Best Waterpark

Hamilton has broken a 34-year-old record for the hottest May 25.    The old record was 28.4 C, set in 1978.   The record was bested Friday afternoon when the temperature hit 29.
The new record was recorded at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. by Environment Canada at its weather station at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.

But it’s possible other parts of the city got even hotter.  Some saw the outdoor thermometer on their car record the temperature at 33C!   The national weather agency had forecasted that Hamilton could would see temperatures hit 30.

Environment Canada says the average maximum temperature for the day is 20.4.   If you need something to take your mind off the heat, think about the lowest temperature recorded for the day — since they started keeping records in 1960 — a very chilly 2.6 C, in 1992.

On such a hot day like today, we start to dream of ways to cool off.... fortunately we have air conditioning at our house and many of my neighbours are fortunate to have a pool in their own back yard.

We also have quick access to a fantastic attraction where many locals like to spend a lazy day at the best Waterpark around in this area... Wild Waterworks.    We will have til next weekend to look forward to going there as  their website...  http://www.wild-waterworks.com   says the park does not open until next weekend... June 2/3, 2012.    With the warm weather we've had the last couple of years for the May long weekends,  maybe going forward they will consider opening earlier next year??!!

Please note: Wild Waterworks is a SMOKE FREE facility.

Located in Confederation Park, just off Centennial Parkway in Hamilton, Wild Waterworks offers a perfect place to spend a warm summer day.   Ride the four tube slides: Night Rider and Blue Demon and Vertigo and Sidewinder.

Move on and surf the waves in one of Canada's largest outdoor wave pools. Over a million gallons of heated water splash down every minute.

Discounted tickets to Wild Waterworks available at participating Mac's Milk stores.

The fun continues with the heart-pounding twists of the Corkscrew and the Kamikaze - the park's six-storey body slides.

Toddlers will love Little Squirt Works, a fun wading pool with slides, sprays, mists and fountains.

Confederation Park is an 83-hectare package of fun and adventure located on the shores of Lake Ontario in Hamilton. Here you'll find some of the area's best food and fun throughout the year. To see everything Confederation Park has to offer, go to the website and download the Confederation Park - Wild Waterworks Brochure.

You can purchase the Go-Solo Season's Pass for $69.99 or a Family Pass is available for $223.96 (for a family of 4, with an additional charge of $55.99 extra per person) which includes a free parking pass for Confederation Park.    With the Season Pass there are VIP privileges like a fast VIP gate entrance.

Best Victoria Day Fireworks

We've been looking forward to this weekend for so long... the first long weekend which seems to kick off the summer season.

The May long weekend has long been associated with opening up the cottage, camping, gardening, bbq'ing and enjoying spending time with the people you love to hang out with.    Days prior to the long weekend are usually spent "praying" for nice weather.

I love the long weekend as it is a goal for me to get my gardens (front, back & side!!) edged, mulched and annuals spread around to give summer long impact between the spurts of bloom between the perennials.

It is also a time when people look forward to FIREWORKS!

There are many variety stores, temporary mobile trailer stores and sections of retail stores that sell fireworks for you to set off (safely) on your own property (please note recommendations at the end of this post).

For the Victoria Day 2012 long weekend, you will only find Public Fireworks on Sunday May 20th at the Dundas Driving Park, located on Cross Street in Dundas.     These are the official City of Hamilton Victoria Day Fireworks and Burlington does not have Public Fireworks this weekend.     The Fireworks in Dundas are presented by the Dundas Valley Sunrise Rotary Club in partnership with the City of Hamilton.    Volunteers will be on hand to collect cash donations to help fund Rotary Community Projects.     PLEASE NOTE THAT PERSONAL FIREWORKS AND & SPARKLERS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE PARK.

Fireworks generally are set off when the sun goes down (sometime around 9-915pm.    As these are the only fireworks in the area, best get there early so you are not disappointed.

Guidelines for Setting off Fireworks:

• Family fireworks may be set off only on Victoria Day, Canada Day and the two days immediately preceding or following these two holidays.
• No child shall set off family fireworks other than a sparkler where the child is under direct supervision of an adult at all times.
• No person shall set off family fireworks on any land of which he or she is not the owner without first obtaining written permission of the owner.   Fireworks shall not be discharged over roadways.
• Appoint one person to be in charge who knows about the hazards of fireworks.   Carefully read and follow the label directions including requirements for safe distances to spectators.
• Always keep a pail of water or a water hose nearby.
• Firmly set the fireworks at least 1/2 its length in a pail of sand or dirt, angled slightly away from spectators, checking wind direction and speed.
• Never lean over a firework when lighting it.   Never re-light a "dud" firework.
• Supervise the use of sparklers with children.    They burn extremely hot and can ignite clothing and cause severe burns.   As the sparkler wire remains hot for some minutes after burnout, immediately soak in water.

