December 30 - Day 164

Falstaff Family Centre.

Tonight was a nice night for a walk so I took a quick stroll through the neighbourhood. I decided to capture a shot of the Falstaff Family Centre before the Christmas lights were taken down. Years ago I took an evening yoga class at the centre and I remember how pretty and peaceful it was to have final relaxation with the lights in the room off basking in the soft glow of the Christmas lights.

December 29 - Day 163

Macro.

Today's shot was a practice in Macro function. It could also be a pomegranate opening for Dexter. Blood orange is good, but if you are looking for something a little less obvious...

December 28 - Day 162

R & R

Most of today was spent taking photos thanks to my brother's idea of a "Photo Challenge". After breakfast we trekked down Horseshoe Barn Road and took many a nature shot. After lunch we headed up the Cross Roads for some mountain views and farm shots. I have to admit I did get a couple of neat shots but then I thought, "What's more important, the shot that makes the photo of the day or those who were with you when you took it?"

December 27 - Day 161

Ahoy Mates!

We took the Ferry across Lake Champlain to Plattsburgh, NY today for some post-holiday shopping. It was a rather blustery day so most shots ended up looking like white fuzz. The snow also make it impossible for us to get a glimpse of "Champ", one of the most enduring mysteries of this short-lived Great Lake. Champ is apparently a giant aquatic animal, think Loch Ness, that makes the lake its home.

December 26 - Day 160

Boxing Day.

On the way home from "upstreet" (that's what we call it in VT) I noticed how pretty the sky was. Unfortunately by the time I got out to take a picture the pink colour had subsided by the blue and purple was still nice to look at.

December 25 - Day 159

Horseshoe Barn

This is Horseshoe Barn. It is beside my Nana's house. From the kitchen window you have a view of it. When I was younger the owner had sheep, now it's a vineyard which is cool because I like wine better than sheep.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, spent with those who mean most to you.

December 24 - Day 158

I'll be home for Christmas...

I've never spent a Christmas in Canada. Each year we head to my Nana's house in Vermont for the holiday. We got a late start this year leaving today around noon. This year I rode with my brother, sister in law and niece. Here she is during a quieter moment of the 8+ hour ride. We made it to Nana's and she made sure we had our traditional dinner of Seafood Chowder. We settled in for the night after setting out some milk and cookies for the big guy and begged the little one not to wake up at the crack of dawn.

December 23 - Day 157

All the world's a stage.

Back in the summer I stated a blog that originates in Stratford is not complete without a photo of a swan, I neglected to mention it also deserves a photo of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. For more than half a century this world reknown festival has created thought-provoking productions of Shakespeare's plays, examined plays from the classical repertoire and supported the development of Canadian theatre practitioners. Well-known actors who have graced the stage include William Shatner, Christopher Plummer, Brian Dennehy and Christopher Walken. How lucky am I to have this gem in my backyard? (Well not literally my backyard, but a 10 min walk)

December 22 - Day 156

Simple Sweet Potato Salad.

Quarter mushrooms and cut up sweet potato into approx 1 inch cubes. Toss mushrooms and sweet potatoes in olive oil, sea salt and cumin. Bake in preheated 425 oven for 30 min. Turn every 10 minutes. Arrange baby spinach or arugula on a plate. Top with mushrooms and sweet potatoes. Dress with herb salad dressing and goats cheese.

Adapted from everyday living.

December 21 - Day 155

You Like It...It Likes You.

It started out as Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda and was tested for more than 2 years, over 11 different formulas. The moniker eventually became 7UP and the Howdy Corporation in St. Louis MO. that created it became the Seven-Up company. Known for it's iconic "Uncola" branding of 1967...Hear No Cola, See No Cola, Drink Uncola..7up set itself apart from it's competition and became a part of a counter cultural that symbolized being true to yourself and challenging the status quo.

December 20 - Day 154

Sax-a-ma-phone!

