Let's Go to the EX! (a little movie)

Yesterday, the Canadian National Exhibition opened their doors for the 2015 season and Lenny and I could not have been more excited.  To celebrate our inaugural visit, I made a little movie on my phone. Hope you like it. :)



Next time, we're finding that Frosted Flakes Chicken. I'm too curious not to try it.

Celebrating Twenty Years of the Beach Studio Tour

At Nathalie Vachon's beautiful home, Studio 12 on the tour, where you can also see the work of Sandra Greenwood, Lampwork and Glass Jeweller.

This afternoon I had the pleasure of getting an exclusive preview of the 20th Anniversary edition of the Beach Studio Tour.  For the past 20 years artists and artisans in the Beach neighbourhood have been showcasing their work (and their workplaces) every Spring and Fall.  It's easy to see why this tour has such staying power; the art, which is exceptional, is the draw but the homes and gardens that you get to experience are a very close second in terms of appeal.

Decorative and functional pottery by Paula Childs, showing at Studio 13 

I am currently obsessed with the beautiful, light-filled paintings of Michaela Nessim, showing at Studio 10

Some stops on the tour have dogs, too!

Louisa LaBarbera's wearable art is as popular as ever (showing at Studio 10).

Honestly, the homes themselves are so beautiful and the gardens are breathtaking.  Feast your eyes on this. Seriously.

Elizabeth Berry's watercolours and her home felt almost inseparable.  That said, you should totally buy one.

Roderik Mayne's beautiful portraits, oils and watercolours fill Studio 8.

John Dowding has some captivating photographs showing in Studio 6, including this one shot in Cuba.

One of the highlights of the studio tour is getting a glimpse at how these artists work.  Designer and Hand Weaver Lucille Crighton (Studio 6) has this amazing operation taking place on the top floor of her house.  You'd never know the kind of garment production that takes place in her beautiful home if you were walking by it.

Shelley Cinnamon (showing at Studio 5, just steps from the Leuty Lifegaurd Station) has an enviable array of supplies set up near a window by her kitchen.

Artist Bev Quinn is showing gorgeous abstracts in Studio 4

Also in Studio 4, sculptor Noriko Yamaoto who is showing whimsical fish and angels as well as this striking nude which brought to mind Henry Moore.

The paintings and linographs of Heidi Burkhardt and the work of Woodturner Jennifer McKinnon are so well matched (both showing in Studio 3) it's hard to imagine them apart from each other!

First stop on the tour (Studio 1) features striking photos from Shabnam Khosrowshahi and Textiles from Mixed Media Artist Janet Donaghey.

Also, not to be missed on the tour, Felicity Somerset's abstract photography (Studio 13),  the charming ceramics of Karen Franzen, which look good enough eat, tour veteran Diane Shelton's breathtaking paintings (both Studio 7) and the almost unbelievably evocative textile work of Sheila Thompson (Studio 2).

There is something so special about not just hearing about the art from the maker themselves, but seeing how and where the magic happens.  I would highly recommend getting yourself down to the Beach this weekend, grabbing brunch or dinner and visiting some (if not all) of these studios.  The artists are all very welcoming and in some cases, even provide treats, drinks and live music!

Click here for a comprehensive guide to the tour including information on the artists and the studio locations.

The Beach Studio Tour takes place today, Friday October 24th from 6pm - 9pm, Saturday October 25th from 10am - 6pm and Sunday, October 25th from 11am - 6pm.

Review: Medieval Times Toronto

Good morrow my fair readers. What ho! Pray tell, how fare thee on this day of providence?  Sorry.  I'm still revelling in the good times we just had at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament.

Chicken leg in hand, paper crown on head.  This kid is in heaven.

When we arrived Lenny was in tears (not her default) because the elastic we had securing her ponytail was tugging on her hair and let me tell you, this child is some tender headed.  The actress who played The Princess in the show was greeting and taking pictures with the guests as they arrived.  When she saw how sad poor Lenny looked she took the time to kneel down, dry Lenny's tears, take the offending elastic out of her hair and replace it with a softer one she had in her pocket.

Who does that?

Did that even happen?

I think she might be a real Princess!

Here's the picture they took together.  

Lenny looks grumpy, I realize.  I'd like to think it's because she's mostly overwhelmed, that such a lovely lady did such a lovely thing for her.  The reality is a little of that combined with anger at her parents for not being as good at doing hair as The Princess.  At this point, so impressed was I with The Princess that the meal could have been poison and the show could have consisted of two old ladies on hobby horses and I still would have been all YOU GUYS, MEDIEVAL TIMES IS THE BEST! 

