Coat Of Many Scenes

This coat was spotted in a store window over the holidays and I loved it. If it was mine I would be wearing it tonight to bring in the new year and hopefully some new adventures.  Loved the reflections of the houses across the street too.

"How Do You Do That?"

 There was a pond full of ducks just paddling about and this one guy who insisted on going bottoms up. It looks as if that other duck is coming over to check out the action. I love how you can see all the water being pushed by his little foot!

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Shelf/table

 I was lucky enough to be in a building undergoing a conversion from commercial to a residential space and saw this wonderful shelf/table that was installed near the owner's entrance. It is a perfect place for dropping mail etc and that long tube will hold branches or flowers.

A Barber Shop

 There are so many trendy barber shops around that it is nice to spot an old traditional one. This one on Bloor St W has been operating for many years at a couple of different locations along the street. Pic was taken early on a Sunday morning when they were closed.

A Bouquet On Bloor St

Many of our main streets are divided up into various BIAs (Business Improvement Association) which cover several blocks. The businesses in those areas contribute money for various things and many of them put these banners up on the posts such as this one in the Bloorcourt district. There would be flower displays in the summer suspended from those rings. Sometimes the associations install little parkettes, have murals painted and organize activities throughout the year.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Winter So Far

 We are only a few days into the official winter season but so far for us it hasn't been too bad. We had a sprinkle of snow one night but it melted the next morning. This pic of one of the baseball diamonds at Christie Pits Park makes it look like a game could be played at any time. At the far end of the park the outdoor skating rink is busy with people skating and playing hockey.

Merry Christmas To All

 The big day has finally come and I hope Santa visited at least some of you. He just does a minor touch down here during his stops at all the kiddies' places. Have a wonderful day.

Ready For Tonight

 The reindeer and the sleigh are all ready for Santa's big journey tonight as they wait for him load up. They have a big world to cover and not a lot of time.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone who celebrates it.

Favourite Creature

This float was sponsored by Tim Horton's which is probably the most famous and favourite coffee and doughnut chain In Canada. The float has the doughnuts and those little round ball which are the centres of the doughnuts and are called Timbits that you buy by the boxfull. That is a box of the Timbits which the green rabbit is holding out to everyone. That rabbit was my favourite creature in the whole parade - love the proud posture and the nose in the air. And it spins as the parade moves along its route.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

New Wheels

 

This Santa on a motorcycle was a new one for me so I had to stop and get a pic of it. There seem to be so many inflatables around this year. He is getting ready for his big night ahead.

Gingerbread

 This float covered in gingerbread was sponsored by Metro which is one of our major grocery chains. I like the marshmallow snowmen (snow people) and the cupcakes with Santa hats.

Christmas In The 'Hood

The BIA (Business Improvement Association ) along Dupont St has installed these wonderful holiday baskets on the poles along their section of the street. Together with the fine banners designed by First Nation artist Philip Cote they make a fine display.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Christmas Music

This float is sponsored by a radio station that plays Christmas music 24/7 through December. I'm not sure if I could handle that all day. I do like the characters on their float though. They all spin slowly during the parade.

Three Friends

I recently spotted these three marine creatures out for a relaxing spin on the water. They all look quite happy to welcome the garage owners home. The artist is Stephanie Avery.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Rooftop Viewing

These ladies had ringside views of the Santa Claus Parade as they looked down from this deck above the 2nd floor of a building along Bloor St right where the floats were gathered. And they could run inside to get warmed up when they got chilled.

Polar Bears and Penguins

This float of critters was sponsored by Hudson's Bay stores (who own Zellers stores) and features an unusual mix of species don't you think?  It is hard to see but the penguins are wearing skis and the polar bear has skates. Hudson's Bay like Canadian Tire yesterday is another very old Canadian institution with stores across the country and a long long history as a trading post in the 'olden' days.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Little Red Truck

 Since you all know how I like old pickup trucks you won't be surprised that I loved this float in the Santa Claus Parade. It is interesting that it is a float sponsored by Canadian Tire but they didn't have to put their name but just put the red triangle and everyone knows that it is their float. Canadian Tire is an institution with stores all across the country selling automotive, sports, home decor , tools and more. So the truck is perfect for them.

