The Canadians Are Melting!

Seriously?

I took this shot right before it bumped up to 101˚. Then 102˚.

Ridiculous.

Food, More Food...Oh, and Some Other Stuff

Each visit to Canada involves a trip to the "big city" to stock up on the goods. You know...Canadian chocolate, Canadian potato chips, and other various goodness. In addition to this typical mission, I had another goal in mind this year. I wanted to sample some more Poutine. For those of you unfamiliar with the term...allow me to enlighten you. 

Poutine (pronounced Poo-teen) "is a French Canadian dish, made with french fries, topped with brown gravy and curd cheese. Sometimes additional ingredients are added." (see Wikipedia)

My past Poutine experiences have been at Costco. (Apparently other international chains, including McDonalds, have been known to serve it as well.) While walking through the mall, however, I was excited to see that one of my favorite places (from when I was a teenager) had embraced this Canadian food. Yup, that would be New York Fries serving Poutine. (I know, I know...it's hilarious.)  

But not just any Poutine. Oh no...they've gone and ramped it up. They have the regular old Poutine (fries, gravy, cheese curds) AND they have 1) Pulled Pork Poutine 2) Butter Chicken Poutine 3) Braised Beef Poutine 4) The Works Poutine and 5) Veggie Works. SO MANY CHOICES!!!

They let us sample each kind (boy, Canadians are friendly!) and Ian and I finally settled on the Braised Beef and the Butter Chicken. 

I can't possibly explain how delicious this stuff is.

No, really...it's AMAZING. 

Now...as if our arteries weren't taking enough of a beating, we also stopped at our other favorite place, Tim Horton's. 

Oh. My. Goodness.

Their honey crullers are enough to make you weep! The only other place I've had something this light and delicious was in Paris (France, not Idaho).

Do me a favor. If you ever find yourself near a Tim Horton's (there are a few in the USA here and there) make sure you go in. Try a cruller. AND, trust me on this one, try a 40 pack of the Tim Bits. You won't regret it.

In case you think our entire Tuesday revolved around food (well, it kind of did)...we also took the kids to see Madagascar 3 (we all loved it), spent some time people watching (quite interesting), and stopped to appreciate Canada's commitment to dry grocery carts.

They really are such nice people.

And, no wonder...they have happy stomaches.

Happy Thanksgiving, Eh!

In an attempt to celebrate the traditions of our culture, my family often find itself gathered together to observe the Canadian holiday known as Thanksgiving. It's always fun with the brothers around. It's touching to see them taking such care of each other during this festive time.

This next photo is a classic example of how everyone else perceives our family. You're right, Mike...we're all a little nuts.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In keeping with a recently-established annual tradition, we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend. In years past I've been asked a lot of questions regarding the purpose and fundamentals of a Canadian Thanksgiving. Allow me to clarify:

We eat turkey, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, pumpkin pie...etc.

When European farmers settled in Canada, they brought with them the tradition of celebrating harvest time. Americans who remained loyal to England following the Revolution moved to Canada and integrated parts of the American Thanksgiving into this autumn festivities.

Unlike the American tradition of remembering the pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadian Thanksgiving is to celebrate and express thanks for a successful harvest.

It is celebrated on the 2nd Monday of October because the harvest season falls earlier in Canada due to the fact it's simply further north.

So, while the Jones family doesn't necessarily have any bountiful harvest to be grateful for (I hate gardening...yes, I said it), we feel lucky to have two reasons each year to remember the happiness of our little family, our loved ones, and the many wonderful blessings in our lives.

So, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!