Lightening Up

Is there something in the air?  Well there sure is around here; the pollen is so thick that floats by like some fantastically weird desert or snow storm.  Yellow, yellow, everywhere - I could brush off the deck furniture four times a day and have no impact...

But more than that, I feel myself attracted more and more to only those things and those people who fill me up with their good energy. They literally and figuratively lighten my load and I love it!


This is being reflected in my house, funny enough.  For years, I was attracted to only deep, rich hues.  I think I have gone through nearly every colour of gold in Benjamin Moore's colour palette - now I find myself hopelessly in love with pale greens, pale blues, whites and creams.

You would be forgiven for blaming this on the coral abomination, but that would not be accurate.

In fact, it began a few months ago in this bathtub:

Because as I lay soaking in the tub, I realized that it has been ten years since we had reno-ed the bathroom and I still LOVED it.

Just like I still love my kitchen:

And the newly-lightened-up family room

and laundry room:

and Parisian loo:

I felt calm with this colour palette offsetting all of our antiques and things I have collected over the years.  And I didn't grow tired of the colours.

So I am lightening up, and more pictures soon, as our painter is coming to paint our dining room and hallway, because I am a rotten painter and Barry has been flat out installing a new front door:

definitely a BEFORE picture!

While I wait, I am lightening the bed for the season....

And these cushions are waiting for the pale walls so they can really pop!

Hmm, now if I could only lighten Wendy...

Ah well, we do what we can...

Have a great day and stay safe out there!

xoxo wendy

My friend Mary has published a book!

Hope everyone's weekend is going well.  I have been having a social weekend, but I am also battling a cold and now cannot speak at all.  I am sure that the quiet Sunday ahead for me will be appreciated by Barry...

But today is not about my voice, but rather it is about my friend Mary Mesheau's voice.  Many of you will recognize that name as Mary often comments here and has her own blog, Rewired for Fun.

Only Mary can look regal on the beach with cows in behind...

Anyhow, I am happy to report that Mary's wonderful book is now available for order from Amazon!

Writing under her maiden name of Sawyer, Mary has crafted a taut murder mystery that centers around a horrific murder which may or may not have been committed by one of Principal Stella Page's students, a First Nations student named Lillian.

Did I mention that Mary is a retired school principal?  Well she is, and she uses all of her considerable years of experience to paint a compelling story of a principal's sense of duty to her family, her community and most of all, to her students.  There is plenty of suspense and best of all, Mary really provides us with an accurate portrayal of an individual torn, emotionally and professionally, between the conflicting demands of many.  For the police, Stella's participation is the key to solving the case, but they don't reckon on her dogged determination to support her students first.

You can order Beyond Me: A Principal Mystery at Amazon.ca or Amazon.com.  Right now the site says it will not ship for 3 to 5 weeks, but I believe that the wait will be much shorter!  I hope you will order it, both to enjoy the story and to support our Mary!

Well done Mary!  How exciting to see your hard work paying off!

Have a great Sunday all!

xoxo wendy

Miller Time Friday - Some Wisdom

Summer is finally here!  I have been as busy as a one arm paper hanger, between work and my garden and am just now catching up.  Oh and I definitely have world cup fever, but more on that this weekend...

This morning, Miss Gigi shared some words of wisdom on Facebook that I thought were just too good not to pass along here.....

It never ceases to amaze me how many people let life happen to them.  I have been one of them from time to time myself and this is a good reminder to take the bull by the horns and shift your perspective...

10 Ways You’re Making Your Life Harder Than It Has To Be

Tim Hoch

1. You ascribe intent.

Another driver cut you off. Your friend never texted you back. Your co-worker went to lunch without you. Everyone can find a reason to be offended on a steady basis. So what caused you to be offended? You assigned bad intent to these otherwise innocuous actions. You took it as a personal affront, a slap in the face.  

Happy people do not do this. They don’t take things personally. They don’t ascribe intent to the unintentional actions of others.

2. You’re the star of your own movie.

It is little wonder that you believe the world revolves around you. After all, you have been at the very center of every experience you have ever had.

You are the star of your own movie. You wrote the script. You know how you want it to unfold. You even know how you want it to end.  Unfortunately you forgot to give your script to anyone else. As a result, people are unaware of the role they are supposed to play. Then, when they screw up their lines, or fail to fall in love with you or don’t give you a promotion, your movie is ruined.

Lose your script. Let someone else star once in awhile. Welcome new characters. Embrace plot twists.

3. You fast forward to apocalypse.

I have a bad habit of fast forwarding everything to its worst possible outcome and being pleasantly surprised when the result is marginally better than utter disaster or jail time. My mind unnecessarily wrestles with events that aren’t even remotely likely. My sore throat is cancer. My lost driver’s license fell into the hands of an al-Qaeda operative who will wipe out my savings account.
Negativity only breeds more negativity. It is a happiness riptide. It will carry you away from shore and if you don’t swim away from it, will pull you under.

