365 grateful project (count=133)

• wish i had visited Paris and saw leviathan by Anish Kapoor but planning to visit Chicago this year so will have another chance to gaze into cloud gate
• delish brunch with Denise at Jules Cafe Patisserie: from quinoa/lentil/beet salad to chocolate cake; got chubby brioche to go
• visiting June’s new baby and new house: Claire is a happy baby; love the skylights and walk through kitchen
• ichiban sushi + Assyrtiko: “In the volcanic soil of Santorini, there appear to be some unique characteristics that develop in the grape variety, and therefore in the wine. One of these characteristics is that Assyrtiko does not lose its acidity even if it is very ripe.”

365 grateful project (count=117)

Have had many amazing tasting trips to Niagara on the Lake over the years (2006 / 2008 / 2010 / 2011) but this is easily the best

• Mild winter not the best for harvesting frozen grapes but perfect for amble through the vines
• cecile’s house is impeccable from chocolate bread to bathroom tile
• Not impressed by Sand and Gravel in fact me thinks Ravine is more style than substance but discovered southbrook which has great style and great substance
• cattail creek was my favorite: 2008 Select Late Harvest Meritage + Dark Chocolate Butterscotch Crunch
• amazing osso bucco at epicurean accompanied by white bean cassoulet and wild mushrooms
• rhubarb pickle is perfect with pork or field greens

365 grateful project (count=111)

• One thing I stopped doing when I started traveling for work is bringing leftover shampoo home. But cannot not bring L’Occitane home!
• Dinner with dad at le paradis. I love the open kitchen but we sat in the third (quieter more intimate) room, enjoying duck confit and conversation.
• Weekend of wine and choco with Sharon & Carl. I’m interested in: 2008 Sauvignon Blanc + Chocolat au Herbes de Provence @ Stratus; 2008 Pinot Noir + Caramalized Pine Nuts & Dark Chocolate Square @ Reif; 2010 Sand and Gravel Cabernet Franc + Salted Pretzels Dipped in Milk Chocolate @ Ravine

365 grateful project (count=100)

• Carl brought a bottle of Yellow Tail Bubbles to brunch; semillion + traminer + viognier + trebbiano = partying in a citrus grove
• Sharon made angel food cake; unusually delicious density
• Wei brought daffodils

in time of daffodils(who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why,remember how
in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so(forgetting seem)

in time of roses(who amaze
our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if,remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek(forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me,remember me

365 grateful project (count=57)

• My neighbourhood made an appearance in TorontoLife. St. Lawrence, because everything an urbanite needs is within a five-minute walk. Bisogno Espresso Bar was mentioned so we tried it out. Blackboard at the entrance: If you expect the unexpected is the unexpected expected? Nutella-cino was interesting but sweet coffee has not taken roots with me yet.
• He got a bottle of Ladybug Rose before the holidays. I tried it and thought it was okay … for a rose. I tried it again with tilapia and onion confit. It was unexpected … in a good way.
• Next Stage Theatre Festival: We wanted to see Modern Love and couldn’t get tickets; we got tickets for Tomasso’s Party and missed the show; we showed up for Hypnogogic Logic and loved it … very Waking Life.