Monday Mural

 I'm linking up at Monday Mural

April 2026 - Toronto ON Part 3

Part 1             

There are more murals from this outing to come.

The main artist for this piece is Hungr, known for intricate lettering styles.
The mural features a prominent, stylized lettering design for "Hungr" with a distinctive green and pink color scheme.
The artwork also includes a small, detailed stencil of a raccoon, typical of work by artist Emily May Rose.

Also by Hungr.

D. Terra and more Emily May Rose

Jimmy Chiale.  Another Chiale.

Also Chiale.

 Christina Mazzulla, for the Golden Turtle Restaurant. I have many of her murals posted, click on her name in the tags/labels at the bottom of this post.

Monday Mural and Tuesday Treasures

 I'm linking up at Monday Mural and Tuesday Treasures

April 2026 - Toronto ON 

Found in this laneway, off Dundas West. 

For Tuesday Treasures, an update to my 2024 project. Click here for a history of Toronto lane naming and a list of other lanes. That post is a work in progress, and hasn't been updated in a while.

Rocco Mandalfino (1899 –1979) was born in Italy, the child of Antonio Mandalfino and Caterina Le Castro. He served in the Italian Army during the Great War. He was awarded the 1968 World War I Gold medal commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Great War, and in 1971 was made a Cavaliere dell’Ordine di Vittorio Venito (Knight of the Order of Vittorio Venito) by the Republic of Italy for his war service.  He sailed from Palermo, aboard the SS DANTE ALIGHIERI, arriving at Ellis Island (New York City, USA) on 18 August 1923, at 24 years of age. Unmarried. A Roman Catholic. Intended occupation, a labourer. In 1928 Rocco appears in the Toronto City Directory for the first time. First residence; 23 Denison Avenue. Over the next few years, he moves twice more (1360 St. Clair Avenue West and 47 McKay Avenue). He was employed as a shoemaker at American Shoe Repair in 1930-31. He resides at 77 Bellwoods Avenue, Toronto, from 1933 until his passing in 1979.  He is listed as working as a baker until 1960 (Canadian Bakery, Woman’s Bakery, as a guard for Security and Investigation Services until 1969.   He was known as The Builder, (see applicant submission.) 

For Monday Mural PART ONE these murals are painted on the garage doors, a common canvas for street art in this area. The garages are located behind the houses, typically at the back of the gardens.

Featuring a black bear and a moose set against a colorful northern lights background, this was painted by Toronto-based artist Nick Sweetman in 2022. 

Nick Sweetman is a recognized Canadian street artist known for detailed animal illustrations.

 Click on SWEETMAN in the tags/labels below this post to see his many murals around town.

 

The artist's signature, "SWEETMAN 22," is visible in the lower right corner of the mural. 

This mural is by artist Rowell Soller. 

It features his signature style, often characterized by complex patterns and anthropomorphic figures.

The artwork is located on a residential garage door, a common canvas for street art in this area.

The mural showcases intricate line work and a specific color palette often found in Soller's Toronto-based projects.

More Soller, 2020, during the pandemic.

Soller on Lake Shore Blvd.

This mural, titled "Hearts on Fire," was created by Toronto-based street artist D. Terra Stencils. 

It depicts a firefighter using a hose to spray a large red heart, symbolizing "burning love" or a firefighter attempting to extinguish a fire.

Toronto-based stencil artist D.Terra emerged during the pandemic, focusing on large-scale works that quickly garnered widespread community support. Despite the ephemeral nature of street art, his pieces, featuring raccoon symbolism and cultural references, persist in sparking meaningful discussions.

Another D. Terra

Signs

  Joining Tom at Signs2

Wordless Wednesday Wordless

2025 - Toronto ON

Sweaty Betty's Bar - zoom in on the signs.

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Royal York Hotel

Signs

 Joining Tom at Signs2

Wordless Wednesday Wordless

August 2025 - Ossington Ave Toronto ON

Weekend Roundup

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

1. Starts with "S"
2. A Favorite
3. SHADOWS - Chosen by Tom

Starts with S (BIGGEST/SMALLEST/LONGEST/SHORTEST/OLDEST/FIRST)

SHOES SNEAKER on SPADINA STREET 

FAVOURITE

STAIRS SAYINGS STEPS 

SHADOWS

Us, on Ossington Ave

BONUS

Fall in Coffee

 Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader

Weekend Coffee Share
Sunday Salon

October 2025 - Toronto ON

2015 - Frankfurt Germany

Last week's post - Cafecito

1 Year Ago This Week 

5 Years Ago This Week

SATURDAY

I was up at 7 and worked on blog posts and clearing out my drafts folder. Four or five of these drafts became scheduled posts with some tweaking. I also made some adjustments/updates to some recipe posts.

The weather continues to be delightful.

