March 31 - Day 255

Sweet Potato Veggie Shepherd's Pie.

Peel and chop 3 or 4 sweet potatoes. Place in boiling water and cook for about 15 minutes. Drain water, return potatoes to pot and add 2 TBSP butter and pepper, mash and set aside. Heat 1 TBSP oil on med heat, saute 1 shallot and 2 cloves minced garlic. Add 1 pkg veggie ground round. Heat through, add 1 TBSP flour and stir for about 1 minute. Add 1 cup vegetable broth. Bring to boil and add 1 can of corn. Place mixture in baking dish, top with sweet potatoes. Bake in 400 degree oven approx 15 minutes. Adapted from yvesveggie.com. Cooking Tunes ~ Metric, Fantasies.

March 30 - Day 254

Tea Party.

Photo Assignment #2 - Still Life. This is part of the tea set I bought on Saturday at the PAL (Performing Arts Lodge) Rummage Sale. Rummage, Garage, Swap, Church, Tag...I love buying other people's castaways.

March 29 - Day 253

Silhouette by Dobson

Does this shadow make me look fat?

March 28 - Day 252

Portobello Fajitas.

Brush portobellos with balsamic vinegar, sprinkle with chili powder, cumin and oregano. Let marinate for at least half an hour. Saute portobellos with sliced onion and red and yellow bell peppers. On a tortilla place baby spinach and arugula. Top with portobello mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Serve with sour cream and avocado. ~ Adapted from "Eat, Shrink & Be Merry".

Cooking Tunes: The Beatles ~ White Album

March 27 - Day 251

Faye.

A shot of the statue in front of Faye's Antiques in Sebringville. I haven't been in the store in awhile, but as you can tell from peering in the window, it looks to be filled to the brim, as usual.

March 26 - Day 250

Meet Marshall.

Meet Marshall, he's my new dog nephew. I was lucky enough to puppy sit him and babysit my human niece that night, I even brought along Nana to make a night of it. Not surprisingly before the parents left they informed me Marshall had had his dinner and just woke from his nap, so he should be good 'til they get back. No instructions for the niece.

March 25 - Day 249

Glazed Tofu.

Cut one block of tofu into slices about 1 inch thick. Press the water out of the slices, then cut them into 1 inch square cubes. In a plastic bag toss tofu cups with 1/4 cup of whole wheat flour until all the pieces have a thin coating. In a bowl mix together 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup light soy sauce and 3 cloves minced garlic. Set aside. In a frying pan warm 1 TBSP olive oil. In one layer brown the tofu. When it's browned, add the sauce and let it cook down so the tofu is thickly coated, 5 - 10 minutes. Serve over sauteed yellow and red peppers and basmati rice.

~ adapted from Design Sponge

March 24 - Day 248

Walking In A Winter Wonder What?

Today I took what I hope is my last winter stroll of the year through the old grove. I know I'm Canadian and I know it can snow in May, but I feel like a lot of us need a little "spring" in our step that only better weather can achieve!

March 23 - Day 247

Evergreens & Maple Leaf.

This is a view I can see from my office...well actually the windows are quite high so I don't get this full length effect - I had to go outside in Mother Nature's fury to get it, but actually she had blown off most her steam by this time.

March 22 - Day 246

Pump It 2.0
After a 2 week break I'm back at the studio starting a new session. It's a full class with faces old and new and everyone seems to be glad to be back - which makes me even happier to be back!

March 21 - Day 245

James @ Night.
If you remember I took a book out of the library on photography a couple weeks ago. I just finished the section on night shooting so I thought I'd save my photo/day until the evening. In the original shot the sky gave off more a red/orange vibe so I adjusted the saturation a bit to emphasize the yellow brick of the church.

March 20 - Day 244

Tangled.

I've seen several commercials lately for the upcoming DVD release of Tangled. When this movie first came out my niece informed me "If a bad guy ever gets in your house and your knives are in the dishwasher you can just hit him in the face with a frying pan" (referring to that promo clip of the movie) Being the smart mouth I am I replied, "I don't have a dishwasher" to which she retorted "well if they are in the dish rack then".

March 19 - Day 243

Poker Face.
Today's shot was really just one of opportunity. I had to stop by the LCBO to get some bevys for a poker game I was hosting tonight. This was taken from the corner of Wellington & St. Patrick. Now at this point of the day I had yet to learn how to play poker. By the end of the night I would. I would also learn I'm not very good at it, or am I? (Poker Face)

March 18 - Day 242

Thaw.

Now that most of the snow has melted I can venture back to the Avon School Yard. The "One Less Car" people have been here since my last vist. If you remember I posted a photo of their tag on Orr Dam in November. This is an abbreviated version.

March 17 - Day 241

Elmer.

Be vewy vewy quiet, I'm photogwaphing wabbits.

March 16 - Day 240

Spring is a Sprunging!

Look what I found when I took out the compost this afternoon! I had actually seen the first green sprouts last week, but after the snow last Friday I wasn't sure how they would fair. They look pretty good to me!

March 15 - Day 239

Black Bean & Quinoa Soup.

