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Thursday, May 27, 2010

Lost in Wakefield

We were running late this Sunday so we didn't get to get away until around 1 pm, but who cares...that's what lazy Sundays are all about!

Daan, always determined to stick to our traditions xo

As we were headed there, I was awed by how gorgeous the Gatineau Hills look in the spring (no seriously, go now). However, when we turned into Wakefield I saw the sign that said "Fair-Trade Village" and my eyes automatically started to roll. If you know me, you know how much I dislike Scenesters...they are the bane of my existence (see below for definition).

As I was saying, we then turned into the most quaint little village! Dotted with some treasure-chest-esque shops and delicious family owned places to eat, Wakefield QC is really the place to get away from city life.

Strolling around the strip, we wandered into little boutiques and bookstores that sold hand-made baubles and lots of organic herbs (fyi a great place to get all your natural beauty products ladies).

We stopped for lunch at our friends restaurant, Rutherford Bistro http://www.bistrorutherford.ca/, that had a great vibe: Art hanging on the wall, a patio overlooking the lake (time it right and you'll get to see the Steam Train pass by!) and right next to the legendary Black Sheep Inn.


Fact the best sweet potato fries EVER! omg the food was delicious and all from local suppliers (for all you whole food lovers). I got the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries and Daan got the Classic burger, and he swears that was the bestest, most juiciest burger ever (not his actual words...his was more like "mmmmishgoodmmm" ).

All in all, GO! If you can, stay overnight at Le Moulin Inn (http://www.wakefieldmill.com) which is apparently one of the most romantic places to stay in Quebec. FYI, the Spa looks fabulous! Try to go from Gatineau and take the evening steam train in the fall, it winds through the Gatineau hills and shows the full blast of fall colors!



















Have fun! xox

-A-


Urban Dictionary.com states:
2.scenester


Person who models the abstract and later specific behavior of individuals
trying to make a claim on certain media,i.e. literature, art, books, poetry, movies. A trend will then arise of "packaging", at which point, genres will mix into socially acceptable grab bags of media and somehow spawn a fashion, normally causing these disillusioned individuals to start resembling the traits of characters, band members, and each other because he or she likes this " underground" lifestyle and wants to be accepted by a discriminating crowd. In short, the sucker thinks these people have all the answers and conforms to some " be- yourself-but-be-us-subculture". Scenesters can range from genres of music such as Indie, emo, hardcore, nerd rock,(math rock), metal heads, ska kids( skankers,Moonstompers), ravers, club kids, goth kids, mod kids,space rock,concept artists,retro throwbacks, punk, pop punk, to Donnie Darko fans and other cult movies such as Heathers or Velvet Goldmine,poetry by Bukowski or Frost, cartoons such as Sponge Bob or shows like Nip/Tuck and The Simpsons, books such as Catcher in the Rye, The Virgin Suicides, Valley of the Dolls, Ask the Dust, and occasionally, The Communist Manifesto,as most scenesters are anti-war and unless straight edge, (refraining from sex or drugs of any kind) are heavily into drugs and alcohol,nomadic,anti-religious,poor with rich parents, and slumming.Essentially, they are their friends, although some people will like what they like and be accused of being scenesters by mistake. The smart scenester will say that is the case, because he or she knows it can't really be disproven except by baby pictures, second grade stories, and by God Himself.
" Jennifer is a true disgusting little scenester now that she dyed her hair burgundy when she saw me doing it. I did it, because some girl on the Joan of Arc album had it that way, but that's because she copied the girl from Rainer Maria, and I told her after one of their shows that she should color it, so she did,and I thought'what the fuck? That was my idea.' So I'm boycotting them."

" If you don't like Spoon, you should die."

" If I had shaggy hair and wore eyeliner like your last boyfriend, you would love me more."

" The way these people look is the way I feel inside. They understand. I want to be part of their scene

Sunday Brunch

About a month ago, Daan and I realized that although we are married and live together and even work together, we hardly ever really 'see' each other ( a la Avatar) or even communicate as much as we need too.

To remedy this traversty, he thought up a beautiful and brilliant idea: Why not try out the great brunch places in our sleepy little city of Ottawa and its surrounding towns/villages every Sunday!

Hubster usually makes a scrumptious breakfasts and lunches over the weekends and although I DID intially miss my super amazing Belgian Waffle Maker (ermigawd to wake up to fresh waffles, best.wedding.gift.ever!), so far its been so great.

We wake up and daisy-eyed seek out the places that have the best brunches in Ottawa....so great that we had to share it with you!

We don't limit ourselves to just Ottawa, but the quaint little villages and those 'hip' little towns and all those hole in the wall local sec
rets to find the best omelettes and hollandaise sauce around!

This past Sunday, we wanted to get our wandering on so we headed over to Ottawa's very chic Westboro area to grab brunch at Baker Street Cafe.

This little place was just so....quaint! It was like you walked into grandma's kitchen with fresh breads and the most mouthwatering, steaming, gooooooey, HUGE cinnamon buns you could imagine! Critics whine that its all run-down, the wait is long blah blah blah. Yea, be prepared for the wait, for a good breakfast, you're gonna have to wait. I'd recommend going for brunch as you can wander the shops for a bit then grab a relaxed bit to eat!

Anyways, back to the cinnamon buns! obviously, that's the first thing I got! And trust me, it was
as good as it sounds :) yum!

Daan gets what he always gets, my little eggs benedict connoisseur, he is super picky about it but now he swears by their smoked salmon benedict and has (thus far) named their hollandaise sauce "The Best". Personally, I think hollandaise is weird.

I got their swiss cheese and mushroom omelette, which was nothing wow-wow-wow....but still delicious....but I think nothing will top that cinnamon bun!

After that we spent the day perusing furniture, antiquing, people watching, having pulpatation attacks over the most gorgeous wallpaper I've ever seen and just strolling around and enjoying each others company.

If anything, grab your girls, grab your man and just down to
Westboro for a great morning out...you don't need to blow money but just check out all the art galleries and interesting and inspiring people...a great way to start off the week!

xox

-A-

Monday, May 17, 2010

Love through Food

I organized a little dinner with 6 of my darling friends. I like keeping dinner invitees at 6 max, as I am still getting used to cooking for large numbers…and that I usually go a little overboard on my menu! Some friends attending are huge fitness nuts + 1 and me huge foodies. Need to find balance :S

However, weather is gross raining and I will be cooking up a storm while purell-ing my hands/washing everything every second as to keep everything uncontaminated from a slight cold I have. May consider face-mask.

Menu for tonight:

Appetizer

-Chicken Samosa’s with a mint and coriander chutney

-Cheese and Herb fondue with garlic French baguette

-Hummus and baked pita chips

Dinner

-Start with Roasted Red Pepper soup

-Baked Tandoori Chicken stuffed with cheese, mushroom and spinach. Topped with spinach masala sauce.

-Asparagus (steamed), small potatoes and grape tomatoes flash fried in garlic, pepper, sea salt and pepper.

-Mediterranean 6 bean salad with grilled chicken pieces

Dessert

- Variety of teas

- Mousse chocolates

- Fruit jello topped with Vanilla ice-cream

Wish me luck!

xox

-A-

Post Dinner Update- SUCCESS!! Roasted Red Pepper Soup was delish and perfect to heat up a cold night!