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October 2025 - Toronto ON

YUMA AZ

SATURDAY

We headed out to the Water/Fall Festival at Harbourfront at 10:20 and took the streetcar to Bready's at York and Adelaide for pastry (cheese Danish croissant and cinnamon bun) and coffee.

From there we walked down to Harbourfront to the Fall/Water Festival.

Billy Bishop Island Airport, also known as Porter.

Lots of food options. We were sorry we had stopped for breakfast.

Over to the Toronto Islands Ferry Terminal, reminding us that we hadn't done that in a few years.

I was sure we had gone over during the pandemic, but can't find any blog or photographic evidence.

Island Hopping 2016

John managed a shot of this new mural inside the ferry terminal.

Autumn/Fall dressed in her glory.

There’s a new floating presence along the water’s edge at Harbour Square Park Basin called, IT COMES IN WAVES, a striking temporary installation by Toronto-based artist and designer Ben Johnston.

The installation features large, powder-coated yellow letters measuring 30 inches in height, welded to a lightweight aluminum frame. The entire structure floats on the water using dock floats and is anchored in place with concrete blocks for stability. Solar LED lighting supports safety and visibility at night. 

Ben Johnston is an artist specializing in custom typography for murals, advertising & installations.

We've seen more of his work around town. 

The streetcar finally came, very crowded and John had his first encounter with a transit fare inspector, officially known as Province Offences Officer POO.

We were home by 3:30, 11K steps.

SUNDAY

I headed out on the streetcar for Word On The Street, click here for lots of photos!

On my way there, I saw this new restaurant.

I made a stop in Marshall's and bought three sweaters, photo below.

I've featured both these murals before.

Corner of John and King St, looking southwest.

I really enjoyed myself, poking around the festival. I spoke to several authors, bought John a book which the author signed for him.

My new favourite designer bag. 

Food trucks.

There was a photo shoot across the street at the Royal Alex Theatre, with the Tell Take Harbour cast all dressed up.

Another piece of privately owned public (POPs) space..

Waiting for the Queen St. streetcar.

Sweaters from Marshall's.

MONDAY

Monday Mural is on Queen St. West by an indigenous artist, perfect for this week.

John golfed and I headed to Union to check out the samples and scored two full size taco kits.

This week's samples at Union Station.

I ran into my BFF and husband as they headed to the subway, they were just heading to get their taco freebies.

I went to Longo's and only picked up some specials.

TUESDAY

Tuesday Treasures takes us to The Beaches Library from our excursion last week.

Signs were seen last week as well.

It was quiet out, as it is a holiday. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) is not a stat holiday for everyone in Canada; it is a statutory holiday only for federally regulated workers, but not for provincial or territorially regulated employees, as the application of the day varies by jurisdiction. While the federal government recognizes it, provinces and territories have individual policies, and many businesses and organizations may choose to observe it, even if not legally required to do so.

We were headed to Little India using public transit, taking the subway to Collage Station and then a new streetcar route, 506 Carlton to Main Station.

The transit fare cops were onboard.

The streetcar meanders though Cabbagetown, Chinatown (Broadview - we have at least three). 

At the corner of Gerrard and Broadview is the old Don Jail, a tour is on our To Do list.

The Don Jail was described as a palace when it first opened, compared to other jails operating at that time.

Despite the grandeur of the building’s stone sculptures and iron work, the cells of the historic Don Jail were simple. They were just wide enough to fit a single cot since they were designed to hold a single prisoner and only to be used for sleeping overnight. 

In reality, the jail was often overcrowded throughout its 113 years in operation. The number of cells and the capacity of the Don Jail continued to expand as it tried to keep up with Toronto’s explosive growth at the time.

Changing neighbourhoods, Greek, Mexican.

We had not been here since June 2020, during the pandemic. It has changed with many storefronts closed. A big change since we were there in 2015, ten years ago!

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I've written about watching every season (3 to date) of Bollywed filmed right here at this shop in Toronto.

✅Chandan's, this link will take you to YouTube clips! Chandan Fashion offers custom-made and exclusive collections of ethnic dresses and matching accessories creating an unparalleled and a grand experience for its customers for their wedding, parties, and bridal occasions.

I stepped inside and it felt like stepping into the show! The fabrics, jewels, outfits are gorgeous.

And just like the show, I heard a salesgirl say "Aunty, can we do a better price?"!

John hung around outside.

They've opened a much more modern, upscale location in Brampton, where the population is mainly south Asian.

