New Art Supplies

I just realized how short a month this is, it not being a leap year.  It has been a very cold week but yesterday was clear and sunny, the way spring looks when it is coming in!   Surely it won't be long now.

We were driving by the art store the other day and decided to pop in.  I treated myself to some new watercolour crayons.  I've never tried these before, but the art store owner said they are similar to using watercolour pencils.  They look like pastels.  I'm excited as there are 36 shades. I also got some new watercolour pencils (on the right), these ones are from Germany.

Paint Party Friday - Objet D'art

Welcome to Paint Party Friday! This piece is called 'Objet D'art', inspired by a photo of an old door I saw in the newspaper. It's in my sketchbook done in watercolour pencil (8 1/2"w x 11"h).  I thought that would be a good name for this store, wouldn't you like to take a peek inside?

Is this for real?

This is a beautiful old door from 1845 that can be viewed inside BCE place in downtown Toronto. It's part of a restored bank building that has been preserved there.  A modern skyscraper has been built around the old bank.

I was at my hairdresser's last week and one of the hairdressers told me about this article where 6 Canadians have made the shortlist for a one way trip to Mars in 2024.  A shortlist from about 200,000 people.  Is this for real? 

Topic for Debate

Daughter L suggested we might be 'Greedy' versus 'Foodie' people. I got these definitions from Wikipedia and I had to laugh, topic for debate indeed. Which do you think you are, or neither? Maybe you just eat to live?

'A foodie is a gourmet, or a person who has an ardent or refined interest in food and alcoholic beverages. A foodie seeks new food experiences as a hobby rather than simply eating out of convenience or hunger.'

Greedy
'having a strong or great desire for food or drink.'

In some good news, my daughter's good friend who was recently laid off her job, was hired by the company to whom her previous company was sold. We are so happy for her.

Creative Tuesdays - Under the Leaves

Creative Tuesdays is 'Under the Leaves' this week. This piece is done in acrylic (6"x6") on acid free green cardstock. It's a good piece for the upcoming Easter as well.

High-Tech

I saw these pretty flowers at the mall the other day, couldn't resist taking a quick photo.  I really don't need any more artificial flowers at home.

I enjoyed watching some of the Oscars last night, did you?  I'm not familiar with a lot of the latest movies, but it's nice to see the movie stars out.  Daughter L saw '50 shades of Grey' and thought it was an awful movie.

McDonald's has free coffee all day this week, starting today!  The promo goes until March 1.  Well, in Toronto anyway.

I got an email about the new Canadian passport with all its new high-tech security features.  It's good to know.  Under black light, it reveals stunning images on seemingly blank pages.

Sunday Sketches - Yellow Brick Road

For Sunday Sketches, this piece in my sketchbook (8 1/2"h x 11"w)is called 'Yellow Brick Road'. It's done in watercolour pencil.

Mugs with handles

I found these soup mugs with handles at the grocery store and got a couple for my 85 year old mother-in-law. She had been complaining about her soup mugs without handles as she is always scared of dropping them with her arthritic hands. She loved these.

In other good news son K passed his first aid re-certification (CPRC + AED) course. It's a good thing to have. What makes me mad is I went and bought him a training manual for about $15. Then when he finished his re-certification, I went to pack it away and found the original manual sitting on the shelf. The one I couldn't find a couple of weeks ago when I searched the whole house.  He had taken the original course 3 years ago and we had no memory of a manual anywhere.

Paint Party Friday - Ski Vignette

Welcome to Paint Party Friday! This is a ski vignette inspired by a photo I saw in the newspaper recently. It is (3" x 3") in watercolour pencil.

Also linking to Art Journal Journey.

Western Sandwich

This is one of my favourite sandwiches, it's a western sandwich, very similar to a frittata. It's basically an omelette made with onions, green peppers and smoked ham.  I like to top mine with ketchup.

Car Show

I cut my finger slicing pieces of ginger yesterday, that will teach me to take my time, especially when cutting things.

