Weekend Recap

What a beautiful weekend we had!  On Saturday I took Q to ball hockey.  The morning started out kind of cool but quickly warmed up when the sun got higher in the sky.

When we got home we planted our herbs that I had picked up the day before. 

We watched the F1 qualifying after lunch and then I went to get my haircut while Dave took the boys to the driving range.  I had a few minutes of quiet by myself in the backyard before everyone got home. 

It still counts as outdoor time even if they are watching the iPad! 

My sunglasses matched my beer. 

We were off to church on Sunday morning. 

In the afternoon we went to a birthday party for one of our neighbours.

Posing

We ordered pizza when we got home from that for an easy supper and (I) tried watching the recorded F1 race, but I had hard time staying awake.  Sorry to see Leclerc miss the podium but I love Checo so happy to see him win!

 

May Books

Just a couple of books to write about this month.  

The first one is just a fun one from David Sedaris, Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls. 

I picked this up just by browsing at the library.  I am a fan of David Sedaris having heard him on the This American Life podcast and later on Armchair Expert.  David's humour is my type of humour, sarcastic, self-deprecating, and dry.  This book, like his others, is a collection of essays, mostly about situations he's come across in his own life, with a couple of fictional short stories included. He had me chuckling out loud on the subway.  I'll likely pick up more of his books if I see them at the library. 

This next book was on my reading list for the year - No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood.

This was a very interesting book, I had chosen it because it had been on many "best of" lists.   The style of the book is quick short takes, which I realize now is supposed to mirror Twitter and how we are living our lives online where everything is presented in short quips, one after the other, and never ending.  I am definitely on Twitter and Instagram a lot, more than other people I know, but I don't post much myself so I'm not caught up having to reply to people.  If someone isn't online that much, then they might not get the references being made.  The book is sort of like two books, the first about the main character talking about going viral and travelling around to speak to people after becoming sort of Twitter-famous.  The book refers to Twitter as "the Portal" but that's what it is.  The second half of the book follows an urgent text from her mom telling her to come home.  I don't want to give anything away, but it turns out to be a timely topic to be reading about. 

If you've read this book, I'd be interested in hearing what you have to say about it.  I can't really say if I liked the book or not, I feel like I need to discuss it so I can sort it out.

Friday Favourites

Happy Friday! Canadians are finishing up their short week, and I know the Americans have their long weekend coming up. 

I'm still feeling unsettled by the Uvalde shooting and then yesterday police in Toronto shot and killed a young man who reportedly had a rifle and was wandering around near some schools in the East End (not near us at all). I still don't understand why this issue has to divide people - wouldn't we all be on the same side of not wanting people to be killed by firearms? Anyway, I've read all the hot takes, and I posted my own on Wednesday. Moving on for today...

One of my very favourite Toronto summer things is coming back this year, the Union Station Summer Market.  I started my job in February 2019 and it was that summer I got to experience the summer market several times on my lunch break.  I am excited it is back this year.  It's basically a bunch of food stands, a biergarten, and live music.  It's a scene, man.

From 2019.

Donuts from Golden Gecko. Procured by E after his piano.  Apparently since he had money at school that day, he also bought popcorn from the grad fundraiser and ice cream from the ice cream truck parked at the playground. 

Dave and his new lawnmower.  Our grass is looking good so far!

When E was at tutoring on Wednesday, Q and I put in some time at the playground.   He was the only kid there so it turned into a bit of a photo shoot.

I said it looked like was riding a dragon when he sat on the teeter-totter like this.

And then he was surfing. 

My favourite spring flowers and scent.

When we got E from tutoring, we went to the Dark Horse for supper.  

I wrote a fun post on Monday for Dave's and my anniversary. 

My trip to Montreal is coming up next week.  We booked dinner and brunch reservations and I've also scoped out some rooftop patios where we could go for a drink.  Add in some shopping and site seeing and we're all set!

Linking up with Andrea and Erika for Friday Favourites!

Monthly Musings

Linking up with Holly and Patty for this month's edition of Monthly Musings.

1. Favourite summer footwear? 

Birks.  I have the leather version and I want to get the plastic ones in white so I can wear them in situations where my feet may get wet.

2. Favourite Summer Accessories? 

I was thinking of jewelry for this one, but I think my favourite accessory is a hat, mostly because it is necessary. I don't like sun on my head and face if I can help it.  I used to have a straw hat but it kind of got squished in Jamaica so I am looking for a new one so my hat doesn't always have to be a ball cap.

3. Must have summer beauty products?

I like any of the hair protectant products from Drybar. With all of the swimming, sun, and ponytails, I often feel like my hair is looking for love.  These are all pretty good. 

4. Do you have a signature summer fragrance or perfume?

No.  I don't wear perfume anyway so no change for the summer. 

5. Favourite summer outfit?

I love these shorts.  They are from Zella.  They are nice and light, are a good length, don't look too much like athletic shorts, and they have a drawstring.  I have been wearing them so far with a blousy tank top. 

(This is from Jamaica) 

6.  Favourite sunscreen products?

I only buy Ombrelle sunscreen.  Dave prefers the spray, I like the lotion, and I also bought a small bottle of the sheer stuff for under my make up.

7.  Do you prefer a one piece, tankini, or bikini swimsuit?

Tankini or one-piece.

(this one is a tankini)

8.  Do you keep your hair the same in the summer or switch up the style?

I put it up in a ponytail more often is that is what you're referring to ;) A pony tail or low bun is necessary for me when I'm wearing a bike helmet or ball cap, or when I'm swimming or sweating at all. 

