Paper Doll Dress?

 

This ceramic dress was spotted in a gallery. I always loved playing with paper dolls when I was a kid. That is another one of those things that are not done anymore.

Hungry?

 

Tim Hortons is Canada most popular coffee place and was known for its donuts but the menu has greatly expanded and you can now get a huge assortment of fast foods. I don't drink coffee but have tried one of these breakfast sandwiches and it was great.

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Another Conversion

 

This scene is from the neighbourhood where yesterday's mural was found. The house on the right was probably one of the corner stores that used to be found sprinkled through residential areas. They were great community centres but are rarely found now. They have done a nice job with this conversion.

In The Neighbourhood

 

This mural was found along a laneway just south of Dupont St and the scene resembles the neighbourhood which has a rail line running just north of Dupont along with a hydro corridor. Even the houses resemble those in the 'hood. I like the colours too. The artist for this one is Erin McCluskey.

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

An Oldie

 

I was walking along on a beautiful day when I spotted this beauty parked in a driveway. It is a 1954 Pontiac and was in mint condition.

Water

 

I have a large container for a bird bath on the roof deck. The bigger birds like the Robins love it but the smaller Sparrows love this small metal saucer-like container. I have been filling it a couple of times during the day while we have been having hot weather. Sometimes there have been as many as 5 of them around the edge at a time. In this catch just 2 with one perched on the wing of one of the metal decorative birds. At the right you can see another bird on the edge of a planter waiting for a chance to get in. 

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

Fly Away

 

I recently saw this large painting by Canadian artist Andrew King. I love his work and this one is quite large - about 7 ft by 3 ft - so there is lots to admire. I have forgotten the title.

Hello!

 

I was walking along a street when I noticed this mask attached to a telephone pole. It was a nice addition. The house behind it had a few odd things scattered in its front garden so I wonder if they added the mask.

Pollinate TO

 

Pollinate TO (aka Toronto) refers to community led projects that are helping the pollinators by installing gardens around the city on boulevards and other underused spaces. They receive small grants from the city to help with getting the plants etc. The one in this pic is located in a small patch of land at the entrance to a parking lot.

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world. 

Rose Of Sharon

 

Rose of Sharon bushes are flowering all over the city. There are several colours but I think that the white ones are my favourite.

Colours

 

I'm not sure what the theme of this mural is but the colours all seem to be so relaxing. There was no artist info for this one.

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

An Unusual Sight

 

This lovely steeple found on an old church has an unusual neighbour which must be some kind of chimney. It certainly ruins this view of the steeple.

A Youngster

 

I was sitting in a park and noticed this Robin all puffed up and at first thought that it was injured but after a few minutes some kids came near the bird and it flew down into the grass and started to look for food. Finally it found some and fixed all its feathers into place and flew up into  a tree away from the kids. I think it was a young bird just catching its breath when I first saw it.

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

A Space

 

I have long admired a wonderful Art Deco building on Bathurst St (see HERE). I recently heard that there were new owners and that there was an event space at the back which that weekend was featuring some kind of design event so I went by mostly to see the building from the inside. The display was underwhelming but I did like the space. It had been a warehouse for the tile company who built the building in the 1930s.

Passenger Luxury

 

I spotted this bike recently and was impressed with the passenger compartment for youngsters. No matter what the weather they will be protected. It looked like there was space for 2 kids but I'm not sure. 

Slow Please

 

These signs were spotted along a walkway that goes through a small park with a playground, picnic tables, and benches. I'm guessing there must be issues with cyclists racing through.

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world. 

The Old And The New

 

The vast majority of houses in the Annex neighbourhood are really close together but there are a couple of streets where the lots are bigger such as in this shot. The house on the right is an old original Annex home while the one on the left is a new build. I like the old one best.

Cute Pup

 

I spotted this cute pup on a fence along a laneway. I think he is really well done. He looking for a greeting don't you think?

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

Details

 

I like the details around this door found at an old hospital building in the city. So much nicer than what they would do today.

Foraging

 

I was watching this Robin poking around in the grass at a park and when it stopped I could see that it had been successful in finding a couple of creatures to take back to its nest. It had been a good catch for it! I'm thinking it must have babies waiting for its return.

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

With Bells On

 

This small tree in a park always has an assortment of Christmas balls on it in winter but I was surprised when I recently went by to find it sporting a lot of metal bells. There are no signs around it but the tree must be special to someone.

Sunset

 

I haven't see many nice sunsets this summer but this one last week was a beauty.They certainly don't last long though. Five minutes and it was all gone.

A Good Name

 

The name "Jimmy's Athletic Club" made me think of an old time weight lifting gym and after checking on line this seems to be the right reaction. Apparently they do weightlifting, personal training, and other types of martial arts. 

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world. 

Convenient Trees

 

I remember when this infill home was built on a small lot in the Annex neighbourhood. It had huge windows that allowed you to see right into the whole place. Well, now the trees that were planted have grown and provided wonderful privacy and probably a great view into the treetops.

