Suzanne and I have known each other since high school and it's one of those rare friendships where even if you change, you change the same (and of course, many things remain as they always were). My eagerly awaited departure was, however, somewhat delayed, having to first clean up my basement following a record-breaking rain storm that even made the CBS News! Not a fun way to start a journey but a warm welcome made up for it!
The next couple of days were filled with fun. We caught the movie "Mr. Holmes," which I really enjoyed and celebrated my birthday with an all-you-can-eat sushi dinner. Which, I might add, was wonderful!
Then it was time for shopping (thank you, Canadian dollar, for being so generous to me on my purchases of many books and a few Christmas gifts!) and enjoying a classic movie musical on the large screen in Suzanne's home theatre! Finally, it was off to Toronto to meet Rick, who had been working in the office of one of his clients for a couple of days in the Toronto suburbs. I am happy to say he made close to 1,000 miles on his bike with nary a band-aid! He was simply elated about the fun of his trip. Of course, we had birthday all over again!
It was a delightful Italian restaurant and the weather cooperated so we could enjoy our delicious dinner on the terrace, with its grape arbor overhead. They even brought a little cake!
The next day Rick had to work so I took the subway to downtown Toronto for a little shopping inside and a lot of window shopping. Don't you think there's something almost ghost-like about these mannequins as reflected in the Hudson's Bay windows?
Being a theatre lover, I was thrilled to find a free exhibit at the magnificent Elgin/Winter Garden theatres honoring Ross Petty, an actor who had starred in their pantomimes for two decades.
Included was a selection of costumes from his career and I loved seeing them up close.
But even more, I loved the incredible architecture of this historic spot.
While we weren't allowed in the theatres, the lobby itself offered many delights.
It was almost like a hall of mirrors, with golden Corinthian columns and tributes to the various arts.
The original box office stands outside. As you can see, little has changed since the theatre opened in 1913 (although I suspect a lot changed, prior to the magnificent restoration.)
Then it was off to get Rick from work and head toward home. We stopped for dinner in Cambridge at a Middle Eastern restaurant called Diwan. I don't recommend it. Honestly, my dinner looked like Lizzie's litterbox after number two and I just couldn't finish it! Then we took off again and encountered nasty rain. We were going to try to make it all the way home but Suzanne gratefully provided a port in a storm and after a good rest, we were off the next morning! And to make it all the sweeter, the welcoming committee was on hand with big purrs!
All in all, a glorious holiday! And home in time for Cork Poppers -- look for our taste of wines to accompany fish in the next post!
23 comments:
I went back to look at all the posts I missed and enjoyed your July Paris posts – all wonderful. I think that the last time I went to Toronto – decades ago with youngest daughter for New Year, we went into the theatre you showed. It was freezing cold and we walked there …. but we saw a French operetta. Rick rode 1,000 miles! Congratulations. He must be very fit. Your photo with your friend is a happy one – isn’t it nice to meet old friends again.
Don't you just love those old theaters. We have a few here, too. They are so elegant, and remember the organ that played before the movie and then descended into the floor. You may be too young to remember that. I like to be able to identify each food group on my plate, but I'd got for sushi anytime. Happy Birthday! May this be a great year for you.
That sounds like a lovely trip. Old friends are the best.
You had a busy time! Shopping, good food, friends, and another birthday celebration...you manged to fit it all in. I'm so happy Rick enjoyed his 1000 mile bike trip. It would have killed me!
I am glad that you had a great string of birthday celebrations! You look so happy in all of your photos! I am sure that being reunited with Rick was exciting and a big relief! I'm really glad that he came through that experience with no injuries or bad stories!!
I love friendships like your friendship with Suzanne! I am blessed to have some of those kind of friendships in my life as well.
As glad as I am to hear he is safe and sound, I can imagine your thankfulness. whew...tell him not to do that again for awhile.
You are totally adorable, Jeanie, and your friend looks like the sweetest.....both of you look really great. Rick is too skinny....:)
Happy Belated Birthday...
