What You’ll Need:

• Wood Frame: use 1.5″ x 3/4″ wood; you’ll need 11 3/8″ (x2) and 19 7/8″ (x2)
• Chop Saw or Miter Box and Hand Saw
• Wood Panel 11 3/8 x 19 7/8
• Sandpaper
• Wood Glue or Liquid Nails
• Finishing Nails and Hammer
• Clamps (2-4)
• Cardboard Cat Scratcher (specifically built for the Trader Joes scratcher)
• Cat Nip (Sugaree says this is a deal breaker)
• Bling (read on for more details)

Instructions:

1. For the frame, use two 11 3/8” and two 19 7/8” pieces. Miter cut the corners at a 45 degree angle. Use a chop saw or a miter box with a hand saw. If you don’t have these items, the local lumber store can also cut the wood at an angle for you.
2. Cut the wood panel to 11 3/8 x 19 7/8.
3. Sand all edges of your wood.
4. Glue the corners together and then glue the frame down to the panel. Clamp the corners with your clamps and set some heavy books on top of the entire frame.
5. Wait and let dry.
6. For more stability you can then hammer in finishing nails from the bottom of the panel into the frame.
7. If you’d like, decorate your new cat scratcher!

Source:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/make-this-diy-cat-scratcher-old-house-new-tricks-188078

The park officially opened in 2007 and was built by the Ireland Park Foundation with $3.5 million raised from the local Irish community. In addition to commemorating the Irish immigrants who made it to Toronto, it also honors the 1,100 who did not survive the trip and died upon their arrival. The Foundation has engraved the names of the deceased in a limestone sculpture. So far, they have uncovered a total of 675 names and will continue to add to the list as more are found.

The park was design to be an emotionally captivating space, reminding visitors of their Irish ancestors who arrived, famished, to the Canadian shore in the hopes of building a new life. It features oak trees, a cylinder of stacked glass and five bronze sculptures by well-known Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie. The sculptures are similar to the ones at the Famine Memorial in Dublin.

Architect Jonathan Kearns picked the location precisely because of its unusualness. It is hidden near one of the largest industrial buildings in the old Harbour, yet the park itself is beautiful and compelling. It seemed appropriate since it commemorates people who contributed in significant ways but who may not have been fully acknowledged.

The park has gained recognition in the design world and has been awarded the OAA Awards of Design Excellence 2009 and received an honourable mention for the 2009 Toronto Urban Design Awards.

Below are some of the captivating sculptures you can find in the park:

Sources:

http://www.irelandparkfoundation.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland_Park

http://www.irishcanadamag.com/component/content/article/23-2011-editions/73-ireland-park-foundation-update.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCSndl-i2bk

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2010/03/19/hume_its_a_long_way_to_ireland_park.html

Makes 6 pockets

For the dough:

1 cup warm water (not hot or boiling)
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

For the filling:

3 small sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for brushing
1 onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup French green (Puy) lentils, picked over and rinsed
2 cups water
1/2 bunch kale, tough ribs and stems removed
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Combine the warm water and yeast in a small bowl and let sit until yeast dissolves.
2. Meanwhile, combine the two flours and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook and mix on low speed.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, followed by the dissolved yeast, mix on low speed until a dough forms.
4. Knead for 7-10 minutes until dough is smooth.
5. Lightly grease a large bowl with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
6. Place the dough in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for 1-2 hours or until size has doubled.
7. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
8. Prick the sweet potatoes in several places with a fork and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 min to 1 hour.
9. Cut the onion in half, thinly slice on half and set aside. Dice the other half.
10. Warm 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat and sauté the diced onion and garlic until onion is translucent.
11. Add the cumin, cinnamon and allspice and cook, stirring, until fragrant (about 1 minute).
12. Add the lentils and water. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
13. Cut the kale into small pieces then add kale and salt to the lentils.
14. Cover and simmer for 5-10 min more. Taste and adjust seasoning.
15. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the lentil and kale mixture to a bowl, leaving most of the cooking liquid in the pot.
16. Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy skillet over low heat. Add the thinly sliced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are caramelized (about 20-15 minutes).
17. Increase the oven heat to 450°F, divide the dough into 6 pieces and let rest for 20 minutes, loosely covered with plastic wrap.
18. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into 1-inch chunks.
19. Mash with a fork until smooth and add a sprinkle of salt if needed.
20. On a well-floured cutting board, roll a piece of the dough into an 8-9 inch oval.
21. Spread about ¼ cup mashed sweet potato over bottom half the dough, leaving room at the edges to seal the pocket closed.
22. Cover with about 1/3 cup of the lentils and kale. Top with a small amount of caramelized onions.
23. Fold top half of the dough over, and pinch and fold edges to seal shut securely.
24. Use a spatula to transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush top with olive oil and cut 2 or 3 small slits to let steam escape as it bakes.
25. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Source:

http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-spiced-lentil-sweet-potato-and-kale-whole-wheat-pockets-181100

The Vase:

Materials & Ingredients

• Vase
• Baby oil
• Essential oil
• Bamboo skewers
• Ribbon & Washi Tape (optional)

Directions

Fill the vase with essential oil, you can choose to use as much as you’d like, depending on how strong your scent is.  Fill the rest of the vase with baby oil.  Place the washi tape at the end of the skewer and fold over.  You can cut them at an angle to create mini flags!  Lastly, place the skewers in the vase and tie a ribbon around to finish.

The Bowl:

Materials & Ingredients

• Stockpot
• Water
• Lemon
• Rosemary
• Vanilla

Directions

Take a small stockpot, and fill it with about 2/3 full with water. Slice the lemon and a few sprigs of rosemary, and add to the water. Then add 1-2 tsp of vanilla.

Let it simmer all day long, adding water as needed. You can use the same mix for about 2 days until you might want to start fresh with new flavours, or simply follow the steps above again!

The Spray:

Materials & Ingredients

• Lemons
• Limes
• Oranges
• Vodka
• Water
• Empty Perfume Bottle (Spray bottle)
• Jar (Reused food jar)
• Knife
• Cutting Board

Directions

Remove label from bottle (the vodka helps with this as well).

Slice rind of lemon, lime and orange.  Just using the rind will minimize the amount of sugar that gets into the spray.

Put rinds in a jar and fill with vodka.

Cover and let sit for a few days.

Remove a few pieces of rind and cut into very thin strips.

Put thin strips in the spray bottle.  This will not only look lovely, but continues the infusing process.

Fill half of the spray bottle with the vodka mix and the rest with water.

Optional: Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the mix.  Ginger, lavender or mint are good choices. Mixing in small batches gives you plenty of chances to try new scents.

The Jar:

Material & Ingredients

• 1/2 cup baking soda (per jar)
• Essential oil of your preference (8-12 drops)
• Mason jar
• Scrapbook paper
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors and pen

Directions

Grab some scrapbook paper and trace the lid onto it with a pen or marker.  Then cut out your circle.

Use your needle to puncture the scrapbook paper to allow the smells to waft out of the jar and through your home.

Then pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the Mason jar and add in 8-12 drops of essential oil of your choice.  Start off by adding less oil and if you find it’s not strong enough to scent your room add in a bit more.  A bigger room will need more oil and a smaller room like a bathroom will use less.

Place the scrapbook paper inside the Mason jar ring and tighten it onto the jar.  Gently shake up the baking soda/essential oil mixture.

Now you can enjoy the sweet smells of spring even if the season hasn’t quite arrived yet!

Source (images included):

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sweet-smells-5-diy-air-fresheners-184349

Guirei Sushi Restaurant may end your search.  Nestled right near the waterfront at Queens Quay West and Bathurst, this restaurant provides great views and delicious food.  If you live a bit too far to make the trip down there, they also do takeout and provide delivery, and for even more convenience, you can order online with ease through Just-Eat.ca.

Guirei serves the finest in sushi, sashimi and teriyaki dishes. The place is spacious, with enough room for 85 diners indoors, and when the weather gets a little bit nicer, 60 people can dine on the outdoor patio overlooking the lake.  On the menu, an extensive selection of sashimi served with wasabi, ponzu, or ginger root, as well as sushi including maki, temaki, and nigiri is available. Other Japanese specialties include donburi, udon noodles and tempura.

