catching up after vacation

Actually, it’s been almost a week since our return from places north. Since then, I’ve been doing the usual frantic routine that occurs whenever I’m out of the studio for any extended period of time. Vacations require a lot of preparation and then a lot of catching up — they’re tiring! But finding inspiration in new places makes them well worth it.

This year we visited Montreal and Quebec City, mainly because I was hungering for some French culture. Yes, I know that French-Canadian is very different than French Parisian. But there are some similarities — cosmopolitan cities, a sense of historic proportion, and great food in cafes that encourage lingering over an espresso. While we were there, I have to admit to more than a few times forgetting that I wasn’t in some European city I’ve yet to visit — Quebec just doesn’t feel like North America to me.

Our favorite cafe was a place called Cafe Titanic, located close to our hotel in Old Montreal. Why it was called Cafe Titanic was a bit of a mystery — maybe because it was located below street level, in a subfloor? It was decorated with a slightly nautical theme, but nothing too obnoxious. Even though it was just before the lunch hour, small candles flickered invitingly on its walls. I loved the huge bowls of cafe au lait, which were sprinkled with a dash of cinnamon — just the thing to have right before setting off for some serious sightseeing — and the comfy upholstered booths, set against the dark wood interior. Just my kind of place!

We also enjoyed a high tea at the Chateau Frontenac, an experience enhanced by the knowledge that my in laws had enjoyed their honeymoon there 55 years earlier — and here we were with their granddaughter! The tea was complete with a tea sommelier who brought around a tray of fresh teas for us to combine into new combinations. One of the teas was maple-flavored — not surprising for a country that features a maple leaf upon its flag. Oh, and a lot of good bookstores featuring books not-necessarily-published in the US.

What else did we do? Besides Canada, we spent a week in Vermont at a family reunion. Thea had a wonderful time with her older cousin Daisy, who was glad to do kid stuff with her, like visiting secret beaches, playing ball, dressing up teddy bears, painting faces and running around laughing.

And now we are back.Though I was away, the New Book was never far from my thoughts. In my studio, I have a piles of research materials to plow through. It was nice to have a break from this blog, knowing that it was well served in my absence by Elizabeth, Lisa and Karen. I did manage to get a little writing in this week, but frankly, most of the week was devoted to running errands and paperwork — life maintenance, in other words.

And now it’s back to work!

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