Snowfall and Siri

Today seems a fitting day to make my second snowy winter update as New York basks in the glory (heh) of the year's first snowfall. I love snow, I love snow in the country best of all but snow in the city is still pretty enchanting, especially the crispy snow that crunches and squeaks (not slushing about) when you walk down the street.

While on holiday we were joined by Siri and her boyfriend Alex for a short visit to ring in the new year and do as many "quintessentially Canadian" things as possible (drives by Parliament "to see the lights", homemade maple candies, cross country skiing, boardgames by the fire, snowpants, lots of snowpants, poutine, unsuccessful trip to the ski hill). I think, I hope, we did ok! Aw Canada, I love you so.

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Halcyon Days

We are returned from our Canadian adventure where we were absolutely spoiled with perfect wintery weather, truckloads of chocolate and the very best company. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have my pop's home to run away to. Highlights from our trip included a cross country ski to the grocery (where we spotted a deer! Never in my life have I felt so... Canadian), tobogganing without injury, maple candy cooking, glittering shoes with my aunt; sharing a bed with Landon, Rebecca and a long limbed whippet puppy, lots of cranium, some settlers of catan and fireworks (and fire) on new years eve.

We had a quick visit in Montreal where I was able to satisfy my bagel craving by stuffing my mouth with not one, not two but three (and a half) hot sesame bagels all in a row. I don't know why folks are always on about New York bagels - they're basically regular bread in a circle formation but man alive, Montreal bagels are next level eating. It was especially cold while we were in Montreal (25 below) so we limited our activity to jumping in and out of the car and popping into only a few shops. Of the shops we visited Citizen Vintage was definitely a favourite, super cute and nicely curated. Frustratingly I cannot recall for the life of me the name of the other shop that I really enjoyed. The shopkeeper was delightfully chatty and her prices were just right that if I had any extra dollars to spare they'd have gone straight into her shop (serious knick knack heaven there). I promise should the name come to me to post it right away. On the subject of vintage shops we also had a chance to pay a visit to my favourite (and frankly, the only that I now know of) vintage shop in Ottawa, Ragtime. I have fond memories of renting Twiggy style dresses from them when I was in highschool. Super chatty shopkeeper and just brimming with treasures (lots buried so much digging required - my favourite)! The coat I'm wearing above was a gift from my Pops from Ragtime (Landon & Emma both have ones to match so we can coordinate and look like a disney vacationing family while wearing them).

Oh, and then there was the POUTINE, the excessive kids in the hall watching and falling asleep each night on the sofa with a book in one hand and 1.5 kilograms of chocolate in the other. Perfect, perfect holiday.

You may also click through for a few instagram pictures of our travels :).

Jacoba

Up in Chelsea with my family for the week. My little Cobi has grown up so much since I last saw her. It's all giggles, splashes, investigating beaver dams and s'mores 'round here, a very welcome change from the intensely busy months just passed. There is nothing I like better in the whole world than time spent with my family up here (if only the kitties had joined us this time round).

winter sports

We've spent the last week participating in various winter activities while celebrating a second christmas with my family up north. We built an ice rink, made a pathetic attempt at a hockey game that mostly involved me missing the puck repeatedly and spinning in circles on my skates, carved out a (rather dodgy) toboggan run, cross country skied up the river (though I forced our crew onto the much less terrifying train tracks after my companion stepped through a bit of thin ice and scared the bejesus out of me), brought out my ten year old snow board and have stopped drinking water in favor of hot chocolate. It is the calm before the storm that is the next two months for me! I'm going to play that rather nasty game of "I've got a secret that I can't reveal just yet" but oh man, it is a pretty neat one. (Can I give you a hint? It rhymes with the word that came before one.)

Thank you so much for the warm response to my previous post! I'm brimming with excitement as any day now they'll be available to ship off! Just in time for that oh so romantic day of the year.

she saw the water-lily bloom

A few more while at the cottage! This is my first moment of solitude since coming home and I'm spending it splayed across an air mattress (more comfortable than our dilapidated sofa) watching Wuthering Heights (1970, Timothy Dalton is such a babe in this) and plotting a cheese and pasta filled dinner.

If you should happen to be in the city for upcoming fashion festivities and would like a break from the glitz and glam send me an email and join me for some leisure activities (activities include balancing out the air mattress with our bottoms, watching period dramas, eating cheese and pulling the split ends off of our hair).

ps. just in case! Thank you so much for all the help with our project so far! I very much hope to be a busy lady by months end sewing together brooches and sticking loads of goodies in the post!

within sight of my heaven

It's so beautiful here that I'd like to stay forever (something I never thought I'd say about the Ottawa region)! Every tiny task is made a million times better because of my surroundings - even doing the dishes and sweeping the floor is cheerful and fun. The cottage is three floors and on a hill with 30 (what!) windows on the third floor so it feels not unlike sitting up in a tree-fort. Best of all though is my little kitty friend who follows me everywhere and wakes me up by sitting on me and kneading my belly (aiding digestion?) I woke up the other day with a tiny paw sized bruise near my ribs thanks to her enthusiasm.

Landon's been on regular boat outings and is becoming quite the proficient kayaker. I made a rather pathetic attempt at my own outing but instead fell into the water while stepping into the kayak. Floating around on a water cushion suits me and my lack of balance a little better I think.

I realized in a quick review of my blog that you must think us rather solo characters, floating through life with just each other as company. I should remedy this one day and actually share with you some pictures and stories of the wonderful people who make our lives bright and exciting!

Click here for your musical mix! :D

(ps. Thank you for all your literary recommendations! I've not had a chance to get to the library but was incredibly pleased to find that my dad had brought his own collection up to the cottage! I have already made my way through Wuthering Heights and am presently reading Lady Chatterley's Lover with Women in Love lined up after! I will definitely be putting your list to good use when I'm home though and would recommend taking a look at the comments yourself should you be in need of reading inspiration.)

would rather gather

My sour face is terribly misleading as I have been in pure heaven these past twelve days! We were up at my Dad's newly acquired riverside cottage outside of my hometown Ottawa (hello to new friend Sarah up there! It was super meeting you and your male companion at Blues Fest). It was absolutely breathtaking and I was loathe to leave it so soon.  Being home is nice and as always I'm excited to get back to routine and business though will miss terribly hopping out to collect flowers for indoors, playing excessive amounts of boardgames (also watching excessive amounts of True Blood) and my dad's girlfriend's delicious cooking (you can find her scrumptious vegan recipes here).

Many thanks for all the kind comments on my last post! I did not have much opportunity to troll the internets while away but I promise that I am ever so slowly but surely poking around all of your blogs and playing catch-up.