July 2019 - Ossington Ave Toronto
Saturday was a really hot, muggy, icky day and we only went out and stocked up on vegetables.
Dinner was roast chicken, potatoes, gravy, Brussel sprouts and mashed potato,parsnip and turnip.
After a big breakfast,
we grabbed the streetcar and went exploring on Ossington Ave. Click here to see all the murals we found and links to other Ossington Ave. posts.
We just meandered in and out of lanes along Ossington.
Isn't it gorgeous? Inside a hair salon.
I hastily (and not very well) took this photo of a flower truck. Later in the week as I read Toronto Life, I came across their story and wedding, featuring this truck.
There was also a Starbucks break for frappacinos.
Window shopping along Queen St. West.
Inside Weekend Variety, crocheted cactus plants.
New cannabis store?
The Great Hall was originally built in 1889 as the home to Toronto’s YMCA West End chapter. The land was purchased for $10,000 and the architectural design firm Gordon & Helliwell erected a Victorian style three-storey building with signature details from the Queen Anne Revival style that was popular at the time.
In 1912, the YMCA relocated and The Great Hall soon found a new tenant with the Royal Templars of Temperance, a fraternal organization that was active in the prohibition of alcohol, renamed the building to the Royal Templar Hall. It was the “place to be” as a venue for lectures, entertainment, and a “well-baby” clinic that was established during the post WWI flu epidemic. It was also host to a gathering of psychic and spiritualists in 1920 and later home to the Independent Order of Foresters. In the 1940s, it became the home to the Polish National Union where it held offices and printing presses for the local Polish newspaper. During the second world war, the building welcomed immigrants from Europe and served as temporary housing.
Now it is completely dwarfed by condos, don't be deceived, that's not a parking lot, it is a city laneway. The little bit of a dark blue building on the far right of the photo is TIFF Bell Lightbox building, headquarters to the Toronto International Film Festival and a 48 storey condo tower.
Wednesday John golfed and I made soup stocks and a lemon ice cream that turned out really well.
I made fish tacos for dinner.
Thursday John had dental surgery (hence soup and ice cream making) so he is on a cold food diet for three days and then onto soft food.
Other than go for some groceries and a caramel frappacino for John, it was a home day as John continues to ice his jaw and eat ice cream.
BOOKS
I loved One Day by David Nicholls! I also came across this interview with him on his new book, Sweet Sorrow in the Irish Times.
I am enjoying Miss Emily by Nuala O'Connor, a fictionalized rendition of a friendship between Emily Dickinson and her Irish maid, Ada.
It is now a "unique venue" for weddings and other events.
1) I need a picture of the historical plaque.
2) I need to go inside.
.
High above a poutine restaurant, John always manages to get these photos for me.
Odd name for a clothes shop.
Inside a restaurant.
Mural on Drake's store, moved across from his hotel due to another condo being built on its previous spot.
Next to Drake's outside an art supplies store, this gets repainted every once in a while.
Queen St. West is constantly changing.
Bespoke Butchers.
So pretty. Councillor bar/restaurant.
And a early birthday present, another Frida cushion from the same store as the one John surprised me with last year.
We had roast pork for dinner.
Our little walk was 10,677 steps or 8 km.
Monday John golfed and I just ran some errands. Union Station has finally made some progress and the entrance to the subway has improved. William will be amused by this.
Really odd sunset.
Tuesday and we have fruit salad for breakfast.
We had 11 AM tickets for Eye Candy, a pop up on Queen St. West. Since we had plenty time we wandered around the block.
This is a one-of-a-kind pop-up experience with incredible installations, multi-sensory immersive rooms, and endless moments of sweetness.
.
How weird, my legs are reflected in the table!
This was a lot of fun.
John wanted his gluten free pizza fix at Libretto.
I had my usual cheese and cold cuts, but really I just wanted this bread!
