Lifestyle

Finding the big brown trout

There are not many big brown trout in the Red Deer River tailwater below Dickson Dam, and locating where they hang out is both an art and a pre-requisite to fishing for and maybe catching (and releasing) a few.

“Structure” is a key for many anglers: log jams, sweepers, bouldery side channels, etc. READ

Diamond Willow Artisan Retreat is an Alberta gem

Sometimes the best way to de-stress and reconnect with your creative side is to try something that you have never done before — even if you are pretty certain you won’t be good at it. “We’re going to start with a little watercolour,” said Karin Huehold, the art instructor at Diamond Willow Artisan Retreat near Turner Valley. “By that I mean you will be painting on little canvases. I’m going to teach you some easy painting techniques and I think you’ll be surprised by the results.” READ

Fresh-made butter has rich, glossy texture — and fabulous taste

Butter. It probably is one of the easiest things to make. You might ask: “Why make homemade butter?” But really, the question should be: “Why not?” Fresh-made butter has a rich, glossy texture that’s silky, not waxy. But it’s not just about texture. Unlike most supermarket brands of butter, homemade butter has noticeable flavour: fresh, lightly sweet and extremely, well, buttery! Once you whip up your first batch, you will realize that homemade trumps the best and fanciest store-bought premium butters. READ

Centenary families celebrated

There’s still time to add your history to the Centennial Family Project’s collection of personal stories. Earlier this year, the Red Deer branch of the Alberta Genealogical Society launched its drive for information on those who lived in Red Deer and area in 1913 and their descendants still living in the city in 2013. READ

Desserts in a jar: succumb to sweet tooth

Jars filled with sweet confections make for novel desserts, and are an easy and fun way to achieve portion control. In 150 Best Desserts in a Jar (Robert Rose), chef Andrea Jourdan has recreated recipes for traditional goodies like lush chocolate mousse, pecan bread pudding and creamy panna cotta that can be prepared and served in glass vessels. READ

Holy Toledo

It is Sunday morning and fishermen are lined up on the banks of the Tagus River below the old city of Toledo, Spain. High above them, the old city seems to be a mass of structures haphazardly heaped on top of a rocky mound that is surrounded on three sides by water. READ

Windpipe made from own stem cells; youngest patient ever

A 2-year-old girl born without a windpipe now has a new one grown from her own stem cells, the youngest patient in the world to benefit from the experimental treatment. Hannah Warren has been unable to breathe, eat, drink or swallow on her own since she was born in South Korea in 2010. Until the operation at a central Illinois hospital, she had spent her entire life in a hospital in Seoul. Doctors there told her parents there was no hope and they expected her to die. READ

Cycling Majorca

I can hear the distant tinkling of sheep bells as I shift gears and huff and puff to get my bike up a steep hill on the Spanish island of Majorca. Both sides of the road are lined with honey-coloured rock walls and I stop at the top of the hill to catch my breath and take in the view – a patchwork of olive groves, vineyards, and secluded sheep farms. READ

‘Ethical’ clothing hard to find

You can recycle your waste, grow your own food and drive a fuel-efficient car. But being socially responsible isn’t so easy when it comes to the clothes on your back. Take Jason and Alexandra Lawrence of Lyons, Colo. The couple eat locally grown food that doesn’t have to be transported from far-flung states. They fill up their diesel-powered Volkswagen and Dodge pickup with vegetable-based oil. They even bring silverware to a nearby coffeehouse to avoid using the shop’s plastic utensils. READ

Get the skinny on the Mukul Luxury Resort and Spa

It is 6:30 a.m. and I am thinking about skinny dipping in the private plunge pool located on the deck of my ocean view cabin at Mukul Luxury Resort and Spa in Nicaragua. I was in junior high school the last time I even remotely considered taking a skinny dip and it didn’t go well — my two cousins ratted me out to my grandmother. Since the incident, I have done Grandma proud — restricting myself to a one-piece bathing suit on even the least restrictive beaches. READ

Pub pays homage to Canadiana

If you are looking for a new place to share drinks, enjoy food or unwind after a hard day’s work, you may want to consider the new neighbourhood pub restaurant that has opened up in Clearview Ridge — The Canadian Brewhouse. It is a chain pub that has eight other locations, all across Alberta. Like any other pub, it serves a variety of beer, pub food and music — all in a very casual atmosphere. READ

SLIDESHOW — The birds of Boundary Bay

Last week we made a quick trip Boundary Bay, an internationally recognized Important Bird Area on the Fraser River estuary. READ

An introduction to hot glass at Red Deer College

Taking on the challenge of a team glass blowing project is usually not attempted by beginners. But for a group of glass students enrolled in the Advanced Glass Blowing for Beginners course, it was a great way to test their skills. READ

Land of fire and ice

Another world is closer than you think. I do not mean Richard Branson’s flights to space next year; I am referring to Icelandair’s direct flights from Toronto to Reykjavik. READ

World tour — on a private jet

This is Part 1 of a two-part feature. When asked what they plan to do, many prospective retirees list travel as one of their ambitions. It is becoming increasingly popular for new retirees to celebrate their freedom from work obligations by enjoying a big trip to someplace they have always dreamed of visiting and this past summer, when retirement was looming for Leith Damiani, she and her husband Jim started looking for an adventure. READ