Arabella Magazine Discovered

Arabella Magazine

I just discovered a new magazine. It's a Canadian magazine about Canadian Art, Architecture and Design. I found about it through an online conversation with one of the contributing writers, Lorie Lee Steiner, that I "met" through Linked In.   It's a wonderful magazine.   Here is a quote from Brian Usher, the publisher and CEO of Arabella: "Arabella is truly about reading as art, experienced as a sumptuous, visual and inspiring journey". I couldn't agree more. I find myself pouring over the advertisements because, even  they, are beautiful to look at.   The magazine features the work … [Read more...]

Reality Real Estate TV is Embarrassing

Medieval Street

  One of the things I love to do when I travel to different places is to find out what the real estate market is like. I love looking at the boards that real estate companies display on which they show pictures of homes for sale. The descriptions of the properties plus prices gives a person a pretty good idea of what the market is like in that area.   For example a few years back my husband and I went to Rome, Italy. We stayed in a "Bed and Breakfast" that was located about four blocks behind the Vatican in a non - touristy neighbourhood. I put quotations around bed and breakfast … [Read more...]

Bob the Dog visits an old House

  So what does a dog do on his day off? Find out for yourself when you click on this link. Follow Bob as he visits a heritage house museum in St. Andrews in New Brunswick,  Canada. It's less than two minutes long and is set to the theme "The Pink Panther" - so cute. It was sent to me by a reader.  Enjoy.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08dxrJemjhg … [Read more...]

A Historic Home – the Magrath Mansion

A Parlour Ceiling in the Magrath Mansion

  William J. Magrath was well known in Edmonton. He was senior partner in the real estate firm of Magrath-Holgate & Co. Ltd., brought industry to Edmonton, owned a baseball franchise, and had political aspirations. Born in Ontario in 1870, Magrath married there in 1894, but like many, he was drawn to the West. He eventually made his fortune and built this magnificent home that has been lovingly restored by its current owners.   The owners are very generous and they love to share their home with others. Our local historical society is fortunate to be the recipient of such generosity … [Read more...]

Welcome to our Reno Week 1

Back porch being removed

Well the time has finally come. Our kitchen reno/ new addition started on Monday and we've managed to get through the first week without too many issues. We're already camped out in the dining room although the sink and stove is still accessible to us. Originally the porch that you see here on the left was to be completely demolished and the addition built while we still had a full kitchen. Then, once the addition was built the walls would be open and demolition would start in the old kitchen.  Mother Nature had other plans. For several days this week it rained - so we had a choice. … [Read more...]

Spooky Story 2

I've been reading stories from the book "Ghost Stories of Alberta" by Barbara Smith. Apparently she has made a good name for herself researching such phenomenom. This story grabbed me and I thought I would share it with you (It's a summarized version). In 1912 a young man by the name of Jack worked for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. After working there for 5 years he earned a pass to go anywhere he wanted to by train. He decided to travel from his home in Portage La Prairie to the "big" city of Edmonton. His mother asked him to visit her sister, Lou.  His aunt was considered … [Read more...]

Spooky Story 1

House with a Ghost

I have written about this before. Why is it that movies always show a "haunted" house to be an old house? As if it isn't already hard enough to get respect for being old, less energy efficient, a money pit and so on without now having to battle the reputation of being haunted. On a previous email  I did explain where this all started. I also have some spooky stories from some of my readers . Check it out by clicking  here:   In the spirit of Halloween I thought I'd share a story from one of the books  I have been reading lately. The first one that captured my imagination (and … [Read more...]