vegan picnic

Spent a lovely day in High Park yesterday at the TVA members picnic. How refreshing to go to a group pic nic and not have to ask about the ingredients and be able to eat everything! They put on a great spread.

until we meet again

The reps are closing tonight but there is hope of revival. I went to see The Wizard of Oz this aft at the Revue, nice to see it on the big screen, hadn't seen it in awhile. I *was not* one of those people taking pictures with a flash during the film, but these turned out alright without flash.


They turned on the house lights briefly and we got to see the ceiling, it reminded me of a creepy doc I saw about crop circles!

Twister!

Someone at Pride lookin' lovely in a dress sewn out of a Twister game mat. Brilliant!

A Farewell to the Repertories?

There’s a SOLD sign on the Royal now, but no amount of Googling tells me who bought it. Please let it not become a condo. My heart is with The Revue, let’s save it. I've been trying to get out to see more movies at the Festivals since the announcement was made that the chain's for sale, I'm guilty of waiting for the DVD for second run flicks.

I get fed with a little help from my friends

I had a houseguest last week and she made the most delicious meals. I love good food but am incredibly lazy in the kitchen. Check out this fake cheeze she found, it’s melty! In Toronto you can get it at Evergreen HFS on Roncesvalles, maybe other places too.


She put it on pizza, and under it was a delicious surprise: toasted coconut, toasted pecans, spinach and tomato sauce.


The sandwich is mock tuna salad: a concoction of tempeh, vegan mayo, celery and relish. She also baked cake and made a huge batch of breaded tofu that last for days.


My only cooking effort for the whole 10 days was the Mac Hates Cheese that Michelle recommended, which was pretty dang good. Love that nutty, tangy taste.

Sunglasses is a Must

I just love this weather, so nice and sunny but not too hot. That hot spell a couple weeks ago was brutal, this is nice!

At the end of the heat alert I went to see A-Trak on his Sunglasses is a Must Tour, it was fab. Check out the design shaved into his head, can you see it peaking out of his hat?

Did you see him on The New Music awhile ago? During the interview, he and Hannah Sung sat on a park bench and drew pictures on white Chuck Taylors with Sharpies. Craftalicious!



This weekend I went to see the much-loved Amy Millan, she was so sweet. Sorry to rub it in, Mishka, who sadly couldn't get tickets. Looked for Vania but didn't see her. Too bad, because I went with a knitting friend and we could have had a stitch n' bitch after the show, which ended promptly at 10pm to let the dancers into the bar. My kinda showtime! This picture doesn't capture how cute she was, she told the sweetest little stories and played every song on the album, plus some old-tyme country, which I adore. Lovely guest musicians and pretty white balloons.



And I made the scouring pad shoe mat from Dollar Store Decor:

Maple Syrup from the Tombs

Squee! I got the new Amy Millan album today. The title track, Honey From the Tombs, isn't vegan, but I had to have it anyhow, because I love her in Stars and I've been listening to the free download of Skinny Boy for a couple months. (She's also in BSS sometimes, you knew that.)

There are images of books and a wax seal on the cover and liner, and a sultry picture of her, all fancy-like. The music is folksy and sweet, just my kind! I'm going to see her play in a couple weeks, yay!

another show bites the dust

The Morgan Waters Show: cancelled

I love this show! So fun and goofy. Boo hoo! It has a catchy theme song and fun spoofs. Still on in reruns for now. A few months ago I was pulling up to the hospital in a taxi and they were taping the Morgan-gets-pregnant episode, he ran hysterically right in front of my taxi in that hideous yellow sweater and faux baby bump. Good times. Some of the themes of the show seem a little racy for 4pm. Oh I'm gonna miss Boss Boss.

RIP Jane Jacobs

Thanks for the great ideas, Jane Jacobs!

Can-Con pinata, and Gracie Heavyhand moves to Toronto

Someone at Images was crafty enough to make a Burton Cummings pinata for the Winnipeg Appreciation Day Party. Burton is one of the 'Peg's favourite sons. I didn't stick around long enough to see him get destroyed, I wonder what was inside? They served Winnipeg-themed food like Old Dutch chips and kubasa at the reception. I dig the attention to detail on Burton's hair, smirk and moustache!