Here’s a peek at some of the items they offer:

Appetizers

• Deep Fried Halibut ($7.95)
• Deep Fried Oysters ($5.95)
• Spicy Tofu ($5.50)
• Sushi Pizza ($9.95)

Noodles & Tempura

• Chicken U Don ($11.50)
• Vegetable Tempura ($7.95)

A La Carte

• Smoked Salmon Sushi/Sashimi
• Crab Meat Sushi/Sashimi
• Unagi (BBQ Eel) Sushi/Sashimi

Maki (Rolls)

• California Roll
• Tuna Roll
• Salmon Roll
• Scallop Roll
• Shrimp Tempura Roll
• A selection of Specialized Maki rolls

For a full look at their menu, visit them online at www.toronto-guirei.ca or stop by for lunch today at 600 Queens Quay West.  They’re open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday from 12 to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday from 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Sources:

http://toronto-guirei.ca/

http://www.toronto.com/listing/169982–gui-rei-japanese-restaurant

http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/guirei

Image c/o Toronto Dog Blog

Coronation Park is an urban gem located at 711 Lake Shore Blvd. W, south of Fort York, between Lakeshore Boulevard and Lake Ontario. The park was first created way back in 1934 and has a rich history behind it; it is the site of the second American attack on Fort York in 1813, when American ships may have come ashore. At that time however, the park was actually still a lake and it was before the seawall had been extended. For a long time, the area remained sandy and not quite viable. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, federal “relief” funds fueled infrastructure work across the country. One of these projects included a seawall which was built along the park’s southern edge (it still stands today). The new concrete structure, as well as the leveling of the land was complete by August 1935. The name “Coronation Park,” comes from the fact that a new King was taking the throne in England, after the death of George V as the seawall was being completed.

Soon after the seawall was completed, the City took part in commemorative coronation plantings at the park, with the largest of its kind having occurred on May 12, 1937. A Royal Oaktree was planted and was surrounded by a ring of Maple trees, representing parts of the British Empire. Beyond them, other trees were planted to represent Canadian troops who had served in war. A brass plate was also placed by each tree, indicating the name of the unit which it commemorated. The park even received famous visitors on May 22, 1939, as King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were carried in a car down a drive which still exists today.

The site of the park in the 1930s. Image c/o 219fortyork.com

Even with such an impressive past, the park nearly didn’t survive the construction of the Gardiner Expressway and CNE. Some would say the park has been largely ignored. In recent years, there has been a lot of talk surrounding its upkeep. For one, many of the original trees and plaques have gone missing. Scarborough councilor Paul Ainslie is in charge of fixing the park. He has been working with other groups to develop a strategy to reinvigorate the park.

The park is open from 6am to midnight and dogs are welcome! There is also nearby pay parking. What are your thoughts about Coronation Park?

Sources:

http://www.toronto.com/listing/100190–coronation-park

http://www.torontodogblog.com/toronto-dog-parks/coronation-park/

http://www.219fortyork.com/5122/50223.html

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/06/23/councillor-wants-coronation-park-fixed-up

Image c/o Canucks without Borders

The Waterfront has a lot to offer the residents that live along its shores. Here’s a list of all the things Malibu residents can look forward to:

Harbourfront Centre

The Harbourfront Centre is the hub for all summer events at the waterfront. It plays host to over 4,000 events a year!

Stroll along the Boardwalk

The waterfront features a beautiful boardwalk. On your stroll, you’ll pass interesting public art, gardens, restaurants, and cafés.

The Power Plant  

No, the Power Plant isn’t a power station – it’s actually a contemporary art gallery! Check out the work for contemporary Canadian artists, for free!

Watermark Irish Pub

Watermark is a great pub with a beautiful view of the lake. Keep an eye out for it while taking a stroll on the boardwalk!

The Martin Goodman Trail

The Martin Goodman Trail extends fromScarborough, all the way to the Queens Quay Boardwalk. It’s a great trail for those looking to enjoy the outdoors, whether they do it walking, jogging, or cycling.

