Our picks for the top 10 things to do this coming weekend, plus fun activities for the kids!

10 Top Events for the Weekend!

1. KidsFest TO - Spring Edition

• May 21st to 23rd, 2022 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Markham Fairgrounds
• $See website

Takes place at the Markham Fairgrounds on Victoria Day weekend. Over 30 rides and attractions including inflatables, kiddie midway rides, live entertainment and more! Don't miss the SuperDogs Woof & Hoof Show. Use promo code T4K10 and save 10% off online tickets. Valid on online orders only. Expires May 21, 2022. More

2. Junior, International Children's Festival at Harbourfront Centre

• May 21st to 23rd, 2022 — all day
• Harbourfront Centre
• Free

Through theatre, dance, music and art, JUNIOR explores what it means to be connected to each other and the community around us – at a time when personal connection has never seemed more important! More

3. Cirque du Soleil KURIOS — Cabinet of Curiosities

• Select dates in May
• Under the Big Top, Ontario Place
• $See website

KURIOS — Cabinet of Curiosities astonishingly revisits the signature Cirque du Soleil style of performance by weaving jaw-dropping acrobatics with a refreshing touch of poetry, artistry and humour. More

4. Above & Beyond: An Interactive Flight Exhibition at the Ontario Science Centre

• Now open
• Ontario Science Centre
• $See website

An exciting new exhibition is about to land at the Science Centre! Starting May 18, 2022, celebrate the power of innovation to make dreams take flight with Above and Beyond: An Interactive Flight Exhibition. More

5. Toronto Blue Jays Home Games

• All Weekend
• Rogers Centre
• $See website

The 2022 Toronto Blue Jays enter the season eying a World Series title. Check out the home game schedule and cheer on your Jays. Jays vs vs. Cincinnati Reds: May 20, 21 and 22. More

6. Robot Dance Party at Harbourfront Centre

• Saturday, May 21st to Monday, May 23rd, 2022 @ 2:00 pm
• Harbourfront Centre
• Free

Music. Robots. Bleeps and blorps—it’s a robot dance party! Have fun at this not-to-be-missed robot event of the year – whether you craft, dance, watch. More

7. Canada's Wonderland Fireworks

• May 22, 2022 at 10:00 pm
• Canada's Wonderland
• $Free with Admission

Canada's Wonderland will present its spectacular fireworks display when the Park closes at 10:00 pm (weather permitting). More

8. Free Admission at Toronto History Museums

• Ongoing
• Various locations
• $Free

Head to one of the city's History Museums. General admission to all 10 Toronto History Museums is now permanently free. Check website for each Museum's operating hours. More

9. Hunt for the Golden Treasure at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Toronto

• Until June 26th, 2022 — all day
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre
• $See website

Calling all wannabe pirates! It's time to Hunt for the Golden Treasure for a limited time at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre. Join this swashbuckling adventure to find Brickbeard's missing golden treasure! More

10. Great Whales Up Close and Personal at the ROM

• Closes soon!
• ROM
• $Free with admission

With hands-on interactives and immersive experiences, Great Whales compares these three unique giants, from their size and diet to their intelligence and evolution, while highlighting the extensive ongoing research and conservation efforts being undertaken to save these highly at-risk mammals.

via toronto4kids

 Today, May 16th is Drawing Day. Drawing is way to express yourself through creativity. 

All you need is a drawing tools and paper to get going. Here are some suggestions from Danna Bananas.

Bavarian Gnome Crayons

Get your colourful gnome on with these crayons that are shaped like mythological creatures. Did you know gnomes bring good luck?

 

 

Stack-A-Doodle

You can build just about anything with Lego bricks, but can random objects turn into Legos? Stack-A-Doodle Stackable Lego Block Crayons are an example of how the world’s best toy can also have an alter ego...colouring.

Doodle Case for iPad Mini

Create Your Own iPad Mini Case over and over again. Doodle something...then wash it and start all over again.

Sketch & Sniff Scented Pencils

Remember smelly markers? Well, these are smelly pencils.

 

 

If you have ever wanted to know how to plant and grow lettuce, there are many tips available to help you get started. Lettuce is a cool weather plant that grows best in spring and fall. Fresh, home grown lettuce is easy to grow and provides more nutrition and flavor than store bought, making it a wonderful addition to your garden.

EXPERT TIPS TO PLANT AND GROW LETTUCE FOR BEGINNERS

Growing lettuce is easy. However, there are always a few factors to consider before planting. With some preparation and planning, you can grow lettuce for most of the gardening season.

SOIL CONDITIONS AND WEATHER REQUIREMENTS

Lettuce is a cool weather crop and grows best in both spring and fall. In the spring, lettuce seeds can be planted as soon as the soil becomes workable, the seedlings are even able to handle a frost or two.

