Paint Party Friday - Stormy Weather

We are in the deep freeze here in the Toronto area, with wind chill warnings last night to -30C (-22F).  Hard to believe we are almost into March.  They were saying it is usually around 1C (34F) at this time of year.

This piece is done in my art journal (5"h x 7"w) in watercolour pencils. It's called 'Stormy Weather', inspired by a photo I saw in the newspaper. The boat is modelled after a little boat model I have at home. Happy PPF!

Cuba for Reading Week

Cuban Cigars

Daughter L was in Cuba with 9 friends for their reading week break which just ended this past weekend. They had a fabulous time at the Roc Arenas Doradas resort in Veradero. Apparently the food wasn't very good but the resort was spotless, composed of small, beautiful villas. The service was excellent, the staff was very hospitable. The beach was gorgeous as was the perfect weather. They did get a lot of mosquito bites in the evening.  Cuba is a poor country, so they can't be blamed for the food.  It is an all-inclusive resort and you will likely get better food at the pricier all-inclusives, but the place was perfect for students.  They even took the bus into the town of Veradero to do some shopping.  She said one of the best things was when a worker would climb up the coconut trees and give them fresh cut coconuts every day.  They came home with lots of bottles of free rum won from playing games.

L had come home a few days before the week long trip to pack and get ready.  On their return from Cuba in the wee hours of Sunday morning, husband M and son K picked her and 3 friends up at the  airport.  The group drove back to school later that day after some rest.   It was great to see L and hear all about their trip.

On the Danforth

We were on the Danforth this past weekend. We decided to have a late lunch there after visiting the Auto show downtown. It is an interesting older area, also known as Greektown. Of course we had some Greek food, settling on pork souvlaki on pitas with Greek salads.

Interesting Little Upstairs Balcony

Pork Souvlaki on a Pita

Autoshow 2014

We went to the Autoshow this year, as we usually do. Son K loves looking at the new cars. We headed straight to the exotic cars. He loved sitting in this Maserati. It came to me that cars have always been his passion and that maybe he should get a job doing something with cars eventually.

Maserati

Look at the neat art painted on this Lamborghini.

Lamborghini art

Can you figure out how to open the door of this car. You have to press this flat handle at the back  end.

This Handle

My Unsolicited Advice and LED bulbs

Last week I popped into McDonald's restaurant before doing my groceries.  I had been to a zumba class at the gym and was having a good day.  I had some time to relax over a cup of coffee and I even pored over a newspaper.   There was an interesting article on the Mr Greek franchise company and how well it was doing, and in fact expanding internationally.   I sneezed and noticed an older lady looking across at me from another table.  I apologized and assured her it was just allergies and that I wasn't sick.  She said she didn't think I was sick.  She was eating her signature mcwrap sandwich.  All of a sudden, she pulled a tooth out of her sandwich.  At first, she didn't realize it was her own tooth.  As I got up to leave, I walked over and mentioned it would be expensive to have that tooth fixed.  She said 'It's a false tooth, so it won't be expensive to fix'.  Then she said 'My husband's in a nursing home, my house has been sold and I have to move immediately.  This is the last thing I wanted to happen now'.  I heard myself saying 'You get that tooth looked after, it's important to look after yourself first, you will feel so much better and everything will fall into place, you'll see!'  She smiled and thanked me as I went about my day.  Isn't it always easier to give other people advice?  It's your own problems that sometimes seem insurmountable.

At the grocery store I bought this new LED bulb.  Soon we won't be able to buy incandescents anymore as they are not as energy efficient.  I thought I would try out this new LED type.  I had printed off an Ontario government coupon.  They are trying to encourage people to switch over as soon as possible.  I did also buy a stock of incandescents.  I like them and find them brighter.

LED bulb

Sunday Sketches - Daisies in the Rain

This is my whimsical, multi-coloured take on a pair of daisies in the rain. It's a greeting card
(5 1/2"h x 4 1/4"w) in watercolour pencils and fine-point marker. Happy Sunday Sketches!

