Congratulations Canada and Vancouver

14 years ago

We just finished watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and I just wanted to say thank you to all of you Canadian cooking forum folks - such a lovely event! Truly beautiful.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (28)

jimster
14 years ago
Sad to say, the Olympics are being held in the only place in Canada where it's warm in the winter time. No snow. Can't even keep imported snow from melting. Who planned this?

Oh well, let's just make a batch of Nanaimo Bars, sit back and watch the sports commentators struggle to fill time.

Jim

Here is a link that might be useful: Nanaimo Bars
User
14 years ago
Jim, the Rockies that surround Vancouver have some of the best skiing in the entire world. The city enjoys mild weather in the winter but there is rarely an issue with snow in the mountains.

The lack of snow at the snowboarding venue is highly unusual and could never have been predicted. In case you haven't noticed, this has been a wild winter with unusual weather patterns.

Last I heard there was plenty of snow at Whistler where the downhill events will be held although they did have some fog late this week,
Related Discussions
Vancouver Canada rose advice
Q
Comments (4)
He disagrees with the experts?? everything he does listed in this article is part of the local dogma about growing roses, adhered to by most of the rose societies in the area. I'm the heretic, here in Olympia, for not stripping or mulching. Every fall my fellow rosarians gasp in horror and tell me all my roses are going to die, and every spring I have less winter damage than they do. Last fall we stripped and mulched the society garden in early October!! That was too too much for me. I'll help in November, even though it's not something I do to my own garden. But not that early. But they're convinced that stripping and mulching are absolutely necessary. It's the dogma of rose culture around here. So this guy is mainstream. Sure, the leaves can carry over blackspot spores, but getting rid of the leaves won't get rid of all the blackspot spores. Blackspot infects the canes too, so there are plenty spores overwintering in those dark spots on the canes. You'd have to prune all the canes off right down to the ground, and then remove the surface soil, in fall to get rid of all the spores. Then more would blow in in spring, plus you'd now get crown gall on your canes from pruning at soil level. I wonder who told the writer that this guy disagrees with the experts. Bet the writer doesn't grow roses.
...See More
Videos of figs from Vancouver Canada
Q
Comments (1)
Thanks for posting. I especially like the second video because of the discussion of the nutritional value of figs, which he refers to as a "super-food". Joe
...See More
Cooking with Cannabis - Congratulations to the new legal states
Q
Comments (43)
Look at the language of a suspect post as well. People who are first timers and add to older threads usually come in two types: An addition to the previous content, usually not realizing how old the thread is, or a new question that relates to the title (people used to fora with thread police who believe in more length, fewer threads). When there's a post that doesn't ask for help, or make any reference to the foregoing conversation, but instead is a blurb which could be posted in any thread, anywhere it would be vaguely on topic, and has a commercial link to an obscure website (not, here it is on Amazon, FYI stuff), you can be pretty sure it's spam.
...See More
How To Grow A Cold-Hardy Avocado Tree--OUTDOORS--In Vancouver, Canada
Q
Comments (1)
For those who won't give up on the idea of getting their own outdoor AVOCADO TREE in Vancouver, CANADA or Reyjkavic, ICELAND, here is an obvious idea that hasn't been floated about: Why not put up a simple, inexpensive, portable greenhouse? This can be done for less than $100 USD. (I know of at least one example of a simple, easily-assembled 2-meter high portable greenhouse that can be purchased online for less than $100 [worldwide shipping is available, but costs extra]). Considering the fact that I paid $81 each for my two "Cold-hardy" Avocado trees at a local nursery (Stewart and Mexicola Grande varieties--both cold-hardy to -7°C), $100 is a reasonable price to pay to ensure that my trees will survive and produce fruit for many years to come, here in Vancouver, CANADA. The advantage is this: Once you have a nice little greenhouse like this, you could use this to have some dedicated space for your Avocado tree in your yard or garden. And, even if we were to have a record cold Vancouver winter where it gets -20° C (-3°F) during the winter (the actual all-time record Vancouver winter cold was -17.8°C (0°F) in 1968 and in 1950), you could easily keep your Avocado tree alive if it were a good, “cold-hardy variety.” Here’s an example of how you could achieve this: Let’s say that on a cold winter’s night in Vancouver, it will get -20°C (-3°F). If you have a cold-hardy Avocado tree that will withstand -7°C (20°F)(ie. Stewart or Mexicola Grande varieties). You can easily set up some sort of source of gentle heat to provide some partial warmth within your tiny greenhouse that will raise the inside temperature to at least -7°C, so that the Avocado tree within it will survive the deep freeze outside. (You don’t have to raise the temperature in the greenhouse to be above freezing. You only have to raise it enough to prevent the Avocado tree from dying) Possible sources of gentle heat: 1. Heating mats, 2. electric blanket(s), 3. Christmas lights (the old ones that give out some heat — not the new LED lights) One advantage of planting your Avocado tree outdoors and then having a nice little greenhouse surrounding it, is that your tree would be able to grow much larger than it would if you were to keep it in the house (in a large pot). Obviously, by being in this greenhouse, your Avocado tree would now be able to grow up to about 7 feet high on one side, and would be able to produce up to 75 or even 100 fruits in a good year. This would be plenty of fruit for 1 family. And would even give you enough to share with a few friends. Another advantage is that, by having the greenhouse around the Avocado tree, it will blossom earlier in the year than it normally would, and would therefore produce a crop earlier in the season than would otherwise be possible. For clever people who have enough space in their yard or property, they could set up 2 or 3 of these greenhouses, and plant different varieties of Avocado trees, thereby giving themselves varieties that will ripen at different times. That way, they will extend the timeframe where they can go outside and pick a continuous supply of fresh Avocados in Vancouver (or Reyjkavic, or London, etc). This harvest season could begin as early as August with some varieties and continue into December or later for other varieties. Really, the sky's the limit. And it's so easy to accomplish! What's stopping you? --George Stancliffe
...See More
User
14 years ago
Thanks Dirtgirl. We really enjoyed the opening ceremonies. Beautiful and spectacular.

