montreal lunch

Well, we didn't get up at sparrow fart, but we did go to Montreal for a late lunch yesterday. We arrived around 1 and went straight to Rue St. Denis for lunch at L'Express. I've always wanted to go there because I've heard such great things about it. The ambiance is like a traditional French bistro—we felt like we were back in Paris. And just an hour and a half drive away! The menu offers all of the classics: croque monsieur, chevre chaud salad, steak frites... but we weren't blown away by the food. In fact, I think the best part of the meal was our espressos at the end. But we didn't really care. It was the perfect getaway.

Did a little shopping after lunch, hopped in the car and we were back home before 8pm.

Seriously, I don't know why we don't go there more often. It's so close and so refreshing. Every time we go, we say, "We should do this more often."

yes, which way?

I'm trying to figure out what to do with my weekend now that it's here. The responsible side of me was planning to stay home and clean and do errands. But the wild side is feeling bored with being responsible and working and doing things just to cross them off the list. So maybe I should just have fun for once?

I kinda just want to hop in the car at sparrow fart and drive up to Montreal for the day. Maybe...

hearts of palm

I've been thinking about my grandmother a lot lately. It comes and goes in phases.

She used to put hearts of palm in her salads. And she had a special secret salad dressing recipe that I just loved. Hearts of palm in your salad are just amazing. They kind of taste like canned artichokes hearts. But they're more tender and slightly more tangy.

Anywho, tonight I had dinner with some of my girlfriends. Elisa made a yummy salad with hearts of palm. It reminded me of Mama Sonia.

I thought: that's funny, when you've got someone—or something—on your mind, it seems that reminders of them just pop up everywhere. Or maybe I'm just searching for them. Like the hearts of palm in the salad.

checking things off my list

I'm feeling very accomplished.

We met with the Trapp florists yesterday to go over ideas for the wedding. They're two wonderful, lively and bubbly women, Amy & Pam. I can't wait to work with them. I asked Colin to come along, even though he didn't feel like it. But once we were there he had some good ideas. He's not your typical groom—and I'm glad of that! He's been helping me every step of the way.

It was such a cold and rainy day, so we stopped for some soup in Stowe on the way home.

Later, Colin went and did his own thing with friends. I went over to Emi and Kev's for dinner. Sapphie is getting over an ear infection, but she was in very good spirits. She started pulling herself up (almost), which was very exciting. When Sapphers was asleep, Emi, Kevin and I watched Britcoms and then Sherlock Holmes. Just like the good old times! Perfect Saturday night.

Today, more wedding stuff (it takes up so much time!). We got the invitations back from Mummy. She hand addressed each and every one—and they look fantastic! Colin and I designed guest info cards to go with them and we worked on our website. Again I say, Col's not your typical groom—and I'm glad of that! Colin began the design, I added my two cents and we came up with something we really liked. I love that we work so well together with the creative stuff.

Once the fun stuff was done, we had to do some fall cleaning: put away the hose, the outdoor furniture, put in the storm windows. Vacuum up the house. But now we're officially winterized and it feels good.

Somewhere between all that action, I managed to clean the house, do laundry and bake an apple tart for dessert tonight. Which reminds me: it's time to go to family dinner.

Have a good night!

favorite fall weekend in pictures

Here are some pics from My Favorite Fall Weekend II.

Brunchies at Shelburne farms:

Shelburne Farms:

Apples, apples everywhere:

Blushing apples:

Juicy apples:

Our apple harvest:

Apple betty, mmmm!

A turning tree: