Toronto

My husband has been travelling a lot lately.  Me?  Not so much.  So when we had a four day weekend, we took a trip that was in some respects, a compromise.  We took advantage of the opportunity to go away for a few days, and then we took advantage of the privilege of being home for a couple more.

We took the more rural route to Toronto.   The drive was leisurely and it was warm enough to open the sun roof, a sure sign that spring has arrived.   When we saw a billboard saying that the 'most amazing coffee, two blocks left' in Madoc, well, away we went.  This little place delivered, and while it was really smooth latte, I think my husband makes a better one.  Still, if you are on highway 7, we recommend this for sure.

We stayed at this hotel, which just has so much to look at in it's historic lobby.  The room has high ceilings, big windows and a lot of space.  It had everything but a coffee maker, which frankly surprised me quite a bit.   No coffee maker?  Nothing to heat water?  What's up with that?  As much as I loved the hotel, there is NO way that I'm going to spend $7 to have two cups of coffee delivered to the room.  By that I mean, the $7 menu price, plus the $3 delivery charge plus the 15% service fee.  Good thing there were two Starbucks within a couple of blocks!

What I did love about the hotel, however,  were the doormen.  They were so much fun and they remembered us by name.  They were always laughing...and I appreciated that. Well done, guys!

We admired the history and architecture of St. James Cathedral.  We walked through the madness of the St. Lawrence market.  Our true destination was the Distillery District.  And Soma...without a doubt, my favourite stop.   The weather could not have been more accommodating and our day could not have been more perfect.  The people watching was great, and there was a young string quartet playing in front of this strange sculpture.  We had coffee, and freshly made hot cross buns...but the best part, was just being together.  He was showing me something that he had discovered, and there was something very sweet about that.

The Distillery District--now one of my favourite places!  And oh yes, he found a fixer-upper so he's happy too.

The best friends

I've been reflecting lately on friendships.  I've lost some, gained some and learned to treasure some.

North of Toronto, we have some dear friends who live in a lovely house by the lake.  Last year, we started our road trip at their house and it was perfect!  These friends are the kind who will drive for an hour just to have dinner, and that is what we did on Good Friday.  We chose the restaurant by choosing a location of the city that was midpoint for both of us.  None of us knew any more than the internet told us.  Also, it wasn't our first choice, but it turned out so well.

The restaurant is a surprising little cafe sandwiched between two service stations, and sorely lacking parking.  But our hostess was so charming and accommodating and the evening was a delight.  My friend, who represents all the best in French style, sophistication and class chatted in French, and I even practiced a wee little bit.   We had the best time--one of those great, tuck in the treasure chest of memories times.

While the food certainly helped, I think that our evening was so delightful because of our company.  What a joy it is to spend time with another couple who is truly happy.  We don't see each other more than once or twice a year, but when the opportunity comes close, we do our best to take advantage of it.  Our husbands like each other.  We tease, we laugh, we tell stories, we laugh some more.   We value the time that we get to share together.

She taught me how to do that, to treasure moments.   It often surprises me that our news and our stories can fit into whatever time we have.    I know that I can call her in a time of crisis and she will be there for me.  I hope she knows that I would do the same for her.  She sang at my wedding, and I sang at hers.  We have known each other since singing together in college, oh so many years ago.   Her parents have become my Quebecois parents.  We share in each other's successes and triumphs, and we pray for each other's struggles and difficulties.  We trust each other enough to share our defining moments.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart".   She must have had a friend like mine.