UsedEverywhere.com

Canadian Voices Rise Up to the Sky

National news can be learned directly from children, which was the case in my household regarding a new song my kids are learning at school. The song I.S.S. Is Somebody Singing was collaborated together by Astronaut Chris Hadfield and Barenaked Ladies frontman Ed Robertson and with how interactive Hadfield has been from space – the kids rate this partnership as something very cool! Officially commissioned by CBC Music, the goal is to bring attention to the importance of music education in Canada. The debut of the song Is Somebody Singing happened in February with the glee choir of Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts and not only is it a great song (and Chris Hadfield can really sing!) but it’s a coalition spreading a great message of unification through music across Canada. Music history was made when the song was recorded both on Earth and Space while Hadfield is in orbit on the International Space Station. Have a listen below!

Astronaut Hadfield helped co-write the song and I love the line “You can’t make out borders from up here.” Ed Robertson from Bare Naked Ladies has a wonderful quote about how we can all feel connected, even the wonder of what Chris Hadfield experiences in Space. Robertson’s quote is here:

“I wanted it to be a celebration not about the remoteness of space, but about the connectedness of a human being on the I.S.S. who looks down and sees the whole planet in a way that, from our perspective, we don’t have the opportunity to.”

I love listening to music that my kids enjoy and the goal for May 6 is to have the entire country united in song across the different time zones and have Hadfield hear the voices while still in space. It is the official song for Music Monday to promote and celebrate music education in schools. Share this message so that children that are home schooled, school music departments, and music makers of all backgrounds learn the song together and lend their voice in May.

Access free downloads and lyrics through the Coalition’s Music Monday website, and join the coalition to fill the skies with music. There are some great Music Monday ideas for getting started:

• Music Monday in a field
• Joint School Event – organized with multiple schools
• Community Wide Event – community partner with a senior music group, local choir, etc.

Play the video, learn the lyrics and help bring awareness for music education in your communities with this special song. Champion children to believe that anything is possible – whether it be travelling to space or hearing a song there.

Freebie Friday: Awesome Orange Chair

Just look at the bone structure of this old girl! And it’s orange. And it’s awesome. And it’s free RIGHT NOW on UsedRegina.com.

Thinking about cleaning out the toy box? Donate pre-loved toys to your local pediatric ward!

The holidays are coming. Deny it all you want, but it sneaks up quickly, filling your calendar with umpteen things to do. And beyond thinking about shopping, parties and all of the craziness this time of year brings, our thoughts turn to the mountain of toys that will be under the tree and just where the heck we’re going to fit them in playrooms already bursting at the seams. Right now is a perfect time to clean a little house and make room for the toy onslaught to come. But instead of selling them online or dropping them off at the local thrift store or daycare (all great ideas, mind you) have you every thought of giving your toys a second life by giving them to kids fighting for theirs? The pediatric ward at your local hospital is a perfect place to donate your pre-loved toys, books, movies, video games, etc & so on.

How do I know this? I speak from experience. My family has been in pediatric wards in Regina, Saskatoon and Edmonton since May of this year. Our seven-year-old son Harrison was struck with an unknown virus that rapidly ravaged his body. We noticed his eyes were a little yellow on May 8^th and took him to the Regina emergency and have been in the hospital ever since. After short stints in Regina and Saskatoon hospitals we were sent to Edmonton, where he received a life saving live liver transplant from his mother on May 30^th.  About a month after the surgery we discovered the same virus wiped out his bone marrow, so he we have been in Edmonton ever since, receiving treatments and recuperating. It has been a long, hard, scary road that we could not have gone through without amazing doctors and the loving support of family, friends and complete strangers. We hope to be home soon, but the hospital and Edmonton Ronald McDonald House have been our home for Harrison, his brother, my wife and me for the last six months.

Spending all our time at the hospital was difficult. Beyond the obvious stresses of an ill child, we needed to find a way to fill the time for both him and his brother. There are playrooms, dvds and videos games for the kids, and Child-Life workers who help keep the kids busy. These playrooms are the perfect place for the toys your kids no longer play with? If they are clean and not too banged up, they will be played with and enjoyed by an ill kid and their siblings. The same goes for those old DVDs your kids used to watch over and over again, but now are gathering dust. When my son couldn’t leave his room we rapidly made our way through the available DVDs. Have an old game system or video games? They will also find a great home there.

