I have managed to move to wordpress

Hi I am hoping you will follow me over to word press http://francesthistlehouse.wordpress.com/
Hope to see you there
Till next time Frances

My last post

Well it turns out I have used up all my storage space on my blog and paying monthly for it...and never making any money is not in the cards...I may start another blog I dont know but its been mildly ammusing while it lasted Cheers Frances

Myrna's House Flip

Myrna, who teaches my cooking class, has become friends with my oldest daughter and I. Her husband Jeff and her have bought 2 houses in Cambridge ont. to flip. They are hoping to help get there son established in the area as he has moved there. We had the opportunity to pay them a visit last week and I took some pics for my blog.

I wish I had a before picture but I don't ...suffice it to say this started out as a small little bungalow

the back door

I love this light they have them out side at all the doors 

You walk into this room from the side door..it is the family room. Jeff did all the bookcases himself.. He is a master carpenter.

The kitchen with a massive island, granite and stainless steel appliances..The fridge is yet to come.

The lights above the island...they match the ones outside...love them. And this is Jeff.

The staircase going upstairs..I dont know if you can see it but there is a small medallion on the post at the bottom of the stairs..it flips up and you can dismantle the railing in order to get large furniture pieces up the stairs. Genius.

the attention to detail is everywhere.

One of the stain glass windows they re purposed for the project

One of the two eating areas for the kitchen.  

I included this picture. Jeff made this clock himself  Love it

Notice the special attention to detail in this doorway.

I love this house and it is in a very nice neighbor hood . I am sure they will have no trouble selling it.
I thought I took pictures of the bedrooms but I guess I forgot.. They are not furnished anyway..
If I ever get to see some before pictures I will post them for sure.

Till next time.
Frances

Alexandria Bay

The boy and I took a short trip to 1000 islands last week and I thought I would post some of the pics from the trip.

It is a beautiful area I was surprised I had never been there before.

There are 1865 islands but that just doesn't roll off the tongue as nicely haha.

Alexandria Bay dock..its a small but quaint town.

Bolt Castle

just one of many smallish cottages on its own island....what a life that would be

Lots of stone work everywhere. I don't know what this would be used as but its is beautiful to look at 

Love this one 

one of the smaller islands

We took this boat on a tour of the islands

I will do a second post on Bolt Castle...it is a work in progress and has a sad love story to go with it.

Till next time, Cheers Frances

Highland Games

Went to the Georgina Highland Games today.

Irn Bru the nation drink of Scotland...besides Scotch that is haha

It was very hot and sunny so had to have me a few of these.....

scotch pie
 Then I was starving so I had one of these ....yum...no beans though kind of missed that. 

 They had dance competitions all day...these kids where all fantastic....

 Out came the bagpipes and a round of Scotland the Brave..I did take a video but blogger wont let me upload it don't know why.

some of these kids where no more than 3 and did a great job  Highland dancing takes a lot of skill

 Was a great day all round...watched the games between the police and the firemen  Caber toss and all.  Not as easy at it looks.

Till next time...Cheers Frances

I just saw this on Houzz

Traditional Kitchen design by Burlington Architect Smith & Vansant Architects PC

I just found this kitchen on Houzz and I love it so I thought I would post it here..sort of an idea book kind of thing.
Till next time

Cheers Frances

The Louvre and a goodbye to Paris

This published without the text so that is why I am redoing it.

I have to agree with the haters this pyramid is not ugly...just not fitting for such a beautiful old building.

And in comparison to the whole building very small in the center. Makes no sense to me but....well no one asked me or I could of told them haha.

This arch is directly in front of the Louvre 

And here she is. I know there are better pictures of the Mona Lisa out there...but you can't get one at the Louvre. After all the talk about how small it was I was expecting a mini print. But was pleasantly surprised that it was quite a bit bigger than I had imagined. Now compared to the other art in the room it is small.
But really how do you be disappointed in her?  It wasn't as crowded as many have said when I was there. Lucky me.

 The Winged Victory of Samothrace  

a little lady they call Venus 

don't ask what she is thinking but I'm sure you can probably imagine.....

There is a park the is between the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe.  

she is everywhere..and I could not help but smile every time I caught a glimpse of her.

the airport guy...Charles De Gaulle 

You have to take a tunnel to actually get near the Arch as the traffic is as bad as they say...its in the middle of a big round about and just never stops....ever.

one last look out the window and in no time it was time to leave 

Paris is definitely something to see.  The pace the people, who where all very friendly to mandy and I. The lack of french skills on our part and the lack on english on theirs...everyone seemed to like to talk to us in english, almost like they where practicing just as we would with our french.
It is more expensive than I could of imagined but worth the money...although any longer and I would of had to take out a mortgage on my house..I can't wait to go back to france and see the country side next time..and I will be taking a pocket translator and maybe learn a little french before I go.





Until next time
Cheers Frances

Random shots from Paris 1

The view from my hotel at night...I actually like it lit up like this....I woke up at 3 am and was surprised to see the lights had been turned off.  random

No pastry of any kind anywhere can compare......ever....

breakfast...croissant ..tea and an orange juice....6 euros...kind of pricey but very very good

saw this on my walk...plants growing on the side of a building  different but cool

This is all carved into the building...was really something to see

I would get very fat very fast...funny how the french are not fat i don't know how they do it

Okay here is a store we came across time and time again..There is one every 3 or 4 streets.

The Real McCoy   just full of all things....AMERICAN...I don't get it but oh well I guess even in France they covet america. Who knew I always thought they hated americans. Guess not.

getting fatter by the minute 

Oh and McD;s has Macaroons in all kinds of flavours...weird....didn't try them mostly cause I don't like McD's or macaroons..Had one in New York at christmas and it was seriously too sweet.

Next time my trip to the Louvre and that will pretty much wrap it up for this adventure.
 Till next time..
Cheers Frances