almost like being out of the city

I love where we live. LOVE IT. Which is really weird, because ever since I moved to Toronto 4 years ago I basically wanted to move away. And now, I love it. Mostly, it's because I love where Jeremy and I are living. I love how close it is to High Park. (It's also 3 minutes to walk to get groceries, at a really cheap store, and about 2 minutes to walk to the subway..... so not only is it quaint, it's in a great, convenient location as well................. and now we have a bbq!!!!) anyways.... I have today off, and since it's supposed to be rainy , dreary and cold all weekend, I thought I'd walk to High Park this morning.

Upon arriving, I was a bit disappointed that see that the cherry tree's aren't in full bloom yet. After the past couple of really warm days, I was sure they'd be amazing. Alas, they're not quite there yet, but I still got a couple of nice photos:

Lots of the other plants are starting to bud- and in a couple more days, it is going to be incredible. Especially this HUGE magnolia tree I found today. can't wait.
It is so nice to be close to High Park. Once you're in it, you don't even feel like you're in the middle of the city. There's a huge pond ("lake") with all types of birds.

Today I saw some woodpeckers, cardinals, ducks and geese, swans, finches, and a cute wren. Also saw chickadees, juncos, numerous sparrows (and chipping sparrows, so cute!!) robins, and some other type of mystery bird, which I'll look up later this afternoon after I'm done some cleaning. Also saw squirrels and a chipmunk. All in TORONTO. crazy. It's great to have a place to go when you need to escape the craziness of a big city, and you don't have a car to drive away.

Not too much planned for this weekend. Might see some friends tonight, might play some poker tomorrow night. will sleep in. might see a movie. will practice. might work-out......

time for lunch!!

smiling dogs

There was the cutest dog (golden retriever) on the subway tonight on my way home from teaching. At first I thought he was with a family, but actually he belonged to just one guy. Anyways, this little girl was just having a great time petting the dog. She was so cute- long blonde ringlets, and she was just draped over the dog, hugging it and petting it so gently. I haven't seen a dog smile like that for a long time. such a nice thing to see- I love it when dogs smile.

and of course I now have to post a picture of my smiling dog Toby, in Calgary...... although I don't have any digital pictures of him smiling....... here's a cute one though....

Isn't he soooo cute???

And here's one of my other dog Sage:

That's all I've got for now...... plus, I have to go tend to the rice pudding cooking in my kitchen..... yum......

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

Today is my Dad's Birthday, and I plan to celebrate it in a way that would make any Dad proud:

BBQ!!

It's another beautiful day here in Toronto, fresh, sunny, and a high of 20!! A perfect day for a BBQ (is there a day that isn't perfect for bbq?). The only thing that could make this day better would be to have the day off, and be able to spend it golfing (trying to golf?) with my Dad- followed by, you guessed it, BBQ! (and beer!!). Anyways, Happy Birthday Dad!! and even though it won't be exactly the way I'd like it, I hope you have a great day anyways!

This picture is from last Christmas- I'm not sure who liked the gopher golf club cover better- Dad or the dogs!!! Dad- did the gopher travel to Palm Springs with you??

Happy Birthday Dad!!!- I hope you have a GREAT day!!! Miss you!!

Jeremy's Birthday!

Today was Jeremy's Birthday!!

And I decided to celebrate it by purchasing him a brand new BBQ. All last year, without a patio or balcony, we yearned for a BBQ. And now, we have the CUTEST FREAKIN' BBQ EVER (can bbq's be cute??) on our little porch. All I can say is, 'Grilled meat is GOOD!!'

Our good friends Matt and Michelle came over tonight for dinner- which of course consisted of BBQ'd meat- pork and chicken to be exact, baked potatoes, mushrooms and spinach salad with raspberries and mandarin oranges! We also shared some wine, and had chocolate ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream for desert. i am FULL!!!! I LOVE BBQ!!!!

If you want to see a picture of our new addition, you can check it out at:

http://www.weber.com/q/default.aspx

It's the Q220 model- and I have to say that after the first use, I'm pretty impressed!!

I also have to thank our friend Steve- who was awesome enought to be my co-conspirator, and drive all over the place to get the right BBQ, and all the things that go with it- Thanks Steve!!!

okay, I'm way too full of good food and wine to keep typing, I'll add more in the morning!!!

ownership!

Well everyone, both Jeremy and I are extremely excited to announce to you all that we are now the proud owners of.................. a business!! We legally registered our business names this afternoon, and were given our Master Business License. Our business names??? Coach House Music and Coach House Press. We have also purchased our domain names and our websites will be under construction soon!! I've already done sketches for our business cards, and now just need to make a final couple to scan in to our computer. so exciting!!

I can't believe it is already into April. Many good things happen in April...... one of the things I happen to be enjoying this year is that I can watch both Hockey, and Baseball- and even on the same night, at the same time!!! Having inclusive cable is awesome!!

fun with funner binders

Ta-Da!!!!

Look at this lovely picture!! From the chaos of a thousand photocopies, to this simple showcase of organization. All of my orchestral excerpts, alphabetized and in clear plastic protectors. Flute in one binder and piccolo in the other. Beautiful isn't it?!!!! It only took me about 6 hours this past weekend!!

I'll post more later, and let you all bask in the beauty of my gorgeous and impeccably organized music!!