it's coming...

i know fall is technically still (just shy of) 2 weeks away, but it has slowly been cooling down in the city. walking home from class last week, i was in pants and a jean jacket and i was still a little cool, so i thought, oh heck, i'll get my first pumpkin spice latte of the season. of course, tomorrow it's right back up to 35 degrees and then it starts sliding back down again. so, until it holds steady around 15 degrees or under, i'll refrain from the beloved PSL again. but damn are they good.

coffee + books. perfection.

double dates...

i would like to make it my mission to try all the wonderful cafes here in toronto, but there's just far too many. however, one that has been on my list for quite some time is balzac's coffee, specifically the one located in the distillery district. it originated in 1895 as a pump house, but has since been transformed into a beautiful, 2 floor cafe. the treats were to die for, and the various drinks we had were all spot on. especially dylan's, who got the canadien latte, made with maple syrup. not to mention the portions are huge. a medium latte literally comes in a bowl and it's awesome.

we took our new english friends (they just moved here from the uk about 2 months ago and we've become fast friends. good thing they're here for 2 years.) and before stopping for coffee, we walked around the distillery district. it's such a beautiful place, all the old breweries, not turned into restaurants, galleries, and shops. it's nice that they've kept that old architecture in tact, along with the cobblestone ground. 

 it's a busy place, that's for certain.

 we sat where those 4 chairs are, in the top left of the picture, overlooking the place.

 the 'sexy' pose. the other of which i cannot post ;)

 balzac's is to the left of that big needle.

us + the english! (as we affectionately call them)

weekends are for...

i like weekends because they give us a chance to spend mornings together, which doesn't happen very often because of dylan's work schedule. sometimes he works overtime (ok, a lot of times), so he's sleeping saturday/sunday mornings too, but when he's not, it's nice to get out for breakfast and coffee. i can't complain too much about overtime though, he gets double time, and there's nothing bad about that. and who doesn't like starting (or finishing) the weekend with delicious food, and someone else cooking it and cleaning up?

this early morning date included:

1) the largest latte i've ever received. you can't grasp the size from the picture, it was like a soup bowl.
2) caramel french toast for me (and a feta/kale/spinach/onion omelette and hash browns for him).
3) a cute date.
4) fresh flowers on the table.

weekend scenes...

this weekend consisted of...

 trying out a new-ish coffee place.

 uncharacteristically warm weather in january in canada. it was 13 degrees saturday, but the average is usually around -1.

 reading this book (i liked it!), then watching the movie right away (hated it!). (*and trying out new camera apps*)

endless peach bellini's, homemade pizza, and deep fried wings.

ok, seriously though, did anyone read or see the lucky one? i read the book in 2 days this weekend and thought it was pretty good. i was excited to watch the movie once i was done, so on sunday morning, i watched it while dylan was still sleeping. it was so completely different from the book, and not in a good way. so much was left out and changed and i just wasn't a fan. i didn't feel the chemistry between them and she just looked too old for him. i know she's older than in the book, not by much though, and in real life, but they just didn't mesh. the more i think about it, the more i think i hated the movie. meh. but zac efron was still a treat to look at for 1 hour and 40 minutes.

everything at once...

whether you like it or not, christmas is invading us in all areas of life; the grocery store, the streets, the weather (cold, but no snow yet), and soon enough, the radio. i love christmas as much as every other blogger, but halloween is too early for it to be put out everywhere. so is before remembrance day. after the US thanksgiving, then it all gets a "thumbs up, go crazy" from me, even though ideally, i like to wait until december 1st.  here's a few ways christmas has been sneaking into my life..

christmas tree going up in front of city hall; street decorations.

my first red cup of the season (eggnog latte); christmas socks with flannel pjs tucked in.

a new cookie plate, candy bow, and candy cane hot chocolate; poinsettia from dylan (wish it said merry christmas instead of HH, though ;))

40 days to go? better get shopping.


(linking up with jenn :))

life's crazy...

on saturday, after dylan woke up from working nights, we went out for a little coffee date to a cafe we've become quite fond of. we got to talking about life (like we do a lot nowadays) and how things are really changing for the good. in his first month at his new job, he made more working part time than he did at his full time job (which could afford me to stay home while looking for work for those 2 months after we moved) that he lost in july. and this is just the training wage! he's through about 1/2 of the hours he needs for training and then we'll  be living the good life.

the most incredible carrot cake with cream cheese icing.

we both put together a 'wish list' of things we would like to buy, for ourselves and each other. it was pretty exciting to know that in a few short months, pretty much all money stress will be eliminated.
this post isn't meant to come across as bragging or gloating. it goes to show that you never know how fast life can flip around and you never know what to expect.
in july: we moved into together, dylan had a full time office time and i was looking for work. we were doing good with the one income. then later in the month, he lost his job. at the very end of the month, i started working a few hours a week doing some tweeting and facebooking for an office.
in august and september: we had to use some savings for bills and such, and dylan decided he was going to go back to school for a week long course, in an industry his friend has been in for years and begging to join him. end of september, dylan took the course.
in october: dylan started his new job and at the end of the month, i got a full time job, while still doing my other part time job.

bottom line; things will always work out. and maybe quicker than you think.

fall's arrival...

a few photos that don't warrant their own post; the misfits, the randoms, the oddballs.

the drive home from ottawa; a cozy coffee shop.

my perfect homemade latte (a shot of espresso & warm milk in my milk frother), and poutine (canadian food in the country's capital-ottawa).

caught this while driving (in the passenger seat); thank you america!!

in the car; closeup after a hike.

fall leaf; canadian monopoly on a friday night.

yesterday's thanksgiving day hike.

making dinner and drinking wine; his 'gentleman attire'-housecoat, wine, cigar, and book. (note: he does not smoke cigarettes or cigars, but felt like buying a cigar on the weekend for some reason)

obligatory pumpkin spice latte post...

it came out yesterday. and i got one. and it was as good as i remembered.

the weather actually somewhat cooperated. it wasn't super hot (only 24◦C), and it was dark and rainy all day.  i curled up on the couch, latte and book in hand, and basically didn't move until bedtime.
*note: it's back to 34 degrees today*

some of my favorite food groups...

marshmallows, coffee, and paninis count as food groups, yes?

roasting marshmallows at dylan's aunt and uncles place.

..

latte art makes an already good latte infinitely better.

i wish they taught this at starbucks.

sunday dinner at my parents; homemade panins; rocks filling in for a panini press. they were delicious.

we even bought all the fixins to make caprese paninis for lunch all week. so that being said, is it lunch yet?

boat watching...

one gloomy morning, we went down to the waterfront to grab a coffee and sit outside where the boats are docked. it's nice just to sit by the water and relax, and then take a walk around the area.

we both want a boat now. dylan is pretty obsessed.

one giant boat (and a dad and his son fishing)

beautiful, clean water ;)

 now, if only we knew people with a boat...we should work on that ;)