In a large pot heat 2 TBSP olive oil over medium heat and stir in 1 small chopped onion. Cook, stirring occasionally until onion softens, about 5 min. Stir in 3 cloves minced garlic and 2 diced carrots, cook another 3 minutes. Add in 1 TSP cumin, 2 TSP chili powder and 1 TSP oregano and stir to coat. Add 4 cups of vegetable broth, 1 can diced tomatoes and 1/2 cup quinoa. Bring everything to a boil, then cover and let simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in 1 can rinsed black beans and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until beans are heated through. ~ adapted from Whole Living

March 14 - Day 238

Switchman.

I visited the Rail yard tonight after dinner. Now that we are back in daylight savings time I can take a little extra time during the week to find that magical shot.

March 13 - Day 237

Catch-Up.

I was lucky enough to be able to grab coffee today with an old friend who I haven't seen in years. On my way home I stopped on York St for this shot.

March 12 - Day 236

St. Andrew's Church/St. Andrew St.

Some more experimentation with night shots. The wind and rain did not make the experience that enjoyable. Apparently St. Andrew's is the oldest congregation in Stratford with the church being built in 1839 and later destroyed and rebuilt in the Gothic style in 1911 to house a larger congregation.

(according to world web.com)

March 11 - Day 235

Balzac's.

Although I am a huge fan of sputnik sometimes I must cross over to the other side and visit the coffee shop of my youth - Balzac's - especially if I want a coffee after 5 pm. I sip a latte and read my latest book - Sophie's Choice. I picked it up at a used book sale last year, obviously have never read and have never seen the movie, and don't understand references to the choice. Soon I will. Oh, I wonder if 'Sputnik or Balzac's' could be a 'Sophie's Choice'?

March 10 - Day 234

Pop Art Self Portrait.

Today's constant stream of rain did not motivate me to travel far for today's photo. It's hard to believe that two days ago it was sunny blue skies, but I guess that is the power of rainy days in March, the ability to make you feel as if you hadn't seen the sun for weeks.

March 9 - Day 233

DIY Hipstamatic.

Well maybe, kinda, sort of. It does look a little bit vintage. I think I got this result due to the weather though...the combo of rain and sleet pouring down while I took this shot helped with the dull and slightly blurred feel. I took this shot while leaving the library, after checking out books on knitting, photography (maybe it'd be good to read a book about it) and positive thinking. What? I know it's funny, but also economical as I wouldn't pay for a book about positivity, but you can bet I'd check it out for free!

March 8 - Day 232

Sew, A Needle Pulling Thread.

This isn't exactly what you expect to see on a flashing light sign. Hotel, Motel, Restaurant, Girls! Girls! Girls!, maybe, not "Sewing Machines". It is eye-catching though. And it reminds me that I still haven't learned to sew.

March 7 - Day 231

Cooper.

Before demolition or salvaging of the main building at the Cooper Site begins, I figure I should get some shots. Now since I didn't enter the building I don't think I was ignoring the numerous "No Trespassing" signs, if I was, well aren't I a little bit of a rebel in the name of photography.

March 6 - Day 230

The 'Ville Mill.

Since I was visiting the parents for Sunday dinner I stopped in at the Sebringville Feed Mill. This is shot of the back of the building, as I figured the sure shot would be the Mill sign, and you should know by now I don't always gravitate toward the sure shot.

March 5 - Day 229

Fancy Cat.

Em and I are at the Antique Warehouse this afternoon. We're nearing the last aisle and it's not been a bountiful shop for me, which sometimes does happen, until I find this. Ha! I didn't buy it, but it made me laugh...a lot... and also pray I never become an old cat lady with a subscription to this magazine.

March 4 - Day 228

YogaCore.

I'm in London tonight for a YogaFit YogaCore training session. It's been over a year since my last training and I'm anxious to add some new arsenal to my yoga teaching. A strong core is an important aspect of any yoga practice - not just 'cause it looks good but to help strengthen the lower back, to help the body hold poses longer and beyond the mat; to assist in daily life activities. The core is also related to self confidence - the stronger the core, the stronger the sense of self. (This photo is from the York St. Parking lot beside Call the Office)

March 3 - Day 227

There's An Arc.

Its shadow makes two.

When C. lived in town this was the entrance to her apartment - well her actual door was opposite the view I'm giving you here. It's a neat little alcove.

March 2 - Day 226

27 Minute Running Coach.

I was fooled twice today. No 1. I thought sunshine might equal a little bit of warmth (can you tell I have spring fever?) not a face-freezing north wind. No. 2 since I haven't had any shin pain in over 2 weeks, I must be able to run again. No go. I was able to complete approx 9 minutes of running in intervals but I sounded like a herd of elephants and I felt some distinct pain in the leg afterward. But I guess you could say my two misconceptions did lead to a pretty cool photo of the day, if you are one of those "glass half full" people.

March 1 - Day 225

Goodness, Gracious.

Great bulbs of light at City Hall. PS - the bulbs could use a little interior dusting.

February 28 - Day 224

JL Bradshaw Ltd.

Located at the corner of Falstaff & Downie and founded in 1895, JL Bradshaw Ltd is one of Canada's oldest wholesalers of giftware, glassware, kitchenware, restaurantware and home decor.

February 27 - Day 223

The Wheels on The Bus..

Go round and round, round and round, round and round, except for weekends and evenings oh yeah, and most of the summer....

February 26 - Day 222

Markham St.

I'm in Toronto tonight to celebrate a friend's 30th. I took this on the walk home, after ending the night at Nirvana. It had been snowing most of the evening, and the snow on the trees was quite picturesque.