October 2024 - Cookstown ON
Some signs from our visit to a pumpkin patch and more.
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Monday, October 28, 2024
Monday Mural
I'm linking up at Monday Mural
May 2024 - Toronto ON
All Beings Connected is a two-part art exhibit by father-son duo August and Luke Swinson. It speaks to our personal relationship and dedication to the land and its inhabitants, and the enduring strength of Indigenous peoples.The first art piece, called All Beings Connected, was created by artist August Swinson. The figure in the center is rooted and is drawing strength from the earth beneath, symbolizing our personal relationship and dedication to the land and its inhabitants. You can find this piece in Union’s Great Hall.
This second art piece, called The Original Treaties, was created by artist Luke Swinson. It represents the peaceful treaties Anishinaabe people made with the earth, sky and all living beings. Treaties allow us to work together, uphold our commitments and nourish relationships with creation. The hand holding an eagle feather symbolizes our connection to Creator and the enduring strength of our people. You can find this piece in Union’s Front Street Promenade Vitrine.
About the Artists
August Swinson is an artist and member of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, currently living in Kitchener, Ontario. August works in a variety of styles and uses a mix of hand drawn and computer generated illustrations. Influenced by the beauty of nature and the classic Canadian landscape, and memories of his childhood living on the Scugog Island reserve, his illustrations evoke a sense of fun, and something familiar that reminds us of a more innocent age but from a new perspective.
Luke Swinson is a visual artist with Anishinaabe roots from Kitchener, Ontario. A member of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, Luke’s work reflects his desire to better understand and reclaim his Indigenous culture. He seeks to promote cultural education and preservation through his art projects.
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader
October 2024
Yes, it's a purse! Toronto ON
Saturday was a beautiful fall day. Chores were on the agenda, along with lots of cooking. I started a pot of pea soup using the leftover bits of ham. I prepped dinner and made an apple crisp with some apples that needed using up.
Oh, the kitchen smelled delightful, pea soup simmering and apple crisp baking!
Sunday while I was having my weekly chat with my friend in a retirement home, John cooked bacon for delicious BLTs, using the Living Lettuce. I finished making the pea soup, cut the meat of the lamb leg and then put the lamb bone in a soup pot with onions, celery, some lamb meat that was a little too pink to make stock for lamb curry this week.
Monday I cleaned up the lamb soup pot. I also cut up the remaining meat and froze it for curry.
I decided to return the pasta attachment that came yesterday. As John was reading the instructions yesterday I realized it only made sheet pasta, so I ordered a 3 in 1 which includes spaghetti and fettucine, twice the price.
It did pi$$ me off, that I was charged $10 to return it. I dropped it off in Royal Bank Plaza.
Then on impulse I checked if I could do a walk in flu shot and got one. From there I went to Longo's where I remembered that their chickens were on sale at $3 a pound.
While I was out John booked our remaining accommodations for February.
Tuesday John headed out to golf with his new golf bag.
Yesterday and today the temperatures broke records at 25C.
I went for a haircut and some errands. Once home I cleaned the chicken and put the carcass in a soup pot.
Wednesday John and I headed out for breakfast and the AGO to finish seeing the exhibit from last week. Click here for the photo heavy post of Pacita Abad exhibit.
They always decorate the staircase for an exhibit.
John noticed that this gallery is named for Honey and Barry Sherman. To read about the murder of this Toronto couple click here for a CNN article.
We also stopped by a couple of other pieces.
This had been on display in the main gallery in 2019 for a sneakers exhibit.
Less interesting sidewalk art.
We stopped by so John could see the new Spirit Garden at City Hall.
Thursday and this was our view from our driveway as we headed out to Niagara Falls!
I had three destinations in mind for us. First stop was lunch in Vineland at the Watering Can.
What a fabulous place! And the plants!!!
Very decent prices.
The cafe, for lunch. It was packed and had a line up when we left.
John had and loved it, other than the too much lettuce.
