Pink Beauty

 

This is another small Magnolia tree in the neighbourhood but this one has large blossoms. The tree is a lovely shape.

Resting Up

 

After a busy morning foraging for food this black squirrel took some time for a little nap in the warm sun. Probably thinking about what mischief it could get into later.

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

 

Deco Details

 

This is one of the garage entrances to yesterday's apartment building. There are actually 3 buildings side by side with all the same wonderful deco facades making up a wonderful complex. I wonder what the interiors are like.

Deco Charm

 

This is the entrance to yet another of the older apartment buildings that are on Avenue Rd south of St Clair W. This one was built in 1931 and features wonderful Art Deco details more of which I will show you tomorrow. This building also has heritage protection.

Heritage Signs

 

Heritage Toronto puts up signs in this style at various interesting or significant locations around the city. They used to be cast in metal but were often stolen by thieves who sold them for scrap so now they are using glass which actually works well with a solid base behind it. This sign tells the story of Davenport Rd and how it was an old trail used by indigenous populations for thousands of years. Its original name seen on the sign has now been added to the street signs too.

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

Apple Blossoms

 

This large apple tree is in the back garden of a home visible from our roof deck. It has been putting on a grand display that has lasted a while because of the cool and rainy weather we have been having.

Spring Flowers

 

This mural on a garage reminded me of the flowers of spring which we are seeing now. And they have added a little blue raccoon as a tribute to the huge population of these creatures that we have in the city. Not blue in real life of course. The artist is Ellesart.

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

Small Beauty

 

This small Magnolia tree is always the first of them in our 'hood to flower. Even its flowers are smaller and more delicate than the flowers on the big trees. Unfortunately it was garbage day when I went by so hence the bins.

Snack Time

 

This is the same squirrel that I showed you last Saturday who was busy burying some food for a later date. After working so hard it was time for it to take a break and actually eat something.

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

Elegance

 

This is another of the wonderful old apartment buildings along Avenue Rd south of St Clair W. It was also built in the 1920s but several years ago underwent a complete restoration inside and out with some adjustments made to the configuration of the units. This building has heritage protection too.

Spring Yellow

 

The Daffodils are finally flowering and because we have been having rather cool weather they are lasting a while. This patch had some blue Scilla neighbours to enhance the colours.

Donuts!

 

The actor Ryan Reynolds has collaborated with Tim Hortons, Canada's most popular coffee and donut place, to bring out these delicious sounding donuts. There is some kind of charity contribution involved in the deal. There has been so much advertising that I have been tempted to try one but have so far resisted.

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

Impressive Entrance

 

There is a stretch of Avenue Rd south of St Clair St W which has a group of wonderful old apartment buildings built in the 1920s. I loved the entrance to this one. Apparently there is a mural on the ceiling of the lobby which was painted by one of the Group of Seven but it is hard to get in there. This building has heritage protection.

Busy Times

 

Spring is a busy time for beavers as they repair any winter damage to their lodges and start new construction so it was timely that I came upon this mural a couple of weeks ago. The artist for this one is Candypress.

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

You Never Know

 

You never know what can be at the end of a walkway like this. Well, this one leads to a building with a lot of studios. There are potters, painters, jewellers, and more, creating wonderful things. It is good such buildings are still around.

Hiding Treasures

Although most of our squirrels have black fur there are still many around with grey fur. When I first saw this one it was burying something so deep that his whole head disappeared into the hole. He then spent a lot of time filling in the hole and trying to make it look as if no earth had been disturbed. I wonder if he will remember where it was?

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

May Theme Day: Fruit

 

The May theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community is Fruit and since it is a bit early for our local fruit I chose this shot from the citrus aisle at a local grocery store. The bright orange seemed very spring-like to me.

Taking part In the theme Fruit. Click HERE to see more fruit from around the world. 

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. 

A Fine Patio

 

It was early morning in San Migel De Allende and this restaurant was not yet open but the door was open so I peeked in and found this beautiful patio with a green wall and colourful lanterns hanging down.

Tank Mural

 

This mural was painted on a tank at an art centre in San Miguel De Allende. The centre was located in an old textile mill that was turned into spaces for studios and galleries. I visited a couple of times on my holiday. The artist was mjmuralart.

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

Altar

 

I didn't take a lot of interior shots of churches when I was in San Miguel De Allende since I was there during Lent so there were a lot of masses being said and people praying on their own at other times. This is the altar in the church behind the carved door that I showed you on Friday. There were so many wonderful details.