Have a Sweet Weekend

The best thing about going out for a lovely dinner with your girlfriends is sharing a yummy dessert! Crepes with ice cream, drizzled with chocolate and strawberries. Delish! xo

What is she thinking?

This painting was in a gallery window in Old Montreal. I find it particularly interesting to photograph window displays. The reflections give it double meanings. The painting itself was huge, perhaps 5'x7' and I apologize for not knowing the gallery or the artist, which adds to this mystery. (My travel buddies were waiting up ahead for me....funny, I'm the one always lagging behind....is it no wonder?...how can I possibly miss all there is to see and capture...impossible!) I keep coming back to her face because I'm wondering what she was thinking? I find it haunting. Do you?

From Fleece to Fashion to Decor

Alpaca is used and sold:

As rovings for spinners or for needle-felters,
As lightweight yarns for wonderful lacy shawls, scarves and ponchos,
Finer, more tightly spun yarns for weavers or commercially knitted socks,
As bulky yarns for wonderfully warm and soft winter clothing – socks, mitts, scarves, hats, …
As hand or machine-felted clothing, accessories, insoles, boot liners, …
As quilt batts for vests, light and warm duvets/comforters, sleeping bags, …
As coarser, thicker yarns (higher than 34 microns) for rug weaving, saddle blankets, …
As mill-produced luxury cloth,
As knitted, woven, felted items for home décor.

I did not know that!

Dreamy Vintage

The goal for this shoot was to create the look of late 1950's. I have to say, I am pleased with the way they turned out. A la Marilyn.

Got Milk? Got Laughs for You!

Now, this is a lesson in dedication. Every time I drink milk, I will remember my lovely conversation with this dairy farmer who has spent his entire life waking at 5am to take care of his cows. Can you imagine? There are so many things we take for granted. Watch this vintage 1960's commercial to see how we used to sell milk. Or, this one that claims milk reduces men's greatest source of frustration. See how the 'Elderly Got Milk'. How about the fact that milk helps with 'the law of gravity'? Talk about a lesson in silly....and we buy it!

Finally the Ontario Diary Farmers did it right. They appealed to our modern life, but paid homage to the farmers who supply it. My absolute favorite. Get ready to dance!

Watch it here. The best!!! FABULOUS!

All kidding aside, I want to try to have more gratitude for all the food we have. A lot of love goes into every glass don't you agree?

Tent Party

How sweet. How can you resist these little faces? I just tucked my camera inside the cages to get a picture and it occurred to me that perhaps these cuties aren't so enthused about being trapped and poked. No, they are dreaming of that big white tent, planning their escape and hoping to party the night away - free - and amongst us. Poor things. Is it just me or do you see sadness in their eyes as well?

Sunday Morning Display

I call this a Sunday Morning Display because growing up my Grandmother would bake on Sunday mornings - something delicious for our traditional Sunday dinner and other goodies to eat for the entire next week. This baker created a 'homemade' feeling by showcasing her 'goods' on and inside an old cookstove. That sure beats a banquet table. It gives her products that 'yummy' effect!

Designer Apple Baskets

There is a picturesque portion of the bay highway that twists and turns, cuddled between the turquoise shoreline and the misty blue mountains that has the perfect soil and conditions for growing some of Canada's best, crisp apples. To visit in the midday sun is to breathe in fresh autumn air and to delight in the bushells of colourful fruit. (Notice the cute new designs on the farmer's market shopping basket. Love.) To drive through this area at night when the moon moves across the lapping water is magical. The smell of apples fills the car and if you turn down your music you can hear the leaves snuggled in together moving to the gentle breeze. There is nothing quite like it. It's as though the heavens have lit a scented candle to light the way.

Bathroom Wall Art - Hear & Now

These Q-Tip photos could be enlarged and hung in a bathroom. Wouldn't it be fun to have another sign made that says 'Clean Your Ears' for a kid's bathroom? Then you could do detail shots of new toothbrushes and toothpaste and have a sign that says 'Brush Your Teeth'. etc. (Do I dare suggest photos of toilet paper with a sign that says 'Please Be Sweet & Wipe the Seat'?)

