We spent a pretty perfect (perhaps, stereotypical) Canada Day weekend at the cottage with our friends Mike & Saba and their family. The weather couldn't be better, and the food and booze delicious and plentiful. We ticked off all the boxes: gorgeous sunsets over the lake, loons, fireworks and card games; check. And to top it off, we took a detour back to the city (completely avoiding the traffic) and visiting a favourite spot—the antique book and print shop in Lakefield. I picked up a few blog-worthy gems:

1. A pocket-sized Ward Locks's Guide to the Riviera, from 1940, complete with delicate fold-out maps of Genoa, San Remo, Monaco…

2. On the Slope of Montmartre by William Wallace Irwin, an autobiographical account of this Paris arrondissement from 1928, with illustrated introductions to his local baker, oyster-woman, favourite cafe, etc.

3. And who could resist this old photo of a sweet, grinning baby. I hope that person is still out there somewhere, smiling from ear to ear.

On our last visit to the bookstore Mike & Saba found an incredible old picture atlas of the world, so watch for that post in the coming weeks…