Tuesday 31 December 2013

10,000+ Hits!

Many thanks to my brother, Joe, for this great photo!
(No disrespect to Elvis or his fans intended)
 Thank you, thank you, thank you, everybody! When I started this blog early in February this year, I never dreamed that it would spread as far and wide as it has done in only a few months. (While writing this post my Mum said, "10,000 hits? Hey, that's more than Elvis!") Anyhow, thanks to the help of old friends and new ones, there are now people all over the world who are reading it! My hope is that you will continue to be blessed by what I post. Keep the feedback coming, it encourages and inspires me so much!


"I love your blog, it's like a one man party!" - C.C. England

"Hey Jacob...keep going with this brilliant blog. I'm lovin' it......"  D.P.S. England

"Hi Jacob. Congratulations on your blog. It is great..." M.B. America

 Please do not forget that you can be a part of what is happening here on Jacob and Jamie by sending in suggestions for improvement, ideas for future posts, writing a post yourself for my sister site, YourBlog! or just leaving feedback. Contact me anytime at onedeliciousman@gmail.com!

Thanks again!

Jacob

P.S. I was thinking of doing a list of 10,000 reasons as to why I like my blog but I was having trouble narrowing it down...just kidding! Why not let me know what you like about it?




"To glorify my Savior, Jesus Christ, the Creator 
of the universe and spread further abroad His glorious gospel." - Yours Truly

Wednesday 25 December 2013

Joseph Yoon's "My Favourite Ice-cream Shoppe"

My Favourite Ice-cream Shoppe!
 Ice-cream. There is a distinct lack of it back home in Britain in my opinion but in North America, you can't go far without driving past a Dairy Queen*. A near perfect example of the quality, quantity and just phenomenal amount of choice would be the wonderful "My Favourite Ice-Cream Shoppe" in the Altadore neighbourhood of South-west Calgary. Here's just ten out of the 72 bamboozling flavours they boast. They've got some fantastic names!

  1. Moose Tracks
  2. Mud Pie
  3. Blue Bubble Gum
  4. Triple Tornado
  5. Wet Paint
  6. Nanaimo Bar
  7. Jamaican Grapenut
  8. Melon Heads
  9. Leaping Lizard
  10. Bat Black Licorice
    Meet David Han
     Open since 1981, this shop is now run by David Han whom I had the pleasure of chatting to. He said his favourite flavours were pistachio, coconut and one there called 'Espresso Flake'. He was kind enough to let me try some too! When asked what I might be interested in I thought for a second and replied, "Anything green, please." Firstly the tasting spoon was dipped into a bucket containing a very dark green ice-cream which I was told was called 'Melon Heads'. The 'Lemon Sorbet' was really good too, I've always enjoyed sorbets. A few days ago, a friend of mine mentioned that he had tried 'green tea ice-cream'. So, when this flavour was offered to me I was sceptical at first but it possess a surprisingly refreshing flavour so definitely give it a try. And then a personal favourite combination of mine: mint and chocolate. 
    Check out these super amazing flavours!
     The selection of ice-creams is full of surprises and so is the actual parlour itself. From the selection of objects that have made their home on the walls to the "Ms. Pac Man" arcade game to the piano in the middle with a giant cow sitting on top of it. The piano is actually played by professional musicians every weekend evenings from 6:30 until 10:00 but if you can play it for ten minutes or so then you get free ice-cream. Sounds a good deal, right?
     So, if you're in Calgary sometime and are looking for good flavours and good fun then head on down to "My Favourite Ice-Cream Shoppe". If you are lucky enough to be in the area on their Customer Appreciation Day, 20th of October, then bring a coupon (click HERE) and you can get a free ice-cream!

    Seasoned with 72 flavours!

    Jacob

     P.S. I forgot to mention that they also have a great assortment of ice-cream cake designs for you to choose from and even if they don't have quite the design you're after, you can create your own! Click HERE to see their selection. 
    *Keep an eye out for more ice-cream extravaganza coming soon!

