Decorating for Halloween – Photos and a Video
Hi! Here are a few areas of our home decorated for Halloween.
Compared to other vintage collectors, who have awe inspiring selections of cool old blow-molds and mid-century figurines, my specific Halloween things fit into one bin. But, what I lack in "real" items I've tried to make up with things we had around the house, which I arranged in such a way that they tell a Halloweenie story.
Below these photos, you'll find quite a few details about what you're looking at and links to other related posts, but if you'd prefer a look around without all the written chat, please check out the video tour I made of the displays, all set to spooky music. Certainly, pictures are good, but I think the video might be more interesting. Then, if you'd like to know about the details, you can find them written down below. Thank you in advance, if you do watch the video.
↑ Click here to watch the video or go to YouTube and find me here, or search the site for Loulou Downtown. ↑
Recipe : Grilled Polenta “Cake” with Spicy Mayonnaise Sauce
Hello! I mentioned in a previous post (found here), that we served this grilled polenta with a spicy mayonnaise sauce at a recent barbecue. Nick, our resident chef, has been perfecting this recipe for a savory side-dish or appetizer for a couple of years now, and it's time to share the recipe with you! I love it and think you will, too.
A Look at Something Rare : Antique and Vintage Paper Things – Thanksgiving and Autumn
Hello! It's Thanksgiving Day here in Canada, so Happy Day to those who are celebrating.
This post began with a desire to show you some really old postcards that were specifically made to convey Thanksgiving wishes, (albeit for the American Holiday, which falls a month and a half later than ours). Then, it grew to include some other autumn themed pieces from my collection of vintage paper items, which, without a doubt, is my biggest collection, made possible because paper things don't take up much space.
Vintage and Antique paper pieces are called Ephemera, defined as "any transitory written or printed matters that are not meant to be retained or preserved. The word derives from the Greek ephemeros, meaning "lasting only one day, short-lived".
The reason I love it so much is because these were not meant to survive this long, so I feel lucky to be able to hold them in my hands. It boggles my mind that these were saved by generations of people, kept in such good condition, to eventually make their way onto ebay and ultimately land in my mailbox.
We'll begin with the oldest items, which are, in fact, the oldest pieces I have in my collection and perhaps the oldest things I own, period. These are antique postcards which were sent in 1909, 1911 and 1912, so they’re over 110 years old.
Birthday Barbecue with Meghan
Hello! It was our dear friend Meghan's birthday recently and we celebrated with a bbq in our backyard. We love this lady and want to do everything we can to make sure she knows it!
It was the first time in two years (thanks, Covid) that we've had someone over to our home for a meal so nobody except us had tried the grilled polenta recipe that Nick has been perfecting over that period. Of course, he and I have had it many times as we usually cook outside once a week, from spring to fall. We use a charcoal Weber barbecue, so once he gets it going, he likes to grill a bunch of different things in one session, which we eat in different ways throughout the week. And, this grilled polenta is my request every time! We were happy to have the chance to share it with our friend, who also thinks it's delicious. So, it seems the recipe, along with the special sauce to serve with it, are ready to share online -- watch this space next week!
Follow Up : The recipes for the polenta and sauce are found here.
Art in Toronto : Continuum at Fort York Historical Museum
We experienced something rare and beautiful on Friday evening -- the opening of a fleeting three-day art installation at Fort York. "Continuum" by Toronto based artist Krista Kim and musician Jeff Schroeder, transformed the historic site with light and sound, creating a calm meditative experience. (Note: This occurred during the time of Covid social distancing.)
Throughout the weekend and on Monday morning (beginning at 5am for the early-birds), guests were invited to come, relax comfortably on blankets, watch the mesmerizing ever-changing pixilated art on the 100-foot long screen, and listen to the soothing sounds of an original abstract guitar soundscape. If desired, they could also listen to the self-guided meditation voiced by the artist, via Youtube.
The intention of the "meditative generated animation" was to bring healing and wellness to the community. It was presented by Toronto History Museums as part of "The Awakenings Project".
This was the launch of Continuum's World Tour. Their site describes it like this : "As the world begins to emerge out of a global pandemic that has disrupted and transformed our everyday lives, mental health and well-being are now recognized as crucial self-care practices for everyone. In a symbolic act of healing and rebirth, CONTINUUM will be installed at Fort York National Historic Site, transforming it from a military fortification implicated in colonial history into a light of hope for the future."
It ended at noon today, however a segment was recorded and permanently saved here on YouTube.
