High Park

Toronto never seizes to surprise me. There are so many places to see but we often forget to play tourist in our own city.

I arrived here in 1985, and had never been to High Park until I visited with my daughter, earlier this summer.

On a sweltering hot July day, we loaded our bikes onto the car rack, and drove into Toronto.

I'm glad we had our bikes as we would not have lasted very long on foot.

This park is fantastic.  Beutiful gardens, lots of activities for families.  There's even a small zoo.

I'd love to make another visit in the fall, when the weather is cooler, and to take in the autumn colors.

Toronto by Bike

What a fantastic day!

I love being active but it's not always easy to find others who enjoy it as much as myself.  Well, my daughter does and today, we decided to "Take Toronto by Bike".

We picked up our folding bikes at the Yacht Club and drove down to the Beaches where we parked the car. 




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        The waterfront trail is fantastic, and the ride is easy as it is flat the whole way.

There's always something new to discoverer in this mega city.  Today we stumbled upon the new Sugar Beach, at the foot of lower Jarvis Street.

 "Play Me, I'm Yours"
We were pleasantly surprised when we stumbled upon a Whimsical Piano at Sugar Beach, as we had not heard of the 41 pianos scattered across the city of Toronto .  By the end of the day, we discovered 3 more.  We'll have to find the remaining 37 on another visit.  Evidently each piano has a caretaker that covers the piano at night.  The Pianos are a celebration of the three-year countdown of the 2015 Pan American Game.  Each Piano represents a participating Country.  

China Town has it's own energy.  I've never been to China but I can almost fool myself while at Spadina and Dundas.

We took our time to explore the city and covered so much ground in 4 hours.  Biking on the street is not for everyone, but I get a rush when I'm in the midst of everything.  Biking on Spadina with a bus next to me, cars behind and the sidewalk covered in people is exhilarating.   I've often been asked if I'm scared biking on the street, but to be honest, "I'm more scared when biking on the sidewalk".  I've had more close calls while on the sidewalk as the cars don't even take you into consideration. 


Yonge - Dundas Square has really changed in the last few years.  I don't ever remember so many billboards but I like it as it brings energy to the square.

                                                                                                                                                                    The Distillery District is such a treat.  We're in the city but at the same time we're not.  It's quiet. The historic buildings, streets lined with outdoor patios and various art galleries is like a smörgåsbord.  Each time you visit you sample some.  

                                                                                                                                 

The City of Toronto has a bottomless supply of things to see and do.

One does not have to be bored in this city!

Happy New Year!

New Year.. new beginnings.

I've always loved that concept....

I've just finished writing my last chapter for 2011.  I took a gamble on the last few pages, and it paid off.  It went out with a "bang", amongst great company; good food; lot's of laughter and camaraderie.  One of the best New Years in a long time.

My new book is already in the making, and is open to new opportunities and experiences.  The pages are blank and I'm looking forward to filling them.

I don't make resolutions for the coming year.  I draw from past experiences in seeking a good balance in my life. Mind, body and soul is what I focus on.

My aim for Chapter One is to make a conscious effort to surround myself with people I enjoy and bring me positive energies.   I'm also hoping to fill Chapter One with my Simple Pleasures of yoga and hiking.

I have a feeling that 2012 will make a good year.  After all, I'm the author of my life.

The Greatest Gift of All.....

Oh, how I love my Christmas Day.

It is not about the gifts.

Lounging in pj's all day; eating, watching movies, eating some more; and perhaps playing a game or two with my "not-so-little-kids" is my kind of day.

This year we brought out some old home movies and reminisced about when they kids were small.  It was such a delight to see our children's  faces when they heard and saw themselves as one, two and three year old's.   What a treat!

A day full of love, togetherness, bonding and creating new memories is the greatest gift of all.

Happy 2011 - We're at the starting line again!

2011 is here and that means we all get a fresh start again.  I love the feeling of leaving the old behind.  New beginnings are great and on January 1st, we are all at the starting line again.  Who cares if we didn't make it to the finish line last year.... We get a 2nd chance to settle  unfinished business, and fulfill our hopes and promises from last year.  And if you're fortunate enough not to carry over from last year... Good For You!

I'm gonna try to get to the gym more often, eat healthy and make more time for all my amazing friends.   How about a regular tune up on the home front; perhaps I'll finally plan those special "dates" with hubby that I didn't do last year.  I'm finally gonna put prints in those empty picture frames on my living room walls. It's only been 2 years since I hung them. 

2010 wasn't a bad year, but it's certainly not gonna make it on my vintage list.  It had its good moments, but they seemed to be overshadowed by the never ending tread mill which was going faster and faster with no chance at getting off. No wonder, I have to carry over from last year..

My treasured moments from 2010, all has to do with spending time with family and friends.  A trip to Cuba with friends in February.  A long weekend trip to Tuscarora with good friends.  A beautiful gesture by a new friend.  A day in Port Perry with a special friend, and lastly the realization that my children are all growing up to becoming mature, kind and caring young adults. 

2011 is off to a good start though.  I'll be in the sunny Caribbean in a week,  which will give me a much needed rest and a good start to the New Year.

I'm hoping that 2011 will be a well balanced year, without any major roller coasters.  As for any plans, I'm hoping to achieve some, and if not, there will always be next year!

Are You Ready for Christmas?

"Are you ready for Christmas?” was the question of the week. Perhaps, it's a conversational breaker, such as asking about the weather or perhaps they are genuinely wondering. What exactly are people referring to when they ask that question? Are they wondering if I have the house decorated, presents bought, cookies baked, or food prepared?

I am proud to say that I've finally realized that we don't need to go overboard to celebrate Christmas. Surely, I've baked some cookies but not like in the past where I'd start in October. Surely, I've prepared some food for Christmas Eve, but not weeks ahead but rather a few days in advance. And yes, I bought some presents, not for 35 people as I've done in the past but for my 3 children. It's nice to be able to ignore the commercial frenzy created around Christmas.

I'll spend my Christmas Eve with family and friends, good food, and Christmas carolling. We have our traditions such as drinking our glögg (Swedish mulled wine), a smörgåsbord for dinner, and rice pudding for dessert. We'll also follow traditions and sing silly songs while we have a "snaps" (a shot of aquavit), in between courses. As a little girl, I would watch my grandmother gently shake her head "no" as my father was about to pour the aquavit into the tiny little shot glass placed in front of her dinner plate.  My father would ignore her  indication of no, and Grandma would glance around the table with a smile on her face as my father filled her glass . This ritual would repeat itself yearly, so I was waiting for the moment when she'd make a face as the liquor went down her throat, and her face would slowly turn red. The adults would all laugh and glasses would be refilled for the next song and “snaps”.  I now know how she felt. I'm not too keen on the aquavit but I don't want to be a party pooper, so I go along. The purpose of the aquavit was to cleanse your stomach and pallet in between meals, especially after eating herring.
For the rest of the Christmas holiday, I plan to take it easy and enjoy the things that bring me happiness such as a brisk walk in the cold; curling up on the sofa with a good book; a relaxing yoga session; laying a puzzle with my daughter, and meeting up with friends.
"So, am I ready for Christmas?" Sure, bring it on. I've managed to avoid traffic jams, line-ups at the mall, and hopefully an over-charged credit card come January so I'm feeling good.