Son K, Husband M and I went to the annual Toronto Autoshow 2015 on family day this past Monday. It was a public holiday. We seem to go every year as it is K's passion. There were a few electric cars there, K is supposed to send me a photo of one being charged.  It was very crowded.  Here are some I took:

neat coffee table

New Retailers in Canada

It's my mother's 77th birthday today. I will give her this card I painted awhile back.

It seems Canada is embracing new Japanese clothing retailers as Target closes its doors.  Companies such as Muji, Uniqlo are opening up in Toronto.  I haven't been to any of them, but it sounds interesting according to this article.
Muji says it is against consumerism and hardly advertises, trying to make the product cheaper for consumers. Uniglo is building a distinctive reputation for quality and both companies focus on humility. The article mentions another Japanese company 7-11.

Baked Sweet Crisps

I recently tried these baked sweet crisps from Pepperidge Farm. They are only 90 calories for 20 small crisps and they do have a lovely chocolate taste. You feel as if you've had a sweet treat after, well a bit of one!

There was a recent article in the paper which says an old city policy advises people not to take photos in public parks and recreational facilities without permission.

Apparently landscapes or people at your own party are okay. It is meant to protect your privacy and it is good to be aware of this policy. I am always snapping photos I find interesting, fortunately it is usually things like scenery or food.

Sunday Sketches - Whale Watching

For Sunday Sketches, this piece is called 'whale watching'. It's in my sketchbook (8 1/2h x 11"w) in watercolour pencil. I've never actually done any whale watching, have you?

Also linking to Art Journal Journey.

Ethiopian

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ethiopian Platter

Daughter L went to an Ethiopian restaurant with some work friends last weekend.  She said the food was good, but they weren't provided with any cutlery and had to use their hands.  I suppose it was an authentic experience, but L said she might not go back for that reason.  (Maybe you should be given a choice.) I believe husband M and I had gone to this restaurant's 2nd location awhile back. We didn't enjoy the food but maybe we ordered the wrong dishes. L and her friends were advised to try these sampler platters which they did.

Paint Party Friday - Valentines

Welcome to Paint Party Friday. I thought this piece would be perfect for Valentine's Day, with these 2 sweet Valentines. It's done in my art journal (8 1/2"h x 11"w) in watercolour pencil. Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Also linking to Art Journal Journey today!

Close Game

Daughter L was at a Raptors basketball game last night with friends,  they won but it was very close.  She was given a valentine chocolate for screaming hard.

There was a moving story in the paper last weekend about a young man who was saved from suicide by a passing stranger and how they have reconnected through the media. The young man now speaks on mental illness on behalf of the Canadian Mental Health Association and gave a TED talk on the meeting that has a million views. The stranger who saved him also sounds like a special person.  I wanted to share it with you today.

And my sister who broke her ankle quite badly on New Year's Day has received an excellent report from the doctor.  She can start physiotherapy tomorrow and will walk in one month instead of two if all goes well.   She says she has been taking natural therapy capsules for bone and tissue healing, something a friend recommended.  It's hard to say if that is helping, who knows.

Made to Order

Daughter L shared these food photos of a recent Chinese lunch she had.  Apparently the dumplings were made to order and the place was inexpensive.

Creative Tuesdays - Pillows

Welcome to Creative Tuesdays! The current theme is "Pillows" and my piece is done in acrylic
 (4"h x 5"w) on a piece of light cardboard, the kind you find on the back of a spent notepad.  Looking forward to seeing what everyone else will do with this one.  Thanks to Michael for hosting.

BLT

This is a BLT whole wheat bagel from Tim Horton's. We eat too much fast food.

 So in the news comes the story that Canadians will now have the right to doctor assisted suicide.  It applies to 'Those who are severely and irremediably suffering, whether physically or psychologically'. The Supreme Court ruling is suspended for 12 months in order for laws to be drafted.  I wonder if this is like opening up a can of worms?  What do you think of this ruling?

Sunday Sketches - Ski Slope

Welcome to Sunday Sketches. This "ski slope" is done in my art journal in watercolour pencil (8 1/2"h x 11"w) in watercolour pencil.  Winter is in full swing in the Toronto area, with cold temperatures and just enough snow.

