A few weeks ago I celebrated my birthday. I never use to make a big deal out of my birthday but lately I’ve really been embracing it. I mean “why not”, right?

In previous years, I’ve travelled (click here to read more)  or threw a big party (click here to read more). This  year, I took the day off (which I’ve never done before but know lots of people who practice this tradition) and started to celebrate my birthday a week in advance!!

Here’s the details:

a) I went to a Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa  to have a much needed facial. For me, this is a real treat and a real reminder to take care of my skin more often.

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa has 26 locations throughout the GTA and offers facials, massages, waxing and other services, 7 days a week. They also offer a membership program that is free with no fees to join or cancel. #loveit.

After the facial, my skin was glowing.

I seriously need to become a member. Just like I need to allocate funds for “coffee” I need to allocate funds for “self care and wellness” too.

b) I also went to the Drake Devonshire in Prince Edward County. It took me 3 years to visit this hotel but I finally did it. It was everything I had been reading about and more. Every inch of this hotel is out of a design magazine…the tiles, the wall paper, the water pitcher in your room, the signage etc. It’s uber unique and I can see why this hotel is so popular (book well ahead – i.e. months ahead).

Just adored every inch of this property.

True Story: I was at the Drake Devonshire in the summer of 1996 when it was a bed and breakfast.

As for my eating adventures in PEC: (Prince Edward County)

-Lunch: Can’t Escape the Crepe. (206 Main St. Picton, ON)

-Coffee: The Vic Cafe (222 Main St, Picton ON)

-Dinner: The Drake Devonshire

-Lunch #2: The County Yum Club (13633 Loyalist Parkway, PEC)

Many thanks to my Instagram friend @judyhsilverberg for the recommendations. They were all perfect suggestions.

It was a great birthday! No complaints about anything…except perhaps the weather which has been really crappy in April over the last few years!!

Curious to know if you have any birthday traditions. Do share.

Disclosure: I was provided a complimentary treatment from Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, however all my opinions are my own.

My mom lives in Ottawa and I live in Toronto, therefore to meet in Kingston for  a weekend, is ideal. We did it last year and said we would do it again so we did. Exactly one year later!!

We stayed at the lovely Four Points Sheraton both last year and this year. We love the location, the service and the spacious updated rooms.

As for the meals. We repeated the same meals too.!!

We had dinner at Lukes Gastronomy again and have no regrets about eating there two years in a row. We love his creativity, his commitment to using local ingredients, the presentation, and his use of flavors. Luke is a 20 year old self taught chef and he is certainly a chef to be watching!!

I had a main course that was out of this world called “Fields of Jamnagar”: curry, mango, lassi, coconut, tomato, rasam, lentil, rice and lime pickle.

For dessert, we split the “testosterone”: vanilla tobbaco, scotch, coffee, and honey dates. I received a tweet from @mattkantor saying I should try the “estrogen” but we had the testosterone last year and I’m simply in love with this dessert. It’s nothing short of brilliant.

On our trip to Sandbanks we make sure to stop off at Schroeder’s Bakery for some home made donuts. I read about it on Chowhound and put this on my list of  “where to eat”. LOL.  We also made sure to stop into Buddhas Dog where we were treated to some whoopie pies and where we bumped into @laurenendorphin and her hubby. Small world.

On the beach, we needed dinner, so we picked up some sandwiches from Panchancho Bakery on our way out of Kingston and we werent disappointed. (we did the same thing last year….do you see a pattern here?). Not to mention, we had a pain au chocolat for the drive to Sandbanks, that was perfect. (i.e I’m so glad I dont live in Kingston..LOL)

After a long day at the beach, we were in despearate need of  a beer. The Sizzle Restaurant and Bar, which was convenientely located at the bottom of the Four Points Sheraton…came to our rescue. We both enjoyed a Shock Top Belgian White Beer. Infact I enjoyed it so much, I had two!!

On our last day, we enjoyed a sit down breakfast at Panchancho. We both ordered the same thing (like mother like daughter). A fennel/apple salad that was accompanied by a horseradish egg salad with smoked salmon on top of a slice of St. Johns bread. We demolished it.

My mom and I, plan to repeat the same weekend next year. Same hotel. Same restaurants. There is no need to mix things up!!

Info:

Lukes Gastronomy:  26 Princess, Kingston

Pan Chancho Bakery: 44 Princess St, Kingston

Buddhas Dog: 172 Main St, Picton

Schroeder’s Bakery: corner of hwy 62 and country road 1 (just outside of Picton)

Four Points Sheraton: 285 King St. East, Kingston

I’ve just returned from Picton as I attended the first ever – Great Canadian Cheese Festival.

The festival was held at Cyrstal Palace Fairgrounds, in Picton from June 3rd to 5th, with a full schedule that included: A Cheese Tour, Tutuored Tastings and Seminars, a Gala dinner and more.

I decided that a day trip to attend the Sunday Artisan Cheese and Fine Food Fair would be perfect.  I am SO glad I attended. First of all – I love cheese. Second of all – it allowed me to visit Picton. How could I not go?

The venue was stunning. There were some vendors inside a gorgeous building and some vendors outside under tents. I really did enjoy the setting. Who was there? Lots of cheese makers, lots of wine, a nice variety of beer ,and a few food vendors. I can’t complain.

I enjoyed many of  the cheese samples (with about 4 lactaid pills) and was thrilled to be introduced to new cheeses.

I discovered :

• Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co. introduced a new cheese called Morning Moon TODAY.
• Prime Ridge Pure will be rolling out their first cheese EVER – next week
• Fromagerie Medard will be introducing a new cheese called Belle-Mere next week
• Upper Canada Cheese has a new cheese called Cottage Gold.

More discoveries: I loved the presentation of these chocolates that were infused with wines from Mercury Chocolates (located in Cobourg).What a beautiful dinner gift for someone who loves wine and chocolate!!

Seeing as the Crystal Palace was so close to the main street in Picton, I had to make a stop at Buddhas Dog (172 Main). I was eager to try Chef Flynns’ (who I met by the way) dragon breath mousse with rhubarb compote and locally grown asparagus on a home made hot dog bun. I  was happy!! Thanks to @OntarioCulinary for the great recommendation.

It was the first year that the Cheese Festival took place and I understand that it will be an annual event. I am thrilled for them. Congratulations to George Kolesnikovos who is the founder and director. I’m sure each year will get bigger and better.  Here’s a picture of George – he was easy to find!!

Looking forward to attending next year!!