DEC 26 Let It Brew WEEKLY RECAP

  Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader

Weekend Coffee Share
Sunday Salon

FRONT ST. TORONTO ON

DECEMBER 26 2025 - Bangkok Thailand - Toronto Canada

Last Week's Post DEC 19

Last Year's Post  

Last Year's Post The Grinder dec 21

Five Years Ago   Semana Dos Mexico Dec 31

Saturday DEC 20  PHUKET

Sunday DEC 21 PHUKET - BANGKOK

Monday DEC 22 BANGKOK - VANCOUVER - TORONTO

Up at 3:45 AM for our ride to the airport. The AC check-in was already opened so we flew through that and through the priority lane for security and were in the Thai Royal Silk lounge in no time at 5:15 AM.

It was a 36 hour day for us with only 4 hours sleep the night before! It was probably longer since we spent 15 hours in the air and got up at at 4 AM!

As soon as we arrived home at 4 PM we went to bed. I was up at 8:30 and John at 9:45. John caught up on his shows and sports and had toast, we both had coffee, our first in weeks (almost).

I downloaded our phones and did the first edit of photos. I also did some administrivia, paid some bills, checked the mail, Toronto vacant tax submission, cancelled Airalo, and cancelled our Xmas Eve luncheon at Joey's. We've eaten out enough!

We went back to bed at 2 AM.

Tuesday DEC 23 TORONTO ON

Our view this morning! No blue skies.

It definitely does not feel like Christmas to us!

I was up at 6 AM and did some menu planning and grocery list for the next week. I also ordered Quality Street chocolates because it wouldn't be the holidays otherwise!

I edited some of our trip videos, the chromebook didn't have the app.

We went out to get veggies and cheeses for the upcoming days. OMG food prices are going through the roof, strawberries $8!!

 I was starting to fade on the bus and John said a nap would be nice. He went to bottle his wine and I figured that there was no point in napping then as he would just wake me up coming in.

I was making dinner when John started snoring on the couch at 6 PM. I suggested he nap until dinner. I finished making dinner and decided not to wake him. Then I went to bed at 8! Dinner was put in the fridge.

Exactly how we feel this week, after 30 days of travel, some of it with a tour! We're also still a little jetlagged.

Wednesday DEC 24 CHRISTMAS EVE

Now we were both up at 4:45 AM!! I had gotten up at some point (bathroom!) and when I looked out I thought, hmmm what city am I in, those lights on the hill look nice! Oh the bathroom is in the same place as at home!!! DUH, the lights were the tall condos to the west of us!

So breakfast was 5 AM.

John has finally stopped coughing, he had a head cold around week 1 of our trip and couldn't get rid of the cough.

We had popcorn and watched half of our vacation photos.

Damn jetlag! We had a 3 hour nap!

We unenthusiastically had last night's uneaten dinner.

Thursday DEC 25 CHRISTMAS DAY

Still doesn't feel like Christmas!!

For John! 

For me!

Our sleep cycle is improving, we woke at 6:30 this morning and we made sausages (Costco - good) with French toast and raspberry compote.

When I was working this was my favourite Christmas schedule, Christmas Day on Thursday, so you finished work on noon (not that anyone worked) Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, then we had Friday, Saturday and Sunday off!

We had video calls with family and messaged other family and friends. We enjoyed our low key day on our own, watching movies (oldies but goodies) and made it to 10:30 PM with no naps!!!

Friday DEC 26 BOXING DAY

I was up at 6:15 sigh! Today is always pajama day in our house. We were hoping for a snowstorm but we didn't get much.

I continued on our trip posts and John enjoyed himself looking at old photos. I ended up having an afternoon nap.

COOKING 

Saturday Phuket

Sunday Phuket/Bangkok

Monday TRANSIT

Tuesday HOME bulgogi beef, bean sprouts rice sautéed bok choy extra sauce

Wednesday XMAS EVE last night's dinner

Thursday XMAS turkey mashed turnips and carrots, mushy peas, stuffing, gravy, roast potatoes

Friday steak frites

WATCHING 

On planes this week - Jackie

Don't Worry Darling

Downton Abbey - loved it

Purple Rain

She Said

Jersey Boys

On planes - John

Jersey Boys

Tenet

Nobody 2

History of Violence

Hitman

HOME

Reiner special

A Few Good Men

My Cousin Vinny

Heat
We continued with Mr. Mercedes that we were watching back in November.

