Today was amazing! Learned the value of someone with positive energy paying a visit, plus the power of hope. OMG! Can joining the Jehovah’s Witnesses be far away??
First for those I sent to the Fox and Fiddle. Well? Did I TELL you they did all day breakfast EVERY day? No! So eat your chips and zip it.
Meanwhile It’s spring, my baby husband is singing along to cd’s, we had steak and red wine with Greek salad and danced! Ok, I danced and Gerry swayed while holding onto me. Who makes the rules? It was dancing.
Person who came to help Gerry today told us that those who enter our home should bring positive energy and she did!
All in all, I am proud to present the score for today:
April Fool’s Jokes; 4 out of 4!
Enjoying what’s out there – 10!
Misery moments –0.
A great day for the start of a new month!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Get Cracking!
Breakfast of Champions or Champion of Breakfasts
There is nothing like an egg. It satisfies most carnivores and low key vegetarians, is cheap, easy to cook, versatile and with the right accoutrements, it’s mmmmm tasty. Especially a few, with some say, bacon or smoked salmon, with a nice dash of HP Sauce.
Eggs are the mainstay of restos that serve brunch or all day breakfast and there are more of these in TO than sugar hits in a box of kiddy crunch. I like eating, breakfast and being with friends, but I find the places that specialize in this fare sort of lacking. The price is usually not bad, but the meal lacks, some je ne sais quoi. Like a genuine cook who knows how to do more than crack a shell and put pre-cooked piggy in the micro.
Luckily, I had a great breakfast/brunch experience recently at an unexpected place: a fake British Pub, right in the heart of waspy Yonge and St. Clair. The Fox and the Fiddle has been through some interesting transformations, and those with long memories remember it was Shopsy’s for a while. Well the help’s still there, at least our waitress is a transition survivor, and the food still schmecks. We didn’t have anything too remarkable: lots of eggs in various ways with side dishes ranging from bacon to baked beans and also tomatoes with the familiar, you guessed it, home fries.
But first of all, it was all tasty! Including a spinach and feta cheese omelette that sounded just weird on the menu. My husband’s easy over eggs were just runny enough (no slimy uncooked white) and good and hot, with home fries, but not so many you needed a forklift to get out of your chair after. The toast was real bread, not alien slices so thin as to qualify as melba toast wannabees.
And the tables – they’re nice and spacious, so ppl can all sit, winter storm gear beside them, and have room to eat. Comfortably!
Our waitress was friendly and happy, not all fake bubbly, and even offered her take on movies as we debated what to see that day. BTW she liked the King’s Speech. We had a great meal at a good price and felt happy and not rushed either. Will we go back? Yes, with a side of you bet!
There is nothing like an egg. It satisfies most carnivores and low key vegetarians, is cheap, easy to cook, versatile and with the right accoutrements, it’s mmmmm tasty. Especially a few, with some say, bacon or smoked salmon, with a nice dash of HP Sauce.
Eggs are the mainstay of restos that serve brunch or all day breakfast and there are more of these in TO than sugar hits in a box of kiddy crunch. I like eating, breakfast and being with friends, but I find the places that specialize in this fare sort of lacking. The price is usually not bad, but the meal lacks, some je ne sais quoi. Like a genuine cook who knows how to do more than crack a shell and put pre-cooked piggy in the micro.
Luckily, I had a great breakfast/brunch experience recently at an unexpected place: a fake British Pub, right in the heart of waspy Yonge and St. Clair. The Fox and the Fiddle has been through some interesting transformations, and those with long memories remember it was Shopsy’s for a while. Well the help’s still there, at least our waitress is a transition survivor, and the food still schmecks. We didn’t have anything too remarkable: lots of eggs in various ways with side dishes ranging from bacon to baked beans and also tomatoes with the familiar, you guessed it, home fries.
