Since there seems to be interest in renewal timeliens I figured may as well share mine as well as some contextual information I've read as questions.

If there is enough interest - perhaps I'll share some additional passport pictures (e.g. expired passports).

Canadian Passport Renewal Timeline:

• Day 00 / BD 00 11:00 - Submited Paperwork to Embassy (In Person)
• Day 13 / BD 07 12:01 - Notification: Passport ready for Pickup
• Day 22 / BD 14 14:50 - Picked up Passport from Embassy (In Person)

USA Passport Renewal Timeline:

• Day 00 / BD 00 13:00 - Submited Paperwork to Consulate (In Person)
• Day 16 / BD 12 08:24 - Notification: Application Approved
• Day 16 / BD 12 19:31 - Notification: Passport mailed to Consulate
• Day 21 / BD 15 13:14 - Notification: Passport ready for pickup
• Day 22 / BD 16 13:30 - Passport Pickup from Consulate (In Person)

General Notes:

• I renewed in-person from the closest consulate / embassy in Europe.
• Both renewals were in the last year (too close together... but further apart than 10 years ago, at least!) and neither was expedited.
• Thankfully my European Passport doesn't renew for another couple years.
• Day is the Calendar Day starting at 0 (when I submitted the paperwork)
• BD is the Business Day starting at day 0 (when I submitted the paperwork) and taking account of both local and issuing-country public holidays and weekends.

Canada Notes:

• I was required to go in person to apply in the Consular section of the Embassy in the Capital City of the country where I live.
• I could have set up a courier to deliver the passport to me. To do so I would have to sign a document stating I was responsible for the Courier's actions; I felt going in person was less of a risk.
• I made the payment online in advance and brought a printout of the proof of payment with my application form.
• I paid the additional fee ($45) to keep using my valid passport while processing the replacement.
• For my 2 Referenes I used 2 Canadian Citizens I have known for years - one locally in Europe, one back in Canada. Neither was contacted (this time)
• The Candian Passport's Cover is significantly less substantial than past Canadian covers or the current European & US one.
• There is only one size currently being issued - 38 pages.
• FYI - you can find information on renewing Canadian Passports from outside USA/Canada here - or you can visit your local embassy / consulate webpage to find the local policies and procedures.

USA Notes:

• I opted to renew in person at the local Consulate. (There is a "nearby" US Consulate, so I did not have to travel to the capital for the embassy)
• I was encouraged to mail my paperwork to the consulate and submit a postage-paid return envelope; but it is more convenient (and less post risk & time) for me to go in person.
• I could have paid online, but I made the US Passport payment by credit card in the consulate (a good choice considering I ended up paying $30 more to get both book and card at the same time - and would have had to make two payments otherwise)
• I was planning to separately renew my Passport Book & Passport Card (as they are separate documents - and one of them wasn't expiring for another 8 months) - but - the representative convinced me to renew them both at once: They let me hold on to the old passport & card and confirmed they would remain active until I picked up my replacement from the consualte and she deactivated them.
• I ordered a "Standard" US Passport book (26 Pages) - but they sent me the Large Book (50 pages) anyway.
• My US Passport was expired, but US Passport Card had another 9 months of validity at time of renewal (I waited longer than usual to try to separate my US & Canadian Passport Expiration / Renewal - renewing both passports in short order is a PITA, as I found out 10 years ago)
• FYI - you need to go to your local embassy / consulate website to find out the relevant local policies for applying for a renewal from outside the USA & Canada.