... became even foggier...
... the new first-thing drink... hydrating with fresh ginger slices in hot water.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Mornings
Foggy mornings...
... became even foggier...
... the new first-thing drink... hydrating with fresh ginger slices in hot water.
... became even foggier...
... the new first-thing drink... hydrating with fresh ginger slices in hot water.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Chocolate
Chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, chocolate ganache, chocolate tiles... We're almost there. Watch this space.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
A Foggy Night
The company was excellent. We saw Potted Potter. Our group was mixed in its reactions. I laughed a lot, but if you see this be sure to take a Harry Potter nut with you, preferably a 12-year-old. Dinner after at Sushi Supreme at Yonge and Wellesely and they keep astounding us with really good food at insanely cheap prices. Four of us were stuffed for $56, before tip. We left $20 each, bemused and delighted. Lots of green-clad revellers out and about, darting like mysterious leprochauns through the fog that has ingulfed downtown Toronto. I love nights like this.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
A Little Nostalgia
I posted these orginally in February, 2008. Time for a revisit I think, as I've seen a lot more movies this year, and intend to see even more, more regularly.
TOP TEN THINGS I LEARNED FROM AMERICAN MOVIES
10. My car will always appear freshly-washed.
9. If I pick up a ringing phone and no-one says anything, I should probably not spend half an hour saying "Hello? Hello? Is anyone there?" (k... that sounded a bit sarcy!)
8. My grocery purchases of the day will all fit into one fairly light, brown paper bag.
7. Apparently it's cool to drop everything and dance around with inter-generational family members to 50's rock classics.
6. No matter how long it takes me and my fellow FBI agent to save the world, we'll never have to stop to pee, sleep or have a snack. Oh - we might have to sleep, as long as the evil guy is on roof, about to sneak in with the machete.
5. When I fall in love, I will suddenly spend an inordinate amount of time with my new mate roller-blading, walking along a beach, jogging, washing his dog, cycling, and having pillow fights.
4. My children will appear to be channelling smart-mouthed, stand-up comedians.
3. That if I have suffered an affliction and need to retreat from the world for a while, that I shouldn't rent a magnificent house on the shores of a lake, especially just after fall leaves have gone and before the snow arrives... oh, and especially one in which something a tad disturbing recently happened.
2. A spontaneous bonking session with my impossibly-handsome new boyfriend will never be marred by thoughts, of "Fuck, I didn't shave my legs... plus I think there are knickers on the bathroom floor."
and...
1. If the police have just left saying "There's nothing to worry about now ma'am", I should not proceed to take a shower.
TOP TEN THINGS I LEARNED FROM WATCHING NON-AMERICAN MOVIES
10. My car will be impossibly small.
9. If my phone rings, I will just turn and watch it until it stops, as I lean against the window jam, smoking a gauloise.
8. I won't ever spend time grocery-shopping. Instead, I will be seen spending most of my time cooking in my impossibly small kitchen and then having endless, graphic, all-nekkid sex among the leeks and baguettes.
7. Family? What family?
6. Jean Reno will terrorize me, seduce me, and then buy me a black leather coat, by which time we will have forgotten which evil nemesis we are fighting.
5. When I fall in love with Colin Firth, we will hurl affectionate profanities at each other and eat fish and chips after the concert, gazing at each other in the unflattering light of a naked lightbulb.
4. Children? What children?
3. My flat will be impossibly small and in need of a good paint job.
2. Knickers on the floor (especially granny pants) will never be a deterrent for my lover (Colin Firth).
and...
1. If the police have just left saying "There's nothing to worry about now miss", I should proceed to take a shower... with Colin Firth.
TOP TEN THINGS I LEARNED FROM AMERICAN MOVIES
10. My car will always appear freshly-washed.
9. If I pick up a ringing phone and no-one says anything, I should probably not spend half an hour saying "Hello? Hello? Is anyone there?" (k... that sounded a bit sarcy!)
8. My grocery purchases of the day will all fit into one fairly light, brown paper bag.
7. Apparently it's cool to drop everything and dance around with inter-generational family members to 50's rock classics.
