AROUND TORONTO
This map shows why it would be 'terrifying' to open Canada-U.S. border.U.S.-Canada border could remain closed until next year unless 'something miraculous' happens: doctor |
Doug Ford’s Ontario government is extending emergency orders to July 22 to align with proposed legislation.
Provincial public health officials have reported a spike in COVID-19 due to increased testing among farm workers in Windsor-Essex.
Toronto and many surrounding regions have now made it mandatory to wear face masks while inside enclosed public spaces. The policy came into effect on Tuesday in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as more businesses start to reopen.
People in Toronto will now be required to wear a mask on public transportation and inside shops, grocery stores and malls.
They will not need to wear a mask while at home, while eating on a patio or at most workplaces where physical distancing is possible. It will also not apply to child-care centres or people who have underlying medical conditional that make it difficult to wear a mask.
What is so difficult about wearing a mask? You wear shoes and a shirt so why does a mask interfere with your rights during a life-threatening pandemic?
If we have to go back into lockdown, I'm fine with that, but the non-maskers will be yelling and screaming then too.
Yelling racist slurs at store employees asking you to wear a mask is beyond acceptable.
OUT AND ABOUT SAFELY
Saturday we had a consultant come and design and provide an estimate to replace the island I currently have in the kitchen. She did a great job and we signed a contract. The wait time is eight weeks. All the contractors are so backed up after being inactive for three months!
UPDATE I have an August 27 start date.
Replacing this:
With this:
UPDATE I have an August 27 start date.
Replacing this:
With this:
I have to buy a new garbage/recycling bin, I had planned on putting it in the new counter but have decided it is better under the sink, utilizing the space more efficiently. AND then a 💡💡💡lightbulb 💡💡💡 moment, just move what I have under the sink!!! $120 saved 💵💵💵
Garbage/recyling was at the end of the island. Now moved under the sink.
Monday John played golf. I toyed with going out but decided to err on the side of safety.
Garbage/recyling was at the end of the island. Now moved under the sink.
Monday John played golf. I toyed with going out but decided to err on the side of safety.
I decided to play it safe most of the week and stayed in other than a visit with a neighbour, wearing masks and/or practicing social distancing, on the grounds outside our building.
Our plants are loving this hot weather!
Finally our windows were cleaned this week, including the balcony and a spider treatment is being applied. We cleared the balcony and put the plants in the shower to have a good wash to rid them of spider webs.
I spoke to the guys and it was hot so I filled up their water bottles. They were spraying and were back later, 9 PM, to clean the windows. John offered them more water. What a great job they did.
I also heard from a local Facebook group that eucalyptus deodorant helps deter the spiders.
DAY TRIPPIN' Niagara-on-the-Lake
Thursday HOT HOT HOT! It's been nine days of heat warnings.
I had made a reservation (required for patio with 90 minute timeslots) for a place in Niagara on the Lake NOTL that served gluten free pizza, Bricks and Barley .
Our first eat out excursion since March.
IT WAS HOT !
Burnt Ship Bay Savignon Blanc $25 ($13.55 at the winery) from Pondview Estates.
See our wine diary.
Pizza was good, the gluten free is smaller and the crust is not as good as Libretto's. So verdict, good if you're in the neighbourhood but not worth the drive just for pizza. Menu is huge, so mostly frozen and then deep fried. Salads are gigantic, most people didn't finish so just a waste.
Rose we requested was not available. Service good.
Patio distancing excellent and tables and chairs were sanitized after each set of customers.
Of note, the regular pizza did not reheat well at all.
EAT...OR WE BOTH STARVE!
Just a couple of wineries today. Too hot!
Wayne Gretzky
Our surprise today! We thought it was closed and ready to drive away but we watched a woman enter so we followed to our delight. We were treated to a great wine tasting by a very friendly, funny server.
Friday we can finally see Immersive Van Gogh.
Heat Warning
Issued at 04:32 Friday 10 July 2020
A prolonged period of hot weather continues.
Daytime high temperatures in excess of 30 degrees Celsius, with humidex values in the high thirties to low forties, are expected. Overnight lows near 20 degrees Celsius are also expected, providing little relief from the heat.
Daytime high temperatures in excess of 30 degrees Celsius, with humidex values in the high thirties to low forties, are expected. Overnight lows near 20 degrees Celsius are also expected, providing little relief from the heat.
I had made a reservation (required for patio with 90 minute timeslots) for a place in Niagara on the Lake NOTL that served gluten free pizza, Bricks and Barley .
Our first eat out excursion since March.
IT WAS HOT !
Burnt Ship Bay Savignon Blanc $25 ($13.55 at the winery) from Pondview Estates.
See our wine diary.
Pizza was good, the gluten free is smaller and the crust is not as good as Libretto's. So verdict, good if you're in the neighbourhood but not worth the drive just for pizza. Menu is huge, so mostly frozen and then deep fried. Salads are gigantic, most people didn't finish so just a waste.
Rose we requested was not available. Service good.
Patio distancing excellent and tables and chairs were sanitized after each set of customers.
