joy of the mountains

there are several spices that are in my usual culinary repertoire - basil, thyme, rosemary, cumin and garam masala, but none can surpass the nostalgic pleasure of oregano. perhaps this is because of its intrinsic link to tomato sauce, but more likely it is due to the simple fact that it is grown, cultivated, dried and given to me by my father. his garden is a testament to old world charm; grapes hang on trellises, tomatoes droop heavy on plants and tufts of oregano are strewn about in pots and beds. this is why it is with humble pride every year that i take a container of oregano that my father has painstakingly destalked for his family and adorn fish, roasts, kabobs, tomatoes and soups with what is often a most overlooked herb. this "joy of the mountains" (derived from the greek rigani) is indeed a joy in my home and in my heart.

holiday gift

image courtesy of worldvision
with holiday season in full swing, people are beginning to crowd malls and high streets lined with shops. while i stand behind the very notion of gift giving, perhaps this year i may chose to give in an all together different way. world vision canada offers an array of donation options - from sponsoring a child to purchasing a goat for a village. such gifts may not come with pretty bows, but certainly are worthy of one.

olde boston bulldogge

wayne is desperate for a dog: a particular sort of dog that is neither small, nor large, is short-haired, energetic, jovial, kind, kid-friendly and adaptable (apparently my choice of a coton de tulear will not cut it) and with his ever roving canine eye, he spotted a dog at an antique market yesterday that just might fit his rigid standards. the breed (olde boston bulldogge) shown here, is part boston terrier, part bulldogge and i must admit while certainly not being a "dog person" the little fella we met was a charmer. wayne spent the evening researching the breed, after hours of burrowing himself away in the basement, upon his ascension – i could smell love in the air.

snow etching

olivia etched this girl in a whisp of snow yesterday. her signature art piece looks quite ethereal in white.

departure

january 27, 1968 - the beginning of an odyssey. on a crisp winter morning my parents and siblings left the safe-haven of their italian home and travelled 4000 miles cross-atlantic to toronto. the airline, canadian pacific knew an immigrant story when they saw one and snapped this photo at fiumicino before departure. the expressions are telling - anticipation, expectation and fear. my father waves to parents he will leave behind and staves off any feeling of weakness. they stand tall, eyes squinting - peering into a future they can barely see.

the art book for children

the art book for children is a beautifully produced work featuring 3o notable artists.
in this engaging and fun text, renowned visual art publishers phaidon press, foster an appreciation for the artistic process and help children understand why and how artists create the work they do.
with chapters ranging from moore to dali,
even the most indifferent child is sure to be inspired.

bullseye

purchased this cutting board yesterday by josephjoseph. love the explosive colour and psychedelic feel.

i summon you

heard this on strombo.com and felt it was worth spreading: spoon's i summon you, from their 2005 album gimme fiction - brilliant.

felt flowers

love this felt art kit that olivia recieved as a birthday gift from her grandparents in the uk. a paint-by-numbers-esque craft, using felt cut-outs in colourful flowers and leaves. check out the orb factory for a foam cut-out version ranging in pattern from the simplistic to the intricate.

pretty ladies II

another set of girls drawn by olivia. heart lips, bows and whispy eyelashes - delightful.

birds

i have an affinity for birds. in print or in nature their delicateness and seeming fragility are intriguing. these little ones, all available on etsy are too sweet!

birdie with flower
justforyoucreations

re-purposed plastic wallet by catherinette
birds on a wire

annacote

allen

rachel austin

maple

gorgeous japanese maple in my yard - a bright spot on a gloomy day.

trunk show

come and visit us at the children's trunk show @ the distillery district this friday and saturday. take advantage of holiday gift packages and special offers. hope to see you all there...have a great weekend!

sprouts

the simple pleasure of witnessing plants grow, is contagious. after germenating some beans, we planted them and waited patiently for them to sprout. it did not take long before olivia excitedly saw the early emerging fruits of her labour. whether or not these fragile seedlings last through the season, remains to be seen, but the daily care they require has brought wonderous delight to our home.

pretty ladies

love this series of drawings by olivia. whimsical and colourful - adore the expressive eyes.

dangerous book for boys

hal & gonn iggulden's dangerous book for boys, "is a welcome reminder of what childhood once was." it encourages boys to get out there and start exploring again. and with such endearing chapters like GIRLS, which reminds boys to be sure that their nails are "well-scrubbed" and to "always treat girls with respect", it is no wonder that mothers are falling in love with this sweet & charming book too.

green living show

please come and see us at the 1st annual green living show! we are thrilled to launch our new line. holiday packages and great deals are available!