BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS #10- SUSAN MC WATTERS WHERE WAS SHE BORN??

SUSAN MC WATTERS( MAC WATTERS, MAC WATTERS, MC WATERS)

Susan was one of my maternal great-great-grandmothers. All variations of the last name are searched each and every time. Variations could include Macwatters, McWatters, McWaters, MacWaters, Mc Watters, Mac Watters.

She was the wife of George Witheridge- married in Ontario. There is a comprehensive history of the Witheridge family but for the purposes of this article just Susan will be the topic. They had 9 children. One of those children was my great-grandmother Elizabeth Maude Witheridge who married Patrick Arthur English.

Susan was said to be born in County Armagh, Ireland. However in this article, there is documentation to state she was born in Ontario. One documentation states she emigrated to Canada in 1870.

Copious amounts of research has been done to find Mc Watters roots both in Canada and Ireland.

So what do we know about Susan. Born February 20, 1846. No definitive birth certificate found yet so no definitive name of her mother and father. There is a John Mc Watter in Family Search documents and a marriage in 1839 to Susanna Johnston. In Find My past, he was also married to a Barbara Dick in 1836. The original note on this marriage can be found in the Ballymoyer Parish Church Records- Ballymoyer, County Armagh. Three children- Susan, Thomas born 1844, Ireland and Agnes who may be a twin of Susan.

Kathleen ( Kathy) Witheridge whose research on the the Witheridge family stated in her letter of March 7, 1993 that Susan was young when she came to Canada. They settled in the Newcastle area. Susanna died August 10, 1847 and little Agnes died August 7, 1847 at 18 months, 3 days prior to her mother. A family correspondent to Kathleen had stated Susanna and John were Susan's parents.

In the 1881 Canadian Census, Darlington, Durham West, Ontario Canada- Susan is married to George Witheridge. her birth year is 1846 and birthplace is Ontario of Irish roots. George Witheridge, Jr., age 35; Susan age 35; William age 13; John age 11; Elizabeth age 9; Albert age 7; Arman age 6; Annie age 4; Frederick age 2. All children born in Ontario.

Kathleen did pay a researcher- David McElroy from Irish Roots- Holbeek House in 1989 in Ireland to find information. Here is a summary of his results before reviewing the two factual pages.

There are only 3 families with the surname of McWatters in County Armagh in the mid-nineteenth century. He found more Johnstons in the area than McWatters. There was a James McWaters in 1835 in Killevy Parish. Killevy tithe book had 3 MacWat(t)er families in 1864 but no Mc Waters remained there in 1864. He found the McWaters/Johnston marriage in 1839 previously mentioned. In the Baptism records he found some Johnston families but no Mc Waters in Ballintemple. Due to fire in Dublin in 1922 that destroyed many records in Ireland, he could not do further research. The John that is mentioned in the summary of the research could be Susanna's father or brother. He stated most of the Johnstons in Ballintemple were relatives of Susanna.

Page one of facts found by David.

Page two of facts found by David.

In an earlier census, it was cited that Susan was born in Ontario. In the 1891 census Susan and George are living in Durham West. In this census, it states she was born in 1846 and in Ireland.

In the 1901 Canadian census, she is living in Toronto with her husband George and children in Toronto West. In this census as an addendum, it was cited that Susan was born in Ireland and immigrated to Canada in 1870. This contradicts the family thinking as well as other documentation that she was born in 1846 after her parents came to Canada. So were Susanna and John her parents or other relatives? After Susanna died, did John remarry? He did have another wife before Susanna- Barbara Dick that he married in 1836. However, I still have not found him to confirm anything.

I subscribed to the Find My Past genealogical website. I have not found any records of Susan in county Armagh.

After George died Feb. 14, 1916, according to my mother- May Arline Ellis, great-granddaughter, Susan lived with daughter Elizabeth Maude to almost 89. She was noted for her crocheting and tatting. She liked to eat Scotch mint peppermints.

Susan on left with her daughter Elizabeth Maude Mitchell( nee English ).

