En Vogue

Autumn, this year, has been unseasonably 
warmer, here, in my hometown. The light is soft, 
and everything it touches seems to glow a little 
longer, basking in its clear and radiant serenity.

And, although the winds have stripped some of their
ornate clothing, scantily clad branches still manage 
to show off their most precious accessories.

Bubbly, berry baubles adorn others, 

but the majority have chosen to go au naturel, 
being of the 'less is more' opinion, and happily
 reflect it on like-minded surfaces of stone.



 I think you'll agree that, whatever the wardrobe 
of these woody plants, the autumn skies
 they so gracefully enhance.

 What are the season's stars 
modelling on your runways?



Thanks for visiting and
 have a lovely week!

xx
Poppy 

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November Apparel

Ryerson University, downtown Toronto

November is here. It's such a quiet month,

don't you think? More low key than October.  

Unionville

 November doesn't scream, 'Fall!', but gently

whispers it in deeper hues, subtle cues

that it's colder cousin is on the way.

Cabbagetown, a downtown Toronto neighbourhood

Foliage is precious, so the sun's soft rays create
 shadowy clones that cover exterior walls,
autumn jackets for pretty facades.

Can you guess where I came across these clusters of fall?  

One of the rooftops of our building

This patchy plot of autumnal tones, although lovely,

 is something of a puzzle. I can't recall if it's like this

  all year round, which, of course, would make it

 artificial. Regardless, it is interesting!

Unionville, our neighbourhood

 Thanks for visiting,

Happy November, all!

xx

Poppy 

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My Charming Neighbourhood

Naturally, not every autumn day looks like this: sunny and bright and warm and beaming with vibrant colour, but when it does, well, isn't it just pure paradise? You'd think I was wandering through Ontario's cottage country, or maybe on holiday in the beautiful Maritimes, but believe it or not, this serene, pretty scene is just a short 15 minute stroll to

this stunning beauty, situated on a busy street; in fact, it's a highway! A luxury condominium complex, inspired by the elegant French château style, it is a clean lined classic among its bulky and awkwardly built counterparts that have popped up all over the Greater Toronto Area in the last five years, and a mere 10 minute amble to

 

quaint heritage homes that have been turned into flourishing businesses on Main Street Unionville. On Saturdays, Liberty and I love to grab a specialty coffee and a freshly baked treat from one of the many cozy cafes and make our way to

Toogood Pond Park, literally, just steps away. Isn't it simply idyllic? We come here to simultaneously relax and recharge. Oh, and did I mention that there's all day, free entertainment for passersby?

We always manage to get front row seats, especially for the matinee performance.  This particular interpretation of 'Swan Lake' is quite avant garde, commanding a standing ovation, every time. Of course, the leading ladies adore the attention; obviously, they are all prima ballerinas, are they not?

As talented as my feathered friends may be,

there is no doubt that the true stars of the season

are all the leafy lovelies that brighten the many

pathways, shortcuts and long and winding

roads that cheerfully greet me on my walks

through my charming neighbourhood.  

 Thanks for visiting!

Happy weekend,

my friends!

xx

Poppy 

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A Mature, Mid-October Character

Of all the reasons to love autumn, and there

are plenty, from the romantic to the radiant,

both of which appeal to me tremendously,

there are two others, which you will discover,

that make me feel just as giddy.

Can you guess what they are?

Look carefully!

 

There are clues in the hues

of the clouds in the sky,

and to further exemplify what I mean, take

    note of the ruffles of pinks and purples on green.

Now, marvel at the multitude of

shadows and shades of this maple,

and finally, feast your eyes on 
the layers upon layers of
 colour and texture, like the
blazing coral and crispy nature
of this mature, mid-October character.
 Oh, Autumnal Architecture,
alas, we must declare our 
passionate, lifelong love affair!

What do you love about autumn?

Thanks for visiting!
 Happy weekend!

xx
Poppy 

'Seasonal Luxury': Act III

Autumn skies dramatize

 Act III of 'Seasonal Luxury'',

a play in four parts, advertised

on a marquee of leafy celebrity.

