Welcome to The Weekend Roundup...hosted by Tom The Back Roads Traveler
1. Starts with "D"
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I will not bother to show what we have watched as it is recorded elsewhere.
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30 - days travelled St Louis - Las Vegas - Salt Lake City - Toledo. Lots of meals outSweet and Cosy
Saturday at least it isn't raining! We did some chores, bed changed, laundry and I even got rid of three food containers (went into turkey soup), and also froze some of the turkey stock.
Sunday NYE and we had crab legs for dinner.
New Year's Day and 2023's crossword finals.
John went for his regular eye appointment.
As of Sept. 2023, people aged 65 and older will be covered for one eye exam every 18 months, instead of one a year, unless they have a condition affecting their eyes such as macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetes.
Adults between age 20 and 64 with lazy eye will no longer be covered for eye exams. People in that age range with strabismus — who are currently covered for eye exams — will now only be able to receive them through OHIP if the condition has a sudden onset.
Our bus driver told John he had a new spice mixture for me.
We checked out The Well, taking the Spadina streetcar there. It was a cold but finally sunny day!
According to UrbanToronto - The Well is the most ambitious mixed-use endeavor in Canada, located in the heart of Toronto’s west end. Bordering Front, Spadina, and Wellington, the design includes 1.1 million sq ft of office, 500,000 sq ft of retail and food services, and 1,700 residential units spread throughout six buildings connected to a 3-level retail base.
It is interesting to go through the slideshow at the website, it was a very sunny day when we were there but none was streaming through the building for us.
This photo is from UrbanToronto site.
All other photos are ours.
Running through the city block is the Spine, a new brick-paved street lined with three levels of retail and restaurants beneath a glass canopy that protects against the elements but allows fresh air and even some snow inside.
The market is not yet open, it will merit another visit, in warmer weather!
Considering how sunny it was out, we thought it was rather dark. It was also freezing, especially when we were on the second and third levels!! I would not like living here and having to put on a coat to grab a coffee!
The new Indigo book store was very nice!
We had coffee at De Mello's in the lobby.
The Toronto Telegram newspaper, once known as "The Old Lady of Melinda Street,” moved from its old, Victorian pile to a shiny, new, modernist building at 440 Front St. W. in 1963. Designed by Peter Dickinson’s successor firm, Webb Zerafa Menkes Housden, the long, sprawling, white-brick building must’ve looked as if a spaceship had landed in the old warehouse district.
After producing a million (or so) stories, the Telegram folded in 1971. For a few years, the building and equipment were leased to the Toronto Star before The Globe and Mail took ownership in 1974. From within those white-brick walls, Globe journalists would write a million more stories until 2016, when it would lock its big art deco doors (which had been relocated from the 1937 William H. Wright Building on King Street West) for the last time.
The doors were originally part of the Globe & Mail's east Toronto location (see below image), which were then relocated to this site during the construction of their new building in 1971, before being salvaged and rehabilitated yet again through the redevelopment of The Well.
We then went across the street to an LCBO that John had never been in before, he was very impressed with the selection!
A bottle of mezcal somehow made its way home with us, neither of us have ever tried it before.
When I went to Longo's on Friday I found that it was Buy One Get One free, so we will be making another trip or two!!
The bus driver brought this new spice for me.
COOKING
Saturday homemade turkey soup for lunch. Curry chicken for dinner. We found another two packages of chicken thighs in the freezer!
Sunday NYE I made the GF pound cake for the trifle. GF cheese biscuits
The Rock Harbour king crab legs were delicious! We had two bags of Toppit's snow crab legs, the first bag was sooooo salty, but the second was good. However, we agreed, the king crab were better.
Monday roast pork (No Frills $15 - too fatty) roast potatoes, mushy peas, mashed turnips, carrots and parsnips
Tuesday sweet and sour pork with rice
Wednesday short beef ribs stew with leftover vegetables
Thursday frozen gluten free haddock (Farm Boy) au gratin cauliflower
Friday steak, baked potato and broccolini
Propeller Coffee
January 2024 - Toronto ON
The Well Front St. Toronto
In a statement, the City of Toronto said there were two misspelled signs that were installed as part of more than 500 cycling signs in December 2023.
I finished up some leftover wool from last year's blanket, and made a small lap blanket that can go into the charity bag.
Dire weather warnings for Tuesday, that never happened. However, it is now forecasted for Friday night...
It was rainy and windy as I went downtown to meet an old friend (I hadn't seen in ages) for a long coffee break! It was fun catching up.
We decided to explore Toronto's independent coffee shops, trying a different one each week. So far, we are 2 for 2.
Our destination this week was Bevy at The Combine in the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the same as BBC or ABC) building. We cut through CBC as it was bloody cold out.
Miniature model of the building.
Schitt's Creek's motel sign! It was produced by CBC.
The Combine is a collaborative space dedicated to nurturing local creatives.
Although commonly confused for the short form of "beverage," the name "Bevy" according to its founder, Phil Song, is taken from the word meaning "a group of like-minded individuals."
Thursday was a foggy day, I had planned on going out but by lunchtime I felt like baking, so I tried a recipe I had pinned but never made, spice cake with a spicy mocha frosting. It is a little too sweet, would reduce sugar, increase spices and add more coffee to the icing.
Then I made a potato salad for dinner, after a 2 hour chat with my BFF!
Friday we did a quick jaunt to Longo's for weekend supplies.
COOKING
-Saturday slow cooker pork loin, mashed potatoes and parsnips with broccolini. Leftover pork was lunch sandwiches.
Sunday Alfredo with spaghetti and bacon
Monday lamb chops, mashed potatoes and carrots
Beef keema (spice mix gifted by bus driver) and gluten free 2 ingredient naan. First time making this naan, I think I should have flattened it more as it was a bit thick and gummy. I will use this recipe next time - 3 ingredient naan.
Salt and vinegar potato chips haddock with fries and sliced tomatoes.
Thursday chicken tenders with dip. tomatoes and potato salad
Steak fajitas - these are the best gluten free tortillas!
Bevy
January 2024 - Toronto ON
January 2024 - Wellington St. Toronto
Well the rest of the city and surrounding areas woke to snow on Saturday but we had nothing, nada!
We did a good cleanup of the hall closet and got rid of scarves, reusable shopping bags and other stuff - 40 items into the charity bag and some garbage. I also "found" my new winter boots I bought last year and forgot about!
There is a large flashlight, broken humidifier and my old laptop (reconfigured to factory settings) to go to the loading dock for disposal.
It is a cold week!
Tuesday we went to Longo's because they had more BOGO (Buy One Get One free) items, broccoli, bags of onions.
Wednesday I wanted a McChicken so I bundled up and went to Union Station, from there I was curious about another exit and ended up in the new CIBC Square. This did not involve any outside junkets, it was all done inside.
I found this in an aisle in Union Station.
Cutting through the new bus terminal.
The 2024 National Hockey League All-Star Game is an upcoming National Hockey League All-Star Game, scheduled to be held on February 3 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs. This will be the first year that the four-team, three-on-three format used since 2016 is combined with the "fantasy draft" format used from 2011 to 2015.
The NHL awarded Toronto as the host city of the game on February 3, 2024. This will be the first time since 2012 in Ottawa that a Canadian city was selected to host the game. This will be Toronto's ninth time hosting the NHL All-Star Game, including the first game in 1947.
Table Fare and Social in CIBC Square is on the 4th floor. It looks more like a swanky restaurant, with all the wood detail, soft lighting, sleek European furnishings and cozy booths. And in another departure from the time-honoured food-court tradition, it trades the usual basement digs for four storeys above ground, with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light. There’s even a patio area so customers can take their trays for an alfresco lunch, a moot point in today's weather!
Click here to read more about Table.
This photo looks like a painting!
At the moment there is Thai street food at Chaiyo, smashing smash burgers at Friday Burger Co, belly-warming bowls of ramen at Misoya and cocktails at In Good Spirits, the hall’s full-service bar. Open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., Table is the place to have lunch with colleagues, grab a snack and hunker down over your laptop (there’s free Wi-Fi) or meet for after-work dinner and drinks.
We will be trying Chaiyo, as their noodles are gluten-free and John is wanting some noodle soup. UPDATE we still have not tried it.
Getting lost in the bus station, I found these new murals, created by the acclaimed artistic duo Blue Republic. The artists created a series of shapes that speak to the universal experience of travel, a theme that best represents the inside of the building which is part of the larger Union Station transit hub. According to Blue Republic, the installation will engage viewers on multiple levels with lots to see and discover each and every time they catch their bus.
I took this shot of CIBC Square (red letters spell CIBC) from RBC Waterpark Place.
For this week's coffee date I chose the Sheraton Hotel so that we did not have to go outside in the chilly air, and there was a pop-up.
Reese Witherspoon opened the first Canadian location of her pop-up library in the lobby of a Toronto hotel.
Over the past several years, the Oscar-winning actress has expanded her scope of work with Reese's Book Club, her monthly book newsletter.
Now, the book club venture is growing even more, with the launch of Reese's Book Club Lobby Library, a series of pop-up library spaces in hotel lobbies carrying exclusively Reese's Book Club picks.
The lobby library venture kicked off in Los Angeles in October 2023, and is now headed north of the border, with the first Canadian location set to take up residence in the lobby of the Sheraton Centre.
The library won't just house books, though. It will also play host to a number of events during its one-month stint, like "Popcorn & Pages," and "Chapters & Charcuterie," as well as book discussions and author appearances.
At Dual Citizen, John had a pumpkin spiced latte while I had a cappuccino, meh, it was the best I've had. But there is great people watching sitting in a hotel lobby.
On the way back we found a Nadege bakery in the Richmond-Adelaide Centre and we were surprised that these pastries were gluten free.
Thank goodness for the PATH, it's perfect if it is too cold, too hot or too wet. You don't have to be afraid of your life due to impatient drivers!
Path (stylized as PATH) is a network of underground pedestrian tunnels, elevated walkways, and at-grade walkways connecting the office towers of Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It connects more than 70 buildings via 30 kilometres (19 mi) of tunnels, walkways, and shopping areas.
Click here for a large map of the entire network.
I've highlighted our destinations this week.
The green highlight is where we can enter the PATH, steps away from our bus stop.
The pink is CIBC Square that I checked out this week.
The yellow is the Sheraton Centre where we had coffee and saw the library pop-up.
COOKING
Saturday slow cooker pot roast lots of vegetables potatoes and Irish soda bread
Sunday chicken wings for lunch, the last package in the freezer and not enough for a dinner.
Leftover pot roast, mashed cauliflower parsnip potatoes, buttered carrots.
Monday pork belly bites roast potatoes and carrots
Tuesday hamburgers. John used the cast iron pan instead of the air fryer and they were good!
Wednesday chicken divan and Irish soda bread, cheesy and jalapenos. Broccolini was BOGO.
Thursday lamb chops potatoes and carrots. I used Nigella Lawson's Greek Lamb Chops and potatoes recipes but I also added garlic and oregano to the pan. She said to cook for 60 minutes, I doubted this so went for 45 minutes. We felt that the chops were overcooked, so if I did it this way again, I would put the potatoes in for 45 minutes and then add the chops at the 30 minute mark.
Friday steak, baked potato and broccoli.
Dual Citizen
January 2024 - Toronto ON
We defrosted the old freezer and John looked at new models online.
I had my usual chatty chats with BFF and T on the weekend. It was too cold for anything else. Saturday was -15C (5F) wind chill of -23C (-9F).
Monday I went for a haircut and then to Longo's. I remembered to get a photo of the newly opened TD Terrace building.
This picture is for Jinjer The Intrepid Angeleno who lamented the lack of a PATH in LA in last week's post where I mentioned how far we can travel downtown without going outside.
John went out to lunch with a friend at the Judge and Jury (gluten free Monday) and he had a Reuben sandwich.
Tuesday John woke with a sore throat so I did a quick trip downtown to stock up on cold items.
Wednesday John slept until noon! So I spent the morning on my laptop, reading this and that, did Wordle and the puzzle so as to not make any noise.
He isn't coughing as much, it is more a head cold. I made tomato soup for lunch. John spent the rest of the day dosing on and off for the rest of the day. I did a quick run to pick up some vegetables.
Thursday and I might be fighting off his cold, fingers crossed so we had a very low key day. John had a nice nap in the afternoon.
Friday John felt a little better (still coughing) and I'm not bad, a little lethargic and scratchy throat and runny nose but that's about it. Another lazy day.
COOKING
I baked a carrot cake and I iced it with this maple cream cheese frosting. I had to bake it for an additional 25 minutes. Delicious frosting but note to self - use the whipping attachment! Note 2 to self - add chia seeds!
Saturday roast beef roast potatoes and Brussel sprouts
Sunday leftover roast beef sesame beef Thai dinner with rice noodles. This recipe's suggestion that you cut the leftover roast beef into very thin slices and marinade them made for an incredibly delicious meal, only slightly too salty from the soy sauce.
First time using these wider noodles and they needed more than the 4-8 minutes cooking time recommended on the package. These are a great gluten free solution that don't cost an arm and a leg.
Monday OMG John suggested fish so we had salt and vinegar potato chip haddock with a ranch buffalo salad kit.
Tuesday I did fish tacos with the extra fish and salad. Yeah, us, we finished the package of tortillas!
Wednesday bacon, mashed potatoes and sauteed cabbage.
Thursday was the same as Wednesday, not much interest in coming up with something else.
Steak and sweet potato fries.
FEBRUARY 2024
Uncoffee
February 2024
Union Station Toronto ON
Saturday was another foggy day much like John and I, his cold is worse than mine, he still has a slight cough and having little naps.
Monday John was able to get a same-day appointment with the dentist for his sinuses, turns out it has nothing to do with the implants, the doctor compared current xrays to two years ago and there is no change. He does have a February appointment with a NET specialist (cancelled from January 17 - a runaround). He did get a prescription.
I did some shopping but didn't buy anything. I see the All Star players are likely staying at the Royal York, they can walk to the Scotiabank Arena LOL.
I think this was the first sunset of 2024!
Tuesday John did a Costco run, it has been a while. We are not buying any meat in bulk, as the other freezer has been emptied.
We then went to The Stockyards, Winners, Homesense and Marshall's and didn't spend a penny.
I only took photos in Nations, a multicultural grocery store.
A large selection of Indian spices, I have some of these courtesy of our bus driver.
The aisle of spices!
Moonfish. Baby parrot fish
Splendid ponyfish
That dreaded smelly fruit, frozen durian.
Always wondered where I could get banana leaves, they also had frozen lemon grass! Duck eggs.
We had to double up on coffee dates this week so we stopped at Mr. Puff's Dessert Bar. UPDATE we never did another coffee date this week.
Not impressive, would prefer a real cup. Mocha, too sweet and we declined any sugar!
Don't know how it happened, John put his neck massager in the microwave and then I smelled something funny so I checked and it said it still had 6 minutes to go??? I turned it off, John then came and said what's burning? We threw it in the sink and watered it down.
I went to College Park and yet again, didn't buy anything! I took this photo on Front St, RBC.
I also took the #Uncoffee photo above.
Wednesday I had my ophthalmologist appointment, my doctor of 30+ years has retired so I met a new doctor, she was pleasant and efficient but certainly no chit chat!
On my way to the subway. Samsung AI.
All Star Hockey fever!
Yonge and Davisville
After a very gloomy Thursday, Friday was gorgeous, February 2, and it felt like spring. More hockey fever, there were events taking place for a few days.
We were going to lunch. Winterlicious is hosted by the City of Toronto to encourage people to brave the weather and the after Christmas blues to try local restaurants offering three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at more than 200 local restaurants.
We chose Wild Fire in the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
The hostess was delightful.
Our appetizers were good, other than a terrible server. Calamari for me and John had the grilled Caesar salad.
We didn't take photos of our mains. John enjoyed his pork ribs but I hated my cheesesteak, the meat was tough and the smoky BBQ had been smeared on my bread, yuck. I did tell the hostess about it. Dessert was included so we said we'd take it to go, she gave us an extra cheesecake.
In retrospect, we should have chosen the steak, it would have been better value for the fixed price. We didn't choose it because it was 10 oz, which is too much meat for either of us, but we could have had it boxed.
