My spouse is passionate about cheese, particularly goat and sheep cheese. They know me at La Fromagerie Atwater, in the Atwater Market. I always head straight to the corner where most of these cheeses reside. I have learned that a bit of mould on cheese is fine as it is "noble mould". And this often means the cheese is really ripe and more pungent tasting which is definitely to P's taste. I have brought home many varieties for P to try, both local and from afar.
The clerk told me he had France. "You mean cheeses from France," I suggested. And then he showed me France, a goat cheese. Despite the price, I couldn't resist buying it.
Brittany and Normandy have now disappeared, as has the Loire. Burgundy and Champagne are still ripening. It's hard to tell how much longer France will last, but I can assure you it is doomed.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Molson Bank
It's that time of year again! The Baroque Festival started in Old Montreal. I always take the time to enjoy the architecture of the area. This was once the Molson Bank (yes the same family as the brewery). It eventually merged with the Bank of Montreal. The building is no longer a bank.
This year's festival is being held at Théatre St-James, closer to the Square Victoria exit. Exiting the station you see the old metro signs which were sent from Paris. The square is a lovely oasis with fountains and many benches shaded by a variety of trees.
A young Queen Victoria presides over the square (actually a long rectangle). Lots of music for this weekend.
This year's festival is being held at Théatre St-James, closer to the Square Victoria exit. Exiting the station you see the old metro signs which were sent from Paris. The square is a lovely oasis with fountains and many benches shaded by a variety of trees.
A young Queen Victoria presides over the square (actually a long rectangle). Lots of music for this weekend.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Cooking
Nothing like a good stir fry! Too often our meals are heavy on protein and light on vegetables. A stir fry reverses that - chock full of colourful vegetables. No need to add a salad, it's all cooked in one dish. I like the crunch of the perfectly cooked broccoli. No soggy vegetables for me. We added some scallops for a perfect meal.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Turulu
Photo: June 16, 2013
I know I've said it before, but shopping at the market wins hands down over shopping in the supermarket. These musicians were busking, playing and singing delightful Québecois songs. Their music permeated the surroundings as I went about from stall to stall.
In the market, I am greeted with smiles as a returning customer. In addition to the open air stalls there are permanent stores. It is so much nicer to see the same clerks who begin to know your preferences and help out. The one caveat - I often buy too much as the sights and smells lure me into dreams of culinary delights.
I know I've said it before, but shopping at the market wins hands down over shopping in the supermarket. These musicians were busking, playing and singing delightful Québecois songs. Their music permeated the surroundings as I went about from stall to stall.
In the market, I am greeted with smiles as a returning customer. In addition to the open air stalls there are permanent stores. It is so much nicer to see the same clerks who begin to know your preferences and help out. The one caveat - I often buy too much as the sights and smells lure me into dreams of culinary delights.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Lake MacDonald
Photos: June 14, 2013
It is good for the soul to escape the city from time to time. I had things to deliver some items to CAMMAC, the music camp I go to each summer, so we drove up and spent a couple of hours there. The wind stirred up the lake creating waves and the constant sound of the water lapping up against the banks.
How often do we take time to just sit and listen and watch as the water and sunlight create patterns? Our hurried lives disconnect us from nature.
The insects were plentiful. Our rainy June has brought out the mosquitoes. They were in evidence as we walked through the forest. I was slapping here and there, trying to stop them before they used me as their diner. Thank goodness for the dragon flies who feast on them. They have their work cut out for them this year. I'll be back in this magical spot in a couple of weeks to immerse myself in music and nature as each inspires the other.
It is good for the soul to escape the city from time to time. I had things to deliver some items to CAMMAC, the music camp I go to each summer, so we drove up and spent a couple of hours there. The wind stirred up the lake creating waves and the constant sound of the water lapping up against the banks.
How often do we take time to just sit and listen and watch as the water and sunlight create patterns? Our hurried lives disconnect us from nature.
The insects were plentiful. Our rainy June has brought out the mosquitoes. They were in evidence as we walked through the forest. I was slapping here and there, trying to stop them before they used me as their diner. Thank goodness for the dragon flies who feast on them. They have their work cut out for them this year. I'll be back in this magical spot in a couple of weeks to immerse myself in music and nature as each inspires the other.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Grand Prix Weekend
It's Grand Prix weekend in Montreal. It brings out the testosterone in many. Wealthy people, and others, converge on the city for one of the most consumer oriented weekends of the year here. High end restaurants are full and it seems high end shops do their best business. Parts of downtown are closed off with booths set up (very commercial with lots of advertising). The noise level is high as music is blasted through speakers. And the race will bring more noise as the cars can be heard from quite far off. Trucks cruise the streets hauling giant advertising .
Contrast this with the street festival near my home. Similar booths are set up - but this time displaying the work of local artists. There is face painting, a sidewalk sale (not too many of those very expensive items enticing the Grand Prix crowd) and a giant cat for kids to play in. Live musicians play a more mellow kind of music. Guess which one appealed to me most ;-)
Contrast this with the street festival near my home. Similar booths are set up - but this time displaying the work of local artists. There is face painting, a sidewalk sale (not too many of those very expensive items enticing the Grand Prix crowd) and a giant cat for kids to play in. Live musicians play a more mellow kind of music. Guess which one appealed to me most ;-)
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Décarie Farm House
This house, now sitting on a very urban street, was originally a farm house owned by the Décarie family. The house is about 280 years old. It has undergone some changes over that time, including its coat of pink paint, which according to an article I read in the Westmount Independent (May 29-30, 2012) was done in the 1930s. It has certainly witnessed a lot of Montreal history!
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