A Lovely Party : “The Royal Occasion” Celebrating The Royal Conservatory of Music

Each spring we look forward to attending a party held by Canada's Royal Conservatory of Music, called "The Royal Occasion", during which a number of Canadians who have made a remarkable contribution to arts and culture in our country are granted Honorary Fellowships to the conservatory. Our friend Isabel works there, and kindly invites us for the "performance and presentation" part, and the party that follows.

Urban Wildlife : Birds of Spring 2018

There's a window in our kitchen through which we get an unhindered view of a big tree. My camera, equipped with a telephoto lens, is always near it, ready to go, especially in the spring and fall when migrating birds are flying through Toronto on their way to and from their breeding grounds up north.While I enjoy the novelty of spotting a travelling visitor, I also appreciate the ones who set up nests and have their babies right here in the city.We'll start with those that were just passing through ...This pair of bright yellow, tiny birds -- they're only 2 to 3 inches long, are "Yellow Bellied Flycatchers". I saw them a couple of afternoons during the last week of April.(I usually catch a sight of this species every year, and there are more photographs of them here.)

Witnessing an Artist’s Dream Come True : Corno Hanging with Warhol

Nick and I went back to the C9 Art Gallery in Yorkville, where we got the chance to see the fulfillment of an artist's dream.

You may recall this story from March, which told about a new Toronto gallery and some paintings we saw there by the French Canadian artist Joanne Corneau, aka "Corno".

I was not previously familiar with this painter, but loved her stunning large scale pieces. There was a portrait of Andy Warhol amoungst her works, which, combined with her colour choices and composition, made it evident that she was inspired by him.

While at the gallery, my eyes had continuously drifted back to one Corno painting in particular, a large canvas covered in the image of a woman's face in close-up, with bright yellow hair and sparkling eyes partially hidden behind half-closed eyelids.

What I didn't realize during that first visit to the gallery, was that Corno was not a living artist. In writing up my post, I'd looked at her website (here), and her Facebook Page (here), neither of which gave the impression that the artist had recently passed away. I believed that she continued to work in her studio, making more of her beautiful artworks.

It wasn't until just before attending this second show at C9 Gallery, which featured more of Corno's work alongside a collection of original lithographed posters of Andy Warhol exhibitions, that I found this wiki page written in English (most of what is written about her is in French). There I was somewhat surprised and saddened to discover that Corno had died from cancer in December 2016, shortly after her 64th birthday.

While I would have been interesting in seeing more of her work no matter what, the fact that I now realized that her paintings were limited to those which already existed heightened my desire to see this show.

Searching around the net, I also found this YouTube video and this one that depict Corno at work, in the midst of creating many of the paintings that now hang at C9.

This was the opening party for a show called "Corno & Warhol" ...

For the Crocheters and Admirers of Colour : A Petite Flower Garland

Hello! Here's the pattern for a small flower garland I made for spring and summer decoration.We have this odd pillar in our living room (that hides pipes and cables going upstairs) which I decorated with this garland made with jack-o-lantern beads last Halloween. Then at Christmas I hung a string of small baubles there. And at Valentine's I put the heart garland I crocheted last year (seen in this post). Once that came down, the space looked empty so I crocheted another garland to put there, this one made from small multi coloured flowers.Based on the number of garlands I've made and shared on these pages, it's clear that I like them. There's something so cheerful about them that appeals!

Having a Royally Good Time : “The” Wedding and a Dinner Out with Friends

Hello! On this Wednesday following the Victoria Day weekend, when Canadians had a three-day weekend in honour of Queen Victoria, (whose birthday we've been celebrating since 1845), I'm going to conveniently run with the "Royal" theme, and stick two stories together.

Of course, the big wedding was on Saturday!

We got up at the crack of dawn and tuned in.

As you probably know, Harry and Meghan began their relationship in Toronto, where she was living during the filming of Suits. One afternoon Nick saw Harry's motorcade going up Spadina Avenue, on their way to her place. At least on that occasion, getting him there was quite a spectacle, with motorbikes leading the way, stopping traffic at each block. Then four identical black cars with tinted windows went by (they used several, so no one would know exactly which one the prince was in). These were followed by more motor bikes.

I don't really remember the previous royal wedding being a big thing here, but the fact that Harry and Meghan first dated in our city seemed to have caused quite a lot of interest in their wedding. In addition to the viewing parties held in people's homes, the "Princess of Wales Theatre" on King Street West held a big one with every one of their 2,000 seats being filled and people all dressed up. This theatre was named in honour of Diana with her consent. (I posted about it here, if you'd like to see pictures of it).

There were also events at the The Royal York and King Edward Hotels, who both hosted fancy tea parties. I read that the lobby at The Royal York was transformed with an English garden installation, which must have been beautiful to see.

We didn't go out for it but we did plan ahead, making sure we had the right groceries to prepare a themed breakfast, and some rum to make a spot of "Nick's Sinners' Tea" (recipe here).

After waking to the 5am alarm I quietly brought my pillow and a blanket down to the living room, just as the guests were beginning to arrive at Windsor Castle. Nick still hadn't stirred so I thought I'd be watching solo, however, he made his way downstairs just as Meghan's mother was arriving at the ceremony.