welcome!

Huh.

It seems even December has an iphone 

these days...

Welcome back, old friend.

xo. B.

tunes-day. {the band}

It makes no difference how many times or in what context I hear this song; it always conjures memories of being slow danced in circles around my university boyfriend's living room. He told me it was the most romantic song ever written - and I believed him.  '

And, you know what? I still do.

It's been more than five years since our last waltz, but each time I hear this chorus I think of him with a smile on my lips and a warm glow in my nostalgic heart.

This is for you, D.

xo. B.

{a sweetslice of my new city.}

It's been just over two months since I landed in the big smoke. I've found a job and an apartment. I've met new friends and reconnected with old ones. And, each and every day I learn something new and surprising - not only about the city, but often about myself. I try not to look at the city as a whole, but as a collection of neighborhoods. Feel like something new on a Monday? Hop on the streetcar for twenty minutes and upon disembarking find yourself in a whole new city. Bored on a Thursday? New adventures are just a subway ride away!

See? It's not so scary here!

xo. B.

{day off - pay off: a day for me.}

Finally. A day off that didn't involve mile long to-do lists, the spending of money I'm only starting to make, and the organizing of a somewhat still in-transition life. This would be a day for me. For eating and walking, for seeing and smelling. A day for making friends with my new neighborhood.

So I ate, and I walked. I saw, and I smelled.

Breakfast. My one true love. Here it comes with giant bottles of water, cinnamon laced coffee, mountains of fresh fruit, and yogurt so creamy it melts on your tongue.

The Market. The bustling yet somehow calming streets where cars bow down to bicycles, and the pedestrian reigns. I fill my canvas bags with fruits and veggies, fresh bagels and cheese. I smile at the eccentrics on the corner and tuck a new vintage scarf into my purse.

Yes, that is indeed the light of the cheese gods shining down on Mendel's Creamery.
$2 wheel of brie, anybody?

The park. Green grass and leaves of orange and yellow. Children squealing with laughter while dogs run circles around them. I ride my bike along the paths and breathe in the crisp fall air, wondering if the city has indeed melted away outside the borders of this place.

I'm not sure I could have asked for a more perfect day.

You hear that, Sunday? That's a challenge.

xo. B.

{sweet slice... in the city.}

Ok. I'm back.

This time for reals.

xo. B.

{thanking you.}

Hey.

It's been awhile, I know.

But, today seemed like a good day to check in and say thank you.

For family, for friends, for good food and for this new adventure before me.

For the sweet slices.

{here}

Be back soon.

xo. B.

tunes-day. the thursday edition. {gladys knight}

I am so exhausted and disoriented from all the packing and moving and unpacking and waking up in a new apartment that I forgot Tuesday. I remember Monday happening. I know yesterday was Wednesday. And, I'm certain that today is Thursday. But, for some reason Tuesday completely escaped me!

So, without further ado, here is 'tunes-day'!

This song kept me going through the past two weeks...
Something about Gladys Knight jamming out with those handsome men backing her up. I dunno...

{I Heard it Through the Grapevine: Gladys Knight & the Pips}

Groove on.

B.

tunes-day. on wednesday. {the waifs}

Me:  (puts menus on table) Hi! I'm B, I'll be your waitress today.
Customer:  Thanks, B. So do you go to school here?
Me:  No, actually I graduated from music school at University Z a few years ago.
Customer:  Oh, music school, eh? I guess that explains why you're waitressing! (winks and erupts into hysterical laughter)

Yes folks, this happens to me on a several-times-weekly basis. I always join in the laughter and make some smart retort, but, inside I'm really thinking "Well, if that's my excuse for waitressing, what's your excuse for being so rude?" *best waitress smile*

The truth is, I'm a waitress by choice - not by necessity. Sure, I could be doing lots of other things, but right now I like waitressing! I like the lifestyle, the hours, the paycheck, my customers, the TIPS! When I'm ready to go try something else, I will! But, for right now... stop bugging me and eat your fish & chips!

{a classic progression}

Now, onto the music...

Funny enough, I actually heard this song - by {this} amazing band - while working as a waitress...

{via}

The Waifs: The Waitress

{from the album: Sink or Swim}

Next week's Tunes-day will be coming to you live from my new apartment! If I ever get there...
And, no, I am not writing this post from inside my box fort.

Back to packing! 

{B}

moving week: episode 1

Moving To Do List

Make numerous lists (of no actual use): CHECK!

Take a break: CHECK!

Ruthlessly toss things (and regret it ten minutes later): CHECK!

Take a break: CHECK!

Procure boxes (and drag them home in a sun shower): CHECK!

Take a break: CHECK!

Pack boxes: FAIL. EPIC FAIL.

Build amazing box fort: WIN!

That's right, folks. After dragging home a whole whack of boxes from work today - with every intention of being super proactive and filling them all with my belongings - I proceeded to first, take a nap, second, watch an old episode of Californication online, third, cook dinner, and finally...

Build an awesome box fort and photograph myself drinking a Corona inside said amazing box fort.

Perhaps, I need to get my priorities straight... Or, perhaps they're right in line.

Round two tomorrow... Wish me luck.

'Night! {B}

{PS: Tunes-day, will appear tomorrow... making it 'Wassailing Wednesday.' (???).}

moving out and moving on.

Though my number one reason for being in Small Town, NS has literally left the building (see: post #1 - him,) I somehow find myself still here - and happier than ever. The cozy, two bedroom apartment, a 10 minute walk from Main Street, is suddenly sprawling, empty and what seems like a hour's walk from my life. So, dear readers, I am moving!