Best Gas Prices

Can you believe the price of gasoline?    I got my first car about 20 years ago, and back then the price of gas was a glorious 49.5 a litre!   Now, I consider myself lucky to fill up for under $75!

I've noticed over the years that in and around Waterdown, the best gas prices are usually on Highway 6 (North to Guelph) between the 6th Concession East and Carlisle Road.    It is usually a cent or two lower so if you need to go up that way it is very worth it to fill up when in the neighbourhood.    I wouldn't make a special trip to go out of my way to fill up on Highway 6 since the savings of going up there would probably be lost driving up there and back unnecessarily.

Technology can be wonderful, and I just recently discovered "Gas Buddy".    You can go on-line (www.gasbuddy.com)  to register a membership and immediately be able to find the best gas prices in your area... OR, you can download the Gas Buddy Mobile App for your smartphone.   I also found that Gas Buddy has a Hamilton specific site they operate at http://www.hamiltongasprices.com/    These sites offer a fascinating look at trends/maps/charts for the area, and all across Canada.     Gas Buddy's website also offers a great map to show you what gas prices are right across Canada.  http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_can_gastemperaturemap.aspx

Just logging in to Gas Buddy tonight on my phone I found that prices can be varied around town.    The Husky at the corner of Dundas & Hamilton was charging 135.6 a litre and just a little further down Dundas Street at the Esso Station (across from Kentucky Fried Chicken) it was 131.8.      The gas stations on Highway 6 range from 130.9 (Pioneer) to 131.6 (Olco).

In these times of expensive gas, it is great that there is a website/mobile app like Gas Buddy to help us out with our comparative shopping.

Best Easter Activities

There is a fantastic forecast for the Easter long weekend this year, so when you are not taking part in worship services or family dinners, a great place to enjoy some Easter fun is at Springridge Farms.    Springridge is a little gem in the hills of Milton and is only open from Mid-April to Christmas each year.    The farm opened today April 5th, 2012.

This weekend the farm is offering great a Easter Easter Festival April 6, 7 & 8, 2012!    There will be an Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny, Eggcellent Easter Show, Face Painting, Pedal Tractor Track and more!

Admission for the Easter Egg Hunt: $8.85 + $1.15 HST = $10 per person ages 2-92.  In addition to the special Easter Festival, you can also enjoy the rest of the grounds including the bakery, gift shop and cafe.   Then, for some hands on activites, check out the Fun Farm Yard.  

The Fun Farm Yard includes:

• Spiderweb Climber
• Farm Yard Pipe Slide
• Giant Sandbox
• Farm Animals
• Corn Trails
• Straw Play
• Escarpment Lookout
• 40' Windmill
• Antique Tractors
• The Fun Farm Yard experience includes a tractor drawn Wagon Ride.  Enjoy the views of the Niagara Escarpment and learn about the farm and the land around us. 

Wagon Ride Departure Times (Weather permitting)

Weekends: 11:30, 1:30 & 3:30

Weekdays: 11:00, 1:00 & 4:00

 

Watch Rocky the Rooster make friends with Animal Barn visitors!

Weekend Pony rides are available for the children for an additional $3 per ride.  Maximum weight 80lbs.
There is no charge to enter the Springridge Farm Gift Shop, Bakery and Cafe.  At Springridge our Fun Farm Yard is a safe, educational and fun area for families to explore and play. 
Regualar Season Fun Farm Yard Admission: $3.54 + .46 HST = $4 ages 2-92, April until mid-November.   
For those frequent visitors we recommend a 2012 Season Pass
Individual Pass $20
Family of 3 Pass $60
Family of 4 Pass $70
Season Pass excludes Festival weekends.
The admission charge only applies to those wishing to enjoy the The Fun Farm Yard activities and Wagon Ride.    

To learn more about the farm and it's history please visit...  www.springridgefarm.com

Best Mom to Mom Sale

Over the last number of years I have been hearing the term "Mom to Mom Sale" more and more.    It makes great sense... Anyone with kids knows that you have a small fortune of clothes that your kids have outgrown and in many cases they have never worn.    It presents a great opportunity for you to be able to make some money selling your gently used children's clothes, or pick up some new to you clothing.

A Mom-to-Mom Sale is essentially a huge rummage sale where you can buy gently used baby and kids' items directly from sellers.   Get great deals on second hand baby clothing, kids' clothing, toys, games, furniture and gear.
Generally, to participate as a seller, simply register for a table. You bring your items to the sale and sell them yourself.    Whatever you make at the sale, you keep!
As a buyer, just show up on the day of the sale and pay your admission. Bring cash to pay for your items and make sure you have change. Reusable shopping bags are great for toting your treasures.