Jasper, Gracie and Tom are back! The Dead Dog Cafe was one of the funniest radio dramas, the new series is Dead Dog in the City and it's on Wednesday nights at 8:30 for 15 mins on CBC Radio One. Oh how I would like to go to dinner parties with Gracie and Jasper, I love the way they see things. "Stay Calm, Be Brave, Wait for the Signs".

Hello Bandaid!

OMG, Hello Kitty band aids! I have blood drawn every other week and my new Hello Kitty band aids make it a little nicer. Cute, uh!

spring's ready to rock

mmmm, brunch at Fressen today, every bite delicious. I split the corn fritters plate and the tofu rancheros plate, they come with salad, guac and loads of fruit and it's sensibly priced. And leftovers too, so the deliciousness will continue! Is there anything better than brunch that's both healthy and yummy with good companionship on a sunny day!?

plant crafts

This afternoon I went to a craft-on and the theme was plants. We embellished plant pots. I painted mine pink and glued dollar store rocks to it. Some gals brought seeds to share, I scored some cosmos and morning glory seeds.


And check out these awesome seeds, which were also being shared. W+G Curse of the Were-rabbit is one of my new favourites movies!

hug a librarian

Today is National Library Workers Day in the US.

bunnies!

I'm making bunny crafts for a swap. How I love bunnies, so soft and peaceful, and they're vegan.


A simple card with a pom pom tail:

















A variation from the Mobile Monsters cell phone case pattern in Stitch N Bitch Nation. My version is intended to be a sunglasses case. I still have to give her some buck teeth.













And a hand sewn little brooch made with cheap-o fake felt.




The new Lee Valley opened yesterday! It's on King at Portland. They sell high-end hardware and gardening tools.

Hello April!

 

activating the park and a fancy knitting party

I just happened to figure out what "activate the park" means by walking through a park in fully activated. It was the park beside OCAD and it was a deliciously springy day. There was a strong smell of spray paint and lots of pretty things. Why is it so easy to be happy when the weather is nice like this? The whole city is feeling a little lighter and cheerier with the spring.






Then went to see Thank You For Smoking, which was alright, we had a collaborative vegan picnic when the lights went down of cold veggie wraps, tofu drumsticks, grape juice and chocolate covered pineapple bits. Then went to a fancy knitting party at which the theme was "Provence" and the Chief Executive Knitter of the TitBits served a themed feast including baked vegan non-crème brûlé!!!! It's so good, and she sent me home with an extra portion. It's made with coconut milk, fyi. Délicieux!! Note the yarn winder and knitting swift on the buffet table, that's already been oinked out on. Yummy!

the weather outside is delightful

Ahhh, spring! It's gorgeous out there! These pretty risers were free for the taking outside Neon on Queen St, I have no use for them but surely by now someone's put them to use.




Cute wooden birdie in the window of Pantry Press on Roncesvalles:



I have no idea what this is an ad for, but it says "spring thaw" and "activate the park" so it sounds like fun. I want to activate a park!!

wave at the farmers

Behold the sight of tractors putting up University Ave, bright and early this morning! They're protesting at Queen's Park today and yesterday because they aren't able to make a profit anymore. I gave them big cheery waves and smiles, I remember being on the picket line and appreciating kindness from passersby. And of course, farmers do feed me delicious carrots and spelt and cauliflower, so I want them to make a decent living. Nifty idea: a vegan Farm Aid concert tour!

happy St. Patrick's day

Women Rock

Women of the world unite and have a lovely International Women's Day! Check out this awesome tattoo! Did you see KT Tunstall on the Brit Awards? She rocked out in stripey pants and when she accepted her award she gave props to Kate Bush then said "ladies, disregard your limits."

Oscars

I'm hoping Crash gets best picture and that Jon Stewart is sassy/not muted. Got this cookie at Queen of Tarts for one of my bosses, for Best Performance in a Work Faster Stress Less Coach (the cookie isn't vegan but neither is he).

Have you seen Parker Posey in an ad for a mega-soft drink company? It's kinda fun.