Carnival

 This float in the Santa Claus Parade was from the Toronto Caribbean Festival which takes place here every summer and celebrates Caribbean culture and traditions. It includes a huge parade attended by hundreds of thousands of people. These are some of the displays and costumes that you find in the parade.

From The Zoo

This trio from the zoo has appeared in the Santa Claus Parade before and I always enjoy seeing them. With all the bands that walk in the parade there is a lot of music happening. 

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Snacks Anyone?

 I don't know who any of these characters are on this float from the Santa Claus Parade but I do like that big guy with the snacks. I'm sure the kids know who these are.

Welcome Home

This creature guards the entrance to a flat above a store along Bloor St W. It makes for a nice bright welcome. The artist name was hard to read but they could be Moisca and xyz. 

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Super Mario and Friends

I am not a big game player but the kids out to watch the Santa Claus Parade probably are and will know all the characters on this float. I was nice that the sun was out that day to show all the colours.

Creatures In The City

These little creatures on one of the floats in the Santa Claus parade were so cute that I would have liked to bring them home with me. Instead they continued on in the parade for the next several hours. 

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

A Slice To Go

 One of the first floats in the Santa Claus Parade is this one belonging to a pizza chain. During the parade there will be little children riding on the float and waving to the crowds. Some of those slices will be turning. I assume that is a slice of Hawaiian pizza with its back to us.

Celebrity Clowns

For 41 years of the 119 years of our Santa Claus Parade the celebrity clowns have been right near the front of the parade. People donate money to be one of the clowns and also raise corporate money to help out various charities. Their float will have clowns riding along as well as a large group of them walking and running around along the parade route. There look to be bags of red noses sitting at the front of the float which will be handed out to kids as they move along the streets.

Mother Goose Leads The way

 Mother Goose is the traditional leader of the Santa Claus Parade and this year they had a new Mother Goose which looks to be a Canada Goose. The older float has now been retired. That is Christie Pits Park in the background.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Getting Ready

 When I took the shot of the leopard mural that I showed you yesterday I was on my way along Bloor St to see the floats that were lined up for the Santa Claus parade. The parade started at 12:30 but I was there by 9 am so that I could get up close. Along the way there were chairs like these ones that loyal family members carry down to the street to reserve good spots for the kids. Most of the people seemed to be grandparents who were then sitting out wrapped in blankets while they watched over their territory. I liked the assortment of chairs that this guy had put out. Some people even put down rugs to try to keep feet warm.

Ready To Pounce

This wonderful leopard was spotted in Koreatown high above Bloor St W. He looks ready to pounce on the pedestrians below. I would love to get up onto that neighbouring roof to get a closer look at it. 

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Burning Bush

This Burning Bush was the last tree or bush in the neighbourhood to change colour and almost the last to drop its leaves which it did over last weekend. It was beautiful.

Ducks On a Log

This log in the pond in Wychwood Park is usually the resting and sunning spot for the resident turtles but with the turtles hiding away for the winter the ducks have taken over. I loved all the soft ripples on the surface of the water. 

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

December Theme: Local History

The December theme for the City Daily  Photo Blog community is "Local History" and for this I wanted to show you the type of plaque that the city puts up at heritage sites. This one is outside of the Toronto Skating Club site which is a nondescript brick building on Dupont St. From the outside it is nothing special but apparently the inside has beautiful 1920s lounges and other spaces which has resulted in the film industry using it for movies from time to time. I think it is a tennis club these days.

Taking part in the theme Local History. Click HERE to see more theme shots from around the world.

They Are Back

The deer are coming out of the woods and back into the city for winter. This group was spotted at a local nursery. I like the one on the right with its head turned the best. The rebel.

