Dill and Parsley

vegetarian cafe

2012-01-21T11:47:00.000-05:00

steamy windows

cosy decor

this

vegetarian

cafe

adopted the

name of a

previous business

long gone,

when was the

last time

anything cost

5 cents?

i chose the

organic spelt

belgian waffles,

my companion

had a generous

huevos yelapa.

both very good.

a great little place

to enjoy veggie

food

and escape the

cold.

canadian blankets

2012-01-18T09:15:00.001-05:00

the blankets arrived in
the post
just after christmas,
canadian made
woollen blankets
all the way from
beautiful prince edward island.
macausland's is a small
woollen mill that has been
making blankets since the
1800's. i love my blanket
(i am wrapped in one as
i write). there are many
colours to chose from,
we decided on black tweed.
now i want to order some
throws, but what colour?

is it winter?

2012-01-13T09:10:00.000-05:00

this morning,
the view from
my window,
after days
of springlike
temperatures
has winter
come to
stay?

airport

2012-01-10T11:15:00.000-05:00

early in the

morning

on the highway

to the airport,

regrettably

i was not

the traveller,

the moon

hovered on

the horizon.

the new year

2012-01-04T09:51:00.000-05:00

an unexpected start

to the new year,
a family medical
emergency.
thankfully
all is well.

celebrating

2011-12-31T09:45:00.001-05:00

christmas was celebrated,

candles burning low,

cakes, clementines and

chocolates consumed,

the tree glowingly

present,

and now

to welcome

a new year.

happy new year!

see you in

2012.

happy christmas

2011-12-24T08:57:00.000-05:00

the tree has been
brought into the
house
and is
ready
for decorating.
wishing everyone
a
happy christmas.

christmas market

2011-12-17T08:55:00.012-05:00

we went to the

christmas market

at the

distillery district,

a perfect setting.

there was a beer garden

booths with

products of many

kinds,

a giant christmas tree,

entertainment, dancers

and a choir singing,

captive reindeer,

cries of petrified

children from

the santa enclosure.

still no snow

here.

sunday

2011-12-11T23:12:00.005-05:00

clear sky

chill in the air,

bricks

and sticks

the pond

surface.

friday

2011-12-09T11:23:00.003-05:00

have a sweet weekend

in the kitchen

2011-12-07T08:50:00.004-05:00

i have been busy in the kitchen,

the other day i finished making

the christmas pudding

(later than planned again)

and baked for the first time

a dundee cake.

they can be left for up to 3

months for the flavour

to improve, i am not that

patient to wait that

long, new year's day

maybe?

december

2011-12-01T07:26:00.004-05:00

dark december,

lights on,

candles lit,

the wait

begins.

snow report

2011-11-30T11:50:00.003-05:00

snow is falling.

the month of

november?

poof!

gone.

friday postcard

2011-11-18T10:34:00.002-05:00

dancing

2011-11-17T13:27:00.005-05:00

dancing

at the dance

studio.

listen to dance the night away

a long november afternoon

2011-11-15T15:13:00.017-05:00

november has been

mild,

enjoy these days like

a gift,

out of the house

to a busy cafe

for italian water

and an eggplant

parmigiana sandwich

(not very parmigiana)

with a smattering of

olives and beans,

a walk

through a familiar

neighbourhood

(come along and we

will stop for coffee).

the leaves have fallen

from the trees,

ready for raking

and raking and

endless raking.

current soundtrack autumn leaves

or even better les feuilles morte.

christmas craft sale

2011-11-12T14:12:00.013-05:00

'tis the christmas craft sale

season

at neighbourhood churches

around the city.

a queue of shoppers

at the church hall door

eager for

sweets, home baking,

knitting, crafts and

christmas decorations,

or baubles for special

occasions,

there is always a

crowd around the

snack bar window

enticed by the

delicious aromas.

yes, i did not resist

temptation,

and brought home

a jolly quartet

of gingerbread

lads.

lunch break

2011-11-06T10:22:00.009-05:00

i always enjoy

a cafe

cleverly done in

that decrepit

vintage playroom

style,

even more so

when the

food is

good.

my brie with pear chutney

and walnut sandwich

was most satisfying

and my

companion's

ban bagnat

was very good.

friday

2011-11-04T07:53:00.004-04:00

walking by the

foaming waters

at the weir,

contemplating

the

buttercup squash

destined

for dinner.

a good weekend to all

the messenger

2011-10-31T07:38:00.005-04:00

the messenger

at the winnipeg art gallery

is a retrospective of

the well known

canadian artist william kurelek.

i was familiar with his work

depicting canadian prairie life.

