A Very Valentine Day For All

February 14, 2018 By Monika Sammut

First of all, Happy Valentine’s Day! Second, I know that this will not be a popular sentiment with many…but I don’t care! I love the pink, the red, the hearts, and the flowers. And chocolate….most of all the chocolate! Not just any old drugstore milk stuff, but the dark flavored truffles rolled by tiny fairy hands in a sweet little shop somewhere in Paris. Clearly I live in a dream land built for two because I have a boy that actually makes this happen.

Over the last few years, the day of love has seen many haters jump on the “anti-Valentine’s Day” bandwagon. Don’t get me wrong, I realize that a commercialized version of the day was thrust on us by a company hellbent on selling a pile of cards. Most restaurants and flower shops hike up their prices for services that on regular days cost at least 25% less. Our significant others start to feel societal pressures to live up to romanticized versions of themselves, while singles are supposed to throw themselves off rooftops or hide under blankets on couches. What nonsense. All of it!

And yet…I think it’s a day worth celebrating. Lets look at Valentine’s Day and what it means one step at a time. Valentine’s has a long history that seems to start with some guy called Saint Valentine, move through pagan fertility rites of Lupercalia, the beginning of bird mating season in the Middle Ages (this one made me laugh), hand written exchange of love letters during the turn of the last century, until finally somebody was smart enough to cash in on all this mushy love stuff (but why begrudge someone a brilliant idea).

The loudest objections to the day appear to be financial and the fact that love should be celebrated every day, not just once a year. And I can’t really disagree with this either. Except, we don’t seem to have any qualms about throwing coins around on other days. We spend like crazy on ourselves and others for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, girls’ weekends, or what we just call “shopping sprees” or “self care”. Many of these “other” days also only come around once a year.

And yes, love shouldn’t be reserved for one day. We should be spreading the love and feeling it all year long. But let’s face it, this doesn’t happen. Life happens. So why is it so bad to get a nudge from the calendar, a little reminder, that love is all around us, in many forms. So reach out to your boy, your girl, friend, family, pets, neighbours, even strangers (I did!). Surprise them. And surprise yourself with how good it feels to spread some love.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!

Welcome 2018…I hope

January 12, 2018 By Monika Sammut

At the start of this year I wanted to write a post about my love of new beginnings, of fresh starts. Yet here I am, ten days later, finally sitting down to click away on the keyboard. And I’ve come to realize two things. I have major procrastination issues (to be addressed somehow…this year…maybe) and I seem to love the IDEA of new beginnings more than the fresh start they promise.

The mere idea of starting something in the future embodies HOPE. And hope gives us the momentum to keep moving forward. We may not reach a goal, or even start one, yet the concept of wanting something better allows us to look forward to a better life. It gives us the impetus to keep dreaming and working toward something…even if it’s just in our heads.

So in the New Year I hope to live better, eat better, save more and be kinder to myself and others. And instead of starting on January 1st or Monday or my birthday, I will start and restart whenever I feel I can and continue looking forward to improving myself and my life. And to be honest, I don’t even want to reach any of my goals. The intentions I have set for myself don’t have an end date. They are commitments I want to continue getting better at for the rest of my life.

Besides resolutions are so 2017!

Exploring the Aga Khan Museum

December 17, 2017 By Monika Sammut

This blog post took more time than I would have expected. Part of my reticence in writing about this particular funventure was that our first attempt at visiting the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto ended with the boy and I involved in a rather serious multiple car accident that shut down the highway and sent people to the hospital. The boy had to undergo quite a few physio sessions in the months that followed, while our vehicle got its own special brand of surgery. It took some time and a bit of a nerve wracking first drive back to Toronto, but I was determined to pay a visit to this hidden cultural gem.

The Aga Khan Museum is situated in a rather unassuming area of Toronto just off the Don Valley Parkway. Sitting in the oozing Toronto traffic allows you to glimpse a modern geometric structure that doesn’t quite fit into the suburban landscape its been placed in. However, this is a perfect introduction to this museum.

It is a place that is meant to shake up your knowledge on a culture and religion that few of us know anything about. Displayed in a beautifully serene setting, belied by the exterior of the building, the permanent collection consists of paintings, objects, and architectural pieces from civilizations of the Muslim world. A particular emphasis is placed on the Arab Near East, Iran, and Hindustan, highlighting the distinctive character of each culture under the Muslim and Islamic umbrellas.

Both the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions are well thought out, highlighting important pieces that impart both knowledge and a cultural awakening. For a few hours, on a quiet Saturday morning, the boy and I were immersed in a beautiful foreign world that left us speechless until the end.

