FALL/WINTER
2014
F/W 14 $8.95 CAN
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61399 99757
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loving lavender
hgtv star carson arthur
farms, festivals, food
deck vs patio
what does purple taste like?
return on investment advice
Après-ski Drinks
IN THE HEART OF WHISTLER MUST SEE PATIOS FROM EAST TO WEST
contents
ON THE COVER 69 LOVING LAVENDER Learn how to keep that summer vibe alive with
theses new uses of Canada’s favourite herb. It’s not just for Grandfather’s car anymore!
31 DECK VS PATIO HGTV’s Carson Arthur educates us on how to get the biggest bang for your buck.
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73 PATIO FARE If you’re looking for ski and turf…
You’ve come to the right place. Discover some unusual Canadian patios.
DESIGN 34 DESIGNER PROFILES Some of the country’s most talented landscape designers share their stories.
41 BACKYARD REVOLUTION What is HGTV’s Paul Lafrance
up to now?!
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44 OUTSIDE IN Love that garden you planted this summer? Why not just haul it inside for the winter? 46 THE HEAT IS ON Hang up your shovels and head for the hills. Radiant heat is where it’s at. 48 OUR FAVOURITE THINGS Check out this one of a kind furniture by TYLER MESH. You wont be disappointed.
50 TREE-SON Trees…how helpful are they and when should we plant them?
LIVING 64 CHEF CHRISTINE CUSHING is about to warm our bellies for the impending winter.
80 MIXOLOGIST GRANT SCENEY Vancouver’s king of the
spirit world shares his story.
DISCOVER 82 NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR SARAH PENNEY with some advice on staying naturally healthy throughout the cold months. 84 OUTDOOR ARTISTS Showcasing some of the most
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outstanding outdoor art that the country has to offer.
88 HOMEGROWN Canadian bands Waterfront Fire and Digging Roots are about to blow your mind! Shazam!! 96 COMIC RELIEF We all need a good laugh now and again. Who knew that our friendly neighbourhood Canadian bears could help us out with that? 98 NOT SO AVERAGE JOE A look
inside the life of Hamilton’s Daniel Leblanc.
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VISIT OUR GEORGETOWN OUTDOOR IDEA CENTER | An expansive display of products in actual settings | Free samples of all paver and wall products and colors | Knowledgeable staff on hand to help you select the best products for your home
GEORGETOWN
287 Armstrong Avenue Georgetown, ON L7G 4X6
For more outdoor inspiration or a referral to a trusted Unilock Authorized Contractor connect with us at Unilock.com or 1-800-UNILOCK. JULY MON - WED 9am - 6pm | THURS - FRI 9am - 8pm | SAT 10am - 2pm AUG
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CANADA’S OUTDOOR DESIGN & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
Showcasing all things Canadian to enhance your outdoor lifestyle
Publisher/Editor in Chief Dave Maciulis C.L.D
Editor
Staff Writers
Lori A. Sweezey
design/build editor Paul Lafrance
Creative Director/designer Melissa Nezezon
PRODUCTION MANAGER/designer Susan Vogan
Vicki Morrison Zack Fleming Lori A. Sweezey Susan Mate Deborah Rent Luc Hellewell
business development Kate Biggs-Thiessen
Director of Sales
Photographers
Paul Maich
Jeff McNeill McNeill Photography Jessica Maciulis
Copy Editor
Tim Zwart thewritingumbrella.com
Artists
Scott Nichols
For advertising opportunities please email: sales@naturallandscapemagazine.com PUBLISHED BY NATURAL LANDSCAPE INC. President Dave Maciulis C.L.D Phone: 289-238-7910 Email: info@naturallandscapemagazine.com Natural Landscape is published twice yearly: Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter Single copy price is $8.95 Subscription Rates Canada 1 year (2 issues) - $17.90 2 years (4 issues) - $33.95 3 years (6 issues) - $48.95
USA 1 year (2 issues) - $22.95
Mail payment to: Natural Landscape Inc. 103 King Street East Dundas, ON L9H 1B9
Printed by T.C. Transcontinental Printing
Available at Chapters, Indigo, Coles, Kent Building Supplies and Atlantic News Stands across Canada. Delivered to bookstores by Districor Magazine Distribution Services. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written consent is prohibited by law.
