August 30 - Day 42

From A Distance, stained glass.

You might think I've decided to take a church shot today, instead of the usual Monday Cemetary variety. Nope, this is the cemetery. It's the "In Memoriam" building. I was just going to shoot the stained glass, but I figured out if I squatted and looked through the grate I could see the stained glass on the opposite side of the building. I could not see exactly what else was in the building. What else is in the building?

August 29 - Day 41

Paddle, Paddle, Paddle your boat...or row.

On my way home from getting groceries I pass over William Hutt bridge and spot paddle boats, aha I'll get you today!

When I was checking out at Zehrs the cashier pointed to the lady at the till two over who spends about $600 per week there - two carts full! I can't even imagine, I compare this to my piddly $40 order which includes a skirt, a tank top and yoga tank - okay so I didn't need a lot of actual food here and yes I buy clothes from the grocery store, it makes econmic sense sometimes like the $4.94 skirt. Anyway back to the photo, after putting away groceries I walk down to the river, it's the end of the day so most boats are parked, waiting to be put away. In my mind, perfect time for a shot! (If you can't tell by now, people in photos is not my forte!)

August 28 - Day 40

You put the lime (?) in the coconut.

This is one of the two trees in my backyard. It produces this lime-like fruit. Obviously it's not a lime but I don't know exactly what it is. It does have a very yummy, fruity smell. I will not taste it. Why? My mom told me not to after I explained about the tree in the backyard producing mystery fruit.

August 27 - Day 39

Lagers & Ales & Stouts Oh My!

Nothing says happy Friday like a beer tasting. Bri-Em hosted this lovely event after rounding up some of Ontario's finest craft beers on their recent brew-cation. It was a civilized affair with in-laws, tasting mats, beer surveys, male elementary school teachers and peach salsa from day 38...I told you it keeps well for up to 2 days. I don't remember my fav beer of the evening but I do remember what I did not like. That's you Black IPA. I don't care if you are limited edition. You tasted like medicine...in the words of Jon Bon..."Bad Medicine"

August 26 - Day 38

Salsa. Peach Salsa.

You know what makes a mango salsa even better - peaches. I love me some peaches.

Dice 3 to 4 peaches (1 cm pieces). Do the same with one bell pepper. Take 4 green onions and cut on the diagnol. Slice one jalepeno pepper in havle lengthwise, discard seeds & stem and mince. Mix together peaches, bell pepper, jalepeno & onions. Stir in 1 TBSP olive oil, freshly squeezed juice of one lime, sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Salsa will keep well, tightly covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Adapted from Chatelaine.

August 25 - Day 37

Two tomatoes on a sill.

The tomato plant from the beginnings of this blog is not looking so good. It's still producing tomatoes, like these two here, but the lack of rain has turned it into a yellowy-brown mess. I'm watering like crazy and have decided to add coffee grinds to the soil. I have no idea if this will help, but maybe it will produce a hybrid caffeinnated super tomato.

Aug 24 - Day 36

Hey Ladder Ladder!

Another Tuesday, another Yoga class. On my way out I notice the plethera of ladders that have accumulated in the hallway.

Aug 23 - Day 35

Eladnova.

Running group is still meeting on Mondays in the cemetery so today's shot is once again brought to you by, you got it, the cemetery. Today I shoot the cemetery gates from the inside...maugh ha ha.

Aug 22 - Day 34

Dam Ducks.

I came down to the river tonight to get some shots of the paddle boats but they were all put away (I may have just spoiled a surprise for a later post). Instead I happened upon 3 ducks at Orr Dam taking a bath. After spending any amount of time in the dirty Avon River a bath is well needed and deserved.

Aug 21 - Day 33

Pretty f'ing sexy.

If you read my status on facebook this week you know this song has been in my head pretty much all week. Songs from Milk were released as digital singles, much like bands like the Beatles would release singles back in the day (thanks Andrew Craig for that nugget of knowledge). When I first heard this song I admit I was not a fan. After hearing it live a couple times it grew on me. When Hawksley played this in Mt Forest he told the story of how he was involved in a songwriter's circle in which the particpating artists sang eachother's songs. Jim Cuddy was the lucky recipeint of this song. I can't even imagine how he got through it. Well played work-man.

Aug 20 - Day 32

Maybe it's the Cumin?

