Rainy days

Today is one of those days: cold, dark, and rainy. The kind of day where all you want to do is curl up under a warm fluffy blanket, watch movies, drink warm tea, and eat comfort foods. Comfort foods include but are not limited to: soup, cupcakes, cookies, and hmm- any baked goods actually. I wish I could take a rain check on my work!

Mmm lentil soup at Supa Star

Cupcake and rain boots (getting to wear rain boots is one of the few positive things about rainy days!)

Après-ski and drinks of the week

Since I didn't post a drink of the week for last week, I will post two this week! Both are typical après-ski drinks, which I had the pleasure to enjoy a few days ago on my first ski trip ever. It was an amazing trip and the weather was very spring-like and just perfect: sunny and warm all day long! I also finally learnt how to turn (with a snowboard). Yay! I'm getting there!

Here are my drinks of choice:
1. Mulled wine! It is warm and delicious, perfect for a mid-day break. Even more comforting when the weather is actually cold.
2. Rakia. What is it, you may ask? It is the bulgarian version of the italian grappa. Rakia is a very strong alcohol but it also has a nice aroma. In some circles, it is tradition to have a small glass of rakia at the end of a ski/snowboarding day, right after your last slope. And well, traditions must be respected...

So much snow!

Drink of the week

I decided to start a weekly post that will feature the drink of the week! To inaugurate this new tradition, this week's drink is rum and tea. This has been my drink of choice this winter, perfect for warming up cold dark evenings. My best combination of rum and tea yet: spiced rum with Harney & Sons Bangkok tea- a blend of green tea with coconut, lemongrass, ginger, and vanilla. Can you say delicious?

All signs point to...

heart-shaped melted spot in the snow

heart-shaped rock in the pavement

heart-shaped leaf

 ... <3

Latest guilty pleasure

Last week, I came across wasabi flavored chips at the supermarket and decided to give them a try. Best. Chips. Ever. I absolutely love them! They are so spicy but I just can't stop eating them! And I think they would go so nicely with a beer....mmm

wasabi goodness in a chip. what's not to love?

Random things I like about Montreal

Montreal: where urban life and the wildlife can coexist peacefully. Just by moving a few blocks away from the busy downtown area, you will come across squirrels, raccoons, and skunks... they're almost considered as regular pets here ;)

Montreal does not only have a diverse fauna, it is also a very culturally diverse city. Part of the beauty of it is discovered through food! There are countless restaurants with cuisine from every part of the globe, and the best part is that you can easily find ethnic foods and specific ingredients in shops- if you want to recreate some recipes at home. But among all these tempting and exotic choices, there is one recurring choice- the timeless, satisfyingly filling, favorite 3AM snack, Quebec's national dish: the poutine! It consists of french fries in a gravy sauce, topped with curdle (fresh) cheese. Yummy! Many variations of the original recipe exist from the common chopped wiener addition, to a fancier one with lobster. Even McDonald's has adapted its local menu to include its take on the poutine. You can also refer to it as a 'pout' (read poot). Order yours in French or English, people here are bilingual!

Montreal, the city is hockey. It used to be one of the slogans for the city's team Les Canadiens or as commonly called in English: the Habs. And it's true. The team could very well be the heart and soul of the city. Especially when/if they're winning... And Montrealers do not like The Maple Leafs, Toronto's team. No worries, it's only friendly rivalry ;)

Cool fact about this city: John Lennon and Yoko Ono had their 'Bed-In' here, in the Queen Elizabeth hotel.

Hello, poutine! As my amazing friend discovered, poutine goes perfectly with tzatziki!

General fight during a Habs game

'dude, I found some good stuff over here!'

Chinatown

Turning 3-0

In a few weeks, I'll be entering my dirty thirties... For the past few months, I have been complaining about turning older, about potentially being considered a cougar by guys in their 20s, about not feeling 30 at all, and overall just being sad at the thought of not being in my 20s anymore. A lot of peers have started to feel the pressure to become 'adults', i.e. settle down and start families because they are entering a new decade. I think we should not rush important decisions based on age. Isn't 30 the new 20 anyway? ;) As the big day approaches, I have started embracing the fact that I am 'maturing', and started focusing on how to celebrate my birthday. I've always liked a good party but I feel like I should be doing something more special for this one. However the fact that the big 3-0 is on a Monday, doesn't help!

So in the past week, I have googled every variation of 'turning 30', and I was surprised to see how many things have been written on the subject. There were countless lists of '30 things to do before turning 30', random facts about turning 30, theme-party ideas, and also an Indian movie actually called 'Turning 30' (yes, I watched it). It's quite an important milestone!

Speaking of birthdays, I love this excerpt of How I Met Your Mother :) Tiaras are awesome!


p.s. This past summer, some friends and I ended up writing our own '30 things to do before turning 30'. It was the kind of list that is better left unchecked! However, I think it can be a fun thing to do if there are things you've always wanted to do but never made/had the time to do them.

Random Fun

First of all, I wanted to acknowledge the fact that I have been a terrible blogger.... I should add 'posting more often' to my list of resolutions.

Secondo: Today, I went to a Bridal Show with a friend who is getting married this year. I never thought it would be so much fun! Between sampling numerous cakes (someone had to...), having our picture taken and then printed on a bottle of water, be given a million samples ranging from magazines to orange peelers (!), and sitting in Rolls Royce's (to see how it feels)... I believe my favorites were the party bus (I want to party there all night), and the photo booth with all its fun accessories (I want one in my livingroom!).
Also, I think it is important to mention there was a 'clone maker'...You know, as in the bobble head clone Dwight from The Office has on his desk? Yes! It was amazing.

Why drive around in a limo or an antic car on your wedding day, when you can travel in style in this Wedding Tuk-Tuk

The Party Bus! Complete with a plasma TV and a dancing pole

Photobooth fun