All posts filed under: Life

Why I love Adult Summer Camp

Published by theporkgirl

The leaves are turning, the air is getting cooler, and I know that a blanket of snow across Edmonton is on the horizon. Summer is over, and I realised, I forgot to recap this year’s weekend at Camp Wanna Getawae. Last week I got together with Jon, one of the faithful camp directors and organisers of a local grown-up summer camp held at Camp Yowocas just west of Edmonton. Jon told me the sad news that he and co-organiser Sarah have decided Adult Summer Camp will be taking a hiatus in 2018, and will hopefully make a return in 2019. I can’t imagine the efforts that went into organising 100 grown ups to take part in a weekend of adult-friendly camp fun – but I hear it was akin to the stress and work of planning a wedding. I am so grateful that Adult Summer Camp – 2.0 happened. Personally, I think it was better than the first year, and i’m not just saying that because I was team captain of the WINNING TEAM!!! Going …

Canal Days at Gull Lake

Published by theporkgirl

For the Family Day Weekend The Spaniard and I invited ourselves to my sister’s cottage at Meridian Beach at Gull Lake, Alberta. Last Saturday marked the first annual Canal Days – winter edition – which provided an opportunity for The Spaniard to try out something truly Canadian – curling. After a week of warm weather I debated if the ice events could proceed, but on Saturday morning we arrived at the canal to find a flurry of activity. Our first curling game was set for 9:30 a.m. My nephew Kohen arrived with his own curling brooms – not sure how excited he was to have a couple of rookies on the team. I know the Spaniard was expecting to see a set of identical rocks, like on television, but Canal Days offered a more homemade version. Four litre milk jugs had been filled with coloured liquid and rings (or the house) had been painted on haphazardly on the ice. A post shared by Sharman Hnatiuk (@theporkgirl) on Feb 19, 2017 at 6:18pm PST We had …

A Hilly Billy Thanksgiving

Published by theporkgirl

It had been four years since I made the seven hour drive northwest to Worsley, Alberta, where my mother is from, so when I found out that my sister and her family were heading up for Thanksgiving, I thought it was a good opportunity for The Spaniard and I to tag along. Thankfully my friend Shelly had given me the heads up that Crooked Creek was a must stop on the way towards Grande Prairie. Their legendary donuts, cinnamon buns, and freshly baked buns were enough to put a smile on The Spaniard’s face and make the marathon drive a little easier. When we arrived we were welcomed by a family of snowmen; while the farmers weren’t happy with the dusting of snow, it appeared my niece and nephew were rather excited. When my uncle Ernie past away a few years back, my mom inherited the log cabin that he built. I love that a photo of me at the Worsley Pioneer Days flanked by my uncle Ernie on the right – and my uncle Bobby …

Adult Summer Camp

Published by theporkgirl

A few weeks back I went to Camp Wannagetawae – a.k.a. – Adult Summer Camp. The event was organized by my friend Jon, along with Sarah, Erin and Sheryl, who created an opportunity for a bunch of rambunctious adults to relive their youth at a kids camp (but with the benefit of adult beverages). Our home for the weekend was just an hour west towards Lake Wabaman. When Des, The Spaniard and I arrived we were assigned cabins and gift bags containing our team shirt, custom white knee socks and an adult summer camp party pack including prophylactics, ear plugs, cinnamon flavoured tequila and even some Advil. We met our bunk mates Blaine & Phil (who was up for an impromptu headstand competition). There was no real dress code for the weekend but 70’s short shorts and 80’s style were in full force. The Spaniard seemed concerned that he didn’t have anything fun to wear. Since I had packed extra,  I offered him a coloured assortment of short-shorts to choose from. Of course he fit my smallest pair …

An Isle of Wight Wedding

Published by theporkgirl

It was October 2009 on the rooftop of a hostel in Banos, Ecuador when I first met Eng – my British little buddy. We spent the next couple of weeks traveling together south to Peru – bonding over a love of food, people watching, and adventure. I’ve met up with her in her hometown of London – where we later travelled to Albania, Macedonia, and on to Turkey (where Eng took photos of me being attacked by a turkey). We have some pretty funny memories together. So when the invite for her wedding came, I knew I couldn’t miss it. I pulled out one of my hand-made fascinators and packed my bag – I was ready to attend my first English wedding. Last Friday I went to Waterloo train station where I met up with Kate and Helen – two lovely London girls that Eng and I met in Olympus in Turkey. A train, ferry, a winding cab ride later, we arrived at the East Dene, Bonchurch, Ventnor – one of the Isle of Wight’s premier outdoor …

