…the official Valentine’s Day hedgehog
Today’s drawing is a hedgehog and when Winnie asked what his name is my husband declared that it is Harold.
Meet Harold
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Category Archives: About Me
An Early Valentine Bouquet
….thank you Dad
My Dad was hinting at buying me chocolates for Valentine’s Day and I asked him not to. I also warned him that flowers are very expensive as well and it would be better to wait. On Sunday I took him to Costco with me because he loves to shop and there are things that he only likes to buy there. We usually split up and meet at the checkout. He was just ahead of me and I noticed that he had a bouquet of flowers in his basket. Thanks Dad.
Red – One Word Sunday
… thanks to The Photo Junkie for hosting One Word Sunday
Red is my all time favourite colour. I like to dress in red and I usually pick the red crayon first when I’m drawing with my granddaughter.
Friendly Friday: Comfort Zone
…thanks to Snow for hosting Friendly Friday
We often hear ‘get out of your comfort zone’ if you want to get ahead in life. On these cold, windy days I just want to stay in my comfort zone rather than brave the elements. Yesterday (Friday) was one of those days. My husband was feeling somewhat better and we decided to treat ourselves to a meal. The question that arose was: stay in and order take-out or go out to a restaurant?
We chose to go out. We definitely went ‘out of our comfort zone’. Even dressing warmly didn’t help us against the 90km winds. I can’t remember tackling winds like that in my lifetime. We could barely open the car door to get out. My husband removed his hat before the wind blew it away and we slowly crossed the street to the restaurant. The other thing we had to navigate were sheets of ice on the road and the sidewalk. We took baby steps which is apparently how one is suppose to walk on ice.
In the restaurant we were definitely in our comfort zone. Unfortunately I didn’t take any photos even though the meal was excellent. I’ve gone through my gallery of photos to find other occasions when I was in my comfort zone along with some of my family.
“It’s Fishy Friday!”
….that was Winnie’s only comment today
Personally I think it’s Kevin’s best fish so far.
A Photo a Week Challenge – Depth of Field
…thanks to Nancy Merrill for hosting the Photo a Week Challenge
Nancy describes depth of field like this:
Depth of field in photography (and light in general) is how narrow a strip of what you are looking at is in focus. In photography, the depth of field is controlled by two things: your f-stop (aperture) and the length of your lens (mm). To narrow your depth of field using aperture, use a smaller f-stop number. This will open your shutter wider and let more light in.
So if you want to shoot something up-close and personal with great bokeh (blurring) in the background, use a smaller f-stop and a longer lens.
Most of my photography is hit and miss, especially with my Panasonic Lumix camera. When I use the iPhone I’ve figured out how to get bokeh or blurring when I want it. The first two shots were with my Panasonic.
The next two were taken with my iPhone.
Weekly Photo Challenge – Comfortable and Cozy
….thanks to Travelling at Wit’s End for this week’s Weekly Photo Challenge
When thinking of comfortable and cozy I immediately think of a big puffy blanket or an oversize sweater. It can also be how a place makes you feel when walk into it or an oversized armchair or sofa that you can sink into. What makes you comfortable and cozy?
The Inn in Prince Edward County
A Fire
Reading with Papa
Snuggling with Mom on the Hammock
Cuddling Some of her Favourite Stuffs
The Library at WAAC
Comfort Food – Old Fashion Trifle
Cozy Chair
Pyjama Day at School
Nature’s Ice Sculptures
….with the spike in temperatures this weekend I’m not sure how long these will last
Unlike parts of England where they are already contemplating spring, we will certainly see more snow and ice and low temperatures. Right now we’ve gone from an Arctic Vortex to above freezing in a matter of days. It’s not very pretty out there with all the slush and run off from the snow banks. Fortunately I went out on Friday and found these beautiful ice sculptures along the shores of Lake Ontario just a couple hundred metres from our house. The ice is created when the waves hit the rocks and come up over the banks onto the trees and bushes.
It’s rare for Lake Ontario to freeze but you can see the ice flows close to the shore in some of these photos and yes those are swans out on the lake. Most of them have their heads nestled close to their bodies under their wings.
What a Week!
….plumbing woes are finally resolved
This time last week our plumber came to check out our sewer drain because we had a bit of backup coming through the basement drain. After scoping the pipe and cleaning up the build up in the pipe he informed us that the break this time was on the city side and we had to give them a call. In the meantime we were probably okay to use the water sparingly.
On Monday we finally got through to the city and within a couple of hours workers appeared at our door. Again they scoped the pipe from inside our home and then decided they needed to do it from the outside. In the meantime, however, the storm of the season was upon us and despite efforts made on our behalf no one would be able to come until the snow was cleared the next day. A potential problem with the gas lines meant that the gas company had to make a trip and check first to see how close the sewer pipe was to the gas line.
On Tuesday the gas company arrived to determine where they had to drill and the next day, on Wednesday they came back with their massive trucks and started drilling into my neighbours driveway to see where the pipe was situated. The good news was that the gas lines were a good two feet away. Now the city could come and dig up the broken pipe and replace it with a new one.
On Thursday a city truck arrived and again the drain was scoped and the extent of the damage was determined. We were classified a number one priority and a crew would arrive within 12 to 24 hours. That meant that they could come in the middle of the night. Later that day they checked in on us to see if we could hold off until Friday morning. We had gone this long without a shower or doing laundry so we figured a few more hours wouldn’t make much difference.
Yesterday, the street was blocked off and the work began in earnest. It was fascinating to watch. We just kept reminding ourselves that they knew what they were doing and we need not worry but the pounding and drilling throughout the day was quite disconcerting.
When the weather improves the city will be back to repair my neighbour’s driveway, the sidewalk and the street in front of the house. For now I can get to a week’s worth of laundry. I just had a long hot shower and washed my hair. Heaven!
Fishy Friday – A Day Late
…..”it’s a fishy, thank you Papa”
