Starry Night

 

I made tens of these stars probably 12 years ago. I always leave them hanging up for New Year's Eve. They were folded from a piece of paper with one cut but for the life of me I can't remember what the folds were!

Happy New Year!

The Topper

 

I love the topper on the round building which I showed you yesterday. I don't think that it is a weather vane and perhaps is a lightning rod. The wood work could use a bit of paint.

Many Uses

I was wandering around the U of Toronto campus and stopped for a pic of one of my favourite things. This round building, the Croft Chapter House, is a part of the University College building which was built in 1859. Originally this was the chemistry lab of the college and one wonders if it was set off to one end as a safety measure. It hasn't been a chem lab for many years and had been used for offices for a long time until recently when it was renovated and opened as an arts conference centre. I must see if I can get inside for a look.
 

Nicer Days

 

I was going through my archives looking for a good shot of some ducks at James Gardens when I cam across this shot from last September. It was a beautiful day at the park and all the Mallards were relaxing. It will be nice when those days return in spring.

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

A Pioneer

 

This was one of the first laneway houses that I saw in the city, probably about 10 years ago. I happened to see a real estate listing for it and went to the open house. It was done well but was quite small inside. I took this pic several weeks ago when I went by and was pleased to see it still looking so good.

Happy Snowman

 

Frank, the snowman, finally got some snow last week but it didn't last long and we are back to a grey world.

The Big Day

 

I hope that Santa Claus visited all of you who were waiting for him. 

Merry Christmas to all!

Waiting For The Big Guy

 

The reindeer were all ready and waiting for Santa Claus to join them at the parade - a bit like tonight when they will all be anxious to get going. Enjoy your Christmas Eve.

The Skaters

 

Charlie Brown and Snoopy made an appearance in the Santa Claus Parade on a float for Canada's Wonderland which is an amusement park north of the city. They both look quite happy to be skating away as the float proceeds down its route.

Arches

 

I quite liked the McDonalds float in the Santa Claus Parade. I assume that Ronald probably was on board during the parade itself.

Creatures In The Parade

 

I loved these squirrels and the rabbit that were on one of the floats in the Santa Claus Parade. The squirrels were probably planning some mischief that they could get into along the parade route.

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

Build Something

 

Everyone of all ages seems to love building with Lego and they sponsored a float at the Santa Claus Parade complete with Christmas sweaters.

Winter Fun

 

The polar bears and deer were having fun on a nice winter day on this float. During the parade the deer and the back polar bear will be rotating.

Sign At Dog Park

 

I spotted this sign at a local dog park, a place that I have spent many hours at over the years. I thought it was a lovely sign.

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

Clowns Love A Parade

 

There are always lots of clowns at the Santa Claus Parade some on this float but a lot marching alongside all the floats during the parade. They are all happy clowns, no scary ones.

Purple

 

Another mural from the laneway that has all the newly painted images. At first glance this looked like abstract painting until I realized that the purple bits were actually feet & legs walking along behind the black plants. I quite like it.

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

Warming Up

 

To help people stay warm before and during the Santa Claus Parade, Tim Horton's had set up several kiosks where you could get free coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies. Tim Horton's is a national coffee and donut chain that seems to have a store on every other corner all across the country. This was the view in Christie Pits 2 hours before the parade began. The hot chocolate was wonderful!

Windy Day

 

It was a cold and windy day when I noticed this squirrel hunkered down in a tree near my deck. It was there for at least 15 minutes with the wind blowing at its back. I think it was trying to use its tail as a blanket but I'm not sure how successful that was. Eventually the cold creature moved off to a more protected location.

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

Working Hard

 

The creatures on this float from the Santa Claus Parade will be working hard once the parade begins as they run luggage through the conveyor belts. The floats  in the parade are all sponsored and this one is from the folks at Billy Bishop airport which is a small airport right downtown by the lake so hence the luggage.

Leading The Way

 

The lead off float for our Santa Claus Parade is traditionally Mother Goose and this is the new Mother Goose which appeared last year replacing a float which was very old. It seems suitable to have a Canada Goose as they seem to be everywhere these days. That is Christie Pits park in the background. During the parade there will be kids sitting on those stools on the float.

Getting Ready

 

Our Santa Claus Parade was a few weeks ago and every year I go down to where they start organizing the floats along Bloor St W just past Korea Town where it begins. Each year adult family members go down to Bloor St early in the morning to claim a space for the kids and to set out chairs for later. Then they go home and bring the kids back when the parade starts just after noon. I took this shot around 9:30 am as I headed by to check out the floats at the starting line. 

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

Up On The Roof

 

Nothing to do with the old 60s song by the Drifters but I do love getting out on the roof deck even when summer is gone. A neighbouring Gingko was providing the only hit of colour that day.

Stopped In My Tracks

 

I have to admit that this garage stopped me in my tracks. I love these doors! There was no artist signature which is unfortunate. The pair of doors on the left are in bad shape at the bottom but it doesn't distract.

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

Winter Is Here

 

We escaped all the big snow storm but winter has arrived in Toronto with the opening of all the outdoor rinks that the city runs. This one at Christie Pits park was not yet open for the day but will soon be in heavy use.

Stay Very Still

 

This little chipmunk saw me and thought if it stayed very still that I wouldn't see it but that didn't work. They are such cute little things.

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

 

I went by the old Honest Ed's development site lately after hearing on the news that it will be about a year until it is all finished. It was nice to see that these old buildings along Markham St have all been restored and are waiting for new windows. The first building on the right used to be a cafe and the others housed galleries and studios. It will be interesting to see what happens to them. Those high rises behind are all to be rental apartments with some at affordable rents.

Carpet Of Leaves

 

Most of the leaves around town are being cleaned up so we won't see scenes like this for much longer. It is so dreary when they are all gone.

Still Going Strong

 

Trinity St Paul's United Church has been on Bloor St W in the Annex neighbourhood since 1889 and is celebrating its 135 years there. The church is also a Centre for Faith, Justice & the Arts and is known for its reputation for social activism.  

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

From The 1960s

 

I was wandering along after a long walk and came across this old Dodge Dart. I am not sure about its age other than probably from the mid 60s when cars still had individual styles unlike today when so many of them look alike. It looked to be in great condition.

Flowery Garage

 

It was a pleasant surprise to walk down a laneway and spot this lovely painted garage. It turned out to be the first of a whole group of garages that have recently had murals painted on the doors. I'll be showing them for the next several Mondays. The artist for this one is AV WU.

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

December Theme: Slow

 

The December theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community is Slow and for this I am showing a shot of the slow traffic along Bloor St W in the Annex neighbourhood. Congestion seems to be everywhere these days. Those tall buildings are part of the development taking place on the old Honest Ed's site and hopefully will soon be available for rent. The development has been slow to get finished.

Taking part in the theme Slow. Click HERE to more examples of slow from around the world.