September 28 - Day 71

849 pm

What were you doing at approximately 849 on the night of September 28th? Taking this picture. I know, two clock photos in a row. Sue me, it's day 71.

September 27 - Day 70

Tick. Tock.

I received this antique clock with figurines last Christmas from Chet, my step-grandfather. They were his mothers and I was honoured to receive a gift that was passed down through his family. When I first set this up I was a little concerned as I would come home from work and notice the figurines had moved closer to the clock. After a couple days of thinking they might be "spirited" I realized every time the furnace kicked on (which is right below) they would shimmy a little bit. No case for a girl detective or scooby and the gang.

September 26 - Day 69

The Neighbours.

My neighbours planted a patch of these flowers (gerber daisies?) on their front lawn. They are gorgeous! I've been wanting to get a shot of them for weeks.

September 25 - Day 68

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Squash.

I was at Savour Stratford this weekend, working at the grocery check-in for an agency fundraiser. We were located in the farmer's market and this was the vendor across from us. It was a long day for me but nice to people-watch and I'll admit it did it make me sort of want to be one half of fashionably-sweater-clad-latte-sipping-golden retriever walking-couple.

September 24 - Day 67

Fall Fair.

It was the annual fall fair this weekend in Stratford. I took this shot from Burwell St. I am not a fan of Ferris wheels - I think I've been on one in my life - hate heights, hate the fact that the compartment rocks, I'm getting nauseous just thinking about it.

September 23 - Day 66

Perth Road 130

I love cornfields. When I was little the farmers grew corn in the field behind our house - during games of hide and seek someone was bound to pick the rows of corn as a hiding place. Didn't work as well when the farmers switched to soybeans.

September 22 - Day 65

Harvest Moon.

It was a harvest moon tonight. Raise your hand if you now have Neil Young's Harvet Moon in your head. Come a little bit closer Hear what I have to say Just like children sleepin' We could dream this night away

September 21 - Day 64

The many meanings of vice.
Vice is a practice or habit considered immoral, depraved or degrading in the associated society. In more minor usage vice can refer to a fault, defect, infirmity or merely a bad habit.
Law Enforcement: Depending on the country or jurisdiction vice crimes may or may not be treated as a separate category in the criminal codes. In the US the term is used to refer to crimes related to gambling, alcohol and drugs, as in Miami Vice.
Religion: The poet Dante Alighieri listed the following deadly seven vices: Vanity, Greed, Lust, Wrath, Gluttony, Envy, & Sloth, as in Seven starring Brad Pitt & Morgan Freeman.
Vice Magazine: Nefarious activity and enlightening information technology.
Vice Records: Music Label
Also sounds like vise, as in this bench vise found in my garage.

September 20 - Day 63

Hamilton Mausoleum.

This mausoleum is at the top of the steep cemetery hill. I decided to take a peek inside and noticed this beautiful stained glass. I got a few shots but thought this one was most interesting with the reflection of the trees behind me.

This Mausoleum was erected by Dr William Hamilton in memory of his parents and their family.

September 19 - Day 62

Terry Fox Run

This morning I participated in my first official 5k - The Terry Fox Run. It was a non-competitive run so I did not have the shotgun start or fancy timing chip but I did raise funds for an important cause! Thanks to all who pledged me! Unfortunately because the run was early in the morning I was not able to eat as much fettuccine as I ever have, but I did try to drink less water than I ever have.

September 18 - Day 61

Ye Old Grove.

I decided to take a little stroll in the old grove today. Unfortunately I went a little too late in the day and the lighting was not the best. Then it started to rain which was kind of nice due to the canopy created by the trees.

September 17 - Day 60

Dyno-mite!

Or firecracker, I can't remember the exact name of this annual I planted but I thought I should get a shot of it so I could reference for next's years front garden.

September 16 - Day 59

29 and feelin' fine...

It's Joel's 29th birthday and Bri-Em and I figure we should go to the DH to celebrate, after all Joel was responsible for the weekly thursday dh social mixer. It's too bad we didn't plan ahead - we could have done a satellite party, or Bri-Em could create this magnificent doppelganger...oh yeah, did I forget to mention Joel lives in Berlin? I arrive to the DH, shun my eyes so they can set him up and tada it's Joel - Megs arrive and we go to work taking shots to create a photo album for his birthday. Most DH customers don't blink twice when you are drinking with a melon. And that's why we like it.

September 15 - Day 58

Eggplant Mozza

Preheat oven to 450 with racks in upper and lower thirds. Arrange 1 large eggplant sliced 1/2 inch thick crosswise on two rimmed baking sheets. Brush eggplant on both sides with olive oil, and season with salt & pepper. Bake until golden brown and very tender, 20 to 25 min, turning slices and rotating sheets half way through. Meanwhile make sauce; Off heat in a medium saucepan whisk together 1/4 cup milk, 3 tablespoons flour and 2 cloves minced garlic. Gradually whisk in 3/4 cup milk and 1/2 cup good quality tomato sauce (I used roasted mushroom version). Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook until pink sauce has thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Spread a cup of marinara sauce in the bottowm of a shallow 2 quart baking dish. Alternate layers of baked eggplant with pink sauce. Dollop with marinara sauce. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup mozzarella and bake on upper rack until browned and bubbling, 10 to 15 min.

- adapted from Everyday Food

September 14 -Day 57

Writing On The Brick.

