Canadian Buffoon's Back to Front Vacation - Update! 05/18 - Falling Down

[chunkymonkey]

"Tourtière is a Canadian meat pie dish originating from the province of Quebec, usually made with minced pork, veal or beef and potatoes. Wild game is often added to enhance the taste of the pie." (wiki)

Ah interesting, so like a meat pie, but not handheld!

I'm glad you skipped McDonalds.

I suppose, like anywhere, there are
good foods, great foods...
and horrible foods.

True, I'm glad I skipped it too.

Lucky!
I've known about Donair
for a long time...
yet haven't been able
to try it yet.

It's like a Gyro but with a sweet garlicky sauce. It's unique and tasty but don't get into close conversations after that as it's REALLY garlicky.
Also do not consume if you think you're a vampire.

Can you tell which one
is me an which one
is the tomato?

Hmm, tomato is slightly more ripe.

Phew!!!

(visions of Su-Lynn coming at me
brandishing a dull butter knife, recede)

You obviously don't know me because I wouldn't bother with a dull butter knife. I'm all about clean efficiency so I'd come at you with the sharpest blade there is.

Oh, brother.
I hardly think so.

I do believe you are
the celebrity, Miss Vloger.

Hmm I can beg to differ, I think you have a couple more posts than me.

This is very possible.
I mean... aren't we all????

YES.

Hmmm.... maybe?
When are you planning that?

May 2nd at 11:45am

Hmmm... didn't know that.
Thought it was mostly meat skewers.
(And shrimp... loooooots of shrimp.)

For vegetarians they do a grilled veggie platter I think. I'm not sure. I've heard about this rumor. But I've never dined there with vegetarians.
Also they do offer mac n cheese and fries for the kids so that could also be an option.

Always wanted to do that.
Even toyed with the idea
of doing it with Elle.

But we'll be in Uni on the 5th.

Oh too bad, it's my first time at HDDR too!

Yes, yes, it does. @chunkymonkey does a great job positioning her head in just the right way, too. You should see our Liberty Tree Tavern photos

I'm the master of this. I bring you: Slightly lopsided, but incredibly vintage copper pan ears:

That could be.
But I'm pretty sure
that the "May Epic Girls Meet"
will usurp me.

It will usurp us all!

 

[T.wilkes]

Hi Pkondz, I have read these boards for a while now and I have never posted but I just read your Upper Sandusky update and was so excited! I work right by the Harley store and see it every day! When I say to my family (they live in other states) I'm going down to Upper, they think I'm crazy. Upper is named because it is located near the headwaters of the Sandusky river. The river flows north to Sandusky bay, thus Sandusky is at the end of the river. Basically Upper Sandusky is up the Sandusky river. I know....way more information than anyone wanted to know. But I love this little town. If you ever get back this way, try Shotzky's for dinner. Nothing fancy (think dive bar) but great atmosphere and great food. Thank you for you entertaining reports.

 

[pkondz]

Ah interesting, so like a meat pie, but not handheld!

Well... typically pie is not handheld.
But... yes.

It's like a Gyro but with a sweet garlicky sauce. It's unique and tasty but don't get into close conversations after that as it's REALLY garlicky.

Sounds delish!
Hmmm...
I wonder if we have
one of those here?

Also do not consume if you think you're a vampire.

Pretty sure I'm not!

Wait.
Just to make sure,
I'll take a quick peak
in a mirror.




Dang.

Um... Have I ever mentioned
what a lovely neck you have?

Hmm, tomato is slightly more ripe.

I like you said "slightly".

You obviously don't know me because I wouldn't bother with a dull butter knife. I'm all about clean efficiency so I'd come at you with the sharpest blade there is.

I know.
But the vision of you
with a sharp knife
was too much to bear.

Although, apparently
a stake would be better.


mmmm… steak...

Hmm I can beg to differ, I think you have a couple more posts than me.