6. No matter how long it takes me and my fellow FBI agent to save the world, we'll never have to stop to pee, sleep or have a snack. Oh - we might have to sleep, as long as the evil guy is on roof, about to sneak in with the machete.
5. When I fall in love, I will suddenly spend an inordinate amount of time with my new mate roller-blading, walking along a beach, jogging, washing his dog, cycling, and having pillow fights.
4. My children will appear to be channelling smart-mouthed, stand-up comedians.
3. That if I have suffered an affliction and need to retreat from the world for a while, that I shouldn't rent a magnificent house on the shores of a lake, especially just after fall leaves have gone and before the snow arrives... oh, and especially one in which something a tad disturbing recently happened.
2. A spontaneous bonking session with my impossibly-handsome new boyfriend will never be marred by thoughts, of "Fuck, I didn't shave my legs... plus I think there are knickers on the bathroom floor."
and...
1. If the police have just left saying "There's nothing to worry about now ma'am", I should not proceed to take a shower.
TOP TEN THINGS I LEARNED FROM WATCHING NON-AMERICAN MOVIES
10. My car will be impossibly small.
9. If my phone rings, I will just turn and watch it until it stops, as I lean against the window jam, smoking a gauloise.
8. I won't ever spend time grocery-shopping. Instead, I will be seen spending most of my time cooking in my impossibly small kitchen and then having endless, graphic, all-nekkid sex among the leeks and baguettes.
7. Family? What family?
6. Jean Reno will terrorize me, seduce me, and then buy me a black leather coat, by which time we will have forgotten which evil nemesis we are fighting.
5. When I fall in love with Colin Firth, we will hurl affectionate profanities at each other and eat fish and chips after the concert, gazing at each other in the unflattering light of a naked lightbulb.
4. Children? What children?
3. My flat will be impossibly small and in need of a good paint job.
2. Knickers on the floor (especially granny pants) will never be a deterrent for my lover (Colin Firth).
and...
1. If the police have just left saying "There's nothing to worry about now miss", I should proceed to take a shower... with Colin Firth.
Friday, March 16, 2012
In Which I Visit my Favourite City Beach at Sunset and go all Bashful
The great film director John Ford remarked that a wide scenic shot should be framed to show a horizon either very low on the screen or very high.
Ok.
Mr. Ford, I cannot be tamed by mere rules!
And of course, no visit to Cherry Beach would be complete without the little shack being photographed by yours truly.
A couple squatted down to talk to a swan. I can't abide photographing people for my blog without their consent, but they're pretty unidentifiable and it's a sweet picture. If they ever happen to stumble across my blog, I hope they'll forgive my intrusion.
The ambling along the shore as the sun set did me a world of good. And then I looked up at those wonderful trees, and thought of our eerily warm winter and crazy spring-like March, and felt so bad for the trees and shoots and what we're doing for the world that I felt a need to hug one. I felt a need to hug one for my own purposes too. And so I did.
And then I felt a little shy as some people came along, and I pretended to be photographing the bark. Except I really did!
Ok.
Mr. Ford, I cannot be tamed by mere rules!
And of course, no visit to Cherry Beach would be complete without the little shack being photographed by yours truly.
A couple squatted down to talk to a swan. I can't abide photographing people for my blog without their consent, but they're pretty unidentifiable and it's a sweet picture. If they ever happen to stumble across my blog, I hope they'll forgive my intrusion.
The ambling along the shore as the sun set did me a world of good. And then I looked up at those wonderful trees, and thought of our eerily warm winter and crazy spring-like March, and felt so bad for the trees and shoots and what we're doing for the world that I felt a need to hug one. I felt a need to hug one for my own purposes too. And so I did.
And then I felt a little shy as some people came along, and I pretended to be photographing the bark. Except I really did!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Do you use Your Good Stuff?
I enjoy using my mismatched cups and saucers and delighting in their different patterns. Some are very delicate. I use them as there's no point in protecting them like they're museum pieces. And if I break one? Well, that's just an excuse to go and find another pretty thing.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Barmy Charm to the Max
From what I'd seen on YouTube, Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester seemed a little barmy. No worries, I like eccentrics. What we got when we entered Koerner Hall (again, what a venue!) was a night of irrepressible charm.
