Peter and Lillian Are Back!

Peter and Lillian

Peter and Lillian Rabbit

For me, spring officially kicks off with the arrival of Peter and Lillian, two fanciful rabbits who have been turning up here each spring for eons.

Evidence of their existence came many moons ago. It was Easter break and I was in my second year of undergrad studies, buried up to my eyeballs in textbooks and study notes, frantically trying to prepare for final exams. I had a heavier course load than my friends, who had all taken off to go somewhere fun, while poor, poor me was stuck in the study hall.

The Return of the Danbo Brothers

 Let us be grateful to people who make us happy,
they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

~ Marcel Proust

The Wayward Brothers Come Home

During an extreme cold weather snap in the midst of winter, the Danbo Brothers mysteriously vanished after I sent them off on an emergency mission to replenish my chocolate supply (see my previous post: The Wayward Brothers). Many weeks have passed since they set out on their assignment and some believed I would never see them again. But, just as I always knew they would, the Danbo Brothers have returned!

How to Cook with Your Partner (and Preserve Your Relationship)

Cooking With My Partner

My partner and I love to cook together. Neither of us have any formal culinary training but we really enjoy preparing delicious food and we both love the challenge and satisfaction of trying new recipes and learning new culinary techniques. After many years of being together, one of our favourite date nights is cooking a delicious dinner at home and watching a movie in our living room.

A Beautiful Cherry Mess

A Taste of Summer in Late Winter

Technically, it’s still winter, but more and more are the days starting to feel spring-like. This is the time of year I lose my winter penchant for hot drinks and hardy desserts and start to crave something lighter, like the fresh cherries I put up late last summer. It’s the perfect time to whip up a Cherry Eton Mess, a delicious, light, airy dessert reminiscent of the taste of summer. Cherry Mess is made by creating alternating layers of cherry compote, freshly whipped cream mixed with chunks of homemade meringue, and toasted sliced almonds. Prepare to swoon: one spoon of this beautiful mess is transcendent.

The Eye: A Poem by Kahlil Gibran

 The Eye

Said the Eye one day, “I see beyond these valleys a mountain veiled with blue mist.
Is it not beautiful?”

The Ear listened, and after listening intently awhile, said, “But where is any mountain?
I do not hear it.”

Then the Hand spoke and said, “I am trying in vain to feel it or touch it, and I can find no mountain.”

And the Nose said, “There is no mountain, I cannot smell it.”

Then the Eye turned the other way, and they all began to talk together about the Eye’s strange delusion. And they said, “Something must be the matter with the Eye.”

~ by Kahlil Gibran
Excerpted from The Madman: His Parables and Poems
(This work is in the Public Domain)