1 day of Picaroons!

I love me a good challenge.

I was totally unaware that Picaroons made the 12 Days of Christmas beer [challenge].  Each day they brew one keg of special beer.  You have to race down at noon time (or saunter down whenever you feel like it) to get the beer, cause once it is gone it is gone.

I do really love their product.  A little Yippee IPA always goes down well.  I remember being introduced to Winter Warmer by J$ at Wilser's Room - any my life has never been the same since!  (Love it when winter rolls in so I can get me some!  Makes skating home on the unshoveled sidewalks so much more fun!)

I had a pretty sad and horrible weekend.  So I was mighty glad to be invited to the Sweetest house for Sunday dinner.  Roast chicken with all the fixin's.   And what would compliment that meal ... well a growler of "Snowman's Best Friend" of course.

 A lovely Peppermint beer.  Sounds horrible (I did want to mix with the `Nog at first, and those that know me know I don`t do `nog!) but I was delightfully impressed.  Not overpoweringly pepperminty, and also not too stouty.  (Those are new "-y" words I just made up BTW!)

I probably will not be able to partake in an other days of the Picaroons Christmas beers, but glad I got to try this one!

Finish Being a Hooker

I am not sure if one can ever finish being a hooker ... it is rather relaxing, and I do find it a great way to spend my evenings!!

Thank you to Mary Maxim for opening up my eyes to a whole new hobby!!  I am looking forward to my next hooking adventure!

I would like to title my first hooking project as "You're so vain - I bet you hooked a rug about you"

I have seen some really beautiful pieces and I would really like to try some other styles, but I thought this was a good start.  I bought this kit through Mary Maxim, and enjoyed doing it, but the only complaint would be the quality of the yarn - I found it to be too ... cheap.  That won't stop me from doing another one, though I would love some guidance on how to kick it up a notch.

A very enjoyable hobby!  Knitting hurts my left hand, XStitch is also great but hurts my eyes, so this seems to be a great new option (and my right arm is more defined after wrestling with the hook and cloth!)

And to fully transition myself into a 90 year old crazy cat lady ... I present you with this ...

Go to Scoop and Save

Whoooaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh ....

That was the sound of the inner me as I entered into paradise - otherwise known as Scoop and Save.

Living in Freddy sans Auto can be a bit annoying at times, and it means that you often miss out on hidden gems such as this store.  (To set the record perfectly straight, I did rent a car once and made the trek up the hill, only to find that Scoop and Save was closed on Sundays.  And to set the record even more straight, I had rented the car to visit with my Mom, not just to go to S&S!)

If you were looking to buy German chocolate that was wrapped in tie-dye linen paper, and was made using blueberries that were grown on an organic farm in the only German city beginning with X, and featured a smiling baby with four teeth on the wrapper, you could probably find said item in this store.  Talk about random finds!!  I found my favourite German Printen (ginger cookies) from the city of Aachen and some British candy drops that help relax you when you fly.  As I look into my shopping bag now I discover some candied ginger, mango diet tea, chocolate shaped into Euro bills, pasta in the shape of Bier Steins (the last two will be prizes for my classes next semester ... that is if I don't eat them all first!), salted licorice, and perhaps my most interesting find ... a barley toy?!?!?

I was only slightly berated by the crowd around me at the cash desk for not knowing about this Atlantic Canada tradition.  The Sweet one regaled me with stories of her dad and barley toys.  The man behind me warned me they could pull out all my teeth, but they were so sweet and good. (He also pulled out his hard tack and told me this was another Christmas favourite - and as I re-read that sentence it sounds horrible!! and very unlady like!! But I am leaving it!!)  And the woman at the cash just giggled and told me to buy one.

So I am now the proud owner of a Camel barley toy.  I realize I am firmly outting myself as someone from away, but I don't quite get it.  As far as I can tell this is not a toy ... and I am certainly hoping it tastes nothing like barley!! 

