the most incredible thing

7.31.2009

Luxirare -- Killer Clothes + Fine Food

If you haven't already stumbled across this blog I suggest planning to spend copious amounts of time staring in awe at her creations, not to mention her amazing photographs, which she doesn't appear to sell at all, just makes this stuff for herself, though they are labelled and packaged as though they are for sale... Interesting. Anyway, she is incredibly talented.

http://www.luxirare.com/

6.02.2009

I made it to 30

So my 20's are over and to be honest its kind of a relief. I can't really put my finger on it yet but there's something really liberating about knowing I'm no longer a "twenty something". Lee woke me up on my birthday with a choice. He said he wanted to get me a birthday present that would encourage me to start making art again. He made me choose between a digital SLR camera or a Serger Sewing Machine. We went to Auntie's and Uncles for breakfast while I deliberated and eventually I decided on the camera. Thats how we spent the rest of the day, camera hunting. So expect to see a lot more of my own pictures on this blog in the near future. I'm finding that I'm not as good at composing a photograph as I used to be. 'Course it took me about 10 years of practice to get anywhere near decent so this may take a while. And to be honest, I've been away from my camera for around 5 years now. Wow, time flies when you're quittin' stuff...

The other highlight of the day was dinner. I decided a while back I'd rather go someplace lovely for dinner than have a stupid party that would just be uncomfortable. So Lee being his typical sweet self booked us reservations at Canoe. We ate the tasting menu with wine. The main course was a choice between Caribou and Halibut so we both chose Caribou (no brainer). What followed was 7 courses of pure heaven. I've copied the menu as it explains itself a lot better than I could. I took a few pictures for ya but forgot to get one of the salad course (with the old point and shoot, not the new SLR, I didn't want to be fussing over learning the settings while trying to enjoy my meal).

TASTE CANOE

Amuse Bouche (asparagus and morel mushroom and beet root)

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Warm Paillot de Chèvre
Maple Rosemary Brioche, Sunflower Brittle
Ontario Strawberry Vinaigrette

Cave Spring Cellars Extra Brut Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2006
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario VQA
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B.C. Spot Prawns
Ontario Asparagus Chowder
Tarragon Butter

Joie “A Noble Blend” 2007
Okanagan / Similkame en Valleys, British Columbia VQA

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Intermezzo (passion fruit foam with fleur de sel and olive oil)

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Hind of Yukon Caribou
Sunchoke Tarte Tatin
SOMA Chocolate Walnuts & Celery Root

Peninsula Ridge Beal Vineyards Reserve Merlot
Beamsville Bench Ontario VQA 2006

I know I'm not usually into red meat but Caribou is in a different class. Its amazing. I had it once before in the Yukon and I've found myself thinking about it often since then. It was nice to see it served with Saskatoons as I had it served with Saskatoons up north as well (though they call them Service Berries up there). By the way that chocolate walnut up there in the corner was out of this world.

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Buttermilk Panna Cotta
Almond Madeleines, Lavender Gelée
Ontario Rhubarb Compote

Daniel Lenko Select Late Harvest Vidal

Niagara Peninsula Ontario VQA 2003

Lee and I talked about the dessert for a long time. It was everything you could want in a dessert. Crunchy, sweet, sour, creamy, fruity, yum...

As I said, the combination of my favorite person with such thoughtfully and lovingly prepared food made it one of the most memorable meals of my life. This was my lovely view... It was light out when we got there...

And dark out by the time we left...

This blog is going to move backwards in time for a moment now... So prior to my birthday Lee and I took a train trip to Ottawa with his parents to attend the CFHSS congress.

Lee's parents took us out for lobster to celebrate my birthday. It was delicious and it had been a very long time since I have had lobster so a huge treat. It appears turning 30 is all about eating fancy dinners. Yum!

But the real reason for the trip to Ottawa was because Lee was presenting a paper. Here he is in action.

And here he is narrating the clip he played as part of his presentation AKA teaching everyone what to do when technology fails you and you're on the clock.

So calm under pressure.

3.22.2009

Tiny Art Director

This blog made me laugh out loud for a long time. Some random samplings but basically you should just click on the link and check it out for yourself cause its funnier that way...

http://tinyartdirector.blogspot.com/

3.15.2009

XO

I have a handsome new friend. He's sweet, shy, and sensitive. We got him on valentines day.

Um... wow.

Half way through looking at Orly Corgan's website I realised, its been a really long time since I looked through every single image on an artist's website. And then I happily finished looking through every single image. I'm definately in love with her work. Those of you who know me well, first of all are probably looking at her work and saying, "yep, I could have guessed Laine would like this." Whatever. You will also know I collect doilies and you'll know I planned to embroider pictures on them one day, but then I decided to go back to school and pretty much quit making art. Sad I know, but the plus side is that I spend a lot more time looking at other people's art now than I used to. Orly Corgan does with doilies just what I always wanted to (she also draws and takes some pretty interesting photographs) and she does it a hell of a lot better than I ever could have. Basically she's the artist I always wanted to be. Be sure to stop by her website to look at the rest...

www.orlycogan.com