Finally a farmers' market!

I was having a problem finding a farmers market in my area. I've been searching for a long time now, and yes, it was winter and all, but I had to find something that works all year round and has fresh stuff.

Until now, I haven't found anything in that sense, except for a few very yummy shops (but that's another thing).

Here's the deal: they're either closed now (open only during the summer), they operate when it's impossible for me to get there, or they're very far away.

There are numerous lists online with farmers markets around Toronto and Etobicoke, but somehow nothing worked for me.
So in order to find out where am I going to buy apples and stuff, I talked to some Canadians about it and they all said the same thing: "There are some farmers markets around you could go to, but there's nothing there. It's winter!".

So?

Don't cows make milk during the winter? And I mean the real cows. Aren't there foods that are the best in late fall and winter and early spring? Maybe Canada, with the winter so cold, doesn't have seasonal stuff? Maybe the cows are so cold that they strike during the winter. So that felt weird.

But, I found one. Since the summer is getting closer, I guess there will be more of them closer to me, and I'll check them out.

The one that is fairly close to my area just opened the season yesterday - and that's Sorauren Farmers' Market in Parkdale. And I couldn't wait to go and see it for myself.

You see, back home, in Croatia, there are farmers markets everywhere. Of course, it's not like I used them every day. Who does, when there are supermarkets around? But still, I used to go once a week to get some fresh stuff, healthier food and meat that was not fed by the other same kind meat.

I was hoping to find the same thing here. The Sorauren farmers' market looks like something similar, with a few differences.

Back home, we have all kinds of food at the markets. Whether is summer of winter, you'll always find fresh seasonal food, bakeries with fresh baked bread and dairy booths with butter, milk, yogurts and cheese, home made spreads, salads, legumes, spices, eggs, everything from small, independent farmers. In a Croatian farmers market, you'll find Croatian food.

Here, I've seen a lot less products, but also, you could find multicultural food and flavors from different countries. There's Canadian foods and then there's foods from the rest of the world.

However, it was kind of small and I expected it to be bigger. But, I did find some neat stuff, like home made cosmetics, all kinds of honey, awesome chocolates, some real looking potatoes (I'm a sucker for potatoes) and a fresh basil in a pot. I just hope the basil won't die on me like the rest of the plants I've had this year. I'm not much of a plant person.

Must say, it's a bit pricey. I paid 6$ for a half of chocolate bar. But, you get what you pay for. When I'm spending money in Croatian farmers market, I know I'm getting the good stuff. Only there, often the good stuff is cheaper than stuff from supermarket. That's one of the advantages of a economically screwed up country.

I hope that here's the same deal (regarding the food quality), as it should be. I'll know soon enough, when I get those potatoes from the oven later and spice everything up with that sweet basil scent.

Shooting The Spring In Toronto

Finally, it happened. Spring is officially here (no, the dates don't matter). What matters is the number of days in a row with temperatures above 16 degrees C. With sun. Those are my standards.

That's when I start running.
That's when I can wear short sleeves.
That's when I don't feel like eating ice cream anymore.
That's when I know I'll soon be wearing flip flops and be able to sunbathe at the top of my roof.
That's when all the spring joy and positive energy summons.


The trees are getting greener. Now is the time to visit High Park, among all the other beautiful places in the city. The warm breeze and flower scents feels amazing after this long winter. The birds are chirping and playing around, people are taking walks and there are flowers everywhere. It's nice to be outside!

Just took a walk the other day and saw some amazing stuff. Also, learned couple of things. Those black birds with red and yellow on their wings (Red wing blackbirds) are mean. You can see it in their mean birdie faces.

On the other hand, Robins are awesome and great photo models. They're not scared easily and they're willing to pose for you. They are all around the place, playing with other robins and sparrows or just sitting in a tree chirping and browsing around.

It's hard to miss firsts magnolia flowers, they look amazing. They bloomed rapidly in the last couple of days. They're all over the places and yet I can never get enough of them.

Also, the first cherry blossoms just bloomed, and I know they're gonna be even more magnificent in the next couple of weeks. There's something magical about them. Next week I'm on my quest to find some more.







I generally love squirrels, but baby squirrels are awesome! This little guy actually followed a bunch of kids running around and played with them. Wasn't scared at all, and actually, quite enjoyed their attention.

This time of year is always beautiful. Of course, in Croatia, this time of year actually comes sooner, but it's just as amazing. I must admit though, I somehow appreciate it more here, in Toronto. I guess it's because of that badass Canadian winter after all. So, whoever is around, get outside and enjoy!

Just a today's weather snapshot

What a weird day.

I remember, when I was a kid, the weather was normal. We had spring, summer, fall and winter. Now, you have something in between the whole year round.

Both Toronto and a huge part of Croatia have pretty much the same weather conditions.

The winter here lasts a little longer, but so what. True Canadians rectify that by wearing flip flops at 12 C, cause spring is just around the corner!

I've seen them walking without jackets on a first sunny winter day. Hell, I've even seen joggers jogging half naked last winter, by the lake, and I know for a fact that it was -6 C that day because my phone died of cold just after I checked the temperature.

But they're not alone in this madness. Croatian swim in sea during the winter. Not the majority, but the crazy ones. Still, it happens.

In Norway, one February, just as we were driving from Oslo towards a little town called Moss, there were people aside the road, drilling a hole on the frozen fjord, so that they could get in the water and have a swim. They say it's good for health.
I say, knock yourselves out and stay away from me.

There was a guy here in Toronto windsurfing this winter when it was -10 C. I don't get surprised anymore. I admire the enthusiasm.

And what happened today?

15 minutes of sun, 15 minutes of rain, 15 minutes of wind - and changing constantly all day long. What's that? A classic spring day? Right. A classic spring day is warm, sunny, with a breeze. Not a weather circus.

Somebody actually told me there might be some snow this week. And the day before yesterday was 18C, and I went for a run. When I go for a run, it mean's it's warm out.



No wonder people go all crazy and weird.

The day today just pissed me off. The whole weather thing. It brought me back to my youth when I used to hate clouds (I don't anymore).

However, it gave me the opportunity to capture some water drops on the window. I just thought they looked interesting. Plus I know how much Canadians love to talk about weather.

I sure hope I won't have the opportunity to capture any more snowflakes this year. People are already dipping in the sea back home, in a far away land, and not just the crazy ones...