Susan died August 22, 1934 in Toronto Ontario age 88, 6 months, 2 days. Her death certificate states she was a widow, living at 88 Walmer Road, retire, born Ireland but the names of her mother and father unknown. It also states she was in the province 85 years.

The certificate was completed by a physician who obviously would not know much of her history. She had sustained a hip fracture in May and was bedridden dying from paralysis agilnas in August. She is buried in St. John's Norway Cemetery, Toronto, York, Ontario. Range 5, Section 6, Grave 33. On the burial cards obtained  in 1989 from the cemetery, there were 2 addresses- 101 Sumach Street and 735 Coxwell Ave.

Research has always been helped by connecting with others doing research. I revisited all my McWaters research. Phyllis Litton from Cincinnati Ohio was very helpful. She was an avid family historian. Unfortunately she died, March 8, 2008.

Kathy Witheridge has been instrumental in helping may North American Descendants search for their Witheridge history and roots.

So how much do I really know about Susan. Not much. The conflict between being born in Ontario or Ireland or coming in 1870 has not been resolved.Since she can not be located in Ireland, it seems plausible that she really was born in Ontario and did not come to Canada in 1870. The only possibility is her father returned to Ireland after Susanna's death, remarried and stayed there or returned to  Canada. More research will be done to try to solve this conundrum.

REFERENCES

Witheridge, Kathleen- Unpublished letter March 7, 1993. Updated and compiled Withridge family history.

Family- Search-John MC  Watters is found- batch number 89011932, source Call no- 1553330, Type Film, County Armagh, Ulster Province, Ireland.

1881 Canada Census- Susan Witheridge- page 25, household ID 624258, Digital folder number 4466081, Image Number 00074 and GS film number 1375878.

1901 Census- Ward/Quartier o.2., Toronto ( East/Est) (City/cite) , Ontario, district Number 117, Subdistrict Number-b-9. Archives Microfilm: T-6498. Automated genealogy 1901 Census Indexing Project online- 4/26/2010

Ellis-Park, May. Oral recollection of family history.

Ontario Deaths- 1869-1937. 1934- County of York, Township of York, city of Toronto.

Litton, Phyllis- Family researcher. Unpublished correspondence and information. 1988. 1991.

Blammoed Parish Church Records- Ballymoyer County Armagh- 1839

County Armagh research 1989 by Irish Roots researcher- David McElroy.

Find my Past website researched for MC Watters information.

Witheridge Family history. Witheridge Family History Society.

Barbara Di Mambro
Copyright 2018
#Mcwattershistory#SusanMcWatters#GeorgeWitheridge#ElizabethMaudeWitheridge#CountyArmagh#Irelandfamilyhistory#conflictingplacesofbirthforSusan#SusannaJohnston#JohnMcWatters#MacWatters#McWatters#McWaters#Macwaters#Canadiancensus

BUTTERFLIES IN A CANADIAN GARDEN

A wild garden attracts many different natural beings. Butterflies are one. I captured this one.
There was another one mostly black that I did not get a photo.

I love this photo. However, who know what kind of butterfly is getting nectar from one of my purple flowers.

My Monarch ones that visit. I have the Milk Weed plant for them.

Of course there have been little white butterflies fleeting around in the front and the back. I am still trying to get their picture. The life of a photographer is not easy. Nature does not always cooperative.
#butterflies#monarchbutterfly#whitebutterflie#butterfliesarepretty#backyardgardenbringsnaturetohome#tryingtotakepicturesofbutterfliews#photograpyisfun

NANA SAYS YEAH BACK TO SCHOOL

The majority of mother and fathers too are not disappointed school starts next week. 9 weeks of summer vacation is long and often challenging keeping the children busy.
Children do need routines just like adults. Too much idle time only brings idle activities. Yes it is important to know how to use one's time well. Learning how to use hobbies and activities to bring joy to life is lifelong. As a child, I loved to read which has passed over to my life.
Getting children back to lessons and sports and school activities works too.
The last week I have heard so many parents that can not wait for school to start. Even with lunches and homework and the very busy morning routines parents seem to be ready. The children may not be ready!!

WHO SAID VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE?

