Guess who was in the South of France pour deux semaines?

I cannot get over how amazingly gorgeous Cannes was. In the past I would get home sick whenever I would go on vacation but now that I am older I appreciate more the privilege of travel. I am not going to lie; whenever we would get in a car in France I would still loose my mind. It makes me feel claustrophobic and impatient and when I am not driving I feel a bit out of control, which can make my mood most unpleasant for those around me.

We started off week number one with a standard car. I laugh at the most inappropriate times so when my dad would stall the car in the middle of the intersection and cars were honking and people were giving us the figure I was hysterically laughing in the back (very rude I know I would stop if I could).

After a day trip to Monaco the car broke down... that was special. After that it was automatic all the way. He was very brave for driving because we got to see all these beautiful cities in France. 

Gordon

A lookout on the way to Gordon

Monaco

Monaco

Nice, rooftop picture from the Musée d'art moderne et d'art contemporain

Nice

Waterfall at the top of Nice Castle Hill, the elevator was broken the day we went so it was quite the hike to the top

Nice

Eze

I just love this picture... coolest kids in the water

E

Come on, French it Upppp

What TV show is my title from? If you know it we can be best friends.

Emma left for France at the end of June and with three weeks until the rest of our family joins her, I have discovered a new dessert that I love making, Crème Brûlée. I was using a recipe from youtube by Dishin' with Di.  Burning sugar with fire is so much fun and the recipe is easy to make and tastes delicious. I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and purchased a starter kit for 14.99 it came with the torch and 4 oven safe dishes. What I didn’t buy was the fuel for the small torch so I had to improvise with a plumber’s torch (not very dainty).

The most important thing I found out was the importance of letting them cool, otherwise you are serving warm pudding, which Nathan, Robin and Taylor did not seem to mind.

Finally, I went back to Bed, Bath and Beyond to purchase the fuel and while I was there I found little metal dishes for a dollar each. I decided I was going to make them for my Dad’s annual canoe trip. This is no ordinary camping trip he is a fantastic cook and prepares gourmet camp meals for his buddies. Rumor has it they loved my Crème Brûlée, obviously.

This is our relationship at the moment

I have dainty wrist therefore could not hold the torch myself

Papa Bear loved it but he is lactose intolerant so his stomach was pretty upset after. On a side not I did end up using lactose free cream for his camping trip and there consistency was just as good as the ones with lactose for all you with special dietary requirements 

Taste tester 

My beautiful babies glistening with sugar. Stunning. 

Carte postale envoyé par ma pretite soeur  

Final thoughts: Dessert is the best meal.

E

Saint Lawrence Market

Now that I am back in Guelph and out of Toronto every time we go to Toronto we have to make the most of it. I went to the saint Lawrence Market with Taylor the week after we moved out.

Then my parents wanted to see what it was also about. I accidently spent 30 dollars on macaroons. I went up to the counter and said “one of every flavour please!” (Without asking how much they were its not my fault I assumed it was like a 10 for 10 of 10 for 15 kind of deal). What are you going to do, live and learn, or ask before you buy?  Im not going to lie the Atwater Market in Montreal is better and has a bit more variety. It also might have something to do with the city, Montreal for the win. 

Both days were beautiful and we took the go train from Aldershot and Mimico the second time. 

My favourite building and my favourite dad

Expensive but delicious

E

Hello I live here

This week I took a long weekend and went to Montreal! Although the overall goal of the trip was to help my sister move from one apartment to another it was so much more. The weather was gorgeous. After the move, which was a pretty early morning after going out the night before, we went to the Atwater Market and on a walk through Mount Royal. Despite the fact that I lived in Montreal when I was young and have been there countless times since, there was something about this trip that was different. I attribute it to the weather and my beautiful family. My new obsession with gardening is evident in my pictures below. 

Just like Carrie walking into Heaven on Fifth I took a deep and breath and echoed, "Hello, I live here".

making use of an awesome panoramic moment 

Re-found love for this beautiful city. I highly recommend Montreal in the summer so much to do (and there are no mosquitos)!

E

Easter Birthday!

If you're not turning 18, 19, 21 or a child your birthday can quickly become a dreaded event. People are weird around their birthday it is like a personal New Years Eve. Thinking about the past year and the year to come can be daunting. I knew I had to turn the day around and make it special. You only turn 23 once!

This year my whole family was together at my parents’ house to celebrate Easter and their first born, me! My always-supportive sister helped me create a day I won't soon forget. The sun was shining and the snow has melted. We went and picked up 24 balloons for 30 dollars from Party City (two ended up flying away so it was lucky we had the extra). Before we went back home we stopped at Blackbridge for the first look. Its not a quiet road so onlookers must have thought we were nuts. 

Everyone look beautiful in their pastels. I am wearing a top I got on sale from J.Crew, Sexy Boyfriend jeans from the Gap and Steve Madden flats from The Bay.

23 purple balloons

My puppy, June (she is a failed guide dog on purpose so she could stay with us)

Love the spring colors! 

Mike & Jon were troupers and we love them for it

The day called for a walk in the forest still dressed in our easter finest 

Hope you spend the holiday weekend with those you love, I know I did!

How do you guys make your birthday special?

Always Ayr <3