I was perusing through the pages of your magazine last week. I have to say, I loved all the little surprises dispersed throughout this publication. The gentleman that writes the Comic Relief article is absolutely hilarious and I also enjoyed the “not so Average Joe”. I love that you pay homage to the unsung heroes that never get the pat on the back that they deserve. Great work! T. Ware Halifax, NS NLM: Well T., we try to remember that landscape design and outdoor lifestyle doesn’t have to be all serious and stuff. We do enjoy the lighter side. A lot!
I picked up an old copy of your magazine at the mall. I am so impressed by the presentation, the content and the quality of it...I think I’ll subscribe! F. Duff Welland, ON NLM: Thanks for the positive feedback F. What was our magazine doing hanging out at the mall?! We’ve told it a thousand times not to do that!!!
editors
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the article titled “Separation Anxiety”. I found it interesting that Quebec is so stringent with their rules around pool safety. Wondering why the rest of the country doesn’t do the same? J. Smyth Kamloops, BC NLM: Yah, we were wondering the same. These laws actually originated in Ontario but were quickly adopted by Quebec after several tragic (child) drownings. They allow no wiggle room when it comes to “double enclosure”. Hope the rest of the provinces follow suit soon!
I do enjoy your magazine with all of its great images and pertinent, informative editorial. I particularly like reading about what’s going on both coasts of the country. When we are all wrapped up in our own world (Ontario) I find it refreshing to move my mind beyond Ontario borders. D. Simmons Toronto, ON NLM: We love knowing what our neighbours are up to as well, and we are working hard to extend our reach. Not that we’re nosey or anything. We just like to keep up with the Jones’.
LETTER from the outdoor design/build editor Happy to have you all back for our 2014-15 issue of NL Mag. I hope your summer was as amazing as mine was and that you all had some time to connect with the most important people in your lives. With the last grains of Georgian Bay sand falling from almost every piece of clothing I own, I’m gearing up for a very busy fall/winter season. This is, without a doubt, the most optimal time of year to put the dreams of your outdoor living space into action. Crazy as that sounds, your action needs to begin with a plan. And to sit and put that plan on paper… you need time to reflect on what your needs and wants are. Did you have any great ideas while you sat in that big grassy space sipping margaritas in the sun? Well, write them down…. make a rough drawing of what it is that you imagine in that space. Then shop around for the designer that best suits your budget and your needs… someone who “gets” you. You’ve got a few cold hard months ahead, but you can certainly keep your heart and your visions warm by using this time to dream up that incredible space you saw in your minds eye last summer. Happy winter! Got questions? Email lafrance@naturallandscapemagazine.com
We welcome letters and emails from our readers. Our vision is to explore the needs and challenges of outdoor living and landscaping specific to all Canadian regions, and to captivate your imagination. We are proud Canadians with spectacular landscapes to showcase! We are a young magazine, and eager to meet your needs and interests. Your input is important to us, so please let us know how we are doing. Snail Mail: Natural Landscape Magazine 103 King Street East Dundas, ON L9H6N1
OR, if you live in the 21st Century... email lori@naturallandscapemagazine.com
Please be sure to include your name, address and telephone number. Letters and emails may be condensed for publication. Pictures will not be returned. NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
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letter from the publisher
embrace the cold As fall gave way to winter, I remember standing in the window of my childhood home, praying for snow. I’m pretty sure that I was responsible for some of the greatest snowstorms of all time. When you’re a kid, winters are an exciting time. Sledding, snow forts, ice hockey, skiing, snow ball fights… and of course Christmas. As an adult though, that excitement turns to a feeling that resembles something more like the feeling you get when you stick a fork in your eye. It’s certainly a lot more work than it used to be. Shoveling the driveway, clearing the sidewalk in front of the house, brushing three feet of snow off the car before you can even get inside to warm it up, snow tires, and layers upon layers of clothing. Ugh! It’s exhausting. So as our warm breezy days come to an end, I like to sit back and reflect on how amazing my summer really was, (in spite of Ontario’s weather). My family and I spent a lot of time at a friend’s cottage this past summer. I haven’t won the lottery yet, so thank gawd we have generous friends who can stand our company for more than one day. All work and no play (I discovered the hard way) makes for a very stressful and unbalanced life. Summer is the time of year that we should rejuvenate…get a little vitamin D and reconnect with family and friends. Get our toes wet
