Go Jays Go!!

Currently, I am half working on web updates and half watching our Toronto Blue Jays in playoff ball! I was the hugest fan as kid until I went to New York for fashion school and didn't have as much access. Wasn't able to have the game on the radio in one ear while at the ballpark or watching on tv for every single game of the season. We used to vacation at Spring training in Dunedin. My sister and I have boxes and boxes of souvenirs and paraphernalia, much of it autographed by the 80's and 90's team members. I remember euphorically celebrating both World Series wins in '92 and '93 in the streets. We were obsessed!  So I am super thrilled as most Torontonians are to see our Jays return to the post season after so many years. 

Yesterday was Aunt L.'s birthday. She always takes her birthday off of work every year. So a few hours before the game, she suggested that we try to get some tickets to Game 1 of the ALDS. Such a great environment in the dome, even way up in the last row of the 500s. Cheers were deafening and the sold-out crowd was energized. Loved watching them raise the American League East Champions banner!

Jays took a loss yesterday.  Crossing our fingers, along with the rest of the sea of blue in this town, for a healthy comeback in the remainder of the series! GO JAYS GO!!

Cinderella

Last week was full of all sorts of fun in the city.  Well, Summer in Toronto is that way!  It's not quite Summer, but the temps are much improved from the hellish Winter we endured, and everyone has come out of hibernation. Toronto seems to be a totally different beast when the warmer weather rolls around. You might even see strangers talking to each other!? Everything comes alive and is abuzz with so many music festivals, street fests, art fairs, cultural events...  feels like you can barely get to everything you might like to see.  Had a chance to hit up a few fun outdoor events and topped it off with a visit to the ballet!

Really enjoyed the whimsical National Ballet of Canada's production of Cinderella at the Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts.  Got some cheap seats with Aunt L. and though we were way up there in the 500 ring, it is still a great view and some of the best entertainment value you could possibly find. It always amazes me how physically and athletically talented the dancers are.  Somehow the fabled story was blurry in my old mind, so it was extra delightful to watch.  If you haven't seen it, try to catch it before it's gone on Sunday.  Have seen a couple things this year, but made a mental note to visit the ballet more often!

 ("Walking Women" by Michael Snow.  They look great amidst the city lights.)

Happy Friday the 13th!  Enjoying some quiet time after a hectic week.  Looking forward to another great sunshiny weekend in the city.  Hope you enjoy yours!

xo

M

Hope you had a nice Family Day long weekend! Caught up with some friends and saw my Grandmother and Aunt L. but missed the rest of the family this weekend.

On Sunday I visited the St. Lawrence antique market. I do enjoy roaming around there to see what bits and bobs people have collected. It's like a mini history lesson at every stop. It's also a great place for people watching. Came away without purchasing anything and was quite pleased with myself as I really need to purge, not pollute my space with more things.

'Twas a nice long weekend! Plus I got plenty of work done and the majority of the orders from the Mode Show are ready to go!

A weekend in June

Hope everyone enjoyed a nice weekend. I was only home for a couple waking hours over the past few days, so am a bit worn out. Went to the album release party for Friendlyness and the Human Rights, went to the Trinity Bellwoods Yard Sale, went to J.'s bridal shower, had dim sum with Family, and dined at A.'s house a few times! I am going to wear out my welcome at her place soon enough! I didn't take many photos this weekend, but here are two from the yard sale.

Look what Aunt L. found! This was the coolest salt and pepper set I have seen in a while! You turn the dial on the front of the TV and the shakers elevate for access to the S&P!
It was a cool day and these wool blankets were looking really cosy. Love the leather straps to tote them with.

I picked up some Pyrex and Fire-King items to add to my ever-expanding collection!

A new dress!

I finally got around to trying my hand at making a dress from one of the books that Aunt L. got me for Christmas. I made Dress D from the Japanese book Adult Couture Stylish Dress Book Volume 2. You can get a copy here. It's the same dress as the one on the cover. I made my version with a lovely fine cotton that is light and airy for this steamy weather we have been having. I ended up taking the side seams in by a total of 4 inches so it is slightly less like PJs. Next time I make this dress, there are a few things I would change. I may lower the neckline and either lengthen the sleeves, narrow them, or cinch them with a narrow cuff or a pleat. Also, I'd put pockets in the side seams. All in all, I am happy with this comfy number!

Aunt L., my Sis and I had fish and chips from Chippy's last night and this dress was perfect for both eating a lot and dining picnic style in the park.

