Best Local Market

I love buying local and local markets are really my favourite.      There are fresh produce markets that operate year round like the Hamilton Farmers Market located downtown on York Blvd behind Jackson Square  (closed Mondays, Wednesday and Sundays).    It has been around for years and in 2011, the building underwent a renovation which has helped to put downtown Hamilton shopping back on the map for people in the area.     To learn more about the Hamilton market visit....
http://www.hamilton.ca/CultureandRecreation/Arts_Culture_And_Museums/HamiltonFarmersMarket/
There are now 70 vendors selling there, and a list of them can be found at http://www.hamilton.ca/CultureandRecreation/Arts_Culture_And_Museums/HamiltonFarmersMarket/HamiltonFarmerMarketVendors.htm

If it is a seasonal market you are looking for you might be interested in checking out the Dundas Farmers Market  http://www.downtowndundas.ca/dundas-farmers-market.php or the Burlington Farmers Market http://www.burlingtonmallfarmersmarket.com/

Recently, Terra Nurseries has found a new way to bring customers into their operations during their slow season (Winter) and have been holding a Winter Market at their Burlington location on Highway 5 between Guelph Line and Brant Street every weekend since just into January.    It has been so successful that the Milton location will also be holding a market starting this Sunday.   For more information check out Terra's website  http://terragreenhouses.com/ or go to their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TERRAatHomeMarket?ref=ts&fref=ts which is regularly updated with what vendors will be there.    They also have some of the popular food trucks come which also draws alot of crowds.    Businesses & Food Trucks working the Burlington location tomorrow will be:

Itty Bitty Pie
Pies and Such
Terra Teas
Purple Daze Lavender Farm
Lovin Oven Bakery
Kettle Corn Boss
Epicure
Snowden Farms
Pampered Chef
Pinecreek Honey
Ann Brown Produce
Cheesy Guys
Sweet N Sassi Treats
Wandering Locavore
Ginger Rose Photography
Rick's Nut Hut

Food Trucks:
Manual Labour Coffee
Fritterson Mobile Kitchen
Food Man and Culture Boy
Dobro Jesti
Gorilla Cheese

Best Ladies Wear Store

Waterdown is going through a population growth and so is local business.     Can you believe we now have 4 great ladies wear shops.     This is in addition to the great bridal/evening wear shopping we already have.

If you are are looking for nice little shops with trendy clothes and accessories, we now have a great selection.

We have enjoyed the shops of Lareina's in the Sobey's Plaza and Second Time Around on Dundas Street (northeast corner of Dundas at Main Street) for years.     They are a staple in Waterdown and have always attracted shoppers for years.     Lareina's does not have a website or facebook page, but you can find Second Time Around's website at www.secondtimearoundwaterdown.com/  
Second Time Around is an upscale consignment shop, which sells pristine condition designer clothing and accessories.     Regular shoppers their are hooked on the great bargains and quality of designer labels.

In the last year, we have 2 new stores for more selection.  Jupe and Pippa & Prue both located on Dundas Street between Mill and Main Streets.  I have shopped at both of these shops recently over Christmas & post Boxing Day.      There are really some great trendy clothing and accessories which would cover a large range of ages.    They have made such a great addition to the "core" Waterdown area and enhanced Waterdown's image as a great stop for shopping.   

It's not hard to see why with these great ladies wear shops, the bridal shops and popularity of our cafes & tea house that Saturday and Sunday are busy days in Waterdown for ladies looking for some girl time shopping and eating.

The new Waterdown location of Pippa and Prue is a 2nd location, the other location is in the Westdale area of Hamilton located at 944 King Street West.      To learn more about Pippa and Prue, visit their website at www.pippaandprue.com   or like their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/PippaAndPrue?fref=ts




Our newest store Jupe, is also opening a 2nd location in the near future... in Oakville.     This weekend, there is a 60% off sale at Jupe.   They are looking to get rid of all their winter merchandise to make way for the new spring merchandise which should arrive in store in the next couple of weeks.     For more information about Jupe Wardrobe Artisans, please visit their website at http://www.jupewaterdown.com/ or like them on facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/JupeWaterdown?fref=ts

Best US shipping address

3 shopping days left.... Have you got your Christmas Shopping done???

I hate being near a mall probably by the time it is mid - November so I always try to get my shopping done early.     In the past few years, I have loved doing shopping on-line.    No line ups, you see what is in stock and you can do it all from the comfort of your home.

One place I love to shop on-line is Amazon.com     The US site is great and has alot of great variety and selection.    There is a Canadian site (Amazon.ca) but I find there is much less selection.     The one bad thing about buying from Amazon.com is that many of the sellers who make their products available for sale on Amazon, may not ship to Canada.     I was faced with that dilema this Christmas as there was something my daughter really wanted and I found it there, but I couldn't get delivery to my home.