and our skin tanned. We need to bank some of this to get us through the dreary winter. On the pages of this issue, you will be treated to some very exquisite “cottages”. Very nice to dream about and wonderful to get a glimpse of how the other half live, but we can all create spaces that have that “cottage feel” without breaking the bank or having to sell our firstborn. Over the winter months while you’re busy trying to keep warm, let your imagination run. Let your minds eye show you what is possible in the very space that is your own. Think about the different elements and accessories that invoke a feeling of “lets go to the cottage” in you. Make your list and who knows; maybe you’ll collect a few of your items over the winter! This time of year is also a great time to start collaborating with a landscape designer. You don’t want to get caught with your pants down…you want to start enjoying that little piece of cottage life that you’ve dreamt up, as soon as possible. And just so you don’t have a hard time holding on to the warmth of summer, we’ve included a few tid bits that will help you through. In fact, I’ve decided to wrap myself in this incredible Canadian jacket by Fjallraven while I curl up by the fire to dream about how I can turn my own backyard into my cottage! Enjoy your fall, embrace your winter…and we will talk again in the spring.
Dave Maciulis, CLD
Twitter @dave_maciulis Facebook Natural Landscape Magazine 18 I NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
social eye zing
OUT N’ ABOUT with NL Mag 2013/2014 landscape lookback
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get dressed
style district
BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE Paying homage to our Great Canadian Winters Just because old man winter has decided to grace us with his inhuman sub-zero temperatures and more snow than any human should have to shovel…doesn’t mean you have to compromise your flare for style! We’ve got just the wintry-hued cure to keep you warm and cozy from those frigid temps and Vitamin D-lacking blues this season! Go ahead. Sing, “Baby, it’s cold outside” while joyfully skipping along the snow covered busy streets of downtown, as passers-by look at you with awe - we don’t just make this stuff up, it happens in commercials all the time!
Roots Casson Shirt Jacket $98
Hudson’s Bay Company x Pendleton Duffle Coat $895
Aritzia Rayder Jacket $150
Fjällräven Canada Shirt $139.99
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trending
style district Trends Expert HEIDI RICHTER
just hangin’ out
1
3 2
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1 Cacoon www.hang-in-out.com 2 Serend Hanging Chair www.restorationhardware.com 3 Moroso Tropicalia Cocoon Chair www.klausn.com 4 Dedon Nestrest www.dedon.de 5 Concept Suspendu Hanging Chair www.conceptsuspendu.fr NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
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inspiration
style district
2
1
3
4
French Industrial
5
1 French Iron Rustic Orange
Cafe Chair - www.kathykuohome.com 2 Classic Pendant - www.potterybarn.com 3 Fleur French Country Lattice Distressed Antique Wood Mirror - www.kathykuohome.com 4 Cafe String Lights - www.potterybarn.com 5 19th Century Oak & Zinc Baluster Dining Table - wwww.restorationhardware.com 6 Hudson Lanterns - www.pier1.com Inspiration image from www.sandykoepkeinteriordesign.com 26 I NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
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oUR favourite things Sedia The Sedia lounge chair is a wonderful addition to any outdoor oasis. It makes a bold but luxurious statement. The chair’s versatility is one of its best features. It offers the traditional comfort and shape of a lounger, but in a modern and contemporary material. It will complement any existing outdoor furniture. The fluid shape invites you to sit, and the cool surface, (even in the heat of summer), allows you to stay for as long as you’d like.
with
Jill Fraser Owner of House of Fraser Decor, Jill offers a decorating experience that is based on affordable style. Her unique approach ensures your LUMENISK ROUND The Lumenisk light columns act as modern sculptures during the day and magnificent ambient light sources in the evening. These columns are so dramatic that they can be used as standalone, contemporary features, making them a focal point in even the most rustic or casual garden. On the practical side, they are suitable for installation on gravel, patios and terraces, thanks to the integrated light source in the stainless steel base.