READING

A list of books while on vacation, to the best of my knowledge!

I Died on a Tuesday

Guilty Plea

Fall from Grace

The Dead Tracks

The Girl Who Vanished

Home Stretch - Graham Norton loved it

Someone Else's Skin

The Ghosts of Rome - as a huge fan of O'Connor, I was a little disappointed

DNF

Charlotte Grey

Signed, A Paddy - boring, not very original

I am reading Fox which is quite disturbing. I found the beginning to be tedious. Child abuse is  always a difficult read for me.

Pigeon Cafe

Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader

Weekend Coffee Share
Sunday Salon

 November 2025 - Toronto ON

BROOKFIELD PLACE TORONTO ON

Last Week's Post Kraft Tea

Last Year's Post Sam James Coffee Bar

Five Years Ago Inspired Sunday I wasn't doing weekly recaps back then.

SATURDAY

I made French toast with blueberries for breakfast. 
We spent a lot of time sorting out power adapters, chargers, cameras, USBs for backup etc. Then we worked on our Tokyo agenda. Pooped, we both sat and read.

John returned a phone charger he bought since we got our backpack back.

Sunday

We had our first snowfall!

We made sausage sandwiches for breakfast. I made a pumpkin raisin loaf with cream cheese icing for the week.

We both puttered with our Tokyo itinerary, rearranging the schedule and filling in the blanks.

The dining room table is getting cluttered as we gather travel paraphernalia.

Monday

Monday's Mural was from August on Lake Shore Blvd.

John and I went to Manulife's Remembrance Day flag display. It was cold out!

Manulife's Toronto headquarters at 200 Bloor Street East hosts an annual Remembrance Day display of over 12,000 Canadian flags, not poppies, on its front lawn. Each flag represents ten members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have fallen in service, totaling over 120,000 service members honoured. 

The display is a long-standing tradition for Manulife, usually on view for the public from early to mid-November, culminating on Remembrance Day (November 11). 

I took these two with our small point and shoot camera that we never use as I want to take it as a backup on our trip. I think the photos are decent. 

We'll see what we can get for the old DSLR cameras from Henry's when we get back, a winter activity.

Why do Americans say "Happy Veteran's Day?

TUESDAY

John went for his hearing test and then bottled some wine. He was going to Costco but couldn't get a parking spot!

I picked up a few needed items at the $ store and Rexall's.

There were people lining up for tickets at Scotia Arena, strange attire on a winter day! Sabrina Carpenter??? was in town this week.

Although we had snow this week, it is gone and the golden leaves are still here.

We received two new power plug/adaptors. We have a bag full of plugs collected over the years that we will get rid of when we return. I might put them on the Buy Nothing group.

We decided to get rid of the music CDs languishing forever. I put together a sample group to take to a used store. 

You really have to wonder about some people.  We received this note this week.

Dear Residents,

We are pleased to inform you that water service to the 03 line in the High Rise zone has been fully restored. The plumbing issue was traced to a blockage within a unit line, which has now been resolved.

We kindly remind all residents to ensure that their unit drains remain clear. Clogged drains can result in water backup and cause significant damage to units below. Additionally, please verify that your unit is adequately insured, including coverage for potential damage to other units.

GARBAGE CHUTE UPDATE

The garbage chute blockage in the High Rise zone has also been cleared. We urge all residents to refrain from disposing of large items in the chute, as this causes serious maintenance issues and service disruptions. Please use designated disposal methods for oversized items.

IMPORTANT – UNIT ACCESS DURING EMERGENCIES

This morning, our team was unable to access several units on the 03 line due to unauthorized changes to front door locks. These locks are no longer compatible with the building’s master key system, which significantly hinders our ability to respond to emergencies such as floods or fires.

Please be advised that in emergency situations where access is required and a unit is not on the master key system, we will be forced to bust the front door and enter the unit.  All associated repair costs will be charged back to the unit owner.

To ensure the safety of all residents, any changes to front door locks must be reported to Management immediately so that the lock can be integrated into the master key system.