We walked by this place, several times, commenting on how cute it was. We didn't really find any other places that we open so came back here. We were the first customers, however, they were 2 behind us, commenting that the reviews were very good.

I wanted to try some things we've never had, but had seen on cooking shows.

A popular street food in South Asia, "chaat" describes an entire category of Indian snacks! They're the preferred vegetarian starter at any desi restaurant. It hits every flavor profile and texture that makes it craveable - sweet, spicy, tangy, salty, crunchy.

Samosa Chaat is a vegetarian dish consisting of smashed samosas served over a bed of Chole, or chickpea curry. It's then topped with layers of dahi, cilantro-mint chutney, imli chutney, pomegranates, sev, and cilantro.

This could have been hotter, temperature-wise, but delicious.

Pani puri is an immensely popular Indian street food of crispy, hollow, fried dough balls (puri) stuffed with boiled potatoes or steamed moong sprouts or boiled chickpeas or white peas curry (also known as ragda) together with spicy tangy water and a sweet chutney. 

Sumeet's pani puri on MC Australia. While Sumeet's were filled to overflowing, sadly these were not.

The lamb curry, nann and rice were unusually large portions, we ended up taking some home.

A few more pics before heading home.

Before transferring to the subway, we stopped into the Bulk Barn and took advantage of a $5 coupon.

WEDNESDAY

Signs were from last week as well.

John headed out early as his golf game was scheduled earlier than usual as their year-end "banquet" was tonight.

I ran errands, $ store, Rexall, Longo's, Winner's. Sushi for my dinner, it was delicious.

THURSDAY

Other than going for a haircut, there was no gallivanting about town for me. 

Walking through Brookfield Place.

A woman's work is never done! I made a beef broth with lots of freezer leftovers. I baked two cinnamon raisin loaves which leads to cleaning up dishes and washing the floor. 

Some things lying around made it into the charity bag, extra drawer handles, tap thingie, embroidery kit from weekend and a lazy Susan that is missing a leg.

I started my Thanksgiving online order.

John ran errands and got some specials at Metro. He also found mushy peas!

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Iconic Pub to close after 81 years! The Imperial Pub, which has been a staple in Toronto’s downtown core for the last eight decades, is closing its doors for good next month due to a major redevelopment project in the area. No great loss, other than its cool looking exterior. We went these once, because it was an icon, and were not impressed.

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FRIDAY

We had mani-pedis at 10:15. 

As I was sitting there, a 65ish woman came in (botox etc. so hard to gauge). Canadian accent, turns out her parents immigrated when she was 4 yo. She went from story to story repeatedly using the word stupid (she needed a thesaurus) to refer to our police, our Service Canada staff (who can't speak English and couldn't be understood). Trump is right, we should join the States, again and again stupid people, we let too many immigrants in (she's an immigrant). The salon is staffed/owned by three Asian immigrants...stupid on and on.

Some fall photos on my way home, it was another incredible warm sunny day.

Then headed to Chinatown for some fruits and vegetables. Since we hadn't had lunch we stopped for a beer and tacos at a new Mexican on Spadina.

Very simple menu. Great service.

Tacos were good, we forgot to take a photo!

All this for $20! The bag of tomatoes were not great, they went into the soup pot.

A quick informal review said that this would have cost $30 more at Longo's. Raspberries $3 each at Longo's.

An amusing FB post from a city councillor regarding the delays on the opening of the LRT.

COOKING

Saturday chicken curry with fries

Sunday  lamb shanks apple crisp

Monday ham Brussels sprouts mashed carrots and potatoes 

Tuesday Lunch out 

Wednesday John golf banquet - Jackie sushi

Thursday leftover Indian from Tuesday

Friday steak roast potatoes sauteed peppers and onions. This was the Costco steak and it was very good.

WATCHING

I deleted my list of shows by accident, and when I realized it, I was too late to Ctrl+Z!!

So off the top of my head - Reptile, The Old Guy, The Order, Exterritorial, Army of Thieves.

We didn't finish a couple of these.

We tried watching Steve with Cillian Murphy, but couldn't get into it. I'm sure it is good, but nor for us on a Friday night.

We started the series, The Tourist. When a man wakes up in the Australian outback with no memory, he must use the few clues he has to discover his identity before his past catches up with him.

READING

The Handmaid's Tale turns 40, and special events are being held around the world to pay tribute

I am still reading Edge of Eternity, it is taking me an usually long time, but then I haven't been dedicating myself to it.