home is the best expression of your personality and taste. Jill’s goal is to give you a place you love coming home to at the end of every day. Jill has always had a passion for decor and design and appears weekly on Hamilton Life offering design ideas as the Home and Decor expert. For more information and to see her work, check out www.houseoffraserdecor.com
LUCENTA WAVE Who says privacy panels have to be strictly functional? These Lucenta partitioning screens are as beautiful as they are practical. They are the perfect additions to define a seating area in a large outdoor space or to highlight key areas of your backyard. They are equally ideal as the focal point in a smaller space, such as a private balcony. If you have something to hide, and we all do, use one to create a gorgeous diversion.
Featured products by
tylermeshhome.com 48 I NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM
Cooking
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For over 60 years Fontana has been creating the best Italian wood-fired ovens. Amazingly efficient with a powerful convection fan and uses 5 times less wood than traditional ovens. Includes built-in timer and constructed out of stainless steel, steel and cast iron.
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design district
HANGING WITH A
K C RO R A T S
The magic of Muskoka granite BY Cassidy Tonkin – Halton Hills, ON
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design district
s a k o k s u M
There is nothing more relaxing than experiencing cottage life in the
The sounds of laughter echo over water, fires crackle along shorelines and on beaches, and conversations carry long into the night. If you close your eyes, you can almost picture it: a bright moon hanging in the summer sky, a warm breeze caressing your face like a whisper across silk, music playing softly in the background, and the gentle lapping of water serving as the soundtrack to your reverie. There is a majesty here that is almost magical, a feeling of oneness with nature that you can’t quite put your finger on, but it impacts you with a power that is absolute. It has the ability to make you forget and to remember all at the same time, and offers you the one thing that is most elusive in life: peace. You can leave behind emails and boardrooms, traffic and alarm clocks, deadlines and stress, and for the briefest of moments, life becomes simple again. This utopia of untapped resources may be out of financial reach to many, and seemingly attainable only through the pages of a coffee table hardcover, but what if it was available to anyone? The Muskokas have been one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ontario for decades, and rightfully so. Featuring a rugged, rocky terrain and lush forests surrounded by a seemingly endless supply of lakes and waterways, this area is truly a site to behold. But perhaps its best resource (and most well kept secret), lies not in what your eyes can see, but what they cannot. Below the surface, forged by the very beauty displayed above, exists a resource that is every bit as beautiful as the region itself.
Resident “rock star” Kirby Hall, (a handsome, rugged, thirty eight year old), along with his bother Clayton and partners Arnie and Keith Coulson, take the work of mother nature and manipulate granite rock into some of the most exceptional pieces of creative, custom stonework in the country. This mineral maestro has been expanding the uses for, and availability of, his posh products since day one. With approximately five quarries to their credit, Muskoka Rock has established itself as the custom design granite expert in the country. Hall’s work has been showcased on some of the areas most upscale properties and walked upon by some pretty significant Canadian music icons; most recently on Lake Joseph, where a fundraiser for Canada’s Walk of Fame took place. Juno award winning acts, Jann Arden and The Tenors, entertained the Walk of Fame’s partners and supporters in a private performance. “Music under the Stars” had the perfect setting for a perfect night that will benefit emerging Canadian artists through scholarships and a variety of other programs. Hall’s granite provided a beautiful backdrop for the event. So what makes granite so popular, you may ask? With strength close to that of diamonds and beautiful colour combinations to make a statement even in the smallest amounts,
