Wednesday, July 29, 2015

My enthusiastic young shopper ...at The Camellia, Slate River, On

How often we forget the simple pleasures in life ...like jumping through a sprinkler on a hot day ... yelling and squealing with excitement. I was visiting at someone's house, and watched a little girl next door running in and out of the sprinkler with her Mom.

All day long you may have been daydreaming of being by Lake Superior, maybe longing to be near the Lake, and reality was that you were stuck at work with deadlines to meet. The good news is that in Thunder Bay you're never more than half an hour away from the Lake. How will you spend your time away from work today?

So the other day we had a group of shoppers at our store, The Camellia, and a little girl was with them, she was maybe 5 or 6 years old. Her Aunt is looking around our store, and the little girl is kind of ,... well,... bored. They go upstairs, and I hear an excited..."Look at This Bed, I LOVE this Bed, and those Pillows...!!!"

I get asked....." How much is it for the whole Bed? I want this WHOLE bed, all these pillows, I would be so comfortable on those, and the net, and the bed...and I WANT IT ALL!!"

SO nice to hear such enthusiasm..!! How bored we get as adults. And she is right..this Bedding is our Brunelli line, it's 100% cotton, is super comfy, and washes like a dream. It comes in sizes from Twin to extra King. Come into our store to see the Brunelli catalogue, If patterns are in stock, you can receive your order in 10-12 business days.

Our Mosquito nets are 40 feet wide on the bottom, and they work to keep the bugs away. We also have in stock at The Camellia, Noseeum nets, which are super fine ( 126 holes per square inch).

Anyway, even when her Aunt had gone back down the stairs, the little girl could not stop talking about THE BED, so she ran back upstairs to take a photo ( with her pink I-Phone) so she could show her Dad. ( I am at this point feeling slightly archaic as I am one of those people with no smart phone). Her enthusiasm and excitement were contagious.

Visit The Camellia, for luxurious, oh-so-soft Cotton Bedding, and Mosquito and Noseeum Nets.

30, Hacquoil Rd. Open Wednesday through Sunday, p.(807)475-3551

www.thecamellia.com

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Day off at Lake Superior, Naniboujou Lodge & Gran Marais, MN

What better way is there to spend a day off than driving and hiking along the shores of Lake Superior? It was a perfect day for being near the Lake, it was sunny and hot. Driving from Thunder Bay to Gran Marais one should pack a hoodie as you never know when the breeze might be blowing off the Lake, which makes it a bit chilly.

A great place to stop for Lunch is Naniboujou Lodge, a historic Lodge, where you can stay overnight.

The Dining Lounge is awash in colour ..a peaceful place where one can recharge one's weary self.

What a cozy spot to sit on a crisp, Fall day.

Where did they find all the pigments to complete the artwork in the dining Lounge in 1929? A menu from way back states the price of Lunch - $1.29. We ordered the Salmon soup and the Naniboujou sandwich combo. It was wonderful. Afterwards you can wander outside for a stroll beside Lake Superior.

While we were at the Lake, we did a photo shoot for some of the new blues of Cottage Paint. it's a chalk-like paint which you can paint onto wood, without sanding or stripping. Buy online at www.thecamellia.com or come into our store, The Camellia and buy some.

Onward to Gran Marais to get some yummy custard ice-cream at Syndeys' Frozen Custard. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydneys-Frozen-Custard-Wood-Fired-Pizza/120260351343771

Just like the ice-cream my Mom used to make from scratch with milk, eggs and sugar. Yummy!

You can take your custard and sit upstairs for a spectacular view..move over Greek Islands!

The onwards for a hike beside the Lake, past the Marine Coastguard.

Formations of rocks and water.

Here at The Camellia, we sell noseeum nets, they are 40 ft. wide on the bottom - we sure could have used one of these by the Lake, there were these ankle-biter flies, they look like houseflies, but they bite. I wrapped my feet up with some towels, and this seemed to help.

It's hard to see with the plastic over the net, but the mesh is super fine.

When was the last time you took a day off? Think about spending it beside a Lake. If you are heading to Gran Marais for the day from Thunder Bay, stop by and visit The Camellia. Turn left on Hacquoil Rd. we are at #30, on the left, 1.6km. off Highway 61.

The Camellia, Open Wednesday through Sunday.

30, Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On

p(807)475-3551

Friday, July 10, 2015

Summer Goodies at The Camellia, Slate River, ON

SUMMER GOODIES - Just Arrived! New Cottage Paint colours, Summer scarves & shrugs, DIY Wreaths

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Its' Summer and it's Hot...! (Us ex-Caribbean people like to have heat). And it still cools off at night, so it's just perfect. We hope you are getting out and enjoying your Summer.

We're excited about the new Cottage Paint colours, come into our store to look at the colour sticks. Naples blue, sea turtle, blue blazer, beechwood, chives, expresso, black hawk, cottage white.The expresso is a nice, dark, rich brown, great for painting outdated cabinets. We just received a huge shipment of paint, so everything is back in stock.
Every day we get phone calls about whether Cottage Paint can go over glossy surfaces, yes, it can - look at the table above that's being painted.
Summer Wreaths add a welcoming touch to your entranceway. We have loads of realistic-looking flowers and greens to DIY your own, or we can make one for you.
We have a great selection of Summer scarves - some of you are thinking, what do I need a scarf for, it's Summer. Well, if you're driving in your convertible, a scarf comes in handy to tie back your hair. They are great for that cool a/c in the office. Lush Summer melons and turquoise colours in stock now.

The rain has finally stopped , wish we could say the same for the noseeums and mosquitoes. Just arrived areNo-see-um nets, and Mosquito nets. These fit over a King-sized bed, or a picnic table, or can be used in a camper. The hoop folds down into a tiny bag. $39.95, & $49.99
Get yourself a MultiKap, with a tube of Breakout Buster. The MultiKap prevents bugs from biting the face and neck area, and Breakout buster from Rocky Mountain Soap stops the swelling and itching. Check out the Mutikap video http:// https://youtu.be/Vs2TclmmHIs MultiKap $29.99, Breakout Buster $9.50

July is the month to take a class at The Camellia! Our classes are listed on our website, and in the July issue of the Walleye.

Fri. July 10^th. Beginners Cottage Paint ( 1 space left)
Thurs. July 16^th. Garden Party Vase design ( lots of spaces)
Fri. July 17^th. Antique Shoe last with Cottage Paint ( lots of room)
Wed. July 22^nd. Beginners Cottage Paint ( this class is Full, unless someone cancels)
Fri. July 24^th. Provencal Lavender Gather ( lots of space)

Come shop in-store at The Camellia at 30, Hacquoil Rd. Open this Wed. 11-5, Thurs. noon-6, Fri. 11-5, Sat. 11-5 & Sunday 12-5.

Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-5, Fri. 11-5, Sat. 11-5. and Sunday 12-5p.

See you soon at The Camellia!!

Visit our website for information athttp://www.thecamellia.com

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Come Visit The Camellia.

How do I get there? We are 10 mins. from the Thunder Bay Airport, heading south on Hwy. 61. Turn left onto Hacquoil Rd. We are 1.6km. on the left. Phone 807) 475-3551

Shop online at http://www.thecamellia.com
Visit our blog at http://www.fromnaturetohome.blogspot.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Camellia-From-Nature-to-Home/145600168837975
http://pinterest.com/thecamellia/boards/

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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Porch Living at The Camellia

When you live in Northern Ontario, your Spring/Summer months are precious. So when it rains and rains, and lots of bugs are around, you can't help but get a little miffed, to say the least. Today It's SUNNY and we are going to attempt to finish planting our Gardens. Look how lovely these acrylic drops look in a planter, we have them for sale in the shop.

The French Lilacs and Iris are in full bloom, and the smell wafting through an open window is just lovely. Flowers and their smells just uplift one's soul. Mason jar is painted with Veruca Cottage Paint. Cottage Paint goes right over glass, and metal, as well as wood.

Our Porch at the shop is getting a make-over, with a soap testing station, for Napa Valley soap, Beekman 1802, and Rocky Mountain Soap.

A moose and birch Twig wreath made up for an order.

Practice boards from our Beginners' Cottage Paint class. Our July schedule ( July 10, & July 22nd. for CP classes) is up on the website...phone to register for paint classes. http://www.thecamellia.com/classes-at-the-camelia.html

Friends taking a Cottage Paint class together ... they were going to use their boards in the Garden with old doorknobs and implements.

Here's to Patio and Porch Living and sunny summer skies ahead!

Visit The Camellia for Lake themed goodies, Open Wednesday through Sunday.

Open Canada Day 11-4p.

p-(807)475-3551

30, Hacquoil Rd.

