399 - who cares

Photography Assignment 3,
reminds me of something my mate said to me in our early days...
when I responded by saying, 'who cares?'
his calm reply resonated deeply within...

I care.

Since then,
'who cares' / 'i don't care'
are phrases rarely said.

Grateful today for
learning - the current photography lesson reminding me of past learnings,
easy access to internet connectivity,
and the ideas that brighten my day.

398 - Frozen Fingers

Relaxed and active on this Sunday.
From the Interior Design Show,
to an Irish pub on the Danforth for a Guinness and set of jazz,
to one of my favourite spots in Toronto...
just in time for sunset.

Grateful today for
the chicken that fed us all weekend long,
PPSOP and the assignment that took me to the sunset,
and for great local live jazz.

397 - Colour My World

Perception, perspective and experience
Unique in each and every individual.
Individual colours,
together with others...
a rainbow of possibilities.

Grateful today for
the unique individuals in my life that colour my world,
a quiet and healing Saturday for my mate,
and the incredible dinner on Wychwood - Thank you R+S!

396 - Chicken Soup

The best thing for a cold,
the warmth and healing of chicken soup...
They say it is good for the soul too.

Grateful today for
the chicken, without -there would be no chicken soup,
the farms' whose love and efforts are in the soup
and the simple ingredients for the broth - thank you, Alice! .

395 - Melting Snow

The snow melts into different shapes.
Snow patterns on plant patterns...
As if holding up a snow gift to the sky.

Grateful today for
the brief moment of sunshine this morning,
front lawn gardens in Chinatown
and snow.

394 - Colour

The gray outdoors
is felt internally.
And then there is colour...
a bright yellow.

Grateful today for
my walk that took me out of going deeper into the gray,
this yellow post adding colour to winter,
and my mate who warms my heart with his smile.

393 - Brownie Party

Girls making brownies together this evening,
Brownies done,
beef bourguignon and salad for dinner.
Wine, music, conversation and baking,
a perfect combination.

and perfect scene for my mate to return home to!

Grateful today for
fun cooking times with friends,
the safe return of my mate
and chocolate.

392 - Baby, it's cold outside

An early start to the day...
Automobile behaving badly,
it is much too cold.

By afternoon,
it is warming outdoors...
the Beef Bourguignon attempt
warms the indoors.

Grateful today for
being able to walk to get white pearl onions and bacon with rind,
the movie, Julie + Julia , which had me quite curious about trying the recipe,
and the warmer weather forecasted for tomorrow.

391 - Helping Hands

Sparkling snow on rooftops and trees
under clear blue skies.
The day is crisp and cold.

A girl's sleepover tonight
for 2 flying abroad to help
one in need.

Grateful today for
helping hands,
and the love and kindness that comes with the helping hands.

390 - Snowy Saturday

Watching the snowflakes move with the direction of the wind,
A steady stream falling from gray skies.

A lazy day,
entertained today by Secret Garden.

Grateful today for
sites that serve up k-dramas,
and quiet, lazy days.

389 - Reflections

The view through the window -
the reclining buddha,
and the tower that says 'you are home'.

A day working on photos,
memories of times past
accompanied by reflections and thoughts...

Grateful today for
comments, observations and questions from others revealing the obvious unseen by me,
a new eye in looking through the lens,
and all that has brought me to be sitting by this window...

388 - Window View

For a brief moment,
the morning sky is sunny and bright.
Winter carries on with overcast gray days,
wind and more snow.

Grateful today
for the warm comforts of home,
the toys that keep me entertained and amused,
and the view through the window - where I watch the squirrels chasing one another over rooftops and in the trees.

387 - Aglio e olio

An unexpected and busy day...
Morning is spent envisioning Wellington,
the data movement and outputs that soon will be...

In the afternoon, lunch with a dear friend,
followed by a visit to the maharajahs of times past
and 'smart' cocktails
with the greatest of princesses ever!

Perhaps I filled the day
to balance my mate's departure on business for a week...
Missing my mate already...

The Aglio e olio for 1 today is good....better when shared.
It is much more enjoyable to make a meal for 2....

Grateful today for
my favourite princess...the maharajahs, smart cocktails and conversations were such fun!
the envisioneers I do not see regularly - seeing you today made my heart happy,
and all my past learning in cooking - a meal today made only for me.

386 - Openings

A familiar walk
is different today.
Lesson 2 directs my eye,
hunting for storytelling exposures to creatively capture.

The day's photos
imported and reviewed
are almost not recognizable to me onscreen as a photo I took.

Grateful today for
glimpses of new possibilities,
the lessons I am learning in using and seeing through my camera,
and the technology that allows me to explore, discover, learn, and share my world.

385- the pigeons

Walking this morning to Kensington Market,
from the south, through the park...
A flock of pigeons flies in, descending all around me.

Continuing through the park,
the flock follows me as I go along the path.
Alarming, uncertain and amazing all at once.

Grateful today for
this wild experience with pigeons,
and Kensington Market - the park in it, the people, the shops, and its raw nature.

384 - Storytelling

Morning brunch for 5
and a Wellington design working session...

