Deviant Dispatches

While Spousal Unit and I were in Quebec, we were amazed at the presence of the arts everywhere we went. These pictures are from a single mural in Levis, showing the area's history and progress over time. This was one of many wonderful murals throughout the area (there's another in this post ). It made me think about the way that art is not present in my daily life here in the states. There are no murals on my way to work (though there are a few in other areas of town). Art isn't brought to mind by any outside forces aside from the occasional concert poster - it's a self-driven venture. We started our vacation by hearing the Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec play Mendelssohn while a local theatre group performed A Midsummer Night's Dream (in French). It was incredible. The acting was delightful, the minimalist stage with ladders instead of trees was a fun take, and the orchestra blew my American mind. Imagine a 100-piece orchestra with perfe...

Sally Anns are one of my favorite cookies. By their taste alone, they evoke a sense of home and comfort, reminding me of the kitchen at my grandparents' place and the simple happiness of mid-afternoon sweets. They're the only food that evokes the thought, This would be better with a cup of coffee. Making them was a good Easter activity, especially as I was stuck away from the family due to unpacking (the books are now free!) and yard work shenanigans (such as finding a dead mouse in the yard, which was lovely). With help from my mom, I found the recipe in the family cookbook (my great-great-grandparents are on the cover, and other awesome old pictures are scattered throughout). I decided that the transgression of buying a can of Spam (just once) was worth it for the sake of the cookies. Poke holes in the bottom of the can to allow for air flow. I didn't have enough butter for a full batch, but half of one made 18 Cookies of Unusual Size. I made the mistake of...

We left for Canada, and maple syrup was on our grocery list. We returned, and we still need syrup. How did that happen? Especially when I was so surprised at it? Syrup is served with freakin' everything there. You can get it with sweet or savory crepes, in beverages, on your burger, as a dipping sauce for fries ... . These people love their syrup. I was surprised at the taste, because I've never liked maple syrup before - it has a bitter aftertaste. But none of the fresh syrup I had in Quebec was like that. So I ate a lot of it. Apple and swiss crepe, and a mushroom/egg/asparagus crepe, at Casse-Crepe Breton . Possibly our favorite place on the whole trip. Mushroom and parmesan poutine with cheese curds This was dinner for us several nights. The brie was much more creamy in the middle. I didn't like it at first because it was so different, but now ... Le Croquembouche  was a feast for the eyes and the stomach. Raspberry brioche, croissant, cho...

We saw a lot more stuff than I'll mention here, because I don't want to bore you all with crappy pictures and long histories. So these are the really cool pictures. Chateau Frontenac , above our heads. There's been a building there since the 1600s, but it burned down multiple times. (Like most buildings in Quebec.) This chapel is part of the Musee de l'Amerique Francophone. Gorgeous (and burned down several times in the past.) Skyline at night, from across the river. The Haitian exhibit in the Musee de la Civilisation was very intense. Art focused a lot on the 2010 earthquake and other recent disasters, so it was very death-focused. They refer to the earthquake as "that thing" because it was too terrible to be named. Also at this museum: an extensive First Nations exhibit. Pas de deux  is part of their lifestyle; it refers to hunting and means there is no distinction between humans and animals (literally, there are not two). M...

Our farewell sunset I write this from the airport in Toronto, which is far nicer than any airport I've ever been to (based solely on the lounge, with its uniform tan chairs divided into small cubicles in a meager yet still existent attempt at privacy). For the first time, I actually stepped down off an airplane and onto the tarmac before walking into the building, and it's a bit like I've stepped into a movie. (Except young traveling ladies in Hollywood movies most certainly do not belch like sailors after having ginger ale. They get cute hiccups instead.) Spousal Unit and I are headed to Quebec City for a delayed honeymoon - after getting married , we visited Door County, but this is the first real vacation we've taken together, and so it is the honeymoon we've been meaning to take. Tonight we'll go to see A Midsummer Night's Dream in French, with a live orchestra, and we'll pay slightly less for tickets by virtue of being young, at least by Can...

Dear Former House Owners, I'd like to thank you for the following items you so kindly decided to bequeath to us, for whatever reason. Patio table with six chairs Fire pit Seven-foot metal windmill that makes me hear this in my head Framed photo of the backyard in summer, to taunt us in this false spring Moon-shaped hanging candle holder Several children's art projects behind the closet door, as well as a Buzz Lightyear poster Child's skis and ski poles, abandoned on a top shelf in basement storage Hot pink Victoria's Secret robe, made with the tears of Sri Lankan children Random chunks of asphalt in the yard A furnace fan that will not shut up What I assume is at least eight years worth of dust I have to admit, it's weird to think about these things as though you left them to us on purpose. It's also awkward to think of you leaving them accidentally--or for any reason. Here's how I imagine some of your conversations going. Left on Purpose ...