Quinoa Sushi

Art Inspiration

Have you ever heard about Quinoa sushi?

I thought this was an interesting take on the theme.

We had a snowstorm this past Tuesday the day after the long Family Day weekend. The weekend itself was fine wouldn't you know it. Our neighbour came over while husband M and I were shovelling and told us we should use our snowblower as we are not getting any younger. He is right, he said it just takes one stroke or something similar and that's it. He has a small nifty Toro snowblower and he promptly came over and shovelled our driveway with it! My stress level went way down, as there were lots of other things to do that day. He likes us for some reason.  We will have to return the favour.  I will often just shovel his sidewalk when I'm out there.

The next day Wednesday it was a 'balmy' 4C and sunny, the snow started to melt a bit.  I met a friend at the gym who told me her husband broke his wrist over Christmas.  He had climbed up a ladder to hang Christmas lights.  They are in their sixties and nobody asked him to hang any lights.  It's a guy thing you know, they have to do what they have to do.   I also recommended they get a snowblower for the reasons I outlined above and she agreed.  Oh she said the hospital was full of people with similar accidents at that time.  A lot of people hurt themselves falling on the ice.

Well these are my stories for today!

Paint Party Friday - The Dock

Just a quick watercolour sketch today, this piece is entitled 'The Dock', inpired by a photo I saw in the newspaper. I was attracted to the perspective of the dock. It's done in watercolour pencils (5"h x 7"w) in my journal.  Linking to Paint Party Friday.  I can't believe how many years I've been participating in this popular art co-op, pretty much since it began.

Imitation Pandora

Chamilia June Amethyst Charm

Husband M decided to surprise me with a Pandora charm for my bracelet for Valentine's Day. He popped into this jewellery store at the mall and asked the lady if she had Pandora charms. He didn't know the difference and chose one he liked.  It was a June birthstone charm. She sold him a Chamilia charm, as they are not a Pandora distributor. It is a pretty charm but she should have told him right off that they don't carry Pandora. You have to be so careful these days. The charm is exchangeable but not returnable.  It's the thought that counts and fortunately it is still a pretty charm of good quality.

Some nice words

I found all this great advice in a recent email and thought I would share. It was one of those chain emails but I removed the chain part:

ONE.
Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.



TWO.
Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.



THREE.
Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.



FOUR.
When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.


FIVE..
When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye..


SIX.
Be engaged at least six months before you get married.



SEVEN..
Believe in love at first sight.



EIGHT.
Never laugh at anyone's dreams.
People who don't have dreams don't have much.



NINE....
Love deeply and passionately.
You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely



TEN..
In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.



ELEVEN.
Don't judge people by their relatives.



TWELVE.
Talk slowly but think quickly.



THIRTEEN.
When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'



FOURTEEN.
Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.



FIFTEEN.
Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.



SIXTEEN.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson.



SEVENTEEN.
Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.



EIGHTEEN.
Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.



NINETEEN.
When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.



TWENTY
Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice



TWENTY- ONE.
Spend some time alone.

Dual Voltage appliances

I just discovered they are now selling dual voltage hair straighteners at stores like Walmart now. It is a great convenience if you are travelling to different countries and you need that handy feature. You simply plug it in with whatever adaptor you need and the voltage conversion is done automatically.  I have a small dual voltage hairdryer but you have to remember to manually switch the voltage when required.

A dozen roses

I took this photo at my local grocery store last week, aren't the roses beautiful? They were selling them for Valentine's I think, there were a dozen roses in each bunch.  What's your favourite colour, I loved the purple and white ones.  A lady was beside me choosing some for her mother.  She chose the orange ones and prayed that they would open up.  They looked like good quality roses, I'm sure they would.

On Valentine's Day this past Friday I saw several men either buying or carrying bunches of flowers around.  It was nice to see!

Sunday Sketches - Afghan Girl

This piece is entitled 'Afghan Girl', done in watercolour pencils on (6" x 6") one pound quality cardstock.  I was inspired by some photos in the newspaper.  Happy Sunday Sketches!

