Moving house

After a nice long blogging break, I've decided to close up this blog and start a new one. I just felt like hitting "reset" over the holidays. Jump over to my new blog, Effusive Enough, where I gush about the kind of storytelling that makes me giddy. Hope you'll follow me there!

Napa again

After an extra long hiatus, it feels good to be back in this space. I needed a break to feel inspired again and to feel good about the things I share here. These photos are from a trip a few weeks back, but I think they're worth sharing if only to look back fondly on such a fun day.

This was my second trip to the esteemed Addendum fried chicken post, and this time a single-canine charm machine by the name of Toby was part of our group. Seriously, there weren't many people who could pass by Toby and not want to pet him. He has so much personality, he deserves his own television show and merchandising. He's furry. He's cuddly. He's cheeky. He's Toby. I wish I had taken more photos of him, but he can hardly stay still for more than a few quick seconds. Ah, youth! I wish I had his energy.

After Addendum we made the short walk over to Bouchon Bakery, where I couldn't help but indulge my sweet tooth a bit too much. With so many choices, it didn't seem right to choose just 1 dessert.

Afterwards we stopped by a few picturesque wineries before checking out the nearby Napa outlets (women be shoppin', right?), until we finally arrived at the delightful Cook for dinner. I wish I had taken some photos, since I love places like Cook. The interior was unique and stylish enough for fine dining, but the ambiance was casual and unpretentious. The staff could not have been friendlier, and the food was decadent and delicious. My particular favorites were the sweetbreads and the panna cotta. It was an epic meal that was punctuated throughout by lots of laugher and smiles.

Images by me

The Deep Blue Sea

Loved this portrait of a woman whose insistence on living a life full of unbridled passion threatens to swallow her whole. Rachel Weisz has always been one of my favorite actresses, and this movie showcases her talents perfectly. She's able to telegraph all the big and small emotional moments so seamlessly. Even when those emotions are contradictory, she makes it seem natural to the character. After reading Anna Karenina last year and then watching Leaving, Julia, and White Material, I was really "over" stories about women who let their emotions completely derail their lives, but I was still moved by this story. I wasn't surprised to find out this story was originally a play, since the action is so spare so the focus is on Hester and her relationships with the two men in her life and the emotional journey she makes. And the cinematography and set design were beautiful. I loved how the rich, lush interiors were highlighted with just enough warm light to suggest a burning passion stifled.

Still via imdb

Montreal part III

Last batch of photos from Montreal! I know I'm really milking that trip. This time I focused on the food.

Nadia very sweetly treated me to a Canadian specialty known as tire d'érable, or maple taffy. I'd never heard of it before, but I loved its icy sweetness. You have to it eat it fast before it melts and possibly drips onto your rented camera lens!

Our stay ended with a walk through old Montreal again, slowing down to peek in cafe windows and admire the cute signs then stopping for tea at Le Petit Hôtel.

Images by me

Montreal part II

Here are more photos from Montreal, where I didn't have enough time to peel back its layers. Walking through Old Port, I was taken with the shapes, colors, and textures, its tunnels and courtyards.

Images by me

Montreal part I

Montreal has become my new favorite city. I like to think that the many faded signs and half-torn labels that adorn the buildings are a good metaphor for what visitors will find as they wander the city. It's charming without being precious and has just enough of an edge, a intriguing grit that one detects hidden just below its many layers. 

Images by me

Vermont part II

Even under gray clouds with lingering traces of Winter, Vermont is one of those lucky places that is graced with a subtle allure. Trees with naked branches stand poised and regal, ready to be admired and clothed in its spring robes. Wide open hills, with bits of green grass peeking through, still have charming farm houses and gentle animals to tempt visitors into further exploration.

Images by me