Showing posts with label Holiday tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday tips. Show all posts

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Understanding What Makes Up the Greater Toronto Area

City of Toronto - 2015

Which Towns & Cities Make Up the Greater Toronto Area?

If you're planning to visit or move to Toronto, you'll find the information here to be a useful, educational guide.
The "Greater Toronto Area", known to local residents as the "GTA", is the largest metropolitan area in Canada.
When we speak about the "GTA" we are referring to the City of Toronto and the four surrounding regions of York, Durham, Halton & Peel. Within these Regions are various town's, cities, and rural communities.

York Region - Communities in York

AURORA - Slogan: "You're in Good Company" The Town of Aurora is situated on rolling hills of Oak Ridges Moraine, just 30 minutes north of Toronto. Population in 2010 approximately 53,000.
EAST GWILLIMBURY - Slogan: "Thinking Green" The Town of East Gwillimbury is located on the East Holland River. It encompasses the Villages of Holland Landing, Queensville, Sharon & Mount Albert. Population as of 2011 approximately 22,473.
GEORGINA - The Town of Georgina is the northernmost municipality in the Region of York
Humber Bay Shores - Condos - City of Toronto
. It's incorporated as a Town, but operates as a Township where several surrounding communities share an Administrative Council. These communities include; Keswick, Sutton, Jackson's Point, Pefferlaw, Port Bolster, Udora and Willow Beach. The population as of 2011 was approximately 43,517.
KING - The Township of King is known for its gorgeous countryside, rolling hills, and prestigious horse and cattle farms. There are three predominant communities in the Township of King; King City, Nobleton & Schomberg. The population as of 2011 was approximately 19,899.
MARKHAM - Slogan: "Leading While Remembering" The City of Markham is made up of numerous original 19th century communities listed here. The population of Markham, at 2011 was approximately 301,709.
*Neighbourhoods and Communities that Make up Markham, Ontario - Located in the Region of York in the Greater Toronto Area
Almira, Angus Glen, Armadale, Berczy Village, Box Grove, Brown's Corners, Buttonville, Cachet, Cashel, Cathedraltown, Cedar Grove, Cornell, Crosby, Downtown Markham, Dickson's Hill, German Mills, Greensborough, Hagermans Corners, Langstaff, Legacy, Locust Hill, Markham Village, Milliken Mills, Mongolia, Mount Joy, Quantztown, Raymerville - Markville East, Rouge Fairways, Sherwood - Amber Glen, Thornhill, Underwood, Unionville, Victoria Square, Vinegar Hil, Wismer Commons.
NEWMARKET - Slogan: "Prudence" The Town of Newmarket is situated conveniently between Bradford and Toronto, Ontario. It's located on the picturesque Holland River and
City of Toronto - Taken from Top of CN Tower - Island Airport-Left
provides a lovely balance of country and city living. The estimated population of Newmarket for 2011 is 87,000.
RICHMOND HILL - Slogan: "En la rose, je fleuris" (In the Rose, I Flourish) The Town of Richmond Hill acquired it's slogan from once being considered the Rose capital of the world. It's centrally located in York Region. It's located about halfway between Lake Simcoe and the City of Toronto. The population of Richmond Hill in 2011 was approximately 185,541.
VAUGHAN - Slogan: "The City Above Toronto" The City of Vaughan was Canada's fastest growing municipality for ten years from 1996 to 2006. There are five communities that make up the City of Vaughan: Woodbridge, Maple, Thornhill, Concord, and Kleinburg. The population of Vaughan as of 2011 was approximately 288,301.
WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE - Slogan: "Country Close to the City" The beautiful countryside Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville encompasses several area communities, with the largest being Stouffville itself, and the rest being; Ballantrae, Bethesda, Bloomington, Cedar Valley, Gormley, Lemonville, Lincolnville, Musselman Lake, Pine Orchard, Pleasantville, Preston Lake, Ringwood, Vandorf, Vivian, and Wesley Corners. At 2011 the population was approximately 37,628.