Be warned: I am the world's worst mover -  and, I plan on documenting this abhorred process right here before your very eyes.

This was May 24 weekend, and I had three days off. Three days to fill with plans, lists, packing and progress. However, it was May 24 weekend, the weekend when that burning ball of fire in the sky decided to make its long awaited arrival, and I found myself less involved with moving on and more consumed with slacking off.

I spent the days tooling about town: camera in one hand, iced coffee in the other. I danced with my girlfriends, rocked out to this amazing band with my work buddies, and ate eggs for breakfast three days in a row. I procrastinated by baking brioche, grilling fish, re-potting plants and crushing a six-pack of Corona. And, you know what? These are all the things I  didn't do all year. The things I am finding time for now.

Packing can wait... I'm having fun.

I'd better get moving...

x. {B}

the kindness of (virtual) strangers.

Working as a waitress can be a demanding, exhausting, soul-sucking job.

"This beer is flat!"
"I want my fries extra crispy!"
"Yes, I do want exact change for $8.98 from a ten dollar bill!"

Sometimes, I want to kill my customers.

But, then there are my regulars. The singles and couples, after-work drinkers and after-school wing eaters, who - week after week - find a table in my section, plop themselves down and proceed to plaster a genuine smile across my face as I rush them their beers (two at a time) and potato skins (extra cheese, side of hot sauce.) Some call me by name, others silently revel at the fact that they needn't actually order out loud any more, and some go out of their way to brighten the day of a tired, blister-footed waitress.

Last night L, one of my Friday evening regulars stopped by the pub. He asked if I had a moment and pulled me to the side of the bar.  The 50-something gentleman proceed to open a black briefcase filled with smooth, circular, wooden bracelets.

"This is my last week in town. So, for always remembering my Rickard's Red and extra sauce for my fish - I'd like you to choose one to have for yourself."

As I looked more closely at the beautiful jewelry, I recalled a brief conversation a few weeks ago, where L told me about the wooden jewelery, bowls and other works of art he creates. I was so deeply touched by this man's thoughtfulness and generosity, not to mention giddy with the acquisition of new jewelery!

Its the L's of the world who make my job a pleasure and even a joy. They get me through the "sauce on the side! Where's my bill??? Just give it to me to go!" kind of days.

{B}

tunes-day. {michael franti & spearhead}

Imagine how much easier life would be 

if we could all just dance our points across...

Michael Franti & Spearhead: We Don't Stop

{from the album: Everyone Deserves Music}

peace. {b}

tunes-day. {the raconteurs}

A horn section.

A ripping guitar solo.

Lyrics that say what you've been trying to say all along...

This song's got it all.

Many Shades of Black: The Raconteurs

{from the album Consolers of the Lonely}

Ciao.

x. {B}

a thousand words...

Happy Monday.

x. {B}

tunes-day. {holly cole}

One sticky summer night in '08 I was creeping the Atlantic Jazz Festival website in hopes that they had released the year's line-up.

They had.

And right at the top of the list was Holly Cole.

I nearly cried.
(read: I bawled. And immediately purchased two tickets.)


She performed this song that night,
and every so often (when I really, really need it,)
I turn it up loud, close my eyes, and let myself go.

Holly Cole Trio: Cry (If You Want To)

{from the album Don't Smoke in Bed}

x. {B}

bad, blogger!

I'm still here.

It's been a crazy few days... 

But, I'll be back with photos and stories and food soon.

I promise.

{here}

x. {B}

homemade ice cream sandwiches: tied up with strings.

For me, ice cream sandwiches always signal the beginning of summer in Big City, NS. For the past two summers, I was lucky enough to live a short walk from the greatest late-night corner store in the city: nay, the WORLD!

I spent my junior high years visiting this store in search of lunchtime penny candy, and after school JonesSoda. In high school we waited until the evening to stock up on orange juice to go with our stolen vodka and to try and buy cigarettes from the shifty-eyed guy who manned the store after dark. Then, 10 years later,  having moved back into the neighborhood as an adult, it was the homemade ice cream sandwiches that lured me from my humid, over-heated apartment and over to the store of cool delights.

It may not surprise you to hear that Small Town, NS is lacking in the perfect-homemade-ice-cream-sandwich-corner-store department. Unacceptable. With summer just around the corner (right? RIGHT?) it seems evident that I'll be forced to fulfill my cravings on my own... I'd better start practicing now!

So, here they are. A slight variation on my favorite Big City summer cooling agent - guaranteed to fill my freezer all summer long.

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

{cookie recipe adapted from Tartlette}

{the stuff} 

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

{how to do it}

Using an electric mixer or food processor fitted with a dough blade, beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Lower the speed and add the vanilla and two eggs one at a time. Continue beating for two minutes until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.

In a separate bowl combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix just until the dough starts to come together. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead by hand until the dough is dark, moist and shiny. Refrigerate the dough until firm, but still easy to work with.

Once the dough has firmed up, roll out to 1/4 inch thick and use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. Bake on a parchment cover baking sheet for 9 minutes at 350 degrees, rotating half way through.

Once the cookies are completely cooled, you're ready to assemble your sandwiches!

 

Choose a brand of ice cream that comes in a brick rather than a tub. Slice the brick into pieces 3/4 inch thick and use the same cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Sandwich the ice cream between two cookies, wrap them and freeze until solid.

Eat.

Often.

x. {B}