In conclusion, I wish to give the Scoop and Save experience two thumbs up! (and that's not just because we went to Boston Pizza afterwards for our usual feeding)   I now know where to go when I need the most exotic ingredients I can imagine.  Awesome store!!

Check out the Christmas Lights!

Last year was this ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itPLuhqN2v8&list=UUrXWvMgk34w8snbolvVXRbw&index=1 

This year was  ....

Awesome!!
Great fun ... but not sure I needed the DQ!

Try three new resto/bars ... two down

I love Greek food!

I don't necessarily love the "eat too much garlic so it seems like something died in your mouth" feeling you get the next day, but that certainly doesn't stop me from indulging in the Greek.

So to my utter shock and dismay, I have somehow managed to never have eaten at Freddy's Greek joint, Dimitri's ... that is until recently with the Sweetest people and D.

My rating:

Ambiance:  Every restaurant should have Greek Barbie dolls tacked to the wall behind cellophane held on with thumb tacks, and pictures hung at ceiling level

Wine: A very generous portion of Greek wine in thimble sized banquet classes.

Hummus: See above with comment about garlic feeling ... but oh so good!!!

Chicken Souvlaki:  Yum!! Great with the Greek salad, rice and potatoes ...  

Company:  Couldn't ask for anything better! 

Great experience.  Nothing will ever meet my Mezes on the Danforth (have even tried a couple trips to Greece but even the real stuff cannot beat Mike and the Boys at Mezes), but this was a wonderful treat to try!  Wouldn't not say no to another trip!!

Opa!!!

Try three new restos/bars ... one down

Danke B for inviting me out to the new Japanese restaurant in town - Naru.

 http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/235/1701903/restaurant/Atlantic-Provinces/Naru-Japanese-Cuisine-Fredericton

I have had some hit and miss Japanese cuisine so I will admit that I am always a bit leery, but I have also heard amazing reviews for this place.  (A plus always a fun time out with B!)  I was certainly not disappointed by this lovely fare.  Great food, great company, couldn't ask for anything more!

Looking forward to returning again soon.   サムズアップ - is my review!

Go to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery

Am taking this back a couple weeks ...

Lil Samps came to visit yours truly in Freddy Beach and our Sunday activities included going (finally!!) to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.  I had a lovely time with my good friend, and I really enjoyed talking about the art in the gallery.

I should really try and go again (be it to spend some more time with the Dalis, or just enjoy the art).  But for now I am happy that I accomplished going for my first time!

Danke Samps!!

Heps is Back Baby

Man it has taken me a while (a month) to get this blog up and running ...

I asked my students to start blogs this year (am trying to go paperless) and I have been put to shame with the amazing blogs they have set up.  So here I go with  my rudimentary old school blog ....

Oh and I will post the new list of things I need to accomplish at the side!!  Looking forward to getting back at this!!

Leave something on the table

My dad has been known to say that you should always leave something on the table when you are leaving a place.  There should always be something there to return to, or why else would you want to return.

So although I didn't quite finish all my items on this list, I know that I have a whole bunch of fun things to do when I get back!!  (and a whole lot of great friends to do them with!)

As I say "see you later" to Freddy, I say "hello stranger" to Tur-on-a.  And a new list....  torontobucketlist.blogspot.ca!  A whole bunch of new adventures await!

Beat SP at a game other than Apples to Apples

Stop the presses....

I did it!

No cheating.

A fair win!
I beat the Strategizer.

What an end to a fantastic weekend.  Here I was hoarding my animals and hoping for the best without any ovens or crops, and I did it.  We have played Agricola for months and I have never come close to beating the Strategizer, and without a doubt this the game I wanted to beat SP at, and I fished my wish!

Well played (and thank you if you went easy!)  I feel I am redeemed from the night I was forced to steal money from the bank to win!!

Catch a lobster

Ahhhhh...... my Pièce de résistance!

I honestly cannot believe this happened - and thank you soooooooooooooo much Sweetest people for making this happen.  I am excited beyond what you will ever know.  I know this was such a special event - and I am very very thankful!