Raabe and some university friends founded the ensemble with an eye to presenting well-known but also much forgotten music of the 20s and 30s. The program contained such hits as Night and Day and a host of German songs that, of course, I had never heard of. The musicians are excellent and, at the mic, Max himself is a natural performer. He doesn't have a great voice, but he knows what to do with it. His patter was very dryly funny, delivered with an incorrigible wink in his thickly accented voice, and a very easily raised left eyebrow (my favourite gesture on a man). As he paused from singing to let another musician take the spotlight, he would retreat to the grand piano, and lean elegantly against it, clad immaculately in full evening dress, in the manner of a German Fred Astaire.
The songs were funny, rollicking, dreamy and moving and I was variously in tears and in laughter all evening. The rest of the audience was also in heaven. Koerner Hall had added another performance the previous night due to popular demand. I know when the Palast Orchester returns that I'll be there.
Here's a lovely little video of a song they did as the first of three encores. We didn't have the dirigible.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Sugar Beach Sunday
It was a stunning Sunday, and it promises to be even more so for another week or so. The creepily mild March we are having brought Torontonians out in flocks on Sunday, and I was one of the few who stumbled happily to Sugar Beach to sit in the white chairs under the pink umbrellas and gaze over Lake Ontario and a large ocean-going freighter, unloading its raw sugar to the Redpath Refinery.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Scents, Sunlight, Tastes, Colours
In other words, a stunning Saturday.
A couple of weeks ago I tasted the delicious broccoli, ginger and lemongrass soup at The Sandwich Box on Adelaide Street West. I attempted a recreation this morning, and it's different but it's good. I don't have quantites. I warmed onion, fresh ginger root and lemongrass in olive oil, added lots of broccoli and vegetable stock.
I had the first large mugful as I pondered cake plans.
A couple of weeks ago I tasted the delicious broccoli, ginger and lemongrass soup at The Sandwich Box on Adelaide Street West. I attempted a recreation this morning, and it's different but it's good. I don't have quantites. I warmed onion, fresh ginger root and lemongrass in olive oil, added lots of broccoli and vegetable stock.
I had the first large mugful as I pondered cake plans.
Friday, March 9, 2012
BPG Winter Movie Awards
Following up from last summer's movie awards...
Most Deliciously Perfect, With Most Impressive Live-Action Terrier
The Artist (2011)
"With pleasure." (Jean Dujardin as George Valentin)
I only saw this a week before the Oscars and thought maybe all the hype and awards and such would dampen the experience for me. Surely it couldn't live up to all the accolades? Reader, it surpassed them. This film is magic, moving enchantment. It couldn't have been made without Jean Dujardin, who is so perfectly cast as the dashing silent film star. If Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Clark Gable had had a child, it would be George Valentin. His eyebrows alone deserved awards. Bérénice Bejo as the female lead was lovely and loveable. The dog, Uggie, is an animal star as only a Jack Russell can be: incorrigible and irresistible. This film was funny, touching, tragic and elevating. If you love old movies, you have to see this homage to old Hollywood. As I left the theatre, I knew I'll own this on Bluray as soon as it's available. I won't say anything else as I don't want to ruin it for anyone! But by now you'll all know about the Oscar wins - hooray!
