Memorable Summer Including A Cruise To Boldt Castle On Heart Island In New York's Thousand Islands

My husband surprised me with a lovely cruise and not just any cruise, one to Heart Island with a castle!  Talk about romantic and wonderful!  It really didn't even take that long to get there, under two hours and we saw the castle in about an hour.  There was food and drinks on the boat and we had a big breakfast before at the nearby cafe where we picked up our tickets.

As we approached I was very impressed with the lovely castle and grounds too.  It was so wonderful but too bad Mr. Boldt and Mrs. Boldt didn't get to live there because tragically she died before it was finished.  The main floor was all done up and they even have a functioning elevator too but they are still renovating the upper floors so when it's all done I hope my husband and I will go back again to see!

For more pictures please see:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/annagarastophotography/albums/72157685682238204

My Fine American Art Online Gallery & Print Merch Available For Sale

I finally had some time to update my personal Blog today and I thought I would start with sharing my Fine American Art account.  I only have a few photos up right now and may add more later.  I also have my Flickr account link in my profile too and if you see any photo you like I will consider uploading it too, the majority may be available. 

https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/anna-garasto.html

Brickworks Butterfly, taken by myself in Toronto, Ontario CANADA

Summerlicious At Cluny In The Distillery District In Toronto July 2017

I selected the chowder, shank steak pink and the chocolate mouse and it was so delicious!  Not only was it excellent the portion was very satisfying too.  I ended up sharing some with my husband too.  The service was excellent as well.  The server was so friendly and caring, it was the cherry on top! 

The area was so amazing too.  Not only is it charming and historic, it's packed with other amazing restaurants and shops too.  It's a five star experience for the soul and I highly recommend it!  One of these days I have to purchase a professional camera because I'd love to capture things better because I believe that I have the eye for it and really love the pictures I take.

Celebrated Canada Day's 150 Years With Fireworks July 2017

We were at Columbia Lake this year to celebrate with fireworks and it was so stunning to say the least!  There was a live concert before too but we decided to stay near the lake during the show because of the amazing view and affects.  It was really well done.  God Bless my wonderful country, Canada, and here's to another great 150 years and more!    

The Big View #Toronto #BrickWorks #TorontoBrickWorks

Enough said, right?!

Free Admission To All Canadian National Parks This Year! Canada's 150 Birthday!! 2017

So we went to Point Pelee recently and the very friendly and wonderful Government Employee informed us that we would not have to pay entry for 2017 and it is free because of Canada's 150th Birthday.  Then she gave us the Discovery Pass, pictured above, and it's plastic so we can use it over and over again for the year.  

We headed straight for the beach and check out the amazing view above at Black Willow Beach!  Total Heaven On Earth to me.  Ontario, Canada is among one of the top beautiful places in the world!  Hamilton is even the Waterfall Capital of the World, then there is Niagara Falls, the Scarborough Bloughs, Humber Beach, and so much more!  Then we have amazing man made structures and other amazing tourist sites like the CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium, The Eaton's Centre and those 3 alone are all located downtown Toronto.  For more tourist information for Ontario click this sentence part and for Toronto hit this part.

For more photos of Port Pelee hit this sentence to go to my Flickr Point Pelee Album.

Cheers!

Holiday Road 2017

We took a quick road trip because my husband took a computer course in the states so I decided to go with him and we drove because it's the best way to travel if you can.  You get to experience so many places and it's so scenic too.  It can be a bit difficult, however, if you don't have a good system.  Driving for long periods of time is not easy sometimes so take advantage of the lovely rest stops on both sides of the boarder to literally rest up or Hotels.com app to help easily find a place on the go if you are really tired and need a bigger break.  It's what we do and it really works!  It's a heck of a lot more affordable than other means of transportation, especially flying, and you are more in charge of what you end up doing, I find.  I also bring a good book and we indulge in pod casts and satellite radio.  Sometimes you find unplanned pit stop gems too that you can venture.

So we went through Detroit, Michigan, through Ohio, then Indiana because we needed to get to Indianapolis (then back) and lastly to Point Peele, Ontario.  The pictures are all in that order too and if you want to see more please check out my Flickr Albums for those pics and more: https://www.flickr.com/photos/annagarastophotography/albums

I will be doing a separate blog for Point Pelee because I have more to share about it.  A really incredible place full of beautiful nature.  I swear, nature is my church, such a positive recharge and uplifting experience!

