Explore Our Favourite Free Outdoor Christmas Light Displays in Calgary
‘Tis the season for snow, apple cider and neighbourhood Christmas light reconnoitring. With five weeks to go till Christmas Eve, we’ve noticed the eager beavers in our neighbourhood already installing and powering up their glowing larger-than-life inflatables, glittering garden ornaments and twinkling light strings. The recent mild temperatures and snow-free conditions have made it enticing to get into the yard, unravel
I AM CALGARY’s 2019 Christmas Market Watch-List
With two months until we wake to Christmas day it seems that many shopping centres and stores are already beginning to lure customers with sparkling deals for the season. Calgarians are spoilt for choice when it comes to seasonal shopping opportunities. We, in our home, are already marking our diaries and gearing ourselves up to
Play at Olympic Plaza
Built as a venue for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games, Olympic Plaza now plays a central role in many downtown community activities. Calgary was one of the first hosting cities to create an accessible public location like Olympic Plaza where Olympic medal recipients could be honoured within reach of the general public. Previously medal ceremonies
A Boutique Hotel, A Chef and a Miserable Weekend – Part 1
Once a year go somewhere you’ve never been before. Dalai Lama It was the Family Day long weekend after Valentine’s Day. We found ourselves with no formal plans. It seemed the perfect setup … for a Staycation. With Christa consumed by school demands right up to the hour of our departure, I took planning into my own hands. That was
Five Unexpected Life Lessons Learned From Ice Fishing
I am no fisherman. I do like downtime, some solitude and being out in nature. But, for some reason, fishing has never been of interest to me. When our good friends, Linford and Rhonda, recently invited Christa and I to go ice fishing with them and their extended family on Canada’s Family Day public holiday,
Serving Up Calgary’s Best Hot Chocolate
Calgary’s freezer-February is presenting the perfect opportunity for residents and visitors to indulge in the annual YYC hot chocolate festival. Presented by Meals-on-Wheels, the city’s sweetest (and arguably, richest!) festival gathers participating cafes, restaurants and chocolatiers to compete in crafting the best chocolate-based beverage creations that any hot chocolate lover might die for. With more
IAC’s Family Day Long Weekend Activity Favourites
“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.”Michael J. Fox As we launch into the run-up to the Family Day long weekend I thought I’d share with you some of our favourite and wish-list activities and events that might spawn some ideas to help you create fond family memories together. These icons will help you identify the
Derek’s 11 Inexpensive Winter Hot Date Destinations in Calgary
“The kids are with their grandparents and we have a few free hours to go on a date. Do you have any suggestions of what we can do in the frigid winter weather that won’t break the bank?” I’ve had numerous friends ask me this in recent months, so it seems appropriate to explore a
Derek’s 12 Must-Have Hot Tub Necessities and Accessories
There is nothing quite like a soak in my outdoor hot tub as the winter snow flakes tickle my face and the icy chill prickles my skin. Add to that good company, gentle conversation and a soothing beverage to sip on and I can pickle out there for ages! Our hot tub on a winters
Derek’s Top-Pick Toboggan and Sledding Slopes in Calgary
I recently shared with you my dismal track record with my winter outdoor mis-adventures as well as my feeble attempt at cross-country skiing. I hope you'll find these to be entertaining reads rather than a deterrent to embarking on some outdoor family fun. Family Fun at Fonda Christa at Hidden Valley Hidden Valley Rush Here is a summary