A Song and a Long Forgotten Memory

It's odd how one song can have such a reminder of memory....it can take Us back to times of childhood and youth, people we have met, friends we have shared a drink or two or more with, girlfriends, lovers, family and special events.

Tonight I sat and watched a movie and a back ground song that was played took Me back to College days and a Father that came to visit his daughter on a business trip....take her for super, chat about her adventures in college life, get caught up on what was new with her Pop, eat and chat some more. After dinner my Pop and I  move onto the hotel lounge bar to quietly sit and listen to music, sip on a few drinks and a dance. 

My Pops.

When I think back the setting was quite special, something that you would expect to see in a movie...older gentleman singing, a piano and a dimly shadowed  stage. As my Pop and I sat sipping on our second shot of Drambuie (I remember the drink just not sure on how many) and listened to the piano man playing songs of days gone by, I excused myself to use the ladies room. When I returned the piano man singing away, the bar was filling up with other hotel business men, couples, friends meeting and back in those days smoking was still allowed in bars and there was a little haze filling the room.... the piano man finished up his song and then announced that He had a special little request from a father to his daughter and would Larry and Amber please take the floor, I looked at My Pop and He saw the surprise and horror in my eyes but took my hand as We walked to the dance floor and this is the song my Pop had requested...

As we danced our song I remember how graceful and fab my fathers moves where....He could carry You from corner to corner proudly illuminating You without even realizing your steps in a rhythm filled waltz....no box steps just a sensation of floating and spinning with grace and drama.

My Pops was just one of those kind of Men that new that it was ok to let You know Just how special and Loved You Really Are. My Pops has been gone now for a couple of years but every morning I still say Hi to Him and smile....and on Friday Afternoons around 3:30 pm I feel a little sad because that was our time when He had retired from years of working,  with Coffee in our hands and the phone place snugly to our ears We would Chat about our week or more like Him listening to Me!

My Pop was a really good man, husband, father, grandpa and someone that knew how important it was to create many great memories for his daughter to hold onto. So thank you to a song, a movie and a remembering.

My Pop and My Daughters

Breaking out on a Sunday Road Trip!

 Sometimes We all just need to escape our city limits which means HELLO  Road Trip ..... Maya walked, money in pocket, gas tank filled and a quick stop at Timmes for a coffee fix We headed down the 401 with Toronto on our minds and Linda the GPS (thankfully she can be muted) telling Us left, now right, how many miles, and hrs before we hit our destination just after 8 am....

Downtown Toronto on a Sunday Morning Getaway.

As we traveled down the highway chatting, laughing and taking in the countryside before We knew it We were merging into the busy atmosphere of the Big Smoke,  only to find ourselves smack dab in the middle of the Waterfront Marathon and all the closed off-ramps with Linda the GPS redirecting Us every few minutes....but reassuring Us that The Leslieville Flea Market was only a few minutes away....after a few round about's finally destination accomplished.

For awhile now I have been following the facebook chat about a little Sunday market called the Leslieville Flea that has been stirring up some buzz on Queen Street East  in the heart of trendy little Leslieville....and I must say that all the buzz chat was all that! 25 plus vendors filled the back parking lot at the nightclub & bar "the Duke" all peddling their wears from antiques, handmade jewelry, vintage stock, reclaimed , refurbished and  up-cycled goods. It was refreshing to find many quality items to chat about with the vendors and fellow pickers each of Us looking for something unique to take home on a Beautiful Sunday in the Sun...

the Leslieville Flea

 So as we walked from vendor to vendor and money burning in our pockets....My daughter Anna picked up a sweet gold plated wishbone necklace and a handmade vintage dark blue knitted sweater with Michigan State Crest and stitched #10 on the arm. Johnny Boy scored 3 Chicago Blackhawk Crest and an old Metal Oreo Cookie Tin(because everyone loves an oreo he said)....and as for Me well I picked up an old craved wooden bread holder, an old display box for the shop, a funky boho styled jacket, an east coast Inuit stamped wooden spirit box and a 1920's Beatty Bros.Limited Wash tub Stand made in Fergus On, Canada...JackPot!

Maya and Our treasures!

As their outdoor season ended this Sunday...the Flea will continue indoors for November 17th & December 15th at the Jimmy Simpson Recreation Center,  870 Queens St. E, Toronto On, ( check out their blog for info: http://leslievilleflea.blogspot.ca/ )

If we had, had room
 this sweet gem would have found a home in our entrance....lots of character!

So with time to spare we hustled ourselves over to Kensington Market District to see what was happening...the Market was a buzzing as I would expect it to be, we dined on burrito's(one of the best I have had in years I must say) ventured in and out of shops that were packed with hungry Halloween Shoppers eager to find that perfect costume....

With treats on our mind...Johnny Boy and I took Anna into our favorite bakery "the Market Bakery" and as You open the door the smell of sweet yeast brewing, bake goods screaming hello and the need to buy something scratching at your taste buds is delightful...for John chocolate as in a six-pack of  triple chocolate brownie delight, myself a rich and gooey pecan butter tart and for Anna a Chocolate stuffed croissant, We also left with a loaf of asiago, cheddar, herb bread and a loaf of pretzel bread which is fantastic....good thing We have walk a mile or two.

