cytherea

It's been a while. Oops.

We spent the first week of July in Ottawa with the ever-lovely Pamlet and her boyfriend, Nick. It was an amazing vacation, managing to combine relaxing with Actually Doing Things really well. :)

We wandered around downtown Ottawa a bunch on Canada Day, eating beaver tails and poutine, and ended up in Major's Hill Park to watch the fireworks. We had an amazing view -- we could smell the gunpowder, and the flash-bangs were so bright, I had to wear my sunglasses. We also went to a party hosted by friends of theirs and got to hang out for a couple hours out on the deck. It was a fantastic day!

The next day, we slept in and then played some board-games while Mademoiselle Pamela made some amazing steak sandwiches for lunch (srsly, steak sandwich on garlic bread with yam fries? win!), and eventually wandered back downtown for a Haunted Pub Walk, talking about some of Ottawa's more salacious history. After the pub walk, we hit up a restaurant that only serves dessert, and I had a slice of caramel banana cake, which was divine.

We'd talked about going to Montreal, but ended up going up to Nick's dad's cottage for a couple of days, resting in the sunshine and playing in the lake, and it was really wonderful up there. Seriously, it was so peaceful, just breathing the air released tension. :)

We came back to Ottawa afterwards and went to the Chateau Laurier for their high tea, which was a lot of fun -- a wide selection of teas, as well as scones (with cream and jam), open-faced sandwiches, and miniature desserts. It was beautiful and delicious.

The flights in both directions were blissfully uneventful, despite a delay going out to Ottawa, and customs was a lot nicer than I'd feared. :)

We brought back maple candy and chocolates (mmm, Aero bars), and all-around had a great time. :)

We've been trying to get back into the swing of things since we returned, but it's been a little difficult. That's all right, though!

This past Saturday was Dawn & Jeremy's wedding, out at Carkeek park, and it was a very good time -- everything from the very sweet (and fun!) ceremony to the potluck picnic after, and then later karaoke at the Baranoff... It was a great day, and we're so happy for them. ♥

Today, it's Monday. And now that I've updated you all on this-all, I should probably get back to work. :)