If you are planning to plant for fall, start planting in late summer, usually around the end of August. Sow seeds in a partially shaded area to protect the seedlings from heat.

This vegetable loves moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Adding compost before planting seeds, and heavily tilling, can provide the best environment for lettuce. Lettuce enjoys soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0.

PLANTING LETTUCE

Seeds can be sown directly into the soil, or can be started indoors. Because lettuce grows quickly, I usually sow directly into the soil. If you are growing your lettuce indoors, start 4 weeks before transplanting.

Be sure to plant seeds 1/4 inch deep. Lettuce seeds are small so planting too many is common. You may need to thin them out as they begin to grow. Once seedlings have at least 4 leaves, it's safe to thin out your lettuce.

Germination takes anywhere from 2-10 days if soil is warm (around 70 degrees Fahrenheit). However, if soil is cold, it may take close to two weeks.

The best location for lettuce is a partially shaded location that has afternoon shade. This vegetable wilts with too much sun and will have a hard time thriving if it's too hot.

CARING FOR YOUR LETTUCE CROP

During the spring, lettuce requires frequent watering, and usually does best when watered in the morning. You will know when your lettuce needs water as the leaves will begin to wilt. Do not allow the soil to get too dry in between watering. However, too much water will cause root rot.

During the later summer and into fall, lettuce will need some coddling while it's still hot outside. A mostly shaded location and frequent watering will help ensure it makes it into the colder part of the fall. Misting the plant when it's in the shade can also help it remain cool.

Lettuce can benefit from composted soil. Although this is best to be added before planting. Be sure that you keep the area free of weeds as lettuce has a hard time competing against them.

COMPANION PLANTS FOR LETTUCE

When planting plants next to lettuce, think of similar soil requirements and temperature needs. Cool weather plants that are shade tolerant do well growing with lettuce.

Some companion plants for lettuce include: peas, other leafy greens (spinach, arugula, etc.), carrots, beets, parsnips, onions, radishes, cucumbers and asparagus.

The best companions for lettuce are those that help your lettuce stay healthy. Chives, garlic and marigolds are your best options for lettuce because they keep aphids and other pests away. 

WHAT NOT TO PLANT WITH LETTUCE

There are many plants that can be grown with lettuce, however, some do not do well planted with this leafy green. Anything from the Brassica family should be planted in another area. This includes: cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts and cauliflower. 

These plants have a particular root secretion that permeates the soil, hindering growth of lettuce, and preventing the germination of lettuce seeds.

WHEN AND HOW TO HARVEST LETTUCE

Harvesting lettuce should be done first thing in the morning, before the heat of the sun causes the leafs to wilt. Once harvested, rinse with cold water. Lettuce can be stored in the refrigerator in a ziploc bag, to ensure freshness. Most harvested lettuce can last for about 10 days.

Lettuce heads should be harvesting when the lettuce first reaches maturity and the head of the lettuce is firm. This will ensure that your lettuce has the best flavor. Waiting too long can result in bitter and woody flavors in the lettuce.

If you are growing loose leaf lettuce, harvesting can be continuous throughout the season. Simply remove the outer leaves and allow additional inner leaves to grow. This is a great option for small families, as lettuce can be harvested on an "as needed" basis.

COMMON PESTS AND DISEASES OF LETTUCE

Lettuce is prone to a few pests. These include: aphids, earwigs and cutworms. Planting near beneficial plants (as mentioned above) can cut down on this. Also, making sure that plants aren't too crowded can also help keep pests at bay.

Disease can wreak havoc on lettuce as well. Be on the lookout for white mold. White mold can infect many plants in your garden. Be sure to destroy and plants or leaves immediately if you find it. White mold can be in the soil, or it can be caused by soil that is too moist and overcrowding.

ADD LETTUCE TO YOUR GARDEN

Lettuce is a great option for beginner gardeners as it's easy to plant, grow, harvest and can be grown with almost any other vegetable. Plant your seeds every two weeks in the spring to have continual lettuce harvests throughout the season.

amodernhomestead

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Tricerataco Taco Holder is the ultimate taco stand for children, teens and dino lovers of all ages. This taco stand will bring a roaring good time to taco night or any meal or snack time.

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Happy Cinco de Mayo!

"Cinco de Mayo, as celebrated in the United States, shares some similarities to St. Patrick’s Day: a mainstream marketing fiasco that’s evolved out of an authentic celebration of cultural heritage. The typical Cinco de Mayo is a day of eating tacos and drinking margaritas. But, just like you won’t find corned beef and green beer in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day, you won’t find ground beef tacos, nachos and frozen margaritas in Mexico on Cinco de Mayo.

Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day; it celebrates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War, which came after Mexico’s independence from Spain, the Mexican-American War and the Mexican Civil War. In our neighbor to the south, the holiday is mainly celebrated in the region of Puebla, and mostly in the state’s capital city of the same name.

