Parked

 

These bikes won't be moving very far anytime soon. I never understand why people leave them out where this can happen. At least they won't be stolen.

"I'm Cold"

 

This is the first squirrel that I have seen in the trees behind our roof deck for about a month since the deep cold hit here. He didn't look happy with the world and didn't stay out for long. It has warmed up a bit this week.

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

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

Getting Ready

 

Anything that you might need for the big day tomorrow could be found in this store. I couldn't believe the amount of things there were for Valentine's Day. I wonder if the kids still give out cards in school?

After The Storm

 

This pic was taken a week after the big snow storm and many cars are still covered in a lot of snow. It is going to take a lot of digging to get these two out onto the road. Most people in the downtown parts of the city park on the street.

Winter Streetscape

 

This is a recent shot of Bloor St W in Korea Town. You can see how the snow becomes piled up between the road and the sidewalk. That one shop at the right has been ambitious and shovelled right out to the roadway. Most shops do nothing or do a small section but theirs is really wide.

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

He's Back!

 

Our 2 ft of snow hasn't really melted much but it has compacted and blown away a bit so that Frank has appeared again. It has been so cold that he might have liked a bit of snowy insulation around him.

Looking For Flowers

 

Not only garages are painted with murals along the laneways but also some buildings are too. This shot was taken in better weather showing the back wall of a kitchen supply company. I love seeing the flowers.

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

Mr Peanut

 

This fine fellow was in my parents' house ever since I was a kid and I continue to have him at my place. He is about 2 ft tall and probably was on a Mr Peanut float in a parade in the 1950s.  With really cold weather and all of the snow I have been sticking to home a lot for pics!

Snack Time

 

These squirrels were happy to have found an area below a pine tree where the wind had blown a lot of the snow away. They were able to find lots of seeds from the tree. Squirrels haven't been out much since our big snow storm.

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

On A Cold Winter Day

 

There are few things better on a cold day than to find an interesting book and losing yourself in it for a few hours. Priceless!

Mid Snowstorm

 

This was what it was like in the middle of the storm that we got a couple of weeks ago.  You can still see Frank the snow man but he disappeared for a week later in the day. It has been quite a winter so far.

Helping The Bees

 

I spotted this sign on a bus stop this week as I walked along in the freezing cold. Even in winter we should remember our bees and be aware of the threats they face.

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

Perfect Timing

 

My ancient Clivia plant has decided to put on a show and brighten the place a bit. That white background out the window is snow! I think the plant is about 15 years old and it flowers twice a year - priceless.

Through The Garden

 

I think I may have posted this mural back in 2024 but I quite like it so here it is. It still looks tidy with no tagging. The purple looks abstract until you realize they are legs and feet walking through a garden. 

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

Where Is Frank?

 

I took this shot through a screen on the patio door which gave this grid effect to my pic. That lump you see is where poor Frank the snowman is buried in the 2 ft of snow we got last weekend. He has now appeared a bit but is still not happy. His friend behind him is not amused either.

Lunchtime

 

This shot was taken last week before we got 60 cm (2 ft) of snow.  It was cold and these little House Sparrows were gobbling up all the seeds that they could find.

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

Astonished

 

Every time that I see one of these vehicles I can't believe my eyes. And lately I have seen a couple in really bright colours which just increases the effect.

The Patio is Closed

 

This shot was taken before our last big dump of snow. I fear to think what this might look like now. Hoping for an early spring!

A Nice Tribute

 

It was good to see this sign installed by Heritage Toronto in the Annex out front of one of the apartment buildings that Uno Prii had designed. He designed over 250 buildings around the world with many of them in the Annex neighbourhood. You can click the Uno Prii label below to see some that I have posted in the past.

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

Summer Flowers

 

It is nice to think about summer flowers and the visits they got from Hummingbirds when we are now having really cold weather. Not the best conditions for getting out for new pics! These Cosmos were out on the deck where Frank the snowman now rules.

Mural

 

This large mural was spotted on the side of an alternative school along Bloor St W. It commemorates the signing of a treaty between groups of indigenous peoples many years ago. The list of artists is on the left side.

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

A Snowman?

 

This guy does not look happy about the snow on his nose. Spotted in the front garden of an Annex neighbourhood home.

Out In The Storm

 

It was surprising to see this squirrel out having a snack while the snow came down around him. Usually they stay home and wait for better weather. Squirrels seem to be the only creatures I see these days.

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

After The Storm

 

It wasn't just snowmen like Frank that were covered in snow after our big storm last week. These stairs needed a bit of work before they were useable. Lucky it was light snow.

Snow

 

We had a lot of snow recently and poor Frank almost disappeared under it. It finally melted a bit after a few days and he is now a bit happier. Even his little nose was covered!

