Book ~ "Sealed Off" (2019) Barbara Ross

From Goodreads ~ Early October is “winding down” time in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, but there’s nothing relaxing about it for Julia Snowden. Between busloads of weekend leaf peepers at the Snowden Family Clambake and a gut renovation of the old mansion on Morrow Island, she’s keeping it all together with a potentially volatile skeleton crew - until one of them turns up dead under the firewood. 

When the Russian demo team clearing out the mansion discovers a room that’s been sealed off for decades, Julia’s baffled as to its purpose and what secrets it might have held. Tensions are already simmering with the crew, but when one of the workers is found murdered, things come to a boil. With the discovery of another body - and a mysterious diary with Cyrillic text in the hidden room - the pressure’s on Julia to dig up a real killer fast. But she’ll have to sort through a pile of suspects, including ex-spouses, a spurned lover, and a recently released prisoner, to fish out one clammed-up killer.

Things are winding down for the season at the Snowden Family Clambake business on Morrow Island, Maine. A crew has been hired to clean up so they can start renovations on the family’s old mansion, Windsholme, which has been closed up for years and damaged by a fire a couple years ago. During the demolition, the crew makes a discovery ... a secret sealed-off room filled with old clothes, personal items and a diary from over 100 years ago. No one knows who lived there or why the room was hidden away. 

Julia’s boyfriend’s brother, Terry, just got out of prison and is trying to get back on his feet by working at the clambake business. He's clashing with another crew member, Jason. When Jason turns up dead, Terry becomes the main suspect. Chris, Julia's boyfriend, asks her to do some digging to prove Terry didn't do it.

This story was written in first person perspective in Julia's voice. It's not as much of a cozy mystery as the others before it, though there is no swearing. The three mysteries are solved by the end and I was okay with the whodunnits. At the end of the book, there are recipes that were mentioned during the story including linguini with Ma's pot roast, Halibut Pizzaiola and Slow Cooker Cioppino.

This is the eighth (of 12) in the Maine Clambake Mystery series. I read the first seven recently and will keep moving through the series.

Churrasqueira Vira's BBQ, Toronto, ON

When I moved to Toronto, it seemed like there were lots of small Portuguese takeout restaurants around and I’d often stop in (late 1980s to mid 1990s). I’ve been thinking about them lately but there doesn’t seem to be many around anymore. I Googled and found Vira’s BBQ (on Davenport Road just west of Lansdowne Avenue). 

"Concord Floral", The Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON

I volunteered this evening at The Theatre Centre (Queen Street W/Dovercourt Road) for Concord Floral ... it was energetic and imaginative. It’s there until Saturday.

Inside a deserted suburban greenhouse, ten teenagers are bound by secrets they can’t escape. As whispers spread and shadows grow, a mysterious plague seeps into their lives, forcing them to confront the choices they’ve made and the ghosts they’ve left behind.

Inspired by The Decameron, ‘Concord Floral’ collides the ordinary with the surreal: text messages and late-night walks are pierced by visions, and the safety of friendship gives way to betrayal, fear, and reckoning.

Blending dance, mixed-media performance, and immersive design, this reimagining transforms The Theatre Centre into an eerie, dreamlike world you won’t soon forget.

‘Concord Floral’ is more than a ghost story—it’s a chilling portrait of modern adolescence, mortality, and the fragile line between truth and denial.

Hunter's Landing, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper at Hunter's Landing (Fort York Blvd/Bathurst).

Bottles of wine are half-price on Wednesdays so we shared a bottle of pinot grigrio. 

Gord had Landing Carbonara (house-smoked chicken, bacon, fried egg, Parmesan, spaghetti, focaccia). He said it was good but the egg was overcooked. 

I had Maple Chicken (maple marinated roasted half chicken, herb fingerling potatoes, onion gravy). It was good but the chicken was overcooked. I was expecting a half chicken but got a boneless breast with a wing attached and a boneless breast (no leg) ... hence the dryness, I guess. 

Dale and Audrey were our friendly servers and took good care of us.

Intro to 3-D Printing, Fort York Library, Toronto, ON

Gord and I did an Intro to 3-D Printing workshop this afternoon, which was interesting. It was 1.5 hours and free through the Toronto Library at the Fort York Library.

Alex explained how 3-D works and talked about all the things you can do. 