this was the first time i had

seen broader examples of

his work.

this is an impressive and

at moments disturbing and thought

provoking exhibition.

i look forward to seeing it

again closer to home

in hamilton, a nearby

city.

more information on this exhibit here.

the winnipeg art gallery site here

friday postcard

2011-10-28T06:56:00.002-04:00

happy weekend

balloon

2011-10-26T09:50:00.007-04:00

whew

legislative building

2011-10-18T15:47:00.015-04:00

when in winnipeg the legislative building

is a must see. the interior is beautiful.

i enjoyed walking around

and being in this almost magical space.

the bison are truly impressive.

more information can be found here.

signs and bison

2011-10-15T15:58:00.008-04:00

on display an orange caboose from the

early 1900's with a once familiar logo,

caboose is such a friendly word,

i didn't book a room at the woodbine,

found the place where nuts and

candies are made,

portage and main, that famous

intersection one hears about,

has concrete barriers and

an underground pedestrian

walkway, traffic seemed safer.

a green hat at an angle.

bison, they used to roam

freely, now carved in stone.

sunset

2011-10-12T19:58:00.006-04:00

a winnipeg

sunset,

and

goodnight...

night out

2011-10-12T15:09:00.009-04:00

this wonderful tapas bar

was an excellent way to

start a winnipeg visit.

the food was so good

that i only managed

to record

the olives at the beginning

and the cortado

with the

last of the divine

churros

at the end.

away

2011-10-09T12:02:00.010-04:00

it is thanksgiving weekend here,

and i am away,

in winnipeg, manitoba,

my first visit to this city

and province. i so like the

bison on the flag. the trees

are golden and the sky is

big.

happy thanksgiving.

two chairs

2011-10-06T06:05:00.004-04:00

two chairs

side by side,

as soon as i saw

them the song

stayed with me

all day long.

have a listen to

this version from

an old movie.

friday postcard

2011-09-30T07:35:00.002-04:00

wishing everyone a good weekend

paper cup

2011-09-27T13:10:00.005-04:00

a bleak cafe

where the music

battled with

the loud appliances

and the

cappuccino

was

served in

a paper cup.

welcome autumn

2011-09-23T14:08:00.009-04:00

the changes can be seen

and felt,

the days are shorter,

air crisper,

rain seems wetter,

the swans are

nastier.

autumn arrived in

a bit of a mood.

it is pouring

rain now.

i am listening

to this version

september song

welcome autumn.

tea and a book

2011-09-22T14:28:00.003-04:00

this book caught my

attention at the library.

a fascinating glimpse

into a different

art world of great discoveries,

meticulous research,

amazing restorations,

fakes and high prices

for paintings!

the author has an

interesting site here.

100 years

2011-09-18T20:58:00.009-04:00

a better day could not

have been wished for

to celebrate 100

years of the

knesseth israel synagogue

in the junction.

a street party was held

with tours of the synagogue.

there were games, activities

for children and

a deli truck offering

food.

a choir of university

students and a klezmer band

provided music.

i could not

resist the cookies.

saturday at the market

2011-09-10T14:47:00.010-04:00

a brilliant sunny saturday

afternoon at the

market,

the stalls were

overflowing

with colourful

local produce.

so many fruits

and vegetables

to chose from.

as always we

came home with

too much.

now the feast.

enjoying

2011-09-07T14:29:00.005-04:00

in today's mail

the anthropologie catalogue

arrived.

i enjoyed the photos,

especially the cute couple

with the chicken.

the fashions and accessories

were very nice.

but now i find

myself dreaming

of a wooden cabin

in the country

with chickens, goats

and horses.

september

2011-09-05T19:24:00.007-04:00

a cool holiday

monday,

clouds over

the lake,

brisk breezes.

i hope

september

will be a better

month

than august.

vivid

2011-08-13T14:52:00.009-04:00

a-1 vivid colours on

a garage,

mosaic doors revisited,

i like that the right door handle

has faded,

senhor da pedra festival

was celebrated,

a barbie congregation

in a window silently

looked out,

iced tea to keep

cool,

speaking of cool,

evening breezes

are hinting that

september is hovering

in the shadows.

pizza

2011-08-09T11:29:00.008-04:00

an evening excursion

to the suburbs.

we enjoyed

artisanal pizzas,

at a very good

restaurant.

not much of

a view though.

a night out

2011-08-06T09:37:00.005-04:00

a summer

night

out.

industry

2011-08-01T09:00:00.005-04:00

industry,

still active,

a rare sight these

days.

august heat,

summer

continues,

enjoy.

summer in the city

2011-07-17T11:13:00.009-04:00

on a bright hot summer day

wandering about

the city

to see what one

can see,

arrows, angels

abandoned shops,

tree lined streets

and taking

shelter under an

umbrella at a

cafe.

the sky in july

2011-07-15T10:19:00.011-04:00

the colour of the sky is what i enjoy most about the month

of july, hot sunny days are perfect for window shopping

and stopping in at a deco style diner to quench

our thirst and indulge in a substantial sandwich.

enjoy your summer weekend!

