Truffe | Schokolade & Lifestyle

I love exploring and not knowing what lies around each corner, the anticipation of what you might see. Better yet, I love turning a corner and discovering a little hole in the wall filled with treasures. In my wanderings through Zurich I came across Truffe, and was drawn in by the elegant window display (ok... and the promise of chocolate!). It was not only filled with chocolate from around the world, but also luxurious accessories and elegant gifts, including tea, wine, books and dishes. Elisabetta created an exquisite concept store filled with treasures... and while I sipped my real hot chocolate, I got lost in all the wonderful details that separate Truffe from all others. Truly beautiful Elisabetta! Thank you for the wonderful conversation and tasty hot chocolate!

Zurich b+w

The last time I walked Zurich, it was just after sunrise, on a beautiful sunny day. This time, the weather wasn't so much in my favor, and I was forced to see parts of Zurich I would have otherwise missed... the details in the back streets, elaborate store windows and deserted coffee shops. I sat for over an hour in a boutique chocolate shop sipping real hot chocolate... I wandered, I got lost, I had a wonderful day exploring and experiencing a different side of Zurich.

Bicycle Love

He was my grandfather. We called him Papa. He was a simple man, from what I remember, from the stories I've been told. He was a war veteran. He fell in love overseas and brought his Dutch bride home. He was a mailman and refused any promotions that took him off his walking route. He loved people. People loved him. He was a photographer. He documented life. His passion was trains, and he would travel anywhere and everywhere to photograph them. His collection is one of the largest in Canada. Every photograph he took, he printed as an 8x10 and wrote the location, date and subject names. His home was filled with filing cabinets to house all these images, and he knew where each and every one was. He walked or rode his bike everywhere. One of my favorite stories is that he was pulled over by a policeman from riding his bike too fast down the old Royal Oak hill Road. What I would pay to witness that scene... priceless...

What I really loved about Papa was that when I moved to Vancouver, he would telephone me and say "Hi darling, I was hoping to call on you today". He was an absolute gentleman.

To this day, when I see an older bike, I think of him... my Papa, camera slung over his shoulder, slacks and polished shoes, riding faster than the speed limit down a steep hill... off to capture his next train.

I miss you, Papa... xoxo

Walking Verona

Now officially one of my favorite cities in Italy, Verona has a quaint feel yet it is still large enough to have a great selection of restaurants and an ample maze of streets for me to get lost. Sitting in the piazza's drinking carafes of the local Valpolicella, wandering along the canals and feeling the soft evening light... it's all heaven to me. I look forward to my next visit... xoxo