Do you see what I see...

Friday Paul and I decided it was time to empty the Summer window..as sad as it was to see the sand beach go,in retail the seasons are always ahead of their time..people are Christmas shopping already!
Anyway we have been having issues with the ugly fluorescent light in the window,we've changed the ballast and it still doesn't wanna work for long..I was so done with the ugly lighting,not really suitable for an antiques shop. We already knew that we had more space above the drop ceiling in the window and above the whole shop, but really had no idea we would get so lucky to find this....

T&G woot woot!

and the ceiling ..comes tumbling down

up the ladder I went to peek, I couldn't see well so I snapped some pics...hello T&G and crown molding so perfectly waiting for me

As much as I would love to tear the whole ceiling out TODAY!! It is going to be a BIG, messy job and we are just heading into our busy season so..I think it will have to wait till Feb. I cannot wait to get this done though!!! 4 more feet of retail space..for FREE!! Our 4ft stars could sit along the shelf,pictures..etc.
We have three 12ft long apple ladders from the farm Paul was working at to hang from the ceiling....ok maybe we can squeeze it in this fall!!!Any helpers out there???
Natalie
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My Friend and Neighbour Justin

Five and a half years ago I got married and moved to my husbands home. I quickly got to meet the neighbours Paul and Debbie and their grown kids Ashley and Justin. We connected right away,Ashley and I had many heart to heart talks regarding teenagers and the difficulties surrounding raising kids that age.
Justin was quiet at first maybe just shy,but once I had met him a few times he was like family! He so generously gave my boys CD's and some video games from a yard sale he was having,kids don't ever forget those acts of kindness. Justin has a huge heart and a wickedly funny, dry sense of humour. Shortly after I learned he had to have open heart surgery,we were very concerned as it is a life threatening procedure. He came through strong and positive,except the procedure stole his voice!
Justin is not the type to feel sorry for himself,he has found his voice through social networks like Facebook and MSN. We text each other everyday.
The internet has given me a true best friend,he is like a big brother to my youngest daughter Cara. We can understand him perfectly when we talk,but his silly sense of humour we've just gotten to know because we can "talk" through facebook! He has truly become such an awesome friend to me and my family! We build snowmen in the Winter and have great bon fires all Summer long!
This recent rejection letter has really upset many people and I am so grateful that he has someone with experience going to bat for him!
Take a moment to read this and please if you are a blogger in Ontario or have followers in Ontario could you just reblog the link...thanks so much for your help!

please click the link to read more about what's going on with Justin!http://theisaacfoundation.tumblr.com/post/1019016307/justin
Have a great weekend!
Hugs

Natalie

Back to the farm..

Progress is being made,with a few minor setbacks we are now at the painting stage. The ceiling has swallowed up two coats and needs a third and the walls will get a coat of "Lion" by Behr tonight.
Slow and steady is winning this race.

To be continued...

Natalie :)

My heart skipped a beat or ten!!

Not sure why, but I tend to read newspapers and magazines backwards,so I am sitting in the shop on a quiet, rainy, Saturday afternoon flipping from back to front through my latest magazine Cottages & Bungalows that came in the mail from Layla (& Kevin too apparently! :))))
I had just read the top of page 50 where Layla says "If you use your imagination and draw inspiration from rooms that make your heart skip a beat,anything is possible." With those words still fresh in my mind I flipped over and stared for a couple mins at the guest bedroom,the walls are exactly how I want my bathroom walls. Then a couple page turns later....  this jumped right off the page to me!!!

how sweet!

I had hoped for an autographed copy but when I opened it and it was in plastic I just was happy to get my hands on it! My heart skipped quite a few beats..it means so much to me..you have no idea how much I admire her talent,and her fun relationship with Kevin, their videos crack me up! It's just that much more special..thanks again :)
Natalie

Go Ahead..Make my Day!!

Make my day is right!!!! I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of  Cottages & Bungalows from sweet Layla from
The Lettered Cottage, her home is featured in the September issue...holy eye candy!! I searched high and low for a copy of this magazine with NO luck. Layla was kind enough to send me a copy!!
Thank you so much,you really are an inspiration to myself and many others!!! Keep up the good work...can't wait to see your e-zine!!!
Natalie
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I am such a geek(according to my 11 year old)

my lucky day!!

nicest thing I have ever received in the mail..and from someone who doesn't know me,just has a kind heart!!

 Thanks again Layla...you made my day!!!:)))))
Natalie

So the walls DO talk afterall....

Yesterday around noon I went over to the farm to pick up my camera battery charger and my sister Bev was there wallpapering the office. Brittany was scraping the backing off from the old paper. I started to help her and ended up staying until almost midnight.We had to do a Home Depot run for more paper and had a corner that needed Marks attention but when I left Bev was on the home stretch, the last piece has to wait until the corner dries. After 24 hours they can paint. As we got the backing off the walls told us stories of who and when the room was decorated in the past...here's what they had to say....

Decorated by JH Abernethy, J Rae Abernethy Oct 1947

Papered by George E Brecker June 8/44 Shaffire Mills something Co

Papered by Tracy Osmond Aug.17/95 IT'S HOT AS HELL 118 degrees OUTSIDE The paper was bought from Doug Abernethy son of Rae Abernethy who papered this room with his father in Oct 1947

getting there..

this is printed wallboard from the late 1930's it is high end Art Deco shell pattern,no decorating required!

east wall

Brittany scraping away!(In the only t shirt she owns LOL)

Handyman Mark fixed a corner for us...Bev is behind the piano papering

fun wow

the office will be painted the same as the adjoining family room so it looks like one big room

stay tuned to see the reveal in a few days!!!I need to go get a manicure now nails got somewhat damaged...lol
Natalie
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If the walls could talk!!

Last night was another great night in recovering the past! Brittany made us a nice dinner,2nd night in a row,and we got right to work! The 1800's Bowmanville sofa got relocated at the top of the grand entrance,and fits perfect on the wall,like it was made to fit there.

Brittany and Cara

Paul tearing up the old repairs,look at those heart pine floors..perfectly preserved!

back staircase where the carpet was removed,a couple orbs going up to bed..I told her this is where she should paint her numbers up the back stairs but she said no,her taste is very dressed up not casual like her aunt :P

upstairs bathroom,so nice,Mark's dad had this done a few years ago

so pretty

Mark going to the fork lift

Brittany and I in July when the sunflowers were in their glory

couldn't due this sunset justice with my point and shoot camera

view to the west

southern view of Concession 3

view from the top porch

unbelievable sunset last night

view looking down the front staircase

full view of mirror minus the wallpaper

top of the landing above front entrance

Brittany's childhood desk,was honey she stained the top and painted the legs,it fits perfect here

soon to be office

yup we have work to do here...

2nd kitchen behind office,will make a great laundry room or change room for the future pool

taking out the furniture from decades past with the fork lift

another entrance the sun porch ,they are turning into a mudroom,for the future Braggs to use

Grandfather Clock in entrance,and an orb..

Master Bedroom

Master bedroom

Emma HDS Bragg signed the wall upstairs,she was a sister in law to Mark's Grandpa (Bill who still lives on the property with his wife June)

I love demo!

Mark rolling out the old carpet!

upstairs hallway..1950's carpet removed!!

I think the previous owners were smiling down on us seeing the house come back to life,no offense intended to the ones who carpeted that was the thing to do then,it's just time to reveal the homes true character!

sorry the pics are a little out of order this new photo thingy uploaded them all at once....to be continued...