Amherst Island

I arrived dockside to catch the 9:30 AM ferry. I left my car on this side and traveled over with the other 3 women in one car. We arrived at 10 AM just as the elementary school/community centre was opening. Stella is a very small but well-knit community. Inside,  the vendors were setting up tables for the Silent Auction, crafts, Amherst Island t-shirt and fleece jacket sales, books, photography, baking, and the ever popular (and my personal favourite)  white elephant table. I had to keep reminding myself that I was purging stuff from my own house and I didn't need to pick up anything at all. There are some lovely treasures to be found on these tables and "purchases"  are made by way of a donation. Despite my restraint (and I really, really mean that), I picked up a couple of small items.

I bought this brand-new, never been used Christmas wine bag. I like to use these cloth bags as gift bags to hold " difficult to wrap" Christmas gifts. This one has a pocket in front to hold a little extra something, like candy or maybe a gift card.  I love that red winter mug. I had my coffee in it this morning. In front of it is a gorgeous little gold pin of a Xmas tree in red and green enamel. I couldn't resist the bird. It is a Styrofoam base covered in plant material. At Christmas, I decorate my fireplace mantel with an evergreen bough with birds and rustic decorations made of natural materials. This satisfies both requirements. In the centre is a jumbled pile of wine charms. I bought those to repurpose the beads and charms into my card making.  Charms are generally very expensive to purchase from a hobby store. One's cast-offs are definitely another's treasure.

Admission is free, but I usually pay $10 at the door....$5 for lunch, and $5 for 3 raffle tickets on a huge basket full of goodies that I never win, but it is fun to wish. All the proceeds from this Craft and Bake sale go to the Church renovation fund.  Lunch is chili or a variety of soups with buns and dessert, and of course coffee or tea. I can't have the buns or dessert, but the bowl of chili was more than enough. We also went to the Island gift shop which features arts and crafts from the Islanders (lots of extremely talented artists reside here) and we dropped in at the studio of one of the portrait painters on the Island, since he was having a Studio tour. Then we set off in the car to find a Snowy Owl, since the Island is famous for them. Amherst Island is on a migratory path and is renowned to birders from all over the world. We didn't find the elusive Snowy, but we saw dozens of red-tailed hawks and as many deer, up close and personal. Not one of us thought to bring a camera because we were only going to come to the sale and lunch.

After coming back to the mainland, I drove one of the ladies with me to No Frills to pick up a few groceries and I took her home. I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up my prescription I phoned in the day before, and I stopped to pick up my Avon order that arrived Friday afternoon. It had some last minute stocking stuffers.

 I spent $22.72 on produce. I cleaned out all 5 remaining bags of winter vegetables that were left, and 2 bags of oriental mix, 3 zucchini, 1 red onion and cabbage.

 I spent $13.67 on meat....loin pork chops and chicken legs with backs attached.

Dairy cost $15.07
I spent a total of $51.70 and earned only 700 points, but I will take them. Every little bit helps. I don't think I am finished grocery shopping yet. It seems to me that cheese is on sale somewhere else this week for a really great price and I could pick up another variety of meat if I find a sale price.

I had planned to put up my outdoor decorations today. It is currently -7C, so I don't know if it will happen today or not, but perhaps I can get a start at it. Others on my street have theirs up already. Not to worry. I have lots of dusting and vacuuming that I can accomplish. How is your weekend stacking up?