Month: September 2016

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 …

Taste Alberta: Prairie on a Plate at Red Ox Inn

Published by theporkgirl

Last week the Red Ox Inn hosted the third installment of Taste Alberta’s new Prairie on a Plate dining series. Red Ox Inn, an intimate restaurant owned by Frank & Andrea Olsen and located in mature Strathearn neighbourhood, has been a long-time supporter of local farms and featuring the best of Alberta on their seasonal menus. For the event, chef Sean O’Connor created a four-course menu for $60, with an optional wine pairing for $30. The event was limited to one seating and just 30 of us had the opportunity to taste his Prairie on a Plate menu. The first dish of the evening featured Erdmann’s Gardens zucchini fritters served with a green goddess aioli. Chef O’Connor recently received some CO-OP Gold Pure extra virgin cold-pressed canola oil from Simone with Alberta Canola Producers Commission, which he paired with Reclaim Urban Farm herbs for his made-in-Alberta aioli. For our second course Chef O’Connor married confit of Irvings Farms pork howl with soft polenta using corn from Erdmann’s Gardens. The beautifully plated dish was garnished with pickled onions and a salsa verde (that …

Taste Lacombe, Alberta: Sweet Capone’s, Rangeland Meat Shop, and S4 Greenhouses

Published by theporkgirl

When Liane Faulder included Lacombe, Alberta in her list of great day trip ideas from Edmonton in her Edmonton Journal post back in June I felt like the cool kid – because I’ve been day-tripping it to Lacombe, Alberta for years. I was introduced to the central Alberta city when my sister built a cottage at Gull Lake a few years ago. I make a habit of stopping in for bread and treats at the Totally Gluten Free Bakery, digging through the antique shops, and love searching for fashion gems in the not one but two thrift shops in Lacombe. The Spaniard is always a good sport when it comes to exploring Alberta and I had a special treat in mind for his first visit to Lacombe. This summer Sweet Capone’s, an Italian bakery and cannoli shop, opened up to rave reviews and daily sellouts. My sister had been lucky enough to score cannolis on a couple of occasions, and warned me that if we wanted to buy anything to get there early. Well, leaving from Edmonton on …