Block party!

As I blogged about here, our street planned a block party this year. We held it last night, and it was really, really swell! We had a fantastic turnout (about 40 adults and 15 kids) and  it was a snap to organize (we kept it very simple for our first go at it!)!

Here are the details of what we did:

- We charged $5 per person or $10 a household, which covered hotdogs, hamburgers, potato salad, chips, watermelon, mini-brownies, freezies, juice, and pop (almost all of this was bought a Costco)

- Folks brought their own booze and lawn chairs

- We made name/address stickers for everyone so there weren't any embarassing 'I should know your name but I don't' moments

- We used hardware store 'Caution' tape to quarden off an area of the street (technically we should have had a street permit, but whatev!)

- A few people volunteered to bring a BBQ, music, tables, picnic blankets, chip bowls, trays, water tables for the young kids, and a playpen for the babies

Easy peasy!

New kitchen toy

My newest kitchen toy is an oil sprayer....it sprays your favourite cooking oil like Pam, but is free of all the butane and other chemicals used to create the spray. As well, you end up using much less oil than if you were to pour it out of the bottle.

This was my Mother's Day gift...but don't blame my husband for the unexciting gift; it was exactly what I asked for!

This one is made by Cuisinpro and is available at IQ Living on the Danforth.

Kid row

Yet another baby/kid store has opened on the Danforth. Jet Baby carries the coolest stuff (Beatles and Bob Marley t-shirts included!) and has a 'deal of the day'. Yesterday I scored this great Hatley sun hat for my daughter for $16.99!

Here is a summary of my favourite Danforth stores for babies and kids from West to East:
Ladida (has great stuff for adults too!)
Fab Baby Gear (They also have an Ottawa location)
Jet Baby (they also have an Oakville location)
Treasure Island Toys (Their Crayola construction paper is priced lower than Wal-Mart's!!!)
Silly Goose Kids

We still need something like Moms to be and More, but we're off to a good start!

Fresh From the Farm



Photo from Fresh From the Farm website

 Toronto East-enders take note - Fresh From the Farm is an organic food shop on Donlands between Cosburn and O'Connor. It sells a plethora of organic meats and dairy products, often from Menonite farms, as well as coffee, tea, jams, breads, and fresh produce in the summer.

I must admit that I don't regularly buy organic....I am often unsure how much of the high price tag on organic goods is their true cost versus expensive marketing. But unlike many organic shops, this one is all product and no trendy accoutrements. Their prices are wickedly reasonable and the staff is super knowledgable. 

My first foray into FFTF was upon the recommendation of my friends Kate and Julie for a Christmas turkey - I ordered it by phone and was able to pick it up on Christmas Eve, so it didn't occupy valuable fridge space. Everyone agreed it was among the best turkeys we've ever had. Our Easter ham was equally delectable, as were the burgers we made from FFTF's ground beef.

I am sold on FFTF like a pig in mud! I am going to try their eggs next. Mmmm.

PS: The Leslieville Cheese Shop has opened right across the street....perhaps a foodie corridor is developing!

Poster framing...update

Yesterday, I blogged here about framing a poster that my husband and I bought in Quebec City a few years ago.

To get the poster mounted on foam core and a new mat cut, I headed to the framing store at Pape and Danforth (North East side). I must admit that I've had a bad experience here before. The last time I went, my item took 3 weeks because the owner said he didn't like to work hard any more, as he had worked hard his whole life and now he is focused on relaxing. I am someone who loves to support small business, but admittedly, this had me a little irritated. Nonetheless, I decided to give them another chance yesterday. This time the woman in the shop refused to order a white mat for me since it was a lot of work to order just one mat, and the only colours she had on hand to offer were yellow and green. I'm beginning to think these folks don't actually want to be in business.

So instead I headed to Frame Maker at Jones and Queen E. The gentleman that I worked with was extremely helpful and provided a very fair quote. Done and done. I will pick up my poster and new mat in a few days!

Three local loves

With the weather ripe for long afternoon walks, I wanted to celebrate a few local Danforth area gems:

Maselli's supermarket, between Donlands and Jones
After 50 years in business, Maselli's groceria has everything you'll need from meat to veggies to lentils. Brother Mario visits the food terminal every morning to get the freshest produce, and Mr. Maselli Sr. makes the house proscuitto and sausages. This place is around the corner from our house and I visit almost every day. Their prices on meat and produce are better than most of their larger competitors.  ...and I just love that it is family run.

The Danish Pastry Shop on Pape
It turns out the Danes are experts at more than just modernist furniture. The windows of the Danish Pasty Shop on Pape are always filled with delectible treats, and in the morning you can watch the bakers pulling their latest works or art out of the ovens. This is the perfect place to pick up some sweets for your Valentine's Day celebration! I think I'm going to get some chocolate cupcakes.

Crema Coffee

Crema's newest location has landed on the Danforth. My friend Megan swears they have the best almond croissants east of Calgary, but I am partial to their lattes. The foam is dense and smooth and the temperature is perfect. Starbucks has nothing on these guys. Their Danforth location is adorable with a glass garage-style window that opens up in the summer, and a bright red laquered church bench sits inside, perfect for relaxing on all afternoon with a warm beverage. 

What are your favourite spots?