Of note, the regular pizza did not reheat well at all.
EAT...OR WE BOTH STARVE!
Just a couple of wineries today. Too hot!
Wayne Gretzky
Our surprise today! We thought it was closed and ready to drive away but we watched a woman enter so we followed to our delight. We were treated to a great wine tasting by a very friendly, funny server.
Friday we can finally see Immersive Van Gogh.
Our original tickets which I bought back in February for May 5 that then got moved to July 10. This is the same show we saw last year in Paris and we are excited to see the North American premiere.
Just a couple of photos. I'll post more separately.
The show was outstanding.
I have to admit I love social distancing. There were circles on the floor and you could move from one to another. People were very good about staying in their circles, except of a couple of couples who didn't seem to get the concept!
We had so much space to enjoy without people being next to you.
Might have to be my new Sidwalking badge!
The show runs on a 35 minute loop so people are coming and going all the time, and the circles limit the crowd.
BLOG NOTE
Just a couple of photos. I'll post more separately.
The show was outstanding.
I have to admit I love social distancing. There were circles on the floor and you could move from one to another. People were very good about staying in their circles, except of a couple of couples who didn't seem to get the concept!
We had so much space to enjoy without people being next to you.
Might have to be my new Sidwalking badge!
The show runs on a 35 minute loop so people are coming and going all the time, and the circles limit the crowd.
BLOG NOTE
Cee from Cee's Photo Challenges says:
I had a marvelous response from all of you on last week’s Anything Painted, from a cabinet to peeling paint challenge. I want to say thank you to each of you. Here are the featured bloggers for this week. Their posts really grabbed my attention. They are all worthy of a second or third look.
Travel with Intent
Junk Boat Travels
I had a marvelous response from all of you on last week’s Anything Painted, from a cabinet to peeling paint challenge. I want to say thank you to each of you. Here are the featured bloggers for this week. Their posts really grabbed my attention. They are all worthy of a second or third look.
Travel with Intent
Junk Boat Travels
COOKING
Jamie Oliver's 15 and 20 Minute Meals shows are rerunning on one of the channels. I am obsessed with him at the moment. I own the 15 Minute cookbook but couldn't find a 30 Minute book anywhere. John tracked it down in the UK and ordered it for me!!
Saturday and I went to my trusty 15 Minute Jamie Oliver and we made seared Asian beef with noodle salad and ginger dressing minus the noodles, which would be delicious with it. Definitely a keeper!!!
I also made two of the cinnamon raisin loaves and froze one. Still no photo 📸📸📸
I also made two of the cinnamon raisin loaves and froze one. Still no photo 📸📸📸
Sunday
Continuing with our Sunday breakfast "tradition". My new food processor is being put to good use. It is being used several times a day. For breakfast we made hash browns, something I never eat out, too greasy. John cooked them to perfection.
Continuing with our Sunday breakfast "tradition". My new food processor is being put to good use. It is being used several times a day. For breakfast we made hash browns, something I never eat out, too greasy. John cooked them to perfection.
I made strawberry banana ice cream.
Herb crusted pork chops with cauliflower au gratin and carrots. This was absolutely delicious pork, from Costco, they are thick boneless chops.
Monday I decided to use up the leftover pork as spring rolls. This was fantastic. It was the tastiest use of leftover roast pork. I used GF rice paper rolls. I think I wouldn't add the cabbage and carrot mix to the pan, they would be crunchier if left raw. I also added onion to the mix.
I do need to find a better sweet and sour sauce. I used this one and it was too ketchupy. John loved the peanut sauce I made from Cookie and Kate.
John bought three whole chickens at Costco today.
I took one and removed the breasts and wings (for tomorrow) and the rest I simmered with star anise, 5 Chinese spice, cumin, carrot, onion, ginger, garlic,celery and shrimp shells to make a broth for PHO, a Vietnamese soup.
I then removed the legs and shredded the meat. Strained the broth, sauteed a pan of cilantro, star anise, cardamon, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, garlic, jalapeno, fish sauce, and added to the broth. Then added the chicken meat and shrimp along with shredded carrots and cabbage along with vermicelli noodles. Served with cilantro, scallions, lime and jalapenos.
My cooking streak this week came to an end on Wednesday as I made spinach feta stuffed chicken breasts. I used frozen spinach as I had it. Many recipes did too so I wasn't worried about that. Much as I like spinach although John doesn't like it as a separate vegetable, we both thought this mixture was uninspiring and not worth the work.
Thursday John took it upon himself to make dinner from start to finish. He made beef nachos with salsa. He even had to run out and get sour cream at the last minute.
Friday and it's steak night with mushrooms, green peppers and onions.
Monday I decided to use up the leftover pork as spring rolls. This was fantastic. It was the tastiest use of leftover roast pork. I used GF rice paper rolls. I think I wouldn't add the cabbage and carrot mix to the pan, they would be crunchier if left raw. I also added onion to the mix.
I do need to find a better sweet and sour sauce. I used this one and it was too ketchupy. John loved the peanut sauce I made from Cookie and Kate.
John bought three whole chickens at Costco today.
