After work on Wednesday, I headed to High Street to finish some of my Christmas shopping. One stop I made was the Glenora Inn Bed & Breakfast. On the corner of 123 Street and 102 Avenue, it is located in a high traffic area, and I know that I’ve passed it by too many times to count.

Walking in, I was led up a winding flight of stairs to a small reception area on the second floor. I inquired about a gift certificate, and the clerk patiently explained how the packages worked, and pointed out the differences between the suites. She ended up even giving me a tour, and opened up a traditional B & B and small and medium studios for me to take a look.

I must admit, a part of me felt like I had been transported to Stars Hollow, the fictional town of Gilmore Girls, and location of Lorelai’s Dragonfly Inn. The Glenora was so quaint, charming, and friendly that I wanted to stay there.

I hope my gift recipients like the present, but at the very least, I’ve discovered another Edmonton treasure that I will make a point to return to.

A few weeks ago, one of my coworkers alerted me to a University of Alberta alumni gathering to take place at LUX Steakhouse & Bar. We quickly RSVP-ed when we found out there were free drinks involved.

A group of us headed down to LUX after work today, and at the door, we each received a coupon redeemable for either a “Golden Bear Martini” or “Peppermint Panda Hot Chocolate” (cheesy, I know). Once inside, we found ourselves rubbing elbows with the chic happy hour business crowd.

I was lucky enough to get to try out both drinks. The Martini, green and lime-flavored with what must have been heaping teaspoons of Kool-aid, was quite tasty, and made me long to return on a Martoonie Thursday. I thought they copped out on the alcohol, as I couldn’t taste it at all, but my coworker set me straight on that (you know what that means…). The hot chocolate was great as well – rich, but not too sweet, though the peppermint flavor was a bit lacking.

There was an article in “ed,” a weekly magazine in the Edmonton Journal on Saturday featuring an interview with Chloe Chalmers, the University’s first ever “young alumni” coordinator, and organizer of tonight’s shindig. She stated that she has three goals, “To increase the awareness amongst alumni of the Alumni Association and what and what we offer; to increase services available; and to increase awareness amongst students.” Events in the new year include debt management and investment seminars.

While true the University may indeed want to provide more support to recent graduates, I’m sure the activities they arrange may be less altruistic than at first glance: ply alumni with free drinks, and they may end up feeling more fiscally generous come collection time. Or, offer financial management seminars, and alumni may have greater savings in their retirement years, and thus more disposable income to donate.

While I can’t say I’m willing to give back to my alma mater just yet, I will accept any and all future invitations to free parties.

Golden Bear Martini

Peppemint Panda Hot Chocolate

As is the case with pumpkin carving, it seems I only ever partake in gingerbread house decorating at work. But I’m not complaining.

Unlike more organized departments, my group scrambled to complete the project by the 4:30pm deadline this afternoon. As such, it wasn’t as well thought-out as it could be, but I still think we did a bang-up job.

Funny how I feel more like a kid sometimes at work than at any other time during the day.

Our creation!

I’ve been exposed to the concept of potlucks ever since I can remember, with family friend gatherings always centering around the communal sharing of dishes. Just this year though, my peers and workmates have chosen this as a constant alternative to eating out, particularly to celebrate the holidays. Though it’s not exactly a sign of growing up, it is interesting to note that just a few years ago, the thought of holding a potluck with friends was foreign to me. I will, however, have to be careful not to overdose on the idea, as cooking may begin to be a drag.

Anyway, on Saturday night, I got together with a few coworkers for a potluck Christmas party, and might I say it was enjoyable. It seems that as long as the numbers are contained, the gathering can remain a personal event. And yes, the food was great!

Food! Food!

On a toque-optional night, a friend and I headed to the Legislature grounds to tour the holiday lights and decorations. Sadly, though I have been working in a building across the street for more than a year, I had never made the effort before Thursday to check it out.

Still, better late than never. We crossed over via the convenient pedway system, and found a beautiful spectacle. Away from the traffic, the festooned trees and the musical classics that streamed from mounted outdoor speakers made the square a world of its own. In addition to the Christmas lights, there were a few BrightNights displays and several lit ice sculptures, including a horse-drawn sleigh and a mini-version of the Legislature. People even took the time to build several snow people, hats and all.

I have never been to Central Park in New York, and I know Edmonton cannot compare, but the quaint charm of a quiet winter’s night beneath holiday lights is magical. I invite you to explore the Legislature grounds this Christmas.

The Legislature from afar

Snow family!

