The Curve in the Road

I can feel myself dragging my heels as the longest day rapidly - too rapidly - looms. I don't want this beautiful time of year to end. The winter was so achingly long, the spring short and rough, and now we have these soft, warm days that I wish could go on forever.

Each night, the sun takes an age to set, and leaves magical light on my walls.






But I'm yearning for trees. I feel the call of the curve in the road. I don't know what it means... yet.




The closest I've been to a tree all week was this big portabello.




Sigh.

And on a Lighter Note...

... it's Woofstock this weekend! See you at Toronto's wonderful festival of all things doggy!

http://www.thestar.com/living/article/1005892--woofstock-returns-with-fashion-shows-contests-and-plenty-of-doggone-fun

Two Questions That Break my Heart

1. Can anyone spare a loving home?

http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/06/10/free-old-cats-at-toronto-humane-society/

2. Who hasn't heard of spaying and neutering?

What I did this Spring, Part Six

I appreciated the charm of the gardens of St. James' Cathedral, a favourite spot in the middle of the city.

Wedding leftovers.

What I did this Spring, Part Five

I was a tree hugger.

For a brief moment, between the drab, endless winter, and the violently schizophrenic spring, I succumbed once more to the blossoms of Cherry Street. They disappeared as soon as they came, battered by vicious winds and unseasonably cold rain. But for just one evening, I wrapped my arms around their slender branches and buried my lips in their insanely beautiful whiteness.

What I did this Spring, Part Four

The dinner group met again, and again at the home of the gentleman with the step-down living-room. Good conversation, sparkling Prosecco, and a prosciutto-inspired menu...




I didn't know that such a thing as a polenta board existed. Made of wood by my host's father, it absorbs the excess moisture from fresh, hot polenta, resulting in a wonderful consistency.




Here the prosciutto enveloped little quails.




For dessert I made my new favouite concoction (inspired by Martha Stewart): layered home-made meringue (so much tastier than store-bought), crême-fraiche folded with home-made lemon curd, fresh blackberries, whipped cream, and finished with a piped meringue stalk.

Took a Wrong Turn?

'
Another reason I love my 'hood... every couple of weeks there's filming going on. And so it's not strange to see this sort of thing parked on the side of the road.

What I did this Spring, Part Three

Spring came what felt like two weeks late. When it did come, it was over quickly and now the hot weather has kicked in. The lilacs didn't get much of a look in, but I inhaled as much as I could when the opportunity arose.

What I did this Spring, Part Two

Spring was so late, the trees stayed bare for so long...




Easter Day at St. James' Cathedral was beautiful and flower-filled...

I Love my 'Hood

... and it makes frequent appearances on this excellent website by photographer Sam Javanrouh, Daily Dose of Imagery.

What I did this Spring, Part One

Years ago, on an excellent architectural walking tour of Manhattan, we were exhorted by the guide to look up! look up! And so I did, and I do, and I try not to fall over.

Recently I took a vacation day from work during the week and had one of my deliciously indulgent shopping days, the result of weeks or - sometimes - months of simmering ideas and planning. On this one day I remembered to look up and got a few shots of the business district of our delightful city.

Soon enough it was time to pause in the shopping day, and we did so at Mercatto, refortifying ourselves with Prosecco...

... wonderful arancini (small rice balls stuffed with mozzarella and fried)...

... small gnocchi, like little clouds of pasta heaven...

Tea and Tulips

I indulged most of the winter and all of the spring with cut flowers and forced bulbs. There's not a year in my memory where the spring was so late. The first time I walked on grass this year was about a week ago and it was strange and heavenly. Evidently it's time I got out of the city, but there'll be plenty of that in about a month. I reconnected with the benefits and deliciousness of rooiboss tea and and peachy pink tulips.

Pink Evening

Spring didn't happen, and summer is suddenly upon us. I celebrated with an evening at home finally formatting some photographs for blog posts. Peachy salmon on buttered brown bread with some lettuce leaves, and a pink spritzer.

Grateful...

DAGNABIT!

Wishing to update blog. Calendar has other ideas. Golsarnit!