I am glad to say that the office does have a key to our unit, as they will check on it when we are away.

WEDNESDAY

John went to the dealer's to get his snow tires put on.

I went to Longo's for some groceries for the next week. Watered the plants, made arrangements for T to come in to check the condo, water the plants while we are away.

The condo painted our front doors. They look nice and fresh.

THURSDAY

John did a Costco run for a couple of things. I did a good clear out and organized the closet in the spare room (AKA John's workout). I managed to free up two shelves. 

We now have to get rid of these speakers that we bought in January in Palm Springs for watching our shows on the laptop. I put them on FB Marketplace, but nothing so far. 

UPDATE SOLD $20.

I also did some plant tending, hopefully the pothos will like it here more than the spider plant.

 John defrosted the small drinks fridge.

We spent a lot of time honing our trip itinerary. We also looked at our photos of Ho Chi Minh and Bangkok to review what we had already done in 2015. That made me decide to use some of those photos as my headers for the next few days.

Then we watched our video of our 2017 cross States and Canada trip. 

Click here for our road trip recap.

We had a brief area wide power outage late afternoon.

Looking west, not towards Toronto.

FRIDAY

It was a gorgeous day as we headed to the Eaton Centre. It is Friday so the old City Hall was open, I had visited it during the summer. But John hadn't so we stepped into the Courtyard and the guard said we had 10 minutes!

An unusual sight these days!

We stepped into the Eaton Centre and discovered they were unveiling their Christmas Tree with music and a light show!

Video here, in case this doesn't work!

Then we headed to the currency exchange as they carried all that we needed. The bank did not.

We walked back underground and got Starbucks frappuccinos.

It then took an HOUR to get home due to a personal injury accident at Park Lawn!

It looks like I will reach 10,000 published posts before year-end!! 

COOKING

Saturday lamb stew (freezer) carrots turnip onions celery potatoes

Sunday chicken coconut milk red curry paste naan bread (all in freezer)

Monday leftover lamb stew 

Tuesday leftover lamb stew added fresh vegetables and stewed tomatoes (freezer)

Wednesday pork schnitzel beans mashed potatoes

Thursday rotisserie chicken Alfredo

Friday steak onions green peppers mushrooms baked potato

WATCHING 

NR. 24 Number 24 should be mandatory watching for all kids.

Young apprentice Gunnar Sønsteby from Rjukan decides to resist Nazi-Germany on the day of the invasion to later become the leader of the "Oslo-gang" carrying out countless daring acts of sabotage making him Norway's greatest war hero.

We watched 60 Minutes interview with Margaret Atwood.

Cardinal  has a whooping 7.8/10 rating. We are on season 4 and it is fantastic. The unforgiving chill of Canada's Northern Ontario brings a touch of Scandi-noir class to the familiar plots of murder, kidnap and unfulfilled sexual tensions in this quality detective drama adapted from the novels by Giles Blunt.

The relentless freezing temperatures constrain people at every turn. Even murderers must plan ahead and bring snowsuits for those they kidnap from their homes if they want them to stay alive long enough to make a ransom video. Everyone must don their parkas or hurry between car and truck lest mother nature, rather than a vengeful killer, get them.

READING

 

I read A Darker Domain by Scottish Val McDermid, whom I have not read in a while. This is book 2 of the Karen Pirie ITV series aired on Britbox.

The novel is set during the UK miners' strike of 1984–1985 in Fife. 

I did an Historic Women post on author Rebecca Solnit who coined the term "mansplaining" and I had never heard of her. The Toronto library has many of her books, so I have added some to my TBR list.

Cheers

 Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader

Weekend Coffee Share
Sunday Salon

December 2024 - Toronto ON

Union Station Toronto

Saturday passed in a blur.

Sunday I got the turkey soup going, as I will use some of it for gluten-free gravy to take to my cousin's for Christmas Day.

I also cooked the tourtiere fillings (one for us and one for my cousin). It needs to be cold before it is put into the pastry.

Monday I ran out for a couple of items including disposable pie plates for the tourtieres. John had plenty of football recorded.

I have never frozen cooked turkey before. I took the suggestions online and cut some meat up, poured a little turkey stock over it and froze. We will see!

Tuesday CHRISTMAS EVE 

Walking through Union Station, looks like another new restaurant. 

