Life Instagramed

Jordan is in Squamish this weekend sorting out the house and packing up essentials to send to our new place in Virginia (for awhile).  Gabriel says "Don't forget my toys and books!"  Here are a few photos of our life lately.  (The photos from DC are courtesy of Jordan).

We are having a market-hopping, ice-cream eating, gallery visiting, dog-parading, dancing-in-kitchen-to-vinyl-tap-wearing-yellow-oven-mittens, pot-banging, new-friend-making, flower-gazing, local-fare-eating good old fun.  My visit hit an all time high with Fizey and Chouchou dancing around the dining room with their arms around each other and howling Righteous brothers "You lost that lovin feeling," box of dishwasher tablets in hand.  But we miss Jordan!

Rockin' an accent francais

While waiting to head to DC (still), we've filled our days with extended dog walks, baking from the "Chocolate Lover's Bible," meandering around Montreal's streets exploring dog parks, stores and galleries and sampling local fare.  I am also getting much better at my French and am rockin' a pretty decent French accent, until I have to admit to someone that I have no idea what they are saying....  Aiming for departure on Tuesday...

New digs!

Thanks to my incredible hubby, who ran all over south of DC and even postponed his Master's coursework another month, trying to find a place for us to live.  I think his head was reeling after the marathon house visits with realtor Nicole when he called me to weigh options.  He has found a lovely place suitable for all--two bedrooms, office/guest space, gloriously sunny back deck, close to trails and large windows.  It even has a basement area for the many lovely guests we are hoping will make the trek down for a visit.  Here is a sneak-peek teaser of our new place.

We are still working on furniture and other various odd and ends that are still not sorted.  But we are one step closer. 

Just walking around

Under cloudy skies that darkened the Montreal condo, Gabriel took some serious big boy steps (maybe fueled by the new found energy from the chicken and turkey we introduced to his diet?)  While I held his clenched sweaty little fists, he pumped each leg up and down stomping into the floor.  We walked and walked all around the condo most of the early afternoon.  Abe watched attentively and participated with exuberant howls spurred on by my squeals of delight.  Our boy gets bigger and bigger and while it is happening so quickly, I couldn't be prouder.  I feel honoured to be a part of this little life and be a part of watching him become his own increasingly independent, intuitive and content person.  My heart is full.

Abe on the Montreal Scene: The Pup-arazzi

Walk up Mount Royal

On Sunday, we met up with family friend Alessandra and hiked up Montreal's most infamous "mountain."  Mountain is a matter of perspective.  When all things surrounding said mountain are flat, any mound of earth can be considered a mountain.  Regardless, it was a lovely walk as we meandered up the switchbacks through the dappled light of the trees along a wide-graveled path.

At the Chateau.

Along the way, Abe attached himself to dog-lover and treat-provider, Alessandra.   We passed and greeted several other dogs, babies, etc.  It is amazingly, isn't it, how dogs and babies seem to connect people? Everyone seems to love children and dogs.  They are the two mediums through which people seem to reach out to one another.  Without them, seemingly, you are just another person.  But with one or the other, conversation strikes up and the swapping of information and stories with perfect strangers begins.  And while moving down to Washington for a little while seems daunting--leaving behind our town, our home, our friends, but with a child and a dog--I know that it will be easier to connect with these two sweet beings as our "arm candy" than the two of us as a young working couple.

View from the top of the Mountain.

After a leisurely lunch at the little restaurant just short of the top, we continued on to the Chateau at the top of Mount Royal.  There we were greeted with the expansive view of the city.  We stopped and admired.  Not long after settling at the top of the mountain, we were approached by a large Chinese family that surrounded us asking questions about Abe.  Once they had the go ahead, the Pup-arazzi went nuts, the clicking of camera shutters and the flash of lights brought out the best in Abe, now an experienced celebrity. 

Abe in the spotlight of the Pup-arazzi

Abe seems to have garnered a fair amount of attention.  But while he shines in the spotlight in public, we try to keep a humble life around the house.  At home, it is easy to forget he is here.  He is quiet and sleepy.  In public, he comes alive under the affectionate hands of his admirers.  This latest run-in with the Pup-arazzi has prompted a public response.