Toronto Islands

Finally, visit the Toronto Islands! Take a ferry down, and hang out on the beach. It can be a mini escape for a day.

Sources:

http://blog.mycondomylife.com/cityzen-developments/2012/05/the-best-things-to-do-on-torontos-waterfront.html

http://canuckswithoutborders.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/10-things-to-do-on-torontos-waterfront/

Image c/o CrossFit 416

CrossFit 416 is a gym dedicated to using CrossFit – a program used by many police academies, military operations units, and elite professional athletes. The gym’s philosophy is “to teach fitness based on the pursuit of function in one’s daily life.” This means it is designed for stay-at-home moms as well as Olympic athletes.

CrossFit 416 staffers are all CrossFit certified trainers. They are there to guide and motivate clients to reach their fitness goals, while also making sure equipment is used safely.

When you first join, it is best to take their Elements introductory sessions to get acquainted with the fundamentals of CrossFit. Once members have completed the Elements sessions, they can join the regular group sessions, which are led by certified trainers.

Membership Rates:

Month – $150
3 Month – $430
6 Month – $840
Annual – $1,620

For more information regarding Malibu, please feel free to contact us at (416) 929-1660 or email us at resupport@axoncapitalrealty.com. We would be happy to help you find the perfect condo!

CrossFit 416, 370 Queens Quay W Unit 102, 416.520.5542, http://www.crossfit416.ca/

Sources:

http://www.crossfit416.ca/

http://twitter.com/CrossFit_416

Image c/o susur.com/lee

Lee Restaurant is a stylish place to dine located in the trendy King West neighbourhood.  It is owned by Susur Lee, arguably the most internationally recognized chef in Toronto, after his near win of the TV show Top Chef Masters. 

The restaurant features mobiles along the walls made up of propaganda posters from the 1940’s. Susur has also added some of his old family photos as decoration to make the space feel more personal. 

The menu focuses on small sharable dishes that have Asian and French influences.  Some of their delicious options include:

• Singaporean-style Slaw ($28) – Nut containing coleslaw with sashimi of salmon
• Peking & Char Sui Duck ($29) – Beijing Duck garnish, steamed pancake, foie gras pâté
• Hot Banana & Wild blueberry Chocolate Cake ($12) – Butterscotch sauce, vanilla bean ice cream & banana tuille

If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, Lee Restaurant has a private dining room that can accommodate 10-24 guests.  For groups of 50-200 people, the entire restaurant is available for private bookings.

In addition to this spectacular restaurant, Susur has added a Lounge located right next door to the restaurant. The lounge serves as a holding space for patrons eating at Lee’s and is also a popular spot for those just looking to hang out. 

If you’re interested in living in the trendy King West neighbourhood, feel free to give us a call at 416-929-1660 or send us an e-mail to resupport@axoncapitalraelty.com.  We would be happy to help you in the search for your perfect condo!

Sources:

http://www.susur.com/lee/

http://www.torontolife.com/daily/daily-dish/opening-daily-dish/2011/02/22/introducing-lee-lounge-the-latest-incarnation-of-susur-lee%E2%80%99s-king-west-space/

Image c/o http://www.amsterdambeer.com/

The Amsterdam Brewing Co. has had a long history inToronto. It was originally named after a brewpub on John St., in the heart of the Entertainment District and a brewery atop Rotterdam Bar on King St. Today, the brewery is located at 21 Bathurst St.

Their retail store sells merchandise and, of course, beer! You’ll be able to find beers that are only available on-site – forget about seeing these at your local Beer Store. They include: Natural Light and Dutch Amberand. They also offer a variety of seasonal beers like Spring Bock, Oktoberfest and Wheat Beer.

If you’re interested in learning more about the brewery, sign up for a tasting and product knowledge session! These sessions run every Saturday from 1-6pm, with each one being about 45 minutes long. Sessions can hold up to 20 people at a cost of about $10 per person.

Do you like the idea of living at Malibu? If so, feel free to contact us for more information. Call us at (416) 929-1660 or email us at resupport@axoncapitalrealty.com. We would be happy to help you find that perfect condo!

Sources:

http://www.amsterdambeer.com/

http://www.bartowel.com/amster.phtml