January theme day: Photo of the Year

Since I spent most of 2013 in Toronto, it only seems fair to choose a favorite shot from that city. This was a special winter shot from Niagara Falls taken in January 2013. Hope 2014 brings you continued good health, love and joy! For more photos of the year from around the world, click here.

PS: Don't forget to visit me at my new blog - Berlin 365.

October theme day: Details

So this is what my house looked like yesterday just before the movers came and loaded it all up into the container. I can't believe my chapter in Canada is really coming to a close. It all seems a little unreal right now. Hope your month and week are off to a good start, for more interpretations of Details from around the world, click here.

September theme day: Pink

 

Here is my take on "pink" for the September theme day. These lovely lilies came straight from my garden. I got quite a few blooms on them this year. Too bad I won't be here next year to see how they turn out! For more pink from around the world, click here.

August theme day: Streetlamps

I found this wonderful little streetlamp outside a home in the Cabbagetown area of Toronto. I just love walking through this neighborhood, every house is cuter than the next! 

Hope your month is off to a good start. I've got some big news coming up.

July theme day: Theatrical facade

And we're back to the Elgin Wintergarden Theater! When the theatre was being renovated, they discovered lots of remnants from the vaudeville days, like this old flat. This garden backdrop would have been used for light, musical numbers. I can just imagine the ladies twirling a parasol and singing a light ditty in this scene. For more murals, take a look at Monday Murals and you'll see more interpretations of facades from around the world here.

PS: Happy Canada Day to my Canadian readers!

March theme day: Cafe chairs

The set of George Stromboulopoulos is not exactly a cafe, but his bright red chairs are recognizable to Canadians. George is a well-known interviewer of celebrities and public figures. He really has a great sense of humor and knows how to draw people out. I went for a taping of his show a few months back and really enjoyed it. If I had more time, I'd love to get back for another taping.

Hope your March is off to a good start - we're one step closer to spring! For more cafe chairs from around the world, take a look here.

February theme day: Umbrellas

This is the piece de resistance of my recent visit to Niagara Falls. The wintery mists made conditions perfect for a beautiful rainbow which covered us all like a giant colorful umbrella!

It's the first of the month again which means bloggers from around the world are putting up their take on this month's theme. For more umbrellas from around the world click here. And for more skies, visit Skywatch.

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!

November theme day: Water's edge

You can find lots going on at the Lake Ontario waterfront. This is the Kajama, one of the many boats that will take you on a tour of the city's harbor and outlying areas. I have actually done the Kajama tour before, it was pretty neat to be out on the water with all the sails furled (although we were not actually "sailing", the boat has an onboard motor). When I passed by on the day back in July when this picture was taken, the crew was setting up for a wedding. I bet it was great fun!

Happy November everyone! For more interpretations of this month's theme, take a look here.

October theme day: Silhouette

I was sort of stumped on what to use for this month's theme day photo. So I've worked with this skyline shot a bit to make it somewhat of a silhouette. Not sure if I like the result, but the colors are interesting. 

For more silhouettes, take a look here.

September theme day: People watching

I love to do a little people watching inside the subway. I actually caught this shot back in July when the Olympics were still on. There were maple leaves almost everywhere in support of Canadian athletes. I'm not sure these people had the Olympics on their minds as they were waiting for the subway, but who knows? Perhaps some of them have Olympic dreams of their own!

It's the first of the month again. If you'd like to see more contributions to the CDP Theme Day, click here. I've also go a bonus people shot on my travel blog.

August theme day: Numbers

Ottawa has more than historical buildings to offer, they also have a lovely open air market right in the heart of downtown. I saw lots of appetizing and interesting things, like these purple and yellow cauliflowers. I also think the price tag of $1.50 per head is not too outrageous. 

Unfortunately, it appears the CDP portal is down again. Until it is fixed, you can visit the temporary theme day site here. And you can always see more signs at Signs, Signs.

July theme day: Chimneys

I've shown you this fire station a couple of times before, but here it is again! The chimney fits well for today's theme day and the (almost) furled flag is a great symbol for Canada Day. I hope all of my Canadian friends are having a fun and safe long weekend. And to everyone else, happy July!

To see more chimneys, take a look here.

PS: I've got visitors in from Germany this week, so my blogging may be sporadic. But not to worry, I haven't forgotten about my virtual friends! And I hope to have some fireworks shots for you tomorrow.

June theme day: Tranquility

If this isn't the picture of tranquility, I don't know what is! I've also got a bonus tranquil shot for you on my travel blog. And of course, you can see more scenes of tranquility at the CDP site. 

Happy June everyone!!!

May theme day: Bakeries

May is here! What a better way to celebrate than with some fresh-baked bread? I have shown you outside Dimpflmeier's before, but I thought another view was worth showing since it is hands-down the best bakery in town! 

Although this bakery is specialized in German-style breads, they also have a nice pastry counter. Photos are not really allowed inside, but I managed to surreptitiously get this one with my iPhone, I only wish this photo made everything look as delicious as it really is!

If you'd like to see more bakeries from around town, visit the CDP Theme Day page. And happy May Day!

April theme day: Cobblestones

I know these aren't exactly cobblestones, but I hope it will do! Since I've been on a bit of a mall kick, I thought I'd show you the tile mosaic from the Square One mall in Missisauga. It's a giant shopping center like so many others, but I found the way the sun shone through the skylight above made a nice shadow on this tile floor. I'll show you a more close-up view of the centrepoint later this week.

If you'd like to see some real cobblestones, take a look at the CDP theme day blog!

March theme day: Electricity

I was really excited for this month's theme day, as I finally get a chance to show how wonderful large power transformers can be! My husband works in a factory that produces equipment for these transformers which are essential to utility companies. In fact, I used to sell this stuff when we were back in Jackson and I find a kind of beauty in it.

I won't bore you with more details on what these porcelain friends do, but suffice to say they are important for the proper functioning of a utility's transformer. If you'd like to see more interpretations of electricity from around the world, take a look at the CDP theme day page.

February theme day: Animals

I really hesitated between two shots for today's theme day, but I decided to use this one. The runner-up is a bit abstract, perhaps I'll show it to you later in the week.  Almost anyone that knows me realizes that squirrels are the bane of my gardening existence. But this little guy was just so cute as he posed for me on the University of Toronto campus, that I couldn't help snapping a shot. They're always cute, until they're digging up your garden and eating your tulip bulbs! 

Animals were the choice for this month's CDP theme day. If you'd like to see more, click here. And I've got a bonus pretty kitty for you on my travel blog!

December theme day: Action

Here's some TTC action for you! The train was just arriving at Saint George station and I was lucky to catch it at the right moment to create some action blur. Generally speaking, I like the subway here. It could just use a little expansion. Two lines just doesn't seem like enough for a city with more than five million people.

If you'd like to see more action shots from around the world, click here. And I've got some action in the Tiergarten Park from Berlin for you on my travel blog.

November theme days: Fences

It's that time again! The first of the month means a new theme on the CDP network and this month's subject is fences. I hope you'll enjoy this rustic specimen. I'm not sure if it will hold up another season, but I like the recycled log effect and the way it is starting to blend in to the landscape.

To see more fences from cities around the world, visit the CDP November Theme Day page. I've also got another fence you might enjoy on my travel blog.