Before COVID I belonged to a group of bakers. Every week, twice a week, we got together to make dough and bake bread in the wood burning oven at Montgomery’s Inn, one of Toronto’s Historical Museums. When COVID hit in March 2020 all volunteer jobs were eliminated and bread baking ceased to exist for almost three years. I loved belonging to this group of men and women who came together every week and I look forward to the day that we can once again get together to make bread.
I also belong to an organization of mostly women artists but also some men and that too has reduced it’s in person activities considerably since COVID hit. I love belonging to such a creative group that shares knowledge and ideas so freely and openly. It’s given me the confidence to pursue my art journey and I even hosted my first solo art show in 2022.
I also belong to a lawn bowling club and this past year we’ve been able to get together in person to play ‘normal’ games where we can have three people per side and use all the lanes at the same time. We were also able to celebrate Canada Day and we had a year end dinner. A great group of people that I’m happy to call friends.
The most precious of groups that I belong to is that of my family and friends. COVID has been difficult but thanks to ZOOM and WhatsApp, I’ve been able to stay connected. In the past year we’ve been able to travel again to visit family overseas and on the east coast and we’ve even gotten together for celebrations to acknowledge milestone birthdays.
Home is where the heart is and my home and heart have lived at the same address for over 44 years. My favourite part of my home is my backyard where we’ve entertained over the years with family gatherings, memorials and milestone birthdays.
Last year I was working on Christmas presents that I didn’t show on my blog because I didn’t want the recipients of these to see them. They have long been received so I can now share them with you.
My rooster tea cozy
DoBoy – grandson’s creation. I designed the pattern and sewed him up.
Reviewing my day in Hamilton. Had I known that I was going to do this I would probably have taken more photos.
My daughter and daughter-in-law had appointments in Hamilton to get their hair done and the car isn’t very reliable anymore for long trips so I volunteered to drive them in my car. I haven’t been back to the downtown core of Hamilton since our daughter moved to New Brunswick.
The first thing I did was drop the girls off at the salon and then I drove to Denninger’s. It’s a German deli that has been in Hamilton since Rudolf Denninger immigrated to Canada from Germany with his wife. The family owned business has grown from the original store on King St. in Hamilton to 5 stores, a warehouse and a manufacturing facility, employing 300 people in southern Ontario. https://denningers.com/pages/about-us
The visit was bittersweet because so many things in the store reminded me of my father, who passed away almost two years ago. I picked up many things that had a special meaning for me. My father loved chocolates, herring and small oranges like clementines. The cashier asked me if I was all right because I had tears in my eyes. I told him they were happy tears. I spent way too much money.
After my shopping trip at the deli I drove back to Mulberry and MacNab because I knew that I could park there for free and I walked up James St. to the wool shop. I had some money left on a gift certificate from the Hand Knit Yarn Store. It wasn’t for a large amount but I thought I would check out the new merchandise. I haven’t been there since before COVID, over two years ago. Everyone was very friendly and using up the remainder of the gift card was no problem. Again I spent way too much money. https://handknityarnstudio.com/
After my purchase of yarns I walked around the corner to Arcana Salon https://www.arcanasalon.ca/ to check on the girls. Andrea had another 1 1/2 hours to go, so I walked back towards my car and my favourite coffee shop in Hamilton, Mulberry Coffeehouse https://www.mulberrycoffeehouse.com/. Along the way I stopped to take some photos of flowers and Interesting doors.
Once I was in the coffeehouse, I ordered a tea and a breakfast sandwich. It was very busy, as it always is and I was lucky to find a seat at a counter. I pulled out the book that I am currently reading but I didn’t get too far. Josie walked in with her new haircut and wanted to visit the Farmers’ Market which was within walking distance from the cafe. When I finished my tea we made the trek to the Hamilton Farmers’ Market and we were delighted to see that most of the vendors had survived the COVID restrictions and closures. I purchased two large bunches of basil and garlic after overhearing another customer talk about making pesto with his purchase. I thought it was a great idea. In the next post I’ll show you our busy day making and putting the pesto into jars.
