Another craft project: Glass fusing at Color Me Mine Thornhill

materials for glass fusion @ Color Me Mine Thornhill

As I am always on a lookout for some fun crafts for the girls to do, I wanted DD#1 to try her hand at glass fusion. At Color Me Mine in Thornhill, we just dropped in and got some instructions on how to do glass fusion. DD#1 decided she wanted to do a pendant. She picked her base glass and we got some help in getting it cut. She was also given instructions on how to do the cutting herself as well as how to glue the pieces to keep them in place for firing. For her decoration, she cut the glass into shapes and sizes she wanted using special scissors and cutters and with eye protection as well as gloves. As this activity has some glass cutting, the recommended age is 9 and up. 

by the glass cutting area @ Color Me Mine Thornhill

Once she had all her glass pieces, DD#1 glued them to her base and we left the piece to be fired. Pick up was about a couple of weeks after and already included the hook for her pendant. Service was superb and we got really good instruction, tips and assistance from the owner. DD#1 really enjoyed this activity and DD#2 cannot wait to give it a try.

They have ceramic painting as well if you prefer to just paint. Pricing depends on the size of the glass with the smallest 4x4 at $19. That already includes the other pieces including frit (powdered glass) you need to decorate your work and firing. Slumping (shaping the glass into bowls or anything with a depression) and molding are extra. We highly recommend giving it a try!

Value meal at Yonge and Bloor: dinner at Ginger

Rare Beef Pho @ Ginger

We knew that the cafeteria-style Thai place, Green Mango in the Yonge-Bloor area had been gone for years now. But as we are not often in downtown, we only remember it when we are in the area. We went to try Ginger instead. 

This low-key Vietnamese restaurant not only had the traditional Pho, but there was a good enough variety of everything else—vermicelli noodles, rice, Bánh mì (sub sandwiches) among others. Hubby and the girls got their usual Rare Beef Pho. The broth was good and the serving was decent.

I got Pad Thai (I know, I know…I did tell you I was looking for Green Mango, right?) with chili-lemongrass shrimp. It was ok, nothing earth-shattering but not bad, either. Again, the serving was quite decent. Grandma got Curry chicken on fried rice which was also good.

Pad Thai and Curry Chicken @ Ginger

Each dish was under $8, service was fast and dishes were pretty tasty. There was a steady stream of patrons even for our early dinner. I would assume this place gets packed during peak hours. We were full and done with dinner in no time. Glad to have found this spot for quick, cheap and yummy Vietnamese!

Dimsum at Bonflavor

Shrimp Har Gow @ Bonflavor

We went for brunch on a weekday and we were pretty much the only ones at Bonflavor. The place was very modern and felt upscale, at least compared to the ambience of the previous Best Dragon Seafood Restaurant. As the place was supposed to be fancier, there were no pushed dimsum carts. But like other places, we still did order our dimsum via pencil and paper.

The dishes didn’t take long to arrive and I have to say it was actually good dim sum. The taro puff was good (not all dimsum places make this well) and the hargow was packed with shrimp. But while it was good, we didn’t think it was worth the premium at $5-6 per order. It was still dimsum. Presentation was good and service was ok.

Taro Puff, Turnip cake, and Pork & Crabmeat Shiu Mai @ Bonflavor

BBQ Pork Puff @ Bonflavor

We might come back to try the other dishes or maybe on another weekday if we don’t feel like lining up for our usual dimsum spot.