Hello and welcome! I’m glad you’re here. It’s week 50 in 2022 and I’m hosting Weekend Coffee Share (WCS) linkup #100 which includes the Photographing Public Art Challenge (PPAC). Feel free to link your WCS or PPAC post to this post. Come on in for a coffee or tea, and let’s catch up.
This is my last post for 2022 before the holidays. I’d like to wrap up my 2022 with beautiful lights and gratitude. Below is my selection of blue light displays for PPAC and Sunday Stills photo challenge.
Beautiful Lights
I started my walk at Nathan Phillips Square to see the 56th annual Cavalcade of Lights in Toronto. The event is on from November 26 to January 7. It includes lighting of Toronto’s official Christmas tree and thousands of energy-efficient bulbs adorn the heart of downtown Toronto.
Along Bay Street, all the major banks have glittering trees and holiday decorations. Royal Bank of Canada displays their signature blue and silver tree for the holidays.
I ended my walk at Union Station. The Pixel Matrix, created by Michael Awad and David Rokeby, is a three-dimensional cube made up of 30,000 individually controllable LED lights on strings, with constantly changing lighting effects.
On another walk, I discovered an intense blue aluminum sculpture. I thought it would be fun to add it to this post.
Gratitude 2022
On January 2, 2022 I hoped to continue focusing on Health, Home and Leisure to live a healthy and enriched life. Reflecting on 2022, I feel truly grateful for an amazing year.
Here’s the gifts in 2022 for which I am grateful.
- My good health throughout the year. I enjoyed cycling on recreational trails, exploring from Hanlan’s Point to Ward’s Island, kayaking around Toronto Islands, playing disc golf, sailing in Toronto Harbour in the summer, and walking. I love being with nature and taking in the beauty around me.
- My family and friends near and far. I’m grateful for the opportunities to meet some of them in person in Calgary, Hamilton and Toronto after a long gap due to COVID-19 pandemic.
- My home and city with many cultural and recreational opportunities. I appreciate Toronto’s festivals, events, art, history, parks, gardens, beaches, ravines, rivers, Lake Ontario, trails, and more.
- Hobbies that are fun and enriching. I celebrated my 6 years of blogging in October. I appreciate all the visits, likes, and comments on my blog and contributors to my weekly Weekend Coffee Share linkup and Photographing Public Art Challenge, as well as my fellow blog hosts. I’m grateful for easy access to books and films from the Toronto Public Library.
- Travel: I’m grateful to be able to explore amazing natural wonders in Newfoundland and Labrador, on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and enjoy fun adventures, historic sites, delicious seafood and desserts in these three beautiful Canadian provinces.
My three ways to give back in 2022:
- Met with family and friends at local eateries and Indie cafés to support small businesses.
- Volunteered to run my first food drive for Daily Bread Food Bank, and helped out at one public art event and six running races.
- Traveled in Canada to support Canadian airlines, hospitality and tourism industry.
A friendly reminder that there is no WCS linkup on December 23rd and 30th. I’ll return with a fresh post on January 6, 2023.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Copyright © 2024 natalietheexplorer.home.blog – All rights reserved.
Natalie the Explorer 
Hi Natalie – thanks for a great year of coffee catch-ups and for all your great hosting and commenting. The photos of all the lights were great and the blue potato chip gave me a smile – it never ceases to amaze me what people find to be creative!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Leanne, I love that Blue Chip sculpture crafty title and colour. I’m glad it gave you a smile. Thank you for your WCS contributions and comments on my blog. Wishing you and your family happy holidays. I look forward to continuing our blogging connections in 2023.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The lights are fabulous! Thanks. Have a wonderful Christmas and all the bets for 2023!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Natalie
What a wonderful array of lights, we have just seen Perth’s city lights too. Not sure how you managed to get such good photos with no people!