Sweet potatoes before they become oven baked sweet potato fries. The secret is in the seasoning..a blend of olive oil, sea salt and cumin. Simple yet delicious.

Preheat oven to 425. Cut sweet potatos into sticks, toss with olive oil, sea salt and cumin. Bake for approx 30, turning every 10 minutes.

August 19 - Day 31

Florida.

I've never been to Florida. Never really felt the urge. This was not purchased for me or by me in Florida. This came from good old Neustadt Ontario. I originally intended to take it into work but really it's too awesome for work, it looks way better in my kitchen. I admit I don't use it as a calendar. I've never been a calendar person, I prefer to store appointments, etc in my brain. If I went down and checked today I'd say the date is at least 5 days behind today's current date.

August 18 - Day 30

2 Pheasants & A Potted Plant

A lot of the treasures in my home have been previously enjoyed. This pair of pheasants I found in Mt Forest for the bargain basement price of $10 - that's $5 a pheasant.

August 17 - Day 29

Birthday Boy!

It's my younger brother's 29th birthday. Happy Birthday M!!

It's also my 29th day of the photo/day project.

This is one of my favourite photos of the little bro. On the back of the photo my dad has titled it "Dutch Boy Dobson".

That smile is priceless!

August 16 - Day 28

Pepper Plant?

I bought this annual about a month ago for my front garden. It had no label, and I really don't have a clue what kind of plant it is but I like the contrast of the red pepper and purple leaves.

August 15 - Day 27

Fryfogel Inn & Tavern.

On my way back from K'Dub I stop at Fryfogel Inn & Tavern. Most likely if you grew up in Perth County you visited this historic landmark on a class trip, for your pioneer unit perhaps?

This is at the back of the building.

Did you know this inn remains one of the few examples in this area of Upper-Canadian Neo-Classic architecture? I didn't 'til I read the plaque.

August 14 - Day 26

Girls Night In.

I head to the K'Dub to spend a night with George and Jules. A delicious dinner, painted nails care of George, a couple flicks and some wine.

A good night in, indeed!

August 13 - Day 25

Green Lantern.

It's Friday the 13th. Instead of the traditional horror flick to celebrate the day, I stay in tonight and start disc 2 of Mad Men Season 1. Yup, I know I'm so behind, but technically the show is really far behind because they are still in the 1960's, so there.

August 12 - Day 24

Dinner. Part 2.
Bok Choy Stirfry.
Dissolve 1 TSP cornstarch in 2TSP cold water. Whisk together 2 TBSP reduced sodium soy sauce, 1 TBSP rice vinegar and 1 TSP seasame oil with 1 TBSP water. Heat 1 TBSP oil in nonstick skillet over high heat. Stirring constantly cook 2 small onions cut into wedges until browned. 5 minutes. Add 9 ounces cremini mushrooms quartered; cook 2 minutes. Add large bell pepper cut into 1 inch squares and bok choy stems cut into 1.5 inch pieces; cook 3 minutes. Add 1/4 pound snow peas, trimmed and 5 paper-thin slices of fresh ginger; cook 1 minute. Add marinade, cornstarch mixture, bok choy greens and cooked and rinsed soba noodles. Cook until heated through. Serve with additional soy sauce and limes.
Adapted from Everyday Food.

August 11 - Day 23

Country Drive.

I'm in the VW taking a country drive, listening to Hey Rosetta!

Life is swell.

August 10 - Day 22

Summer of Sweat.

I don't think I've ever sweat as much as I have this summer. It was another sweltering day here. I did have the advantage of being in a very airconditioned mall for most of the day manning a display for work.

August 9 - Day 21

Crown of Love.
It was a hot, humid, misty run tonight. I decided to shoot another monument that has caught my eye. From the path we run on she stands with her back to us. A haunting, heartbreaking presence.

August 8 - Day 20

Lily. My One & Only.

I've got two giant lilies in my front garden. They are this beautiful setting sun orange. I shot this after a rain shower. The smell of rain mixed with the lilies was heaven.

August 7 - Day 19

Peeping Dobson.

All the doors in my house are the originals. They've got the glass door knobs which I've been told are worth a pretty penny and keyholes. This is a shot of my bedroom through the keyhole of my bathroom door. The painting is a reproduction of a Harper's Bazaar Magazine Cover I got at Winners. Sometimes that store is just the best.