Some quotes do not have an author listed.
So who first discovered that variety is the spice of life. Who said it?
Does it mean we all must have variety or do we accept that there are others who think and do differently?
Some people like to think they are different? But different from whom?
For the average person it may simply mean to try something different occasionally. Try a new coffee. Ice cream flavour. Listen to some new music. I hope it does not mean the need for an affair. Hum!
Reading a new author. Seeing a movie not in your usual genre. Not being stuck in a rut I suppose.
So what have you done lately to spice up your life??
#vairetyisthespiceoflife#trysomethingnew#don'tbestuckinarut#doyouseekoutnewopportunitiesjustforfun#anewflavouroficecream#anewmovie#differentmusic#changeitupalittle#noneedforanaffair#somethingnewspicesupyourlife#doyouliketofacechange

WHEN YOU CHANGE AND OTHERS DON'T- TROUBLE WITH FRIENDSHIPS

Life brings change and growth. However, we are often judged and yes judged about how we used to be. For example, I drove into a ditch on a side street at age 19 in front of an Italian acquaintance's house. Do you know for the next 25 years and counting, the woman from that house would always comment to me at each and every social event about how I drove into a ditch!!! I was married, had children, a responsible job and had moved on in my life and no more ditches but to her that one event defined me. She never asked about anything else about me!! Good thing she was not a close friend!

So do you do the same thing with people you know. People grow and change. Learn new skills. Take on new responsibilities, yet can be judged for behaviour that was well years ago.
Some people stay stuck in life. Others grab on and develop and change and embrace new ideas and activities.

Friendships can suffer due to the change. It is not a bad thing to move on from some friendships and acquaintances. Not to judge someone for finding new activities in life is difficult.

Remember the jealously thing comes into play. Let's say you were the pretty one, the smart one, the important one then someone in your group breaks away and well overshadows you. It can be hard not to feel some resentment. But you could feel happy for the person who has faced life and added new adventures. Be proud of that person. Be a friend. Or if too much let go and grow on your own.

Try not to be the person who always in a crowd has to bring up the old stories about someone and belittle them in public. Try not to put people in a box! I will tell you sincerely if you did that to me, well I would be moving on from you. You see!! I have grown and changed and am not the same person I was back then.
#friendshipschange#peoplechangeandgrow#areyoutiredofpeopleputtingyouinabox#oldstoriescanbehurtful#respectpeopleinpublic#trynottojudgeothers#lifeisalwaysevolving

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- #9 DECLUTTERING THE FAMILY HISTORY BINDERS

Genealogy has been an ongoing passion for 34 years.
When trying to go digital, it has been difficult to decide what to submit to the cyber world.
In reviewing one family binder, the Frost one, for example, trying to decide what to discard and what to keep has always been a dilemma.
When I started researching it was copious trips to the library, typed letters to others searching the same name, recording and organizing and photocopying. We were told to keep all references as one day there may be a relation to one of our ancestors.So reviewing many microfische pages from decades ago, it was discovered none of them belong to me. Realizing the work and sometimes cost has been huge.
However, like decluttering a house, decluttering family history is important too. Once the direct lines are known and the descendants one wants to know are established, time to let go.
I have 15 family history, well organized binders. However, not all the information is needed now.
Besides, deciding a year or so ago, to write up the current people backwards for my grandchildren is good enough. Will they want to know about every cousin line in existence, probably not? But my grandparents are their great-great grandparents so they are a good place to end for them.
Then the pedigree charts that go back with the details will be good too. Why just my grandparents? Easy. I know their story. I can find their relevant social details like where they lived, what they did for a living, where they are buried!! And I have some pictures too. I can clean up their information with new data available online so they have proper cited references.
I have listened to others who have done research. Your children will not want all the copious notes, and charts and misc information. If there is a nice well written story with pictures then that is a different story- their story. Of course I will keep the cousin lines that were given to me. I am a little sentimental afterall!!
#declutteirngthefamilyhistorybinders#familyhistory#genealoy#conducts#descendants#barb'sgenealogytidbits