You have much to be grateful for and it’s nice you give so much back
Happy Christmas 🎄
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Ali, I went early and on a weeknight to take my photos. The one at the ice rink, the zamboni was refreshing the ice so all skaters had to leave and sit around the rink until they were allowed to get back on the ice. I’d love to see your photos of Perth’s city lights. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I will get down to writing a post 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Darlene, for your comment and warm wishes. Happy holidays to you and your family! I look forward to continuing our blogging connections in the new year.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderful photos, Natalie. I hope you have a fun and relaxing time during the holidays. See you in 2023.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dan. Wishing you and your family a happy Christmas. I’ll see you in January 2023 with a post for Thursday Doors.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The light displays in Toronto are beautiful! There’s been so much to be grateful for in 2022! Like you, I’ve supported local companies, as well as in places further away from where I live. It’s wonderful to be back to a more normal way of living. I wish you a lovely Christmas, and I’ll see you again in 2023.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susanne, Thank you for your comment and WCS contributions. Happy Christmas to you and your husband! I look forward to continuing our blogging connections in 2023.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous! Wishing you and your family a peaceful holiday, Natalie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jill for your ongoing encouragement. Wishing you and your family a joyful Christmas.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow, what a nice set of blue holiday lights, Natalie! Toronto really is a mecca for culture and recreation, and I’m always glad to get to know your city more intimately with each of your posts. Thank you for hosting WCS and for supporting Sunday Stills with your gorgeous photography. Merry Christmas to you and your family and I wish you peaceful and relaxing holidays.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Terri, Thank you for hosting Sunday Stills and challenging me to find pictures for the prompts. It’s fun and good for my brain 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and your family! I look forward to continuing our blogging connections in the new year.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Have a wonderful holiday, Natalie. Your blue light display is amazing! Thanks for bringing us so many beautiful photos of Toronto as well as your trips and outings. It’s been a fun year. Thanks for hosting both WCS and PPAC. I have enjoyed participating, and have met several new friends through your community this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marsha, Thank you for your friendship and your trust in me with PPAC. I’m glad you have met new friends through WCS. It takes some time to build a blogging community. I think I’m getting there after two years of hosting 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
It does take time. I think PPAC has a great community already around it. My other challenge, WQW has fewer links, but lots of views and comments. I will concentrate on that one as you have done with WCS. I think your blog is a better match for PPAC because you almost always share some beautiful public art anyway. I’m going to take a page out of your book and use WQ next year as an opportunity to share on more forums if I can. You do such a great job of that. 🙂
LikeLike
There are several great link-ups that I like to join in on the fun. However, hosting the weekly WCS takes a bit of my time and energy so I’m focusing on it and have participated in just a couple of other link-ups when they’re overlapping with WCS dates and topic. I like your shortened link-up name WQ. I look forward to seeing your new WQ badge for 2023.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Natalie. There are two more days left to enter a design.
LikeLike
The pictures of the lights are great. I haven’t been able to master night photography. Happy holidays, Natalie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Shari. I’m glad you like my pictures of the lights. Happy holidays you you and your family!
LikeLike
Thank you, Natalie. Happy holidays to you and yours as well.
LikeLike
Hi, Natalie – Thank you for all of your work, effort and creativity in hosting these coffee catchups. Enjoy your well-deserved break. See you in January 2023!
LikeLike
Hi Donna, Thank you for your friendship and encouragement. Merry Christmas to you and your family. See you in January 2023!
LikeLike
First of all Natalie – thank you for hosting the weekend coffee share each week. It is one of my small pleasures of the week to enjoy your post with breakfast on Saturday morning as you know.
Second – the lights look so pretty – it being summer here there isn’t the same ‘hygge’ feel to Christmas.
Third – wishing you and your family a healthy, happy and fun festive season.
LikeLike
Barbara, Thank you so much for your comments. I’m happy and humbled to hear my weekly post is one of your small pleasures at your Saturday breakfast time. You know how wonderful Christmas feels in a cold climate. I wish you and your husband a lovely holiday season. I look forward to continuing our blogging connections in the new year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the light tunnels and the blue tree. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, Natalie, surrounded by family and friends.
