Springtime Stroll

Spring was lurking just outside the window waiting to be discovered and greet it head on, we did! I snatched my camera and hubby and I jumped into the car and headed towards the lake shore. We took an old fashioned Sunday drive -- on Saturday. The sky was the perfect hue of blue and the sunshine demanded cool shades. We drove along, following the lake, content to drink in the sights of people eagerly unpacking springtime, content to follow our whimsy.

It wasn't long before we found ourselves walking the Toronto waterfront. We watched enthusiastic boaters free their vessels from their shrink wrap;  the ducks and swans flit and flirt; and an endless parade of dogs, runners, and bikers stream by. It was evident - there was an epidemic of spring fever raging through the city.

After a long winter of house arrest, we are more than ready shed the shackles of isolation, cold and dreary for sunshine and warmth. And so we strolled along hand in hand, breathing in the fresh and renewed, and snapping pictures as we went. It was a good day, a reminder of promise and new beginnings. And here are a few of the pictures I captured as we walked.

Brisk Beauty

It's Sun-day so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to bundle up, hustle out the door (way too early in the morning) and brave the sub zero temps to absorb some vitamin D sunshine. Winter can magically drape the mundane in a blanket of beauty which we thoroughly enjoyed today - and which I will share with you too! Take a stroll with me along the frozen waterfront...

Moody marina

Ducks on ice

Brrrrrr

Repurposing ... ditched ship as a breakwater

Stating the obvious

Marina in waiting

Just in case...

Practice makes perfect

City in the distance

Party crasher -- swan lake?

Me and My Gals

I knew it was going to be a glorious day when it started with a sunshiney wake up call.

My eldest daughter and I took a trip into the city to visit my other daughter Harmony. She lives in a cosy apartment masqueraded as a quaint cottage, just blocks up from the lake. The rolling waves and sapphire skies beckoned ... we took a stroll on the rocky beach.

What is it about being near the water that calms us ... delivers instant peace? The winds were blustery and the waves crashed heavily against the breakwaters. I breathed deeply, my lungs filling with the moist, musky smells of the lake. Diamonds danced on the surface with the windboarders and I stood just gazing out onto the water, watching the sailboats trail across the horizon. What a revitalizer ... instant peace for me. My head clears and all cares fall away. My very being communes with the rhythm of the lake. My heart fills with gratitude and I am reminded why I am so happy to be alive ...

Today was a perfect day. Life is good and life is grand. Nothing like an afternoon in the sun, by the water - me and my gals. Lucky me.

Musings from a Sunshiny Day

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high

If I had a day that I could give you
I'd give to you a day just like today
If I had a song that I could sing for you
I'd sing a song to make you feel this way.

- John Denver

Today is not a sunny day - but yesterday was - the most perfect kind of summer's day. This of course called for the lyrics of my favourite John Denver tune. Hubby and I took our ritual walk by the waterfront where the relief of a cool breeze is guaranteed. It is amazing to me how an hour spent by the water with only the sound of chirping birds and the occasional power boat jetting by can calm and relax.

Kidlet is gone for a week with her dad to Costa Rica. Remnants of her packing efforts are littered all over the house. Stuff she was going to take, but decided not to; stuff she removed from her suitcase left over from her previous trip; laundry basket of miscellaneous books, CDs and other STUFF brought home on her last day of school that she intended to put away. Fritz knows something is amiss - her bedroom door is unacustomarily open to let air blow through.

For now the house is quiet and I know that when I clean - it will stay that way at least until her return. Which leaves me wondering ... in years to come will I be sitting in this same spot bemoaning the fact that my house is clean and eerily quiet - and wishing for anything but.

A Walk in the Park

Warm, breezy air, clear blue skies and sunshine ... a rare sparkle of the day. We headed to the lakefront for a walk in the park. Fritz studied us anxiously as we tied up our shoes and followed us to the door. Looking up at us with his best pathetic puppy face and widest eyes, his nubby little tail wiggling, I used the magic word -- park. This triggered an spasmodic episode of epic proportions with leaping, twirling in circles, and yelping. We were off!

