Toronto Christmas Market

As many of you know by now, I absolutely adore the Christmas season. The lights, the sounds, the smells, the movies .. haha! So, where better for me to be this time of the year than the Toronto Christmas Market?

This is the fifth year for the Market, and I have wanted to attend each year. Of course the first two years I lived too far away to easily attend, and the past two years, my leg just was not up to the journey. And to be quite honest, since my knee replacement was only three short months ago - I was unsure if I would be able to attend this year. BUT I was sure going to give it my best shot!

This weekend my sister and I went to the Market and I loved every moment of it!

The Market is held in the historic Distillery District of Toronto, and one of the things that I did not consider was the cobblestone streets. Now, two years ago, Bentley (My dog) and I would go for walks down to the Distillery, and walking around the neighborhood upon the cobblestones was not an issue. It should be noted that these walks occurred in the daylight - soo there's that.

Cut to this past Saturday night. It is dark, I am unsteady on my feet, there is a sea of about 5000 people - pushing to get to where they want to be. Let me just say that it was terrifying at times. Luckily my sister was with me, and the poor girl was probably more afraid of my falling than I was! lol  She was so sweet and linked arms with me, pointing out where NOT to put my feet. So in the end, we made it through the evening. At least for about an hour and a half before my legs got tired. But that was enough time for me to soak in the atmosphere.

The lights, the vendor booths, the smells of all of the delicious treats, the Christmas music. Just the festive - jovial energy of everyone there. It was truly a wonderful experience.

I just want to share a couple of the photos I took that evening with you. I hope you can see how festive the Market is and that if you are in the area before December 21st, you will gather your family and head on down to the Market.

Once you arrive, you will see the beautiful towering Christmas tree, which I believe stands at 85 feet! The kiddies can ride the Ferris Wheel, or the Carousel, visit Santa Clause, walk through a life-size Gingerbread House, sing Christmas Carols with Carolers dressed in period costume. Enjoy lots of delicious treats. Truly, it is like walking around in a Christmas Snow globe!

 

Washington D.C.

Next summer I will be going to the US to visit my two friends!  Though they technically live in Maryland, we will be going to see The White house, The Mall, The Lincoln Memorial, The Washington Monument, The Reflecting Pool, and The Pentagon!

I am super excited!!!

Not only because I get to visit my friends who came up to see me last month... BUT - It will be my first time on a plane! YIKES!!!  Those who know me, know how I feel about flying.  So ... that should be interesting. LOL

Perhaps more importantly, I am viewing this a personal health challenge.  Readers of my blog know that as little as a year ago, the strength in my legs had depleted so badly that I was unable to walk for little more than ten minutes at a time.  The Fibromyalgia and Early onset MS was claiming my mobility!!  I have worked like a dog this past year to regain the strength in my legs.  I can now (albeit slowly) get around with more ease.  I have been to the CNE, Woofstock and the CN Tower!  These trips NEVER would have been possible for me a year ago.

Those who have read Every Little Step  on this blog, know that I push myself in dad's name.  Knowing that his legs began to fail him in his battle with cancer.  Every time I felt a pain, I forced myself to push through it ... saying aloud "I am walking for you Dad!".

So, my new goal is to conquer the Lincoln Memorial!  My research says that there are 58 steps from the road .... and 97 steps from the Reflecting Pool.   Mark my words ... I WILL Climb those steps!!!  I should warn you that once I reach the top I may cry ..... I'm not going to lie to you. lol  I think the accomplishment may completely overwhelm me.  But I am bound and determined to do it!

My prayer is that God will grant me the strength and endurance to reach this goal!

If you feel so led, I do ask that you pray for me.  Pray for my legs,,  for strength.

Thank you in advance ..... Stay tuned ....  God Bless!

CN Tower

My daughter Natasha and I had a magnificent time at the CN Tower today.  Here is a shot of beautiful Toronto from the Skypod.  YIKES.  Soooo high!!

Here's Tash posing on the Observation Deck.  The Skypod was sooo hot , ,,, we were thankful for the cool air out here!! lol

A shot of Billy Bishop Airport - taken from the Skypod.  The Waters of Lake Ontario were beautiful today.

So here is Tash and I at the bottom of the tower taking a picture with a Canadian RCMP Moose.  lol Seemed like a good idea at the time!!  Not sure why he was there - really random!

A shot of the CN Tower as we arrived earlier today.

A pic of me on the Observation Deck - Enjoying the Cool!! ;)

My baby girl and I in the Ladies Rm.  I really love this pic!!

Riverdale Farm

Today I spent a lovely morning at Riverdale Farm here in Toronto.  I hadn't been there in probably ten years or more.  Funny, because as a child, and into my teenage years - I was there all the time.

At one point Riverdale was a Zoo, long before the Toronto Zoo was ever in existence.  Riverdale, in fact has been around since the 1890's.  I have many, many childhood memories of the Zoo.  The elephants, and lynx, the monkeys and giraffes.

