Winter's colouring outside the lines

I’m actually quite a big fan of winter. I love layering clothes, I like hot chocolate, I even have a necklace with a snowflake on it. But I don’t like it when winter colours outside the lines. In Toronto this year, Easter weekend was colder than Christmas. That’s colouring outside the lines, and I am greatly unimpressed.
This weekend was supposed to be putting the winter coat in storage, let the cats out on the balcony, wash the windows, change to canvas shoes weekend. Not bundle up in your thickest sweater, where did that glove go, what do you mean I’m out of milk I’m not going out into that weather again weekend! It sucked. No one was around, I was dogsitting for the brother, and it snowed, off and on, for all three pointless days of my weekend. I did go shopping, though it wasn’t nearly as pleasant as I wanted it to be. I wanted to wander up Yonge street and investigate the shops there (my main goal was Ten Thousand Villages). Instead, I took a bus straight there cause it was too cold to walk. And when I got there, they didn’t have what I wanted! Now, that doesn’t mean I went home empty handed; I bought a cute little grey stone box that is perfect for the thumbtacks I need for my bulletin board. And the prices there are better than I remembered. But I wanted a mortar and pestle (I’ve wanted one forever), and they had two, but they were both made out of rose-coloured stone, and I don’t do pink. I’ll go back there again when they get more stock.
I know, it’s a little weird, why do I want a mortar and pestle? In my brain, cooking will be more fun that way. It makes putting spices together like potion-making! Also, I have this idea in my head that I want to create some new kinds of cookies and things (ideas nipping me in the heels are Red Chili Pepper White Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Key Lime Blondies with Cream Cheese Icing), and for that, I need a mortar and pestle. I’m going to create my cookies, and if they turn out, I’ll pass on the recipes.
What else is going on? I spent five days in Niagara-on-the-Lake on business, though I did manage to come home with Greaves jam (yum).
I went to Pesach dinner at the Robin’s, which was REALLY good, though a little embarrassing, cause when it comes to Jewish customs and well, basic knowledge, I’m a bit of a dough head. We’re blaming my mother. Maybe I can find myself a book; “Judaism for Dummies”.
I’ve been talking to Laur a bit more now that she’s settled in her classes in Oz. She sounds like she’s having an incredible time, and she’s been accepted to a placement in Thailand! I’m so freaking jealous. I’m seriously thinking of going to teachers college just so I can do something like that (jk, it would be cool, but I’m much more likely just to save up or hope to win the lottery and go on my own). But it does sound amazing. I emailed Mom to email Jerry to suggest some places where Laur should visit. I can’t wait for more pictures (hint hint).
And speaking of pictures, I just printed off a pile of mine from Florida, and others’ from various places, and have put them up in my apartment. It’s not done yet, but it’s getting there. One conspicuously missing piece is that #%#$& bookcase I’ve been wanting forever. I’m not sure I’ve mentioned it, but there’s a bookcase from Ikea I’ve wanted forever, but alas, as I’m carless, it’s really hard to get it to me. Well, last week my dear, generous, helpful friend Emily offered to take me there in her pretty and very blue car, and after much shoe shopping, we made it, only to find them…tragically out of stock. I was shocked speechless, caught between hilarity, tears, and a full-blown tantrum worthy of a two year old. Ever since, I’ve been checking the online stock availability every day, and as soon as it shows up…well, I’m not sure what I’ll do, but if you spy me walking down the street with a large box strapped to my back, you’ll know why!