Durham Region: Communities in Durham

AJAX - Slogan: "Ajax by the Lake" The lovely Town of Ajax is approximately 25 kilometers east of the City of Toronto and rests on the shores of Lake Ontario. It's name sake is from the a Royal Navy Cruiser called the HMS Ajax that served in World War II. At 2006 the
CN Tower - City of Toronto
population of Ajax was approximately 90,000.
BROCK - Slogan: "A Community With a Heart" The Township of Brock is approximately 1 hour northeast of the City of Toronto. It encompasses several hamlets, beautiful countryside living and urban areas. Beaverton and Cannington are the larger urban areas, and included are the following smaller communities: Blackwater, Cedar Beach, Creightons Corners, Derryville, Gamebridge, Layton, Maple Beach, Pinedale, Saginaw, Sunderland, Thorah Beach, Vallentyne, Vroomanton, Wick and Wilfrid.
CLARINGTON - Slogan: "Wisdom, Knowledge and Trust" The Municipality of Clarington is located to the East of the City of Toronto. It includes four larger urban communities; Bowmanville, Courtice, Newcastle, & Orono. The rural communities are: Bond Head, Brownsville, Burketon, Clarke, Crooked Creek, Enfield, Enniskillen, Gaud Corners, Hampton, Haydon, Kendal, Leskard, Maple Grove, Mitchell Corners (sometimes called Mitchell's Corners), New Park, Newtonville, Port Darlington, Port Granby,Salem, Solina, Starkville, Taunton (split with Oshawa along Townline Road), Tyrone, West Side Beach & Wilmot Creek.
OSHAWA - Slogan: "Prepare to be Amazed" Oshawa is situated approximately 60kms east of the City of Toronto on the shoreline of Lake Ontario. Although Oshawa has it's own CMA (Census Metropolitan Area) it is still considered part of the Greater Toronto Area. Oshawa is the largest municipality within the Durham Region with a population in 2006 of approximately 142,000.
PICKERING - The City of Pickering is situated east of Toronto and located on the shores of Lake Ontario. The southern part of the city is typically urban with the northern part of the municipality being mostly rural. As of 2006 the approximate population of Pickering was 89,000.
Humber Bay Shores City Park - City of Toronto
SCUGOG - The gorgeous Township of Scugog is located North east of Toronto. According to "Place Names of Ontario" by Alan Rayburn, the name Scugog is said to mean "waves leap over a canoe", however other sources say it's a native word that means "swampy or marshy land". Port Perry is the main urban center and the following smaller communities are also part of the Township: Aldreds Beach, Blackstock, Burketon, Cadmus, Caesarea, Carnegie Beach, Cedar Shores, Epsom, Fralicks Beach, Gerrows Beach, Greenbank, Highland Beach, Honey Beach, Lakeside Beach, Manchester, Marsh Hill, Nestleton, Nestleton Station, Pine Point, Port View Beach, Prince Albert, Prospect, Purple Hill, Saintfield, Scugog, Scugog Centre, Scugog Point, Seagrave, Shirley, Strattonville, Sunrise Beach, Utica, Victoria Corners and Williams Point
UXBRIDGE - The Township of Uxbridge is located in South Central Ontario. The main center is the Town of Uxbridge and the smaller communities included in the Township are: Coppins Corners, Goodwood, Leaskdale, Roseville, Sandford, Sandy Hook, Siloam, Victoria Corners and Zephyr. In 2006 the approximate population was 19,000.
Lighthouse on Pier in Whitby, Ontario - Canvas
WHITBY - Slogan: "Durham's Business Center"- Whitby is located east of the City of Toronto on the north shores of Lake Ontario. The southern portion of Whitby is mostly an urban economic and business hub with the northern sections consisting of these rural areas: Ashburn, Brooklin, Myrtle and Myrtle Station. In 2006 the population of Whitby was approximately 112,000.

Halton Region - Communities in Halton

BURLINGTON - Slogan: "Stand By" Burlington is a City located in the "West End", meaning it's west of the City of Toronto. It's close to Hamilton, and a drive to Niagara Falls would only take about an hour. The city is rated as one of Canada's best places to live. In 2006 the population of the city was approximately 175,799.
HALTON HILLS - The Town of Halton Hills is located in the West End. It's a community that has been amalgamated with the former Esquesing Township and the two major urban centers, Georgetown and Acton. Much of the magnificent picturesque countryside is protected by Conservation Halton, Credit Valley Conservation & the Grand River
Taken at SpringRidge Farm - Milton, Ontario
Conservation Authority. In 2011 the population was approximately 59,008.
MILTON - The Town of Milton was the fastest growing community in Canada in 2006, and it is still growing at quite a clip. It's convenient location may have something to do with that. It's located in the west end, north of Burlington and Oakville. It provides easy access to the 401, 407, and the 403. In 2011 the population of Milton was approximately 84,362.
OAKVILLE - Slogan: "Avancez" (French for Advance) - The Town of Oakville, located in the West end, on the shores of Lake Ontario, is one of the most affluent towns in Canada. It's conveniently situated between the City of Toronto and City of Hamilton. The population of Oakville in 2011 was approximately 182,520.

