Hello and welcome to Weekend Coffee Share #49! I’m glad you’re here. Please come on in, help yourself to a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate at my coffee station and let’s chat.
Weekend Coffee Share Holiday Schedule
- December 17: Weekend Coffee Share link-up #50
- December 24: No Weekend Coffee Share
- December 31: No Weekend Coffee Share
- January 7, 2022: Weekend Coffee Share link-up #51
Week 49/ 52 of 2021
It’s been a social week with family, friends and neighbours.
- I had a virtual gathering with my siblings
- I called a niece to wish her a happy birthday
- I chatted with and sent gifts to my nieces and nephews
- I wrote holiday letters to my overseas friends
- I volunteered to run a community food drive until December 31
- I walked with my neighbour and gave her a surprise gift for her 83rd birthday
Delightful Holiday Treats
I took my ‘traditional’ walks to see delightful holiday displays. I love the festive atmosphere leading to Christmas and New Year’s in Toronto. My festive treats include many calorie-free ‘eye candy’ items. Let me show you in photos.
Everything about the Freedom Arches photo, to me, is symbolic of Toronto during winter. On the left, are the letters TO (short for Toronto) and the red maple leaf (on Canada’s flag). Old City Hall clock tower is in the background.
A Zamboni (an ice resurfacing machine) is at the far end of the rink with its tail lights on. The ice surface shows the fresh part (smooth and shiny) and the used part (matte white). Skaters patiently wait around the rink until they get the call back.
Toronto’s official 17.67-metre (58-foot) Christmas tree was delivered on a flatbed truck from Baldwin, Ontario and is being lifted into place with cranes. It takes approximately four hours to install the tree. The tree requires three days to settle before it can be decorated. The Christmas tree does not need watering. It will remain on display throughout the holiday season and will then be recycled.
One fun walk is to visit Hudson’s Bay department store window displays. Santa Secret’s Workshop includes five animated departments and traditional nutcrackers.
Click on any image to see its bigger version and use the arrows to navigate through the gallery.
Then there are beautiful reindeer and gorgeous trees in Toronto’s Financial District. Each of the buildings in the district has its signature tree. I love the trees as well as the light reflections on the doors and windows around them.
I’ve been enjoying the magic of the season. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
Linked up with #ThursdayDoors, #FestiveBonbon, #PPAC26, #SundayStills, #LifeThisWeek.
How has your week been?
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Natalie the Explorer 
Beautiful displays! I love the reindeer!
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Thank you, Beth. The reindeer is new this year 🙂
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Those giant Christmas trees are spectacular Natalie – and the mirrored reindeer is gorgeous.
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Thank you, Leanne. The artificial giant Christmas trees are recyclable annually. The mirrored reindeer is new in a brand new building this year. It’s quite beautiful.
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Thank you so much for this festive post, Natalie. I can only imagine how beautiful the light tunnel is in person…especially with snow falling. Happy weekend!
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Jill, You’re right on with your amazing imagination. Yes, with snow flurries, walking in the light tunnel is magical. Have a wonderful weekend!
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These decorations are so beautiful and festive! Thank you for posting!
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Thank you Betty for stopping by. I’m glad you liked these holiday decorations.
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What a delightful collection of photos, Natalie. Your list of the things you accomplished this week shows your selfless spirit at work. I love the photo of the Freedom Arches over the ice rink. That is a wonderful winter scene with the clear reflections shining on the newly surfaced portion of the ice. You captured a lot of Canada in that photo. Good job!
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Thank you, Dan, for your kind comments. I lucked out with that photo of the Freedom Arches at night. I didn’t realize how Canadian it is until I got home and reviewed my photos. It’s my first time running a contactless community food drive so it will be a learning experience for me.
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I’m sure you’ll do well.
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Hi, Natalie – I am always impressed by how much you accomplish. The fact that you do all this, and are now also running a local food drive for your community is very inspirational. To me, that spirit of taking care of one another is the true meaning of Christmas. I also love the beautiful photography of this post — stunning!
