A Lovely Weekend in Leslieville

I had a great time this past weekend.  Nothing super special happened – I just enjoyed being at home and in my neighbourhood.

On Saturday I ran errands in the ‘hood, including picking up some exterior paint at Pro Glow.  Then I popped into The Purple Purl to get supplies for my next knitting project.  Co-owner Jenn spent lots of time with me, helping me choose just the right yarn, and then some of the lovely gals hanging out there helped me to wind the wool.  Every time I go to the Purple Purl, it feels like I’m catching up with friends, even though I technically don’t really know them.

On Sunday morning, Ian, Little C, our friend Hilary and I walked over to the inaugural Leslieville Farmers Market.  We popped in to Red Rocket on the way for coffees, and we weren’t the only ones with that idea.  The place was hopping with Leslievillers picking up some java on their way to the market.  That afternoon I painted the front stairs of my house with the paint I picked up on Saturday.  While outside, I caught up with my neighbours two doors down.  I love knowing who I share the street with.  So many friendly faces.

On Sunday evening we had a BBQ on the back deck with friends and finished the evening off with an apple cinnamon pie from the Canadian Pie Company that I picked up at the Farmers Market that morning.  It was amazing.  I wish I had purchased an extra pie – now I know for next time.

That was it… just a typical weekend in Leslieville.  Like I said, nothing special.  But it’s a perfect example of why I love living here.  I can get just about anything I need within walking distance, I know most of the local shop owners by name, and I get along with the people on my street.  I know it’s corny, but I feel such a great sense of community in this neighbourhood, and I’m really happy to be here.

[photo of Leslieville Farmers Market taken with the Hipstamatic app on my iPhone]

Leslieville Farmers’ Market

The new Leslieville Farmers’ Market starts this Sunday in Jonathan Ashbridge Park.  Vendors include Hooked, Sausage Partners, Merchants of Green Coffee, Beretta Organic Farms, LPK’s Culinary Groove, Bee’s Universe, Chocosol, The Canadian Pie Company, Wild Foods, Le Papillon on the Park restaurant, Monforte Cheese, and a bunch of organic/sustainable farmers.

Sounds amazing, huh?  I’ll be there on Sunday for sure.  Visit the website for more information.

Beer Craft

I saw this post on Cool Hunting about a new book called Beer Craft, and I immediately sent it to Ian.  Ian’s been into home-brewing for a while now, and has created a few tasty beers in our basement (yep, I was totally skeptical at first, but seriously, they’re good!)

This book looks rad – Ian says the content is really good, and I love the design.  It was written/created by a couple – he’s a beer critic, and she’s a designer.  How awesome is that?  I think we need this book at our house, so I’m adding it to my online shopping cart right now…

Knit Your Own Pet


I love knitting, but I tend to stick to making blankets and hats, since they don’t require too much small detail work.  This post on Covet Garden’s blog may have convinced me to try something tiny though… I could knit my own pets!  I love the little corgi dog (pictured above).  And here’s the pattern for knitting your own Jack Russell (also pictured above).

I think these would make great gifts for my nephews.  Perhaps a visit to my local yarn shop is in order…

5 Minute Cake Pops

Apparently cake pops are the hot thing right now (I guess cupcakes aren’t anymore? I can’t keep up).  I love this idea from Aubrey and Lindsay’s Little House blog – instead of making cake pops from scratch, put a timbit on a stick and dip it in icing.  I’d want to start with a plain timbit so you don’t mix the glaze from the donut with the icing (that’s too much sugar for me).

Excellent idea, don’t you think?

[photo via Aubrey + Lindsay’s Little House Blog]

Looking Ahead to Saturday: Yard Sales!

This Saturday, May 28, is “Yard Sale for the Cure” day.  Which means there will probably be a few yard sales happening near you, with proceeds going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  Some yard sales have registered their location on the CBCF website, so you can check to see what’s in your ‘hood.

I’ll be out in Leslieville on Saturday morning, looking for some good deals.  And it’s not too late to plan your own yard sale for Saturday – just sign up online.