Frozen Falls

With endless extreme weather statements, watches and warnings for my first Toronto winter, one positive outcome was a chance to see the majestic Niagara Falls in a frozen state.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some historic photos of the frozen falls.

I'm certain this won't be my only photos of the falls as I expect to visit Niagara a number of times while I'm in Ontario.

 

And speaking of ice, the Great Lakes are almost completely frozen over this year with 88 per cent ice coverage.  The last time there was this much ice on the lakes was two decades ago.

Overall, I have no major complaints about the Toronto weather -- at least it's not raining! And I am enjoying the sunshine, clear skies and stunning sunrises that I see from my lakefront condo.

However, one does get a little tired of layering and bundling up day after day.  The temperatures are expected to rise above zero this week.

It's Christmas Time in the City

The first real blast of winter (technically still fall on the calendar) hit Toronto this weekend with 20 cm of snow.

Believe in Santa Claus

 
How can one not get into the Christmas spirit when watching the 1947 holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street -- on the big screen!  Having seen this film dozens of times on TV, it was great to enjoy it with the reactions of a live audience at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. The five-storey complex on King St. W. has five cinemas and other galleries and studios.



Christmas lights in Little Italy on College St.

Watching this movie on a Sunday afternoon took away the disappointment of visiting Little Italy on a snowy Saturday afternoon in search of Baccala (salted cod fish, an Italian tradition for Christmas).  I had called one market and asked if they had baccala. The guy said they don't carry Greek desserts.  So, trudging along College Street, I, and my friend Agnes, searched the shops. 

In the end, it wasn't a speciality shop that had what I was looking for. Thank goodness for Metro (a grocery store chain) for carrying salted cod from Alaska. A nice cappuccino at the Sicilian Sidewalk Café helped this situation.

Here are a few other random photos below to illustrate the winter weather and Christmas time in Toronto.

Holiday shopping at Eaton Centre.

King St. West after the winter storm.

Lake Ontario after a week of sub-zero temperatures. Ferry making its way to Toronto Island.