Monday, May 30, 2011

Site of the Shakespeare Hotel

Site of the Shakespeare Hotel

Beside Pazzo.  The sign on the rock says: Site of the Shakespeare Hotel First Permanent Building Erected in Stratford 1832.

The Shakespearean tradition goes back a long way here…

Saturday, May 21, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast Early Summer Edition

Summer breakfast

The weather is absolutely perfect today, so breakfast was on the deck.  Blueberry pancakes, local bacon, coffee.

We’re off to see Camelot this afternoon and then to The Prune for dinner for an early 28th Anniversary celebration.

Hope you’re all having a delicious weekend!

Friday, May 20, 2011

A Friendly Good Morning

Good Morning!

When we raise the bedroom blind in the morning, this is what greets us.  It’s a lovely way to start the day.

Living in Stratford, a lot of people ask us what plays we recommend.  Grapes of Wrath is definitely on the ‘must see’ list.  It’s heart-breakingly brilliant.

Friday, May 13, 2011

This Could Take Awhile

Lots of work

Gardening season has finally begun here in Stratford. 

One of our plans for this year is to dig up all the grass from our front boulevard and replace it with decorative grasses and other lovely things that don’t need mowing.

But since our plans also include things like being able to walk upright and maybe breathe without pain, progress will be slow. 

We’ll keep you posted…

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Monday, May 9, 2011

A Little Work

Scaffolding


One of our local churches is getting a little work done.


Maybe it’s because of the time we’ve spent in Paris (where work is always being done somewhere), but there’s something about the heightened mystery of a building shrouded in scaffolding that adds a touch of magic. Or is it just us?

At Long Last Spring!

Spring is in the air!

A couple of Stratford’s beautiful old houses see through a haze of buds. 

We don’t want to jinx it, but Spring may finally be upon us!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast Twenty Percent Chance of Rain edition

20 percent chance of rain

As the skies grow progressively darker, we decide to eat in the kitchen this week.  Having to dash inside in the middle of a meal is just too much excitement for a lazy Saturday…

Hope you’re all having a lovely, tasty weekend!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Sunlight and Shadow

sunlight and shadow

When the day dawns sunny after weeks of rain, you get out and take a picture of it.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Spring Planting

SUFE

On Saturday afternoon, some volunteers from the Stratford Urban Farming Experiment came over to turn over the bed and plant the early seeds. 

The work goes so much faster when you have help!

Saturday, April 30, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast Break in the Weather Edition

A break in the weather

It’s been raining steadily all week, with more due starting tomorrow.

But today dawned sunny and warm.  We knew what we had to do.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Daffodils

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We were away last year when the daffodils bloomed in our front lawn, so we’re doubly happy to see them now.

Don’t they look like they’re searching for something?

Saturday, April 23, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast Road Trip Edition

On the road again

We’re heading down to see Alan’s Dad this weekend. So we’ve got yumminess for tomorrow morning, pasta salad for lunch and some Shreddies to be bolted on the way out the door.

Hope you all have a delicious weekend!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Monday, April 18, 2011

Hyacinths for the Soul

Hyacinths for the Soul


In sheltered spots with a sunny exposure, a new season stirs.



If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,
And from thy slender store two loaves alone to thee are left,
Sell one, and with the dole
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.


Moslih Eddin Saadi


Gulistan (Garden of Roses)

Flowers in the Window


The window at The Clay Cafe


Just up from York Street Kitchen, painted flowers brighten the window of The Clay Cafe no matter what the weather.

The Annex Room


Out front at The Annex Room


Out front of The Annex Room, they’re using icicle pansies and pussy willow branches to give us a taste of spring.

Awaiting Spring

The window at York Street Kitchen


This seems to be the Spring that can’t make up its mind. It’s sunburn one day, blizzards the next. The flowers are holding back, waiting for better weather.


The people of Stratford are coping in a variety of ways, including putting out displays of cheerfully fake flowers, like this one at the window of York Street Kitchen.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast April Showers edition

Rainy day breakfast

It’s raining far too much for breakfast on the deck this week.  But we’re not complaining. The way the wind was howling last night, we fully expected to wake up to snow this morning.

Sunny yellow flowers to go with sunny tomato and spinach omelettes (sorry Leif!)

And if you look in the back, under the window, you’ll see the barbeque we picked up this morning. Summer is on it’s way!

Have a delicious weekend, everyone!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast Turn Off The Furnace And Open All The Windows Edition

laundry on the line

Out on the deck again, despite a few rallies by a retreating Winter earlier in the week.  Laundry on the line, Alan’s bicycle at the ready and bacon and tomato sandwiches on sourdough bread.

