At the same time, I realized what I don’t like about moving. As much as I try to embrace change, I’m only human, and I find I’m a little apprehensive about losing our favorite local spaces like Buka’s Cafe, Sushi In Sushi, and our bakery. It’s a little scary trying to find new favorite places and new grocery stores and a pet store that carries our food and litter in one place. But all of those are really just things that take some adjusting to. The important thing is home is where the heart is, and mine is here.

Lake Aquitaine is (was) in our backyard. Now I’m sure there will be picturesque places in Oakville for Tom and I to visit for our daily walks and bike rides, but Lake Aquitaine was quite a joy and miniature retreat for us- I feel like these photos just don’t do it justice.

Of course, like the big goof I am, I asked if the bike was for sale. It wasn’t, but she gave me a card for the bike distributor, and that’s how I found Spokes ‘N Slopes in Milton, and I cannot say enough about the darling couple (or their lovely dog Bernie) behind this local shop. When I phoned Matt I was very honest and admitted shopping around and that I was pretty set on what I wanted, but would prefer to go through a local shop. He laughed and said he’d prefer that too, and when I told him about my dream bike he said, “How tall are you? I might have just the bike.” And boy, did he ever. I knew the moment I saw her she was the one. She was exactly like the bike I’ve had pinned to the vision board by the bed for the last year. Like, exactly- and with every spec she just kept getting better. She had the hub I wanted, the brakes, the color, she was half the price of ordering online or in Toronto, everything was perfect. Matt even special ordered her a brass bell and wicker basket.

Basically, thank you Spokes ‘N Slopes for uniting me with my dream bike.

And, because it’s technically Caturday, I present you with a super adorable cat photo I shared on my Facebook last night.

I woke up one morning a few weeks ago to discover overnight had risen a sea of dandelions. Suddenly it was warm enough to bring out the sundresses, sunglasses, floppy hats and a bike if I had one. Maybe this summer will be the summer I treat myself to a dutch bike.

This post was sitting in my draft box for a few weeks, but I pulled it out today and to my surprise part of it isn’t relevant anymore. Usually when that happens I just remove those bits and rewrite new things to share, but this time I couldn’t. This week I found the bike of my dreams, her name is Penelope, and we’ve already started having adventures together. You guys have been with me since the beginning on this one, and I’m so excited that you can share in my excitement. I apologize in advance if this summer’s posts are filled with sundress, floppy hats, and bike porn- well, only sorry if you don’t appreciate that sort of thing.

I am also currently obsessing over the idea of back-lit (and I guess side-light, if we’re being technical here) food.

Enter The Silver Snail. Last week Krysta and I we wandering downtown after meeting up at the Magic Oven with Julie and as we were crossing the street we saw the sign for “Silver Snail Comics & Cafe”. And there was a cut out TARDIS in the window. And that was that. We went in.

Inside people were gaming at their tables, there were statues of comic heroes (Batman OH MY GOSH), and an amazing metal replica of R2-D2, and a map of Middle Earth on the wall. It was AWESOME. I couldn’t stop vocalizing how cool everything was, I knew everyone in the cafe was pretty desensitized to the whole idea- but to me, seeing all the 20 sided die and cards littering tables was something I never thought I’d see! We sat and talked about life, swapped lenses for fun, and Krysta asked me if I’d Gibson Tuck her hair (I said yes, of course!). It was a great time and a fabulous way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I’m definitely know where I’m bringing my sister and friends when they visit again.

Looking back a lot happened in just the last two months. We had spring, followed by a week of really weird freezing rain and sunlight, and back to winter again. Target opened in Canada (just in time to help decorate the new studio space- which also happened this month). We’re also moving to a new city which is like a bigger version of Traverse City, the town I moved here from (and my mother and sisters still live).

Tom and I have a few “must take pictures of” before we leave checklist, and of course I’ll be sharing those as well. It’s crazy to think that five years ago we were meeting in person for the first time after knowing each other for seven years online. It’s crazy to think that five years ago we were living in a 350 sq ft space just to be together, and now we’ll be leaving our very first apartment together. It’s bittersweet, I’m excited and also a little sad. (But mostly excited for our new adventure together.)

The Little Toronto Photo club had a meet up at The Magic Oven, a small pizzeria tucked in beside a camera shop, with delicious personal pan pizzas as well as desserts! They even use dairy free cheese alternatives! HUZZAH DELICIOUS. (This is where I fist pump the sky.)