3 photos

2011-07-12T11:35:00.006-04:00

so many summer distractions,

3 photos today,

an old bicycle, the garage needs

clearing,

lilies are out in full orange

splendour,

a freshly bathed miss m looking

worried.

her nose is getting darker

in the sun.

munching beetle

2011-07-10T16:03:00.003-04:00

a yet unidentified

beetle

systematically consuming

an asiatic lily.

july in the garden

2011-07-08T08:26:00.005-04:00

the clematis wandered

into the rose of sharon,

hosta leaves

not yet

eaten,

the sedum

upright and green.

a good weekend to all!

a celebration

2011-07-02T10:40:00.021-04:00

a fine canada day

celebration

it started

with the sunset

on the highway

then to the midway

with the usual cast of

characters

and fine foods

a stage show

with the wonderful

jann arden singing

an explosion of fire works

hurray!

all good things

end

and then the

road home

canada day

2011-07-01T18:02:00.002-04:00

wishing a happy canada day

to those celebrating,

a happy weekend to all!

house of horror

2011-06-30T11:36:00.010-04:00

under the red and black

umbrella

across from a

house of horror

cool water

was poured

veggie wraps

consumed.

above

a summer blue

sky decorated

with wispy

white clouds,

sheer delight.

smelling roses and other activities

2011-06-28T08:34:00.016-04:00

summer is in full swing,

i enjoyed the shade of the magnolia

tree

and stopped to smell the roses in

my mother's garden,

come closer and inhale their sweet scent.

the neighbour's cat in the grass is looking

pleased, after giving me a not so friendly

chomp.

then the weekly visit

to the market in the park to

see what is available.

this year there are more city based growers

offering lettuces, arugula, garlic scapes

and radishes.

don't the strawberries look enticing?

sadly they were bitter and mushy,

a wet spring.

new to me are the blue longish

berries known as honey berries or haskaps.

in the end i brought home some delicious

goat cheese cheddar, baby kale and a

cosmic salad blend, out of this world.

summer continues...

green and local coffee?

2011-06-26T09:07:00.002-04:00

our trusty but ancient electric coffee grinder

has reached its final days,

the decision was made to purchase a

hand operated model,

advantages: early morning exercise and

no loud noises. the coffee plant

that i have been nurturing does not

look like a harvest is imminent,

and i do wonder how many more

plants would be needed for a cup

of home grown coffee.

back to work

2011-06-23T08:57:00.003-04:00

back to work

on the sketchbook project,

many pages to go,

the studio

beckons.

late afternoon

2011-06-22T08:17:00.011-04:00

seeing the

red umbrella,

then

a yellow cup

on a wall,

only meant

one thing,

time for

a coffee break.

easing into summer

2011-06-21T07:00:00.007-04:00

warm weather,

colourful flowering shrubs

grape leaves offering shade,

miss m in play drive

ferns lush and vividly green,

the old wicker chair

placed in a cool spot,

ready.

happy summer solstice!

goodbye and yerba mate

2011-06-20T08:23:00.008-04:00

the last view of argentina from the air,

it was an emotional departure,

buenos aires is a fascinating city,

i didn't take many photos

being in the moment seemed

more important.

one thing i didn't have was

yerba mate an herbal tea drink

popular in south america.

no matter,

upon returning home

a visit to el almacen

remedied that.

the tea is served in a gourd

and sipped through a

stainless steel straw.

yes that is an alfajor

at the edge of the photo.

chau.

