What a wonderful day!

Barry's been in Hamilton all day at a model builders contest.  I'm not sure how many he took, but pretty much guaranteed he won at least 1 award ... he always does....

My day has been fabulous!  I slept in a little, did my workout, had a healthy breakfast, sat down with my coffee and a good book and just chilled.

Of course I had to spend some time outside in gardens, which I did.  Couldn't do a lot, but tidied things up enough that I'm happy.  I forgot to fill the bird feeders tho'.  Then I went for a walk by the lake ....

We live about a 2 minute walk from the lake.  Ajax has been amazing about their greenspace.  They're created a walkiing/biking pathway that stretches pretty much the entire span of our town, following the shoreline.  Lots of people walking, running, cycling.  Everyone had a smile on their face.  It's an interesting ritual.
The sun was shining, sparking off the lake like diamonds.  There's a spot maybe a mile or so from my house that the view is wonderful.  It's just lake.  It's so peaceful down there.  I'm sure it was a lot busier there earlier in the day but of course I was so busy enjoying my backyard that I was a little late with my walk.  Nevertheless, it was wonderful.

The lake was the most beautiful sapphire blue.  The sky was bright and clear.  It was crisp without being really cold, although the wind had picked up on my way home.  But I couldn't care less ... I was out in the sunshine, getting lots of that wonderful Vitamin D.... 

I couldn't get over the number of Canada Geese that were along the lakeshore.  I even saw a number of swans, younger and mature.  I think everyone was happy today.

I'm looking to many, many more days like this at even warmer temps.  It seems like every year we talk about doing things.  This year ... we are going to make a point of doing a bunch of things that we've been talking about doing.  Like taking long walks along the lake.  Like spending the day downtown Toronto and just wandering around, checking out the changes in the City.  Going to the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum, Harbourfront.  Visiting friends.  Entertaining more.  We're both procrastinators and getting a little forgetful.   Too many things going on....

It's kinda funny, I'm sitting in our living room typing this.  The living room faces west.  It's almost 5 pm and the sun is starting to think about setting and it's streaming in so bright but I refuse to move or close the drapes even tho I care barely see the screen.  It's the sun.  And I think I'm a sun-slut.  I guess there are worse things that I could be ...

To those of my blogging friends who live in far better climates than I do ... this may seem a little silly/funny whatever.  But until you've lived through the 4 seasons ... it's hard to fully explain.  And I'm so sensitive to the weather.  But the good weather is on its way ... WOO HOO!

Until next time ... and Mademoiselle Deva ... I do feel much better .... thanks .

It's sunny out!

OK, so my friends in the warmer, sunnier climates may chuckle about this statement, I can't tell you how important sunny days (especially those which are above the freezing mark) are in the middle of winter.  Athough we haven't had much of a winter this year except for the really cold temps ... regularly -10 to -25 with the windchill.  No snow on the ground now and we really haven't had any this winter.  And I'm ok with that this year.  I know it's not great for the gardens but I'll deal with it.  At least you don't have to shovel freezing temps.

But today is sunny and about 4 or 5 degree celcius.  I'm so excited!  Although I do wish I was here ....

I've been somewhat MIA lately.  Just sick and tired and lethargic and a little depressed.  But every day is a new day so I decided that as of today I gotta get back into this.  I am, however, going to keep it brief 'cause I have a date with my garden today.  I'm gonna take a cup of coffee and go sit on my deck and call my sister.  And maybe pick up some garbage, etc.  It's too early to start cutting things back but not much longer..  Another 2 or 3 weeks and I'll be outside a LOT more than I have been.  I'm not a fan of really hot, humid weather (unless of course I'm just chillin on my deck with a cold beverage (wink, wink)) but I hate the cold too.  *sigh*

So thanks for hanging in and supporting me during my being MIA.  Count your blessings ... you never know how chatty I'll get in the future.

Have an awesome day everyone!

Dreaming of Summer

Today was actually kinda nice out.  Milder than what it's been.  Still cold but better.  It was cloudy and flurrying from time to time but at least it was up around the freezing mark.

About another 4-6 weeks and I'll be out cleaning up the gardens.  That's where Barry comes in.  He actually likes to clean up, picking up twigs, cleaning up leaves, etc.  There's not a lot else to do until the ground thaws.  That's when I get to work ... big time.  I've got so much to do ... catmint to dig up ... vines to prune, lots and lots of stuff to do.  And I love it.  I miss it.I haven't done any gardening since late September and I'm starting to get itchy fingers.  I need to get outside and start sketching out what is where, if I can remember.

Here's a few pics of my gardens ...

The front yard ... this is all the grass I have on my little piece of property.

The shrubs are a little bigger now ....

And older picture in the backyard.  Now we have a deck on the left side of the pic.

The slope from the patio to the lower gardens and deck

North side of the house ... it's somewhat fuller now.

Time for bed ... time to dream about lush gardens and drinks on the deck.  For those of you who live in warmer climates (Diane) at least most of the time, you have no idea how much I envy you.  I'd love to garden year round although the winter does give me a break.

Until tomorrow :)

Valentine's Weekend

Hi All,

Sorry I've been so sporadic in my posts ... I guess I kinda made up for in that last one.  Whew!  I promise this is far more pictures then words.

Saturday I went for a mani-pedi and got my hair blown out, found a red cami (actually got 4 great camis for $28 ... they're regularly $16 EACH) so I was really happy.

Got home, got dressed and off we went to see Alfie Zappacosta at a great little venue in the west end of Toronto called Hugh's Room.  Our seats were literally beside the stage.  Check out the view ...

The stage was literally at our table ... I could reach out and touch the keyboard ... not to mention rest my foot on the stage.  The food was great, the music awesome and he even had a guest, Janet MacEwan, join him.  Just an awesome evening all round.

So here's Barry ....

I actually managed to get most of his ensemble from Pinstripe Menswear.  The jacket I tried on ... it fit me in the shoulders and fortunately (or scarily I'm not sure which), it fit him perfectly.  Not bad for $50.  Same for the shirt which is actually really sharp.  The dress pants were actually from Marks Work Wearhouse.  The shoes (they're Brogues and God help me I'm trying to change that situation) he's had for a number of years.

Keep in mind these pictures were actually taken at about 1:15 a.m. after our dinner out ... except this one was at the show ....

I kept the shrug on for most of the evening.  Now for the after-show show :)

 I LOVE the detail in the back ... please excuse the fat arms ... yeesh!

The shoes of course ... I love, love, love these shoes ... not the most comfortable pair of shoes I've ever worn but I really don't give a crap when they look this hot!  And of course the toenails were painted red to accent the red cami and lips ....

We really liked this photo ... plus it shows off my hair ...

And this is one of my favourite pieces that my sister has made.  Long story behind it but I won't bore you with it.  Suffice it to say that I love it.

Valentine's Day was really nice ... slept in a little, brekkie, latte, errands, housework then Barry froze his hiney off and BBQ'd steak and I made the veggies and we had wine with dinner (shocking), tea and chocolate cake.   And yeah, and candlelight and french music.  It was a lovely quiet dinner for just the two of us.

Today (Family Day here in Ontario so we have the day off) has been cleaning, touch ups, laundry, all that domestic stuff we never got around to the past couple of days.  I actually got up and did a light workout.  I was shocked at my lack of stamina but I had to get back at it sometime.  I'll be back up to my old schedule of 4:15 a.m. as of tomorrow.  At least it's only 4 days this week.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and enjoyed the "show".