It's Electric

 

I spotted this restaurant while walking along Bloor St on a Sunday morning. It wasn't open but apparently they serve Australian pub food. I am not sure what that is so will have to drop by on another day. I guess that is a platypus on the sign?

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

Changes

 

I can't totally remember what this large house in the Annex neighbourhood looked like before but I think it may have been a semi detached pair of homes but has been converted into a multi unit building. The right hand side has been opened up at the bottom to provide a parking lot. They did a good job fitting the changes into the neighbourhood.

Bird

 

I spotted this wonderful bird on a utility box in Christie Pits park back in November. The artist is Nicolas Alfalfa. I really like it.

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

"I'm Melting"

 

This large snowman had been through a few days of warm weather when I spotted it in a local park. He had lost his facial features but still stood dignified on the changing landscape. It must have been great fun to build him.

Cold Pig

 

This concrete pig has stood guard in an Annex front garden for many years but in summer is surrounded by grasses and flowers. He didn't look very happy a couple of weeks ago when we had a lot of snow. He needs a scarf!

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

Cold Playground

 

It wasn't surprising that no kids were at this playground on a recent cold day. The plastic equipment would have been cold to touch. The colours were a standout in the snow though.

Annex Homes

 

When the leaves are off the trees in winter that is the best time to look at the style of homes in the Annex neighbourhood. The facade of these 2 semi-detached houses is quite unusual for the neighbourhood. The one on the right looks fairly original while the left side has done a larger window on the 2nd floor but otherwise the whole building looks great.

Crafty On Bloor

 

The Crafty Coyote is a pub found on Bloor St W in the Annex neighbourhood. I have always liked the building with those little cupolas on the roof. There must be interesting space up on that top floor.

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

A Winter Pastime

 

Having a good book to read on a stormy winter day is a great way to pass the time and on a nice winter day heading out to a bookstore is a treat. This large bookstore, BMV, on Bloor St in the Annex neighbourhood fits the bill as it has several floors of books of all types. This is a view towards the mystery section which was my destination on a recent visit.

Winter Flowers

 

The only flowers outside here at this time of year are in murals. I really liked the graphic style of these ones. There was no artist signature.

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

Tiny Park

 

There are several of these small parks like this one in the Annex neighbourhood and it is unusual to find one empty of people on a Sunday. No matter what the weather you will normally find someone walking a dog or just sitting on a bench having a coffee. And it was 0˚C so not very cold at all. A mystery.

Close To Home

 

There were actually 3 squirrels in that tree snacking on Maple keys but the 3rd one never got into a close enough to catch them all at once. This is the view from our roof deck and I wanted to show you where the squirrels live. Most of the ones who visit this tree live in the eaves of that large house behind us where you can see the windows. The owners seal up the entrance ways but then the little guys find another way in.

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

Soldiers' Tower

 

Soldiers' Tower at U of Toronto is found near Hart House and it was built in 1924 as a memorial to members of the university who died in WW1. It later included members who died in WW11. I have always taken pics of it from the south side and this one is from the north with University College to the right and Hart House on the left. 

A Breakfast Treat

 

A pancake breakfast is always a nice treat but this one was extra special because friends had gifted us some special maple syrup from Quebec. That jar on the left contains maple syrup that has been aged in bourbon barrels. It was so delicious and we have a couple more varieties to try yet!

On Patrol

 

This old police car, a 1957 Chevy, often comes out for special events like the Santa Claus parade which was the case here. The car sat on Bloor St and led off the start of the parade. Quite a difference from the police vehicles that we see today.

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

Pink

 

OISE (Ontario institute for studies in education) at U  of Toronto has undergone some renovations one of which included the terrace on the roof. Community gardens appeared and so have the bright pink strips of some material. When viewed from the right side of this pic the strips look yellow. It must make a nice effect on the terrace.

Finally

 

A day later and Frank and his friend were pleased to have a bit of snow. Frank was in his element.

He's Back

 

Frank the snowman finally came out just before Christmas and found no snow on the deck. He was actually enjoying a bit of warm sun on his old body. I think he is about 30 years old now. things changed the next day.

Foraging

 

Squirrels seem to spend all their days looking for food and this one was trying to snack on some Maple keys before the snow that was starting to come down got too heavy. It soon started to really snow a lot and squirrel left for home.

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

Frozen Pond

 

The pond in the Wychwood Park neighbourhood was frozen when I walked by recently on the way to a farmers market. I don't think this pond ever freezes well enough to allow skating or even walking on it.

January Theme: Photo Of The Year

The January theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community is 'Photo Of The Year'  and I chose this shot that I took in Merida Mexico of a dog  in an art gallery. I really liked the shot and the dog was so good to go back up the stairs after greeting everyone. 

Taking part in the theme. Click HERE to see more Photos of The Year from around the world.

Happy New Year!