Restaurant Conversation

Daughter L (and her boyfriend) persuaded us all to go to this Spring Rolls asian restaurant.  They had implemented an all you can eat menu. It had a very nice, classy atmosphere, they previously had only an a la carte menu which served small, pricey portions. We were able to try quite a few items with an all you can eat price of $18.99 for lunch. Of course, we ate too much but we enjoyed it all, especially the bite-sized desserts.  Well, we ordered a lot of bite-sized portions.  The coffee was good too.  I forgot to take photos.

We were served by a nice waiter.  He asked us if we were celebrating a special occasion.  We weren't so I just said we tended to eat out too much.  I had noticed he had a tall, slim frame and thought he could have been a model.  He told us the edamame L ordered was his favourite snack food at the restaurant.  I teased him and said 'so that's your secret( to being so slim)!'   He laughed and admitted his 'slim' secret was that he hated all the food in the restaurant.   He said he didn't eat out a lot, in fact, he was more concerned with paying all his bills/debts.  I asked if he lived in the area and supposed that he must've finished all his schooling.  He had, which prompted me to suggest he could take up modelling.  He took it as a compliment but said he had nothing in common with those types of people. Then he was on his way.  It made me think it's hard for young people to find their way in life and settle on what they want to do.  More often it's not a choice, it's a matter of paying your debts and surviving.

Then daughter L got a call from a good friend.  She had just got laid off her promising first job out of university after just 5 months.  Stuff happens. 

Paint Party Friday - Winterscape

Welcome to Paint Party Friday. This is a "Winterscape" in my new art journal (8 1/2"h x 11"w) in watercolour pencil.

Yolo

There was a massive  a 'feel good' snowball fight at the University of Toronto this week.  Here's the video.

I have a new acronym now 'yolo'.  I saw it on a website and son K calmly told me it means 'you only live once'.  They had used a fancy font, so I thought they just meant to say 'solo'.  Yes, there is another language out there these days!

I normally don't watch a lot of movies and definitely not the ones Husband M or son K watch. Anyway, this past weekend K suggested we watch 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop'. It is a slapstick comedy that his friend recommended and I felt I could stomach one of K's comedies lol. It turned out to be really funny and we all enjoyed it. If you just want a good laugh, nothing offensive, a feel-good movie, you should watch it. It has suspense, humour, even James Bond qualities. Watch Paul Blart Mall Cop (2009) starring the hilarious Kevin James. Roger Ebert gave it a 3 out of 4 rating. And there's no swearing!

Prix-Fixe Special

On the weekend I met a couple of women friends at a Winterlicious 2015 participating restaurant, Oliver and Bonacini. I enjoyed my meal, unspectacular, but good enough.  It was freezing cold that day, although sunny.

This was the prix-fixe special I ordered:

Root Vegetable Soup

Seafood Penne

Churro Dessert

Creative Tuesdays - Around the World

Welcome to Creative Tuesdays! This piece is done in my sketchbook (8 1/2"h x 11"w) in watercolour pencil. The current theme is 'Around the World'. Yet another fun theme from Michael!  The skies aren't really cloudy, it's my scanner.

Speaking of travel, a young cousin has been posting photos of her visit to Harbour Island in the Bahamas with close friends.  It brings back memories of a time we visited the pink sand beaches they have there.  Unfortunately it was just a day trip, maybe I could put a whole week there on the bucket list!  Are you a beach lover?

CBO - Chicken Bacon and Onion

McDonald's has a new sandwich, the CBO (Chicken Bacon and Onion). Last week I took my mom there for a quick lunch and the cashier mentioned it to me, so we decided to try it. The crispy onions add a lot of extra flavour, we had ours grilled with 2 small lattes. It's about the only healthy sandwich McDonald's has.  Then I got my mom an ice cream cone, she loves those.

Sunday Sketches - Beachscape

A pinch and a punch for the first of the month, not to sound too corny!

Welcome to Sunday Sketches. This marks the first entry in my 'new' art journal/sketchpad. It's a beachscape (8 1/2"h x 11"w) in watercolour pencil. It's 'new' because it's an old sketchpad I found that son K used in elementary school. It was hardly used.