Thanksgiving

This is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. I am grateful for so many things. One of which is you, my dear readers. I have been an often absent blogger this summer and I am not sure what that is all about but I want you to know that I do feel like I have been neglecting you. Makes me sort of sad. I have been writing so consistently these last years that not writing as often feels like a failure of sorts. Weird huh? I miss my time here but have not been able to find it as often. I do have some stories in the pipeline and hope to blog more frequently.( Have you heard that before? :)) We shall see......... in the meantime, know that I do appreciate and value you. Hope  the rest of your weekend is grand. xo

night out

I went out on the town the other night and had a grand time! I was given tickets to go see Sweeny Todd at Neptune Theatre which was a nice treat, so decided to have dinner out first. We started the evening at the Wooden Monkey. This is the view from our table out over Argyle Street. A friend of mine ( hi Jenna!)  said I must try their Seitan Donair. I was a bit skeptical but wow! was it ever delicious. Hard to describe but surprisingly close to the real thing! That is it in the background. (Seitan is a wheat gluten product, first time I've tried it). A meat free donair, who knew?

We then strolled over to the theatre feeling very stuffed and satisfied. This is Neptune's 50th anniversary year. It is where I had my first job when I was 16, as an usherette. Our uniforms were horrible. Navy blue polyester sleeveless mini shifts with gold lame jackets! Ouch. 
I wasn't sure about seeing this Musical as the subject matter is a bit gruesome and weird but I am so glad I did!

 It was fabulous! I enjoyed everythiing about it. The set was small and versatile and at one point served as a screen for a cleverly done back story to the play. You will have to see it to understand what I mean.

The two main characters, Shane Carty who plays Sweeny Todd and Shelley Simester, Mrs Lovett are strong and compelling. Just loved the interaction between the two of them. The music and singing were superb. The ensemble worked well together. Really can you tell I enjoyed it? Go see it.

Le Studio

Ta dah! The view from my new painting spot....at least for the next few months and then we shall see how it goes. In December, I am going to be part of a group show and needed a place to paint larger works, so one morning I decided to go on a hunt for the perfect wee studio space downtown.

I found it in a building on the corner of Sackville and Barrington Street. Above a wine bar, a sex shop and across the street from Starbucks. Ha ha. It is full of light with a north and east exposure. I LOVE it.

The paintings I am working on at the moment are 3' x 4'. A big change for me and such a different way of working. I have to stand back to really see them. Bigger brushes, more paint and more time. Having a dedicated work space is very freeing. I can leave a painting mess, come back to it and just pick up where I left off. When I want a break, I just sit back and watch the city flow beneath me:)

 My mascot:) Don't ask me why, I just liked the look of him and up on the wall he went.

Vegan Anniversary

Wow, it has been a full year since I started eating a "plant based" diet. Last year on September 1st, I embarked on this new adventure and I can't believe a year has passed already! I really had no idea if I would stick with it, I just wanted to improve my health and see how I would feel.

Well......I feel great. I've lost about 30 pounds, my blood pressure is lower, my energy is higher and I am sure my cholesterol is lower too, must be, I am eating no animal fat (haven't had it checked) It is because of all these benefits that I am still with it.

 Interesting fact: I used to LOVE cheese and could not pass a block or slice without popping some into my mouth. At bookclub, everyone would have maybe one triangle of Brie.,,,..I'd have three and while we were chatting about the book,  I'd be thinking about the cheese on the plate and wondering if any one would notice if I took another one or two. Ha, ha true confessions. Now, cheese doesn't even remotely interest me!! Weird huh? I wonder if I was addicted to it?

I eat a ton of food and enjoy wine and beer. Do not feel deprived at all. I'm not saying I will never dig into a juicy burger or German sausage again but for now.....I'm doing ok.

Debbie, the Happy Healthy Librarian is really the person I have to thank for sending me along this path. She has a wonderful info packed blog all about plant based eating and healthy living! I've learned a ton from visiting her site. Here is her latest post about calorie restriction. I'm always learning something new from her!

Did you miss me?

I missed you! I've had a busy summer and it has been hot and humid and I have really not been keeping up with all that I used to. Blogging is one of those things. I think this is the longest I have gone without writing since I began!

Last week I was at a terrific get together at this little green house by the sea. We ate delicious food, drank wine and danced outside in the fog until the wee hours! It was wonderful.

Later in the week I also met up with a friend for lunch at the Foggy Goggle.

 This is a great pub/restaurant on Argyle Street. Good food and always some Vegan selections:) I had a quinoa burger with peanut sauce. mmmm.

Check out the menu. Haha, love the description of the Goggle Burger

Like I said, it has been really hot and humid here. I cannot remember ever having a summer as warm and sunny as this one. Not complaining....winter is out there waiting. Sitting out on the patio with cool drinks was heaven. Ahhhh.

I also have been working on my season girls. This is WINTER

 and here is SPRING. They are 16 x 20 with 1" sides and available for purchase. Drop me an email if interested:) I am currently working on Autumn!

summer self

Hope you are all enjoyng your summer:) This is my latest painting, 16 x 20 A bit different from my usual work but I am happy with it and hope to do another three depicting each of the seasons. You can get prints of her in my etsy shop. It was really fun to do but I have to say I did have a wee bit of help from a friend of mine with her face proportions.Thanks J. Like I said...new territory.

Midweek Check In

Still here, just incredibly busy:) Love this old cover......Nova Scotia seems to pop up in all kinds of places. The Tall Ships will be here in Halifax starting this Thurday and I will be selling and painting at the Seaport Market for the entire thing.  I do plan on escaping every now and then to enjoy some of the spectacle. Fireworks every night too! Will take some pics:) Hope you are having a great summer.

purple bouquet

I have been very neglectful of this poor blog recently. Probably the heat and busyness of summer. Oh well, everything ebbs and flows. This is my latest painting. 16 x 20 framed. I quite like this one. I will put it up for sale in my Etsy shop but if you are interested you can email me duffettfolkart@yahoo.ca

namaste

I honor the place in you
where the entire Universe resides.

I honor the place
of love, of light, of truth, of peace.

I honor the place within you where
if you are in that place in you,
and I am in that place in me,
there is only one of us.

Oh Canada

Of all the places I might live and sometimes fantasize about living, I am happy I live here in Canada. Happy Canada Day!