Cafe Babalú

 Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader

Weekend Coffee Share
Sunday Salon

Reykjavik Iceland

It was a very quiet at home weekend. I made pickled onions and radishes. I had kept an empty pickle jar with a stern "do now throw out" sign. 

I also found a mention of our Iceland trip on Andrew's blog!

We had a popcorn and corn viewing session of MasterChef Australia.

Monday Mural  was from Reykjavik.

I think we need an Acronym Committee!

John had his follow up appointment at the dermatology clinic, the biopsy was non-malignant (yay) and for $200 the doctor burned off his head age spots.

I went to Longo's to get fruit for the week. And I found small prime ribs on special for $15 each so I grabbed two.

I baked a cranberry banana loaf (NEW) for our visitors this week which turned out to be a flop, it collapsed in the middle, I won't be using that recipe again. 

Tuesday Signs  from Las Vegas and Treasures featured St. Lawrence Market.

We walked over for mani-pedis and then I went to Rabba thinking/hoping that they would have pastries, no luck. But I bought a red calla plant as they remind me of both Mexico and Portugal.

Then we headed downtown to meet John's son (J) and grandson (L) arriving from Montreal by train. No, surprise, the train was delayed and delayed so John and I went and sat on the Union Station patio and sampled this.

The have board games and books to keep the kids entertained.

They arrived at 3 and we rushed to get the 3:15 bus. Waited, waited, and finally the 4 PM bus arrived early??? Traffic was heavy with the Blue Jays and there was also a Blackpink concert at Scotia arena. I asked the driver what happened to the 3:15, she called the office and they were not aware. BTW that 3:15 driver was a vacation replacement. 

The guys were going to the game and were pleased to see that the roof would be open for the game.

The guys headed out for the 5:30 bus which was late, then traffic was horrific, so the driver dropped them off by the stadium.

Vladi pops up.

Springer at bat.

They had a crazy Uber driver on the way home.

This was Wednesday morning's traffic.

J and L and I walked along the lake for an hour. i had wanted to see the new carvings by Damian Agostini.  He had done some last summer, but the city removed them.

While we were admiring them, the artist spoke to us, saying, he was working at 11:41 AM,  I left my bag of tools for no more than two minutes just to pick up some wood at the other side of the rocks. Once I returned everything was gone my drills my staple gun, my saws all sauce everything I can’t do anything I’m totally devastated.

UPDATE July 24, 2025

Thanks to the wonderful residents of Humber Bay Shores, Damian received enough in donations to replace all his tools except the puffer that was stolen in his bag for his asthma. I will be turning off comments soon, but if you want to support his work, you can contact him  directly at > Damainwoodman@icloud.com.

UPDATE On Friday morning this was posted on the neighbourhood FB page. Sadly, either last night or very early this morning, the City parks manager has removed all of Damian Agostini's art again! Apparently a very few complained and that’s all it took to take it down.

Damian Agostini - I am known as Woody, the wood man Savannah artist, driftwood artist I love to carve and sculpt wood.

Marengo

We headed downtown to The Well for a late lunch before they headed to Budweiser Stage for a concert.

I decided we should take the streetcar although it is very walkable so that they would know where to get the streetcar if they wanted to. We waited and waited, the TTC employee working at the stop said it would be 11 minutes then she walked over us and said it was going to be 20 minutes and suggested we take the 509 instead and transfer to the 504. She didn't mention that the 509 wouldn't be doing a short turn behind the 504. 

At The Well, they chose to have Szechuan and I got a lobster roll (note to self Busters does a much better roll for a much better price!). As they said there is almost too much to choose from.

This is the directory of food booths.

We grabbed a couple of beers to enjoy with our food.

What the heck is this? COCONUT SPORT STRING IN SYRUP.

I left them to walk to the Budweiser Stage for their concert. An incredible supercharged night with @offspring with massive support from @jimmyeatworld and @newfoundglory!

 I'm walking against the Blue Jays fans as I head back to Union. Traffic was nuts making the bus late again. Ball game, Blackpink concert at Scotia and concert at Budweiser.

 

After another leisurely breakfast we walked over to the streetcar and took it it Queen and Spadina. It was to be L's day and he is really into heavy metal and music. We stopped in Steve's.

Next stop was Kops the oldest record shop in Toronto.

Hoping to find something in the $1 bin.

Extremely impressed with the selections.

Spoilt by the choice, he decided on two, then Grandpa offered to buy a third for him.

We found this in the $1 bin, my parents had this exact album and I learned all the songs.

It is really hot out as we showed them Graffiti Alley.

This mural has been painted over, this is what it used to look like in 2021. And when it was painted in 2018.

It's really hot now so we go to The Waterworks. It opened last year. We happened to choose Harry's for a burger, fish burger, chicken burger and chili fries.

All local beers.

We checked this out before catching the streetcar for a very quick ride home.

Dinner was at home. Lots of chatting and another 1 AM bedtime.

Friday we headed to Union Station for lunch at Jersey Mike's subs before their 3:20 train home. It ended up leaving two  running over three hours late!

We did a grocery run before heading home. We did have concert tickets but didn't feel like driving across the city for a one hour show. Plus add to that three 1 AM late nights and lots of walking.

COOKING

Saturday curry chicken and fries

Sunday onion bhajis, leftover curry chicken rice and sauteed broccolini

We had tiramisu for dessert on the weekend.

Monday mushroom Bolognese 

Tuesday Guys at ball game. I had  fried potatoes and an egg.

Wednesday breakfast fruit salad, cheeses, croissants

Lunch The Well

Dinner ham sandwich/ham and egg

Thursday breakfast same

Lunch Waterworks

Dinner beef bulgogi, rice, sauteed broccolini, onions and mushrooms

Friday breakfast same

Lunch Jersey Mike's subs

Dinner beef bulgogi, rice, sauteed broccolini, onions

WATCHING

We finished The Order.

THE G  is a 2023 Canadian dark thriller film. After a corrupt legal guardian puts Ann, a grandmother, jin a care home in order to take her property, Ann looks for vengeance with the help of her granddaughter Emma, who calls her "The G".The film is set on the industrial edges of an unnamed city (Montreal). As one review said "it is intentionally miserable revenge film".

 

Cult Killer  is a 2024 American crime thriller film. In order to discover the killer of her mentor, a young investigator forms an alliance with a serial killer.

 Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich s an American web documentary television miniseries about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 

Untamed is an American drama murder mystery television series for Netflix set in Yosemite National Park. A National Parks Service agent investigates a brutal death at Yosemite National Park.

READING

Not much time this week for reading.

I finished In the Blood and all I can say is "You know, girl, if it seems too good to be true...."is my take.

I started Under the Bridge as Canadian Rebecca Godfrey takes us into the hidden world of the seven teenage girls—and boy—accused of a savage murder. A true story that takes place in Nanaimo BC.