I had heard many of my friends mention a place in Niagara Falls, NY called CBI USA, that is a postal outlet that you can send your parcels to and for a nominal fee they hold it for you to pick up.     Well, wanting my daughter to get the exact things she wanted, I thought I would try it out and have the parcel sent there.     I now have it set up on my Amazon profile as an alternate shipping address.   I placed the order... tracked the packages (the items came from 3 separate suppliers) and when all of them had made it to CBI, I waited the required 24 hrs so that they can log it into their system and I planned my trip across the border.   

From Waterdown it is only about 45-60 minutes to the Rainbow Bridge crossing.   Traffic was fairly light and moving at the border and I was through in about a half hour.     From the border, the CBI location is only about 10 minutes away.   It is a residential neighbourhood but the building is a warehouse and there is a parking lot across the street and up a little bit.     I did have a bit of trouble finding the street as the street sign had been stolen.    

Once inside there was a very long line, but at least it was still in the building.    I understand that Saturday and especially before Christmas the lineup can be out the building and can be upwards of an hour.    In all, I think I was in line about 20 minutes.    Once up to the counter, you give them your name and 2 pieces of picture ID and they check the system for your parcel.     All three of mine were successfully retrieved in under 5 minutes.   

I do suggest that when you place an order on-line to pick up there, print out your invoice which hopefully breaks down the cost of the merchandise, tax and shipping charges and bring with you for the border.   Depending on the value of the item, you may get away with not having to pay duty at the border.

CBI USA runs like a well oiled machine and the staff there were fantastic.    I highly recommend that if you want to save yourself the crazy custom charges that some on-line sites charge you to ship from the US, next time consider CBI USA postal outlet.     For more info on CBI, their hours and address please visit their website...  http://www.cbiusa.com/

Best Community Christmas Events

Our first official snow in Waterdown this evening.     A brutal commute for those who drive to work anywhere, especially out of town!      While driving tonight was tenuous, from the warmth and safety of my home I look out the window and see the beauty of the new fallen snow and Christmas lights.    Really puts me in a Christmas mood (as if I wasn't already!)

Christmas bazaars, home tours and Tree Lightings have been happening for weeks now.    Last weekend saw a wonderful, although frigid night for the special nightime Waterdown Santa Clause Parade.     This weekend marks even more activities in Waterdown and area.

The Waterdown BIA is inviting the community to join in for the 1st Annual Choral and Candle Walk this Saturday December the 1st.     People are asked to gather at Magnolia House Spa located at 20 Main Street North where the Waterdown District High School choir will lead off the singing.    Participants can purchase candles for the walk with proceeds going to Drummond House (a transition home for women & children in Waterdown).  

Several businesses like The Flamborough Review, Jitterbug Cafe, Brown Dog Cafe and Voortmans will be offering refreshments and treats.     At 630p, the Choral Walk volunteers will guide participants through the streets of Waterdown where they can enjoy performances by various choirs located along the way or they can sing along.     Choirs will be located at various areas along Main and Mills Streets including at Kitching Steepe Ludwig Funeral Home, Knox Presbyterian Church and the Waterdown Library.

For more information on the Choral and Candle Walk please visit the Waterdown Business Improvement Area's website at  www.waterdownbia.ca/upcoming_events.html

You could possibly also see the CP Holiday Train going through Watedown tomorrow night on its way to a scheduled stop in Hamilton.    Each year the Holiday Train makes it's way along the tracks on a 3 week journey from Quebec to British Columbia for the Canadian Train and from Kanawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec to the North East & Mid West US ending up in Saskatchewan for the US Train.    This history of the train is to encourage folks to come out and donate money or bring food for their local Food Banks.      The Hamilton stop (from the US bound train) will happen around 8pm at Gage Park and Lawrence Road (western approach to Kinnear Yard opposite of Gage Park)   Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Hamilton Food Share.    Entertainers will perform at each stop... this year with the talents of The Claytones and Canadian Country Hall of Fame performer Tracey Brown.     For more information on the Holiday Train please visit the website at www.cpr.ca/en/in-your-community/holiday-train/Pages/Default.aspx

Best Christmas Home Tour

Yes, it is not quite Remembrance Day.... and I am glad that more and more people are passionate about wearing their poppies... supporting Veterans and honouring those who have or are currently serving our country.    I have heard more and more people talk about Remembrance Day this year than I can ever remember, and there is a movement starting about this honoured day being made a Statutory Holiday so we may properly observe.

