Determined not to miss one minute of Summer?...move your Office outside! Summer at The Camellia

Hello July!! It's been nice and warm this Summer - a big change for us here in Northwestern Ontario. Our past few Summers have been cold and not so great. I am determined not to miss a single minute of Summer so today I am blogging from the screened Porch. As with some areas of a Home that are not used on a regular basis, a Porch can become somewhat of a dumping ground for stuff. Do you have a spare room in your house where stuff gets tossed, then you get the phone call from a relative..."we're passing by your place en route to Toronto...can we sleepover, do you have room for us? " Of course! it'll be great to see you all! "  you answer, then mass panic ensues as soon as you put the phone down.

This is what the guest room is supposed to look like. So not the case right now!

 A few years back we toured Google campuses in Mountainview and saw Google employees working outside on their laptops. Bright blue skies and Royal Palm trees, leaves rustling in the wind , totally awesome to work in Nature! It helps your creativity, you can come up with ideas easier, and as you become totally engaged in your work, there is way less of a chance of you falling asleep. I have to say way back when I was in university, I would regularly fall asleep in some classes. Even if you did fall asleep at Google, you can do so in style in one of their Nap pods. Check out this You Tube video of Google's Mountainview campus.
https://youtu.be/7zj7RfqLy-w

We love meetings in California...walking meetings, meetings seated on large exercise balls. No chance of falling asleep while balancing on an exercise ball. Contrast that to a Meeting indoors, in a stuffy, windowless room, with the CEO droning on endlessly. Working outdoors is so much better. Don't you get fed-up of attending Meetings? Especially when someone can't get TO THE POINT!!!

It would be nice if we all had Summer reccess...just like our Members of Parliament, school aged kids,  university and college students. It is so difficult to work when it's a beautiful hot, sunny day. You would much rather be at the Lake, or in your Garden, or kayaking in Lake Superior. 

Summer in Northwestern Ontario is so short.....Home renovations have to be done in the Summer, Painting, roofing, and many other projects are so much harder to do in the Winter when it is 30 degrees below. What Home or Camp renos are you doing this summer? We are repainting our Oak Kitchen cabinets with #CottagePaint. Renovations are a big job when you are living in the house being renovated. 

This is our 32-year old Oak Kitchen, so this is the Before. 

Can you believe these are the same Oak cabinets...!! ( we used Serenity Cottage Paint - colour White). Once the job is done, and you have a brand new kitchen....wow!! There's no feeling like it! Thinking about repainting your Oak Kitchen Cabinets? Visit us at The Camellia to see Cottage Paint, we also have sample doors painted with Cottage Paint, and offer DIY Kitchen Cabinet painting classes. 

The Camellia, 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On. 

www.thecamellia.com

 www.paintoldkitchenabinets.com

We are Open Wednesday through Sunday!! Stop by and shop! 

A Visit to Silver Islet, Thunder Bay, Ontario

When it's a really hot day like today, 31 C with high humidity, and a heat warning in effect, there is only one way to cool off, and that is to head to a Lake.  One of the best places to visit is Silver Islet. To quote "Wikipedia, " Silver islet refers to both a small rocky island and a small community located at the tip of the Sibley Peninsula in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. A rich vein of pure silver was discovered on this small island in 1868 by the Montreal Mining Company. " Wikipedia.

 You head along Highway 11/17, head towards Pass Lake and Lake Marie Louise. When our kids were little, there were many Family outings to the Lake, where we sometimes went canoeing. The road ( once you leave the main Highway) is long and winding, but mostly paved. This is the original General Store, which you could buy products and have High Tea. The entire area is delightful, with one-lane roads once you draw closer to where the Cottages line the shore. Don't you just love that bright blue on the General Store? 

If you would like to know more about Silver Island, click on this link for more information: https://youtu.be/c0qGobP1guY. As I'm writing this, (just having viewed this video), I had no idea that Silver Islet started as a silver mining operation. It's hard to visualize where an area started so long ago. 

You are never very far from Lake Superior and many have their boats docked here, ready to head out for an afternoon sail. Its a beauty of a day today, with a nice breeze coming off the lake.

There are many Artists and Artisans living on  Silver Island, and many have little Studios which are open seasonally, where you can buy their wares, Look at this handcrafted Driftwood railing! 

If are in the Thunder Bay area, be sure to visit Silver Islet, pack your swimsuit, there is a Beach area

and Campgrounds, hiking trails, and Cottages to rent in the area ( most of them are booked up early in the Summer). 

Visit The Camellia for Hand-made in Thunder bay goods, we are 3.6 km. past the Thunder Bay Airport, turn left on Hacquoil Rd. We are 1.6km. on the left, #30/32. 

We have stunning Pottery from Mussels 'n More, Linens, Tablecloths, hand-made Wreaths, Canadian made soaps, and so much more. Get your copy of the Handmade in Thunder Bay, at Thunder Bay Airport, any of the local hotels, or Shopping centres. 

Welcome to August, The Camellia, Thunder Bay.

Hello! This Summer seems to be flying by, leaving me way behind, how about you? Summer is filled with so many want-to-get-dones. More walks by the Lake, time at the Cottage, house and maybe deck repairs, pools to put in, garage sales to have, and so the list goes. So much living to pack into a few short months. July was supposed to be my Manana month, ( manana is tomorrow in Spanish, it means don't worry if it doesn't get done today, it will get done tomorrow). The Manana concept has not kicked in yet. Then we sometimes have Family visiting, kids moving out, and Life happens, and the hecticity continues. This year all our whacky weather has added a new dimension, gotta get it done before it starts raining again!! Photo above was taken at a friends's Garden party, beautiful, isn't it? 