Burgers For Sale

 When I saw this place on St Clair Ave I thought it was a vaccination site but on reading the sign in the window you can see that it is "Just Another Burger Spot". Tricky name.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Tough Plants

I was a bit surprised last week to see this planter of Chrysanthemums and ivy looking so healthy since most of the other flowers are now gone although my Geraniums are still going strong.

Neighbourhood

Mount Dennis is a neighbourhood in the west end of Toronto and the BIA (business improvement association) has sponsored a lot of murals in the area. This one is painted on a building at the main intersection of the area so it really attracts attention. I go by sometimes when taking a shortcut and there are always cars parked in front and then the trees were covered in leaves so it was blocked a bit. Last week I was passing by and there were no cars and no leaves so here it is. I couldn't see an artist name.

Taking part in Monday murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Trees

One of the best places to see grand tree specimens is in cemeteries as these trees found at Prospect cemetery show. This wide open space is part of the veterans section where a large number of the older graves are marked by tablets in the ground. Most of these are from the 1920s and 30s.

Meet Merlin

This large cat was spotted in the window of what seems to be a very popular coffee cafe. I assume that Merlin must be the resident cat but I didn't go in to check that out. 

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Looking Good

 I have long admired this Art Deco building on Bathurst St that has had a lot of renewal except for those wooden front doors which were in poor condition. I went by recently and the doors have been refreshed and the whole place looks wonderful with really nice details. The building houses studios and offices and I think one living space.

Long Legs

I was playing with the shadows in the late afternoon sun and loved the long legs that showed up.

Having Fun

I passed this place on a Sunday morning when it wasn't open or else I would have been tempted to go inside. The window had all kinds of fun games and toys in it.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Little Devil Lovbot

Some people are putting up their Christmas decorations while there are a still a few with Halloween decor on display. I spotted this Lovbot with its devil costume on as I wandered around this week. I haven't spotted any new Lovbots lately but you can see more of them if you click on the label below.

Turtle Island

This mural was found on the side of a community centre that is heavily used by First Nation people and has a lot of different symbols one of which is Turtle Island which North America is referred to by indigenous people. It is a beautiful mural but has no artist info.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

More Mystery

A few weeks ago I showed you a person washing what appeared to be plastic bags in a creek.  Well, I spotted another person doing the same thing in the creek with an even bigger pile of bags. When finished they carry them back to their vehicles and leave. It is a real mystery as to why they would be washing out bags. We don't have plastic bags in the stores anymore here.

The Ladies

One of my followers loves seeing the ducks and I haven't shown any for a while so here they are. These two females were just leisurely floating around the pond at James Gardens like ladies with no worries in the world. They could see that I had no food for them so paid no attention to me. 

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

A Wander Through U of T

This was taken when there were more leaves on the trees than there are today but it looks so peaceful that it deserves to be shown.  I was wandering through the U of Toronto campus looking for photo opportunities when I spotted this scene.

Blue

 I was walking along and spotted these bright blue shoes nestled in the leaves beside the sidewalk. There were a few other things put out for people to take so I assume the shoes were looking for a good home. They sure will make an impact.

Addition To A School

 This is part of an addition added to the back of a much older building on Bloor St. The whole place is the University of Toronto School which is an independent school offering grades 7 to 12 and affiliated with the U of Toronto. I love the look of the addition with that large overhang offering a shady place on hot days.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Retro Pickup

I'm not really a big fan of the new huge pickups but I do like seeing the old ones especially when they are in good condition. This old Ford 250 Sport Custom was spotted near a transmission shop and it seems to be in excellent shape. I don't know what year it is.

Symbols

This fine mural by First Nation artist Philip Cote is installed out in front of Harbord Collegiate. I have no idea what all the symbols mean but I love the piece. 

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

More Colour

I turned a corner and was met by a street lined with trees that had all turned this glorious shade of yellow. The branches of the trees met in the middle of the road so it was like walking through a tunnel of yellow.