I had to chuckle at Jim's comments. The events aren't taking place on the streets of Vancouver.

Yes, we are having a warm winter this year, a 1 in 100 winter. Who could predict??? This isn't the first nor will it be the last winter Olympics where weather adds some challenges for the organizers.
canarybird01
14 years ago
I really enjoyed watching it all over here from start to finish on TV Eurosport station. Even though it lasted until 5:30 am our time I was awake and totally absorbed by it all.
I thought the whole event was spectacular and very tastefully done.

It was nice to see Rick Hansen, who is the son of an old friend from my home town as well as being the nephew of cousin Willow, known for her iced apple cookies here on the forum.

Now if I can keep my eyes open I'll be watching whatever of the Olympics comes on TV, starting at 7 pm our time.

Well done Vancouver and Canada!

SharonCb ...
lsr2002
14 years ago
I watched from start to finish also. I loved that it was an all inclusive ceremony - the many peoples of Canada, the many ages and sports represented, and the inclusion of a paralympic athlete.

We'll be watching a lot of the ongoing coverage of the events too.

Adding my Congratulations for a job well done.

Lee
canarybird01
14 years ago
I should have mentioned that the paralympic athlete was Rick Hansen.

SharonCb
jimster
14 years ago
I think Banff would have been more dependable for snow. I guess Vancouver can better accommodate the crowds though. Sorry, I didn't realize Whistler is two hours from Vancouver. I just kept hearing "Vancouver, the host city" and imagined it was closer. Still, Whistler is not all that far from the coast and apparently is known for skiing in mild temperatures (due to the Japan Current). Sort of an eat your cake and have it too situation, when it snows. Unfortunately, it's been raining and, not just foggy, and more rain is in the forecast. Having said all that, I do understand that the weather in B.C. is unusual this year. And Houston is expecting snow!

BTW, many events, such as skating, actually are down town or quite close to it if I understand correctly.

Jim
dancingqueengw
14 years ago
Way to go Canada! Loved that all the native peoples were included and welcomed the athletes. That scene with the whales was amazing! I have relatives on Vancouver Island and one of my very best memories is going to visit them about 8 years ago. Beautiful country and beautiful people not to mention AWESOME cooks.
User
14 years ago
Hi Jim. you're right there are several venues in the city for indoor sports such as skating, curling and hockey. The city of Richmond, right next door, is hosting speed skating.

Whistler has most of the big time ski events and poor old Cypress Mountain, where the real snow problems are, host snowboarding and free style.

Skiing in Whistler is usually pretty spectacular, as is Banff, but no way on earth could Banff ever manage the Olympics and it's way too far from Vancouver to be a viable ski venue.
pixistix
14 years ago
Beautiful!!! . . . especially loved the whales and the guy flying to the "Both Sides Now" song ~ it was so peacefully beautiful, it gave me goosebumps :)
triciae
14 years ago
Missed the first 1/2 hour (Skyping w/DS who can talk a leg off an iron pot!) but stayed up and watched thru the closing at midnight. Great job, Vancouver & Canada! Vancouver is a beautiful city you should all be proud to call Canadian.

/tricia
lakeguy35
14 years ago
I loved the guy snowboarding in the begining. Great show....congrats to Canada and Vancouver!! Let the games begin!

David
susytwo
14 years ago
DS, a 9-year-old defenceman, was thrilled to see Bobby Orr carrying the olympic flag. And then watching the crowd spontaneously build and follow Gretzky to the external cauldron! Canada loves us some 99. :o)

Life is going to crawl to a standstill in this house when we get to the hockey semifinal and medal games.
compumom
14 years ago
We got home around 10 and so missed the first part, but what we saw until the end was spectacular! Congrats to Canada!
mustangs81
14 years ago
Indeed - Well done Vancouver and Canada! It was a beautiful opening to what promises to be a spectacular Olympics.
jimster
14 years ago
I didn't see the opening ceremonies but I was told they were wonderful, especially the guy who flew on wires.

