Visitors

This past week I was very lucky and had visitors from the foreign country just south of here.  Sonya and Kathy decided to join me for their Columbus Day weekend, which happened to coincide with our Thanksgiving Holiday.  Of course, first and foremost we sought out the best cupcake places in the city.  And, I must say, Cocoa Locale took the cake.  Their Chocolate Chai cupcakes are seriously the most amazing cupcakes I have ever partaken of -- shocking.  Not to be missed -- but catch them early in the day because when she sells out -- she closes.

We also wandered around Old Port and took in the sights - and flavors of the city.  Oh, yeah, and we had more poutine.  It's just the thing to do when visiting. 

It was great having visitors from the NYC.  I do miss my ladies.

The girls resting in my frigid apartment:

Kathy on the tracks:

Sonya in the amazing Cathedral at St. Joseph's.

Autumnal Update

I have been a bit lax in updating my blog for the past few weeks.  I apologize and will hopefully give a few entries here to catch up on any important events. 

First, Autumn has arrived in Montreal – or at least that is what they tell me – at times it feels a lot more like Winter than Autumn.   I had initially expected the leaves to all change colors at the same time.   However, that is not the way it works here.  Each tree seems to be taking its turn in changing colors.  Each one gets a moment in the spotlight.  The colors are remarkable and they are everywhere.  It almost makes the cold weather bearable. 

The weather is a bit surprising.  Waking up to 20 degree Farenheit is a bit brisk.  I finally decided I had to turn on my heat.  I have electric elements on the floors of each room.  I hate to turn on the heat – heat = money – but this morning I gave in.  And, well, it makes all the difference.  Initially I was freezing in my home.  Now, it actually feels a bit livable.  Perhaps one day I will turn them all the way up – we'll see when it gets to be below zero.

Yesterday Lindsay and I went and found some winter clothes.  In the past ten years I have never had a real winter coat.  I have had various coats, but usually I just layer up.  In NYC I would wear six or so layers because my work was so cold inside.  Here, I am told, I need a "real" winter coat.  Initially we were looking at Kanuk coats – but I didn't really have a spare $800 to spend on a coat.  So, instead we found a few more affordable options.  I came away with a nice, big, and incredibly warm coat and a pair of solid winter boots – with good grips on the bottoms in order to not fall and break my osteoporotic bones.   Now I feel ready.  Bring on the snow!! (Okay, maybe I will retract that last comment – even though I have the clothes, I don't think I'm ready for the actual meteorological event . . . )


Here are a couple more cool photos of Autumn in Montreal.  Gotta love it!