Free samples at SampleSource.com - October 2026

A couple weeks ago, I had answered an emailed survey from SampleSource and a box of free goodies and coupons just arrived. This is the 15th box of samples I've gotten from them since November  2013. 

There was a bag of caramel flavoured McDonalds coffee (for Gord as I don’t drink coffee). There is a sample of TheraBreath Fresh Breathe oral rinse (plus a $5 coupon). Crumpet and Muffin were happy there was a package of Whiskas pouch (plus a coupon for 2 more free and a coupon for 2 free when I buy a bag of dry food) … they gobbled it up! There is a coupon for a free can of Pringles Chips or Dippers.

Trattoria Mercatto, Toronto, ON

I had supper this evening with Franca and Ann at Trattoria Mercatto in the Eaton Centre.

We shared an order of Arancini (Saffron Risotto & Mozzarella, Tomato Filetto). 

Franca had a Diavola pizza (Spicy Soppressata, Tomato, Fior di Latte, Basil).

Ann had a Beets & Ricotta salad (Green Kale, Garlic pangrattato) and Ricotta Gnocchi (Tomato, Whipped Ricotta, Grana Padano).

“Hell’s Kitchen”, Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto, ON

This afternoon I saw Hell’s Kitchen with Franca and Ann at the Ed Mirvish Theatre.

Welcome to HELL’S KITCHEN, the hit musical from 17-time Grammy Award winning Alicia Keys - inspired by her life, her music, and her community.

Your journey begins with Ali, a 17-year-old girl full of fire, searching for freedom, passion, and her place in the world. Along the way, you’ll meet the musical mentor who changes her life, her dynamic family, and the neighbourhood that helps her grow. Relatable, raw, and refreshingly fun, HELL’S KITCHEN is a celebration of finding yourself, your purpose, and the people who lift you up.

More than watching a performance, this experience pulls you out of your seat and has you buzzing when you leave, wondering who to tell about it first. The music—a mix of Keys’ greatest hits and new songs written exclusively for the show - is brought to life through exhilarating choreography. It’s a soundtrack of rebellion, life, and love that speaks to you no matter where you’re from, where you’ve been, or where you’re going.

It was loud and lively. The singers had excellent voices. I'm not overly familiar with Alicia Keys' songs, though I did recognize a few.

"A Night with Debra Digiovanni", "Comedy is Art", The Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON

I volunteered tonight at the sold out A Night with Debra Digiovanni at the Comedy is Art Festival at The Theatre Centre (Queen W/Lisgar).

Riley Scarf

I knitted scarf to donate using Snufflebean Yarn’s “Riley” baby blanket pattern I converted into a scarf.

I used Red Heart Comfort yarn and 6.5mm needles and cast on 24 stitches.

Knit 15 rows as follows: K until final stitch, slip one purlwise with yarn in front (sl1pwyf).

Main Pattern Repeat

• Row 1: k4, place marker, k across until 9 stitches remain, place marker, k3, sl1pwyf.
• Row 2: k4, slip maker (sm), p across until second marker, sm, k3, sl1pwyf.
• Row 3: k4, sm, k across until second marker, sm, k3, sl1pwyf.
• Row 4: k4, sm, p across until second marker, sm, k3, sl1pwyf.
• Row 5-12: k4, sm, k across until second marker, sm, k3, sl1pwyf.

 
Work Rows 

• 1-12 a total of 23 times. 
• Then repeat rows 1-5 once more before moving onto top garter stitch edging.

Top Edge

• Knit 15 rows as follows: K until final stitch, sl1pwyf.
• Final row (Row 16): Cast off knit wise with right side facing.

"Sketchy Business" and "Can't Stop Won't Stop (Laughing)", "Comedy is Art", The Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON

I spent this evening volunteering at the Comedy is Art Festival at The Theatre Centre (Queen W/Lisgar).

Pizzeria Oro di Napoli, Etobicoke, ON

I stopped in for lunch today at Pizzeria Oro Di Napoli in Etobicoke. 

I love love love pizza and had a Pizza Oro (San marzano tomatoes, pepperoni, homemade sausage, nduja sausage, fior di latte, basil, garlic, oregano, coriander vinaigrette). It was delicious and I took most home for supper. Franco, my server, started me off with warm crusty bread and olive oil … it was so good that I ate it all so that’s why I couldn’t eat all the pizza!