That being said... Christmas Bazaars and Christmas Home Tours have already begun.    Tonight I had the pleasure of finally going to the Junior League of Burlington Christmas Home Tour.     There are 5 homes on the tour this year... One in Ancaster, one in Waterdown and three in Burlington, one of which includes Historic Ireland House which operates as a year round museum.      Every single home was spectacular.... and the decorators were on hand to talk about where they got items and how they came up with some great innovative ideas.     I could not pick a favourite but the Waterdown home was definately a home that stood out in my mind.    How lovely to be able to see such a majestic older home in the core all decorated for Christmas.    I have long admired the home because each year they have a stunning 3 dimensional star lit up in in one of the big trees right on the corner of the property.   Anytime you drive down Main Street in Waterdown around Christmas you can see this light pretty much from both ends.

To learn more about the 30th Anniversary of the Junior League Home Tour or purchase tickets online, please visit their website... http://www.juniorleague.ca/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=3&tabid=12

If you can't make it out to view the Junior League homes this weekend, another wonderful home tour is happening next weekend at Drummond House.     Drummond House is a transitional home for women & children in Waterdown on the 5th Concession next to Flamborough Baptist Church.     The home only opens it's doors to the public one day a year during their annual Christmas Home Tour and Bake Sale.      Last year, they moved the Bake Sale & Silent Auction next door to the Flamborough Baptist Church because so many people were touring the home they needed more space for the Bake Sale and Silent Auction.     This year, will be a three part tour of the Drummond House activities on Saturday November 17th from 10 am to 4pm.     First, you can view the Home all decorated for Christmas.   2nd you can visit Flamborough Baptist Church where there will be a Bake Sale, Raffle Items (including an iPad), Vendors like Tupperware, Arbonne and Pampered Chef, Christmas Cafe and a Treasure Table of little items offered for Toonie.   Finally, the newly renovated space for Rescued and ReStored up in Freelton located at the Freelton Antique Market.     Each of the 3 locations will be offering up a "freebie".   At the house you can enjoy a free cup of Hot Apple Cider from the Drummond Orchards, at the Bake Sale you will get a free cookie, and at Rescued and ReStored you can get $5 off any purchase over $25.   

To read the lastest about what is going on at Drummond House including the Christmas event you can read their latest newsletter on-line at: http://www.drummondhouse.ca/newsletter/NewsletterFall%20v7.pdf

Best Dog Park

I have done alot of driving between Burlington and Waterdown over the years... A few years ago I found a new route to travel between them... up King Road north of the North Service Road.     It really is pretty drive, especially at this time of year.   The route is tree lined, barely any traffic, wildlife, windy road and such a peaceful route.    Halfway up King Road, I would notice a little park called Bayview Park that was always bustling with lots of dogs running around.   

This week, I was cutting through King Road, enjoying the amazing fall colours and I had a few minutes so I decided to pull off and watch the activity at Bayview Park.     The spot itself is stunning at this time of year.     Beautiful fall foilage, view of the Skyway Bridge and just the amazing peace and quiet.     There is a very large fenced in area where the dogs are free to run around carefree without leash.

Many owners meet there and let their dogs play together.    Some people show up and meet new people and dogs.     One lady there I saw must have either been a dog walker or worked in a kennel as she she had about 6 dogs!    All of them well trained and happily roaming around and the unmistakeable whistle called them all to her side immediately.

I don't have a dog, but I imagine that if I did, this would be an ideal place to bring my dog to have playdates with other dogs.

The park is serviced by the City of Burlington and you can also see areas nearby that cater to model airplane/rocket launching and there is also a ball diamond on the property.

http://cms.burlington.ca/Page421.aspx

Best All Day Breakfast

Nothing I love better than Sunday morning brunch or breakfast out.    My husband loves to have breakfast anytime of the day!    When we find a great all day breakfast menu, then we have a new restaurant to add to our choice of places to go out to eat.

We had the pleasure of eating at AJ's Grill this past Monday.    It was Thanksgiving Monday, and my inlaws were visiting so we decided to go out for late brunch/early dinner.      They have such a great selection on the menu you can get everything from Breakfast items (all day), to sandwiches, burgers, wraps plus full dinner entrees!    A bonus for our family was they also offer a children's menu AND a Senior's Menu!!!

Since it was Thanksgiving, my husband and his mom had the Turkey Dinner special which was excellent.    My father in law had the Steak Dinner which he enjoyed very much.    I had the Chicken Parmigian which was very good and my daughters both had the Chocolate Chip Pancakes.    The portions were huge for all meals.     You will not leave here hungry.    

The staff were absolutely lovely.     We had great service from our server and could not have had a better experience overall.      Everyone's food was tasty, hot, freshly made and the prices were very reasonable.     The restaurant itself had contemporary upscale diner decor.    Great atmosphere!

If it is breakfast items you are looking for, you will not want for anything... they have everything from pancakes/waffles/french toast, eggs, bacon/sausage, homefries, eggs benedict and omelettes.

You can check out AJ's menu on-line at   www.ajsgrill.ca  or visit their restaurant at 94 Dundas Street East in Waterdown (in the plaza just east of Walmart beside Pita Pit)