I must say that I lurve lobster!  I am a proud pescitarian, and although I have no idea what a good steak tastes like, I know how great a lovely lobster goes down.  My mom has said that as a small child when I would be asked what I want for dinner, my response was often "just a little lobster".  What an amazing opportunity to join K on his boat at the crack of dawn and fish the waters for those lovely morsels!

I learned a lot:  the lobster season in Bathurst is only two months - May and June (there are two seasons further south in the Bay of Fundy), you cannot keep any lady lobster with roe on the outside (doing so results in a $5000 fine), or any lobster that is below certain size (there are also two sub categories - canners and market - market being the larger of the two), you sometimes catch really "interesting" things in your trap - sea urchins, crabs (really ... who would want crabs in their trap??!), skate/sole, and my fave, congor eels.  Ugh ....

Glad my removal of said eel provided so much entertainment!  (these things have to be the ugliest fish I have ever seen!  Big huge faces smiling with three rows of teeth attached to a snake body!)

In all we caught ("we" being a bit of a stretch - K did all the work and we provided comic entertainment and the giggles - though the Sweets became quite good at eye-balling what was a throw-back, a canner or a market, me on the other hand just tried to get some sea legs so I didn't fall in the bucket of angry lobsters or overboard!) about 160 lbs of lobster.  For 90 traps that is a good haul (our good captain aims for 1lb a trap!)  The weather was beautiful, the water was as calm as glass, and man those rubber waiders certainly hugged in all the right spots!

But I must say that perhaps the capstone was arriving back on shore at about 9:30 and cracking open a couple Alpine beers while K cooked up the catch.  What a gosh darn amazing experience!!!

Visit three new NB cities (Off the list!!)

The Sweetest people hail from a wonderful city in the north of NB - Bathurst!  After a scenic drive through the province, we arrived in the fair city.   What a fantastic chance to meet the Sweeties' families and relax in one of the most picturesque cities ever.   I was fascinated by amount of water that is everywhere - rivers, streams, the bay, running water (jokes!).  Also cool was the amount of French that was used so effortlessly.  Was at a birthday party and people just slipped back and forth between the languages.  I was very excited to practice my numbers at the LC and Shoppers (though I was quickly found out to be an English speaker when I couldn't answer back!  Oui, j'ai une carte d'Optimum!!)

I was so lucky to have seen so much of the city and surrounding area and to visit with so many fantastic people.  I was at the beach, the residential areas, down bay fishing and harbour area, and up (the) river to see the camps. 

I was also totally intrigued by the "absence" that seems to abound here.  The remnants of the mill, shopping mall, and shops were haunting - though a fantastic site for an end-of-the-world movie, or paint-ball game!

What I might skip on my next visit: the fried clam and choco milkshake combo at the Big D!

Thank you Sweets for a wonderful trip! And with that .... it is off the list!

Visit the world's largest ...

Whilst en route to the latest adventure, the Sweetest people indulged my Bucket List by making stops at two more large things.  I have my doubts as to whether these are the "largest ever", but they are certainly giant items in the good old Miramichi!

So let me introduce you to Bruce the Moose (a classic statue that most people seem to recognized!  I have been told he sports a bright orange vest during hunting season!)

As well as the (unverified) World's Largest Fly - also living in the Miramichi!  (Watch out fish - I will be back to get you some day!  That list item remains unfinished!!)

T-Minus

Hey kids -

So I am putting the feelers out ... anyone fancy doing any of the following next week ...

a) going to the Beaverbrook?  (EM you in?)
b) playing bingo at St.Mary's?
c) swinging by Gagetown to see the bucks?

After this weekend I will have an increadibly fun update to report. Let the excitement build ...!!!!

Visit the World's Biggest Axe

In writing up the last post, I realized I have totally neglected this "world's biggest" (which I hope I don't have to substitute for Shedac's lobster!!)

As I was driving to Boston I came across the sign for the World's Biggest Axe en route to Woodstock, NB.  And seeing as my driving companion, yours truly, loves to tick off any world's biggest ever, we/I drove into the tiny town of Nackawic for a photo.  I met some awesome people who directed me to the axe, and it was just the kind of driving detour I love!