I don't think so?
Haven't compared, mind you.

May 2nd at 11:45am

Ah. Won't work, then.
We're in Epcot that day.

Ah well.

For vegetarians they do a grilled veggie platter I think. I'm not sure. I've heard about this rumor. But I've never dined there with vegetarians.
Also they do offer mac n cheese and fries for the kids so that could also be an option.

Well, I don't think
a grown adult is
going to be happy
with mac n cheese
for dinner.




Okay... I would be.

Oh too bad, it's my first time at HDDR too!

Hope you enjoy it!
I've heard such
good things!

I'm the master of this. I bring you: Slightly lopsided, but incredibly vintage copper pan ears:

Yes, I remember that.
Perfectly posed.
You're the master!

It will usurp us all!

 

[pkondz]

Hi Pkondz, I have read these boards for a while now and I have never posted but I just read your Upper Sandusky update and was so excited!

Well hi there!
And your very fist post
is right here!

to the TR!

I work right by the Harley store and see it every day!

You should have waved
as I drove by!

When I say to my family (they live in other states) I'm going down to Upper, they think I'm crazy. Upper is named because it is located near the headwaters of the Sandusky river. The river flows north to Sandusky bay, thus Sandusky is at the end of the river. Basically Upper Sandusky is up the Sandusky river.

ohhhhhh!

Now I get it!
Makes total sense!

I know....way more information than anyone wanted to know.

Nope!
I love learning new things.

But I love this little town. If you ever get back this way, try Shotzky's for dinner. Nothing fancy (think dive bar) but great atmosphere and great food. Thank you for you entertaining reports.

That was the other place
we considered.

But if I swing by that way again
(and, frankly, it could happen)
I'll know to try it.

 

[Chrystmasangel]

I have read these boards for a while now and I have never posted but I just read your Upper Sandusky update and was so excited! I work right by the Harley store and see it every day!

Hello from "just across the pond!"

I know....way more information than anyone wanted to know.

Nope!
I love learning new things.

I actually was thinking this exact same thing when I read this!

That was the other place
we considered.

It was a close call though. My sister leaned me toward Don Tomasso's. She lived in Upper Sandusky for I think close to 15 years or so. Can't remember exactly.

But if I swing by that way again
(and, frankly, it could happen)
I'll know to try it.

Sweet! I'm sensing a double Dis meet in the future!

 

[pkondz]

I actually was thinking this exact same thing when I read this!

It was a close call though. My sister leaned me toward Don Tomasso's. She lived in Upper Sandusky for I think close to 15 years or so. Can't remember exactly.

I seem to recall we
discussed options.

I liked the pizza,
so I think we done good.

Sweet! I'm sensing a double Dis meet in the future!

That'd be great!

 

[natebenma]

I enjoyed reading about your meet back at home (work) and during your trip. When I met up with Mary Ellen (MEK) this summer, it was also "Take a DIS friend to work day". I brought her and Denny to the farm to visit with the animals and tour the 1692 Manor House followed by an alfresco picnic.

So that's the breakfast room.
Any comments?

A couple of comments

I am not as disturbed at the robe as I am at the thought that he may be considering driving in flip-flops AND

I'm too distracted by the thin, green maple leaf in the news story on the tv.

Woman blames flip-flop trouble for crash in MA parking lot | Miami …

FYI, Flip Flops May Cause a Staggering Amount of Car Accidents | SELF
Do you ever drive in flip flops? It can void your insurance if you're in an …
Stuck flip-flop causes vehicle to plunge into river - WCVB-TV
Is It Dangerous to Drive in Flip Flops? - Eliot Reiner APLC

​

The pastie was good,
although not as good as
a good French Canadian tourtiere.

The gravy kind of nullifies the handwich advantage doesn't it?

Mmmm! Tourtiere! A Christmas eve tradition for my family.

Did you know that a turkey's head can change color, from blue to red, depending on its mood? Blue tends to mean a calmer turkey, red is an agitated bird.

