Monday, August 31, 2020

All about buildings: Commercial buildings or store fronts

 Cee's Fun Foto Challenge


The Art Deco bronze doors at the entranceway to this building originally graced the main entrance of the Toronto Star building at 80 King St. W. from 1929 to 1971. When the Star relocated, the doors were donated to the Royal Ontario Museum. In 1991, they were presented to the newly-renovated 357 Bay St. Building for public display.






T for Tuesday

 T Stands For is hosted by Elizabeth and Bleubeard

August 2020 - Toronto ON


I found these lovelies last week in Yorkville. When I first googled it, I came across a similar one, I thought it was it, but there were two empty stools at the table. It was by Gillie and Marc but it resides in New York City. 


Check out their awesome fabric paintings on their website. I WANT the one with cameras and the London one. 💓💓💓

This one, located on Scollard St. in Toronto, is outside a personal injury law firm.



The website states:

Meet the awe-inspiring hybrid characters named Dogman and Rabbitgirl. These unique characters have arrived to promote, love, and acceptance. As unlikely animal-kingdom companions, together they symbolize unity and acceptance - representing all people as one.

Now more than ever is the time for people of all races, religions and beliefs to come together. Rabbitgirl and Dogman invite the world to sit with them symbolically at their Table and take the first step to understanding and loving each other. The sculpture is where we sit, discuss, and solve problems. The world has reached a crisis where our differences are causing hatred and division.

The installation of these bronze sculptures is the first step in a massive, global campaign by Gillie and Marc that aims to promote love and peace across the globe. Major cities around the world, Including London, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Paris have all expressed interested in hosting this duo. However, the artists choose to launch this sculpture in Canada!





Foto Tunes

 Tom hosts Foto Tunes

Toronto ON

It should be that time of year, The Ex, Canadian National Exhibition should be taking place right now.

There should be all kinds of street festivals around town.

But this pandemic has taken a bite our of all these fun outdoor festivities. 


Let's hope we can get back to them next year!







Monday Mural

 I'm linking up at Monday Mural


August 2020 - Toronto ON

Yorkville, a trendy neighbourhood in the Bloor/Yonge area of Toronto, began an annual mural event last year. It took place this weekend.

This link will take you to a post with more links to last year's murals.

I went on Friday and found one of them.









MURAL UPDATE

This mural replaces last year's mural by Mr. Brainwash.

Thierry Guetta, best known by his moniker Mr. Brainwash, is a French-born, Los Angeles-based street artist. According to the 2010 Banksy-directed film Exit Through the Gift Shop, Guetta was a proprietor of a used clothing store, and amateur videographer who was first introduced to street art by his cousin, the street artist Invader, and who filmed street artists through the 2000s and became an artist in his own right in a matter of weeks after an off-hand suggestion from Banksy.










Saturday, August 29, 2020

Self-Isolation Week 25

  Weekend Cooking is now hosted by Marg at The Intrepid Reader!

Sunday Salon


August 2020 - Toronto ON

Yorkville Toronto ON August 2020

John got to work painting the window frames.

You can see the shutters and framing on the balcony, 1-800-GOT JUNK will pick them up this week.



And Sunday traffic, the Lake Shore is closed to cars every weekend you would think they would have figured it out by now. 

Oh what the heck, let's just turn around and head down the on ramp the wrong way.



Just to re-iterate, that is an ON ramp, not an exit.


I forgot to mention last week that I bought a new paring knife because my old faithful had cracked. I had bought a couple of cheap replacements that just didn't work for me. I was in The Bay, the first time since March, and was speaking to the clerk about a replacement. In the end he also sold me a bagel/tomato knife which is quickly becoming by go to. John is still getting over the shock that two knives would cost $80.

The clerk also suggested I send a note to Henkels with a photo of my cracked knife as they are guaranteed for life, which I did. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.



We dropped off a couple of laptops and the kitchen TV to Best Buy as they recycle electronics.

1-800 GOT JUNK came and picked up the island to make room for counter installation.

The futon and pant presser went.


Balcony is clear again. Tape will be removed when painting is finished.



Prep for counter install.


Painting finished , it is white, contrary to what it looks like in photo.


John suggested putting the desk by the window and it is perfect.


The view from the desk.


Wednesday I went to St. Lawrence Market, the first time since March. I so missed it! It was quiet, no tour buses.

The city is painting the roads for outside patios.




Sad to see another landmark restaurant/pub closing down.











Thursday and a project is completed! 




Friday! Where did the week go???

I headed to Yorkville.







So much destruction/construction going on. I worked around here in the 90s and walked these streets, shopping, getting lunch, going to the library, haircuts and I barely recognize anything.







There is a mural painting project taking place this weekend. 






Sorry Cafe, lovethe raccoon drawing in the window.


Over the Rainbow in Manulife Centre.


Monday Mural featured a mural from my Bloor St. trip a couple of weeks ago.
Tuesday Treasures covered some murals of Honest Ed's from the same outing.





COOKING

Indigo Books Toronto ON August 2020

Saturday I made a Shepherd's pie with mashed white and sweet potatoes along with carrots.

Sunday I used a recipe from my 15 Minute Jamie Oliver. Duck was on my 2020 cooking bucket list ✔✔✔ crispy duck lettuce wraps. I served it with rice rather than noodles. A definite hit to be added to my recipe box.


Monday was curry chicken with leftovers for lunch.

Tuesday leftover Shepherd's pie and salad.

Wednesday and I knocked another off my 2020 cooking bucket list, mussels ✔✔✔ in a vodka tomato broth. John didn't love his mussels which is unusual, he thought they were stringy.




Thursday was a lazy dinner, roast chicken thighs, potatoes and carrots.



READING/WATCHING


I finished Autumn (Seasonal #1) by Ali Smith which I was excited to read. But it left me confused, it just wasn't coherent, but I will try the rest of the series.

I finished The Gilded Cage and let's just say revenge is sweet!

I started another Camilla Lackberg The Scent of Almonds.


The New Bohemians was a great book to browse through. Normally I physically borrow cookbooks or decor books from the library as they do not read well on a tablet or phone. But this time I downloaded it to my laptop and it was very easy to read and I could use the snipping tool to "cut out" articles.