Special Date and Time

Season's greetings all!

Only a few more sleeps until the music and joyous stress of the holidays are put to rest for another year, and we get to actually enjoy what it's all supposed to be about.

But what do we do between this day and that? I know there must be many a time-honored tradition amongst the people, but, for me at least, I always find this particular evening to be sort floating around with nowhere to go and nothing to see. It feels like a special day, most people are in a jovial mood and there's no work tomorrow, but yet it's not quite Christmas Eve so that baited anticipation isn't completely hooked. Well, for those in need of some out-of-the-house excitement, I'm pleased to share with you that the Guelph Farmer's Market is putting on a holiday event this evening from 6-10pm at City Hall.

Truth be told, I've no idea what to expect from this, but it somehow seems like the absolute perfect thing to do on a night with a question mark branded beside its number. Spend some time meandering the aisles, perhaps discovering that perfect last minute gift idea without tromping through the malls. Enjoy a brisk walk through the calm winter night's sky. Finish it off with a night cap or appetizers at The Cornerstone and you've got yourself an evening you didn't think would happen; it all just seems like a romantic adventure to me, but perhaps I'm just getting caught up in the Christmas cheer and spirit of the holidays. Oh well, there's nothing wrong with that either.

Maybe I'll see a few of you down there, maybe we can cheers over that night cap I was talking about. Whatever it is you decide to embark upon this evening, I hope it finds you well and stress-free. Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Phil

Donkey Days!

"Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is a valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar"

-Bradley Miller

Just one of the many quirky little signs posted around the donkey sanctuary here in Guelph; and in case this was news to you: well, it was to me as well...who knew?! A donkey sanctuary, right here in Guelph -and the good news is: they open their gates to the public on a regular basis.

Apparently this is the first year they have decided to host an open house during the winter months, and even though I've not experienced the area in the warmer points of the year, it was a picturesque way to spend an afternoon. Crisp with fresh fallen snow, the semi-secluded ground of the sanctuary offers a peaceful graze for donkey and man alike - it struck me as an absolutely perfect scene to share with my niece, had I only known better before signing onto the trip.

Momentary regret aside, the company with which I was able to share this experience was both enjoyable and fortunate, since one in my party had since volunteered on the grounds. It was a great learning experience into something that we should all know much more about. As home to 59 donkeys, 4 goats, a couple of sheep and some mules I didn't get the head count for, this sanctuary serves as precisely what its name implies for these animals.

Fostering to animals from all over the globe, the sanctuary provides a happy and healthy home to creatures once abused, forgotten, abandoned and worse. Each with his or her own personality, the donkeys are approachable by the public, with volunteers close by to answer any questions. Donkeys, as I learned from a kindly volunteer, for example, are very smart creatures; they will not do or go where they don't want to and will not simply bow to the order of a human voice. "If what you are doing is decidedly stupid, they simply will not do it." Stubborn as a mule, it seems, is more of a testament to intelligence than its reluctance.

But I digress, I shouldn't ruin the learning experience for those who haven't been, and there are plenty of opportunities to drop in. This Wednesday they are hosting another open house from 10:00-4:00, a great way to eat up an hour with the kiddies while they are out of school. It's free to those who choose, but a small donation is suggested, the proceeds of which go directly into the nurturing of the animals and their habitat.

In addition to simply stopping by, they also love volunteering hands on Saturdays, as well as yearly adoption plans to help keep the protection going.

It's not something you may casually think of doing, but it's fun, it's close by, it's for a good cause, and who doesn't love a petting zoo?!

Cheers all!
Phil

http://thedonkeysanctuary.dev.openject.com/visit-us

Stay Out Of The Mall

Around this time every year, something very special happens in the city of Guelph. People are a little nicer to each other, we open our ears and our hearts to our fellow man and we seek the warmth and coziness of a crowd gathered to celebrate the arrival of something much greater than ourselves. Yes, I speak of course on the Stay Out Of The Mall concert festival series, hosted by the Ebar in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.

This year's lineup, like all that came before it, promises to be something both special and memorable. I highly recommend attending both evenings, but if you can only make one, well, that sacrifice is up to you...

