Getting Backyard Ready: Eat Drink Spring 2016 reminds us how to indulge outdoors

We have so many plans for the backyard this summer, and I can’t believe it’s already May 3! It’s time to hustle people! This spring has been quite a drag, and I’m finding it really hard to get in the groove.
My husband plans to build a pergola, and I want to create an outdoor living space where we actually have a chance to enjoy! We still have to plant the garden and I need to get my herbs ready!

Every year, I host an annual BBQ in May, where my dad roasts a pig on a spit and I invite everyone under the sun for some food, drinks and family time. The end of May is the perfect time to get all the plants in the garden, it’s my moms birthday and everyone comes down for the Glebe garage sale. We’ve been doing this for 6 years now. The annual BBQ has become somewhat of a tradition.

My family cooks a lot, and sometimes we tend to be creatures of habit and prepare the same old foods on the grill.Don’t get me wrong, I am all about exploring new ways of preparing and eating food, my folks… not so much. It’s more traditional and “don’t-mess-with-the-recipe” kind of cooking at their house.

Finding Foodie and Backyard Inspiration 

To get me out of my rut, I usually need something to inspire me! Where do you find your foodie inspiration? Whether it’s watching the food network, flipping through a sexy cookbook at Chapters, or pinning your favourite recipes on Pinterest, it’s clear that we all need to draw inspiration from one source or another. Me, I’m a hands-on learner. I like draw my inspiration from things that I can taste and watch being prepared in real life.

This season, there is no better place for me to get inspired, than the 3rd annual Eat Drink Spring 2016 foodie event in Ottawa. This is actually the sister show to the Ottawa Food and Wine Festival! On May 13-14, you’ll have the chance to taste food, sample over 100 wines and get backyard inspired, just in time for BBQ season! This outdoor event brings together all the besAndrew Pike, resident Décor Expert The Marilyn Denis Show on CTV, Eat Drink Spring Ottawa 2016t wines for Spring and Summer, Artisinal Cocktails, Craft Beers, and even a Battle of the BBQ in support of The Mission. There will be a food Circus under the Big Top, FREE Bottle Camp, Pati-Oh Canada, BBQ School, and non-stop outdoor entertainment all day long.

I think what I am looking forward to the most is learning how to pack the perfect picnic and make drinks using the herbs in my garden. This is all happening at Pati-Oh Canada

BONUS- Andrew Pike, resident Décor Expert on CTV’s The Marilyn Denis Show, will be there to talk about patio and entertaining tips!

Isn’t it amazing when things aline perfectly! I can get all my tips and inspiration ready in time to do up my garden the week after, just before my party!

Admission is $20
BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
For more details about the event, check their Facebook event page.

So, apparently you can bike or CANOE down to the event at City Hall. I would love to arrive in style in my husband’s canoe! Can you imagine? (I think I might make this happen!)

Eat Drink Spring Ottawa 2016 Schedule

Ottawa Wine Food Show Eat Drink Spring 2016 Ottawa Fashion Blog
I had to share this behind-the-scenes shot of Victor tampering with my shoot. Look at those hands though. He totally gobbled up the strawberries and orange when I was done!
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