Have a gorgeous weekend, everyone!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast Out On The Deck Edition

First breakfast on the deck

The shadier portions of the property still have snow (along the back fence). But on the deck, which faces south, IT’S SPRING! IT’S SPRING! IT’S SPRING!

Celebrated this morning with baguette French toast, bacon and lots of yummy local maple syrup.

Have a delicious weekend, everyone!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast Running Errands Edition

Ready for the Art Gallery of Lambeth

We’re taking a batch of Barb’s cards to The Art Gallery of Lambeth today.  Fingers crossed for clear roads after all the snow earlier this week!

Tomato and cheese omelettes, bacon and coffee…

Hope you’re all having a yummy weekend!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast Company Edition

Company

Alan’s sister and her daughter came up for an overnight.  We were happy to have them join us for breakfast (pancakes with local maple syrup).

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Saturday, March 12, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast Salsa Time Edition

It's Salsa Time!

This week’s breakfast was built around our friend Karen’s yummy homemade salsa.  Scrambled eggs, beans, rosti and bacon, all topped with summer in a jar.  Is there a better way to ignore the recent snows?

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Monday, March 7, 2011

Brickwork

Brickwork

Another great old building downtown. This time it’s the brickwork that’s worthy of comment.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Winter Loosens Its Grip

Buds in the trees

The days are getting longer, the snow is starting to melt faster than it can be replenished. And if you look up, tilt your head a little and squint, you might just see some signs that spring is on its way.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast Payday Was Last Week Edition

Payday was last week

The tulips still have some colour in them.  We had some ham left over from a dinner party.  Found a potato in the cupboard.  And, ooh! We still have eggs!

Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Stratford Garden Festival

2011-03-03_18.48.29

We snagged tickets to the opening party of the Stratford Garden Festival last night.  It’s such a wonderful blast of spring in the middle of a long cold winter.

This year (as always) David Scott and Jeff Bonnet had the most magical display, including this rendering of The Thinker in scrap metal.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

Stratford Star

2011-02-25_20.00.02


We went to the Stratford Star competition on Friday night. Just before the intermission, they brought out a birthday cake for one of the finalists. It had sparklers on it, which set off the fire alarms, necessitating the evacuation of the building and the arrival of the fire department, making this the birthday against which all others will be compared for the rest of her life.


Happy Birthday Livie!!!!!!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast Dreaming of Spring Edition

Dreaming of Spring

Yellow tulips found at the Farmer’s Market set the tone for this morning’s breakfast.

Sorry for missing last week.  We were in Windsor with Alan’s family.  The full story is here.  Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Layers and Layers of Snow

Layers of snow


The sidewalk after the plough’s been through and then more snow has fallen.


It looks a bit like an archaeological dig. Only colder.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Snow on the Roof

Don't get too close!


A mountain of snow on the roof of our train station.


The station’s been there long enough, it’s probably used to it by now.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

More Redundant Signage

DSC00778


The fact that it’s backed by an impassable block of concrete says it far better than the sign alone ever could.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Getting Warmer

It's beautiful when it melts


After the blizzard on Saturday, we’ve hit a warming trend. High winds and lots of puddles, perfect for catching reflections.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast Winter Won This Round Edition

 Winter Won This Round

This morning brought squalling snow and frigid temperatures.  Again.

We looked at each other and asked, “Do we really need to go to the market?”  Which, after the sheer amount of winter we’ve had this year was possibly a dangerous question.  We decided to survive the week by eating up whatever’s in the fridge.  Starting with those sausages…

Saturday, February 5, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast World Nutella Day Edition

The Weekly Breakfast World Nutella Day Edition

Today is World Nutella Day.  And the best way to serve Nutella is on crepes.

And, of course, we made our own Nutella, using this recipe from David Lebovitz.

Life is sweet, indeed.  Hope you’re all enjoying a lovely, lazy weekend!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

The Weekly Breakfast Working From Home Edition

The weekly breakfast working from home edition

The occasional working weekend is not so bad.  But wouldn’t it be nice to have French toast, bacon and coffee brought in to the office once in awhile to make up for it?

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Near the Embro Road

Towards Embro

Out at the edge of town, looking toward the Embro Road.  On a really cold afternoon.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Sleep Well

Sweet dreams...

Squirrels’ nests look so exposed when the trees are bare.  We hope they’re keeping warm in there…