Food: Jump

I didn't get a chance to participate in winterlicious this year so getting out and eating at a nice restaurant was a nice change.

We visited Jump: Cafe and Bar. This restaurant is apart of the Oliver and Bonacini and Canoe chain. The location was super convenient, you don't even have to step outside from the subway station.. it's all connected!

Jump had a really nice atmosphere. Everyone was in suits and I guess that's because it's right under business buildings.



The food was pretty decent, not the best I've had but very interesting and enjoyable! We all daringly ordered the drink of the day - Mango peach juice!
The drink could have been colder but other than that, pretty good. Don't know about it being worth 5 dollars though..... haha.


Mango Peach Juice

I ordered ..The Veggie Plate, which was honestly one of the busiest meals I've ever eaten. There were so many things on the plate to try! What I loved most was definitely the sweet corn goat cheese souffle. Weird, it didn't taste like egg at all - it was amazing! I love corn and I love cheese :)
The portion of rice was a bit too small for my liking. It felt like a spoon really but I guess considering the amount of other stuff on the plate.. it was alright. The veggies were really strong vinaigrette-like tasting but they worked pretty well with the plate, balanced out with the souffle, rice and mushroom cutlet.



The Veggie Plate: grilled vegetables, with sweet corn goat cheese soufflé
mushroom cutlet and jasmine rice


Fettuccini with Gulf Shrimp: filetto di pomodoro, garlic, tomato, basil and extra virgin olive oil


Grilled Top Sirloin Steak Sandwich: ciabatta bun, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers,
horseradish mayo, Swiss cheese and sweet potato fries

I might come back to check out their dinner menu just because their lunch menu didn't have many choices that were suiting for me - hence the veggie plate. :)

Crafts: Hearts Mobile

Just (not) in time for Valentine's day..

A mini mobile with hanging hearts !

Materials:
2 popsicle sticks
string
red and pink construction paper
scissors
glue

Time needed:
15-30 mins

1. Criss cross two popsicle sticks, making right angles. Using string, wrap around each corner several times, to make the popsicle sticks cross tight.
2. Cut four long pieces of string and individually wrap them around the center of the cross and branch out to one of the popsicle sticks. Tie two knots to secure the string. These four strings will be the strings your hearts will hang from.
3. Now you should have four strings hanging from each end of the popsicle sticks. Using pink and red ... or whatever colour construction paper, cut out hearts (or any other shapes if you'd like!) in duplicates. There needs to be two copies of the same heart/shape.
4. Position the hearts wherever you like on the strings and glue them on sandwiching the string.
5. A paperclip can be used as a hook. Hook one end to the wrapped strings in the center of the popsicle sticks cross and the other end, wherever you'd like to hang the mobile.
6. You're done! :)


Step 3.


The final product

Crafts: Papermache Snowman!

I figured I should start a series of crafty creations. Remember not all these ideas are just for kids!
Most of you know I work part-time teaching children arts and crafts.. so I should have ideas from every week!

Though this winter has been extremely mild without much snow..today I will be talking about this papermache snowman!


It's fairly easy and can be done with children from 4 years old. Obviously, more help would be needed for the younger ones!

Materials needed:
two balloons - one blown big and one small
newsprint/newpaper
white tissue paper
felt
white glue
water
scissors
paintbrush
masking tape
(styrofoam cup)

Time needed:
3 hours + drying time (overnight)

1. Rip the newsprint/newspaper into tiny pieces.
2. Blow one bigger ballon for the snownman's body. Using the glue mixture and a paintbrush, paint the newspaper pieces onto the ballon. Around 2-3 layers of the newsprint need to be on the balloon. Then an additional 2 layers of white tissue paper need to be painted on.
3. Let dry sitting in a styrofoam cup. Repeat step 2 for the smaller balloon.
4. While both balloons are drying, cut felt to make the accessories and eyes, nose and mouth for the snowman
5. Once the balloons are dry, cut a bigger hole in the big balloon where the balloon opening is. Remove both balloons from inside the now hardened body and head. Then stick the smaller balloon into the hole, using masking tape, tightly tape the two balloons together.
6. To cover the masking tape, use white tissue paper to layer on top.
7. The facial features and accessories can now be glued on!
8. And..you're done! :)


Step 5.
This wasn't mine! Important to note though, try to make sure the final tissue paper layer is stuck on flat!


Just another example. The facial features and accessories can be glued on prior to taping the head and body together.

The final product!



..I already have another craft lined up. Here's a sneak peak.. in the Valentine's spirit :)


<3