Mount Pleasant Cemetery

Toronto has such amazing public spaces and Mount Pleasant Cemetery is no exception.  So peaceful and the surround nature is quite remarkable.  We recently spent an afternoon there walking around with our little dachshund and I kinda felt like I was at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris again, only different, because Mount Pleasant is so full of such beautiful nature and it's very spacious.  It was not scary at all to me and I kept picking up such a tranquil vibe.  Mind you I have never been there at night but during the day it's very lovely.

February Already!

Time really flies when you are living in some pretty epic and amazing times.  Seemed only yesterday that the most incredible dancing lights caught my eye and I witnessed such an incredible sunset!  It was like a burst of gold framed in the most pretty pink and purple sky.

#sunset - Hwy2 and Lawson Rd . #Toronto #scarbto #sky #rougehill pic.twitter.com/YFsDIuczh7

— Mei (@Gr8MeiDay) January 24, 2017

beautiful sunset does that mean there will be a sunny day tomorrow?#downtownto #toronto #torontosunset pic.twitter.com/JgFWFssQnl

— Bebberscards (@bebbers) January 24, 2017

When I was watching CTV Toronto New, the awesome weather man, Tom Brown, explained that when the sun is under the clouds you get golden sun set but it must have been also behind the clouds too because of the pink and purple sky on top.  He shared that before too last year when we were having some other incredible purply pink sun sets.  What sun set isn't, really?

So we are already past the first week of February and it's just be so cold with freezing rain but Valentine's Day should hopefully warm things up a bit.  If not weather wise then possibly with your honey pie. 💑💗  lol

Speaking of pie, today is National Pizza Day, so of course I made some nice homemade pizza. 🍕  Chicken, red peppers, mushrooms and green olives.  It was really good too.

Captivated By A Majestic Red & Gold Dragon At Superstore... Chinese New Year Must Be Near!

Chinese New Year will be on January 28 and I am already seeing hints here. 🐉 I love this time of year and love to celebrate with our wonderful Chinese Community. Love that red and gold! It's also the year of the Rooster. 🐓

Our nearby Superstore really decked things up for this lovely time of year.  We also were very fortunate to be able to buy such delicious Florida golden navel oranges for the "low price" of only .68 cents a pound.  We were practically gifted so I had to stock up!

Even Royal's new little tiger caught my eye.  How adorable and majestic!  Perfect fit too with these pictures.  There is something about the orient that makes me wonder if I'm related to Marco Polo somehow. lol  I just love the Asian culture and people.  So glad to be able to experience so many different wonderful cultures here in Canada!  It's more than just the food also.  Now another dream vacation on mine would be China, however.  Hopefully one day soon!   

HarbourFront Center In Downtown Toronto Offers Free Public Skating & Amazing Views!!

Wow, right!  And don't forget the Lake Ontario view!!  Toronto is a world class city and this is one of the reasons right here and it's free.  Now you may want to spring for a locker for your shoes and personal items and don't forget to bring money for hot chocolate too. There is a cafe near the rink but there is a Tim Hortin's on Queens Quay and in the HarbourFront Terminal if you prefer that instead.

Right when we got there to the locker and change room it was so packed but everyone was so easy going we were able to get our skates on and locker packed with no problem.  They even offer skate rentals and skate sharpening for a cost.  When we got there a girl was hurt but she was being taken care of by caring and competent staff.  I was impressed.  

Though there is no parking included it's a small price to pay for such a great time.  We went to the newly built parking garage off Queens Quay so close to the rink.  Two hours were $14 Canadian and plenty enough time for a quick lunch at Sobey's in the Terminal and a skate.  Now there is pay street parking by the PawsWay and other lots but they are much further.  It was too cold for me to walk around, personally.

That's the Lake view.  So AMAZING, right!  And we went on a kinda cold and dreary day.  I was so fortunate to get a new iPod 6th Generation for Christmas and I am so very pleased with the camera and everything.  Excellent device!  I have my iTunes on there too and all downloaded.  I also want to mention that the rink itself is sheltered from the wind so it wasn't that cold to me and I hate to be cold.  I was in a warm coat with mittens and a hat on, however, so please dress appropriate.   

 Click on this Link for more information about Harbourfront Centre Natrel Rink