Trash 'n' Treasure

Last Saturday, Vankleek Hill hosted its annual Trash 'n' Treasure Day when the whole town becomes one giant garage sale. We've skipped it a few years because frankly, who needs more junk? This year we decided to go. I found a brand new autograph book. Remember those?


I also came across this dotty plate for $1 that I thought would be good to serve Smarties or M&Ms.


My late mother spent the last 5 years of her life looking for old slate pencils. She said she remembered them as a child. I came across them in their original box, amongst a bunch of other junk, and bought the whole thing for a dollar. What the heck am I going to do with a box of slate pencils?


While still channelling my mum, I spotted a Dundee marmalade jam jar -- I have a few of mum's in the kitchen used to store twist ties and pens -- for 25 cents. I have enough of them but I felt my mother's presence and kind of had to buy it.


Richard found a book at a church sale, a box of new candles and this old toboggan which will be use this winter to haul wood.


My best find? This white shelf for $3 which is now hanging in my teeny tiny bathroom. It gives me room to show my fun china and more stuff I've collected over the years. In my next life, I'm going to be a minimalist!

Cecropia Moth

On my way into work yesterday, I walked toward the back door and noticed this amazing cecropia moth sitting on the door jamb.


He looks like he's been around the block a few times, but isn't he a beauty?

Hamburger Cake

I've always wanted to make a cake that looked like a hamburger (who doesn't?) and finally got the chance when a friend called and asked me to make a cake for her husband who loves burgers.
The burger itself was a brownie, the bun was a two-layer chocolate cake covered in fondant icing. The sliced cheese was marzipan as were the tomatoes. The lettuce, ketchup and mustard were buttercream icing and the sesame seeds were sunflower seeds.

Grackle Games

I was in a parking lot the other day and noticed these four grackles gathered around what looked like a discarded paper poutine dish. There seemed to be a bit of gravy remaining on the sides of it.


One bored bird flew off and the others tried to see if there was anything inside the container.


As the other two approached, this grackle got very protective of his find.


Stay away. It's all mine!


Eventually, he got bored and so the others had to go on an inspection tour of their own.


Hmmm. Nothing much of here of interest.


See ya later, 'gator!


Okay, so like there's seriously nothing in there?


Like...er, nothing to nibble. Gak!


And then there were none.

Faux Spaghetti & Meatball Cupcakes

I met my friend Jen in Cornwall yesterday to celebrate our June birthdays. We had a cupcake exchange! She made me red velvet and chocolate cupcakes (my faves), all wrapped up with a nice pink bow.


In exchange, I made her lemon poundcake cupcakes (her fave) topped with buttercream "pasta," Ferrero Rocher "meatballs," strawberry jam "tomato sauce," and I grated white chocolate to look like Parmesan cheese.
I think we may have started a new tradition. What fun!

Lunch with Goslings

Sunny days have taken me to the park for lunchtime. The other day, I had my sandwich on a park bench as the Canada Geese and their babies had their lunch on the lawn in front of me.


Mom and Pop decided it was time to take the little ones for a march.


Off they trundled towards the sandy beach.


And in they got...like ducks to water...er, geese to water. Oh, you know what I mean.


And off they swam...Hey wait a minute. Didn't your mother always tell you that you had to wait 30 minutes before hitting the water after eating?

Chocolate Ganache Cake

I made this cake as a donation for the Madagascar School Project at their gala fundraising dinner that took place the other night. This marble cake, soaked in Kahlua covered in rich chocolate ganache (whipping cream and dark chocolate melted together) and topped with chocolate buttercream roses and shells. The cake fetched $80 at auction.

Animal Farm

On my lunch hour at work, when it's raining and I can't sit at the park, I head to our local mill, bird seed and pet shop...mostly to play with the kittens. This time, there were no kittens so I checked out the budgies...


...and the cockatiels.


The ducklings were adorable.


I used to have turtles when I was younger (almost all of them were named Yertle) and didn't know you could still buy them. These were $29.99 each. I think when I was little they were $3!


It was lunchtime for the chameleon and the gal at the shop gave this fellow some live crickets and I got to see him extend his big, pink tongue and have some nom-noms.


This young, pale ferret was having a nice lunchtime snooze.


The best of all was this pair of Australian shepherd pups. The blue-eyed boy beauty...


..and his gorgeous brown-eyed sister. Both ended up being carried around and hugged by me. I went back to work with wood shavings on my sweater!

Windowsill Showing

Last Saturday was the vernissage for a group show in Vankleek Hill, Ontario and I was one of the contributing artists.


My painted ceramics looked terrific on the windowsills of the gallery.


They also stood out well on a few shelves in the gift shop.


Mostly I liked how the light and shadow looked on the works. Pretty nice.

A Walk with Peggi

I love going on walks with my friend Peggi. She's a nature lover with a keen eye. She pointed out these maidenhair ferns to me a few years back and they are now a fave.


Marsh marigolds are a bright and happy flower, almost at the end of their season.


Dragonflies of every colour and size were buzzing around happily in the spring sunshine.


This common yellowthroat warbler sang his little heart out and sat still long enough for me to grab a photo.


A mud puddle contained a happy, chortling frog.


Peggi noticed this very large garter snake, sunning itself on a rock.


The best part of the walk was coming upon these tiny Ram's Head Lady's Slipper orchids.


They are uncommon in Ontario and so small and delicate, they're easy to miss. And no, Peggi wasn't picking one...she was trying to show their scale by having her hand in the photo!


And not to be missed? The trip to Tim Horton's after the three hour walk. Here is the rare and seasonal s'mores donut, only around till the end of the month.

American Bittern

For the past few days, all I've been hearing outside is the "pumping" sound of an American Bittern. You've got to hear this to believe it. It really sounds mechanical.


I went outside a few times with binoculars and as soon as the critter saw me, he shut down and stood stick-still to blend in with the reeds around him. It worked.


But timing is everything. I was taking the clothes off my line and there he was. I could see hear him and see him in action.


I took a few snaps and as I got further away, he started up again. I hope he finds a mate!