Book ~ "A Fatal Twist" (2017) Tracy Weber

From Goodreads ~ Yoga instructor Kate Davidson’s life takes a chaotic turn once she agrees to not only be the doula for her pregnant best friend but also play foster mother to two puppies. The chaos only gets worse when Kate finds the dead body of a philandering fertility doctor and Rachel, one of her yoga students, fleeing the scene. 

Kate is convinced her student is innocent and she sets out to find the real killer before her testimony condemns Rachel to a life behind bars. But her hands are full with caring for three dogs, teaching yoga classes and gaining an unexpected crime-solving partner. If she’s not careful, Kate’s next yoga pose may be a fatal one.

Kate owns a yoga studio.  She is living with Michael, the owner of a pet store, and her German Shepherd, Bella.  Michael finds a couple young pups abandoned outside his store and brings them home until he can find a home for them and finds himself getting attached to them.  Since they are pups, they are wrecking havoc in their home ... chewing on things, not being housetrained and somehow getting out of their crate.

Plus Kate's friend, Rene, is about to give birth to twins and Kate is her doula, something she is just learning how to do.

In the meantime, Kate's friend, Rachel, has been arrested for murdering her husband and Kate doesn't think she did it.  So she sets out to find the real murderer and there are many who could have done it ... the husband's mistress, his ex-mistress, his business partner, his stepdaughter (Rachel's daughter), the husband of a former patient and more.

This is the second book I've read by this author and I liked it.  It is the fourth in the Downward Dog series (I read and liked the first one a couple years ago).   Though it is part of a series, it works as a stand alone ... I haven't read #2 or #3 and I never felt lost.  It's obvious the author writes from experience ... she has a yoga studio in Seattle and a German Shepherd named Ana (Bella is based on Tasha, her German Shepherd who passed away in 2016).  I liked the writing style.  It is written in first person perspective from Kate's point of view.

Happy Boxing Day!

Boxing Day is traditionally the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradesmen would receive gifts, known as a "Christmas box", from their bosses or employers.

Today, Boxing Day is the statutory holiday. It is observed in the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago and some other Commonwealth nations.

In Canada, Boxing Day is primarily known as a shopping holiday, much like Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) in the U.S. It is a time where shops have sales, often with dramatic price reductions.  Many retailers open very early and offer doorbuster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. It is not uncommon for long lines to form early in the morning, hours before the opening of shops holding the big sales, especially at big-box consumer electronics retailers.

Happy holidays!

Morgan and Crumpet

"Die Hard" Quote-Along, Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, Toronto, ON

Die Hard is Gord's favourite Christmas movie.  It was playing tonight at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema (Bloor Street W/Bathurst Street) and was a "quote-along".  We went last year and it was a hoot!

It’s just not Christmas on Bloor Street without a visit to Nakatomi Plaza. This year, we’re blowing the roof off with a special quote-along edition. Kick off your Christmas with a night filled with audience participation, festive drink specials, a hilarious pre-show and more. That’s right, Hans - we have the detonators! Bring your friends and family (but leave the younger kids at home) for Die Hard on the big screen, with the sound cranked and subtitles for quoting along.

We'd bought the combo for $18 which included the movie, a tallboy can of beer and a large popcorn ... what a great deal!

We sat with Gord's former boxing coaches, Perry, and his son, Jim (Jim is visiting from New Brunswick).

Before the movie started, they showed clips from various Bruce Willis movies and Die Hard-related stuff.

Thomas Rivas was the emcee and he gave us instructions before the movie started ... like when to cheer and what to yell when certain things happened.  For example, we had to yell "Merry Christmas" every time we saw a Christmas tree, "shoot the glass" when the bad guys spoke in German and "Where's the News?" when Huey Lewis look-a-like Eddie was on the screen.

Ali Baba's, Toronto, ON (King Street W)

I had lunch at Ali Baba's at King Street W/Strachan Avenue.  Ali Baba's is a chain but I've never been to one before today.

Book ~ "Napkin Notes: Make Lunch Meaningful, Life Will Follow" (2014) Garth Callaghan

From Goodreads ~ Garth Callaghan doesn’t know how long he has to live. But he can be certain of one simple thing: No matter his fate, his daughter, Emma, will find a handwritten note inside her lunchbox each day until she graduates from high school.

Cancer has given Garth Callaghan a new purpose: to inspire parents to connect more with their children even in small ways, as he has done before and since his diagnosis by tucking a napkin note into his daughter’s lunch every day.

Every morning as he packs Emma’s lunch, Garth adds a little surprise: a “napkin note” - a short, tender message to convey his love, encouragement, and pride. Garth began writing his napkin notes when Emma was in grade school, and as she grew up, his notes became more meaningful.

