Monday Mural

 I'm linking up at Monday Mural

May 2024 - Toronto ON

La Pupila is a Colombia artist based in Tkaronto. She works as a freelancer tattoo artist, but she also has been exploring in murals, canvas and upcycle clothing in the past years.

A principal theme in Pupila’s work is the feminine energy with an aura of melancholy. 

MURAL UPDATE

I had posted the previous mural that was painted here, by Elicser, in this post but not on Monday Mural.

Pigeon Cafe Bar

  Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader

Weekend Coffee Share
Sunday Salon

October 2024

King St. W Toronto ON

Saturday - we prepared our Thanksgiving dinner early in the day. Although we are going to my cousin's for Thanksgiving tomorrow, we like to do our own and have leftovers. John prepped the onions (stuffing), the potatoes, cauliflower, carrots and turnip. I made two pumpkin gluten free cheesecakes (one for my cousin) and then made two pumpkin cranberry loaves (also one for my cousin). For the first time, I made my own stove top stuffing and it was delicious (recipe below).

Sunday the turkey carcass went into a pot to make soup. We had turkey sandwiches for breakfast.

Then we headed to my cousin's to celebrate Thanksgiving together.

My pals, Joey and Freddie.

Yum, we started with pumpkin soup.

Monday, Thanksgiving holiday, I backed up the last three months of my blog. I did a load of laundry. Then we just frittered this holiday away.

Tuesday John did a Metro shop, hoping for some bargains. He found a NZ leg of lamb for $5 a pound.

Wednesday, was a bitterly cold day. I did give John the option of staying home...He did ask if he needed a toque, and I said no, which meant I felt really badly as we walked up to the AGO, Art Gallery of Ontario, I did suggest we stop into Marshall's and get him one, but he said no.

Of course, as we were going in the plumber messaged and asked if he could come and look at the heat valve in the bedroom after 5 today. We weren't in a hurry for it as we don't need the heat turned on as yet. So we decided to cut our visit short.

We started with Moments in Modernism highlights the diversity and high quality of the AGO’s modern art collection, which has been built over time by generations of museum curators and patrons. 

This installation will show collection strengths from artistic movements such as Pop Art, Abstraction, Realism, and Minimalism.  An international approach in artistic styles will be presented, including a body of work from the AGO holdings by Brazilian artists, recognizing the global nature of modernism. A selection of contemporary works that respond to modernist movements will also be shown. 

Many of the artists, including Andy Warhol, Helen Frankenthaler, Jules Olitski, Gerhard Richter, and Mark Rothko are well known while others are still yet to be broadly recognized such as Tomie Ohtake, Rubem Valentim, Gene Davis and Kazuo Nakamura. A particular focus will be Canadian artists including Alex Colville, Rita Letendre, Jack Bush, Agnes Martin, Guido Molinari and Norval Morrisseau.

To be honest, we didn't care for most pieces.

The caption of the source image, a clipping from Revue magazine from 16th March 1966, reads:

Ermordete Lebedame: Helga Matura (Murdered good-time girl: Helga Matura)

She was murdered by a person unknown on 26th January 1966.

We moved onto the Canadian exhibits.

We started looking at this exhibit but it was large and we both loved the pieces but didn't have enough time to take it all on. We will go back in the next week (John wants to eat at Karine's again). 

I'll wait until we complete the exhibit to do a separate post as it is picture heavy!

I wonder how long view will last? The Village Genius Pub has been renamed back to the Village Idiot Pub, a much better name.

This post shows it as the Genius and also shows the this block without this work in progress.

We rushed home and then the plumber got delayed on another job. He is doing this under the table for me, so no worries. 

Thursday I went to the $ store, I needed some large containers for freezing soup, as we have been making a lot. I also got a shelf for a kitchen cupboard to make it more useful. I also went and found two sweaters in Winner's and picked up a couple of things in Longo's.

Trees are turning, taken from the bus.

BTW the weather was much nicer! John used the golf simulator.

Friday we were up bright and early so I made John potato cakes, fried ham and and egg as he headed out early to play golf. The temperature was going to 18C and it was an absolutely gorgeous day. However, he did have a frost delay, only teeing off at noon, 1.5 hours later than planned.

I picked this up at Longo's, Living Lettuce. 

Unlike other lettuce, Inspired Greens are harvested with the root-ball still attached. This means they keep on living in your crisper and can stay fresh for weeks!

Simply add 2 tbsp water down the side of your Inspired Greens sleeve and put the whole thing in your crisper. Water again once a week to keep your greens fresh and delicious.

