Dear Mr. Landlord

We've really enjoyed living in your house. It was a perfect provision from our Father for us and we've spent almost four months making it our home in Montreal. 

 I feel though, that I should apologize for your plants. I watered them faithfully and tried to keep my little explorer daughter away from them. Really I didn't do anything different than what you said but they are both looking a little droopy. I hope they don't completely die before you come back. They're very nice and I did enjoy having lush green foliage in our front room. 

I loved your maple tree. The brilliant orange of its leaves against the blue, blue sky changing to stark branches against the moonlit night. If I could take it with me, I would. 

Your lamp in your living room delighted me from the first time I turned it on. The soft glow shining through the stained glass panels provided an excellent atmosphere for cozy evenings on the couch where we would read, or watch movies or just talk. 

And of course, your stairwell light. Oh my. It captivated both my small daughter and I. The panels of colored glass that threw out prisms of light on the ceiling and walls. The bronze chain holding the light in place  added to the charm and uniqueness of the piece and it never failed to delight me when I would go up the stairs. 

We were happy in that little house of yours. Happy, sad, mad, frustrated, anxious, excited - all kinds of emotions were experienced here. Many conversations. Many hugs. Many giggles and smiles. Many memories were made.    

Thank-you, 
me on behalf of us three   

the tree outside my window

One of the aspects I've enjoyed the most about living in Quebec has been all the different trees and foliage. Autumn in Montreal was an experience for the soul. I relished each tree and it's colorful coat of leaves. 

The trees are all empty now. There's just some remnant leaves on the yards and roads, devoid of color except that musty brown that leaves always get after they fall. 

There's a maple tree in the front yard. It was on of the last trees on the street to turn brilliant orange and red and yellow. And then it was on of the last trees to lose all its leaves. I loved peeking out each morning and seeing the sun glint off its leaves. The blue, blue sky providing a contrasting background. And the sun streaming through it's leaves. I knew I would miss all of that when the season changed.

But then, one night I looked out at my tree. The branches were bare, coated with rain and sparkling with the moon's light. I remembered what I'd read once about the beauty of stark branches against a night sky and I remembered the ache of beauty. 

I'm feeling a little melancholy today.  A little torn. In one week, we're driving out. Heading home. Back to the West after living in the East for eight months. 

I'm packing and cleaning and making lists. Writing emails to arrange stops on the way home with friends. 

And cuddling my baby girl, drinking tea and playing Christmas music. 

I'm full of excitement and anticipation tempered with a little sadness at leaving this place we've made our home for the past while. 

Leaves fall and seasons change. 

photos captured by my Jared  

sister time

It was so special having my sister visit us for a week. The night she arrived, we got all cozy on the couch, sipping chai tea, eating dark chocolate and getting all caught up. I loved it. 

The next day we  went on a walk to get a book for Kilmeny. I had been given a gift certificate to a bookstore when I got her library card. Apparently, that is one way they promote reading amongst children and Quebec publications. We browsed the shelves together, translating in our heads or guessing at things from pictures, it was a completely French bookstore. I got Kilmeny a souvenir of our time here in Quebec, a little book about Pierre Lapin. 

 Kilmeny has been taking a few steps between Jared and I, building up her confidence. Kendra got her to take quite a few steps all by herself. We were so proud! Almost every time, Kilmeny saw Kendra she would do this hilarious laugh/grin at her - like she was saying 'hi Auntie Kendra'. It was so cute! 

 photos were taken by Jared =)

bits and pieces

i

Hi. 

It's been awhile. At least it feels like it. I've been busy having a wonderful time with my sister, staying up late, freezing and exploring old cities, making soup, snuggling my little baby, laughing, crying, praying with my man.  We watched our first Christmas video last night complete with popcorn and peppermint hot chocolate. It was lovely and such a fun memory.

It snowed here in Montreal. And our neighbors have put up Christmas lights. It's beautiful when we go walking after dark, bundled up and breathing the crisp air. 

My black book is filled with all kinds of lists- blog post ideas, emails I need to write, things I do in the next two weeks before we start the trek back to Alberta, things I need to pack and areas I need to clean. 

I plan to be back to share more later but I just wanted to pop in and say hi. 

How was your weekend? Was it filled with bustling here and there or was it a quiet at home weekend?

