This New Yorker cover (above) is too relevant for this week. I know that every single person in Toronto feels this way, but if the weather doesn’t change soon THAT’S IT. Not sure what “it” is, but I’m serious.

ADDICTED TO

Staring at the magnolia tree in the front yard.

BAKING

Granola scones. Love it when I can find something completely new to make.

COOKING

Tried this chicken marinade for grilled chicken on the BBQ because I don’t care if the temperature is 10 degrees, it is spring in my heart and I will grill.

CRAVING

My favourite panzanella salad. I can’t eat it when it’s this cold because it just feels wrong, but as soon as the weather turns this is getting eaten. The raw garlic in the dressing is so harsh and perfect. Whenever I make it for a party, 90% of people are alarmed at the taste and then slowly walk away from it but there’s always at least one person (other than me) that’s like, “Yep. This is the greatest thing I’ve ever eaten” and I will always make it because that person gets it. Live for your fans, not your critics. Is that a quote? It is now.

EATING

Okay, I thought I loved the lentils at Trader Joe’s but the $1.50 No Frills ones are spectacular. Oh, and the white bean dip from Burdock Brewery downtown was so good.

EXPERIENCING

You know when you part your hair in a new way and it gives you a headache? Lately every way I part my hair gives me that headache and I don’t know what to do about it. Can someone just tell me where my hair part is, please?

HATING

People are honking TOO MUCH. Have I already vented about this here? Someone should invent a device attached to your car that legally allows you a maximum of two honks PER DAY and then it no longer works for the rest of that day. Everyone is honk happy, I can’t stand it. This used to just be a problem I noticed in New York, but it’s rampant in Toronto now too. Even in the suburbs. And I’m sorry, but if you honk at someone and you’re within view of SQUARE ONE SHOPPING CENTER, you’re a loser, bud.

LEARNING

Did not realize that they (obviously) have some cherry blossoms in Kariya Park in Mississauga. They’re not as wonderful as say the ones at the Botanical Garden in New York, but I’ll take it. Especially since I don’t think I have the patience to make the journey to High Park to see those ones.

LOVING

The DQ cupcake. A perfect dessert.

SHOPPING

In my attempt to stop wearing leggings so much, I might get these trousers.

WATCHING

Nathan and I saw Deep Water in theatres and it really felt like a true 90s movie. Not as fun as an actual movie from the 90s, but the elements were there. Lord knows why Ben Kingsley and Aaron Eckhart wanted to be apart of it, but I guess times are tough for everyone?

WEARING

I made the decision to stop buying pre-ripped jeans last year because I really don’t care for how messy it looks. So say goodbye to my final pair.

WRITING

April Favourites can be read over here.

P.S. Why do I feel bad about what I said about the Kariya Park blossoms? They’re perfectly beautiful and I shouldn’t compare trees, it feels wrong. Okay, I won’t do that again.

You can read last week’s Spring Sundays Volume 7 here.

I love Octobers but I’m grateful to be moving on to the holiday season. Halloween was so good this year. I used a fog machine (it’ll now have to be a staple each year) and a bluetooth speaker that played horror movie soundtracks and it was. the. best. Here’s what else went on last month.

You might think you’re better than fake tattoos, I assure you that you’re not

I made a list of my favourite Halloween tweets.
Put up some new Halloween decorations.

The best tweets of the month can be found here.
I made this apple crisp coffee cake, which was fantastic. I’d prefer more crumble than cake, though.

I tried the new spicy all dressed chips and it’s a big meh. All dressed is already so perfect, they really should just leave them alone.
I got a ton of old VHS and camcorder tapes converted to digital at Digital Treasures and they did such a good job.
I’ve been constantly wearing the Anne Marie Beretta coat I got last month at the vintage clothing show.

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I hadn’t had a DQ cake in years, so I bought one and it remains as good as ever.
I don’t love donuts (too doughy), but a holiday themed donut? Obviously I'll get those.

Thanksgiving donuts from Sanremo’s in Etobicoke, Ontario

Thanksgiving was really great, if not a little quieter this year. The next-day sandwich was one for the books. (If I started a business that solely made these sandwiches and just tried out new versions each month, could that work? Call it Turkey Time? Patent pending.)

Went to Downey’s for their pumpkin donuts (for a donut hater, I buy an alarming amount) and got this apple pie flavoured milk. It was a bit gross, but you have to try new seasonal items. It’s law.

Took my parents on an autumn drive through Belfountain and our car broke down in the middle of nowhere! It was exciting.

I went to Ottawa for the first time! The drive was intensely beautiful. My dumbass didn’t realize how close Quebec was, otherwise I would’ve made sure to get a poutine across the water. Next time.

Stopped at The Big Apple on the way back and just wow. I’d never been there before, so I loved it.

I bought a few new pairs of bootcut jeans (I know, pretty cool) and had them all tailored. They fit perfectly. I will tailor my pants for the rest of my life now.
October sunrises >>

Some things I watched:
- Nobody Wants This: other than some really bad dialogue, I’d definitely watch season two.
- English Teacher: best new show on TV, hands down.
- Only Murders in the Building: good season, not great. Martin Short will be the main reason I keep watching.
- The Blair Witch Project: I got my niece Maya to watch it and she loved it. A perfect horror movie.
- The Return of the Living Dead: okay, it’s obviously bad but fun bad.
- The Bob’s Burgers Halloween episode this year was awful?? What the hell?
- I’ve been on a real Twilight Zone binge and this quote, “As long as there are men, there cannot be peace.” PREACH.

Some things I’m looking forward to this month: good god, I don’t even know. The election is today so… let’s just wait and see what happens before I look forward to anything.

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If you’ve got any interest in reading last month’s roundup, you can see what went down in September over here and you can see more posts like this on my latest newsletter.

Spring Sundays Vol. 8

The Best of October