Doodling

Yup, that doodling that I do while at boring meetings, or during some phone calls helps. Research has demonstrated that doodling helps keep our mind focused during difficult situations. Now, if only I could draw wonderful creations there would be another bonus to this.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7912671.stm

Buttons

For those of you who sew like me and have a sewing basket with a container full of buttons, here is a solution that might not take too much time and work:








http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/button-napkin-rings?lnc=bf89cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&rsc=cf_link&comments_page=1&rsc=comments_more


I do enjoy seeing what Martha will come up with next.
My sewing basket has many gems and sometimes, I do wonder if I will ever come up with ideas that will be viable and usable. Have fun with this.

Desserts

While I wait for heat to be turned on, I am going to catch up on my computing. Not sure if anyone missed my entries last week but here, I have completed two in a morning. Might even have more!

Last week, I went to Dessert Trends www.DessertTrends.ca with a friend and I must say that it is worth the visit. Dessert Trends at 154 Harbord Street is definitely a place to have a patisserie, get an event catered or a wedding cake. (We have been invited to a wedding this summer but it is not in Toronto so I will not recommend Dessert Trends for this particular wedding.)

The residents of Toronto know how to enjoy themselves and eating is one of life's pleasures. Visit Dessert Trends when you have a chance. Close to the Harbord bakery where you can pick up bagels at the same time. (mentioned the bakery awhile ago)

Yarn

Last week, while up north with Michael who is now busy consulting as well as working his regular job, I had time to explore. At the least the second day. The first evening, we arrived at 2:30 a.m.: yes you read correctly. We drove north at 11 p.m. (after orchestra and Michael's arrival home from Dallas) and this was during a snow storm and in the dark. It will be heavenly to return in a couple weeks and do the drive on an afternoon and arrive about 2:30 p.m. The first day, I woke up at 10:30 a.m., had a leisurely shower and managed to be dressed and ready for an early lunch by 11:30- now that's life.
On the second day, I got up a little earlier and after a relaxed breakfast, packed and checked out by 11 a.m. After, I checked e-mails before heading out to drive and explore. I also know where the public facilities in the hotel are and they are very nice.
One of the places that I found was Sheep Strings, a yarn store in Dwight. If you are a knitter and in the area, definitely worth a visit. The website for the place is www.sheepstrings.com.
Happy exploring and knitting.

Hi

My goodness, it has been over a week since I posted. I know how a friend elsewhere feels about not getting to the blog. Life is getting in the way and I have a number of responsibilities that I will not discuss right now that are taking priority. Don't know if having time for the blog means that I have time on my hands. Something to ponder.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do that the ones that did do." Mark Twain.
(Wonder if that applies to housework?)

"Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you you are wrong. there are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to the end, require some of the same courage which a soldier needs. "
Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Thoughts from the Perkolator- picked up in Muskoka last week. I was there for two days. )

Bruno Torf

Just as I was about to head to my music room to practise, I saw an e-mail from my aunt and it mentioned Bruno Torf and the fact that his art work had been damaged by the fire's in Australia. It is hard for us to picture and imagine what is happening in Australia as we deal with snow and now unusually warm weather- 1 degree above freezing. Those two degrees make all the difference between snow and ice on the ground and things continuing to melt. Hard to believe that we had many inches of snow on the ground just a short time ago. This is all easier to deal with than the destructive fires of Australia. We read about numbers of people killed and the destruction. It is all hard to believe at this distance. It is also hard to believe that so much beauty is being destroyed at the same time. I really hope that people have not helped this fire spread.

Enjoy Torf's work: http://www.brunosart.com/index.htm

Remember that people are creating beauty despite the destruction in the world.

Family Day!?!

Did you know that today was Family Day? Well you did as long as you are not a federal employee or live in certain provinces. Mail was delivered today and that is remarkable on a holiday when banks were closed. Interesting since Canadian banks are actually federal institutions. I don't begrudge them the holiday just find it interesting.
If you would like more information about this day, read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Day.
Happy Family Day!?!

Stephen Wiltshire

If you want to be humbled in terms of your ability to observe the world around you, watch a show entitled "The Human Camera" about Stephen Wiltshire. an autistic savant, and his ability to draw the world around him. This show also demonstrates how he has learned to cope with the world that he works in as an artist. http://www.stephenwiltshire.co.uk/documentaries.aspx. TVO ran the show tonight and instead of practising which I need to do, I watched this show with fascination. Stephen Wiltshire is one of about 100 savants who are known to researchers and others in the world. His special talent is art, some of the others are talented musically or mathematically. Watching this show about Stephen was fascinating as it demonstrated his skills as an artist and how he has grown as an artist and developed other skills in order to cope with the demands of the world.
Definitely worth watching.

