nadine at home kids.jpg

Hi.

I'm Nadine. Thanks for stopping by. The floors are creaky, the kids are loud, but the door's always open and the coffee's always on.

Make yourself at home.

Meeting My Childhood

Nerd alert. Matt and I went for a walk to the bank this afternoon. (Perks to working from home include being able to run midday errands while the sun is still out.) On our way back through Roncesvalles — Note to self: Someday, somehow, buy a house in that neighbourhood — Matt suggested a coffee break.

He sipped espresso, I ordered an eggnog-flavoured cup of joe, and we sat in a back corner. A few minutes into our impromptu midday date, I noticed a waitress walk by carrying two cookies. I was distracted. I want a cookie! My cookie-following gaze led me to its intended customer.

I froze.

I grinned stupidly.

I made Matt look to his left, then said aloud, "I was checking out those wreaths behind you. I think I want to make an ornament wreath for our front hall," as if covering my weird look-over-the-shoulder tick.

Then I texted my across-the-table husband: "I think FRED PENNER is sitting beside us."

Yep. He was. Eating a cookie.

Swap out the guitar for a cookie, and this is what he looked like.

I had zero nerve to speak to him. None.

As we got up to leave, Matt turned around to SHAKE HIS HAND.

Ack.

MATT: …and this is my wife, Nadine. ME: My brother says you're the greatest guitar player to ever climb through a log and talk to a bird. FRED "ALWAYS AWESOME" PENNER: (laughing) That's a pretty narrow category.

Phew. He didn't roll his eyes at me.

And then he did what all respectable Canadian musicians do: He invited us to his show on Thursday.

And, yes, I'll probably be there.

From Joel:

Matt says he's chuffed.

Yes.

Healthy Eating is Easy

Goodbye, 2003