Visit three NB cities - two down

OK I am slightly cheating again ... but the ticking clock says it is OK!

Over Easter I went to Boston to visit my sis and friends (sorry DHope I know I was supposed to write that trip up - I am bad to the bone!!)  I guess since it was Easter season, the lines at the boarder were INSANE!!  I tried to find a NEXUS line in vain, but was happy to answer a load of questions about who I am and where I am from and what I do.  Hell, it was better than a lot of first dates I have had.

And since I spent many many a minutes/hours waiting in line, I will say I have visited the city of "Boarder Crossing".

AWOLness and Countdown excelerated ...

I spent last weekend in the city that I am from (but don't like to discuss) for a meeting.  And it was .... interesting/weird/fun/awesome/different to be there.  I have to admit that I missed good old Freddy!  Had a lovely dinner last night of fiddle head quiche with a side of lobster roll ... does life get any better?!?

And with a heavy heart I have to excelerate this list as I will be back in the big smoke in T-minus ... too few days.  I have one hell of a wicked weekend planned with the Sweets - and EM might join me for a little art gallery fun.  So much to do and so little time.  Every single gosh darn part of my body is crossed that I can continue this list next year ...

Beat SP at a game other than Apples to Apples

I am a cheat.

I don't deserve this badge ... but in the highly likely chance that I will never beat the stratigizer at anything not Apples, I will cheat and win this badge.

First off - congrats to S&A on their beautiful new abode.  What a great spot!  Looking forward to seeing the final colours.  What a fantastic space you have!

Apres Cinco de Mayo and K derby celebrations I was tardy to the games party (sorry!).  I was a little behind on the game, but when I was delegated to be the banker and could steal thousands whenever I felt like it, the play really began.  That move snagged me a fake win!

Agrigola rematch SP?!??

Go to three Churches (2 down)

I lucked out with my apartment.  Centrally located, a wonderful space for me and my fur baby, and a pretty spot in general.  Little did I know that I would have Sunday morning church bell concerts as a perk of being so close to the big cathedral.  I am a morning person, so don't mind being up at the crack of dawn on Sundays (but can't seem to run at that time!!).  Even in the winter months I was known to crack open the window so I could hear the lovely church bells every Sunday.

And in my quest to cross things off the list I now enter two churches to the list.  Said Cathedral - went there one day to walk around (have since met the man in St.John who redid all the goldsmithing - small world!) and also Wilmont Church for Shivering Songs.  What a beautiful church!!!  Loved the little pew doors!

So one more church to visit!!

Award Ceremony time

For going to Science East I get a "bright ideas".

For riding the bus I get a wheel!

For trying three new restos I get an apple!

And for running another race I get ....  um.....a brownie holding her arms out!  (This is only going to get harder to find badges!!)

Dance with random strangers

OK this wasn`t originally on the list, but it sure is now!!
After crossing the cannon off the list, we went to Jungle Jim`s (am I making this up?!?  does such a place exist in Freddy?)  It was Latin Night and that means time to dance I guess.  I love a good dance, and was well trained in the latin stylz whilst living in Peru.  Even thought I don't really know how to dance these dances, I certainly love getting out on the dancefloor and giving it the old college try. 

So thank you Egyptian man and Man in striped shirt and politician - I loved the dances!!

Hit up three Restos I have never tried

I was invited out to the north side yesterday (a side of town I seem to be spending more and more time at) and I was excited to try out the Cannon`s Cross.  Not so excited when I arrived and thought I was stood up for over half an hour.  But I enjoyed their beer and hospitality whilst waiting for the politician and his crew.  The locals gave me the evil stare for being there, but I enjoyed it.

The food - perogies, man I have missed you - was good, and the beer was cold so I give the joint two thumbs up!   And with that I will cross this item off the list!!!