Apparently alot of people had the same clever idea. Everywhere I looked I saw heartwarming scenes: children laughing as they hung from climbers; dad's throwing balls with their kids; lovers cuddling on park benches; families spread out on blankets enjoying picnics; elderly couples strolling leisurely arm in arm; kids skipping rocks on the shoreline; people walking dogs - dogs walking their owners. Newlyweds posed lovingly, flirting with the camera as their milestone day was captured.

We live in one of the most picturesque towns in the country and hubby and I try to make a point of soaking up its beauty every chance we get. I have a special love of the water and one of my favourite things to do is to sit lakeside and watch the boats as they come and go. I feel a pull to the water and as long as I was old enough to do so, the river or lakefront is where I headed when I needed to think or clear my head.

I had my camera with me of course and the day and the setting was perfect for photography. When I saw something worthy of a shot, I simply handed hubby the leash and the bag of poop (he loved that) and snapped happily.

We capped our day with a dip in the pool. A walk in the park and a dip in the pool --- doesn't get better than that!

The fruits of my labour ...

Saturday Saunters

Stupendous Saturday -- that's what it was!

After one of those leisurely mornings, you know the kind -- slow to rise, three cups of coffee, and stolen moments to ponder and set my compass for the day. If my day starts off at my own pace, the rest of the day is relaxing. Proof that most relaxing takes place in the psyche.

Hubby and I sauntered the streets of our town and of course our beautiful waterfront. Those to me are the most carefree moments of all -- walking hand in hand with the sound of waves lapping on the rocky shoreline; fragrance of hyacinths mingled with the fishy, moist air blowing in off the lake filling our nostrils; picking out dream homes as we meander the trail. Peace descends upon me whenever I get close to water whether it be an ocean, lake, river or ... puddle. : )

We gorged on British fish and chips for lunch. I gorged more, adding a side of coleslaw to my order. The only morsel of food left on my plate was the lone fry that I dropped on the floor.

Our magnolia tree is in full bloom. That tree is a tease ... it takes a few days to open its blooms and just when it reaches its peak, and is at its most beautiful, it abruptly sheds its fuchsia petals. So when it blossoms - it demands - you must enjoy it in that very moment or perhaps not at all.

My dad and step mom get back from Florida tomorrow. I prepared a pork roast and baby potatoes for them and left the food in their fridge so they will have a meal after their long journey. I cut a few of the tulips from their back yard garden, put them in an antique milk bottle (as good as a vase) and left them with my welcome note. It seemed a waste not to share them before they wilt away. The deep rose tulips in their front yard however saved themselves for their return ...

Welcome home; we missed you.

Wordless Wednesday: Stating the Obvious

It's a sign!

Sunday Ice Screen

This is a perfect day -- a lazy, have-no-plans day - my favourite variety! It snowed all night and poor hubby was shovelling for almost 2 hours this morning. He has a different take on the snow. While I am all bundled up, drinking hot tea by the fire, expounding (writing) on the beauty to be found in the winter scene - he is breaking a sweat (not to mention his back) over a shovel. Thanks hubby.

Hubby came with me on a photo-find drive this morning and we drove to our favourite spot down at the harbour. I am always in awe how the harbour transforms from a bustling hub catering to boaters, tourists and locals who love their waterfront - into an icy, desolate vastland for ducks and geese who forgot to migrate south.

It was a special hour for hubby and I, looking and photographing the beauty in the ice and snow. Hubby was disappointed that he didn't have bread with him (he hadn't expected the birds to be there) and warned me that the next time he was bringing bread along to feed the birds - even though we aren't supposed to. He is my Dr. Doolittle. We didn't have to look hard to see beauty in the overcast grey morning. And that is like life -- if we just pay attention -- we will see a world filled with beauty -- and it is almost always found in small moments and simple things.

I have included a few of my shots in this post ...