February 2018

Before the snow thaws and we get cozy with spring - there was February.

A Filipino "bodul-budol" dinner with a multi-cultural cast.

February 2, 2018 at Tinuno Restaurant, Toronto.

A little home re-arranging.

February 3, 2018

Meeting a cousin from long, long ago.

February 24, 2018

 A little bit of the chill remains.

Remainder of the Medieval Night themed Yorkville IceFest.

401 Richmond Street, Toronto

401 Richmond St., Toronto
September 16, 2017

For family bonding one September afternoon, the son brought hubby and me to 401 Richmond Street in Toronto. The building is a restored, heritage designated, industrial turned arts-and-culture hub in downtown Toronto.  Very interesting place to visit with one-of-a-kind shops, galleries and offices.

Building's "atrium"

Outside looking very ordinary.

The only photos I took inside the building. It could be a bike store, a design store, a paint store. 

My apologies to the owner - I should have taken the name. 

 

Found some one of a kind books and gifts at Swipe Design Books + Objects  and also at Spacing Store.

Check them out here 401 Richmond Street, Toronto or visit the place.

December 2017 - Part 4

FAMILY TIME.

 At the EverGreen Brickworks Christmas Market.

December 10, 2017

Toronto, Cumberland Area

Bonding with Lyco.

Then food tripping with the hubby and son at Lime Asian Kitchen.

At the Toronto Music Garden.

December 21, 2017

And then the Kensington Winter Solstice Parade.

Hot Ramen with homemade hand pulled noodles at Spadina. Hot and so yummy.

Christmas Wishes

On this Christmas season, 

may your heart be as light as snowflake; 

your troubles melt as snow and 

a drift of blessings surround you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!

Memories of Summer 2017 - A Merry Saturday

One Saturday in July we decided to have a picnic for 3. There was food, there was fun - but the rain started to come. So the picnic became a brunch at home.

Later in the afternoon hubby and I decided to take a walk. Found this place near Mt. Pleasant Road - Blythwood Ravine Park (1200 Mt. Pleasant Road). It has a long forested trail and a wading pool somewhere at the centre. When we were there there were picnickers too. Another beautiful park discovered.

Mural at Blythwood Ravine Park.

Colonel Danforth Park & Blythwood Ravine Park
July 23, 2017

TIFF 2017

Short break from all those Summer Trip 2017 postings. 

Here the 5 Toronto International Film Festival movies I watched this year. Yes 5 is a low number and in the 11 years I have been watching movies during the festival this is one of our leanest years. We decided on the early part of the game we are not taking days off and will only have weekends to watch. For that reason alone - we limited our movies. 

So here goes the movies and reviews from different movie critics (why should do it when others can do it better). 

The Motive (Country : Spain)

Hubby and I watched this movie. We both liked it. 7/10
Subject was very close to my heart - writing.

Click here for a REVIEW from Hollywood Reporter. 

Rainbow - A Private Affair (Country - Italy)

Friend Cindy and I watched this one and gave it a 3 out of 10. A total failure.

Click here for a REVIEW from Hollywood Reporter.

Downsizing ( Country - USA, Special Presentation)

All 3 (hubby, son and me) liked the movie. 7/10
Hong Chau was brilliant in here, stole the show!

Click here for a REVIEW from Keith Loves Movies.

The Third Murder (Country - Japan)

All 3 (hubby, son and me) liked the movie. 7/10
It was like a John Grisham novel.

Click here for a REVIEW from IndieWire.

Short Cuts 05 was one presentation we watched. Shortcuts 05 was not actually a movie but 7 short films under the Short Cuts Program of TIFF. We rarely miss presentations from Short Cuts because we get to see 6-7 short films from different filmmakers and countries. It is always a treat.

And so another season has come and gone. This year did not feel like a TIFF year for me. I did not volunteer, I only got to see 5 presentations, I did not take a day off from work to line up and have small talk with other film buffs. This year however we had 2 "guests" in the form of the Gonzales couple. Them watching 2 movies at TIFF was not planned and was so spontaneous but they said they want to do it again next year. Sounds interesting!!



Toronto International Film Festival - Sept 7-17, 2017

Food, Stroll and Bonding

Friday before Mother's Day the 3 bears got together. We had dinner to welcome back the son who just arrived from a 1 week trip to Iceland, a belated birthday celebration and an advance Mother's day bonding. We had our fill at Captain's Boil and then took a lazy stroll along Mt. Pleasant Road.

Mt. Pleasant was indeed a pleasant surprise. Unique shops and restaurants line the street. And there was not a lot of people on this Friday evening.

One of kind children's bookstore.

At a dollhouse shop.

Collectors store. Stamps, film books, posters.

A mural on top of Bread and Butter.

This shop has hundreds of vintage maps and they do framing too.

Indeed, there is still so much to discover in my Toronto.

Stroll taken May 12, 2017. FitBit steps 6,473.

In Memory

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal".

The main reason for my recent 19 hour plane trip from Toronto, Canada to Cebu, Philippines.

“No one is truly lost when they remain in the hearts and minds of those who love them” 

~ Kirsten Beyer

10 Years Ago

Whenever I try to recall that long ago first day at school only one memory shines through; 

my father held my hands. ~ Marlene Cox

In loving memory of my father.

Mother's Hand

MOTHER'S HANDS

Dear gentle hands have stroked my hair
And cooled my brow,
Soft hands that pressed me close
And seemed to know somehow
Those fleeting moods and erring thoughts
That cloud my day,
Which quickly melt beneath their suffrage
And pass away.

No other balm for earthly pain
Is half so sure,
No sweet caress as filled with love
Nor half so pure.
No other soul so close akin that understands,
No touch that brings such perfect peas as Mother's hands.
-- W. Dayton Wedgefarth

And she is finally at rest. My mom. At 84.

Mothers' Job is Never Done

The only son flew out of the coop almost 3 years ago. But as young people do these days - they want to travel and this kid is no exception. Having worked for around 5 years, he has set his mind on doing a Canadian-US road trip for 3 months. He has saved and planned for it - which included giving up his one-room apartment and leaving his things between a storage place and "mom-dad's" home.

Thus, mom blogger got busy right after the Toronto Film Festival (where I volunteered for five 6 hour shifts, watched movies and went to work once in a while). By busy, that meant helping in the pack-up, cleaning and other preparatory activities.

A mom's job is never done - and I am not saying that as a complaint. I am happy I am still needed. My sometimes "good" advise is still sought and my presence is still welcome.

Sharing here the kiddo's blog while he is on his adventure. A road trip.

Unionville - People Watching

When there is nothing much to do and we just want to drive nearby - there is always Unionville. 

And today we were lucky. There were a lot of things going on at the Main Street. 

Best time to people watch. 

Some people just cannot be bothered.

Others are simply relaxing.

A wedding party.... at Timothy's Cafe!!

Cute violin player.

Red moving box.

 Boy with orange shirt.

Business is good at the Old FireHall Confectionery.

LIFE IS GOOD. MAKE IT BETTER.

St. Donat, Quebec

I don't know what got into us but we drove and drove and drove.

 At some point there was just no other vehicle behind us, before us or going against our direction.

Then we reached St. Donat. 60 kms away from Mont-Tremblant.

Where the bread, coffee and soup was oh, so good. Worth the ride!

The crazy things we do.