Did you know Santa played the sax? What a talented guy he is: foreman of a toy factory, global navigator, sleigh mechanic, reindeer whisperer, child behaviour analyst (naughty versus nice specialty) and musician!

Christmas is in 5 days!!!

December 19 - Day 153

Girlfriend in a Coma.

I'm listening to The Smiths as I post today. Girlfriend in a coma was just playing, and as I can't think of a better title for this shot I'm just going to go with it. I mean to be in a coma is statue-like, so it's not that far of a stretch.

December 18 - Day 152

Ice Age.
A glimpse of some icicles from the stair landing window.

December 17 - Day 151

Broken.

At some point we've all felt like this window.

December 16 - Day 150

Giant Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies.

Attempt#2 - baking is a science, science and I we need some practice.

Preheat oven to 375.

Sift 2 1/4 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt together.

Cream 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar and zest of 1 lemon until very smooth. Add one egg and continue to beat until fluffy. Pour in dry ingredients and mix until just combined - you don't want to over mix.

Spread 1/3 cup of sugar onto a shallow plate. Form balls out of the cookie dough 2 inches in diameter and roll them through the sugar. Arrange on cookie sheet 4 inches apart - these spread!

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are just golden. The tops of the cookies should remain pale. Cool completely on the cooking sheets before removing to a plate.

Source: Design Sponge

December 15 - Day 149

Coraline.

Each year I have one or two themes to my Christmas wrapping. This is 2010's first theme, entitled Coraline, due of course, to the buttons. The paper is 100% recycled, for those of you who have may heard me rant about how I wasn't going to buy wrapping paper anymore blah, blah, blah. I was wrong. I will. I like to wrap.

December 14 - Day 148

Star Search.

A small class at yoga tonight, due to the icy roads and the craziness that is December. It was nice though, gave me a chance to really observe each student and offer some feedback.

December 13 - Day 147

Ride The Mushroom Wave.

This tag line would never have been approved by Don Draper. It's from the brown bag you find at the grocery store when you buy bulk mushrooms. That's where I found tonight's recipe for Mushroom & Shrimp Oriental. (Serves 4) Add 5 tsp cornstarch to 5 tsp water and stir to dissolve. Stir in 1/2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 cup vegetable broth. Set aside. Toss together 2 cups specialty mushrooms sliced, 1 lb shrimp, 1 medium onion chopped, 5 oz water chestnuts thinly sliced and 1 clove garlic minced. In a large skillet heat peanut oil. Add mushroom mixture and stir fry over high heat, 3 to 5 minutes, until shrimp turn pink. Lower heat to medium, add cornstarch mixture and stir until sauce is slightly thickened and transparent. I served this with soba noodles, rice is another option.

Deceber 12 - Day 146

In the garage.

I took this shot tonight after shoveling the driveway. I know, it's kind of a half-assed job but there are certain jobs that I usually half ass - snow removal and general lawn care to name two, but I figure there is no need to excel at either, 'cause one day the future husband will be in charge of both.

December 11 - Day 145

Family & Co.

I spent this afternoon in the holiday hustle and bustle so thought a shot of Family & Co's holiday window display would be fitting. Family & Co is a kid's heaven, and an adults nightmare this time of year...wait maybe a childless adults nightmare, there that's more fitting.

December 10 - Day 144

Biz Cards.

I had some downtime today so I decided to dabble in some business card design. I've debated leaving a card at each location I take a shot, but since I do a lot of shots outside that's like littering, and no one likes a litterbug!

December 9 - Day 143

Portrait Studio.

Today I was able to practice my people photo skills. Meet the ladies of EasyRide - I just happen to work with them and they just happened to need someone to take their photo for a holiday card. With 5 hot ladies like this my job wasn't too tough. We didn't have too long to take the shot - after all no one was manning the phones! Afterward I made their holiday card...a nice simple design on the outside and then SHAZAM...you open the card and there they are!

December 8 - Day 142

Snow day.

It seems like it has snowed almost everyday lately. After work I decided to look for inspiration by taking a snow stroll through the old grove.

