Hello and welcome to Weekend Coffee Share #67! I’m glad you’re here. Please come on in, help yourself to a cup of coffee, or tea, or hot chocolate at my coffee station and let’s chat.
Week 17/ 52
On January 2, 2022, I wrote that this year, I continue to focus my energy on Health, Home, and Leisure to live a healthy and enriched life. The last weekend of April is a good time for me to reflect on how I’ve aligned my actions with my intentions in April. There were a few fun ‘firsts’.
Health
In April, aside from my regular exercises at home, I started a new season of playing disc golf. I’m loving it for two main reasons:
- On days when I play disc golf, I get to do three of my favourite activities in one go: Cycling to and from the golf course, walking on the course to play, and playing disc golf. It’s a fantastic three-in-one combo.
- I play on weekday mornings. There is no queue, just a beautiful and peaceful golf course, birds, squirrels, geese, lake views and sounds of nature. By noon, I’ve got plenty of fresh air, my nature ‘fix’, and good exercises for my mind and body.
I also did many walks in parks and gardens. Since spring arrival, it’s been delightful to see and photograph emerging blooms every week. I created a slideshow of pretty flowers that carpet the ground beneath trees and shrubs in April. Click on the arrows or swipe to see the slides.
Home
Spring inspired me to start my Tour of Indie Cafés of 2022 and invited my family and friends to join me when they’re available. The plan is to visit up to two indie cafés per month, from April to September, in downtown Toronto. We’ll sit outdoors to enjoy the nice weather and a coffee or tea.
My intentions are three-fold:
- To enjoy social time with my family and friends
- To support small indie cafés and coffee roasters
- To refresh my knowledge of the indie café scene
To start out strong, in April, we met at Arvo and Balzac’s. Both are located in the Distillery District, a National Historic Site and a wonderful place to stroll before or after coffee. Both cafés offered friendly and quick service, interesting and unique interior designs, and delicious cappuccinos.
Arvo: Good vibes. Interiors display Become A Legend light art. They primarily use Phil and Sebastian coffee, roasters from Calgary.
Balzac’s: Beautiful building. Grand Parisian style interior with a chandelier and interesting displays. The company was founded in Stratford, Ontario in 1996. They’re proudly Canadian coffee roasters.
Leisure
Birding – Two Canada geese are back to nest in the same spot that they used last spring. I’ve been checking in on them and other bird nests.
Reading – I read one inspiring biography and five entertaining fiction books. Here’s the list by author’s last name:
- The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan
- Love at First Spite by Anna E. Collins
- Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years by Sarah Delany, A. Elizabeth Delany with Amy Hill Hearth (biography)
- The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
- Gathering Dark by Candice Fox
- Running Wild by K.A. Tucker
Writing – I wrote four blogs and hosted four Weekend Coffee Share linkups before today’s post:
- How I Enjoyed March 2022
- What’s Blooming at Allan Gardens?
- Happy Easter Weekend
- Painted Ladies and Buildings
Overall
April has been amazing with a few fun ‘Firsts of 2022′: First disc golf game, first cappuccino at Arvo, first signs of spring, and first time reading Anna Collins’ debut book and the Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years.
I look forward to enjoying May. As always, I’m thankful for my good health, my family, my friends, all good experiences and joyful moments.
How has your April been?
Shared with #2022wotylinkparty, #TheChangingSeasons, #SundayStills, #SpringFestival2022.
Copyright © 2024 natalietheexplorer.home.blog – All rights reserved.
Natalie the Explorer 
My gracious you are busy, but it looks to me good busy.
I love your ideas for exercise and social outings.
LikeLike
Dawn, I focus on good-for-me and/ or fun activities. The nice spring weather helps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Natalie – the flower pics were beautiful and I love your idea about visiting some Indy cafes and including friends where you can. I also love those geese nesting in the street boxes – it’s so cool!
LikeLike
Hi Leanne, Spring brings so many beautiful flowers and birds here. After 2+ years of COVID-related business closures and social distancing, I thought I could do my tour of indie cafés to socialize and help small businesses at the same time.
LikeLike
I like your idea of intentionally visiting indy cafes. It seems like a charming way to help the economy and bring some joy into your life. I played Frisbee golf when I was younger but never disc golf. It sounds like fun.