Lower than normal temperatures and lots of rain have left our Gardens looking like mud baths, but on the plus side, no time has to be spent watering the Gardens. Somehow the plants are putting on a good show and blooming away. Plants and Flowers add so much Joy to our lives!. 

A rare moment the other day, a Blue Sky! Have to share this with you. Things always look better with a blue sky. How has the weather been where you live? We love to hear comments, so leave us one below. 

A brief moment of respite this past month was a wonderful Garden Party at my dear friend's house. She has a spectacular Garden, we all wore hats and a relaxing time was had by all. The weather was beautiful and sunny. A reminder of what Summer is supposed to be like, time spent outside in the Garden, doing nothing, and enjoying a meal with friends. 

A container planting of all succulents. They are great in hot, dry climates, and will grow profusely. Too much wet soil will kill them, they hate too wet conditions. If you go to Camp lots, and cannot water often, these are the type of plants you should get. 

Aaahh Summer! The sound of water running and cascading in fountains, also a great de-stressing tool for most people. 

These Aqua glazed pots are simply stunning ..large pots add a great dimension to your Garden, they also add a feeling of grandeur. I can see a mass planting of vivid Sunpatiens in these. 

And the Ocean or Lake. Our bodies are 70% water, and we feel so much better when we are at the Ocean or Lake. Make some time to do this before Summer is over. Which beach have you been to lately?  Please share below in the comments box.

A family of Grizzlys eating by the roadside. They look sort of cute, don't they? As seen in Jasper National Park. 

Ah yes, the Vintage autos all come out of their garages in the Summer. Nothing beats a drive in one of these on a hot day! Especially a drive to an Ice-Cream or Hamburger joint. 

Mermaid in Stanley Park, Vancouver. A great park with lots of walking trails, however, if you're driving, roads are not clearly marked, so easy to get lost in the park. 

We've been inspired by all this cool, gloomy weather to start preparing for Fall. This is one of our Designs, a table piece of Magnolia, gerberas, callas, ranunculus and anthuriums. Rich, dark tones with a pop of orange to transition your Home from Summer to Fall. 

Another design we just made of Hydrangea, Poppies, and snapdragons with dried grasses and preserved salal. Drieds are wonderful to use in the Fall and Winter, a reminder of the glory of our Summer Gardens.

More Summer glory in Thunder Bay, Peonies.

Happy Long weekend!   Come Visit us at The Camellia at 30,Hacquoil Rd. We are OPEN all weekend.  Wed. 11-5, Thurs. noon-7. Fri. 11-5. Sat. 11-5. Sun. 12-4.     p .807)475-3551

Shop on line at www.thecamellia.com

Celebrate Summer at The Camellia, Thunder Bay, On

It's  finally Summertime! What's summertime stress? It's that feeling of "I have so  much outdoor living to pack into a few months...." Gardening, yard work, fishing, walking by Lake Superior, and outdoor eating, just to name a few summertime activities. Do you feel like you'll never get to it all?

One of my favourite evening activities during the Summer is walking by the water. It's soothing and will destress you from your busy day.

Let's not forget the Flip-flop, an important part of Summer living.

Our large outdoor  Summer flag - buy instore .

Eating outside - another Summertime pleasure. Outdoor wood-fired pits are a popular backyard addition. 

Our hand-made cedar pizza planks - made by Larry. Buy at $25.00

A nice shower Gift. 

This is a tasty sprout Salad  made by Chef  Nikos Mantis of Pinetree Catering. He was demonstrating at the Country market at the C.L.E. grounds, showing how easy it is to make tasty meals with fresh, local produce.

His demo inspired me to  do something with the rhubarb I picked from my garden days ago, and was now languishing on my kitchen counter. 

Yummy..! Spoon some of the Rhubarb compote on top of Vanilla Ice-cream, what a great summertime treat. 

Our wicker baskets with wrought-iron holders are a nice addition to your patio at $29.95 ea.

This bird knows how to stay cool - $9.95, and the metal sunflower bath ( $45.95)  is also a nice addition to your patio. 

Come Visit us here at The Camellia! Here's a batch of  hand-made Olive oil soap - Hornby Island Soap. A nice Gift to take when visiting someone's Camp. We're open Wed. through Sunday. Fri. July 5th, 2013. 11-5, Sat. 12-5, Sun. 12-5. 

Shop online at www.thecamellia.com

Visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Camellia-From-Nature-to-Home/145600168837975

p-807)475-3551

If you're visiting Thunder Bay for the Blues Festival going on this weekend, have a great time. Here's the link to the Bluesfest http://www.tbayblues.ca/

Thinking Christmas in Summer, Camellia's, Thunder Bay

  

Yes, it's Summertime but for those of us in retail, we are fast forwarding ahead to Christmas. A difficult thing to do when it's so nice and warm out. What about you, have you made any sand castles lately? Play is so important in our lives.

 Splashing in Lake Superior.

 Gigantic Sunflowers from my Garden.

Splish-a-splashing in the water...always fun!

 A pink tree..my grand-daughter and niece would love this!!

 Snow-encrusted blooms....

 Lovely Pink and white colour scheme..... a departure from the usual red and green.

Camellia's - 30 Hacquoil Rd. 

p -807)475-3551