SANTA'S BAG

 

When I was a child Christmas was spent at Nannie Levy's. Every year Mom & Dad would load up the car and we'd make the two-hour drive to Liverpool, Nova Scotia, to spend Christmas with Mom's family.   

Back then, that drive seemed to take forever, but I always looked forward to that trip and the anticipation of Santa's visit. I enjoyed all the family coming and going over the days we were there, and all the laughter. It was a special time, and I often revisit those memories this time of year. After Christmas dinner Nannie would pull out a big red bag full of gifts for everyone. I think she wanted it to be known as Mrs. Santa's Bag, but it never stuck and has been Santa's Bag in my mind forever.

Some of these gifts were strange to me as a child, boxes of Tide, dish detergent, toothpaste and other household items. The children usually got a $2 bill which would buy a lot of candy back then. This yearly tradition became something we looked forward to every year. It was always more about the fun involved during the the gifts being passed out then the gift itself. 

Santa's Bag, 1987- My cousin, Pam, receiving her gift. 

I didn't know it at the time, but the above picture was the last Santa's Bag with Nannie Levy  I'd be a part of while she was alive. I was 18 years old, had graduated high school that June, and was taking a course in college. A few months after gradating the college course in 1988 I was in a bad car accident and we couldn't make the trip. I moved to Toronto in March the following year.

My Aunt Charlotte took over Santa's Bag after my Nannie passed. One Christmas when I was home visiting from Toronto we took a trip to Liverpool for a Christmas dinner, and sure enough, there was a gift in Santa's Bag for me, even though no one knew I was coming until a couple hours before. I even remember what I received, a new measuring cup! How had Santa known I had broke mine recently and was in need of new one!? Oh, the magic of Christmas.   

I haven't experienced Santa's Bag in many years, but unknowingly may of started a new tradition for another generation of Levy's, the Xmas Box. 

Years ago, when I was getting the Xmas parcel ready to mail to my brother and his family in Alberta, I put something else in the box for them to share, unwrapped. The next year I added a couple more things and these extras continued over the years.  

A couple of years ago, when I friend was here over the holiday season, she said I should wrap these "extras", as they were really gifts. She wrapped them that year, and I have continued to.

The box usually contains a variety of seasonal goodies, and something for them to do, like a cookie decorating kit or something similar. I have fun looking for new things to put in the box every year. The only thing that I have asked, is that they wait and open the Xmas Box together as a family. The gifts go under the tree, and the untagged extras are to be opened and enjoyed right away.

My oldest niece, Ashlee, went to British Columbia to attend University in 2018. I've always mailed the Xmas Box by the end of November so it would arrive a couple weeks before Christmas. That year I received a text from Ashlee's younger sister, Tayler, when the box arrived. "Do we have to wait until Ashlee is home before we open the Xmas Box?"  And it was in that moment that I knew that this yearly box mattered, that it was something they looked forward to, and had become a yearly tradition.

This year Tayler is living away from home to attend University in Calgary and Ashlee is working in British Columbia. The Xmas Box arrived before both girls landed home for the holidays! I was getting a little worried with the Purolator back-log of packages. But, the Xmas Box has been opened and I have received thank yous and a group photo of them with some treats from within it.

It makes me happy to add a little extra Christmas enjoyment to them this time of year, and it all started because a seed was planted in my mind when my Grandmother handed out funny little gifts from a big red bag when I was child over forty years ago. 

A pic of Nannie and I, Xmas morning many years ago.

There was nothing like those big family Christmas's as a child.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

WHAT YEAR IS IT ANYWAY?

 

So grateful I was a teen through the 80's. Always with my keto-blaster.

I’ve been thinking a lot about music lately. When I look at the names of many of the bands touring right now, I have been asking myself, “What year is it anyway?” I was a teenager in the 80’s and I never dreamed that so many of the bands I idolized back then would still be touring now.  Some of the bands are playing smaller venues, but others are selling out stadiums!

Saw Mr. Big in Toronto last May, it had been 32 years since I had seem them, and the lady beside me, who took these pictures, had been at the same show!

A couple months ago, my husband, Rob, and I attended the 50^th Anniversary of Helix show in Delhi Ontario. I was thrilled to have a conversation with their bassist, Daryl Gray, before the show. I had interviewed him and the late Paul Hackman, back in 1985 for my high school radio show after their Long Way to Heaven tour stop in Halifax, NS.  We talked about the difference between what music was to teens back then and now. How it wasn’t just something you listened to, it was how you dressed, who you hung out with, and a part of your attitude. The internet, social media and streaming services has changed the music industry. I remember waiting months, sometimes years, for my favorite band to release a new album and the anticipation of getting a new monthly music magazine like Circus or Hit Parader, to find out what my favorite bands were working on. Everything is so instant now; I don’t think the appreciation is there for the music and bands like it was then.

Brian and Daryl of Helix - September 2024

Me in 1985. 