On the ground,
smaller roles abound.
'Walk-ons', if you will,
print a playbill of their own,
protagonists of the cement canvas
onto which they have been blown.

Whether in the air,
where, striking characters invigorate
mundane plots of humdrum blue,

or simply on a muddy patch

 of disappearing green,

the scene is synchronously

stimulating and serene.

Still playing, until the flaky snow

draws the curtain on this alfresco show,

you may catch it anytime, anywhere,

for it's currently being performed everywhere.

Oh! Almost forgot: admission is free, naturally. 

Enjoy!

Canada Post mailboxes: always covered in maple leaves, whatever the season.

Thank you for visiting!

Sending Thanksgiving wishes

to my Canadian friends, 

and warm, autumn greetings

to you all,

xx

Poppy

A Thanksgiving Thought

Technically,
the Canadian calendar
shows that today,
Monday, October 12th,
is Thanksgiving Day.

But many Canadians,
myself, included,
celebrated with family
and friends yesterday.

Ultimately,

giving thanks and being grateful

for all the goodness in our lives,

is an everyday occurrence, isn't it?



 

Still,

 getting together with loved ones,  

and sharing in God's abundance of

bountiful blessings, makes for a special

occasion, indeed, whatever the day.

 

 

For me, I'm especially thankful to be

 spending my first Thanksgiving in over

16 years, in my hometown of Toronto.

To you, thanks for visiting, and

Happy Thanksgiving to all

 my Canadian friends!

 

xo

Poppy

 

P.S.

The pics are all of Liberty's neighbourhood,

and my walking wonderland.

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Birds, Bees, Lilacs and Peonies

'Canadian' colours welcome me to Unionville, Ontario, where my sister
   and her family have been living for the past 16 years, and Liberty for 3!

Hello, my friends,

I've missed you!

On Main Street, black shutters frame white windows,
 allowing for peeks into a reno taking place, 'inside'.

I arrived in Canada on May 7th, and have been enjoying
 the sights and sounds of my favourite season.

A perfect pale purple, luscious lilacs scent their
 surroundings, providing a sweet surprise for passersby.

On my walks around the neighbourhood, I am greeted
  by frilly, fragrant lilacs, which instantly transport me
 back to the pretty gardens of my childhood.

Another ebony and ivory beauty, this one complete with French windows
and doors, facing a pretty pathway, leading back to a welcoming front porch.

The grass is green, the sky is blue, the birds
 are singing, and everything's 'brand new'!

An empty swing sways in the cool, morning breeze, as eager, early
 bird shoppers, (yours truly, included), hunt for charming treasures
inside this beautiful, barn red house holding a contents sale. 

Don't you just love it when serendipity sneaks up on you,

 smack -!- in the middle of your prepared plans, and 

suddenly plants a happy  smile on your elated face,

 because you just 'happened' to run into an old friend, or,

 oh, I don't know...stumble upon a brilliant estate sale?!

I do!

On her way home from work, Liberty stopped to
smell the peonies, after snapping them for her mama.

But when it strikes TWICE, (coming across pure pink

peonies in full bloom!), it's cause for celebration, and

 that's exactly what we did, as we celebrated Liberty's

 26th birthday, and Poppy View's  3rd, on May 18th.

A lemon cream cake, baked with lots of love, for my very sweet Liberty.

Thanks for visiting! As you know, I've been busy with my

 sister's move, buying new furniture, and packing up the old, 

with little breaks in between, seeing friends and relatives.

 I hope to catch up with you, too, all this week, since

 we are expecting 5 (!) days of non-stop rain. 

On the bright side, I was honoured to be featured

   at Junk Chic Cottage's wonderful series,

'Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger'.

Please come by and say hello to our charming

 hostess, Kris, and me; we'd love to see you!

Finally! Peonies - in person, after 30 years of  adoring them from a far!

Wishing you all a very sunny Sunday, and

a happy Memorial Day to my American friends!

xoxo

Poppy

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