  

Those who know me best - or at all - know that I am a HUGE animal lover.  Farm animals, Wildlife, Domestic animals ... all living creatures from the lands, to the seas, to the skies.  I simply adore them all.

Perhaps being a mommy myself, I have a special weakness for baby animals!  Is there such thing as an unattractive baby-anything?  Not in my eyes!

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this day.  And not only did I get to see the grounds again - after so many years ... but I got to see the farm and surrounding neighborhood through the eyes of my friends who were visiting from the U.S.

So often we take for granted the beauty that surrounds us.  Until we are able to see it through the eyes of someone who is looking at it for the first time.   Like a child.  Everything is new.  Fresh.  Unseen.

Two of my closest and dearest friends came for a visit from the U.S. and I took them around Toronto today.  Not to the touristy stuff - anybody can do that - right?  I wanted to share with them a place close to my heart, a piece of my childhood.  A place special to me.  A place of beauty and serenity.  We had a fantastic time!!

And yes, after that we did venture outward and beyond the Victorian architecture of old houses ... we saw Yonge/Dundas Square - which is Toronto's version of Time's Square.  A stark contrast to the naturalistic paradise of the farm.  One of my friends remarked that she was surprised to see this place located in the center of such a Metropolis.  I think that is a part of the charm.  And why not show everything Toronto has to offer?

Beyond the CN Tower, the Rogers Center ... and so on.

Thank you for sharing in a fantastic day with me!  I can't wait to do it again soon!!

Canadian National Exhibition

My Godson and I enjoyed a fun-filled day at the CNE.  It was HOT!! I could not believe the intensity of the sun.  We pigged out.  We played games.  Caught the Airshow.  Checked out the exhibits.  A great time!!  I had not been there in many many years, and although my wallet won't be the same for a very long time, I am soooo glad I got to go.  It was such a blessing to be in a care-free environment and pretend I was six years old again.  I even won a stuffy on one of the games!! WoooHoooo!!

Here are a few pictures of the day...

Food, Food, Everywhere....

Skyride at the midway....

My handsome Godson Matt at the Canadian Forces Exhibit...

Princess Gates...

The walking tree .... a perfect combo of cool and creepy!!!

Me, tired, hot, sunburned ... did I say hot?? Did I say tired?? lol

Let's Go To The EX!!!

I am super excited!  Next weekend I am going to the CNE for the first time in ohhh about 17 years!!!

I am looking soooo forward to it!!  I get to spend some time with my handsome Godson, and spend the day in a non-thinking / fun only environment!!  It has been a long time since I looked forward to something.  Lord knows I need this!!

Cannot wait to visit all of the exhibits and see the air show.  I am especially looking forward to the Mid Evil Times Parade, where they throw Mardi Gras Beads out to the crowds.  I told my Godson to be ready to dive and scramble .... Auntie LoLo needs at least three strands of beads before we leave!! lol

Who knows, I might even try a bacon-wrapped, deep fried mars bar!!  (Yeah, I don't know about that!)

And of course, we are going to have to hit the midway and play some games.   Me thinks I will need to show the youngin' how it's done!! ;-)

Stay tuned!!!

Let's Go To The EX Oh Baby!!!

Woofstock 2012

Bentley and I went to WOOFSTOCK today and we had a blast!! 

Woofstock is the largest festival for dogs in North America.  This magnificent event is held in Toronto's very own St. Lawrence Market.  All of the neighbourhood streets are closed to vehicular traffic and taken over by over 300,000 visitors and their canine babies over the two-day street party!

Sadly, our previous home was really too far for us to attend Woofstock in past years, but now that we are back downtown, we simply had to go!  As we all know - in doggy world - you really aren't Top Dog unless and until you've been to Woofstock!

So today was a whole lists of firsts for both Bentley and I.  In addition to our first time at the festival, it was Bentley's first time on a Streetcar!  I knew it would be great, as Bentley just adores a car-ride ... and what is a Streetcar but a really BIG car filled with people and other dogs to socialize with?!?!

Also, today was the first time in 10 years since I have been on the TTC!  I've got to say that not much has changed about it!

Anyhow....

Bentley had a blast!  We visited the endless rows of exhibit tents .. and Bentley made about 25,000 friends! LOL  Here's my guy making a new bud now while chilling out in the fountains.  Totally refreshing on such a hot day as today,, with humidex readings hitting the mid-30's!

Did I mention it was hot??  LOL  A lovely lady offered to snap a pic of Bentley and I as he got out of the fountain.

After exploring all of the tents and watching the Dog Trick Show, and took in some Renascence Dancing ... we bought some pig legs and got us both some refreshing water, then headed back home.

It was a long day.  It was REALLY hot.  It was crowded.  But it was also, Fun ... Entertaining ... A MUST Attend!

Thousands of dogs everywhere - and if you know me, you know that I probably enjoyed this beautiful day as much if not more than my Bentley did!

:-)

Thanks for the memories Woofstock!  We'll c'ya next year!!