IN THE PASTURE

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAPER NATIVITY SCENE

My grandparents bought this cut out nativity scene in the 1940s.  It sat on their television console every Christmas.  Since their passing, it has been erected each year at my parents house for the holidays.  I love the colours and the illustration work, the booklet that includes passages from the gospels of Matthew and Luke, and the simple construction.  I've included two photographs here - one of my mother in 1960 standing in front of the nativity scene, and the other of my mother and I in 1984.  Though it is made out of paper, and carries no monetary value, it will most likely become a family heirloom, making an annual appearance until it is unable to stand.  

 

 

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS ARCHIVE

I found this stack of Christmas cards in my great aunt's apartment after her death.  They date from the 50's to the 70's and chronicle a marriage and the birth of two daughters (I've tried to leave out their identities).  Almost every card contains a photo and theme, allowing you to track hot topics of the day (sputnik rocket, LSD, landing on the moon) and to watch the children grow up.  I can't help but compare the fine paper, and beautiful printing with digital personalized Christmas cards made today.  

 

THOMAS LAVERS

Tye Thomas and Bryan Lavers had aspirations of opening their own cannery and delicatessen.  Lucky for us (since we live in the neighbourhood), they've realized their dream, making Kensington market their new home.  Located at 193 Baldwin street, their love of food is evident as everything they stock is made in-house.  The shelves are filled with a wide variety of pickles, pestos, and soup stocks.  They brew root beer (available on tap), roll pasta in the front window, and produce their own sausages and other deli meats.  While Lavers eats meat, Thomas is vegetarian and they're working together to engineer vegan items.  Not only do they prepare all their own product, they also renovated their space adding clean white tiles and warm wood shelving.

Always in uniform, Thomas Lavers hold a world of knowledge and are very generous with tips on food preparation.  They have been extremely well received, selling out of many items after having only been open for a week.  The shop has launched just in time for the holiday season.  It's the perfect place to dress your Christmas table with handmade foods.  Canned goods always make great gifts; I bought a beautiful jar of dill pickles to wrap up and place under the tree.  Nice prices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE WEIRD NEIGHBOUR : CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

I pass this house on Manning every once in awhile and always curse myself for not having my camera with me.  Thank goodness I captured it during the Christmas season.  In the front yard installation I am most captivated with the use of expanding foam and the Santa Claus way up high on a pole.  The Virgin Mary has never been so mysterious.