With back to school came back to work.  This year, I’ve extended my hours and will be working in a second elementary school.  Little did I know that the place would be so nice, small neighborhood school, close-knit community, warm and welcoming.  Apart from the workplace, what captured my imagination are the school’s surroundings. On the first day, I fell in love with that little church overlooking the water, steps away from the parking lot.  I knew I had to take my big camera there as soon as I could.  So, this week I managed to do it.  I had 15 minutes to walk around the place, before hitting the road and going to pick my son from hockey. I had to be focused and efficient.

It’s September… So far it has been warmer in these last days than this summer, so even if our routine has set into it’s comfortable habits, we’re still enjoying bits of summer. Pretending Autumn is not coming soon. Yes, we’re back into our school year routine, that means I’m back to my day job and to my organized self. Lunches, meals and groceries planned. Schedule filled and posted on the fridge. Work projects already lined-up and notebook pages full of ideas. Hockey and volleyball schedules taking what little time left I have. Crazy! But fun!

How did that happen? School starts in a week.  Every year I’m faced with the realization that summer went by and I want to hold on to it as much as I can.  It can’t be real?  Autumn will be here before we even had a summer.  I’m still longing for warm lazy days.

The crappy weather of the last weeks left me with a darn summer cold which turned into a sinus infection.  Summer colds are nasty.  You should be out lounging by the pool in your swimsuit when instead you’re sneezing and coughing wrapped in a blanket.  In August!  What a frustrating thing a summer cold is!

One of the things I love the most about summer is going to the farmer’s market.  We are lucky to have a beautiful and big market close-by in Montreal, in the heart of the Little Italy district, it makes for a perfect outing.  Food, coffee, cannolis, it can’t get any better!  Of course there are many smaller markets you can enjoy too, but this one is a landmark.  The abundance of fresh, local fruits and veggies offered at the market is overwhelming.  So many to choose from and we couldn’t possibly eat all we’re craving for.  Prices are much cheaper than the same products bought from the supermarket, and you get local produce, which is still something we need to fight for if we want local produce in the supermarket stands. They tend to go for mass imported produce.

Our family vacation this summer started with a trip to Cuba.  Could be worse, really.  I’ve always loved Cuba.  Love the place, love the people.  Of course, the white sand beaches, turquoise sea and bright sun makes it a perfect destination too.
Our vacation was spent on the resort, which doesn’t give you a taste of what Cuba is really about but makes for great family time.  I thought the kids were still a bit too young to go out under the 45C sun all day discovering the city without whining.  That was the choice I made this time, but the next time, I’ll make sure to immerse the kids in the real Cuba.  If you’re going without kids there are plenty of day trips and outings you can plan.