We picked up our FREE* tree the other night from IKEA. I must say that I was surprised by the selection. They had lots of trees ranging in height from about 5 feet to as tall as about 9 feet.
* Of course there is a catch. You did not actually think someone would just give you a nice 8- or 9-foot tree for free! The tree cost $20. The catch is that they also give you a $20-off coupon redeemable at the store in January as long as you spend at least $70 (hence a free tree).
Friday, December 5, 2008
Christmas Tree
Monday, November 17, 2008
Role Model
Some renovations are being done at the cottage so we let the kids draw on one of the walls that are coming down.
My youngest daughter (had just turned 6 years old at the time) drew this of me photographing hummingbirds at the cottage.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Morning Cap
After having MUCH trouble with the Via Venezia Espresso machine that I bought from Starbucks, I finally decided to return it. The machine did work great, and produced what I thought was good espresso, but I just could not take the constant leaking from the brew head. After many visits to the retailer, and both the store manager and myself on the phone with not only Starbucks customer service, but also the Saeco customer service, I was advised by Saeco that it would be better to return it because in order to have it fixed would require shipping to the U.S. since they do not service these in Canada which would mean Customs and brokerage fees.
I returned it to Starbucks for a full refund and went straight over to the Green Beanery in Toronto and picked up a Rancilio Silvia. Although a more expensive machine, the resulting espresso and cappucino from the same ground coffee is like night and day; much better! Now I understand all the reviews of the Via Venezia saying the first thing to do was to get a non-pressurized portafilter.
I now agree with the guys on Chowhound about the portafilter and the quality of the coffee having made and tasted both from the exact same ground coffee. Even though the Rancilio was 2.5 times the price, it is more than 3 times the machine. And the fact that it has a 3 year warranty and after that parts at 50% if required and that it is serviced in Toronto if needed were the deciding factors.
It also helped quite a bit that a few people I know have this machine already and that it comes so highly recommended, not only from them, but also from places like Chowhound. So if you are in the market for a machine and are willing to spend almost $300 for the Via Venezia, spend the extra $300 and get the REAL thing. You absolutely will not regret it. You will, however, regret not getting the REAL thing.
I returned it to Starbucks for a full refund and went straight over to the Green Beanery in Toronto and picked up a Rancilio Silvia. Although a more expensive machine, the resulting espresso and cappucino from the same ground coffee is like night and day; much better! Now I understand all the reviews of the Via Venezia saying the first thing to do was to get a non-pressurized portafilter.
I now agree with the guys on Chowhound about the portafilter and the quality of the coffee having made and tasted both from the exact same ground coffee. Even though the Rancilio was 2.5 times the price, it is more than 3 times the machine. And the fact that it has a 3 year warranty and after that parts at 50% if required and that it is serviced in Toronto if needed were the deciding factors.
It also helped quite a bit that a few people I know have this machine already and that it comes so highly recommended, not only from them, but also from places like Chowhound. So if you are in the market for a machine and are willing to spend almost $300 for the Via Venezia, spend the extra $300 and get the REAL thing. You absolutely will not regret it. You will, however, regret not getting the REAL thing.
Dragonfly on Rock
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Dragonfly on Rock, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Journalist and Writer
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Journalist and Writer, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Dwight Drummond from CityNews was in attendance getting his copy of Rachel Manley's new book, Horses In Her Hair signed at the book launch held October 2, 2008 at Ben McNally Books at Bay and Richmond in Toronto.
Teena's Blog of Books: Book launch ~ "Horses in her Hair" ~ Rachel Manley
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Bachelor's Button
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Bachelor's Button, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Lily of the Valley
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Lily of the Valley, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Raindrops on Rose Leaves
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Raindrops on Rose Leaves, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
My Ride
I finally got back on the bike after a long, snowy winter. Of course, for commuting, I have an extra set of rims with slick commuting tires. Makes a huge difference on the road.
Now I just have to wait for the trails to dry out. Training for the 24 hours of Summer Solstice in June.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Trees Across Toronto - Buried Treasure?!?!?!
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Trees Across Toronto - Buried Treasure?!?!?!, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Monday, March 17, 2008
C'mon Spring!
After the nice weather and the sunshine this past weekend, I can hardly wait for Spring.
I don't know about you, but I think I have had enough of the snow already!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Don Valley Brick Works
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Don Valley Brick Works, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Took a trek to the Don Valley Brick Works on the weekend. After some guidance to an entrance, snapped off a few shots. I treated this more like a scouting expedition to see for myself what secrets this place holds.
I have seen many shots of this place, but once you are there, the experience is quite a bit more substantial. The sense of scale is overwhelming. If you have not done so already, and have an opportunity to go, take a minute once inside to just look and experience the setting before taking its image.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Lyin' Around
Just lying here wondering when this 6' pile of snow I am currently under will disappear.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Red-winged Black Bird on a Branch
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Red-winged Black Bird on a Branch, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Wedding Garden Waterwheel
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Wedding Garden Waterwheel, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Taken in the Wedding Garden at the Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston, ON.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Tree on Cliff
This is somewhere I would LOVE to be right about now... at Chukka Cove near Ocho Rios, Jamaica and not shovel the snow for the millionth time this week!!!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
Dogsled Snow Mist
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Dogsled Snow Mist, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
I think this is appropriate for today since we are getting hammered with a snowstorm. Mind you, it is not half as bad as some other areas getting anywhere between 15-30cm (6-12 inches) or even more.
Rather than braving the driving conditions, why not get a dogsled. They WILL get you there!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Is this how you do it?
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Is this how you do it?, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Rick Mercer from CBC Television's Rick Mercer Report getting some direction from Jamiaca Dogsled Team's Damion Robb.
Rick Mercer interviews the Jamaica Dogsled team on RMR Tuesday, February 5th, 2008.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Is that Rick Mercer?
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Is that Rick Mercer?, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Rick Mercer, of CBC Television's Rick Mercer Report, flagging the finish for the Jamaica Dogsled Team's 6-dog race January 26th, 2008. He later interviewed the team and was taken on a little sled ride after with the dogs. It will be aired February 5th on the Rick Mercer Report on CBC Television.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Red-winged Black Bird On Stilts
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Red-winged Black Bird On Stilts, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Crown of Thorns Flower
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Crown of Thorns Flower, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Some Useful Resources
I came across some useful resources that go into more detail about lighting setup as well as some interesting accessories that can be relatively easy to put together.
Here are 2 blogs that go into some detail. More to come later.
Dat-Tuyen Nguyen Photography
Lighting Mods
Here are 2 blogs that go into some detail. More to come later.
Dat-Tuyen Nguyen Photography
Lighting Mods
Monday, January 14, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Two Bridges Diverge in a Wood
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
Two Bridges Diverge in a Wood, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
I Pledge Allegiance
Photo © Tony Bursey - All rights reserved.
I Pledge Allegiance, originally uploaded by Tony's Outdoors.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
