Joanne Sisco

New Year, Changing Seasons #3

For the past two years I’ve participated in Cardinal Guzman’s monthly photo challenge, The Changing Seasons.  I’ve enjoyed the exercise each month of reflecting on the photos I’d taken and giving the month a theme … that’s just my thing.  I’m always looking for a theme.

Well, I’m back again for another year of Changing Seasons and I hope you’ll enjoy my 2017 monthly journey … or better yet, join the photo challenge too.

So what can I say about January?

In summary, my month has been great.  Toronto’s weather has been all over the place from white-outs to balmy spring weather, but my mood is light because my injured shoulder has finally healed and I’ve hit the ground running with enthusiasm.

Outdoors has often been snow-covered and/or icy, but that hasn’t kept me inside for long (click on any photo to enlarge).

Slip slide -y trail walk
There’s a hot tub under that snow pile.

The seemingly endless days of grey don’t usually drag me down, but to counter-balance, I’ve been attracted to anything with colour that contrast against the moody skies and dirty snow … like all the great murals I found on the buildings in Midland, Ontario.

Those are storm clouds gathering over the grain elevators. More snow was coming.

With the Christmas season of bright decorations behind us, any structure that shows a splash of colour seems to stand out at this time of year.

Penetanguishene unique street decoration – but it’s the “Paris je t’aime” in the window of this abandoned building that catches my eye. Oh oui, vraiment!
Toronto – King Street

On cold and blustery days (and we had a few!), it’s been about hunkering down for some comfort at home.  Lots of cuddle time with my furry one and tinkering with new recipes in the kitchen.

Learning a lesson in comfort from Theo
S’Mores Rice Krispie Rolls – were you expecting soup?

As we approach the end of the month, I’m in the process of packing for a few days of warm, sunny weather in Florida and the company of my lovely sister … both a very rare treat for me in the dead of winter.  I’m looking forward to this radical change of season – even if it’s only for a few days.

thechangingseasons

Check out Changing Seasons at Cardinal Guzman.  Maybe you’ll be inspired to share what your world looks like too.

99 comments

    • Colours look so different in winter. They aren’t competing with all the lushness of nature and can stand out against all the greyness.
      Now if only we could get the fashion industry to embrace something other than black for winter wear!

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  5. I am so glad to hear your injury is healed!! Such great news.
    As for your photos…wonderful. I love the bright colors…and that cute little sled and skis hanging on the pole…precious!!
    And what better than a kitty or pup to snuggle with in cold weather!!

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  8. Must look up those Midland murals – great colours! The photos of your cat and the rice krispie rolls brought to mind this new Scandinavian ‘hygge’ trend…enjoy your winter escape with your sister.

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  13. I must admit, seeing those colourful murals brightened my day! It is been so dull & dismal the past week & it’s not looking like this week is any better. Hope you have an awesome time with your sister & that you are able to grab a little sunshine while you are there!

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    • I know what you mean – I pretty well squealed when I saw the lighthouse 🙂
      It looks like I’m going to luck into temperatures in the mid-20s and sunshine. Not so hard to take at this time of year 🙂

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  14. Absolutely wonderful post! What a talented photographer you are. I love the murals. I rediscovered my love for s’mores a couple of summers ago with family in the mountains on a cold night. Yummy! Have fun in Florida, Lori

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    • Thanks for the lovely compliment Lori!

      I never went to camp when I was a kid, nor did I venture into the world of Boy Scouts with my sons, so this was my first experience with s’mores. I’m rather picky about my chocolate and so my next excursion will be with premium chocolate rather than baking chocolate chips 🙂

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  15. I always enjoy the color in your photos/ These are wonderful scenes from winter, and it’s easy to see how you keep a good outlook. Of course, having that wing of yours heal up had to help. The Rice Krispy roll-up thingies look amazing.

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        • I love to bake and since there are only 2 of us (and I would eat more than my fair share), some or most usually ends up in the big freezer downstairs for another day.
          When I was taking cake decorating classes a few years ago and baking a cake every week to decorate, I actually had to start giving cake away to friends because we simply had too much.

