"There's about a 50/50 chance we'll be able to land in St. John's due to fog," announced the pilot. So when the runway lights appeared out of nowhere and we felt the impact of the landing, was I happy to be home or just to not be spending the rest of the night on the plane … [Read more...] about Coming Home
Everything Else
“Heavenly Hosts”: The 3rd Annual Christmas Party
When I first described the Christmas party I planned for my family two years ago and immediately called it the "First Annual Watson/Volk Christmas party" my parents laughed a little. Wasn't I getting a bit ahead of myself? Work on one before assuming there'd be more. But I never … [Read more...] about “Heavenly Hosts”: The 3rd Annual Christmas Party
Cupcake Camp Montreal 2010 Round-Up: On the Hunt for Dairy-Free Baked Goods
My personal challenge for cupcake camp Montreal 2010 was to hunt down all the dairy-free, vegan, and/or refined-sugar-free cupcakes. The idea was that this would keep me away from all the butter and cream that would make me sick for days, but allow me to enjoy the festivities … [Read more...] about Cupcake Camp Montreal 2010 Round-Up: On the Hunt for Dairy-Free Baked Goods
Dates, Leopoldo, and Tania
The final Jean-Talon fruit vendor test was dates. Medjool, not dinner and drinks. In fact, I've had worse dinners than these dates before. I won't get into it, but trust me, sometimes you're better off with medjools. Now, I've gotten picky with my dates recently (lets focus on … [Read more...] about Dates, Leopoldo, and Tania
Competition #3 Between Leopoldo and the Man With Whom I’m Cheating on Him
...and there there's fennel. It's clear I'm obsessed with this vegetable, and as disappointed as I've been with my fruit guy, Leopoldo, the last few times I've bought it, I decided it was time to try again. But the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and … [Read more...] about Competition #3 Between Leopoldo and the Man With Whom I’m Cheating on Him
Fruit Vendor Throwdown: Dancing, My First Persimmon and Knowing That Something’s Missing
Have you ever had an experience where it ends and all you think is "Huh...That's it?" Yeah, that's kind of how I felt with persimmons, except, well, it wasn't really a disappointed "that's it". Some people can take things so seriously. Sometimes all you're saying is simply, … [Read more...] about Fruit Vendor Throwdown: Dancing, My First Persimmon and Knowing That Something’s Missing
Cheating on My Fruit Guy
The world is letting me down. First my "free Gazette man" and now my fruit guy. Good thing I still have Guillaume. Loyal Guillaume with his incredible sourdough and his yeast that smells like strawberry jam-filled donuts. I swear. This is not about Guillaume. This is about … [Read more...] about Cheating on My Fruit Guy
The Downfall of the “Free Gazette Man”?
Of late, there has been something wrong with my "Free Gazette Man". It had gotten to the point where I walked to the metro in eager anticipation of an ingenious sales pitch. Some days I even WANTED to read the Gazette (Well, mostly Wednesdays when the food and life section comes … [Read more...] about The Downfall of the “Free Gazette Man”?
The Triumphant Return of the “Free Gazette” Man!
"Have a Gazette! Wipe your windows!" I smiled. He was back... "Make fire!" ...and in fine form, it seemed, which reminds me that it's Hallowe'en, which in turn means that I should be canning every last fruit and vegetable that I can get my hands on before Montreal goes … [Read more...] about The Triumphant Return of the “Free Gazette” Man!
The Other Way I Hurt My Back: Japanese Food!
After the Matsuri Japanese Festival in the Old Port of Montreal where I played big drums and made takoyaki squid balls with other like-minded people, all the volunteers were invited to the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre for an appreciation BBQ. There were hotdogs, yes, but … [Read more...] about The Other Way I Hurt My Back: Japanese Food!