Shortly after Emma turned twelve, Garth learned he had kidney cancer. Determined to make the time he has left meaningful, he has compiled years’ worth of notes to get his daughter through her high school graduation. Now, in this moving book, a blend of inspiration and memoir, he makes his remarkable legacy available to all of us, to deepen our relationships with our own children and those we love.

Garth has been making lunches for Emma, his daughter, for a few years and has been writing inspirational words on her napkin to encourage her and to show her that he loves her.

A couple years ago when Emma was 12, Garth (in his 40s) discovered he had cancer.  To date he has had cancer four times.  He has an 8% chance of living another five years so in addition to writing this book, he has written enough "Napkin Notes" (826 notes) to last until Emma graduates from high school, in case he is no longer there for her.

Each chapter starts with a message from a "Napkin Note" and then the story that is behind the message.  Plus there are life lessons such as learn how to take criticism with grace (lesson #1) and work as a waitress (lesson #27).  Along the way, we get to know the author and his family and the journey that has taken him to today.

The book is a reminder to life each day to the fullest and also to be nice to others and show appreciation.

Holiday Fair, Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, ON

The Holiday Fair has been at Nathan Phillips Square/City Hall since December 8 ... tomorrow is the last day.

From December 8th to December 23rd Nathan Phillips Square in the heart of the City of Toronto will be transformed into a magical holiday experience! Join for the charm and elegance of a traditional European Christmas market with the excitement and allure of a thriving winter carnival. 

In support of Epilepsy Toronto.

I walked downtown to take a look.

I spied a couple who had just gotten married at City Hall.

Congrats!

Trius wine club - December 2016

Our December Trius wine club box arrived today.

Gord and I have been members of the Trius Wine Club for almost fifteen years.

Every month, 2 bottles of our best wine will be delivered to your door along with Winemaker Craig McDonald’s tasting notes and Executive Chef Frank Dodd’s recipes.

The cost is $46 a month and it's only available in Ontario.

Here is the newsletter ...

Here is what we received ...

• Showcase Guardian Pinot Gris (2015) - $25 - the recipe included it's paired with is Pork Tenderloin Medallions & Parsnip Puree
• Trius Red (2014) - $22.95 - the recipe included it's paired with is Pot Roasted Pork Loin with Red Wne and Fig Jus

Boomerluxe Box - December 2016

My December Boomerluxe deluxe box arrived today.

Five fun, unique and useful full size items.

Product categories include fashion, cosmetic, beauty, wellness and lifestyle items just for you.

An introduction to one or more emerging products that you won’t find on the shelves of your local drug store through our Women Helping Women mandate.

Each box is valued at well over your cost.

Deluxe boxes are $34.99 (plus shipping).  You can also subscribe to their new mini box for $19.99 a month plus shipping.

Here's what I received ...

Handmade of pure cinnamon bark holiday ornament* [smells like 
cinnamon!] ($8.99 value), holiday season sparkly candle by Premiere 
($7.95 value) and two handmade pop-up greeting cards* ($11.98 value)

Winter Wonderland black sparkle pom pom hat
($14.99 value) - I hope the pom pom isn't real fur

Two lacquer cuff bracelets with mother of pearl inlay* ($11.98 value)

  Total value:  $55.89

* a gift made by an artisan in Vietnam as part of the Women Supporting Women program

Book ~ "No Living Soul" (2017) Julie Moffett

From Goodreads ~ Although I never expected it, my work as a computer geek has me traveling around the world, solving mysteries and fighting bad guys. Sometimes with my friends but always with trouble by my side. So you'd think by now, I would've expected to be plagued by danger when I headed to Egypt with my best friend, Elvis Zimmerman, and boyfriend, Slash, to help track down Elvis's missing and estranged father. Nope.

Genius runs in the family, and we quickly discovered Elvis's father is hot on the trail of an ancient and elusive artifact. One that people are willing to kill to find. Tombs, tablets, scarabs and code come together as we follow a set of clues that has been waiting millennia to be discovered. Cracking code is my specialty but I never expected to tackle one from fifteen hundred years before the advent of written language.

But the sands of time are running out. We are facing death as it was before the pyramids even existed. If the artifact falls into the wrong hands, we won't be able to rewrite history. So it's up to us to find and safeguard the secret to ensure no living soul ever encounters it ... again. 

Lexi is a master hacker and director for X-Corp, an intelligence and security company.  She is days away from moving in with her boyfriend, Slash, who is a government agent and fellow hacker, and a week away from being part of the wedding of two of her best friends, Basia and Xavier.

