Monday Mural

 I'm linking up at Monday Mural

March 2024 - Las Vegas NV

Murals found at Nacho Daddy restaurant.

And on the other wall in the lane.

Good Earth Coffeehouse

  Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader

Weekend Coffee Share
Sunday Salon

September 2024

Yonge St. Toronto ON

It was a quiet week around here. John golfed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

The rest was mostly routine, nothing wrong with that, chores got done.

John saw the dentist, yet again, about his sinus/implant problem with ENT MRI in hand. He will now refer him to another specialist at Mount Sinai.

He also did a grocery run to Metro this week.

On Tuesday I wanted to check out a burger place I had heard about.

Walking up Yonge St. I always find something new.

Atlas of Toronto on the sidewalk at the corners of Yonge St. and Wellesley St.

Ethiopian restaurant.

Burger destination on Saint Nicholas St.  Cabano's.

This was a good burger, only missing tomato!

Imagine, British chocolate and I didn't buy anything!

Taken from the bus.

 The iconic Munchies return! The Canadian brand marks the occasion with the return of its three instantly recognizable Munchies - Red, Yellow and Orange. The beloved trio are back to give Canadians a taste of the past with a whole new twist including new flavours and formats for all to enjoy. To mark the launch of their return, the Munchies have made their debut appearance at Toronto's landmark Red Canoe (art piece by Douglas Coupland - Tom Thomson (Group of Seven) red canoe). They will remain here until September 20th.

Did they need the artist's permission??

From the press release:

Many Canadians will recall Hostess chips, from the 80s and 90s, featuring the Munchies on the bag. The launch of the Munchies chips in 2024 will connect generations, bringing back fond memories of the good old days and feelings of wonder and joy.

The nostalgic snacks are back in a new and old way, and the lineup includes:

Tangy Ketchup

Old School BBQ

Chili Cheese Stampede

Supreme Sour Cream

Cheeky Cheddar Popcorn

Deliciously All Dressed Popcorn

I loved Hostess chips!

Click here to read more about their new flavours.

I shopped a couple of times this week, I found nothing on Wednesday. But Friday I planned on buying new jeans (I looked but didn't buy). John I could find a black golf shirt, I sent him a few choices and he picked my favourite.

I also picked up a couple of sweaters.

TIFF is winding down this weekend. Selfie spot in the Royal York Hotel.

I didn't have room to carry any groceries and tried to convince myself we didn't need anything! But once I got home I realized I was supposed to get bread, so went back down. Anyway, cauliflower was $3 as were raspberries so it was worth my while. Cheeses were also $5 instead of their usual $8/9!

Cutting through Union Station.

This cop was pi$$ed when this driver (looks like a car for TIFF) didn't obey his traffic directions and was pulled over and ticketed!! Yeah!

John sent a couple of photos from the golf course on Friday.

We were fogged in again.

COOKING

Saturday sticky pork belly bites with rice and tomatoes

Sunday lamb curry. Monday's lunch.

Monday Szechuan pork with green beans

Tuesday chili

Wednesday gluten free breaded cod (Farm Boy - tasty) roasted potatoes, onions, mushrooms. Use the remaining two pieces for fish tacos.

Thursday Asian dumplings

Friday NOT steak! cheeses, pate, crackers/baguette

WATCHING

Jeopardy is back!

The Perfect Couple 2024 When one lavish wedding ends in disaster before it can even begin--with a body discovered in Nantucket Harbor just hours before the ceremony--everyone in the wedding party is suddenly a suspect.

Without Remorse (also known as Tom Clancy's Without Remorse) is a 2021 American action thriller film. It is based on the 1993 novel of the same name by Tom Clancy. Its plot follows John Kelly, a U.S. Navy SEAL who sets out on a path of revenge after his pregnant wife and unit members are killed by Russian hitmen.

The Snow Girl (Spanish: La chica de nieve) is a 2023 Spanish mystery thriller television series.

The plot tracks intern journalist Miren, set on finding the whereabouts of missing girl Amaya Martín, who disappeared during the 2010 Cavalcade of Magi in Málaga.

Billionaire Island is the English translation of Milliardærøya, which is … a Norwegian dramedy about salmon farming. It is about wealthy people – the characters are the dominant entrepreneurs on an island that is a leading player in the global fishing industry – and the story combines a struggle for corporate power with family drama. In other words, Succession with salmon.

READING

Central Park West by James Comey was an excellent read. He gives us the real scoop!

Unmask Alice is certainly an interesting read and a piece of literary history that I was not aware of.

In Unmask Alice, author Rick Emerson reveals the true story behind the famous book. Beatrice Sparks, the “editor” of Go Ask Alice and numerous other “diaries” is shown to be a master of deception.

Tied in with the background of the drug culture of the late 1960s and early 1970s and the later Satanic Panic of the 1980s, Emerson deftly illustrates how Sparks drew from the culture of the time in her work and then, ultimately, how her work shaped the culture.

Weekend Roundup

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

1. Starts with "K"
2. A Favorite
3.  Kitchen- Chosen by Tom

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

KISSES

Las Vegas NV

FAVOURITE

KITCHEN

Hearst Castle San Simeon CA

Monday Mural

 I'm linking up at Monday Mural

August 2024 - Toronto ON

This  mural has been here for long time, although I have never posted it. 

