I always get a little sad when the calendar turns to August, because I start thinking too much about the summer ending. It just motivates me to spend as much time outside and at the pool as I can, and eat as many tomatoes and peaches as possible. Here’s what else was going on in August:

  • I went to my friend Georgia’s to see her new house, and she cooked/grilled up the most incredible feast! Highlights were her fresh Caprese Salad and grilled Haloumi, plus so many other summer salads. I brought a batch of these Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies, and our friend Lauren said they were the best cookies she’s every had in her life!
  • My friends and I went to Pai, which I haven’t been to in YEARS (shout out my old friend Andrew who introduced me to Pai back in 2014) and it was so amazing. I was pretty #basic and ordered Pad Thai, but I loved it! Also – who knew that some of the cocktails are named after Raptors players?! Spicy P! Goji Anunoby! Scotchie Barnes!
  • Weedy, Krishna and I met up on the patio at Mascot for a little summer reunion with drinks and snacks. This used to be our old hangout El Caballito, so I get super nostalgic whenever we go back. We shared some Shrimp Po Boy Sliders and Fried Brussels Sprouts and they were both so good.
  • Tik Tok influenced me to make a reservation at Chiang Mai in Liberty Village for me and Sarah before we headed to a concert at Molson Ampitheatre. I was simply starving when we got there, so we ordered so many things to try: Thai Shrimp Rolls, Sweet Potato Fritter, Crispy Chicken and Panang Curry. Everything was fantastic and I’d definitely go back.
  • Lydia and I met up at Stoney’s for lunch and didn’t know how to act! I’ve been getting take-out from there during the pandemic, but haven’t eaten inside for ages. We couldn’t remember if we chose our own table, or were supposed to wait to be seated, and I had to remember to go pour our waters at the water station. We were cracking ourselves up! Anyway, we split our faves, a Balsamic Chicken Sandwich and a Goat Cheese Salad and both were perfect.
  • Here’s my recipe round-up for the month:
  • Stuff I made from the archives: Chicken Shawarma Hummus Bowl, Kale Caesar, Pineapple Chicken Tacos with Jalapeno Ranch Slaw, Peach & Pecan Summer Salad
  • Some of my favourite go-to dishes: So much Tomato Toast and a few BLTs with the best in-season Ontario tomatoes. I look forward to this every year!
  • New things that I tried and liked: Spinach, Bacon & Egg Breakfast Sandwiches (I love the concept of these make-ahead breakfast sandwiches and finally tried them out – OBSESSED. Will definitely make again and document the process here)
  • Homemade Snacks! (a new category for as long as I keep making them): Pecan Pie Energy Bites

Other non-foodie things I was obsessed with this month:

  • I made a triumphant return to live theatre this month, and saw & Juliet with my friend Jess and it was SO MUCH FUN! I also learned after that this is called a jukebox musical, where instead of original music, it uses existing songs. In this case, it’s all the songs of Max Martin, so we’re talking Britney, BSB, Katy Perry, The Weeknd and on and on. I just loved it and was dancing in my seat the whole time.
  • Kristine and I went to see Thor: Love & Thunder and it felt so good to be back in the VIP watching a GOOD Marvel movie (unlike last summer when we watched The Eternals….snooze…)
  • I don’t read a lot of thriller/suspense books, but picked up I’ll Be You because it was about twins who are former child stars (Mary Kate & Ashley vibes!), one of whom joins a cult. OBSESSED!

Flashback!