Sea Of Blue

 

Every spring nature puts on a great show along this hill on Davenport Rd. The blue Scilla has spread into a beautiful sea. It is too bad that it doesn't last for long.

Buy Local

 

I spotted this mural in a local laneway and there were tarps down in front of it so I think there was still more details to be added but there was no one to ask. It still gets its message across very well. Honest Ed's was a famous discount store which anchored a whole neighbourhood which is now in the process of being redeveloped. We shall see how it turns out soon, hopefully. 

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

Big House

 

It is still a good time to take shots of houses in the Annex neighbourhood before the leaves come out on the trees. This pic actually shows a pair of semi-detached homes which are each huge. It wouldn't be surprising to find out that they are each divided into expensive flats. The one on the left is great with the top floor balcony and the porch along  the side. I'd love to see the inside of this one.

Flowery Garage

 

This vibrant mural was a bright spot on one of the dull spring days that we have been having. It would be nice to see it on any garage.

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

Lovely Yellow

 

Spring is upon us and I saw my first flowering Forsythia this week. It was glowing in the rare sunshine so  I had to cross the road and get a pic. 

The Walker

 

On a sunny afternoon last week I spotted this ladybug walking all around on the roof flashing by our deck. The dark metal must have felt nice and warm after all the cool weather we have been having. This is my first ladybug of the season and I take it as a sign that spring is here.

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

A Smokehouse

 

I happened to go by a smokehouse that had opened not too long ago and got a whiff of the smoke as the meat all soaked it up in an outdoor enclosure. It is only open a few days of the week and opens at noon and closes when the meat runs out. These smokers must hold a lot of meat.

Affordable and Green

 

This small apartment complex was built a few years ago using green and sustainable methods. It was built on city owned land to be affordable and supportive with things like a library and pet area to help with service animals for those who need it. It has been well maintained and looks great don't you think?

Fusion Food

 

Japas is a restaurant on Bloor St W in Koreatown. It serves Japanese style tapas. I have never been in but it sounds intriguing. And I like the style of the building.

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

Fitting In

 

This small apartment building in the Annex neighbourhood fits so well with its neighbours. It has the same style, materials and scale as the surrounding homes and looks to have been well maintained. Not like the empty building a couple of blocks away which I showed you in March (HERE). This is the scale that the city needs more of. 

Welcome

 This lovely mural and door surround was found on a house in the Guadalupe area of San Miguel De Allende and to me it all says "Welcome".  I love all the colours.

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

Annex Semis

 

It is a dull time of year but it is also a good time to take pics of houses before the leaves come out on the trees. I like this pair of large semi-detached homes in the Annex neighbourhood. Each side is so different except for the large arched windows. I like the big porch on the right side but love the little turret on the left.

Strong As Steel

While wandering along a laneway (as is my habit) I spotted this fierce raccoon atop a fence by one of the laneway house. It probably means that the house gets a lot of visits from real raccoons which is not surprising in this city with a huge population of them.

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

A View Of Casa Loma

 

I don't think that I went up to Casa Loma at all this winter but this week I happened to pass by several blocks down the hill from it. This view looking along the laneway behind some townhouse condos always reminds me of an European scene. I will have to go by the Casa now that the weather is starting to get better.

Black Beauty

 

I was walking past a shop that does hand wash car washes when I spotted this beauty parked out front so of course had to stop. It is an Austin-Healey 3000 Mk111 and was in perfect condition inside and out. They were only made from 1964 to 1967 and so are quite collectible. I loved it.

Books

 

There are still independent book stores around and this one on Bloor St W in Koreatown has been around for a long time. There are a few more within walking distance which is a good thing.

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

A Deco Delight

 

 I have always loved this Art Deco style apartment building on Eglinton Ave. Built in 1939, it looks like a place that Poirot would live in don't you think?

Scary Eyes

 

I spotted this slightly scary beast in a local laneway. There have been a lot of coyote sightings and encounters all over the city and I think this is what the creature is meant to be. I have been lucky not to see any of them. The artist info is ANART45M.

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

I Found Some

 

I finally found some crocuses last week. Our weather has been so up and down with lots of cold weather that the spring flowers have been hiding.

Catching Some Sun

 

I watched this squirrel for well over an hour and for a while thought that it was dead and had somehow caught its neck on something and was strangled. It was motionless and the tail was blowing in the breeze. I made some noise and there was no reaction but then a noisy garage door opened and the little creature finally moved to see what the noise was. It was a cool day but the sun was strong so I think it was doing a bit of sunbathing. After a while the squirrel stretched and left for home.

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

Happy

 

On yet another dreary day here it was nice to happen upon this smiling face in the playground of a school. Playgrounds are so colourful these days.

Snowdrops

 

It feels like it has been a late spring but I finally spotted some snowdrops last week. They had a warm spot with some large rocks behind them which they seemed to like. 

Warmer Weather

When the weather gets warmer all the fruits and veggies appear outside of the corner stores and fruit markets along Bloor St W. It is always a welcome sight and a good place for buying fresh produce.

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

Finally Some Flowers

 

We had a bit of a warm day a week ago so I went out looking for some spring flowers and found a patch of Winter Aconite in someone's front garden. My Mum always had large swaths of these in her garden and they often emerged from the snow with buds ready to open. These ones just needed a bit of sunshine to get them opened up. It was nice to see some colour at this dreary time of year.

Lovely Lady

 

This lovely lady was found in the Guadalupe area of San Miguel De Allende and imagine how she would look when those vines are blossoming. This area was teeming with great murals.

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

A Serene Church

 

This simple white church seemed so serene in comparison to the many ornate ones found in San Miguel De Allende. I never did get inside of this one. 

Balance

 

This little dog was spotted balanced on the edge of the second floor wall of a house in San Miguel De Allende. It looked like an older dog and it seemed quite comfortable up there so I think it must be a favourite perch.

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

Hello There

 

These very tall puppet-like figures called Mojigangas (I think) wander around the town square of San Miguel De Allende on the weekends. Apparently it is an old Spanish custom. There are several different figures and they are so tall that the people inside are actually looking out from around the navels. Great fun to see.

Beautiful

 

Imagine coming home to this gorgeous door and its surrounding vegetation. This was spotted in the Colonia Guadalupe area of San Miguel De Allende. I loved it.

World Cup

 

While I was in San Miguel De Allende there were fellows putting these banners up all over town promoting the 2026 World Cup of soccer since some of the games are being played in Mexico. Soccer is really popular there so it will be a big event for the country. There will be some games played in Canada too, 6 in Toronto. 

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