I wish they would show more curling. I could do with less figure skating. I suppose I'm the odd ball in both respects. :-)

Jim
User
14 years ago
Oh no, you're not an oddball at least not if you were in Canada, curling is huge here!

The Canadian TV coverage is significantly different than American coverage. Can you get any Canadian channels where you are? Lots of curling.
jimster
14 years ago
I can't receive any Canadian TV. If I were to put my money where my mouth is I would investigate joining a curling club which is not far from where I live. There are such clubs in the U.S. but you don't hear much about them. Am I mistaken or is curling more physically suitable than many other sports for an old codger like myself. My sister, who is a great fancier of all things Canadian, has wanted me to do this.

Jim
althetrainer
14 years ago
I didn't watch the opening ceremony but have been following the games for two days. Alexandre Bilodeau has just won the gold medal in men's freestyle skiing moguls. We had previously held Olympics twice (1976 summer games in Montreal; 1988 winter games in Calgary) but neither times Canada had won one gold medal. Now Winter Games in Vancouver and we have finally won one gold medal on home soil. This is a moment a lot of Canadians will remember for years to come.

Al
dirtgirl07
Original Author
14 years ago
Yea! Canadian just won their first gold in men's mogul and US won their first in women's! Good night!
lowspark
14 years ago
I wish they would show more curling. I could do with less figure skating.

Hear hear! I like figure skating but can we just see a better variety of stuff and not let it dominate the airwaves?

I didn't watch much last night (figure skating) but I watched the moguls and speed skating on Saturday night. Both of them were uber exciting! I love the olympics because anything can happen!
triciae
14 years ago
Heh, I LOVE the figure skating. Stayed up last night to watch! But, I do agree the coverage seems to concentrate on just a few sports & many (if not most) are never seen. Still though I love watching the Olympics & always look forward to them. Congrats to Canada on their medals! Doesn't it give you shivers when they are on the podium?

/tricia
arley_gw
14 years ago
Ya wanna know why there's no snow up there? It's all those Canadian beer fridges causing global warming.

Don't believe me? Hey, check out the scientific report at the link. (Climate scientists would never say anything less than scrupulously honest, would they?)

Yeah, I always knew there was something sinister about those Molson-swilling, 'eh'-saying, hockey loving people...

(This is, of course, totally tongue in cheek...some of the greatest times in my life have been in Canada, and I wish all countries in the world got along with each other as well as Canada and its sometimes rambunctious southern neighbor...)

Here is a link that might be useful: global warming and Canadian beer fridges
canarybird01
14 years ago
Arley now that you mentioned Molson's, I have to brag that my nephew, Adam Thomas, (my sister's son) was in that Molson's beer TV ad 'Made From Canada'
(click to see the advert on You Tube) which apparently was shown several times at the opening ceremonies in Canada.

He's been in some TV movies (Smallville) and TV ads before but I think he was pretty happy to be chosen by Molson's for the Olympic games' ad.

Here he is in snaps from the video:

SharonCb
jimster
14 years ago
I have to eat my words (sorry, no recipe for "my words").

Curling is getting more coverage on U.S. TV than it has in previous olympics. I actually got to watch some. Also, I heard that interest in curling clubs is gaining momentum in the U.S. How about that!

Jim
diana55
14 years ago
You have no idea how much fun, it has been here, during these Olympics !!! I have never experienced anything so wonderful in all my life. The Olympic Spirit here is so fantastic, and I have never been so proud to be Canadian !!! There's one thing that I can tell you, is that watching it on T.V. is nothing compared to being here, and experiencing it. I'm one proud Canadian !!! Diana55
lowspark
14 years ago
Oh Diana, that is SO cool. We went to the olympics in Atlanta in 1996 and I can sure attest to the fact that it's just something indescribably special to actually BE there. I can only imagine living in the host city!

Nathan went to Vancouver for the first weekend and saw luge and biathlon. I think going to the 1996 event (he was 9 at the time) made him realize what a special and unique experience it can be.

I've certainly enjoyed watching these Olympics! So many unforgettable moments. I'm sorry it's coming to an end!
diana55
14 years ago
Yes.....me too lowspark, but all good things come to an end. I was at the Olympics in Calgary, and even attended several events,and it was good too, but it was nothing like this one. I think they did a fantastic job. Diana55

Congratulations Canada and Vancouver

Comments (28)

jimster

User

Related Discussions

User

canarybird01

lsr2002

canarybird01

jimster

dancingqueengw

User

pixistix

triciae

lakeguy35

susytwo

compumom

mustangs81

jimster

User

jimster

althetrainer

dirtgirl07
Original Author

lowspark

triciae

arley_gw

canarybird01

jimster

diana55

lowspark

diana55

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Congratulations Canada and Vancouver

Comments (28)

Related Discussions

dirtgirl07Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

dirtgirl07
Original Author