scenes from a little village

Wednesday, August 12, 2009




sesame bagels

Monday I had just arrived at my friend Harry's little retail shop for my 7 hour shift when the phone rang Good morning - little gift and and home decor store - Susan speaking. The voice on the other end said Hi Susan it's Margaret from across the street at the little second hand and vintage store. I just wanted to tell you that we have Montreal bagels in - 6.75 a dozen. I replied Great ! I'll be right over. I put the Back in a 5 mins note on my door and ran across the street to pick up a dozen Montreal sesame bagels.

Later that evening Winnie D and I were walking back from the crescent beach, just near the park and under the gigantic old poplar trees when a familiar white van pulled up beside us. Margaret's husband Peter who looks after the little antique store. Hi, Susan. Beautiful evening. I was just wondering. Do you like bagels ? I smiled and replied I already picked mine up Thanks. He said Great, good - see ya later then and he continued on his drive. Bye.

Back when I was a young graphic designer, fresh out of art school I lived in Montreal - on the Plateau. I had a few different addresses but my final address was Fairmount - just up the street from the Fairmount Bagel shop. We would walk there with a coat thrown over our pajamas on a weekend morning and walk back to the apartment with a brown paper bag filled with chewy hot bagels fresh from the wood burning ovens.

The homemade strawberry jam (top photo) is a gift from Sue at the post office.

17 comments:

  1. What nice thoughtful neighbours!

    But I just don't get bagels.... flaky croissants, yes, Edinburgh morning rolls, yes, doorstep slices of crusty loaves, yes, but chewy bagels? No, I just don't. I hope you loved yours, though!

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  2. i love that margaret! you style food, and all things, beautifully. breakfast with susan in a little village. perfect.

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  3. Positively scrumptious looking.....may I join you? Such nice neighbors and friends!!!

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  4. What a lovely place...we might just all show up on your doorstep! :)

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  5. Montreal bagels - with cream cheese and lox - what heaven! Living here in Montreal sometimes you take for granted those freshly bakes bagels - thanks for the reminder. I am picking some up today and will have one with you!
    XXX000 J

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  6. You did save me one? I'll have mine with cream cheese and homemade blackberry jam when it arrives! :) xoxo to the les gang!

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  7. Hard to find that sort of village camaraderie these days! Isn't it wonderful! And tasty!

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  8. Yum! Those bagels look REALLY good! I just wanted to drop you a comment and let you know I enjoy reading your blog. Thank you!

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  9. How cool is that...walking to the Fairmount Bagel shop in your jams on a weekend morning for bagels fresh from wood burning stoves. I can almost picture it. I've never been to Montreal. Hope you enjoyed your bagels with a few slips to les gang!

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  10. Oh yes, I grew up in Montreal on Fairmount and St. Viateur bagels. I understand the difference is that these are Romanian bagels. Anyway they are different and much better.

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  11. Oh yummy...we could smell that bagel over here.
    Benny & Lily

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  12. I just saw your comment to MMM about having your coffee in bed! I do that, too! In fact, I have my coffee maker on my bedside table and program it like an alarm clock! Just had to say hi...I thought I was the only one! :) It is a wonderful, peaceful way to start the day, isn't it?

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  13. Oh, man... THIS is what I love about little villages - just like our own. Quirky days, full of unexpected delights. What a lovely story.

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  14. Amazing Blog..
    Great posts...
    Nostalgic musings..:)
    Just beautiful!!
    Will be back to read more of your posts..

    Blog rolling you!!!!
    Keep up the great work..
    You write using a simple style and yet so poignant...!!
    Will be back..
    Keep writing!!!

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  15. they look wonderful and i wish i had some of that jam. i smiled at your story of going to get bagels in your pajamas. sometimes my hubby and i drive to the local dairy queen in our pajamas and go thru the drive-thru for an ice cream. life is good when you can do fun things in your pajamas!

    hugs to all of you at 29 black street!

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  16. i'll have some of that jam with you, thank you very much! Mmm.

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