A Winter Laneway

 

Before spring gets here I wanted to show you what our laneways looked like during winter. The city does no snow clearing in the lanes so it is up to each homeowner to clear in front of any garage being used. This winter the resulting piles almost covered any murals on the doors.These 2 abstract ones still stood out.

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

A Popular Bench

 

This bench in a local park is usually a popular place to sit but it has been unavailable for much of this winter. We are all looking forward to spring by this time of year.

I may not be commenting much for the next week so stay warm. Posts will be up though.

A Cold Bath

 

When I first saw this birdbath the sun was out creating a great shadow but by the time I got my camera out a big cloud had covered the sun. I waited a few minutes and was rewarded with these shadows which really highlighted the soft contours of the snow around the bath.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Snowman?

 

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

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!

"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.

Finally

 

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

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.

Spring?

 

Most of our snow has been melting over the last few weeks but this was the scene last Sunday at one of the local dog parks. It was still fairly icy and snowy in the shadows and on lower surfaces like in this park which is in a bit of a valley.

A Snowy Sunday

 

This street runs through a very pleasant area across the road from Casa Loma. It was looking especially beautiful early on a Sunday morning.

Another Neighbour

 

This is Spadina House which is located beside Cas Loma at the top of those stairs that I showed you the other day. Built in 1866 it was privately owned until the 1980s when it was donated to the city. It was extensively updated and is now decorated in a style from the 1920s and 30s and is operated as a museum. There are many original features like murals that have been restored. This pic was taken early on a Sunday morning before any shoveling happened after the overnight snow.

Walking In The Snow

 

It must be cold on those feet walking through the snow but it doesn't seem to bother them. Spring can't come too soon.

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

At The Top

 

This is the view from the top of the stairs leading to Casa Loma looking back down the hill and along Spadina Rd to downtown. The CN Tower is hidden by the trees. I've always loved that large oak tree just left of centre in the pic.