French food and car trips

Today perspective seems to be returning and I only say that half tongue in cheek.  Suddenly I can see, from this vantage point sitting at my desk, the holidays coming over the horizon and how ready am I for them!  I know I have been complaining about how busy work has been but it suddenly is coming to a screeching halt.  The next few days seem almost barren of work and then, come Wednesday, it is all over for another year.  

I am so ready to have some time to connect with my guy again.  The honeymoon was marvelous, a wonderful gift to only enjoy each other separate from the cares of the regular routine, of work, of family, a chance to just have fun with each other.  Since then till now, it has been busy for both of us and I am looking forward to slowing down and relaxing together.  We have the same time off work which is also fantastic so we will have the same rhythm to relax.

We have been talking about driving up to Quebec City in Quebec over the holidays and spend some time over New Year’s with our friends in the city.  Quebec City is a marvelous place and if you have never visited, I would highly recommend it if you ever have the chance.  The oldest walled city in North America, it is a French speaking city, steeped in history, on the banks of the mighty St Lawrence River.  At this time of year, the city will be celebrating all things winter!  Ice sculptures, outdoor art exhibits, Cariboo, a fortified regional wine, served in glass carved from ice, everyone enjoying the outdoors, skiing, skating, strolling.  The city is alive at this time of year, well, it always is I suppose, but over the holidays and in the winter, it shines.  A celebration of winter, of good food and good wine, of steaming bowls of hot chocolate and delicious regional treats, of friends and family.  I love it whenever we find the time to drive up and visit them and I always come home with a car full of treats, artisan cheeses, local pastries, wines, candies, syrup, oh the list of shopping for things to fill my tummy can go on and on.  It is also nice to hop in the car and have a road trip, take you out of your normal routine, alone on the road.  Maybe it is a uniquely North American love, the car road trip, but having friends in Australia who also enjoy it, I think the road trip is loved by anyone who lives in a country with vast distances, where movement is celebrated, and frankly where the car is dominant!  Not quite as easy to do the road trip on a bicycle in Holland, especially this time of year.  Mind you, when we participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer 220 km bike ride, I learned to appreciate seeing the world from the seat of my bike.

Anyway, I am feeling more settled today and have already thought about poaching a few recipes from friends while we are in Quebec City to add to the cookbook, add a bit of French flavour to the pages. I have a lot of work to do on the cookbook over the holidays but knowing I have the time to sit and savour the experience, I think I will get much more done!  Keep your fingers crossed that’s true!