LikeLike
Ally, That’s exactly my intention for my tour of indie cafés. I figured I could help local businesses even in a small way. I enjoy playing disc golf and it’s something I can play from spring to fall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our end of April coffee already. Seems like it was a fast month. I will be back tomorrow with my own virtual coffee post. Have a nice Friday Natalie.
LikeLike
Thanks, Shari. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
I love the idea of disc golf being so all-encompassing. Looks like a wonderful April for you, Natalie. Ours started out well, but ended in disappointment as someone pulled out of an important agreement we had made with her, which affects our life tremendously. Oh well.
LikeLike
Oh Liesbet, I’m sorry to hear your April ended in disappointment and it affects your life tremendously. Sigh. I hope May is a much better month for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a Fab April, love the idea of disc golf as a nature fix and what an outstanding ideas of visiting indie cafe’s. I must look into some local exploring here in my new home town. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂 ps – LOVE the striped squill flowers, I’ve never seen them before.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, JP. I’m pleased to have inspired you. I look forward to hearing about your explorations and discoveries in your new hometown. We have striped squills here every spring. They’re very pretty and cover the grounds beautifully.
LikeLike
That is a great idea to try out different coffee shops. I tend to get drawn back to the ones I like but should really try something different. Looks like April was a good month!
LikeLike
I figured after 2+ years of COVID pandemic I can do something to help small businesses while socializing with my friends. Arvo and Balzac’s were excellent cafés so I’m glad I’ve started my tour of indie cafés.
LikeLike
April was certainly a busy month for you, Natalie! Your florals are indeed fabulous–we have the same purple croci! These are smaller and grow wild. Your disc golf is a wonderful fitness trifecta and a great idea. I also love your idea of visiting indie coffee shops. A great way to feel the pulse of the city. I always appreciate your links to Sunday Stills!
LikeLike
Terri, Thank you for hosting SS. Croci are sure signs of spring. Over here I see yellow, white, purple and striped purple croci every spring. They’re about done now. I love the 3-in-1 health benefits of my disc golf trips and it’s something I can play from spring to fall. Indie coffee shops sure show the pulse of the city. Small businesses have suffered during the pandemic so I figured I could help contribute to their revenues.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks like you’re doing well with your goals, Natalie. I hope you continue to enjoy the cafés.
LikeLike
Thank you, Dan. Spring has made it easier to go outdoors and socialize. I hope you’re enjoying the weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the idea of ‘Fun Firsts’ Natalie and as always you pack so much positivity, fun and healthy living into each month which is so inspiring. Thanks for joining us for our WOTY link up and have a fabulous May xx
LikeLike
Thank you, Sue, for your kind words and for hosting WOTY. I try to focus on three areas (health, home and leisure) every day. So far so good. Have a wonderful May!
LikeLike
Disc golf is so fun. Canberra has a lot of courses but I forgot to take frisbees when we were last there. Will do next time. Not sure if Sydney has any courses…but google!
LikeLike
According to the Professional Disc Golf Association website, there are five courses in Sydney. Enjoy playing!
LikeLike
Great flower photos! You’ve inspired me to check out some indie cafés!
LikeLike
Thank you, Susan. The local indie cafés would appreciate your business.
LikeLike
Hope May brings many more firsts to you like April😊
LikeLike
Thank you Moumita. I hope May brings you much happiness.
LikeLike
Hi, Natalie – I love that your 2022 Tour of Indie Coffee Shops. That is such a great idea – with wonderful reasons behind it. I look forward to reading more about how this initiative progresses.
I also love your three-way benefits from Disc Golf. I’ve never seen this sport played before. I will keep an eye out for it. It sounds very interesting.
Thank you for the link-up. Wishing you a wonderful May ahead!
LikeLike
Hi Donna, Spring and the re-opening of businesses have made it possible for me to play disc golf again and tour the indie coffee shops. I believe there is a disc golf course at Qualicum Bay Resort and several more in Nanaimo and Port Alberni. Wishing you a wonderful May!
LikeLike
How wonderful to walk around to enjoy the spring flowers and discover that there’s something new showing up each week! I do the same but in my garden.
Your tour of indie coffee shops sounds fantastic! I should do the same. There are several new coffee shops in town to explore. April has been a good month here. Now the warmer weather has arrived too!
LikeLike
Susanne, Good to hear the warmer weather has arrived at your location. The local coffee shops would appreciate your business. Have a wonderful May!
LikeLike
Lots of wonderful Firsts of Spring & of 2022!