I made a pot of beef and barley soup for lunch. Then I made a gluten free almond flour lemon ginger cake from a recipe I found in my drafts folder. Definitely not a keeper, it took over an hour more than the recommended baking time and still wasn't cooked, into the garbage!

I made some more vegetable stock. All this produced dishes to be washed.

We went to J and I for dinner at their new downsized condo which is absolutely lovely.

We had a fun-filled evening with good food and many laughs.

Yes! We beat those damn Yankees 10-1!!!! but it's only game 1. 

SUNDAY

We were up a little later than usual and decided we were just going to relax.

I finished making the vegetable stock.

I sorted out my fall clothing and tidied up our closet.

I listened to Taylor Swift's new album and it is awesome!

We booked our train and hotel tickets for weekend of the 18th. We have a funeral to attend in rural Quebec and will use it as our weekend to visit family in Montreal.

We are owed a credit from Via Rail from our last trip when we were delayed three hours! However, there were only three seats left on the train we wanted so we grabbed them and will use the credit another time. To use the credit we have to book in person which is a hassle.

I sorted all the leftover wool for charity and started a blanket with a full ball that was in the stash.

We watched the game 13-7 Blue Jays!

MONDAY

Monday Mural in the Beach last week.

‘Canadian Clubbed’ - New York papers blister Yankees after two big losses in Toronto

John headed out to golf around 12:30 as I caught the 12:10 bus. I got off the subway at Rosedale, on the hunt for a plaque.

The Masonic Temple was opened with great ceremony on January 1, 1918. Owned by an independent corporation of Masons, the Temple was intended to house a disparate group of lodges and chapters; at one point, thirty-eight different groups called the temple home.

Unlike the rest of the Temple, the Concert Hall was intended as rental public space to help defray operating costs, with dressing rooms, a stage, and food preparation areas.

It’s been known by many names as music and owners changed: The Concert Hall; The Auditorium; Club 888; The Rockpile, Regency Ballroom. The Concert hall started out mainly being used as a lecture-hall (“G. K. Chesterton: Literature as Luggage”), ballroom (“Canada’s Largest Public Dance Every Wed. – Fri. – Sat.”) and to host community concerts.

AHA found it! 

From trash panda to Toronto legend: Conrad the raccoon gets a plaque!

A new heritage plaque now sits in the downtown core to commemorate a Toronto raccoon who captured the hearts of the city and the internet just over a decade ago. 

The plaque, located at Church and Yonge streets, honours Conrad the Racoon, whose death in 2015 sparked reaction online after his body laid on the sidewalk for 14 hours before being removed by Toronto Animal Services. 

To mark the 10th anniversary of his passing, Heritage Toronto is celebrating Conrad’s life and impact on the city with the established plaque. 

From there I walked down Yonge St. to Bloor St. East. I haven't gone this way in a few years.

Bloor St. East and Church.

Manulife's global headquarters in Toronto is the iconic South Tower, located at 200 Bloor Street East in the Yorkville neighbourhood, which opened in 1925. The Beaux-Arts style limestone building, originally known as the Manufacturers' Life Insurance Company Building, serves as the company's central hub for its operations in Canada, Asia, and Europe.

I said hello, to some old friends. Rush, by Kirk Newman is one of my favourites.

The gardens behind feature both a public-facing manicured green space and a private ceremonial medicine garden planted with sage and sweetgrass for Indigenous reconciliation efforts. The main grounds are known for their well-maintained lawns and seasonal flower displays, including tulips in the spring, and are transformed into a moving flag garden for Remembrance Day to honour fallen soldiers.

From across the street

New Hilton property, Canopy.

Coffee shop in hotel lobby

Thanks, Natalie, for telling me about this sculpture in the Postmedia building.

Lea Vivot is a internationally renown artist who resides in Kleinberg, Ontario, Canada. She was born in Sumperk, Czechoslovakia and is active in sculpture, drawing and printmaking. Presently she creates in Kleinburg, New York, Acapulco and the Czech Republic.

Click here to see more of her Toronto pieces.

I said hi, to the Homeless Jesus, outside St. Paul's Church, above.

TUESDAY

Treasures some Toronto sketches for 401 Richmond visit a couple of weeks ago.

The harvest moon on a rainy Tuesday morning.

Then a strange police escort along the Gardiner with motorcycle cops zigzagging across the highway to slow/stop traffic westbound. Lots of flashing lights. I'm guessing that the truck and five cars on the right of the motorcycles and police cars in the left lane are being escorted. I wonder what was in the truck?

 

We didn't go anywhere. I froze some pineapple and apples for future use.

I paid the house insurance, it goes up a $100 each year!

I knitted and watched some baking shows.

And then baseball, game 3...

It started well, but ended badly.

WEDNESDAY

Signs some fun bathroom signs around town.

