Liberty Soho, Toronto, ON

Gord and I checked out Liberty Soho in Liberty Village this evening for supper… it opened about a month ago. 

I ordered a Halifax Donair (house made donair [pork, veal, beef)], Halifax donair sauce, tomato, warm pita). It was good … a bit peppery, though. There was a donair sauce on the side which was handy because there wasn’t enough on the donair. 

Downtown Winery, Toronto, ON

After our massages, Gord and I stopped in at Downtown Winery (Ossington/Queen W) and enjoyed some happy hour $5 Riesling.

It was nice to see Aimee and Amy!

Laya Spa & Yoga, Toronto, ON

For our birthdays, Gord and I don't buy each other anything ... instead we treat each other to a massage. Today is Gord's birthday and we went for 90 minute massages at Laya Spa & Yoga (Queen W/Ossington).

Isabella was Gord's massage therapist and Lynn was mine ... here's the room I was in with Lynn.

We both had amazing massages and felt great afterwards!

Happy birthday, Gord!

Wishing my husband, Gord, a very happy birthday!

Madison Avenue Pub, Toronto, ON

I had supper today at the Madison (on Madison Avenue just north of Bloor Street W). It’s been years since I’ve been there … I was in the ‘hood. 

I was craving wings so that’s what I ordered … a large order (there were 13 wings) with medium sauce. The wings were good but at a cost of $25, I don't think they were worth it as most were small.

Lauren was friendly and helpful … thanks, Lauren!

Happy birthday, Muffin!

Happy 6th birthday to my girl, Muffin!

Book ~ "Oscar" (2013) Ellen Miles

From Goodreads ~ Charles and Lizzie Peterson love puppies. Their family fosters these young dogs, giving them love and proper care, until they can find the perfect forever home.

When Lizzie gets a phone call from Aunt Amanda about Oscar, a schnauzer, she wants to help. But this puppy has trouble getting along with other dogs. Will Lizzie be able to find this pup a friend?

Lizzie and her younger brother, Charles, are in elementary school. The Peterson family have a puppy named Buddy plus they foster dogs and help them find homes.

Lizzie gets a call from her aunt, who runs a doggy daycare, that she needs help with Oscar, a fun and friendly schnauzer puppy. In Oscar's home, there is an older dog and Oscar doesn't get along with him and is aggressive towards him. The family makes the tough decision to let the Petersons foster Oscar and find him a more suitable home. Lizzie and her friend have a dog walking service and when Lizzie discovers that Oscar gets along with their client, Ginger, an old dog, she takes him with her when she walks Ginger and his company adds some pep to Ginger.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There is a learning experience and a puppy tip at the end. It is written in third person perspective and first person from Oscar's point of view. It is the thirtieth in the Puppy Place series, which currently has 66 books in the series, and works as a stand alone.

Book ~ "Just the Nicest Couple" (2023) Mary Kubica

From Goodreads ~ Two couples, two close friends, one missing husband ...

Jake Hayes is missing. This much is certain. At first, his wife, Nina, thinks he is blowing off steam at a friend’s house after their heated fight the night before. But then a day goes by. Two days. Five. And Jake is still nowhere to be found.

Lily Scott, Nina’s friend and coworker, thinks she may have been the last to see Jake before he went missing. After Lily confesses everything to her husband, Christian, the two decide that nobody can find out what happened leading up to Jake’s disappearance, especially not Nina. But Nina is out there looking for her husband and she won’t stop until the truth is discovered.

Nina and Jake are married ... she's a high school teacher and he's an arrogant rich surgeon. One night they a have a big fight and one of his issues is that he's jealous of the time she is spending so much time with her mother, who isn't well. He leaves for work and doesn't come home again. Nina assumes he's cooling off somewhere but as the days become weeks, she gets concerned that something has happened to him or he has left her for good.

Lily and Christian are a younger married couple who has just discovered they are pregnant, which is a big deal because they have had many miscarriages. Lily is also a teacher at the same high school as Nina and they are friends. Lily is trying to be a good friend to Nina during this time but she may have been the last person to have seen Jake and may be the reason he hasn't returned home. Christian is very protective and supportive of Lily and is willing to do whatever he has to to protect her and their unborn child.

