27 June: INSPIRED
5 July: Tall
12 July: Bicoloured
19 July: Confusion
28 June 2026
27 June 2026
Bean to Cup Coffee
TMU Subway Station Toronto ON
SATURDAY
I was up at 6:50 and did a bunch of analog activities before sitting at my computer. Got homemade broth out of freezer for dinner, put away the pans from last night, found a thank you card (from a charity)for neighbours, got frozen berries for lunch compote, frozen bread for French toast.
I had beef stock and pea soup in containers to freeze, I loved them into freezer bags to free up the containers.
Realized that we had finished the last scotch tape from work, I retired 14 years ago!! I now have to buy one, never in my life have I ever had to buy tape!
John bought a fire extinguisher, we do have a fire blanket in the kitchen.
I did a post about the library exhibit I saw last week which led me to make a recap of their other exhibits which led to adding other Toronto libraries.🐰 It also made me realize I have been negligent about library visits.
I cleared out a bunch of bags, how many reusable bags does one need? I took them down to our convenience store who will use them.
Delivered said thank you card!
I also cleared out the standing pile of papers in the "office".
I also washed out the green recycle bin as the bag had leaked, yuck.
John cleared out his bathroom drawers, we got rid of five nail clippers and other garbage.
Made French toast with blueberries for lunch and burned the first batch!
The building secured a deal with a fan coil cleaning company for $69 per coil so I completed a request.
FIFA at Toronto Stadium Germany vs Ivory Coast - Germany wins 2-1.
SUNDAY
Happy Summer Solstice! I wrote a post a few years ago about the winter solstice.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is observed annually on June 21. The 2026 celebration marks the 30th anniversary of the historic national observance, first proclaimed in 1996. The date intentionally coincides with the summer solstice, a day of cultural renewal and significance for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
I got us up at 5:15 to watch the sun rise!! We just had to walk two minutes to the lake.
I had put scones in to bake before we left. It was a long morning. We both attempted naps but they were just cat naps. Did a load of laundry. Made a strawberry yogurt ice cream, the strawberries were frozen from last summer, so time to get rid of them. This was delicious! Here is the recipe, along with my collection of recipes and fun ice cream photos.
I washed the kitchen floor, strained and removed the fat from the lamb stock before freezing.
The longest day of the year ended with this stunning sunset!
MONDAY
Our Pigeon Pigeon Cafe, a Montreal chain, that we had eaten in last week, in Montreal.
I want to visit this one.
WOW I hadn't realized that they added the sign for Sutton Place Hotel to the Westinghouse building.
I had done a post when they started building the hotel and preserving the facade. Another hotel we will have to check out.
A mural I showed on Monday Mural a few years ago.
I went to 401 Richmond to find something specific and it was closed (Monday) so I grabbed Mary Brown's chicken and then headed to Chinatown. Strawberries were $1, raspberries 2 of $1!!
John had an appointment and then grabbed Jersey Mikes BLT, lots of bacon but it needed more tomatoes IHO.
Sadly, it was cold and drizzly for FIFA tourists, patios were empty.
WHAT?!?! We have this arrow, Mamma's Pizza on our kitchen wall!!! I went into Mamma's for a slice of pizza, but it was not their old-fashioned pizza, so I left.
Yes, I realize this arrow is facing the other way, but I checked and the other side is also sandwiches.
I had time to walk back, but the streetcar was right there, that was a mistake, it turned back at the bottom of Spadina, so I had to wait and wait for the 509 to Union. John had texted but I told him to go ahead as I might not make it. I did, with five minutes to spare, I had to stop and give an old man directions to the GO train!
While I was waiting for the Queen's Quay streetcar.
We decided to cancel Netflix and try Apple. It is cheaper ($100 cheaper) and everyone swears by it.
TUESDAY
We have to work our schedule around the watch parties which take place at the official FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York/The Bentway, Nathan Phillips Square, Pride House, Stackt Market, Canada Soccer House and various large patio spaces like RendezViews.
