Calgary, Canada Day. What a great combination.

July 1^st will be here soon and we know you want to make the most of Canada Day and paint the town red and white. At 143 years young, our country has never looked better.

And a Calgary Canada Day is the best kind of Canada Day there is. We live in a fabulous city where can you go rafting, mountain climbing, and shopping all in the same day, watch the sun set behind the Bow River, and then make dinner reservations downtown.

There will be no shortage of fun things to do. To get you started, we at Simply Elegant have a few suggestions on how to make your Calgary Canada Day extra special.  

You can enjoy the day with family and friends on Prince’s Island Park. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Island will be alive with music, live entertainment, food, and festivities. And with three stages filled with live music and entertainment acts, there is guaranteed to be something for everyone.  

Later in the evening the festivities continue at Olympic Plaza with even more food, entertainment and a fireworks finale – talk about going out with a bang.

Or you and the family can spend the day at Heritage Park. The day long events include western themed entertainment, old fashioned family games, birthday cake (of course) and plenty of music.  

The spirit of the west is in full swing at Millarville.  Why not visit and check out Millarville’s Canada Day races. The day features modern-day cowboys, farmers and local acreage owners competing in the Millarville Derby. The Derby is a 7 furlong race for local riders and their stock horses under a western saddle. 

They’ll be celebrating our nation’s 143^rd birthday all day long at the place where our city was born. And a Fort Calgary Canada Day is a very special one indeed.  The historic site of the first English singing of O Canada and first RCMP detachment will be featuring family fun events such as a free pancake breakfast, live stage entertainment, petting zoo, pony rides, games, crafts, jump houses, and much more. At noon, they’ll be holding their official Canada Day ceremony and at 1 PM the Strathcona Mounted Troop will have their Musical Ride on site. 

Spruce Meadows continues its “Canada One” Tournament.  The tournament showcases world-class show jumping competition in a relaxed atmosphere and it is considered among one of the finest outdoor tournaments in North America. With over $350,000 total purse for the competition at the highest level, “Canada One” has become one of the sport’s premier tournaments with full FEI CSI 4-star status and a world cup qualifier.

Now’s your chance to see some of North America’s best riders.

So go on, Calgary. Canada Day is waiting. Get out there and celebrate it in style. And whatever you choose to do this holiday, here’s wishing you and yours a fun, safe, and happy time from all of us. Because let’s face it, as a country, we totally rock.

Here’s a fun fact: Father’s Day dates back almost 4,000 years.

The story goes that a Babylonian youth named Elmesu carved the first known Father’s Day card in clay with a special message that wished his dear old dad good health and a long and happy life.

We’re sure his dad appreciated it.

But let’s be honest, ever since that first clay card, a lot of dads have been shortchanged when it comes to their big day. Father’s Day just doesn’t get the recognition that Mother’s Day gets…

Father’s Day, as we know it today, was first originated 100 years ago this month by Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. While listening to a Mother’s Day sermon, she decided to establish a celebration for fathers as well. And the tie industry has never looked back…

Dodd’s father, a widower and Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings for 21 years after their mother died.

She encouraged local churches to institute a day of observance for fathers. And because her father was born in June, she chose June 19, 1910 as the celebration day.

But even though it was widely celebrated for decades, Father’s Day wasn’t officially recognized as a national day of observance until 1972.

Like we said, Father’s Day just doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

There are several reasons: Father’s Day is celebrated in the middle of a very busy month. It’s surrounded by graduations, proms, weddings, and the beginning of summer vacation. Mothers are smart for so many reasons, not the least of which, their special day falls in the oh-so-less-cluttered month of May.  
With fathers increasingly involved in family life, observing Father’s Day is becoming more important to many. If you’re looking for something that is not too over the top (and isn’t a tie), how about turning Father’s Day into a special event for dad?  It might require a little more thought, but he’s worth it.  Here are a few suggestions…

- Breakfast in bed: Gooey eggs and burnt toast aren’t just for Mom anymore…

- An awesome toy.  He’s still a big kid, so why not light up his life with a power drill or a putter, or an iPad, or… well, you get the idea.

