Remembering Dad

It was my dad's birthday today...

"Old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes."  ~Gloria Naylor

Bookcases

I want to talk about bookcases. The shelves on mine are about to collapse. In the meantime, I have been finding other temporary homes for my surplus.

While looking for solutions online, I found these stunning collections of photographs on Tumblr including BookShelves and Bookshelf Porn. Such beautiful rooms, I couldn't decide which one I loved best.

Thanksgiving Story: My Morning Run

In honour of the upcoming Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon here in Toronto, I'm devoting my final Thanksgiving story to my morning run. My route was so beautiful, that I just kept going and going. (It took a while until it dawned on me that I actually had to run back.)

 These two friendly creatures were the only ones I saw the entire morning. 

 A part of me wishes that this was my mail box...

...and that this was my lane way. 

Thanksgiving Story: Homecoming

There's something about the fall and homecoming. Not just to your alma mater, but to home. While I love the idea of raising Alex in the big city, she gets to experience all the culture and activity that surround her everyday, I also love taking her out to the country. It's really breathtaking here.

After visiting one of my best friend and her new baby at their family farm in Lakeside, we drove over to my childhood house. Another family calls it home, but we still took it all in.

Thanksgiving Story: Apple Land

Alex and I had a really wonderful Thanksgiving. Determined to get away from it all we headed "up the country". We visited my mom's place to see some family and friends.

One special outing included our visit to Apple Land Station. This amazing apple orchard is located just outside of Thorndale, Ontario. It had a pick-your-own apple orchard, a pumpkin patch, an gigantic sand hill, a petting zoo, a cafe, live music, face painting, and (if that wasn't enough) a train! All of Alex's favourite things.

We had a blast. Right now I have a ridiculous amount of apples sitting on my counter. (I guess it's time to learn how to bake pies?)

All aboard to Apple Land!

 

 Alex testing the apples. 

 Alex takes face painting VERY seriously. This is the only time I ever see her sit so still.  

 It was worth it!

The Scotiabank Giller Prize Short List

The Scotiabank Giller Prize has announced their shortlist. It looks like a fantastic line up. With the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend approaching, this would be a great opportunity to pick up some serious autumn reading.

A few years ago I was thrilled when Elizabeth Hay's Late Nights On Air won the 2007 Gillar. It is a beautiful novel about a team of radio broadcasters in the Canadian North. I got to see Hay do a reading at Toronto's Word on the Street that year.

October and Pomegranates

It's the first day of October! It's always around this time of year that I see more and more pomegranates in the produce section. (They are a favourite of Alex and mine.)

My sister Carla painted a beautiful series of the fruit.