Go to Science East

After a week of this spring cold kicking my rear, I was stir crazy and ready to check off some more items off the list.  En route to doing some menial chores I decided to pop into Science East.  (Had visited Science North as part of a class field trip and now wonder where Science West and South are located!!!)

I joined ICOM - the international council of museums - many moons ago and love the perk of having a magic card (that looks like a home made piece of white plastic) that will get me into any museum, art gallery, science centre, etc. in the world for free.  (My sister would be laughing at this point ....)   When you pull out said magic card normally the employees are rather confused, but also kind of in awe.  If they don't accept the card you can kindly suggest you will report them to some museum police for not being a reputable institution.  (Oh Saskatoon Prairie Museum you almost got reported!!)  Over the years I have visited many a fine museum and brought along friends for free with said magic card (still laughing now Lyd?!?)

So I decided to visit Science East - located in a former gaol that was in use here in Freddy until the late 90s.  (A slight fight ensued with the lady who worked there over the validity of the ICOM card - after I said it worked at Science North she let me run amok in the clink!)  A very nice museum!!  It would be better if I was a kid - or with a kid - as much of the centre was designed for children.  My favourite part about the whole place was the basement section devoted to the history of the building as a jail, and some neat exhibitions on DNA.  The whole building is architectural fascining - and cool that a jail was located right within the heart of Freddy. And it is great that so much of the jail history has been preserved within the science centre.

Highly recommendable!!

Go to the 20/20 Club

I have been asking/begging to go to the 20/20 club and I have never really known why.  It is kind of in the parking lot of the Sobey's near my house and it always seems so enticing to go there (maybe the slogan on the sign of being the right spot, or the fact that one could get it confused with the local attention disorder clinic!  Lord knows I cannot find a doctor here, so if going to the 20/20 gets me closer, well then ...)

I think I have romanticized my visit to the 20/20 over the past 8 months. And man, my under achieving thoughts of this place were blown out of the water.  It actually seems like a nice place!!! Nice dance floor, great seating, and what's that you say, fantastic karaoke on Thursday nights.  Don't mind if I do!!  The sweetest people were kind enough to endulge yours truly belt through Barry Manilow's greatest hit "Copa".  Was so happy people got up to dance to my man voice (would blame it on my cold but maybe I just have a low singing voice?!?) and enjoyed my awesome dance moves.  Once in a lifetime folks!

Awesome evening!  Just wish singing in front of a crowd was its own entry!!

Adios Carlitos!

I regret saying this is the end of Carlos and the Crazy Burrito! It was a good 8 months ago that I meet the Sweetest people ever - and I am sooo happy to have them in my life ever since.  I will miss the guach, I will miss the big beers (though now we have the glasses I will ask for fancy exports in them when I visit said sweets), but I will miss going for Mexican with my good friends.

Danke F&J for the resto introduction.  It was a fanastic time there.

Now F - hold old your hand whilst I pour in some crazy hot sauce for old time sake!!

Ride the Fredericton Bus

...albeit only one stop!!  (Wasn't exactly sure the route I was on, so ended up taking the bus half way up the hill just in case the bus took a rapid turn towards the Miramichi - which then again wouldn't be so bad as I could have gone fishing!)

I think I giggled all the way to school so happy that I could cross another thing off my list.  Funny though ... I could have walked to school in the time that it took me to wait for the bus.  (This particular bus ran every 30 mins, though there is no sign to tell you that!  And of course, there are never buses running on Sunday! Gives me more time to go broach shopping or go to church on Sunday)  I realized as I was standing there in the nice sunny weather that I am not a very good beck and call girl.  I would much rather just walk the 17 minutes to school, then rush to get to the stop and wait for a bus.

And I would have to make sure that I rode the wheels a bit longer next time.  $2.25 for a 2 minute ride (but it was uphill....!!) is more expensive than the Toronto Midway (though I think I saw some characters on the bus this morning which made it kinda like a midway!)

So I can proudly say I have taken a ride on the Fredericton bus.  My next plan is to take the bus up to the Hilltop Tavern!!

