Canon AE-1

Though someday I would love to purchase a nice DSLR, for the moment I'm completely invested in film. As a shy person, I'm always amazed at how quickly my cameras make people stop to ask about them. Film cameras never fail to prompt conversation, I love that. I love the softness and the mystery of film. I always open the package of photos as soon as it's passed over the counter, making the staff at the camera shop laugh.

It was Erin of Atlantic Treefox and Victoria's photos that made me look for a Canon AE-1 on Ebay. Their photos are seriously swoon-worthy.
Victoria's Florence shots and Meat Men are incredibly moving. More from her flickr.
Erin's AE-1 shots are so dreamy. This charming fellow is one of my all-time favorites.
Not to mention, Kate and Anabela are rocking the Canon A-1.

It took me a month to win the AE-1 on Ebay and another month to finish the roll of film. Though I was taught photography on a manual camera in high school, I couldn't quite remember every step after years of auto. The light meter, shutter speed, aperture and focusing were occasionally too much to handle all at once! Quite a few shots are blurry or too dark. But the ones that made it, those I cherish. They represent quiet moments; arranging the shot (still working at that!), fiddling with the camera and the deep breath right before my finger clicks the shutter button that hopes for success.

I wanted to thank you all so much for your lovely comments on the lemon post. I am thrilled to discover that so many of you are fellow lemon lovers and I will be acting on all of your ideas for more lemon uses! Each comment was so thoughtful and made me smile. :)

I also had a chance to make Lemon Tassies to take to a picnic. Here's a photo taken by Guy Crawford.

Lemons

Cutting Lemons, originally uploaded by Chiot's Run.

I have a love affair with lemons.
Every trip I make to the grocery store I pick up at least three, though now I've taken to buying the bags of organic lemons, so I end up with six. I never thought this was particulalary strange until, grocery shopping with a friend, she asked, "What do you do with all those lemons?!"
"Is this a lot of lemons?" I asked, getting a little defensive.
"Yes!", she said.
"Oh", I said, "I didn't know that."

So, what do I do with my lemons?
I slice them up and put them in my water.
(this is why I prefer organic, no chemicals on the rind)
I squeeze them over my baked salmon.
I make Molly's French Style Yogurt Cake with Lemon.
I munch on Jill's Lemon Cream Cookies from Cannelle et Vanille.
I boil hot water, squeeze in lemon juice and stir in a little honey when I'm sick with the flu.
I throw in grated lemon peel into blueberry muffin batter.


But my dream is to make the perfect lemon tart.
(or "tarte au citron" because it sounds nice in French)
Martha has a few recipes of interest:
Lemon Tassies and Mini Lemon Tarts. Because anything mini is instantly more adorable.

Nigel Slater waxes on about lemon curd in the Guardian.

Last week, Tommy featured Tamami Haga in her People at Work series. Tamami runs a market stall in London and her lemon tarts are adorable! She is my lemon tart idol! :)

And the icing on the cake?
I picked up the latest issue of Jamie Magazine, the Italian issue, (as in Jamie Oliver) and it had an entire article about how he would die without lemons! We're kindred spirits.

In my closet.

The weather took a turn for the worst this week; it's cold, rainy and I'm wearing my mittens once again. These two are hanging in my closet waiting for warmer days to return. The blue one is Built by Wendy Arles Market Dress and the Martine stripe tank is from Permanent Vacation from Robber. Come on Sunshine!

I pre-ordered Sundays are for Lovers this morning, and I can't wait for it to arrive. I love the concept, not to mention, many of the artists and photographers featured.

Last weekend, there was a Knitter's Frolic that helped to rekindle my love for gorgeous yarn and patterns. Indigo Dragonfly hand dyed yarns are scrumptious and have the most amusing names, I got a gorgeous blue "Arr...'tis a sugary brine". I picked up a signed copy of St. Denis Magazine from Veronik Avery, so lovely and inspiring! On the needles I have the Fiddlehead Mittens kit from Tanis Fiber Arts.

Hope your week is off to a great start.
xo

Giveaway winner

Thanks to all who entered the Lula giveaway, I really wish I could send one to everyone. Ashley is the winner! Send me an email Ashley and let me know where to send your Lula.

Ashley wrote: "I love everything girly! I am best known for my extremely girly ways, some of my favorite girly things are: dancing ballet on pointe, Hello Kitty and Barbie everything, baking, and I love my crowning glory, I have long hair and I wear hair accessories every day, most often it's a bow."

Cherry Blossoms

High Park is quickly becoming one of my favorite places in Toronto. A couple weeks ago, Kaye joined me for a picnic in the park to visit the cherry blossoms, flowers I had never seen before, when they were in bloom. It was an amazing sight to see all those pink trees.

Don't forget to enter the Lula giveaway!

Two cute ducks on the pond. Kaye couldn't believe I'd never seen Mallards before!

Lula Giveaway

Here's my surprise, I'm giving away a copy of Lula with the Orange Blossom cover to one of you.

When I lived in small-town Manitoba, it was impossible to get a copy of Lula, but Anabela would send one to me every time it came out. I would love to pass on her kindness and send a copy to someone else who can't find one.

I love Lula for it's unabashed celebration of femininity and pretty things.
To enter let me know about your favorite girly thinks, leave your info and I will draw a winner on Friday, May 7, 2010.

My favorite girly things include painting my nails crazy colors, wearing footwear that looks good, but is not good for me and frilly dresses.