Packing, Anniversaries, and the unfortunate incident of the chipmunk.....

We are off for a few days to visit my brother and his wonderful family in the mountains.

It is a big trip for Barry and I. The first time we drove through the rocky mountains was in 1986 en route to a new life in British Columbia.

British Columbia proved not to be for us, but the few times I have been through the Rockies have always been a treat.

one of the things I am expecting to see!

The weather has been brilliant here - hot and sunny - but we are going into cooler weather out west, so I began to dig out some fall clothing.   Then it turned to snow and I bought some new, heavier, fall boots, the Blundstone:

It is a truth universally unacknowledged that every trip requires the purchase of some thing that until almost the day before you leave you did not realize was lacking in your closet.

Fortunately for me, it turns out I fit into child-sized Blundstones, which are half the price of their grown-up compatriots.

Then I needed a new fleece.  Mustn't be cold...  Say hello to the Royal Robbins Snow Wonder fleece jacket:

I recently purged again and my closet is now only filled with "me" things.

I thought of you Blue Booby, when I found this much cheaper knock-off that reminded me of your Emerson Fry coat:

I am taking a page from Jennifer's book and packing mostly black and denim.

The top above is the most flattering blouse from Canadian Designer Robert Kitchen, paired with a bamboo camisole.

I liked the look so much - and it was half-price - that I bought it in a neutral shade as well:

The thing for me is always my footwear.  And coats.

We will be casual and likely walking a lot.  We are planning one really fancy dinner out at Chateau Lake Louise next Saturday night, so a fancy pair will be required.  Sneakers, boots and a pair of black satin kitten heels are the order of the day.

The rest of my packing is very simple - one dress, jeans, t shirts, a sweater, and two cardigans.   All black or ivory.

Free People cowl-neck sweater

Everything will work with everything else and there is no need to take a lot with me.  And if I didn't have to take the bloody boots and extra jacket, I would be grand....

The key is always comfort on long flights, coupled with nice fabrics.  Adornments will be limited to red lipstick and funky silver earrings.

And as always, one must always leave room in one's suitcase to bring home a treasure or two...


Yesterday was our 29th wedding anniversary.  For those of you not on Facebook, I posted these photos from 1985:

hmmm - not sure my dress is coming back in style...

On rather sad news, there was a serious "hum" in our laundry room this week.

It seems a chipmunk decided to sleep with the angels in the Dryer out-take hose (or whatever the hell you call that thing).  Not nice.  For him (her? it?) or us!  It has gone to be with Baby Jesus, our laundry room has been febreezed....

And finally, in the you didn't ask, but we tell anyway, category, we replaced the slip-covered couch in the dining room with this gorgeous blue linen love seat:

This picture makes it seem bluish-grey, but in fact, it is a lovely sky blue.  We were not looking for one when we found it, but decided that it was looking for us and thus it is home with us in all its glory.

You will likely not hear from me here till next Tuesday, as I imagine we will be quite preoccupied with our adventures, but I will be posting the odd pic to Facebook and perhaps even to instagram if I can drag myself into the 21st century!  Have the loveliest of weeks and stay safe out there!

Oh wait!!!

Kate is pregnant again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I shouldn't be this excited, but I am!  We will have to have a WHOLE conversation about THAT next week!!!!

xoxo wendy