Happy Halloween!!

Trick or Treat!!

I want to wish anyone reading this blog a safe and happy Halloween! It looks like it’s going to be a great night for trick or treating here in Toronto. One thing that was unique for me to see this past weekend were the different stores around Queen Street handing out candy to kids in costume! We have had some sunny and warm fall days in T.O so it was a fantastic weekend to get out there and enjoy the holiday. 

If you are not trick or treating tonight there are many events to attend around town. My pick for the night would be to head to the Lower Ossington Theatre and see the Rocky Horror Show! As their website states, “Let’s do the time warp again”! Tickets are between $20-30 and I have seen many going to the theater this week dressed as a character from the show. The Rocky Horror Show is a story that tells the tale of newly engaged couple, Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, who discover a group of strange and outlandish people who are holding an Annual Transylvanian Convention.

Happy Halloween!

Image Source: http://usafeast.com/halloween-decorations/, http://www.lowerossingtontheatre.com/

9th Annual "Zombie Walk"!

 Toronto Streets were filled with Zombies!

 Zombie Guy

"Zombie" Treat!

This past weekend, the streets of Toronto were like a scene from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video! The 9th Annual “Zombie Walk” was in full force, and it was my first time seeing anything like this in my life. This is an event where people (dressed in full zombie costume and make-up) literally walked like zombies through the streets of Toronto. I couldn’t believe it! This annual event has around 6,000 zombie participants and it’s quite a sight to see! I even got to see families all dressed as the dead, fully enjoying themselves with the face painting, prizes and all the festivities this event had to offer. There was even a real zombie wedding!

When the sun started to set over the city the “dead” still had plenty of activities to participate in. The entertainment was hosted by, The Toronto After Dark Film Festival. The Toronto Underground Cinema, held a zombie double bill with films “Deadhead” and “War of the Dead”. Post film festivities had DJ Eric Von Eric spin at the frightful after party. If you are ever visiting Toronto in October- this is an event that will be quite the “Scary” Treat! 

Image Source:  http://mute.rigent.com/index.php?ladat=2009-09-16

St. Lawrence Market

 St. Lawrence Market, Old Town Toronto

"Market" Treat!

Yesterday I visited the St. Lawrence Market located in old town Toronto. It was wonderful to walk around and see over 100 venders selling everything from fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, seafood, clothing and jewelry. It’s a great spot to grab a bite to eat as well, as many vendors offered deli sandwiches, wraps, baked goods, soups and salads. Yum!

There are three different venues within the market. There is the North Market that hosts large social gatherings and serves as the "Sunday Antique Market" with over 80 dealers. The South Market was originally the building that was Toronto’s first city hall! This is where over 50 vendors display everything from food to jewelry. If you are an aspiring chef the South Market has the Market Kitchen, which is a real cooking school and event venue!

If you are in the mood for a "historic treat" within the market then make sure you stop by St. Lawrence Hall, built in 1850 to serve as the City’s public meeting space. I did not get to see this venue up close but I am going to try and get there soon. I love learning about the history behind these venues in Toronto!

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Canadian Thanksgiving Treat!

Today is my first "official" Canadian Thanksgiving! It was a beautiful day filled with sunshine, breathtaking fall foliage and delicious food! Normally, I am used to American Thanksgiving in November- but I must say, I enjoy celebrating this holiday in October! It's nice to have a holiday just as the weather starts to change and you start to smell the first hint of fall. The best part about living in Canada is that I'll be able to celebrate two "official" Thanksgivings a year too!

I might as well reference a brief history of Canadian Thanksgiving for all my American friends reading this blog. After reading up on the internet I found a nice piece from twilightbridge. Below is a history of this holiday from their post:

“In Canada Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike the American tradition of remembering Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States due to the simple fact that Canada is further north.

At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, also held huge feasts of thanks. They even formed 'The Order of Good Cheer' and gladly shared their food with their Indian neighbours.

After the Seven Year's War ended in 1763, the citizens of Halifax held a special day of Thanksgiving. During the American Revolution, Americans who remained loyal to England moved to Canada where they brought the customs and practices of the American Thanksgiving to Canada. There are many similarities between the two Thanksgivings such as the cornucopia and the pumpkin pie.

Eventually in 1879, Parliament declared November 6th a day of Thanksgiving and a national holiday. Over the years many dates were used for Thanksgiving, the most popular was the 3rd Monday in October. After World War I, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were celebrated on the Monday of the week in which November 11th occurred. Ten years later, in 1931, the two days became separate holidays and Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day.

Finally, on January 31st, 1957, Parliament proclaimed,  “A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed…to be observed on the 2^nd Monday in October.”

For all of our friends and family in Canada- hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Source: http://www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festivals/thanksgiving/canada/

Country Strong Wedding

 Hullet Wildlife Conservation Area

 Yes- that is me on a horse (after attending the wedding)!

"Country Wedding" Treat!

This past weekend I went to my first Canadian “country” wedding! I’m specifically referring to the location- as it was held at the Hullet Wildlife Conservation Area. The scenic views where the vows took place were quite lovely to see. The theme of the wedding was to embrace the farmland around the conservation area and the beauty of nature all around us. One of the unique aspects of this wedding was our seats- we were literally sitting on bails of hay! For me- this was a new experience to see at a wedding but it intertwined with the theme seamlessly.

As you can see above- after the wedding there were a group of horses (as people were getting ready to camp in the area) and I wanted to take a picture of them. I don’t normally get to see a bunch of horses together so when I asked to take a picture I got quite the surprise: I was asked to get on the horse! After almost two decades of ever getting on a horse (I had a terrible accident on a horse when I was little) I did it! It was exhilarating to be propped up on the saddle again and I got a few cheers from the other riders on horseback. To the shock of the others in attendance- it became a fun spectacle of myself (dressed up for a wedding) getting up on a horse for the first time. (I got a few remarks of being a city girl). J What a great way to cap of a beautiful ceremony! Where else would I be able to do this other than this country wedding?! This is a first for me here in Canada!