Garbage Day

The Calvin and Hobbes of my life, waiting for the garbage truck to come up our street.

These two are my reminder to find joy in the most seemingly mundane things in life!

xo Blue Gnome

Sale!

L.O.V.E.

Sterling and Carnelian

L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore and


Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don't break it
Love was made for me and you

L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore and

Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don't break it
Love was made for me and you

Love was made for me and you
Love was made for me and you

 ~ Nat King Cole

The Horse

Sterling and Prudent Man Plume Agate

Sterling and Amethyst Sage Agate

I am the Kaleidoscope of the mind.

I impart light, color and perpetual motion.

I think, I see, I am moved by electric fluidity.

Constant only in my inconstancy.

I am unshackled by mundane holds.

Unchecked by sturdy, binding goals.

I run unimpeded through virgin paths.

My spirit forever unconquered -

My soul forever free

I am the horse.

By Theodora Lau

Welcome to the lunar year of the horse!

It's going to be an amazing year for you and I..

xo Blue Gnome

We've come a long way baby!

We're finally home after a couple of weeks of being in B.C. for some quality time with the folks, catching up with some old friends and just doing a whole lot of nothing.  With no domestic chores waiting to be tackled, no empty studio calling to be fired up..it was a glorious time of walks, talks and leisurely tea drinking.  One of the things I look forward to the most during these visits home are the dates I have with one of my oldest, dearest friends.  

It's simple amazing how our friendship has withstood the test of time, geographical distance and the introduction of these "little beings" who have turned our lives upside down and filled it with a whole lot of chaotic, messy love that you truly need to experience first hand to fully understand.  

Here, with her, I can talk about my darkest fears, my most hopeful dreams and make confessions with no doubts of being judged or abandoned.  

Oh we've had our differences over the years..called each other names, criticized one another's dating choices and been witness to our sh**box first vehicles..a poo-brown Buick Skylark that drove and parked like a couch on wheels and a hatchback Pontiac Firefly that used to almost get blown right off the highway whenever a logging truck or tracker trailer came along!  

Haha..oh, we've come a long way baby!

One of a few people I hold near and dear, a kindred spirit that I hope to grow old with while we watch our own kids love and fight with one another like we did.  Love you J!

 ..when our lives were less complicated.

Our three little monkeys..look out world!

Who do you hold close to your heart?

xo Blue Gnome

Love and Blessings.

 Photo credit: The Toronto Star

We've really hit the ground running this winter in the great white north - record breaking snowfalls and the worst ice storm since Mother Nature unleashed her fury on Montreal back in 1998.  

On top of the dangerous driving conditions, treacherous sidewalks and fallen trees and branches everywhere, too many people in Toronto and the surrounding areas went without power during the coldest days we've had so far.  Power outages extended into and past Christmas while the hydro company did all they could, working around the clock to restore power..and more importantly, heat, back into their homes. 

We were one of the very lucky neighborhoods who never lost power - a pleasant surprise as our area is heavily treed and it seems that we are usually included in the small percent of the city who lose power periodically due to anything from a major storm to simply a gusty day.  

With the city still under an extreme weather warning and precarious ice covered trees leaning dangerously over roads and highways with their too-heavy load, we headed north this holiday season to spend the holidays with family in their newly built timber frame home, away from the chaotic hustle and bustle of the big city.

5 days of glorious snow covered landscapes, a visit to the stables, an attempted skidoo outing (the ice on the lake was still a little too slushy..) saunas and festive drinks around their roaring fireplace, we were fed, catered to..and fed some more until our drive home, back to the reality.  

Our new year's eve this year was a quiet one - a lovely time to reflect on everything gone by in 2013 and an anticipation of what's to come in 2014.  Starting with a dearly overdue visit back to B.C. this month, a much needed time to reconnect with my family and rejuvenate my soul - there's also a  exciting trip to Ireland planned for a very special wedding!  

It's going to be a busy year, one brimming with love, family and dear, dear friends.

And speaking of dear friends, I want to wish all of you beautiful people the happiest of a new year!  May this year bring for you more love, happiness and good health than the last.  And as always, thank you so much for checking in here once in a while - your holiday emails have been such a pleasure to receive!

Love and blessings,

xo Blue Gnome

Tinkerings

Ah.  The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of visitings and events, big and small. A time of year when all I feel like doing is sitting curled up on the couch with a cup of hot, delicious tea and biscuits..but instead, I've been fighting the crowds and traffic in that big, bad world out there where everyone is in such a hurry to get somewhere.

This morning I've woken up to a lovely, sparkling blanket of snow..and all of a sudden the grey, barren landscape has been transformed into something beautiful.  The city noises seem to have been muffled for the time being, everything coming to a slow, sane pace.  I know I only have a few precious moments before the rest of the house begins to awaken and this blessed silence is interrupted by the pitter patter of small feet..and the creaking of big paws walking (..running..) up and down the hallway upstairs.  

And I know my day has begun.

With barely the time lately to create new items for the shop and the request for smaller, stocking-stuffer gifts for the holidays, what I have to offer you today are just that.  Smaller offerings of shoulder sweeping tumblings of sparkling goodness, a handful of "amedama" earrings and a lovely botanical embossed dome ring.  I should note that all proceeds from the sale of the amedama earrings will be donated to Second Harvest - a wonderful organizations whose work has helped to feed people's tummies and souls since 1985.  You can read their story here.  Already a few pieces have been purchased and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for donating, especially during this time of year.

Wishing you all the best of holiday seasons!  

xo Blue Gnome