Sea Jewels & Wimbledon Update #7

"Sea Jewels" Treat!

It’s almost Canada Day and I am back at Grand Bend for the weekend festivities! It’s a great chance to lie on the beach, soak up some rays, relax, and have cookouts and bonfires! (Yes, I will be making smores while watching the fireworks on the beach)! However, I will be making a trip into town to see one of my favorite stores in Grand Bend… Sea Jewels!

Most of my artwork at home comes from Sea Jewels. One of my favorite finds from Sea Jewels, is a large African mask wheel that takes up an entire wall- (it’s all hand carved out of a giant piece of wood). They make the most interesting jewelry, home decor, accessories, and clothing. Everything is shipped from overseas and they always have a great selection of masks, mirrors, and vases. And if you’re into burning a lot of incense (as I do), you can stock up on your Nag Champa! If you are in town, look for the store with the giant Buddha out front- and you know you are at Sea Jewels! I tell you one thing; it’s a store you will never leave empty handed! 

Wimbledon Update #7

Another great day for tennis! Sharapova pulled out a win over Lisicki 6-4, 6-3. I’m happy to see her in the final. Sharapova will play Kvitova tomorrow who defeated Asarenka in 3 sets 6-1, (3-6), 6-2. Tomorrow we will get to watch Nadal play British hopeful Murray and Tsonga play Djokovic. I predict that Tsonga may just get into the final- but we will have to wait and see! 

Image Source: http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/buddha-face-wall-hanging-wood , http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/photos/2011-06-30/201106301309449822071.html

Toronto Jazz Festival & Wimbledon Update #6

Jazzy Treats!

If you enjoy listening to the cool sounds of jazz- this week in Toronto is for you! Everyday/night this week you can find ticketed and free venues to satisfy any jazz craving you may have. According to Downtown Toronto Jazz, the Festival attracts, “in excess of 500,000 loyal patrons annually over 10 days. Attractions include more than 350 performances with over 1,500 musicians performing at approximately 40 locations around Toronto”. Many of the events are free of charge so it’s an easy bet to find a great location near you! Looking at the schedule of events leading into the weekend- there are many musicians that I would like to hear. Musicians that are playing this week (that makes me feel at home) are Philly’s own, The Roots- now I know they will put on a great show!

Wimbledon Update #6

Were you watching the match between Federer and Tsonga? Tsonga came out with the win in 5 sets! What a match!! Nadal and Fish will be underway soon, and I think that will be an epic battle between them. (I would love to see Murray vs. Fish in the Semi’s)! Djokovic squeezed out the win against Tomic today, but for a minute there, I thought he was going to loose his ground! Many more points to play, but the Quarter Final matches are off to a great start!

Image Source: http://diakidirena.blogspot.com/2010/09/100-great-jazz-songs-of-all-time.html, http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/photos/2011-06-29/201106291309356856873.html

The CN Tower & Wimbledon Update #5

“Fear of Heights”

I’m in Toronto and one of the most recognizable structures in the skyline is the CN Tower. According to Toronto Place, The CN Tower “is the world's tallest building as well as Canada's most recognizable icon. At a height of 1,815 ft., 5 inches, the tower is the centre of tourism in Toronto”. I’m just going to throw it out there now- I will not be going anytime soon, because I’m afraid of heights! This ominous looking tower is a reminder to me that potentially one day I will overcome this fear and look out from the top of the structure. Well, maybe.

Two features that I would be very scared to try would be the glass floor and the “Edge Walk”. The glass floor is located at the top of the structure and you can literally see all the way down to the ground when standing upon it. I could never do that! If you are reading this and have already been up this tower- I am quite impressed! The second heart stopping new feature to the CN tower is the “Edge Walk”. It is the first of it’s kind in all of North America, but you can purchase tickets to literally walk around the outside of the tower (via a trolley and harness system)! Just thinking about this makes me nauseous! I’m sure that if you are a thrill seeker this is the perfect opportunity for you. For people that are just trying to look out the window from the top without freaking out (like me) this sounds crazy! If I can gather enough courage, one day CN Tower, I will face my fear of heights and get to the top.

Wimbledon Update #5

Wimbledon is starting out to be an epic day (ladies Quarter Finals). Lisicki and Bartoli battled it out in a 3 set match but Lisicki came out with the win 6-4, (7-6), 6-1. Upcoming matches today include Sharapova and Pironkova as well. If you are interested in doubles, it’s great to see Lisa Raymond still competing in doubles. (I have met her and her family multiple times since I was early teens playing tennis). She knows the game and is playing Wimbledon in mixed doubles with Dick Norman (BEL). Good for you Lisa! 

Image Source: http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/log/20110628.html

I’m back in Canada- Great Weekend Eh?!

 

Canoe

Where do I start?! Thursday night I had an amazing evening with the NHL officiating department at Oliver & Bonacini Restaurant, Canoe. If you are looking for a space for a private event, I highly suggest you check out the O&B restaurants. It was an evening filled with wonderful stories from the league (from the officiating team), laughter and exquisite food. I was also able to dine with the NHL's Senior VP and Director of Officiating, Terry Gregson, and I must say he is delightful!

Family Treats!

DK, Me and GK! 

On Friday, I flew back to the US for my cousin’s wedding! The ceremony was held at Musket Ridge golf course with an outdoor ceremony that took my breath away. Reverend DK held an amazing ceremony that had the family smiling, laughing and tearing up at perfect moments. Music was played by a classical guitarist- but when you can incorporate The Beatles music into the mix- you know the evening was off to a great night. The food was delish and the atmosphere was filled with the love of (bride and groom)- Casey and Greg. To top off a great night, the ceremony ended with a 20-minute firework show that not only took us by surprise, but also was the perfect ending to a perfect day. The family wasn’t about to stop there- so we ended up taking the 3 family buses back to Casey’s Bar where we stayed until the early morning.

