noshameshow

a new ramen place opened, kinton ramen, by the good folks who brought toronto ‘guu’ and ‘guu 2: electric booglaoo’. It is lovely – highly recommended.

ice cream every night

im going to figure out how to make the backyard a nicer place to spend time this summer

the locomotive is my go-to in the junction. if you haven’t been, go.

kathy threw a fabulous bbq, and i have a new sangrilla recipe as a result. champagne + frozen pinneapple + mango + raspberry oj cubes + peach nectar + malibu rum. None of that sugarey sweetness that comes from soda – just natural fruit yumminess and BOOZE.

Toronto is in full bloom.

lovely weekend with buds – brunch with D&M, lunch with the wife, and happy run-ins at SJCB. A new brunch joint to add to the list, and it’s right down the street!

Kevin went to Kitsie’s wedding in Ohio, so I induldged with a Saturday night in – The Wedding Singer and a bubblebath.

Doors Open at TSP was a smash.

Last weekend, a quick trip to NYC thanks to a Porter flight sale and an apartment loan by a generous friend. I’d never flown on a friday night before, and was pleased as punch to indulge it the classic free porter booze (they pour you a pint of wine) so I was feeling rather pleasant when we met our handsome buds Mark & Daniel at PDT for a hot dog and some of the yummiest cocktails I’ve ever barely been able to afford. But whocaressowhat?! I had a bourbon that tasted of smoke and bacon and contained the most beautiful giant ice cube I’ve ever seen, with some of my favourite men and chased it with a late night roast beef sandwich. What’s up, new york, i love you.

Seth, my ultra-generous supa-lovely new-york-boy-version-of-me bud was away seeing his ultra-lovely otherLauren in London, so we got to crash at his amazing SOHO apartment, Rage Mountain, with the killer rooftop view and the giant white loftyness (and the 5 story walk-up to help work off the weekend indulgences). Thanks Seth, you’re the man.

Saturday was over to Brooklyn for brunch at Egg (Eggs Rothko with a side of roast tomatoes and shaved ham/candied bacon WHAT?!), coffee at Blue Bottle, a very restrained lemonade at the Smorgasburg/Brooklyn Record Fair, Brooklyn Flea (where I was very good, thankyouverymuch). Dinner at Seth’s recommendation, Vinegar Hill House, and further cocktails with Frank and Melody at the Dressy Bessy show. No rest for the weekend warriors.

Dinner was unreal – I wanted to weep each time a dish ended. My duck breast with rhubarb, kohlrabi, peanuts, oats, and cracklings was just amazing. Kevin had the lamb on smashed purple potatoes with feta, and we split a sweet-bread ravioli with porcini and chickpeas. Seriously, I will from this day forth take everything Seth says as truth. When we finished up with a coconut sesame cake with goat cheese sorbet and pickled rhubarb (and a big glass of Kronan swedish punch) it was all I could do not to fall apart. Kevin had the cheese plate – no shock there. Dude is cheese crazy.

Sunday was all shopping at the usual haunts (Muji, Uniqlo) and we definitely broke the bank, but the deals were amazing and we never shop so whatever. A trip to the baths with Gord (I guess all of Toronto were in the city if they weren’t at the cottage) and a 3 hour dinner at Bohemian with Mark, Daniel and our new friend Kelly and we were done.

Flight home was beyond brutal – after 2 days of PERFECT weather, a storm made for a rocky trip back, and we were nearly hit by lightning on the flight which was as scary as it sounds. A few days later, I’ve slept it off and can just think back fondly on the weekend. I hope everyone had a similarly wonderful Victoria Day.

Breakfasts with K at High Park, trotting out my new ice cream maker to try my hand at raspberry basil sorbet (success!), working weekends at my best gal’s lovely home, a serious shindig complete with oyster bar for the contact photography festival opening at Mjolk, Sunday brunch at home, a lemonade stand, a cinco de mayo dinner date with own of my fave families around.

Busy days, but in the best way – food and friends.

A box of strawberries, with a tangible sent and an excellent price point, can inspire a whole weekend. Nothing makes me feel as sprightly and springy and the deep blush of a ripe berry, more buoyant than a bowl of freshly whipped cream. Add sunshine, one of Toronto’s best lattes, a birthday present in the mail (ice cream!!), a surprise 50% porter sale that ended in tickets to see one of my favorite bands of all time in one of my favorite cities, some time with old and new friends, a garage sale hosted by my bff, a significant steak, copious amounts of champagne drunk out of jars, a house party/ album release for an old bud, sunday brunch with the prettiest eggs with the husband, an equally rosey dinner at home with my wife – I’m pretty sure I win at last weekend.

So, I’m older. Officially in my LATE twenties, if that means anything. Getting older is all skewy for me, because K is always going to be significantly older than me, and make me feel young by contrast. Yet, these youthful musicians I like to work with so much… ya, the gap grows ever larger. I feel like I don’t have many friends my own age, and my perception of where I should be at this point (arbitrary as that is, I know) is pretty much lost on me. My facebook fills up with pictures of sonograms and wedding photos and I don’t know what to think. Is my life all that different than it was when I moved to Toronto? Aside from some better jewelery, not so much. Or is it? Oh, the effects of a birthday are funny.

I had planned for a big pancake breakfast in the park, but it was grey and cold and threatening rain, so I moved it inside. Which is fine, I would have been such a schlep, as my mom would say. So we did pancakes indoors. It was nice and laid back. I was pleased. Only daytime bday parties for this old gal.

It’s funny – there are few new additions to my friend circle this year, as well as my ol’ standbys, which I’m tickled about. I have new buds! I am better friends with old buds! My best buds are still there! These are things to be grateful for.

My birthday coincided with record store day (neat) which because of the day-party thing meant I missed some great bands I love (Plants and Animals, Born Ruffians, Army Girls) but not the one who counted most (take a wild guess). Kev and I also did some shopping at our favorite record store.

His haul.

My haul.

and I got a mix tape – joy!!! There’s nothing I like more than a good mix tape – particularly one with strong transitions. This one’s got good transitions up the yang! Whatever that means; it’s a solid mix. If I get permission from the maker, maybe I’ll share the wealth.