1.3 km

2011-06-19T17:19:00.014-04:00

apparently it is 1.3km between the national congress

to the casa rosada along the avenida de mayo.

this is a good hike, considering that i must have

taste tested every flavour and type of alfajores

made in argentina. the casa rosada faces the

plaza de mayo and across the way is the

cabildo now a museum. when i was there

a group of protesters were staging a demonstration

that headed toward the courtyard of the

cabildo. throughout the city there seems to

be no shortage of statues of men on horses.

tea and a dark restaurant

2011-06-18T15:36:00.009-04:00

tea at the alvear palace hotel

is a splendid way to spend a rainy

afternoon.

in luxurious surroundings

tea is served beautifully

by white gloved staff.

after tea, truffles are

brought to the table, and

a pastry trolley

arrives for us to select

a pastry to take home.

the very dark restaurant

we had an excellent

dinner

followed by a

spectacular

pastry party!

it was so good

i could have

consumed the

entire platter.

buildings, sidewalks and dogs

2011-06-18T08:19:00.012-04:00

while walking along

it is tempting to

always look up

to observe all the

interesting building

details,

due to the treacherous

sidewalk conditions

it proved a bit

challenging.

it seemed that every where

one went there

were dog walkers

or dogs tethered

to a railing waiting,

many strays could

be seen wandering

about,

the last fellow, having

a good scratch

seemed to live

near the casa rosada.

(clearly i was missing

miss m)

fruit and tables

2011-06-14T07:46:00.005-04:00

little fruit and vegetable shops

can be found on every block,

in the last photo, the decorative

meat hanging around the walls

struck an odd note in a

restaurant specializing in

fish dishes.

tango

2011-06-13T14:14:00.008-04:00

from all over the world

people travel here

to experience tango,

whether to see the shows,

take lessons, or

dance in the milongas.

a few glimpses

of a milonga

where the dancing

was elegant,

the music classic,

and as i

enjoyed my

glass of vino tinto

a novella unfolded

before me.

recoleta cemetery

2011-06-12T14:12:00.011-04:00

la recoleta cemetery

is a very busy

place,

many cats,

workers, visitors,

students, guards

and even a mourner

here and there.

flowers and notes

are still being

left at evita peron's

tomb.

more information

on the cemetery here.

walking around

2011-06-10T17:30:00.006-04:00

what i enjoyed the most

was to walk and explore

without a specific

destination.

botanical garden

2011-06-09T16:42:00.005-04:00

a welcome oasis of green in a busy city.

information here.

wall art and the black cat

2011-06-07T13:30:00.012-04:00

buenos aires has significant examples of graffiti art,

tours can be booked here. these are a few random

images i managed to snap while dashing about getting lost.

the el gato negro is another cafe that has not changed

since it opened. it is a delightful place to stop in for

coffee or a sandwich, spices can be purchased as well.

i liked the canisters with the black cat logo. more

information can be found here in spanish.

art

2011-06-06T13:25:00.013-04:00

my stay coincided with the

20th annual arteba, the largest

art exhibition in latin america.

it was a great opportunity to see

contemporary latin american

art under one roof.

more information can be found here.

i also visited the malba, an impressive

modern building with a small but

interesting collection. information

here.

floralis generica

2011-06-05T09:24:00.006-04:00

floralis generica

clouds

and autumn leaves.

bingo

2011-06-04T12:47:00.007-04:00

a bingo hall

and other

random photos

around the city.

flags were seen

everywhere for

the national holiday

on may 25.

2 confiterias and a cafe

2011-06-03T14:03:00.016-04:00

buenos aires has quite a number of bar notables

that have kept their original character. i managed to

visit a few. confiteria ideal has tango classes and

shows, the cafe was rather quiet when i looked in,

photography was not allowed. cafe tortoni was a

welcome break from the hectic street life, with an attentive

staff. las violetas was my first introduction to the

addictive breakfast of medialunas and cafe con leche

often accompanied by freshly squeezed orange juice.

first day

2011-06-01T16:03:00.007-04:00

clouds and rain greeted me on the first afternoon

in bueno aires, my spirits were not dampened,

i was instantly caught up with the fast pace of this fascinating

city, crossing wide avenidas, making my way at a

breakneck speed along the crowded and treacherous

sidewalks (getting lost became a major pastime).

taking photographs proved impractical, i loved

every moment of my stay.

the view from above

2011-05-31T14:32:00.006-04:00

if the plane

had turned around

and flew back

to where we

started from,

it would have

been enough

just to see

this spectacular

landscape.

flying

2011-05-17T11:59:00.003-04:00

flying by jet plane

to a distant land.

will post again

in june.

till then

all the best.

lunch at luna

2011-05-16T17:24:00.011-04:00

it was one of those places

that i often walked by and admired,

thinking, i should go there someday.

the other day we did go in for lunch.

located in what was once a corner store

that sold vegetables, coca cola and pepsi

this cafe wins top rating for character and

ambiance. it was pleasantly busy,

with bustling neighbourhood activity outside.

we enjoyed our vegetarian wraps that

were delicious and satisfying. i look

forward to my next visit.

a bit enthusiastic with the photos,

what can i say, i liked the place.