There are (at least) 1,000,001 reasons to travel and that many more to know when its time to travel home.

Mia and I spent a magical day at Jacques-Cartier Chemin du Parc National feeding ourselves and the mosquitoes and flies a hearty lunch. We walked along the lake, swatting and chatting and chatting and swatting, ‘ooo-ing’ and ‘aaah-ing’ as we went.

We heard birds and saw tiny reddish frogs and squirrels hopping and skittering about our feet. We admired the sunlight on the river where the rapids were rough and its reflection where it was calm. The colorful wildflowers, trees and Rocky Mountains rising about us soothed our senses. We drove back to our room to make a simple dinner of pizza and local strawberries and decided to purchase a few last treats and gifts. We stopped back by the cassis winery for one last bottle for my mother Ellen and then on to the liquor chain, Saq, for tastings of local specialties to bring home such as maple whiskey and violet gin. The day was unrushed and eventful and led us to the conclusion we were ready to go home.

There are (at least) 1,000,001 reasons to travel and that many more to know when its time to travel home.

Agristourism is, basically, an activity occurring at a farm which draws in tourists be that a restaurant, museum, or tasting or shop. With me so far, Dear Readers? Good. Mostly, agritourism means ‘let’s eat, drink, be happy, enjoy views and help out local farmers. It helps a traveler to have an experience outside the norm yet still be cottled. Such is the case when visiting the stunning Île d’Orléans in Québec. The views, the farms, the food and drink will keep you happy for hours and the experience will enhance your perspective of the area.

At Cassis Monna & Fille, you can learn about the history, growing and the bottling process of black currant anything and then enjoy the numerous wines and products made and sold at the farm. Mia and I tasted everything from winds in the course to mustard and honey. Then I recommend eating a nice lunch on the terrace and savoring ice cream while enjoying the views from under a shaded patio.

Stop along the way to the next farm to take pictures of wildflowers and maple trees. Take in the sweeping views at a park and at the tip of the island. Take the time to slow down and enjoy the luxury of the homes, landscape, agriculture and people.
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Before returning to your hotel, make sure to shop at a grocery store for local foods and treats. Just read the ingredients list before you buy! (We passed on this package of horse meat.)

The walled city of Québec is an enchanting experience, especially after the hullabaloo of Montréal. Built between 1608 and 1871, imagine if these walls could talk. What would they say? No doubt something in French that I, as an undereducated American, would not understand...

Mia and I got driven into the old city by a sweet local woman who happened to be apartment hunting near where we were staying and who I just happened to make understand we don’t know where to catch the bus. She was kind and friendly and helpful, like all the lovely Canadians we have met. We began our exploration at the top of St. Jean and quickly walked past the expensive shops and wound our way to the expensive restaurants and ice cream shops where we splurged on lunch.

We walked past artists to stand on the terrace and view both the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and the St. Laurent River before taking a short ferry ride to Levis to view the sights from the opposite side. We walked the 9-10 flights up to see the old city while sweating and panting and to see the charming neighborhoods that make up the area. Back on the ferry , up the funicular for expensive ice cream for Mia and a much deserved rest on a bench under a covered pavilion overlooking the river before making our way back to our apartment and a nice fresh and easy meal of garlic chicken in wine sauce and crispy salad.

Maybe the walls would say, ‘Take time to relax and enjoy the moments. Sit under the pavillion, eat the ice cream and drink the wine.’

Reflecting, contemplating, appreciating...

Reflect upon the moments in your life and contemplate them for what should be appreciated, whether that reflection is about a meal or new taste you shared, a whimsical moment or a new experience. Reflecting promotes growth and growth promotes change. Change keeps life fresh and dynamic and that, Dear Readers, is a good thing.

Yesterday, Mia and I walked about the Montréal Botanical Gardens, in the rain, holding hands. We ‘ooed’ and ‘aahed’ over the Japanese bonsai garden as the smell of roses, lavender and jasmine filled the air. We visited the insectarium, much to Mia’s chagrin, and got icked out by tarantulas and roaches and stick bugs. We laughed as the rain drops found their way down our necks and vowed not to forget our umbrellas three days in row. We reveled in how eight- inch beetles, with both pincers and wings, do not live in our part of the world. We tromped over bridges and through trees and finally found our way to the greenhouses. We strolled through rainforests, waterfalls and even the desert. We saw herbs and spices and many types of orchids and ferns. We longed to grow our own vanilla and mango and cinnamon. The greenhouses made me want to give the little avocado seed I am coaxing into sprouting at home a proper place to live...

When traveling or cooking or just in general living and “doing,” it’s important to take time out and recharge. Recharging makes you travel, live and “do” better. Taking time out to recharge helps you get enjoy what you’re doing be that traveling,, cooking or “doing.” You see, Dear Readers, taking time out to recharge centers us and grounds us into the moment we are in and helps us appreciate the “now.” The “now” moments of life zing by so give yourself the gift of taking time out to notice them. Every “now” moment is a gift.

You can learn a lot about a city by its graffiti. In San Francisco, California, it marks a territory. In Athens, Greece, it is angry. In Brighton, England, it is whimsical. Here in Montréal, it is other-worldly and political. Get out and explore a city’s graffiti street areas; if nothing worse, you will work an appetite for both food and the area!

When in Canada, one must eat the national dish of poutine. Poutine is French fries, slathered in brown gravy and topped with cheese curds. It’s filling, soft, a bit rubbery and mildly salty but not too savory; in fact, it’s less savory than I thought it would taste. Our daughter, Mia, and I tried poutine for th first time in Montreal at Patati Patata and (I) washed it down with a tasty IPA. We split a burger and salad we dressed with the House Creamy Basil dressing. We took refuge from the sun and heat and both agreed, pass the poutine please (especially if the brown sauce is also housemade.) As they say in Montreal, ‘ s’il vous plait. Un poutine.

Life is fun. Life is nourishing. Life is tasty. Life is dynamic.

Do you see the correlation between cooking and life? Yep. That is why this blog is titled “Cooking Up Life.”

Go into your kitchen and have some fun. Go into your kitchen and make something nourishing. Go into your kitchen and make something tasty. Go into your kitchen and cook dynamically! Go into your kitchen and cook up some life!