THE MORNING WALK- A LITTLE LATER

I started my retirement with a 545 am morning walk. Finishing just after 610. Now with the darker and cooler mornings, it starts around 630 am. Soon I will not be able to walk with wet hair. Life can have routines but time tell us to adapt. Walking first thing has also thrown my blogging time off. I used to get up, get washed, get my coffee then go to the computer and write my post.Sitting at the computer in the summer is difficult. The nice weather. The urge to read outside first in the sun for awhile then in the shade called to me. Even the little cat nap outside.
Walking in the quiet of early morning is a luxury. Even though close to Yonge Street and traffic it is relaxing and has given me time for reflection. Many people are also up and walking. Often walking their dogs.
I have a short afternoon walk to the mailbox and back. If many of you recall, I used to walk to work and back each day throughout the year. So I am still trying to find the activity to fill the late afternoon walk. I do have some exercise dvds I will use once the cooler weather hits. Again laying down on a rug in the summer heat is not appealing to me right now.
The morning walk has given me some ideas for writing too. It has given me some freedom. I am not walking for a purpose like the walk to work. I am just walking to enjoy. It has helped the rest of the day for me. I can sip my coffee after wards with my husband. I have the sense that I have done something.
The only thing that would make the morning walk better would be if I were walking on a beach. Perhaps it will happen sometime!!
#morningwalk#walkingisreflective#morningwalkasaroutine#morningwalkisaluxury#funwithamorningwalk#timeforeverythingespeciallyamorningwalk

FLOWERS FILL IN THE SPACE

My sea of yellow.
Some gardens are meticulous with one plant then space then another. Mine is a sea of yellow black eye susies. Simple.
How is your garden looking?
#the lazygardener#aseaofyellow#fallflowers#gardening

THE END OF SUMMER IS IN THE AIR

This time of year the birds start to flock, some trees start to turn colour and there is a feeling in the air that the summer months are starting to end. Yes I know the first day of Fall is September 21st but most of us really identify summer with July and August. I do not like summer coming to an end. The heatwaves were brutal for my husband but I like the heat. I like being outside in a shady spot and reading or napping. I like the feel of slowing down for awhile. Fall makes us gear up again. Get busy. Get going. For good health and well being it is important to slow down and if no roses at least to tend to your energy. So how do you feel about summer coming to an end??
#summermonths#summercomingtoanend#slowingdowntheenergy#takeeachdayandmakeitgood#whatdoyoudotorelax

PATIENCE, WAITING AND OFTEN LIFE PRESENS ITSELF

Doing things quickly is needed sometimes. Making that left hand turn. Cooking a fried egg. Well you get the picture. Some decisions may need more time and patience.
For me recently finding the right family doctor. My doctor had retired and gave my chart to someone that I was not interested in seeing. So I waited. I looked for someone receiving new patients. So life presented itself for me when I was accepted by my new doctor. Some regular tests and check up so well on my way to knowing I have a Health Care Professional I can depend on. Okay maybe I left getting the check up longer than I should but it has worked out just fine. If I had had some medical issues there was always emergency and the hospital.

Taking one's time to find a new piece of furniture. Looking for the right next home. Buying a car. Deciding on that affordable vacation.

Patience that life will provide opportunities by looking, seeing, listening, hearing and sometimes just good research.

You may believe that things do happen for a reason. So that's where the patience comes into the picture. It may not be a good reason but life gave you what you needed.

So staying in our house longer than I wanted allowed me to be at a workplace close to home, a hospital for my husband close to home and time to fix, declutter and continue to investigate where we want to live next and in what form of housing. Patience. But things do get done while being patient.
Patience does not mean doing nothing. It means doing something. The something can be the means to finding the solutions to life's problems.

Patience has allowed me to complete some things. Like retirement from the workplace but not necessarily from work of some kind. Patience is teaching me to get to the stuff I care about and get doing and being. Slowing down is difficult. But slowing down does not mean stopping. It just means doing things more methodical and in that process finding my way.

Life does present itself. I wanted to try some new knitted projects. So when asking my oldest granddaughter what she may like me to make her, she said mitts. I told her that I don't make mitts then she said a scarf or hat. However, this Nana said to herself, why not mitts. So I found a mitt pattern and will be making a pair of mitts as a my practice. A small change but a good one.