     

Last year when I attended the Stadium Tour, featauring Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Poison,  and Joan Jett, I couldn’t help but notice the age range of the crowd. People my age (50+), parents with their children and young adults able to attend on their own. It made me smile seeing teenagers as excited to be seeing these bands live as I had been when I was teenager, and still am as a 55-year-old woman. The interest in 80’s music is definitely having a resurgence, and not just for us who experienced it then. The younger generation is catching on to that 80’s vibe and embracing it.

It's a surreal experience meeting the members of bands whose posters use to hang on your teenage bedroom wall. 

 

Rob and I recently did the VIP Meet & Greet package when WASP was in town. I had the lead singer, Blackie Lawless, sign my high school yearbook. The album they were performing was as much a part of my high school experience as any class I took. The Q & A part of the VIP package was interesting and made me realize that these bands from back in the day are the original “influencers” before influencers were a thing.  

Me watching Blackie from the VIP section at the side of the stage, November 2024.

This brings me to Taylor Swift. Whether she knows it or not, she has tapped into what made the 80’s music scene what it was back then, the camaraderie. Back then we didn't have cellphones and social media. We had teenage night clubs, arcades and field parties. We spent loads of time with our friends socializing in person, and the music was always there, like another friend. 

A little 80’s musical fairy dust has definitely been sprinkled on Miss Swift. Maybe it comes from all the Def Leppard music she listened to as a child, because her mom was a huge fan. Check her out on Crossroads with Def Leppard from 2008.  The Eras Tour has taken over Toronto, and the signs of it are everywhere, as are the Swifties. I’ve volunteered to take a few group photos over the last week of girls and women going to her concert, you can’t help but get wrapped up in their positivity and excitement. Instead of leather, animal prints, spandex and the studs of my time, its glitter, sparkle, sequins, and friendship bracelets. Different packaging, same magic.

 

I already have tickets to the “80’s Rock Invasion” concert for spring of the new year. As long as these bands keep touring, I’ll keep going, and I guess it doesn’t matter what year it is after all. 

COFFEE WITH THE CRITTERS

 

Welcome to the yard! 

Rob and I were on vacation the week of his birthday a couple weeks ago. It was mostly a stay-cation, though we did spend one night away, which I will eventually blog about.  

When I think back about our week off, it's easy for me to tell you what our favorite part of our vacation was, having morning coffee on the deck with the critters. It almost makes me laugh, because if you would of told me thirty years ago that I was going to find such a simple act so enjoyable, I would of told you, you were crazy. It's interesting to me, how we choose to spend our valuable time changes as we grow older. But, here we are, pass me a hot cup of coffee and some peanuts for our backyard critters and I'm happy.

One of our many backyard squirrels, this one is quite comfortable with us.

This is one of the Blue Jays favourite spots to get peanuts.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the critter feeding picnic table!

We are on vacation again in a couple weeks, and are looking forward to our leisurely coffees on the deck with the critters once again, though we may have to put on some thicker clothes.

2023 RECOVERY ROADTRIPS

 

Giant Swallowtail at the Royal Botanical Gardens

Recovering from a major surgery isn't all rest and pain medication. Eating healthy, washing, getting dressed everyday and walking a bit more weekly, all played a part. Surgeon approved little road trips with a girlfriend also played a huge part in my recovery last summer, as they were spirit lifting.

I always enjoy my visits to Springridge Farm.

My first road trip was just shy of a month after surgery and was to a favorite place to visit, Springridge Farm. We went in the late morning and had lunch there and came home with lots of goodies.

The Caesar was my drink of choice last summer.

Our second road trip was in July and a little further away. We went to Sutton, Ontario to take in the Purple Turtle Art Festival. We had lunch at The Boondocks Eatery. It was here that I had my favourite drink of all last summer, the Dill Pickle Caesar! I had a few Caesars last summer, one at every restaurant I visited, but this was the winner by far. I need to get there for another one.

Little frog friend at The Royal Botanical Gardens.

Later that month we visited the RBG and had lunch at a favorite restaurant out that way, Harpers Landing. It was Pat's first time there. I haven't been there yet this summer, I must make a point of going while it's still patio season.

We shared the delicious food and enjoyed the Bullet Proof Lemonade.

 

Shopping in Elora, Ontario.

Our August road trip was to Elora, Ontario. I had been wanting to visit the lavender shops. We did a bit of shopping. I purchased lots of lavender products and a gnome for the backyard. We had lunch at The Cellar Pub and Grill which is right on the river. We also had an ice-cream before heading home. It was a lovely day.

Lunch and scenery in Elora.

Grateful for my friend, Pat, for taking me on these road trips last summer while I recovered.  
 

FOODIE FRIDAY - CASCATA - LAST CHANCE

Vodka Martini, extra dirty with 3 olives, perfection!

Back in 2022 friends introduced us to a lovely restaurant called Cascata Bistro in Carlisle, Ontario. It was one of their favorite places for a meal, and quickly became one of ours. It became our “go to” when out that way.

 

Over the last couple years, we have visited many times, and have introduced other friends to the delicious food and relaxed atmosphere. Our most recent visit was the end of June and we were saddened to learn that the owner had sold the building and the restaurant would be closing.

