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Archives |
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Thursday ~ July 1st
End of an Era...
Fort Edmonton front bed ~ 2002
Some of you might not know that I have been carrying on two jobs. I'm a glass bead artist, but I'm also the Heritage Gardener for Fort Edmonton ~ a wonderful historical park here in town.
It's an amazing job ~ walking through the park in the early hours while the robins sing in the poplar trees. Learning about the local history & what types of gardens our ancestors grew & trying to recreate those same gardens by filling them with asters, delphinium, basil, marigolds, cosmos, feverfew, daisies & sweet peas. Feeding fresh carrots to the horses & dodging the ill-tempered & territorial turkeys that always seem to be lurking around every corner. Chasing sheep away from the flower beds & catching the "Plump Bunny Gang" munching away at all my hard work. Spotting a new litter of kittens underneath the wooden boardwalks that line a replicated street of old Edmonton. Driving down dirt roads in the garden truck "Gus", a 1927 Chevy. Always being greeted warmly by the staff each morning as they dash off to change into their time-period costumes...
There's been so many wonderful moments & I've loved every minute of it. But just recently I decided to hang up my hoe (sort of speak). I am now completely committed to The Bead Tree & I'm very excited to be able to spend the summer doing what I love the most... making beads. So, farewell dear Fort, I will miss you dearly, but we'll always have the memories. |
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Saturday ~ July 3
When we went to watch the fireworks last Thursday, we perched ourselves along a building balcony that overlooked the river valley. There were people scattered everywhere and it was a gorgeous night. As the fireworks crackled & danced in the sky, I had a revelation ~ making beads is a lot like making little FIREWORKS. Not just because I literally WORK with FIRE, but I also form patterns, shapes & colors that seem to "explode" into their own creations. Although unlike the real thing that quickly fades into a smoky shadow, my mini glass fireworks are cooled & kept frozen in time. It is a thrilling experience to make beads & I feel very fortunate. |
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Wednesday ~ July 21st
The Mud Maid can be found in the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall. Incase you're planning a vacation to England, I think she's worth visiting. |
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Saturday ~ July 24th
What a beautiful day! I love weekends filled with gardening, going to the market, relaxing on the patio & dressing up to go out. Hope you're all enjoying your weekend too. |
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Sunday ~ July 25th
Gone canoeing...
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Monday ~ July 26th
Good Morning! We had a wonderful time cruising down the river yesterday. Saw baby ducks & lots of beaver lodges (but no beavers) & we even passed by the quite-large-from-where-we-were-sitting Edmonton Queen. The captain honked at us, which was pretty scary! |
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Wednesday ~ July 28th
The Kindness of Strangers...
I recently received an email from June's winner. She said that as a thank you for winning the beads she is sending a donation to her Regional Cancer Centre. She's doing this because she knows "that's a cause dear to [me] and my mother". Thank you Hilary ~ we are so very touched by your thoughtfulness.
Have a week filled with kindness. |