Smoked Duck Salad (Gluten-friendly) - Heritage Mix, Poached Pear, Pickled Beets, Cherry Gastrique, Blue Cheese Crumble, Pistachio Dust
I had Breakfast Croissant - Over Easy Fried Egg, Bacon, Smoked Cheddar Cheese, Avocado, Lettuce, Tomato
Next stop - Niagara Falls Power Station
For 100 years, the “Canadian Niagara Power Company generating station” harnessed the powerful energy of the Horseshoe Falls and turned it into a great source of electricity. Now, years after its turbines came to a halt, the wonder of this hydropower pioneer is coming back to life in an entertaining and educational experience that highlights both the remarkable history and unique architectural features of this 115-year-old engineering marvel.
I had bought our tickets and parking online. I had bought them before we saw the power station on the first episode of Amazing Race Canada.
John and I generating electricity!
No, thanks, I get enough static shocks.
A Tesla coil is a radio frequency oscillator that drives an air-core double-tuned resonant transformer to produce high voltages at low currents. Tesla's original circuits and most modern coils use a simple spark gap to excite oscillations in the tuned transformer.
We headed to the elevator when no one was around!
Once you are in the tunnel, it is a good 20 minute walk to the viewing platform. Water drips are everywhere.
There is light at the end of the tunnel!!
WOW what a way to see the Falls!!!
Look at the people on the American side overlooking the Canadian falls.
Bridge to the States and the American falls.
While we took the elevator back up he showed us the ladders that the workers used. It was eeither freezing cold at the bottom or roasting hot at the top!
Here's a great video to watch.
In 1925, the chapel and another section of building were added to accommodate an increasing number of Carmelite students. The chapel, in its elegant simplicity, contains many symbols of the Carmelite tradition.
Surprisingly for me, I didn't really go into the chapel for more photos.
The winery is in the gift shop, strangely.
Monastery Cellars focuses on small lot vintages of premium VQA wines with the first vintage of wines from the on-site vineyard planted in 2012. Planting predominantly includes Vidal grapes, perfectly suited for the production of world renowned Icewines. The first recorded Icewine harvest dates back to 1794 in Franconia, Germany, when local monks were faced with winter much earlier than expected. The monks, facing the adversity of mother nature, are credited as being the inventors of Icewine by pressing juice from the frozen grapes. At the time, these new wines were touted to be nothing short of “nectar from the gods,” or so the legend goes.
Friday and this was our view. The shadow on the right is our building. It was chilly as John headed out to golf.
John's new Nexus card arrived.
Interesting, as I waited for the bus.
Pics from the golf course.
COOKING
Saturday roast leg of lamb, roast potatoes, mashed turnips and carrots, cauliflower. Apple crisp with raisins.
Sunday lamb leftovers, gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots and turnip
Monday leftovers liver roast chicken, roast potatoes and orange cauliflower
Tuesday lamb curry
Wednesday chicken (leftover) Alfredo
Thursday chips eggs beans
Friday steak, Greek roast potatoes and fried onions
WATCHING
Matlock cute
I finished season 2 of Sorry for your Loss and am disappointed that there won't be a season 3.
I started watching The Great Canadian Baking Show.
Catastrophe - During a business trip in London, an American named Rob meets Sharon, an Irish teacher with whom he shares incredible chemistry. While the two plan to have some fun with no strings attached, things go awry when Sharon learns she is pregnant. The unexpected news inspires the recent acquaintances to try and make it as a couple, despite nonstop complications that include hailing from different countries and a pregnancy that is not without risks. Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney play the starring roles and write the series. Rotten Tomatoes 100%
Fun, entertaining while I am in the kitchen. Plus Mark Bonnar is in it!
Stage Fright
We started the series Special Ops: Lioness - CIA operative Joe attempts to balance her personal and professional lives as the tip of the spear in the agency's war on terror.
Caught up on favourites.
READING
I read Long Island and I preferred it to Brooklyn. I thought Brooklyn, the movie was better than the book, which is very unusual for me. My problem is that I never felt any empathy for Eilis in either book. I realize she is a complicated character and I recognize her mother in my memories of my paternal Irish grandmother. The ending is a cliff-hanger, so I am guessing there will be a third book.
Funny aside, Brooklyn was an answer on Jeopardy the other night.
I also read Dare to Remember, meh.
I started The Family at No. 12, interesting concept.
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