Year Two Day Two Hundred and Thirty One - Bala with Joyce

Dear all,

With the promise of Fall, Darren and I set off towards Bala in Muskoka today, to meet with wonderful Joyce who was holidaying there for the week. 

They were staying on Clear Lake, at the Clear Lake Resort, a fabulous spot hid deep in the forest but on the lake! http://clearlakevillageresort.com/

The resort is like a campsite with cottages - rustic and picturesque. The Lake most certainly deserves it's name.... it's crystal clear with a wonderful sand bottom and *Boiling* hot (well... luke warm..)!

Joyce, Darren and I walked down to the lake for a 30 minute sun bath on the famous Muskoka chairs laid out for all to use. If that's not relaxing... then I don't know what is!

Here is a lovely picture of Joyce and her best friend Linda; it was so lovely to see them and such a gorgeous spot! 

Year Two Day Two Hundred and Thirty - Photo Litho

Dear all, 

Back to school and back to the print shop!!! On a gorgeous morning, Karen and I met early to rattle off (all print students will know this is impossible in the print making discipline) our first project for the wonderful Stu (http://www.stuoxley.com/). 

Et Voila.... The Litho Press... many an hour spent cranking this baby.... and here we are again!

I meticulously set up our materials (ink, roller, water, sponge) to get everything started

Here is the dreaded Ink... it's horrid stuff... sticky and with a tar-like quality (bad on clothes). 

I also added Magnesium Carbonate and a very potent (and mysterious) varnish 'number 7' to the ink to prepare it for printing. 

Now to my image! I had taken a photo of a drawing I had prepared for Gary's painting class ( a close up of rose quartz crystal). The image was copied onto acetate. I then manipulated the image using water and a litho crayon ( to enhance the darks). 

Here is the acetate on the light table - a useful tool. As you can see, the lights are looking a 'little' lighter. FYI - with printing, there is a huge element of guess work regarding the finished product. 

Then into the dark room.... no point in taking my camera in there... but here is the mysterious doorway. Inside, we 'shot' the image onto a 'photo-sensitive litho plate', developed the plate... and then we were good to go ( wow - so easy!). 

So, onto the print table! We placed a large aluminium plate on the table ( it's heavy) with the aluminium plate (with the developed image) on top. We need to keep the plate constantly damp ( hence, the sponge).

 
I rolled the ink - this is an art form in itself... it needs to be a very specific density. Also notes the safety equipment; mask, gloves and apron (very important).

And I rolled on the ink! Two lots of two and sponge of water to make sure the plate is damp ( and to stop smudging). 

Then the plastic thingy ( timpin) goes down and you crank the press - it's hard due to the pressure so good for arm muscle tone for anyone interested in fitness. 

Here I am winding the plate through the press. 

We use this yukky grease to make sure it goes through properly

(My least favorite aspect of the press). 

I couldn't do any of this without Karen!!! My amazing friend!

 And here they are.... after some proofs on newsprint... I was off... printing and printing.... ( on post 'BFK' paper.

Just for reference - here are the litho 'stones' - we used these last year... I was too overwhelmed unfortunately to blog about them. I will get around to it - they are a treat. 

All done!!! Hurray! We leave the prints to dry on the rack and then label and sign ready to hand in next Tuesday!

Year Two Day Two Hundred and Twenty Nine - 35th Birthday!

Dear all, 

I am 35!!! Hurray! And despite the torrential downpour I had the most wonderful wonderful day! First up I met Jay and Karla for a fabulous lunch (avec mimosas) at the Tremont. http://www.thetremontcafe.com/

Check our Karla's cheese plate - delectable!

I had a wonderfully fresh and tasty salad with tomatoes and a tart lemon vinaigrette. 

After a trip to the cinema with Darren in the afternoon ( to see Paranorman http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1623288/ which is brilliant), Darren took me to Blue Mountain for an amazing meal at Oliver and Bonacini! http://www.oliverbonacini.com/home.aspx

Here are some of our appetisers - all amazing. It's v posh and delish! Here is the Tuna Tataki (raw.. i think.. but certainly amazing)

And the tempura below. We also shared a rack of ribs (yum). I only took a couple of pics but this will give you an idea. All amazing! 

Thank you everyone for such an amazing bday! All the messages were so wonderful, thank you! 35 is going to be great! 

Year Two Day Two Hundred and Twenty Eight - Back to School

Dear all, 

We are back to school!!! Busy busy, lots of admin and introductory lectures and not many photo opportunities apart from our wonderful new drawing boards!

We have a fabulous new drawing teacher, Sadko and next week we will be doing large scale life drawing in class.. so off to the wood shop Karen and I went to purchase some big chunks of Masonite to sub as drawing boards ( works perfectly with a couple of good strong clips). 

It's wonderful to be back! The 2nd year will be fantastic!!!! 

Year Two Day Two Hundred and Twenty Seven - Peach Muffins

Dear all,

Today, we had some peaches on the 'turn' so I decided to make up some peach muffins.
I found this wonderful recipe online and decided to take the plunge. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/peach-muffins/

First, I added flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. 

In another bowl, I added [lots of] olive oil, sugar and three eggs. 

I then blended the two together, folding the flour in gently. 

I then added the peaches and some pears that we also had ( why not). 

I filled the muffin trays with the lovely thick gunky fruity goo and popped them in the oven at 400. 

And here they are! I actually left them in the oven for a little longer than the advised 25 mins as the seemed a little underdone, problem due to my excess of fruit. They are quite good - very cakey, sweet and totally unhealthy but very tasty!

Year Two Day Two Hundred and Twenty Six - GHV Video Collingwood

Dear all,

There is a new video rental place in town *hurray*: Gone Hollywood Video. It's just down by the old 'Rogers' video rental place on first street (for any Cwood locals) and is quite exciting!
http://www.gonehollywoodvideo.com./

I was trying to find 'It's Kind of a Funny Story' http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804497/ to review for the Georgian Eye and couldn't find it ANYWHERE! Not on zip.ca, not on netflix, not in Walmart, not on TV, not on Rogers on Demand... gaaaaaa. On the way back from the driving range, D and I tried to find this 'new' pace after I was sure I had seen an advertisement for a 'new video store' in the paper.

And it's a brand new 'type' of video store.. inside was just a couple of computers and a desk... you 'search' for you video/ movie, 'rent it' via a click of a button and then collect from the nice man on the desk! It's awesome! AND, they had ''It's Kind of a Funny Story'... so we rented it and watch it, just like that!

I am extremely happy as am not *quite* ready to give up the classic business model: The video store.. and we now have an alternative in Collingwood!

Year Two Day Two Hundred and Twenty Five - Landscaping

Dear all, 

We've finsihed the landscaping at the front of D's office! After a huge amount of work digging, weeding, cutting, hoeing... we've done it and it looks FANTASTIC!

We put down some weed prevention cloth to stop weeds growing through the mulch. 

Here is the rock, now fully showcased amidst the ceders. 

And the other side of the front door...

It looks so great - it's totally exceeded our expectations! Hopefully the cloth and mulch will mean we won't need to do much work in years to come - just maybe a quick refresh of the mulch after the winter. 

Now I want to landscape the entire property! Love it!