Patience to trust the process of life. It does have a way of presenting itself.

So what are you waiting for? What do you need patience to enable you to trust the process? Why do you find yourself in a hurry? Can you slow down? Not to a dead stop but to look at the world around you!! Share your thoughts.
#lifehasawayofpresentingitself#patienceisneeded#trustingtheprocess#gettingtowhatisneededinlife#findingtherightdoctor#findingtherighthousing#researchcanfindsolutionstolife'sproblems#beingnearwhatyouneed#patienceinlifeisagoodthing#don'tbeinahurryinlife

NANA SAYS WHAT NOT TO SAY TO A COUPLE WHO HAVE LOST A BABY

In my Social Work career, dealing with baby loss and supporting couples who have lost a child was a major part of my job.
People mean well when it comes to baby loss they may not be so good at it. But most people do not get it. If you have not had a miscarriage, stillborn, infant loss or neonatal death, it is hard to understand the huge loss it is. It is tremendous. It is life long. A parent especially the mother will never forget any loss she has experienced.

It is common for a mother to blame herself for the loss. So one strategy I always used was looking the Mom directly in her eyes and stating you did not do anything to bring on this loss. I always tried to label the guilt feelings that would be there and take them away.
Of course each couple and situation warranted an individual approach.

So what not to say.

It was for the best. The best for whom.

You can always have another baby. Maybe. But some couples may have tried a long time for this baby. They may not have another baby. Infertility is rampant.

Maybe you are not meant to have your own children. Why not adopt!!

The baby is better as an angel with God. A Mom may tell she does not want an angel she wants her baby.

Try not to say anything but listen to what the couple tells you about how they feel. If you feel sad for them than share it

Suggestions about what they need to do belongs to the couple and not you. To bury. To cremate. Have a service. Not have a service. No right or wrong way to deal with it.

One of my sweet grandsons and I were talking about this subject last weekend. He had mentioned that one of his neighbours had lost a baby. When I spoke about what some people say, he had stated something so compassionate.

He said it was not fair. The baby did not get to have a life. Simple. A good statement. Maybe I will use it sometime.
#babyloss#whatnottosay#howtosupportacouplewhohavelostababy#miscarriagescanbedevastating#listenratherthantalk#socialworkerssupportbabylosseswell#usingacompassionateapproachtobabyloss#couplesneedyourloveandsupportthroughababyloss

MORE THAN YOUR MUSCLES CAN BE STIFF IN LIFE-SOME REFLECTIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT LOOSENING UP

Exercising is great but one discovers that muscle groups are stiff and need more work. So with this retirement thing I have noticed other areas of my life that are stiff too.

Trying to dance freely I have discovered that I need to relax and move my body relaxed. I am finding I am a stiff dancer now. Even trying to do old steps are so rusty. It does not help that my husband and I have not done any dancing together for about 3 years due to his respiratory issues. But I do love dancing. So in the Fall once the garden thing is over, I will target some cheap dance exercise DVDs I bought. Exercise with dance may help this stiff dancer.

Writing has become stiff too. Charting in a Social Work job is very different than creative writing. Even though I have believed I am freer in my blog posts, my critical assessment has been not. I need to revisit more creative flow. Most of the non-fiction books read recently have been more folksy. Being folksy in charts or analytical assessments is a no-no. In creative writing, well it is a resounding yes. So how to write some analytical stuff and also some free flowing stuff. Genealogical articles must be factual and precise too. So I started yesterday with a descriptive 3 pages of my morning walk. Tried to write like many of the magazine articles one reads. Lots of superfluous details about nothing but makes for a good read. Not that my morning walk is a good read, it just helped me stop and detail one daily area of my life. In order to change, one must begin a change with an area needing change. So some creative flow is good. I have a series of short stories I started when I finished writing the cookbook so they would be a good start too. I realize that some of the family stories can be folksy as well. To loosen up.