Book ~ "Next of Kin" (2021) Kia Abdullah

From Goodreads ~ ON AN ORDINARY WORKING DAY …

Leila Syed receives a call that cleaves her life in two. Her brother-in-law’s voice is filled with panic. He’s at his son’s nursery to pick up Max. But he isn’t there.

YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE …

Leila was supposed to drop Max off that morning. But she forgot.

Racing to the carpark, she grasps the horror of what she has done. Max has been locked in her car for three hours on the hottest day of the year.

IS ABOUT TO COME TRUE …

But she’s too late.

What follows is an explosive, high-profile trial, that will tear the family apart. But as the case progresses, it becomes clear there’s more to this incident than meets the eye.

Leila is a successful architect whose life falls apart after a tragic accident involving her three-year-old nephew, Max. When Andrew, her brother-in-law, asks her to take Max to nursery, she agrees. But with work demanding her attention, Leila forgets that Max is in the back seat of her car. By the time she realizes what has happened, it’s too late and Max has died. 

The tragedy has devastating consequences for the entire family, particularly Leila’s relationship with Yasmin, her younger sister and Max’s mother. There's grief, guilt and anger and everyone struggles to come to terms with what happened. 

Leila is charged in connection with Max’s death and the case goes to trial. As the prosecution examines the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, questions arise about whether the death was just a terrible accident. The courtroom proceedings reveal tensions within the family, along with secrets and details that complicate the story. As the trial continues, we learn more about the sisters’ relationship, their family dynamics and the events leading up to Max’s death. 

This was an interesting story and I liked it. There were lots of twists and turns as it went along ... some were kind of farfetched but I just went with it. It's written in third person perspective. I didn't find any of the characters likeable so didn't really care if Leila was found guilty or not. As a head's up, there is swearing. 

It's the first book I've read by this author and I liked it enough to check out another of hers.

Kensington Jerk & Pasta, Toronto, ON

I had a late lunch at Kensington Jerk & Pasta in Kensington Market. 

The Jerk Chicken Lasagna (Jerk chicken nestled in between lasagna noodles in alfredo sauce) sounded intriguing as I love jerk chicken and lasagna. It was fun and good, though it could have been hotter and the jerk chicken could have been spicier. 

The Goodman Pub & Kitchen, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had an early supper this afternoon at The Goodman Pub & Kitchen at Harbourfront.

He had a Cheese Burger Smash (2 smash patties, American cheese, lettuce, secret sauce and pickle on a brioche bun) and fries and said his burger was good.

I had Buttermilk Chicken Tenders and fries with honey garlic sauce. The tenders were okay ... kind of bland and more batter than chicken.

“Sleuth”, The Fleck, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw the Shaw Festival production of Sleuth at The Fleck at Harbourfront Centre. An 11am show is an odd time but we thought we’d check it out as we like 1pm shows. There were lots of twists and the main actors were good.

A love letter to the classic crime thriller, Sleuth is packed with razor-sharp dialogue and psychological games that will keep you guessing until the very end. When a celebrated mystery writer invites his wife’s lover to his secluded English country estate, what begins as a seemingly civilized encounter quickly spirals into a dangerous contest of wit and manipulation. But who is really in control and who is playing whom?

Directed by Peter Fernandes, this gripping production stars Patrick Galligan as Andrew Wyke and Sepehr Reybod as Milo Tindle, delivering a riveting battle of intellects in one of the most acclaimed suspense plays ever written.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan of whodunits or discovering Sleuth for the first time, don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience a Shaw Festival production that honours the enduring legacy of classic suspense theatre.

Mistake Rib Knitted Scarf

I knitted another scarf to donate using a squishy mistake rib pattern, an easy fun pattern.

I used a Caron Anniversary Cake Special Edition (the colour is Jewels and Jolly) and 6.5mm needles. 

I cast on 23 stitches (multiples of 4 plus 3 stitches).

It's a one row repeat: slip 1 knitwise, k1, *p2, k2, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.

Knit to the length you want and bind off.