Paint Party Friday - Stormy Weather

We are in the deep freeze here in the Toronto area, with wind chill warnings last night to -30C (-22F).  Hard to believe we are almost into March.  They were saying it is usually around 1C (34F) at this time of year.

This piece is done in my art journal (5"h x 7"w) in watercolour pencils. It's called 'Stormy Weather', inspired by a photo I saw in the newspaper. The boat is modelled after a little boat model I have at home. Happy PPF!

Cuba for Reading Week

Cuban Cigars

Daughter L was in Cuba with 9 friends for their reading week break which just ended this past weekend. They had a fabulous time at the Roc Arenas Doradas resort in Veradero. Apparently the food wasn't very good but the resort was spotless, composed of small, beautiful villas. The service was excellent, the staff was very hospitable. The beach was gorgeous as was the perfect weather. They did get a lot of mosquito bites in the evening.  Cuba is a poor country, so they can't be blamed for the food.  It is an all-inclusive resort and you will likely get better food at the pricier all-inclusives, but the place was perfect for students.  They even took the bus into the town of Veradero to do some shopping.  She said one of the best things was when a worker would climb up the coconut trees and give them fresh cut coconuts every day.  They came home with lots of bottles of free rum won from playing games.

L had come home a few days before the week long trip to pack and get ready.  On their return from Cuba in the wee hours of Sunday morning, husband M and son K picked her and 3 friends up at the  airport.  The group drove back to school later that day after some rest.   It was great to see L and hear all about their trip.

On the Danforth

We were on the Danforth this past weekend. We decided to have a late lunch there after visiting the Auto show downtown. It is an interesting older area, also known as Greektown. Of course we had some Greek food, settling on pork souvlaki on pitas with Greek salads.

Interesting Little Upstairs Balcony

Pork Souvlaki on a Pita

Autoshow 2014

We went to the Autoshow this year, as we usually do. Son K loves looking at the new cars. We headed straight to the exotic cars. He loved sitting in this Maserati. It came to me that cars have always been his passion and that maybe he should get a job doing something with cars eventually.

Maserati

Look at the neat art painted on this Lamborghini.

Lamborghini art

Can you figure out how to open the door of this car. You have to press this flat handle at the back  end.

This Handle

My Unsolicited Advice and LED bulbs

Last week I popped into McDonald's restaurant before doing my groceries.  I had been to a zumba class at the gym and was having a good day.  I had some time to relax over a cup of coffee and I even pored over a newspaper.   There was an interesting article on the Mr Greek franchise company and how well it was doing, and in fact expanding internationally.   I sneezed and noticed an older lady looking across at me from another table.  I apologized and assured her it was just allergies and that I wasn't sick.  She said she didn't think I was sick.  She was eating her signature mcwrap sandwich.  All of a sudden, she pulled a tooth out of her sandwich.  At first, she didn't realize it was her own tooth.  As I got up to leave, I walked over and mentioned it would be expensive to have that tooth fixed.  She said 'It's a false tooth, so it won't be expensive to fix'.  Then she said 'My husband's in a nursing home, my house has been sold and I have to move immediately.  This is the last thing I wanted to happen now'.  I heard myself saying 'You get that tooth looked after, it's important to look after yourself first, you will feel so much better and everything will fall into place, you'll see!'  She smiled and thanked me as I went about my day.  Isn't it always easier to give other people advice?  It's your own problems that sometimes seem insurmountable.

At the grocery store I bought this new LED bulb.  Soon we won't be able to buy incandescents anymore as they are not as energy efficient.  I thought I would try out this new LED type.  I had printed off an Ontario government coupon.  They are trying to encourage people to switch over as soon as possible.  I did also buy a stock of incandescents.  I like them and find them brighter.

LED bulb

Sunday Sketches - Daisies in the Rain

This is my whimsical, multi-coloured take on a pair of daisies in the rain. It's a greeting card
(5 1/2"h x 4 1/4"w) in watercolour pencils and fine-point marker. Happy Sunday Sketches!

Quinoa Sushi

Art Inspiration

Have you ever heard about Quinoa sushi?

I thought this was an interesting take on the theme.

We had a snowstorm this past Tuesday the day after the long Family Day weekend. The weekend itself was fine wouldn't you know it. Our neighbour came over while husband M and I were shovelling and told us we should use our snowblower as we are not getting any younger. He is right, he said it just takes one stroke or something similar and that's it. He has a small nifty Toro snowblower and he promptly came over and shovelled our driveway with it! My stress level went way down, as there were lots of other things to do that day. He likes us for some reason.  We will have to return the favour.  I will often just shovel his sidewalk when I'm out there.

The next day Wednesday it was a 'balmy' 4C and sunny, the snow started to melt a bit.  I met a friend at the gym who told me her husband broke his wrist over Christmas.  He had climbed up a ladder to hang Christmas lights.  They are in their sixties and nobody asked him to hang any lights.  It's a guy thing you know, they have to do what they have to do.   I also recommended they get a snowblower for the reasons I outlined above and she agreed.  Oh she said the hospital was full of people with similar accidents at that time.  A lot of people hurt themselves falling on the ice.

Well these are my stories for today!