Horse ice sculpture

Legislature ice sculpture

Legislature steps (where Ed Stelmach was sworn in as the new premier-elect just hours earlier)

BrightNights skiers

Giant Christmas tree

Dickson with snowfriend

Me with snowfriend

I watched the season finale of Laguna Beach this evening, and couldn’t help but be disappointed. Departing from the usual half-hour format, this episode was an hour in length. They should have stuck to a thirty minute time limit, as the content ended up stretched and drawn-out.

With the exception of two cast members, all other characters would be back next season to finish off their senior year in high school, so it seems the editors did their best to frame storylines as cliffhangers: the Tessa-Rocky-Breanna triangle; Alex and his ability to stay true to Rocky despite the temptation of college girls; and Chase’s choice between his band’s future and a diploma. I find it rather odd and voyeuristic in many ways, as unlike a scripted show, Laguna‘s audience will essentially be waiting for life to happen to these people, as opposed to anticipating what writers might decide to plot.

Also, unlike vulnerably honest Lauren, or wickedly entertaining Kristen, Tessa didn’t function well as the show’s narrator. Nicknamed the “wet blanket,” Tessa was often whiny, indecisive, and not much fun to watch. Cameron, the show’s male lead, never measured up to Jason’s player ways or Stephen’s romantic ideals, and thus wasn’t able to act as a stabilizing pillar either. Without a strong emotional centre, Laguna as a whole suffered a downturn in quality.

I found this finale to be less aurally manipulative than past seasons as well, due to the use of a more rock-based soundtrack. I wonder if this was a conscious effort to push the “maturity” level of the show as the audience grows up as well (assuming a shift from pop music can represent such development).

At the very least, I do like the structure of the seasons, with the episodes punctuated by timely school events: winter formal, spring break in Cabo, promposals and prom, graduation, and the start of summer. Within the chaos of teenage drama, the predictability of these occurrences is much appreciated.

I am optimistic for Season 4, but in the meantime, let the countdown to Season 2 of The Hills begin!

Two of my blogging-inclined friends informally challenged me when they found out that I had started a blog of my own. The first was to maintain this blog for at least three months. The second was to reach a post count of three hundred. Well, I’m over halfway to the first milestone, but still two hundred and fifty shy of the second, so I have miles to go before victory can be declared.

I’m not sure if it’s my inherent nature to compete, or the excitement born from a new project, but I find myself having to consciously check my blog at the door. What I mean is that in my quest to document the new, unknown, and yet to be discovered (particularly in the culinary world), I feel like I’m living to blog, when it really should be the other way around.

As someone still clinging to her discman while iPod gangs reign supreme, I’m shocked at the speed of how this new-to-me technology has surpassed my good sense.

But if the first step to fixing a problem is admitting that it exists, then I’m well on the road to recovery. I hope.

I couldn’t in good conscience post about Oscar and not about our first non-aquatic pet, Friend.

A small grey, sweet-tempered rabbit, Friend was our family companion for many years. He stood on his hind legs to greet us, had an early habit of running circles around those he wanted to show affection to, and loved to cuddle and settle comfortably in laps.

We tried to let him enjoy our fenced yard as much as possible in the summer. Many lazy afternoons were spent chasing him around the backyard, watching him dig holes with glee, or snapping pictures as he lounged around on his stomach. Besides carrots, fresh strawberries and bananas were his favorite treats.

I do miss having a rabbit around the house. It has been over a year since Friend passed, but I haven’t been able to bring myself to get another yet, and Oscar’s a handful all on his own.

Wherever you are, Friend, I’m sure there is an abundance of grass, dandelions, and carrots to keep you happy!

Peek-a-boo!

Friend indoors.

As relaxed as can be.

Over the weekend, officials at a Washington airport decided to dismantle their holiday displays. From the Seattle Times:

“The airport managers ordered the plastic trees removed and boxed up after a rabbi asked to have an 8-foot-tall menorah displayed next to the largest tree in the international arrival hall. Port of Seattle staff felt adding the menorah would have required adding symbols for other religions and cultures in the Northwest, said Terri-Ann Betancourt, the airport’s spokeswoman. The holidays are the busiest season at the airport, she said, and staff didn’t have time to play cultural anthropologists.”

The rabbi isn’t to blame in this situation, as he apparently just wanted to “add light to the season,” not create another controversy during the already hyper-politically correct “winter festival.”

I mean, I don’t personally mind using “holiday celebration” in place of “Christmas,” but having to eliminate images, images many consider secular and representative of the season as a whole to begin with, is another issue. I even know someone who was requested to replace a picture of a Christmas tree with a “non-denominational snowman” on a company publication a few weeks ago.

As gleaned from the above article, I think the U.S. Supreme Court has it right: “Christmas trees can be secular symbols if they are not part of a religious-themed display.” It’s a tree. Just let it go.