PPSOP - Lesson 2: Creative Correct Exposures + Storytelling
Lesson 1 was challenging. It introduced a new element into my photographic workflow.
Working at No cropping, no straightening, no exposure changes...
Post is limited to moderate adjustments to saturation, contrast, colors, white balance, or sharpening.
Much more careful consideration of the view in the lens and the settings....

Through the experience of trying to capture a creatively correct storytelling exposure,
comes the slightest sliver of light
numbers, settings, relationships amongst the three...

Grateful today for
collaborative efforts to understand, work through and find solutions to challenges,
the diversity and enjoyment of gatherings had at Huron,
the dedication, hard work and spirit of my true hearted, sensitive, beautiful and strong lion...my mate.

383 - Happy Birthday, ElectroFi!

An early visit to my favorite farmers...
Breakfast is frittatas, sausage + grapefruit....
Where are my pals?

Adjusting from vacation...
rudely harsh...

One must carry on...

Grateful today fo'
my mate,
the introduction to the blues, especially live....
and ElectroFi...
Andrew, keep on rockin' it!

Happy Birthday to Curley too!

382 - PPSOP Lesson 1

A quiet morning reviewing Lesson 1.
Assignment photographs are challenging.
Have a few to submit for the stationary object...tomorrow will be the motion shot.

Grateful today for
Bryan Peterson's online Perfect Picture School of Photography,
the beauty of changing seasons and
a warm, cosy and quiet Friday night with my mate.

381 - Home

Returning home...
the streets are white and the air is cold.
The fridge is empty, ready to be refilled.

While a walk to the market is not quite the same as the walk to the Texaco.
it is good to be home.

Grateful today for
sharp knives to prepare food with,
food in the freezer and
our warm and cosy home.

380 - Remembering

Sadness at the end of our holiday
is lightened by the fun creative time
writing the tale of our funtastic vacation together!

Thank you,
to my fabulous flexitarian friends,
for the moments shared,
dances danced,
and quiet times together....the best of times.

Love you all!
...did we ever figure out who Parnassus is?!

379 - Monkey Business

Since we arrived,
we have carried around bananas, looking for an encounter...
When we least expect it,
20 monkeys appear in the yard!

Grateful today for
the sunset at Surfside,
friends who reveal their superhero capes when a helping hand is needed,
and night time snuggles.

378 - Rainy Monday

After breakfast in the gazebo,
the rain begins....
Off and on all day,
blessings from the sky
nourish the flora around us.

Grateful today for
breezes by the sea,
refreshing rains,
and the lovely dinner at the beach house on the waterfront.

377 - Leisurely Lunching

iphone + google
take us across the island
to the rugged and beautiful east coast.

During our leisurely lunch
at the top of a rock,
this little dove comes to visit.

Grateful today for
technology that works,
the easy flowing conversation about things our parents told us,
and the beauty of waves and giant rocks.

376 - Transitions

From a full house to one half filled...
From wonderful dining at restaurants to a home cooked meal...

I am grateful for
my friends who flow easily through transitions,
the open conversations we continue to have,
and the kitchen dance we do together so smoothly.

375 - Little Beauties

A glorious day.
Sailing and snorkeling on a sunny day.

I am grateful today to have visited
this caterpillar chomping away on his leaf,
the school of blue tangs on the reef,
and the sand piper running along the beach at night.

374 - FrankenForkasaurus

I am amazed by what can be created...
A most creative individual sharing time with an 8 year old,
plastic forks, spoons and knives
become a monster factory...
the monsters won the fight over the Transformer!

I am grateful for the open sharing of experiences today,
the sounds of the tree frogs at dusk,
and the natural beauty of the caribbean.

373 - De Action

The morning starts with coffee & conversation in the pool...
Champagne with breakfast
and we're off for another day's adventure.

A drive through the main town
to De Action - site of great kite surfing..

Sipping on a cool drink,
in conversation with EQ...
she shares an idea - a gratitude journal.

As I continue with this blog,
it seems the perfect addition.

Today,
I am grateful for my mate, my friends and the individual paths we all took to get here.
Thank you, EQ. :)

372 - Our Cabin

Nice place to lay our heads for the next 8 days...

Catching up with friends,
friends meeting friends,
the greatest group I know to vacation with.

A day on the beach,
in the water with turtles
and a night out on the town...

Ahhh...vacation time is good.

371 - De-icing at Dawn

Five hours after the plane is de-iced,
we are in sunshine and heat...

Ready for a vacation in the sun
with good friends...
Fun times, here we are!

370 - Empty Seats

A New Year,
each day an empty seat,
ready for a guest...

369 - Happy New Year!

1.1.11

Our adventures on 12.31.10
take us walking on West Queen West
to Queen West and then to Chinatown...

At 3am,
we are at the FAMOUS owl of Minerva,
chowing down on kimchi chigae and mandoo...

In our 14th year,
snuggling more than ever,
holding hands,
laughing and hanging out together.

Woke up at the crack of noon...
just in time for brunching...

In the evening, a lovely dinner
of turkey breast, yellow beans, and potatoes
at Clairville.

A perfect day to start the new year.

Wishing all a healthy, happy year ahead filled with joy and love.