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w at er lo oc hr on ic le .c a W at er lo o C hr on ic le | T hu rs da y, Ju ne 28 ,2 01 8 | 30 1373 Victoria St. N., Kitchener | 519-742-8501 www.internationalhomeinteriors.ca SAVE $500 ON SIGNATURE BASE AND LEGCOMFORT™ RECLINERS. June 22 - August 6. THE INNOVATORS OF COMFORT™ PLUS, TAKE HOME A FREE ACCESSORY.* Save $500 on a Signature base recliner and ottoman or LegComfort™ recliners. Our Signature base, with our BalanceAdapt™-system, adds a soft, gentle rocking motion and a feeling of weightlessness. Our LegComfort™- system is an elegantly integrated footrest that elevates and conceals itself with the light press of a button. Add a FREE Accessory with qualifying purchase to elevate your comfort experience. *See store for details. Wow! This home is huge. Lovely 5 level Side split with great potential for an apartment with its own entrance.There is also a separate garage detached, beautiful 2 tiered deck with wrought iron railings. Appliances included. Finished rec room with a 3rd walkout. Call for your private showing!Bob Perkes OFFICE: 519-885-0200 CELL: 519-588-0121 email: info@kwtopteam.com web: www.bobperkes.ca PROUD REAL ESTATE SERVICE FOR 30 YRS Brokerage "Independently Owned and operated" Bob Perkes sales representatives Office: 519-885-0200 Cell: 519-588-0121 email: info@kwtopteam.com web: www.bobperkes.ca What an experience! I was ready to buy my first home and it was right in the middle of all the housing market chaos. Bob worked with my schedule and made himself available anytime I wanted to view a home. He never made me feel pressured or rushed while I was looking. Bob was patient and very informative to any questions or concerns I had along the way. Not only did I purchase my first home with him, but he still keeps lines of communication open. He asks about my home renovations and keeps me informed about the housing market. Highly recommend! -Carly L NEO IS THE PET OF THE WEEK Neo is available for adoption at the K-W Humane Society. He is on handsome young cat. He loves to run, jump and play but he also really loves to eat! If you have food, you've already won his heart. With food motivation like his you could surely train him to do some fun tricks, and maybe even make him the next internet sensation! Come into the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society today to meet this ambitious gem and certainly, you will see all the potential of this guy. For more information call 519-745-5615, ext. 226. Photo courtesy of K-W Humane Society This week marks the end of the first half of 2018. It also marks the official start of summer and the traditional weekend trek for many of us to the cottage. Donna-Marie's family heads away to Fenelon Falls, the summer home of her husband's extended family. The weekend includes a trip through Little Britain for butter tarts (at a bakery aptly named Buttertarts & More), cruising downtown for the annual midnight madness event on Saturday evening followed by the spectacular fireworks dis- play on the water on July 1. But the event that every- one eagerly anticipates is the Lobsterfest potluck din- ner that sees 25 to 30 family members sitting down to fresh cooked lobster, and ar- ray of cold salads, slow cook- er pulled pork and Grandma Mary's home baked pies. As Uncle Dale says "its mad- ness I say, madness". With strawberries in peak season right now, Don- na-Marie likes to bring a large thermos of her favou- rite sangria to the party. This delightful Spanish wine punch has been grac- ing red and white picnic cloths and restaurants with outdoor seating for years. While sangria can trace its earliest roots back to the Greeks and Romans, it's the Spanish who have truly per- fected this beverage. It be- came popular in the U.S. at the 1964 World's Fair in New York City when it was served as the feature drink in the Spanish pavilion. Today under European law, all sangria must be made in Spain or Portugal and have less than 12 per cent alcohol by volume. But the best sangria is home- made. Our recipe is a change from the traditional version, and is lighter and not so al- coholic, making it perfect for summer sipping. Strawberry Summer Sangria (Makes about 7 cups) STRAWBERRY THYME SYRUP: • 1 cup water • 1/2 cup sugar • 4 sprigs fresh thyme • 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries SANGRIA: • 2 cups diced fresh straw- berries • 1 small orange, thinly sliced • 1/3 cup peach schnapps or flavoured vodka • 1 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice • 1 bottle (750mL) chilled Spanish rose wine Method Strawberry-Thyme Syr- up: In a small pot, bring wa- ter and sugar to a boil, stir- ring to dissolve the sugar. Boil for one minute then add the thyme and strawber- ries. Remove from heat, let cool to room temperature, then strain, pressing to ex- tract out all the syrup. (This can be made up to 1 week ahead) Sangria: In a large pitch- er, mix together diced straw- berries, orange slices, peach schnapps and lemon juice. Add the syrup and mix. Chill for two to three hours. Add wine and enough ice cubes to fill the pitcher. Stir well and serve. - Relish Cooking Studio is a boutique gourmet kitchen shop and cooking school. Visit www.relishcooking studio.com or call 519-954- 8772. OPINION Sangria a summer treat This Spanish delight is sure to be a favourite summer staple says Donna-Marie Pye and Maria Burjoski Summer cooking class schedule July 16 - 20 Kids Cooking Camp $399 July 23 - 27 Kids Cooking Camp $399 July 26 - CHEF'S TABLE: Vegetarian Vietnam* $109 July 31 - A Mexican Summer Party $80 Aug. 1 - Summer Cooking In The Instant Pot $80 Aug. 2 - NOW IN SEASON (Daytime Demo) $45 Aug. 27 - Baking For Teens (Bread) $65 Aug. 28 - Baking For Teens (Pies & Tarts) $65 Aug 29 - Baking For Teens (Macaroons) $65 Aug. 30 - Baking For Teens (Brownies/Cakes) $65 *FREE Cookbook Included DONNA-MARIE PYE MARIA BURJOSKI Column