Another Delicious Lunch

Date Pudding

I met with some friends for another delicious lunch this week. Really, it was nice to see old friends. The friend who organized the lunch suffered a stroke 7 years ago, due to an aneurism. She has felt this dizziness every day since then. She actually looks fantastic you would never know. Her advice is to live your life, don't put off doing the things you want to do, as you never know what might happen at any time.

Paint Party Friday - After the Snowstorm

Happy Valentine's Day!
 
Well I continue to be inspired by the winter images around me. This is a piece I did in my journal in watercolour pencils. It's called 'after the snowstorm' (5"H x 7"w). Happy PPF!

A Treat Bag

I made this treat bag for a friend, and gave it to her when we saw the couple for dinner the other night. I realized Valentine's Day was fast approaching.  So it has a Lindt milk chocolate bar, a peppermint chocolate covered marshmallow and chocolate covered pretzel.  Will you do anything special for Valentine's Day tomorrow?

Lobster Lunch

My mom and I had a doctor appointment a couple of days ago, we needed to get our prescriptions refilled.  So the doctor asks me to jump on the scale to weigh myself and told me I didn't have to take my boots off.  I automatically said 'I definitely have to take my boots off!'  He laughed.  Mom is pretty delusional these days, she is suffering from memory loss/dementia?  She couldn't remember the doctor's office, we have been going there close to 30 years.  She is also making up stories about people we know, sometimes not very flattering stories.  If you tell her it is not true it makes her more insistent, so there is no point in arguing.  She is otherwise healthy at the moment.

Mom's birthday is coming up so I took her for a seafood lunch afterward.  We love lobster and crab.  I took some quick photos below.   We ordered crab with ginger and green onions, steamed garlic lobster, lobster with ginger and green onions and e-fu noodles.  Look at this unbelievable lobster lunch deal.  I hope this place is not going out of business.  Our bill was $20, well $23.70 with tax then I rounded it up to $27 including tip.  They give you a half lobster or a half crab with these dishes.  The restaurant was not very crowded at lunch that day.  Mind you, it was -16C although it was sunny.

lobster lunch deal

crab with ginger and green onions

lobster dishes

Fashion and Beauty

Daughter L told me about these new crochet headbands when she was here. She liked them and in fact a friend got one. They are ear warmers too.

Kind Bars and Popcorn

Daughter L introduced me to these new granola type bars called Kind bars when she was last here.

She said they were delicious and they sound healthy too.  They are delicious.  This one was 180 calories and quite filling for my breakfast one morning.  It is 'dark chocolate cherry cashew +  vitamins A, C, E.'  It describes itself as a gluten free fruit and nut bar.  I tasted a lot of chocolate in there.  I'm wondering if it's a good idea for it to add additional vitamins though.  I think we get enough of  those from the food itself.

L also said they received these popcorn sample bags at the hockey game they attended and said they taste exactly like the popcorn at the movie theatres.  I will have to remember to look for them.

Our Gourmet Dinner

Alexandra had to postpone Sunday Sketches today as she is moving and settling in.  We all know what that can be like!

Here are some photos of our Winterlicious prix fixe dinner last night. We went some friends to the Far Niente restaurant downtown Toronto.  Son K took these photos, unfortunately we didn't get a photo of the delicious salted caramel brownie dessert.  The food was very good, we all enjoyed our choices.

Smoked Trout Appetizer

Steak Frites

Here is a neat photo of the Euro style sink in the washroom:

Snow snow snow

We have been having a lot of snow this year!  We have a snowblower but we actually prefer to shovel for the exercise.

 I have an aunt who came through some serious surgery just fine and is recuperating in hospital this week.  She actually lives in Florida.  It was nice that her three adult sons took time off from their jobs to be with her at this time.  In fact, one of them lives in the Boston area and flew home to be with her.  She will stay with one of their families for a few weeks until she has her strength back.

 It is the time of year for Winterlicious 2014.  The best restaurants in Toronto promote their restaurants by running prix fixe menus.  We will be going to dinner at a nice one with friends and I also got invited to a luncheon next week. 