First time there I couldn't decide between pizza or wings, so I got both! Rob had a burger.

The Cascata business will carry on with catering and private dining experiences, but I will miss the lovely patio where we enjoyed many wonderful meals with friends.

 

If you have the opportunity, I highly suggest a meal there before they close after Labour Day Weekend. We hope to get there one more time before they do.

Martini anyone?

Last visit, I enjoyed mussels and fish and chips. Rob had pizza. 

Thanks for introducing us to this fabulous restaurant Lara and Lisa!

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!

   

  

ROB'S BIRTHDAY 2023

 

Birthday muffin to start the day.

Quick recap. May 25th I had surgery. I returned to work 3 days a week July 17 for two weeks, and then started back full time, though recovery was still ongoing. I was told it may take up to a year or more, and they were right. I still feel tightness and pain on my right side regularly. I get a specialized massage for the area and have physio exercises to do. Recovery is definitely still ongoing, but enough about that, this is suppose to be a birthday blog!

Needless to say I was feeling quite restless when our September vacation rolled around. We were off the weeks of Rob's birthday, as we usually are, and I was longing to visit an area of Ontario we had not been before for a couple days. 

After a bit of research we decided on the Tobermory area for a two night get away. We left the morning of Rob's birthday. I had packed a picnic and we stopped at Inglis Falls Conservation Area for lunch.

Inglis Falls

We stayed at the absolutely stunning bed and breakfast, Cee Cee North of the Bay. Bed was comfortable, breakfast was delicious and the views both during the day and starry nights were spectacular. This place was truly relaxing and we will stay there again.

What a view!

Hummingbird, Chipmunk and a fox around the B & B

Sunrise at the B & B

We spent our one full day in Tobermory. We took the Shipwrecks, Grottos, and Flowerpots tour with Tobermory Waves Adventures. The scenery was absolutely stunning. Next time we'd like to spend some time on Flowerpot Island. We enjoyed a fantastic meal at Coconut Joe's after the boat tour and exploring the town. 

Rock flower pots on Flower Pot Island.

Sandhill Cranes and Pipits seen on our travels. 

Tobermory is a fantastic area to visit and explore. We still have more to see and do there and we will do a return trip

BIRTHDAY BLOG

 

Lemon Meringue Birthday Cake! 

After Covid lock-downs, illness, and surgery messing up the annual birthday celebration the last four years, it was great to get back to normal this year. My cousin Andi's birthday is three days before mine, and we both look forward to celebrating together, as we have been doing for over a decade now.  

The staples of our yearly birthday get together are cake, lobster, and wine. This year the seafood was ordered from our home province of Nova Scotia via Clear Water Seafood, and we both ordered some extra goodies for the freezer.

Mussels to start.

The main course! 

Cheers Cousin!

My cake for my actual birthday.

Last year my cousin celebrated a milestone birthday, and a milestone birthday calls for a spectacular cake! I have taken care of the cake every year except my 50th.We celebrated in July due to my ongoing recovery, but it was worth the wait. 

Milestone birthday celebration in July 2023.

Here's to many more birthday celebrations together. 

  

ALBERTA 2023

 

The stunning male Mountain Bluebird

It's hard for me to believe that what I am about to blog about happened almost a year ago. I took an extended blogging break, but am feeling the need to catch up with them, though it may take a while. 

In early 2023 I had booked a vacation and purchased plane tickets for Rob and I to go to Alberta in June. Our youngest niece, Tayler, was graduating from high school and it had been five years since I had been to visit. I was medically cleared to take the trip, as I was still recovering from my surgery. My caseworker said, "what's the difference if you are resting at your home, or your brothers?" She also felt the trip would be good for my mental health. I had planned to stay a few days longer than Rob, but as I couldn't fly alone due to not being able to carry anything, I flew back with Rob. I had found out that the mass I had removed from my chest area on May 25 was not cancer, which was a huge relief. 

I watched Tayler's graduation via Zoom in their kitchen, but I was there for the big day, and that felt great. It was spirit lifting to spend a few days with them. 

Alberta 2023

Rob didn't know it, but I had planned a special surprise for him for this trip. I had hired a bird guide to take us out one day. I ended up telling him before we left, as I didn't think I'd be able to go. It was a surprise to me when the bird guide informed me that most of our day would be driving from spot to spot, and it shouldn't be a problem for me to go too! 

We had a great outing with her and saw lots of western bird species and a few mammals. We both added some bird species to our life list. We went out again the next day on our own for a little while and had another great day, and our mammal highlight of the year, if not our life, a big ole black bear! 

Mammal sighting of the year!

I spotted a Three-toed Woodpecker from the car, though we weren't sure what it was when I first saw it, but I knew it was something different. He was easily found, as he was very busy working on his nest.  

Another shot of the Mountain Bluebird, as it was our most desired bird to see while there.

Isn't he handsome?!

It was a short but meaningful trip, and I'm happy we made it.