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Thank you Donna for your kind comments. It’s my first time running a contactless community food drive so it will be a learning experience for me. I keep my fingers crossed that there will be substantial food donations to help those in need. I love how Toronto looks so beautiful at this time of the year.
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Like many others, I was so impressed with the photography, I glossed over the fact that Natalie volunteered to run the food drive. Thank you for pointing that out, Donna. Of all the great things going on in this post, that is one of the most important and least showy. Way to go Natalie. 🙂
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Thank you, Marsha. It’s a ‘contactless’ food drive due to the pandemic. In previous years, I donated food items and money. This year I thought to try an extra step. Donors drop off food items in a box then I take them to a local fire hall. I walk or cycle that way anyway. The main food bank location is quite far from us so we’re encouraged to drop off at fire halls or designated grocery stores.
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That is so cool. So, they drop them off at your house? The Food Pantry in Woodlake does a drive by delivery. The families that need groceries drive by on Tuesday mornings, and pick up a box of food.
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Natalie, leave it to your city to have some of the most beautiful Christmas displays I’ve ever seen. Thank you for sharing some of the ways you celebrate the holidays and this beautiful walk with us.
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Thank you Suzanne for your kind comments. I’m glad you liked the decorations on this virtual walk. I’d agree with you that Toronto has some of the most beautiful Christmas displays. I’ve seen holiday displays in New York, London, Paris, etc and Toronto is right up there among the best.
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I’m oddly fascinated by that silvery reindeer. Wonderful pics, as always!
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You and me both, Janet. That silvery reindeer is new in a brand new building just opened this year.
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Again, Toronto and you have nailed it Natalie. Thanks for sharing & hosting.
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Thank you Gary for your kind words. I’m glad you liked Toronto’s holiday displays.
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I am glad I popped in for a virtual coffee this morning and noted the upcoming coffee share schedule. I will back next within with a coffee share of my own. As always, thank you for hosting Natalie.
Great pictures. Hope you have a great weekend.
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Thank you for stopping by Shari. I look forward to reading your coffee share post next week. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Hi Natalie! Such a festive post and the decorations are stunning. They certainly put you in the holiday mood. My grandsons are very excited and have their Christmas Tree up and decorated. I give them each a special decoration for the tree as a tradition. I’m sharing some colour and festive baking this week. Enjoy your weekend. x
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Hi Sue, Such a sweet tradition you’re creating with your grandsons. I’m glad you liked Toronto’s holiday displays. I look forward to reading your coffee share post. Have a great weekend!
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Hi Natalie, thanks for linking up to our Festive Bon Bons Link Party! Hope you are enjoying your weekend. x
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The Eaton Centre tree is amazing!!! What a holiday treat!
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I’m glad you like the Eaton Centre tree. It’s beautiful and sparkling IRL.
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What a great Christmas post – really puts me in the mood to put on some Christmas carols!
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Yes, t’is the season! Last night I listened to Jingle Bells and a dozen other holiday songs. Happy weekend!
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Hi Natalie! Your week sounds like it’s been very pleasant! Mine has been busy, but good.
Very nice Christmas decorations! I especially like the candy canes and the tree with red and blue decor.
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Hi Susanne, I’m glad you like the candy canes and the red-blue tree. I intentionally keep things simple at home in December to enjoy what’s on outdoors. I look forward to reading your coffee share post.
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I LOVE a good Christmas display. It’s one of the few things I miss about cities – the fabulously over the top Christmas trees.
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Yes, I love how OTT decorations embrace the seasonal darkness. Add light snow flurries and cooler temps to make the holidays look and feel magical.
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Oh wow! What beautiful decorations.
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Thank you Joanne. Glad you like the decorations.