Tomorrow is when one of the biggest Mom 2 Mom Sales in the area is happening at Flamborough Baptist Church in Waterdown located at #41 on the 5th Concession East (just east of Terra Greenhouses)  

Here's an excerpt from the churches website:

"Date	Saturday March 24 2012
	9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Details	Location: Church auditorium Admission: $2 for ages 12 and up ." Click on the link below for a map of how to get to the church.   Happy Shopping! http://www.mapquest.com/maps?address=41+Concession+5+E&city=Waterdown&state=ON&zipcode=L0R&country=CA

Best Photo Opportunity

What a glorious week.    I'm loving this warm weather, and gardens everywhere in Southern Ontario are awakening from their slumber.   I can see daffodils, crocuses and tulips starting to emerge in my garden.

We moved here to Waterdown 10 years ago when I was pregnant with our youngest.    Our first spring I noticed in the Flamborough Review, that a local greenhouse/nursery "Connons" did a special photo shoot with very young children called "Tots in Pots".     What a great way to celebrate spring and have a special photo of your children.    We took advantage of the opportunity when our girls were 1+ yrs and almost 3yrs old.    I treasure our special photo taken in 2004.

Plans are underway for Connon Nurseries 12th Annual "Tots in Pots" Photo Day.     They will take place on Saturday April 7th from 9am to 5pm.   A professional photographer will take a picture of your child(ren) aged 0-4 yrs "planted" in a blanket lined pot.     Make sure you call ahead to book your time at Connon's (905) 689-4631.   The cost is only $12.99, but the memories will last a lifetime!

UPDATE:  March 29th, 2013 - No "Tots in Pots" this year at Connon's.    Not a good response last year so they decided not to do it this year.

Best Maple Syrup Festival

Spring is coming!   I'm already seeing shoots from my spring bulbs in my garden, the Robins are out and about and the sap is running from Maple Trees... sure signs of spring!

When I think about what things remind me of Canada and being Canadian I think of Maple Syrup.   Making Maple Syrup is a process that is older than Canada itself.    A few years ago, we took our girls to Westfield Heritage Villiage in Rockton (just a short drive from Waterdown) so they could learn about the legends and techniques of making Maple Syrup which started many years ago from Canada's First Nations People.  

from Wikepedia:

"Maple syrup is a syrup usually made from the xylem sap of sugar maple, red maple, or black maple trees, although it can also be made from other maple species. In cold climates, these trees store starch in their trunks and roots before the winter; the starch is then converted to sugar that rises in the sap in the spring.  Maple trees can be tapped by boring holes into their trunks and collecting the exuded sap. The sap is processed by heating to evaporate much of the water, leaving the concentrated syrup.
Maple syrup was first collected and used by aboriginal peoples of North America.  The practice was adopted by European settlers, who gradually improved production methods.  Technological improvements in the 1970s further refined syrup processing.   The Canadian province of Quebec is by far the largest producer, responsible for about three-quarters of the world's output; Canadian exports of maple syrup exceed C$145 million (approximately US$141 million) per year. Vermont is the largest producer in the United States, generating about 5.5 percent of the global supply.

Maple syrup is graded according to the Canada, United States, or Vermont scales based on its density and translucency. Sucrose is the most prevalent sugar in maple syrup.  In Canada, syrups must be at least 66 percent sugar and be made exclusively from maple sap^[1] to qualify as maple syrup.  In the United States, a syrup must be made almost entirely from maple sap to be labelled as "maple"."

Tours and Demonstrations run from 10am to 4pm on Sunday March 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th.    If you are looking for something fun to do with the kids during March Break, they are open on Wednesday March 14th and Thursday March 15th of the March Break.

The Sweet Tast of Spring Maple Syrup Festival at Westfield includes a full schedule of activities.     There will be horse and wagon rides, tours through Westfield's many historic buildings and shops, as well as the opportunity to enjoy Canada's favourite sweetener.    You'll be able to see demonstrated the way of collecting and making Maple Syrup over the centuries.   As you wander around the grounds you will see many of the trees with a bucket attached and a spout inserted into the tree to extract the Maple Sap.    You'll also see how the Aboriginals made syrup and sugar by using a hollowed out log and hot rocks, how the Pioneers used the three cauldron method to prepare the sweet syrup and how modern method uses the evaporator in the Sugar Shack.    And you'll get to sample the  maple syrup and maple sugar too!

To start or end the day, make sure that you check out the Ironwood Building where guests can sit down and enjoy a pancake and sausage (or ham) breakfast for just $1 per item, made courtesy of the St. George Lions Club.

Admission to Westfield Heritage Village is $11 for Adults, $10 for Seniors, $6.50 for children 6-12 and children aged 5 and under get in for free.

For more information please visit call 1-800-883-0104  or visit their website  www.westfieldheritage.ca