[ from none to LOTS! ]

A DAY OF snow squalls, whiteouts and about a foot of snow! Looks like winter has arrived! Have a great weekend!

lisa

[ happy weekend, Thanksgiving and Eid ]

TO ALL of my fellow Canadians, Happy Thanksgiving weekend! 

{aren't these Lily Pulitzer-inspired pumpkins cute?}

Here in Dubai, we're heading into Eid-al-Adha, otherwise known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to honour the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to follow Allah's (God's) command to sacrifice his son Ishmael.

Eid-al-Adha also marks the end of Hajj - the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca {in Saudi Arabia}, a religious duty that must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so at least once in their lifetime. It is the largest gathering of Muslim people in the world every year. The Hajj is a solidarity of the Muslim people and their submission to Allah.

[Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca during Hajj]

The pilgrimage to Mecca {the holiest city in the religion of Islam} is considered to stretch back thousands of years. Processions of muslim people converge simultaneously on Mecca on the week of the Hajj to perform a series of rituals which end with the sacrifice of an animal, whose meat is then given to charity and shipped to poor people around the world. The celebration of Eid-al-Adha then begins.

~

So whether you're celebrating Thanksgiving, Eid or just the end of a week, have a wonderful one!

lisa

[pumpkins via ppeachyykkeenn.tumblr.com; mosque via flickr]

[ making pumpkins ]

IT'S Canadian Thanksgiving this coming weekend {it always seem to sneak up on me since it's so early in the fall} so I thought I'd better get going on a few decorations around here.

I've loved velvet pumpkins since I first saw them a few years ago but couldn't find the supplies I needed while in Dubai. So, now that we're back in Canada, I thought I would finally make a few to add to my antique dough bowl on my dining room table.

This is a very easy project and I had 5 of them made in less than a couple of hours. First, gather supplies...

tips: If you have trouble {like I did} finding velvets, you can use velour or low-pile fabric with a bit of a fuzz ~ really, anything can work if it's not too stiff. If you are using real stems, be sure to clean them well and bake them on a cookie sheet on low temp for a half hour or so to dry them out {or use some plastic ones from a craft or dollar store if you can find them}. The pumpkins turn out best if you use both beans {or pebbles or rice, etc} and craft stuffing to stuff them with. I used glass pebbles I found at the dollar store which I prefer to natural beans or rice if I plant to store them for future years. For glue, I used E-6000 glue but I'm sure a glue gun would work well. 

Trace a plate on the backside of the fabric and cut out...

Sew a running stitch all the way around the circle...

Fill with pebbles about 1/3 and then fill the rest with craft stuffing and pull tight, careful not to break the thread {I used double thread or you can try dental floss for added strength}...

Sew hole closed by pulling edges together and knot off thread. I went one step further and pushed my needle down through the middle of the pumpkin to the bottom to create one big stitch and pulled it back up which added a cute little pinch to the pumpkin shape but this is optional...

Glue on stem and you're done!

You can make them various sizes in a variety of fabrics and they make a charming little grouping. And the best part is, they'll be ready for you again next year!

Happy crafting!

lisa

[ pumpkin pie and giving thanks ]

IT'S HARD TO believe it's already Thanksgiving in Canada this weekend! I wish I could be there to enjoy the changing leaves from our dock and feel them crunching under my feet while I walk down the driveway. It's such a pretty time of year at our place.

But I'm here in Ireland and I have managed to find a turkey breast to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner so it's not all bad! I'm still on the hunt for pumpkin with no luck so far so we may not be enjoying my pumpkin pie and pumpkin loaf this year!

But I'll share my pie recipe with you so at least someone will be enjoying it!