LikeLike
Thank you, Jo. Wishing you the same for Christmas.
LikeLike
🥳💗
LikeLike
Those light displays are amazing!! Thank you so much for hosting this link up each week; I hope you have a wonderful holiday and delightful break.
LikeLike
Joanne, Thank you for your comments and WCS contributions. Merry Christmas to you and your family! I look forward to continuing our blogging connections in the new year.
LikeLike
As usual your photos are great Natalie. Thankyou so much for a great year of #weekendcoffeeshare I have missed it from time to time as I’ve been working many weekends in 2022. Next year I’ll be mainly working Mon-Fri so I’m looking forward to being able to participate more often
LikeLike
Jennifer, Thank you for your comments and WCS contributions. I appreciate your posts whenever you could link up this year. I look forward to continuing our blogging connections in the new year.
LikeLike
Such beautiful lights! It sounds like you had a great 2022 and are looking forward to a wonder-FULL 2023 too! Have a happy, healthy holiday, Natalie.
LikeLike
Thank you, Janis. 2022 has been amazing to me. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What fantastic lights!! And it sounds like you had a great year! See you in 2023!
LikeLike
Thank you, Dawn. 2022 has been great and kind to me. See you in 2023!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a happy holiday and the photos look so pretty
LikeLike
Alice, Thank you for stopping by. Happy holidays to you, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you had a great year! Thanks for hosting the Weekend Coffee Share–I’ve met so many wonderful bloggers through this link-up. Happy holidays!
LikeLike
Janet, I’m glad you’ve met many wonderful bloggers through WCS link-up. Thank you for your contributions. I look forward to continuing our blogging connections in the new year. Happy holidays!
LikeLike
Good for you on the food drive. I really think there’s so much pain at the moment that we all, if in a position to do so, really need to dig deeper and chip in. It’s a strange world we find ourselves in. Happy Christmas to you, enjoy the holidays and I probably won’t return until Feb. Thank you for hosting!
Take care and enjoy.
LikeLike
Lydia, With high inflation and rising cost of food and housing, especially in big cities, many people are struggling. I agree that we all, if in a position to do so, really need to dig deeper and chip in. Thank you for your contributions to WCS link-up. Happy holidays to you and your family. See you in 2023 when you are back.
LikeLike
Season ‘s Greetings Natalie and Congratulations on Link Up #50 this year and more. I haven’t shared a post this week but dropped by to share my good wishes to you and yours, and this community you have nurtured. Here’s to 2023. Denyse.
LikeLike
Denyse, Thank you so much for stopping by and for your warm wishes. WCS is the first weekly link-up that I have hosted. I used to host another link-up but it was monthly. As you know, it takes time to build a blogging community. Wishing you and B and your family a happy and healthy holiday season. See you in 2023.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That blue chip is perfect for Terri’s challenge! It’s quite interesting. It seems like a stellar year for you. Glad to be following along. Bernie
LikeLike
Thank you, Bernie. I love the crafty title and the intense blue of the Blue Chip sculpture. It was a nice surprise to stumble upon it while I was out wandering. Happy holidays to you and your family!
LikeLike
Here’s mine
LikeLike
Ali, Thank you for your contribution The lights and murals in Perth look beautiful. I greatly appreciate your post since you’ve had a busy week.
LikeLike
Beautiful lights. Sounds like you had a great year! Also, thanks for the year of hosting The Weekend Coffee Share! Hope your holidays go well and see you in the new year!
LikeLike
Trent, Thank you for your ongoing support for WCS. It’s my first time hosting a weekly link-up and I can’t believe I’ve done it for two years. I used to host a monthly link-up which didn’t require as much time and efforts as a weekly link-up. Happy holidays to you and your family. See you in 2023.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the photos of the Pixel Matrix and the Blue Chip! (Given this year’s stock market, it is a funny commentary on blue chip stocks, although I see it was created in 2016) Happy Holidays, Natalie!