Run Another Race

Who on earth invented the sport of running?

I curse them every single time I lace up my dang sneaks.

I would have done anything this morning to have hit the snooze button and gone back to bed, but alas, there was a Transplant Trot to run, and thereby another item to cross off the list. Today was (or better said - is) a beautiful and crisp day in downtown Freddy, and a perfect day for a little trot around the city. I hit the mean streets with MzNut, and despite crying over aching calves for the first four km, I had an enjoyable morning.

I keep hearing all these people who love running, and the city's streets were alive with people out enjoying the day, so maybe if I keep at it, I will one day reach that runner's high.

Until then I will fight my way though it wearing as many colours as humanly possible!

Award Ceremony Time

Pat on the Back time - (and time take off some of the entries that are making the top of this blog look funny!)

For dressing up as a maniquin in the mall I give myself a puppet award (cause F chose the outfit and I did what she said!)

For my UNB jacket I will go with ...

The Maritime badge. A rare one that was only awarded in the 1980s. I thought it fitting!!

Red Lantern (it was it's own post!!!)

Just re-read my list and this was an entry!!! Another one bites the dust!!


Tonight I joined F&J for an outting to the elusive North Side. And to the soon-to-be-infamous Red Lantern. (It was almost its own entry on this list of fun!) A very interesting place!

And seeing as that I had one chip, I will semi-count it as a place I have dined! Great times sweets!

Wear my vintage UNB Letterman Jacket out in public

My dearest mommy found this jacket in Toronto of all places. I heart it. Now that the weather is finally above freezing I can bring it out for a good time. I love that this leather is the loudest thing ever, and that it is a '74 jacket. Very vintage, and very fun!! Danke Ann!! Rest assured I am getting good use of my jacket!!

Dress up in a Maniquin outfit from the mall

Dear Samuel and Co,

Your window dressings suck. (I hate the word "suck" but I feel it is appropriate here!)

Over the course of this year I have seen awful prom dresses, ladies who cruise (whom I would never have a drink with!!), and some really ... interesting outfits! Some of my greatest memories this year have been checking out said outfits with my sweetest friend. What great giggles we have had. So it was only fitting (pardon the obvious pun as I am about to try on clothes) that Colleen's sister joined me for this leg of my adventure. She picked out the most hideous top they had in the window, and I was more than happy to model it. (I am just so thankful I didn't pee my pants laughing as I did this!!!)

So by trying this on I achieve a badge. Thanks F!

Hit up three new restos (two and a half down)

I am only scoring this a half point. It wasn't because I didn't actually go to this establisment with the intent of eating, but I am not counting it fully as I don't want to get this badge too quickly! So many restos left to try!

Last night I ate dinner-ish at the Cedar Tree Cafe. I had a lovely middle eastern buffet with 6oish of my closest new friends. The event was the CLS End of Year Coffee house, and I am going to vote it a HUGE success (LBC - did you just feel that?!? That was me giving you a big hug and pat on the back!) I was so very proud of my student who performed, as well as for all the others who showcased their amazing talents. I thought it was such a special evening! I thoroughly enjoyed the Russian dance segment and a great rendition of "Bandages". Now I just have to find that Super Mario love game song!

A fantastic evening - and I guess it also partially counts towards attending another concert badge!

Update: found the song. What a fantastic job you did LBC. I need a "I heart Germany" song for next year!

Charlotte Street Arts Centre

I live a short par 4 away from this fine establishment. It looks to be an old school that has been converted into centre for ... the arts! I have passed by many times and have wanted to check it out, but as one does, I had yet to have gone in. On Thursday night a MAAC student was putting on an Improv/Comedy show about social media, and I was excited to check it out. The show was fun (for the most part - still reeling about one stand up arse) and the space was really cool.

Should really check out a class there, or try the Belgian cafe! Will save that for another list!

Buy something at the Goody Shop

On my walk home from school today I decided to take a slight detour and visit the infamous "Goody Shoppe/Shop". Over this past year I am sure I have eaten some treat from there, but I have never stepped foot inside. So today felt like the day to do it!