Cutting through Brookfield Place.
COOKING
Saturday roast pork tenderloin mashed sweet and white potatoes and turnips
Sunday leftover roast pork sweet potato oven fries (to improve on Friday's)
Monday lazy cabbage rolls
Tuesday rotisserie chicken nachos
Wednesday leftover lazy cabbage rolls
Thursday ham, mashed potatoes and broccolini
Friday dessert from lunch
February 2024
JOHN ST. TORONTO
We had our usual lazy weekend.
The fire alarm went off on Monday morning so we quickly put some clothes on, you never know, but it was a false alarm on the 21st floor. After that we never did go out.
John used the golf simulator on Tuesday and Thursday.
Tuesday we went to find a new mural, it was posted on Monday.
On the wall of the reference library.
Balzac's is a local coffee chain with 16 Ontario locations. Named after the famous French novelist and famed coffee drinker Honoré de Balzac, the cafes serve conventional and fair trade blends, as well as espressos, hot chocolate and a variety of cold beverages. Each Balzac's Coffee location has commissioned a café poster unique to the community it serves.
We had coffee in the reference library location.
This was the best flat white we've had.
I would love to know the story behind the other sign at the bottom left.
The Gallery had a display celebrating Osborne 75.
You can also click here to watch this video.
There are 11 children's stories in this made for Toronto image, can you find them?
The building is the Lillian H. Smith Library on College St. which houses the large Osborne collection of children's books, click here.
On the bus heading home.
Thursday John did a grocery run to Metro. I went shopping and bought nothing, again!
Need to find your way around Union Station, check out TD's Wayfinder.
Royal York Hotel
Citigroup building Front St.
Friday's weather was incredible, as per this headline!
Toronto broke an 86-year-old weather record on Friday as temperatures climbed above 13 C during an unseasonably warm February.
So I went for a walk while John checked out golf putters at Golftown.
Roy Thomson Hall
Simcoe St. at King looking north .
Queen St. West
I stopped for coffee.
John St. and Adelaide. How warm was it? I saw a couple of guys having a beer on a patio!
These gluten free cookies are so good but the British store I order them from charges $8, I got these from Amazon for $6.
Funny sky on Friday afternoon.
COOKING
Saturday ham, au gratin potatoes and broccolini
Sunday Steak frites and dipping sauce
Monday ham, mashed turnips and carrots and leftover au gratin potatoes
Tuesday ham ( I know, I know) fried potatoes and egg
Wednesday chicken curry
Thursday haddock and chips
Friday steak and mushrooms
Coffee Exchange
February 2024
Village by the Grange McCaul St. Toronto
Another quiet weekend. We had a video chat with John's son and grandson in Montreal. John's granddaughter has tickets for Taylor Swift's November Toronto concert and hotel prices are insane but I was able to book a hotel suite for her here in our building.
Superbowl Sunday
Click here to see the murals we saw last week at the Reference Library.
Monday did not turn out as planned. When John got up he had an alert from our bank that he was overdrawn as a $26,000 debit had been processed. He immediately contacted the company that had processed it, and they said they had no idea and would need to investigate. He immediately called our branch (voice mail, of course). Then called the fraud department who "red flagged" it and suggested visiting the branch. Plans changed and we headed down there. We were shown to the manager who promptly reversed the charge and promised he would monitor it for any NSF or overdraft fees which he would immediately reverse.
Tuesday we received an email from the processing company that basically said "to ALL OUR ESTEEMED CUSTOMERS due to a system glitch blah blah. We will cover any charges you incurred as well as a monetary compensation". PHEW! The monetary compensation was a whopping $25, that doesn't even start to cover the cost of all the manpower involved in investigating and fixing the problem.
While we were waiting I snapped this mail truck. Canada Post launched a new commemorative stamp to honour the legendary Salome Bey. Fans of the acclaimed singer know her as Canada’s First Lady of the Blues.
Tuesday John used the golf simulator. I went to Longo's and snapped some Valentine photos.
It's February, girl, in Canada. She obviously lives in one of the condos along the PATH.
These flowers were going fast when I came in here on Valentine's Day.
Union Station has a new display.
I came out of Union onto Front St. this was the view to the right.
And to my left, it looked like snow clouds. It never did happen.
Not sure what this is with its right hand drive.
Wednesday Valentine's Day the office tower where we wait for the bus was giving out candies. These were so good I had to google them. Mary's Brigadieros are on Danforth and Woodbine.UPDATE they are also in Union Station and The Chef's Hall.
John brought two boxes of chocolates home.
We replaced our coffee pot as the old one had started to overflow, that is, not stopping when the mug was full.
Thursday we were promised a snowstorm...I went to Longo's to stock up just in case.
It was very wet snow and didn't amount to much.
Friday morning.
We had loose plans to go to the museum, but got lazy and just went out for coffee in the afternoon instead.
We did another Balzac's, this time in the UP Union to Pearson train station. John had the peanut butter mocha and I had a flat white.
Interesting e-sim cards.
Blue Bovine is a new steak and sushi restaurant to open next week in Union Station. UPDATE I booked it for my birthday lunch!
COOKING
Saturday stuffed roast chicken, roast potatoes and mashed turnips and carrots. This was a $9 chicken from Metro, we also had leftovers for breakfast and lunches. The bones were then used for soup.
Sunday SUPERBOWL chili with baguette.
Monday quiche
Tuesday hamburger patties, gravy, mashed potatoes and beans
Wednesday Spaghetti Alfredo with prosciutto, Caesar salad (John made) and my first ever creme brulee ✅ it's been on my to do list
(I forgot to take a picture) it was very good.
Thursday chicken tenders with honey mustard dipping sauce and Caesar salad.
Friday steak and loaded baked potato (cheese, broccoli, sour cream)
February 2024
Distillery District Toronto
Saturday I had a reminder email from NEXUS to renew my card. NEXUS is designed to speed up border crossings into Canada and the United States (U.S.) for low-risk, pre-approved travellers. It is jointly run by the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. UPDATE I received my new card at the end of June.
Of course, they changed their online website and forms. As I am navigating through it John is questioning where his card is. We searched the house, and he went down to the car, nada. So he starts the lost card process...
I then, smugly say mine is in my wallet, eh, no, it isn't....
After some searching, I think, hmmm, did we take them with us when we were going to the Yukon in August as we had thought we might go into Alaska??? I checked the purse I used (last time I used it) and sure enough it was in there.
That made John check his drawer again, he found it in his old wallet.
Then I was going to make my Guinness lamb shanks, oh, we don't have any dark beer!!! AHA I found one lonely Guinness.
We ended up decluttering the travel box, why did we have a gazillion American grocery loyalty cards? And why did we keep a bazillion foreign SIM cards? Decluttered!
Sunday we rotated our mattress (exciting days!), well, John did as it is heavy. Why can't we flip mattresses anymore? If a mattress cannot be flipped then the manufacturer can save money by putting less expensive cushions, covering and quilting on the bottom side.
I wanted to put a new mattress cover on so it was a good time to rotate.
I had a very productive day for a holiday Monday. I repotted some plants which led to dirt everywhere that had to be cleaned up, refilled by spice jars, which also makes a mess and made a pumpkin cheesecake. I had just finished lecturing on the proper way to bake, reading the recipe etc. and I put an extra egg in the cheesecake! I had three in my head because I was thinking of making creme brulee. It turned out fine.
I opened this can first, expiry date 2025, I threw it out as I didn't like that black spot.
I usually order John's gluten free bread from Promise but they no longer offer free shipping over $100. I checked prices on Amazon and can do better with no shipping fees and it arrives the next day. Also the Schar's baguettes are a much better price.
I used my last gluten free graham crust in the pumpkin pie. I looked at Amazon and found I could get a dozen at a unit price of $4.40. My best price at a grocery store is $6.49.
It must be spring! The pigeons are back looking for nesting sites. This causes a lot of bad language here.
Tuesday we headed to an early dinner at Libretto's pizza. We still had a $50 gift card.
We went to the 7:30 performance but I took this photo last week. We waited in this little lounge off the lobby.
Excellent production, no intermission, just 80 minutes of pure energy.
SIX is a new original musical with book, music and lyrics by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. It is a modern retelling of the six wives of Henry VIII presented as a pop concert, as the Queens take turns singing and telling their stories to see who suffered the most due to Henry and should, therefore, become the group’s lead singer. But not everything goes according to plan and along the way they discover something even more valuable, reclaiming their own narrative and remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an exuberant celebration of 21st century girl power!
Click here if the video doesn't work SIX.
We Uber'd home.
Wednesday I did some wandering before getting my hair trimmed.
When an opportunity presented itself for Liberty to open a fine dining spot in Toronto’s business district, the two metaphorically grabbed the bull by the horns. They are now at the helm of the Blue Bovine Steak and Sushi House, situated in the newly revitalized Union Station.
The massive bull at the entrance of the restaurant, Nadia Di Donato said the bull weighs around 1,500 lbs., was meticulously hand-sculpted under her supervision, and is set to serve as “Toronto’s own rendition” of Wall Street’s famed Charging Bull.
The steps of the former Commercial/ Merchant/ Bank of Montreal and now RBC Dominion Securities building inside Brookfield Place.
Built around the crystal cathedral of Brookfield Place and around all the modern new buildings is the façade of little bank. The building was built in 1845 by William Thomas who also designed St. Mike’s Cathedral, St. Lawrence Hall and the Don Jail. The building first housed the Commercial bank which was based out of Kingston Ontario. The bank did not survive and the building became the home of the Merchant Bank of Canada in 1868. However that bank also did not survive and then the building housed the Bank Of Montreal. It is unknown when the bank left the building, but one report suggests around World War Two, when Clarkson, Gordon and Dilworth moved into the building until 1969. Afterwards the history of this building seems to be lost.
Eventually the building was restored to its former glory. Now the building is not where it was before. In fact it sat on 13-15 Wellington Street. The façade was taken apart and relocated to where it is today inside Brookfield Place.
Walking up Yonge St.
And this is what I was looking for! 36 Toronto St. Excelsior Life Building / Millichamps Building. Millichamp address was 39 Adelaide and the Excelsior Life Building is 36 Toronto St.
In 1986-1987, the 1914 Lennox Building and the 1874 Millichamp Building were added to with a new structure which included an atrium between the two of them. This property’s contribution lies in its historic role in the establishment of Toronto Street as a corporate and financial hub in the late 19th and early 20th century, and its historic association with prominent early 20th century Toronto architect E.J. Lennox. The structures contribute to the physical character of the District through their Italianate architectural detailing and the transition they provide between the contemporary Financial District and the St. Lawrence neighbourhood.
The source for these two photos is the Toronto Heritage Registrar.
With the atrium the building now has the address of 36 Toronto St. although it is really on Adelaide.
This 11-storey building, designed by prominent Toronto architect E. J. Lennox, was the tallest building on the block at the time of construction. It was named after the Excelsior Life Insurance Company, whose offices were located within. It replaced the Union Block, a Second Empire-style office building that stood here from 1873 to 1914. Its exterior is constructed of terracotta stone with a granite base and is designed in the Classical Italianate style, with decorative columns near the top. A reconstruction project by Strong Associates in 1987 connected it to the Millichamp Building via a glass atrium.
Suspended Stairway 1986 by Joshua Kalfa.Spanning across the expansive atrium of 36 Toronto Street, the work of art depicts giant bronze women climbing the staircase (also bronze) suspended in air.
Corporate career ladder? Glass ceiling for women? Or take the stairs??
Kalfa, a Toronto-based artist, works with steel to create his works, often depicting animals or mundane human scenes (a man on a bench, clothes drying on a line) through his unique artistic eye.
And directly across the street is this building.
This building was the headquarters of the Consumers’ Gas Company for 125 years. It was built in stages between 1852 and 1899 on what was one of Toronto’s principal financial streets. Architect Joseph Sheard designed the first building at 17 Toronto Street and 24 years later, architect David Brash Dick designed an addition at 19 Toronto Street. In 1899, Dick unified the appearance of the buildings with a Renaissance Revival-style façade that included Corinthian pilasters, ornate windows, and columns made of granite from the Bay of Fundy. The ground-floor hall, decorated with an intricate mosaic floor and brass teller’s cages, was a customer service area. Offices were located on the upper floors. The Consumers’ Gas Company initially provided Toronto with street lighting; in 1879, it expanded to serve homes and businesses as well. After the Consumers’ Gas Company moved in 1977, the structure deteriorated. In 1983, it was renovated by the architecture firm Stone & Kohn.
The building currently houses Don Alfonso 1890 Italian Restaurant; and Rosewater Room the award-winning event venue by Liberty Entertainment Group, the same group as mentioned above with the bull!
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Thursday we had a maintenance appointment for the air coil system (controls heat and air conditioning) with a window of 9-1 and they came at 12:30. Yeah, he also fixed the temperature to Celsius.
Then we both ran some errands.
Friday we decided to go to the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) as it was 8C and sunny. We have had an incredible February. However, when we got there it was too busy so we went for coffee instead.
Walking down St. Patrick, we don't usually. We both remembered driving here during the pandemic when we were looking at weird houses, that the half house was on this street. Click here to see that weird house.
This week's coffee spot, Hotblack Coffee on Queen St. W.
The barista suggested the Ethiopian ethically sourced beans, in a latte and a cappuccino. They were good, very smooth.
Hollywood Hi cannabis shop.
Saving the facade of an old bank building. This photo of the CIBC on the northwest corner of Simcoe and Queen Street West was taken on August 23, 1931.
The impressive building was completed in 1930, a year after the great Wall Street crash. However, the designs for it were created prior to the economic crisis, its restrained but rich architecture a testament to the prosperous decade of the 1920s. It was constructed on the site of the Harris Hotel, an unpretentious hostelry that was demolished to provide a site for the bank.
We cut through the lobby of the very swanky Shangri-La Hotel.
WTF? It was beautiful out today but coming home the winds picked up and we now have a
this from the management office. It is expected to feel like -20C with the wind chill.
So -12C then Tuesday's forecast is 12C, a 24 degree difference!
COOKING
Saturday slow cooker lamb shanks in Guinness with mashed potatoes and carrots/turnips
Shrimp and egg-free Caesar salad dressing. These shrimp were cleaned and cooked from Longo's and were delicious. I even made a shrimp salad sandwich (like a lobster roll) for lunch. Then I remembered I should have made it like a UK prawn sandwich.
I did make a soda bread that was inedible, I didn't have enough milk and read that I could substitute heavy (whipping) cream and water in equal parts, I don't think this worked. But I also had used a new gluten free flour I had ordered so....
Monday chicken divan to use up the broccoli
Tuesday dinner out pizza Libretto image above
Wednesday shake and bake pork chops ($2.50 10 ounce chop Metro) mashed potatoes and broccoli
Thursday Asian pork lettuce wraps
Friday stuffed flank steak (delicious) with roasted potatoes and broccolini
WOO HOO Law & Order Toronto:Criminal Intent premieres!!! Click here for a good recap of the first episode.
March 2024 - Toronto ON
Yorkville Toronto ON
The weekend passed in a blur. Several loads of laundry got done, some housework. Tidied up some dresser drawers. John did some plumbing maintenance.
I made two loaves of pumpkin cranberry bread, guacamole, chimichurri.
The bread took forever to bake, I finally cut it in half to get done.
I worked on some upcoming blogs, did more photo editing etc.
We finally had a nice sunset.
Monday's mural was taken earlier this month.
On Monday I went shopping in the Eaton Centre. This mural was in a new store.
It was a nice day for posing!
I bought this baby (boy) gift for one of our concierges.
Tuesday we had thunder and lightning storms and even hail in some spots. John did a trip to the charity shop with two bags.
In the Chef's Hall.
I bought a box of gluten free brigadeiros that I had sampled last week. They are very good but on the pricey side.
Bus driver brought me another curry to try.
Wednesday John had a couple of appointments so I met him for lunch in the new Scotia Plaza Market Eatery. John tried Tong Mein, a gluten free Asian place, he had the jerk beef salad noodle bowl, he wasn't very impressed with it. I tried the crab cakes from Market Street Catch.
Wednesday's temperature went from a warm day to a drop of 10C degrees in 15 minutes! Then the winds came.