It was a crazy traffic morning!! I headed to the $ store for more of their naan at $2.75 and a shelf for under the kitchen sink in an attempt to organize dish towels.

I went to Longo's for duck fat and hummus was 2 for $6.

And then it took us an extra 20 minutes to get home due to an accident.

John played golf. The weather is perfect although a little on the cooler side. Did I mention traffic was crazy?!!?! It took John two 2 duo dos deux HOURS to get home!

BASEBALL!

WOO HOO!

VIDEO

THURSDAY

It was a cooler but sunny day.

We took the streetcar to Ossington for our 12:30 reservation at The Lunch Lady.

Don't be deceived, it looks like quiet and unassuming. 

It is huge and packed on a Thursday lunch. 

BÁNH TÔM CHIÊN - PRAWN FRITTERS

tiger prawns & shredded taro root coated in a crisp coconut batter, lettuce, herbs, chili lime sauce

It came with lettuce to wrap them in, with fresh Vietnamese mint. Delicious!

Packed!

John thought the broth was thin and lacked flavour.

PHỞ BÒ - BEEF NOODLE SOUP (GF)

brisket, short plate, rare beef shoulder, rice noodles, 24-hour beef broth

Our server, Liam, behind John.

I went with an appetizer and it was plenty. There could have been more sauce on the salad but the duck was perfection.

GỎI VỊT - DUCK SALAD

caramelized duck breast, cabbage, banana blossoms, Vietnamese coriander, peanuts, crispy shallots and vermicelli, ginger chili vinaigrette

We should have tried their desserts but we were totally stuffed.

The POO (Provincial Offences Officers) AKA Fare Inspectors boarded at Roncevalles. John's second encounter in 2 weeks, this time though, there was an announcement (automated) and a sign stating that POP (Proof of Payment) was in effect with audio and visual recording. They did get an older white woman, who claimed she didn't have her wallet.

FRIDAY

As we waited for the bus.

We were up and out at 9:15 to College Park, John wanted a couple of dress shirts. We also stopped into the $ store and had coffee before catching the 11:40 home for lunch.

I cleared out the fridge for our Thanksgiving food delivery for between 4-8 PM. Which came right to our door around 4:30.

Total price $146 which is pretty good as the turkey was $51. Cauliflower, spinach, onions, Brussels sprouts.

 I added some heavy things I wanted that I wouldn't want to carry home when I was out. Canned pineapple, soup stock, apple sauce (I use it in place of eggs when baking sometimes), 5 lbs of potatoes.

I also got more of those gravy packages that I thought were a good price last week at Longo's at 0.99¢ were only 0.66¢!

There was $6 in delivery and bags fee.

Milk was a decent $4.85.

John's LCBO order arrived.

COOKING

I made some seriously good vegetable soup this week out of freezer scraps. This article explains exactly what I do. 

Saturday Out - beef stroganoff 

Sunday chicken fingers and potato salad

Monday pork chops supreme  turnips and mashed potatoes

Tuesday Spanish chicken thighs and mashed potatoes

Wednesday leftovers

Thursday lunch out - popcorn 

Friday steak fajitas at John's request. John grilled the steak, sliced it and we added it to sauteed onions and green peppers and spices. Served with tomato salsa homemade, cheese and sour cream. Perfect!

WATCHING

BASEBALL

We are catching up on the recorded episodes of Jeopardy.

We weeded through John's recorded movies and found some good ones.

Lucky Star Lucky Star is a Canadian drama film, written and directed by Gillian McKercher and released in 2024. The film stars Terry Chen as Lucky, a Chinese Canadian dad raising his family in suburban Calgary, Alberta, who gets drawn into gambling as he attempts to recover money he lost after being scammed. Just an ordinary family with private dramas dealing with life, no Hollywood hype, Botox or lucky breaks. 

The Wedding Banquet  2025 American Asian comedy. A gay man makes a deal with his lesbian friend: a green-card marriage for him, in exchange for in vitro fertilization treatments for her. Plans evolve as Min's grandmother surprises them with a Korean wedding banquet.

READING

50 Canadian fiction books we're excited about this fall.

$100K Giller Prize announces five-title shortlist for 2025

I finally finished Edge of Eternity, third in the Ken Follett Century trilogy. I don't care what the reviews said, I thoroughly enjoyed the history lesson from WWI to Obama inauguration!

I also finished my first book by Graham Norton, thanks Tina! Frankie -  the story was wonderful – drawing on his knowledge as an Irish man in London. The story is witty, and insightfully told.

I also finished The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler. Does anyone realize what hard work a marriage is? Of course not, we go in blind like all couples and require a lot of blood sweat and tears. This book will give the reader cause to do some self-realization.

I also finished another Anne Tyler Three Days in June.

I started The Things We Cannot Say but then realized I had already read it!

Asian lemon ginger soup

Sunday Soup had much more interesting recipes.