One Of A Kind Christmas Show

It's that time of year again folks! Time for the One Of A Kind Christmas Show!

The show is on now until Sunday December 4th at the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place in Toronto. As usual there are many wonderful vendors this year. It's great place to do some Christmas Shopping for more unique gifts.

Here is a peak at few booths that I enjoyed. There were so many talented vendors it was hard to pick just a few to feature.

Wired and Wonderful, booth W-46

Wire Jewellery

I loved her colourful wire jewelery. Made from cooper wire and coated with Hypoallergenic colour that will not fade.

Danielle Hession, Booth K-53

Mixed Media & Custom art

Danielle's work is so whimsical, made of old photographs, fabric, paper and what ever else comes her way. Absolutely gorgeous. I just love the candy colours.

Kelly Grace, Booth K-05

Acrylic Paintings.

I have long been an admirer of Kelly's paintings. I love the quality of light in her street scene paintings. Such a talented artist.

Michaud Toys, Booth F-30

Wooden Games

These wooden games made me nostalgic for my youth. Who doesn't enjoy a good game of Crokinole or Chinese Checkers. The wooden games are made from Sustainable Canadian Hardwood with an organic and food safe finish. I thought these would make a great gift for a family or the cottage.

Monster Factory, Booth E-06

Handmade Plush Toys

These characters are adorable and each comes with their own name and personality. I couldn't resist spending time in the booth.

Tresnormale for normal people, Booth A-49

Urban t-shirts

I just love these graphic t-shirts of iconic Toronto architecture in street scenes. Very Toronto.

Page Quilts, Booth Y-51

Handmade Quilts

I love the colourful hand made quilts and tea cozies by my talented neighbour Valarie Page. Stop by to see her handiwork in person at Booth Y-51

Hopefully you get a chance to check out the One Of A Kind Christmas Show and Sale this year. And remember to get your Free re-admission Pass when you leave. You can always come back another day to purchase more goods.

AGO: Abstract Expressionist New York

Last week we checked out the Abstract Expressionist New York show at the Art Gallery of Ontario. The show was excellent! Our favourite painting was by Lee Krasner, who was Jackson Pollocks partner. Another favourite is always Mark Rothko.

Today and tomorrow are the last days of the show!

Have a great labour Day Weekend Every one!

We have some major renovations planned this weekend and into next week. It's our biggest DIY yet. Funny thing is it wasn't even on the list but because of ongoing problems we were left with no choice but to renovate. Details coming up soon!

Sky's the Limits

Every evening we have been biking in Tommy Thompson Park (Otherwise known as the Leslie Spit). Most of the time we feel like we are the last to people left on earth. It truly is like being in the country.

We always catch a sunset glance back at the city.

Good Bye Jack

Last Friday we paid a visit to the Toronto City Hall to to see the tribute and say goodbye to our MP Jack Layton. I'm glad we went as it was a very interesting experience. On Saturday we watched the complete funeral service.

RIP Jack. So sad to see you go!

The Dog Days of Summer

We've been really busy enjoying the last few days of summer. A few of the activities we have been up to:

• Biking on Toronto Island
• Niagara-on-the-Lake bicycle winery tour
• AGO- Abstract Expressionist show
• Visiting the tribute to Jack Layton at City Hall
• Sailing on the Bay of Quinte

While I work on posts please enjoy this little guy with attitude that we met at the Starbucks last week. Even his outfit has attitude!

Jack Layton

Yesterday, Jack Layton succumbed to his battle with cancer. This news is hitting the Canadians hard and I am no exception. After all, we are in Jack's riding and had the opportunity to vote for him personally.

image via Blog TO

Jack was the Leader of the Opposition (first time ever for the NDP).

Jack was a fighter and never gave up.

Jack was hopeful and optimistic and looking to make change in this country.

Jack was Canada's most charismatic politician. Agree with his politics or not I can't think of anything bad to say about him.

Jack's contribution to this city, province and country have been significant and a lifelong work.

Jack was 61 and a husband, father and grandfather.

A state funeral will be held on Saturday here in Toronto.

He left Canadians with this heartfelt letter and his closing words are so inspirational. I have already seen a few different versions of the posters.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

The Posters above of Jack's Words are from Stuart Thursby and high resolution printable versions can be downloaded here.

More info on his life and contributions:

-CBC

-The Globe and Mail

-The Toronto Star

-The National Post

The Real Castlefield

We live on Castlefield Avenue, hence the clever name of our blog. I stumbled on a brief history of our street months ago, and did a little more research earlier this week, so I thought I would share.

James Hervey Price was one of the leading pioneers of North Toronto, opening up the first law offices in what is now Toronto. He owned two large tracts of land, including one that ran through from Yonge Street to Bathurst Street. Around 1830, he built a large estate on this land called "Castlefield" (see undated photo below). Price then loaned large sums of money to William Lyon Mackenzie (Toronto's first mayor) during the Upper Canada rebellion, forcing him to sell Castlefield in 1842. Castlefield was sold again for $16,000 in 1883, was torn down in 1918, and is now the site of Castlefield Community Church. There is quite a bit of Toronto history linked to Castlefield (e.g. Mackenzie actually hid from government troops in a large cradle in Castlefield, protected by a cook with a rolling pin daring the troops to "wake the baby"), but I won't get too long-winded as this isn't really a history blog. And that is how our street got its name!

The source for most of this information was Tales of North Toronto, Volumes 1 & 2, by Lyman B. Jackes. Photo courtesy of Toronto Public Library.