I had a lovely 60cent Ginger Snap. It was nice and strong on the ginger, and man did it have a snap! (watch out roof of my mouth!) Some great looking baked treats, as well as my favourite red feet all prepacked in little bundles.

And another one (off the list) bites the dust!

Oh the Places I've Been

A retrospective look back at the places I went before awarding myself badges and pats on the back ...

The Cabin - A delightful diner out on Woodstock Road. A personal jukebox at our table and a wonderful old school feel. I seem to remember being chastised for my music selection, but I nwill blame in on the freezing cold day which numbed my musical senses. A fantastic place to grab a lobser roll breakfast after the 5k Santa Shuffle. My need to not finish last overtook my Christmas spirit to pass someone in the last 500m. Not my finest hour - haha!

The City Club - a great birthday party at this fine establishment. Might never make it back here, so happy to cross it off the list when I had the chance!

Attend a UNB Sporting Event - I am now a seasoned Volleyball watcher. I remember playing in gym class, but man, we never played like the boyz on the UNB Reds! What an amazing game. It was also great to join two seasoned players (of Vball!) who could help me decipher the game. But let's be honest, the real reason why I go to the games is to sit in the family-friendly section and watch kids beat each other with blowup sticks, and to eat Skittles, and drink fine imported Bud Light. Man it tastes so much better in the Currie Centre!

Lipdub - I remember just arriving in Fredericton and being a young impressionable new prof with a rubber arm, and joining LBC for UNB's LipDub. Awesome day! I especially love and treasure the Prof T-shirt! Danke L!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wawx-_HXxaE http://thebruns.ca/articles/48596 (check out the N and the B!!)

Sugar Bush / Kings Landing - last weekend we went back in time to the settlers'.... umm... settlement. The morning was started off with a great pancake breaky ("no meat please .... why yes, I do apreciate the extra serving of bacon and sausages!" - or rather $ will!) We explored the area, saw the livestock, enjoyed a hot apple cider, and tried not to get hot maple syrup all over our faces, jackets, hair, etc. It was so nice to see the old buildings and I would love to return again in warmer weather - but I have firmly decided I am not living there this summer and becoming a blacksmith!!

Donair Pizza - one of my besties raves about East Coast donair pizza - or the sauce at least. As a non-meat eater I just cannot share her passion for the donair. I thought about buying the sauce and trying it on brocolli, but have resisted. But the other night, fueled by a couple Piccaroon's Winter Warmers perhaps, I had a bite of $'s donair 'za. Hmm... interesting! Worth a check of my list. The new friends we met in the pizza joint that night were much better than the meat pizza I gotta say!

The Regent Mall - I am not a huge shopper, but I do like to look. I will admit that I had been to this mall to spend endless hours (no joke) in the Walmart, and to go to a movie, but had never actually set foot in the mall. The other day I explored it, and will say I will never have to return (unless I need a DELICIOUS Laura Secord Easter Egg!) What a collection of interesting people! I will, however, be making more trips to Walmart!

Hit up three new restos (two down)

Every mostly-vegetarian loves to be invited to a resto named "Asia Beef Noodle". I thought of resisting the invite to join the sweetest people, I realized this was a great opportunity to knock another one off the list - oh and see my friends!

I was delightfully surprised by the vegetarian options offered by the Beef Haus. Their selection of imported beers (Bud Light was it?) was also of a high calibre. I would probably return. Maybe around Christmas when the window decorations will have a better effect. The sauces were also a wonderful treat!

Thanks Sweeties! Was most impressed!

BBJ out!

New Editions ...

Buy something at the Goodie Shoppe
Legislatative Tour
Charlotte Street Arts Centre
Red Lantern Pub
Go to Another Concert
Beat SP at a game other than Apples to Apples (he threw down Agricola though I would have to practice for months to do that!)
Go to Science East
Step inside every building on campus
Visit all the houses in F&J's book

Modern Day Brownie

Was out last night and was reminded that I had originally suggested getting "Fredericton Badges" for a sash - a la my old Brownie sash. So for each achievement off my list, I will also award myself a badge. So after almost a week I am one item down. I am not sure what the "Having a Conversation in French" badge will look like, but the award ceremony should be fun!