We didn’t do any actual printing (it takes too long) but Alex, our instructor, did a small fighter jet, which he gave to Gord. 

Local Public Eatery, Toronto, ON (Adelaide Street)

I had supper this evening at Local (at Adelaide and York) with Deb and Liz, my pals of about 30 years.

Deb, me and Liz

Deb, me and Liz

Deb had Ahi Tuna Poké Rice Bowl (Roasted garlic and ginger soy, edamame, crispy tofu, seasoned cucumbers, miso mayo).

Liz had Fish Tacos and yam fries (Two beer-battered fish tacos, garlic aioli, pico de gallo).

I had Blackened Chicken Curry Bowl (Grilled chicken, coconut curry, cilantro and fresno chilies on rice). 

Yum!

Caity was our friendly server and took good care of us.

The Promise of Music, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON

The Promise of Music, a Glenn Gould Foundation Project, is happening this week and I volunteered yesterday and today and tomorrow. 

The Promise of Music convenes the world’s most inspiring artists, performers and changemakers for five transformative days of concerts, public forums, special events and bold new ideas.

I picked up my teeshirt at volunteer HQ yesterday. 

Then I headed to TMU and ushered the forum, Jamie Bernstein on the Power of Music and Media, which was interesting. Jamie is the daughter of Leonard.

Today I was back at TMU and ushered two forums, which were interesting.

Knitted beanies

I knitted 9 beanies in the last week to donate. I used Caron Anniversary Cake and the colour is Oceana.

I found the pattern here and it was an easy pattern. 

I don't have a small 5.5mm circular needle so used 6.5mm so it's a bit bigger than a beanie and fits like a comfy hat.

With A and circular needles, cast on 80 sts. Place marker, join being careful not to twist sts.

• Rounds 1-8: Work in 2x2 Rib stitch pattern until beanie measures 2” (5 cm) from cast-on edge
• Rounds 9-22: Knit around

Shape Crown

• Round 1: Knit. 
• Round 2 (dec): *K6, K2tog; repeat from * around — 70 sts. 
• Round 3: Knit. 
• Round 4 (dec): *K5, K2tog; repeat from * around — 60 sts. 
• Round 5: Knit. 
• Round 6 (dec): *K4, K2tog; repeat from * around — 50 sts. 
• Round 7: Knit. 
• Round 8 (dec): *K3, K2tog; repeat from * around — 40 sts. 
• Round 9: Knit. 
• Round 10 (dec): *K2, K2tog; repeat from * around — 30 sts. 
• Round 11: Knit. 
• Round 12 (dec): *K1, K2tog; repeat from * around — 20 sts. 
• Round 13: Knit. 
• Round 14: *K2tog; repeat from * around — 10 sts. 

Finishing

Cut yarn leaving a 6” (15 cm) tail. With yarn needle, draw tail through remaining 10 sts twice, pull tightly and fasten off. Weave in ends. Block lightly. 

Mill Street Brew Pub, Toronto, ON

I had supper at Mill Street Brew Pub in the Distillery District. 

The hostess sat me at a crappy table in a long empty room with just one other group of people (there were lots of empty tables throughout the restaurant). I asked for a different table and she said no because it was that table’s turn. Huh!? I asked again and she begrudgingly moved me to a less crappy but not stellar table. At least I could see a TV with the Jays game.

On the plus side, my Carnivore pizza (tomato sauce, mozzarella, sausage, bacon, soppressata) was delicious and half came home with me for lunch tomorrow.

Yummi Candles, Toronto, ON

As an Elite Yelper, I was offered the opportunity by Yelp to attend the DIY Scents & Suds at Yummi Candles in the Distillery District this afternoon. 

All-star Yelpers in September (like me!) received a complimentary facial roller.

We made four scented bath bombs there and were given a kit to take home to make scented incense. For my bath bombs, I chose cherry and vanilla caramel and for my incense, I chose clove and orange sugar. Debora led the workshop along with helpers Amber, Linda and Alejandra, and were soooo friendly and helpful. It was a fun time!

One Eyed Jack, Toronto, ON

I had supper on the patio at One Eyed Jack on (Richmond Street W/ Peter Street) this evening. It was fun to watch the Blue Jays game with other fans.

Gotta love the $16 wings and beer deal! Yum! The wings were big and juicy. The medium sauce was tasty.