Donating is easy. Contact your local hospital to find out the best way. And don’t just dump all your old stuff. Be choosy. Think about what toys your kid would want to play with if you had to spend time there. Broken or dirty ones? Not likely. And, while the toys will be cleaned before going to the playroom, that doesn’t mean you need to deliver them dirty. Give them a wipe down and, if you can, a run through the dishwasher. With a few easy steps you can both make room in your house and make a difference in the lives of ill children and your families.

Still in a Giving Mood? – Sorry, this has nothing to do with the above post, but if you are still in a giving mood, the best thing you can give is the gift of life by becoming a blood, marrow and organ donor. I know firsthand how just a half hour of your time every few months can save countless lives. Visit the Canadian Blood Services site at www.blood.ca  or call 1-888-2 DONATE for more information or to book an appointment. If you are interested in becoming a marrow donor, visit www.onematch.ca . For organ donation, you can visit The Canadian Transplant Association’s website at www.organ-donation-works.org for information on registering to become a donor in your province. Discover the huge difference you can make when you truly give of yourself.  

Get your grill on with a used BBQ

When the temperature spikes, outdoor cooking is a great way to keep from heating up your home. And who doesn’t enjoy a dinner grilled to delicious finish on a barbecue on the deck or patio?

The list of food ideas for the BBQ is endless, limited only by your imagination. Most cuts of beef can be grilled, and fish or seafood is almost better cooked out of doors to control food odours inside. Ground meats can be turned into juicy beef or turkey burgers. You can grill chicken breasts or whole chickens – who hasn’t heard of beer can chicken? Vegetables can be grilled whole or on skewers. Even some fruits can be cut in half and grilled to sweet caramelized perfection and served with ice cream or other toppings.

BBQ accessories are available anywhere, which can make your grilling easier but also a lot more fun. Tongs, brushes for adding sauces, grilling spices, cedar boards, wood chips, oven mitts, aprons, food skewers – you name it and someone has made one especially for the grill.

But what if a new BBQ just isn’t in the budget this year? A wander through the stores will quickly prove to you how seriously some people take their grilling. The prices start at semi-affordable and go up into the stratosphere. What to do?

Luckily, there are used BBQ listings everywhere you look, and the prices are more than reasonable. Why would anyone sell a BBQ before it needs retiring? Plenty of reasons! Perhaps they are moving cross-country and just aren’t able to move some of their outdoor items. Some people move into new homes, only to find a natural gas hookup out by the deck. Many of them are tempted into a new grill, leaving their previously owned propane BBQ in need of a new ready-to-grill owner like you! Other people are deeply immersed in grilling food and want bigger, better, larger grills. Some people need or love to feed a crowd.

Whatever the reason, it’s your opportunity to pick up a grill at a great price and enjoy your own outdoor cooking! Have a look at some of the features available in the grills you see, and consider your own needs before buying. How big a grill do you need? What kind of performance? Do you want side burners to cook extra dishes while you grill, or do you simply just want to be able to grill burgers and steaks for dinner? These are great questions to ask yourself before shopping. Keep in mind that having a second grill around can be perfect for large gatherings or parties, so even if you already have a BBQ it can be handy to pick up an extra so it’s easier to get everyone eating at the same time when you have people over.

We found a great assortment of brands and prices when we went looking:

$250 for a 2 year old Cuisinart BBQ (see photo below.)

$140 for a Kenmore BBQ.
$60 for a 3 year old BBQ with full tank of propane.
$45 for a Thermos BBQ.
$60 for a BBQ that was only used for one summer (see photo below.)

If your budget is really tiny, grab one for free.

If a simple, used barbecue isn’t enough for you, check out some of these items currently for sale:

Maybe you want new, but still want a deal. Here’s a new gas bbq for sale for $1500 (see photo below.)

What if you aren’t the outdoorsy type? Pick up a $25 used George Foreman grill.

And don’t forget you might find some accessories listed for sale too.

We found firestarters for use with barbecues, campfires or fireplaces (see photo below.)

We think you’ll agree it’s time to get outside and get grilling. We’d love to know what your favourite foods are to throw on the BBQ!  Share in the comments and maybe you’ll inspire others into new ideas!

Happy grilling!

The Golden Rule(s) of Mother's Day

photo by Michael Coté via Flickr Creative Commons

Another Mother’s Day is upon us – the day where we take some time to celebrate the amazing women in our lives. But for us fathers, the purpose of Mother’s Day is two-fold: Sure, we want to thank our wives for all they do, but we also need to realize that what we do (or don’t do) on this special day will come back to haunt us in a few short weeks. Us dads have been blessed with the opportunity to set a Mother’s Day precedent that can only serve us well come Father’s Day. We need to prepare and celebrate with the mindset that we are paving a two-way street. Below are some general guidelines that will help you plan an awesome Mother’s Day for your wife and set you up for an awesome Father’s Day of your own.