But what America’s Cinco de Mayo misses is the traditional food of Mexico, named to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, a recognition given to only one other cuisine (French). And, nachos with refried beans, cheese wiz and jalapenos is nowhere on the list or in the country. Taco Bell has even tried opening up in Mexico but each time has failed, simply because no one will eat there.

What makes traditional Mexican fare worthy of such a distinction? You won’t find cumin soaked ground beef hard shell tacos topped with iceberg and cheddar. But, you will find lamb barbacoa that has been smoked underground in banana leaves or carnitas topped with queso fresco, pickled onions and homemade salsa verde wrapped in a warm homemade corn tortilla that has been ever so lightly heated on a comal. And Puebla, just so happens to be considered by many, including Rick Bayless and Mark Bittman, as the gastronomic capital of Mexico.

Puebla is not only known for its food, but also for its quaint colorful streets. (Photo courtesy of Flickr user RussBowling).

Before Spanish explorers and immigrants swarmed Mexico, Puebla was already a culinary capital. The sacred town of Cholula known for its great pre-Colombian pyramid was also home to pre-Columbian street food. In this ancient city, vendors would set up outside the pyramid to feed those who came to worship.

After arriving in Puebla, the Spanish settled close to Cholula and created what is known today as the city of Puebla. Religion was a major aspect of Spanish conquest and convents and monasteries were set up across the city. Spanish nuns invented many of Puebla and Mexico’s most cherished dishes in these convents by integrating old world traditions with new world ingredients.

With that history in mind, here are three famous dishes from Puebla to try this Cinco de Mayo.

Mole Poblano is the iconic dish of Puebla. (Photo courtesy of Chantal Martineau).

1) Mole Poblano

Mole Poblano may be the most consumed dish in Puebla for Cinco de Mayo. But, what is mole (accent on the second syllable, as in guacamole)? There are two origin stories to the word mole. The first is that mole is the Spanish translation of the Aztec or Nahuatl word for sauce, mulli. The second is that mole comes from the Spanish word moler, which means to grind. Whichever story you want to believe, mole is a sauce made from ground up ingredients and comes in all colors and consistencies, but the thick dark mole poblano has made its mark on the international gastronomic world.

Legend has it that mole poblano was first created in the kitchen of the Santa Rosa convent in Puebla by Sor Andrea de la Asunción in the late seventeenth century. According to The Theology of Food: Eating and the Eucharist, Sor Andrea de la Asunción is said to have prepared it for don Tomás Antonio de la Cerda y Aragón, the new viceroy of Spain. This dish is the ultimate combination of old and new world ingredients and cooking practices. This sauce can be somewhat daunting by the long laundry list of ingredients that requires various preparations. But, after one taste of this mole, all the roasting and toasting will be worth it.

2) Chalupas

Chalupas, an iconic Poblano street food, have a resemblance to tostadas and are the perfect antojito for any Cinco de Mayo celebration. To put it simply, chalupas are fried thick tortillas topped with salsa, shredded meat, chopped onion and sometimes queso fresco.

There are two versions to the history of chalupas. The first is that it gets its name from baskets. According to All About Puebla,

Chalupas date back to Colonial times, when Spanish settlers spent a good part of their days washing clothes by the Almoloya (San Francisco) River. It’s said that the women carried everything to the river in big baskets made of wood called chalupas, after which they’d rush home and quickly fry up corn tortillas in lard, top them with salsa, shredded beef or pork, and chopped onion – and call it dinner.

The second is that they are named after the Aztec boats (chalupas) used in the ancient city of Tenochtitlan.

Recommended Recipes:
Chalupas Poblanas, Saveur Magazine
Chalupas Poblanas, Mexconnect

 

Chiles en Nogada is one of the most celebrated dishes in Puebla. (Photo courtesy of Lesley Téllez / The Mija Chronicles).

3) Chiles en Nogada

Chiles en nogada is an iconic dish of Mexico. It is said to have been invented in the convent of Santa Monica for Agustin de Iturbide‘s visit to Puebla in 1821. Agustín de Iturbide was Mexico’s first emperor after Mexico won independence from Spain. He was served chiles en nogada in Puebla while traveling back to Mexico City from Veracruz after signing the Treaty of Cordoba, which gave Mexico its independence.

The dish signifies Mexico’s independence and is made up of the colors of the Mexican flag; red, white and green. The flavors are just as colorful as the ingredients. The sweet, savory, picadillo stuffed poblano pepper dipped in egg batter, fried, and topped with a rich walnut sauce, pomegranate seeds and parsley is something you will not regret. Though it is more traditionally made for Mexico’s Independence Day, it is one of Puebla’s most cherished dishes.

via smithsonianmag

Ice Sabers Star Wars Cookbook is perfect for Star Wars Day and beyond.

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