    One random cow lounging on the piano


    A huge mural down the side of the shop's outside



    "To glorify my Savior, Jesus Christ, the Creator 
    of the universe and spread further abroad His glorious gospel." - Yours Truly

    Tuesday 17 December 2013

    Lake Louise and Tim Horton's

    Lake Louise. Look closely above my left
    shoulder and you will see the glacier at
    the far end of the lake

    Brrr...cold thumbs
     The Canadian province of Alberta is famous for many things: majestic National Parks, fabulous ski resorts, the Edmonton Mall...steak. (Nothing like an Alberta steak, right, Alex?) Famed for it's breathtaking beauty, however, is Lake Louise, Banff National Park. It was a two and a bit hour drive from Calgary and freezing cold but it was worth it, I've never seen anything quite like the crystaly blue colour of Lake Louise. I was reminded a lot of the time I spent in Scotland (see here for my post on that) by the area surrounding it however it was much more dramatic.
     Anyhow, by this time, I was in dire need of something hot so there was one logical place to go: Tim Horton's. Oh, yes, I like Tim Horton's! Canadian ice hockey player, Tim Horton, founded the coffee chain in 1964 and it is now the largest fast food service in Canada with over 3,000 stores nationwide! Just check out these statistics:
    Of course, I had to have the
    green one!
    • In Canada, Tim Horton's has twice the amount of outlets as McDonald's
    • Tim Horton's commands 76% of the Canadian market for baked goods
    • Tim Horton's holds 62% of the Canadian coffee market (Starbucks came second with a meagre 7%!)
     Yep, Canadians like Tim!

     So, I was left with a question that you may be able to help me with. Looking at this box of mouth-watering goodies, what would come out on top for you: the lake or the doughnuts? Leave a comment if you know.

    The Lake?








    Seasoned with Choice,

    Jacob





    or the doughnuts!
    A cafe that I happened to spy with a clever name













    "To glorify my Savior, Jesus Christ, the Creator 
    of the universe and spread further abroad His glorious gospel." - Yours Truly
























    Friday 13 December 2013

    Little Caesar's - "Hot 'n' Ready!"

    Pizza time...
     After leaving the Berger's, it was back to Calgary for a while. When back, I got to meet up with some old friends and enjoyed pizzas together. Lots of pizza. In fact, you should be able to count sixteen boxes...
     "Little Caesar's" are a chain where the food comes hot 'n' ready which provided for some amusing photos...I mean delicious, hunger-busting pizzas in minutes!
     I have to say, if I'm ordering a pizza, it's got to be something with pepperoni. I don't do the veggie ones very well, they're always soggy. Blurk. But everyone's got their own opinion, what's yours?

    Seasoned with Jesting,

    Everyone's happy!
    Jacob




    "Hot 'n' Ready, folks!"

    "To glorify my Savior, Jesus Christ, the Creator 
    of the universe and spread further abroad His glorious gospel." - Yours Truly

    Thursday 12 December 2013

    Music, Ice-cream Cakes and Line Dancing

    Yep, that's an ice-cream cake
     So, after leaving Montana, it was a six hour drive to Calgary. I had a day there to rest up and then a two hour drive the following day up to Lacombe. Since being here in the States, I've had the great privilege of being invited into different people's homes which can oftentimes mean food. The Bergers were no exception. What a great family! The first evening I was there, there eldest daughter, Emily, and I believe a few helpers had made scores of spring rolls from scratch. I can remember when I was younger that I had little appreciation for such foods but these were seriously good! Anyhow, I was already blown away with these guys' skills in the kitchen but I was soon to find that I had no idea...
    Getting some practice in... Apparently I look
    like a gherkin
     The morning after I had a practice and a sound check. I was borrowing a five string bass which I've never played before as I hadn't brought my bass for the trip, so, that was a first. All I could hope was that everything would sound OK the following day...
    This picture seriously doesn't do it
    justice
     Now, at home, I have this little tradition. Every Saturday I make a big chilli and everybody loves it. Somehow this tradition has continued even here in the States. What had Mrs. Berger prepared for dinner? Yep, chilli. And you know what I was saying about "skills in the kitchen"? Well, Alethea can make the most incredible apple pies! 
    Live on stage!

     The next day was the day of a concert. Man, was that a blast! I was nervous as it was the biggest one I'd done on this trip so far but I survived with only a few minor blips. After that, to say thank you to the Berger's (they had done so much in organizing the concert) I went to Dairy Queen...for an ice-cream cake! This was well received, apparently there are a few ice-cream fanatics among them as I learned...
    The King of Cuteness: Isaiah Berger

     We later had a BBQ together outside over an open fire before tucking into the ice-cream cake. A little while after that, while getting in a mess with toasted marshmallows, I was acquainted with the art of bannock making. Apparently it's a Scottish recipe that is best cooked over an open fire which we had handy. Take a handful of dough, squish around the tip of a long stick and cook until well browned. Spread with butter, jam, honey, (or marmite!) and you are away.
     Well, what can finish off a day of music, food and friends better than dancing? Ladies and gentleman, allow me to introduce you to line dancing! Yep, I learned how to line dance thanks to the patience of Abbie (whose very cool YouBlog! post you can read right here) and had such a great time. As you may have guessed, I was very sad to go and I shall never forget the time spent with the Berger family. Many thanks to you all, you're awesome!
    Check out the disco ball!
    Seasoned with far too much fun!