- A day off.  He may have a “to-do” list – maybe you can do one or two of the “to-do” things on it. Sometimes the best gift is just to help your dad.

- Barbecue accessories for your favorite grill-master.

- A new snazzy shaving kit – shaving is something most dads do every day, so he’ll always think of you.

- Books.  There are millions of them out there.  There’s bound to be one with his name on it.          

- Time together.  For most dads, just spending the day with him is the greatest gift you can give. 

- Make him a handmade card.  He’ll love the personal touch.

- Participate in a Father’s Day Run or in another event in which the proceeds go towards charity, perhaps prostate cancer research.

- Oh, and like moms, most dad’s like clothes and chocolate too!

Whatever you choose, this is a day for you to show your love and appreciation for your father. And that’s the best gift of all.

It’s National Barbecue Month. Yes, it’s time to fire up the barbecue and enjoy cooking in the great outdoors. And grilling isn’t just for hotdogs and burgers either. You can use your barbecue to cook vegetables, fish, pizza, corn on the cob and even certain fruits. 

And we here at Simply Elegant have some helpful grilling tips and barbecue event ideas that we’d like to share with you to help you celebrate National Barbecue Month. 

Planning on having a big time barbecue event? A good caterer can handle most of this for you letting you enjoy your barbecue as opposed to spending all your time over the grill.

Here are a few suggestions to help make your barbecue event the best it can possibly be:  

- make sure your guests know what to wear: proper shoes, warmer clothes for evening – you may get four seasons in one hour. Make sure your guests know that, and have back up sweaters, blankets, etc. for those who don’t come prepared.

-have a back up plan in case it rains. You may need to move your party indoors or under some kind of shelter very quickly. Be prepared and have your move rehearsed or at the very least planned.

-only have food out for a maximum of 2 hours – no more no matter what.

-keep food out of the sun.

-keep food platters on top of ice.

-serve clean ice for drinks (don’t have guests scoop ice out of containers cooling cans of coke, beer, etc.).

-don’t serve seafood. It’s an accident waiting to happen.

-don’t serve anything mayo based. Make you potato salad with oil not mayo. It’s safer and much more savoury.

-make sure your bar and bartender are in the shade. It not only makes your ice last longer, but more importantly, your bartender won’t collapse from heatstroke.  

-make sure your guests have shade as well.

-think about your power sources. Outdoor lights don’t require much power, cappuccino machines do. Will you need a generator? There are quiet ones out there. But they rent/sell quickly. So plan ahead.

-can you borrow additional power from a neighbor (again, only for sources that don’t need much power)?

-invite your neighbours regardless of the type of party. They will be more forgiving of noise, etc.

-make sure you know your neighbourhood rules and laws when it comes to noise, lights and cutoff times etc. 11pm is often the cutoff time – but not for everywhere.

-think ahead to any transportation needs, particularly if hosting it somewhere remote or if you are serving alcohol.

-offer taxi chits as necessary or have a plan to reunite those who wish to over indulge with their cars the next day (and/or a place for them to stay).

-make sure you also serve lots of fun non alcoholic drinks.

-have a bartender who knows how to appropriately deal with problem drinkers (there is always at least one).

-for alcohol, theme it and do something fun and momentous. Have a martini luge or something through an ice sculpture. It is decorous, practical and fun.

-bugs. Fact of life. Hardware stores offer eco friendly, non or little-smelling tiki torches to ward off mosquitoes.

-do a test of your planned site to check for wasps. Have a little picnic and see how many bees and wasps you attract. It may just be a fact of life.

-know who has allergies to nuts, bees, etc. and avoid allergens where you can. Ask guests who you’ve identified as allergic to bring whatever medications they may need to deal with an allergy exposure. And know how to work an Epipen.

Now that you’ve taken care of that, it’s time to celebrate National Barbecue Month. So let’s get grilling!

If you are looking for a way to express your love for your Valentine this year, there is a flower that most likely matches how you feel.  You can use the language of flowers whether you decide on a single, splendid blossom or write a love letter in blooms.  They will say how you feel. Allow flowers to provide both beauty and a message of love meant especially for you and your Valentine.  Make sure to tell your significant other the meaning of the flower(s) being presented.  It could lead to a whole other conversation!

Arbutus Thee Only Do I Love

Aster Talisman of love and patience

Camellia (Pink)                     Longing For You

Camellia (Red)                      You’re a Flame in My Heart

Camellia (White) You’re Adorable

Carnation (Red) My Heart Aches For You, Admiration

Carnation (White) Sweet and Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love, Woman’s Good Luck Gift

Chrysanthemum (Red)       I Love You

Daffodil Regard, Unequalled Love, You’re the Only One, The Sun is Always Shining When I’m with You

Delphinium Open Heart and Passionate Attachment.

Fern (Maidenhair) Secret Bond of Love

Forget-Me-Not True Love, Memories

Gardenia You’re Lovely, Secret Love

Gloxinia Love at First Sight

Iris Faith, Valor, and Wisdom

Ivy Wedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection

Jonquil Love Me, Affection Returned, Desire, Sympathy, Desire for Affection Returned

Lily (Calla) Beauty

Myrtle Love, Hebrew Emblem of Marriage

Orange Blossom Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage and Fruitfulness

Orchid Love, Beauty, Refinement, Beautiful Lady, Chinese Symbol for Many Children

Primrose I Can’t Live without You

Rose (Damask) Persian Ambassador of Love

Rose (Hibiscus) Delicate Beauty

Rose (Leaf) You May Hope

Rose (Pink) Perfect Happiness, Please Believe Me

Rose (Red) Love, I Love You

Rose (Tea) I’ll Remember Always

Rose (Thornless) Love at First Sight

Rose (White) Innocence and Purity, I am Worthy of You, You’re Heavenly

Rosebud (Red) Pure and Lovely

Rosebud (Moss) Confessions of Love

Roses (Single Full Bloom) I Love You, I Still Love You

Tulip (General) Perfect Lover, Fame, Flower Emblem of Holland

Tulip (Red) Believe Me, Declaration of Love

Tulip (Yellow) There’s Sunshine in Your Smile

Violet (Blue) Watchfulness, Faithfulness, I’ll Always Be There

Valentine’s Day Flowers

Undeniably, a gift of flowers makes us all feel special and loved.  For thousands of years flowers have symbolized love, marriage and romance.  This Valentine’s Day, if you’re thinking of giving your sweetheart flowers, give them a message meant just for them.  Most of us know that red roses mean “I love you” and although that’s a good place to start, by using the language of flowers, you could have an entire discussion about that love using only flowers.

The language of flowers, floriography, was most popular during the Victorian period, but the symbolic use of flowers dates back to antiquity.  Early Christians used white roses, myrtle, and lilies as symbols of virtues.  In medieval and Renaissance culture, flowers were often given moral meanings.  The Victorians however, raised the language to flowers to new heights by their use of flowers as a means of communication.  Various flowers and floral arrangements were enlisted to send coded messages, thus allowing individuals to express feelings, which otherwise could not be spoken.  The Victorians also used flowers to describe moral, spiritual, or emotional truths.

Picking out the Perfect Bouquet

Take time to compose your language of love bouquet. You don’t have to have an entire floral conversation, a single thought or emotion could be all that you need convey. Research on line, but if possible choose flowers at a florist. You can then check the quality of the flowers, the fragrance, and compose the bouquet yourself.  The benefit of having a florist’s help in composition will be evident with the final product. If you’re in Calgary, La Fleur is a great place for fabulous flowers.

Size doesn’t matter with flowers.  A bigger bouquet won’t necessarily get a bigger smile or more kisses. Something, smaller with more meaning or sophistication, makes just as big a statement as a larger bouquet.

Take at look at the  Language of Flowers Glossary for we’ve put together for Valentine’s Day.  You’ll have a head start composing your floral message or conversation. Participation makes a gift of flowers that much more romantic.

Are you an enviromantic?

You want to know how to reduce the environmental impact of your Valentine’s bouquet – and still get something romantically spectacular.  Going green is harder than you think.  Most cut flowers are imported and arrive by plane – so much for your carbon foot print!  In Canada, because flowers are not identified as an edible crop, they are exempt from regulations on pesticide residues and are not inspected for these residues.  But take heart; there are florists and producers that can provide you with locally grown blooms and/or fair trade options.  Fair Trade Certified flowers in Canada carry labels from third-party certifiers.  Canadian company, Sierra Eco, supplies florists with organic and fair trade flowers.

Choosing flowers to tell your love story on Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be the same old thing.  Flowers are the ultimate language of love. Send a floral love message and reap hugs and kisses as your reward!

The Haggis is a very old, traditional Scottish dish that combines meats, spices and oatmeal.  A traditional recipe for The Haggis would involve the boiled and minced liver, lungs and heart of a sheep mixed with chopped onions, toasted oatmeal, salt, pepper, and spices.  The mixture would then be stuffed into the cleaned sheep’s stomach, sewn up (leaving enough room for expansion to avoid an explosion) and then boiled.

Don’t go…wait come back!  We have an updated version of The Haggis for you prepared with modern techniques that just may tickle your culinary fancy.  And rather than using a sheep’s stomach you can prepare the Haggis in a bowl or use the same type of casing most commonly used to make breakfast sausage.  Ask your butcher if they will sell you sausage casing.

Go ahead be adventurous – you just might like it!

Ingredients

½ lb minced lamb shoulder
½ lb minced beef
6 oz. beef suet
½ lb beef liver
1 cup of oatmeal
1 cup of stock (reserve this from the boiled meat)
2 finely chopped onions (or you can grate the onions if you choose)
½ tsp grated nutmeg
1 piece of mace or ¼ tsp ground mace
¼ tsp of cayenne pepper
¼ tsp ground coriander
Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste

Method

1. Preheat oven to 250 °-300°F
2. Place the liver in cold water, bring to a boil the liver for five minutes, allow to cool
3. Chop the liver with the onion as finely as you can
4. Boil the remaining meat in a large stock pot approximately one hour; then allow to cool.
5. Reserve the stock
6. Meanwhile, toast the oatmeal in a sauté pan shaking occasionally to be sure all toasts equally and doesn’t burn
7. Chop the meats finely
8. Mix all ingredients together including the reserved stock
9. Transfer to a well greased oven-proof glass bowl and cover with a layer of foil or parchment paper.
10. Place in a baie marie (a water bath) using a pan large enough to accommodate the bowl and add warm water to come ¾ of the way up the bowl. Check from time to time to replenish the water level.
11. Cook for 3 hours.
12. To serve, cut open the casing if you are using and spoon out the filling
13. Accompany with neeps and tatties.(turnips and potatoes mashed together)

“We look to Scotland,” Voltaire said “for all our ideas of civilisation.”  And on January 25, Scots around the world, both real and honourary, become extra, um, civilized as they mark the grand tradition of Robbie Burns Day with all of its customs, including The Haggis.

Born on January 25, 1759, Robert “Robbie” Burns, also known as the Ploughman Poet, the Bard of Ayrshire and, in Scotland,  simply “The Bard,” was Scotland’s greatest poet and favourite son.  Although he died more than 200 years ago, he is still considered the  Greatest Scot, as a poll conducted by a Scottish television channel confirmed last year. So in your face, Sir Sean Connery. You too Alexander Graham Bell. After all, you didn’t pen the song that opens every new year and closes the classic Christmas movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Nope. “Auld Lang Syne” is all Burns.

The first Burns observance wasn’t held on his birthday, as it is now, but actually upon the fifth anniversary of his death. The idea caught on and shortly thereafter, Burns Clubs sprung up across Scotland, turning into an annual event that eventually came to be celebrated on January 25, complete with The Haggis.

Over the years, Burns’ influence spread due to worldwide Scottish immigration.  Intrepid Scots brought their love of Robert Burns with them when they settled in Canada, Brazil, Jamaica, New Zealand, Argentina, and elsewhere.  As a result, the poet is celebrated in the many countries where Scots settled, and “Robbie Burns Day” is observed.

There are so many Scottish Canadians, they are considered Canada’s third largest ethnic group – and Gaelic is still taught and spoken in some parts of Cape Breton.  In fact, wherever you are in Canada, chances are good you won’t have to look  far to celebrate Robbie Burns Day.  Here in Calgary, for example, the Ship & Anchor Pub salutes The Bard with Scottish dancers, the Address to the Haggis and the John Allen Cameron Band.  Not to be outdone, the University of Calgary features the U of C Pipe Band at their Sixth Annual Robbie Burns Supper and Dance. And many Calgary offices this week will be ordering from our Weekly Specials Menu, themed, appropriately, with Scottish delights.

No celebration of Robbie Burns Day is worth it’s whiskey without the Haggis, which, truth be told, is actually nothing more than a large sausage. So of course, we’ve provided you with the perfect recipe to make your very own Haggis to celebrate Robbie Burns Day with friends and family at home.  Grab your kilt, throw on a bagpipe band CD to pipe in the Haggis while you recite Burns’ Address to the Haggis for a memorable and fun celebration of Scotland’s most beloved poet.

And don’t forget to serve a dram of Scotland’s equally famous drink– whiskey for all!

Keeping New Year’s resolutions isn’t easy. About half the population makes at least one – and most give up along the way.

Don’t sweat it (unless, your resolution is to um, sweat more). Here’s the up side. Even if your resolve has broken, the very act of self-examination is a positive one.  The year is still  young. Here are some tips to keeping your new year’s resolutions.

Make Only One Resolution – The chances of success are greater when people channel their energy into changing just one aspect of their behaviour. If you feel compelled to make more than one, consider approaching one at a time.  Give yourself a break.

Plan ahead, be specific and track your progress – If you are serious about making resolutions – plan, plan, and plan.  Take some time to reflect upon what you really want to achieve, what you are going to do, where and when you are going to do it.  Set up goals within your major goal and track them.  Write everything down. Each minor goal success unavoidably leads to the achievement of your major goal and you’ll wake up one day to realize you have accomplished what you set out to do.

Define success – Define what success means to you and know the reason why it is important to you.

Commit to actions instead of results. Saying you’ll lose ten pounds is meaningless without an action plan. Commit to action (say 45 minutes of exercise three times a week and a portion controlled diet) and you’ll see results.

Make it personal – What do you really want out of life?  Got a book in you?  Think about starting it or finishing it.  Concerned about sustainability and contemplating the 100 mile diet?  Go for it!  Do something that is easy too. When you achieve that goal it will be easier to move onto the next.

Be persistent – New habits take time to learn – expect that you will slip up and revert to the old you.   Don’t give up.

Focus on the rewards of achieving your goal(s) – For example:  more exercise will of course make give you more energy. Have someone in particular you’d like to spend it on?  Or think about how good you’ll feel by helping others through a really great  charity.

Tell your friends and family – It’s harder to fall off the path if you’ve told others and are accountable to them.  Also, encourage others to be resilient when they initially fail at their resolutions.  This small gesture can lead to reciprocal encouragement and keep you on the resolution path.

Reward yourself – there is nothing like a reward to keep your morale up.  But be smart. A drink is not a good choice if you’ve resolved to quit drinking. A chocolate isn’t a good reward if you’ve resolved to cut out sweets.

Have Fun- need we say more? You’ll stay on track if you infuse fun into  your routine. On the exercise bike? Make sure you have great music to listen to, a really good magazine or a TV taped with your favourite shows. Or get outside and walk through your favourite areas of town.

If you’ve had a little slip, think of it as our little secret. Today is a new day and a chance to try again. Start right now. And just worry about keeping  your resolution one day at a time.

We’re rooting for you — good luck!

Robert Vidra carves the turkey at Hospice Calgary's Christmas Dinner 2009

This week, as we have done for the last few years, we were honoured to provide a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings for the residents and staff of Hospice Calgary. We were touched by the gratitude of the residents and humbled by ongoing work of the staff who tirelessly meet the needs of others in what is a very trying time.

For more than 30 years, Hospice Calgary has provided end of life and bereavement care, helping people live life to the fullest, offering dignity, comfort and understanding. We salute them for the extraordinary work they do, and we look forward to supporting their fundraising efforts through their annual walk.

It is the season for reflection, and so my thoughts also turn to the last year and to so many of the treasured moments and important events our clients trusted us with. I think back to 12 months ago when the future seemed less certain and no one was sure if the economy would hold. It did — and we made it through, together, with grace and a full order of style.

Thank you for trusting us with the corporate and personal occasions that mattered most to you. We will never take that trust for granted.

So as we look ahead, we wish you the happiest of holidays and a prosperous new year.  We hope we have the privilege of helping you with your event, private party and catering needs in coming year.

Here’s to Great Things in 2010!

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Surprise!  Just thought we’d drop by….

You’ve shopped, wrapped, cooked and baked.  Just when you think it’s time to sit back and relax….unexpected guests arrive. Now what? Don’t panic. Pick up the ingredients for these simple favourites and keep them on hand so you’ll be prepared no matter who shows up — even if they expect to stay for dinner!

Seared Beef Tenderloin on Crostini with Arugula & Parmigiano Reggiano

Simple and elegant.  This is the easiest of recipes and a real crowd pleaser.  Thinly sliced tenderloin will go a long way.  Make sure you have a roast in the freezer, a loaf of bread and some good parmesan in the fridge and you will always be prepared for unexpected guests.

Ingredients

1, 3-5 lb Beef tenderloin

Parmesan cheese

Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
1   Baguette
Extra virgin olive oil
1-2 bunches  Arugula, washed
300 g shaved Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano

Method

For the Crostini

Slice the baguette into ¼ inch slices, place on a tray and lightly toast on one side.
Remove the tray from the heat and brush the toasted side lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
Turn the bread over and return the tray to the oven and lightly toast the other side of the bread. Remove the tray from the oven and brush the other side lightly with olive oil.

Crostini

For the Beef Tenderloin

Heat oven to 450ºF
Season generously with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
Heat an oven proof sauté pan on high heat, add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and place the tenderloin into the pan.
Sear on all sides then place into oven and roast for approximately 15 minutes.
When done remove the meat from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes,
Slice very thinly.

To Assemble

Using a vegetable peeler, shave off slices of Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano
To assemble place 2-3 leaves of arugula on the crostini, then a slice of tenderloin and top with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano.
Drizzle with some of your best Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Shortbread cookies

Freezer Shortbread

Yield: approximately 120

At first glance this recipe may appear to be a lot of work…it isn’t!  It should take you about 20 minutes to make to dough, roll it and freeze it.  You can make it when you need but your best bet is to always have a batch in the freezer.

Ingredients

1 lb  Unsalted butter, at room temperature
4  Egg yolks
1 ¾ cups Sugar
2 teaspoons Baking powder
4 cups Flour
¼ teaspoon Sea salt
2-3 Grated zest of lemons or oranges or both

Method

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Cream together eggs, butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light yellow and fluffy
Sift the dry ingredients together
Add the grated zest and whisk to incorporate evenly.
Add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter/eggs/sugar. TIP: add the dry ingredients slowly if you don’t want a “flour” storm!
Mix until the dough come together and place on a lightly floured surface.
Separate into two and roll each into a log approximately 12 inches long.
Wrap in plastic and place in freezer for 30 minutes.
Remove from freezer and immediately, using a sharp knife, cut thin disks approximately ⅛ to ¼ inch thick.
Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for approximately 12-14 minutes until edges just turn light golden brown in colour. Remove and cool.  Store in a cookie tin.
Just before serving you can dust with a little icing sugar if you choose.

NOTE: Make the dough ahead of time and freeze for up to 2 months.  When ready to use remove from the freezer and allow to thaw until just frozen and follow steps 9-10.