Wimbledon Update #5

 Pironkova

If you have been keeping up with Wimbledon- today has been filled with upsets! Fish is the only remaining American in the mix, as the Williams sisters are officially out of the tournament. Pironkova had an amazing match (above) winning 6-2, 6-3 over Venus Williams. Federer and Nadal are still playing at his point, but it’s such a great day to watch all the remaining matches! 

Image Source: http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/photos/2011-06-27/201106271309186562312.html , http://www.oliverbonacini.com/Gallery.aspx

Funny Money & Wimbledon Update #4!

“Plastic Bills” New Treat

I have gotten used to using the very colorful paper bills and coins (for Canadian currency) over the years I have been visiting here. However, using it everyday I have gotten used to paying with “loonies” and "toonies" (two loonies) for things like my coffee each morning. The term "loonie" was adapted after the loon that was seen on the original dollar bill! I must mention here that I have yet to see a loon- but I am on the lookout for one! 

I have acquired a lot of change the past few weeks in which I deposit into a dish by the door. The nice thing about the “change dish” is that eventually you realize that you may have $12 sitting there in change without realizing it! Yeah! I know I’ve said it before, but it really does feel like I took out the Monopoly board game money when I open my wallet to the colorful array of purple, blue and green bills. But looking at all the same green currency of US money I really do like the different colors!


It seems as though I will have to get used to another change in currency here as the Canadian Government is going to switch to plastic bills next year (to replace the paper money) I have just become accustomed to! Just another new "Canadian thing" for this girl to get used to!

Wimbledon Update #4

Time for another update from Wimbledon! The Americans are falling off the draw as we only have a few left in this tournament. S. Williams pulled through this morning with a win against Halep in straight sets (3-6), 6-2, 6-1. The young hopeful with McHale (USA) lost in straight sets against Paszek (AUT) (4-6), (1-6). However, there is still hope for S. & V. Williams, Harrison, Isner and Roddick. If you're inclined to keep an eye on doubles matches, today is also jammed packed with first round matches. Another great day for tennis (I hope the rain holds out)! 

Image Source: http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/photos/2011-06-23/201106231308834106799.html,http://www.revnyou.com/Making_Money_in_Real_Estate_is_as_Easy_as_1-2-3.html

Weather in Toronto & Wimbledon Update #3

 “Unpredictable, Random T-Storms” Rainy Treat

I have noticed the weather in Toronto is often unpredictable, random, and rolls off the lake engulfing the city. There have been many times that I woke up in the middle of the night to thunderous lightening and heavy rain- often jolting me awake. However, just as the rain starts to pour down in the city, the sun often shows itself within 10-15 minutes. It’s a very new concept for me to have the lake effect take place around me, but each time I look out my window anticipating the dark cloud and lightening coming my way. I have a feeling that when it’s winter- I will be updating this blog about the heavy snow that randomly comes to Toronto too! Check out my picture above about the storm that rolled in- you can literally see the darkness taking over! 

Wimbledon Update #3

It was a great match for Venus Williams who defeated Date-Krumm. The real story was the fact that Date-Krumm came back to Wimbledon at the age of 41 after over a decade being out of the game! The last time she played Wimbledon was in 1989 and 36 of the women currently in this championship today were not even born yet! She played an amazing match and had a feel of an old school grass court game by consistently serving and volleying (which is by no means an easy feat vs. Williams). Venus ended up winning, 6-7, 6-3, 8-6.

Sad news for Canadian Raonic today- he obtained an injury that left Muller with the win as he retired from the match after slipping on the grass.  However, Rebecca Marino can still pull out a win for the Canadians as she is playing Roberta Vinci (ITA) now. As I’m following the Americans in this tournament it was a great win for Fish to pull out his match vs. Istomin. Roddick and Isner are also going to play today so we will have to see if they can come through this round with an easy win. I would love to see McHale, (but due to the rain and re-scheduling), it seems as though she has been canceled today and hopefully will play tomorrow. It’s a great day for tennis lovers! 

Image Source: http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/photos/2011-06-22/201106221308746775652.html

O&B Canteen and Wimbledon Update!

"OB Canteen" New Treat!

Last night I was at the entertainment district in Toronto at a delicious restaurant called, Oliver & Bonacini Canteen (located in the TIFF Bell Lightbox). If you want a fresh market café and bakery as well as a space for delicious menu items, I highly recommend this restaurant! For a Monday night it was full of people, and I must say the food was delish! 

Wimbledon Update #2

This week I am also following Wimbledon (I hope you have read my blog update from yesterday!) and day two is jammed packed with amazing matches. First of all, it’s great to see S. Williams (USA) who played today in an emotional first round win against Rezai (FRA). I was hoping that she would come back (after being off an entire year due to some major health issues) with a win at Wimbledon. The other American with a good match today was Roddick who played Beck and breezed through the first round. (His serve was on fire)! Currently, Isner and Mahut are playing again in this much-anticipated match (as they had the longest match in tennis history last year at Wimbledon) but I’m wondering if they will finish it entirely today! Tennis fans will just have to wait. 

Image Sources: http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/photos/2011-06-21/201106211308659951881.html , http://www.oliverbonacini.com/OurRestaurants/Canteen/Gallery.aspx