I took one and removed the breasts and wings (for tomorrow) and the rest I simmered with star anise, 5 Chinese spice, cumin, carrot, onion, ginger, garlic,celery and shrimp shells to make a broth for PHO, a Vietnamese soup.
I then removed the legs and shredded the meat. Strained the broth, sauteed a pan of cilantro, star anise, cardamon, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, garlic, jalapeno, fish sauce, and added to the broth. Then added the chicken meat and shrimp along with shredded carrots and cabbage along with vermicelli noodles. Served with cilantro, scallions, lime and jalapenos.
My cooking streak this week came to an end on Wednesday as I made spinach feta stuffed chicken breasts. I used frozen spinach as I had it. Many recipes did too so I wasn't worried about that. Much as I like spinach although John doesn't like it as a separate vegetable, we both thought this mixture was uninspiring and not worth the work.
Thursday John took it upon himself to make dinner from start to finish. He made beef nachos with salsa. He even had to run out and get sour cream at the last minute.
ICE CREAM SCOOPS - 2020
Click here for 2019 Scoops!
Monk's Grimsby
Pink grapefruit and raspberry lemonade
Last year we tried carrot and cream and sweet potato as samples at his food truck so it was top of my list for 2020.
Indian chai and espresso liqueur
Mojiito (V) chocolate raspberry (V) ricotta strawberry
NONE this week other than homemade banana pineapple coconut.
AND we had our first Starbucks caramel drizzle frappacino of the season. Does it count?
READING
Borrowed An Anonymous Girl as it popped up in the 7 day rental section at the library.
A creepy thriller on morality, and what would you do? I'm not quite finished and I have been second guessing the ending. Can't wait.
Jackie,
ReplyDeleteIt seems that here is the states they are making lots of rules about mandatory mask wearing but they are difficult to enforce.I still see people in the supermarket lowering their masks as they shop. So technically, they are wearing a mask but it is not covering their nose or mouth. When approached by the store owner, they get very angry and claim they have medical reasons. Love the Bra analogy! Can I use it??
Judee, of course you can use it, I found it online!
DeleteWe deserve to be the outcasts of the whole planet. It’s amazing how much you can safely enjoy the small things in life, which we have turned into a lethal circus. Especially sad for those of us who live close to the border.
ReplyDeletebe well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
As always sooooo much good here! Love the Bra poster -- and I am so mystified by the resistance to masks. Most of those people would wear a seat belt or bike helmet, so why not a mask??
ReplyDeleteLoving: your new cupboard plans, the wine and wineries, your balcony
We haven't eaten out yet. We did order a pizza once, but that's it. I need to look for the Jamie Oliver books and show. You guys are eating very well during the pandemic! We braved a roadside farm stand to get fruit and veggies (no other customers around), but still haven't tried any of the farmer's markets.
Love the book quiz! Very fun. And (BTW) -- I will continue to write about and review books. Just not as often or as regularly.
We have naysayers also not wanting to wear masks but on the whole people are pretty good about it.
DeleteI wear a mask when I enter a store, but not many people in my area does. Actual I complete understand why Canada got the borders close to Americans.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I get the book list. Is 1/ Pirates of the Caribbean? But wait, I have 6/ I want to live on a peace train.
ReplyDeleteI think the Canadian government is doing a great job with the virus - can't say the same for the US. Down here in Florida, it's really terrifying and the leaders are idiots.
ReplyDeleteI am astonished at the people who refuse to wear masks. I saw a great photo on Martha's Seaside Simplicity blog this morning, stating that wearing a mask is not a political statement, but an IQ test. I hope the opening up of Canada goes much better than it did here in the US.
ReplyDeleteYour cooking this week looks wonderful.
Envy you the Van Gogh exhibit. Thank you for sharing it and everything else today. Your posts always cheer me up.
It's mandatory to wear masks outside the home over here and we are managing ;-) Enjoy your new island. I've seen the Van Gogh exhibit. It was wonderful!
ReplyDeleteOh, all that good food. You have my taste buds activated! Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteMmmm . . . pizza. If I was Canadian, I’d want the border closed. The US is a mess, and I don’t see it getting better with the current government. Good luck with the construction project. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I don’t think any country will be welcoming American visitors any time soon!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week
You are into food this week, eh? That caramel frappicino looks good, but I wonder if it's very sweet? Great plans for the kitchen - too bad you have to wait so long! In between packing my jobs accepted a job to build a new deck (to pay the moving costs
ReplyDelete!) and in that town they only have a Starbucks - I'll try it next week! fortunately the city where we will move too they 3 Peets Coffee (right now, one can order inside and drink the coffee sitting down on the patio, yay! You won't believe it, the governor decided this week for a second lock down:( I also read an article where they mess with the reall count - in Florida they have numbers 16x higher for positive for the virus than in reality! This whole thing is politically motivated - everything they can think of to make re-election of Trump fail.
Had to chuckle avout Vincent van Gogh wearing a mask - if anyone would object, it would be him! Many thanks for ahring with All Seasons your foodie week Jackie! Have a lovely week, Jesh