LikeLike
Dar, It’s great to hear from you. The Pixel Matrix is very cool with so many colour variations. The Blue Chip gave me a smile when I saw its title. It made me think of rippled potato chips and blue chip stocks, too. Happy holidays to you and your family!
LikeLike
Another great year virtually tagging along on your wonderful travels. Thank you for all you do. Have a wonderful holiday and upcoming new year.
LikeLike
Antoinette, Thank you for being a great supporter and regular contributor to the weekly WCS link-up. Wishing you and your family a merry Christmas and happy New Year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All the best to you and yours
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful pictures Natalie. Hope you have a good break and see you in 2023 WCS. Happy New Year to you.
LikeLike
Thank you for your comment and warm wishes. Happy holidays to you and your family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for hosting the coffee shares with such impeccable dependability! I appreciate YOU!
Wishing you a happy and healthy, holiday, season and new year. See you in January! 💜🙏💜
LikeLike
Thank you, Dinah, for your comment and WCS contributions this year. Wishing the same for you. See you in 2023.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fun filled year you have had! Thank you as always for sharing your world and hosting our coffee share! Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays/Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Kathleen, Thank you for your WCS contributions and support this year. Happy holidays to you and your family! See you in 2023.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You had an amazing year. You went to so many cool places. Thank you so very much for hosting this great party week after week. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and for family. Enjoy your break.
LikeLike
Patrick, Thank you for your kind comment and WCS contribution. I hope you have a happy Christmas and New Year. See you in 2023.
LikeLike
Such wonderful lights! I’d love to visit Toronto again some day.
Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
Thank you for stopping by. I hope you visit Toronto again. Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
The blue on the blue sculpture is intense! Also congratulations on your 6th year of blogging!
LikeLike
Thank you, Julie. That Blue Chip was a delightful discovery. I stumbled upon it while I was wandering and the striking blue caught my attention.
LikeLike
You had a fabulous year, Natalie – one to be proud of and grateful for. I hope you will maintain all your hobbies, travels, and healthy activities in 2023. Happy holidays!
LikeLike
Thank you, Liesbet, for stopping by. I’m grateful for how 2022 has been so far. I try my best with what I can do and hope for the best from what’s out of my control. Happy holidays to you, Mark and Maya.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful photos, Natalie. Happy holidays!
Here is my PPAC:
LikeLike
Sofia, Beautiful telescope mural in Glasgow. Thank you for your PPAC contribution. Happy holidays!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great year Natalie..here I am in january, finally getting around to commenting….I really slacked on all commenting in December. I loved your update and photos. I’m looking forward to Coffee Share in 2023.
LikeLike
Thank you, Kirstin. I’m glad you loved my update and photos. 2022 was very good to me. I hope you had a merry Christmas with your family. It’s great that you updated your gravatar with your photo. I look forward to continuing our blogging connections in 2023. Happy New Year and I hope to see you on January 6th!
LikeLike
Well, I think it only posted like this because I was trying to sign up for Bloganuary and it said you didn’t need to have a wordpress blog (which I don’t) just a wordpress account (which apparently I already did…lol). Hopefully it doesn’t mess people up with finding my actual blog.
LikeLike
Your gravatar shows your actual blog URL on Blogger so it looks fine to me. I think it’s a good idea to have your photo as your gravatar as most blog readers like to know what the blogger looks like, and by using your WordPress account, your gravatar will show when you leave comments on WordPress blogs, making it easier for others to find your blog.
LikeLike
That makes sense!~
LikeLike
Loving that tunnel Natalie. Definitely so many things to be grateful for! Have a wonderful
2023!
LikeLike
Thank you, Teresa. I hope to see more of your PPAC entries in 2023. Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice photos of Toronto at Christmas Time!!
LikeLike
Thank you Shawn. It was festive and fun.
LikeLike