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design district granite is known for its ease of installation and impeccable, long lasting quality. Each of their quarries has a unique colour pattern available, from a classic Muskoka look (black, gray and salmon tones), to a more rustic looking dark and cream blend. Kirby Hall is the guy that can help you turn a house into a home…and a home/cottage into an unparalleled staycation. While providing beautiful, durable stone quarried locally is one thing; the process of getting the stone to you is what truly makes Hall and his team one-of a kind. Unlike traditional methods of quarrying granite, which usually results in smaller pieces and uneven colour patterns, Hall extracts huge boulders of granite out of the ground whole (sometimes weighing anywhere from 10-15 tons!) These giant, egg-like masses are then taken to the cutting room floor where the true magic begins. Each piece of a new project is cut from the exact same stone, guaranteeing a consistent colour and pattern throughout, and giving the finished product a professional and flush appearance. Witnessing this spectacle is truly remarkable, and is akin to watching a beautiful work of art emerging from a sculptor’s block. Each stone is sliced with a surgeon’s precision, with the end result similar to a fanned out deck of stone playing cards. So what exactly can you do with granite in and around your living space? Well if you’re Kirby Hall, quite a bit. If it has a surface he can stone it with breath-taking results. His designs and workmanship have given rise to countless projects among the rich and famous, but he remains as grounded as the day he began, focusing on a vision that is as simple as it is profound:
I’m all about bringing you a genuine piece of the Muskoka lifestyle, both inside and outside of your home. One of the most basic places to start any home transformation is with the flooring (not to mention one of the most important elements when it comes to designing your space). Hardwood is beautiful and versatile, but can easily scratch if you have kids or pets. Granite flooring has proven to be a popular and much more durable alternative, but has, until now, also had its drawbacks. Traditional methods of splitting granite can lead to uneven surfaces, potentially causing trip and fall hazards, wobbly furniture and small pockets for water to pool and fester. However, with the use of modern bridge saws, Hall and his team have effectively eliminated these concerns; providing a smooth, comfortable surface that is far more functional and esthetically pleasing.
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Create Extraordinary Indoor and Outdoor Spaces Manufacturers of Distinctive Granite Products
MuskokaRockCompany.com • Call: 705.687.8700 100% Canadian Owned and Operated - 100% Canadian Shield Stone 1165 Bethune Drive N., Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1R1 • E-mail: sales@muskokarockcompany.com
If landscaping is where your need lies, then the right selection of stonework is crucial. A beautiful yard can not only increase the curb appeal of your home or cottage, but can also provide a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Creating a comfortable and modern space for you to kick back and relax is essential to maintain mental sanity, and Hall understands this better than most. His goal is not only to provide you with quality material from the heart of the Muskokas, but also to bestow upon you the care-free attitude that goes with it. Installing traditional granite flagstone and granite stair treads is where he hangs his hat, and the ability to insert a little safety, durability and style into your outdoor space cannot be overlooked. Far surpassing the quality of wood or regular concrete, Muskoka Rock’s granite products are dense, resistant to extreme cold and heat temperatures, and possess a low water absorption rate, making them the ideal base for both furniture and foot traffic. So if the Muskoka lifestyle is what you’re really after, don’t settle for a temporary fix. Take a little piece of this glorious Eden home with you to enjoy with each and every step you take. Bring the sounds, smells, visualizations and soul of Muskoka to your doorstep, and feel the sensation of vacationing without ever having to leave your home.
Then close your eyes, smile, remember, and take in these feelings with every sensation in your being; and take comfort in the fact that Kirby Hall has truly rocked your world.
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Apsley
Rendered concept sketches and photo by www.naturallandscapedesign.com
An idyllic lakeside vantage constructed with the rustic charm of the cottage’s interior in mind, this Apsley, Ontario setting offers year round enjoyment to its owners and their families. Overcoming environmental challenges of a 60 foot drop over a distance of 80 feet from the back door to the water’s edge, Designer Mike Thiessen’s objective was to encourage visitors to pause at the top of the hill and enjoy the tranquil surroundings before taking the 54 stones steps down. A fire pit area at the halfway mark has proven to be a safe and comfortable place for entertaining, day or night - summer or winter.