December 7- Day 141

Round and round and round she goes.

It's Tuesday, so a studio shot! The ceiling fan, I took this lying on the floor before class, glad no one came in at this exact moment. Now it seems logical to have a photo like this, explaining it while taking the photo, a whole other story.

December 6 - Day 140

Les oignons.

5 lb bags of onions were on sale this week at the FB so I'm set for awhile. I had them out tonight to make veggie taco salad. Saute an onion and some garlic in olive oil, add one package of veggie ground round, 1 can of black beans, a package of taco seasoning (or a mix of chili powder, cumin and coriander) and a little water and cook until heated through. On a bed of arugula (or baby spinach) add the veggie mixture, some chopped tomatoes, chopped avocados, smushed multi grain tortillas, shredded mozzarella and some Catalina dressing.

December 5 - Day 139

Sweet Caps.

I took a trip to one of my favourite places today, the Antique Warehouse. This shot is of the Caporal Cigarette ad on the outside of the building. According to Cigarettespedia (?!) Caporal Cigarettes are one of the oldest cigarette brands, and still survives to this day in Canada. The brand was originally produced in New York by Kinney Bros. in 1878.

Sweet Caps. Add to the enjoyment!

December 4 - Day 138

5:55 pm.

Since it gets dark so early, I figured I should be practicing my night shots. I took this shot from Orr Dam today after seeing a matinee performance of Side by Side by Sondheim, featuring mother-son duo P & B - bravo!

December 3 - Day 137

Maximum 30.

Even though some of her lights are out, this angel was one of the better looking decorations to adorn the streetlights along the river.

December 2 - Day 136

Quinoa with Vegetables.

heat 2 TSP olive oil in large skillet over med-low heat. Add 1 med onion diced and 2 cloves minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 10 min. Raise heat to medium, and add one 28 ounce can diced tomatoes, 1 TBSP oregano, 1 zucchini quartered lengthwise and cut into 1/4 inch slices and 1/2 small eggplant cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Cook stirring occasionally until vegetables have softened, about 15 min. Add 1 small head of broccoli trimmed into florets at some point during those 15 mins, depending on how crisp you like your broccoli. After 15 minutes add your cooked quinoa and 2 TBSP of red wine vinegar. ~ Adapted from Wheat Berries with Vegetables by Martha Stewart Living

December 1 - Day 135

One of a kind.

Today was my annual trip to the One of a Kind show in Toronto. Such beautiful crafts and talented craftsmen and women. Here are some biz cards of some of my faves.

Joy Apparel - Tshirts with hand drawn photos of real people placed over your heart. Once you buy a shirt you are encouraged to upload a photo of yourself. Art with a message, it's about taking a stance against racism and discrimination and being an advocate for peace and equality.

Andrew King: an Ottawa-based animation artist whose work varies from contemporary landscapes to almost graphic cartoon style images.
Filou: handcrafted solid sterling silver and 24K gold vermeil jewelry created by Fiona Louie
of Vancouver. Signature styles include cut-out silhouettes.

Flakes Paperie: Stationery, wedding invitations and custom design. Adorable calendars. Ashley Coulson is the owner.

Mara Minuzzo: Self taught artist, but began as a sportswear designer, changed gears and then began designing and creating furniture and accessories for the home.

November 30 - Day 134

Rubbers.

These are my $7.00 rubber boots. I bought them in 2009 before I went to Vancouver. That's how I rationalized the purchase, I am going to Vancouver, it rains there so I should have boots. To tell you the truth I didn't wear them once on my trip, but they have come in handy for work in the yard and of course for rainy/slushy days. I chose to take the photo of them in one of the oldest looking parts of my house. The basement stairs, with it's panelled walls and 70's inspired vinyl floor.

November 29 - Day 133

Soba.

Tonight's dinner consisted of stir fried veggies and soba noodles. A variation of the bok choy stir fry I've featured on this blog. I love how soba noodles come all neat and portioned.