One Eighty

Last week, something happened to yours truly that sparked a momentous life change. You see, since I was about sixteen, I have been ADDICTED to Tim Horton's coffee. Not the stuff that you can buy in the big red tin and make at home. I mean the real brew that you get when you order in the restaurant itself.

Hence I was thrilled to see that there is a Tim Horton's located a handy five minute walk from our new place in Toronto, and have been frequenting this fine establishment for the past few weeks. The other day I didn't have any change on me, so I brought my Mastercard instead. (Tim Horton's only accepts cash or Mastercard. Yeah. Figure that one out.) Sleepy and caffeine-deprived, I stumbled up to the cash and ordered my large black with Splenda on the side. Just as I was about to pick up my cup from the counter, I here:

"Excuse me - your card was declined."

"What?"

"Declined, your card was declined."

"Oh, well, can you try it again?"

She tried again, and again it was declined. I briefly considered asking if I could have the coffee for free. Lord knows I've given them enough business over the past decade to count for three normal people. The idea was discarded as quickly as it was conceived, however, as I remembered that there is a Starbucks only about a three minute walk from Tim's, where my debit card would gladly be accepted.

Don't get me wrong - I have always been a huge fan of Starbucks too. It's just that usually when I go there I'll order some sort of speciality drink. (Tall sugar free vanilla soy latte is my fav.) I had tried the plain coffee in the past, but its strong flavour never really appealed to me. At 8:30 in the morning, however, I all I was craving was a plain old coffee. 

I asked the friendly, animated young man behind the counter for a tall cup of their mildest brew, and handed him my debit card.

"No need for that," he said with a smile. "One of our lovely customers would like to buy you a coffee today."

"Oh, that's nice, who?" I said, looking around.

"They wish to remain anonymous."

"Ok, tell them I said thank you."

Not wanting to remove myself from the good vibes right away, I went out to the patio, pulled out a book, and sipped my (really quite good) cup of coffee. It was one of the nicest half hours I've spent in a long time. 

I've returned to Starbucks to engage in the same ritual for the past four days. Unfortunately, my secret admirer has not been there - or at least has not offered to buy me any more coffees. Either way, I think the whole experience was a sign of good things to come, and why mess with something that seems to bring such good vibes/luck? Plus, the coffee itself is kind of beginning to grow on me...

Simple Pleasures

...cause that's what life's all about, right?

Eat Your Veggies!

Lately I've been really into vegetables - as snacks, in stir fries...

...even in juices! (Please don't hate me - the fact that I enjoy eating veggies is about the only thing I have going in my life right now!) Today I had a beat, carrot, apple, and lemon juice from Kale. I had never had a vegetable juice before, but have been hearing about them everywhere lately. Wow, was this thing ever good! I think next time I may even venture into green juice territory!

Oh for the love of Krishna

I watched the Eat Pray Love trailer for the first time today, and didn't know what to do first: throw up or pee myself laughing. Either seemed like an apt choice, given my reaction to the book. Throw in Julia Roberts (don't get me wrong - she really can be quite lovely when she wants to be,) some cheese ball music, and a few overly-idealized shots of impoverished countries, and you've got yourself a film version of what has got to be the most self indulgent book ever published.

The thing that bugs me the most is that (honest to god) the first thing that went through my head when I finished the book was: this bitch is just itching for a movie deal. Of course, she got it. Just like she gets to live everyone else's (ok, my) dream life on the fuel of her own "misery."

I know that this jealous, negative energy will get me no where when it comes to achieving my own dreams, but I think I can at least allow myself an afternoon of wallowing in self pity. I know, I know, I know. How Elizabeth Gilbert-esq.

Wish I Was Here

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing is really wrong, but nothing is particularly right either? Today was kind of like that for me. 

It all started when I woke up with a sore throat after a horrible night's sleep. Then I spent the next six hours applying for four jobs. Then I made my way to the dollar store to pick up some measuring spoons because I forgot to bring my good ones from our place in Kingston. It was freezing outside, and very windy. Seriously, it's May 11 and I was in my winter jacket - not cool. (Or should I say too cool?) The walk took a lot longer than I anticipated, and it started to rain on the way home. A cold, piercing rain. Finally I arrived home and, in an attempt to comfort myself on such yucky day, made some cornbread that didn't turn out at all.

All I can say is, thank GOD for fond memories. Most people tell me I'm crazy when I say that if I had to choose between the two I'd rather spend my money traveling than purchase a home. Days like today, however, allow me to perfectly illustrate my case. Somehow looking at photos from past vacations brings me comfort and hope, and allows me to fall asleep to happy thoughts. And that, my dears, is priceless.

Review: The Book of Negroes

It feels like it's been a long, long time since I have reviewed a work of fiction on my blog - and even longer since I've reviewed one positively. In a dramatic turn of character, I have found myself much more into non-fiction and chic lit (the latter of which which I never usually review.) Thanks to Lawrence Hill's fantastic novel The Book of Negroes, however, I think I may have just re-kindled the old flame with my first literary love.

The Book of Negroes sat on my shelf for a little over a year before I finally decided to pick it up. It's one of those novels that has generated a lot of buzz. I was really excited to read it, but then, well, life happened and time slipped through my fingers like a slippery fish.

The novel tells of an African woman, Aminata Diallo, who is taken from her village as a child and sold into slavery. Thanks to her intelligence and perseverance, she is able to win back her freedom - but not without encountering countless hurdles and heartbreaks along the way. The Book of Negroes is entertaining in the 19th century novel way - engaging, but not destructively addictive like so many of the books I've been devouring lately. It's like the difference between malt sweetened carob chips and M&Ms: not quite as sweet to taste, but still hits the spot the without inducing a nasty sugar hangover.

This is the first time in a long time I have genuinely cared about a character in a novel, and it feels great. The Book of Negroes is something I will think of often, and recommend to many people. Including you - go to the library and check it out as soon as possible!

Mother's Day Brunch

Today Steve and I made a Mother's Day brunch for my mom, with her two favourite foods in the world: blueberry pie and mushroom crepes.

We also had some delicious mimosas!

It felt good to get back into the pie making swing of things. I even experimented with star cut outs of the top crust. I'm not sure if I'd do it again, as they made the pies look a bit ridiculous.

I also made an apple pie for my aunt Linda...

Steve helped a lot with the crepes.

My beautiful mom!