Brian Francis

Author/Eater

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Bazaar-o-Rama 2017

October 29, 2017 by Brian Francis

Every November, I embark on Bazaar-o-Rama, my annual tour of church bazaars. If you haven’t been to a bazaar, you’re missing out. You can find cheap gifts, form friendships with women named Beatrice and Irene, and buy percolated coffee for next to nothing.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll post some of the treasures I find. Join me on my bazaar journey, won’t you?

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October 29, 2017 /Brian Francis
Bazaars
11 Comments

The Bay Cafeteria

September 07, 2017 by Brian Francis in Writing, Life

Many famous writers seek out inspiring environments to fuel their creativity. Hemingway had his home in Old Town Key West.. And Virginia Woolf had her own room.

Me? I had the Bay cafeteria.

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September 07, 2017 /Brian Francis
Writing
Writing, Life
6 Comments

Best and Worst Irish Chocolate Bars

August 02, 2017 by Brian Francis in Taste Tests

A few months ago, I was in a charity bowl-a-thon. Bowling is the only sport I’ve ever been good at because it involves minimal physical activity and there’s a snack bar within arm’s reach. So imagine my surprise when I won the raffle grand prize – airline tickets to anywhere WestJet flies!

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August 02, 2017 /Brian Francis
Food
Taste Tests
2 Comments

Fuck Cookies™

May 28, 2017 by Brian Francis in Food

I’m a big believer in emotional eating. Do you come home at the end of the day and want nothing more than to work your way through a container of Duncan Hines Whipped Vanilla Frosting? Go right ahead. And don’t forget those Pizza Pockets in the freezer. Recently,  I got to thinking – why not make some cookies with my letter press that really let you eat your emotions?

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May 28, 2017 /Brian Francis
Food
Food
2 Comments

My Vintage Tupperware Cookie Cutters

May 07, 2017 by Brian Francis in Food

I grabbed a set of Tupperware cookie cutters when we moved my mom out of the family home a number of years ago. She kept them in an old Ziploc bag. They’re a seasonal set, made for birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, etc. I don’t think she ever used them, though. I don't recall ever getting a cookie for my birthday. Not that anyone remembered.

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May 07, 2017 /Brian Francis
Food
Food
2 Comments

My Bazaar Treasures

November 27, 2016 by Brian Francis in Life

Saturday mornings throughout November, I roll out of bed early, put on my Tilley hat, fire up the Chevette and head out to Christmas bazaars. If you’ve never been to a bazaar, you’re missing out on one of life’s richest experiences. Bazaars are free, you can find great deals, and, if you’re under 50, you’ll feel like the youngest person there. 

 

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November 27, 2016 /Brian Francis
Bazaars
Life
4 Comments

The Hunt for a Masculine Lunch Bag

September 24, 2016 by Brian Francis in Life

Every couple of years, I go in search of a new lunch bag. It’s a horrific, painful and depressing journey. I don’t want polka dots or stripes or superheroes or anything that I’d be embarrassed to carry while reading my V.C. Andrews novels on the subway. All I want is a masculine lunch bag. And if you think that seems like a pretty simple request, have I got news for you, folks.

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September 24, 2016 /Brian Francis
Life
10 Comments

Best and Worst British Chocolate Bars

August 14, 2016 by Brian Francis in Taste Tests

Recently, I went on a vacation to England and learned a number of interesting things about British life. For example, if you value your life, always look before crossing the street. You can also buy single-serve gin and tonics at the grocery store. (They come in handy if you’re travelling with the same person for 10 days straight.)

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August 14, 2016 /Brian Francis
Food
Taste Tests
5 Comments

Are Ringing Doorbells Signs of an Afterlife?

June 15, 2014 by Brian Francis

Doorbells are pretty straightforward. They ring. You answer the door. But what if no one is there? 

One Sunday, as my parents were walking home from a church luncheon, my father began talking gibberish. My mother, naturally, was alarmed. They went to the Emergency. A cat scan was performed and nothing was found. My father was told that he’d likely had a mini stroke. My mother believed the stroke had been caused by a hot dog.

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June 15, 2014 /Brian Francis
Life
24 Comments
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