Thursday morning was extremely cold and we had planned on going for breakfast and then to the AGO, but it was too cold so we had breakfast and took a walk to CIBC Square where I had been a couple of weeks ago.
We stepped outside for a different view of the city. CIBC is building another tower.
Alas TD, you have lost U!
Chilly outing for these beauties on York St.
Friday John went to Service Ontario to renew his health card, he couldn't renew online for some strange reason. Then he took his golf clubs to be regripped and picked up some groceries.
We headed downtown for our weekly coffee date.
I had a destination in mind and wanted to show John the sculpture and building I found last week.
Click on photo to get the full impact of the staircase and reflection.
We found another coffee shop that was not on my list, Au Pain Doré on Adelaide.
We stepped out of our usual comfort zone and ordered macchiatos. It would have been nice if they had served it in a proper espresso cup.
It would be a great place to have a croissant or sandwich on a baguette.
Caffè macchiato, sometimes called espresso macchiato, is an espresso coffee drink with a small amount of milk, usually foamed. In Italian, macchiato means "stained" or "spotted", so the literal translation of caffè macchiato is "stained coffee" or "marked coffee".
John's new emoji! Note the neon cafe sign reflection.
I cannot believe John's replacement Nexus card arrived today, a week after submitting a request.
COOKING
Saturday leftover flank steak, gravy, and foiled baked potatoes, onions and peppers.
Sunday John suggested steak frites
Monday pork chops mashed potato/turnip.carrots and broccolini
Tuesday curry chicken using the Chief curry mix, we didn't find it very spicy, I added additional spices.
Wednesday bacon, eggs and rosti. No bacon, we forgot it in the oven!! Rosti - note to self let the shredded potatoes soak in cold water until ready to pat dry and cook.
Thursday coconut shrimp curry using the new mix with rice and broccolini. This was a good recipe and the fish masala was good too.
Friday steak and loaded baked potatoes.
Goldstruck
March 2024 - Toronto ON
We started collecting items for our road trip. I cleaned up some house plants.
My new crossbody bag arrived and I am pleased with it.
Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Slim Double Zip Crossbody Bag Messenger Bag. Roomy compartment has RFID blocking card and passport slots, open top pocket, zippered wall pocket and tethered key clip with led light patent.
Monday's Mural at John and King.
What a gorgeous day, it is time to stop wearing the big winter coat! Toronto broke a 50 year old record with a temperature of 16C or 61F!!!
Tuesday is expected to be 17C with thunderstorms predicted.
I did some shopping and John had a dental appointment.
John started planning our road trip route and I booked some hotels. We finalized our hotels for the way there.
We will leave on Monday March 11 and take 6 days to get there, spending 2 nights in St. Louis.
Our reservation in Las Vegas is from March 17-31. We don't have a firm plan for the trip home as yet.
Tuesday started out sunny, I even saw some people out catching some rays!
John did a Costco run for a few items to take away, coffee, water, energy bars, always good to have in the car on a road trip. I ordered a couple of flashlights as well.
I thought this was a good deal yesterday at Rexall 5 toothbrushes on sale 25% of at $42 before taxes. I then found 20 TWENTY for $16 (including tax) on Amazon!
I also got flashlights, ours had all died.
John's new putter also arrived.
Wednesday I went for a mani-pedi then did some groceries for the rest of the week. John used the golf simulator.
On my way to mani-pedi. Spring is here!
On the bus going downtown.
Thursday we caught the 9AM bus and went for breakfast at the Village Grange food court.
I had an egg McMuffin and John went to Karine's, a gluten free spot.
Then the AGO.
We saw most of the exhibits.
Indigenous people lived on the land we now call Canada long before paper money was even invented, but an Indigenous person has never before been honoured on a banknote.
The Native Women’s Association of Canada launched “Change the Bill”, a campaign aiming to get an Indigenous woman on the $20 bill.
I will only put the highlights of each exhibit here, as I did a photo loaded post.
Click here to see the AGO website for Life Between Islands.
Making its way across the Atlantic to the AGO from Tate Britain, Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art, 1950s–Now examines the relationship between the Caribbean and Britain and reconsiders British art history in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries from a Caribbean perspective.
1948 The British Nationality Act allows everyone born in Britain or its Empire to become a ‘Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies’. The act encourages Caribbean people to move to the UK to address labour shortages and help facilitate postwar reconstruction and the building of the welfare state. HMT Empire Windrush docks in London carrying 800 Caribbean passengers. Many find work in the NHS and for the train and bus services. Those who emigrated from the Caribbean to Britain between 1948 and 1971 became known as the Windrush generation.
The elevator is part of the Keith Haring exhibit.
Keith Haring’s style of art is one of the most recognizable in the world. The American-born contemporary artist was known for his bold drawings and paintings and continue to be popular even after his passing. Exhibitions of Haring’s work attract audiences of all ages around the world.
The exhibition celebrates Keith Haring’s creativity and activism. It also offers insight into the artist as a person. Haring’s archival materials play a key part in understanding what inspired him and acts as a thread not just through his art but his activism. Haring participated in anti-nuclear, anti-Apartheid demonstrations, and AIDS activism.
This exhibit is the only Canadian stop on this tour.
Click here for the AGO detailed post.
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From there we went a totally different route.
From the Bader Collection at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, the AGO welcomes a remarkable selection of seventeenth century Dutch paintings. Shown in dialogue with paintings from the AGO’s European Collection of Art, at the centre of this focused installation are seven artworks attributed to Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), shown together for the first time.
This was the exhibit I really wanted to see!
The last exhibit I had already seen last year, but John hadn't.
John took this from the AGO.
We went for coffee at The Library.
Friday we each ran some errands and I got my hair cut.
We got some techie things resolved. Both our cameras on our phones were making a clicking sound when taking photos, solved that. Then John's camera was taking motion photos, I solved that. I finally got the VPN setting on my laptop to automatically connect!
We're also gathering items for our trip, John's clubs are packed up.
COOKING
Saturday roast pork, potatoes and carrots
Sunday slow cooker ribs and fries
Monday sweet and sour pork leftover
Tuesday shrimp salad with hard-boiled eggs and homemade soda bread.
Wednesday lamb chops, mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
Thursday hamburger patty, mashed potatoes, gravy and beans.
Steak and fried mushrooms.
Casey Coffee Co.
March 2024 - Toronto ON - Amarillo TX
Casey Indiana
Saturday and Sunday were busy getting the car packed up with golf clubs, suitcases, workout and overnight bags. Computer bag with all the chargers, external hard drive, and I decided to take my SLR camera.
The overnight and computer bags will be taken into the hotels on the drive. We will take the cooler.
Fridge had to be cleared out. Bread and milk put in the freezer.
We will also take a lunch for Monday.
Well, that was interesting! We don't tend to lock our unit door during the day. I was in the bedroom and heard it open, I thought it might have been John, until I heard a voice say sorry. We both rushed to the door and John saw Bob, a neighbour who said, sorry, was daydreaming. Really?? He lives diagonally (catty-corner is often heard in the UK. Kitty-corner is common in the US and Canada) opposite to us. Therefore when he gets off the elevator he turns left and we turn right, plus we are right next to the elevators. We'll be locking it from now on.
Losing that hour was still a shock to me when I got up. I hate losing it!!
BUT we end up gaining two hours this week, one in Illinois and another in Amarillo Texas!!
We finally sat down on Sunday around 4 (damn lost hour)!
Monday Mural Toronto taken in February.
Monday we had breakfast, tidied up and were on the road by 8:45. Click here for the day's recap from Toronto to Fort Wayne IN.
For all the links to our 2024 Road Trip click here.
After crossing the border we drove through Michigan and then into Indiana.
We checked into the Wyndham Fort Wayne IN around 4:15. Dinner in the tiny bar with BIG portions and good prices.
This was our replacement room after we didn't like #234 at Wyndham.
Here is the detailed account of our drive on Tuesday from Fort Wayne to St. Louis MO.
Considering the drive we still managed to get in 9,400 steps.
There will be some photo repeats. Coffee in the hotel in Fort Wayne, the breakfast was awful.
Cracker Barrels are the best places on a road trip. Clean bathrooms, good food and prices and shopping. Exit 203 on I-69 Indiana.
And we HAD to buy some Goo Goo Clusters! Click here to visit the Goo Goo store in Nashville.
Back on the road we made a stop in Casey Indiana. I knew we had been to Casey before because of the World's largest wind chime. However I was thinking of the Casey Jones attraction in Jackson TN.
What a pleasure, we took off our coats!
Wind Chimes
Visiting Casey, Illinois, is like stepping into an episode of the old television series Land of the Giants or into the movie Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. The town of about 3,000 boasts some of the world’s largest attractions, larger-than-life items created by local Jim Bolin to help attract visitors to his community.
Located almost halfway between Saint Louis and Indianapolis along Interstate 70, Casey (pronounced KAY-zee) was once primarily a gas stop and a spot for travelers to stretch their legs. Today, it hosts thousands of visitors eager to see the world’s largest wind chime, rocking chair, and mailbox, among other unique attractions. What started with the 48-foot-tall wind chime in 2011 has grown to become an entire collection of Guinness World Records sights.
Barber pole, Mailbox, Rocker.
Giant taco built in 2021 by JalCraft in Mexico. Taco is 16 ft long and weighs about 3,500 pounds.
This little piggy weighs in at 450 pounds.
From there we drove to St. Louis as John had plans to meet his daughter and family for a hockey game at 4:30.
We checked in at 3 PM, thanks to gaining an hour. John decided not to go to hockey as his grandson wasn't playing but might on Wednesday so he changed it.
We simply changed our plans and headed out in the gorgeous weather to sightsee.
The Gateway Arch National Park, formerly named Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, is a downtown St. Louis oasis. Amid the beautifully forested surroundings found within one of the few urban national parks west of the Mississippi River.
In 1948, a nationwide design competition determined what shape the Memorial would take, and in 1963, construction began on architect Eero Saarinen’s design for a stainless steel arch. Completed in 1965, the Gateway Arch stands as a symbol of national identity and an iconic example of mid-century modern design.
Can you see me???
John, proving it is shorts weather!
Then we decided to find the Ballpark Village.
Ballpark Village is the premiere dining and entertainment district in the region. Located in the heart of St. Louis' central business district adjacent to Busch Stadium, Ballpark Village is the first-ever, sports-anchored, multi-phased/mixed-use development.
There were more of these statues.
This was thirsty work!
"Olly olly oxen free" is a catchphrase or truce term used in children's games such as hide and seek, capture the flag, and kick the can to indicate that players who are hiding can come out into the open without losing the game or that the position of the sides in a game has changed (as in which side is on the field or which side is at bat or "up" in baseball or kickball); alternatively, that the game is entirely over.
The origin of the phrase is unknown. The Dictionary of American Regional English says the phrase may be derived from all ye, all ye outs in free, all the outs in free, or possibly ”calling all the outs in free”; in other words, all who are out may come in without penalty. Others speculate the phrase may be a corruption of a hypothetical and ungrammatical German phrase alle, alle, auch sind frei (all, all, also are free).
The Hilton Pennywell, gorgeous hotel, however valet parking is $48 a day!! Yikes! But I did book one night on points, we got upgraded and got 2 $30 vouchers to spend in the hotel. As well, at dinner, the server was new and couldn't get the cork out of the bottle so she gave us a more expensive wine with a screw top!!!
It used to be a bank.
Wednesday we headed out around 9 AM and grabbed breakfast next door at Pickle's. Sausage biscuit.
St. Louis Union Station captures the essence of history, fun and entertainment that St. Louis offers, with the added bonus of being able to stay in the hotel right on site! Ascend 200’ in the St. Louis Wheel where guests enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the historic train shed – once the busiest train station in the world - and the iconic St. Louis skyline in the comfort of climate-controlled gondolas.
We walked back to the Ballpark Village for lunch. We were going to Katie's for gluten free pizza and pasta but we didn't like the menu or the restaurant atmosphere.
We settled on Condado, Mexican, and it was perfect.
Check back on Monday for more of the murals.
2 tacos each with chips and two dips.
We wandered around the stadium and then headed back to the hotel as John was being picked up at 4:30 for a hockey game.
Click here for more St. Louis photos.
Thursday we headed out in pouring rain to Tulsa OK. The weather flip flopped all day. Sunshine, thunderstorms, tornado warnings. And then when we got into Tulsa it was 27C/81F.
Our new plan is to get on the road and then stop for breakfast between 10 and 11, then we don't have to stop for lunch when everywhere is busy and we miss the breakfast crowd.
Sullivan MO.
Loaded hashbrown casserole is delicious. Here is a copycat recipe.
Redmon's
Big selection of popcorn toppings.
After all those storm warnings we got into Tulsa and it was 27C/81F and steamy. We found a Whole Foods and picked up dinner.
Friday Tulsa OK to Amarillo TX that post has links to many places we've been before.
We left the hotel in cold conditions at 8:15. The temperature fluttered in low digits the rest of the day.
We took a wrong exit after Oklahoma City but found a Cracker Barrel for breakfast. We then crossed into Texas. We did some interesting stops which are in the link just above.
The cross at Groom.
The hotel address didn't identify east or west for the Hilton Garden Inn in Amarillo so the GPS took us to the wrong address which we soon figured out and got on the right track.
Dinner was in the hotel. An interesting side note regarding restaurants, all Cracker Barrels and hotels we've eaten give you your cutlery in paper packets. I'm guessing this started with the pandemic.
This week's drive Mar 11- Mar 15 Toronto to Amarillo TX
On another note, I received a Facebook DM asking:
Good Morning and I hope I'm not bothering you! I'm a school teacher in Texas and I happened to see your pictures from Terezin. Would you be willing to allow us to use your picture of the wall of children's names? We're doing a play about the Children of Terezin and I would like to project this picture on the wall behind the set.
Sure, go ahead! Send me a photo if you can!
COOKING
Saturday I made corned beef, mashed potatoes and cabbage
Sunday ordered Swiss Chalet chicken
Monday Fort Wayne Wyndham jalapeno poppers/popcorn shrimp/pulled pork
Tuesday St. Louis Hilton roast chicken/burger
Wednesday St. Louis Hilton charcuterie board / PJ Chang's
Thursday Tulsa crackers and cheese
Friday Amarillo Hilton burgers (delicious)
March 2024 - Amarillo TX to Las Vegas NV
March 2024 - Tucumcari New Mexico
Saturday Amarillo TX to Gallup NM I'm sorry if there are duplicate photos in the detailed posts and this weekly overview!
Breakfast at the Hilton $22, omelets. I only chose cheese omelet and bacon. John had mushrooms and cheese, sausages and bacon.
Tucumcari NM
Santa Rosa NM
Route 66 Casino Albuquerque NM
Settled into the Hilton in Gallup NM, a large Navajo wedding was taking place.
John enjoyed his steak, however mine was awful and I sent it back and got a steak as well. This was supposed to be a steak sandwich instead it was prepackaged (the server even said that when I returned it) frozen well done steak slices.
Up early on a chilly -3C and had the car loaded by 7:30 after John scraped off the ice. It was a minute drive to Cracker Barrel for breakfast.
Holbrook AZ
This is fresh snow in Flagstaff AZ. It sits at about 7,000 feet (2,100 m).
Seligman AZ
Don't let those blue skies deceive you, it was chilly so we got cappuccinos to go.
Long story...it is in the detailed post, link above.
NEVADA
Checked in!
We were given a $20 voucher for resort use, which I redeemed in the small market for ham, chips and eggs.
We also have a $100 voucher for attending "the update" which we need to use.
We did a quick trip to Whole Foods (pricey) but quick as well shopped here often before.
Some gluten free items, so far the bread and tortillas are delicious.
Then we settled in for the evening!
Monday steps 8,814
Monday we attended "the update" with a very unpleasant salesman who looked like Vince Vaughan. There must be a special place in hell for timeshare sales people.
We caught the shuttle around 12:15. While we waited we chatted with a Canadian woman from Vancouver who was here with her two elderly aunts and her autistic daughter. The aunts loved to gamble and the daughter enjoyed places like the Coca-Cola and M&Ms museums.