But first of all, it was all tasty! Including a spinach and feta cheese omelette that sounded just weird on the menu. My husband’s easy over eggs were just runny enough (no slimy uncooked white) and good and hot, with home fries, but not so many you needed a forklift to get out of your chair after. The toast was real bread, not alien slices so thin as to qualify as melba toast wannabees.
And the tables – they’re nice and spacious, so ppl can all sit, winter storm gear beside them, and have room to eat. Comfortably!
Our waitress was friendly and happy, not all fake bubbly, and even offered her take on movies as we debated what to see that day. BTW she liked the King’s Speech. We had a great meal at a good price and felt happy and not rushed either. Will we go back? Yes, with a side of you bet!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Shopping – A Love Hate Relationship
So there I was in the liquor store before Christmas, rhapsodizing about how wonderful shopping is. Well, there are some down sides. Like house brands.
Loblaws has a knack for buying one of their suppliers and then…. Bastardizing the brand. Watch and see if I’m right. Ace Breads is now owned by Loblaws, So I’m guessing that soon there will be no more Ace Breads, just some President’s Choice Breads that have oh so similar packaging to the former Ace.
But the bread will be less than Ace, in so many ways. It will be crappy, taste bad, crummy (no pun intended) texture and probably fewer available varieties. You will be able to think of it as President’s Bland Bread. Or it will be tough and waaaay too chewy.
I have been wondering how cum Loblaws, owned by the gang that owns Weston Foods, known as a bread maker, has the worst bread of any grocery store. I can’t say why, but it’s likely cost cutting and trying to up the profit margin. Until recently, lots of stores carried Ace, so there was at least something to pack your ham and cheese into. Now? Who Knows?
Tip: Sobey’s still has great bread that they make themselves. Lots of good varieties, great zinging flavour, fresh and affordable. I say yay Sobeys, and blah blah Loblaws
So there I was in the liquor store before Christmas, rhapsodizing about how wonderful shopping is. Well, there are some down sides. Like house brands.
Loblaws has a knack for buying one of their suppliers and then…. Bastardizing the brand. Watch and see if I’m right. Ace Breads is now owned by Loblaws, So I’m guessing that soon there will be no more Ace Breads, just some President’s Choice Breads that have oh so similar packaging to the former Ace.
But the bread will be less than Ace, in so many ways. It will be crappy, taste bad, crummy (no pun intended) texture and probably fewer available varieties. You will be able to think of it as President’s Bland Bread. Or it will be tough and waaaay too chewy.
I have been wondering how cum Loblaws, owned by the gang that owns Weston Foods, known as a bread maker, has the worst bread of any grocery store. I can’t say why, but it’s likely cost cutting and trying to up the profit margin. Until recently, lots of stores carried Ace, so there was at least something to pack your ham and cheese into. Now? Who Knows?
Tip: Sobey’s still has great bread that they make themselves. Lots of good varieties, great zinging flavour, fresh and affordable. I say yay Sobeys, and blah blah Loblaws
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Fah Lah Lah, Shopping!
Christmas Shopping
Is there any more cheerful place than the LCBO at Christmas? Talk about the wow factor – foil in every colour, boxed sets of wine for slurping or sipping, mammoth bottles of the hard stuff and elixirs in every hue!
I love Christmas, and shopping is one of the best parts. The thing is, if you’re normally strapped for cash Christmas is, well, like Christmas! You get to buy for people you love; and when I have a great gift idea, I love everybody. AND it’s not about money: an item can be cheap and still have max impact! It’s, to use the advertising lingo, knowing your market. Someone who never has a hair thingy will love a boxful in every colour. Pens for the creative types: coloured pens! Shops like the artists’ group at 401 Richmond are perfect! They have fantastic pens, felt tipped fine, for…35 cents! They have handmade jewelery for $10 and the coolest musical instruments that ever bopped a bongo.
You cannot go wrong at the LCBO for gifts! Or gifts for me anyway. Grand & Toy is excellent! Or Staples, if you’re into the big box concept.