Peel Region: Communities in Peel Region

BRAMPTON - Slogan: "Flower City" - The City of Brampton, located in the North West End of Toronto is the third largest city in the GTA with a population in 2006 of approximately 434,000, and has a large South Asian community. Brampton was once known as the "Flower Town of Canada" because of it's large Greenhouse industry. Today Brampton's economic industries include, manufacturing, sciences, retail, logistics, and more.
CALEDON - The Town of Caledon is located in the North West end of the city, and does have some urban elements to it, but is primarily rural, and features a magnificent picturesque countryside. Some of the wealthiest citizens own estates in Caledon. Caledon is actually an amalgamation of urban areas, hamlets, and villages.The major urban center in Caledon, is Bolton. These are the smaller communities in Caledon: Albion, Alloa, Alton, Belfountain, Boston Mills, Brimstone, Caledon, Caledon East,Caledon village Campbells Cross, Castlederg, Cataract, Cedar Meadows, Cedar Mills, Cheltenham, Claude, Coulterville, Ferndale, Forks of the Credit, The Grange, Humber, Humber Grove, Inglewood, Kilmanagh, Lockton, Mayfield West, Macville, Melville, McLeodville, Mono Mills, Mono Road, New Glasgow, Palgrave, Queensgate, Rockside, Rosehill, Sandhill, Silver Creek, Sleswick, Sligo, Snelgrove, Stonehart, Taylorwoods, Terra Cotta, Tormore, Valleywood and Victoria. In 2006 the population of Caledon was approximately 57,000.
MISSISSAUGA - Slogan: "Pride in Our Past, Faith in Our Future" The City of Mississauga is located just to the West of Toronto proper and as of 2010 had a population of approximately 738,000 people.The growth of Mississauga has a lot to do with how convenient and close it is to the City of Toronto. Over 60 of the Fortune 500 base their Global or Canadian Head Offices in Mississauga. Mayor McCallion, the Mayor of Mississauga, is Canada's longest serving Mayor. She was also runner-up in 2005 for the longest serving Mayor in the world.

The City of Toronto - The 'actual city'

CITY OF TORONTO - Slogan: "Diversity is Our Strength" Toronto is the largest city in Canada with over 2.6 million people. It's also the capital of Ontario. Toronto is at the heart of the Greater Toronto Area (the GTA), and part of the "Golden Horseshoe" which has a total populace of approximately 8.6 million people. Toronto was formally divided up into six municipalities; East York, North York, Etobicoke, City of Toronto, Scarborough and York. In 1998 all of these municipalities were amalgamated into the current City of Toronto. People, however, still identify areas of Toronto by these names.



Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, December 6, 2014

Reviewing Christmas Home Decor

gift wrapped box next to candleWith December comes decorating homes for the holidays. Therefore, it's time to review some great ways to add Christmas decor to your own home. From the living room to the bathroom, your house can be festive and ready for the holidays with these ideas and suggestions. 



Holiday Accents Around the House



christmas wall decal
Christmas Wall Decals
For me, any decorating needs to be easy. That includes my Christmas decorating. So I look for those accents that I can add to my home decor that don't take work. Simple festive accents are what I
found. 

Holiday wall decals are one of those simple accents. Author Mandee provides us not only with some great suggestions for Christmas wall decals, but also easy ideas for how and where to use them. She has such an imaginative way with home decor. 

More easy accents include Christmas throw blankets. I love how simple this can be. Just toss a blanket over the back of the couch and you have a festive touch. Choose one in the style of your decor. If vintage is your style, then Vintage Christmas Throw Blankets is for you. Now, that's easy decorating in my book.


Festive Home Decor for Christmas



christmas pillow
Decorative Christmas Tree Accent Pillows
Walls and couches are not the only way to add easy festive touches. Christmas Bathroom Hand Towels offers you many choices to add the holiday mood to that often-forgotten room of the house. Fun and cute hand towels to elegant and beautiful ones, there is a set perfect for every holiday home decor.

