Lessons from my mum

Mon jardin

To celebrate my fabulous mum, my parents and sister came up this past weekend to Montreal to spend Mother's Day together. Antoine and I hosted brunch, and then we went for a walk where mum was treated to gifts from VdeV and Bella Pella. Afterwards, with some afternoon tea & cake, we sat around the computer and skyped with my brother in London, UK. Lovely day.

For the meal, we had quite the spread considering we were only five people...

I gathered the recipes from around the web - the main was a spinach and mushroom "crustless quiche" from Joy the Baker, the salads were roasted asparagus with egg and fried capers from Honestly Yum and pineapple with sugar mint from Jamie Oliver. The charcuterie and cheeses were from Maitre Affineur and the pastries were straight from Le Fromentier's ovens.

With a bit of inspiration from one of my daily blog reads, I wrote a few words down for her - "lessons from mum."

My mum taught me:
-Any time of day is an acceptable time for a cup of tea
-You can never have too many magazines
-Chocolate goes a long way towards curing what ails you
-The importance of saying, 'thank you'
-How to cook some delicious meals and bake some delectable desserts,
-To treat someone as you find them, and not as they have been described to you,
-That you are loved the way you are.

...Just some of many! xo

Love you maman

Penblwydd Hapus, Tad!

My Dad celebrated his 60th birthday this year and to highlight this, we decided to make a "Canadian dream" of his come true.  Let me explain...

A few years ago, my Dad and I were on a four day canoe-trip on the Petawawa River. After we completed a particularly difficult set of rapids, he told me in the most reflective of tones, "You know, cariad, I have managed to complete half of the things I set out to do when I came to Canada." To this statement, I was imagining career and family focused goals, but, alas, he went on to clarify that as a young lad in the Welsh mining valley, he thought that all Canadians could: 

1. canoe (something that is clearly ticked off his bucket list); and,

2. ride a horse. 

After responding with a little chuckle, I tucked away this moment and knew it prove useful in years (or a 60th birthday) to come ;)

The morning of, the birthday boy had no idea what was in store for him. All that he was told, was to dress for the outdoors. To gear himself up for the surprise, he asked for some french toast (made with egg bread, ama-sing!) for breakfast.

Breakfast for one champion of a Dad

Fully satiated, we headed off to Captiva Farms just outside of Wakefield, Qc -  it wasn't until the story from the Petawawa came up that he had a little chuckle of his own.

Here are a few pictures from the day, if you care to see:

First, we were each assigned a horse...

...we next learned the basics of how to steer a horse (i.e. how not to get hit by a tree)...

...then we were off for a couple hours with our steeds.

Happy to make it back in one piece!

Happy birthday Dad, we love you!! 

ps. Do you still wish that your second Canadian dream was to own a winery?? xo

Hoppy Easter!

This year for Easter, my parents came to Montreal for the weekend. We enjoyed many walks in the spring sun and long leisurely meals at various cafes and restaurants. To top it all off, we had them over for breakfast and decided to test out the new waffle machine I was given as a gift for my birthday (Thanks Jennie and Celeste!!).

I made this batter for the waffles and topped them with this mixed berry sauce, as well as some yogurt, maple syrup AND a homemade caramel sauce a friend of mine made. To balance out all this sweetness, we got some smoked ham and emmental cheese from the Fromentier, Antoine made a "trois pousses" salad (sunflower, buckwheat and green pea shoots), and I made some fried potatoes.

Afterwards, we were able to gather around the computer and skype with my grandparents in Devon (thanks to my Aunt who set it up at their end!) and wish them a Happy Easter.

Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend. xo

Champagne Birthday

champagne birthday: when you turn the same age as the day you were born

I can't remember where or when I first heard this concept, but let me tell you that I have anticipated this date for some time. (Hey, why not? Apparently having something to look forward to is good for you!). Luckily for me, I have a wonderful boyfriend and amazing family and friends who were willing to celebrate this occasion with me :)

On Saturday, we had "26 le 26" - an evening with good company, music & food (including plenty of carrot cake cupcakes)...

...I had quite the time blowing out my candles (I only got one on the first go).

On my actual birthday (a weekday), Antoine surprised me by getting up early and making some delicious french toast while I opened cards from my family.

French toast sides: dulce du leche, nutella, yogurt & bananas

At the party and at work, my Francophone friends were telling me that when you turn the same age as your birth date it is considered your lucky year ("année chanceuse"). After these celebrations, I am already feeling quite lucky. xo

Poached Egg Pile-up

I made this once for Antoine when we were first dating and the other day he said to me, "remember when you used to make me poached eggs for breakfast...?" So here it is:

Start with a toasted English muffin, spread a little pesto and top with prosciutto, your 'greens' of choice (we had watercress) and a poached egg. C'est tout.

Now for an afternoon of cleaning whilst listening to this bloke. xo

The Pope's Last Breakfast at the Vatican

Sent to me by my ever-comedic father...

The Morning After La Nuit Blanche...

...just a few pastries from Le Fromentier and a Globe & Mail post-Nuit Blanche ...or as I said to my work colleagues the day before, my "until midnight Nuit Blanche." I am clearly not able to go an entire night without sleep these days!

Ashley and I stuck to the Mile-End route and tasted a few artisan beers at La Cuvée, watched a dinner party play at Citizen Vintage, created a collage at Monastiraki, and dropped in on a vinyl "scratching" session before calling it a night.

Did you go? What did you do? xo