The Grill of Creative Advertising

I really dig it when companies will look through every nook and cranny to discover marketing partnerships. This company seized an opportunity to have fun with potential customers who are leaving a restaurant with full bellys. What better time to share a message?

A Bridge for Burgers? Oh Yes, This is Canada!

Half way between the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto and the oh so very expensive cottage country of the rich and famous is a Canadian landmark - Webers. Their burgers are so good that there practically was a revolution amongst our people, so they built a bridge over the highway. No other company in Canada has ever been given the permission to do this, but the government said 'you pay for it' and they did. (And because they are so enterprising, they sell ads inside the bridge to offset the costs - smart thinking) There is a video below for you. I went the other day - it was a good day - the line-up only had about 60 ahead of us. Believe me, it's worth it.

A License to Print Money - See the Video!

You can almost smell the burgers! I found this video for you to enjoy. Drool.

Just Beachy

Today I met a new blogger online. I was taken with her interesting world and words. She is refreshing to read and is obviously a very dedicated mother. I'll let her introduce herself to you: In her own words, Just Beachy writes about her blog..."A place to share my passion for my family and interior design , share with me as I try to document my journey of family life and my passion for great interior design, a casual approach to beach style living, beachy is a state of mind and not a location. Never fussy ,always comfortable, time worn classic look.Proving that you don't have to wait until your children are older to have a beautiful home"-Just Beachy. Thank you for linking Liberty Post from your adorable blog!

The People's Princess

It was one of those moments in our lives that we will all remember. We remember where we were, who we were with, how we heard and how we felt. How could one woman have touched so many people in such a profound way? What was it about her that made the whole world weep? Is there anyone else alive today that could do the same thing to us? William? Harry? I wanted to mark this 10th year since her death with a collective blogging project and I created this mixed media collage. (Did you know that the car hit the 13th pole in the tunnel? This gave me chills)After some research I discovered that 4 black swans swim in the lake that surrounds her resting place. The photo of her sitting on the boat was taken 7 days before she died and the other was the very last photo of her alive as she stepped into the black Mercedes. Some people were lucky enough to have met her, but in all of our own ways, we all felt as though we knew her....personally. I am sad today thinking about her boys. I am happy today thinking about how she lived and how much I enjoyed following her life story. Diana was a woman of our times and she will live on in our hearts for years to come. Diana always had 'the right word and the right gesture to bring joy and comfort to everyone.' (a quote from today's service in London)She was the 'People's Princess' - all people.

Please take a moment to visit these wonderful blogs to continue your tour of our collective blog project: 'The People's Princess':

The Restyled Home
Pigtown Design
iCiNG
This is Glamorous
My Outlook on Everything
Marilyn's Royal Blog

A lovely post...my favorite this week is by Cote de Texas. Amazing!

If you are remembering Diana today on your blog, please let me know.

Going Up?

Do you ever feel like your life (personal & business) is like a revolving door? Ever had people think it's fun to keep going around and around like a hamster on a wheel? You go, go, go and alas, you're still stuck in the same place. All we have to do is cheer eachother on and take a step towards the elevator up.

Kinda Corny

A typical site in our area this time of year. The 'Corn Gods' have done their best to bring us a good crop despite the relentless sun and lack of rain. We love our corn. Peaches & Cream. Sweet. Salt & Pepper. Steamed in soaking wet husks over an open campfire. Homesick Texan has a wonderful recipe which I must remember to tell my Sister-in-Law about. (She was born and raised in Mexico City) Now if I could just find a really good corn roast to attend this holiday long weekend. I'll even bring the butter.

M is for Montreal

This is my favorite shot of my trip. It was taken inside Notre Dame (the church where Celine Dion was married) and it really captures my happiness. When people first settled in this area you were not allowed to build any taller than the church. To this day, the churches are the epicentres of life. So many traditions and pride. My greatest lesson was that here everyone is passionate. Passionate about their culture, their language, their religion, their food, their wine, their fashion, their art, their love, their romance. Quebecois are overflowing with passion. M also stands for Merci (Thank You for taking me back to 1642 - the year this village was founded).

This is Jack

He's our handsome tour guide. The one that weighs a few tons. Isn't he darling? I love the photo of the bread in the bag leaning against the door of the building. So french.

I'm Here...Over Here

In the 1800's the owners of large factories and companies would print huge letters on their buildings so the ships would see them and would know where to dock.

Clip Clop

The horse carriage is gently swaying, clip clop sounds of the cobblestone street below and the smell of baguettes baking move gently through the fresh morning air. A sunbeam sweeps across a young blonde girl's ponytail; she's wondering who we are as she heads off to finish her errand for her Mom. I hear french music inside the cafe and smell that strong coffee. Everyone is busy yet they all seem relaxed and full of joy. C'est bon.

Thank You Jack

If you have not travelled to La Belle Province of Quebec, I would encourage you to put it on your wish list. I promise you that you will feel as though you have been to France and it is so close! But if you have a few weeks I would suggest Montreal, Old Montreal and the 'Big Daddy' of them all Quebec City. Oh la la. I'm loving Canada!

Humble & Happy

I must share a wonderful story with you. In June 2002 I fell in love with a photo inside Victoria Magazine. I ripped out the page and pinned it to my bulletin board. I just had to do a painting based on this image. It was so sweet and funny (and most of my work has a hint of humor). I finished the canvas and hung it in my home. (By the way the studio/barn on the front cover of Victoria is the studio/barn in the painting) Flash forward to present day and I buy the latest Oprah Home magazine. Inside the issue was a feature on Amy Hamilton who is one of the world's greatest hat makers. She owns Granville Millinery. She is legendary. One morning I decided to send Amy a jpeg of the painting. To my surprise and delight she emailed me back. Now the painting is at Amy's home. This is very humbling to say the least and I am so pleased that my creation moved her this way. Don't you just love little tales like this? I am always so thrilled when I read other blogs and find out about how we all connect. Amy is 'Brimming with Talent' - by the way, that is the title of the painting and if anyone has the issue, I would love it if you could post the photo that this painting was based on...I can't find my tearsheet anywhere. (Found! Top image on the right is the one I was looking for!)

Home, Full & Full of Joy

Oh, how I have missed seeing all of your posts! I am home now from Montreal and I have so many wonderful memories. My trip was delicious! Now I must begin my journey to each of your blogs my dear blog friends to see what you've all been up to! I can't wait. Now to bed to get rested...isn't that what a trip is for???

Montreal Fashion