4. You have unrealistic and/or uncommunicated expectations.

Among their many shortcomings of your family and friends is the harsh reality that they cannot read your mind or anticipate your whims.  Did your boyfriend forget the six and a half month anniversary of your first movie date? Did your girlfriend refuse to call at an appointed hour? Did your friend fail to fawn over your tribal tattoo?

Unmet expectations will be at the root of most of your unhappiness in life. Minimize your expectations, maximize your joy.

5. You are waiting for a sign.

I have a friend who won’t make a decision without receiving a “sign.” I suppose she is waiting on a trumpeted announcement from God. She is constantly paralyzed by a divinity that is either heavily obscured or frustratingly tardy. I’m not disavowing that fate or a higher power plays a role in our lives. I’m just saying that it is better to help shape fate than be governed by it.

6. You don’t take risks.

Two words: Live boldly. Every single time you are offered a choice that involves greater risk, take it. You will lose on many of them but when you add them up at the end of your life you’ll be glad you did.

7. You constantly compare your life to others.

A few years ago I was invited to a nice party at a big warehouse downtown. I was enjoying the smooth jazz, box wine and crustless sandwiches. What more could a guy want? Later in the evening I noticed a steady parade of well-heeled people slide past and disappear into another room. I peeked and saw a large party with beautiful revelers dancing and carrying on like Bacchus. Suddenly my gig wasn’t as fun as it had been all because it didn’t appear to measure up to the party next door- a party I didn’t even know existed until just moments before.
I do this frequently. Those people are having more fun. Mary has a bigger boat. Craig gets all the lucky breaks. Ted has more money. John is better looking.
Stop it.

Always remember what Teddy Roosevelt said: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

8. You let other people steal from you.

If you had a million dollars in cash under your mattress, you would check it regularly and take precautions to insure it is safe. The one possession you have that is more important than money is time. But you don’t do anything to protect it. In fact you willingly give it to thieves. Selfish people, egotistical people, negative people, people who won’t shut up. Treat your time like Fort Knox. Guard it closely and give it only to those who deserve and respect it.

9. You can’t/won’t let go.

These are getting a little harder aren’t they? That’s because sometimes you have to work at happiness. Some hurdles are too difficult to clear by simply adjusting your point of view or adopting a positive mindset.
Do you need to forgive someone? Do you need to turn your back on a failed relationship? Do you need to come to terms with the death of a loved one?
Life is full of loss. But, in a sense, real happiness would not be possible without it.  It helps us appreciate and savor the things that really matter. It helps us grow. It can help us help others grow.
Closure is a word for people who have never really suffered. There’s no such thing. Just try to “manage” your loss. Put it in perspective. You will always have some regret and doubt about your loss. You may always second guess yourself. If only you had said this, or tried that.

You’re not alone. Find someone who understands and talk to that person. Reach out for support. If all else fails, try #10 below.

10. You don’t give back.

One way to deal with loss is to immerse yourself in doing good. Volunteer. Get involved in life.
It doesn’t even have to be a big, structured thing. Say a kind word. Encourage someone. Pay a visit to someone who is alone. Get away from your self-absorption.

When it comes down to it, there are two types of people in this world. There are givers and there are takers. Givers are happy. Takers are miserable. What are you? 



I don't know who Tim Hoch is, but I think he is pretty bloody brilliant!  

In honour of Wisdom and SUMMER, let's have a cocktail, shall we?

Lemon Thyme Herbal Martini Recipe –

• Muddled Lemon Thyme — Handful
• Citron Vodka — 2 oz.
• Superfine sugar — 1 teaspoon
• 1 oz triple sec
• 1 oz lemon juice
• Ice

Throw all the ingredients in a shaker. Shake well. Strain ice and thyme out as you pour into a sugar-rimmed martini glass.

I definitely think I need this book - I would like the moniker of The Drunken Botanist!

We have a very social weekend ahead of us - an event with my old work colleagues tonight at wonderful Kings Landing:

And tomorrow night, a Caribbean-themed dinner party with our close friends!  and the sun is shining!

Hope you have a great day! Stay safe out there!

xoxo wendy

cooking with flowers

Some of you may recall I purchased this book last summer:

To be honest, I didn't really "get to it" last year, but am determined to do better this summer.

So with the lilac and tulips waning, it seemed like the perfect time!

The critical thing is to clean those lilac blossoms well.  It is amazing how many little critters get into the tiny flowers...

The picture below shows the blossoms 'steeping' in their simple syrup:

Already beginning to take on a lovely pinky hue...