BINGZ /biNGz/ noun.

Burger style Chinese street-food. Crispy outside with various freshly made ingredients inside. Inspired by the “world’s oldest burger” invented 2,000 years ago in the Qin dynasty.

adjective. A taste causing great surprise or sudden wonder; crispy; marvellous

Menu at the newly opened Shake Shack Bar in Union.

Scotia Plaza

We walked underground from Union, this was the only time we were outside as we headed to Joey King. What a delight! We were blown away by the service from the time we walked in the door and were greeted with complimentary sparkling wine. Our server, Chelsea was such a professional and very knowledgeable about the menu. 

Local Ontario wine. Half price on Tuesdays!

I had a hard time deciding! 

Steak & Sushi  - tataki-style steak, ponzu sauce, seared salmon sushi or tuna & avocado crunch roll. I chose the salmon. DELICIOUS! 

JOEY Classic Steak - 6 oz CAB® sirloin featuring our famous fully loaded crispy mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables. He added a side of lemon garlic prawns, but they were cold so our server comped them.

You can't see it but the fully loaded potato is inside a spring roll wrap.

We both loved everything and have other items on the menu that we would like to try!

We walked outside back to the bus. We picked up Starbucks Caramel Brûlé Lattes but they were too sweet for our liking.

CHRISTMAS DAY I prepared the potatoes and vegetables to take to my cousin's. I put them in the crockpot to keep them warm and free up kitchen space. I made a tourtiere and also made the gravy (stock from my turkey) and put in an insulated coffee pot for serving.

We headed out around 4:30. 

We had the traditional turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots and turnips, Brussels sprouts with bacon and maple syrup.

Thursday BOXING DAY three of us were up at 8:30 and John arose at 10! After breakfast we sat around chatting until we left around 2.

Once home, we got comfy, John made popcorn and watched a movie.

Friday I was deciding whether I wanted to treat today as our Boxing Day or run out for that last minute items. John decided he would do the grocery trip instead. 

I have been lamenting all month that I could not find crab legs for new year's eve. Oh, Costco did have a 10 lb bag for $800!!! 

Yes, there is a shortage of king crab legs due to a number of factors, including:

Russian seafood import ban

The US has banned the import of Russian seafood due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. 

Norwegian king crab quota reduction

The Norwegian king crab quota is expected to decrease by 60% in 2024. 

Smaller quota for Bristol Bay red king crab

The quota for Alaska's Bristol Bay commercial red king crab season is smaller than usual. 

Crab population decline

In 2022, Alaskan officials canceled the king crab fishing season due to a 90% drop in the crab population. 

Climate change

Warming ocean temperatures have likely contributed to the decline in the crab population. 

Red King Crab legs size 4/7 : r/Seafood

The shortage is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. 

John decided to have a quick look at Metro and found the last three bags (454 g) for $15 each!!!!!

COOKING

Saturday turkey, mashed potatoes, carrots and turnips, stuffing and gravy

Sunday turkey leftovers

Monday hot turkey sandwiches and Brussels sprouts

Tuesday Xmas Eve lunch out. Cheeses and pate

Wednesday Christmas Day

Thursday Boxing Day big late breakfast, afternoon popcorn and maybe a few chocolates, cheeses and pate.

Friday steak and sauteed peppers, onions and mushrooms

WATCHING

Juror #2 2024 American legal thriller film. While serving as a juror in a high-profile murder trial, a family man finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma, one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict or free the wrong killer.

Kin  2021 Irish mini-series tells the story of a fictional Dublin family embroiled in gangland war and speaks to the enduring unbreakable bonds of blood and family. Looking forward to season 2.

Love, Actually 2003 Christmas classic - Follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England. Lots of laughs, tears and a huge cast of well-known actors. 

The Miracle Club (again) 2023.

Risky Business

Basic Instinct 

READING

The Last Flight I always enjoy reading about how to disappear! To disappear, you must have a lot of cash, first and foremost. I was annoyed at her first mistake (no spoilers), I would have done that differently.

I really enjoyed the twists and turns even though some are a little far-fetched. 

Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? I am normally a big Nicci French fan, but I found the first part dragged a little. However, once you are through that part the story picks up rapidly.