Lisa's no-fail pumpkin pie
This recipe is very easy and turns out every time. It has just the right amount of spice (not too much like some of the store-bought pies tend to have).

what you need:

pastry for single crust pie (make your own or buy a frozen deep-dish one to keep things simple)

2 eggs
14 oz can pure pumpkin (or 1/2 of a big 28 oz can)
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1 2/3 cup evaporated milk (12 oz can)

how to:

Preheat oven to 425F. Roll out pastry into pie plate.
Beat eggs until frothy with mixer, then beat in remaining ingredients on low (add milk slowly as last ingredient.)
Pour into pastry-lined pie plate. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350F. Bake about 45 minutes to 1 hour, until knife inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool.
Serve with dollop of sweetened whipped cream.

Mmmm.... I can almost taste it! I'll be back on Monday with my Pumpkin Loaf recipe - great if you used 1/2 a big can of pumpkin for your pie and need to use up the rest (it will make 2 loaves).

Have a fantastic weekend and Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians! Don't forget to give thanks for all the good things in your life xo

lisa

[ happy weekend! ]

AND TO my fellow Canadians out there, Happy Thanksgiving!

Even though we don't have all the beautiful colours of fall here in Dubai, we'll still be celebrating Thanksgiving with turkey and all the trimmings {including pumpkin pie - I found pumpkin here! see my recipe here}

No big family gathering. But to me, as long as I've got my guy at my side, I'm truly grateful for that.

However you'll be celebrating, have a wonderful Thanksgiving. And to all of my non-Canadian friends, I'm wishing you sunshine for a lovely fall weekend!

lisa

[sylvia's simple life]

[ happy weekend! ]

WELL, it appears that the weekend is upon us again and for all of us Canadian folk, it's Thanksgiving weekend!

It really seemed to pop up quickly this year ~ I've barely grasped the fact that it's fall! There's not a pumpkin to be found in Dubai {at least not yet} but I did find some canned pumpkin so I can bake my guy a pie so all is good. :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

lisa

[via erin-artandgardens]

[ montreal in dubai ]

ANYONE who's been to Montreal knows that topping the list of must-eats is a smoked meat sandwich and some poutine. So imagine our surprise when we heard that there's a new little place open in Dubai specializing in just that...

So of course we had to check it out!

A traditional smoked meat on rye, pickle on the side and an order of poutine {fresh cut fries, cheese curds and gravy}...

And the verdict? Pretty darn good! And since I wouldn't typically have both in one sitting, half of my sandwich to bring home for lunch!

It's always so nice to find a little taste of Canada. We'll definitely be back!

lisa

[ fall wardrobe bargains ]

BEFORE I LEFT Canada, I decided to pick up a few new pieces for fall since prices are so much better than overseas. If you are looking to add some new pieces to your fall wardrobe, Joe Fresh Style should be at the top of your list of places to check out. Joe Fresh Style is a fun line of fashions and accessories available at over 335 Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore grocery stores across Canada. From chic footwear to the latest in outerwear, Joe Fresh Style offers collections for men, women and children at ridiculous prices that will knock your socks off!  Who knew grocery shopping could be so fashionable?

I scored cardigans for $19, a crisp white shirt for $12, striped nautical top for $12 and a ruffled tank for $14. And then I had to escape before I got carried away - after all, I only have so much room in my suitcase!

lisa

[ first class, baby! ]

FIRST, LET ME start off by saying I don't travel first class. I'm coach, all the way and have grown accustomed to
a) ending up next to someone who has either bad b.o., bathed in perfume or smoked a pack of cigarettes before boarding;
b) knowing I may or may not have access to an armrest for my flight;
c) a simple choice of chicken or beef;
d) a seat that doesn't really recline more than 10 degrees
e) waking up with a stiff neck from "sleeping" in some weird position

So when my guy was able to get us some upgrade vouchers with his frequent flyer miles for our red eye flight back to London then Dublin, I was doing backflips! Suddenly a dreaded long flight had become something to look forward to! Upgrading to Air Canada first class is like winning the lottery!

