It’s Fête Nationale in Québec today–not to be confused with a federal holiday like Canada Day next week, which is Moving Day here in Québec (more on that soon). Québec considers itself its own nation and today it celebrates its French culture with a mash-up of Saint–Jean-Baptiste Day and francophone patriotism.… [Read More]
Impressions
I’d like to write something about the walk I took today through a neighborhood in transition, but that’s going to take some research. So in the mean time, here are some digital illustrations I’ve done of two views from previous walks.… [Read More]
This weekend marks the return of the Montréal Grand Prix, which takes place on Isle Notre-Dame in the St. Lawrence River (about a mile away from us, as the crow flies).… [Read More]
Recipe: Healing Congee
In last week’s exciting episode, Sylvain and I got la grippe and we struggled not just with days of rolling fever, but with gamey guts. For nearly a week everything we ate or drank caused nausea and, er, other discomforts.… [Read More]
Seeking Moonrise
Last night, according to the news, was the Strawberry Supermoon. The sun set around 8:45pm, and the moon rose around 9:30pm. It wasn’t very cloudy last night, but we didn’t see the moon rise.… [Read More]
The Maple Report #7
Dare Ultimate Maple Creme Cookies
After investigation, I’m gonna say: not the ultimate maple creme cookies, despite the provocative brand name and hyperbolic descriptor.
They were, however, pretty good, and had real maple that presented right up front, so we et them apace.… [Read More]
Uh Oh
This “iced poutine” does not, as best I can discern, have any actual poutine in it. I think it’s the Québec version of the “spaghetti ice cream” you see in novelty restaurants sometimes, with ice cream “noodles” made with a garlic press and raspberry “spaghetti sauce” and maybe a couple Oreo “meatballs” on the side.… [Read More]
Prison of Smoke
Those of you who know me well know that I’m a lifelong allergy sufferer.
I’m not talking about your seasonal hayfever or getting sneezy around cats. I’ve been gifted—whether through nature or nurture is unclear—with full-on potentially fatal reactions to food additives, OTC pain relievers, particulates, and more.… [Read More]
Pie of Lies
We admit it: we’ve been buying some convenience food here and there to keep on hand when we’re not up to cooking (and that came in handy when we had la grippe last week).… [Read More]






