Fall has decended upon montreal this week. the leaves are turning and today i took out my jacket (and found $20 in the pocket! i love it when that happens!!)
friday afternoon-saturday evening i had a residence retreat up in the laurentines. we stayed in a beautiful cabin at a mennonite bretheren camp. the camp was situated right above a stream and beyond that a ways i looked out over the lake. it was complete with a rap-around porch, a glorious wood stove, and a slightly frightening amount of posters of mountains and sheep with bible verses in french. we ate good food, played games, did some "community conflict prevention", hiked, and napped by the fire. it was wonderful to be in some wide open space with no cement and honking horns for a while.


today i had training at a yoga centre yoga centre where i'm volunteering 3 hours a week in exchange for unlimited classes. i am a receptionist. i think i'll really enjoy it and greatly benefit from all the classes! yoga makes such a difference in my calmness and contentness. i'm really thankful to have found this opportunity. i also hope that it will be a good place to meet potential friends, as i have been finding that a bit challenging in this big city.

tonight i needed a warm supper, so i found this fabulously yummy recipe in one of my favorite cookbooks, La Dolce Vegan, by sarah kramer Sarah Kramer-
Coconut Curry Red Lentil Soup
(makes 4 large, or 4 small servings)
1 small onion, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 small yam/sweet potato, cubed
1 regular potato, cubed
2 C veg stock
1/2 C dried red lentils
1 tbsp curry paste, or 2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 (14 oz) can coconut milk
1/4 fresh cilantro, minced

in soup pot, cook onion in oil until they are translucent. add the garlic and celery and saute for 5 more minutes. add the yams, potato, spices, veg stock, and lentils. bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. taste lentil to make sure they are cooked. then turn off heat, add coconut milk and cilantro. blend (a hand blender works great) until the soup is smooth.... and serve with love.
absolutely delicious on it's own, or good with some toast, rice or salad!

bon semain mes amis, i love you and miss you all!