And  it's Monday and I am so grateful, adding to my list...
 81-101

blue skies and sunshine
neighbors Christmas decorations 
going home for Christmas 

the hope we have in Jesus 
the reality of who God is
the grace that He shows me every day 
my little girl's giggles 
her first steps
making Christmas memories with my man 
sisters 
to-do lists
a warm house
peppermint hot chocolate 
Christmas music 
laughter 
new life 
the knowledge that God changes people, it's not my job 
family 
cardinal sightings on our back fence 
church bells on a Sunday night 
anticipation of seeing heart friends




photo: us in Quebec City, more to come....=)
 

a mummy-daughter date

 Kilmeny and I have been going on these dates together from the time she was two weeks old. We step into a coffee shop, find a cozy, quiet corner, I order something and we settle in. The first time we did this, I spent the whole time watching people and taking in every bit of this little baby that was mine. This time, it was Starbucks. Jared was playing for some friends, a mock mock audition, and so Kilmo and I kept warm and cozy at the coffee shop. And then everybody joined us when the music was all done. 

We both had books. And I shared my toffee nut mocha. Kilmeny was more interested in the girl who was near us than reading. The girl was more interested in Kilmeny than studying. ;-) They had quite the conversation.

Christopher Robin Gives Pooh a Party and The Hobbit  were our books of choice. And since Kilmeny was entertained, I could delve into the world of dwarves, dragons and a brave hobbit and feel a little more brave myself. I did laugh (quietly) out loud at Bilbo's reasoning with Smaug and cheered (internally) when Bard killed the dragon.  

 This is what it looks like when you are ten months old. Our little corner was pretty much empty except for the student and another patron who let me know when Kilmeny was escaping her little corner. They were charmed by her and I was relieved that they weren't bothered by her little noises.

It was a special time. A tradition that we will keep up even after she outgrows Christopher Robin and Pooh Bear and she can order her own drink.

Montreal

the fleur-de-lis, on Quebec's provincial flag

 when we first drove into Montreal three months ago, we were assaulted by all the sights, sounds and city that Montreal is. Our brains felt tired by the evening by reading all the French language everywhere and not really understanding any of it. 

We sat on the floor of our hotel room eating pizza, late at night, after having looked at a couple potential places to rent. It seemed a lot. Were we crazy? I remember texting my sister saying I felt overwhelmed, I've done a lot but this seemed to be too much. She replied back by saying that in a couple of months I would probably really enjoy Montreal and that she thought I was brave. I didn't feel brave. I felt scared and small. 

It's been a couple of months now. We go home to Alberta next month. And I felt it was high time to write a bit about this city that we're calling home. 

My first impression of Montreal was a big, sprawling city. Like any other city of the world. I didn't see the charm that everybody always talks about. I felt jaded. Jared would come home from his lessons all excited about the charm and culture of the city and I didn't understand. I didn't see it. 

But then I did. We took a day and toured Old Montreal, walked along the waterfront, whispered in Notre Dame Basilica Cathredral, stepped our way along crooked cobblestone streets. We ate fresh bagels from one of Montreal's famous bagel shops. We heard lots of French being spoken around us. We saw many black iron spiral staircases leading to people's homes. 

notre dame basilica cathedral

Montreal is more than all that though. It is made up of people. And people are the same the world over. I see our neighbor behind us in her kitchen preparing breakfast and dinner for her family at the same time I am preparing meals for us. I see our neighbor across the street take his little daughter for a walk, all bundled in her snowsuit and stroller just like I do with Kilmeny. 

French is the prevailing language here just like English is back in our home province of Alberta. But most people are more than willing to speak English, except for the poor man who had a horrified expression on his face when I started apologizing in English that I didn't speak French. In fact, some people prefer to speak in English as one clerk told us. The people are overall friendly and welcoming, especially when we tell them we're from out of province. 

a lamp post in old montreal

I'm glad to have lived here. To actually experience some of Montreal more than just passing through. It's helped me to understand people a little more, the sheer humanity that we all share, regardless of language or race. 

But I'm also very excited to be going home. Next month. I can't wait.    

Where would you live, if you could live anywhere for a few months? 

photos credit of my husband  

mont tremblant

We had been wanting to do a hot dog roast for sometime, kind of a farewell to summer. We had all the supplies and were looking up a park that would allow us to have a campfire. We came across Mont Tremblant Parc. It is the largest national park in the Quebec park system and is also the oldest. The park has 6 rivers, 400 lakes and streams throughout its boundaries. It has year-round activities including cross-country skiing, canoeing and backpacking. 

It is a two hour drive northwest of Montreal through the mountains and on the autumn day, it was a beautiful drive. There was just enough color left on the hills to create an inspiring panorama as we drove through various small towns and ski resorts. We also wanted to do a fall photo shoot with Kilmeny. We drove along a gravel road for about ten minutes once we had passed the park boundary looking for a suitable place to get out. The air was nippy and we knew this would be one of the last weekends of autumn. We had a fabulous time taking pictures of Kilmeny, making her laugh and smile for the camera and just generally drinking in the incredible beauty. 