August 6 - Day 18

Ray.

Another bank day. A shot through the moon-roof of my VW in the BOM parking lot. I love the rays of sunshine shining through the clouds. The two buildings intersecting are the BOM building and the Avon Theatre.

August 5 - Day 17

Avon School.

If you've got an extra "mill" or two burning a whole in your pocket you could buy Avon School. This former public school has become a little derelict.

In grade 12 I did a stint here as a grade 1 helper for family class. It was when I decided that teaching was not on the top of my career list. I was in charge of the reading program. I had little patience for 6 year olds who couldn't get through a picture book. There was one interesting kid named Kevin who was obsessed with the letter "V". "My name's Kevin, there is a v in my name, I only want to read books with v's...like books on vacuums." Wonder what Kev's up to these days.

August 4 - Day 16

Mirror. Mirror.

My mainfloor closet has this old heavy, bevelled mirror attached to the door. I thought the double image and the lines from the door and door frame made this an interesting shot. I think this is right before I went for my run. 8 Km training.

August 3 - Day 15

Girl Detective.
How cool would it be to be a girl detective? In January of 2009 I went to a Tarot Card reader. She was a little bit of a nut bar. She spent the first 10 minutes of my reading talking to the neighbours dog through her kitchen window. At one point in my reading the topic of possible job changes came up...here's what she came up with:

• police detective
• architect
• forensics
• advertising
• film

Here's to you Nancy Drew!

August 2 - Day 14

P76 693.

Civic Holiday Monday. This is the shed at "The Farm" in Mount Forest. I'm out exploring and the last time I was here the door to this building was never opened, so now that it is I stop and take a peek and this photo. I don't venture far, because well as you can tell it's pretty packed. I wonder if the license plate belongs on the old truck covered by vegetation beside the shed.

August 1 - Day 13

Art.

This is the side of the Artist Co-Op building in Neustadt, Ontario. I'm here with Bri'Em and after a quick stop at the Neustadt brewery we strolled "One of Canada's Prettiest Villages" (Harrowsmith, April 2000). If you think they still use that accolade you're right, check out the town website. We stopped in at the Antique Market and Grumpy's Gift and Collectibles, where to the delight of Em, every old television available for sale was broadcasting an episode of Ghost Whisperer.

In Neustadt we also noticed a what I hope becomes a little diamond in the rough, the "Groceteria". I hope they don't dare not upgrade this grocery store/cafeteria hybrid.

July 31 - Day 12

Dinner.

Shrimp Ecstasy. Stir 1 TBSP water into 2 TSP cornstarch in medium bowl. Add Egg White fork beaten, 3/4 TSP salt, 1/2 TSP curry and 1/2 tsp granulated sugar. Stir. Add thawed, peeled and deveined shrimp. Stir. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Heat wok or large frying pan on med-high heat until very hot. Add 1 TBSP cooking oil. Add thinly sliced onion or scallion and thinly sliced bell pepper. Stir-fry 3 to 4 minutes or until tender crisp. Add shrimp mixture. Stir-fry for about 3 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with green onion. (copyright company's coming) I served this on a bed of quinoa.

Note: No need for company to make this, I had none.

July 30 - Day 11

Hang Me Out To Dry.

It's my lieu day and I'm doing laundry. I know. Wild Thing.

July 29 - Day 10

St. John's Wood.

Really? That just made me giggle. I work for a non profit community support service agency and our offices are located at Spruce Lodge. The scenery in this part of town is quite beautiful. We've got the Old Grove to the side of us and this conservation area to the back. I'm on my way to the bank today and just about to get in my car when I realize this photo opportunity exists.

July 28 - Day 9

Happy.

The red shoe post got me on a bit of an organizational frenzy/treasure hunt. While doing this I came upon some of my old baby photos. Look how happy I am in that photo! I'm not sure what it was I devoured but it sure did make my day! Beyond my happiness you may also notice my hair growth challenge. I was a very bald baby and when my hair did grow in not much came in on top and ringlets grew out the back, creating a mullet-esque 'do. Whenever I have a bad day I'm going to look at this photo and remember how easy it is to be happy, just smile. PS - those kitchen chairs rock my world.