    Jacob

    Acknowledgements - Many thanks to Alex for teaching me how to back-flip on a trampoline!




    Downtown Calgary. I've been able to experience Canada in the Autumn (or Fall as they say over here) a few
    times now and it never ceases to "wow" me


    Choosing an ice-cream cake

    Alethea preparing those delicious pies...







    Having the cake personlized

    Now that's a cool one!











    Cooking up the cheeseburgers

    Enjoying that ice-cream cake!
    Bannock bread. A must for anyone camping







    "To glorify my Savior, Jesus Christ, the Creator 
    of the universe and spread further abroad His glorious gospel." - Yours Truly

    Thursday 21 November 2013

    TJ Tries Marmite! - Special Edition Post

    We sure had some fun! Check out some priceless
    expressions below...
     The fun's not over folks! I had the plan of bringing a jar of Marmite with me to the States, (as you can't get it over here,) to give people I meet over here the chance to try it. The first person willing to give it a go was TJ. Hats off to him for finishing a whole slice of buttered bread spread with a helping of Marmite. 
     So, who's next...


    Seasoned with Intrepidity,

    Jacob

    P.S. Check out my previous post on just Marmite right HERE












    Hmmm... Very pensive



    Three cheers for TJ!













































    "To glorify my Savior, Jesus Christ, the Creator 
    of the universe and spread further abroad His glorious gospel." - Yours Truly

    Friday 15 November 2013

    New Friends, New Recipes

    "Here comes the smoulder..."
     Sometimes in your life you meet someone that it feels like you've known for years. I can count on one hand the amount of people I've met like that and this gentleman is one of them...and he cooks like a boss! Allow me to introduce you to TJ.
     Without a doubt, the best chicken alfredo I've ever had was cooked up by none other than this dude. Tender, juicy chicken in a creamy, cheesy sauce with a subtle, warming spice to it over al dente pasta served with garlic toast; just perfect.
     Sorry, got carried away. Let's back up a bit...
    I made an apple crumble
     After cooking up some mean sticky chicken with friends outside Missoula, it was a drive up to Kalispell, just south of the amazing Glacier National Park to stay at a huge camp hence the huge conventional kitchen that I had the privilege of cooking in.
     I got to try a few firsts too. For example, the huckleberry. Prized by all the locals (especially the bears!) these berries have such a distinct, unique flavour and are used in various ways. However, the most famous without a doubt is huckleberry pie which I was privileged enough to try!
    Cooking up the best chicken al fredo!
     The next thing was TJ's highly secretive recipe: peanut butter and chocolate cookie cups. Hmmm, boy! Those things should be illegal. I can see why the recipe is so highly protected. I can't say too much about them though as I'm probably under surveillance...
     My band and I had a concert at this place too which went really well and we all had a blast. I was asked to autograph a CD! TJ is a musician too so with us appreciating both music and food, we became even firmer friends.
     One morning, (after a small disaster) my new friend TJ took a small group of us out to a little joint known as Montana Coffee Traders for breakfast. Now, since being over here in the States, I've acquired a taste for biscuits. (See previous post "Cracker Barrel"!) So, I ordered biscuits and gravy and boy was that a good idea! Deliciousness. Three huge, fluffy biscuits topped with a healthy helping of creamy, sausage gravy. Oh, and a slice of orange. 
     So, a gargantuan "thank you so much!" to TJ and his folks for a f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c couple of days. Montana has been an unforgettable experience for me thanks to you guys.

    Seasoned with Delectability,

    Jacob

    The view of Glacier Nat'l Park from the road

    That's right. "Real men wear aprons!"
    As you can imagine, I was sad to go



    Making some crumble!
    Making TJ's super-secret peanut butter and chocolate
    cookie cups




    My amazing biscuits and gravy at Montana Coffee Traders
    Trying a first...


    There was also a concert too which went
    really well.
    ...huckleberry pie