-
A record store in Paris
We stumbled across a huge record store. It was massive. Each floor was filled with individual music stations where you could preview a selection of CDs. The stations were equipped with nice big headphones that blocked out noise. I could listen to the CDs undistracted by the hum of the crowds around me. And when I choose a song to preview, it was not the first 30 seconds. I could listen to the entire song. I went from station to station for hours listening to music: discovering new albums, getting energized by familiar songs, and searching for the earworm song from Gandia. 🎵 Please don’t go, please don’t go, please…
-
The story of Shawn & Ed Brewing Co.
“Once upon a time” may be a fine start for a fairytale. But the stories that begin with “It all started more than 25 years ago” are the stories that hook me. What dream has been brewing for more than 25 years? Could it be a dream to open a beer garden? Well, close. In the case of Shawn and Ed it was “two friend’s dream to one day open up a brewery.” So when an ideal building becomes available some 20 years later, the two friends were ready to execute their dream and Shawn & Ed Brewing Co. came to fruition. Like an old friendship, the historical building in…
-
Fresh tracks in the snow
If you are a skier and hear someone say “fresh tracks” you likely visualize tracks in an attractive curvy pattern down a white ski slope. Perhaps you like to stop part way down the hill to look up and admire your tracks in the pristine snow. This really is one of life’s greatest joys. So you likely have a smile on your face now. You are welcome. I have hung up my skis (for now). Fresh tracks may have a different meaning, but they still bring joy. Early this morning, the snow was pristine when I walked my dog Caramel. We were lucky to make fresh tracks in the snow.…
You May Also Like
Cottage time … and time again
Trying new things
Wildlife encounters at the cottage
-
A rosy point of view at Back 10 Cellars
Sometimes it’s nice to look at the world through rose coloured glasses. If you need a little help to get into your positive POV (point of view) then I suggest the Rose Coloured Glasses Rosé from Back 10 Cellars. The intense shade of pink veers towards fushia. The deep shade is perfectly matched to the carefully designed label reflecting a “city folk living on a vineyard” vibe. When I visited the winery this fall, I learned the owner, Christina Brooks, intentionally matched the font colour with the first vintage of this beautiful rosé, a mix of Pinot Noir and Gamay. Ever since, the matching has been reversed, letting the grape…
-
Fireside Raclette at Hidden Bench Estate Winery
“Who was sick in my house?” my mom asked rather sternly walking through the front door. This was many years ago. I had hosted a high school graduation party at our house. Just a small group of girlfriends. Not a big party. But I suppose it was a fair question. We were 18. We had the house to ourselves. It smelled terribly. Reminiscent of smelly gym socks. We were not a rowdy drunken teenage crowd that evening. Food, rather than drink, was our focus. We even got all dressed up for the event. We had a raclette party. And that cheese stinks. In a really good way. So when I…
-
A beer garden in Munich
A nice by-product of travelling is getting inspired ideas. In Italy, I had the brilliant idea to buy a gelato maker (an unsuccessful quest in Finale Ligure). In Barcelona and Florence, I was inspired to learn about art and architecture. And in Germany, the idea that began to percolate was to open a beirgarten (beer garden) at home. Of all the eating and drinking establishments we visited throughout Europe I was most smitten with the beirgarten. In truth, this fascination had started in Austria but it was a full on love affair by Munich. In Munich, I finally got up the courage to order a full litre of beer in…
-
An unexpected stay in Füssen
In Germany, we had advance reservations 4 nights ahead of us. This was not our usual tactic. But summer was coming, and so were the crowds. We thought it would be smart to book ahead. Having travelled for almost 3 months at this point, we were feeling like seasoned backpackers. We even mastered the fax machine to make reservations. We were so proud of our organizational skills. Except we forgot to plan our transportation. Arriving in Füssen at the end of our Romantic Road bus trip, we discovered there was no train or bus available to Kempton where we had booked the youth hostel. We were stuck in Füssen. The…
-
Cruising the Rhine River and Romantic Road
Castles, castles and more castles. In hindsight, we should have packed a bottle of wine for the 8 hour cruise weaving its way down the Rhine River. The scenery was beautiful, but it was a leisurely pace. We started the cruise in Koblenz. The youth hostel was in a fortress high above the city. There was a great view of the Rhine River where it forks with the Mosel River. Unlike other hilltop youth hostels we stayed at, it was easy on the legs. We arrived by chairlift. The restful cruise ended in Mainz where we stayed for a couple nights. We explored around Mainz and nearby Wiesbaden. I have…