1:00 p.m. ET: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan
4:00 p.m. ET: England vs. Ghana
7:00 p.m. ET: Panama vs. Croatia (Playing live locally at Toronto Stadium)
10:00 p.m. ET: Colombia vs. DR Congo
Interesting fact 🐰FIFA
The correct pronunciation of the soccer organization is FEE-fuh (like "fee" + "fa").
The acronym comes from the French name for the organization, Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
Another 10K step day.
We caught the 10:30 bus downtown and then walked to Harbourfront, today's theme was FIFA.
Union Station.
Love Park, I wrote about it here.
Looking north from the lake. The building in the middle is Pinnacle, topping off at 106 floors.
Besides FIFA, this was on my list.
Toronto is welcoming the world as a Host City for the FIFA World Cup, and Global Convenience arrives at this moment shaped by global exchange and connection. Set within Harbour Square Basin, the artwork brings together these themes by reimagining one of the most familiar spaces across cultures, the neighbourhood convenience store, and placing it at the water’s edge where people, goods, and ideas have long arrived and intersected.
I love all the details!
Even the garbage can and the graffiti!
We have passed this restaurant many many times, Pie Bar and finally checked it out.✅. It has a large patio, perfect for summer days. Other than that, everything was average, decent but average.
We shared a Caesar and pepperoni pizza.
This Panama fan was having fun taking her photos.
So did we!
A whole new way to celebrate the beautiful game beyond the traditional watch party, this free, open-to-the-public free 130-foot floating futsal pitch gives fans the rare chance to lace up and play right on the water.
It was funny as you heard the attendant giving instructions - kick the ball in the water and you will be thrown out.
She has a Qatar team shirt on.
,
"Space - Facing Time" Olmec head sculpture by artist Jesús Mora.
.It is part of the "Olmec Cup: The First Ball Game" exhibit, celebrating North American nations and cultures.
The piece represents Olmec heads with a focus on mysticism, ancestral knowledge, and the sacrifices related to migration.
Lots of soccer themed games around for people to play. Croatia shirts were in abundance as was Panama, they were playing today.
Blues Jays are in town, too. They changed their game times to accommodate FIFA.
We caught the streetcar back to Union for the bus.
WEDNESDAY
Sadly, we lost to Switzerland 2-1!
John did a Costco run in the morning and then headed to play golf. While I went to the Eaton Centre. I stopped in the $ store at TMU for a couple of things. I had planned to check out the new Flying Tiger, but it doesn't open until Friday. Flying Tiger (officially Flying Tiger Copenhagen) is a Danish variety store often compared to a "classier, European-style dollar store" or an "IKEA meets a dollar store".
Flying Tiger mascot.
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A rather cheeky billboard.
Front St. new sculpture.
I then did some chores, washing the kitchen floor, watering plants, and added a shelf to a kitchen cupboard for more efficiency.
I submitted the fan coil cleaning request.
Routine maintenance also provides an opportunity to inspect and clean key components, helping to reduce the likelihood of drainage-related issues and potential leakage concerns within the unit. For best results, annual fan coil maintenance is recommended prior to the commencement of the heating season, with an optional mid-season cleaning providing an additional level of preventative care and performance optimization.
To assist residents in arranging this important maintenance, the Management Office has secured a preferred pricing arrangement with ZORZITEC FAN COIL SERVICES, a reputable and experienced provider of fan coil cleaning and maintenance services. Following discussions and negotiations with the company,
Palace Pier residents are being offered fan coil maintenance at a preferred rate of $68.00 PER FAN COIL UNIT, representing a competitive market price for the scope of service being provided.
During their visit, technicians will perform a comprehensive cleaning and inspection of the fan coil unit, including: • Removal and replacement of the air filter • Vacuuming and cleaning of the fan coil cabinet • Cleaning and inspection of the drain pan and drainage system • Inspection of drain connections and testing of drainage performance • Cleaning of the evaporator coil using biodegradable cleaning solutions • Compressed-air cleaning of drain lines • Inspection and testing of fan operation and fan speeds • Verification of actuator, control valve, and thermostat operation • General inspection of the unit's overall condition and performance.
THURSDAY
I ended up 🐰adding Nova Scotia 1990 to a PEI post!!! part of a plan I have.
