I have not been home to visit my family in Ontario for two and a half years! Almost two weeks ago I packed my bags and headed for the airport and took off, so excited to hang out with everyone for ten days.
There was a rainbow waiting for me as we landed, I knew that was a good sign. In fact, other than a little rain while we were on the bus, Toronto rolled out the red carpet for me and brought with it absolutely stunning (if not ridiculously hot) weather.
My first morning there my sister Jamie treated me to some waffles that put this foodie to shame.
She swears she just used Aunt Jemima but I know there is a little foodie magic going on, they were perfectly crisp on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside.
BTW, she wasn’t being stingy, I think this was the third “half” of a waffle I had had!
We made sure to get our ritual Value Village Shuffle into my visit right away.
I found some t-shirts but the best deal I got which was the most challenging to fit into my luggage home was this pack of 6 round stainless steel industrial food rings. Right away I knew my foodie obsession had followed me to Toronto and what a deal! I can not wait to play/plate with them. LOL.
Then I was off to hang out with my sister Shannon who introduced me to Fiesta Farms.
Amazing that you could get a bag of random bread items for only 99 cents! So of course we had to do some taste testing.
What a beautiful store, I can see why people in Toronto are kind of crazy about this place. First time I ever saw someone spend $10 on a package of butter though!
Freshly baked treats for under $1 and just about ever fresh cheese you could think of.
They had the most impressive array of mushrooms I have ever seen (not to mention the most expensive).
Shannon was right, this was my kind of foodie hang out. I could have spent all day there! Not to mention my entire budget.
Instead we went to Shannon’s apartment and I could not stop smiling at the cutest little cutting board in her wee kitchen. I just had to photograph it.
When we indulged in the bread and fresh cheese (along with a beautiful salad Shannon made me) we both said, “Wow, this cream cheese actually tastes like cheese!” What a difference from regular store-bought cream cheese. So much better and super tangy!
Shannon and I spent the afternoon recording our paranormal TV podcast Hexed: Sisterhood of the Supernatural in person for the first time ever! Gobo (AKA Mr. Man) kept us company on that hot afternoon with us giggling away drinking Shannon’s homemade decaf peppermint tea which rocked.
It was so great to be home! I grew up in Toronto, always the misfit, but during this visit I was in foodie heaven hanging out with my family having the best time ever.
More foodie stories to come! After I take a break. All I have done since I got back is rest and sleep. That’s enough for me today but it is great to be back!
Looks like fun! Glad you enjoyed my fair city. Would have loved to have caught up with you tho!
Just loved our time together, Suzie. I love how you’ve recaptured our visit. Looking at all this activity, it’s hard to believe that this is only the first few days! Wow, we were busy.
Miss you already!
Aren’t the best vacations the ones where you can go home and hang out with family?
You look so happy with your sisters, sounds like it was a MUCH needed reunion. That Fiesta Farms looks like a very dangerously, yummy place. Never heard of them before, we’ll have to keep it mind next time we venture into T.O.
Sounds like a fab trip! Glad you were able to get away for awhile. And Mr. Man looks like a helluva cat!
Ohhhhhh looks like you had a blast!!!! I love the fact that you found cream cheese that actually tastes like cheese!!!! I have never tasted any like that before.
What does one use a food ring for?
I love the cat… Omw his cuteness is overwhelming! I just wanna reach through the screen and pet him!
My god all that food haha =) I love food. Looks like you had a great time.
= )