Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Superior's Beauty



With all this talk I've been doing lately about spring, I honestly think I'm jinxing it.  Took the Zen bike out again yesterday and made it around the block still wearing my winter coat and gloves.... kind of crazy but I'm in spring mode and I'm not going back.

With that in mind, I thought I'd share a bit more of the majestic beauty of summer on Lake Superior.  A majority of the inspiration for my work comes from this part of the world............


















Yes, that's me!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Earth Hour and The Zen Bike


Saturday night between 8:30 and 9:30 was Earth Hour or Earth Day which is what I kept mistakenly calling it.

Regardless of the name, we had a few friends over for snacks or maybe I should say hors d'oeuvres which sounds so much more refined than snacks which always reminds me of chips and pretzels. We enjoyed a  bit of the red,  a great crab drip, garlic stuffed olives, Carr's cracker (my favs) and some really old  Balderson cheese.  We were originally supposed to go for a walk but I chickened out because it was -10C and I'm a bit of a baby that way.  We turned off all the lights around 8:00 p.m. and lit the candles and I thought "wow, we should do this more often"..... but we probably won't.  I seem to always have these great ideas but never follow through ... I think there's a name for that but at the moment it slips my mind.

I am getting ahead of myself so let's backtrack to the morning of Earth Hour/Earth Day or perhaps 23 years ago when John and I first got married and lived in the west end of Toronto....Royal York and Bloor to be exact for all you Torontoians.  We used to bike everywhere but most especially downtown as Toronto has some absolutely fabulous bike paths.  Along the way we would stop for a bite to eat or a coffee or whatever as we were young and free which meant we had no kids and no responsibilities to be anywhere at anytime.... fun.  As the years rolled by and kids came along the biking thing kind of fell by the wayside and every so often we'd head out as a family but our days of adventure seeking (anyone who knows me will think that's funny cause I am so NOT an adventure seeker) were waning.  So let's now skip ahead.... are you with me so far???

The morning of Earth Hour/Earth Day we headed into the office as usual but earlier in the week John had been scouting out bikes for us at The Bike Stop in Orillia without telling me.  So we make a pit stop on the way and he shows me the bike he thought would be the "perfect" for vehicle for me.  He called it the Zen bike which was most likely because it appeared to have bamboo sprouts covering it as well as it's name..... The Wasabi.  Anyway,  never being one to take what's given, I test drove a couple different bikes out on Colborne Street wearing my winter jacket, hat and mitts (yes, I was quite the site to see) before it dawned on me that the Zen bike really was the one for me.  It was not a mountain bike or a road bike but the most perfectly comfortable "cruiser".  In the end The Bike Stop made two sales and we were on our way.


The most fabulous seat ever.....made for people who have real bums.....and like bamboo....


Today we headed out for a ride and made it up and down the street a couple of times before the bitter wind and cold sent us back inside for a cup of tea but you must admit our intentions were good.

But hey, spring is only beginning and I can see a lot more rides in my immediate future....at least when the weather heats up to a balmy +5C.

How was your weekend?????

Friday, March 25, 2011

Friday



Here's wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with sunshine

Monday, March 21, 2011

Sunday Morning



Sunday morning I drove Holly into work early which didn't sound like that great of an idea at the time but ended up being totally blissful.

With not another soul in sight and the stillness of the morning, I did feel unbelievably connected in that moment and undeniably happy.

 I, like everyone else, go about my day trying to remain grateful for the small things because let's face it, it really is the millions of small things that truly make up our lives....but Sunday morning... it was special.

The promise of spring is in the air and with it comes the hope of possibility.







Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Word for Today is Inspiring




Judging by the weather of the last few days I think I can confidently say that "spring has arrived in the village".  We are in for rain and mild temps for the next few days...........ahhh Spring....so inspiring!






Speaking of inspiring....check out one of my new favourite blogs....Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen.

His bi-line reads,

"My name is Ari Seth Cohen the creator of Advanced Style.I roam the streets of New York looking for the most stylish and creative older folks. Respect your elders and let these ladies and gents teach you a thing or two about living life to the fullest.Advanced Style offers proof from the wise and silver-haired set that personal style advances with age.

I originally came across his ultra cool blog on the Huffington Post where he was interviewing 80 year old, Apollo dance theater legend, style icon, Jacquie "Tajah" Murdock.  The article is here and will have you realizing that it is possible to still be kicking up your heels at 80 and with style to boot.











Friday, March 11, 2011

Dreaming of Superior



On yet another day in which the snow is gently falling.....I am off in my mind dreaming of 

Lake Superior.... 

and 

warmth and sunshine































Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Bits of This and That



Lost and Found
Mixed Media on Canvas


Lately I've been monitoring how "springlike" the weather has been by a morning check on my lonely reindeer's head.  Sadly, we've neglected to put him away even though Christmas has been over for close to three months now but that's a story for another day.  For weeks on end the poor little guy wasn't visible at all...but today when I took a peek,  low and behold he's made an appearance.  Never mind that we are forecasted to receive 15cm of snow tonight...I'm living in the moment people so please stay with me.  It is above 0 and the sun is shining so I'm smiling......until tomorrow that is.





The last few days I've been working at clearing out our ensuite as we've finally decided after fifteen years of living here, to give it a reno.


I reminded John that I was not a movie star and did not require those 1970 "hollywood lights". I'll keep you posted on the progress as they start tomorrow.


On the book front I've just started reading this....


Can't really tell you what it's like yet as I'm not that far into it but I'll let you know whether it's a thumbs up or thumbs down.


Oh and I've found a new fav blog which I follow religiously.....The Art of Doing Stuff...so laugh out loud funny that I check in everyday...love that Karen Bertelson.   I heard she lives in Toronto,  I wonder if she likes chai lattes?????

Friday, March 4, 2011

"Bloom" At The Village Gallery




Revive. Renew. Rejuvenate.

BLOOM


At The Village Gallery

Saturday, April 9th
10am - 5pm

Stay tuned for coming announcements...







Thursday, March 3, 2011

Spring


I Have




that Spring will arrive soon.....














Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Fun At Blue & New Gallery Representation


The last few years we've been doing a mini getaway with the girls to Blue Mountain.  I, who am not a downhill skier, love blue Mountain as not only do they have a great Starbucks for my favourite chai latte but there are also a variety of shops and galleries in the area for those of us who are terrified of careening down a snow packed hill at 60 km/hr.





I spent quite some time here


And even though I didn't buy anything I loved walking around the quaint village and checking out all the shops.


The girls had a blast skiing....


On Saturday I took off for a visit with The Matilda Swanson Gallery.  I had meant to meet with them months ago but life got in the way and this seemed the opportune time being in Blue Mountain and all.  So I took in a few of my mixed media on cotton pieces and headed up the road to meet with Sue.  She loved the work but was concerned about the size.  The gallery mostly sells large works as that's what works best for them and that's what they move.   So for the time being they are going to keep the work I gave them but would like me to head back in April with larger works on canvas.  Nice gallery, nice people.


So this is a bare bones start of new piece....not a whole lot to show at the moment but it will eventually take shape when I figure out what I'm doing with it.  I always start with a basic sketch and work from there but it's almost guaranteed to never end up resembling  the original sketch which somehow appeals to me in a big way .... like a happy surprise.