I found this book slow and hard to plod through. I didn't find the characters likeable or interesting so didn't really care about them. I kept reading it because I wanted to know what happened to Jake. It's written in first person perspective in Nina and Christian's voices (the chapters are labeled). I saw the ending coming and found it lame. There was a weird side story with a colleague that wasn't needed. As a head's up, there is violence and swearing.

Downtown Winery, Toronto, ON

After our walk, Gord and I dropped off our car at home and walked to Downtown Winery (Ossington/Queen W).

We shared a lovely bottle of Torrontés (juicy peach • lychee • white flowers). So nice to see Amy!

Martin Goodman Trail, Toronto, ON

It was a sunny afternoon with a bit of a chill in the air. Gord and I drove to Budapest Park and parked and went for a walk along the Martin Goodman Trail. There were lots of people out and about with the same idea.

It was a nice surprise to run into Sylvia ... before COVID,
we did her awesome aromatherapy restorative yoga practices

Men's knitted dorm boots

I just finished knitting him a pair of dorm boots (I used super bulky yarn and 6.5mm needles).

Abbreviations:

• k = knit
• p = purl
• yo = yarn over sl-1 = slip one
• PSSO = pass slipped stitch over
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• WS = wrong side
• RS = right side
• PM = place marker
• Rep = repeat

Men's sizes:
Sm (8-9), M (9.5-10.5), Lg (11-12), XL (13)

Starting with sole:

• Cast on 52(55, 57, 59) stitches.
• Row 1: Knit.
• Row 2: K1, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k2(3,3,3), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k1. [56(59,61,63) sts]
• Row 3 and all odd rows: Knit. *knit the yo’s through the back of the loop. 
• Row 4: K2, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k4(5,5,5), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k2. [60(63,65,67)sts]
• Row 6: K3, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k6(7,7,7), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k3. [64(67,69,71)sts]
• Row 8: K4, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k8(9,9,9), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k4. [68(71,73,75) sts]
• Row 10: K5, yo, K24(25,26,27), yo, k10(11,11,11), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k5. [72(75,77,79)sts]
• Row 12: Size Sm ONLY: K6, yo, k(24), yo, k6, yo, k6, yo, (k24), yo, k6. [77 sts]
• Row 12: Size M ONLY: K6, yo, k32, yo, k31, yo, k6. [78 sts]
• Row 12: Size L ONLY: K6, yo, k to last 6 sts, yo, k6. [79 sts]
• Row 12: Size XL ONLY: K39, yo, k40. [80 sts]
• Row 13: Knit (knit any yo's through the back of the loop)

Foot

• Row 1: Knit
• Row 2: (WS) P34(34,34,34,), PM, p9(10,11,12), PM, p34(34,34,34,).
• Row 3: K27(27,27,27), ssk 2x, k3tog, k9(10,11,12), sl-1, k2tog, psso, k2tog 2x, k27(27,27,27). [69(70,71,72) sts)
• Row 4: Purl
• Row 5: K23(23,23,23), ssk 2x, k3tog, k9(10,11,12), sl-1, k2tog, psso, k2tog 2x, k23(23,23,23). [61(62,63,64)sts]
• Row 6: Purl
• Row 7: K35(36,37,38), ssk, turn. [60(61,62,63) sts]
• Row 8: Sl-1, p9(10,11,12), p2tog, turn. [59(60,61,62) sts]
• Row 9: Sl-1, k9(10,11,12), ssk, turn. [58(59,60,61) sts]
• Row 10: Sl-1, p9(10,11,12), p2tog, turn. [57(58,59,60) sts]
• Rows 11-26: Repeat rows 9 and 10. [41(42,43,44) sts]
• Row 27: (RS) Sl-1, k9(10,11,12), ssk, DON’T TURN, k14(14,14,14). [40(41,42,43) sts]
• Row 28: P24(25,26,27), p2tog, p14(14,14,14). [39(40,41,42) sts]
• Row 29: Size S/M ONLY: (Removing markers as you come to them) Knit. Now proceed to row 32.
• Row 29: Size L/XL ONLY: (Removing markers as you come to them) Knit.
• Row 30: Size L/XL ONLY: Purl
• Row 31: Size L/XL ONLY: Knit
• Row 32: P1, p2tog, p2tog, p across to last 5 sts, p2tog, p2tog, p1. [35(36,37,38) sts]
• Row 33: Knit
• Row 34: Purl
• Rows 35-36: Rep rows 33 and 34 once more.