Andrea met us at the market. We walked around a little bit more and I treated myself to a bunch of flowers. My Dad also enjoyed buying flowers for me and my husband used to do it weekly. We headed back to the car with our bags of produce in hand and then made our way back to Toronto.
That evening we shared a meal together and I cooked up the spaetzle that I bought earlier. Kevin had made a lovely beef stew that complimented the German noodles perfectly. To burn off some of the calories from our meal, the girls and I and Olive went for a long walk through the neighbourhood. What a perfect day!
….it’s been three years since the last visit to the Exhibition
We were all excited to be going back to the CNE. For the last two years the Canadian National Exhibition was closed due to COVID.
Having my granddaughter, who is now six, with us made the day extra special. We started the afternoon in the Kids’ Amusement area. Winnie played a fishing game which guarantees a prize for all. Even though she ‘won’ the smallest prize she was delighted. She was very independent and went on several rides and fun houses on her own but on the kids’ rollercoaster she was escorted by her aunt Andrea.
There was one ride in the Kids section that Winnie really wanted me to go on with her. It was called the Raptor Run and it basically went around in circles but the cars went in circles as well and the platform tilted up and down. It was fun and I screamed like a little kid. Just when I thought it was over it changed directions and kept going.
We decided to save a few more rides for later so we headed over to the Food Building and the Midway. Andrea had a corndog and the rest of us shared a large chicken and chips basket. Winnie wanted to go on some of the adult rides but for many of them she was too short but she was okay to go on the Tornado. Again she wanted me, her Oma to go on the ride with her. I convinced Andrea to join us but Winnie’s Mom refused. I’m glad Andrea joined us because the cars were high off the ground and I needed a hand to get into my seat. This ride was similar to the Raptor Run but it flew through the air. What I won’t do for my granddaughter!!!!
Of course I can’t go to the CNE without playing some midway games. One of the big differences this year wasn’t the type of game that was offered (they were pretty much the same as other years) it was the price. Many of the games were $10.00 a pop. We were very selective as to which games we played.
A must every time we go is the Birthday Game. We found one that was only $2.00 to play. Andrea, Winnie and I all played the first game and guess who won?. Winnie of course. She was delighted. Then we went to Whack-a-Mole. We love this game but the competition was very intimidating. One of the guys offered us his spot but I thanked him and declined because I knew I couldn’t win against these young guys. Turns out the this same fellow won and he turned to Winnie and asked her what she wanted. She was shocked and we were surprised. She chose a blue Sloth and we thanked him profusely. What a nice guy.
I always like the water pistol game where you aim at a target and the first toy to reach the top wins. This time Andrea and I were the only players, so again Winnie won another prize, a sparkly blue dragon. What a day.
Bologna, ItalyRome, ItalyRome, ItalyTrafalgar Square, London, EnglandToronto Power Generating Station, Niagara Falls, ONHigh Park, TorontoBrock Monument, Niagara Falls,ONUniversity of Guelph, ONParis, FranceBritish Museum, LondonDoor in Islington/Highbury, London
I don’t often take photos of waste but two years ago, at the beginning of COVID, my neighbour and I went out every day for a month and collected the waste that people left behind. We were appalled at the amount of trash we picked up every day. People started to notice and thanked us and many people picked up the cause. It seems that the amount of trash is somewhat less these days.
Much of the trash that we collected had washed up from the lake and we found some pretty interesting things along the shoreline, hidden under the rocks and landfill that lined the edges of our parks.
Our trip to Europe, France and London to be exact, was a blessing because we got to spend every day with our youngest granddaughter. Sevin is just two so of course there were moments when everything wasn’t sunshine and lollipops but for the most part we loved spending time with her and now that we are back home she asks her parents where are Oma and Big Papa.
Mama Cormier 