          On the other hand, when I make pie, there is never anything left after the 2nd day. Gilles + pie = no restraint 🙂

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          • Too much cake? Wow – that does not compute 🙂 My wife used to bake a lot when our daughter lived here and when I had a larger department at work. Now, it’s just the two of us and everybody at work seems to always be on a diet.

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  17. It’s good that you don’t let the grey weather drag you down. Hopefully I’ll get to see Toronto this spring, but now the immigration wants some police certificates before I can enter… Hip hooray for bureacracy! 😀

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      • I forgot to mention that the murals are cool. The liven up the place. It’s always nice with some art here & there.
        I’m in the process of getting a police certificate now, but it takes a couple of weeks. Anyway, it’ll all be ready in good time before my arrival.

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  22. Like everyone else I love the lighthouse and the other murals, so cheerful! Enjoy Florida, I keep trying to persuade the OH that we should head south during the winter months, but he’s hard to persuade. Only two months to the vernal equinox so light is at the end of the tunnel! Yay!

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    • I can’t seem to persuade Gilles to take a winter vacation either. This is the next best thing I guess 🙂
      We still have a lot of winter ahead of us. I’m going to pack in some Vitamin D to get me through the rest of it 🙂

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  23. Those murals are so bright and colorful – like so many we saw in Toronto (and other Canadian cities) on our visit. Have fun in Florida! I hope it’s warmer and dryer there than it is here in SoCal (although I can’t complain too much about the rain). Enjoy your sista-time!

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  24. I love the murals in Midland. Since my cottage is close by I get to see the same murals every summer. As for snow we haven’t had a lot in January. The wet grey days are starting to get to me. I’d rather have a big dump of snow. Lucky you going to Florida for a few days. Next year a good friend is insisting that I come down to visit her in Florida when I’m retired. Have fun. Glad to hear that the shoulder has finally healed.

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  26. Love the murals, especially the lighthouse. I had to do a doubletake to see the BUILDING! I can totally see why colors would be attractive in the winter.

    Ha! when we head south we go to the KEYS…or as I’m doing next week, the Bahamas.

    So…you like gators. I have a video of a gator encounter that occurred just a few days ago that you must see…he he….ha ha….oh, my! I’ll send you the link via Facebook…look for a friend request from Karen B.

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    • I’ve only been to Florida twice and both times it was unseasonably cold (as in, I wore my winter coat on one visit) and the skies were overcast the entire time.
      This time it looks like I’ll get warm – not hot – weather which is good for me, and lots of sunshine 🙂

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  28. So glad that you found your old step-liveliness!

    I might just check into this changing seasons thing, too. But then I’d be on the hook and I must confess, I find myself resisting commitments these days. I’m enjoying the wide open calendar pages too much. So, I’ll just satisfy myself with your entries.
    Bon voyage!

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    • My favourite part of the mural on the red building is the smoke from the train engine billowing around the 2nd floor window. I’m always so fascinated by the work of creative people 🙂

      A few days of sunny warmth will be very welcome right about now!

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    • That lighthouse mural is simply spectacular! I’m pretty sure I squealed when we came around the corner and I saw it!

      Theo definitely thinks he rules around here and expects to be treated royally 😉

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  35. You sound so cheerful, Joanne. 2017 looks like its off to a great start. Enjoy your time in Florida with your sister. That will be nice break and then spring is right around the corner (almost). 🙂

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  39. Love that mural with the lighthouse and bright blue wall of sky! And the train mural is pretty special too!

    Glad that you’ll be enjoying a short warm up in Florida. The weather has been delightful this month. It will be cooler the next day or so before rebounding again. Hope it’s perfect for your visit with Sis!

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    • That lighthouse is my favourite! When I saw it as we were driving down the road, I actually squealed 🙂

      Anything warmer than freezing will be a nice change. This might sound silly, but I’ve never seen an alligator and that’s what I’m most excited about 🙂

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    • Theo has R&R down to a fine art 😉

      I love Rice Krispie squares … they make a great treat on or after a long hike. This recipe has great potential – but next time I’ll use a very good chocolate rather than cheap baking chips. I should have known better – I’m picky about chocolate 😉

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