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What a gorgeous, colorful, and no-calorie treat for the eyes, Natalie! I saw the word metallic in a few descriptions si feel free to link back this Sunday if you wish (a metallic color challenge for Sunday Stills). One of the hotels in downtown Spokane has a huge tree display on the top floor but it ends this weekend, and it’s too far to drive with the winter storm advisory coming! Thanks for the virtual tour and enjoy your holidays!
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Thank you Terri for your invite. I’ll update my post and join Sunday Stills this Sunday. We’re expecting strong winds and rain overnight tonight then all clear and warm temps from Sunday into next week. I look forward to your Metallic photos. Stay safe and warm!
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You as well, Natalie!
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These are all very festive photos Natalie and set the scene perfectly! I love the eye-candy, and the trees and the light tunnel. Thanks for joining us in our linkup!
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I’m glad you like my photos, Debbie. One of my favourite activities is to take walks and see Toronto’s holiday displays in December.
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Those photos are so exceptionally fine for Christmas
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Thank you Larry for your comment. Much appreciated.
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Very impressive trees and the Northern hemisphere does it so well. We loved our experiences in Spain. It didn’t get me in the mood for carol singing, I sound like a cat being strangled, best not. Must admit I used to really enjoy the festive season. My mojo may return, ho! ho! ho!
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Suzanne, I hope your mojo returns. I play some favourite uplifting songs and they usually do the job. Have a great weekend!
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Me too 🙂
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Delightful is a perfect description of these holiday decorations. Wow! Stunning photography, Natalie. Thanks for the link to PPAC this week. 🙂
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Thank you, Marsha. I’m glad my night photos turned out well and you like these holiday decorations. It’s looking a lot like Christmas 🙂
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It is. You’ve put Toronto on the map for me. Every picture you take is so amazingly beautiful.
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Thank you Marsha for your compliment. I hope to have a few good photos to share with PPAC next week.
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I look forward to it. 🙂
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Toronto sparkles! Your joy about the season shines through in your words and photos, Natalie! And, thank you for being such a gracious and generous auntie, neighbor, and friend to all the recipients. You rock! Happy holidays!!
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Thank you Liesbet for your generous compliments. I’m grateful to get to where I am and be able to share some holiday joy. There is one more Weekend Coffee Share link-up next weekend. If I don’t ‘see’ you before Christmas, happy holidays to you, Mark and Maya!
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Hi Natalie. Toronto is such a gorgeous city! Thank you for sharing all these beautiful Christmas displays! Merry Christmas!
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Thank you Christina for your visit and comment. With your travel adventures, maybe one day you’ll visit Toronto. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
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Trees are amazing, and love the light tunnels. Really makes me want to come to Toronto. Thanks for the schedule as well.
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I think you’ll enjoy Toronto when you visit. There is one more Weekend Coffee Share link-up next weekend. I look forward to reading your coffee share post.
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beautiful Christmas displays!
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Thank you Tanja. Happy holidays!
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Thanks.happy holidays!
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Those are some gorgeous lights and Christmas displays! This was fun to see. I hope he rest of your holiday season is a magical as this post.
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Thank you, Maria. I’ve seen some more beautiful displays and hope to share them next week. I look forward to reading your coffee share post.
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That is awesome, looking forward to seeing them.
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Toronto certainly does it in style, Natalie. I enjoyed every second.
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Glad to hear you enjoyed these holiday displays, Jo. I may have a few more to share next week.
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Always excited to see your posts every week. You seem to have very interesting finds, Natalie.
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Thank you Teresa for your kind comments that made me smile. I have a few more beautiful finds to share next week.
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Nice, I would love that!
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Wow, so very beautiful. I bet it was wonderful to see in person. Thanks for sharing them. Sounds like you had a wonderful week.
Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
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Thank you Patrick for your comment. I’m glad you liked these holiday displays. Have a great weekend!
