One of our new favourite traditions in Toronto is going for hanami. For the second year, we’ve trekked to the packed but beautiful High Park for hanami, or cherry blossom viewing. This year was much hotter and the crowds seemed bigger but hanami has definitely become a symbol that spring in the city is really […]
Home and Garden
The Flowers of Spring
My favourite flowers are the early spring blossoms. Daffodils, hyacinths, tulips – they all mark the end of another long winter and promise a hot sunny summer to come. I’m not talented in the garden and unfortunately have killed more than a couple of my plants. The flowers that survive in our apartment are the heartiest ones that […]
- Books
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The Year in Books: May with At Home by Bill Bryson
At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson Bill Bryson’s At Home: A Short History of Private Life was a fascinating read about the history of the author’s own rural house, a former rectory built in 1851. Using each room (and even hallways and staircases), Bryson explores the history of such seemingly […]
Our Parents’ Renovation: Before Bathroom
This bathroom is about 20 years old, when our parents renovated their Edwardian triplex into a duplex. It was the one and only bathroom for our family until we moved to Saudi Arabia. Hence, the low counter (for three kids) and double sinks. The blue paint job is from 2004, when we finally moved back to […]
Our Parents’ Renovation: Before Bedroom
I guess this isn’t really a ‘before’ photo, because the rooms have already been cleared of furniture. Our parents are renovating the top floor of their house, which hasn’t been done (other than painting) for the last 25 years. The top floor used to be a one-bedroom apartment where our parents, Tomiko, and I lived […]