O Jeanie, we just missed each other in the big TO by just a month! Anyway, I'm so glad you'd had a grand tour and reunion. You must tell me where's this all you can eat sushi place. As for the Elgin/Winter Garden theatres, a prime venue for TIFF. Yes, every time i was there I had to take photos of the beautiful designs, now over 100 years old. And it was there that I saw Jessica Chastain and Ceiran Hinds in person, at TIFF a couple years back.
I'm so happy Rick had such a wonderful bike trip! :) Happy belated Birthday to you <3 What a great way to spend your birthday with your lovely friend. I would love to visit that theater myself, thank you for sharing these pictures. Kitty purrs when coming home are the best :D
Have a wonderful rest of the week! Lots of hugs,
Beate
Looks like a great trip and the thought of that sushi make my tummy rumble!
Our cats always sulk when we've been away, prima donnas the pair of them.
Heather :)
Good morning Jeanie! Thank GOD Rick had a safe and wonderful tour. You are reunited and what a lovely way to reconnect! I must get up to Canada some time in my life! Looks fantastic. Now, off to school....
What a splendid trip. Meeting up with an old friend is so nice. Glad you enjoyed yourself.
I'm glad all went well for Rick's bike ride, and that you were able to enjoy such a wonderful trip. Sounds like you had a fantastic time celebrating your birthday too... Both times!
What a great way to celebrate your birthday -- twice and with two of the dearest people in your life! I'm so glad to hear that Rick is back home -- safe and happy -- and that you both got such a warm welcome from Lizzie!
Oh, what good times! And sushi for birthday celebrating--YUM! How beautiful your friendship with Suzanne...so many years, you become like sisters in a way. So glad all went well with Rick's long journey--what a happy reunion... and more celebrating! Love that! LOVELY grape arbor... Such a gorgeously appointed theater! haha... you had a Number Two dinner... But serious, not fun to have a dud meal at a restaurant. I find that doesn't happen often, thankfully!LOVE, love, love the image of Miss Lizzie at the end here... She was surely glad mamma was home again. ;o) Sooo good to catch up with you, Jeanie. Look forward to your Poppers post! Happy Weekend ((HUGS))
It's wonderful that Rick had such an enjoyable and hassle-free trip. Tell him how much I admire him. And thanks for these wonderful photos. The nice thing about cities is that there's something for everyone, so even though I'd pass on (most of the) sushi, I'd be right there at the theaters.
It always amazes me that you can get so easily to so many places, like Toronto. I just checked the milage, and found it's roughly 300 miles from Lansing to Toronto. That's only 50 more miles than Houston to Dallas!
What a wonderful time I see you had. Meeting up with your friend (sorry about the basement but glad it didn't dampen your spirits) and heading to Toronto to meet your love. So glad his trip went well and not a single band-aid. Your shopping looks like fun and I know your theatre tour was special for you. Well planned and happy memories! I have some pretty sweet memories from Toronto myself :)
Happy Weekend Jeanie........
Glad you had such a nice reunion with your friend and that Rick had such a successful bike ride. The Toronto excursion sounds delightful.
Although there was storm and rain, glad everything ended well...great in fact. I sed that you are a very early Christmas shopper. That's so thoughtful of you. Luzzie must be really happy to see you both back with her.
What a fun trip and visit with your long time friend. Sounds like you all had such a good time.
I was born in London Ontario.....did you or Rick happen to go through Ingersoll? That's where I grew up. 1000 miles on a bike.....I'd have major bike butt. Good for him!
Happy, happy birthday dearest Jeanie, and very well celebrated!
I love posts like this where I can learn a little about places visited.
The Elgin Winter garden theatre complex looks amazing - had me thinking of european opera houses.
Yes I agree with you - the mannequins are rather ghosty ha ha!
BEST of all that sweet little face waiting for you when you arrived home - she is just adorable!
((hugs))
Shane
Oh the last photo is so precious!
All you can eat sushi = wowee and spending time with a special friend sounds great to me. I too would like to see Mr Holmes.
I know you are happy to have Rick back at home.
Thanks for sharing this fun excursion with us...all so interesting and colorful.
oxo
Now that was a lovely adventure to Toronto. Oh, all you can eat sushi would be my choice for a birthday celebration. And good for you for celebrating twice. I have a feeling you are enjoying having Rick home now and back with your fur baby.
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