Alltrue, Spring 2021

Last month I purchased an annual subscription to Alltrue (formerly CAUSEBOX) ... I received my first box (the spring box) today.

CAUSEBOX is a quarterly curation of socially conscious lifestyle products for women. Every box is filled with products that have a story and make a difference! Inside of CAUSEBOX you’ll find the best jewelry, homewares, skincare products, accessories and more each season. And we tell you the stories behind each brand. Many of the products are exclusive CAUSEBOX collaborations that you can’t get anywhere else!

In addition to the newsletter, here's what I received ...

I was able to customize my box and here's what I chose:

Castle & Coal, Toronto, ON

On my way home from my walk, I stopped in at Castle & Coal (Dovercourt/Queen Street W). Gord has stopped in a few times and picked up some of their tarts for us.

I bought a couple of double chocolate chunk cookies ... we've never had them before. They were good! Very very chocolaty with a sprinkle of salt on top.

I love love love lemon meringue tarts and pies and their lemon tarts are delicious! The meringue is light and fluffy and the lemon cream is sweet but tart. Yum! I picked up a couple for dessert.

KC's tree, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto, ON

I went for a walk this afternoon to Trinity Bellwoods Park and checked out KC's tree ... I hadn't been since the fall.

The leaves are just starting to bud!

Nature's Wellness Box - April 2021

I received my April Nature's Wellness Box today.

Aromatherapy-focused, lifestyle & wellness subscription & gift boxes all non-toxic, natural, vegan and cruelty-free.

What is in the Box?
The box features 5-6 full-size, natural, vegan and cruelty-free products worth $80+! We designed our boxes to feature practical and fun products you can use every day.

What is Not in the Box?
You’ll find no toxic chemicals in your box. We select all of our products carefully, with love, so that you can relax knowing they are eco-friendly. You can always count on that.

Here's what I received ...

COVID vaccine #1

Ontario and Canada has been very slow in administering COVID vaccines.  Ontario recently went into our third lockdown ... only essential businesses are open.  It seems we are worse off than we were a year ago when this all started.  

Vaccines have been rolled out by age group, with our seniors rightfully being targeted first as they are the most vulnerable.

Gord got his first shot last Thursday at one of our hospitals because he is a transplant patient.  And because of this, he doesn't have to wait three months to get his second shot ... he's getting it next week.  Yay!

Last week my age group could start registering to be notified when appointments are available.  I registered at a couple of our local drug stores but didn't hear anything.  This morning I did it again.  With Rexall, you have to register at specific stores so I did at some downtown.  Within an hour, I received an email from a Rexall that I could make an appointment and when I checked, I could have one today.  Today!  So I scheduled one for 4:10pm.  Right after that, I received an email that I could register at another Rexall downtown. 

The Rexall I went to had been out of vaccines for a while and had gotten a shipment this morning.  It's encouraging to see things are finally moving.

Here I am getting my shot ... thanks, Ruth Anne!

Big relief to get shot #1!  I can't wait for shot #2!

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted mittens

I just finished knitting another pair of Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens.  They are fun to make.

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

Book ~ "Thereby Hangs a Tail" (2010) Spencer Quinn

From Goodreads ~ What first seems like a walk in the park to wise and lovable canine narrator Chet and his human companion Bernie "to investigate threats made against a pretty, pampered show dog" turns into a serious case when Princess and her owner are abducted. 

To make matters worse, Bernie's on-again, off-again girlfriend, reporter Susie Sanchez, disappears too. When Chet is separated from Bernie, he's on his own to put the pieces together, find his way home and save the day. 

Bernie Little is a private detective and Chet is his canine partner.  Bernie is having money issues so when he is offered the job of protecting a show dog named Princess and get paid $2,000 a day, he's amazed.  Unfortunately Princess' owner isn't impressed with Bernie or Chet and they get fired before they even begin.

When Princess and her owner are kidnapped right afterwards, Bernie and Chet feel obliged to investigate whether they are getting paid or not.  When Bernie's ex-girlfriend, Suzie, who is a reporter, disappears, he has an even more vested interest in finding out what's going on.