Most Hit and Miss, With Best Capture-Animation Terrier
The Adventures of TinTin (2011)
"Great snakes!" (Jamie Bell as the voice of TinTin)
I'm a TinTin nut. I have read and re-read all the books since childhood, and still do on occasion. A few weeks before the movie came out, I attended a talk given by Michael Farr, a TinTinologist on the inspirations behind the characters in the novel. All very interesting. The movie was not a let down nor a triumph in my opinion. After some wonderful opening credits featuring the 2D imagery I love so much, the motion-capture animation was very clever, but lacked heart. I think the problem is the eyes, which are, let's face it, surely the hardest thing to animate. But the original illustrations just used simple pen dots... fair enough as the 2D illustrations were exactly that. The motion-capture animation seems to seek to make as life-like an impression as possible. And at times it was breathtakingly so. But the eyes! The eyes didn't work, especially for Bianca Castafiore, whose sexy, limpid lids in the drawings were replaced by rather piggy little affairs. Her voice was wishy washy, except when she sang (Renée Fleming did the duties there - nice!) The other voices were very well done but the film lost me when Captain Haddock gave a weirdly out-of-character pep talk to TinTin. I suppose it's hard for a film directed at young people in this politically correct time to just accept that Haddock is a raging alcoholic who'd often as not rather stay home than go off on some hair-brained adventure with his young ace boy reporter friend. I'm not sure I'd bother with seeing a sequel. But Snowy was cute!
Most Emotionally Rollercoasting, featuring Best Performance by an Imaginary Planet
Melancholia (2011)
"I want the planet to get them!" (Blog Princess G)
Okay, I did whisper that to my companion half way through the second half of this movie, but I wasn't entirely serious. What I meant to express was that the characters were driving me nuts, but in a good way. This movie made me laugh, get angry, get sad and made me think. For that alone I am grateful. Ultimately I thought it was beautiful and haunting. I wasn't in the mood for a Lars von Trier film, but I was lured by the prospect of the Tristan und Isolde "Prelude" being used. It was, repeatedly. For those of you who don't know the premise, a planet named Melancholia appears to be heading for earth. Will it collide? Will life on earth end as we know it? Will Kirsten Dunst overcome her depression with the aid or hindrance of her various family members? I highly recommend this unusual film. This worked where Tree of Life didn't. Alex Ross didn't like it as he references the Bill Viola video in the Peter Sellars production of Tristan that we're getting here in Toronto next year. I can't wait.
Oh, and I don't usually talk during movies. In fact, this was the first, and last, time.
Most Abusive to Ornate Wooden Doors
Anonymous (2011)
"I'm perfect!" (Rafe Spall as William Shakespeare)
Yes, Shakespeare was. And I don't care who wrote the plays; they're all brilliant.
What an impressive cast list... and so much energy... and SUCH strong sets! I mean, none of those magnificent wooden doors could just be opened and walked through. Each door had to be flung open so that it crashed and banged, as the walker strode angrily or lustily or imperiously through it. The art direction was memorable. But the story was implausible and I fell asleep. Twice.
Most "Wow, is there anything Meryl Streep can't do?"
The Iron Lady (2011)
"It used to be about trying to do something. Now it's about trying to be someone." (Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher)
No, there's nothing she can't do. Meryl Streep is a goddess, a magician, a force of nature. The film itself was kind to Thatcher and didn't have any particular insights into anything. I have forgotten much of it already.
Most Almost Grrrrrreat, Alpha Male, Liam Neeson Glowerfest
The Grey (2011)
"We're going to get a large branch and sharpen the end of it, and we're going to shove it up this thing's ass. Then we're going to eat it." Liam Neeson as Ottway
** SPOILER ALERT**
After a terrifyingly well-filmed plane crash, Neeson leads a team of Arctic miners through a wolf-haunted frozen landscape, trying to reach civilization. Neeson means business. If I'm ever stuck in an Arctic survival situation I want Neeson with me. He's so big, a group of us could cut him open and crawl inside to keep warm. And he's so fierce, glowering across the frozen wasteland, daring fate/God to do him in. So far, so good. You have the makings of an excellent survival movie, on a par with Alive (1993, which the film references) or The Edge (1997). So what's with demonizing wolves? That got to me, it really did. It was unnecessary and annoying. And the end drove me crazy. Grrrrr.
