Swan and Pumpkins

Only in Stratford could a swan fit right in to a display of pumpkins…

Happy Halloween, everyone!

The Weekly Breakfast

Buttermilk pancakes with raspberry sauce and bacon. 

It was too chilly out on the deck this morning, so we ate in the kitchen.

This afternoon we’re off to see Peter Pan, then we’re having dinner with a friend.

Hope you’re all having a lovely Saturday!!!

Up the Steps to the Courthouse

Well, actually, it’s up the steps and across a very busy street to the courthouse.  But from down here it looks really easy!

One year ago: Stratford’s Skyline

 

Welcome to Stratford

We found this sign on our walk yesterday.  We’d never noticed it before!

One year ago: Danger Due to Teeny Tiny Printing

An Island of Calm

On the edge of the downtown is this little island, perfect for summertime picnics.

This picture was taken while standing under the Huron Street Bridge.

One year ago: Back Entrance

The Huron Street Bridge

Built in 1885, the Huron Street Bridge is one of the few arched stone bridges left in Ontario.

This picture was taken from down in the very quiet park at the base of the bridge.

One year ago: The Pig Truck

VOTE

It’s election day in many Ontario cities.  Here in Stratford, we’ve been able to vote online or by phone for a week now.  Which gives the procrastinators among us plenty of time to put it off.

For those without a home computer, or who just need a bit of help, there are still public polling stations like this one at City Hall.

Polls close at 8:00 this evening.  Don’t miss out!

Pallets

A stack of pallets on the sidewalk out back of Rheo Thompson Candies.

You can find interesting patterns in the most mundane things.

The Weekly Breakfast

French toast with mixed berry sauce for him.  BLT with fried egg for her.  Roaster’s Pride coffee from the Buzz Stop for both (it is Pride Weekend in Stratford, after all). 

We were able to eat out on the deck again this week.  Score!

Library Book Sale Tomorrow

The Friends of the Stratford Public Library Used Book Sale is tomorrow – Saturday, October 23 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Stratford Rotary Complex (hall A).

They kindly allowed us in to take some pictures of the set-up.  So much temptation!  Get there early and be sure to bring your own bags/boxes to carry your finds home.

Does This Look Safe to You?

On a local industrial building there are cinderblocks holding up the gas pipe.

Does this look safe to you?

 

Ghosts of Summer

They’re making a bit of a mess of the backyard, but they cast such pretty shadows on the blind, it’s hard to get rid of them…

Monet in Stratford

Monet never actually made it to Stratford, but if he had, he totally would have loved painting this view, don’t you think?

One year ago: A Sunny October Morning

Stratford Urban Farming Experiment

Stratford Urban Farming Experiment held a work party and potluck yesterday to get one of the garden beds ready for next year.  We turned over some soil, added a bunch of leaves to the no-dig bed and planted the garlic.  IT went really quickly with so many people helping.

Volunteering to help is a great way to learn more about gardening.  Plus, there was chilli after!

Please check out their website or their Facebook page for more information.

The Book Launch

Our friend Lorrie Ingram has written a book: The Power of Maca (Peruvian Superfood).

She had a book launch on Friday at Nutrition House – the store she owns in conjunction with her consulting practice. 

Very proud, we are, and pleased to have been invited to the launch.

The Weekly Breakfast

It’s such a gorgeous day, we were able to eat out on the deck.

Omelettes this week, with instructions to come this Thursday on HappySimple.  Now we’re off to do our volunteer shift at DocFest.

Hope you’re all having a lovely Saturday!

In a Blaze of Glory

Because, really, can you have too many photos of blazing Fall colours?  We don’t think so.  We hope you agree!

One year ago: Early in the Morning

Looking Peaceful

The Festival season is still going on (we have tickets to Dangerous Liaisons!) and this place is still busy.  But early in the morning just after Thanksgiving, it looks kind of peaceful, doesn’t it?

One year ago: Down by the Station

Hunger in Stratford

Last night’s Do the Math – Stratford Town Hall Meeting (part of the Put Food in the Budget Campaign) was  a real eye-opener. 