A brick on my house. Looks like Catherine. When I moved in Em went to the archives and collected info on my house. I just pulled out this info and Catherine Ryerson lived in this house from 1932 -1935 - her husband was William and he worked at Ryerson Leather Goods. This brick is right beside the front door. I wonder if it is actually 1932 Catherine??

September 13 - Day 56

Stop Looking At Me Swan.

No blog involving stratford is complete without a photo of a swan. Running group met tonight at the river so when your life hands you the river you take a picture of water fowl. How come I'm always interrupting bath time for the fowls?

September 12 - Day 55

Night Court.

It's Sunday night...well eve...and I intended to get some flower shots at the Shakespearean Gardens but instead I found myself drawn to the courthouse. I was at the courthouse a couple years ago - called for jury duty - fortunately did not have to serve. It's a grand old building.

Remember the show Night Court -I shouldn't have named this post that cause now the instrumental theme song is running through my head. Whatever happened to all the actors from that show - too embarrassed to do anything else afterwards?

September 11 - Day 54

Summer 1968.

One of my favourite events is the annual library book sale. You have to go pretty early and be defensive...book worms after a deal are really pushy people..but you can find lots of treasures; here's one of the ones I found last year. A Horizon Magazine of the Arts - Summer 1968 - Volume X, Number 3 - Hardcover - I actually got a stack of them and they are great to read and display as art. Each magazine has articles under the following types of headings: The environment, archaeology, Ideas, Art, Letters, History, Biography and Entertainments. The cover model for this edition is The Duchess of Alba - society's leading lady in 18th century Madrid painted by Francisco Goya, her lover of seven years. Goya's paintings after this were never so serene...you might remember some of his later work including Satan Devouring His Son and Courtyard with Lunatics.

September 10 - Day 53

Mail Call.

Crappy day at work so a 5:00 pm beer is called for. The Boarshead it is and an opportunity for a photo of one Canada Post's trusty mail trucks.

September 9 - Day 52

Rainbow Brite.

My morning routine is pretty well routine, as I am enjoying a bowl of oatmeal with almond milk, proteins + and berries while watching a snippet of Good Morning America (I don't have cable and ABC is one of the only channels I get) I look out my living room window and see this rainbow. I'm not really a rainbow type of girl. In fact I think this is the first photo I've ever taken of one. Maybe next week I'll catch a unicorn.

September 8 - Day 51

Travelling Boutique.

When your office is located in a long-term care facility sometimes you look out the window and see the Geri Fashions Travelling Boutique. It's travelling so automatically it's awesome...think of all the things that travel...travelling circus, travelling salesmen, travelling man, travelling wilburys...

September 7 - Day 50

Draper. Don Draper.
I finally finished season one of Mad Men tonight. Oh Don Draper, you handsome melancholy slime bucket ad genius.
Excited for Season 2 and 3 and 4....

September 6 - Day 49

Itsy Bitsy Spider.

More like freakin' huge! This guy spun a web (of lies, deceit, who knows..wait aren't lies and deceit the same thing?) outside my back door and almost scared the bejesus out of me on my way back in. I think he was a bit camera shy, I could only get a couple shots in before he got away, or perhaps the flash of the camera was giving him multiple seizures. Ewww he's so gross!

September 5 - Day 48

Clowning Cousins.
I'm in St Catherine's today for George & V's baptisms. After the event I catch this clowning around of George and her cousins. They are all wonderful kids. Oh and their grandpa he's kind of a big deal, as in Regatta World Champion big deal.

September 4 - Day 47

Bok Choy & Shrimp.
In a bowl blend one cup of vegetable broth, 2 TBSP low sodium sauce, and 2 TSP cornstarch.
In large nonstick skillet heat 1 TBSP oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp. Season with sea salt and stirfry 4 minutes or until shrimp is cooked through. Remove to a plate and keep warm. Add another TBSP of oil and stir fry chopped bok choy and quatered cremini mushrooms for about 5 minutes. Add broth mixture and bring to a simmer. Add shrimp, cook until heated through, about one minute. Serve over quinoa, noodles, rice or as is.
Adapted from tastebook.com

September 3 - Day 46

Chien Noir.

It was Meg's bday yesterday so we are in Bayfield tonight with Bri-Em for a birthday dinner at the black dog. We didn't make reservations so were put on the patio, which wasn't bad even though it was a tad windy. There was a very autumnal feel to the evening - I dare say spooky and halloween'ish. We had a great dinner and lots of laughs a ridiculous amount of laughs actually! A good night indeed!

September 2 - Day 45

Crappy Zoom.

My camera's zoom is not the best as you can tell from this grainy blackmail quality photo. This was taken through my back door. This cat is a frequent visitor to my backyard. She usually hangs out in this tree - starring at squirrels or using it as a scratching post. This morning there was a squirrel about 3 feet above her - they were locked in a stare-down for a good few minutes, then something spooked them both and they were gone.

September 1 - Day 44

Temperature-wise.

We are riding another heat wave. I am hot. hot. heat - oh got tickets for the hey rosetta/hot hot heat show in October. Can't wait!

Aug 31 - Day 43

Well said, Journey.

I just finished these 3 paintings last night for friends who recently became new parents. Don't stop believing really is a testament for this couple. When you really want something you should never stop believing it won't happen for you and even though you may want it right this second, a little patience pays off in the long run, for amazing people, things, situations are really worth the wait.