Silence is golden.

Letting mom sleep in on Mother’s Day is a given. But if you have young kids, you know that they can be a little loud (ok, they can be UNBEARABLY loud), which isn’t really conducive to a restful slumber. So it’s important to keep the volume down, even if you have to leave the house. Make sure your wife gets the sleep-in she deserves.

Listen to your wife, not tradition.

Choosing the right Mother’s Day gift for your wife can be hard. But don’t fall into the traditional flowers and spa gift card trap, just because that’s what “people buy” for Mother’s Day. Ask yourself – do you really want another tie or box of golf balls for Father’s Day? If your wife likes flowers and pedicures, go for it, but if not, get her something she actually wants. Just like a gift for her on any other special occasion, listen to her and make a note when she mentions something she likes. You know, being an attentive and caring husband, you jerk.

Related: Don’t EVER do a coupon book. EVER.

A homemade coupon book that can be redeemed for chores is fine for the kids to make, but from you it just reminds your wife of a bunch of things that you should be doing on a regular basis, without a stupid coupon. Dummy up and leave the coupons to the kids.

Finally, remember whose day it is.

It’s great to have grand plans for the day, but make sure it’s something your wife actually wants to do. A day of mini golf with the kids may fit the bill for a family fun day, but does not make a relaxing day for Mom. And, while the element of surprise is nice on special days, it never hurts to actually ask your wife what SHE wants to do. You’d be surprised how much easier this makes your life, while actually giving your wife what she wants. It’s that whole ‘listening’ thing working again – crazy huh?

Now does that seem so hard? Didn’t think so. These simple-to-follow guidelines will ensure a great day for your wife, and lay the groundwork for the kind of Father’s Day you want. Just remember, do onto mothers as they would do onto you.

Reclaimed Barn Wood + Coffee Table Frame = Inspiring DIY

We love this awesome upcycle using reclaimed barn wood and a frame bought off of our very own UsedRegina.

Justine of Birch & Lily posted easy-to-follow instructions on how you can do this yourself. It will take you a little time and some elbow grease, but the end result is pretty great. Or, if you’re the kind of person who should never (ever) be allowed near  power tools, you can buy a table like this one on UsedOttawa. Either way, showcasing wood with history and personality is both a romantic and practical way of bringing some sustainable decor into your home.

Slow and Low is the Way to Go

BBQ Xanadu

I was in a local fast food restaurant the other day, picking up a coffee before a mini road trip to Saskatoon, and stood behind a man who could best be described as ‘impatient’ (a ‘total jerk’ could also work). He was berating the poor person at the counter because he had to wait five minutes for his food. He must be a pretty important person, with a jam-packed schedule and a team of people depending on him, because this five-minute wait simply was unacceptable, and he was letting the cashier know it.

“I thought this was fast food!” he bellowed at the end of his expletive-filled rant.

Beyond his obvious rudeness and the fact that someone must have urinated in his corn flakes that morning, I was most offended at this comment. Five minutes for a meal isn’t fast? Seriously? Have we become so conditioned to get everything as soon as we want it that waiting beyond ‘right now’ is unacceptable? And do you really want to eat something that is pretty much hot and ready to go the moment you think of it? It got me thinking – sure, fast food is convenient and there’s a place for it (road trips, running late and 3am, post-bar greasy meals to name a few), but what about the flavour that can only be coaxed out of food by taking your time?

It was time to smoke some ribs.

Don’t have a smoker? Don’t worry – with a little online research and some guessing and testing, you can easily convert your gas grill into a smoker.

I was looking forward to a day outside with the grill, but the real work starts the night before, preparing the ribs and the “mop sauce”.

The mop sauce is a magical elixir of flavour  you apply to the ribs throughout the smoking process to keep them tender and tasty. I have tried a few different sauces, but this recipe on Drick’s Rambling Café is the best I’ve found so far:

mop sauce

Drick Perry’s Mop Sauce

2 cups apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup apple juice

1/4 cup brown sugar -firmly packed

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1/2 tablespoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

 I also add a half bottle of dark stout.