When Elvis, Xavier's twin brother and another of Lexi's best friends, receives a package in the mail from Arthur, his estranged father, the contents could cause catastrophic trouble if it falls into the wrong hands.  Over a long weekend before the wedding, Lexi, Slash, Elvis and Gwen (Elvis' assistant) travel to Egypt to find Arthur, which leads them to look for a secret artifact that has been hidden since the days of Moses.

Though this is the ninth (and latest) in the Lexi Carmichael series, it works as a stand alone as you are provided with background.  I've liked the series and thought this book was okay (I've read them all).

It is written in first person perspective from Lexi's point of view.  I liked the writing style and there was humour.  There wasn't a lot of hacking but there was lots of adventure.  It's been interesting to watch Lexi grow from being a geek with just one friend, no life and no social skills to not only having close friends, a boyfriend but also confidence.

Book ~ "Don't Ever Get Old" (2012) Daniel Friedman

From Goodreads ~ When Buck Schatz, senior citizen and retired Memphis cop, learns that an old adversary may have escaped Germany with a fortune in stolen gold, Buck decides to hunt down the fugitive and claim the loot. But a lot of people want a piece of the stolen treasure and Buck's investigation quickly attracts unfriendly attention from a very motley (and murderous) crew.

Buck Schatz is an ex-cop and now a cranky 87-year-old.  Jim, a former friend, calls him to his hospital bed and makes a deathbed confession.  The German SS officer in charge of the POW camp Buck had been in in 1944 may not be dead as everyone had believed.  In 1946, Jim had been working as an MP at a roadblock and the SS officer, with fake papers, bribed Jim with a gold bar to let him through.  Jim said the SS officer had a trunkful of gold bars ... gold that had been wrongly taken from the imprisoned and murdered Jews.

This leads Buck and his grandson, Tequila, who is a university student, on the hunt for the gold.  But they aren't the only ones looking for it and people who are getting in the way are getting murdered.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I liked it.  I enjoyed the writing style ... it was darkly amusing at times.  It is written in first person perspective in Buck's voice.  As a head's up, there is swearing and violence.

I thought Buck was a hoot.  He is elderly and not hip to the times.  Things have changed since he was a cop.  He has no idea what "Google" is and refers to GPS (he vaguely knows what it is) as "GBH" and "GED".  His grandson's frat/nickname is "Tequila" but Buck callls him "Moonshine" and "Jagermeister", etc.  He doesn't like or tolerate many people these days but he has a deep love and respect for his wife, Rose.  His doctor suspects he has early stages of dementia and he physically can't get around as well as he used to.

This is the first of a series (of two of far) and I look forward to reading the next one.

Blaze Pizza, Toronto, ON (Dundas E)

Gord, Trish and I saw It's a Wonderful Life this evening.  I love this movie and it's the first time I've seen it on the "big screen".

Before the movie, we had supper at Blaze Pizza (at Yonge Street/Dundas Street E).

You can order one of their signature pizzas or build your own.

The calorie count is provided

Book ~ "Boomer's Bucket List" (2016) Sue Pethick

From Goodreads ~ When her cuddly canine companion, Boomer, is diagnosed with a rare heart condition, Jennifer Westbrook decides to take a leave of absence from her busy PR job - and take Boomer on the greatest road trip of his life.

Charting a course from Chicago to California, Jennifer plans some pet-friendly pit stops for her four-legged friend, including a dog show, a fire hydrant museum and a factory full of squeaky toys. But when she tries to sneak Boomer into a NASCAR press box - disguised as her seeing-eye dog - Jennifer’s cover is blown by a curious but very cute reporter named Nathan Koslow.

Boomer takes an instant shine to Nathan, unlike the other men in Jennifer’s life. When the charming journalist asks to join them on their journey, she can’t say no. But when she learns that someone has created a website called “Boomer’s Bucket List” - and it’s gone totally viral - the trip takes a wildly unexpected turn for Jennifer, Nathan and the dog who brought them together.

It almost seems as if Boomer’s last wish is that his two favorite humans fall madly, deeply, in love.

Jennifer is a busy successful PR professional in Chicago.  Besides work, the only thing she has in her life is her dog, Boomer.  When Boomer is diagnosed with a heart condition and is given a month to live, Jennifer decides to spend this last bit of time with Boomer.  She takes a leave of absence from her job, goes offline and takes Boomer on a road trip to California.

Nathan is a journalist who is delivering his brother's car to him in California.  Nathan and Jennifer's paths keep crossing and circumstances occur that lead them to travel together.

