An exploration and it's acquisitions

A few days ago, I had a girlie lunch: a bright and beautiful salad. You see, as a woman of five feet and one biddie inch, I do not have much surface volume to space out my lady curves. For fear of turning into a little snowball, I sometimes make my self a teeeensy bit of a lighter meal. My husband, who is exactly one foot taller than me and has the metabolism of Michael Phelps during his Olympic training regime, can afford to eat basically anything. Not I, dear reader, not I.

What exactly did I put in this deliciously healthy little salad? I started with a little bit of leftover whole wheat pasta, added some crunchiness with raw almonds (next time I will toast them!), mixed this with a bunch of baby spinach, and nestled a wee hard-boiled egg in the corner. I salted and pepper-ed it, dressed it with a little bit of honey-dijon, and voilà!

After savoring this lean little lunch, I decided to venture out into my new city. I soon came to the conclusion that Windsor is unique to me because of its blending of the urban and suburban. At times, I felt as if I was walking along the tree-lined streets of central New Jersey (and, yes, green does exist in New Jersey) and then suddenly, upon reaching the end of the street, I would realize that I was in the downtown core of an actual city! I am beginning to greatly appreciate this aspect of Windsor. 

Of, course, whilst on my little jaunt, I began craving something sweet. As I marched along, I wandered east-ward and found myself in the primarily Middle Eastern neighborhood of the city. I was properly slack-jawed over the sheer number of Middle Eastern bakeries surrounding me. I popped into the nearest bakery and bought six cookies for only three dollars. A definite win, I should say. 

I then made my way towards Blak's Bakery, on Langlois Avenue. As their website states, the bakery has been owned and operated by the Blak family since 1918. I do love me an establishment with some history. 

Unfortunately, my arrival at Langlois Avenue was a bit later in the afternoon and many of their items were already sold-out. I did manage to procure myself a little square of cherry tart, though. And, after I had scampered home and enjoyed dinner with my husband and sister-in-law, I revealed my tiny treasures. My husband made some High Mountain Taiwanese green tea and we sat down to taste the little gems. 

I was a tad caught of guard by the tang of the cherry tart, but I enjoyed how it melted into the buttery crust upon first bite. The cookies, likewise, surprised me. I am normally a crunchy cookie lass, but I also revel in a soft, chewy number. These were neither! I quickly found a common feature in all six cookies: crumbly and studded with nut flavor. I am thinking that the dough was mixed with almonds or walnuts, creating a cookie that was much less moist than I am accustomed to. Yet I found that with a sip of my tea, these cookies were a lovely match! As I savored the last bite of my cookie, a toasted almond/walnut flavor lingered on my tongue and I believe that is where the biggest flavor burst of these cookies lay. After our munching, I decided that I will be returning to both establishments. I also decided upon another verdict, dear reader. An afternoon started with a salad, should always conclude with a cookie.

DT Windsor Farmer's Market!

            It's been incredibly hot here in Windsor lately, which is frustrating for me mostly because I am fixing to burn my "Pumpkin Spice" candle. One does not burn a Pumpkin Spice candle in 91 degrees.

           Anyways, I recently became involved in the Down Town Windsor Farmer's Market. I keep having these moments where I say to myself, I have found my people, I have found my people! Who else would talk with me about micro-greens, pea shoots, and native apple varieties! Oh, the joy.

              Alas, the morning of market day, I woke up around 6 a.m. and made my way over to Charles Clark Square. As I walked along the river, I had one of those random moments of appreciation. The city was peaceful, quiet and cool. The water rippled gently along the shoreline, and Detroit sat motionless across from me. I walked up to the square around 7a.m., to find a short line of vans and trucks pulling up to the curb. Vendors were carting baskets of fruits, vegetables and leafy greens of incredible color across the market. I soon met the general manager, Steve Green (aptly named, I believe), and was immediately put to work. As I greeted the vendors, I asked about their goods and their farms and their interests. Talking to the baker, the ladies selling about 7 varieties of lettuce, the fishmonger (from whom I bought the freshest and tastiest trout!) among others, was simply fantastic.

         

Seriously, the Down Town Windsor Farmer's Market is truly a wonderful little place. Besides providing residents with organic fruits, vegetables, fish, meats, baked goods, and even coffee (!) at extremely affordable prices, the market is becoming one of Windsor's gathering places. It is lovely to see all types of Windsorites from the city's diverse neighborhoods, coming to enjoy a morning together...whilst munching on some delectable item, of course. My advice: Put the pumpkin candles down, people, and come visit the market this Saturday :)

A Fresh September

I absolutely love the start of a new season. More particularly, the start of a new school year. In my family, Back- to-School-Shopping was a bonafide family outing. We'd pile each of our excited selves into the van and head to the outlets. For whatever reason, I had an odd affection for Timberland-style boots as a child, and the trip culminated for me in the procuration of new pair. I was quite "grunge" in pre-school, it seems. Moreover, the sheer delight we received from buying new pencils (the wooden Ticonderogas with LEGITIMATE erasers) was frankly hilarious. Wielding those things in the depths of the pencil sharpener was utter satisfaction. It's the simple things, people, the simple things.