We'll see.

COOKING

I tried this turkey salad sandwich recipe for the first time, we really enjoyed it.

Saturday turkey, mashed potatoes and cauliflower, turnips and carrots, stuffing, gravy

Sunday out 

Monday leftovers

Tuesday Alfredo turkey and mushrooms

Wednesday ham, mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts

Thursday ham and au gratin potatoes/cauliflower

Friday steak frites duck fat with cilantro

WATCHING

I watched two seasons of Sorry for your Loss on CBC Gem, total chick flick series.

The Penguin I loved it!

We're up to date on Accused.

Caught up on latest episodes of shows we like.

READING

I read Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune by Anderson Cooper. I knew some of the history as I have read other accounts of various Astors. I am glad that I watched The Gilded Age to follow some of the stories. All in all, a good read.

Am I Guilty? was a riveting read, I thought I had it figured out until....

I started Drowning, thanks to Jinger at The Intrepid Angeleno and am also enjoying it.

Weekend Roundup

 Welcome to The Weekend Roundup...hosted by Tom The Back Roads Traveller

1. Starts with "P"
2. A Favorite
3. PAIR - chosen by Tom

Starts with P (BIGGEST/SMALLEST/LONGEST/SHORTEST/OLDEST)

PIPE

FAVOURITE

PETTICOAT PEACH

PAIR

PINTS

Monday Mural

 I'm linking up at Monday Mural

March 2024 - Las Vegas NV

Unknown

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Guilherme Lemes, Art Square

The Pink Kitty team collaborated with The Love Store downtown Las Vegas before it was built to design the interior wall elements, exterior signage, window display, and mural.

Ciao Ciao Cafe

  Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader

Weekend Coffee Share
Sunday Salon

October 2024

Las Vegas NV

Saturday we were busy little bees! John headed to Metro, LCBO and Holy Cannolis.

I did two loads of laundry - washed and put away. Dropped off a gluten free food donation for the Thanksgiving food bank.

I placed our Thanksgiving grocery order for online delivery on Friday. I had a coupon for 5% off and free delivery (Voila) plus Rakuten kicked in another 3% discount. 

Watered the plants. 

All before noon!

I prepped the potatoes and cooked/mashed the turnips and carrots/mushrooms for tomorrow.

Sunday we did our tidying up (putting things where they belong) for company for dinner. My nephew and his girlfriend came to dinner and we had a great catch up. I can't believe we didn't take any photos!!!

Monday Mural was from last week when I was downtown.

I booked the hotel for our Montreal visit at the end of the month. Price was $211X2 a night but I used some points (46K) so only paid for one night.

 John golfed in Markham.

The Indian Residential School Survivors (IRSS) Restoration of Identity Project on the south-west quadrant of Nathan Phillips Square is an Indigenous cultural space which honours residential school survivors and all the children who were lost to their families and communities, and Indigenous cultural traditions, called The Spirit Garden.

At the heart of the Spirit Garden stands a six-foot-tall limestone turtle sculpture, composed of 10 individual pieces and weighing approximately 10 tonnes. Positioned within a reflecting pool and aligned with Magnetic North, the turtle represents Turtle Island – Mother Earth – embodying First Nations creation stories. The names of 18 residential schools that once operated in Ontario are displayed in stainless steel lettering on the pool’s north wall.

The Teaching Lodge is a pre-formed laminated Ash wood structural frame enclosed with a white cedar tongue and groove exterior enclosure and sheathing. Operable skylights provide ventilation, and the space is secured with doors located at the east and west entrances to the lodge. The interior features built-in seating for approximately 60 people. The lodge reinforces the importance of family, represents life’s journey and serves as a spiritual home for all First Nations peoples.

The Three Sisters artwork is etched onto Muntz metal panels depicting the symbiotic relationship between corn, beans and squash and shared values associated with stewardship of the land and planning for the seventh generation. The story serves as a model for, “how to be a woman in the world.” Women are teachers, life givers and support one another as they work with the ground (Earth).

The Spirit Canoe is a 36-foot-long stainless-steel sculpture with laser-cut artwork and painted infill panels. The canoe is a tribute to the Métis Voyageur tradition, representing resilience, collaboration and the connection of the Métis people to land and waterways.

Although it was a bright sunny day, the canoe was totally in the shade. I'd like to get photos when the sun is reflecting off it.

