God's got the runs!

Californication ...

Another fabulous visit to Cali! Nothing's better than arriving in the land of heat sans humidity and having the handsomest man in the whole airport waiting for me. 

The next day, I found a hairdresser that I adore - he's not too far from home and really knows what he's doing. Despite it being a first visit, he understood exactly what I wanted and delivered in spades. Lainey is a happy girl!

K and I celebrated Canada Day with poutine. Hahaha, who are we kidding? Everyone knows that you can't find any poutine worth celebrating anywhere outside la belle province! We spent a lot of my time there cooking - it's lovely being able to walk to the grocery store, pick out the ingredients for that night's dinner, and then head back to cook together. 

Spent my first July 4th stateside. Well, I may have done so as a child but I don't remember. This one, I will remember! We headed to Whole Foods and picked up some paiche, which we baked with some lime, ginger, olive oil, and garlic. We plated it up alongside a salad and headed up to dine alfresco on the loft balcony. Our dinner at dusk was delicious, the wine was cold and crisp, and we could hear some of the neighbours heading to the park to watch the fireworks.

Sippin' under the stars

Then, it was dark ... and it became loud. 

And the rocket's red glare, indeed!

With the weekend came a road trip/getaway. We headed to Three Rivers for a meeting with the Veep. 

The drive up was hot, hot, hot ... but at least it wasn't humid!

My chauffeur ... also hot, hot, hot!

Konrad and I made seafood risotto for Linda and Martin, and Linda made a juicy strawberry tart. It was a perfect evening. (The dinner was originally slated to be a Lobster Risotto. Unlike here, where almost every supermarket has a lobster tank, the crunchy people of California seem to only stock frozen lobster because stocking fresh lobster is "cruel and inhumane". Hmmm. They DO realize that frozen lobster was once alive? And that someone had to kill it? Geeze, they tout everything else being so fresh but are willing to settle for frozen crustaceans!)

Dessert was soooooo good!

The next morning, we were spoiled with a buffet of homemade blueberry scones, scrambled eggs and spinach, bacon, sausage, and coffee. Before leaving, we watched a deer munching on apples that it had swiped off the apple tree. It was a lovely visit and one that I look forward to repeating. 

The drive back was overcast but still really enjoyable. We do love a good road trip!

Kameah River

Here, they pronounce it LA-vle!

That night, we found a great lil Thai place in the neighbourhood. The food was really good and we decided it's a keeper. 

The next day, it was time for us both to pack up and head out. At the airport, I found out that the woman in line behind me was also Canadian and had moved to Cali for love. Small world! *wink*

It was a great visit - more time to unload stuff and settle into our new place, some alone time with K, and a chance to meet some really great people. Can't wait to get back there again!

Check!

So much to do! I have made lists ... and then I've made lists of lists that I have to make ... and just when I manage to scratch an item off a list, I'll get a text or call from either Julia or K and have to add another item (or more!) to one list or another. Got a few things knocked out last week and several just this morning alone ... then I spoke to K ... and I'm back to adding to one of the lists again! Oh well, this has been in the plans for so long; if I could pack up a household and move an entire family to Europe in the span of 3 months, this should be a cakewalk!

... and I do so love cake!

The stuff that weekends are made of ...

... and last weekend was a BEAUT! K made it into the country (just barely) for his daughter's graduation and started and ended his trip with visits to Montreal ... and me! We had such a marvelous time (when don't we?) and crammed so much into so little time. In no particular order of time or importance: Towne Hall in Dorval (Prosciutto di Parma & Melon/Israeli Couscous & Grilled Vegetable Tower/Orzo with Black Tiger Shrimp & chorizo Sausage). The second game between LA and NY was on and Billy, the manager, came over to talk hockey after providing us with cappuccinos as we closed the place down. Great food, great evening. Bistro Beaux Lieux in Sutton (La crêpe du légumivore/Le Club du Beaux lieux). After a lovely drive, we dined al fresco and discovered that Sutton water tastes amazing with a capital A! We crossed the street to a local 'bar laitier' where we came across THE richest soft serve either of us have ever had. Fully stuffed, we began the quest to find avocados in Sutton (not an easy feat!) before heading back to Repentigny to have dinner with the kids. Basha on Drummond (K loves his Basha!) before hitting Passport Canada for K's replacement (which won't 'disappear' this time!) then off to Starbuck's to celebrate ... and compare passports (the newer ones are smaller and much cooler!)

All good things must come to an end, though - until next time, that is ... so it's more like "to be continued" ...

Towne Hall - K and I had one of those romantic circular booths ...

GO HABS GO!

Meanwhile, in Canada ...