We walked over to the Linq and had lunch at Chayo. John had AL PASTOR achiote marinated pork, red pickled onions, chile de arbol salsa, roasted pineapple.
I had MEXICAN PHILLY CHEESESTEAK asada steak, bell peppers, onions, jalapeños, melted Mexican cheese, chipotle mayo.
Both were very good.
Selfie Museum - we plan on going. We went on Friday!
A trip to the candy store is one thing. A trip to the 14,000 square-foot I Love Sugar is so next level. Save room for dessert for the next decade because you’ll fulfill your sweet tooth and then some here. There’s even a whole section dedicated to chocolate on this Las Vegas attraction’s second floor. You can also get candy sushi, giant candy boxes and gummy candy pizza.
We did go to the Martini bar but everything contained sugar, something we don't enjoy.
John got a Vegas t-shirt.
We strolled over to Harrah's and happened upon Big Elvis.
Pete Vallee started singing as a teenager at his local church, where he was told he sounded like a young Elvis Presley. He quickly learned to play the guitar and put together an act that he previewed at a school talent contest. He will never forget the incredible response he received from a packed audience of students and parents when he sang “Jailhouse Rock.” From then on, Pete knew he wanted to be an entertainer and modeled his career after his mentor, the King of Rock.
Pete is a clean-cut, good-natured man with a voice that sounds like Elvis. He honors the King in every way and is a collector of Elvis memorabilia. Pete admires the man he pays tribute to each day and tries to stay true to the King’s persona as a performer who loved and was loved by his fans and maintained a sense of loyalty to them.
Pete’s Big Elvis Show is the longest-running Elvis Presley tribute show in Las Vegas, and he has received multiple Best of Las Vegas honors. He has an international following of fans who pack the house for each of his nine shows per week. When Pete sings, his fans come alive, and the party begins. His repertoire consists of over 900 songs, including an abundance of Elvis music, well-known hits, obscure movie tunes, music from other era performers, Gospel, Country (old and new), and Rock ‘n Roll favorites.
Elvis' licensing company is no longer allowing Las Vegas businesses to use The King's likeness, which we think is very Grinch-like. Your next Vegas wedding will have to be officiated by Melvis Mresley, the Emperor of Rock and Troll!
Wedding Bells Will Ring is a post I wrote about the wedding chapels.
Outside Harrah's. I did not want King Kong near me!
We headed over to the Horseshoe (Bally's) and wandered around before catching the shuttle back.
We took advantage of the free Margaritas in the lobby.
Tuesday steps 8,596 shopping
Not many photos taken!
We mainly got our bearings, went to the south factory outlets, Total Wine ,Town Square Maxx, and groceries at Alberton's.
Factory outlets, we also had lunch in the food court, Chinese orange chicken for John and I had a LA hot dog.
Albertson's groceries strawberries 2 for $6 compared to Whole Foods 1 for $5.
John did well shopping.
4 shorts, 4 tees, jeans and a golf wind jacket.
Wednesday
Up at 7 AM
Not much today either. We did laundry. I did pool time.
I took advantage of Wine Down Wednesday! WhileJohn golfed at Eagle Crest with three guys from Alberta.
Thursday
Up at 7 AM
steps 13,539
We walked from the condo to the Strip.
We did some shopping, Walgreen's, Target (nothing), Burlington's (John bathing suit/top for me), Ross's 2 bathing suits for me.
New York New York, we've stayed here a few times.
NY NY
What are YOU looking at?
John couldn't understand why I would want to go to Shake Shack when I had all these choices. But it was MY day so we had burgers, first time in a Shake Shack. They are opening the first one in Canada in Toronto this year. We can't say we were impressed.
Cosmopolitan, NY NY,Wyndham Grand View
We headed into the Bellagio.
Click here for lots of photos Bellagio Spring Flower Show
Back on The Strip.
Front and back! Expensive!
We're heading to Cabo Wabo on the left.
Friday
Up at 7:45 John 8:30
Steps 13,081
This week breakfast has been strawberries and yogurt/cereal.
Click here for the detailed post of our day - WARNING PHOTO HEAVY
Time for lunch! It wasn't the best cut of meat but it was a decent meal, the fries were delicious as was the peppercorn sauce.
Back on the Strip.
These are not the World's largest arches.
Emeril's Table Ten Venetian 2015
Where does one buy a Buddist monk outfit?
We were on the Strip and noticed some monks. They come up to people at lightning speed, and somehow put a mala bead bracelet on their wrist and give them a Kuan YinThese brown robed, floppy hatted ninjas were everywhere!...whatever happened to the porn slappers!
John got this picture of a "monk" having a smoke break at Horseshoe.
amulet card. Totally fake!
It's not all about me, at all!
COOKING
Saturday Gallup Hilton steak sandwich awful
Sunday Las Vegas condo cheeses and crackers
Monday LV lunch out Mexican
Tuesday LV condo rotisserie chicken fajitas
Wednesday LV condo leftover chicken and homemade potato salad
Thursday LV condo salad with hard boiled eggs/ham
Friday LV Favorite steak frites for lunch. Dinner salad with hard boiled eggs/ham
Seligman AZ
Saturday
Steps 7,688
We decided on a lazy day as we had tickets for the hockey game.
We had a big breakfast. John made an omelet with jalapenos, tomatoes, ham and onions. No, no ham, he forgot to put it in, but that was a bonus.
We had planned on an early dinner near the arena but I couldn't get any reservations. So we used the ham for sandwiches.
We did sit outside for a while, the sun was great but the winds were 35 km an hour.
Bundled up for the chilly weather and the arena, we joined the hordes of fans walking to the game.
Click here for photos of the T-Mobile Arena and a video.
The roller coaster at New York New York.
To capture the excitement of Las Vegas Boulevard sitting just a block away, the arena opens with an expansive glass façade and sweeping 9,000-square-foot LED screen. An outdoor performance stage and sweeping balconies also radiate energy outward into The Park, a winding landscaped space that weaves the arena together with its neighbors.
Meanwhile, the south and west facades of the arena reflect desert and mountain influences and feature a solid skin that protects against the intense desert sun. This “of the desert” skin wraps the arena with rolling bands of metal that evoke the color and sedimentary layering of the desert mountains.
Once your tickets are scanned they give you a paper copy.
Not something you'd see in most arenas!
Listen to this clip of the national anthem, when the performer sings these lines, the fans all shout out KNIGHTS to replace night.
And the rocket's red glare
The bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the KNIGHTS
That our flag was still there
We walked back and it was chilly!
Sunday
Up at 8AM
Steps 13,178
Click here for a photo laden post of our day. Some of the nicer murals are being saved for Monday Mural.
Started cold and overcast so we dressed in jeans, shoes and jackets.
Parking lot. We went to Atomic Liquors in 2015 around here.
We took the car to 7th and Carson, that is the name of the restaurant! We had 9:30 breakfast reservations. The oddest tasting Bloody Mary we've ever had, we've no idea what was giving it an almost bitter taste.
V E G E T A R I A N O M E L E T Peppers, mushroom, spinach, tomato and onion, potatoes and toast $18
T H E F U L L I R I S H 2 eggs your way, black and white sausage, bacon, grilled tomato, mushrooms and baked beans fried potatoes $20
After breakfast as we mural hunted around the restaurant, it got so sunny and hot we were lamenting our choice of clothing.
The Shoe is looking a little faded. Click here to see it in 2013.
Container Park
By the time we got to the factory outlets, without jackets, John had to go back to the car (a long way) to get our jackets as it also started spitting. You pay for parking here and it gets very crowded. We bought Sketchers and John got 3 pairs of casual pants.
We then headed to Main St. known as the Art District.
We want to sit down and warm ourselves up! We had macadamia almond lattes.
Heading back along the Strip.
Monday
Monday Mural taken last week in The Park MGM.
Monday
We spent some time in the morning at the pool in the sunshine.
John had an oil change booked for 1PM. We did the same Week 4 in 2015 but the service was much better then.
We got there early, but it wasn't done until 3:30 and we were starving. We had planned on going to In N Out burgers but it had gotten cold and cloudy and we wanted to visit our old stomping ground from 2012-2013 when we spent the winter here.
This was a drive down Memory Lane as we had rented a condo on this side of the Strip in 2012 for a couple of months.
We had lupper in The Palms, we spent a lot of time here in previous years, going to the $5 movies, which by the way, are still at $5.
Michael now has a place!
We often ate at TGIF's in the Gold Coast, we parked and went in, but the stench of cigarettes made us leave. Most casinos have great ventilation systems, clearly this didn't.
The biggest surprise was seeing that where we had rented the condo had been gutted along with the Siegal Suites, and a residential/commercial complex was built, a vast improvement!
Down the street from Grand Desert is Ellis Island. It is being renovated. We hope to go to it.
Tuesday
Up at 7:30
Since John was golfing this afternoon and had to leave by 12:15, it was a good morning to get some chores done. I mapped it out and we left at 9AM.
We wanted to hit Whole Foods (GF almond tortillas and bread), Total Wines (stocking up for drive home) and Smith's rotisserie chicken (nope, not ready until 11) so we got 4 huge chicken thighs for $5.50, strawberries, hot sauce, sour cream, coffee.
We also stopped into the factory outlets again.
The view as we leave.
We're on the street behind the Strip, passing by Luxor and Mandalay Bay.
We always love the Irish breakfast in Mandalay Bay.
Even at 9AM they are lining up for photos at the Welcome sign.
Where Whole Foods and Total Wines are.
The mountains still have snow.
See the line up?
Damn, last week the t-shirts were $10 each, this week 2 for $25!
Yum, for me.
John played at Stallion Mountain, where he had played in January 2017. Lots of bunnies!
Wednesday
Up at 7
It was touch and go if we could see our friends, Bill and Carol for breakfast, but we did.
We met at Blueberry Hill at Flamingo and Sandhill. Well, Carol came, Bill was under the weather. We met at 9:30 and chatted until 11:30!!! We missed you, Bill!
We had a free entry ticket for Area 15, but it was closing at 4 for a private event and we couldn't find parking so we left and I ordered a ticket for Friday.
Instead we headed to Las Vegas Healing Garden.
The Las Vegas community came together to build a new community healing garden in response to the Oct. 1 tragedy, when a lone gunman killed 58 people and injured 500 more who were attending the Route 91 Harvest festival. The garden features a wall of remembrance, a grove of trees, shrubs, flowers, walkways of pavers and benches – all to create something beautiful out of something horrific.
Along Main St.
We needed a bio break so went to the Main Street Casino as Carol had mentioned that there were pieces of the Berlin Wall in the men's bathroom.
We attempted to find Perception but couldn't find the parking, and was glad we didn't once I read the reviews.
We were thinking of going to the Arte Museum but decided we could walk there so it would be crazy to take the car.
We decided it was time to do some sunshine by the pool!
Thursday
Up 8AM
I made John scrambled eggs and toast as he left for golf around 10. It was sunny and warm, however there was a wind alert.
I headed to the pool before and after lunch. The winds were strong but warm.
John arrived back around 3:45 with a golf shirt, and had a sandwich. He said the winds were strong on the course.
We had dinner Pampas reservations Planet Hollywood 6:30 coupon and gift card but we both looked at the coupon and menu and decided we didn't want to do that, I cancelled.
Instead we walked to Planet Hollywood around 5:30 and winged it for dinner.
Gordon Ramsay's BurGR is still in Planet Hollywood.
John in 2013.
John in 2015.
We sat at The Blue Moon bar and had a drink, beer $12, wine $12. No freebies here or anywhere else in Vegas these days.
John spent $5 playing, in total our "gambling costs" are $5 + $2 (Albuquerque Route 66 Casino) = $7 this trip!!
We went to Ocean One as recommended by one of the staff at the condo. Why have we never heard of this place??? All lunch meals are $5.99.
The reviews are excellent! There might be a line up but it moves quickly or opt for the bar as we did.
Ahi tuna for me. Funny foodie story, the first time we had ahi tuna was in Honolulu 1995 and we sent it back because it was "raw", and the server snootily replied "that's how it is supposed to be"!
I am now a huge ahi tuna fan and had to send this one back because it was too well done!
$19.99
The server comped John's beer.John's steak was delicious.Grilled Ribeye
Choice 12 Oz. Ribeye Served With Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus And Cabernet Sauce $24.99
These are amazing prices in Vegas these days!!
The sphere peeking out as we cross to the condo.
Friday
Up at 5:45
Steps 12,018
Click here for lots more photos of our day!
I booked another free entry tickets to Area 15 (Carol wrote about it here)
Billed as a “wanderland of art, music, and amusement,” AREA15 is an immersive collection of attractions minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. Brimming with larger-than-life art installations, mind-altering virtual reality experiences, and full-sensory dining options, the whole affair may evoke thoughts of Burning Man – and that’s no coincidence. In fact, some of the installations you see here came directly from the playa in northern Nevada. Admission to this experiential retail and entertainment complex promises “just about anything you can imagine is real” mentalities, with only one thing required: a want to wonder.
Tickets $10 and up +13 and up only
LIFTOFF is one of the newer AREA15 attractions (opened Feb 2022), offering panoramic skyline views of Vegas.
It’s hard to miss the giant balloon and spiral structure located just outside the main entrance, and it’s the first of its kind built in the US.
When you board, you are all facing inwards with a seatbelt securing you into your seat. It looks like an inverted version of Big Shot at the Strat, except it’s more of a leisure ride for the views than a thrill ride.
The balloon then ascends to the 130-foot summit and spins around so you can enjoy the 360-degree view of the strip and surrounding area.
They had gotten married this morning, he had the t-shirt with the tuxedo on the front. He has a bag in his hand from the Little White Wedding Chapel.
I'd be afraid they wouldn't let me back out!
Some silliness before we leave.
Driving the Strip to the Veterans Memorial, the only other item on today's agenda.
They continue to line up at the TV show's Pawn Stars location.
As we turned down Washington I pointed out the Mormon Museum that we had visited in
2015.
We also visited the Neon Museum in 2013.
The Nevada State Veterans Memorial, Las Vegas (NSVM, LV)—A National Tribute—is a monument recognizing the service and sacrifice of Americans, especially Nevada veterans and their families. The two-acre memorial and park features 18 larger-than-life statues, depicting soldiers, from the Revolutionary War to the Global War on Terror and civilians.
We decided it would be a good day to have lunch at Fremont St.
Lunch at Park on Fremont.
John liked my princess chair.
There's Chucky!
We had planned to go to dinner but after over 12,000 steps we decided to stay in and order pizza.
Instead we got some packing done. Stuff we don't need on the road went into John's suitcase.
We also took a couple of bags down to the car this morning.
The weather doesn't look good for tomorrow so we'll play it by ear.
COOKING
Saturday ham and cheese sandwiches with chips
Sunday spaghetti and meat sauce with Texas toast GF.
Monday Lupper 4PM Panda Express Chinese The Palms
Tuesday condo chicken thighs and potato salad
Wednesday condo chicken fajitas
Thursday Ocean One Planet Hollywood
Friday condo ordered pizza
April 2024 - Las Vegas NV - Des Moines IA
March 2024 - Paris Casino Las Vegas NV
Saturday March 30 Las Vegas
Steps 10,385
Cold, cloudy, rainy day. We played on our computers in the morning and had leftover pizza for lunch.
We did some more packing up. We changed our strategy. We decided to use my suitcase on wheels as our overnighter bag instead of our usual overnighter. We packed up John's suitcase and the overnighter with stuff we wouldn't need on the drive home. Those two bags and John's workout bag are already in the car.
It is pouring rain at 3PM as we catch the shuttle to The Horseshoe (Bally's). We've been in Vegas in the winter so we know cold weather, overcast, sprinkley rain and snow, dust storms but never constant rain like this and it never let up.
Over to Caesar's Palace. Hell's Kitchen now has its own building.
Looking back on my posts, when we went to Ramsay's Steak (pictured above in Paris) in January 2013 they had the Hell's Kitchen menu but not a Hell's Kitchen location as such.
It is cold out and raining!
We tried to get a drink in two Caesar's bars, one was Ramsay's Bar and Grill, we got seats but to get served was another thing! And their glasses of wine started at $18!
Since we planned to have dinner at Ellis Island off The Strip and very close to the condo, we said, screw it and went there for a drink before dinner.
Wine was $8 a glass and a beer was $4 a pint compare that to The Strip at $12+!
Prime rib $35! They also do a steak special that is not on the menu, just ask for it.
TOTAL GAMBLING EXPENDITURE = $2 + $5 + $4 = $11
Sunday March 31
It is John's birthday!! And Easter.
And I am up at 6:40!!!
We are leaving today to drive to Salt Lake City. We made an omelet for breakfast using up the last three eggs, ham, cheese and fried potatoes.
We finished up the last of the packing, triple checked we didn't miss anything. We were in the car at 9:45.
We didn't stop for anything other than gas/bathroom breaks. Click here for the drive.
We got comfy at the Hilton in Salt Lake City and ordered room service for dinner. We had salads and a side of salmon (me) and beef tips for John.
Monday and it happens to be a holiday here so not much was open.
Steps 9,568
Monday Mural from Las Vegas Art District.
We hung around in the morning, John got Starbucks (Marriott) and then headed out around noon.
It was spitting rain on and off and pretty chilly!
Temple Square was a little disappointing as most of the buildings are under renovation 2019 - 2026!
Bathroom at Temple Square.
Not open.
Lunch
Pork belly.
We got back around 3:30 and it was really raining and then it cleared.
Tuesday
Steps 16,056
Click here for the day's details.
We slept in! I got us Starbucks and then we headed out for brunch at Eggsburgh in the Hilton Peery Hotel.
John's Denver omelet and hash browns. I had a fried egg, bacon and toast and ate most of John's fruit.
We had a much nicer day for sightseeing!
Time for a beer!
For dinner we walked over to Squatter's Pub and picked up salad and an 11 oz steak with fries to share. Thanks to their delivery/pickup app not accepting our Canadian credit card's postal code to verify our card, made us walk over!
Wednesday we checked out and were on the road by 7:45, lattes in hand. We were heading to Cheyenne Wyoming, click here for the details.
Little America, a new to us, pit stop. spotless. Popcorn rainbow.
Cheyenne WY we stayed at a new Hilton concept, Home2Stay. This was a great location and the check in desk clerk was perfect.
We had cheeses, meat and crackers for dinner. John has a head cold, I had it last week.
Thursday
Cheyenne WY to Grand Island NE
We had the good free breakfast buffet at the Home2stay.
Loading up.
We made a stop in downtown Cheyenne before hitting the road at 10.
The Atlas was built in 1887 originally as an office and retail building. From 1887 to 1908, the upper floors of the 1887 structure were used for office space by professional men while the bottom floor was a tea and confectionery shop.
The 1908 addition included the conversion of the first-floor spaces into a penny arcade, a soda parlor and confectionary shop. The original Atlas Theatre operated from 1908 to 1929. It reopened as the Strand, also a theatre, but the upper floor offices in the 1887 structure were modified into sleeping rooms for the Strand Hotel. Later years saw various uses for the building until becoming mostly vacant in 1963.
In the 1970’s the Cheyenne Little Theatre Players used the Atlas for their Old-Fashioned Melodrama. They purchased the building in 1971 with two objectives: provide performances in the theatre and preserve the historic building. The 2020 production was their 64th year of Melodrama performances.
Efforts are now underway to save the building.
An interesting pit stop. You can find gambling machines anywhere.
No sale of alcohol until noon on Sundays.
We stayed at the Ramada in Grand Island NE.
Ramada dinner - we both sent our dinners back as cold. John got a replacement steak. They shoved my burger in the microwave, you could tell it was the same burger where I had picked pieces of so now it was well done. Sent back again, waited so long I ordered a BLT to go. Servers were very pleasant.
Friday
Click here for details of our drive.
Up at 8. I thought the breakfast (free) buffet was adequate. John thought it was all too cold.
A quick poke around Grand Island.
Sometimes You're The Bug, sometimes you're the windshield. John cleaning the windshield for the millionth time.
Elk Horn is known as an enclave of Danish ethnicity and is home to the Museum of Danish America. The population was 601 at the time of the 2020 census.
We bought a raspberry kringle and had a snack in the car.
West Des Moines Hilton Garden Inn - great check in.
I checked in while John loaded the luggage buggy and said he was going to get my bag in the front seat. I waited and waited, wondering where he was. He finally came and said he needed my car key as he had dropped his key in the car and couldn't find it. We both went out to look, it had to be in the car as he could start the car. Finally found, it was under his seat at the back. We have another car key saga from Flint TX 2003!
Dinner: great server/bartender. We used our Hilton $20 credit towards dinner. The pork chop came with two sides and you could get an additional chop for $5 so the server suggested we share. $25 for two pork chops and John had fries while I had mashed. I am not a fan of pork chops, but this was delicious!
This week's travels Sunday - Friday
States - Nevada - Utah - Wyoming - Nebraska - Illinois
April 2024 - Des Moines IA to HOME
Somewhere in Illinois
Saturday
I've reached the point that I no longer know where I am! John couldn't remember what our hotel room number was!!!
Click here for our drive from Des Moines IA to Naperville IL
The park is named for John Pappajohn, a local venture capitalist and his wife Mary Louise Pappajohn (1933-2022), who gifted the initial 24 sculptures, with a valuation of about $40 million USD, to the city of Des Moines.
It's too bloody cold!
Got in the car and had a snack, bought yesterday in Elk Horn.
We stopped in Dixon IL for lunch known for being Ronald Reagan's home from 1920 to 1924, the site of his earliest childhood memories, and a place he recalled with great fondness.
I can't say we have any fondness for the service at Pekin's. Just a terrible server, she forgot about us, after we waited for over 20 minutes (it was bacon and eggs only) I asked someone to find her. Someone else brought our food, gave sausages and not the ham he requested, etc etc.
Hilton Garden Inn Naperville IL great check in.
Used our $20 credit towards dinner. Great bartender, a great believer in doom and gloom.
We shared a Caesar salad, steak (great) and fries.
Sunday Naperville IL to Toledo OH
We left at 9:30 planning on getting an early brunch on the road. It was rainy and heavy traffic until we got through Chicago.
We had a late (lost an hour) brunch at Cracker Barrel in Elkhart IN.
Hilton Downtown Toledo OH.
We were given our eclipse glasses at check in and she also said there would be viewing parties.
Monday April 8 Toledo OH
Monday Mural taken in Las Vegas March 2024.
Click here for our day in Toledo!
John slept until 10:30!! We ended up having grilled cheeses in the hotel.
We grabbed a beer and paid $5 to enter the Hensville Park with music.
The lights around us came on.
Heading out to dinner.
Dinner. Wondering why the menu was so different....
Gluten free spaghetti and meatballs. Awful, so much bad sauce, too much filler in meatballs. And the penny dropped when we got home. This was WAREHOUSE not FACTORY!
The Warehouse even had an old trolley car inside just like the FACTORIES!
We have an Old Spaghetti Factory in Toronto (NOT the same franchise - we had thought about going to the one in Salt Lake City) but it has been years since we were there. The Factories in North America all have the same menu!
I ate at the Factory in Minneapolis, which had the same menu as Toronto and delicious.
Tuesday time to head home. Breakfast was terrible in the hotel. $4 for cold coffee. Nothing on the continental menu available. We ended up with scrambled eggs (okay), bacon (greasy) home fries.
We were in the car at 9:30 and crossed the border at Detroit at 10:30. Home at 2:30.
The Koegel Meat Company is a meat processing, packaging, and distribution company based in Flint, Michigan. Koegel's produces 35 products. Koegel's hot dogs are considered by the authors of "Coney Detroit" as the best hot dog for a Flint-Style Coney Dog along with Abbott's Meat's coney sauce. Koegel is also a supplier of A&W, about 200 Coney restaurants, Walmart, Dairy Queen and Kroger.
Detroit.
The Ambassador Bridge is a tolled international suspension bridge across the Detroit River that connects Detroit, Michigan, United States, with Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Opened in 1929, it is the busiest international border crossing in North America in terms of trade volume, carrying more than 25% of all merchandise trade between the United States and Canada by value. A 2004 Border Transportation Partnership study showed that 150,000 jobs in the Detroit–Windsor region and US$13 billion in annual production depend on the Detroit–Windsor international border crossing.
The bridge is one of the few privately owned US–Canada crossings; it was owned by Grosse Pointe billionaire Manuel Moroun, until his death in July 2020, through the Detroit International Bridge Company in the United States and the Canadian Transit Company in Canada. In 1979, when the previous owners put it on the New York Stock Exchange and shares were traded, Moroun was able to buy shares, eventually acquiring the bridge. The bridge carries 60 to 70 percent of commercial truck traffic in the region.
The border crossing was very quick, only one car in front of us at the Nexus lane. Pleasant agent, a couple of questions and we were on our way!
Temperatures fluctuated as it was around 20 leaving Toledo up to 24 crossing the border until Hamilton ON when it dropped to 12!
We only made one gas/coffee/pit stop at an Onroute (service plaza) for Canadian Tire gas and Tim Horton's coffee.
Wednesday was a sunny brisk day and we only went for the groceries we needed. I made a pot of vegetable soup from my freezer stock and added a can of chickpeas.
Thursday rainy and miserable as John set out for the car dealership. I picked up some essentials and then spent 3 THREE TRES hours on the phone with Telus, our cell phone providers.
Okay, it was two hours on a chat with the most stubborn or least empowered service agent I ever encountered. My issue - when we entered the States they sent me a text and email offering my $80 PPU Easy Roam for 30 days which I accepted as otherwise the charge is $15 per phone a day!!
Our bill was $700!!! I explained that I believed the offer applied to both phones as it is one account. John had been charged daily roaming fees.
She countered that it was a "special" offer only to "selected" phone numbers and proceeded to use a lot of corporate gobbledygook like "as a consumer myself" and how much the poor corporation had to paying to the roaming networks blah blah. I told her I didn't care. My issue was a badly worded "offer". She offered me $30, "the best she could do and would be dinged for it, but I was a valuable customer".....
When I said I wasn't satisfied she finally offered to get a Loyalty agent. She set up the call, Maximo spent ten minutes with me to ensure he understood my issue, he did. Then said he would call me back when he reviewed the documentation. He called back about an hour later, said he fully agreed with me and would issue a $360 credit and charge me the $80 for John's roaming.
So I made $100 an hour while doing other things during the chat and waiting for phone calls.
We unpacked and one load of laundry was done.
Friday rainy and foggy. John used the golf simulator. I had planned to get a haircut but will wait until Monday. I ran out for some weekend items, lemons, limes, turnip, half and half, red onion and Brussel sprouts as a substitution.
It is the Masters this week so John was glued to that.
COOKING
Saturday Naperville Caesar salad with steak and fries - best steak on this trip
Sunday Toledo cheeses and crackers
Monday Toledo Spaghetti Warehouse
Tuesday HOME! curry chicken.
Wednesday potato chip crusted halibut and broccolini
Thursday lamb chops, mashed potatoes and broccolini
Friday steak with onions, green peppers and mushrooms, chimichurri
Cupla Coffee
April 2024 - Toronto ON
Salt Lake City UT
Our usual lazy weekend, The Masters occupied most of John's time. While I binged on Great British Bake Off Season 14.
John got the balcony set up for spring/summer as the spider guys are coming this week.
Monday's mural was from Las Vegas.
I went to get a haircut and then popped into Winners, Shoe Company (nope, they didn't have our Sketchers) and gasp! I saw Cleo's boarded up, but they had moved a few doors into the old Reitman's, a smaller footprint.
My Sketchers.
John went golfing.
Spiderman in lobby.
It was an interesting morning, all kinds of sirens on Gardiner as I was on the bus, then the bomb squad and ambulance outside Union as I walked by.
Union Station banners for the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) Centennial.
Walking through Brookfield Place.
As I walked into Longo's (local grocery chain) around noon the fire alarm was going off but everyone was going about their business. I got the ground beef I wanted for dinner and then spotted hams, so I grabbed one of those. Then the building security is announcing that the fire department is on its way and the store is saying everyone must leave. As we left we were directed to the exit by the Arena as he said "there is an active fire above us".
As we leave the fire fighters are entering. Outside we can see and smell the smoke as the sirens blare.
BTW this building houses underground parking, Longo's on lower level, main level is a sports store, TD Bank, two restaurants and LCBO. There is also an escalator to take you to the PATH which will take you into the ScotiaBank Arena, Union Station and connect to many other high rises.
Le Germain Hotel has 167 rooms, then there are offices and condos. The building has 44 floors.
The entire street was closed off as glass had fallen onto the sidewalk.
Click here for the news story.
I decided to head home and found a new plaque outside Union Station, RCAF Colours.
In military terms, the word “Colours” usually refers to consecrated ceremonial flags carried by certain Canadian Armed Forces combatant formations and units. These unique flags are a unit’s most prized possession. On September 1, 2017, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) received new Colours, retiring their former Colours, which were presented in 1982 and reflected the Air Force’s previous identity as Air Command. Honouring the relationship between the RCAF and the Toronto Maple Leafs, on February 10, 2018, in a ceremony held before a hockey match between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators, the RCAF entrusted their retired Colours to the guardianship of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
I NEED these shoes in 💚colour!
Getting home took 45 minutes since York was closed due to the fire and everyone had to take Bremner to get on the Gardiner at Spadina.
Oh and they have closed a lane east and west bound on the Gardiner for three 3 tres years!!!
I collected our tax documents for the accountant which resulted in a ton of papers for shredding, after I had John look through them, in case he wanted to keep any of them (1 golf club, putter invoice).
So Tuesday I went back for my groceries, due to the lane closures the bus was running ten minutes behind.
John took the car to get the snow tires removed.
Wednesday was wet and dull. John scanned the tax documents to the accountant.
I worked on some blogs and organized our vacation photos.
I created a post showing some t-shirts at the M&M store in Las Vegas.
Thursday I just did a Longo run and ended up with an invite to Ladies Tea by a woman in the building that I chatted with on the bus.
Friday was another wet rainy morning so John did a grocery run. I decided not to go out and we agreed on a movie afternoon. The sun then came out...
Popcorn and movies.
COOKING
Saturday roast pork and potatoes, honey buttered carrots
Sunday sweet and sour pork with fridge leftovers
Monday bacon and mushroom (lingering in fridge) Alfredo. John's original request and then I had to abandon my groceries due to fire.
Tuesday ham, mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts. $16 ham made 3X2 dinners and made 6X2 lunches, making my favourite ham salad. I also will make a quiche on the weekend.
Wednesday hamburger patties mashed potatoes and beans
Thursday ham, mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts
Friday steak frites
Eggsburgh
April 2024 - Toronto ON
Salt Lake City UT
We had our usual stay at home weekend. Taxes completed by accountant LA SIGH.
I had a virtual scare of my life when Blogger displayed this ominous white screen at noon!
It remained like that so I spent the rest of the afternoon copying and pasting and reformatting my posts from our 2024 road trip into a document. I also recapped my weekly posts for 2024 into Google Docs. I always do this but haven't gotten around to it.
BTW I did try rebooting throughout the afternoon but the problem persisted.
However when I tried again around 8PM it was back to normal. AND I had completed my two documents!
Monday John went golfing and I went shopping, I bought a sweater I was eyeing last week. It was cold out!
Monday Mural was from Las Vegas.
Poor pansies are freezing!
Tuesday was supposed to be a rainy day so I made plans to bake. I made 2 loaves of banana cranberry.
I also spent time on some more Las Vegas posts and cleaned up my posts about our 2016 trip to the Ryder Cup that took us into Kalamazoo, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Madison. It came about because we were watching Top Chef in Madison WI and I mentioned we had been to Madison, that John didn't remember.
I did a post about driving the old Strip in LV.
Wednesday I went for a mani-pedi in the morning. It was cold out! In the afternoon John went "new" car shopping and ended up buying one to replace our 2017.
I went to a tea party in the building. There were six of us and the hostess put on a lovely spread.
Thursday John had to go to Service Ontario for a copy of his car ownership as he was missing a piece on the one he had in the car UPDATE it turned up later! Anticipating a long line, but he was fifth or sixth in line.
I went to College Park but only found some meat "bargains" in Metro, a roast pork and a leg of lamb. Lamb is hard to find around here.