Of course, I have to include the bedroom as well. For me, that's a decorative pillow propped on the bed. Since a Christmas tree isn't usually included bedroom decor, put it on a pillow instead. Decorative Christmas Tree Accents Pillows has a selection of some beautiful ones for you to browse. 


Keep the Fun in Christmas Decorating


Besides easy decorating for Christmas, we also want to keep the fun in the holidays. Some suggestions include shopping online. Our own Review This Gift Guide gives you so many great choices to find just the right home decor items for your own holiday decorating. 

 

 


Posted by: BuckHawk

Buckhawk

About This Contributor

BuckHawk decribes herself as "Basically a lazy person who prefers the easy things in life." So that's what she writes about. Easy home decorating, easy recipes, easy entertaining. But, she is also a lover of animals, gardening and crafting. You'll find her writing all over the Web, but with Review This Reviews! she has the opportunity to write about all of her loves.




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Saturday, November 22, 2014

Planning the Holiday Table Review

holiday candles
With Thanksgiving upon us and Christmas just around the corner, planning the holiday table is a part of our world. Place settings, centerpieces and serving dishes all need to fit somehow on the table. So we'll review some of those tips for planning your own holiday tables.


Holiday Table Planning with Buffets


If you are like me, your holiday table will be overflowing with lots of family and probably some friends as well. My Thanksgiving includes a sweet elderly neighbor as well. With this many people, the dinner table has to be extended to it's fullest and side tables have to be added as well. So setting my holiday table means lots of dishes, silverware and glasses.

buffet table of food
The Stylish Buffet
Yes, I have been accused of not leaving room for the food. But, I make use of buffets for the food
instead. 

On my table, I keep the rolls and butter, relish trays and other small extras on the table. The buffet holds the main course and all the sides dishes. I have gotten many tips to creating a great buffet table from The Stylish Buffet. It's worth checking out.


Creating Tablescapes for the Holidays


When I plan my holiday table, I like to think in terms of tablescapes. Hm, never heard of this term? You're in luck then. I did an article for Cooking for the Holidays just to explain tablescapes and how to use them for your holiday meals. 

Don't worry, this isn't about a new etiquette that's expected. Instead, it's about the fun of arranging your holiday table with variation in height. This creates a more visually appealing table for you and your guests. 


Holiday Centerpieces for the Table



unique holiday centerpiece
Holiday Centerpieces
Decorating for Events has given us great ideas for creating our own holiday centerpieces. She makes use of simple things to create a charming, yet beautiful arrangement for the table. 

Although this page shows Christmas ideas, you can easily adapt her tips for any holiday. It's the color schemes and little extras that will transform her suggestions from Christmas to Thanksgiving. Add in fall colors, like yellows, browns and oranges and accent with Thanksgiving items like a turkey salt and pepper shaker set.


 

Planning the Holiday Table


You have your menu set and all your guests invited. Now is the time to get planning your holiday table. These are just a few of the many options to help you plan. So don't panic, relax instead. Your beautiful table will soon be filled with your many family and friends to share the holiday meal with you.







Posted by: BuckHawk
Buckhawk

About This Contributor

BuckHawk decribes herself as "Basically a lazy person who prefers the easy things in life." So that's what she writes about. Easy home decorating, easy recipes, easy entertaining. But, she is also a lover of animals, gardening and crafting. You'll find her writing all over the Web, but with Review This Reviews! she has the opportunity to write about all of her loves.




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Sunday, November 16, 2014

How to Create a Positive Environment for Your Thanksgiving Dinner

How to Create a Positive Environment for Your Thanksgiving Dinner

It's the Time of Year we Gather to Give Thanks

In a cynical and often condescending world, it's easier to descend into typical family battles that tend to swallow up the purpose of our assembly: to give thanks and acknowledge and remember those who have been there for us through it all. It's cliche, but 'when push came to shove,' who did we turn to, and who loved us unconditionally?

We live in divided times, and many families who reunite for dinner rest at polar opposites in their beliefs, likes, dislikes, tolerance levels, and education. These differences are fast becoming the virus that devours the most important reason we take the hand of the person next to us at that dinner table: love. Again, call it cliche, call it corny, call 'love' overly simplistic, but John Lennon got it right, 'all you need is love.'