Spotted a Disc Golf Marker the other day and thought of you.
LikeLike
Aw, thank you, Ju-Lyn, for thinking of me. I hope you’re enjoying the weekend. Have a wonderful May!
LikeLike
Sounds like a great April. Hope you are able to continue the disk golf all year (well, I know there comes a point in the autumn,..) Have a great weekend and a wonderful week ahead, not to mention a wonderful May 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Trent, for your warm wishes. Being able to play disc golf from spring to fall is pretty good to me. In the winter if there is enough snow, I can snowshoe in the same park. I hope you’re enjoying the weekend. Have a wonderful May!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful Natalie! I promised myself to try a couple new cafes every month as well. There are so many I haven’t tried just in my town, and tons of them in neighbouring towns and cities. I think we all have missed out so much on our social life that some effort on our side is essential. It sounds ds like April was another great month in your book. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
LikeLike
Hi Maria, The local coffee shops would appreciate your business. Since the weather is getting nicer and most covid-19 restrictions have been lifted here, I figured I would contribute to the revenue and recovery of local coffee shops while socializing with my family and friends. I hope your weekend is going well. Have a wonderful May!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Sounds like you had a wonderful month! The Delaney Sisters book was one of the first audiobooks I ever listened to. We were driving from Georgia to Oregon (relocating for my work) in the mid-90s, and we listened to it while driving across the Midwest. Fond memories!
LikeLike
How cool that you listened to the Delany sisters’ audiobook. I find their story inspiring.
LikeLike
Hi Natalie, another great post in which your gratitude for everything shines through. My husband plays frisbee golf (what we call disc golf) with a friend infrequently and always has a laugh as well as doing some exercise at the same time. Your spring weather looks welcome and I admire your for undertaking the Indie cafe project :). What do you class as an Indie cafe, just out of interest?
Thanks for joining us for the monthly WOTY linkup, always good to read your posts and see your photos – I learn so much from you!
LikeLike
Hi Debbie, Thank you for your kind words. Frisbee/ disc golf is a great sport to play with friends or solo. My criteria of an indie café: Run by an individual owner (not part of a big coffee chain), use coffee from a local or Canadian coffee roaster, known for good coffee, and offer unique vibes. I do some research before adding an indie café to my tour. Thank you for hosting WOTY. It’s an excellent way to reflect on the month just passed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad that you had all these firsts. Very nice. Happy for you. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
LikeLike
Thank you Patrick for your kind words. Have a great week ahead!
LikeLike
You got an amazing amount done this month, Natalie. I’m amazed at how many books you read. Your photos are lovely. Thanks for hosting such a lovely party.
LikeLike
Thank you Marsha for your kind words. When I wake up in the morning, I’m thankful for a new day that I can fill with my favourite activities. So many good books, not enough time. Thank you for linking up with me. Have a wonderful week ahead!
LikeLike
My husband and I remember very fondly the distillery district in Toronto. Love the nesting geese and the first signs of Spring flowers. In Australia Spring isn’t nearly as obvious as we don’t have the extreme winters you do.
LikeLike
I’m glad you and your husband have fond memories of the Distillery District. The four seasons are distinct here and I love them all.
LikeLike
It feels so great to enjoy outside. Those geese are stubborn. We have ex-patriot Canadian geese taking up residence in our yards and marshes.
LikeLike
April to June are great for outdoor activities (except for people who have spring allergies). We have a lot of Canada geese here by the shore of Lake Ontario.
LikeLike
Hi Natalie, this is such an uplifting and happy post. I like your coffee shop idea. Malcolm does something similar around town. He has narrowed it to three favorite shops and has a weekly ‘coffee date’ with a couple of friends. I’m pretty sure he alternates the shops depending on his mood and the vibe of the cafe, 1)stuff on his mind and needs to share (the serious shop with an intellectual vibe) 2)feeling happy and contented with life (the patio shop with a river view) and 3)in need of a good sweet treat (the strip mall shop run by two sisters who are incredible bakers) Coffee is always better with friends! Thanks for hosting.
LikeLike
Hi Suzanne, I like Malcolm’s categories of coffee shops. I used to frequent indie coffee shops before the pandemic. After two years of public health restrictions and some business closures, the coffee shop landscape in downtown Toronto has changed a bit. Now that restrictions have been lifted and spring has sprung, I’m back. Thank you for stopping by.
