Rolled out of bed at the ungodly hour of 9am on Saturday morning. Slogged my way to the kitchen for a cold, placating glass of milk. Rubbed the sleep out of my eyes as I sat down next to D on the couch, and groaned for good measure.
Approaching with caution, D said that it was a nice day. Sunny and warm out. I grunted my acknowledgement of that statement. He let me wake up a bit more before he added that it would be a great day to go to the St. Lawrence Market.
The last vestiges of grumpiness wearing away, I let that idea sink in. Yeah, it did seem like a good idea. Going to the St. Lawrence Market is one of those oh-so-Toronto things that we’d been meaning to do for a while now. Ever since we moved to the city in the spring of 2012 actually. Fucking slackers, we are.
Well, slackers no more I decided. So we got our shit together and made our way down to the market. Just a quick subway ride to King station followed by a happy little stroll down Wellington Street and we were there.
It was glorious!
The St. Lawrence Market, established in 1803, is one of Toronto’s most beloved landmarks. It’s friggen’ historic!
Known for the farmer’s markets, antiques, restaurants, local arts and crafts. The market is truly something special. We started our journey inside, perusing the foodstuffs of the upper level. I was expecting aisles and aisles of easily assembled stations for hawking ones wares. I didn’t realize that there would be actual establishments within. With their elaborate signage, all of these places contribute heartily to the unique atmosphere of the market.
With every turn of the corner something more and more delicious to see. Our mouths were positively watering. It’s a wonder I didn’t wind up with a river of drool down the front of my shirt.
From the finest in meats, pastries, and produce to delicious eats that even a frugal gal of my ilk can afford. What a steal on sausages!
And everyone is so friendly. You get a big happy smile from the vendors at every station, and some casual chatter. Or maybe that’s just how it was for me because I was sporting a delightedly insane bulge in my eyes and a big goofy grin. I was so happy and walking around the market was so wonderful, I couldn’t contain my glee. It was awesome and special. Yeah, thinking back they probably all thought that I was pretty special myself…
After we’d seen all there was to see inside, we made our way outside and across the street to see what the outdoor vendors had to offer.
I saw the bunches of sunflowers for sale and I just had to have them!
They were fitting, the best thing I could possibly get to commemorate my first market going experience. Sunny and bright, and so perfectly indicative of the morning we shared at the market.
I trimmed and arranged them once we got home, humming and smiling to myself in the kitchen, with Harvey squawking curiously at my feet. It’s not often that I bring fresh flowers into our home. Lazy and careless, I much prefer the amount of maintenance that comes with having fake flowers. Their shelf-life ain’t nothing to sneeze at either. I find watching fresh flowers die slowly before me over the course of a few days kind of depressing. I’m not much for watching life-forces wane. But sunflowers are hearty, easily outlasting the daintiest of flowers, so taking a chance on them this time around doesn’t feel quite so melancholy.
And Harvey was quite fond of them as well…
Yes, I would say that this little kitten of ours was quite taken with the sunflowers. Smitten, you might say. A smitten kitten.
How I put off going to the St. Lawrence Market this long I’ll never know. But now that I’ve had a taste I will definitely be back for more…
I’ll go for the charm, and stay for the dirt cheap sausages.
I see my second hand, regifted fake daffodils have taken a backseat!! Haha sounds like fun, I wanna go!
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The daffodils are still first place in my heart, lol. and I also use that lamp of yours every night, it’s been a real gem to us! So thank you again 🙂
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This post is fun! I love it!
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Thanks dude!
The summer weather is going to be in very short supply soon, especially for those of us in Canada. So I’ve gotta stop wasting the nice days glued to my computer reading The IPC and get out in the world! 😉
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LOL – you have ONE WEEK and then your participation is mandatory : )
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haha, don’t worry, I’ll be there! I’m going to strive for perfect attendance throughout Fall Shitfest. You can expect at least 30 likes and 30 comments from me that month, and definitely 1 reblog :>
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: )
We’re going to come in a little lighter than 30 but that’s still beautiful!
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Looks awesome! I skipped this last time I was in Toronto. Maybe this time I’ll go check it out! 🙂 Love the post!
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Thanks Kim! You should definitely go when you get the chance, especially if it’s a gorgeous summer day.
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Summer is almost over, but I’m heading over in 2-3 weeks. Hopefully it’ll still be decent weather 🙂
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Yayyy! If you do get there be sure to take lots of pictures and buy yourself something pretty, you deserve it!
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So nice of you! That place looks dangerous for my wallet and my belly. I always like to search up new places to check out in Toronto! 🙂
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Hi . Love Harvey with the sunflowers what a beautiful kitty.
Check out the Distillery District, especially at Xmas. See you soon Love Helga
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Harvey does take very handsome photos!
I’m excited to see you and Uncle Paul next month for the wedding. If you’re going to be in town for a little while maybe you guys should head downtown and we could do dinner with Marion and Neill too?
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That would be wonderful, so I’m sure we should be able to organize something.
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An excellent article, your photographs, everything. I really enjoyed your post, the market looks like it would be quite a treat to visit, thank you for sharing!
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Thank you Penny, you’re so very kind. I’m glad you enjoyed my post. I’m not a good photographer by any means, but sometimes the subject matter is able to overcome that, lol.
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Your welcome, I like your point of view re: subject matter overcoming a photographers shortcomings, lol. I know that feeling too. But haven’t said that they are wonderful photographs! 🙂
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I haven’t seen that much sausage since the last time I read The IPC.
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Ziiiiiiinnnnnnnng!
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