The Inuksuk is a traditional stone landmark, standing five-feet-tall and stacked in the Spirit Garden on a raised plinth. It serves as a cultural marker and symbol of guidance for Inuit peoples, representing safety and reassurance on the land.

Tuesday John went to get his hearing aids checked. That never happened as he got stuck behind an accident on the Queensway so he cancelled it.

 I made ham sandwiches for lunch before heading downtown, seniors' day at Rexall, some banking, new jeans (Nope, didn't like Cleo's selection) and picked up John's items from the tailor.

Wednesday he golfed at Crosswinds with a friend. I headed out to Burlington for shopping and lunch with my BFF. I was glad I grabbed my jacket at the last minute, it was cold with the wind.

We grabbed a poutine at NY Fries in the food court. Then we shopped and we both found some things we will go back for, when we feel like trying on stuff.

Thursday I made beef and barley soup from the leftover roast beef and veg as well as last week's prime rib bones. It was good!

They were filming Law and Order- Toronto right by us on the Humber Bay when I went by. We had been notified by the condo that this would be taking place.

Not my photo,,,

This week, TKE (elevator company) completed the reintegration of the newly released Low-rise and High-rise number one (1) elevators, and both were operating well. My photo didn't capture the monitor that is above the floor panel. Now work will begin on the other four elevators.

Friday John headed out to golf, we were up before the sun!

Fall displays.

I went to the Eaton Centre because I had found jeans I liked on Wednesday in Reitman's, then buy one get 30% off another. But then on Thursday everything went to 40% off, woo hoo! Got the dark navy jeans and black pants plus two chemises.

Crossing to Eaton Centre. Gorgeous day, started out at 8C but went to 23C.

The $ store is in fine form for Halloween. So much plastic waste.

I cleaned out fridge for my food order which was delivered around 5 PM.

John is busy buying "accessories" for his new golf cart, so far, a scorecard holder, cup holder?

I reminded our plumber that he needs to replace our bedroom heat valve and asked him if he had an electrician recommendation. He didn't recommend anyone, I'll ask him when he comes next week.

I found this great Bohemian Rapsody version. 

It is a long weekend for Canadian Thanksgiving.

COOKING

Saturday wings and fries

Sunday family/company - roast beef, roast and mashed potatoes, broccolini, turnips and carrots. Cannolis for dessert.

Monday leftovers

Tuesday quick Chinese chicken curry

Wednesday frozen GF cod (Farm Boy), fries and Greek salad

Thursday ham (then frozen) mashed potatoes and turnips

Friday steak mushrooms green peppers and onions and baguette

WATCHING

We realized that we don't take advantage of the library's Hoopla and Kanopy apps, where you can watch movies and series. 

We watched the latest episode of Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.

We finished the Mr. McMahon documentary series and all I can say is what a POS he was.

WWE experienced record-breaking highs and crushing lows under Vince McMahon's leadership and the mogul's controversial reign.

We watched the Menendez Brothers documentary. In 1996, the Menendez brothers faced trial for killing their parents, a case that captivated America. Years later, they share their side through interviews with those involved, offering a fresh take on the events.

Bad Lieutenant 1992 While investigating a young nun's rape, a corrupt New York City police detective, with a serious drug and gambling addiction, tries to change his ways and find forgiveness and redemption.

Accused series 2023 is based on a British series that I would like to find.

Chronicles ordinary people getting caught up in extraordinary situations, where one wrong turn leads to another, until it's too late to turn back.

Each episode is a fast-paced provocative thriller, exploring a different crime, in a different city (except all filmed in Toronto), with an entirely original cast. Accused opens in a courtroom on the defendant, with viewers knowing nothing about their crime or how they ended up on trial. Told from the defendant's point of view through flashbacks, the show holds a mirror up to current times with evocative and emotional stories. In the end, audiences will discover how an ordinary person gets caught up in extraordinary circumstances, and how one impulsive decision can impact the course of that life (and the lives of others) forever.

READING 

I finished The River Home and really got involved in the characters. No one character is good or bad, everyone is doing their best to navigate life.

I also finished Distress Signals which I enjoyed, although apparently I had read it six years ago!!!

I finished The Perfect Couple which had me second guessing and never getting the right answer!

A good quick read, nothing special.

I finished The Trap which has an interesting premise and has chapters written from the perpetrator's POV. It was definitely a plot twister!!

I finished The Desperate Wife told from multiple POVs, it got my attention but I soon found it dragging, as Ava, the main character really annoyed me with his wimpish ways. The story line is a bit far fetched as well.