Black belt gradings, gelato, Girl Guides, friends and food in Toronto

What a whirlwind visit! Wheh! I wish I could fit more in... but alas, t'was not possible. Fantastic to see friends and family. GG's organized a whole luncheon around my visit - Marika you are fabulous!

Thank you to Debbie who got me free passage on VIA between Toronto and Montreal. Collecting points really does add up. It was great to meet some of her family and put some faces to the names and stories she`s been telling me. They very generously let me stay overnight with them and regaled us all with song, stories, explanations of how to throw a boomerang properly, the basics of bee keeping and much more. Her uncle Wolf even serenaded our departure with some wonderful bag pipe music. What a talented family you have Debbie. It was a delightful visit.

Attila schemed with Shireen to arrange a surprise meeting my first night in. It was wonderful to see you babe! That gorgeous redish shawl you spent a month and half making is stunning! I can't believe you made that for me! And the bowl you made from last year's show is very happy to find it's brother plate. lol. 

Fiona you threw the most wonderful dinner get together I could have asked for! The food was delicious and it was just great to see so many of my dear friends take time out of their busy lives (even with kids!) to come and visit.

Yay Fiona! You fed me! lol. Thank you!  "Fed/nourished me" spiritually, emotionally, mentally. I have the most wonderful, down to earth and genuine friends. I'm very lucky.  (The food was actually spectacular as well... but then, this is Fi we are talking about!)

Denise, we missed having you at your own birthday, but we knew you were there in spirit. Hope you got all our positive birthday wishes. Bowie and Hendrix were your proxy and made sure everyone had some of your cake.

 Avi the new look suits you. Very excited about all the wonderful and positive updates. And very happy that you will be taking walks with me here in my back yard very soon.  My wonderful niece Bowie definitely pulls off the princess look very nicely. She and Avi had a fabulous conversation about magic. I think he is now her new favourite person. lol.

Yuriko and Mohammad, baby Cameron is beautiful! Running a busy and successful restaurant on Queen street AND starting a family - wow - you guys don't kid around. lol. Effie and Senan... sounds like what you did too... everything seemed to happen the same year. I'm so glad you were able to make it down to visit. Baby Thomas is not so small a baby anymore, and Alene has just blossomed!

Jenny and Jason, congrats on the newest addition to the family. Elizabeth is just beautiful and Katherine will no doubt be a wonderful older sister. We really MUST plot out that "farm" in Fiji sometime... lol.

Rob! How long has it been?!! Ages! Wonderful to finally catch up a bit, Bart rocks!

Shireen you are now a Nidan! Very, very proud of you.
All your hard work and discipline has paid off.

Senay, you look fabulous as usual and I felt totally pumped and uplifted by our conversation. Many good things coming to us moving forward... yesss! Loved your business idea - thanks so much for sharing it. I can't wait to move forward on that... and other PAX and Abraham related things.

Rob and Bart making a splash. Rob took me for gelato and we had a great time catching up. I wish I could have stayed longer as there was just so much to talk about!  So great to see them both!

 
Thank you to my mom who put up with me crashing at her place while I came and went, came and went non stop from the second I got in until I left. Great to spend some time with my family, even being able to go up to Rice lake and visit my grandparents. They are selling the cottage so it may very well be the last time I see the place.

My mom and Zserbo.  I named her after one of my favourite Hungarian desserts, zserbo; it's a  pastry with homemade apricot jam and freshly crushed walnuts in the middle. The top has a light layer of semi-sweet Belgian chocolate. Wow it's good!

I  must say I am not a big fan of hairy pets in the house... so I wasn`t too keen on Zserbo. But to my utter amazement.... she grew on me.  My brother and mom are pretty surprised she likes me so much since I gave her such a hard time in the beginning. But I must admit... she`s a pretty fantastic dog. 

My grandmother Katimama with Attila.  Aka: the little one.

Yeah...6`7`` and he`s the `little one.` I`m only 6`, but the firstborn... therefore... the boss. lol.

My grandparents and I enjoying some together time.

My dad and I hanging out and getting some fresh air before returning to make a dent in the feast he prepared.

It was very nice to have felt so loved, appreciated and... well... loved. Already missing you all.... so come and visit me already! lol