My crafts. My knitting and crocheting. I want to try some more complex stitches too. So starting with small squares rather than a big project will be good. Already knitted 4 little hats but they are my usual patterns. Bought a new hat pattern book to try some stitches there. Small works best when trying something new. Just having my projects in my hands lets me get things done too. Finishing the variety of items before heading off to new. Trying to do some different crafts, maybe for fun and maybe for income.Okay the heat waves in the GTA does not make working with yarn easy.

Quilts. Well still need to get the tension on one of my little sewing machines fixed. Again to start with a small project. A cushion. A square. I do have lots of fat quarters to make many quilt items. One of my goals for retirement had been to revisit quilting so I am well stocked and prepared.

So back to being stiff.
When did I discover I became stiff. Perhaps when some of the stress had dissipated from my life. I am home with my chronically ill husband so do not worry as much. The hours at work and wondering how he was doing played a toll on me more than I realized. Some changes in his routine and medications have helped him plateau. Accepting some home care help for him has been a challenge too. I was used to doing everything myself. But knowing the road ahead may become more difficult the help taken now for him can be increased later.

Stiffness can come from just having to hold on too tight. So retirement is new to me. It's okay. A learning curve. So deciding what do I want to do with my life. Daily. Not the rest of my life but how to make each day okay. Functional. Maybe sometimes some fun. I know I do want to work in some capacity, just not a workplace work. It's funny I do not miss it. The workplace. Some of the people, but not all of the people. Having to be on one's best behaviour around annoying, toxic people may have been one of the areas of my life that made me stiff! Now I can connect differently.
#changingone'shabits#canretirementleadtolooseningup#howtoaddsomefolksywritingtomywriting#creativewritingisdifferentthanchartwriting#changetakestime#howtodancefreelyandnotsostiffly#craftsneedsomenewideas#makingretirementaneasiertask#onestiffsenior#howtorelaxasasenior#reflectivethoughtsonrelaxingasasenior#whendidIbecomesostiff

SMALL KINDNESSESS ARE THE BEST

A neighbour's Mom dies. Give a plant for the home. Sorted through some craft supplies. Share with other crafters. Make extra sauce for the working daughters.Send a card to a friend. Life can be a bummer or a blessing. Finding small ways to share a kindness is the best. Try to aim for one kind action a day. Just think in one year it would be 365 kindnesses given to the world.
So what have you done? Did you do a kindness for someone today?
#kindnessinasmallway#maketheworldabetterplace#beingthereforothers#lifeisajoyfulblessing

A PICTURE IN A SUNFLOWER FIELD-THE LASTEST CRAZE

So the latest instagram craze is having a picture in a Sunflower Field! Sunflowers or Gira al Sole Italian style ( turn to the sun ) are  happy flowers.Pretty in a garden.

Freshly cut they are welcome on a party table this time of year.
Back to the craze. Some farmers' fields are being trampled and garbage left from the crazed selfie takers. Come on everyone, be respectful. A picture at the front of the field with the flowers in the background should suffice.
Then there are the sunflower seeds that are good and nutritional.

Sunflowers in pictures. Vincent Van Gogh watch out!!

A market visit.

The corner of a garden.
Sunflowers. Joy! Fun! And now a craze!!
#sunflowers#selfieinasunflowerfield#farmerswantrespect#ACanadiantradition#lotsofsunflowerseverywhere#didyougetapictureinasunflowerfield#findasunflowerfield

SOME DAYS JUST GET AWAY FROM YOU

So today was one of those days where not as much was accomplished. Started with an early trip to the Lab for some routine bloodwork and ECG. Yesterday, first dose of my shingle shot that has been a real pain in my arm. So my energy is a little off. Needed a nap in the morning and afternoon. Managed to do some simple household tasks and make dinner but feel that it was a real lazy summer day. How about you? Do you have days that get away from you?
#lazysummerday#lowenergy#routinetestsarenecessary#twonaps#sometimesaquietdayis needed

A POSTCARD FROM THE GRAND RIVER ONTARIO

A fun day jaunt with the Social Club took us to the Grand River Cruises in Caledonia Ontario.
An hour and a half bus ride and we were there.
The Grand River runs through southwestern Ontario for 300 kilometres. Known as the Grand River Watershed, it is a vital resource.that flows into Lake Erie. If a fisherman, there are over 82 species of fish.