Windows were washed.
Shake Shack is coming to Canada. Based on trying them last month in Vegas, I won't be waiting with bated breath.
Union Station.
I reposted an Anzac Australian post as it was April 25.
Friday John went to finalize the car details and emptied out the car. I went to Longo's because I needed rosemary for the lamb, which, of course, I didn't think of yesterday.
Hockey fever is rampant in the city, however, I fear it will be short-lived.
I had a good long phone chat with my BFF.
It is also cherry blossom time in Toronto. Here are some photos from other years as the weather continues to be cold and rainy.
I just read that a dear blogger friend has just lost his partner of 44 years, I am so sad for him.
It's been a week of bad news. T’s SIL died by suicide at the age of 50.
COOKING
Saturday slow cooker pot roast. $19 Metro 2X2 dinners. 2X1 lunch. Made soup with remainder, so another lunch.
Sunday pot roast leftovers
Monday ham and broccolini quiche with salad
Tuesday leftover quiche and salad
Wednesday hamburgers
Thursday bacon, turnips and mashed potatoes, a comfort meal that my Mom used to make.
Friday steak frites AND a big thank you to John, who cooks Friday nights' dinners.
May 2024 - Toronto ON
The condo weekly newsletter had a fun poster about the pigeons that decided a couple of years ago to move in!
Monday Mural was from Casey IL.
John used the golf simulator.
We ordered more steaks from The Butcher Shop.
In April, on our way home, we drove through Illinois which has an automatic toll system, which means you must have a transponder or pay online. The entire length of the Illinois system is cashless since 2020.
We registered our license plate and waited. Today there was a charge of $8.70. There should be a few more charges.
Made soup for lunch.
Tuesday John did a Costco run. And yes, we got a rotisserie chicken!
A Costco shop means finding a home for everything and dividing up the meat. Bananas are crazy at Costco $2 for nine bananas! But a blogger mentioned that coffee had gone up and yes, it was $44 for 80 pods.
John found their gluten free Carbonaut bread but wasn't impressed, he said it sticks to his teeth and breaks up.UPDATE usually I freeze bread for stuffing or croutons, but this didn’t work for that.
He also went to the bank to get a certified cheque and got the new parking tags for his car. Car insurance is taken care of.
I cleared out the fridge and used up some items to make salted caramel cheesecake bites with homemade salted caramel sauce. No photo, the finished product looked terrible after I tried "decorating" it. But it tasted good!
I updated my potato chip collection!
Wednesday John picked up his car!
This old baby took us on many a road trip!
2017 her maiden voyage was to Florida for a couple of weeks then west to LA where she waited patiently while we flew to Mexico for 6 weeks. On our return to LA she took us along the California coast and then back home.
Later in 2017 she went across the US and back home across Canada.
Late 2017 we went to Florida for our wedding anniversary with stops in Boca Raton and Daytona Beach FL, Savannah GA.
2022 she went from Toronto and through the Maritimes and all around Newfoundland and Labrador.
This year 2024 she took us from Toronto to Las Vegas with stops in St. Louis MO, Salt Lake City and Toledo OH.
This was being picked up on our driveway, it belongs to Osprey Bluffs Honey Company.
Yonge-Dundas
The Eaton Centre is under major renovations.
The new food court, Queen's Cross, is now open.
Oliver and Bonacini. And I just learned that O&B are now running the food court at One York!
Eric Chong (born December 27, 1991) is a Canadian chef, former engineer, and restaurateur who became the winner of the first season of MasterChef Canada.
Our favourite pizza place but no gluten free here...
Thursday John went to bottle his wine. Then we took the shuttle downtown and walked to St. Lawrence Market. Once again, we said, why don't we do this more often? It was packed with tourists.
We got 2 pounds of mussels for $11. Yes, we are a metric country but we use a mix of metric and imperial measurements!
Damn! We did it again! We put them in the fridge still wrapped up until I looked it up and they should be unwrapped, so we lost a few of them. We will remember the next time.
I reminded John of the time, in 2014, that we bought mussels and froze them, forgetting that they are alive! Out of interest, two pounds of mussels in 2014 was $5.69.
Sourdough bread was fresh from the bakery at $5.We got some cheeses and cheese curds, pate, tzatziki.
Cilantro, cherry tomatoes, an avocado, 3 garlic cloves, 2 spring onions, jalapenos, Brussel sprouts for $20.
I looked at the price of limes, out of curiosity.
Longo's - $1 each.
St. Lawrence Market - 3 for $2 = 0.67 cents
Costco $9 for a 3 pound bag. I counted and we had 15. 0.60 cents
Crab legs are a favourite of ours, but at this price????
New place, this was a fish stall before.
Phew! My fave, lobster roll is only $22.
So many cheeses. Raspberry, apricot, blueberry, lemon, papaya, mango, cranberry, sticky toffee cheeses.
Friday John had car things to take care of and I went to pick up some weekend groceries. Then it turned into a rainy day so we watched a couple of movies.
Cross your fingers for our Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey as they play Boston tomorrow night, the series is 3-3 and it is the final game.
This is the t-shirt we saw around town. The Leafs haven't won a Stanley's Cup since 1967!
It is tulip time, this time last year, I/we did two tulip trips.
Tulip picking at Bay-Adelaide last year. It is scheduled for next week. Damn and I forgot to go.
Fenwick ON
COOKING
Saturday Roast leg of lamb, roast potatoes, Brussel sprouts and turnip and carrots
Sunday homemade pizza - that turned out to be a bust. I blame my inconsistent oven.
Monday lamb curry with enough for one lunch and then made a pot of soup for one.
Tuesday rotisserie chicken nachos. $8 2X2 dinners 2X2 lunches then a pot of soup.
Wednesday chicken salad beets hard boiled eggs and homemade gluten free biscuits.
Thursday mussels in a spicy garlic tomato sauce with crusty bread. The sauce was okay, I added onions and hot sauce, but it lacked oomph. We will try this Thai red curry sauce next time!
Friday steak and poutine
Paramount
May 2024 - Toronto ON
Cheyenne WY
Saturday I had my first ride in the new car as we ran some errands.
Unfortunately our Maple Leafs lost last night in game 7.
Sunday and we're not going anywhere as the Toronto Marathon is on and we are on the route so roads are closed around us. Plus is was a very foggy wet start to the day.
However I found Masterchef Australia season 16 2024 to watch online!!!
Cinco de Mayo so I cooked Mexican.
Monday John had his annual Wooden Sticks day of golf which included dinner.
I thought I was heading to Yorkville (Yonge subway stop) but on impulse got off the subway at Wellesley as I wanted to see the newly renovated clock tower/new condo incorporation.
This turned out to be an 11,000 step walk.
This clock tower was originally part of the Yonge Street Fire Hall. It later stood over the St. Charles Tavern, which was a symbol for Toronto’s gay community.
The Yonge Street Fire Hall was active for 56 years. It closed in 1928 and the building became a car wash, then a tire dealership. In 1948, racehorse owner Charles Hemstead purchased the building and redesigned the ground floor to open the St. Charles restaurant and cocktail bar in 1950. Hemstead sold the business in 1958 but it continued to operate, serving drinks and Chinese Canadian food. The St. Charles could legally stay open when other bars had to close for dinner. Patrons at the nearby Red Lion Room, nicknamed the “Pink Pussy” by the gay community, often moved to the St. Charles to eat. The St. Charles grew popular with gay men and it held many drag shows, but it was not always a safe space. Police were hostile to the community and surveilled inside. In the 1970s, the tradition of Halloween drag shows began to attract malicious crowds, forcing drag queens to enter in secret or be pelted with eggs. Several discos used the upper floors in the 1970s and 1980s, including Maygay, Charly’s, and Y-Not. The St. Charles closed in 1987, but the building still housed nightclubs such as the Empire Dancebar. In 2022, the St. Charles clock tower was restored and incorporated into a housing development.
Just sidewalking.
Facing Yonge Street is the well loved, red brick, 1888-built Masonic Hall/Gloucester Mews building, which is being fully rehabilitated as part of The Ivy. it was occupied by the House of Lords hair salon for as long as I can remember.
Facing Gloucester Street, the Charles Levey Houses, have been disassembled and transported in panels to a warehouse to be cleaned and restored before returning to the site and reintegrated into the base of The Ivy, but attached to a modern frame.
The property at 8 Gloucester Street is associated with Timothy Eaton (1834-1907), who relocated to Toronto in 1869 to open a dry goods business that evolved into one of the city's first department stores and the longest privately operated one in Canada. Eaton and his family resided in the easterly portion of the semi-detached houses) following their arrival in Toronto, a period when the entrepreneur formulated novel retail concepts for Toronto consumers, including fixed prices and cash sales.
BUT we knew it as Olympic 76 Pizza, our long time favourite pizza place since the early 1990s. A boss I had when I worked at Bay and Bloor used to take us there for lunch when it was a tiny hole in the wall across from this location.
The first Olympic pizza (it became a Jamaican spot) was in a row of small businesses now occupied by this condo, The Clover.
I snagged this photo from Google street view of the strip where the original Olympic was.
This is how the block looked before The Clover was built.
Here are our photos of Olympic Pizza taken in 2016.
I can't believe this is still around! Many a BMO event took place here.
Look at this antique! When did it go to a dollar for a call?
In 2007 it went from 25¢ to 50¢
In 2013 a federal regulator (CRTC) blocked a Bell Canada plan to raise the cost of a local pay phone call to $1.
So what is this sticker?
I stopped into the Reference Library to see their latest display. Click here for lots more photos.
Tuesday I did a quick shuttle bus run to Longo's for a couple of things for dinner. Blueberries were $3 if you had a loyalty card otherwise they were $6!
I baked lemon raspberry crumble bars for the first time and they were good!
Wednesday we ran a personal errand and then looked for geraniums, but they didn't look great so I bought three other plants instead.
We also checked up on the status of the Blue Goose. The Goose is back! UPDATE I read that the goose has been taken down until the building is finished.
2023 photo
2020 photo. When John played fastball for BMO this was their watering hole.
John went golfing and I headed (again) to Yorkville, I should have planned my week better. It was 21C but didn't feel like it with the winds, when I stepped out of the subway it had rained! But the sun did come back out.
I went to see the Fleurs de Villes floral displays.
Our steak order was delivered and I marked them properly so we can decide what is our favourite.
Thursday we had free tickets to a Jameson Distillery event at Stackt, but it was a gloomy morning so we decided not to go. But I was doing my Fleurs de Villes post and felt guilty that I had missed some so John and I headed (again) to Yonge and Bloor and did the rest, click here for another Fleurs de Villes post.
My favourite.
I was walking right by this until John pointed it out. Another Homeless Jesus!!!
Click here to see other Homeless Jesus sculptures.
Homeless Jesus are designed by Timothy Schmalz, a Canadian sculptor and devout Catholic. Schmalz was inspired to create the statue after seeing a homeless person sleeping on a park bench in Toronto in 2012.
We both had mocha, too sweet for us. Gluten free baked products!
In my Toronto Reference Library post I mentioned/linked above, Eat In Dine Out I mentioned The Pilot Tavern, so I got a photo today!
After a dull day we had a magnificent sunset!
Friday John had an appointment so he went to Longo's to pick up what we needed.
I stayed home and did some chores and repotted the new plants which led to other plants being repotted.
The hostas in black and white basket are new.
Red boots had been empty for a while; it used to have a snake plant in it. The Boston fern, middle red container is also new. It held my geraniums for a few years but they died out this year. Next up is the balcony.
COOKING
Sat roast pork (in freezer) roast potatoes carrots and turnips
Sun May 5 CINCO DE MAYO shrimp tacos guacamole
Mon John out lamb shanks Jackie Saturday's leftovers
Tues pork doner kabobs with pita and tzatziki and Greek salad
Wed halibut oven potato wedges. The halibut just wouldn't bake!
Thu ?????
Fri steak and balsamic garlic roasted mushrooms with baguette.
Livery Barn Cafe
May 2024 - Toronto ON
Ogallala NE
Another quiet weekend with the usual chores.
Administrivia - renewed photo card online/backed up Important Documents file to external hard drive/booked latest vaccines/renewed library card/fixed my Aeroplan password/updated my MC online.
I cleaned up some blog posts Missouri 08/Boca Raton 17 and started Winter 13/14) and also went through my draft posts and deleted many.
Monday and Tuesday, John used the golf simulator in the morning.
I did a quick trip to Longo's for some groceries. They keep moving everything around!
I spent time on the weekend and today cleaning up blog road trip posts over the years and linking them together.
Tuesday I went shopping and got two pairs of pants and a sweater after trying on three other pants and a jacket.
There was a protest in front of Union Station by the Freedumbers a$$holes.
Our skies are hazy due to the wildfires out west in Alberta.
Wednesday John headed out for his weekly golf game.
I took the bus downtown, at around 12:55 all the phones on the bus squawked with an Ontario Emergency Alert test but it seems not everyone received it. The power was out at the traffic lights at Lake Shore and Lower Simcoe due to a massive outage, however I didn't see any other signs of it.
I walked up to the Textile Museum.
A new bank??
A new restaurant.
The work on the new Metrolinx line is causing traffic chaos just as the other line, Eglinton Crosstown did for years and it still doesn't have an opening date!
Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster gave an update on the progress of the much-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT. Updated March 26, 2024 at 7:50 p.m. The $12.8-billion Eglinton Crosstown LRT was originally scheduled to open in 2020. There's still no date for when it will start operating.
A new 15.6-km subway line in Toronto that will run from Exhibition Place, through downtown, all the way to the Ontario Science Centre. UPDATE - they will have to rename that station, since DOFO (dumb Ford) suddenly had a whim to shut down the Science Centre.
As I cut through Nathan Phillips Square!
The Second Harvest Truck Pull Challenge is a one-of-a-kind race that puts your strength and teamwork to the test. Teams of 10 compete to pull a 20,000-pound delivery truck across Nathan Phillips Square in the fastest time, raising funds for Second Harvest’s food rescue and redistribution efforts.
For the last, at least three years 2018-2023, as I walk to the Textile Museum this corner was a construction sight. I was totally blown away to see this functioning building and I was disoriented at first, until I realized it was the new courthouse (NTC) across from the Armory exit of the Superior Court of Justice (Criminal).
The new courthouse brings together under one roof most of Toronto's Ontario Court of Justice criminal court operations from across the city, including the lovely old building, Old City Hall, you see behind the trucks in the above photos.
To prepare the site for construction of the courthouse, IO undertook a complex archaeological excavation that uncovered thousands of artifacts from when the site was part of St. John's Ward, one of Toronto's earliest immigrant settlements. The work ensures that the historical value of the site is documented and preserved.
Textile Museum - The Secret Codes: African Nova Scotian Quilts brings together historic and contemporary quilts from makers connected to Nova Scotia, embodying the stories and voices of the community. Curated by David Woods, this exhibition includes more than 35 quilts and a selection of 8 paintings that highlight the various functions of quilts over time: as decorated blankets in the home, as possible codes of communication for enslaved people seeking freedom, as records of family history, as a celebration of Black women and culture, and as inspiration for other art forms.
BTW to see previous exhibits from The Textile Museum, click on the words "Textile Museum" in the labels/tags at the bottom of this post.
They were gorgeous!
Love Stories Under the Quilt
There was another exhibit that didn't really interest me, other than this piece.
This piece was in the lobby.
Coming out of the museum on the other side of the courthouse, it was nice to have the sidewalk open after all these years.
Back in Nathan Phillips Square and the brains are back, now being sponsored by Mattamy Homes! Click here to see previous posts. Click here to see previous posts.
Coming home took 45 minutes, it should a max 20 minutes due to the construction on the Gardiner that is supposed to take three years! That will put a damper on companies making employees come back into the office!
From mid-April until mid-2027, the Gardiner will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue with intermittent additional lane closures as required. The eastbound on-ramp from Lake Shore Boulevard, east of Jameson Avenue, will also be closed.
Thursday John mentioned that Google Docs was using up his space on his phone, so I removed his access to the files. Here is an excellent document explaining how Docs duplicates files across multiple devices. Here is an excellent document explaining how Docs duplicates files across multiple devices.
