Glanmore National Historic Site in Belleville Ontario

Recently on Mother’s Day, I spent a really wonderful day with my two grown sons. 

Since they were coming from Ottawa and we were driving in from Toronto, we decided to meet in the middle and spend the day together in Belleville. It turned out to be the perfect choice.

After brunch, we decided to visit the Glanmore National Historic Site , located at 257 Bridge Street East. The last time I had been there was during COVID, on a solo little day trip of my own.

The home is absolutely stunning. Every room feels warm, elegant, and full of history without feeling cold or untouchable. At one point, one of my sons looked around and said, “I bet this is exactly how you’d want your home to look,” and honestly… he wasn’t wrong. I laughed because he knows me so well. The character, the details, the charm — it felt like stepping into another era in the best possible way.

At that time, the house was closed down to visitors, so I only got to admire it from the outside. I remember thinking then how beautiful it looked, and I had hoped someday I’d get to actually see inside.  Well this time I finally did - and it didn't disappoint!

I don’t want to share too many photos because I genuinely think this is one of those places that’s better experienced in person. Sometimes showing everything online takes away a little bit of the magic, and this place deserves to surprise people.

The admission was only around $8, and you can easily spend the afternoon wandering through the rooms and taking it all in at your own pace. If you ever find yourself in Belleville looking for something a little different to do, I’d definitely recommend stopping by. It ended up being one of those simple, meaningful afternoons that I know I’ll remember for a long time.

One of the things I really enjoyed at Glanmore National Historic Site was reading about the history behind each room as you wandered through the house. It made everything feel much more personal instead of just looking at beautiful furniture and décor.

The Front Hall especially made an impression on me. The home itself was considered incredibly grand for its time, and even the suspended walnut staircase — which cost only $62.50 back in 1883 — was treated as a major feature of the house. I loved seeing how carefully the hall has been restored over the years, right down to the original wall colours and ceiling details. Standing there, you could almost imagine guests arriving for an elegant evening over a century ago.

The Dining Room was just as fascinating. Many of the original pieces are still there, including the massive dining table, chairs, and fireplace mantle. Reading about the formal dinners once hosted in the room made it easy to picture what life must have been like during that Victorian era — servants being summoned by bell, candlelight dinners, and long evenings spent entertaining guests. It’s the kind of place where history suddenly feels very real instead of something trapped behind glass in a museum.

Make it one part of your next road trip!

Jazz Night at Ripley's Aquarium

I wouldn't say I'm an avid jazz fan, but I do enjoy it as background music while I'm writing, reading, traveling, chilling. On a Sunday afternoon while listening to JazzFM on the radio I caught the buzz about a contest to win free tickets to Jazz Night at the aquarium..without a second thought I picked up the phone dialed the number - after a call back we won tickets for 2 on the day of my birthday the following Friday night to check it out. 

Located right next to the iconic CN Tower in downtown Toronto, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.

Whether you’re visiting during one of their fun themed events or just stopping by on a regular day, it's always such a joy to see what's happening inside.

If you’ve checked out my blog before, you might have seen my post about a friend attending the aquarium’s “Aqueerium” themed night — one of the many special events they host throughout the year. My husband and I have also visited on a regular day, and even without a special theme, it was still a great experience.

Happily the Aquarium is always busy with tourists and locals. Honestly, that support is important because it helps maintain an aquarium and caring for so much aquatic life takes an incredible amount of work and money! Thankfully, people continue to show up and enjoy everything the aquarium has to offer.

 

click on the video to hear some of the jazz we enjoyed.  Whether your a traveller or a local looking for something to do on a date or just to feel like you are a little closer to the ocean any time of the year, this place is worth the venture.

 

Eglinton LRT Opening

 

Taking the maiden trip on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT!

It felt like a day that might never actually arrive, but on February 8, 2026, history was made across Toronto. After more than a decade of construction detours, orange cones, and endless debates, the Line 5 Eglinton Crosstown LRT officially opened its doors to passengers!

Getting here was a massive test of patience. Ground broke way back in 2011, and over fifteen long years, the budget swelled past $12.8 billion. Let’s be realistic for a moment: as a public service, this line is never going to "pay for itself" or turn a financial profit in our lifetime. Public transit rarely does. But measuring it purely in dollars misses the bigger picture—because in terms of civic value, connection, and pure daily convenience, it’s already paying massive dividends.

The Maiden Trip: West to East

We decided to celebrate opening day by doing the entire route from start to finish. We hopped on at the very first stop at Mount Dennis in the west end, and took it to all 19 kilometers across the city to Kennedy Station in the east.

The first thing you notice when stepping onboard is how smooth, clean, fast, and remarkably quiet the light rail vehicles are. It completely transforms how it feels to cross midtown. As we glided through the central stretch, we passed right by so many familiar neighborhood spots and shopping plazas that we usually cycle to during the warmer months. While nothing will ever replace the joy of a sunny bike ride, having Line 5 up and running is going to be an absolute lifesaver when winter hits, the snow starts falling, or it's simply way too freezing to ride outside!

The atmosphere inside the train was pure magic. The train was packed with fellow Torontonians, and everywhere you looked, there were friendly, smiling faces taking photos, chatting with strangers, and just soaking in the collective relief and excitement of the day.

Effortless Connections Around the City

Beyond how great the ride feels, the transit integration makes getting around completely seamless. Tapping in with a PRESTO card or credit card is as easy as ever, and transferring at major hubs like Eglinton, Cedarvale, or Kennedy connects you straight into the subway and GO network without missing a beat. Moving across midtown without getting stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic is going to change how so many of us navigate the city year-round.

Now I’d love to hear from you! Have you had a chance to take a trip on Line 5 yet? How has the opening of the Crosstown changed your daily commute or weekend routines around Toronto? Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

John Schneider Haus (Kitchener)

On a beautiful November afternoon, after indulging in an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch, we decided to walk a few kilometres to explore John Schneider Haus, located at 466 Queen Street South in Kitchener-Waterloo.

This historic site includes the original Haus, along with five outbuildings and two charming heritage gardens. Each structure offers a glimpse into what daily life looked like in the early 19th century.

The outbuildings include the Spring House, Wash House, Bake House, Woodshed, and Privy—each serving a very specific purpose back in the day.

We arrived in late fall, so a few buildings were already closed for the season. One of those was the Wash House (also known as the Summer Kitchen), which was typically used from spring through fall for messier tasks that were better kept outside the main living space.

The Spring House was especially interesting—it was used to protect water sources and even acted as an early form of refrigeration. The Bake/Smoke/Dry House was another highlight, featuring three distinct areas: a bake oven, a Schnitz House for dehydrating food, and a smokehouse. There’s even additional space at the back that now serves as a garden shed.

I’ve held back from sharing too many photos because it’s truly something worth experiencing in person.

If you’ve been—or decide to go—I’d love to hear what you thought of the site!