Our lunch cruise went 20 km up the river as far as Brantford before returning back to base. There was a Pow Wow competition on one side. the area is home to the Six Nations community.

We could go out on deck which made it easier to watch the scenery and listen to the wild life.

There were many people boating with swimmers in the water.

Look closer for the Heron.
The story of the Grand River Dinner Cruises can be found at their website.
grandrivercruises.ca
Grand River Cruises
I love to know that the efforts of one generation helps to establish a business that can be in the family for generations.
It was a fun day in a part of Ontario I had not visited previously.
#grandrivercruises#Ontario#grandriverwatershed#lunchontheriver#sixnations#caledoniaontario#afunsummerday#aclubadventure#brantfordontario

BIG VILLAGE AT QUILTS AT THE CREEK

Quilts at the Creek has become an annual event for me. Wonderful quilts by creative artists everywhere throughout the Village.  Sometimes there is an opportunity to find some interesting items.

I bought this beautiful bracelet as well as a few more. They were made by Liz featured in the picture at the Vendors Market at the Creek. As can be seen in the picture, beautiful baskets too.
They use articles I.e. the bead made from people in Ghana, Africa. The business is located in Toronto.
Their whole story can be found on their website.
www.bigvillage.ca.
Big Village
Liz was very informative and fun. She knew her product well. Around for 10 years, they sell jewelry, baskets and offer workshops.
I love buying creative items especially ones with a story. I may check out their Toronto location at some point as well.
#bigvillage#jewelry#ghanaafrica#quiltsbythecreek#prettybracelets#supportingcrafters#buylocal

AUGUST-TIME TO GET OUT SEE THE PROVINCE

Just a short note to say I will be posting more of what I have discovered. Some fun day trips and lots of pictures to share. Babysitting the grandchildren so busy being a Nana. Trying to keep up with the garden. I think the garden is winning. Morning walks on hold for a couple of days due to a fog, a day trip and well the grandchildren. So lots to share. How is your August going? Share with me..
#August#daytrips#getoutandenjoytheday

21 DAYS TO BREAK A HABIT OR DEVELOP A NEW ONE

Transitions and change brings a desire to change a habit. Actually a few habits. One of my goals is to try to stop making piles that need to be reviewed at a future date. To keep, review, discard, organize as I acquire them. Since I am home and not at work, the extra time to do that little extra in the moment is wonderful. Before I can get to the new habit though important to continue to declutter, discard and organize. My computer area is still a work in progress. Difficult because I still need to blog, check emails, write, well you get the picture. I actually do not stay in the computer area for hours at a time. Summer time and the outdoors calls. However, rainy days help to get stuff done inside. So reflecting on habits and trying to develop new ones that are positive. Are there some habits you want to break? Are you trying to change your ways? Are you trying to incorporate some new habits in your life? Share your ideas with me.
#newhabits#breakingoldhabits#startinglifeagainwithnewhabits#takes21daystobreakanoldhabit#futureofgoodhabitslookinggood#transitionsandchangebringsnewhabits

AUGUST 1ST-OFFICIAL FIRST DAY OF RETIREMENT

July 31 was my official last day of work and retirement really began today. I had about 20 vacation days to use so I could leave on my own terms and enjoy some summer. Time to transition. Time to develop some new habits. Time to eliminate some old ones. Baby steps. Letting some aspects of life happen. Of course with indoor and yes copious amounts of outdoor work, there is more than enough to do. Just some of the activities are quite boring. Decided I would not become a slave to an immaculate house long ago. However, more time to tidy in the moment so some areas just are neater and stay that way. Some areas are works in progress of purging and decluttering. Starting on craft projects while working away on completing some. Several heatwaves have not helped. I like the heat but my husband does not. So staying close to home. July had some events like a river cruise and quilt show.On track for summer reading. Finished 5 books so need to read 5 more to reach my summer goal of 10. A great way to make sure I read as much as I can.  So August will bring some family celebrations, outings and more getting used to this retirement thing. I think September will be the realization that it has really happened. Summer months lull all of us into a different feeling. And the feeling to relax and enjoy!
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