Right now, I happen to be writing from a little cafe in Windsor, Ontario. I can hardly believe it! No longer in my beloved Montreal. Quite a difficult adieu. Seeing as I had the nerve to graduate from McGill University, get myself married, and move to Southern Ontario in one fell swoop, I am rather to blame, I guess. It is still crazy to consider though, that only 5 months ago, I was most likely sitting at my little desk in Montreal, writing some confounded essay about the history of human existence upon the earth (only a slight exaggeration). For for which I probably obtained a mediocre grade (only a slight exaggeration).

Yet, as I sit here now, a little anxious, a little (LOT) uncertain, a little giddy, a little (LOT) excited, I can't help but smile. It seems to me that this thing called living is filled with a bunch of fresh changes and new changes. It so happens I've experienced several monumental ones in rapid succession, but I do believe I will make it. I am out of familiar territory, but I have a God who leads me and guides me, who works all things together for my good. Praise God, that I even have the chance to live and breath and laugh. I dare say, dessert munching and wine sipping are included in His blessings!

                               " If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
                                 If I settle on the far side of the sea,
                                 Even there your hand will guide me,
                                 Your right hand will hold me fast. "

                                                                       Psalm 139:9-10

                                 Here's to a new season and a new city, my friends. Let's explore together!

Concerts of Colour!

So wintery little February in Montreal, my friend E.J. and I went to a  City and Colour concert. The first thing you must know about this band is that Dallas Green has a silky, soulful voice and, therefore, this is the only justification you need for going. The second thing you need to know is that you do not need to be a die-hard City and Colour fan to go. E.J. has been a fan for a time, mais moi?, uhm, not so much. That whole 'you're a-poser- if-you-don't-know-every-line-of-this-Blink-182-song' condemnation from middle school no longer applies in college/university/life thereafter. That's right girlfriend with le nose ring and pink tipped hair,  anyone is free to get to know a band and simply enjoy!

City and Colour, in particular, has a super relaxed vibe while simultaneously retaining the ability to get you hyped. The concert was the perfect little biddie antidote for the strangle of papers and studying and attempting to convince your departmental office to give you credits from exchange in France.

Also on another note, it is highly advisable to stand in front of amusing people at a concert. Not only does this make for overhearing hilarious/ridiculous conversation but also somehow makes the entire night even more of a comical/unforgettable experience. Mmk, well actually EJ and I cannot go anywhere without making a ruckus of something, but in any case, we are both advocates of humorous circumstances. So stand with some characters :)

Ah yes, that last picture is classic E.J. Also! I forgot to mention that there was some sort of event going on at Place des Spectacles near the theatre. We obviously had to ask some tourists to take pictures of us in front of the paparazzi wall. Mehehe.

hehe! February in Montreal is actually not that bad ;)

Ode to Philadelphia

Philadelphia! You lovely little jem! Who knew you were so fresh, and lively, and inspirational!  Your historic architecture soars high above dining booths and boutique windows, bringing unexpected grandeur and spirit! Your close, intimate streets and the stone walkways which line them, remind me of the the 1940's when women wore pumps and men wore fedoras. Daily. You're unique and unexpecting, Philly je t'aime!

Spring Break Blitz!

Snuck off to the BK with my Montreal roomie during Reading Week this February! Before heading over to Williamsburg, though, we tried the famous grilled Mexican-style corn at Cafe Habana in NoLita. T'WAS AMAZING. Really. We were forewarned off its deliciousness and the cravings that might follow its consumption.. HOWEVER, (or as my own lil Latina grandmother would say, howeber) I did not expect it to be that tasty. I was smitten from the moment I saw the beautiful lil sprinkling of parmesan over its roasted top. Delightful. The corn could have been from Jersey it was so sweet!  (We do make the best corn, by the way.) It wasn't quite as good as summer grilled corn on the cob, but hey, pas mal, mon ami, pas mal. The hipster-licious crowd also probably added to my amused little spirit and general enjoyment. All around, a very enjoyable and NoLita meal!

My lovely fashionista friend Lauren showed us around her neighborhood and introduced us to her three/possibly four? college-age male roommates. Brave woman, indeed. Their place is also home to a sassy bull dog who used to be an illegal dog fighter. He has the scars/lack of ears to prove this.

All my BK pics came out blurry but here is a little peek of a night of red wine, tapas, and laughing chicas at Cadaqués near Bedford & 1st!  

             

T'was a lovely Reading Week :)