We heard from three of the people who took part in the Do the Math Challenge, either living on a food budget of $5 a day or eating only what is contained in a typical food basket.

Steve Stacey took the $5 a day challenge.  He ate mostly potatoes.  He said that he had been hungry before, but this was the first time he’d ever had to go hungry.  He had to work on an empty stomach, which made it impossible to give his best.  The hunger made him grumpy, impatient and irritable.

Kerry McManus took the food basket challenge.  The worst part for her was having a friend for dinner and worrying about running out of food.  It’s so hard to share when you don’t have enough.

Ali Matthews also took the food basket challenge.  She was shocked by how much processed food was in it.  It’s of such poor nutritional quality and we’re saying to the people who need help “This is what you can have.”

Eye-opening as the challenge was, the participants are now back to eating as they normally do.  People who rely on public assistance have to live the challenge every single day.

Or as one MPP said when refusing to participate “This is not a challenge – this is impossible.”

Please check out Put Food in the Budget.  Our neighbours deserve so much better than they’re getting right now.  We need to get involved.  As Mike Balkwill, who led last night’s session explained, “Public opinion is not powerful unless it’s organized.”

It’s time to get organized.

 

Happy Birthday Leslie Spoor

Our dear friend Leslie Spoor (a frequent visitor to Stratford) is celebrating his 100th birthday today. 

We hope you will join us in wishing him a very happy birthday!

Fall Colours – We Have Them!

The annual display of Fall colours is well under way.  Not a lot of leaves on the ground to shuffle through yet, but if the leaves on this tree are any indication, it will be happening soon!

Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian readers!

One year ago: Decorating for Fall

 

The Weekly Breakfast

Shhhh….

We’re not even in Stratford right now, but we couldn’t let the day slip by without sharing our breakfast.  Today it was prune packzi and fresh-brewed coffee.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

The Digital Cafe – Meet the Geek

On Wednesday’s from 6:30m – 8:00 PM at William’s Coffee Pub (641 Erie Street), Troy Roach of OnSite Technology hosts The Digital Cafe – Meet the Geek.  He’ll answer your tech/internet – related questions.

Or if your laptop is giving you those funny messages again, you can bring it in and he’ll get you sorted.  He really knows his stuff and it’s a great way to learn a little more about a sometimes overwhelming subject.

***Please note that next week’s Digital Cafe will be on Thursday, October 14***

The Heron

Another photo from a few weeks ago.

There’s a little stream beside the Old Grove, where the heron was patiently waiting.  The photographer was studiously ignored, but thrilled to be so close to such beauty.

Just a little announcement.  We now have a Facebook page, which we’d love for you to ‘like’.  If you’re on Facebook, please come on over and join us.  It’s brand new, but it’s where we’ll be posting all our extra photos plus interesting links to things in and around Stratford.

After the Party

A couple of weeks ago the neighbours behind us had a birthday party for their little guy.  They hung a bunch of balloons along their clothesline.  It made the whole backyard look festive.  Definitely an idea we’ll keep in mind for our next outdoor party.

Stratford Urban Farming Experiment

There was a Meet and Greet at Revel Cafe for the Stratford Urban Farming Experiment last night.

Homeowners can offer part of their property to be used for planting vegetables.  Volunteers will plant, weed, harvest and learn.  The resulting vegetables will be shared among the homeowners, volunteers and local food banks.

It’s such a great idea and everyone there was so excited.  We’ve offered our backyard.  Heather will be by to take a look on Friday

For more information, you can check out their website here, like them on Facebook here or follow them on Twitter here.

Paparazzi (sort of)

There was a sparrow perched at the very top of the building. But he flew away. Obviously, he was tired of being stalked by the press.

The Old Shed

The buildings by the rail yards look abandoned. The sounds of early morning activity tell us otherwise.

The Weekly Breakfast

Our friend Anna Atkinson came to the market with us this morning. 

Then we came back to our house for french toast and bacon and lots and lots of coffee round the kitchen table.

Autumn Colours

In established neighbourhoods with older trees, the autumn leaves make for a beautiful tunnel of colour to walk through and photograph.