So how do you survive a Thanksgiving Dinner with people who sit at the opposite of your beliefs? Like any assembly, setting ground rules is the best place to start. Here are 10 ways to create a positive environment for your Thanksgiving Dinner:
  1. Let everyone know there will be no discussions about Politics, Religion, or Current News Affairs.
  2. As the dinner host, have the evening planned in advance: Plan to play games before and after dinner. If it's a larger gathering, have teams set up to play against each other for a grand championship.
  3. Do not turn on a TV set. If a sporting event is on that the entire family wants to watch, then go ahead and gather around the 'game' in front of the TV if need be. But don't allow any News shows or channel flipping to take away the fun of the game.
  4. If someone in the family breaks the rule about conversation and starts into a diatribe of their opinions and beliefs about an issue, as the host, politely remind them about the rules and do not engage them in a discussion about their point. Remember that no minds or opinions will change in one night anyway, so keep the evening and dinner on a strict track of fun.
  5. Have music playing in the background in as many rooms as possible. Best of all, if you know the favorite songs of the people attending, plan ahead and have a CD compilation of everyone's favorite song! When the song for that special someone in the house begins to play, turn it up, walk over to them, kiss them on the cheek, and let them know, 'We did this for you.'
  6. If you're hosting a large gathering and certain people are best not sitting beside each other, use name/place tags on each plate to direct people where to sit. 
  7. Toast the Senior members of the family. Often, seniors feel excluded, unwanted, and unappreciated, and no matter how ornery they are or aren't, give them a few minutes of special thanks. You'll make their day.
  8. Go out of your way to be friendly and especially to be kind. Set the tone. Set the pace, and you may be surprised how everyone follows.
  9. Find reasons to smile and laugh. Laughter and smiles are much more infectious than anger and fear.
  10. Lastly, remember a famous quote, 'When given a choice to be right or kind, always choose Kind.'

 Have a joyous Thanksgiving <3




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Friday, November 7, 2014

The Thanksgiving Turkey ~ Part I of Thanksgiving Recipes

Thanksgiving

CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ~ Photo by Julie on Flickr.com

I absolutely love Thanksgiving and all of the Thanksgiving dinner recipes!  For as long as I can remember, Thanksgiving has been a family gathering time.  

My mother and I always prepare our traditional Thanksgiving recipes in anticipation of the family members flying, driving or riding in for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We never know exactly what to expect or what will happen when everyone is together, but we know what we will eat.


Preparing for Thanksgiving

The week before Thanksgiving, I go to the grocery store with my list.  The holidays are probably the only time of the year that I really enjoy grocery shopping.  Not because of the food I am buying, but because I know that food will be prepared for the holiday celebration and the people who make it all worthwhile.

Holiday Cooking
My Grandmother & Brother ~ Holidays Past


Sometimes things get hectic and I get a little stressed, but I do try very hard to make the holidays easier by adhering to my own advice offered  in my article, Ten Ways to Make the Holiday Easier.

I want to enjoy the time I get to spend with my whole family and I want to have wonderful memories to reflect on throughout the years.  I also want them to enjoy the holidays in our home and to have fond, pleasant memories of time well spent.


The Main Course

When I was growing up, my grandmother and mother prepared the Thanksgiving meal.   Now, my mother and I cook the dinner.  Occasionally, my sister or one of my sisters-in-law will arrive in town early enough to help.  That is always guaranteed to be amusing and entertaining!

Turkey

It is my job to prepare and cook the turkey.  I try to beat everyone else out of bed so I can shower and dress for the day.  By the time I am in the kitchen to start washing the turkey, Mom and Dad are usually here to chat with me while I get started.  Once the turkey is in the oven, Mom joins me and we work together for hours of cooking, laughing, cutting up and sometimes just talking.  It is a fabulous day.  I have always maintained that it is my favorite day of the year.  Sure, we get tired, but I wouldn't change a thing.

I share my recipe and tips for How to Bake a Turkey here:  Cooking for the Holidays


What's Next

Now that we have the turkey out of the way, be sure to join us here again next week.  We will be sharing the side dishes and desserts for the Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes Menu on Review This!


Be sure to check out additional Thanksgiving tips on Traveling Food - Holidays and Potlucks




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


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