from the archives and the recent communications: M.

 Alpha and Omega do not want M. to be so absent from our updates... 

from the archives:

And a little more recent photo, from Senegal: 

the mother and child reunion

The fresh and the harvested, reunited together in our kitchen to bring warmth to our evenings, after days spent working, walking, writing, swimming, reading, listening ...

The days fly by, but nevertheless, every day we converge in the evening  to prepare food together, to savour and enjoy.

When Alpha arrived in Waterloo, there was a card on her little desk in the upstairs room with a quote from Virginia Woolf: "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well". 

With that in mind: 

from one of the chili plants, and a blissfully fragrant basil

tomatoes from the garden, combined later with
cauliflower

the start a of mix of flavours, inspired by Andalucia  

fresh salsa; rice with fresh herbs

feast!

And a few days later:

onions and spices

add: rapini, fresh tomatoes and oranges

with toasted almonds & raisins soaked in wine
(....the mother and child reunion)

 And for Sunday dinner (with lovely visits from family and friends to enjoy the last summery- autumn days together):

ground lamb with prunes, allspice, garlic, orange rind, chives and parsley
For lamb meatballs

fig, feta, pomegranate salad... with white balsamic

Life is beautiful.

Awesome Appetite

We have been enjoying the plenties of the late August harvest, fresh from the farmers' markets in the region, and spoiled by the wonderful wizardry of the woman that taught us our appreciation for a freshly picked heriloom tomato, still warm from the sun, with a fresh basil leaf, goat's milk feta ... simple... heavenly especially with a cold glass of Retsina...

In our restlessness, we took a break from the daily routines (which, are truly not that arduous!) for a  

 day-trip to Toronto

... beautiful day of strolling on Roncesvalles and Queen West with our mother and O.,, complete with an amazing feast for our sense and tastes (and a reminder of our time in Italy!!) at Terroni

Omega's pizza was what we call a "Ratatouille moment" (from the film): thin thin crust, with mozzarella, gargonzola, toasted walnuts, baked pears, honey and prosciutto...

writing in process...

31.08.2012

Writing Wanderer: imaginings

I wish it was easier to write

I sit with a tall dark stranger, it is all super impressive people all kinds of artists, tv stars, writers, all lively. It is in a ballroom with tiny white lights. It is wonderful, I am wearing a white, wispy dress, brushed copper jewellery...

[not sure where this is going, but we will add to it when we can...]

---

"I came, I saw, I uncorked"

The following photos bring to mind postcards on the fridge of M. (and Alpha's) flat in Tewkesbury:

"By Jupiter, forgot! I am weary; yea, my memory is tired. Have we no wine here?" (Coriolanus)

 "Go fetch to me a pint o wine, And fill it in a silver tassie; That I may drink before I go, A service to my bonie lassie" (R. Burns)

So what shall it be, dear readers? We would so love for you to join us together for a glass, to share a drink together, for life, for travel, for challenge and adventure. If only we could be in the same place!

After a day of touring the Niagara wine region, we have two favorites (from the same winery!)

Locust Lane:

Or Terroir Cache Meritage:

We spent a beautiful, indulgent sun-filled day driving through familiar lanes of Jordan, Vineland, Beamsville, Ontario... wine country:

At Harbour Estates, with pinot grise, walking past rows of Cabernet Franc:

At times there was too much talking, not enough tasting! (or was that too much tasting and not enough picnicking? 

Tawse winery in Vineland, with their incredible biodynamic wine-making system... incredible wine too!!

And our collective favorite, Hidden Bench, where we had our picnic on the patio, with glasses of Locust Lane and Terroir Cache... (photo above)

Yes, the good life continues... 

And onwards we continue...

Writing Wanderer: none but ourselves can free our mind

27.08.2012

with the sunshine through the screen door, the writing continues:

what are we going to write about?

you tell me

no no this is supposed to be us together - what do you want to talk about?

i want to talk about time in London

i entered a new style of life in London. Now I am difficult to be at home because I want to travel

where do you want to go next?

You decide.

but what is it that you like so much about travelling, or about being somewhere different?

Unknown days, but it's good when its somewhere they speak English, because I want to understand! [laughing]

I want adventures

but what defines adventure?

you tell!!

ok, so it's basically like not knowing where you will end up, who you'll see, where you will walk... it's interesting, exciting and

different

but can i ask you something about 'disability'?

yes

some people just assume that, like some people with Autism, that you are more comfortable with routine

[laughs] autism is different, I need change!!

what is the first thing that pops into your head when you think, i have a disability

Not talking

I understand things, everything, but when my head wants to instead words never come out

so you have words in your head

all the time

i love wondering about if i could talk, all the parties i would arrive at, all kinds of parties, i want jewellery and wicked dresses

if you could have a hobby or something that includes what you love

I love hearing about peoples' life

but when you move and can't control your body movements, can you still hear or are there times when your body doesn't let you listen?



Look, I can move and listen! Multitask

and listen to music at the same time? [laughing]

Yes!!!!

"And there's people like you, oo, people like me, people need to free. There's a place in the sun, where there is love for everyone... We can carry on"

memories and magical moments

Since the last post, Omega and Alpha have continued their adventures through the daily grind of work, therapy, appointments, visits... but highlighted with a beautiful extended weekend in Minden and Georgian Bay.

Canning Lake Minden, is home to the cottage of dear friends. Omega and Alpha have been visiting this cottage since before Omega was born!! It is, as Alpha noted on the drive up the winding road off the motorway, the one consistent place that we have to return to from our childhood and Omega's infancy... all other houses and homes we used to know have changed in one way or another...

from left: Alpha, Mama, M., Olya

from left: Alpha, M., Omega with Mama

Alpha & Omega: present day

present day

Alpha w mama & Olya, 1988

And then there was Georgian Bay... paradise...