Velour Track Suits

I'm not done with my CANADA vacation reports...

But, just in case you've been missing the Frankensewing...

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Warren was a baby when Ross moved back to Iowa to go to nursing school. Because he was living with us, he spent a lot of time with Lilly and Warren. Maybe I'm the only one who realizes what a gift that has been for all of them...but, hey...I digress...

Ross is an old soul. He loves the Cubs, Frank Sinatra and Big Band Music. He's also a fan of the Sopranos and the Real Housewives of New Jersey.

So -- for Ross, velour track suits never went out of style...

Several years ago, I bought a blue velour track suit online for Ross's birthday...AND HE LOVED IT..!!

I made a matching one for Warren (by cutting up an adult version, of course).

So -- fast forward. It's 2018, and Ross is having another birthday. I bought him a new velour track suit -- and it became my mission to make velour suits for both Lilly and Warren.

Of course, the thrift-store-hunt is my favorite part of any Frankensewing venture!!   Cotton velour track suits were popular during 70's (maybe the 80's?)...so, the garments I'm looking for are truly vintage!!  Eventually, I gathered about 40 various pieces of velour...and my intention was to mix and match -- add a stripe here or there...maybe two different colored sleeves...but, eventually, all three suits would blend together.

Lilly said "No thank you..."

She wanted a simple red track suit. Okay. FINE!!

This was a woman's size M -- all I had to do was shorten the sleeves and pants...and, of course, take the pants in at the side seams (there were no pockets).  Easy Peasy...

Warren's gray set was a much bigger challenge.  It started off as a men's size L...

But it came out GREAT...and he loves it!!

Even though I cut it down (bigtime) -- I saved the important details -- like, the pockets and original ribbing.

I cut the pants down, and re-attached the waistband.  I zig-zagged it at the back --to hold the original drawstring in place.

At the front, I saved the grommets.  Warren can still pull on the drawstring to make the pants a little tighter.

I cut the zipper out of the Size L. gray track suit.

And then, I cut the zipper out of a boys hoodie (leaving 1" on both sides)

All I had to do was sew the shorter blue zipper into the now-properly-sized gray velour jacket.

I was careful to save the original grommets on the hood.

Warren wrapped Uncle Ross's gifts...

Lilly decorated his birthday cake.

AND WE WERE OFF to his surprise party!!

Ladie's Who Lunch

One of the highlights of my Canada vacay was Marion's AMAZING luncheon!!

So much fun to meet six of Marion's interesting friends. More fun, even, because they didn't all know each other....

On the day of the luncheon, Marion, in her new cashmere sweater (from City Revival in Pictin). With her new Iowa SPOONER...AND a set of soup spoons. (which she already polished, of course.)

To go with the delicious quiche...Marion wanted to make popovers. I pulled up the POPOVER RECIPE (on the right side of this blog).

Trust me -- the TECHNIQUE is more important than the recipe. The oven needs to be preheated to 425, and the pan needs to be screaming hot...the ingredients (batter) need to be ROOM TEMPERATURE...

Those popovers ROSE UP SO TALL, they tipped out of the pan when we pulled it out of the oven.

Marion sets a beautiful table.

Note the festive English "crackers" at each place setting.

We couldn't decide on what delicious dessert to buy at the bakery -- so WE GOT AN ASSORTMENT..

Yet another failed attempt at a selfie...

But -- I did manage to take THIS TERRIFIC PHOTO...

Then, Marion snapped this great pic.

See -- here's the thing. Yes, the food was delicious, and the table was beautiful. But the best part of Marion's luncheon was the conversation.  Every woman at that table shared something of her life.  It was so interesting to hear their stories -- at least, a small chapter about who they are and how they got here.  It was one of those rare events that only happens once in a blue moon.

I think we all knew something special was happening at that table...and I felt so lucky to be part of it.

Our Day in "The County"

From Kingston -- there are many great options for interesting day trips.  We talked about visiting Ottawa, or even Montreal.  But we decided to stay closer to home...and drive an hour away to "The County"...

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 From Wikipedia:

The county was created by Upper Canada's founding lieutenant-governor on July 16, 1792. It was named after Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent. (the fourth son of King George III) who was commander-in-chief of British North America.

Shortly after the American Revolution, the Crown made land grants to some of the earliest United Empire Loyalists to encourage their settlements in Ontario and provide compensation for property lost in the Thirteen Colonies. The county was originally composed of three townships named in honour of three of George III's daughters.

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We left Kingston and drove along the water -- on the "Loyalist Parkway".  It was interesting to learn that the descendants of those post-Revolutionary Canadian settlers still refer to themselves as "UEL". That stands for United Empire Loyalists.  I think being UEL in Canada is like people in Boston taking pride in saying their ancestors came over on the Mayflower...

Prince Edward County is less than an hour from Kingston.  It's mostly an island, altho at the far end, it is connected.  But the best way to get to Pictin is via the charming ferry.

We stopped at a little roadside park.

Have you ever seen a more charming pavilion?

We were driving right along the lake...

Marion had a map of the area, so I could understand the lay of the land.

The ferry goes every 30 minutes...

It's a very quick crossing -- so you just stay in your car.

At the top of the hill, overlooking a freshwater lake, "Lake of the Mountain -- sits a little building that's been there for over 200 years...

It's been renovated, of course...

We are the lucky girls!!

And the views were spectacular!!

My best selfie yet.  And life just doesn't get any better than this, people..!!

THE BEST THING I EVER ATE..!!

FromWikipedia:

Poutine (/puːˈtiːn)  is a dish originating from the Canadian province of Quebec, consisting of French fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy.

The dish emerged in the late 1950s in the Centre-du-Québec area and has long been associated with the cuisine of Quebec. For many years, it was negatively perceived and mocked, and even used as a means of stigmatization against Quebec society.

Later, poutine became celebrated as a symbol of Québécois cultural pride, and its rise in prominence led to popularity outside the province, especially in the rest of Central Canada, in the Northeastern United States and even Japan.

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Wednesday was our official Kingston day. After my pedicure, we went downtown for lunch and a movie. There are so many charming little restaurants...we picked Olivea.

Although it was too cold to sit outside.

The inside was just what we wanted. Lots of character, and light, and windows...an interesting menu that changes daily...

Fresh foccacia bread, with wonderful olive oil and balsamic...yummo...

Marion loves their tomato soup, with lots of chunky, crusty bread...

BUT I WENT RIGHT FOR THE POUTINE..!!

And the poutine at Olivea is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G...full of cheese curds and topped with the most tender chunks of beef ever.

I mean...seriously...words cannot describe how delicious this poutine was. My mouth is watering, just because I'm looking at these pictures...and remembering...

I gave my camera to our waitress, and she tried to take a picture...but, she didn't hold down the button...and I didn't want to criticize her...(Canadians  are very sensitive)....so, I took this picture of our table  as we were leaving.

Apparently, restaurants in Canada make their own versions of poutine...but if you ever get to Kingston -- the Olivea version is really something you need to taste for yourself.  YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY..!!

Kingston, Ontario

Hey -- I'M JUST GETTING STARTED WITH CANADA!!


DESPITE the best efforts of the Syracuse Airport to keep us apart...Marion and I found each other!!

Marion lives in Kingston, Ontario -- a cosmopolitan little city tucked into a bay where the St. Lawrence River flows into Lake Ontario.

It's hard to imagine a more charming place...and I arrived at the perfect moment!!

The fall foliage was putting on quite a show.

Kingston was founded in the 1780's by Loyalists...

There is a huge British influence in the area.

There are many wonderful artisan bakeries and shops.

They are very into organic, gluten free and recycling.

Seriously...THE BAKERIES ARE REASON ENOUGH TO VISIT..!!

I needed a pedicure, and I thought it would be fun to see if the experience was any different in Canada...

Marion took me to her favorite nail shop -- Lily's Nails!!

Sherry was sitting in the chair next to me, and we had an hour to get to know each other. She just saw COME FROM AWAY in Toronto.

I was off to a great start....Tomorrow, I'm going to write about the BEST THING I EVER ATE..!!