TORONTO FIFA WATCH PARTY AT NATHAN PHILLIP SQUARE

 So June 12, 2026 to be in the Toronto city vibe for the first game Canada played in the World Cup, I was downtown roaming the streets.

First to Harbourfront, then a walk north on Bay over to Yonge to try to find some Beaver statures.

The walk from Yonge along Queen was a bit brutal. Until a covered walkway due to construction on the Ontario line. Poor for tourists to find their way. The view of the old City Hall was poor.

Rested at Nathan Phillip Square where a watch party was in session.

Large screen, food trucks, people, soccer pitch where the winter rink would be and just a really good vibe. Easy to watch the game.

Snacks were available. Even a HEROS burger stall. I bought fries and an Italian spicy sausage off a food truck.

FIFA signage everywhere. Took some photos for some tourists. Watched half of the game. Was in transit when the goal was scored to secure a tie. The ride home was not as crowded as I thought it would be. Maybe lots of people left work early or were just staying downtown. Being at City Hall was free and no vetting of bags.

I did a blurb on my Facebook page as well as my reflective thoughts by barbara.blogspot.com

Barbara

Lots of good food available everywhere. I also bought a mixed ice cream cone  A hot day so bought a Mango drink to quench my thirst. One water bottle did not cut it.

So the day cost me about $30.00 including my transit on VIVA to the subway. About an hour and a bit each way.

I may venture into the city more than once this summer as I am quite versed now on riding public transit again. Leaving the car at home feels good. No parking. No worry about traffic. Just sit and ride.

#toronto#fifa#torontoandfifa#rootingforcanada#eatinganitaliansausageandfriesfromafoodtruck#icecreamcone#magodrnk#enjoyingthevibeatnathanphillipsquare#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

APRIL BIRTHDAYS AND CAKE

 Sonya and Brody had April birthdays so there was lots of cake.

Cupcakes. Sweets.

So on to June with all the family events like birthdays, graduation and just summer celebrations.

#birthdaycelebrations#junecelebrationscomingup#granpalovestocook#adolphdimamabro

REMEMBERING EATING IN THOSE EARLY YEARS OF OUR MARRIAGE-GRANPA ALWAYS LOVED TO COOK

 May being my favourite month because of the world unfolding with colour. But it is our anniversary month.

Married May 15, 1971. Such wonderful memories.

One of my favourite pictures of all times. Adolph/Grandpa making pancakes on our honeymoon in Hawaii.

We were in an economy hotel down the street from Waikiki beach. In my notes from the time he also made scrambled eggs and some spaghetti. 

The first morning there he went out to eat breakfast as I was still sleeping and brought me back an American style breakfast.

Adolph also made sure food was a priority.

#honeymooninhawaii#makingpancakes#americanbreakfast#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

A GRANDSON'S CLASS TRIP TO ITALY 2026

 Taking a culinary class in High School has its perks.

April 23 to May 1, 2026 my grandson Brody had a class trip for 30 to Switzerland and Northern Italy.

To learn about food of course.

Parma.

                                                        ( Photo by students)

A nice plateful of porsciutto and parmigano cheese.

Well those little pieces came from the factory where the cheese was made.

It was a great trip for all.

#classtriptoitaly#parma#northernitaly#porsciutto#parmiganocheese#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

MOTHER'S DAY CELEBRATING AT A BLUE JAYS GAME

 Going with my family to a Blue Jays game in Toronto was fun.

I had a hot dog- what else to eat at a game. Some ice cream and twizzlers that were very fresh.

The Jays lost to the LA Angels. But it was fun to be there.

#bluejays#torontobluejays#eatingahotdog#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#funtobeintoronto

EASTER DINNER 2026

 Lots of shopping and preparation for Easter dinner.

And cleaning the house. Yes all the corners.

Dinner at 530 pm. Eleven of us.

Appetizers- four cheeses, variety of pickles, fruit- pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, veggies-cucumber, red peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, spinach and cheese mini rolls with dip.

Ham with pineapple slices, chicken legs, chicken breast, Italian sausage, lamb chops.

Roasted rosemary and garlic potatoes, baked potatoes- with butter and sour cream, roasted red peppers, pole green beans, broccoli, peas, salad-radicio and romaine lettuce, 

Italian buns. Butter.

Drinks. Wine, Beer, Pop. Water. Bought a special $32.00 bottle of Red Wine- 2022 Merlot from Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve. A winery in British Columbia. It was near where my folks lived in West Kelowna. I had a tour of it in 1997,

Dessert- Big Easter cookie. Cupcakes, Chocolate and a Birthday cake for Sonya.

Everyone liked the Easter bag with goodies with their name on it.

All in all a good Easter. The best part was celebrating with family. Always love having my daughters, sons-in-law and six grandchildren. Just being together for a celebratory meal is a blessing of life.

#easter2026#familytime#italiansausage#lambchops#hamwithpineapple#broccoli#roastedredpeppers#roastedrosemarypotaoes#peas#saladwithromainelettuceandradicio#chickenlegs#chickenbreasts#chillingwithfamily#redwinefromMissionHill#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#beer#pop#water#Mission Hillfamily reserve#2022merlot#okanaganvalleybc

EASTER PREPARATIONS-MISSING GRANPA'S SPECIAL COOKING

 Adolph loved making Canascione,

His lamb and potatoes were so tasty.

Some years when he made lasagna from scratch, it was so special.

Now I buy a Longos lasagna. I am making ham with pineapple, Italian sausage, chicken breast and legs and a few lamb chops just to have some lamb.

Lots of veggies, salad and desserts. Lots of drinks, beer and wine. I even bought a Mission Hill bottle of wine to remember the folks.

So all the preparation continues.

#easter2026#hamandpineapple#lambwithpotatoes#salad#dessert#wineandbeer#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara

So Easter dinner will just be a simple dinner to be together as family.