 Combine ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Stir and put on a low simmer for 15 minutes. I put it the fridge to cool, then filled a food-safe spray bottle for easy application and sprayed the ribs every 45 minutes. Word of warning – be sure your spray bottle can handle the spices without getting clogged.

insane in the membrane

Next you need to prep the ribs. That means trimming the excess fat and removing the membrane that runs along the back of the ribs – this will ensure the rub and the smoke and smoke flavor get through. Simply slip your knife under the membrane to make a hole, slip in your fingers and peel off.

When the membrane is removed it’s time for the mustard massage. Cheap, prepared yellow mustard helps your rub stick to the ribs, forms a nice bark and all the mustard flavour goes away when smoked. Next apply the rub – you can buy prepared rubs and rub seasonings but you can make your own easily – all you need is some brown sugar and your favourites from the spice rack. I have made my own recipe through guessing and testing below:

Rib Rub

2 cups firmly packed golden brown sugar

1 cup packed best brown sugar (darker)

2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 cup kosher salt

1/4 cup paprika

1 tablespoon onion powder

2 tablespoons dry mustard

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon ground red pepper

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon black pepper

Combine ingredients and rub into the ribs, cover ribs and refrigerate over night.

The next day I set up the BBQ. Smoking on a gas grill is all about low, constant and indirect heat. Only one burner is turned on, under the wood, creating the smoke. Under the meat place a tin lasagna pan filled with apple juice to keep the meat moist. You can pick up wood chips at any hardware store. I prefer sugar maple for pork. Soak the wood chips in apple juice and put them in foil packs with a few holes poked in them. Place them on the grill and get the temperature up to 250 degrees. That is your temperature sweet spot and you should keep it there throughout the smoking process.

before

Once the temperature is steady place your ribs on the grill (not under the lit burner, remember) close the lid and keep an eye on the temperature. If you can, only check your ribs every 45 minutes, when mopping with the sauce you made. Remember, you you’re looking, you ain’t cooking. It usually takes about 4 – 5 hours, but the longer you smoke them, the more the flavours develop.

after

The best thing about smoking ribs is that you can take a relatively inexpensive cut of meat and turn it into something amazing. And it’s a great excuse to stay in the backyard all afternoon, radio on and beer in hand, ‘working on the ribs’. It’s nice work if you can get it.

spring has sprung when the shed radio comes out

Once smoked, let them rest for 10 minutes, cut them up and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Trust me, you’ve never had a sweeter fruit. So take my advice: enjoy the great weather this spring and take a detour of the fast food freeway. Go slow and see what you’ve been missing in the fast lane.

(Not so) Bright Lights, Big City

I saw the signs. (Photo courtesy of The Neon Museum)

I guess I could call myself a bit of a Vegas veteran. In the last six years I have been there four times for business and pleasure and, minus the more illicit activities that supposedly stay there, I have done pretty much everything. I’ve Cirque de Soleil-ed. I’ve Wax Museum-ed. I’ve doubled down on an 11 (and lost). I’ve consumed copious amounts of neon-coloured, slushy, alcoholic concoctions from novelty-shaped glasses. I’ve vomited said concoctions and kept going. I’ve pretty much been there and done that Vegas-style. So when my wife and I decided to go back for a visit earlier this year with a few friends we wanted to look for different experiences. We’ve done the Strip and Freemont Street and experienced the city at a superficial level. It was time to delve a little deeper. And here are two fun, unexpected, can’t-miss activities for you next time you visit Sin City.

In Vegas, the stars are always out. (Photo courtesy of The Neon Museum)

Neon Museum – I have always heard about the ‘sign boneyard’ in Vegas – a place where all the old signs went when they weren’t needed anymore. This is part the Neon Museum – a non-profit organization located in downtown Vegas dedicated to preserving city’s rich history and the iconic art form of the Vegas neon sign. According to their website, the Neon Museum’s mission is “to collect, preserve, study and exhibit iconic Las Vegas neon signs for educational, historic, and cultural enrichment.” The Neon Boneyard is part of their collection, which also includes the Fremont Street Gallery of actual lit-up classic signs, and the Neon Signs Project that displays iconic, Vegas signs along Las Vegas Boulevard. The Neon Boneyard houses countless out-of-commission signs, each with their own story that is revealed by a guide on the hour and a half tour. You’ll learn about the deep racial tensions that split the city, the crazy characters (that built the city and the artistry that goes into the neon sign. These signs are more than signs – they’re doorways into the people and places that built Vegas and, unlike some of the slushy-fuelled hijinks you get into at night, the tour is something you’ll never forget.

(Photo courtesy of The Neon Museum)

Keep your camera at the ready, as the Boneyard provides countless amazing photo opps, with every angle revealing something beautiful (the friendly and knowledgeable guides are also more than accommodating to wait and let you snap as many as you need).

For more information, to book a tour or make a donation, visit www.neonmuseum.org

Tip: if you aren’t doing your own driving, ask the tour guide to call you a cab at the end of the tour (they’re happy to do it). The Boneyard isn’t in the best neighbourhood, so you may not want to do too much walking around.

Do a different game. Photo source: www.pinballmuseum.org

Pinball Hall of Fame and Museum – OK, I’ll admit, I did miss this ‘can’t-miss’ Vegas destination. Unfortunately we ran out of time on our last visit. But I have heard nothing but amazing things about it. If you’re into pinball, this is your Mecca – 10,000 square feet of pinball machines from the 50’s to the 90’s, all in playable condition. The museum is a non-profit organization committed to preserving pinball’s heritage, and all excess profits go to non-denominational charities. Bring a roll of quarters (or get change there) and throw your money in some machines that give you more than spinning reels. Open 11 to 11, seven days a week – find more information at www.pinballmuseum.org

So if you’re planning to join the masses of Canadians that flood Vegas year round, be sure to check out these two destinations and up the ante on your fun. See what I did there? Pretty witty huh?

On the Strip dining tip: If you haven’t had the opportunity, make sure you check out the Peppermill Restaurant. Located on the older end of the strip, near Circus Circus, this Vegas landmark captures all the classic cool of old-school Vegas. The food is well-priced, delicious and the portions are RIDICULOUS (the fruit plate is produce-section-sized, and comes with a loaf of banana bread). After eating, head to the connected Fireside Lounge for some outrageous cocktails. Open 24 hours.

Spring cleaning: Not just for the basement

We can walk it out.

It’s finally spring. Although, for the most part, we had a pretty mild winter here on the prairies (in Saskatchewan we keep our fingers crossed until early April). But even with spring-like weather all winter long, there’s still a different feeling when real-deal, official spring comes. You can tell when it happens. The days are longer. The air is filled with the smell of growth and the songs of birds you haven’t hear in months. The sound of running water reminds you of when street streams were battlefields and race ways for toothpicks and anything we could get to float. It’s glorious. And the snow’s gone for good, too (fingers still crossed). However, it has left a mess in its wake. A mess beyond the dirty piles of gravel on our lawns and the dog poop stew made in the park all winter long by inconsiderate pet owners (for my dog poop diatribe, read The Dog Days of Spring from my kids’ poetry blog).

In response, our minds turn to cleaning out our houses, both inside and out. We rake lawns, wash windows and empty basements, looking to do away with the debris we’ve accumulated over the winter months. But what about the debris that’s attached itself to our bodies?

You know what I’m talking about. The box(es) of Pot of Gold at Christmas. The beer every week with friends. The sitting on the couch. It adds up. We shouldn’t forget this accumulation either. But that doesn’t mean you have to go buy an expensive gym membership and a compression-everything wardrobe right out of the gate. There are simple activities you can do with the whole family and set an example for your kids that being healthy can be fun. And it doesn’t require a Wii board or anything. Want to know what it is? Ok, here we go:

Go for a walk.

Earth shattering, isn’t it? But it’s proof positive that one small change can have a huge impact. My wife and I decided to make sure we went for a walk with the boys and dog every night, right after dinner. We drive to different parts of the city and walk different paths every night. And it’s been awesome. I’ve heard it takes 21 days to create a new habit, but this was instantaneous. We all love it and look forward to it every day.

Dog day evening

And there are many opportunities to change it up and get a real workout with the kids. We always stop at the park after a half hour or so and play tag. The kids love it, and I get my heart pumping by running through gravel and climbing monkey bars.

Leaf fight

I'm IT!

It also makes bedtime a lot easier – the boys fall asleep right away.  It feels good to be away from the TV. And it feels great to be able to set a healthy example for the kids, while getting to have actual conversations with the people I love the most. Everybody wins.

So get out there with the family and put one foot in front of the other. Go to parks you’ve never been to, big and small (don’t underestimate the power of any new playground on your children, regardless of its size or quality). Just keep on truckin’.

Off into the sunset, together

You’ll be happy where it takes you.

Found on Used

lucky horse shoe pan? via @usedregina

Call me crazy, but this looks like a different pan all together, and not one I’d like to eat out of…