You get an Individual pod that includes a cosmetic pouch with earplugs and sleeping mask, a nice comfy thick blanket, a remote for the pop-out TV (because reaching forward a couple of inches to adjust volume is unacceptable!) and a seat that adjusts to so many positions, you don't know how to get it to return to its original state...

a glass of champagne, followed by a snack of mixed nuts & choice of wine...

a menu to choose your meal consisting of starter, main course, dessert (with actual china, cutlery and personal salt & pepper shakers)...

all to be enjoyed while reclining with your feet up, watching your choice of movies on your pop-out TV (I decided on Sex and the City 2)...

then time to lie down, snuggle up and catch some zzzzzzz

Gee, I can get used to this! I think it's created a monster! How can I possibly fly coach again??

lisa

[ those crazy canucks! ]

HAPPY MONDAY! So remember how I mentioned that I'd be enjoying a few Tim's coffees on the weekend since it was opening its first international location here in Dubai on Saturday?

Well, let me just say that nothing brings Canadians together like Tim's. Not only was it crazy busy, but word spread like wildfire. And as a new expat here, it was definitely the place to meet and connect with other Canadian expats!

Cheers of joy could be heard by everyone who walked in, some brought their own Tim mugs from home, some brought in their hockey equipment. Everyone was tweeting, taking their photos with their coffees and walking out with armfuls of donuts, double doubles, iced capps and bagels.

We shook hands, hugged, shared stories and gripped our coffees like they were liquid gold. Strangers all becoming new friends. We Canucks are a crazy bunch!

lisa

[ seat with a view ]

PERHAPS it's because I'm a Pisces, but I'm always drawn to water. There's just something so relaxing about gazing out over sparkling water. My dream is to have a home with a water view someday but for now, I'm lucky to live a block away from Lake Ontario where I can enjoy this...

I love going out for a walk and making a stop at this little park. We're having some amazing late summer weather this week and all the more reason to linger a while on my favourite bench...

I love the dedication plaque on the bench. I think someday I'd like to donate a bench to the park so more people can pause a while and soak in that pretty view. Do you have a favourite spot you like to go to enjoy a view?

lisa

[ yes deer ]

I LOOKED OUT my front door and saw these two adorable deer paying me a visit. And so I went outside and talked to them for a while - told them how pretty they were and asked what they're up to today. They just stood there looking at me with their big eyes probably thinking I'm a little crazy. Don't you just love their gentle gracefulness?

lisa

[ fab find of the week! ]

IF YOU ARE lucky enough to live near a Stylesense, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about when I say "It's unbelievable!" I was in Toronto this week and paid a visit to the Stylesense store in Oakville and if you are anything like me and have a thing for shoes and bags, you'll think you've died and gone to heaven! Filled to the rafters with designer shoes, bags and accessories, it's pretty hard to walk out without buying something, especially when you can bag them for a fraction of the price!

And what did I find? A gorgeous black leather Kate Spade bag for $99!! I was over the moon, especially since I had just admired it at the Kate Spade SoHo store when I was in NYC back in July and it was $325! So I would say I definitely scored!

lisa

[ art in parks ]

ONE OF the highlights of our trip back was being able to visit a couple of outdoor art shows. Some of you might remember this back in 2010...

Yup, that was my booth at the Muskoka Arts & Crafts Summer Show {read about it here}. So much fun and I really hope I can do it again someday! 

So you can imagine how excited I was to learn that we would be in Muskoka on the weekend of this year's show...

It was fun to see some familiar faces and some new artists this time too. I find these events so inspiring and they make me want to get busy creating!

So what did I buy? Well, it was difficult not to go crazy but I decided to limit myself to a new painting {I've been trying to build up a bit of an art collection of original works and these art shows are an excellent place to do so. This cheerful original is by Marlene Bulas...

But as luck would have it, this wasn't the only outdoor art show we visited! We happened to be in Oakville, Ontario for their annual Art in the Park show as well. Much smaller in scale but so many beautiful works of art...

And you guessed it ~ I bought a painting! This one is by Robin Mitchell...

I'm so thrilled with my 2 new acquisitions {doesn't that sound fancy?} 

Have you been to any fun summer events this year?

lisa