Cheese Boutique

Quite a few years ago, our daughter introduced Terry and me to a "Cheese Boutique" in Toronto. 

We were there on a weekend. The place was bustling. I remembered it as a crowded shop on a small industrial street, surrounded by trees.

I recently reminded my daughter of the place:  Is it still around?

Yes! 

Then, let's go back and see if they sell "chocolate cheese" - one of my favorite flavours.

They did! Also several other flavoured goudas I was curious to try. I bought chocolate, lavender, Dubai chocolate - and a very sharp "Old Amsterdam."

We then discovered that the Cheese Boutique had expanded into a bake shop and deli a few doors down...

....so we headed over.

Lots to choose from!

I wanted to try everything!.

After buying a few European-style Christmas treats, we sat down to rest in their outdoor courtyard attached to the bake shop - where we  could have bought a sandwich and coffee.

Maybe next time!

Hopefully we can come back soon!

Where?!

This beautiful sunset reminds me of sunsets I've seen in Hawaii...

But it's not! It's Toronto ... last week! 

Lake Ontario looks big enough to be an ocean. (And it has islands as well!!)

New News?!

My daughter's Toronto neighborhood was recently in the news after a dogwalker - with two small dogs on leashes - was attacked by a coyote - who made off with one of the dogs.

Newscasters started to come to this location to share TV updates of this urban coyote story.

Seeing the newscaster and photographer there today, I wonder: Are the coyotes still a hazard?

Or are they making use of this great view for different local stories they report?!

Scenes From the City

It has been interesting to wander around Toronto in more walkable spring weather...

Here are a few scenes of the city - before it started to rain...

Sidewalks near Lake Ontario... full of cyclists and runners.

Bikes for rent...

Drake's sports training facility. Basketball, I assume.

Workers repairing the trolley car lines... 

(How many Canadian cities still have trolleys?!)

Outdoor art under the Gardiner Expressway...

Misty clouds hiding the tops of skyscrapers - even the CN Tower!

Lots of interesting things to notice every day!

Toronto's Trillium Park

On our recent trip to Toronto, my daughter took me to Trillium Park, on Lake Ontario, an easy walk from her home.

The weather was cool and damp - but we missed the heaviest rain.

The park is a peninsula, of sorts, that juts into the water.

Encircled by water, there are lots of lovely views.

The winds made the lake choppy.

On a warmer day, the park would doubtless have been bustling.

But I was glad for the quiet.

A peaceful - if wet and windy - walk.

Celebrating the Old and the New

Our daughter's Toronto neighborhood is a mix of "old" and "new"... (The "old" has not been forgotten!)

Next to a new building, there's an old train bridge serving as a pedestrian walkway...

An old water tank sits atop a new building.

Not sure if this "new" statue (of a crushed can) alludes to an old neighborhood industry or a new problem...

Or if the neighborhood pool hall USED TO be around here, or still IS.

I need a historical tour to appreciate all these landmarks.

Quiet Sunday Morning

A few pictures of my quiet Sunday mornng in last weekend's "home" - a guest apartment in the building our daughter lives in.

Lovely view ... Only a few cars on the elevated highway (on the right).

Terry's still sleeping - tired after two days of driving.

I've been blogging.  

But now I'm ready for my morning coffee!

The start of a lovely day!

Festive!

A few days ago, we were in Toronto... 

... visiting our daughter for the weekend.

Driving to her downtown apartment...

... we are suddenly surrounded by tall buildings... (And more under construction.)

But when evening comes, the view changes.

With all the lights on, everything looks so festive! The CN Tower changes colors daily. Even the construction cranes are lit up!

What is That?!

What is that? I remember thinking, as I caught a glimpse of a giant elevated grate in my daughter's Toronto neighborhood. 

Was that an outdoor art fixture? Or did it serve some practical purpose - like covering a very large water reservoir?

Let's go check it out, Terry suggested - so we did.

We discovered that it covered two commuter train tunnels that extended below street level for several blocks.

Were it built for aesthetics? Or did it serve a practical purpose? I wondered...

When I googled my question, I saw that I wasn't the first person to wonder about this...

They were needed to support the walls of the train tunnel - to prevent them from caving in. (I'm glad they look nice, as well!)

Skyscrapers and Planes!

In early September, Terry and I were in Toronto, visiting our daughter in her new home.

She lives in the heart of the city - in a neighborhood called "Liberty Village" - where tall apartment buildings and condos are springing up all around.

Her "picture postcard" view of the city, includes the CN Tower, beautiful by day or by night...

Also commuter trains... and an elevated expressway.

One morning, after enjoying the view, we headed out for brunch in Liberty Village.

Walking back to her place, we suddenly heard planes - overhead. 

It was an air show!

I pulled out my camera - and managed to get pictures of ... mostly buildings! 

So we headed up to the penthouse garden of her building to get a better view...

From that height, the view was really breathtaking!