Remembering Downtown Magnetawan

Last Weekend, July 30, 2011, the heart of the village where I spent most of my childhood burned down.
I remember when we were young, my sisters, brother and I would walk or boat from our family's cottage resort into Downtown Magnetawan, with a gaggle of friends, to spend all of our allowances at their candy counters.
Black Bart licorice bubble gum was an especially favourite (if not disgusting) treat, if only because we'd stick the pitch black gum across our front teeth and pretend to be pirates.

My first real summer job was as a waitress at the Magnetawan Inn (aka June's Restaurant), way back in 1986.
Another summer, a few years later, I worked at the Downtown General Store.

Alas, I grew up, left home for school, got a job, got married, had kids and now live on the other side of the country - so far far away from this special place.
Thankfully my parents still live in Magnetawan, and I make a point of trying to get home at least once a year.

This summer, I was so privileged to have been able to spend almost the whole month of July back there - we flew home 3 days before the devastating fire.
The last thing I did, just before leaving, was go into the Downtown General Store, and buy myself, Ken, Doug and Evy a new set of "Downtown Magnetawan" shirts.....it's been a tradition for us, and now I will cherish these shirts.

I was shocked to hear the news of the fire - and moved to set up a page on Facebook to commemorate the historic streetscape of this special community. If you're interested, you can see it here: "Remembering Downtown Magnetawan"

I also just found this very moving video on YouTube, that does a magical job of recognizing the firefighter's efforts to save the downtown, and capturing the spirit and sadness of the community, while remembering the beauty and essence of what makes Magnetawan such a special place.

14 day Countdown to 40 - Self-Indulgence #11

Peri Fries and.....

Oh Happy Day - in case you haven't noticed yet, clearly the way to my heart is through my stomach.
My wonderful London Fog morning was followed up with a Peri Chicken Wrap and Peri Fries from Nando's Chicken in Calgary, and a Custard Apple, imported fresh from the island of Dominica by my loving father (more on that in the next post).

So why do I consider these 2 items to be self-indulgences worthy of commemorating my looming 40th Bday?

Peri Fries First - I've been waiting for an occasion to try out the Calgary Nando's every since I found out it was there MONTHS ago.
I first learn about Nando's about 6 years ago, when I spent a year working in Brampton, Ontario... it wasn't exactly the most inspiring job (office manager for a styrofoam peanut company), and the 90 minute commute sucked, BUT I was helping out a friend of my husband's, so what was I going to do but make the most of it and try out a different restaurant every lunch hour.  One day I stumbled on Nando's and was introduced to their unique and absolutely fabulous Peri Fries, (not to mention their Peri Chicken) and it was love at first bite!!

Peri Peri (or piri piri) also known as African Birds Eye Pepper is a fiery little pepper that originates in Africa.  At the time, I discovered it, it was so memorable, because this was the first new flavour I remember tasting in a very long time....
Now, I have always LOVED trying new foods and new tastes, and before being introduced to Peri Peri, I naively thought I had tried and or experienced just about every type of spice or seasoning available to us in Canada at least once - what a wonderful surprise to be proven wrong!!!
Peri Peri is VERY HOT and an absolutely PERFECT seasoning for french fries.  Unfortunately, I have yet to find anywhere that sells the seasoning by itself.  When President's Choice introduced their Peri Peri Chips a couple of summers ago, I was holding out hope that they would also introduce a Peri Peri BBQ Rub or something like that, but I'm still waiting and hoping....  ANYWAYS, I had to go up to the airport in Calgary this evening to pick up my parents, who are visiting for my Birthday, and because the local Nando's is right by the airport, I decided today was the perfect day to indulge in a big order of Peri Fries - my first in 6 years....mmmmmmmmmmmmmm


My day's self-indulgences didn't end here though.... click on to self-indulgence #12... the Custard Apple...

As Always, Dayna

Brazilian BBQ

Last night I took my in-laws out to dinner in Calgary, while my husband took our son out to a Flames vs. Stars NHL game (thanks to tickets Santa brought) - for what it's worth Flames won 4-2.   Mid way through the game my son texted to tell me: "This is cool mommy - there is real fire when the Flames score."  I don't know if he really cared who won - he was just captivated by the crowd cheering and the fire.... oh to be 8 again.

ANYWAYS - while they were at the game, I decided to entertain his mom and her husband, on their last night in Alberta, by taking them out to dinner in the city...... and what a dinner it was!!!

One of my friends recommended Bolero, which is a Brazilian Steakhouse on MacLeod Trail (www.bolerocalgary.com).  It was so much fun - like a buffet where the food comes to you... similar to dim sum I guess, but all the grilled meats and grilled vegetables are served to you at your table, from these long sword-like skewers..... very cool!!  The atmosphere is dark and cozy, but still family friendly.  The Bar had a pretty good wine list, and some South America cocktails that are totally worth indulging in!!!  Desserts were enormous and mouthwatering - and entirely unnecessary, after the HUGE amount of food we ate. 
I booked our reservation online through their very handy reservation system - and it's a good thing I did, because the place was surprisingly busy for a Wednesday night! I can't wait to go back again with my whole family (unless I find a way to whisk my husband away on a romantic date sans kids - haha).

So, in honour of my amazing dinner last night, at a very funky restaurant, my favourite-thing link-of-the-day is to a video for another Bolero - this one by Ravel. It's played by a neat musical group called Barrage and is a very compeling interpretation of a fantastic piece of classical music (which we incidentally used for our wedding march - oh so many years ago).....

Enjoy!

As Always, Dayna