La Golosa Gelateria, Toronto, ON

I just discovered La Golosa Gelateria! They opened last week on the SE corner of Sudbury/Queen W and make their gelato onsite. 

Island Foods, Toronto, ON (Gladstone Avenue)

I had lunch today at Island Foods at Gladstone Avenue/Queen Street W.

I ordered what I always order at Island Foods ... a boneless chicken roti. As usual, it was delicious!

Float Toronto, Toronto, ON

The last few weeks busy plus I’ve been waking up way too early (for no reason!!) and I was craving a float. I just did hour long float at Float Toronto (on Queen Street W at Gladstone) ... just what I needed! They currently have a fabulous sale so it's a good time to stock up.

Book ~ "She Didn't See It Coming" (2025) Shari Lapena

From Goodreads ~ When a beloved wife and mother disappears, a luxurious condo building transforms into a potential crime scene, and the investigation begins: can the detectives find her before it's too late?

Bryden and Sam have it all: thriving careers, a smart apartment in a luxury condominium, supportive friends and a cherished daughter. The perfect life for the perfect couple.

Then Sam receives a call at his office. Bryden - working from home that day - has failed to collect their daughter from daycare. Arriving home with their little girl, he finds his wife’s car in the underground garage. Upstairs in their apartment her laptop is open on the table, her cell phone nearby, her keys in their usual place in the hall.

Except Bryden is nowhere to be seen. It’s as if she just walked out.

Bryden and Sam are a successful married couple with a young daughter named Clara. One day when Bryden fails to pick Clara up from daycare, Sam gets the call. But when he gets home, he finds Bryden’s car in their underground garage and her belongings including her purse, laptop and phone, inside their condo. The only thing missing is Bryden herself. Worried, Sam calls the police and soon the investigation begins with Sam quickly landing under suspicion, as is often the case with spouses. 

I’ve read a few books by this author and thought this one was okay. I did enjoy the writing style. It’s told in third person and shifts focus among several characters. As the story unfolds, there are quite a few people who might be involved in Bryden’s disappearance and they all have secrets ... Sam, her sister, her best friend, a neighbour with a disturbing past, a man she was in a car accident with recently and others. There’s a good twist when the truth comes out but I didn’t fully buy into the reveal. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted mittens

I just finished knitting a pair of Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens to donate ... the colours are coffee and purple.

I used 4 ply yarn and 5mm double pointed needles.

Wrist

1. With A, cast on 42 sts
2. Knit 1, purl 1 for 18 rows
3. Purl
4. Purl, increasing 2 stitches on each needle for a total of 48 stitches

Pattern

1.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
2. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
3. Purl 2 rows with A
4. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
5. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
6. Purl 2 rows with A
7.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
8. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
9. Purl 2 rows with A
10. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
11. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
12. Purl 2 rows with A

Thumb

1. In step 12 above, purl 2, put 7 stitches on a stitch holder for the thumb and cast on 7 stitches, purl to the end.  Purl 1 row.

Mitten

1. Knit the pattern until long enough (I did 6)
2. Knit 1 row
3. *Knit 4, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
4. Knit 2 rows
5. *Knit 3, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
6. Knit 2 rows
7. *Knit 2, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
8. Knit 2 rows
9. *Knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
10. Thread the yarn through remaining the loops and pull tight
11. Weave end inside

Thumb

1. With A, pick up the 7 stitches from the holder
2. Pick up 7 stitches around the thumb hole for a total of 14 stitches
3. Knit to fit length of thumb
4. Knit 2 together all around
5. Thread the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight
6. Weave end inside

“Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Tarragon Theatre, Toronto, ON

I just saw Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World with Duane Forrest, part of the Toronto Fringe Festival, at the Tarragon Theatre. 

Join Duane Forrest on an acoustic journey through the roots of reggae to the global influence of Bob Marley. Experience acoustic renditions of legendary reggae songs that have reshaped countless lives, including Duane’s own. Audience members are invited to sing along and get involved in this interactive musical experience.

It was soooooo good! Duane told stories of growing up in Scarborough, Bob Marley, Jamaican history and more. He sang reggae songs (and explained what they meant) and encouraged everyone to sing along (which we did). There was a lot of love in the audience … we gave him a standing ovation! Today was supposed the last show but it won the patron’s award so another show was added for tomorrow afternoon … you gotta go check it out! 

El Catrin Destileria, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper at El Caltrin in the Distillery District. It was really hot and humid on the patio and the constant mist helped. 

We started with a Sangria de la Casa (red wine, guerra vermouth, pressed juice, fresh fruit). 

Gord had Atún Ceviche (ahi tuna, watermelon, guajillo, lime, cilantro, radishes).

“Me and You and the Highland Coo”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON

While volunteering for The Toronto Fringe Festival this afternoon at the TD Finance Studio at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, I got to see Me and You and the Highland Coo.

Gord and I were in Scotland in the fall of 2023 so it was fun to relive it! There was lots of amusing audience participation.

Buckle up because Jackie and Charlie have a plan: road trip across Scotland, find the perfect Highland coo, and definitely not think about their problems back home in Canada. With carpool karaoke, trivia and too many snacks, what could go wrong? All that’s missing, is you!

Starring an award-winning Montreal cast, ‘Me and You and the Highland Coo’ is a heartfelt and hilarious road trip adventure about hope, friendship and change, with a hint of magic.

“Acting Lessons”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON

While volunteering for The Toronto Fringe Festival this afternoon at the TD Finance Studio at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, I got to see Acting Lessons. I met the actors and their team last evening on the Fringe patio so was looking forward to it. 

When Molly and Keegan meet at a callback, it’s practically love at first sight. Fast forward a few years, and the honeymoon phase has dwindled a bit. Trying to make ends meet as a couple of actors in the city is no easy feat! Molly is working overtime on a junior Shakespeare production and struggling to get auditions. Keegan is a part-time server and auditioning around the clock. With two different work ethics and approaches to the craft, tensions rise as Molly’s career takes a step back and Keegan’s propels forward …

It was really good. The range of emotions between the actors was very realistic, not surprising since they are partners in real life. They have one more show tomorrow, which is sold out. 

The Toronto Fringe Festival, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON

I spent the afternoon volunteering for The Toronto Fringe Festival at the TD Finance Studio at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.

Mill Street Brew Pub, Toronto, ON

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

I had buttermilk chicken tenders with plum sauce and fries. The tenders were really good. It’s a big meal and I left most of my fries. 

Gordon was my server … he was friendly and took good care of me.

“Bitty-Bat and Friends”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON

I  saw Bitty-Bat and Friends, part of the The Toronto Fringe Festival at Soulpepper’s Tank House Theatre this afternoon.

Join Bitty-Bat as she charms and intimidates the audience deep into her world, only to be interrupted by a strange know-it-all voice interfering with her daily rituals. Each Bitty-Bat performance will feature a guest opening act, making every show an incredible night to remember!

I discovered Bitty-Bat at the Comedy is Art Festival at The Theatre Centre in October and thought she was a hoot … and she was again today. Just two shows left and you should go check it out!