And the piece de resistance is serving your lilac sorbets in tulip cups:

Scoop in your sorbet, and enjoy!

Very little work and very lovely and distinctive tasting.  The tulips themselves were quite tasty as well!

How impressive would this be for a dinner party????

A caveat: I would NOT do this with store-bought tulips or lilacs.  You simply have no idea what they have been sprayed with to keep them fresh for the journey.  These were picked from my completely organic garden(s), so I was confident about them.

This is the beginning of my love affair with flower cooking...  It makes the nasturtiums and squash blossoms I had previously been cooking with seem like mere child's play!

What do you think?  Would you try this?

Have a great Saturday!

xoxo wendy

Cozy Spots: my Gazebo

Happy Friday!

No word yet from our Tabitha, which I take as a good sign that she is having an over the top crlebration!

I have spent hours every day working in my garden and there is still more to be weeded.  Every once in a while I am surprised by something I find along the way - a flower I'd forgotten I'd planted, a frog no bigger than the nail on my ring finger - and it is quite wonderful.

Given the viciousness of the bugs where we live, screened rooms are a must.  I spend a lot of time in my gazebo, and have been known to nap there...

it is getting a new roof and coat of paint this summer...

Barry has been under the weather and he has been taking a nap each day at lunch time.  Naps are an invigorating thing, and I wish I took more of them; I might be able to stay awake past 10:00 p.m.

The key to a cozy space is comfy chairs and places to put a drink.  And you need something to look at - I like to look at my gardens, the pool and the hummers.  Most of all - you need comfortable spaces for reading.  Because there is nothing so fine as reading outdoors with a tall glass of ice tea or lemonade.

The view from the chaise lounge 10 days ago.  Now it is all lush and green and weeded!

When it is nice, I eat lunch out here...

And speaking of reading, I have started Hillary Clinton's new book, Hard Choices.  It is a bit of a brick, it being her presidential bid manifesto and all, but I am enjoying it, especially the policy discussion.

I am also reading Salman Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories, which is quite good.

and continue to read Gregg Braden's The Turning Point.

Am I the only person who reads 3 or 4 books at a time?  I like to mix up fiction and nonfiction and I am also usually read a book on writing to help me with my craft.

We have a nice weekend planned.  Having dinner and good times at friends' camp tomorrow evening and then of course there is Father's Day to be celebrated and the finale of Game of Thrones, which I am all a-quiver about.

How about you?  Any big plans?  I hope you have a lovely weekend!  Stay Safe out there!

xoxo wendy

Happy 50th, Miss Bourbon and Pearls

Well, it couldn't come fast enough for me.  It was getting lonely in my 50s, so I am very glad indeed to welcome a new star to the 50s constellation: our own Tabitha!


And since she so ably (accompanied by the equally able Sir BP) made me a panto for my birthday back in January, it was time to repay in kind. (p.s. you can see that video on the sidebar)

However, the MacKnights have many puppets at their disposal and decided to make it a bit of a show.  The only one missing from this was dear son, who was actually working and had an excuse.  We'll get him next time...

And so, I offer you:

A WMM Production

Written and Produced by Wendy McLeod MacKnight

with perhaps a bit too much direction by same-said auteur

Filmed exclusively in New Brunswick sans film tax credits

in accordance with all copyrights, etc, etc, legalese, so we don't get sued

in partnership with BDM Inc. 

and 

The SWM Corporation

wholly owned subsidiaries of Vandelay Industries

(and you want to be my latex salesman...)

and in hopeful consideration for a BAFTA 

(or maybe just a cup of coffee)

TABITHA: THE MOVIE

or

THE COLONIES STRIKE BACK

(No Dogs or Puppets were harmed during the making of this film, 

though Barry did have a bad cough and we ripped the tags right off the blighters...)

You do know what this means, right?  She's created thespian-wannabe-monsters!

Okay, maybe just ONE thespian-wannabe monster...

And is it just me or did Charles Dickens and Dorothy Parker seem drunk?  Just sayin'...

Happy belated day!

xoxo wendy

Happy Birthday Dani!

Well can you believe that our beloved Dani is another year older?

well I don't think she really ages, but a birthday is a good thing...

Some of our Dani favourites:

A hungover Dani, which I imagine is a rarity indeed...

A fashionista Dani!

She wears clothes better than the model and even has the perfect poses:

Don't show this picture to Scout

A glass a day keeps the doctor away!

Yup - she is all-around smashing!  Happy Birthday Dani - love you!

And that is not all of the birthday shenanigans.  Our own Tabs had a birthday this past Sunday, but we are celebrating tomorrow.  Pop in tomorrow, for a little something-something...

xoxo wendy