Ribbed Cuff

• Row 37: Sizes S/L ONLY: [k1,p1] 8(-,8,-)x more, k2tog, p1, [k1,p1] to end. [34(-,36,-) sts]
• Row 37: Size M/XL ONLY: [k1, p1] to end.
• Rows 38-45: Work 8 rows of 1x1 rib.

Bind off loosely.

I turned the slippers inside out and sewed the seams. Weave in loose ends.

Souvlaki Place, Etobicoke, ON

I was craving Greek food and had lunch at Souvlaki Place on the Queensway (east of Kipling) today.

I ordered a chicken souvlaki dinner (minus the salad) and it was very good.

Robert was really friendly.

Men's knitted dorm boots

Gord likes wearing slippers and I’ve knitted him a few pairs over the last couple of years. 

He asked me to make him more so I just finished knitting him a pair of dorm boots (I used bulky yarn and 6.5mm needles).

Abbreviations:

• k = knit
• p = purl
• yo = yarn over sl-1 = slip one
• PSSO = pass slipped stitch over
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• WS = wrong side
• RS = right side
• PM = place marker
• Rep = repeat

Men's sizes:
Sm (8-9), M (9.5-10.5), Lg (11-12), XL (13)

Starting with sole:

• Cast on 52(55, 57, 59) stitches.
• Row 1: Knit.
• Row 2: K1, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k2(3,3,3), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k1. [56(59,61,63) sts]
• Row 3 and all odd rows: Knit. *knit the yo’s through the back of the loop. 
• Row 4: K2, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k4(5,5,5), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k2. [60(63,65,67)sts]
• Row 6: K3, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k6(7,7,7), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k3. [64(67,69,71)sts]
• Row 8: K4, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k8(9,9,9), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k4. [68(71,73,75) sts]
• Row 10: K5, yo, K24(25,26,27), yo, k10(11,11,11), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k5. [72(75,77,79)sts]
• Row 12: Size Sm ONLY: K6, yo, k(24), yo, k6, yo, k6, yo, (k24), yo, k6. [77 sts]
• Row 12: Size M ONLY: K6, yo, k32, yo, k31, yo, k6. [78 sts]
• Row 12: Size L ONLY: K6, yo, k to last 6 sts, yo, k6. [79 sts]
• Row 12: Size XL ONLY: K39, yo, k40. [80 sts]
• Row 13: Knit (knit any yo's through the back of the loop)

Foot

• Row 1: Knit
• Row 2: (WS) P34(34,34,34,), PM, p9(10,11,12), PM, p34(34,34,34,).
• Row 3: K27(27,27,27), ssk 2x, k3tog, k9(10,11,12), sl-1, k2tog, psso, k2tog 2x, k27(27,27,27). [69(70,71,72) sts)
• Row 4: Purl
• Row 5: K23(23,23,23), ssk 2x, k3tog, k9(10,11,12), sl-1, k2tog, psso, k2tog 2x, k23(23,23,23). [61(62,63,64)sts]
• Row 6: Purl
• Row 7: K35(36,37,38), ssk, turn. [60(61,62,63) sts]
• Row 8: Sl-1, p9(10,11,12), p2tog, turn. [59(60,61,62) sts]
• Row 9: Sl-1, k9(10,11,12), ssk, turn. [58(59,60,61) sts]
• Row 10: Sl-1, p9(10,11,12), p2tog, turn. [57(58,59,60) sts]
• Rows 11-26: Repeat rows 9 and 10. [41(42,43,44) sts]
• Row 27: (RS) Sl-1, k9(10,11,12), ssk, DON’T TURN, k14(14,14,14). [40(41,42,43) sts]
• Row 28: P24(25,26,27), p2tog, p14(14,14,14). [39(40,41,42) sts]
• Row 29: Size S/M ONLY: (Removing markers as you come to them) Knit. Now proceed to row 32.
• Row 29: Size L/XL ONLY: (Removing markers as you come to them) Knit.
• Row 30: Size L/XL ONLY: Purl
• Row 31: Size L/XL ONLY: Knit
• Row 32: P1, p2tog, p2tog, p across to last 5 sts, p2tog, p2tog, p1. [35(36,37,38) sts]
• Row 33: Knit
• Row 34: Purl
• Rows 35-36: Rep rows 33 and 34 once more.

