Saturday I took my black old winter coat and a pair of boots down to the clothing collection the building was hosting. I asked if they were taking sweaters, yes, so I brought seven down.
I puttered, made soup from frozen tomatoes and vegetables. Cleaned out some more kitchen cabinets. Made lemon cookies which finished off the almond flour and a lemon.
Monday I set out on a mission to get a new winter coat. This was in Union Station.
Odd, a Fleurs de Ville display in TD Tower.
New coat and a super bargain, on sale at the Bay. I had looked in Cleo's and Winners as well.
Tuesday morning. I went to Rexall for seniors' day.
The new Shake Shack with a bar, opened in Union and the line was around the corner.
Wednesday on Yonge St.
Lunch at Cabano's, good as always.
We saw Titanique, a musical parody of the movie, Titanic, a Celine Dion jukebox musical. Fun, campy (very gay!). We had the understudy Kaylee Harwood playing Celine. I wish we had seen
Véronique Claveau as she is Quebecois and is known for her Théâtre du Rideau Vert’s end- of-year satirical stage revue, Revue et Corrigée, which showcased her excellent comedic skills and superb singing. It was here she first won acclaim for her brilliant imitation of national icon Céline Dion.
When the music of Céline Dion makes sweet Canadian love with the eleven-time Oscar®-winning blockbuster film Titanic, you get TITANÍQUE, off-Broadway’s most award-winning splash hit, which turns one of the greatest love stories of all time into a hysterical musical fantasia.
Want to find out what really happened to Jack and Rose on that fateful night? Just leave it to Céline Dion to enchant the audience with her totally wild take, recharting the course of Titanic’s beloved moments and characters with her iconic song catalog.
Sailing on fierce powerhouse voices in show-stopping performances of such hits as “My Heart Will Go On,” “All By Myself”, and “To Love You More” – backed by the unparalleled energy of a full live band – TITANÍQUE is a one-of-a-kind theatrical voyage bursting with nostalgia, heart, and campy chaos.
Dundas Square was blocked off for a "free" (sponsored by Skip and Shake Shack) Back Street Boys concert at 6 PM.
OCTO is one of the biggest claw machine themed gift shops right in downtown Toronto!
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On the bus home.
Thursday was extremely windy. The plants on the balcony had rattled against the windows during the night, keeping us awake.
I was going going downtown when John was going to the dentist. In fact I was bundled up and waiting in the bus lounge when I decided it was too windy to go out and came back up.
I did some chores (got rid of the spent batteries, cleaned out more of the fridge/pantry, tidied my bedside table/washed down bottom of freezer).
I also cancelled our Christmas Eve lunch at Canoe, it was a fixed three course menu at $115 per person.
When I had asked earlier about the menu she had said it wasn't set yet but would be 4-5 courses at $105. There wasn't much offered in gluten-free either.
We decided to rewatch Titanic after seeing the parody yesterday. Since we was three hours we opted to order Swiss Chalet chicken for dinner.
Friday John bottled his wine while I went to Longo's for weekend supplies. I also picked up sushi for lunch.
COOKING
Saturday BBQ chicken quarters, roast potatoes,
Sunday homemade meat sauce and spaghetti
Monday pot roast
Tuesday pot roast leftovers fresh carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy
Wednesday more pot roast leftovers fresh mashed potatoes
Thursday fish chicken curry pizza. We ordered Swiss Chalet chicken.
Friday steak, stir fry bean sprouts, baby bok choy and onions
WATCHING
We tried to watch The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard but gave up, as it was stupid.
Black Doves 2024 British spy thriller mini-series (6 episodes). Helen, wife of the Secretary of State for Defence, learns that her secret identity as a Black Dove is in danger after her lover is killed by London's underworld. Her employers, a spies-for-hire organisation – retrieving industrial, political or diplomatic secrets for the highest bidder – send Sam, an old friend, to protect her. We really enjoyed this series and even stayed up until 1 AM on Monday.
The Madness is an American 2024 action conspiracy thriller limited series (8 episodes). Colman Domingo stars as a media pundit who must clear his name after he accidentally stumbles upon a murder in the woods. It is mainly filmed in Toronto.
Joanne Vannicola is an Emmy award winning actor, author, and advocate. They founded Youth Out Loud in 2004, is the chair of the LGBTQ+ actors committee. An interesting read that I found myself skimming in places.
We were in this health (read expensive) grocery store the other day and I had to chuckle at these vitamin supplements (and the prices).
The funny thing is I grew up eating these meats (inexpensive cuts in their day). My mother would cook beef tongue (not a favourite of mine), heart (loved it), kidneys (beef and kidney pie) and liver.
My BFF had heart at our house and when she had three kids of her own, she cooked heart and never told them. Once they found out they were grossed and wouldn't eat it again.
Years ago, I was at the St. Lawrence Market and they were giving heart and kidney away, free! My neighbour and I grabbed them. Now I ask the butchers at the market if anyone sells them and they say no.
I had apples wasting away and some slices of stale sourdough bread so this became lunch.
Ingredients
2 medium apples - peeled and sliced
¾ cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons (56 g) butter
½ teaspoon vanilla - divided
1 teaspoon cinnamon - divided
6-8 slices white bread - we like sourdough
2 eggs - lightly beaten
½ cup milk
1/3 cup - flour optional
optional: powdered sugar
Instructions
Add apple slices, brown sugar, and butter in a medium sauce pan. Cook over medium high heat until brown sugar has dissolved and butter has melted. Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and reduce heat to simmer. Cook 6-8 minutes longer. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly and thicken while you prepare toast.
In a large, wide bowl whisk together eggs, vanilla, milk, and cinnamon. Stir in flour and whisk until smooth. Completely submerge one slice of bread in the mixture, careful to coat both sides. Lift the bread out of the liquid and allow to drip off excess.
Cook toast in a large pan over medium heat 1-2 minutes until lightly browned, then flip and cook other side 1-2 minutes. Repeat with remaining bread slices. Generously top toasts with apple-cinnamon mixture. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.
December 8 - Today is the anniversary of John Lennon's death.
Photo taken in 1986 in London after seeing this play
I need to make this my motto. Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted. – John Lennon
May 2010 - Liverpool England
Taken at The Beatles Story Museum at Albert Dock
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Cavern Club, Liverpool
The Quarrymen Skiffle Group, featuring John Lennon, made their first appearance at the Cavern on Wednesday 7th August 1957. A week earlier Ringo Starr is thought to have made his debut with the Eddie Clayton Skiffle group. Paul McCartney did not made his debut until 24th January 1958 with the Quarrymen. George Harrison had to wait until the Beatles made their first appearance at a lunchtime session on 9th February 1961.
August 2013 - New York NY
Imagine
Photo taken at Central Park in August 2013 when visiting with friends.
Strawberry Fields Forever
The Dakota where John lived and was shot on December 8 1980. The building is just across from Central Park.
And yes, we watched as a car was driven through the gates with a little Asian woman in the back seat. It dawned on us that it was Yoko and the doorman more or less confirmed it with a smile when asked.
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