Wednesday, December 15:

Julie Doiron

One Hundred Dollars

Richard Laviolette and The Oil Spills

Thursday, December 16:

Zeus (who are gaining a great deal of much deserved attention and I highly recommend you join the crowds on this one)

Metz

P.S. I Love You

For both shows the doors are at 9:00pm and the total value of both evenings is equal to something yummy, but even as individual concert presentations, you really can't go wrong with either night. Be sure to check out all the bands on myspace, and show your support at the gates.

Cheers all!

Phil

Party Favours

Well, the PC seems to be "mostly" up and running. It certainly isn't without its frustrations, but at least I can post a little something...

That time of year is upon us once again; and with the holiday season comes the joy of entertaining. I know it may seem like sarcasm when I say that, but I genuinely enjoy the fun and challenge to create something different with each new gathering. Of course, I don't always hit a winning run, but occasionally I stumble across an idea that seems to garner a few positive comments; sometimes with the reward of a friendly recipe exchange. And so, in the spirit of the party, I thought I would share a couple of recent appetizer ideas with you, in the hopes that perhaps you might be willing to share a few in return...one can never have too many recipes in their cabinet.

Hope you enjoy!

Caesar Salad Spears

What You Need:

Belgian Endives - I find that one endive will serve up 8-10 decent sized appetizer portions.
4 slices of thick cut bacon or pancetta
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Croutons*
Cesar salad dressing*

This really couldn't be easier and seems to yield a happy result from guests.

Cut the bacon into to small pieces and fry until crispy.

Chop the end of the endive and separate the Spears until you reach the heart. Place two to three croutons, some crumbled bacon and shredded Parmesan onto each leaf. Just before serving, drizzle a small amount of dressing onto each skewer. Enjoy. It's Caesar salad without a fork and people will be happy...though perhaps a little too garlicky for the mistletoe.

*croutons are easy to make so why buy 'em? Take some bread, cut into cubes, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and bake until golden brown. Done.

*to make a zesty, vegetarian dressing:

Mayonnaise
Lemon juice
Garlic
Red wine vinegar
Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper. Best Caesar dressing you'll ever eat and it only took a minute to make. You're guests will be impressed.

Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

What you need:

24 cremini mushrooms
1 package goat cheese
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp freshly chopped chives
Salt
Pepper

Okay, so stuffed mushrooms are nothing new, but they always seem to win a crowd. To assemble these all you need is twenty minutes and a strong will power.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Brush the mushrooms with a paper towel to remove any dirt (don't wash with water as they will become water logged and soggy). Remove the stems, but don't throw away...chop 'em up and use them for the filling! Combine goat cheese, lemon, chives, garlic and chopped mushroom stems in a bowl, season to taste and stuff the mixture into the mushrooms. Bake for 10 minutes and you're done. Easy, tasty, classic, yum.

Also, as a delicious variation or addition, you could try the same stuffing in cored cherry tomatoes, mmmmm.

Holiday Punch

What You Need:

6 cups of water
2 cups white sugar
2 packages of raspberry gelatin mix
1 can of pineapple juice
1 container of orange juice
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1-2 litre bottle of lemon lime soda
Coconut rum...to taste...

Punch is that thing kicking around the beverage table at a party that either takes off or doesn't. It can come spiked or plain, carbonated or flat. It's not usually something I serve or desire, but for something about this combination of ingredients has me wanting to pass it forward.

Bring the water, sugar and gelatin to a boil, allow to simmer for about ten minutes and then remove from heat. Add the remaining ingredients, save for the soda and rum, and chill overnight. Serve in a punch bowl, pouring in the lemon lime and coconut rum just before service. Enjoy...responsibly, of course.

That's it for now. I've plenty more up my sleeve and always more on the "to try" list, but what I'm hoping for from this particular post is something in return that I've yet to try, or at least yet to try the way you do it. So, I implore you to email whatever recipes you may have in the traditions cupboard and brag about what makes you famous at your parties.

I'll be back soon with more stories from around the city.

Phil