A Lovely Relaxed Sunday Morning with a Grand Wedding Anniversary Barbecue Party in Brampton

Sunday, September 1, 2024

Toronto, Canada

A Lovely Relaxed Sunday Morning with a Grand Wedding Anniversary Barbecue Party in Brampton

We had a most interesting first day in Toronto (or more properly, in Woodbridge and later Brampton)—and indeed every single day after would be just as much fun.

Sunday Mass in Woodbridge:

We awoke in Sylvia’s home in Woodbridge after a very good night’s sleep. I had carried my granola with me and I had that for breakfast with yogurt while Llew chose to eat toast with preserves. There was decaff coffee for both of us—so we had a very good breakfast indeed while making plans to go for the 10.30 am Mass.

Sylvia’s son, Ryan, who lives about ten minutes’ drive away, arrived to drop us off to the 10.30 am Mass at church. The venue was her new parish, St. Catherine of Assisi Church, a modern construction (as most churches in Canada are). Mass went off well and with Ryan at the wheel, after it ended, Sylvia needed to run some errands, mostly by way of buying provisions and groceries for the week.

Weekly Provisions Shopping:

Our first stop was Vicci Bakery which Sylvia told us bakes some fine artisanal bread. She picked up a loaf of her favorite and, with me surveying the wonderful cases filled with Italian pastries, cakes, cookies and other goodies, you can just imagine that our appetite was whetted for some enticing Italian gelato. And so as we ate cups just overflowing with creamy gelato, we sat ourselves down right there in Vicci and enjoyed the treat. It gave us a chance to do some people-watching too as most Italians have the lovely custom of going to church and then heading to their favorite place right after for brunch. The place was packed as families tucked into all manner of plates as they whiled away a Sunday morning. The weather outside was also just lovely—it was warm and bright with no humidity at all.

Out next stop was Longo’s Supermarket—another really large food market where there was everything enticing that one could imagine. We made our rounds of the space and while Sylvia put things into her cart, there was enough bought to satisfying our foodie cravings for the next ten days.

Those errands done, Ryan dropped us at Sylvia’s and made his way home. We would meet him again, later in the evening, at a huge family do.

We sat ourselves down for a light lunch, tasted the new loaf of bread that Sylvia had purchased, spread it with some interesting spreads, humus, cream cheese, etc. as we took care of hunger pangs. Then it was time for some relaxing naps and showers as we had a busy evening ahead of us.

A Huge Family Gathering in Brampton:

Our evening was consumed by a long (almost 1 hour) drive to Brampton for a family celebration. Sylvia’s sister Lorraine and her husband, Ronnie, were celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary with a massive family barbecue at their home. Of course, since we were Sylvia’s house guests and because we happen to know Lorraine and Ronnie too, we were the only non-family invitees. It was a really fun evening with all the noise and chatter you can imagine when several families, comprising multiple generations get together. Also, there were at least six gregarious teenagers present and when those kids get together, they have the best time. There was also two little twin girls present and they kept everyone fully occupied and amused as the evening marched on.

There were drinks and food galore to keep us happily sipping and munching throughout while the couple’s son, Roland and his dad, Ronnie, got on with the barbecue. We were oblivious to their efforts as we were busy laughing, joking, eating, drinking. When dinner was announced, you can imagine our shock when I approached the table and found it groaning with Barbecue offerings and accompaniments fit for the gods—all beautifully organized and laid out for our grazing pleasure. There was Barbecue chicken (Western Style), Tandoori Chicken, massive Beef Cutlets (Patties—to be placed in hamburger buns), huge frankfurter sausages (for making hot dogs), gently grilled fish—and as if this were not enough, a delicious Caesar Salad, a grand tub of coleslaw and another of potato salad plus all the fixin’s such as raw onion rings, tomato slices, lettuce leaves plus condiments galore. I mean what was not to love? I had half a hot dog and half a hamburger and with the salads, my plate and my tummy were full. Then, the icing on the cake was the desserts that were brought out: a wonderful pecan pie from Vicci (I love pecan pie!), Rice Krispie Treats (which the teenagers devoured), a magnificent apple struedel. It was hard to decide what to taste and what to pass up. Truly, this trip was all about food and all about eating and I will pay a very heavy price for all this over-indulgence, I am fully aware, when I get back to my normal life again.

But no complaints!!! What is life if not the counting of these blessings and the rejoicing in them? We said long goodbyes and a hundred thank-yous to the tireless chefs who had worked at the coals, all afternoon long, while we were shooting the breeze.

It was a lovely, long, companionable late-night drive back as Ryan dropped us off to Sylvia’s and without any ado, we went straight down to our basement apartment for another night’s rest—giving thanks for the gift of old friends and genuine friendships.

Until tomorrow, cheerio.