Gingerbread

 Linking up at Marg at The Intrepid Reader 

Sunday Salon

Seasons 

Hearth and Soul Link Party

December 2020 - Toronto ON

We continue in lockdown and another region will go into lockdown come Monday. Which means people will be flocking to the unlocked areas this weekend.

We have been warned!

Those who plan to gather with family despite COVID-19 restrictions this holiday season may not only face hefty fines, but also personal liability if someone falls ill under their roof.

Nearly one-third of Canadians plan holiday gatherings despite pandemic restrictions: poll

AROUND TOWN HOME

Our neighbourhood now.

And then...fascinating article with many photos of the motel strip along Lake Shore Blvd.

Enough of this staying in! We took the 11AM shuttle, only people on it. Then we headed to find the new bus terminal. After a couple of wrong turns, the signage was pretty dismal, we found it.

A new escalator in the historic entrance to the Scotiabank Plaza. It's been under construction for so long it used to be called the Air Canada Centre.

Looking back towards Scotiabank Centre and Union Station.

Construction continues on the new CIBC building as we cross Bay Street.

Pretty quiet as John walks into the terminal.

Looking down on Lake Shore Blvd and the Gardiner.

A story about the Toronto bus terminal.

We waited for the 1PM bus and waited and waited along with one other resident. John called the concierge who said the driver had called to say he was stuck on the Gardiner due to an accident. We chatted and chatted. She mentioned that there had been a movie made about a real murder that had happened in our building!

Here is the Wikipedia article about the Patrick Kelly who killed his wife by throwing her off a Palace Pier balcony.

Murder Most Likely - the whole movie can be seen here. I ended up watching it on Wednesday.

The bus finally arrived just before 2, it had been a 1.5 hour journey for the passengers, normally a 20 minute ride. I think the longest I've ever taken was pre-pandemic and it took an hour in rush hour traffic.

Monday was cooking and baking. Also had a stove repairman come as my oven just doesn't seem to be heating up properly. All my baking and cooking are taking a lot longer than normal. Yup, it was the temperature sensor so he will bring a replacement.

Received my order of teas and chocolate. My parents always had Quality Street at Christmas and I wanted them this year.

Tuesday John went to Costco but the line wrapped around the building so he skipped it and headed out before 8 AM on Wednesday. No crowds and he was home by 9:15.

More additions to the lobby.

Thursday and we decided since it was so warm out we would go to Yorkville to see the lights.

As we took the 4:45 bus (the only passengers) the sky was on fire. Shots taken from bus.

Outside the Four Seasons Hotel.

So sad to see the empty streets and shuttered shops. No restaurants open for holiday cheer.

Along Cumberland. 

Over the past year, the BIA installed 60 benches along Bloor, dubbed Urban Campfire Benches, in Toronto’s popular Yorkville area. These benches have a 270-degree circular shape and are crafted out of wood, granite, and stainless steel.

I went down downtown on Friday to get some groceries, mainly as a reason to get out on a very warm winter's day.

The headline (not really a headline, just a title in a local free newspaper) reads " 

Union Station Has Transformed Into An Icy Wonderland With Glowing Glaciers You Can Explore". I guess you need to see it at nighttime.

As for exploring, I didn't see any entrance.

Last year they had a skating rink set up in this location.

I went down Bay St. to see the outside of the new bus terminal, this is the bridge we walked through, and I realized that they built the new terminal right on top of the old one.

The glass in the forefront is the new canopy at Union Station, this covers what was originally open to the elements.

The tall building in the middle is the still under construction new CIBC headquarters.

The bridge from the other side.

Inside Union Station.

Another funny pandemic request to wear a mask.

COOKING

Saturday - Singapore noodles (carrots, onions, celery, bok choy) and pork belly. I also added white and black sesame seeds with the spring onions.

Sunday - Roast beef, mashed potatoes with turnip and carrots.

Monday - hot roast beef sandwiches with salad.

Tuesday - again leftover roast beef dressed up as beef with noodles, green peppers and onions.

I also made a pot of freezer soup. This is what my freezer bag looks like after it has accumulated all the bits and pieces. It sure does make good soup!

I made these gluten free cheese Danish. They were good, but this was when my oven was acting up so I had to use the broiler to brown them!! The texture is more like a biscuit.

Since I use GFJules flour I will use her recipe the next time for puff pastry cheese Danish.

Testament to my ailing oven, I had to use the broiler to get them brown.

Wednesday we had shrimp and Caesar salad with my quick dressing from Jamie Oliver. Recipe is in my cookbook.

Thursday - since we were going out early evening I prepped chicken thigh fajitas.

Friday - steak baked potato mushrooms, green peppers and onions.

WATCHING/READING

I forgot to mention we watched Knives Out last week.

This week we watched Child 44. 

Friday night we went for some lighthearted fun, a musical The Prom.

The best Canadian fiction of 2020

Best 2020 Christmas ad! John Lewis.

Cookiepedia I was looking for a book on the basics of baking cookies but this turned out to be mainly recipes. 

I decided to buy How to Bake by Paul Hollywood (watching way too much Great British Bake-Off). I searched local bookshops and even sent a note to McNally's who replied that it was out of stock everywhere.

I did succumb and ordered and received it from Amazon.