Weekend Recap

Spring is here!  We had a beautiful weekend here in Toronto.  Dave's parents were visiting.  

On Saturday morning, Dave and his dad continued their work in the basement, tiling the bathroom and laundry room.  Dave's mom and E and I walked down to the library and to pick up a few things.  A few of our friends were coming over to watch the first Raptors' playoff game so I quickly ran around and cleaned up the house.  

Ready for the game!

Two little Raptor fans

After the game (the terrible game), we went out to Oakville for a nice dinner with our friends and all the kids.  As usual, I forgot to take pictures.  E had a cold but he was still ready to party with the girls.

On Sunday, I slept in, which was really nice.  Then we went out to Costco. We are not members but will sometimes go with Dave's mom when she is in town.  One thing I got was a package of sidewalk chalk, paint and bubbles.   E enjoyed that when we go home out in the sunshine.

I made some lemonade for a little treat.  

Late Sunday afternoon I went to our local yoga studio to try out a prenatal yoga class.  It is mostly a hot yoga studio, but they wanted to see who would be interested in a prenatal reduced heat class.  I think it would be a good class, and it was nice to be able to walk to the studio. 

In the evening, we watched SNL hosted by Julia Louis-Dreyfus.  It was pretty good!  She is one of my favourite people on TV.

Friday Favourites

Linking up with Andrea, Erika and Narci for Friday Favourites.

I actually thought yesterday was Friday all day, so today being Friday is kind of a disappointment, but we go on. 

I stopped by the Gap earlier this week and bought the hoodie version of the pink sweatshirt I bought earlier this winter.  It is cozy.  You can find it here.

I missed the radio story on this, but read the CBC article online. You may need kleenex to read this, you've been warned.

E is a fan of doing Mr. Napkin Head.  When Dave was away this week so E asked me to take his picture so we could send it to him.

I think E needs some new shorts for this summer, I haven't checked yet, but I would be surprised if he didn't need a few pairs.  I love Old Navy for kids' clothes (and the odd thing for me), like these ones. 

I'm going to a Stella and Dot party next week.  I think I've talked myself into buying the Getaway Bag. 

Happy Friday (or second Friday if you're like me)!

Stranded With...

I decided to try a new link up with Shay and Erika.  It was actually yesterday but since I was writing about book club, I am just joining today.

The photo above explains it all, today's three things are Medicine Cabinet Items.  

The first is easy - Steri-Strips.  These have saved us numerous times from having to take E to the emergency room for stitches.  They close up cuts really nicely.  These would definitely come in handy on a deserted island.

The next is Benadryl Itch Stick.  I guess I am assuming that I am stuck on this deserted island with my family.  If that was the case, poor E gets so bothered by bug bites that he would need this stick.  I guess the better thing would be to bring good bug spray, but I don't keep that in my medicine cabinet so it does not qualify for this exercise. 

And the last is Extra Strength Advil.  I assume we will be working hard to build shelter, constructing rescue signs, and dragging wood around for fire.  I would definitely be sore after all of that work, and my favourite painkiller is Advil.  Also, you can take it and drink alcohol at the same time (not recommended for Tylenol), so if we found some old rum (like in Pirates of the Caribbean), then we would still be safe to drink it and take the Advil.  

Media Wednesday

Story set in Canada. Check.

Historical significance. Check.

Bonus points for a World War II setting.  Check.

Narrative that switches between past and present. Check.

Descriptive writing that elicits emotion.  Check and check.

Our book club selection for this month was Requiem by Frances Itani.  It hit all of the things I look for in a novel and has easily taken first place for books we have read this year, and is in the top five of the books we have read over the years.

The story is that of the Japanese Canadians who were interned during the Second World War after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  I think we all know this happened, but it was still shocking to read how these people were treated, most of them born in Canada with no ties to Japan, other than distant relatives, and how the Canadian government rounded them up and made them live like animals for several years.  It is shameful and although the government has apologized and made reparations, it doesn't seem to even out.  Although this is a work of fiction, the stories are taken from real people.  I actually felt that the stories were told in such a way that they seemed very real and couldn't have been invented.  That's kind of hard to explain but perhaps their simplicity made them seem true, had they been more elaborate, I wouldn't have believed them.  

