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A Little Bit of Canada in Oklahoma

It's a White Christmas in Oklahoma!

It's a White Christmas in Oklahoma!

Thanks to Sarah, who’s working with us from afar, for her guest contribution to the blog today. If you haven’t read about Sarah’s adventures in Oklahoma, check out her previous posts. We miss you, Sarah!

Not in my wildest dreams did I think that this year would be a white Christmas, but yes it’s true we did have a white Christmas with 14 inches of snow! I thought I wouldn’t have to shovel a driveway for a while, but yes, Christmas morning I was shoveling the driveway. Did I mention we have the worst driveway EVER as we have a bridge as well as the driveway?

Driving has become a game of dodgem cars as many locals are not use to driving in such conditions and their aint no plows in Oki. If anyone is looking for a new vehicle, there were hundreds on the side of the road in the ditch. From trucks to compacts, there were many to choose from. My husband had to drive to Dallas and counted 188 in the ditch just on the way to the airport. Most of OKC looked like a scene from “War of the Worlds. ”

As true Canadians (or in my case Can-Aussies) we all put on our snowsuits and boots, and enjoyed the snow in true Canadian style. The sleds were located in the attic and we all had a blast. A few confused looks from the neighbours as all the winter weather gear started appear out of our house. All the extra snowsuits in our house have been lent to the neighbours kids so they too can enjoy the white weather also.

Oklahoma has had the coldest temperatures ever with the thermostat hitting -15F. As a Canadian you may say “-15F, that’s not so bad,” but without proper winter gear and metal pipes in the houses for most here it’s been a nightmare. Frozen pipes, no electricity and some schools have had to close their doors as it is too cold for students without proper jackets and mitts. My little girl’s school was one that remained open, and I just could not believe that there were students going to school without gloves or coats zipped up or in t-shirts!!

So there you have it folks… it snows in Oklahoma! Any volunteers to shovel the driveway?

Caitlin enjoying the snow

Caitlin enjoying the snow

Owen looking cute, as always

Owen looking cute, as always

Sarah & new baby Madison

Sarah & new baby Madison

The Deep (Fried) South

Part Two of our Creative Director, Sarah’s adventures in Oklahoma. Thanks for the post, Sarah! (With photo commentary by Bryna.)

The Oklahoma State Fair is the one yearly event that anyone who is in Oklahoma should attend, if only to see the wide variety of food that can be fried and served on a wooden stick!
 
After fighting with traffic to find a parking spot, my family attended the fair, and had quite the eye opening experience. You can definitely tell where some Oklahomans get their “shapely” figure from.
 
Some examples of the most interesting deep fried foods, served on a stick are:

Jalapeño
Pickles
Butter with Sugar
Twinkies
Oreos
Cheese
Snickers
Hot dogs
Steak
Mash Potatoes and bacon
Pizza
 

I'm assuming this is Chris, and I'm assuming this is the dinner portion of the meal.

I'm assuming this is Chris, and I'm assuming this is the dinner portion of the meal.

Then for dessert, chocolate dipped bananas, cheese cake, ice cream and there are so much more! But wait ! Don’t forget to finish your meal with curly friends and a turkey drumstick!!
 

Chris eating dessert. My concern is for his arteries ;)

Chris eating dessert. My concern is for his arteries 😉

Certainly an experience worth going to if you are in Oklahoma!
 
(Thank you to Chris for letting me use his photos for demonstration purposes)

Sarah's gorgeous son, enjoying some mystery meat. Are we sure this is legal?

Sarah's gorgeous son, enjoying some mystery meat. Are we sure this is legal?

Oklahoma – home of fried butter on a stick, tornados and bull riding in bars!

 

 

 

Sarah and her hubby Erik (and his massive belt buckle)

Sarah and her hubby Erik (and his massive belt buckle)

Guest contribution by our Creative Director, Sarah Rozema-Seaton.

 

 

 

We moved to Oklahoma, and well, it has been quite an experience to date. I think that Oklahoma has some of the craziest drivers I have ever come across.  Apparently to navigate a vehicle here you have to have a Starbucks in one hand, cell phone in the other and be wrestling with a teacup poodle. There are drive through banks, coffee, food, pharmacies… everything seems to have a drive through! And no matter what the food, it can be fried and served on a stick!
 
The experience has been quite eye opening, the biggest being in regards to the bars here. Look one minute and there is line dancing to rap music and then all of a sudden the dance floor clears and out comes the bull riding,–IN THE BAR! If you want to try bull riding, it’s a mere $75. Beer and bullriding, why does that seem like a combination for trouble?
 
We have had some funny experiences, but it has been a pretty smooth transition, considering the cultural change from Canada to the deep south. There are a lot of really good things here, like the fast online shopping, great food and the cheap price of gas!
 
I thought as I am away from home, I will give you keep you all updated with life in the States, as well as a few fun facts about Oklahoma! 
 
The world’s first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City on July 16, 1935.

In Bristow, Oklahoma it is against the law to serve water to a customer in a restaurant unless one peanut in a shell is also served. The consequences for this “serious” offence can result in a fine of up to five dollars.
 
If you play catch in the streets of Bartlesville, you’re breaking the law.

Per square mile, Oklahoma has the most tornadoes of all U.S. states.
 
Whaling is illegal in the state of Oklahoma. (The state is inland)
 
In Tulsa you may not open a soda bottle without the supervision of a licensed engineer.
 
Oklahoma was the setting for the movie “Twister”.
 
It is against the law to spit on a sidewalk.
 
Garth Brooks was born in Tulsa and grew up in Yukon, Oklahoma .
 
Tissues in the back of cars are illegal.
 
It is against the law to take a bite out of another person’s hamburger.

 
It is illegal to read a comic book while driving a motor vehicle.
 
The official State Meal of Oklahoma is chicken fried steak, fried okra, squash, cornbread, barbecue pork, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, strawberries, black eyed peas and pecan pie.
 
If you put the hind legs of a farm animal into your boots, you are breaking the law.
 
It is illegal to wear your boots to bed.

Yikes! The 'national sport' in action.

Yikes! The 'national sport' in action. (This was actually taken in the bar. Crazy!)