Searching for treasures in Edmonton’s Peacock Boutique Thrift Shop

Published by theporkgirl

As an amateur bargain hunter I pride myself on my thrift shopping ability. I have friends without the patience to dig, including those who turn their nose up at buying second hand items, but I love the thrill of the hunt. I have an overflowing closet full of vintage shoes, dresses and accessories that make all that digging time worth it. I tend to avoid the bigger thrift shop warehouses around the city, opting instead for smaller, one-off charitable shops that aren’t too overwhelming. This summer I finally walked into the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services‘s Peacock Thrift Shop downtown on 104th street. While I sometimes keep my thrift shop sources on the down low – I enjoyed the Peacock Thrift shop so much I wanted to spread the word, especially after I learned that the EERS works with the Canadian Red Cross locally by providing household furnishings, household goods, clothing, and personal goods for individuals and families left homeless after fire or natural disaster. The place is decorated with some pretty cool vintage items including a cigarette machine, …

Green & Gold Community Garden

Published by theporkgirl

I first heard about the Green & Gold Community Garden, a joint project of the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health and the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, a few years ago. Their market is open from late June to Thanksgiving: Saturdays: 11:00am to 1:00pm Tuesday :  6:00pm to 7:00pm (September hours) All proceeds from the garden donations go to the Tubahumurize Association, in Rwanda, a not-for-profit organization that supports socially and economically marginalized women through counselling, vocational training, health education, and employment opportunities. I signed up for their weekly newsletter with produce updates, (the market is home to over 60 types of vegetables, herbs and flowers are grown at the garden, including many heirloom varieties), and yet, and for the past three seasons I have only made it out once during their volunteer-ran market hours on Tuesday evenings and Saturdays afternoons.  This past Saturday I skipped out on my regular farmer’s market visit, instead opting for a drive to the Green & Gold Community Garden at the U of A’s south campus. When …

A Good Old Fashioned Penthouse Party

Published by theporkgirl

Two summers ago I became friends with a girl named Kristina who asked if I wanted to come to a party with her. Of course I said yes. The condition – I had to dress up. I met the guy she was dating, his boss, who was one of the party hosts, as well as two fabulous gay men at the elevator. I’ve since become friends with all of them and Rob & Paige’s summer party has become one of the best events on my social calendar. This is not your average house party. First of all – the dress code is fabulous. For the occasion I had my hairstylist friend Des to help with my hair and went to MAC at WEM so my girlfriend Katie could style me up with party makeup. I busted out one of my vintage finds, rocking a 70’s inspired completely sheer dress – cause exposed black underwear is acceptable at this kind of party. Next – the view of Edmonton’s river valley from Rob & Paige’s home is absolutely stunning. …

Ladies on the Green

Shall we golf?

Published by theporkgirl

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the second annual Ladies on the Green Golf Classic at Victoria Golf Course in Edmonton’s river valley. Started by eight local ladies who love the idea of a charity golf tournament, but who don’t love the game, the day combines women who like golf with those who may not into a stylish afternoon packed with some golf, lots of socializing, tasty nibbles, and of course champagne. The fun is all in support of a very important cause; Edmonton’s Zebra Child Protection Centre, which is a community of agencies, helps to improve the lives of children impacted by abuse. The day offers up two options: play a round of 9-hole golf followed by dinner and festivities, or join later in the day for cocktails, a 1-hour group lesson with a golf pro, which finishes up in time for dinner and the festivities. I managed to win tickets for the latter option through Where Edmonton Magazine, and my friend Michelle was more than happy to join me with my silly stylish antics. The …

Fairmont JPL Celebrates 100 Years

Published by theporkgirl

On Thursday I had the pleasure of spending my lunch hour on the patio at the beautiful Fairmont Hotel MacDonald for a media launch celebrating 100 years of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. This year, the hotel is celebrating 100 years of luxury hospitality on the shores of Lac Beauvert. To honour this anniversary, the historic lodge has launched a series of centennial events and activities planned throughout the year, including outdoor summer concerts (featuring The Sheepdogs and Platinum Blonde), lakeside dining events, historic tours and traditional high-tea tastings. I also learned that the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has converted one of the restaurants into a new northern Italian restaurant ORSO Trattoria. Sous Chef Andrew Whiteside of the Fairmont JPL was on hand serving up a selection of their handmade pasta. While I couldn’t partake in the samples of fresh ravioli, he did walk me through the menu and assured me there were a lot of gluten free options. The help kick off the celebration – the hotel is asking social media users to share …