Slate River, On ( just outside Thunder Bay heading south on Hwy. 61)

Friday, June 19, 2015

Celebrate Summer Solstice at The Camellia

It's Summer!! Seems like we spent months waiting for the weather to get warm and for the rain to stop. There is nothing like this view..spending even 10 minutes by Lake superior at Thunder Bay's Waterfront Park will rejuvenate your spirit.

It's Thyme to GROW - Plant a Garden, fill up your planters, do windowboxes on your patio. Decorate with our hand-made metal GROW sign, available at The Camellia.

The blooms of late spring - apple trees all awash in pink. A miracle really, given the cold ( close to zero) nights which caused some of the blooms to freeze.

Another Summer pastime is getting all the Antique cars out of the garage - nothing like going for a ride in one of these, you feel like a movie star riding around.

And all the Lilac blooms are out ...pick armfuls for Bouquets.Their smell is lovely.

Our metal pockets made from old ceiling tin tiles - perfect for all year round decor. There are 2 left for sale.

Our very old dresser got a Cottage Paint makeover - Paris style. This is a 2-colour distress with Flamingo, Dragonfruit, and flat wax on top. Come into The Camellia to see our extensive Cottage Paint line.

We have lots of Garden decor items - like this small tin lantern.

And acrylic crystals to add to your pots - they reflect the light and look like waterdrops.

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

Open Wed. 11-5. Thurs. 12-6. Fri. 11-5. Sat. 11-5. Sun. 12-5

This Saturday June 20th.we will be at the Heritage building at the CLE from 10-4, at CELEBRATE.

The 125th Anniversary of the CLE is on this Sat. June 20. from Noon-Midnight.

See you soon!

Happy Summer Solstice!!

www.thecamellia.com

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Your Dad - Dragon slayer.

Your Dad: Spider-killer, slayer of all Dragons ( under the bed and elsewhere), your #1 go-to for advice person, the person you ran to to plead your case when Mom was being nasty...

We talked to a few different people about their Dads: "What do you remember about your Dad?"

"He tried to do things on his own, even if he didn't really know what to do, so he encouraged me by his example to try out a new skill. I had bought my first car, and the body of the car needed painting, I was going to use some spray cans, my Dad then bought me a paint sprayer and soon I was painting my brother's cars and other family vehicles.He had a strong belief in God - he was a Farmer, Don't worry, he would say, the Good Lord will take care of us." And, he did.

"Tell us about your Dad.."

"My Dad was a man of few words. I often wished he would talk more. We never hugged much in our family - no open displays of affection, more of a business like handshake. Later on, when I was older, I realized that he would do anything to take care of his family. He was at home in Nature...climbing mountains near the rainforest,collecting rare orchids, and growing a kazillion varieties of crotons. He was my hero as one day he came home from one of his trips and brought me a real puppy, who promptly hid behind his briefcase." As I grew older I often screamed for Dad...Daddeeeeeee...! It's a tarantula, a snake, a bat... save me!!"

Take a moment to write down your stories about your Dad, if he has passed on, maybe this is the time to plant a tree in his memory, in your garden.

Spoil your Dad this Father's Day, Sunday June 21st. with a special Gift from The Camellia.

Hand-tied Fishing lures from Your Perfect Catch, buy and pay online ($3.49 ea.) at http://www.yourperfectcatch.com/fathers-day. You can specify pick up at the Camellia.
Bugs driving him crazy? Get Dad a MultiKap, with a tube of Breakout Buster. The MultiKap prevents bugs from biting the face and neck area, and Breakout buster from Rocky Mountain Soap stops the swelling and itching. MultiKap $29.99, Breakout Buster $9.50
Get Dad a Foot Butter with pumice stone so he can start taking care of his feet. Foot Butter: $15.00, pumice stone $6.50
Does your Dad like to shave the old-fashioned way..he will love the Peppermint Shave Bar from Rocky Mountain Soap, Ladies, it's also great when shaving legs.$5.50
And finally - the MAN CAVE sign, $32.50. We have a great selection of tin signs for Dads. He will appreciate having his own spot in the house, complete with recliner and remote. Maybe Dad has a favourite piece of Furniture that's looking a bit tired, surprise him by giving it a facelift with Cottage Paint. With a half an hour recoat time, you still have time to get your project done in time for Father's Day.

Don't forget to attend the 125th. anniversary of the C.L.E. on Saturday, June 20th. 2015, at the CLE grounds, from Noon- to Midnight. Free entertainment & parking. Head to the area behind the Sportsdome.