“Coingate”. Everyone knows about the loonie burried at centre-ice during the Salt Lake City Winter Games (CBC Story) well last week it was reported that during a practice skate Smyth spotted something in the ice at the RBC Centre in Raleigh and dug that sucker out (Sportsnet Story). Could this have been a turning point in the Canes’ play? They were up 3-1 in the best of 7 series.

Since that supposed ‘turning point’, Edmonton has rustled up 2 more wins to tie the series at 3 games a piece and forcing a game 7. No team in history (other than the Leafs in the 1940s) has EVER come back from that much of a deficit to win the cup.

The puck drops tonight at 5pm Pacific time in Raleigh, North Carolina and it is 100% certain that one team will be awarded the cup (that’s been waiting in the wings for the past couple of games, just waiting for Brind’Amour’s loving arms around it :p) We’ll see tonight if the Canes can finish what they started or if the Oil kings can make history.

When it comes to household chores, John‘s share is a little bigger than mine but we try to keep it pretty even. When it comes to food prep, we’re pretty darn equal. I told him the other day we need our own little couple’s recipe book where we can keep all the recipes we use – jot down lil notes etc. But he said that’s what the internet is for, and I suppose it’s true. The internet, what can’t it do.

We rely on AllRecipes.com for a lot of our ‘creations’ and ideas. We’ll try something once then discuss what we can do next time to make it a little ‘better’ eg. the peanut butter oatmeal cookies I make for him, add a lil vanilla and it makes an already to-die-for recipe just that much better.

The other night John decided to make chilaquillas. He’s made a breakfast version for me before (when we were in Iowa) but this was the all-out full-meal-size-dinner-deal. He got some inspiration from AllRecipes.com and I think some from memory. Honestly, my mother in law’s food is really yummy – John needs to learn how to make sopa!

He made chillaquillas and I watched. Err well I assisted and learned how to prepare the beans. As usual, while enjoying our meal, we discussed what we can do next time to make it just that much more delicious. Looking at the cost of the ingredients, the prep time and how wonderful it turned out, this will have to be added to our regular meal rotation for sure.

What are you favourite recipes or twists on the ‘usual’ that might not be so ‘usual’?

I’ve seen posts about this place and we walk by it about 10 times a week so last night when my co-worker from Toronto was visiting and said he wanted some good Japanese tapas I thought it would be time to try it out. Guu with Garlic (not to be confused with just Guu over on Thurlow) is located on the corner of Bidwell and Robson (1698 Robson) and is open from 5:30pm to 12:00am.

We arrived at about 9:50 and weren’t actually seated until 10:40. Since there were 5 of us I can understand the rediculously long wait – couples (groups of 2) had a much less-painful wait. I must say though, it was definately worth it. The food was great, the prices – reasonable and the atmosphere, joyful. The staff was really funny/friendly and accomodating. We just kept ordering dishes that tickled our fancy and had some lovely unfiltered saki (which was fruity and californian).

I tried things I hadn’t before eg. shark fin and the twists on contemporary classics such as John’s fave, calamari – were delicious. (see previous post about his calamari run all over town).

Guu with Garlic is definately worth checking out if you have the patience to wait in line, although I highly recommend making some reservations if you’re going to make it over there between Thurs and Sunday.

(Review – VanEats: Guu with Garlic / Guu)

Nathalie last night had a great send-off message. She seems to be the most articulate and down to earth person of the bunch, now she’s gone. We’re left with Kimmy Gibbler (the cryer) and Brandi (the lush), Sophia Lauren (Ylena), Skater Girl (Heather – who gets TONS of face time, have you noticed that?), Sisi (who takes amazing photos, the quirkiness totally works), Tenika (I don’t have much to say about her) and finally, Alana. Enough said.

okay so now every female in canada ‘ hates’ Canada’s Next Top Model. what’s to like? the judges call everyone ‘big’, the girls are all whiny, very average looking, seemingly unintelligent and floozy. The show is based no where near what we would consider a fashion mecca of Canada… so why are we all still watching? It’s reality TV. You have your hot tub scenes, the competition, the protagonists, the loud mouths and the cryers. Every show on TV that has a “judge” has those judges telling contestants how horrible they are, how they need work and how they need to improve. Is this just different and more ‘hurtful to canada’ because the judges are critizing someone’s body instead of their singing ability? As for quality — ANTM was pretty weak when it started out, and it’s managed to streamline production quality over the last SIX seasons. This is season 1, we do not have Tyra or the big budget – sure some of the decisions and locations make you shake your head and say “I wouldn’t even take my grandma there” but I think most of us are still going to tune in next week regardless.

it’s wednesday and i’m already looking forward to the weekend. it’ll be full of events and fun things to do. If you’re not already out n’about at the Dragon Boat Festival try one of these:

Starting with the Commercial Drive Festival, June 18th. (Festival Homepage and post on Beyond Robson)

“Free of Charge. Free of Boring Corporate Stuff. Free of Cars”.

Heading east… Sapperton Days in New Westminster, June 17-18

“Sapperton Day is a family oriented event celebrating New Westminster and Sapperton’s unique location and history. It is held in conjunction with the annual Sapperton Bike Festival.” (New Westminster Events)

This ‘older’ part of town is continuously revitalizing itself. With new developments and faces in the neighbourhood it’s about time it did some promotion. For more info check out the city’s events page noted above or check out the History of Sapperton Day page.

And last but not least, moving across the river we have the Whalley Community Festival June 17th (City of Surrey Events). “The Festival will host 3 stages of performers that include dancers, musicians and solos. The Cultural Food Fair will have foods from around the world. ”

It’s also Fathers’ Day this Sunday – don’t forget! Get out and enjoy – hopefully the sketchy June weather will produce some sun for these events 🙂

Many many things happening today! First off I haven’t made a hockey post in AGES, then I guess I should give an update on the World Cup, CNTM on tonight and the concert that’s been postponed.

Tonight is game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (sportsnet). After losing the first two games to the Canes in Carolina everyone expected the Oil to return to Edmonton and kick ass (as they did vs San Jose earlier in the playoffs). Unfortunately they only managed to get 1 game in their favour so tonight we go back to Raleigh, where the Cup will be waiting in the wings for the Canes fingers crossed (hockey posts)

World Cup action – Man this city is going nuts, it’s fantastic! I believe now I’ve dropped to 3rd place in our company office pool but that’s okay – Spain’s win this morning should give me a boost. Later today Saudi Arabia and Tunisa play. John told me he heard somewhere that each player on the Saudi team gets $45K for every game they win – talk about incentive. (official schedule) The ‘home team’ Germany will take on Poland later on today as well. (football posts)

The only good thing about the Snow Patrol show being postponed is that I can now watch Canada’s Next Top Model tonight – but it’s hardly any consolation. The show is now moved to September AND an all-ages venue. Everyone knows tonight’s show would have been sooooooo good at the Commodore, but such is life. (SP postponed)

Last item of business, Happy Birthday to a fellow female Vancouver blogger! (GusGreeper).