9. Favourite summer nail colour?

Any dark jewel colour like a royal blue, magenta or dark purple. For my toes only, I don't get my fingernails done very often, but if I do, I go for something lighter.

10.  Favourite summer lip colour?

I don't wear lipstick, so nude I guess... :)

 

What's Up Wednesday

I just wanted to start off this post with a comment about the school shooting in Texas yesterday.  This feels like another thing where I feel like we just continue screaming into the void.  Here we go (and so quickly after the Buffalo grocery store shooting too) sending out more thoughts and prayers while the actions that could actually make a difference go undone.  I watched the announcement yesterday and it was the phrase "the families are being notified" that really got to me.  Those families will never be the same, just like the families from Columbine, Sandy Hook, Parkland, and so many others scenes of mass gun violence.  No one wants to get the message that a loved one has died, but when it keeps happening even when the cause has been identified and the solution (even partial) is achievable and yet goes unaddressed, with people wringing their hands as if they can't possibly understand how this keeps happening, then it is all the more tragic.  There is a staunch group lawmakers who refuse to support any type of gun control, even something as simple as background checks for gun purchasers, and they carry on, unfazed.  I don't know what, if anything, will finally be the catalyst to make a change on this. So for now, join me:

Okay, onto my trivial What's Up Wednesday post. 

What we're eating this week...

Sunday - We were at the Blue Jays game so we sort of ate there and had snacks when we got home. 
Monday - Macaroni and Cheese and Wings from the freezer (stores were closed for the holiday so this is what we had in the house)
Tuesday - Tacos
Wednesday - Out
Thursday - Butter Chicken in Slow Cooker
Friday and Saturday - not sure yet, but likely something on the BBQ

What I'm loving...

Riding my bike to work. I've only done it three times, my goal is at least once a week, and I've done that.  I need to bike tomorrow though to keep my streak alive, I hope the rain stays away!

What we've been up to...
Running from sport to sport, but we're doing a good job of staying organized.  My mom was here last week and it was great to have her help.  She had to make notes to keep all of the activities straight though! 

What I'm dreading...
I was looking back at my What's Up Wednesday post from May 2021 and this section referred to the construction they were starting on our street.  Well it's a year later, and although the top and bottom of our road has been blocked off (at different times) throughout the year, they still haven't done anything in the middle of the street or near our yard, so I guess I'm still dreading that whenever it does happen. 

What I'm working on...
Finding restaurants for Montreal.  We booked one dinner and have a few ideas for our other dinner and a Sunday brunch.  There are just too many choices, it's overwhelming!

What I'm excited about...
I bought a bottle of Whispering Angel for when my mom was here, but then we never drank it (we had other rose instead), but now I'm excited to enjoy it this weekend.  It's always a nice treat. 

What I'm wearing...

The same clothes.  I realized I had drawers full of clothes and was just wearing the same things over and over so I finally weeded out the things that were just getting pushed around.  I do need a few new things, but I'll try to keep it to a minimum. 

This dress is like 10 years old, but it still works :)

What I'm watching/reading...
We just finished Severance, which was a slow burn, but I'm all in now, just in time to end the season.  Next up is Ozark and we are watching Casual. 

I'll do my May reading list on Monday, so check back then.  There is one book that I will need people to weigh in on, so I hope I find others who have read it!

What I'm listening to...
My current go to song is As It Was by Harry Styles, and that leads me into Harry Styles Radio on Spotify.  I've never really cared too much about Mr. Styles but this song has me hooked. 

What I'm doing this weekend...
Kids sports, hanging out with neighbours, and getting our herb garden set up finally.

What I'm looking forward to next month...
My trip to Montreal, my Birthday, Father's Day, church picnic, end of school, and our first camping trip.  June is always my favourite month. 

What else is new...
Dave got a new lawnmower which is pretty exciting for him.  We have had a manual push mower forever but Dave thought he needed to up his lawn game ;)

Resolutions Check-In
Not much new to report here.  I have my clothes and toys ready to donate next week, but I haven't made any food donations yet.  

Linking up with Shay.

Weekend Recap

 Busy, fun filled long weekend over here!  Dave and I went out for supper to celebrate our anniversary on Friday night.  My mom and the boys ordered Chinese food for their dinner.

Subway selfie.

First we went to the Writers Room, the rooftop restaurant at the Park Hyatt in Yorkville. 

Fantastic view.

Then we went to Bar Reyna for some more drinks and food.

Cheers!

On Sunday morning Dave went golfing, Mom took Q to ball hockey, and I went to E's baseball game. 

Mom and Q stopped by the playground after ball hockey.

Then we met Dave on the golf club patio for lunch. 

For those of you in Southern Ontario on Saturday afternoon, you'll know that this was just before the big storm went through.  We got the alert on our phones and we got out of there quickly after that.  Before that all happened, it was great to be back on the patio. 

We made our pizzas on Saturday night.

On Sunday we watched the F1 race in the morning, exciting race, all in all.   Poor Leclerc.

In the afternoon we boarded the subway with two other families to head to the Blue Jays game. 

I was surprised the roof was open, given the cooler temperatures and rain we had in the morning, but they had it open and it was nice. 

You may remember from Friday's post that my Blue Jays wine glass didn't make it through the last dishwasher run, so my mom and I got new ones at the game.  

On Monday morning we drove my mom to the airport and then we got McDonalds breakfast on the way home. 

Then we waited for Dave to get home from the golf course so we could go our hike. 

Our front tree is in bloom

We met some friends at Hilton Falls for an afternoon hike. 

I thought I should get a photo of us on our actual anniversary :)

Snack break!

Long weekend complete!