That led me to cleaning up and editing some of our large recaps of our various travels on Docs.
Figured out how to get my Rakuten account working again for online shopping discounts. I turned off my ad blocker (didn't help) but then turned off Bitdefender anti-tracker and it worked!!
WOW I managed to fix my Blogger issue of not being able to make comments on my own blog and others, unless I went incognito!!! It was Bitdefender that was messing with Blogger! BTW John didn't have this extension installed.
We went to St. Lawrence Market as it is supposed to rain tomorrow as we head into a long weekend.
We got mussels (I'll try not to kill them before we cook them), good hamburger, sourdough bread and some vegetables. We always go to the same vegetable place, because they have good stuff, are very nice and always knock a buck or two off our cost.
We also found a new butcher who actually knows what he is talking about. DiLiso's Fine Meats.
John had just mentioned that there was a shortage, I'll have to stock up at the $ store.UPDATE there is plenty at the $ store.
Amazing steak selection!
Our first strawberry creme of the season!
Friday we both went for mani-pedis. It was $45 last month and now $50. It was a gloomy and chilly day so I stayed in while John ran an errand as it is a long weekend here.
I did more work on our travel recaps in Docs (China 09) as there was some duplication.
COOKING
Sat ham, roast potatoes, mashed turnip and carrots and Brussel sprouts
Sun ham and veg leftovers and mashed potatoes NEW spicy honey mustard sauce
Mon NEW Vietnamese pork and shrimp rice paper wrappers with Thai cucumber salad. I used my dumpling dip for the spring rolls. John didn't care for the shrimp with the pork.
Tue ham, scalloped potatoes and cauliflower and spicy honey mustard sauce.
Wed liver, onions, garlic mashed potatoes and cauliflower
Thu mussels (Jamie Oliver cookbook Bloody Mary mussels) and fresh bread. This was so disappointing, there just wasn't any real flavour, despite the horseradish, garlic and chilis. I think the mixture needed cooking to blend the flavours, and more liquid. Jamie mixed all the ingredients (cold) and then simply poured it over the mussels while cooking.
Fri steak and loaded baked potato
Brew It
May 2024 - Toronto ON
Cheyenne WY
Saturday - the usual chores, laundry, blah, blah.
John had put some jars of essential oils in a kitchen cupboard. I took out a cardboard box of marrowfat (mushy) peas to soak for dinner, they reeked of eucalyptus oil! I soaked and cooked them but they were inedible. So we cleared that cupboard out, it had some unopened (gluten) crackers that were out of date, and an opened box of stale crackers, as well as another box of peas that got thrown out. I also sorted a Tupperware drawer and some baking supplies.
Sunday - I made apple fritters for breakfast on a very foggy morning, due to the warm air and the cold Lake Ontario. I had my weekly 90 minute phone call with my friend in a retirement home.
I rearranged a couple of plants at John's suggestion (good one).
Monday - holiday Victoria Day. The Sovereign's birthday has been celebrated in Canada since the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). May 24, Queen Victoria's birthday, was declared a holiday by the Legislature of the Province of Canada in 1845.
The big problem: There is no set definition of Victoria Day. Yes, it’s about Queen Victoria. But it’s also about military parades, drinking, picnicking, spring, and the British Empire. Ask three different people what the point of Victoria Day is, and you’ll get four different answers. In Montreal, where I grew up, it meant the official start of spring, and that you could finally plant flowers in your garden without having to worry about them dying of frost. Everyone in my neighbourhood spent May 24th at the local plant nursery. But in Ontario, where I now live, many people call the holiday “May 2-4,” and spend the weekend going camping with friends, opening up the cottage, and drinking beer (i.e. a “two-four”) around the campfire. In Victoria, where it’s called Victoria Day, there is a massive parade through the downtown core with marching bands, floats, and military marches. In Richmond, the holiday is called May Long Weekend, and it’s a nice perk that many people use to spend time with family.
John made omelets for breakfast. He used the golf simulator for a couple of hours.
I got up to date on filing and shredding, I cleaned out the old car papers for shredding once John checks he doesn't need any of it. We both cleaned up the balcony, there were a gazillion shad/midge dead flies out there.
He took a walk along the lake.
Tuesday we went for our covid shots and then to lunch at One York Food Hall by O and B.
Curryocity wasn't open so John opted for a taco bowl at Lala's $13 and I went to Beauty's Fried Chicken $10 one piece plus fries, good taste and prices.
John went through the old car papers and he found the proof of ownership that he couldn't and had to get a replacement last month! Everything can be was shredded.
Laundry
Wednesday John golfed and I went for a haircut. We had a severe thunderstorm warning and there were raindrops and strong winds so I decided to catch an early bus home.
Thursday we headed out after lunch and walked to Chinatown, with a stop at the 401 Richmond Museum. We walked over 10,000 steps with a stop at Starbucks for strawberry frappuccinos. Bonus it was $4 drinks today.
Thomson Reuter's new Toronto headquarters - Toronto House is 58 floors.
At its base, the building includes the preserved south and west facades of the 1908-built Southam Press Building,.
This mural has seen its better days.
401 Richmond Art
We happened upon this pop-up.
Sample creations from Chef Susur Lee at the Tasting Window
Inspired by the wine windows of Florence, Tostitos® is welcoming Toronto to enjoy a taste of local, multicultural flavour – free of charge. As per Tostitos web page.
These guys were soliciting for people to sample. He suggested the only gluten free one - Thai Coconut and Pineapple Dip - lemongrass, pineapple, coconut cream, onion, turmeric and chili.
He calls in the order, you ring the bell at the tasting window and it opens with your tostito.
Chinatown on Spadina is quickly disappearing to new condos.
Two buildings that have sat kitty-corner at one of downtown Toronto's busiest intersections for decades are now being gutted and razed, respectively, for a new station on the forthcoming Ontario Line subway.
The CIBC that was located in the historic banking building on the northeast corner, which was originally built a staggering 120 years ago, now, nearly without a trace of what it used to be.
Designed by George Wallace Gouinlock for the Bank of Hamilton (which later merged with CIBC), the structure was completed in 1903 and received heritage designation in the early 1970s.
It is known as one of the oldest buildings in Canada, and is now almost completely gutted as work on the new transit stop really gets going, though exterior facades remain.
We picked up a few fruits and vegetables in Chinatown and then compared to prices to Longo's.
Handwritten prices are Longo's, what a difference! Yes, there are less expensive grocers than Longo's but it is very convenient for me.
Queen St. W - finally, the hoarding is gone. QRC West Phase 2 (Queen Richmond Centre West).
This extension of the QRC (2015) will link new office and retail to the grand Atrium of phase one at lobby level and by bridge and be well-integrated with the surrounding brick industrial fabric, while also offering a new state-of-the-art, highly sustainable commercial office complex.
Sitting on the patio at Starbucks I noticed the street sign and wondered who Harriet Boulton Smith was...Seems I have seen her portrait at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)!
Grange Park is a two-hectare green space in downtown Toronto. The park was originally part of The Grange estate built in 1817 by the Boulton family, who played an influential role in developing the young city of Toronto. The area now known as Grange Park served as the Boulton family’s front lawn. The elliptical path for carriages leading to the front door of The Grange remains as a heritage feature in the park today.
The Grange at the AGO. The brick house below the blue.
Friday John golfed and I did some shopping. I also discovered that the One York Food Hall is only open from 11:30 - 2:30 Monday to Thursday!!
The most Canadian headline ever!
Ambulance collides with moose while responding to another moose collision: OPP
COOKING
Saturday ham mushy peas cauliflower and leftover au gratin potatoes
Sunday chicken wings carrots and celery
Monday burgers and potato salad. Burger meat was delicious. Bought at the market and labelled as steak 3lbs for $20 = $1.67 per burger.
Tuesday fish we were full from lunch so we had salad
Wednesday lemon parmesan chicken Alfredo garlic bread
Thursday Asian chicken lettuce wraps I picked this one to try the sauce which was good, I added hot sauce and ginger.
Friday steak, garlic bread and sauteed onions, mushrooms and broccolini
JUNE
May 2024 - Toronto ON
Toledo OH
Another gloomy Saturday but it doesn't matter we're not going anywhere.
A lot of chores got done. Paper shredder got emptied! Soup was started, cleaned out the fridge.
But then we went down rabbit holes the rest of the afternoon as I opened one of our travel videos and then John started watching the ones I had on YouTube. And I discovered not all were up on YouTube. We also found some that wouldn't load so I am looking for a solution.
Solution found - Clipchamp. I've fixed them all!!
John had a "senior" moment and shaved half his goatee off, so the rest had to come off!!
Sunday I baked a blueberry banana loaf. Did laundry.
Monday John headed out to golf at 8 nope, it was raining.
So another stay at home day. No worries, there's always something to keep us busy. More laundry.
We spent the afternoon watching MasterChef Australia season 16 - four episodes.
Tuesday cloudy but no rain forecasted until late afternoon. We took the subway to the Eaton Centre to try out their new food hall. I had shown you around in this post.
John had the Curryocity butter chicken (gluten free) and said it was okay but not very saucy. I tried Eric Chong's Lil' Rebel pop up. Eric was the first winner of MasterChef Canada and has several restaurants around town. I was anxious to try his potsticker dumplings, they were all right.
When we stepped out to walk back, it had poured! We walked back in sunshine and wind. We got on the bus and the skies just emptied all the way home. We only caught a few raindrops, good timing.
I received my Amazon order of a new bathroom wall scrubber, ours was worn. I also ordered a rotary cheese grater as neither of ours did a great job (charity bag).
Wednesday we slept in, not like us!!! John went golfing. I went to Winners, $ store and picked up some things, including sriracha since it seems there is a shortage!!
We got our gluten free Amazon order so we are good for baguettes, bread and cookies.
I asked John which sleep mask he would like...
Kelley's Landing on Front St.
They are painting the cement slabs outside Union with the word "WELCOME" in different languages.
I did some administrivia, shredding more paper etc. watering plants. I cleared a whole box of photos, no idea why I kept them, most had been scanned ages ago and there were a lot of duplicates.
Thursday we walked to Kensington Market and bought scallops (1 lb $20), and also picked up some wieners, breakfast sausages, pepperoni, made in house at Sanagan's.
Friday I looked out and saw the streetcars all waiting at the Loop.
John golfed. I went to College Park and got a black jean jacket and picked up some chocolate and some groceries at Metro.
This was a strange sight outside Union Station.
To celebrate the centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), the RCAF Foundation is collaborating with Union Station and the RCAF on a special F-18 cockpit installation.
Pedestrians can sit in, take photos, and learn more about the RCAF from serving members. Nestled in front of the RCAF Centennial banners commissioned by the RCAF Foundation, this free installation is expected to attract thousands of Torontonians and visitors who will learn more about the past, present, and future of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Someone threw out a large Christmas cactus plant (in recycling bin) so I snipped some leaves and will see if they will root in water.
Since John didn't get home until really late we moved our steak dinner to Saturday and had eggs and sausage instead.
Awesome video by a favourite of mine, Simu Liu, for Blue Jays new shirt!
COOKING
Saturday roast pork roast potatoes mashed cauliflower and carrots with sour cream
Sunday cottage pie (ground beef/corn)
Monday chicken fingers and potato salad
Tuesday store bought salads
Wednesday spaghetti and homemade meat sauce/jalapeno soda bread
Thursday lemon garlic scallops and sweet potato fries
Friday steak, baked potato broccolini Horrors! sausages, tomatoes and eggs
June 2024 - Toronto ON
Skagway Alaska
It was our usual leisurely weekend, cloudy Saturday and rainy Sunday. I had two boxes of frozen spinach (why??) in the freezer and had the brainstorm to make soup, also using some sad bits of vegetables that were languishing in the fridge.
Monday John did a grocery run and I went shopping, because I "needed" black capris, mission accomplished in Cleo's.
Cutting through the Royal York Hotel.
Tuesday we went to The Well, we had first visited this new building back in January, The Well, we had first visited this new building back in January, on the coldest day, but the food court hadn't opened as yet. WOW we were impressed
with the selection.
John picked up his lunch from here.
I ordered from Blue Claw, home of the Canadian catch, fresh lobster from the east coast.
I was just thinking of knishes last week and how I miss them!!!
PRIDE flag on side of new TD building.
BTW, on our way there, we ran into an old friend and made plans for lunch.
Wednesday I took the 9:30 bus to Union Station and took the GO train to meet my BFF for lunch in Burlington. The bus was delayed by this, just passed the bus exit ramp, causing traffic to be backed up.
Pictures from the train.
Waving at John as I go by Palace Pier.
We had a good catch up at the Piper’s Arm, and I missed the 2:19 train by a minute. We hadn't bothered to check the schedule. I caught the 2:49.
I have been lusting after this cookbook for eons but I knew I could find most of them on his blog/FB/YouTube, but I broke down this week. John has already tagged his likes.
Thursday we were planning on meeting the above-mentioned friend for lunch but she begged off due to work and a vacation day on Friday.
I thought I would do a quick run downtown for some groceries. I saw the 1:20 bus go by and waited and waited for the 1:30, with some other people and finally gave up and came back upstairs. I caught the 2:20 which was on time. The streets were teeming with Blue Jays fans and school buses. Then I realized the game was a "school game", which ENDED at 3:30, sheer chaos as the stadium emptied. My 3:45 bus showed up at 4:22 (never saw the 4:15 bus) so we had a full bus. I walked into our condo at 5:19!!
Friday dawned grey and gloomy as we pondered going out. I knew that the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) had not gone on strike at 2 AM as threatened, reaching a last minute agreement.
I found three tablets that John had set back to factory settings and gave two of them to our cleaning lady T for her girls. I also gave her some plant cuttings that needed a home (not mine)!
T sent me a picture of the baby and the tablet.
We decided to catch the 11:20 and got sprinkled on. The rain stopped as we walked to lunch.
It was very quiet downtown, everyone "works from home" on Fridays, and those that don't, used the TTC strike as a reason not to come into the city.
I took this photo from the bus, wet streets and blue sky would not last long!
Looking north, in the distance, dark clouds are looming.
Aroma is our destination. When I worked at the Hyatt, on the right, we had consultants (IT guys) from India and we would lunch here. It is an AYCE, all you can eat Indian buffet. Today's cost is $22 a head, but that includes a salad bar, dessert, soup and lots of choices. Pakoras, samosa, naan bread, chicken tikka masala, goat masala (my favourite) chickpea curry, tofu curry, beef rogan josh, tandoori, rice, aloo gobi, paneer, fish masala, I think I got them all!
There was a huge downpour as we were eating, creating big puddles.
.
The rain let up when we left the restaurant so we decided to carry on with my our plans.
Luminato Festival Toronto is a multi-arts festival that celebrates the energy of the city and connects people through memorable art experiences. Every June, our festival transforms Toronto into a playground of art, creativity and conversation.
As part of this year's festival, Evanescent, a massive, immersive piece of 'art-chitecture' by Australian design firm Atelier Sisu, will be set up in two different locations in the city for the entire month.
The installation consists of gigantic iridescent bubbles that you can walk through and around, scoring some of the best Instagrams of the entire summer.
Gillie and Marc's public sculpture debut in Toronto features their newest creation, "He Was on a Ride to a Safer Place with Rabbitwoman and Dogman," on display at the renowned David Pecaut Square.
I knew I recognized their work! They have a piece in Yorkville.
This extraordinary piece invites viewers to join Rabbitwoman and Dogman on a cycling adventure led by a majestic northern white rhino at the front of the bicycle. Inspired by their travels and commitment to environmental consciousness, the artists have beautifully embodied their ethos in this interactive sculpture. Designed with a rear seat, the piece invites the public to become part of the whimsical journey, spreading a message of love, unity, and positivity.
This wild tandem ride calls attention to the plight of the endangered northern white rhino, threatened by poaching and habitat loss. Rabbitwoman and Dogman’s autobiographical tale of two opposites coming together as best friends and soulmates serves as a conduit to reconnect us with nature and wildlife. With 70% of the planet's wildlife lost in the last 50 years, the call to action is urgent.
The rain is holding off!