The story is that of Bin, the youngest of three children, who were sent away from the coast of British Columbia to live in an internment camp.  Bin is older now, and has just lost his wife to a stroke, and decides to take a road trip from his home in Ottawa out west, not quite sure where he is going.  He flips back and forth between his drive, times with wife and young son, and his time in camp and afterwards.  

I found the book to be very emotional and got choked up many times reading it, particularly at the end when I was almost sobbing (not quite, I have sobbed while reading, but this wasn't as extreme).  The times when this happened were always when someone was kind to Bin.  The kindness really stood out to me in place (the camp) where there was a lot of suffering. 

I read Snow Falling on Cedars in university (and saw its terrible movie), and it was a really good read, but this is way better (and Canadian).  Read this book, particularly if you know nothing of how the Japanese were treated in Canada during the war.  It is a worthwhile humbling lesson. 

Weekend Recap

On Friday I went to Scarborough for a work thing that went until 2:00 so I didn't bother going back to the office afterwards and instead came home early and watched a bit of the Masters.  Dave then headed downtown to the Raptors game, and I went to pick up E at school for Bingo Night!  This was a fundraiser put on by the parents' council.  E had never played real bingo before, but he picked it up quickly.  He found some friends that we could sit with and we got started.  

Pizza, cookies, dabbers and cards

I got a Bingo!! Winners with one line got to pick out a small prize and then each card had a big game (X, Full Card, etc.) with a big prize, like Raptor tickets.

E's Bingo excitement!

When we got home, E changed into his pyjamas and we watched a bit of the Blue Jays home opener.

On Saturday morning we went to Lowes, bright and early, to pick out some tile for the basement.  Then made some lunch before we went downtown for the Jays game.  The subway was running shuttle buses between our stop and downtown (about 10 stops), so we decided to park by the St. Clair streetcar and connect to the subway from there.  It worked out pretty well, but it was so cold!! The walk from the subway, in our spring coats, was not fun.  

Bad lighting for me!

Junior Jays Saturday meant face painting, balloon animals and games. 

The Jays lost, but it was a good game.  However baseball games without beer just aren't as fun.  I tried to make up for it with a poutine, it only slightly worked.  

That night, we watched the Masters we had recorded (that should actually read, Dave watched the Masters and I fell asleep at 8:00 on the couch).  

On Sunday, Dave left early for the airport for a work trip.  E and I got up a bit later, had breakfast, got some groceries and then went to church.  In the afternoon one of his friends came over and they had a good time playing together.  

I traced their bodies on the long paper and then they drew in hearts, bones, muscles, and finished off with some clothing.  Such an imagination.  

I asked if I could take E's picture while he was eating:

I finished my evening with the rest of the Masters.  My first choice had been Rory, and then Jason Day, but neither of them could pull off a run.  I would have preferred Jordan Speith to win back to back, I don't like when people I don't know win.  I guess we will all know Danny Willett now.  

Spring Favourites

As I sit here typing this post, I can see the light blanket of snow covering our backyard, with more to come overnight.  I figured now was a good time to talk about my favourite spring things, because I know the warm weather must be right around the corner and we can say goodbye to the snow for awhile.

Cleaning up after winter - including the yard and putting away our boots and coats.  I love a fresh start and it is so satisfying to clear away the winter dirt.

Barbecuing more and eating outside.  We have used the BBQ a few times over the winter, but it is much better when the weather is warmer and we can hang out while cooking instead of hurrying back inside.

Doing something outside after supper.  We don't mind staying up a little later when the sun in still shining.  Going for a bike ride, walking around the block, or doing something in the yard are favourites.

Singing birds.

Quick rain showers.

The first ice cream of the season.

Patio lunches.

Flip flops.

Farmer's Markets.

Always having something to watch on TV because baseball has started again.

Friday Favourites

Linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci for Friday Favourites.

Yesterday I was downtown for a law society program.  I snapped this picture of one of the new favourite tourist attractions.  (This was apparently before they allegedly turned it blue to celebrate the Blue Jays.)

Speaking of the Blue Jays - Home Opener tonight.  We have tickets for Saturday's game.  And we will be wearing our new shirts. (E's is on the left, mine on the right)

I shared this on Facebook last week but it is timely for today's home opener.

I stopped in at anthropologie yesterday too and loved everything in the store, but all I bought was this coffee scented candle as a gift for someone.  It smelled amazing!

Happy Friday!  Go Jays!