Skyline

 

I seem to be running into a lot of murals by RoamTO lately and here is another. That is a stylized version of our skyline reflected in Lake Ontario. This is a view you see from the park at Centre Island which is a short ferry ride across the harbour.

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

Lost Then Found?

 

While walking by a bus stop I spotted this tiny giraffe on the ground. I put it up on the nearby bench and carried on with my walk. When passing by later it was gone, hopefully to its original owner.

Retriever

 

I watched this young woman and her dog in a local park as she kicked a ball which her dog would race to retrieve and return it to start the whole thing over again. The dog was totally into running after that ball!

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

August Theme: Sweets

 

The August theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community is Sweets and for this I include a section of the candy aisle at a local grocery store. I always stop here to check things out even if I don't buy any sweets that day.

Taking part in the theme Sweets. Click HERE to see more sweets from around the world.

Chairs With a View

 

These colourful chairs were lined up along the edge of the playing field belonging to a private boys school in the Annex neighbourhood. A comfortable place with a good view. And notice the consistent order of the colours.

Brisket

 

I am not sure if that is a vegan brisket being offered at this place on Bloor St W. I think this needs further investigation. 

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world. 

A Fine Midrise

 

This midrise condo building on Dupont St really seems to work well visually. I think it is all the different surfaces and shapes across the front that makes it successful rather than a flat straight up facade. There is still quite a wind tunnel effect though.

Blue

This is another laneway find with wonderful  graphic patterning. The artist for this one is Mediah who works often with the CBS crew. I always like to discover a new one of his.

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

Cat Luv

 

I couldn't resist showing this pic from the outside windows of a local pet food store. I showed the dog pic a week ago and thought the cat needs a post too.

A Visitor

 

I was sitting on the roof deck and heard a hawk sound nearby and then spotted this one up on the neighbouring cellphone tower. It stayed there quite a while so I got my camera and bird book. I think it is a female Merlin but the experts may know better.

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

An Annex House

 

I showed the wonderful grasses outside of this house a couple of weeks ago ad thought I would go back and show the house which is really quite nice. I love a big porch like that.

Thanks to Tom who ided the grass - it is Japanese Forest Grass. 

Drive Thru

 

I was walking along a residential street and happened to look up to the roof deck of this house and spotted the sign for the drive thru of a McDonalds. I love it. Wish I had one!

Happiness

 

I don't drink coffee but we have had so many really hot days this summer that this sign looks good even to me.

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world. 

More Shade Plants

 

I showed you another planter of flowers in the shade a couple of weeks ago and thought I would show another. I love the colour combinations of this one. 

Summer Treat?

 

I'm not sure what this is supposed to represent but to me it looks like strawberry or cherry flavoured soft ice cream.  It looks cheerful. The artist for this one is Stephvon Awesome.

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

A Good Drink

 

Yesterday's bee was actually getting ready to have a nice drink of water.  I had a small, shallow decorative saucer on the deck that became filled with water. The bees discovered that it was a perfect place for them to get a nice drink and have been coming back ever since. I now keep it topped up for them. There can sometimes be 4 or 5 of them all drinking.

A Visitor

 

This bee is one of many who have been visiting the roof deck attracted by flowers and a bit  of water during these hot days. More about the bee tomorrow.

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

Small Foundation

Yet another laneway house is under construction near me. This one looks like it is going to be a small one judging by these foundation walls. It looks like it is the same size of the garage it is replacing. We will have to wait to see.
 

The Masked Woman

 

I  spotted this masked woman and friend in a shop window and liked the effect with the reflection of the sky above her. The shop is being renovated and I think a gallery may be moving in. I have no artist info.

Dog Person

 

A local pet food store is using pics of people with pets to advertise in the store windows. It certainly grabs attention.

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

What A Difference

 It has been hot & humid here and when going through my archives pics of winter on the deck looked so refreshing that I couldn't resist showing one. Frank the snowman was still above the snow but he did end up buried a few days later.

Garage Couple

 

I seem to be finding a lot of murals by ROAMto lately but have a hard time figuring out if there is a message in them.This one seems to reference a couple and maybe some exploring that they do.

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

Thriving In The Shade

 

I spotted this large planter by the shady entrance to a condo building and was impressed by how well the plants were doing there. Happy in the shade!

Elephant In The Room

 

I spotted this piece, with the title Elephant In The Room, in a gallery and couldn't resist a pic of the huge elephant crammed into the small room with even its own chair. I've always liked that expression.  

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

Sea Of Green

 

These bright green grasses blowing in a breeze had the look of green sea rising and falling. They had to have been the healthiest plants that I have seen in a long time. Gorgeous.

Neighbourhood Park

 

The older parts of the city are sprinkled with small parks like this one in the Annex neighbourhood. The whole park is basically in this pic. The linear park runs between 2 streets and provides some shade and several benches for a rest. It is a welcome place on a hot humid day like we get in summer.