Toronto

We spent last weekend in Toronto celebrating our anniversary. Here's some random snippets from the trip

My first taste of beet (and ginger, carrot and other things) juice at urban herbivore. It was so tasty! Then again, I have been on a beet kick all year.
Me: It tastes so earthy
Jon: (trying a sip) Yep, just like eating a handful of dirt

•••

It was so windy on Saturday night when we arrived. Windy as in the turning your umbrella inside out kind of windy. We broke one umbrella within 2 minutes of walking.

It was funny to see all of the broken umbrellas littering the street. (this mosaic would have been funnier if I had taken more pictures of the umbrellas I saw)

•••

This cell phone ad was everywhere.

1. I want a dog

2. I want to knit a hat just like this (reminds me of the wurm pattern)

•••

The Distillery District was so cute. We had fun walking into the different little boutiques and getting chocolate croissants at a cute bakery.

This garden store has me totally itching to start setting up our garden for the summer time. I can't wait!

•••

On Monday afternoon we made the requisite journey up to the top of the CN Tower. We are both mildly afraid of heights, but that doesn't stop us from seeing cities from above...we just have to brace ourselves and firmly plant our feet before looking over the edge. :)

I didn't realize that the circular figure in the bottom row of the mosaic is actually a train turn table. I didn't know those things still existed (kind of like my sister didn't know that R.E.M. is a band)

•••

We spent the rest of the weekend exploring the city, shopping and eating. Thanks for all of your great recommendations!

Here's our favorites:

One of a Kind Pasta - lots of great pasta dishes - the veggie fettucine was delicious

Salad King - excellent Thai food. And excellent eavesdropping opportunities as they sit you next to other patrons at long tables. We sat next to two girls having a major 20 minute fight over whether or not Girl #1 was being defensive or not.

Girl #1: Why would you say I'm defensive. What in the world would make you think that? I don't know what you're talking about! I'm not being defensive!

It was classic!

Big Fat Burrito - yummy burritos with lots of great toppings

Manpuku - lots of great japanese noodle dishes

Good Egg - cute cookbook/gadget store with some craft books thrown in. The store basically had every cookbook on my amazon.com wish list (and more) for me to see in person.

Blue Banana Market - lots of fun stuff to browse

Lettuce Knit - adorable luxury yarn shop with lots of fun yarn from indie dyers

Romni Wools - Insanely huge yarn store. So much yarn it was overwhelming!  Jon picked out an Icelandic sweater pattern and Lopi yarn for me to knit a sweater. If we can't make it to Iceland, at least he can wear a sweater and dream of being in Iceland, right?

Things Japanese - cute Japanese boutique close to the University of Toronto

Ten Ren Tea - Jon stocked up on lots of loose tea here

Mountain Equipment Co-op - the Canadian version of REI. Made me want to buy some cross country skis and snow shoes for next winter

•••

We were accosted by the customs officer on our way back into the USA. "Why didn't you go to Chicago for your anniversary?"

Why would we go to Chicago when we could go to Canada and take pictures like these?

I think that answers the question. :)

Comments

[Kelli]

I really want to like beets, but I can't get past the fact that they taste like dirt!

[Courtney]

You should send your broken umbrella pictures to http://broken-umbrellas.blogspot.com

[melissa]

it looks like you had a fantastic time!
and you're right - why go to chicago? i would doubt they have *any* animals dressed as mounties!

[rosamaria]

great photos!! looks like you had great time there!!

[~Michelle~]

Sounds so fun!

[Audrie]

Your sister didn't know R.E.M. was a band?!?! Was she unconscious during the 90s!? Haha!

There's this place in Australia I always got a beet juice mix (sounds like the mix is a lot like what you got) and my husband thinks it's the most disgusting thing. Weirdo.

[Jamie]

Looks like a blast! You two should come a visit me in Texas, and I can show you the wild west! :)

[Allie]

Ah makes me nostalgic for Toronto!!! I can't believe the customs officials asked you that - CHICAGO????? Instead of TORONTO???? Puh-leeze.
They gave us a hard time when we bought my sewing machines - two exactly the same - treated us like smugglers, lol. Even searched our car with the dogs!

[Stephanie]

Looks like a great time!!! I love your new header, great color. And I'm still in shock that your sister didn't know R.E.M. was a band. That's just crazy talk :)

[Jodi]

Great pictures....I didn't know that train turn-arounds were around any more either, but then I'm a country bumpkin and never travel by train.

I love the garden shop....It does get you in the mood.

And get yourself a dog....They're the best friend you could ever have (except for the husband, of course).

[CitricSugar]

Looks like you had a great time! Hope my nation treated you well...

PS - pictures of yourself with animals dressed as mounties are ALWAYS worth a trip to Canada. :-)

[kristyn]

love all your photos! looks like you had one awesome anniversary trip!! they have a train turn around at Greenfield Village... ever visited?

[Anne]

Gorgeous pictures! Makes me want to visit there. Happy Anniversary!

ps I like beets, too! Have you ever had roasted beets in a salad with some goat cheese and candied walnuts? Yummy!

[cmv]

looks like you had an incredible time! what fun pictures!
i can't wait to see your version of that hat!

[cami]

wow, happy anniversary to you guys! It looks like you had an amazing trip.

[jacquie]

happy anniversary! you guys always do the best trips.

[Wendy]

Like Chicago couldn't come up with goofy photo ops! Please ;)

Looks like a great trip even if you did head north...

[Lisa]

Happy Anniversary! Looks like you had a great weekend!

[Penny]

how fun Rebekah! You got some great photos, looks like you had a wonderful time!

[Oiyi]

Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun!

When I saw the pic of the dog with the hat, I immediately thought of the Wurm hat!

[jessica]

I don't live all that far from Toronto (well just across the lake!) and I love it so! It probably is one of my favorite places to visit--there are so many fun things to do. It looks like you guys had a great time!

[Jessica C]

You're making me envious of your lovely trip. Looks like you had a lot of fun, handful of dirt notwithstanding. = )

[Sew Create It - Jane]

You can't beat the Canadians (even if I say so myself)

Sounds like a great trip!

[sew katie did]

i love Toronto! I also love carrot beet apple juice. You can leave out the ginger, I only heart that in stir-fry!

[erica]

Happy belated anniversary! Toronto looks like fun, I haven't been there since I was a kid....I'd love to go again! I laughed so hard at your bit about the customs officer, that is hilarious!

[Tong]

I'm so glad you had a great time in Toronto! It's too bad the weather wasn't very nice that weekend, the one before and the one after were both gorgeous... The train turn table you saw at the foot of the CN tower is actually now a furniture store. My boyfriend and I visited it last year when it first opened. They have kept all the original structures and even the flooring of the old building, and will be restoring it back to what it was like before if and when their lease is done. It's quite neat!

[underground hypnosis]

! You got some great photos, looks like you had a wonderful time!

[finger thumb]

wohoooo! way to rock the city. You hit many of my faves, and have given me a few new ideas to check out. Thanks for visiting!