LikeLike
I love the flower pictures. Our weather goes from hot to cold and back and forth.
LikeLike
Thanks, Tessa. I’m pleased you love the flower pictures. The weather over here is mixed, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Natalie,
I loved having coffee with you this weekend. ALL THOSE FLOWERS are so beautiful, I just love them all so much!! I also love the coffee’s you shared, cappuccinos yummy! I have been reading finally after many years of not picking up a book. I just read at night before bed so it takes me awhile to get through a book. I just finished reading “Horse Crazy” which is a memoir of the authors life with all the horses that she either owned or affected her life in some way. It was a great read and now I am reading the book called “The 80 Dollar Champion, Snowman, The horse that inspired a nation”. They made a movie out of this book as well so I know the story but never read the book. Anyways, you are always so inspiring and with all the books you read I knew I’ve been missing reading in my life. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead, and I was able to share coffee this evening with a post. 😀
LikeLike
Hi Diana, I’m so pleased you loved my flower and coffee shop photos. Spring is here and it’s easy to be out and about and socializing. Good for you to return to reading. The books you mentioned sound interesting. I find that like a lot of activities, we need to make time for what we enjoy and once we start doing something regularly, it becomes a habit. I try to read every day, even at 10 minutes a day, it adds up. Thank you for joining me virtually. I’ll be over to your blog soon. Have a wonderful week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love pasque flowers. So pretty. So are all the other flowers. The books you read look interesting. What a great idea to visit different cafes. I love it.
LikeLike
Kirstin, I’m pleased you love the flowers that I shared. This past week I started seeing more daffodils and tulips. Spring brings beautiful colours. Thank you for joining me virtually for a coffee chat. Have a great week!
LikeLike
April was fantastic, thanks, Natalie, so long as I overlook a couple of mishaps along the way. Not sure what disc golf is? But glad you’re enjoying it and those flowers are lovely.
LikeLike
Jo, Glad to hear your April was fantastic. Your blog posts show wonderful places in Portugal. Disc golf is a game that plays on a golf course with baskets to throw the discs (similar to frisbees) in. The course is usually 9-hole or 18-hole with obstacles to make the game challenging.
LikeLike
So no golf clubs involved? Sounds like fun.
LikeLike
No golf clubs, and the discs are light, about 145g each, easy to carry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Natalie, you have certainly walked with diligence into Spring, and enjoyed everything April. I love that you tour Indie Cafes, and include friends and family. Not only is it fun, but it also offers insight if it is a good place for gathering, or just a quiet coffee.
Your flowers have announced that the seasons are indeed changing. They always seems to bloom at just the right time for us to enjoy.
And disc golf? I have always thought I would love playing. Never tried it. Nice that you can get on your bike to get there.
Happy May! Donna
LikeLike
Hi Donna, Spring is here and it’s easy to be out and about and socializing. After two years of public health restrictions due to covid-19 pandemic and some business closures, the coffee shop landscape in downtown Toronto has changed a bit. Now that restrictions have been lifted and spring has sprung, I enjoy ‘touring’ and hope to help the small businesses. Coffee shops are part of a city’s social fabric so they’re nice places to hang out and people-watch. Flowers are blooming everywhere, too. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful May!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been seeing “The Paris Apartment” in book circles. It’s definitely on my to-read. I’ve been wanting to try disc golf since I’ve seen the courses in some parks. It seems like I would enjoy it more than regular golf lol.
LikeLike
I wrote about how to play and why I chose disc golf here: https://natalietheexplorer.home.blog/2021/04/16/violet-flowers-and-disc-golf-intro/
I enjoyed The Paris Apartment. I hope you’re able to borrow it from the library or someone in your social circles. Thank you for dropping by. Have a great week!
LikeLike
Hi Natalie,
I think both our time zones changed which teaches me for putting off writing my post til the last minute. Thanks for posting the photo of the Irish pub with the Guiness clock. I had to pop by and check it out via Google Earth and get a few photos of my own. The funny thing was that it had been photographed on a couple of different occasions and one view had workmen out the front. Then, they were gone and they had mo0ved in a third photo. I’m hoping to post that for Thursday Doors this week. I love my Google Earth treks.
Hope you have a good week.
Best wishes,
Rowena
LikeLike
Hi Rowena, You’re welcome about my photo of the Irish pub. Sounds like you had fun with your Google Earth treks. Have a great week!
LikeLike