Yes, I saw it. Very cool.

 

[pkondz]

I enjoyed reading about your meet back at home (work) and during your trip. When I met up with Mary Ellen (MEK) this summer, it was also "Take a DIS friend to work day". I brought her and Denny to the farm to visit with the animals and tour the 1692 Manor House followed by an alfresco picnic.

Nice!
Sounds like you're a better host(ess)
than I am.

I am not as disturbed at the robe as I am at the thought that he may be considering driving in flip-flops

You have learned, young grasshopper.

I'm too distracted by the thin, green maple leaf in the news story on the tv.

Yeah... that's a maple leaf.

Sure.

The gravy kind of nullifies the handwich advantage doesn't it?

Absolutely.
And it does so, deliciously.

Mmmm! Tourtiere! A Christmas eve tradition for my family.

You too!
Well.... typically ours
is on Christmas day (evening)
but same idea.

Did you know that a turkey's head can change color, from blue to red, depending on its mood? Blue tends to mean a calmer turkey, red is an agitated bird.

I did know that.
Found that out in Phoenix
with Kay on her
Sweet 16 trip.

Yes, I saw it. Very cool.

Occasionally cool?

 

[natebenma]

Yumm…
My mom makes it.
It's a staple every Christmas.

I told her I need her to teach
me how to make it this year.

My dad showed me and we have made them together a few years. Our family recipe has onions but no potatoes, but my grandfather (Pepere) refused to eat onions, so they told him it was celery.

 

[pkondz]

My dad showed me and we have made them together a few years. Our family recipe has onions but no potatoes, but my grandfather (Pepere) refused to eat onions, so they told him it was celery.

Kinda feel like crying a bit.
You're bringing back
a lot of memories.

Did you call your
grandmother "memere"
by any chance?

Where did they live?

 

[Tracy161]

That could be.
But I'm pretty sure
that the "May Epic Girls Meet"
will usurp me.

Yes, I believe you're right. I just wish I could go! Someday soon school will not rule my life!

Guessing you don't need
the makeup, though.

Awww shucks

Wait your turn!
I'll propose to you
in a few updates.

Unintentional Mickey ears.

Indeed! She manifests them wherever she goes

Gee! I wonder what would
happen if I'd done two photos?

Uh oh. Were there two photos?!

Down to 120 from a norm of about 150.

I'm so jealous! Halloween is my favorite holiday and I never even get ONE trick-or-treater

And even Luna got into the spirit.

How cute!!!

 

[pkondz]

Yes, I believe you're right. I just wish I could go! Someday soon school will not rule my life!

What!?!??!
I thought you were going!!

Indeed! She manifests them wherever she goes

Uh oh. Were there two photos?!

No, no.
Just the one.
You can stop looking now.

I'm so jealous! Halloween is my favorite holiday and I never even get ONE trick-or-treater

Patently unfair.
I've decided that when
the number of kids
drops below 50...


I'm moving.

How cute!!!

She kinda is.

 

[Heluvsme]

So after the infamous Italy incident (am I remembering correctly? Venice maybe? Your back went out and made for some serious cringe worthy reading) do you carry muscle relaxers with you? Or something you can take and still safely operate heavy machinery??

And meat pies in any form are a hard no for me. Fruit, pudding, custard, Chicago style pizza events OK and yummy, but just the meat pie.... well, maybe covered in gravy, maayybe....

Thanks for the update! P.S. Luna is a cutie! Keeshond right??? Sweet!
--Dawn

 

[pkondz]

So after the infamous Italy incident (am I remembering correctly? Venice maybe? Your back went out and made for some serious cringe worthy reading)

Yep. Venice.
Was not the best part
of that trip.

do you carry muscle relaxers with you?

But just over the counter stuff.
Really, when it goes...
nothing helps.

Or something you can take and still safely operate heavy machinery??

