Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader
April 2025 - Toronto ON
Lake Shore Blvd W Toronto
There is a mural on the side of the Red Moon Bakery.
Saturday after steak and eggs for breakfast we did a couple of errands, $ store, grocery store (Canadian), and hardware store (Canadian, local - not big box).
I ordered new gluten free bagels (Canadian local) from Kettleman's for John to try. I figured we'd try them as delivery (service fee) and if we like we can then go pick them up along with some of the other goodies!
They were a hit!!
We organized some travel paraphernalia and spent most of the afternoon looking at Portugal videos and articles to plan our trip.
Since we have a federal election coming up, we had a Liberal party representative knock on our door, no problem for us. Normally no one is allowed to go door to door in the building but the The Condominium Act section 118 is clear : Condo corporations cannot restrict reasonable access to the property by candidates (or their representatives) who are running for election to:
The House of Commons,
The Legislative Assembly,
An office in a municipal government,
A school board.
The access to be granted is limited to:
reasonable access;
access to common elements (naturally, owners can let them in their unit if they so chose); and,
access that is necessary for the purpose of canvassing or distributing election material.
Sunday I made French toast with mixed berries compote for breakfast. Then I did a couple of loads of laundry. Made a pot of pea soup with some leftovers.
I booked our handyman, Vlad, for a couple of tasks.
Repotted a plant and threw a dead one away.
I did a backup of my backup external drive, yeah, I'm OCD like that.
I had to do a post about the Penguins and tariffs, and Andrew From the High Rise posted a link to it on his blog, thanks, Andrew!
Monday
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I caught the 9:35 bus and did some errands. I picked up a Portuguese tour book, usually I just cut and paste and print things we're interested in, but a book seemed a better idea.
I also went looking for a black summer pair of pants, I ended up with two pair, but will return one of them as they are not quite what I want.
It is still so cold out!!
I was glad I cut through the Royal York Hotel. Made me think of Alice in Bloomland.
Rabbit with a monocle.
Tuesday and the never ending winter continues. It was seriously cold out with a light dusting of snow overnight when we headed out to the Eaton Centre.
I wanted to return one pair of pants I had bought and John was looking for jeans that were a little narrower than the ones he has. No luck. We had time to kill on the way back so we thought we'd try the new Jersey Mikes's (American) subs in Union made by Canadian employees (jobs, taxes) on Canadian premises.
Delicious! Much better than Subway (American) or Mr.Sub (Canadian).
We shared a large original Italian - provolone, ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami and pepperoni. All the meats were freshly cut as ordered.
Finally had a catchup chat with my cousin. She is applying for her Irish passport and I am renewing mine.
Wednesday it was a little warmer as we headed out but traffic was even heavier than yesterday. We went to College Park but John didn't like their jeans either.
We went to Farm Boy (Canadian) as they had shrimp for $5 a bag! I also found ponzu and fresh pineapple (Costa Rica) We also stopped in Rexall and $ store for a couple of things.
We got some Canadian made hummus as well and it is much nicer than Costco's and without any preservatives or artificial colouring.
I found these new to us, gluten free buns.
We caught the subway but there were signal problems at Union so the train we were on turned back north at King. We walked underground to the Royal York to catch the bus.
I showed John the new display (above) and took a video.
We did all sorts of administrivia in the afternoon. We both tried applying for UK Visas using their app. But neither of us could get an acceptable digital photo to meet their requirements, it tells you it is not acceptable. It was impossible to find a blank shadowless wall to pose, and you have to be a contortionist to take a selfie with your face in the circle and with your shoulders.
We updated our Portugal itinerary with the updated information provided.
I renewed my AGO membership as they have revised (raised prices) on their levels of membership but offered me the same price as last year.
For dinner we met our ex-BIL for wings and beer. It was interesting as everyone ensured they ordered non-American beer, although that is not a problem as most Canadians equate American beer to water.
It was fun catching up although like most conversations these days tRump and his antics dominated, especially today with the markets bouncing back.
Thursday winter is determined to hang on!! I was on a roll. I went and got my digital Irish passport photo ($40), went to the bank for some more euros, picked up items at Rexall and redeemed $10 in points, and then to Longo's for some groceries.
John sent me this while I was out, he is avidly watching the Masters.
Friday we drove over to Cloverdale Mall as John had something to pick up, I ran into Metro for a few items for the weekend and we went to Winner's for a new suitcase for John. We noticed yesterday, while searching for something, in vain, that his was ripping. He is happy because it is bigger than his old one.
John had the simulator booked for 1-3.
I started packing to determine if my new suitcase is big enough, no, will use my old one! The new suitcase will replace our old overnighter as it has wheels.
I tried to find an earlier flight on the way home LIS - AMS but there was only 11:40 which didn't buy us anything.
Then I activated a new credit card, no problem, but the other wouldn't. I had no patience today to deal with customer service.
Then I tried to cancel the replacement water cooler from Wal-Mart as it is delayed. Chatted with somewhere in India, they couldn't do it so had to escalate it. Now I have to follow up on that!
COOKING
Saturday fish chowder
Sunday leftover fish chowder
Monday stuffed flank steak roast potatoes carrots
Tuesday CROCKPOT Thai peanut chicken this was pretty good especially since you just throw it all in. The sauce could have more ginger and garlic as well as something to spice it up.
Wednesday out
Thursday pork chops mashed potatoes and beans because sometimes you just want comfort food.
Friday steak sandwich green peppers and onions with Portuguese wine
WATCHING
Lockerbie A Search for Truth 2025 British TV mini-series based on Pan Am Flight 103 (PA103/PAA103) which was a regularly scheduled Pan Am transatlantic flight from Frankfurt to Detroit via a stopover in London and another in New York City. Shortly after 19:00 on 21 December 1988, the Boeing 747 "Clipper Maid of the Seas" was destroyed by a bomb while flying over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew aboard.[1] Large sections of the aircraft crashed in a residential street in Lockerbie, killing 11 residents. With a total of 270 fatalities, the event, which became known as the Lockerbie bombing, is the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of the United Kingdom. The series concentrates on Dr. Jim Swire as he seeks justice for his daughter Flora, a passenger on the plane.
Teacup 2024 American horror TV series. Trapped on a farm in rural Georgia, a group of neighbors must put aside their differences and unite in the face of a mysterious and deadly threat.
At the recommendation of a friend we started watching The Residence. The Residence is an American mystery comedy drama television series created by Paul William Davies for Netflix. Inspired by The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House by Kate Andersen Brower, the series revolves around a fictional murder scandal involving the staff of the White House.
READING
The Women's Prize for Fiction 2025 Shortlist - Waterstone's
I reread The Handmaid's Tale, we have also watched the first five seasons. It still terrifies me.
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