Twirly Whirly

The Devil Made Me Buy It (or a magic trick)

Here's an optical illusion for you. No, it's not a paint palette. It's a deviled-egg platter. Cool, hip, white, modern from Meijer. Funny how the photos make it look as if each little egg holder is raised. Take a look one way, change your perspective and they look concave. Now, 'quickly' move your mouse..scroll up and down...See how it changes? Eggsactly! I'm good. I knew you'd think this was funny. I thought it would be so perfect for the holiday season too, not just for performing impromptu magic tricks. And remember, we don't have Meijer here, so I had to drive 8 hours to Indiana to get it. Cluck. Cluck.

Indian Giver

What I meant to say was 'Indian Summer' but the other one just slipped out of my mouth 'cause I know this toasty weather will be taken away. Ah schucks. Oh well, you'll have to forgive me because I live up here. Did you know that 'we' are notorious for having daily, lengthy, whiny, blah blah blah discussions about weather? Sadly, it's true. After Summer comes Fall and then after Fall comes Winter and then after Winter comes Spring. Lucky girl to be on the other side of the world right now. Do you think 'we' would be allowed to go live there during the dreary months? I vote for Spring, Summer and then Fall. No winter. I guess I can make things right once I own my own planet.

This is Glamorous

If you haven't been to this glamorous blog take a moment (or 2) to check her out. This Toronto based graphic designer is oozing with class. The blog is so clean and crisp with incredible photos, a sparkling header and great design insight. It's so easy on the eye and inspirational. Thank you for linking Liberty Post too! I love your 'Crest'. Very chic.

I sat in that chair!

Beach Bungalow 8 has a great post here about some WOW chairs.

Canadian Geese & The Snowbirds

Whenever I hear the Canadian Geese flying over the house, I know (and I dread) that they are heading south. Winter is around the corner. (Love your post Decorno!) It is snowing in some parts of our country already. Canadians call people who go down south to escape the winter 'Snowbirds'. Why aren't they just called 'Canadian Geese'? I know, I know. The name came from a very famous Canadian song that debuted in 1970. I imagine all those geese lounging on these chairs at the Bellagio, white towels around their black necks and glittery gold ankle bracelets. This hotel is nothing short of divine. You must go! Fly Away Home! (You will love this music video based on a true Canadian story. This family lived a few miles from me. The farmer was called 'Father Goose' - and if you haven't seen the movie, rent the DVD!)

"Spread your tiny wings and fly away
And take the snow back with you
Where it came from on that day
So, little snowbird, take me with you when you go
To that land of gentle breezes where the peaceful waters flow..." - Anne Murray

9 days. 5 riders. 2 coasts. 1 goal. Cure Juvenile Diabetes

Team H2V is moving quickly across Canada. This is near and dear to my heart as my daughter has Type 1 Diabetes. Their blog will keep all of us up to date! Lots of media attention such as this wonderful article (see all those mountains - Patricia Gray you are a lucky girl to be living out there) in Vancouver's Opulence Magazine. Incidentally (and another ah ha moment) , the man responsible for this huge event owns Myron Creative in Vancouver and my daughter is in her 2nd year of Advertising & Marketing. Very cool, wait until I tell her! If you are reading this honey...keep this company in mind for your future! If each of us can promote this ride it would be so helpful. Thanks!

Hats Off!

I found the photo that inspired the painting! Among the rows and rows of picture files on my laptop, I excavated the image which I had saved from Amy's website. Her Fall/Winter Catalogue can be ordered now!

Housecleaning Sunday

I love my dishwasher. I love how the light comes through my palladium window and adds sparkle. Now all I need is some domestic help to load it. Note to Self: Know how to keep staff.

Poor Old Things

These two structures are the most photographed buildings in all of Georgian Bay. The top photo is a rundown farmhouse on Hwy 26 between the beach and the city. It is not uncommon to see convoys of photo club vehicles pulled over, their tripods set up just right to get a detail of the weathered wood. I don't think I've ever driven by without seeing at least one car pulled over. As sad as this ramshackle looks it has become dear to our hearts and nobody wants it bulldozed over. That home must have many stories tucked inside it's crumbling walls.

The bottom photo is the Collingwood Shipyards. This bay used to be an industrious concern where huge ships were built and launched. For over 100 years military vessels, hulls and freight vessels were painstakingly produced. It too is loved and now it will be surrounded by a high end 'marine warehouse style' waterfront development, complete with boardwalk and upscale retail, cafes and more. I do love their tagline: 'A place to launch your life.' As long as they don't take it down, we will all be happy.

Poor old things.