November 30 - Day 499

Xmas Vignette!
I moved the Christmas centrepiece to the old sewing machine this year as I have a hard time keeping Finn off the dining room table.   I've also put Santa in a lantern to protect him.  The wooden folks can fend for themselves, the jolly guy is top priority!
(Note:  When I came home from work today - December 1st - one member of the wooden family, a rocking horse not pictured, had already fallen prey to Finn.  Luckily he wasn't harmed, just catapulted across the room).

November 29 - Day 498

Mrs Dalloway.
Has bad taste in hats.

November 28 - Day 497

Slow & Steady.
The big tree is not up yet (and it's past American Thanksgiving!) but at least one of the ceramics is on display.  Stay tuned for decorating progress!

November 27 - Day 496

Faux Cran.
This year I'm behind!  Today I pull out the wreath and venture out to find a hook for it that won't deface my new front door.  Finn was intrigued and must have made a move when I wasn't looking, as I found a chewed up faux cranberry later on in the day.  Decorating this year will be interesting...

November 26 - Day 495

Girls Afternoon Out.
Coffee at Sputnik with C&C and their little ones, then off to do some downtown Christmas shopping!

November 25 - Day 494

What the?
It looks like Avon school has some new graffiti.  What these tags mean, I have no idea.  Maybe they mean nothing at all. 

November 24 - Day 493

Horseshoe
A vintage bottle.  A quick search of the Internet shows it's either a flask, a reproduction of a horseshoe bitters bottle or an aftershave.

November 23 - Day 492

Retro Caution.
While not as noticeable as modern day wet floor signs, it is so much more my style.

November 22 - Day 491

Oh My Darling.
Oh my darling, oh my darling, Clementine.

November 21 - Day 490

Christmas Cactus.
My boss gave me a Christmas Cactus for my birthday.  It's just full of buds and now it's starting to bloom.

November 20 - Day 489

Full Circle.
My first introduction to Hey Rosetta! was when they opened for Hawksley Workman at the London Music Hall a couple years back. Tonight they headline.  Full circle.  Incredible show.  Looking forward to the next one.

November 19 - Day 488

Green Vegetable Curry.
In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 TSP vegetable oil over med-high.  Add 3 TBSP green curry paste and cook, stirring until fragrant, 30 seconds.  Add sliced mushrooms, bok choy, 1 bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces and butternut squash cut into 1 inch pieces.  Cook 5 minutes.  Add one can of coconut milk and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and cook at a rapid simmer until squash is tender, 8 to 10 minutes.  Serve over quinoa or rice.  Adapted from Everyday Food.

November 18 - Day 487

Double Swan.
In Stratford these are the preferred hair pins.

November 17 - Day 486

Off The Table!
Hmmm... I don't recall putting a cat in my dining table centrepiece.

November 16 - Day 485

Best Birthday Card Ever!
Just like Rocky says, "Age Ain't Nothin'".
Hello 32.
(Thanks to Megs for this amazing card!)

November 15 - Day 484

Curb Appeal.
Huge thanks to my Dad for installing and painting my new front door this weekend!  Now to do something about the gold plated house numbers...

November 14 - Day 483

Sew Simple.
Oh, if only life were as simple as sewing is with Eunice Farmer.

November 13 - Day 482

Judge Harold T. Stone.
Shouldn't haved used "Night Court" as a title for day 55!

November 12 - Day 481

Paws.
Look at the size of those paws - and he's still a puppy! 

November 11 - Day 480

We Will Remember Them.
A reminder not to forget.

November 10 - Day 479

Before & After.
I'm re-upholstering two second hand chairs with some remnant fabric I bought during my recent trip to Ikea.

November 9 - Day 478

Shrimp With Spinach & Couscous
Prepare couscous according to package. Meanwhile heat two TBSP olive oil in a large skillet over med heat. Add 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced and cook until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add 5 ounces baby spinach (or arugula) and cook until just wilted, about 1 more minute. Combine the spinach and couscous in a large bowl, season with salt and pepper and toss gently. In the same skillet heat 1 TBSP oil over med-high heat, season shrimp with salt and pepper, then cook 2 minutes on each side. Serve over couscous with diced avocado and slices of lemon. Adapted from Real Simple.

November 8 - Day 477

Afternoon Tea.
Making a 3 o'clock cup of tea.

November 7 - Day 476

Signed, Sealed, Delivered.
I can understand why people collect stamps.  Tiny pieces of art.

November 6 - Day 475

Weekly Finn Photo.
He sees something and it's not his reflection, yet.

November 5 - Day 474

In The Waiting Line.
C, R & I do some shopping at Ikea today.  Here we are waiting in line for some lunch.  My first Ikea meal!

November 4 - Day 473

Frosty.
I'm caught red-handed by a co-worker this morning as I sneak in a shot on my way from the parking lot to the building.

November 3 - Day 472

One Pepper, Two Peppers, Three Peppers...
The harvest of my pepper plants.  A little too ripe but I'm afraid they won't make it outside.  Next year, plant earlier!

November 2 - Day 471

Toasted.
Toasting some pumpkin seeds to garnish my butternut squash and quinoa salad.  It's about the only time of the year that this salad gets this particular add-in.

November 1 - Day 470

Pumpkin Parade.
I stopped by the first (hopefully annual) Pumpkin Parade after yoga today.  This was a chance for Stratford and area residents to put their pumpkins on display for all to see.  There were a lot of pumpkins and the parade was well attended when I was there.  A great idea!!!

October 31 - Day 469

C'est L'Halloween!
Ready for some trick or treaters! 

October 30 - Day 468

Devil's Night.
It's about 4 pm here and I've just finished my first pumpkin.  It's my first attempt at actual carving and man it takes some getting used to.  The eyes had a lot more detail on the template, that I just could not carve.  I think I should have chosen something less intricate for my first at attempt.

October 29 - Day 467

Timber.
A fallen tree in the Old Grove.

October 28 - Day 466

Hunting Practice.
Finn loves to play on my bed and attack the duvet.  It's quite funny to watch him pounce and attack what he's convinced is living underneath it.  Here he is intently watching.  Ears aren't back yet so I'm safe.

October 27 - Day 465

Chocolate Pudding.
Puree (or mix) 3 avocados, 6 TBSP cocoa powder, 1/4 cup honey, 1 TSP pure vanilla until smooth.  Sprinkle with sea salt before serving.