Dineen Coffee Co

  Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader

Weekend Coffee Share
Sunday Salon

September 2024

Yonge St. Toronto

It's a long weekend, Labour Day, before things wind up for the summer, the CNE will finish on Monday, the air show is on, then back to school on Tuesday.

Monday's Mural was from last week's Yorkville visit.

It was supposed to be a rainy day but it turned into a steamy hot one.

It was noisy as the air show flew over us. We've seen it many times. I did go down to see the crowds and enjoyed the sun for a while.

People watching from the building across the street.

John used the golf simulator.

A cool start to the first day of school, it was 12C at 7:30.

Wednesday I headed out to Burlington to have lunch with my BFF, we had a good natter as we lunched at the Piper Arms. I caught the later train home at 2:50.

The underground map.

John went to golf.

Thursday was opening day for TIFF, Toronto International Film Festival.

Wouldn't you know that as soon as we got on the bus the plumber messaged that he could come now! 

I planned on lunch at a new crepe place that is gluten free. But they only opened at 4:30 (they didn't have a website for me to check).

Walking along King St. it was closed from University to Peter and Wellington to a little north of King.

It was fairly quiet as they were setting up.

Food trucks this year.

So we chose The Town Cryer on John St.

Currywurst, not as good as in Berlin!

Down John St.

We got some free chocolate samples and planned on returning for more, but they weren't handing them out.

We would have stayed for the performance, but I had said to the plumber we would be home by 3:45 to which he responded "okay". Did that mean okay he would come at 3:45 or not? Obviously not, as he didn't. My fault, I should have clarified with him.

He is fitting us in, around his job, for a cash payment, so it is what it is.

Choir Choir Choir meeting spot, at the Amazon Music Bus.

Kicking off the excitement on opening day is the World Premiere of The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal from producer-director Mike Downie — brother of Gord Downie, who alongside Rob Baker, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois, and Gord Sinclair went on to make music that defined Canada to the world, and more importantly, Canada to Canadians. Following the screening of the four-part docu-series, Choir! Choir! Choir! will lead a giant outdoor sing-a-long from the Royal Alexandra Theatre onto Festival Street to celebrate 40 years of The Tragically Hip, presented by Prime Video. Fans are invited to join this unforgettable moment at the Amazon Music Bus on John St. (between King St. and Wellington St.) on Thursday, September 5, 4:30pm–5:45pm. Approximate start time is 5:00pm, exact timing is subject to change.

Click here for the Tragically Hip appearance.

The Tragically Hip No Dress  Rehearsal was debuting here.

Lots of potatoes needed for the poutine truck.

Friday rain put a damper on John's golf plans so he slept in until 9:30! That rain never materialized, he could have played.

COOKING

Saturday turkey, mashed potatoes and carrots, mushy peas, roast potatoes, stuffing and gravy

Sunday leftovers! Then the leftover-leftovers became soup!

Monday burgers

Tuesday roast chicken, roast potatoes and cabbage

Wednesday chicken pasta

Thursday chips eggs tomatoes

Friday steak mushrooms baguette

WATCHING

We both continue to watch Animal Kingdom, separately. John finished it, and was slightly disappointed with the ending. I am extremely invested in this series, now!

We're also watching MasterChef: Generations.

Amazing Race Canada is down to the last two episodes.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga The origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and teamup with Mad Max. I did not like this.

The Domestics is a 2018 American post-apocalyptic action horror film. The US Government conducts a catastrophic chemical weapons attack on the American populace to "reset" society. The surviving percentage of America has divided into two groups: the Gangs who control territory and go by their respective themes: The Gamblers, Sheets, Plowboys, Nailers, and Cherries; and the Domestics, those not affiliated with the Gangs who wish to live in peace 

Toast 2010 Wolverhampton,1967: nine year old Nigel Slater loves his mother though she is a hopeless cook, her finest offering being toast whilst he has great culinary aspirations. When she dies of asthma Nigel is left with a distant father but worse is to come when the 'common' Mrs. Joan Potter arrives as the Slaters' cleaner. Nigel fears, rightly, that her aim is to be the next Mrs. Slater and soon he has a new stepmother and is whisked away to the country. Joan is, however, a superb cook but this only makes for rivalry as Nigel, the only boy in his cookery class at secondary school, competes with her to find the way to his father's heart. A weekend job in a pub kitchen introduces Nigel to an older boy, another great cook and gay like himself, who gives him the confidence and inspiration to leave home after his father's death and head for the hotel kitchens of London. I also enjoyed the book.

East Side Sushi 2014 An immigrant single mother discontented by her regular life decides to take a chance working at a Japanese restaurant and realize her dream to become a sushi chef and provide a better future to her family. This and Toast were just feel good movies.

21 Bridges 2019 An embattled NYPD detective is thrust into a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive and unexpected conspiracy.

READING

The Widow  I really enjoyed this, but couldn't stand the wishy-washy wife, I really thought she would grow some and come through.

Lies, Lies, Lies is more a domestic drama than a mystery/thriller. It also felt like a short story with no real ending.