 BUT...
        I have always loved the hustle & bustle of Kensington but on this quick trip into the market I was a little taken back and disappointed by many of  my favorite vintage shops and there lack of quality goods being sold at not so fair market pricing for damaged goods. I am not talking about missing buttons here, I am talking beautiful relic's from the past that boast more style in one sleeve than any mall brand outfit could ever have. They were ripped, stained, odor filled and some damaged beyond repair and still asking top dollar...and my question was WHY!!!!

So as we walked away feeling a little miffed by this gem in the city I see this Mystical Celtic face leaning against the entrance to a road styling home with shops on either side and I think Kensington is not just about the shops but the wonderful charm and character or may I say the characters that make up this magically place within the city walls....

Kensington Market.

So as we head ourselves down to the Expressway,  I say see yha next time my old friend it was good to visit You once again and until next time,  be well and thank once again MR. TO for some Sunday Fun!

Fenzy in the Church

With the awaking of Spring, beauty of fall and hibernation of winter....church bazaars, rummage sales, White Elephant tables, Christmas tea, bake goodies and craft sales played an important role within any community,  they are the calm gathering to meet and greet, share the local news, shoot the shit and discuss the weather...

Not anymore...it's a time of total chaos within the basement walls... being the first in line is important, pushing and shoving are required for everyone is on the hunt for the bargain, and bartering over a $1.00 item can be heard.

 Growing up in small town that boasted a population boom of 1,500 people at one time... Parkhill is a quiet little place, know'n for the last town You hit before "Grand Bend" that is rich in tradition of community (as neighbors are always the first source of news) history and church's...yup we have 4 churches each playing a specific role within the lifestyle's of small town living. Those Church's each gathered themselves at least once a year for a rummage sale, and always a Christmas Tea, Bake & Craft Bazaar...it was a yearly awaiting to gather a few goodies but more importantly a time to talk with the neighbors, catch up on news, and be social. 

As a kid I would gather my allowance, meet up with my buddy's to see what treasure were before Us. We would carefully look for ourselves but also for each other and if we found that item our friend was looking for....check the room to make sure no one was looking to see us waving & smiling at our friend in delight....

So with Fall officially here it was open season once again,  with 3 churches on our Saturday morning trek for a bargin....the first church offered an new concept to Me "fill a bag for a buck"...tables neatly lined up with clothing, Knick Knacks and other goodies that might fancy my tastes,..... after quick look see , not much tickled my fancy so it was time to move on.

The second and third church always create a line up buzz for bargin hunters and pickers each year...the tables are packed with all kinds of good's  to temp the soul.....but with the line up growing rapidly so does the anticipation increase...with anticipation of a bargin this is when the frenzy begins....doors open, stampede rages forward and the friendly chit chat before doors open falls to the wayside as it is each man to himself (which I will never understand). With People darting everywhere with determination for a saving, My partner and I split our forces to cover the arena more quickly....Me only being 5'2 & 3/4(and yes the 3/4 is very important to us short people) I follow the pack... finally an opening at a long table filled with sweaters....and quest begins.

Within a few minutes I have had enough, gathered a couple of sweater gems and move on to the next table and squeeze myself in to see what I can find,  with a much larger lady on my back, the person beside me pushing at my ribs and an older gent grabbing everything in site...I take a minute to pause reminding myself to breath deep, stay calm and not let my inner demon surface and it's then I remember this should be fun, with attitude re-adjusted I take the time to talk with the church people working the tables and the friends that I meet up with and this is what I remember a church sale should be... a time to be apart of the community and through the art of conversation I find that one of the church's was raising money for new equipment for the kitchen and another where helping fund a children's program.....With a few goodies in hand I set out to find my partner Johnny Boy to see what treasure's he has found and let Him know I have had enough...

As Johnny Boy and I leave the building the sweet smell of food fill's the air And really what would a church sale be without FOOD....

Saturday morning(just after 10 am) pleasure was a BBQ HotDog with fried onions and a Pop for $2 bucks, So as I walked away with ketchup, mustard and onions falling from my dog, my bundle of goodies strapped to my arm and I smile for a time of bargins, chit chat with a few friends, food and even though the chaos and frenzy drive me crazy a trip down memory lane was worth it....and the thoughts of next week's marathon of church sale's frenzy awaits.

A name and a blog with Coffee, Maya and Vintage Me!

Welcome....

I write this blog about the passions that surround my world and the fun and funky people and things that fill my life...it's a personal journey through the quirky week in week out routines that make Me smile.

The Title of this blog is based on 3 things that fill my day and I mean Fill Me each and everyday starting at 5:30 am when that blasted alarm starts it beeping song for a few moments until I stretch across the bed and slam that beast for another 10 minutes of restful joy.....Sleep is not the topic but my 10 minutes of quiet talking with Miss Maya and her endless cuddles beside Me... 

Let Me introduce you to Miss Maya my almost one year old westie, Maya in the Morning is one of my favorite ways to start my day...after our 10 minutes of cuddles are done the blasted alarm sets back into motion and so do We with an waking morning walk....but not with out starting my next morning passion "COFFEE"

My coffee habits are great but simple in desire...Dark Roasted with just a touch of milk...yup milk that it's that's all Folks!

Lastly with coffee in hand, laptop in place and Miss Maya under foot I start my day with vintage...as in JackPot Vintage a little shop that consumes most of my day and time. JackPot is still in it's baby mode with just opening in February 2013.... the topic of JackPot will make it's way into this blog on many a week(along with cooking, gardening, bargin vintage hunting, family and what ever else tickles my brain)......

So this how Coffee, Maya and Vintage Me came to Be....