In the meantime, the PR company that Jennifer works for has put up a website called "Boomer's Bucket List" and is encouraging readers to post pictures of Boomer's adventures along the way ... but they have to do it secretly and not get caught by Jennifer to win a prize.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I thought it was okay.  I like reading stories about animals and that's why this book caught my eye.  It is written in third person perspective with the focus on Jennifer and Nathan (or both), depending on what was going on.  It's a feel-good story about Boomer having fun but also about Jennifer and Nathan resolving issues from their past.

Book ~ "Defending the Inland Shores: Newfoundland in the War of 1812" (2016) Gordon K. Jones

From Goodreads ~ Newfoundland played a significant role in the defence of Upper Canada during the War of 1812.  "Defending the Inland Shores: Newfoundland in the War of 1812" tells this incredible story. 

The book describes many key battles, including the siege and capture of Fort Detroit, taking of an American naval schooner on Lake Ontario, a surprise attack against Ogdensburg, New York, and desperate defence of a British ship on the Niagara River during an American night assault. 

The War of 1812 (which lasted from 1812 to 1814) was a military conflict between the United States and Great Britain.  The origins of the War of 1812 were in the conflict that raged in Europe for almost two decades after Napoleon Bonaparte became First Consul (later Emperor) of France. The Napoleonic Wars caused Great Britain to adopt trade measures that aggravated the United States.  This prompted them to attack Canada, then a colony of Great Britain, in what they thought would be easy battles.

The Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in North America decided the Royal Newfoundland Regiment would best serve the War of 1812 if divided into smaller units and spread around key areas of the province.  In doing so, there was a Newfoundland soldier who fought in almost every major battle waged in Upper Canada during the War of 1812.  This is their story.

This well-researched book was an interesting read and I learned a lot about the War of 1812 and its impact on Upper Canada (and Canada in general).  I enjoy the writing style and thought it flowed well.

It will appeal to all Canadians, especially those interested in the War of 1812, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the citizens of Newfoundland who are probably unaware of their valuable participation in a war thousands of miles away two hundred years ago.

Christmas at the Eaton Centre, Toronto, ON

I had an appointment this morning in the office building at the Eaton Centre.  I got there a bit early so checked out the holidays decorations.

New tree and it's gorgeous!

Book ~ "Get Your Sh*t Together: How to Stop Worrying About What You Should Do So You Can Finish What You Need to Do and Start Doing What You Want to Do" (2016) Sarah Knight

From Goodreads ~ Do you ever find yourself snowed under at the office, or even just glued to the couch, when you really want to leave on time (for once), get to the gym (at last), and finally start that fun project you're always putting off?

You've really got to Get Your Sh*t Together.

In The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck, "anti-guru" Sarah Knight liberated you from shame, guilt and obligations. But what about all the sh*t you do give a f*ck about - like your career, health, relationships and bank account? Now Sarah's back with more hilarious advice to make life easier and better. Whether your dream is to quit your day job and buy a food truck, pay off your debt or just spend more time with your cat, Sarah cuts through the bullsh*t cycle of self-sabotage to show you how to be happy. You'll learn:

Three simple tools for getting (and keeping) your sh*t together 

• The Power of Negative Thinking 
• How to balance work and fun-and save money while you're at it 
• Ways to manage anxiety And tons of other awesome sh*t!

Soon you'll be setting real goals, crushing them, and getting out the door for happy hour-every damn day.

I had read The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck in May and enjoyed it.  Like the first book, the title of this one attracted me.

This book shows you how to set goals, how to push through small annoyances and obstacles to meet those goals and then how to imagine and achieve even bigger goals that you may not, until now, have thought possible.  It will liberate you from the stuff you think you should be doing so you can do the stuff you need to do and get started on the stuff you want to do.  Knight helps you breaks things up into small manageable chunks to leave you with plenty of free time to pursue your dreams.

I enjoyed the writing style. I found it amusing and sarcastic. Yes, there is a lot of swearing but you figured that out by the title, right?  Though it seems to be written in fun, I found there was a helpful message.

Topbox - December 2016

My December Topbox arrived today.

For only $12 a month, you will receive a Topbox with 4 carefully selected, indulgent, beauty products. Then test the products in the comfort of your own home.

Along with some coupons, here's what I received ...

• Cicaplast Barrier Repairing Balm - 7.5ml - $13.16 value
• Klorane dry shampoo with oat milk - 30g -  $8.61 value
• NeoStrata All-in-One Cleansing Milk - 25ml -  $2.75 value
• StudioMakeup Soft Blend Eye Shadow (Jungle Green) - $18.39 value - too dark and dull to use as eye shadow so I use it as eye liner

Total value = $43.36 value