We decided to check out Champs, a hot dog wholesaler to see if they had any gluten free. I worked for years next to this place that supplies all the hot dog stands around the city and never went in.
When I asked if they had gluten free he said he would bring me the boxes with the ingredients which turned out to be gluten free so we bought 28 for $31
Here's a photo from 2008 on a winter's day. At that time it was surrounded by parking lots.
.
High above a poutine restaurant, John always manages to get these photos for me.
Odd name for a clothes shop.
Inside a restaurant.
Mural on Drake's store, moved across from his hotel due to another condo being built on its previous spot.
Next to Drake's outside an art supplies store, this gets repainted every once in a while.
Queen St. West is constantly changing.
Bespoke Butchers.
So pretty. Councillor bar/restaurant.
And a early birthday present, another Frida cushion from the same store as the one John surprised me with last year.
We had roast pork for dinner.
Our little walk was 10,677 steps or 8 km.
Monday John golfed and I just ran some errands. Union Station has finally made some progress and the entrance to the subway has improved. William will be amused by this.
Really odd sunset.
Tuesday and we have fruit salad for breakfast.
We had 11 AM tickets for Eye Candy, a pop up on Queen St. West. Since we had plenty time we wandered around the block.
This is a one-of-a-kind pop-up experience with incredible installations, multi-sensory immersive rooms, and endless moments of sweetness.
.
How weird, my legs are reflected in the table!
This was a lot of fun.
John wanted his gluten free pizza fix at Libretto.
I had my usual cheese and cold cuts, but really I just wanted this bread!
We decided to check out Champs, a hot dog wholesaler to see if they had any gluten free. I worked for years next to this place that supplies all the hot dog stands around the city and never went in.
When I asked if they had gluten free he said he would bring me the boxes with the ingredients which turned out to be gluten free so we bought 28 for $31
Here's a photo from 2008 on a winter's day. At that time it was surrounded by parking lots.
Now it is completely dwarfed by condos, don't be deceived, that's not a parking lot, it is a city laneway. The little bit of a dark blue building on the far right of the photo is TIFF Bell Lightbox building, headquarters to the Toronto International Film Festival and a 48 storey condo tower.
Wednesday John golfed and I made soup stocks and a lemon ice cream that turned out really well.
I made fish tacos for dinner.
Thursday John had dental surgery (hence soup and ice cream making) so he is on a cold food diet for three days and then onto soft food.
Other than go for some groceries and a caramel frappacino for John, it was a home day as John continues to ice his jaw and eat ice cream.
BOOKS
July 2019 - Ossington Ave Toronto
I loved One Day by David Nicholls! I also came across this interview with him on his new book, Sweet Sorrow in the Irish Times.
I am enjoying Miss Emily by Nuala O'Connor, a fictionalized rendition of a friendship between Emily Dickinson and her Irish maid, Ada.
LINKING UP WITH
Beth hosts Weekend Cooking where you can post anything food related.
Wow! Some really fun photos! I especially admire your new Frida cushion! I always appreciate your taste of Toronto that you share! Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteI think that's the first time I've heard of the Great Hall.
ReplyDeleteWe had a similar sunset like that this week.
Eye Candy looks like so much fun, your photos are great.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos of you and your hubby at the pop up experience! So much fun :)
ReplyDeleteYou always manage to find the coolest graphics around town. You need to go into business where you lead people on cool tours of cities!
ReplyDeleteI really loved your photos from the pop up experience. Every town needs one of those. So much fun.
I hope you will tell us more about Miss Emily when you finish.
Have a great week!
I enjoyed your photo tour. My week in review
ReplyDeleteThat's certainly a lot to see on your meanderings through the city! Wow!
ReplyDeleteMy Corner of the World
The sun has gone to your head, Jackie! :) :) What perfect angels you and John make!
ReplyDeleteLoved the photo series at the instillation. What fun!!! I always, always love to see your city through your eyes.
ReplyDelete