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What beautiful Christmassy photo’s Natalie! So strange as always that you’re in winter and we’re in summer here. Such different Christmas experiences but yet the same in many other ways. I’m sure it was incredibly uplifting and filled you with Christmas spirit to experience those scenes in person. Have a wonderful week and Merry Christmas to you (in case I don’t get another chance)! xo
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Hi Min, These holiday displays are fun and festive. I enjoy taking walks to see them. I’m glad you liked my photos. Happy holidays to you and your family! I hope you get a good rest before ringing in the New Year.
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They are really fabulous photos you have there! Fantastic – and so joyous. I’m off as of Friday so Happy Christmas to you and enjoy the holidays. Stay safe but festive. See you sometime Mid Jan. Thank you, as always, for hosting
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Thank you Lydia for your compliment and linking up with us. I’ll stop by your blog shortly. Happy holidays to you and yours!
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Your pics captured the magic. What a beautiful tour. Thanks a bunch. Have a great week.
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Thank you Antoinette for your compliment. I hope to see you at the next link-up. Happy holidays to you and your family!
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Thank you for sharing the photos, Natalie. Your city is breath-taking! -Pamela
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Thank you Pamela for your compliment. Toronto looks festive in December. Have a wonderful week!
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The reindeer is beautiful! I love going out and out seeing holiday lights!
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The reindeer is new in a brand new building this year. I’m glad you like it.
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Those trees and other holiday lights are so stunning! I’m hoping to take our grandson to see lights this next weekend
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I hope you get to go see lights with your grandson. Have a great week!
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I am having my cup of breakfast tea with a big splash of milk, with a slice of pistachio lemon cake (gifted from a GF bakery – they use nut flour so the bake is very deliciousness nutty), relishing the festive sights in Toronto. Your city sure does know how to get into the Christmas spirit.
Particularly taken by the silver reindeer – it could be a work of art all year round!
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Your tea and cake sound delicious together. The reindeer is new in a brand new building that just opened earlier this year. It’s beautiful IRL.
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Wonderful discoveries!
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Hi Natalie!
I read your coffee share yesterday and forgot to leave a comment of your beautiful photos!! I love all the different Christmas trees you’ve shared. So festive and wonderful. It really feels like Christmas time with all that beauty. Thank you for the dates as well as I’ll make sure to join in next week on the last coffee share for this year! You are such a wonderful host and it looks like you will continue next year! YAY!! I’m so happy! Have a wonderful week!! 💖
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Thank you Diana for your kind comment and your support throughout this year. You’re a wonderful Weekend Coffee Share blogger. I’m glad you like my photos. I look forward to reading your post this coming weekend. Have a great week!
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Stunning photography 👌🙏🌷I love your photos and all amazing view 😍👍🏻 Grace wishes 😊🎄
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Thank you Thattamma. I’m pleased you love my photos. Have a great week!
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So welcome and thankful for sharing ,grace wishes 🌷🙏♥️🌷
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There is no doubt, that winter and Christmas lights and decorations go very well together. We used to take our grandkids on a walk around the neighbourhood to see the lights and had to wait way past their bedtime as 21 December meant longest amount of daylight in daylight saving time. I loved reading about your kindness towards others and especially your neighbour. Thanks for visiting Life This Week as you have in 2021.
Thank you for your wonderful support of my blog’s link up Life This Week in 2021.
Yes, there is one more week to go, but if you are already taking a well-earned break, I will see you again in Monday 4 January 2022.
May you be well, may you be safe, may you be content. Denyse
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Thank you Denyse for your comment. I also host one more link-up before taking a short break. Have a great week!
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Oh wow–I just returned from a very, very long blog hiatus to your comment from early last February, & I see things are still going along. It makes me heart so, so happy that the weekend coffee share is still going along as a community!
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Hello and welcome, Diana, to my blog! The Weekend Coffee Share community has been thriving. Thank you for stopping by. I hope all’s well with you and if you decide to return to blogging, please feel free to join us any week. The first coffee share of 2022 is starting January 7, from Friday to Sunday. Happy New Year!
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