Most Moving Family Drama
A Separation (2011)
"He does not know me but I know that he is my father." (Peyman Moadi as Nader)
I'll admit it: I didn't want to see this movie. When my friend called me up and suggested it, I was tired from work and vertigo, and I assumed this would be a politically charged, highly depressing experience. I wasn't in the mood. Well, I was persuaded and I'm grateful I was, and expressed this to him as we left the cinema. This isn't a political drama (not that there's anything wrong with that but there was something wrong with my assumption that it would be). It's a family drama... Leila wishes to leave Iran to give her daughter other opportunities in life. Her husband, Nader, wishes to remain in Iran to care for his father who is weakened by Alzheimer's. They separate and he hires a caregiver for his father. And there the drama unfolds. I won't say anything more. I just urge you to see it. And, if you care for this sort of thing, it won the Oscar last month for best foreign language film.
Most Deliciously Perfect, With Most Impressive Live-Action Terrier
The Artist (2011)
"With pleasure." (Jean Dujardin as George Valentin)
I only saw this a week before the Oscars and thought maybe all the hype and awards and such would dampen the experience for me. Surely it couldn't live up to all the accolades? Reader, it surpassed them. This film is magic, moving enchantment. It couldn't have been made without Jean Dujardin, who is so perfectly cast as the dashing silent film star. If Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Clark Gable had had a child, it would be George Valentin. His eyebrows alone deserved awards. Bérénice Bejo as the female lead was lovely and loveable. The dog, Uggie, is an animal star as only a Jack Russell can be: incorrigible and irresistible. This film was funny, touching, tragic and elevating. If you love old movies, you have to see this homage to old Hollywood. As I left the theatre, I knew I'll own this on Bluray as soon as it's available. I won't say anything else as I don't want to ruin it for anyone! But by now you'll all know about the Oscar wins - hooray!
Most Hit and Miss, With Best Capture-Animation Terrier
The Adventures of TinTin (2011)
"Great snakes!" (Jamie Bell as the voice of TinTin)
I'm a TinTin nut. I have read and re-read all the books since childhood, and still do on occasion. A few weeks before the movie came out, I attended a talk given by Michael Farr, a TinTinologist on the inspirations behind the characters in the novel. All very interesting. The movie was not a let down nor a triumph in my opinion. After some wonderful opening credits featuring the 2D imagery I love so much, the motion-capture animation was very clever, but lacked heart. I think the problem is the eyes, which are, let's face it, surely the hardest thing to animate. But the original illustrations just used simple pen dots... fair enough as the 2D illustrations were exactly that. The motion-capture animation seems to seek to make as life-like an impression as possible. And at times it was breathtakingly so. But the eyes! The eyes didn't work, especially for Bianca Castafiore, whose sexy, limpid lids in the drawings were replaced by rather piggy little affairs. Her voice was wishy washy, except when she sang (Renée Fleming did the duties there - nice!) The other voices were very well done but the film lost me when Captain Haddock gave a weirdly out-of-character pep talk to TinTin. I suppose it's hard for a film directed at young people in this politically correct time to just accept that Haddock is a raging alcoholic who'd often as not rather stay home than go off on some hair-brained adventure with his young ace boy reporter friend. I'm not sure I'd bother with seeing a sequel. But Snowy was cute!
Most Emotionally Rollercoasting, featuring Best Performance by an Imaginary Planet
Melancholia (2011)
"I want the planet to get them!" (Blog Princess G)
Okay, I did whisper that to my companion half way through the second half of this movie, but I wasn't entirely serious. What I meant to express was that the characters were driving me nuts, but in a good way. This movie made me laugh, get angry, get sad and made me think. For that alone I am grateful. Ultimately I thought it was beautiful and haunting. I wasn't in the mood for a Lars von Trier film, but I was lured by the prospect of the Tristan und Isolde "Prelude" being used. It was, repeatedly. For those of you who don't know the premise, a planet named Melancholia appears to be heading for earth. Will it collide? Will life on earth end as we know it? Will Kirsten Dunst overcome her depression with the aid or hindrance of her various family members? I highly recommend this unusual film. This worked where Tree of Life didn't. Alex Ross didn't like it as he references the Bill Viola video in the Peter Sellars production of Tristan that we're getting here in Toronto next year. I can't wait.
Oh, and I don't usually talk during movies. In fact, this was the first, and last, time.
