MOTHER'S DAY 2024

 

A daily reminder of Mom.

The last Mother’s Day I spent with my mom was in 2011. I was home (Nova Scotia) because she had recently been diagnosed with brain cancer and was having some of the tumor removed at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax.

She was on the “brain floor” which is scent free. I bought her a little potted white flower at the hospital gift shop for her Mother's Day gift. The flower went with her to the nursing homes she stayed at after leaving the hospital.

 

Mom passed away eight months later. When I was home for her funeral, I brought the flower back to Toronto with me and placed it in a spot I see multiple times a day. It remained in that spot for just over twelve years.  

The plaque is packed away now, but the flower stayed in that spot for over 12 years.

I always knew that one day I would take the flower back and place it at my parents’ grave. This past May was that time. Rob and I flew to Nova Scotia on Mother’s Day. It was his first-time visiting Nova Scotia, and he understood the importance of going to the cemetery shortly after we landed so I could place the flower there. We also put birdseed on top of the headstone, as that is something I always do when I visit.

 

I knew when we left on that trip that I would be looking for something to put in “that spot” back in Toronto, and it needed to be something to remind me of mom. I didn’t want to buy just anything to put there, and I knew I would know it when I spotted it. I was beginning to lose hope as our trip was quickly coming to an end and after visiting various shops I hadn’t found anything that spoke to me. It wasn't until we were at the airport to fly back that I found it. A beautiful wooden hummingbird, crafted in Nova Scotia and made out of four different types of wood.

The perfect trinket to replace the flower.

 

My dad was a lumberjack and my mom also worked with wood to make lawn ornaments. But it was the fact it was a hummingbird that made all the difference. The last gift my mom gave me was a pair of hummingbird earrings she had made for me. I knew that was the perfect addition to go in that special spot!  
 
You can read more about why hummingbirds are important to me by checking out a blog I did a few months after Mom passed.

Another daily reminder of Mom. 💖

   

FOODIE FRIDAY - BRAMBLE GASTROPUB

 

Porn Star Martini

A family member of our neighbor recommended a restaurant in the Kingsway area and we went for the first time while we were on vacation last week. Bramble Gastropub was an absolute delight!   

We went on a Wednesday as they have "buck a shuck oysters".  We are early diners and we did not make reservations, though so many people called during our time there, I think I will make reservations going forward, no matter the day of the week or time.    

Since becoming such a huge Food Network fan, I am always looking for something new to try when we eat out. I started with oysters, and had the Beetroot Salad and Steak Tartare for my meal. It was my first time having Steak Tartare, and I loved it. I don't know if it is this good at every restaurant, but I will definitely have it again there. Rob had the burger, and he said it was the best burger he's ever had, and he's had a lot of burgers! He also loved that he could get a bit of salad and fries, and did not have to choose between the two. We shared Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert.

Delicious!

   

Loved the decor!

The restaurant has an upscale British Pub feel with whimsical decor. It is a lovely place for a date or evening out with friends. I look forward to returning and trying more of the menu. Very grateful for the recommendation. 

FOODIE FRIDAY - COCONUT JOE'S

 

Mermaid Water and a Pina Colada

If you are ever in the Tobermory area, I highly suggest a visit to Coconut Joe's. I had researched places to eat before our trip to Tobermory last September, and this place did not disappoint. 

The restaurant has a tropical vacation vibe feel and is located on the harbour. The waitstaff were friendly, the food delicious, and they played feel good, party music. 

We went for an early dinner after our boat tour, and browsing a few shops in the town.

We shared coconut shrimp to start, we both had the cheeseburger in Tobermory paradise (a nod to Jimmy Buffett's Margarittaville) and for dessert, key-lime pie. They have a great cocktail menu and I enjoyed a couple Mermaid Water's and a Pina Colada. I may of gotten a little tipsy while there. The Mermaid Water was so good it should come in pitchers. Rob had his regular, Jack Daniel's and coke, AKA a "Lemmy", and he'll get it with Pepsi if he can. 

My only complaint about this restaurant is that it's not close enough to us to visit regularly!