There wasn't any obvious place to have a campfire, so we pulled into an area that looked like it might work. There was signs of a fire there so we thought it would be fine. We started setting up. Jared made a marvelous fire and Kilmeny was super cozy in her stroller all bundled with blankets. A couple pulled up to get water from a spring nearby and told us that we were on an ATV trail but it should be quiet since it was suppertime. And then, after some consultation with each other, invited us to share the rest of their turkey dinner with them or just warm up by their fire. We thanked them warmly but stuck with our original plan. We watched the sun set through the trees, ate our dark chocolate s'mores, invented a new way to melt the chocolate and debated the way we roast our marshmallows. Jared roasts his to a perfect golden glow. I roast mine until they're on fire, all crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside. Yum! 

 It really was a perfect autumn outing. The colors were vibrant, the air had a touch of a nip to it, the company was superb.

 What is your favorite way to roast a marshmallow? Golden or burnt? 

photos by Jared, I know, he's amazing. =)

today's adventure

I got a library card today. Or as the guy behind the desk called it 'an inscription'. It was an interesting process. It started with me smiling apologetically and saying, "Sorry. I only speak English". A different librarian came over and we began. I gave him my license and some mail that proved I actually do live here even though my license is from Alberta. He then asked if Kilmeny wanted a library card. I said, 'no it's fine'. I mean, the girl does like her books but she's a little young to be let loose in a library. Her favorite activity to do with books other then look at them upside down is to chew on them. Yeah, I don't think that would go over very well. But he insisted and so my nine month old baby has a library card in her own name. She got a board book out of the deal which made me agree to it. 

After everything was signed, I was given the hours and rules. All in French. I was explained the fines and loan periods and wished a nice day. I have no idea what my library card says but it works like any other library card. Actually that's not true. I can figure out what it says. 

So then I went and perused the shelves and actually came home with some books. At first I was tempted to grab any book that had an English title but that would have made for a very heavy armful. I am excited. I can't wait to start reading again. 

The library is within walking distance, along tree-lined streets, beside houses with wrought iron spiral staircases and vibrant colored leaves. I can request books at home and jaunt down there to pick them up. It's a sweet deal. 

And that brings me to a question, what would you recommend? What books have been on your list for months? What books have inspired you? What books have shaped your life?


photo from Wellington, a piece of my heart is still there 

our house

This is a long post. It has lots of pictures with explanations. If you are not that interested in taking a virtual tour of our house, I'd suggest you not read any further. If however, you are interested, read on and then leave a comment telling me what you think of this place. =) 

The street on which we live, I love all the trees and am so looking forward to autumn here! 

Do come in! 

Through the front entry into our hall. The stairs are to your immediate right, the living room is to the left and the kitchen is straight ahead. The stairs to the basement are just before the kitchen. We are loving the space here! And I am loving my kitchen! Oh, it is so much fun to cook and create with lots of space and dishes. I counted at least 6 springform pans in the cupboard! =) We went shopping on our first day here and Jared added the sunflowers to our cart. I love the beauty of the flowers and the brightness they give and I love that my man got them for me!

  Our Starbucks collection is growing! We just have one stipulation, we must buy the mug in person from the city. We got our New York mug in a Starbucks right off Times Square. Every mug has memories.

 The back door that leads onto a little porch and into the backyard. There is also a clothesline off the porch. 

 The backyard with its little patch of rhubarb!

Back in the house now, this is the little nook off the kitchen and is quickly becoming my favorite room in the house. It's where I'm sitting as I type, the chair where I feed Kilmeny when Jared is on the computer and we talk about our goals and desires. The room that is perfect for Kilmeny to play in, pulling herself up on chairs or quietly playing with her books. And the room where I will scrapbook and work on other projects on table to the left of the chair. 

 The living room. This is open to the nook making it all bright and airy yet private. 

Our landlord is a regional manager of a tour company in Cuba and the Carribean so a lot of the art has a Cuban flair.

Up the stairs we go! They give the satisfying creak of old stairs and will be great for Kilmeny to learn how to do stairs in a few months. =)

Our bedroom with the first dresser we've had in our married life. I love the orange wall and the vintage red phone. =)

Kilmeny's bedroom. She would be happy to move if any of you were to come visit.

Or you could stay here in the other bedroom that remains vacant all the time. ;-)

 The bathroom complete with a tub and a window that opens and lots of fluffy towels. The little things that delight me. =) 

 Let's go back downstairs, shall we? All the way to the basement...

 After a summer of doing laundry at the laundromat or a friend's house, I love having our own set. Although I will miss the visits with my dear Liz, a lot.

 And Jared's practice area, the coolest place in the house. Yup, he is that cool. ;-)

And there you have it. Our little home sweet home in Montreal. Thanks for visiting! =) All the pictures are courtesy of my amazing husband who is also an amazing photographer, just wait till you see the other pictures from New York and Philly! =)