Abe and his publicist and mother.

As his publicist, here are a few FAQS to frequently asked questions on Abe:

1) What kind of dog is Abe?
He is a Samoyed.  He's polar bear crossed with a cotton ball.

2) How old is your dog?  Boy or girl?
Abe is a boy.  Don't be deceived by his pretty white fluff.  Abe is 4 years old.  But he acts like he is a puppy in public and like an old man around the house.  Either way, he is a prince and sometimes a bit of a diva.

3) Where did you get him?
We bought him from a breeder in Victoria.

4) You must have to brush him a lot, he is so white.
Yes, we should.  But we don't.  He brushes himself. Literally, dirt just seems to fall off of him.  He does get groomed three times a year whenever his stylist tells us that it is time.  Depends on the weather.

5) Do you shave him in the summer?
 No, we do not.  The length of his hair dissipates the heat.  Shaving is cruel, especially because he takes his looks very seriously.

6) Does he shed a lot?
Yes.  We call it "Abe Love" and bought a high-end vacuum in his honor.

7) Does he get along with your son?
Yes, he loves Gabriel, especially when Gabriel serves him treats, but he doesn't like him messing with his 'do.

8) How does he travel?
He travels in the luxury of his own climate-controlled area with private seating.  He is able to travel with other friends to talk to if he wishes.  He even sports his own boarding pass, courtesy of WestJet.  On the rare occasion, if he misses a flight, he is put up in the VIP lounge where he is served mineral water and kibble before heading to the finest puppy resort close the airport for an overnight stay so that he can get an early flight.  However, his tight cross-continental itinerary is too stressful and Abe will be cancelling future public events that require flight travel.  Abe sends his regrets.   He will make the occasional public appearance via Skype through his publicist.

9) Can I take him home with me?
Abe is not for sale.  Honestly.  He is our dog-baby and he lives with us.

Further questions/comments can be directed to the comment section of this blog.  Thank-you!

 

Everyone has grumpy days

Montreal: La Patience

Patience.

Has it ever occurred to you how much waiting we do as a society?  We wait in line, we wait on hold.  We wait at red lights, behind slow drivers.  We wait to be seated.  We wait between meals, wait for dessert.  We wait to grow up.  Wait for our favorite show.  Wait for nice weather.

We do an awful lot of waiting.  In fact, I can hardly think of a single thing we don't really have to wait for a one point or another.  Well, sometimes we don't have to wait that long, but I've been learning that anything worth having, is worth waiting for. 

I recently read about a study on a group of children.  Each child was brought into a room where there was a marshmellow.  The child was told that they were not to touch the marshmellow.  If they ate it, then it would be the only one they would get.  But if they left it alone, they would get more. The tester left the room.  Some children ate it right away and others waited.  Those who waited did something quite fascinating.  They employed a tool of distraction against themselves.  They hummed a song, played with their clothing, made up a game, etc.  They found a way to amuse themselves in order to delay gratification.  Earth shattering, I know!

Once Gabriel turned about four months I learned something about patience from him.  One day, Gabriel was frustrated.  I think he was playing with a toy that escaped.  He started to give a whimpering cry that I thought might turn into a meltdown.  But I paid no attention.  Suddenly he employed a strategy to distract himself.  He razzed his lips and then pulled a toe up to his mouth to gnaw on.  And it wasn't a coincidence.  It has since been repeated.  What I learned from my son is the beautiful technique of self-distraction.  Or maybe it's not even that.  Maybe it is about enjoying the simple pleasures of salty toes, the creative effort required contort his body, the crinkle of paper, the wag of a tail, the wet mushiness of food.

After a beautiful weekend with Jordan in Montreal walking around with the dog, sipping lattes at the market and visiting the Jardin Botanique Montreal, I sit here sullenly on a rainy day in Montreal, with Gabriel and Abe asleep and Jordan having just flown off to Washington. And I wait.  Anxious to get to WDC.  Excited to be living together after three, maybe even four years now, apart.  And yet unable to apartment hunt, book tickets or anything else useful.  While I wait, I cannot razz my lips or stick my toe in my mouth like Gabriel, so I try to be patient.  Fortunately I have good family to visit with, a beautiful city to explore and a child and dog to take care of.  And a camera.  To capture the simple pleasures.

