Wordless Wednesday - Table service

Linus McDonald hopes that his next meal will soon arrive, and hopes that his sweet disposition and disarmingly pleasant looks will get his entré delivered soon - and served with a smile :)

Ruby Tuesday - Eatery signage

Ruby Tuesday Too compels us to look for red highlights here and there, grand or less so. Thus, I use the latter consideration as I offer the signage for the unassuming Altamari's Little Italy deli in Derby. Nothing fancy in style as the lower floors for two houses that were knitted together to make one eatery. No style, but offer good espresso, cappuccino, soup sandwiches and ruby details for desert...

Whimsical Windows - Pushed Aside

City Hall and Main Street, Ansonia CT...11 Feb 2013 after the plows pushed the massive snow aside

Toby kindly hosts the architectural meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, and we look for portals and such in any weather. And that includes winter too...we have had a lot of snow this season, not large amounts in each storm, but in a large number of storms. However, last year, we had the biggest single blizzard I can remember in many a decade -  40in (102cm) on 9-10 Feb 2013. Every city and town in Connecticut had to hire many construction company vendors to assist on clearing the roads. Here, Patti captured the scene on along Main Street in downtown Ansonia after the initial plowing. The architecture sits alone as nary a pedestrian or vehicle are found. Spring is close, or at lest we hope :) 

Shadow Shot Sunday - Snowy season shadows

Obviously, we are full of snow this winter season - nothing huge at one time, but an endless (or it feels like that :) series of 6-9 inch (15-22 cm) snowfalls since December. With a hint of freezing rain to add an icy crust that inhibits melting...

Yet, for Shadow Shot Sunday 2, I revert to snowy scenes from 9-10 February 2013 and that 40in/ 102cm snowfall, a record in our small city of Ansonia. With that much depth, and with the snowy canvas of snow, shadows fall nicely upon the land. And thus make for a fun post. With the hope that melting and warmth arrive concurrently and Spring begins!

Ruby Tuesday Too - Sterling Opera House, Stately and Stout

Patti captures the Sterling Opera House on a cold day...

Ruby Tuesday Too returns, and on a winter's day, Patti and I took a ride around our neighboring town of Derby, CT. A landmark that towers over the downtown thoroughfare of Elizabeth Street is the oft posted and photographed (by us) and impressive Sterling Opera House, opened in 1889. It is a stately edifice, artistic in its restored exterior. Alas, interior restoration is still needed and its costs are so great that many angels are needed to complete the insides, which will require lots of $. Angels wanted!

Whimsical Windows - Surveying the past

Toby graciously hosts the architectural meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, and we look for interesting portals and such. My subject today is a restored old building, Horbal Land Surveyors in our neighboring town to the north, Seymour. I always liked this, being restored to what I imagine it looked like 100+ years ago - simple, brick and functional without any adornment.

With the modern accoutrements that surround it today, such as trash containers and fire hydrants, I have attempted to "age" the building visually. I was working with Pinta software that allows me to alter the scenes a bit. Beyond the original, I used sepia, ink and pencil motifs - all merely accenting the fine lines of an honest building that has not succumbed to urban renewal...

Shadow Shot Sunday - More of the same

Friday morning...

Pretty (if invonvenient)

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 is back after yet another snowfall in southern Connecticut. Not so much in depth, the Thursday snow was at 7 in / 18 cm, but with a hint of sleet that froze on top to make a crunchy top that really taxed our small electric Toro snowthrower. Happily the kid from across the street plowed the icy snow pile by the street to make the work of our designated snow clearer (Allegra) a bit easier...

Yet, sun, snow and shadows do offer an artistic impression for SSS2, as this has been an oft posted theme for (see below). Snow in any amount can be an inconvenience - but with a bit of style...

1963 (here)

1978 (here)

Ruby Tuesday Too - Birthday rubies

Last week for Ruby Tuesday Too, there were glimpses of a birthday party in ruby. For the same party for my big sis Michele, there were a few more rubies of the event (a real surprise) such as tablescapes, cute grandkids, photo booth participants and cakes. A color that represents a fun event...and sentimental blog posts too!

Whimsical Windows - A vertical vantage

Patti captured a quintessential shot of lower Manhattan skyline from the BQE 

Toby hosts the fun architectural meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors where we showcase windows, doors and more..I have another capture of Manhattan from across the East River taken by Patti in December. She was taking in the scenery as I drove, navigating the very badly designed 1-278 BQE. 

This is a great view of the island, the vertical and modern glass and steel towers highlighting the skyline of lower Manhattan. I did notice the words POP UP on a structure below us - and it appears that the buildings did. A fine capture of a quiet Sunday in NYC...

Shadow Shot Sunday - East River Classic

The iconic Brooklyn Bridge, facing Manhattan across the East River. Photo captured by Patti

Shadow Shot Sunday 2 is back, and this week I am ready! This was taken by the lovely Patti as we helped our son move to his new residence in Brooklyn NY in December. This is I what she captured as we moved south on the I-278 Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in the city - a 1930s relic of danger that requires the driver to pay close attention to the large crowds of maniacal NYC taxis and drivers - best to leave the photo taking to the co-pilot/first officer...

This is of course is the iconic and stunningly beautiful Brooklyn Bridge. The stone arches are works of art, and despite its size and age (opened in 1883), it still stands as a strong and stylish gateway to Manhattan. Shadows included.

Ruby Tuesday Too - Photo Booth

Ruby Tuesday Too returns two days after a surprise 60th birthday party for my big sister Michele (tiara), with fun, food, several generations and a deejay. It was a fabulous time for all...at the venue, there was even a digital photo booth for fun. Behind the curtain, we posed for the camera with the props provided for photo fun. Such as my wearing of the Elton John/Captain Fantastic yellow glasses, gaudy checkerboard hats and plastic tiaras. I don't miss what passed for style in the 1970s..As for the ruby, the jester hat sitting upon the lovely Patti works very well. Happy birthday Michele!

Whimsical Windows - Happy Birthday big sis...

1956, Brigantine NJ

1968, East Hartford CT

1983

I often return to the past for Toby's fun meme, Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors. Today I must though, for the firstborn and big sister Michele had a surprise 60th birthday party for her yesterday. Planned for and executed by her two fabulous kids with lots of food, fun and music.

We celebrate here as she is seen with in doors and windows over the years. She is amazing, and birthdays are to be celebrated! Although the celebration was yesterday as she is on a business trip today to the frozen tundra (-6°F /-21°C) of Minnesota...Happy birthday!