Happily, that wasn't the case.

You want pageantry?  Horse ballet like you saw on the news when Ann Romney's horse was in the Olympics?  You want to see a Falcon?  Flying?  Yeah?  They've got that!  You know what else is cool?  The iconic paper crown.  It really is a sort of equalizer.  You're all wearing one.  You're in this together.

There is something very appealing, on a visceral level, about eating with your hands, waving a flag and cheering at the top of your lungs.  It's like a sporting event without all the heartache of rooting for a real team with real life consequences at stake, crossed with a theatrical event without all the worrying about keeping your kid quiet.

Go ahead and yell, kids.  Stomp your feet, drink that grog.  You're at Medieval Times!

The food may not be gourmet, but it is yummy.  Keep in mind, you're eating it mostly in the dark and with your hands.  It's not supposed to be delicate.  The roasted chicken was really as good as just about any I've had in a restaurant.  Juicy and tender with a nice lemon flavour.  The service from our waiter...errr...serf (?) was great.  I'm guessing that's not the easiest gig in the world and he was friendly and efficient.  He was no Melinda, that's for sure.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the show was the fight choreography.  These guys aren't kidding around.  The stage craft is really impressive!

Before we even left the building Lenny said twice that this was "the BEST dinner EVER!"

I think it's safe to say we'll be back someday.  In the meantime, I'm prepared to play "Knight", "Princess Ponytail" and "Battle" every day for the next little while.

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Disclaimer:  Reviews on this blog may be invited, sponsored or paid, however I always share my honest opinions, findings and experiences of the product and services being reviewed.  To learn more about my policy, please visit Blog with Integrity.

City in a Park: Kew Gardens

When Lenny was a wee little baby this was my favourite park to hang out in.  It's kind of our "go to" park.  I even shot her first birthday portraits at Kew Gardens, and let me tell you, I have spent a small fortune at the Starbucks across from Kew Gardens.  I love that it's close to home (a good 30 - 40 minute walk depending on how many distractions there are for the 3 year old in the group or, more often a 5 - 10 minute bus ride).  Len loves taking the bus because I think it makes it feel like a real-live outing.  She also loves the gazebo in this park.  Which we actually never refer to as Kew Gardens...it's always "Gazebo Park".

Many have been the days when I say "What do you want to do today? You can pick...anything you like." and she says "GAZEBO PARK!"

Things we loved:  This is one of the best playgrounds in our neighbourhood, steps from all the places I need / want to go (see: wine store, cheese store, Starbucks) and the library where there is inevitably a Cat Club book on hold for us.  It's also steps from the beach which is one of our happy places.

Things we didn't love:  Now, this is a very specific complaint, but for us, if Len falls and gets soaked in mud (which did happen once...or twice) it is difficult to get home quickly.  So close, yet so far, you know?  I also find it kind of a drag that it gets so crowded in the optimal Summer months. I love having the place all to ourselves, which we often do during the cold months.  Hashtag selfish mom. Hashtag first world problems. Hashtag I don't care, get out of my park.

We'll see you soon, Kew Gardens.  Probably tomorrow.

World Pride in Pictures

By far my favourite poster in the parade.  So brilliant. Warmed my heart to see Harvey represented.

Tiny Elton John supports Olivia Chow for Mayor

This young lady gifted these awesome butterfly glasses to Lenny.  She, of course, loves them!

More Oliva love.

Yes, the naked people.  I include the naked people because 1) Lenny saw the naked people and cared not-even-a-little-bit about their nakedness.   The naked people do not freak kids out (at least not this kid) she couldn't have cared less.  And 2) The repeated sight of 60 year old cocknballs was enough to give me the fortitude to go sleeveless.

I set my big ol white arms free.  It was a PRIDE MIRACLE.

This visual had me singing a Kay Thomspson song in my head, which is precisely why I was the kind of girl who hung out nearly exclusively with gay men when I was in my 20's.  I am well aware that this is the kind of reference that makes me a dinosaur.  I can deal with it.

This cheerleader came running over to Lenny, gave her a PFLAG sticker and spoke so sweetly with her.  She was...overwhelmed.  After the photo she thanked her and then said to me, "did you SEE her pom poms?!"  It was a rare shy moment for Len.

This was not a shy moment.  This, was a mutual admiration fest.  These guys were AWESOME!  

Later tonight, back at home, a rainbow.  The perfect way to end World Pride in Toronto.  This gave me the chills.