Hot & Dolce

Some years summer in Canada leaves us with the taste for more. It's not hot enough, we get lots of rain, or it snows all the way into mid May. Regardless of what the reason is, it leaves a taste of 'not enough'.
This year, summer was long. It was hot, humid, started early and still although it's already September, I can still feel it!
But with all that, it felt short.
And now that the geese seem to be back:

The signs of what's to come are walking across the street, stopping traffic.
Maybe that's the reason I felt like I needed to savor the heat.
Mama and I found another piano:

This time, we brought someone along that can play :)
My first visit to AGO produced a long wait

and an exquisite look at the works of Picasso
I also got to visit a new restaurant (for me at least) with my favorite two boys and share / indulge in a dessert the was mostly made of Nutella.

That day was complete when we visited a beautiful beach just before sunset.

Indulgence is a sin in some religions, but this is my Le Dolce Far Niente. Pin It Now!

Challenge Post 8: What are 5 passions you have?

1. My Family: My family includes those that are bound to me by blood, by love, or by friendship. For some it's all three. I have a passion for them. I love them all abundantly, without any limitations. They are my lifeline. They make me laugh and cry, happy and elated. They make me feel things that I never knew I always wanted to feel. In good or in bad, I can't exist without them.
2. Music: It's funny that my second passion was brought about by my 1st passion. I grew up in a musical home. Musical instruments, singing, records, the works. My taste in music is so eclectic that any time anyone asks me what I like to hear - the answer is different. I define moments in my life by the music I was hearing at the time. to me, Music is like scent, it brings up memories. I love hearing it, watching it, and making it. 
3. Life: I have a passion for life. Sometimes I feel like I would like to live forever. Sometimes I just want to live 500 years. This is probably a good explanation to my fascination to all things vampire (the Anne Rice kind - the ones that don't sparkle). 
4. Travel: Right along with life, and music - I love to absorb it all around the world. I haven't been to very many places just yet - but I have many more years of travel ahead of me. And I can't wait!
5. Art: This passion is very similar to my passion for music. I've always had it in some form in my life. I love creating it, as well as watching it, or hearing it. I love travelling to it, and I love sharing it with my family.

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Challenge Post 7: What is your dream job, and why?

My dream job is to be a mentor or a muse.
I can see that you have furrowed your brow on the other side of this screen.
Maybe you even snorted a little at this fantasy job of mine.
By all means, this is not the typical job you would find on job listings around the internet.
When someone comes up to you at a party and asks "What do you do?" you can't exactly answer "I am a muse".
But if I could only choose one thing to do for the rest of my life, I would strike the match to inspiration for others and bring the electricity to that proverbial light-bulb.
A girl can dream..

What is your dream?
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A week's summery

This week has been showing off some real weather tricks. We've seen hot, scorching, wet, monsoon, vertical rain, and just plain mild. All in less then 7 days.
My darling husband showed off some hotdog chef tricks that would put Gordon Ramsey to shame (or at least I like to think so). It's a maximum mustard preservation method.

I visited Starbucks for a lovely evening meeting with a friend. My Cherry Walnut biscotti came with irresistible instructions.

I followed them accurately!

Saturday was hot.
Mama and I went to a local shoe sale. Unsurprisingly, the crowd was a mob. Mama and I looked at each other, and backed away slowly. Shoes are fun, but battle wounds are fierce.
Lucky for us, outside the shoe sale, there was a book sale [read: options!].
The universe was trying to tell me something.
I happily obliged.

Yes, you are seeing right: that sign says $4.60/book.
I bought, got home and reorganized my library on Sunday.

That same Saturday we had a lovely afternoon celebrating hubby's Nonna's 75th birthday with lots of BBQ food and her favorite lemon poppy seed cake.

A week of sweet, salty, sour, and wild tricks completed.
More please! Pin It Now!

Challenge post 6: What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?

Loss.
Hence it's #1 in my list of fears.
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Challenge post 5: What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

1. My husband who makes me laugh at the most inappropriate places and times, even when I think all is lost
2. My family & friends and all their amazing support which I couldn't repay in 3 lifetimes
3. How warm this summer has been 
4. Those peaches
5. What my future holds

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Challenge post 4: List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could

1. Going to Canada will not end your world. It will open a window to a life you've never even known you could dream of. 
2. Keep running, you'll wish you did.
3. Keep reading, you will always love it.
4. People that feel wrong for you, are wrong for you.
5. Those little accomplishments will pay off, and will feel like big ones in years to come.
6. Those friends you always had, they'll always be there as sisters.
7. Your family will always be there for you, and they will always be the most important thing in your life.
8. Don't wish to skip ahead, even those tough moments were important to experience.
9. Keep being honest and candid. Those who deserve your company will always appreciate this.
10. Have fun. Life goes by quickly. You only live ones, but if you do it right, once is enough. 

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Challenge post 3: Describe your relationship with your parents

Honestly?
It's fabulous!
I love them, they love me.
I enjoy spending time with them, and it is reciprocated.
There is nothing complicated about it, or hidden.
Plain and simple.
And this applies to my in-laws too. How lucky am I!
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