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Piece: Cnidarians study
bioluminescence When functionality and art collide, you have the perfect storm. And that perfect storm on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia is Wayne Harjula. An import from England, he now belongs to us. Harjula and his wife, glass artist Miyuki, called Vancouver home for several years but decided that they needed to raise their three children closer to nature. This move had a profound effect on Harjula’s work. His affinity for underwater creatures and their ability to adapt to environmental change is the focus of much of his current composition. Using recycled glass bottles, Harjula captures the unique vitality of each sea creature he replicates, bringing life to a world that many of us will only ever see in books. His use of vibrant colours coupled with his classic yet whimsical form, create piec-
es that draw you into another world. A world of nature in its purest form. “My future is a narrative of the study of nature. We are nature; our story is a cumulative of living, study and portrayal. Mediocrity hides in industrious processes needed for efficiency, profit and comfort yet deprives us of attachment, personality and a flexible future. Nature on the other hand, even in our absence, can surprise us every day we care to look, and offers solutions beyond our wildest dreams.” www.mellonglass.ca
the not so average joe
James
“Daniel”
LeBlanc By Lori Sweezey - Dundas, ON
As long as he was playing outside, James “Daniel” LeBlanc was a happy boy. Not much has changed for LeBlanc over the years. This 24 year old is content as long as he’s outside. So it’s no surprise that his work happens to unfold in the great outdoors. Born in Hamilton, Ontario on a hot August night in 1988 to Pamela and Jim LeBlanc, Daniel was the middle child of three, (and we would never say “problem middle child”). By the time he was three, amidst a divorce, Leblanc and his family moved north to Longlac, then Geraldton, Ontario; heaven for a boy who wanted nothing more than to hunt, fish and build forts! In his younger years (cuz he’s so old now) he had a “thing” for taking small motors apart and rebuilding them. “I’d break things just so I could fix them!”, he laughs. But these days Leblanc is into building intricate car audio systems and rebuilding dirt bikes. He no longer has time for tree forts. After moving back to Hamilton, Ontario at the beginning of high school, Leblanc began working in restaurant kitchens. He needed the cash because by age 17 he was living on his own and trying to make his way in the world. He moved through the ranks, from dishwasher to line cook, but with graduation looming in the near future, he just couldn’t see himself cooking for the rest of his life. A friend suggested he try his hand at landscaping…… hardscaping in particular. “There is something very satisfying about being a part of creating something from an actual design. Something about taking a design from paper, to life.” With several years working for Landscape firms under his belt and absorbing as much as he could, Leblanc now works for Serenity Stone out of Ancaster, Ontario doing some of the most beautiful work in the industry. “I’m learning other aspects of the business now, like quoting and billing…..things that I’d never really given much thought to before.” Leblanc has some definite plans for the future. “I’d like to build pools and do a bit more custom natural stone work, and within the next 10 years I’d like to be project managing or running my own business.” Leblanc will undoubtedly accomplish what he has his sights on in his quiet, unassuming manner. In the mean time….if you can’t find him on a jobsite, you’ll probably find him camping with his wife and three year old daughter… kicking back with a cold one and a fishing rod close by.
recipe Bacon wrapped asparagus 2 lb fresh asparagus, ends trimmed 12 slice bacon, uncooked 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup butter 1 Tbsp soy sauce 1/2 tsp garlic salt 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
FavEs Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 2. Divide asparagus spears into 12 bundles (3-4 pieces each). Wrap 1 piece of bacon around each bundle, starting 1/2” from bottom of the tips. Secure the bacon-wrapped asparagus with a toothpick. Arrange bundle in a shallow baking pan. 3. Combine brown sugar and remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan; heat mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Pour mixture over asparagus bundles. 4. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until spears have begun to wilt and bacon looks fully cooked. Enjoy!
Food: hands down….Bacon TV show: Treehouse…..with his daughter Alysa Music: Hip Hop/R&B Holiday: Christmas Beverage: MGD beer Piece of clothing: My red jersey Time of day: Supper Place to travel: Geraldton, On Hero/Mentor: Mom and stepdad Gary
The perfect volume, everywhere. Strategically placed satellite speakers and subwoofers encompass the perimeter of the property directing the sound towards the listening areas. The result is breathtaking performance and a perfect blanket of sound. The additional benefit is that the music is contained in the areas where it's wanted and not spilling out to disturb neighbors.
SPRING/SUMMER 2014
Outdoor Spaces to Live & Love