January 18, 2013

California Road Trip


New year, new beginnings. At least that's what the saying goes, right?


2012 was definitely an interesting one. It was frustrating and busy (oh so busy), but there was also a lot of happiness, laughter and love.


Friends got married. People came and went. A new job.


The year was not perfect by any means, but when is life ever perfect?



I ended the year with a road trip in California (and Nevada). Drove down the coast on Highway 1 from San Francisco to Malibu (where I saw dolphins swimming in the ocean - super cool), headed east to briefly visit LA before making it out to Joshua Tree National Park (breathtaking).

December 19, 2012

2013, here I come!


I will be out of town over the holidays so I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Holidays!

See you in the new year.

November 26, 2012

Spaghetti Squash & Kale Gratin


What is this, an actual food post? It's been ages, I know.


I've been hunkering down and doing some serious cooking in the past couple of weeks. I purchased some brussels sprouts still attached to the stalk, roasted them, tossed them with quinoa and garnished the dish with pomegranate seeds. After reading this article on sweet potatoes, I immediate went out and bought some to make this.


There are certain vegetables I've always wanted to try but haven't gotten around to (rutabaga, you are still on my list) and spaghetti squash is one of them, so I picked one up when I went apple picking several weeks back. At the farmers' market, I saw a beautiful variety of kale that I haven't tried before (lacinato or black kale, though I quite like the name dinosaur), bought a soft cheese recommended to me by a vendor and bam, a meal was born.


October 29, 2012

San Francisco


I just spent a pretty fabulous week in San Francisco and the Bay Area.



Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to sort through the pictures on my camera yet so enjoy some photos from my phone instead.


I've returned to howling winds and pouring rain.


Can I go back already?

September 25, 2012

September 2012


Major changes occurring around me has forced me to become contemplative about my life. (More than usual, anyway.) What are my life and career goals? Where do I see myself in five to ten years? I've always had a general idea, a certain path I'd like to follow but if I think too hard about the future, it can be a little overwhelming and frightening.


It can also be frustrating, as I certainly did not expect to be where I currently am at this point in my life. I'm sure there are many people in their 20s who feel the same way; I've seen enough articles in the media about how young adults are struggling in this economy. I know quite a few people who are job searching, myself included.


I will attempt to stay positive and fight the good fight, because what is the alternative? I've always been one to think that everything happens for a reason and things will work out eventually, so I will continue to cling to that belief even when things are tough.



These pictures are from my trip up north during the labour long weekend. There was a day trip to the Bruce Peninsula, which was gorgeous beyond words - blue skies and clear water for as far as the eye could see. There was a stop at the blueberry farm, but the highlight was the pick-your-own tomatoes. I love tomatoes and at the height of the tomato season, I can't help but eat them raw because they're so flavourful and I don't want to tarnish their perfection. I eat them like a fruit! (Because they are a fruit. Ba da bum.)


Here's a picture of a sunflower field. I will let you in on a secret: I love sunflowers because they make me happy. Hopefully this puts a smile on your face too, as it does to mine.



A major change that happened: one of my closest friends got herself hitched this month.