What’s wrong with getting someone socks? I love socks! And underwear! Or how about some really cool dish towels? There are some with mouth watering colours and really fun designs. Heading to your neighbourhood shops will be stress free and blissful. I spent a fantastic two hours on Bayview just north of Millwood last Saturday, and I can tell you if you can’t have fun shopping there, you are beyond hope.
If you don’t think dropping into your local boite for a smile and maybe a sip of hot apple cider or a red and green candy is fantastic, you should stick to on line buying. Start at www.scrooge.com or maybe grinch.ca. Meanwhile the stores are open late! Fah la la!
Is there any more cheerful place than the LCBO at Christmas? Talk about the wow factor – foil in every colour, boxed sets of wine for slurping or sipping, mammoth bottles of the hard stuff and elixirs in every hue!
I love Christmas, and shopping is one of the best parts. The thing is, if you’re normally strapped for cash Christmas is, well, like Christmas! You get to buy for people you love; and when I have a great gift idea, I love everybody. AND it’s not about money: an item can be cheap and still have max impact! It’s, to use the advertising lingo, knowing your market. Someone who never has a hair thingy will love a boxful in every colour. Pens for the creative types: coloured pens! Shops like the artists’ group at 401 Richmond are perfect! They have fantastic pens, felt tipped fine, for…35 cents! They have handmade jewelery for $10 and the coolest musical instruments that ever bopped a bongo.
You cannot go wrong at the LCBO for gifts! Or gifts for me anyway. Grand & Toy is excellent! Or Staples, if you’re into the big box concept.
What’s wrong with getting someone socks? I love socks! And underwear! Or how about some really cool dish towels? There are some with mouth watering colours and really fun designs. Heading to your neighbourhood shops will be stress free and blissful. I spent a fantastic two hours on Bayview just north of Millwood last Saturday, and I can tell you if you can’t have fun shopping there, you are beyond hope.
If you don’t think dropping into your local boite for a smile and maybe a sip of hot apple cider or a red and green candy is fantastic, you should stick to on line buying. Start at www.scrooge.com or maybe grinch.ca. Meanwhile the stores are open late! Fah la la!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Careful! Foam is slippery.
The Race for Mayor
The media is doing its absolute best to knock Rob Ford out of the serious running for mayor. Now they’ve dug up some old charges in the US and are hounding him about them
Meanwhile, Furious George Smitherman is actually foaming at the mouth about Mr. Ford. According to Beau George, Rob doesn’t like Asians, immigrants, gays, bike riders and now, presumably police. What is fueling his self righteous indignation is the fact that Mr. Ford has been leading in the polls with his everyman’s outrage about costs at city hall and Toronto’s out of whack budget.
What may turn out to be even more scary for the erstwhile big time Ontario MP and cabinet exec is that many other less elitist everymen may still share Ford’s views on taming the behemoth of Toronto’s expenses, and they may see the latest old scandals as just…old news. And is there any truth to the notion that someone is feeding the media these juicy tidbits? Someone with just a trickle of spittle at the corner of his mouth?
The media is doing its absolute best to knock Rob Ford out of the serious running for mayor. Now they’ve dug up some old charges in the US and are hounding him about them
Meanwhile, Furious George Smitherman is actually foaming at the mouth about Mr. Ford. According to Beau George, Rob doesn’t like Asians, immigrants, gays, bike riders and now, presumably police. What is fueling his self righteous indignation is the fact that Mr. Ford has been leading in the polls with his everyman’s outrage about costs at city hall and Toronto’s out of whack budget.
What may turn out to be even more scary for the erstwhile big time Ontario MP and cabinet exec is that many other less elitist everymen may still share Ford’s views on taming the behemoth of Toronto’s expenses, and they may see the latest old scandals as just…old news. And is there any truth to the notion that someone is feeding the media these juicy tidbits? Someone with just a trickle of spittle at the corner of his mouth?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Togetherness
Shoe Solution
Getting together with someone when they are new in your life is simple. Yes, matters have been a bit damaged by the advent of call display. You can’t call your prospective boyfriend (to see if he’s home) and hang up when he answers. He’ll know, right?
However, for those with nerve, I offer the following:
Leaving your shoes at his place. This is a winner, and almost always works. After a great time at his place, whisk yourself away with aplomb. The next day, or the same day, if you’re desperate, call or text to report that you left your left shoe there: it must be in the hall or under the bed. He, being considerate of your need for your favourite sandal, immediately invites you to drop by and pick up the shoe! Voila, another evening together!
This can be used multiple times, just try to mix it up with different items. A shoe, an earring, your wallet, keys to your apartment….
And you can use it to get him back to your place! Take his wallet and tuck it under the sofa cushions and then you have the PERFECT excuse to call him to say you found it and invite him to come by and get it. Or, even better, he may call to ask if it’s there!
The real key to success with this method is having lots of suitable retrievables. It works, and both parties actually know what’s going on. After a while, you can just call and say you want to be together; the shoes are just a bridge to this stage!
Getting together with someone when they are new in your life is simple. Yes, matters have been a bit damaged by the advent of call display. You can’t call your prospective boyfriend (to see if he’s home) and hang up when he answers. He’ll know, right?
However, for those with nerve, I offer the following:
Leaving your shoes at his place. This is a winner, and almost always works. After a great time at his place, whisk yourself away with aplomb. The next day, or the same day, if you’re desperate, call or text to report that you left your left shoe there: it must be in the hall or under the bed. He, being considerate of your need for your favourite sandal, immediately invites you to drop by and pick up the shoe! Voila, another evening together!
This can be used multiple times, just try to mix it up with different items. A shoe, an earring, your wallet, keys to your apartment….
And you can use it to get him back to your place! Take his wallet and tuck it under the sofa cushions and then you have the PERFECT excuse to call him to say you found it and invite him to come by and get it. Or, even better, he may call to ask if it’s there!
The real key to success with this method is having lots of suitable retrievables. It works, and both parties actually know what’s going on. After a while, you can just call and say you want to be together; the shoes are just a bridge to this stage!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
All Bubble, No Gum?
Are we in the midst of a housing bubble? Is the bubble going to burst?
Torontonians have flocked to the housing market for the past few years in unprecedented numbers, and the professional sellers have created a situation where only those with deep pockets can get in on the action. Bidding wars mean the price is only a starting number and buying is a tense high-stakes game for those willing to extend themselves to the max. Consequently, prices are high, really high!
So, are we in a bubble, where tomorrow the home you own may not be worth what you paid for it? Are prices ready to plummet?
For most Toronto homes, this isn’t too likely, as long as interest rates stay reasonable. But beware; if too many people have bought at prices they can’t really afford if interest rates go up, they might have to try to dump their homes. This could happen in condos, where there are lots of buyers all grouped in bunches.
Who has a crystal ball? Not me! The real estate profession will tell you not to worry and keep on buying. I’d make sure I can afford a possible bumpy ride with some turbulence!
Torontonians have flocked to the housing market for the past few years in unprecedented numbers, and the professional sellers have created a situation where only those with deep pockets can get in on the action. Bidding wars mean the price is only a starting number and buying is a tense high-stakes game for those willing to extend themselves to the max. Consequently, prices are high, really high!
So, are we in a bubble, where tomorrow the home you own may not be worth what you paid for it? Are prices ready to plummet?
For most Toronto homes, this isn’t too likely, as long as interest rates stay reasonable. But beware; if too many people have bought at prices they can’t really afford if interest rates go up, they might have to try to dump their homes. This could happen in condos, where there are lots of buyers all grouped in bunches.
Who has a crystal ball? Not me! The real estate profession will tell you not to worry and keep on buying. I’d make sure I can afford a possible bumpy ride with some turbulence!
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