I love dogs!  I love mysteries!  It's written from the perspective of Chet, which is interesting and funny as you get into the mind of the dog who is easily distracted and where chew toys rock!

I liked the writing style.  I had read the first in the series, Dog On It, when it came out in 2009 and thought it was cute.  For some reason, I didn't read any more in the series.  I'm going to have to fix that.  As a head's up, there is some swearing.

Fajita-Style Chicken Bowl, Hello Fresh

Gord and I received a Hello Fresh box last week with four meals for two.

I made the last one for supper this evening ... Fajita-Style Chicken Bowl.

The kit came with pretty well everything.

Turkey Milanese with Pesto Green Beans and Creamy Potatoes, Hello Fresh

Gord and I received a Hello Fresh box last week with four meals for two.

Gord made one for supper this evening ... Turkey Milanese with Pesto Green Beans and Creamy Potatoes.

The kit came with pretty well everything.

Twist and Shout knitted dishcloth

The Year of the Dishcloth is organized by the Kitchen Sink Shop. April's pattern is Twist and Shout.

I used Bernat Handicrafter cotton yarn and a 5mm circular needle.

Cast on 37 stitches.

• Row 1-3: K37
• Row 4: K3, P31, K3

Twist and Shout pattern

• Row 1:K3, P1, *K4, K2tog, K3, YO, P1* 3 times, K3
• Row 2: K3, *K1, P5, K4* 3 times, K4
• Row 3: K3, P1,*K4, K2tog, K2, YO, K1, P1* 3 times, K3
• Row 4: Same as Row 2
• Row 5: K3, P1, *K4, K2tog, K1, YO, K2, P1* 3 times, K3
• Row 6: Same as Row 2
• Row 7: K3, P1, *K4, K2tog, YO, K3, P1* 3 times, K3
• Row 8: Same as Row 2
• Row 9: K3, P1, *YO, K3, SSK, K4, P1* 3 times, K3
• Row 10: K3, *K5, P5* 3 times, K4
• Row 11: K3, P1, *K1, YO, K2, SSK, K4, P1* 3 times, K3
• Row 12: Same as Row 10
• Row 13: K3, P1, *K2, YO, K1, SSK, K4, P1* 3 tiimes, K3
• Row 14: Same as Row 10
• Row 15: K3, P1, *K3, YO, SSK, K4, P1* 3 times, K3
• Row 16: Same as Row 10
• Repeat Rows 1-16 two more times (3 times total)

Finishing

• Rows 1-4: K37
• Bind off and weave in the ends.

Ghost Kitchens, Toronto, ON

Ghost Kitchens opened in our 'hood at Queen Street W/Dovercourt Road late last year. 

The concept is they freshly prepare well-known and comforting food brands in one kitchen and location for delivery or pick-up. 

Though we could have ordered online and picked it up, we stopped in on our way home from our float and ordered via their machine.  It's an interesting concept ... you can get something from different providers in one spot!

We both ordered wings.  Gord got plain wings with sweet chilli sauce on the side and I ordered wings with jerk sauce through Canadian Jerk.  They were good wings and we'd get them again.

Float Toronto, Toronto, ON

Gord and I went for an hour float this afternoon at Float Toronto on Queen Street W (at Beaconsfield).  We find floats very relaxing so had bought a few when they had their special in December.

Because of COVID, the lounge and
grooming areas are closed

Steakhouse-style Pork Chops with Creamy Shallot Sauce, Hello Fresh

Gord and I received a Hello Fresh box a couple days ago with four meals for two.

I made one for supper this evening ... Steakhouse-style Pork Chops with Creamy Shallot Sauce.

The kit came with pretty well everything.

Ta-da!  I'm not a fan of green beans so gave them all to Gord and he liked them.  This was easy to make and tasty.  We use Montreal Steak Spice often but just on beef.  I never thought about using it on potatoes and pork ... but will going forward.