full of candy, 
Metro’s finest on horseback visited (entertainment for the adults!) 
The table was set with white linen and real utensils – no plastic here. 
Platters of food, candlelight and plenty of wine kept the revellers going into the night, 
Plus it helped that the kids were occupied with movies in ‘Bill’s Man Cave’. Remember Bill (& his lovely wife)? 
A head count was done around the table and 53 neighbours were seated for dinner! 
These 2 ‘party planners’ were pleased! Thanks to all who helped to make the party a great success! 
All in all a fabulous evening shared with my ‘great’ neighbours making my home’s location the best!
All images via MODMISSY
The first day of summer begins tomorrow.
Yippeeeee!
Although at the same time I am very sad. Boohoooo!
Weird right?
Here’s my thinking.
Even though this past winter was a very long, cold, snowy one it was ok for me. As I explained, it might have been freezing and snowy but it was sunny almost every day, and who doesn’t love the sun plus having a warm winter coat and good snow tires made it even more acceptable. I was almost sad to see winter go.
So now winter is gone, spring just finished and summer is here.
But summer is so short and goes too quickly – and then its winter again!
So if winter was long it meant summer was longer away.
Understand?
So here’s to slowly savouring a summer of lasting wonderfulness.
Enjoy! 
Image design by Modmissy
You know that spring is here when the birds are back.
Or maybe they were here throughout the winter but like me they kept a low profile outside.
Whatever. It’s great to hear their song and see them busily flying about.
And the other day I had the good fortune to find the remains of a hatched Robin’s egg. 
Superstitions have it that if a bird poops on you good things are coming your way so I am going to believe that finding the hatched Robin’s egg was a sign of upcoming good fortune!
Of course I had to do a colour check with my Benjamin Moore® paint charts to see if indeed the paint colour was aptly named. 
I thought it was pretty close.
Interestingly enough I just staged a home that was painted Benjamin Moore Bird’s Egg in the bathroom. With white beadboard and Carrera Marble it was a calm, spa-like space.
So here’s to Spring and all the wonderful things it brings and to summer just around the corner.
Enjoy!
All images via Modmissy
Geez…….it’s been a long winter.
Had enough yet of the cold, freezing cold, snow and more snow?
Survival is to adapt.
Dress warm and get outside – don’t let Mother Nature dictate!
And so it was that I found myself once again in my neighbour’s garage a.k.a. “Bill’s Man Cave”, watching the Olympic gold medal Men’s Hockey Game at 7 am in the freezing cold with all my other winter crazy neighbours.
The Garage
The Man Cave 
The Rules 
The Host and Hostess
The Dress Code
Willing Participants. Woof!
The snacks – Coffee, Bubbly and Timbits.
The Cheering!
Thanks for the memories Bill!
All images via Modmissy
I apologize.
It’s been awhile since I last posted.
I had a good summer, spending as much time as possible at the cottage and as much time with my son before he headed off to university.
But now both my son and the summer have departed. Sad.
Although I should not forget that September is officially still part of the summer season and my son will probably be home soon enough with a huge bag of laundry in tow.
Thought I would share some photos of what keeps me so spellbound at my cottage.
Early morning sunrise with the lake reflecting like glass. 
Moon rising over the same setting – outstanding colour. 
An inky-blue sky with the moon reflecting over the water. 
All images via Modmissy
MODMISSY 