Fork York : The Dawning of a City

* * * UPDATE : The gate that I entered through from Bathurst Street, on the eastern edge of the site, has been removed since I wrote this post.  Now visitors enter at the southern edge at 250 Fort York Boulevard, toward The Bentway Public Space. * * * 

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Toronto is situated where it is because Fort York was built here in 1793. Here you will find the city's oldest standing buildings. It is located just west of Bathurst, south of King Street. The walk down from King and Bathurst, has you cross a special bridge of significance, (called The Bathurst Street Bridge, which I'll be posting about soon). Just past that bridge you come upon a neat suspended bridge, bringing you to the back gates of the fort.

This visit actually took place at the beginning of October but I wanted to take my time going through the photos so they took a while to post! I had been on my way to take some photos of bird sculptures further south for a post called Birds) when I saw the fort from the bridge. I decided to go take a look. When I got to the gate, it was open, so I entered ... and was transported to a different time, but with a surrounding of the future. It was a magical find.

As all Toronto residents would, I knew the fort was there. I remember visiting as a child when relatives came to visit, but I had never taken the time to go as a grown-up. Until now ..

Making it : Dinner Party Place-cards

Lately I have seen many references to Candy Corn due to it being a Halloween treat. However in all my life, I have never tried it. I can't really say why, because it's not that I don't like sweets, but rather it's because Candy Corn and I have just never physically crossed paths before. So my curiosity caused me to seek it out while shopping yesterday, so now I have had my first taste! It surprised me because I thought it was a hard candy but it's soft. And vanilla-y good.

But why do I go on about Candy Corn, when this is a post about a DIY to make name place-cards for a dinner party? Well it's because the package of Candy Corn I found included 3 other Halloween related candies too. And I have to say that when I opened it, it wasn't the corn that immediately drew my eye. No, it was the cute little sugar-coated jelly pumpkins that got me.

Since I like the idea of name place-cards at dinner parties, I decided to make some using the enchanting confection. I think it's cool when hosts decide beforehand who will sit next to whom, when there is a larger group to be seated. This is a particularly considerate gesture when you're getting a group together who don't already know one another, as it ensures that people you think will get along have the chance to chat over dinner. I have kept in mind though, that hosts are busy and making place-cards should be quick and easy! Mine are suitable for fall related festivities, but the colour combinations can be changed to suit any dinner party.

Lunch and a walk along College Street

My friend Nyla and I met for lunch at a fun spot called Sneaky Dee's, located at College and Bathurst Street yesterday (Sunday). It's been there since 1990 and hasn't changed a bit throughout the years. It's a casual place that serves good food and drinks and is always full of life. We arrived at noon and snagged the last table, leaving an unending stream of people waiting in line to get in. (Don't let the line-up scare you off from visiting though, as it's a big place and the line moves quickly.)

After lunch we took a walk along College Street, as it was absolutely beautiful out. (Somehow a nice day slipped in there between all the rain and gloom that has been Toronto weather as of late.)

I've been in this neighbourhood many many times before because my sister used to live here, but in all those visits I'd somehow missed this little historical nugget called Croft Street, named so in 1907 after a man who died during the clean-up after a major fire that practically burned down the whole core of the city back then.

It’s Caturday! : DIY – Neck Decoration

Hello friends. Today is the day of the week when Eddie Boycat gets to join in on the blogging fun! He's extra excited today because he looks so darned handsome in his Seasonal Neck Decoration, that he can wear when company comes over for either Halloween, Thanksgiving or just to celebrate the coming of the fall season in general.He does not like anything tight around his neck (ask him about the 3 attempts to have him wear a nice collar with an id tag ... one of which only lasted a mere 1/2 hour, after a trip outdoors!). This being so, this neck decoration is made with loose elastic and he can easily take it off if he wants. But actually, he seems to like it! He was not bothered by it at all. And being the very social guy that he is, he'll gladly join the party with it on, welcoming the compliments about how cute he looks. (urmm .. though the manly-men in our circle, Nick included, are not so sure about this look on Eddie. lol) Note: it is for indoor use only, under supervised conditions.

Themed Thursday : Black, White and Silver

Today's post was motivated by my white patent-leather Doc Martin boots, that I got in London a few years ago. We can't get many different styles of Docs here in Toronto, so I made a special trip to the home-store of this brand while visiting London. It was the middle of the summer and I got two pairs of boots towards the beginning of our trip. Then I had to carry them around for the rest of the trip! But it was worth it, especially for the second pair which I will show you during the winter, because they are outdoor winter boots, which I really love. And I have never seen another person with the same ones! (I have seen these white ones in a magazine once though.)

So without further ado ... Black, White and Silver ...