I contacted Raffi re: installment. He will get back to us. He was coming on Friday, but got delayed on a job.
Contacted Appliance Heroes re dryer duct cleaning.
They responded by email, asking for some photos.
More FIFA!
I went to Rexall, $ store, Winners (2 golf shirts) and Longo's. That must have been my cheapest Longo's trip ever. I have been dying for liver and got two packs on sale!
Zucchiolo is a unique, newly cultivated hybrid vegetable that is a cross between a cucumber and a summer squash. Originating in southern Spain, it offers a crunchy, refreshing texture with a subtly sweet, delicate flavour.
I sorted through my postcard collection as per some guidelines. I got some scheduled posts written. I learned that The study of postcards is known as ‘deltiology’.
I finished the chicken stock (Costco rotisserie) and froze it.
FRIDAY
We had a plan to go out for lunch in the Gay Village for PRIDE. However, it was cold out so we decided to dress better, have lunch and then go out. We discussed and decided that instead, I would just go to Longo's for some specials.
I planned to catch the 1:10, it showed up at 1:40. We finally got downtown at 2:30, so I decided just to turn around and come back home!!It wasn't going to get any better. The Blue Jays are in town and Senegal vs Iraq was being played here at Toronto Stadium (aka BMO Field).
In retrospect, probably a very good idea about not going out, when you see the crowds after the game!
AROUND TOWN
The CN Tower, the crown jewel of Toronto's skyline, is turning 50 this year, and a group of people are throwing it the most unusual birthday party.
The team at Wygo, a Toronto-based community event platform, are throwing a CN Tower lookalike contest on Friday, June 26.
Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario is introducing changes under the Insurance Act (Ontario) that will provide Ontario drivers with more choice and control over their Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) coverage under Ontario auto insurance policies.
Although existing auto insurance policies will renew with the same coverage and limits, who is covered under policies for newly optional accident benefits will change on July 1, 2026, regardless of an auto insurance policy’s renewal effective date.
As a result, optional accident benefits under your auto policy will only cover the following individuals:
• The named insured
• The spouse of the named insured
• Dependents of the named insured and of the named insured’s spouse
• Persons specified in the policy as drivers of the automobile
UPCOMING
zz
COOKING
MENU
Saturday - lamb shanks in beer (slow cooker)
Sunday - steak (leftover), black and white pudding, eggs, fried potatoes
Monday - lemon cream salmon, asparagus, lemon roasted potatoes. Not impresses with the sauce, potatoes needed longer as per recipe.
Tuesday - hot dogs
Wednesday - rotisserie chicken Alfredo Alfredo cream cheese, John proclaimed that this was the best ever!
Thursday - chicken and salad
Friday - steak, baked potato, fried onions and mushrooms
WATCHING
While watching Jeopardy on Thursday Environment Canada interrupted to issue a Tornado Alert for the area.
We're on season 3 of The Good Fight.
The series famously kicks off with the main character, Diane Lockhart (played by Christine Baranski), throwing her remote control in disgust while watching Trump's inauguration. Throughout the series, she is so overwhelmed by the relentless news cycle and political scandals that she resorts to microdosing hallucinogens just to cope with the psychic exhaustion.
he characters express deep disdain for Trump's specific actions, such as his immigration policies (including separating families and putting children in cages), his inflammatory rhetoric regarding white supremacists, and his administration's disregard for judicial rulings and subpoenas.
READING
Thank you to Tina of Turn the Pages for the shout out for Hotline.
Just What Kind of Mother Are You I felt like I was watching a train wreck and couldn't stop. The main character is just so unbelievable, she just annoyed me. There's bit of everything taking place. The detective obsessed with her breast size??? But I couldn't stop...but I've read worse books.
It needed some kind of background to the kidnappings. The ending was rushed. And no loose pieces were tied up.
A Blind Eye , a series by Marion Todd, is a good, well-written police procedural. I will read more of the series, since I started at # 7!!
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INSPIRED
One Word Sundays Cellpic Sunday 27 June: INSPIRED 5 July: Tall 12 July: Bicoloured 19 July: Confusion