A new sculpture gifted by the Anthony and Gay Longo family and created by sculptor Timothy Paul Schmalz, well known for his Homeless Jesus sculptures around the world.
Love Hands at Commerce Court.
We got on the bus just as the skies opened up! This was the sunset after the rainy afternoon.
COOKING
Saturday steak, baked potato and broccolini
Sunday lamb shanks (carrots/corn/onion) mashed sweet/white potatoes
Monday hamburgers and chips (crisps)
Tuesday chicken dumplings (steamed/fried)
Wednesday wieners and beans
Thursday Spanish tuna tomato stew with baguette. New recipe, John says it is a keeper, although he is not keen on stewed tomatoes. He is a very fussy fish eater. We added hot sauce to it. $15 worth of tuna but we did get a good lunch out of the leftovers.
Friday steak with broccolini and balsamic roasted mushrooms
This also happened in June!
June 2024 - Toronto ON
Yonge St. Toronto
Saturday-Sunday
I made a cheesecake with this recipe but used limes instead of lemons. I also made a blueberry compote to top it. We also had some pie as "lunch" after bacon and eggs for breakfast on Sunday.
I also made a soup using the leftover lamb shank bones and sauce along with another lamb bone we had frozen. The soup was great for a Monday lunch with Sunday's leftover rice.
We tend to do chores on the weekend so we can be out and about during the week.
After a dreary weekend, Monday was more of the same! So I made the management decision to spend the day in, bingeing on MasterChef Australia! It got really chilly in here, I ran into a woman in the elevator who said she had to put socks and a sweater on!
Tuesday, and it continues to be dreary! Dressed accordingly (13C), we headed out on the 11:20 shuttle for lunch at The Bangkok Garden Thai buffet ($22 pp). The buffet was disappointing, the vegetarian spring rolls, veggie balls and chicken wings were very good, the red chicken curry tasted like plain boiled chicken. John said that the noodle soup was hot and spicy. The fish was good as were the vegetable dishes but not hot enough.
Pics along the way.
Dundas Square
First Canadian Shake Shack - opening Thursday. Having eaten there in Vegas in March, I won't be rushing there.
I mentioned the demolition of this building on Monday Mural this week. The outer wall had a history of murals.
Welcome to 8 Elm, in collaboration with Simu Liu, a spectacular new 69-storey condominium by Reserve Properties and Capital Developments, offering an exhilarating lifestyle in the heart of Toronto.
Elm will preserve the James Fleming heritage building at its base. As part of the project scope, the existing properties at both 8 Elm Street and 348-350 Yonge Street will be conserved and incorporated into the redevelopment.
NEW! Funduk, a Turkish candy/pastry shop. Lots of nougats, I sampled a couple, and they were delicious.
Lots of Turkish Delight, a favourite of mine since forever!
Baklava!
Inspired by real Canadian stories, The Last Timbit follows a group of strangers who wait out the snowstorm of the decade in a Tim Hortons.
We caught the 2:45 shuttle and didn't get home until 4:30. We had seen and heard all the police cars, fire trucks and ambulance racing down York. When the bus reached the corner at York the traffic person stated there was an accident so the driver should find another route. It didn't matter they had closed the expressway due to a fatal accident so traffic wasn't moving anywhere.
Wednesdays John golfs.
I ordered tickets for Titanique, coming in December.
I went to St. Lawrence Market to get Greek dips for dinner.
Interesting contrast, the grey glass building middle right, has the GOOGLE logo on it.
Funny bag in a thrift shop - everything is under control.
Market St. is closed to vehicles for the summer. Click here for some history about these buildings.
I seem to attract fire trucks, a few weeks' ago it was Longo's.
The fire alarm was going in the block of buildings. The LCBO had already evacuated their store, but none of the restaurants had. The firefighters emptied the coffee shop as they walked by.
St. Lawrence Market PRIDE 2024.
Visit the Market Gallery from May 18 to August 4 to explore artist Kevin Matthew Wong’s Benevolence Hall. This free immersive community space invites visitors to reflect on their journeys and relationships to Canada, through the lens of Hakka (客家 / guest family) people.
Moon Gate
Buying olives for John, I don't like them, so the choice was overwhelming.
Outside of Meridian Hall was teeming with graduates as I went by but on my return they were all inside.
The George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology is a public, fully accredited college of applied arts and technology with three campuses in downtown Toronto.
This construction traffic is the bane of my existence, so I can only imagine how the drivers feel. I got the 3:45 bus (ten minutes late) and got home at 4:45.
Thursday John took two garbage bags to the thrift store and ran a couple of errands.
To go out or not? The weather took care of that, humid, tornado warnings and strong winds. In the end we didn't get anything, although areas around us did.
What a surprise to see a mention of my blog in another Toronto blog, As I Walk Toronto!
It was in reference to this post I did about a quilt exhibit at the Textile Museum.
Friday John golfed at 11. I went to Kensington Market in search of Indian spices.
It was a gorgeous day to wander, I should have started earlier because as it got near noon, there were hordes of school kids on day trips. I guess the schools are using up their funds, use it or lose it.
For more than a century Kensington Market has served as a multicultural gathering place and shopping district, where successive waves of immigration have left behind traces of their presence—even as new newcomers arrive to make their own mark.
Super Serve Ice Cream - will be a stop on the next trip!
I couldn't find an artist's signature. Click here to see more murals from this outing.
Immigrants from the British Isles started transforming the area west of Spadina Avenue from agricultural land into a neighbourhood in the 19th century.
You’ll notice many storefronts conceal the type of Victorian brick house they constructed all over Toronto.
Lovely to see the neighbourhood still manages to keep its identity.
Golden! Zoom in on the floral mirror by the stairs.
There are some lovely private homes as well.
I stopped here on my way back to get some things and it was very busy! Strange, cash or debit (CDN) only. It is pricier than walking over to Spadina and shopping in one of the Asian stores.
Now it starts to get busy.
When I came back with John, on Monday, this is where we bought pate that we liked and the mozzarella cheese.
I had a hot dog at this new place.
I have reached my destination! Pay cash and there is no tax! I am like a kid in a candy shop (oh, I did that above in the Turkish store!)!
The kids are everywhere now!
I picked up two gluten free bagels to see if John would like them. He did, especially because they weren’t frozen.
He is not happy with his latest order from Nate’s now called Gold Standard.
More private homes, steps away from Spadina and Dundas.
I took the 520 streetcar back to Union. I'll have to try these.
My haul.
These would have been cheaper if I had walked to the Chinatown stores, but it was fine.
COOKING
Saturday honey balsamic pork tenderloin, mashed turnips and carrots and broccolini. The pork recipe was okay, nothing special.
Sunday Curry Guy chicken curry page 184 and papadums. This was absolutely delicious, the best curry I've ever made. It could be spicier, I will tweak that in future, but the sauce is so smooth! I could have licked the bowl.
Here is the recipe (more or less),
Monday pork chops, mushy peas and mashed potatoes (sweet and white). I made enough so I don't have to cook on Thursday.
Tuesday John requested egg and onion sandwiches while we were at lunch.
Wednesday Greek dips, pita, salad. We'll have lunch for a few days!
Thursday bacon and leftover potatoes and mushy peas, mashed turnip.
Friday steak frites. I haven't really mentioned it, but John typically cooks Friday steak. If we have fries he also takes care of that. I make any sauces/dips and do the vegetables.
Brew Bar
June 2024 - Toronto ON
YORK ST. TORONTO
Our usual weekend. Chores etc.
John went out early on Sunday to get gas and gluten free beer for his golfing excursion this week.
Monday Mural from Kensington Market last week.
I found these new murals in Kensington Market last week. Kensington’s charm lies snuggly in its pokey alleys, flamboyant graffiti and a jumble of shops that range from old-school ethnic to cutting-edge hipster. Both were in this lane.
This artwork is by Sadie Rock and is entitled "SNOOPY AT THE LAKE". This piece was painted in 2023 as a part of the StART Support Program and is located at @pearlharborgiftshop.
"Where Math Meets Art" signed Sasha Q can be seen on the corner of the building in the last photo.
Funny, a few of us were waiting for the bus at 10:30 when it went sailing by before 10:30. We all said huh? With that it does a U-turn and comes back, guess she forgot the schedule!!
I wanted John to come to Kensington Market with me today to show him the spice shop (and to pick up some more things) and to have lunch.
It was 11:20 when we stopped at a place I thought would be good, but they didn't open until noon.
A better view of the golden mirror. And it is summer!
This is where we thought we would eat.
So we went to the spice shop instead.
Then we decided to lunch somewhere else instead (not noon yet, and the other place didn't really have decent seating). What a find, this was amazing. Film Cafe
I had the ceviche, the best I've had outside of Mexico. John had the chilaquiles with short ribs, and that was very good too. We would definitely go back!
Flying proudly.
Kensington Market is always colourful!
Needed to check on the garden car. To see more of it click on "garden car" in the labels/tags at the bottom of this post.
I would definitely try this place!
The Cottage Cheese - urban Indian, interesting menu! Also added to our list, the curries are gluten free and they can run down the street for their spices!
Wanda's Pie in the Sky.
Store name is Come As You Are.
Blue Banana Market.
Hot sauces.
All kinds of celebrity candles!
A stop in Bunners, for a gluten free cinnamon bun and scone.
Home with my loot. Pappadums - a different brand, coriander chutney, fenugreek leaves ( I didn't see these when I bought the seeds), tamarind paste, hot madras curry, and ground star anise (I have whole ones) . Pate and mozzarella fior di latte from Cheese Magic. Pastry from Bunners.
It always feels good to support local shops.
I'm fangirling watching E34 of MasterChef Australia because Nagi, from Recipe Tin Eats, a blogger that I have followed forever! is a guest. I have made so many of her recipes over the years. I just borrowed her cookbook from the library.
John is away golfing from Tuesday to Thursday.
Tuesday Treasures takes a look at Market St. that I stopped by last week when I went to St. Lawrence Market.
Some signs I've seen recently.
We planned on being up by 7 on Tuesday but a massive thunderstorm was our alarm at 6AM! John was packed and on his way at 7:45 to pick up his buddy for the drive north.
I cleaned the inside of the living room windows. I also started on the kitchen floor grout. I changed the table runner, and set two plants to soak in the sink.
I then went to meet a friend for lunch at Union Station.
I had a smash burger from Mikey's, it was okay, M had a taco bowl (minus the corn tortilla, we both hate the smell of corn).
I then went and bought these sandals.
She was catching the train home but the notice board said "cancelled - proceed to bus terminal.
"Metrolinx issued a news release Tuesday afternoon that certain transit routes are experiencing disruptions as a result of today's high of 33 C, which feels closer to 40 C with the humidex, resulting in a heat warning and special air quality statement.
"During prolonged periods of high heat, rail tracks have the potential to soften and expand that require us to run trains at slower speeds. To ensure the safety of our customers and crew, slow orders are issued along the network which also reduce the risk of track damage," the agency wrote."
I finished the kitchen floor when I got back.
Yes, there is hockey fever here as the Edmonton Oilers are fighting tooth and nail.
Wednesday
I cleaned the outside balcony windows, table and railing glass and the fridge. Then I caught the 10:30 and went browsing around Yonge and Dundas.
Protests against another of our premier's dumb ideas.
Ontario's controversial plans for Ontario Place include a new massive spa and indoor water park, to be built by Austria-based Therme Canada, as well as a new Ontario Science Centre and more than 20 hectares of green space and beaches.
Union Station's "freebie" stand, today I got a peach cooler. I meant to go back, but I forgot. Usually there is a long line...
Now open, and there was a line-up of people waiting on Yonge St.
A new location in the Atrium.
Ham, lettuce and tomato on a croissant from a new Hazukido location in the Atrium. Delicious!
HAZUKIDO insists on the Shokunin spirit of Japan, using only the finest ingredients to make the highest quality croissant.
The exclusive folding technique creates a classic honeycomb texture that has a perfectly golden crunch. Each croissant spreads the natural buttery aroma and preserves the classic French traditions with generosity.
I poked through the Eaton Centre and found body wash at a massive sale in Bathworks.
I found great t-shirts for John in Winners.
Thursday - we had more thunderstorms overnight.
I went to the Hazukido location in Union to pick up a smoked salmon croissant for lunch and a coffee mascarpone croissant for Friday breakfast. They were so good!!!
Our steak order arrived while I was out.
The annual fire inspection was done around 4PM.
John arrived home around 5:45. Group photo Pike Lake 2024.
We lost the wrong Donald today.
Friday was a lazy day with more expected thunderstorms.
I made a reservation for Summerlicious, a chance to try new restaurants with a set menu for lunch or dinner.
COOKING
Saturday lamb curry spicy Thai mango salad. Curry Guy Bible recipe railway lamb curry was delicious. The online recipe says cook the meat for 40 minutes, the book says 90 minutes. I did 90. Both recipes do not mention marinading the meat which I did in yogurt and spices. The online version of the recipe is better written than the book.
Here is a video version, again slightly different but all from the Curry Guy.
BTW railway lamb curry is a thing, I found various other recipes for it.
Sunday burgers and chips (crisps)
Monday pizza
Tuesday John away - leftover lamb curry
Wednesday John away - pork chop, mashed potatoes and turnip
Thursday John back around 6 - fridge leftovers, dips, pita, pate and toast.
Friday steak frites, chimichurri.
June 2024 - Toronto ON
Beans and Brews - Salt Lake City UT
This was a quiet, uneventful week for a change.
Saturday/Sunday was forecasted to be more rainy hot days and lived up to that expectation. John was inspired by my grout cleaning to do the hall and bathrooms.
Here's a funny article about what first time visitors to Toronto need to know.
I updated our map on my blog. I also updated my backup version of my blog.
Monday John used the golf simulator. I went to Longo's and picked up some bargains.
They started putting up the privacy fence.
John did a Costco run on Tuesday.
This happened out our window.
First item on the list.
The street was still closed when John left, which got me wondering how he would get home. AND how would the bus get here??? Solved! Police allowed residents of our building to go along the one way, the wrong way!
I went down for the 10:30 bus but it was late and cold out so I came back up.
John had a big haul from Costco this week! Lamb was so much cheaper and better than Metro $30/4.2 lb VS $45/4 lbs. I cut the leg up and divided it into four to freeze. It was also a much better cut with no wastage.
With the lamb, ham, lamb chops, pork belly and chicken thighs we won't need meat for quite a while!
I went to Longo's later to get more of their bacon at $4 and a few other items.
John was watching something and they were drinking Basil Hayden bourbon so I picked one up for him.
Wednesday I planned on getting a haircut so I planned on getting the 10:30 bus and it was later than ever, it turned into the 11:20 bus instead. The traffic has been awful in the mornings, well all day these days with construction.
The Love hands from a distance.
PRIDE at the Royal York Hotel.
I had a burger at Hero's and then looked in Winners and Shoe Company before grabbing the 1:45 bus, you can count on it being on schedule as it is that driver's first run. John headed to golf but they only got a few holes in as we had thunderstorms the rest of the afternoon.
Thursday we thought about going out to lunch, but really, we had too many leftovers, so I had a chicken sandwich and John finished the chicken Alfredo. I froze the chicken soup I had made from the rotisserie chicken carcass and John said he'd finish the potato au gratin with dinner.
More bus woes on Friday. Here I was thinking, oh, traffic is light and I can see the bus at the other building leaving at 10:25 to head to us. BUT it sails right by three of us! I sent a note to the office asking ????
I waited for the 11:20 and she asked if we were waiting a long time, I said I was, and she apologized and said it was her fault, also said it as I got off the bus...
I was thinking that we need a change to the bus schedule due to the construction and then the weekly news update came out with this!
A photo I took downtown.
The privacy fence is finished. It is nice and does finish off the area outside the pool.
It is a long weekend celebrating Canada Day and the PRIDE parade also takes place.
COOKING
Saturday - chicken masala curry (p87)
Sunday - hamburger went into chili instead of patties, gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots and turnips.
Monday - liver, mashed potatoes, carrots and turnips
Tuesday - pasta lemon parmesan chicken (rotisserie)
Wednesday - ham, broccolini/potato au gratin
Thursday - lamb chops asparagus roast potatoes with garlic herb crumb
Friday - steak loaded baked potato
