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.