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Sparkplug Coffee: Travel-Inspired Blends
If you’ve been following my blogging journey for a while, you will know that I have been the author of all the blog posts I have shared. Recently though, after connecting with fellow traveller and the founder of Sparkplug Coffee, I decided to try something new. I asked her to write a guest article for me on travel from her perspective – a coffee perspective. So, without further ado, let me introduce the lovely and adventurous Kara. Hi! I’m Kara Isert and I’m the founder & Chief Coffee Officer of Sparkplug Coffee. I met Frances online in a group that supports growing e-commerce businesses like Sparkplug and Boutique L’Abeille Française.…
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The Toronto Christmas Market: An Adopted Tradition
With restrictions in place due to the COVID pandemic, Christmas festivities are quite muted this year. So I thought I would attempt to boost the holiday spirit by sharing some memories of the Toronto Christmas Market past. Started just over ten years ago, this month-long seasonal festival has quickly become a favourite of all ages. And no wonder! For not only does it light up Toronto’s historic Distillery District at the darkest time of the year, it also offers a smorgasbord of tasty treats and unique gift ideas. A Christmas Fantasyland I love visiting the Distillery District at any time, in part because it is home to my favourite local…
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The Lavender Labyrinth of Laveanne
In the shadow of Ontario’s mighty Ganaraska forest, lies a magical respite from the hustle and bustle of Toronto. And within it can be found a mystical lavender labyrinth. I’m referring to Laveanne Lavender Fields. I had the good fortune of spending a wonderful afternoon there this week with my dear friend Carla and her pixie of a grandson, Kaiden. Lush Lavender Upon our arrival, we were greeted by row upon row of gorgeous lavender shrubs, each about to reach full bloom – ten thousand of them in all! A Bee Paradise And we weren’t alone. For, happily buzzing among the cerulean blooms were, among other things, an industrious group…
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A Quilt Community
The last weekend of May is a special time in south-western Ontario. On this weekend for each of the past 52 years, a small community has come together to host a unique charitable event that benefits the less fortunate around the world in a big way (to the tune of $14,000,000 since 1967). It is the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale. The heart of the Sale is a quilt auction featuring handmade quilts donated by quilt-makers from around Ontario and beyond. But this Sale is so much more than that. Supported by local businesses and churches, as well as more than 2000 volunteers, this is truly a community event. That…
