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My first job was at McD's in 95'. I would make pie a la mode, with an apple pie, soft serve, and caramel. I used to be offered on the menu, but is no longer that I know of. Of course, we always cooked our own stuff fresh. I would also put cheese and bacon on my McChickens.

I quit there, and went to Tim Horton's. At the beginning of each shift, I would put an XL french vanilla cappucino in the fridge and drink it over ice after shift. That was long before they came out with ice caps and iced coffees. I would also take their ham and cheese biscuts, slice it open, and run it through the bagel toaster, top it with cheddar and tuna salad. MMMM, so tasty.

This isn't a food related comment, but a personal experience comment. There is a drive in open in the summer near my parents place. Once a week, the Lions Club holds drive in bingo. My sister and I went and we had so much fun!! We took my mom's cookie sheets to put our bingo cards, and when you win bingo, you honk your horn! We had a lot of laughs that night. It's an opportunity to pair up with your local Lions or Kinsmen etc., and have your drive in open when it would otherwise be closed, as it is held during daylight hours.
Whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck. Drive Ins are great, and it's a shame they are few and far between.

I was raised in an Acadian community of Nova Scotia. The Acadian dish of the area was called rapure (pronounced rah-peer) or rappie pie. Essentially, it is grated raw potato with all moisture drained out that has been reconsituted with broth, salt, pepper, fat and onion added, layered with meat in a baking dish and baked till golden brown. Most commonly, they are made with chicken, but can also be found to have beef, pork, clams, or rabbit.

I real PWC and Serious Eats every day, But I also read www.mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com

Good recipes!

I love my Grohmann 6" chef knife. Better than any other I have owned. I received it as a wedding gift.

I have a Cutco carving set that I received from my old employer as an award. It's nice, but I don't use it that often.

@Peony, we BBQ'd striploins at our rehersal for our wedding too! We got married back in NS and took 80 steaks back with us for the dinner. We also got many comments on the flavor of the beef and how much better it was.
Every time I go home, I have to take some for my parents. Which is OK, because they get me lots of seafood to bring back with me. So it's a fair trade I think!

Thank you everyone for the suggestions! We had a great time in Montreal. On the first day, we had brunch at Cora's which was just OK. The breakfast the people next to us had looked divine. I think we just didn't make the right choices there.
Then we had supper at Reuben's on Ste. Catherine. We shared wings, a smoked meat sandwich and poutine, all of which were delicious.
On Saturday, we discovered Au Pain Dore and picked up some croissants, salads and pastries. They were tasty too. I was hoping to get back there but didn't have time. We also ate at Firegrill on Stanley before heading to the Bell Center. I had New York strip and my husband had ribs. My steak was perfectly cooked and tender. We very much enjoyed our meal there.
On Sunday, we toured Old Montreal and headed for the airport. The airport was a zoo so I am glad we got there very early.
I really wanted to get to Schwartz's and Santropol, but with our schedule packed and our sleeping schedule was out of whack, we didn't make it far out of downtown.
So I see a return visit in our future and I hope to experience more wonderful places in Montreal.

Thanks Again!

If you have an Ikea near you, I got a cheap vinegar bottle there a couple years ago. I am not sure if they still carry the same one or not.
I know they carry the bottles with the stopper attached with wire that snaps closed.
I would be happy just to get some homemade vinegar, it wouldn't matter to me if it was in a mason jar etc. I could always put it in my own vinegar jar at home. But if you are making it more of a gift, you could still use a mason jar or something similar. Cover the top with a scrap of fabric and tie a piece of raffia or twine around it ito hold it on with a little tag that says "dbcurrie's kickin' vinegar" or whatever. That would make it more gift-like.

I look forward to the peas, carrots, and potatoes every year. The Hutterites and Mennonites grow the best produce around. I just can't wait!

I am green with envy of those who have year round markets!

At the local store I frequent, I will not pick Susan's checkout because she is rude and annoying. Nor will I pick the arrogant young punk whose name I do not know that is just there for a paycheque and does not care how he packs the groceries. Sanela, my favorite cashier, now works at McDonald's.

Perhaps I frequent the grocery store too much?

Lately, I have been on a kung pao and bourbon chicken kick, making one or the other at least once a week. I use Martin Yan's kung pao recipe, and the bourbon chicken recipe I got from the BlogChef blog someone here recommended.

Take it back to the basics. No processed garbage.

My mother in law's homemade white bread is the best bread to ever cross my lips. I have tried, and tried, and tried to recreate it myself, but it's never the same. I will keep on trying!