Sakura Trees of Brampton

You know when something comes onto your radar and then everywhere you look, there's that thing? I feel like Sakura trees aka cherry blossom are that thing for me. A couple springs ago I went to High Park, Toronto to view the blossoms there. Before this first time, I had no idea that this was such a thing here. Now it seems like people count down to the spring blossoming, in fact there is actually a website that does just that. 

Each spring my instagram feed is full of Torontonians frolicking through the paths of High Park, taking pictures of and in amongst the flower laden branches. But I'm a busy person (aren't we all?), I can't just head to Toronto as soon as High Park Nature Centre tells me it's peak blossom time and also Toronto isn't the centre of the universe (I know, that's an incredible statement but it's true). All kinds of Sakura trees can be found a short drive from Toronto and I was super excited to find out that one of these locations is actually at a local park, Joyce Archdekin Park located on Main Street South, Brampton. 

Not wanting to miss out on the cherry blossom grams I got my butt down there as quickly as I could and snapped my own blossom selfies. It wasn't as busy as High Park, but it certainly was not a secret. 

Check it out...

A sure sign spring is on it's way and the promise of so much warmth and sunshine. Bring on the season!

What flower do you most enjoy popping up in spring?

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To Market, To Market: Back to the Brampton Christmas Market

Last year I attended my first Brampton Christmas Market weekend. This year I thought it might be nice to go on the opening night to checkout all the festivities and they did have it all: preview of the Panto Aladdin, roasting marshmallows, igloo building, a roaming snow band, ice sculpting, and of course the classic huts selling crafts, hot drinks and food. It was lovely to see the crowds there supporting the town event. It really got me into the Christmas spirit! Merry Christmas friends!

Be sure to pop on over to the Travel Link Up this month hosted on Emma, Rebecca and Kelly's blogs.

What's your favourite thing to do to get into the Christmas spirit?

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Sign up for email posts (found on the sidebar), like my facebook page, or follow me on bloglovin'. You can also keep up with my instagram feed and I occasionally tweet.

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How to Survive Ribfest Season: Case Study Brampton Rotary Rib n' Roll

One thing I missed while living abroad was the annual ribfest. Back in the day, I'd hit them all; Guelph, Burlington, Mississauga, but one forever eluded me as it was just so early in the summer calendar, the Brampton ribfest. This year, I made it a point to mark it down, luckily I remembered it just in time. Unlike the former ribfests mentioned, the Brampton Rib 'n Roll is a small, local rib affair. In attendance were the Brampton restaurants: Louisiana Seafood and Steakhouse, Jake's Boathouse, RD's Southern BBQ, Turtle Jack's Muskoka Grill, and Big Z's Smokehouse. Accompanying the ribs were an assortment of sides and a good helping of entertaining cover bands. This is not an event for the faint of heart or the vegetarian. A plan of attack must first be organized and executed with precision. Follow my step by step guide and you will do just fine.

Step One:
Go in great numbers then divide and conquer; it's the only way to get a wide selection of tasty ribby goodness. *must be willing to share.

Step two:

Soak up the atmosphere, get into the groove, enjoy your surroundings. Everyone's here to have a good time, so don't mind the queues and be friendly to your neighbours.

Step three:
Don't forget the lovely accompaniments.
Summer sweet corn is my favourite and when grilled I almost can't resist it. Then there's the Tornado Potato the size of a petit lady and deep fried Blooming Onion with chipotle dipping sauce.

Step four:
Be prepared to get messy. It just doesn't taste as good if you aren't up to your knuckles in bbq sauce. If you're lucky, the ribs might be precut, if you're very lucky you might find a wet nap to clean up.

Step five:
Take a picture or two, but remember flossing will be a future requirement and smile accordingly.

Step six:

Don't forget to leave room for dessert especially for ice cream and especially on a hot summer's day. No worries if you didn't leave room, you can always make some with some light stretching, demonstrated thusly...

Mmm ice cream

Step seven:

Burp, slurp, and smear your appreciation for your favourite foods.

A child of seven stood next to me at the handwashing station. I looked down at her as we simultaneously lathered our hands. Her cheeks were covered in red rib sauce from ear to ear. She smiled up at me. I smiled back. "Don't forget your face" I advised her. She smeared a paper towel across her fleshy cheeks. "I always get it all over when I'm eating delicious food".
Well said wee one.


*Yes. It was so nice, I went twice. All in the name of research. Don't judge.

Epic Art Battle!

On Tuesday 14 May, the third of four epic art battles went down in the suburb of Brampton. What's an art battle you ask? It's a night of live competitive painting held over three 20 minute rounds. The artists are given a colour pallet, a blank canvas, and 20 minutes to create incredible works of art using their hands, brushes, pallet knives and their imaginations.

The participants are gathered in a outward circle in the centre of the room and the audience is encouraged to dance to the dj while viewing the works in progress in a "slow moving tornado" like fashion. Each spirited round was counted down and people cheered when the artists were instructed "brushes down!" The winners were determined by an online audience vote.

Winning paintings from round one.

Round two!

It was interesting to watch the process from white blank space to colourful, playful, impressive paintings in a short amount of time. Watching as someone with little art technique knowledge it was compelling to watch how the artists started off their pieces and built from the background forward, how from something abstract suddenly formed into something familiar emotionally and/or visually.

The winning paintings from round two.

Round three was a head to head of the top two artists from the first two competitions.

The big winner of the night was Ryan C. Thompson a young local artist and instructor at Visual Art Brampton.

The next epic Art Battle 287-Brampton takes place:

Thursday, June 11th @ 7pm 

Spot1 

289 Rutherford Road South, 

Brampton, ON, L6W 3R9

Early bird tickets available for $15 or $20 at the door. 

Seniors and student tickets $10.

Get your tickets here