Have narrowed down the badge selection ... an obvious one in French, or Friend to the Disabled.

Hit up three new restos (one down)

I will admit that I was fully scared to try a Sushi resto in Freddy. I am no gourmand, but I think I have a bit of a handle on good food. And my darling Fredericton, for all your positives, you seem to be lacking in great food. That is not to say I have not have some memorable dishes in this fine city - I would just say that the company I am with is generally better than the food!!

So when a sushi outting was suggested recently I will admit I kind of cringed. I had already invisioned rank salmon and awful sushi. But you gotta live a little ... So off we went (both a little apprehensive as I remember!) to a sushi joint on King. And I will admit that I was pleasantly surprised! The food was a little different than anything I had ever tried (the miso soup tasted like it came from paste, the sushi was covered in a sort of BBQ sauce), but it was different than anything I had had here - and in a good way!! So kudos Sushi place on King (who's name escapes me - but it's right across from the Pimp's hideout by the mall). You surprised me!

And of course - the company was way better than the food!!

Visit three new NB Cities (one down)

So I might be back dating this one a bit, but I am still counting it (and I may need to in case I don't reach my goal!!)


I was very lucky to have Ann come visiting me over March Break. We headed down to the beautiful city of Saint John, which is the largest city in New Brunswick (followed by Moncton and then Fredericton). Saint John is said to be the most "Irish" city in Canada, and the downtown area was certainly a great place to visit. Ann and I were lucky to see old Cabbagetown friends in their great city.

We got to witness the great tidal changes, the Market (with a mediocre Lobster roll - which reminds me I should add a Lobster Roll Scale to my bucket list!), our friends' BEAUTIFUL abode, the Loyalist Cemetery, cool Army/Surplus/Antique finds, and lovely, lovely bar scene. Have a great Irish fish-quality-inspector as a friend for life!

We were also lucky enough to taste sturgeon - a fish once at the risk of extinction because of caviar overfishing, but now on the way back up in New Brunswick. And lemme tell you, a smoked Sturgeon is fantastic!!


I really enjoyed our visit to Saint John. And alway great to spend time with my mom Ann!!

Have a conversation in French ...

Of Canada's ten provinces, New Brunswick is the only province to be officially bilingual.

I would love to say that my French has improved from the dual language street signs or from listening in to conversations in the local downtown Tim Horton's (where you are almost guarenteed to hear Francais) - but it hasn't. So I was very lucky to have been subjected/treated/forced to have a French conversation last week whilst out for drinks on Saturday night.

I proudly butchered my way through the conversation. I think I made up words, redefined French word order, and generally offended my drink companions. But I gave 'er a go (and somewhat had to after being tricked in to a French evening!) But all in all the evening left me with a sense of being a proud Canadian. We are lucky to be such a diverse land.

And despite the tequilla which seemed to have helped my French speaking ability - I am sticking to English next outting! Je m'excuse!

Freddy Beach Bucket List ...

I am realizing I really need to take advantage of this city more ... so to help me I have created my to-do list in this fine city ... So in no particular order ...

I happily welcome people who want to help me achieve these goals!!

Ride the Fredericton Bus
Go to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery
Buy a Broach at the Sunday Flea Market
Hit up three restaurants I have never tried
Go to three churches
Run another race
Fish on the Miramichi
Catch a Lobster
Have my photo taken by the Biggest Fake Lobster in Shediac
Wear my vintage UNB letterman jacket out in public
Have a conversation in French (in this lovely bilingual province)
Visit three new NB cities
Go to the 20/20 club
Have a (lobster) dinner in a legion hall
Visit Gagetown Military base
Play Bingo at St.Mary's
Dress Up in a Manequin outfit from the Mall