Ribbed Cuff

• Row 37: Sizes S/L ONLY: [k1,p1] 8(-,8,-)x more, k2tog, p1, [k1,p1] to end. [34(-,36,-) sts]
• Row 37: Size M/XL ONLY: [k1, p1] to end.
• Rows 38-45: Work 8 rows of 1x1 rib.

Bind off loosely.

I turned the slippers inside out and sewed the seams. Weave in loose ends.

Book ~ "Gizmo" (2014) Ellen Miles

From Goodreads ~ Charles and Lizzie Peterson love puppies. Their family fosters these young dogs, giving them love and proper care, until they can find the perfect forever home.

After taking in Gizmo, a Sheltie puppy, the Peterson's quickly learn that this little guy is full of zest. This energetic puppy needs something to do, besides destroying everything in Charles and Lizzie's house.

Charles and his older sister, Lizzie, are in elementary school. The Peterson family have a puppy named Buddy plus they foster dogs and help them find homes.

Charles and his mom meet a mother of young twins who is pregnant with triplets. The family has a Sheltie puppy named Gizmo who is a cute bundle of energy. The mother has errands to run and Charles' mom offers to take care Gizmo for the day. Later, knowing the Petersons foster dogs and find them homes, the mother asks if they could do the same for Gizmo. Gizmo loves running and jumping so the family wonders if Gizmo would be interested in agility training that is being taught at their aunt's doggy daycare. It doesn't go as planned but both Charles and Gizmo learn the same important lesson.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There is a learning experience and a puppy tip at the end. It is written in third person perspective and first person from Gizmo's point of view. It is the thirty-third in the Puppy Place series, which currently has 66 books in the series, and works as a stand alone.

Book ~ "When Last Seen" (2023) Brenda Chapman

From Goodreads ~ The hardest part is not knowing…

Ottawa is baking under a July heatwave when the Homicide and Major Crimes Unit is called to help track down missing three-year-old Charlie McGowan. This is the second missing person case in nine months - a university exchange student never made it back to her Carleton University residence from a downtown party in November.

At first, the two disappearances appear unrelated but as true crime podcaster Ella Tate and Detective Liam Hunter dig deeper into both files, unsettling relationships begin to emerge. Evidence, however, remains frustratingly out of reach as the clock keeps ticking and concern for both missing victims takes on a heightened urgency.

And then Liam Hunter gets a call that a body’s been found on the Ottawa River Parkway ...

Three-year-old Charlie was playing in his yard with the neighbour's cat. His mother, Ginger, took her eyes off him for a few minutes and he disappeared. A search is done of the neighbourhood and the water not far from their house but there is no sign of him. Liam is the police officer in charge of the investigation and quietly works with true crime writer/podcaster Ella to get the word out and find Charlie. Hours turn into days and there's still no word about him. Ginger is frantic and David, his father, keeps himself busy with work.

Suddenly clues start coming out that David has had business meetings with suspicious men and then it's discovered that they may have connections to a Chinese-exchange student who went missing months before.

This was an interesting story and there were many possibilities on what could have happened to Charlie. It's written in third person perspective depending on where the action was. Though it is the second in the Hunter and Tate series, there seemed to be enough information from the first one so you can read this one as a stand alone (I haven't read the first one but will). I like the fact that it is set in Ottawa, ON, and they didn't hide it. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Knitted dog sweater

I just finished knitting a dog sweater I'll be donating to ElderDog Canada, which will be sold in their online shop, used directly as needed in ElderDog activities or included in special ElderDog fundraising. It’s considered a large-sized sweater (the chest is 18 inches). Because the colour of the yarn was monotone, I included a thin variegated strand of yarn that provided random subtle colour.

I found the pattern at Yarnspirations.