I am pleased to announce the launch of LUBA RASCHEFF PHOTOGRAPHY. Here you can follow my latest discoveries, mostly in Toronto, Ontario, the city of my birth. Yorkville I enjoy discovering beauty in artistic niches, and bursts of vivid colors … Continue reading
I was having lunch with a friend of mine yesterday when she reminded me that what we remember about our lives are moments, moments like this joyous lunch or traveling to a favorite destination. She added, ‘You’re not going to … Continue reading
La, La, La Traviata I’m not sure if this is auspicious or not, but my next-door neighbor is an opera singer. She has a lovely daughter who typically wails as her mother belts out songs, in alto, every evening. In … Continue reading
It was a beautiful, sunny day today and I decided to take a walk down Bloor Street and snap a few shots.
Here’s a shot of Dolce & Gabbana’s whimsical window display. You can see me reflected in the glass pane as well as traffic moving along Bloor Street.
Here’s Michael Kors’ elegant window display consisting of women’s handbags:
And the classic Tiffany & Co. looked like this:
I can’t recall which well-known store the following mannequins were from, but they appear to blend with the buildings and street appearing surreal.
As I turned away from Bloor Street and onto Queens Park, I saw this odd, striped, huge, Sphynx-like face (minus the body) in contradistinction to a woman working on a ceramic piece and contemporary buildings in the background.
When I later turned onto a side street, I noticed this flashy blue car. If you look closely at its front tire, you’ll notice what appears to be a red, embedded, wheel locking device. The traffic signs, apparently ignored, can be seen through the window.
Enjoy the sunshine!
Today was “Doors Open” in Toronto meaning that about 150 buildings were open to the public. I decided, therefore, to visit The Ontario Legislative Building, not too far from where I live.
Walking through Queen’s Park, I took a picture of the statue of King Edward VII seated on a horse. The equestrian statue, originally standing in Edward Park in Delhi, India, was “erected on the present site through the generous subscriptions of the citizens of the area” reads the plaque placed before it.
A statue of Queen Victoria stands near the Legislative Building’s entrance where the public was admitted.
Friendly, knowledgeable, and fluently bilingual guides wearing green T-shirts welcomed me. “If you have any questions, ask anyone in a green T-shirt,” a young brunette wearing glasses prompted cheerily. There were policemen guarding the premises, too.
When I asked this handsome man in uniform whether he’d let me photograph him, he said, “Take as many pictures as you need until you’re satisfied.”
The impression I got the moment I stepped inside the Legislative Building, designed by architect Richard Waite and built between 1886 and 1892, was one of magnificence and splendor.
Attention to detail is everywhere. The ceilings are very high (some with chandeliers), balustrades are carved from wood, and the building’s west wing (rebuilt in 1909 after a destructive fire) boasts of a marble floor displaying a delicate mosaic pattern reminiscent of mosaics I once saw in Modena, Italy.
One of the most impressive features of the Legislative Building is its stained glass ceiling.
Historical portraits depicting political personalities dating from the distant past to the present adorn the building’s walls.
“Doesn’t he look like Napoleon?” a visitor asked me as I snapped this shot.
“Yes,” I laughed, “he does!” realizing that this was probably what prompted me to select this portrait among all the others.
This colourful room is the one which the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, David Onley, uses for celebrations.
As I exited the room through the wooden door you see on the left, I saw this intriguing antique cabinet.
The pièce de résistance, however, is the Legislative Chamber “with its richly carved details set in mahogany and Canadian sycamore.” This is the chamber in which Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) “debate and pass laws for the Province of Ontario.” (Source: http://www.ontla.on.ca)
For more information about The Legislative Building, visit www.ontla.on.ca.
Whether you’re new in town or an old pro, the best breakfast place in Toronto is surely Grace and Andrew’s at the Masa Restaurant adjacent to the Comfort Hotel, Downtown, 15 Charles Street East.
‘Good Morning!’ booms Andrew’s voice as I walk inside. ‘How are you today?’ comes the genuine question. Andrew, born in England with a Grenadian background, has a passion for cooking that he cultivated from his youth becoming a chef. He’s lived in Toronto for thirty years.
‘How are you, Luba?’ asks Grace as I sit down on a comfy chair at a smooth table with clean lines next to the elegant, wooden, hanging decoration lit by candle-like lamps.
Grace, born in Toronto, is steeped in the tradition of restaurateurs. Her father, the late, reputed Danny Mangos, owned many restaurants and raised Grace from her youth to understand and appreciate the art of running a restaurant. Once a manager at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Grace, an accomplished chef, is specialized in organizing buffets and banquets.
Aside from Grace and Andrew’s unique, warm welcome and genuine hospitality, they offer a wide selection of excellent breakfast choices. The Continental Breakfast comes with: Croissant, Toast, Orange Juice/Apple Juice and Milk, $6.99; The Full American Breakfast offers: Bacon, Ham, or Sausage, 2 Eggs (any style), and Home-Style Potatoes (note that these are Andrew’s and that he developed their perfect, golden, crispy exterior and spicy flavor) with a choice of Muffin, Danish, Croissant, and Toast, $10.99; Eggs Benedict; Eggs Florentine; Omelets; Pancakes or French Toast; and numerous side orders.
Don’t stay out in the cold. Brrrrrrrrrrr! Come to Grace and Andrew’s for a healthy and wholesome breakfast with a big-hearted welcome. You can safely expect future developments from these two, fine chefs. Stay tuned.
Image title: The Masa Restaurant
Photographer: Luba Rascheff
In a few hours, it will be 2014.
Personally, I’m feeling quite upbeat about what lies ahead in the New Year.
As I ride out the ice storm–or, more precisely, what’s left of it, viz., the arctic cold wave–my thoughts are leaping ahead. In a warm and cozy setting, my thoughts are clearly in the future.
Resolutions
Although speculating about the future and making resolutions can be risky, it’s worth it.
Be bold
Let’s be bold and resolve that:
A glass half full
When we permit ourselves to be positive and expansive, we see the glass half full. This lets us believe that more and more good–great, even–things are coming our way.
Resolve with me
I resolve that 2014 will be my year.
I believe I’m worthy and that great things will happen to me.
I know that change is a given and transformation is inevitable.
I accept the bounty that is rightfully mine.
Happy New Year!
Image title: Toronto in the Ice Storm
Image author: Luba Rascheff
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LUBA RASCHEFF 