Have a great Saturday!

Paint Party Friday - The Model

I drew this model in watercolour pencils in my journal (7"h x 5"w). It is based on a photo I saw in the newspaper and I was attracted to its simplicity.  The real skirt had more fluffy details.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Good Deal

I bought  this artifical arrangement at Winners/Homesense recently. It was clearing at $3! Not that I need any arrangements, but who can resist a good deal?  I will display in the house in the winter season.

At the Hairdressers

I was at the hairdresser's last week reading Regal gifts catalogue.  It  sells unique items.

Here are a few interesting things I found among the hundreds of items, let me know what you think of them!


Brown sugar discs, I think it said terracotta teddy bears to keep brown sugar soft.

An ergonomic pen to reduce hand fatigue

When I'm Gone...practical notes for those you leave behind (pin numbers, location of keys, etc.)

Bunion Toe Spreader

Eye Doctor

Lots of snow here, this is in a local plaza. They have to make space for cars to park!

I was at my eye doctor (opthalmologist) last week for my annual checkup.  I have a small cataract in my right eye but it has been stable over the years so I don't need surgery for now.  He monitors it and I have been asking him to check my eye pressure (which was normal).  I mentioned I have a 50 year old friend who just developed glaucoma.  He said it's not common, but he has a few teenage patients with glaucoma.  It really can happen at any age.

It seems I have been seeing him since 1999.  I had a stressful job in the computer industry and developed an eye inflammation in that right eye.  I had to take corticosteroid eye drops to tame the inflammation and it was a troublesome condition to get rid of.  It makes me wonder if that medication caused the cataract.  The other thing is that I left my job the next year to stay home and since then I have never had a recurrence (knock on wood)!  It must have been caused by stress.

Lots of Snow

It snowed a lot all day Saturday, well it's February after all.  Daughter L was home for the weekend with her boyfriend.  It was lovely to see them. They attended an exciting Maple Leaf Hockey game where a player scored a 'hat-trick'.  Then people started tossing their hats onto the ice as per tradition.  And the Maple Leafs won.  It was also Canadian Forces night, which made it even more special.

I walked to church yesterday as the weather was a mild -1C (30F). Well, I just picked up our tax receipts, I didn't go to mass.  It was a beautiful winter wonderland with lots of fresh fallen snow.
We all went to a delicious sushi all-you-can-eat lunch later on.

After dropping the kids off at the train station, husband M went to a Superbowl party.  He said it wasn't a good game.  Son K had a lot of schoolwork, so I was helping him with that.  I called an aunt who is having major surgery, I don't speak to her often but it was as if we talk every day.  Isn't it strange how that can be?  Hope it goes well for her.

Hope you had a good weekend!

Sunday Sketches - Vignette

This is just a quick 'vignette' captured on a memo pad sheet in watercolour pencil. It was inspired by a photo I saw in the newspaper.  Happy Sunday Sketches!

Stevia

Welcome to February!

One of my sisters has been looking at Stevia, a new artificial sweetener.  I found this relevant article in one of our national newspapers.  We have diabetes running in the family (I don't have it yet)  and thus have an interest in artifical sweeteners.

Stevia is from a plant.  It is being marketed in the U.S. as Truvia and PurVia.  It is being introduced slowly into Canada.  Pepsico and Coco-cola plan to introduce vitamin-infused water sweetened with PurVia and Truvia.  Truvia and PurVia are allowed as table sweeteners in Canada.

According to the article, stevia 'can lead to male reproductive problems, interfere with metabolism and cause genetic mutations.'  Then it reminds us saccarin and cyclamate were banned as unsafe many years ago.  Sucralose and aspartame have also been linked with health problems.

It's scary, you almost want to just have a little real sugar every now and then.  I have cut down on my diet soda consumption but still drink it.  What are your feelings on artificial sweeteners, do you use them?  My son K has been drinking vitamin water recently saying it is good.  Fortunately the brand he has been drinking uses real sugar.  It's about 130 calories.