Most Abusive to Ornate Wooden Doors
Anonymous (2011)
"I'm perfect!" (Rafe Spall as William Shakespeare)
Yes, Shakespeare was. And I don't care who wrote the plays; they're all brilliant.
What an impressive cast list... and so much energy... and SUCH strong sets! I mean, none of those magnificent wooden doors could just be opened and walked through. Each door had to be flung open so that it crashed and banged, as the walker strode angrily or lustily or imperiously through it. The art direction was memorable. But the story was implausible and I fell asleep. Twice.
Most "Wow, is there anything Meryl Streep can't do?"
The Iron Lady (2011)
"It used to be about trying to do something. Now it's about trying to be someone." (Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher)
No, there's nothing she can't do. Meryl Streep is a goddess, a magician, a force of nature. The film itself was kind to Thatcher and didn't have any particular insights into anything. I have forgotten much of it already.
Most Almost Grrrrrreat, Alpha Male, Liam Neeson Glowerfest
The Grey (2011)
"We're going to get a large branch and sharpen the end of it, and we're going to shove it up this thing's ass. Then we're going to eat it." Liam Neeson as Ottway
** SPOILER ALERT**
After a terrifyingly well-filmed plane crash, Neeson leads a team of Arctic miners through a wolf-haunted frozen landscape, trying to reach civilization. Neeson means business. If I'm ever stuck in an Arctic survival situation I want Neeson with me. He's so big, a group of us could cut him open and crawl inside to keep warm. And he's so fierce, glowering across the frozen wasteland, daring fate/God to do him in. So far, so good. You have the makings of an excellent survival movie, on a par with Alive (1993, which the film references) or The Edge (1997). So what's with demonizing wolves? That got to me, it really did. It was unnecessary and annoying. And the end drove me crazy. Grrrrr.
Most Moving Family Drama
A Separation (2011)
"He does not know me but I know that he is my father." (Peyman Moadi as Nader)
I'll admit it: I didn't want to see this movie. When my friend called me up and suggested it, I was tired from work and vertigo, and I assumed this would be a politically charged, highly depressing experience. I wasn't in the mood. Well, I was persuaded and I'm grateful I was, and expressed this to him as we left the cinema. This isn't a political drama (not that there's anything wrong with that but there was something wrong with my assumption that it would be). It's a family drama... Leila wishes to leave Iran to give her daughter other opportunities in life. Her husband, Nader, wishes to remain in Iran to care for his father who is weakened by Alzheimer's. They separate and he hires a caregiver for his father. And there the drama unfolds. I won't say anything more. I just urge you to see it. And, if you care for this sort of thing, it won the Oscar last month for best foreign language film.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Good Reading
Mindful meditation is, er... on my mind these days. This book (a how-to on mindful living) is based on the program of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Jon Kabat-Zinn's highly readable book is likely to be helpful in my second decade of vertigo, or at least, I'm hoping.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Heavenly
The scents are so perfect... the lavender fresias are meltingly sweet, and the white fresias quite peppery. What a treat.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Fun with Nuts
I took an excellent workshop at The Beadery on Queen Street West. Rachel, our instructor, was great fun and I learnt some really useful techniques for making a rock-solid necklace. This one is made of black coconut shell disks and three pink tagua nuts.
I love the clasp. They have so much interesting stuff.
I had some tagua nuts left over and for the last part of the workshop, Rachel showed us how to wrap a pendant.
I love the clasp. They have so much interesting stuff.
I had some tagua nuts left over and for the last part of the workshop, Rachel showed us how to wrap a pendant.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Oooh, Sparkly Things!
I've had a girly time recently, playing with Swarovski crystals, sterling silver and one elk horn.
I bought an elk horn necklace from the wonderful shop at the Daily Coyote. Then I added the chain and heart for a little something extra, easily removed when I don't want it.
And then I realized I wanted to upgrade my skills, so I took a workshop, but more on that tomorrow.
I bought an elk horn necklace from the wonderful shop at the Daily Coyote. Then I added the chain and heart for a little something extra, easily removed when I don't want it.
And then I realized I wanted to upgrade my skills, so I took a workshop, but more on that tomorrow.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
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