20171021_104516 (2) The manuscript painting on the right caught my attention in particular. It’s titled “The Cremation of Talkhand and the Grief of His Mother” and dates to the 17th century. What I found interesting when reading the display sign was that this scene depicts an event that is connected to the creation of the game of chess.

Apparently when the queen found out about the death of her son Talkhand at the hand of his brother, she was so distraught that she set the palace on fire and planned on dying by throwing herself on a pyre. Gav, the murdering brother, tried to stop her. and explain the tragic events of a battle that lead to the death of Talkhand by inventing the game of chess.

The boy and I were invited to take a sneak peak into the private Patron’s Lounge where members can relax and enjoy snacks and beverages while overlooking panoramic views of Toronto. However, you don’t have to be a member to enjoy top quality dining service at the museum.

I speak from experience that the Diwan restaurant, under the direction of one of Toronto’s top chefs, Mark McEwan, is an unforgettable experience both for the food and the atmosphere. The decor, harking to the luxury of private Syrian homes of the early 19th century, sets the scene for an innovative meal inspired by the Middle East, North Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. We spent two hours over various starter plates and glasses of Moroccan tea while in a discussion with a pair of diners at the table next to us. What an experience!

Despite of inauspicious start to our first visit to the Aga Khan Museum, I was delighted that making the effort to explore this relatively new addition to Toronto’s cultural scene was worth it. With the warmest of invitations I encourage you to visit the museum if you have the chance.

A Lunch at Langdon Hall

September 25, 2017 By Monika Sammut

A trip to the elegant and luxurious Langdon Hall has been on my “must do” list for something like….forever! The beautiful Relais & Châteaux designated estate (the only such property in Ontario) offers a unique hotel, spa and restaurant experience. Based on a strict criteria for the highest order of service, character, and cuisine, it is a favoured destination for special anniversaries and birthdays. The perfect place to pamper your body and your belly.

After months of hint dropping about this gourmet food heaven, the boy planned a funventure escape to Cambridge with a lunch reservation in the Main Dining Room of the Hall. With the sun high in the sky, we made the one hour drive that concluded with a treelined winding drive to the 75-acre estate and the mansion on top of the hill.

The massive main house sits surrounded by woods, an orchard, and private seasonal gardens that are a primary source for the Langdon kitchen. As we made our way around the estate, a soft murmur of conversation drifted from the area around the sparkling lily pond where guests engulfed in fluffy robes flitted between the spa, the pool, and the former stables turned guest suites. This is what I call “la dolce vita” – the sweet life.

But the boy and I headed for the dining room of the 120-year-old main house and the star attraction of Langdon Hall, the seasonal creative cuisine that I had been salivating over for months.

Although most of the guests chose the sunny patio for their lunch spot, we sat in the cool of the dining room and feasted on beautifully presented mains and gloriously rich desserts served with tea from Langdon Hall’s extensive tea collection (they offer 48 varieties!). With prices representative of the quality of ingredients and service, the cost of a meal may be prohibitive to some but I have three words for all those considering a visit….ALL WORTH IT! We were blown away by all aspects of what Landgon Hall has to offer. Not only were we treated to an exquisite meal and attentive service, but the buildings and the grounds reflect the the highest level of care and attention to detail. A visit to Langdon Hall truly feels like an escape into luxury…even if for a few hours. I hope you experience it yourself soon!

Enchanted Vilnius

August 18, 2017 By Monika Sammut

Sometimes taking a leap of faith, or a road trip, to a place unknown can lead to the most beautiful surprises. When my cousin proposed a visit to Vilnius, Lithuania during my three week stay in Europe, I wasn’t immediately swept off my feet. I dreamt of Vienna, Prague or Stockholm. The small country of Lithuania was never on my radar as a tourist destination. Images of many former eastern block nations danced in my head like a depressing film noir. What could I possibly see or enjoy in Lithuania for one day, let alone three! I was primed to be enchanted.

The six hour comfort bus ride from Bialystok (for which I paid $38 round trip!) to Vilnius was filled with naps and stork spotting, wifi and snacks. I barely realized how much time had passed when we pulled into Lithuania’s capital city. A city where almost 700 years of history mingles to highlight its past with the emerging bright future. Where any visitor with euros in their pocket and speaking nothing more than English can feel at ease. Where I was reminded of how much this city and country were a part of my own Polish heritage.

As always it is near impossible to present in a few words and photos what a country or a city has to offer. There are so many beautiful places around the world that need to be seen with your own eyes. I’m still slowly checking off my extensive travel list, as each year I make a choice between seeing something new or returning to a place I have come to love.