Create Art Today

Starfish

2009-08-13T17:33:00.006-05:00

A little restaurant has big taste. We had a reservation before we even got to Toronto. How on earth can you miss the chance? To have the World Oyster Opening Champion, Patrick McMurray, choose your oysters from around the world is an amazing delight. Yes, you can taste the difference. This was one of the biggest highlights of the trip.

as quoted:
"This little oyster bar makes waves on the east side of Yonge in Toronto. With a fantastic team behind him, and service and ambiance down pat, proprietor (and world oyster-shucking champion) Patrick McMurray takes top honours. Starfish is as rare as a South Sea pearl."

Doug did all the research on the trip before. It was my birthday surprise. Now, its a must when we return. We started off the meal and had them choose our oysters. We had some from Ireland, Western Canada, Nova Scotia, Seattle WA. Then the entrees..a plate of wild irish steamed mussels in a cream base.

Interested in reading up on your oysters? There is also a book available about the shucker. In September 2007, Patrick published his first book, Consider The Oyster - A Shucker's Field Guide.

To keep up with the shucker follow their blog. This sounds like a shameless pitch for the restaurant but I truly cannot say enough about how wonderful, and intimate it is. Be sure and also ask about the special stout with oyster liquor. It isn't always available since it takes time to save enough oyster liquor for a batch. Trust me, its great.

Inside Your Head...Maybe

2009-08-12T08:55:00.004-05:00

When we travel, I actually have time to catch up on my reading. Time finally slows down to a reasonable pace. I read about this project on our recent trip and it is wonderful. I was fortunate to be able and interview the Quilter's of East Alabama this past spring. I love listening about people's lives and passion. Talk about stepping out of the stream of time. Enjoy...David Lynch's Interview Project.

Dino Has Met It's Match

2009-08-11T17:13:00.005-05:00

Well, the Dino truck may have met it's match. Granted she needs some work, and I'm promising it will be soon. But, here in Toronto they mean dirt, I mean business. So the pressure is growing...and I am feeling the heat. To be continued....

Traveling Toronto

2009-08-11T16:04:00.008-05:00

Just back from Toronto and it was wonderful. This time we were able to take in Little Italy, Kensington Market and much more of Yorkville. What a treat for the senses both visual and culinary. I can't explain how good it feels to become completely immersed in the diverse culture of big cities.

Someone asked me what we bought while there, I hesitated because I was thinking "well, nothing really" we walked, and walked, explored, and walked. When a 48 year old can tire out an 18 year old, well that's a node for not feeling your age. Thank goodness.

Kensington Market and little Italy felt like going home. To be able to shop daily for fresh produce is a dream. The main things that struck me most were the colors, painted buildings, tagging, bikes (lots of bikes), people and ART.

Oh...and Toronto has black squirrels.

Feeling Like Julia

2009-08-02T21:58:00.001-05:00

Great article by Michael Pollan in the New York Times Magazine today. Inspiring. My house smells wonderful. "Out of the kitchen, and onto the couch." And yes, that is a pitcher of sweet tea.

Sun Bolt

2009-08-02T16:17:00.000-05:00

It's a gallery in the sun. The sunflowers are captivating, fascinating and awe inspiring. I have learned so much from this study. And every time I take more photos something else astounds me. I had no idea the true importance of growing sunflowers. Yesterday, when I picked some to bring home, pollen appeared like a slow motion movie throughout the day. I started feeling guilty for bringing them in doors and robbing all the insects of the gold dust.

Two Unexpected Gifts

2009-08-02T15:17:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, sometimes you get to sleep in late. Today was one of those days. First, it is imperative that at least 20 minutes is spent meditating in the back yard with a cup of coffee, Oskar at my feet, and the hummers in flight.

As we got closer to going on our morning walk (it was almost noon by now), Doug came in with an announcement. A pileated is in the circle! He had spied it on the way out for his run. I couldn't get into street clothes fast enough. Grabbed the camera and out I went. Yep, its a pileated. But, how am I going to capture him so his colors show up? He was so high up in a pine working on a dead limb. The sun was right behind him.

We don't see pileateds like we used to. The development of the forests and woods have fixed that. When we first moved into our house, a pair of pileateds nested in a dead snag that we left in the backyard. I must find the video of that. I didn't realize they would become so scarce.

The second gift was received on our walk. As we turned onto one of the back roads I looked up to see a skinny dog? with large ears sitting beside the road watching Oskar and I. I couldn't place him. Whose dog could this be? As he watched Oskar closer he bolted upright and ran across the road into the woods. Shivers went up my back and along my arm. I couldn't believe that I just got to have a moment with the beautiful and elusive fox. I am not sure if it is a gray fox or a red. More to come.

Granny's Figs

2009-08-02T14:49:00.000-05:00

Every year Granny would "put her figs up." It's this time of the year that I think about her the most. Her blueberry bushes and fig tree are permanent fixtures in my head. When Margaret posted that her figs were available. I had to get some right away. The guys got a fig cake and today I am cooking fig preserves. I feel like she's right here in the kitchen with me.

What a storm

2009-06-04T08:28:00.000-05:00

Ok, 3 inches in an hour. Wow! Last year we had a drought and thank goodness we are actually above normal in the rainfall totals. Rivers are up and plants are loving it. They say we won't see the real damage to the trees for several years to come. Keeping my fingers crossed it won't be too severe. Seems like we are loosing pines by the dozens. Alabama just doesn't get rain like it used to. I remember growing up in Mobile how it would rain every afternoon around 3. I think the pines have suffered the most from the lack of rain.

The funny part of this is we put in an irrigation system at the garden. The biggest crack would be if we never get to use it. Thought a system would be better than dragging a hose around destroying the plants.

Only time will tell.

2009-02-01T22:13:00.000-06:00

Book Eggers

2009-01-06T21:35:00.000-06:00

It started with a book list for Christmas. His name is Dave ____? The store clerk looks at me funny, "well the college kids like him...." I really don't understand this comment, laughing... I tell her, my son has a very interesting book list. It is odd, she works in a college bookstore. I say, "He reads all the time." On the search and not sure I have the right book, I learn something new. What am I going to do when he heads off to college? The music, the book lists....sigh.. So this Dave Eggers crosses my path again weeks later when looking through a Communication Arts issue. Amazing. And now someone on my booklist!

Elephant Orphange

2008-12-23T20:30:00.001-06:00

The Cost Of Ivory

The Cost Of Ivory

Ivory is selling for nearly $1,000 a tusk, causing more elephants to be slaughtered and more orphaned babies in need of special care provided by an elephant orphanage in Kenya. Bob Simon reports.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

photo opportunity

2008-05-10T16:54:00.000-05:00

It was late in the afternoon with the sun starting to set. And there it was, a moment in time. A flock of cedar waxwings in a dead pine, glowing. I cannot believe I was given the opportunity to capture them with my camera.

Inspiration?

2008-03-08T18:46:00.000-06:00

What are we doing for inspiration? Watching the birds migrating through that cover the feeders....tuning into Pandora.....Steve Earle....Decemberists......Midlake. Thank you Keegan for turning me on to phenomenal music.