Big news!

A Trabbi on the streets of Toronto is just about the last thing I'd expect to see - but since I did, I took it as a sign to make an announcement here on my blog. My adventures in Toronto are winding down and I will be moving to Berlin in early November. 

In the meantime, my husband and I have been doing a "Farewell Canada Tour". We've completed two legs already and there's a third coming up at the end of this month. I will try to post some shots of those travels on my other blog as time permits. Happy Monday!

Bright benches

Sorry I've been a bit out of commission lately, but the (fairly) new job is still keeping me quite busy. Since I haven't had much time to shoot anything new, here's a look at some benches outside a fast food joint in Niagara Falls. I love the bright red of those benches. But the best part of this photo is the fake owl on the upper left corner to keep the pigeons at bay. For more red, visit Ruby Tuesday.

PS: I've been posting more regularly on my Travel Blog as I've got plenty of new shots to showcase over there. Please stop by and take a look.

Nothing to see here

Another look at Niagara Falls in the cold. The icicles on this viewer gave me a laugh. Hope it also brings a smile to your face this Monday morning!

 
The winner of the drawing for the bright green cap is fellow Ontario blogger EG Camera Girl!I hope the hat will help keep her warm on her many photographic adventures. Thanks to all who participated and of course to all my readers for your friendship and continued encouragement. Here's to making my last year in Toronto a memorable one!

Strange scene

A funny juxtaposition at Niagara Falls. I don't know why, but dinosaurs and snow just don't go together for me, but it makes for a nice shot, especially in black and white. 

In celebration of two years in Toronto, I knitted a seed stitch hat. If you'd like to win it, just leave a comment before February 24th. I'll draw someone's name from the comments. If you're not interested in being part of the draw, just mention that and I'll keep your name out.

Frozen sign

I finally made it to Niagara Falls in the winter and it's a totally different experience! Here's a look at one of those informative signs covered with layers of the frozen mist from the falls - guess guests won't be learning much today. For more signs, both visible and otherwise, take a look at Signs, Signs.

Clean bench

We're back to the Junction! Finding a bench with a broom leaning against it in front of a Cleaners shop made me smile. I hope it gives you a smile too on this Monday morning!

More Mirvish

Since we're on a sort of Mirvish roll, I thought I'd take this opportunity to show you where the famed Honest Ed is buried. Many people are really scandalized by the state of this grave. Ed Mirvish died back in 2007, but to this day his heirs have yet to erect a headstone to memorialize him. I think it's pretty sad as he certainly didn't die a pauper and the lack of a stone really stands out in this particular cemetery where there are many elaborate memorials. I guess we can remember him at his other old haunts around town!

December theme day: My street

For December's theme, I've chosen to show you a street that feels like mine since I drive on it every day to and from work. Highway 401 is the major road through Toronto and North America's busiest highway. Although I don't actually live on the 401, with the traffic some days (especially when there are problems like this car fire) it sometimes feels like I do! 

For a look at other interpretations of today's theme, take a look at the CDP homepage. Happy December everyone!

Strange sign

I'm not sure what to think about this place. Did someone confuse fair and flair? Or is this some kind of ironic statement? You decide. For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

Lingerie and bike

Sometimes a reflection can be rather amusing. Like this lingerie shop that looks like it has a bike parked in the window. You'll find this shop on Queen Street West and apparently they have live models for their wares in the afternoons! For more reflections, take a look at Weekend Reflections.

Only in Pisa...

I was driving around the other day and found this wonderfully kitschy Italian restaurant and I just had to stop to get a shot. I'm dedicating this post to VP at Livorno Daily Photo as I think he would agree, only a Pisan would like to eat here! It's an all-you-can-eat Italian buffet and from the looks of the place, it doesn't seem to be very refined.

I do like the big red tomato though! And if you'd like to see more red, take a peek at Ruby Tuesday.

Surprise mural

I found these murals inside the ladies washroom at the Royal Botanical Gardens.

What a great way to decorate a normally a rather boring place! If you like murals, check out Monday Murals to see more.

Disko mural

Although I have absolutely no idea what this mural means, I find it rather interesting. I found it in a parking area just off College Street at the west end of Little Italy. 

Here's a closer look at what I'm interpreting as a ghost orchestra. It looks like the conductor is pretty charismatic! The only information I found was a signature stamp sort of thing which read: DISKO SECTR MOTEL WORTH. Any additional information on this piece is welcome. For more painting on the wall, take a look at Monday Murals.

Barbie on a bench

I recently visited the Royal Botanical Gardens to see the lilacs in bloom. Unfortunately, the trees weren't really fully co-operating, but I did find this bench with a lovely lady on it.

I suspect there is a sad little girl somewhere in Toronto.

Gladstone cowboy

The Gladstone Hotel is a quirky little boutique hotel that has become a landmark of West Queen West, the arsty section of town. Each of the guest rooms has been designed and decorated by a noted artist or interior decorator. I was lucky enough to tour a few of the rooms when I went on an art walk a few weeks ago. I'll give you a peek inside tomorrow. 

Until then, enjoy the cowboy elevator. It's an old-fashioned lift that riders must manually elevate by cranking the wheel. I didn't try it out, but I'd love to go back and see what it's like! If you'd like to see more signs, visit Signs, Signs.

The Dalai Lama wears flip flops

I hope you enjoyed my little side track on bushings and transformers. It's funny, but I sort of miss them! Now we're back to the Bata museum to see the Dalai Lama's shoes. He has apparently visited Toronto a number of times and on one of his visits, he donated this simple pair of Bata brand flip flops to the museum. He really is a man of simplicity, but I'm not sure these are good for his arches!

Bike rack

A line of bicycle stands on the University of Toronto campus. If you look closely, you'll see a red knitted glove atop the pole which appears to be giving passersby the finger. Naughty!

Objets d'art

There were some interesting objects at the design show. Here's a look at a babydoll's head in a vice next to a rubber glove mould. I wasn't sure what to think of this stand. What do you think?

New prices

Prices on the TTC have gone up. It used to be that you could get four tokens for $10 or eight for $20. Now you get three for $7.80 or seven for $18.20. What I don't understand is why they don't just say that on the machine - $20 + $1.80 change just seems a bit confusing to me. Ah well, just another one of the mysteries of how this city is run.

To see more signs, which may or may not be confusing(!), check out Signs, Signs.

Beam me up!

Here's another look at the local ski slopes. This is the jardin d'enfants where kids (and sometimes adults) learn pizza (snow plow) and fries (skis parallel) and other skiing basics before hitting the real slopes. A convenient little conveyor belt takes them from the bottom back up to the top. Much easier than the t-bars I used when I had my ski lessons back in Europe!