April Photo A Day - Day 30

"Something that makes you sad"

Well, I wasn't going to bother with this last photo, as I haven't been sad lately. That is, until I found myself crying in the shower this morning. I've had to change hormonal treatment in Canada (I have endometriosis and take continual medication to treat it). The drug I've been using successfully since I was 15 isn't available here. The Dr is 'pretty sure' the new one is the best equivalent and says it will take about three months to make the switch.

Meanwhile, I can expect to be a grumpy, teary you-know-what every month until it sorts itself out.

Oh goody! Pass the Kleenex...

April Photo A Day - Day 29

"Circle"

Here is a photo of some stock awaiting the stuffing process. I will sit in front of the tv tonight and work on them. It's been great getting back into business at last, and lovely to have things selling so quickly.

Meat Free Mondays

Have you heard of this movement? 

You can thank the McCartney's for it. It's one of their more accessible ideas for. Of course, meat free is a daily occurrence for me, but I think it's a great idea for everyone. And for the planet too.

I picked up the new cookbook this week and have been salivating ever since. Honestly, it's one of the best vegetarian cookbooks I've ever seen. The recipes look delicious, easy and range from breakfast right through to dessert.

You can try Maggie Beer's Eggplant Casserole with Pomegranate or Stella McCartney's Carrot Cake.

But it's not about celebrity, it's about food and health with no nonsense.

I have filled it with sticky notes after one short viewing. 

Not sure where I'll start first, will let you know...

April Photo A Day - Day 27

"Somewhere you went".

I am playing catch up with these photos again. That's because the 'somewhere' I went yesterday, was bed. Had a migraine, darn it. A little better today, though teetering.
I think some stitching in front of Grand Designs will sort me out.

April Photo A Day - Day 26

"Black and white"

I bought this print and had it framed it for Husband's birthday last year. We love finding different parts of Toronto on our map. I think it will be the beginning of a collection of black and white prints...

April Photo A Day - Day 25

"Looking Down"  (although this photo works for yesterday's 'Something you're grateful for' as well)

I looked down on the rug to see that Ariel and the Prince from Beauty and the Beast were in love.

My kid is awesome!

April Photo A Day - Day 23

"Vegetable"

Vegetable shmegetable. It was so cold and wet today, even a bit snowy in places. After a freezing walk home from school we opted for crumpets and hot chocolate....

April Photo A Day - Day 22

"The last thing you bought"

I went sniffing round a craft fair yesterday. It's called City of Craft and I think it will be totally up my alley. Eventually. 

The first hall contained the kid vendors (love!) who were selling their crocheted hats and cute little rings and book plates and such (accompanied by a grownup, naturally).

One lovely young man was manning an Operation Sock Monkey stand. Have you heard of them? If not, you can see the link here. They do fabulous humanitarian work with children all over the globe. And it's a great idea for a class or group of industrious kids to make some monkeys and either sell them or donate them directly to other kids in need. 

I bought my kid a t-shirt, donated a monkey to a child in Quebec and purchased some kits for birthday presents. It's so great to see kids doing such cool activities and following through with an idea.

So, here's what I bought...

I bought some cool posters and bits at the market too. Hopefully, I'll be able to wrap my head around applying for a stall before Christmas. It was a great combination of casual and professional, very welcoming and fun. And busy!

April Photo A Day - Day 20

"Something you drew"

I don't draw much, occasionally with Poppet. Stitching is my 'drawing'. But I do whip out a pencil when I'm drafting a new pattern...

Which is something I did this week. There's nothing like getting an idea out of your head and onto paper.

April Photo A Day - Day 19

"Orange"

I've really lost the plot with these pics, but am officially up to date now. Will try to do better.

This is my beautiful Phillippe Starck watch. My husband bought it for my birthday a few years back. I can't wear it daily anymore as the leather is getting all mussed up. Can't replace it, except for on Ebay for triple the original cost. Love it so.

 

April Photo A Day - Day 16

"Flower"

I'm out of whack with these pictures, should be doing photo 17 by now. Oops!

But here's a photo from last evening. We went for a walk to High Park (yep, that awesome huge park just down the road) to check out the cherry blossom walk before the petals all drop. 

Yesterday was lovely, there was a butterfly explosion in town and there were thousands of them everywhere. Unfortunately that means it's almost wasp and mosquito season too, but I'd rather focus on the pretty things for now.

So pretty...

April Photo A Day - Day 14

"How You Feel Today"

I missed the photo post yesterday, it was a fairly hectic day. And it was also my Dad's birthday. He would have been 73. How do I feel today? Pretty sad, and very cross with him that I can't pick up the phone for a chat. He can't take my kid to the park with his dog or chat to my husband by the barbecue. 

This is one of my favourite shots of him and Poppet. I don't have that many as they weren't together long enough, but she found him really funny. She got him, even as a baby.

 

I miss you, you funny old bastard...

April Photo A Day - Day 13

"Something You Found"

I finally figured out a stockist for my favourite new magazine, Mollie Makes. 
Walmart!

 

Who'dathoughtit?

April Photo A Day - Day 12

"Stairs"

There are 30 stairs in our house from the front door to our bedrooms at the top. That may not sound like much, but once you've carried a few loads of washing up and down and been to the toilet (downstairs) a few times at night. Well. It's quite a workout.

 

And if you get gastro in this house (as we all did in January) it's best to sleep on the sofa....

Easter Weekend

Well, Easter isn't quite the break we're used to in Australia. With Spring Break a few weeks ago, Easter only gets a long weekend. And you only get Monday off if you work for the government or a bank so Daddy had to work.

Still, we made the most of it. On Friday we went out for breakfast and did some walks and sniffed around a couple of bookstores (further developing Poppet's new graphic novel addiction). Saturday was spent watching Miyazaki movies at the cinema during the day, whilst us grown ups started watching 'Breaking Bad' to find out what all the fuss is about. It's great, though sometimes tough to watch because of the cancer link with my dad.

Sunday was lazy, an Easter egg hunt in the morning followed by a little bit of garden shopping and more wandering about aimlessly. Poppet spent the afternoon working on her skipping.

Monday, me and Poppet hit the playground and had a playdate. Or two. 'Twas all very nice. 

Here are some pics...

 

 

Hope you all had a lovely break.

April Photo A Day - Day 11

"Where You Ate Breakfast"

Breakfast is spent in front of the computer, catching up on emails and Facebook. On weekends we usually go out for breakfast, or have a fry-up out on the deck if it's warm enough.

 

April Photo A Day - Day 10

"Cold"

This was taken a few years ago on a trip to New Zealand. On the gorgeous drive to Queenstown (one of my favourite places) we saw our first mountains and snow. We were very excited.

 

I have loved 'real' winter ever since...

 

April Photo A Day - Day 9

"Younger You"

My photos from the olden days are in storage in the old country. Luckily, I do have photos on my computer since Poppet was born. Here we are together about six years ago...

 

Doesn't time fly...

April Photo A Day - Day 8

"Inside Your Wallet"

Inside my wallet, you'll find both Canadian and Australian money, waaaaay too many coins because I still haven't learnt to recognise anything under a quarter (25c) here, streetcar tickets and tokens, receipts from chronic overspending and a voucher for Old Navy which I'm sure I'll completely forget about, and lots of tickets to the upcoming children's film festival. Can't wait for that!