Nope.
If it really goes,
I'm pretty much completely
immobilized.

And meat pies in any form are a hard no for me.

That's okay.
If you come over for Christmas
I make lots of other goodies.

Fruit, pudding, custard, Chicago style pizza events OK and yummy, but just the meat pie.... well, maybe covered in gravy, maayybe....

Love all of those.
And I do cover
it with gravy.

Thanks for the update!

You're welcome!
Next one coming soon.
(Working on it right now, actually.)

P.S. Luna is a cutie! Keeshond right??? Sweet!

Yup! A fun loving Keeshond.

 

[missjackiemcg]

Interesting choice for sure...I prefer clothing on my breakfast companions, certainly! But at least he's got shoes on!!

Gorgeous!

Second day of the drive
and I've already almost
been in an accident.

Sheesh.

Good thing you didn't opt for the flip flops!!

Happy to see you here Jackie your gonna love his TR, he's so funny, plus really nice.

Don't believe her.
I'm dull and really a jerk.
She just caught me
on a really good day.

Thanks @thumper*

Eh, jerks are entertaining, too!!!

 

[pkondz]

Interesting choice for sure...I prefer clothing on my breakfast companions, certainly! But at least he's got shoes on!!

Yep! Driving shoes!

Gorgeous!

Right?????

Good thing you didn't opt for the flip flops!!

I dunno....
I mean, sure,
the car would've been
totaled, but...

Venison.

Eh, jerks are entertaining, too!!!

Oh, dear.
This isn't looking good for you.
I'm a dullard, too.

 

[natebenma]

Kinda feel like crying a bit.
You're bringing back
a lot of memories.

Did you call your
grandmother "memere"
by any chance?

Where did they live?

I am French Canadian on both sides of my family, so I had two Memeres and two Peperes. My dad is Pepere to my boys.

My Aunt Jeanne (my dad's sister) traced our ancestry back 10 generations, and prepared an incredible book about our family, so I am able to answer your questions about his side of the family.

My dad's mom was from Nicolet, Quebec and came to the US (Manchester NH) when she was 16 years old. My dad's father was born in Manchester, but his family was from Mont Carmel in Quebec. My dad's first language was French, until he went to school.

Manchester was a mill town, my hometown of Dover was a mill town and the town where I live now was also a mill town, all full of fellow French Canadians.

 

[cinderkelly]

And even Luna got into the spirit.

Aww! Luna is so cute! And very nice kitchen appliances BTW!!

 

[buzzrelly]

Hello there! I've lurked on a couple of your other, very entertaining trip reports, but have never commented because I felt I was waaaayyyy behind. Well, here I am on page 11 and only two installments of a pkondz report and I feel like I can finally jump in!

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[pkondz]

I am French Canadian on both sides of my family, so I had two Memeres and two Peperes. My dad is Pepere to my boys.

Oh! Well, then that makes sense.
I'm French Canadian on Mom's side.
Dad... not so much.

My Aunt Jeanne (my dad's sister) traced our ancestry back 10 generations, and prepared an incredible book about our family, so I am able to answer your questions about his side of the family.

Huh.
I had an Aunt Jeanne (Ma Tante Jeanne)
Actually, was mom's aunt, but I called
her "Tante" as well.

Mom did her genealogy back
to Europe. Think that's as far
as it got, though.
Not positive how many generations.

My dad's mom was from Nicolet, Quebec and came to the US (Manchester NH) when she was 16 years old. My dad's father was born in Manchester, but his family was from Mont Carmel in Quebec. My dad's first language was French, until he went to school.

Interesting.
I'd have to look to see
where my Pepere was from.
Quebec, yes... but I don't
remember where.
I do know we went there,
but that was a million years ago.

Manchester was a mill town

Of course it was.

my hometown of Dover was a mill town and the town where I live now was also a mill town, all full of fellow French Canadians.

Doesn't surprise me one bit!