Hats-Stephen Jones

Those people who know me, know that I love hats. Partly because I need to protect my head from the sun and also because they are fun. I just looked outside and the sky is a brilliant blue. Definitely, a good day for a hat. Just have to decide what I am wearing. Probably one of my simple berets. There are days when I crave more.

This morning, I found a hat designer whose designs I wish I could afford- maybe his creation will provide a reason to keep working hard. Stephen Jones (http://www.vam.ac.uk/microsites/hats-anthology/)has an exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. His hats are wonderful.

I know that some people worry about hat head but it is worth it in the end, or at least that is what I believe.

Enjoy hats and other accessories.

Martha Stewart and the kitchen

Finally, I am trying to create the illusion that I know how to organize.

Outside the house, I am very good and am able to organize events and concerts among other things but the house is another story. For some reason, things are now out of control. Thank goodness, there are areas of the house that maintain the illusion that things are good and I am starting to clear up. Martha Stewart is helping. http://www.marthastewart.com/article/golden-rules-of-kitchen-organization?xsc=eml_org_2009_02_12 The kitchen is the next area to attack. I will photograph things when I get things all in their place. Wow, wouldn't it be nice to have everything in its place and nice and tidy. That is the goal!
I will post when things are in order, that is a promise.

Ajax waterfront park

Yesterday, Anita and I took one of our many walks on the waterfront.http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/hello_waterfront_trail.htm The area of choice was the waterfront in Ajax. It is wonderful that there are people who have managed to save some of the waterfront for people to enjoy. Ajax is one of the delightful places that has a beautiful waterfront. We had a wonderful walk which did not seem very long as we walked, took pictures for my photo cards and had exercise. It was a lovely day and the weather Gods were on our side. Today, the weather people are talking about freezing rain not good for a long drive. Who knew that we would be out on such a lovely day.

If you are looking for a chance to explore the outdoors. I recommend finding the Lake path and hiking for a bit. Oshawa's is also lovely and we will return there in nicer weather.

Good News Toronto

Looking for good news about Toronto?!? If that is the case, pick up a copy of Good News Toronto, Our Everyday Heroes. Published and edited by Eva Karpati, this publication promotes the good in Toronto. So if you are looking for information about events that focus on the negative this publication is not for you. If you want to be reminded that there are good people and good things happening, check it out.
www. goodnewstoronto.ca or send information to info@goodnewstoronto.ca or
call 416-661-2556.
Always nice to see a different perspective on the city and some of its events.

Anniversary

This Saturday, we finally found the time to celebrate our 35th anniversary! Where has the time gone? I can still remember the wedding day and celebration, January 26- 25 years ago. None of the major celebration of today's weddings which seem to involve many people and very expensive meals and decor. Hopefully, those weddings will last as well.

Michael and I went to Via Allegro, http://www.tasteto.com/2008/07/16/molto-via-allegro/ a fine establishment in the west end of the city across from Sherway Gardens which I have never visited. Maybe, it is time that I did. One of these days, I will try to become fonder of malls and strip malls. The eating establishment that we visited for our celebratory dinner was Via Allegro which you have already discovered if you checked the website above. It was interesting- situated between a Staples and UPS store. The restaurant has worked with the unusual space and managed to put tables and chairs in the many nooks created by the juxtaposition of the other two stores.

We had a lovely meal, the most expensive part was the two glasses of scotch at the end of the meal. After ordering two scotches ( I sipped the one that he did not find as favourable), Michael was able to compare two kinds of scotch. I must admit, that I did not mind having a small amount and would not have wanted more. That's okay since Scotch is a sipping liquor and sip we did. Via Allegro is worthy of a visit but so far Michael and I have decided that we are good cooks. Guess, that I will bring out more of the recipes and cook books and get ready for Valentines.

Suggestions?! ?

Snow

Later, today, I am going to photograph this snow that we are having.
Where have these winters been the past few years? I am grateful that the snow was limited the past few years. It was rare that anything was cancelled. Now, I am looking outside and I will not be surprised if events scheduled for this evening are cancelled.
I am off to an Open House at a radio station. I will post information about it after the event. Will let you know if the transportation was a problem.
Wish me luck.