Antique outing

The next day, Aunt L. and I headed out to the Christie Conservation Area for the Antiques Show. I always really look forward to this show! And we've been lucky in getting good weather for a few years now. It was a scorcher, but I like it that way. Here are some photos taken over the day.

I love how this vendor created small art works as a way to display her amazing buttons for sale.
We had a great day! We came home just about empty handed, but really enjoyed inspecting all the wares and learning a few history lessons here and there.

Here's a look back at our visit in May 2009.

Now I am utterly exhausted from the events of the past few days! I hope everyone had an awesome weekend! Good night!

More Than Just a Yardage Sale

On Friday, Aunt L. and I went to the Textile Museum for the More Than Just a Yardage Sale. We lined up early with the crowds and each picked up some nice things for really great prices.

I was lingering out front and loved how the planters and bike racks are uniquely decorated with textile based creations.

Here is a bit of my haul...

Some lovely buttons, both vintage and new...

a metre stick which has already come in handy...

some rick-rack and other trimmings...

some divine pink beads...

and some excellent pins in a most charming box from Eaton's.

Week in review

'Twas a nice quiet week. I felt like I got a lot of things cleared off my plate at the end of April, so I was happy to calm down a bit. Here's just some of what I got up to...

Went for a peachy lunch as faux tourists overlooking Dundas Square with C.,

saw a two-toned tree,

hung out with a not-so-secret admirer,

or three,

enjoyed sweets and tea and quiet time at home,

mmm...

dropped in on the Inspirations Studio Sale and got these unbearably charming cards and more,

and attempted to sew a dress that is turning out to look more like a hospital gown!

Wrapped up the week with Mother's Day dim sum with Mah Mah (grandmother) and a cheap and cheerful dins with Aunt L. The first full week of May just flew by!

Tomato Chickpea Soup

I had a lovely Tomato Chickpea Soup a while back and was bent on re-creating something just as deelish! I Googled a bunch of recipes that did not sound quite right, so I tried a couple experiments and came up with this. Kind of a lot of spices that someone that really knows what they are doing may not use together, but the end result is super fresh tasting and flavourful! Here is my non-scientifically measured recipe. There is definitely some eye-balling involved when I cook, but I made my best guesses on measurements:

Tomato Chickpea Soup

Ingredients (Serves 6):

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 large cooking onion, chopped

6 cloves garlic

6 leaves fresh basil, chopped

1/4 tsp cayenne

1/4 tsp curry powder

1/4 tsp cinnamon powder

1/4 tsp ginger powder

1/4 tsp ground turmeric

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1/2 tsp cumin

pinch of oregano

pinch of chili powder

pinch of chili flakes

1 tsp brown sugar

1 can vegetable or chicken stock

2 cans water

1 can tomato paste

12 Roma tomatoes, peeled

1 can chickpeas

Instructions:

1. Add olive oil to stock pot on low/medium heat. Add 6 cloves garlic and allow to infuse oil for about 10 minutes.

2. Add chopped onion and sweat for 3-5 minutes until onions are clear.

3. Stir in all spices.

4. Add peeled tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable (or chicken) stock, water, brown sugar

5. Bring to boil then simmer for minimum of 20 minutes.

6. Allow to cool, then purée. (Add some cold water if too thick.)

7. Add drained chickpeas.

8. Return to boil

9. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve!

Easy peasy! I made this as part of our Sunday dinner tonight as it has become one of the faves of my Sis and Aunt L. So good!

Roaming in the sun

We've had glorious weather lately and I'm really hoping that it's not all a trick and that Spring really is coming. I have spent many hours roaming around, happily running errands and hanging with friends and fam over the past week of super sunshiney days. I cannot get enough sun!The other day, Aunt L. and I checked out a couple galleries and had a nice afternoon in general. We saw the Doris McCarthy show at Wynick Tuck Gallery at 401 Richmond. Aunt L. is a big McCarthy fan.
We also checked out a couple places in Yorkville, including Mira Godard Gallery where we saw the Alex Colville Show as well as some amazing wood block prints by Mary Pratt (see two prints above), Chuck Close and Takao Tanabe. Aunt L. picked up a Tanabe for her collection.

In the evening I went to the opening at Riders. I didn't manage to get too many good photos there, but I really like this one of their cool old cash register.

Saw Gran on Sunday and then watched the Oscars, which in hindsight I could have skipped. Yesterday, I caught up with A. and S. in Kensington and sat on a patio basking in the warm sun. Then, I decided to be responsible and chose to get back to work instead of moving on to the next patio. As soon as I came home, I was hit with a cold. Bugger... ran myself ragged. I found myself soldering bracelets at 2 a.m. last night!? Must change my habits!