Post-Thanksgiving humour at Table 17

Table humour in Riverside

I was walking along Queen East in Riverside an hour ago and read Table 17's sidewalk sign. Too funny! I love this neighbourhood.

On one side, they wrote: "Tartare is the new turkey".
On the other: "White meat? Dark meat? How about read meat? Rib eye special!"

Toronto urban fall colours... in Rosedale (2)

Fall colours in the valley

My walk #11 in Toronto Urban Strolls 2 is called Rosedale Valley Fall Colours Stroll. Rosedale Valley Road is another gorgeous urban sight I came upon by chance a few years ago! This photo was taken from the pedestrian bridge off Sherbourne Subway Station when you exit into Glen Road (included in the walk #4 in the same guide, Sherbourne High & Low Mix Stroll).  

It took me a while to understand how to access Rosedale Valley road by foot. I came up with a 1 hour 40 min. long walk, with walking map and photo references. I've also included a suggestion for a shorter 50-minute stroll.

Related blog:
Toronto urban fall colours in Rosedale (1) about another hidden gem in Rosedale.

Toronto Urban Strolls 1 & 2 are sold on line on Amazon and Indigo as well as in the travel section of Indigo's and many other good bookstores. 

Note that Labour of Love, the lovely gift shop and jewelry store on 242 Carlton is always nicely stocked with my guides! (Call them at 416-923-8988 to hold a copy for you.)

Toronto urban fall colours... in Rosedale (1)

Fall colours all around
When I first came to Toronto, 20 years ago, I fell in love with Toronto mostly because of all the mature trees all around the city. In the fall, it gets even better! 

My walk #24 in Toronto Urban Strolls 1 is called Rosedale Meandering Stroll. I came upon a fantastic road in Rosedale by chance a few years ago and just had to create a circuit around it to make sure you can find this gem!

I came up with a 1 hour 1/2 long walk, with walking map and photo references. I've also included a suggestion for a shorter 30-minute stroll which won't disappoint you.

Related blog:
Toronto urban fall colours in Rosedale (2) about Rosedale Valley Fall Colours.

Cover of the 6-page walk #11 in Toronto Urban Strolls 2

Toronto Urban Strolls 1 & 2 are sold on line on Amazon and Indigo as well as in the travel section of Indigo's and many other good bookstores. 

Note that Labour of Love, the lovely gift shop and jewelry store on 242 Carlton is always nicely stocked with my guides! (Call them at 416-923-8988 to hold a copy for you.)

Belfountain: Great walk to enjoy fall colours and fresh air

Belfountain is open until October 27!

The loop trail in Belfountain Conservation Area hooks on to the Bruce Trail, which means you can get a nice workout beyond the small loop trail inside the conservation. See my Toronto Fun Places blog with plenty of photos and descriptions.

I was in the Kleinburg area this weekend. It is closer to Toronto than Belfountain but I'm sure it is a good indication of the state of the fall colours around Belfountain. It seems we still have a few good weeks ahead of us to enjoy the fall colours. There should be fewer people in Belfountain and its conservation area now that Thanksgiving is over.

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Fall colours, Thanksgiving and... vegetarian turkeys

I spy a turkey!
Today, I dropped by Wickerhead (the artisanal chocolate shop at 2375 Queen East in The Beach) to deliver some copies of my guides. (They're part of The Beach Quaint Stroll, walk #25 in Toronto Urban Strolls 1.)

I caught the chocolate Artisan and owner Sharon Shoot as she was carefully displaying a big turkey made out of the finest Belgian dark chocolate. 

We chatted a bit about the challenge of taking such a delicate chocolate sculpture out of its mould. (I'm impressed by the skills required since I can't even unmold Jell-O!) 

Sharon confessed she's cried over a few broken "babies" but the one she was holding was a beauty! She had a couple in the shop and they retail for $54. 

Wickerhead is one of the artisanal chocolatier offering the best price for such quality. Sharon was trained at The Callebaut Chocolate Academy and loves creating chocolate sculptures. 

Thanksgiving Holiday hours
Good news! They're open throughout Thanksgiving weekend for last minute treats and hostess gifts: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thanksgiving Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

While you're there
In the coming weeks, Glen Stewart Ravine in The Beach will be a great option to admire fall colours without getting out of the city! (See my description of this park on torontofunplaces.com, with notes about nearby parking.)

Wickerhead chocolate shop is just 4 blocks east of Glen Manor Drive East and West Drives, framing the little park leading to the entrance to the ravine.

For more fall colours:
Belfountain Conservation Area

Open the fridge. Nothing to eat.

Now, that's a strategy...

My son showed me this joke on Internet. I have gone through this motions a few times... And you? 

When this happens, it's often time to go for a walk!

By the way, in  Toronto Urban Strolls 2, there are three Stamina Building Strolls (Casa Loma Staircase Stroll, High Park Fitness Stroll and Upper Beaches Steep Hill Stroll).

50 ways to take a break

I tumbled across this illustration on Facebook and retraced it to Karen Horneffer-Ginter. She's the author of Full Cup, Thirsty Spirit and on her website, she has posted a link to a poster called "50 ways to take a break", which we can buy online.

Here are some of the ways to take a break suggested by Karen, which will be greatly facilitated by using my walking guides Toronto Urban Strolls. (I know... shameless plug...)

• Call a friend

• Walk outside

• Go to a body of water
• Watch the clouds
• Move twice as slowly
• Sit in nature
• Read a book, Read poetry, Write in a journal, Write a quick poem (in one of the café´s along the strolls) 
• Take deep belly laughs (by walking with your friends)
• Meander around town
• Eat a meal in silence
• Turn off all electronics
• Go for a run
• Create your own coffee break
• View some art
• Examine an everyday object with Fresh Eyes
• Drive somewhere new
• Go to a park
• Read or watch something funny
• Go to a Farmer's Market
• Let out a sigh
• Notice your body

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