**As an additional note, Abe awaits vaccination and then we will take a short flight to DC a week or so later, provided he makes it through the necessary vaccination process.  So far his eye condition has stabilized with medication, as reported to us today.  But we are unwilling to risk vaccination and two long flights to Squamish and then to DC.

Montreal: J'adore la Belle Province

After driving thirteen hours, we arrived in Montreal at 1am just in time to capture the latest turn of power in the provincial elections, followed by an unusual shooting during the speech of the newly elected premier of Quebec, Pauline Marois. (!)  There was certainly increased police presence in the two or so days afterwards, but seemingly Montreal has returned to normal. 

We've hit the Marché Atwater for sweet tartes de raisin from Premiere Moisson and warm lattes from Lili & Oli (best lattes in Montreal, but bring cash only), strolled along the picturesque Canal de Lachine and shopped in local boutiques on Rue St-Denis, and Boulevard St-Laurent with ChouChou.  We have slow-paced evenings watching Gabriel learn to crawl and bang on the piano while on Fizey's lap, sipping wine and eating corn in season.

Jordan is back in Calgary and, as usual, we await the specifics for the next job.  Meantime, I wait in Montreal with "my boys" (return ticket not purchased).    I am loving the energy, the language, the food in Montreal! 

PEI: Red Dirt, Hay Barrels and Blonde Cuddles

Had a lovely half week in Prince Edward Island.  We spent a couple of nights with dear friends, Matthew and Leah and their two most adorable children--Anelisa and Ezra.   Anelisa was so incredibly helpful.  She did wedding errands and even helped feed Gabriel.  Precious!  Love you guys!

Home Part 2

Shower her with Jems

The Master Speed

For Angela and James on their wedding day.  Two people who are made for each other.

The Master Speed
By Robert Frost

No speed of wind or water rushing by
But you have a speed far greater. You can climb
Back up a stream of radiance to the sky,
And back through history up the stream of time.
And you were given this swiftness, not for haste
Nor chiefly that you may go where you will.
But in the rush of everything to waste,
That you may have the power of standing still—

Off any still or moving thing you say.
Two such as you with a master speed
Cannot be parted nor be swept away
From one another once you are agreed
That life is only life forevermore
Together wing to wing and oar to oar.

Prince Edward Island: My Sister Gets Married

The day started out with the cold chill of fall on September 1st.  It was a slow start with coffee, mimosas and curling our hair into updos, applying makeup, taking pictures and speech writing in the lodge. But elsewhere, the property was abuzz.  The boys were in the barn prepping food for pizzas, running errands and getting ready themselves.

At 3:00, us girls piled into the ivory Lincoln town car, looking classy in our bold mixture of polka dots--lips rouged with red lipstick and feet in red pumps.  Angela, in her ivory layered dress and whimsical mantilla, was aglow with the beauty of an excited bride-to-be.

After a small spontaneous detour to a hay field, we arrived at a secluded grove surrounded by a wooded forest on one side and an apple orchard on the other.  The sun shone warmly on us, whilst dragonflies hummed nearby.  Angela and James exchanges their vows under the branches of the cottonwoods surrounded by family and a sea of friends.

The wedding was followed by pictures in the orchard, then a reception in a big open barn nearby.  Big brick pizza ovens were wheeled in to cook an endless stream of pizzas (both dinner and dessert pizzas) that amply fed the guests.  There were elegant touches that tastefully combined whimsy with bold--black with white lace, white vases, blue and green glass candle holders as well as white lights and tulle.

The speeches were minimal, leaving time to mingle and socialize with the many family and friends.  It was an elegant and memorable affair--one that accentuated what both Angela and James had hoped for: delicious food, simple planning, and most importantly, time to be able to enjoy with the friends and family that stayed either on location or nearby.