Question for Canadians

[MrsClaws 0]

What does everyone think of St. Hubert poutine mix? What's the difference between this and a jar of brown gravy? Is the gravy she'll get at the stores here good enough?

The spices are a little different than regular gravy. Personally, I am not a fan of the pouches of St. Hubert mix. However, that has not stopped my French mother from sending 10 every Xmas since I left. I know have 29 sitting in my cupboard. I hide then in the far back when she comes to visit.

[Colleens 40]

Costco (in Canada) sells a brown gravy mix that they use for their poutine in the cafeteria there, and I think it is pretty good....definitely better then the St.Hubert sauce. And since it is a pretty big package it lasts for awhile.

[Gypsyangel 11]

I see you live in Florida. We lived there for 4+ years. Depending on where you are, there are some good British pubs as well as British food sections in some of the grocery stores. Those will make her feel more at home. (Beware the American bars masquerading as British/Irish pubs. They are nowhere near the same.) I can help out with suggestions for the Central Florida area.

I was watching a design show on HGTV and it turned out to be a Canadian show (lots of Canadian shows on HGTV). They designer met with the home owners in a Toronto pub. It made me realize how much I missed going to the neighbourhood pub. Not too many around here, with one exception. There's one in a nearby town, but the town is dry. So, it's a pub with no beer. But, get this, we just found out that you can bring your own beer. I need to find a pub-like beer to bring next time. They even have malt vinegar for the "chips".

[Lami 0]

Hawkins Cheezies, Kinder eggs and Kinder chocolate, Tim's coffee

Oh and when I bought twizzlers there I was very disappointed. Not what we get here for sure so those can go on your list.

Not kinder eggs... Believe it or not they're illegal in the USA. There was a news article sometime in the past year about someone who had them confiscated at the border.

I'd give my left arm for REAL fish and chips. It'll be the first thing I eat when I go visit family and friends in Canada. hehe.

[Lami 0]

I miss Bisto (gravy mix) and there are some Tetley brand teas I haven't found yet. As many have said there are items that are the "same" but taste different. I find the Kraft dinner is different, as is the Coke and the Liptons rice side dishes have pasta in them as well as rice (weird)

My stepdaughter used to have me send down Canadian chips just because they had the french on them.

I think this is a really sweet thing for you to do for her. Also make sure you have a long distance plan that allows her to call her friends and family in Canada. My husband and I went with Vonage when I got here and just knowing I can call helps with the homesickness quite a bit.

[PastryChef 0]

Hey all! Just an update. Thanks to your kind advice I've got a pretty decent gift set up. I've got pretty much everything, except for a few odds and ends. I just now put in an order for said odds and ends on one of the "buy Canadian stuff online" websites. Due to the heat I was unable to order any chocolates, but I've still got a decent setup. Pics are coming as soon as I get my last delivery, and do some arranging/decorating

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I miss Bisto (gravy mix) and there are some Tetley brand teas I haven't found yet. As many have said there are items that are the "same" but taste different. I find the Kraft dinner is different, as is the Coke and the Liptons rice side dishes have pasta in them as well as rice (weird)

My stepdaughter used to have me send down Canadian chips just because they had the french on them.

I think this is a really sweet thing for you to do for her. Also make sure you have a long distance plan that allows her to call her friends and family in Canada. My husband and I went with Vonage when I got here and just knowing I can call helps with the homesickness quite a bit.

VONAGE is excellent for us because it allows you to add a local number for another area for $5/month. My husband added a local number for me back when we were dating so that I never dialled long distance. We still have it now so that my family can call a local #. Most of my family lives in 1 town so perfect!

[canada_socks 97]

Well, it appears that PastryChef is my fiance! When I arrived here today, he had a table set up with all sorts of Canadian goodies and other gifts. I will try to post photos of the set up in the next few days but wow! So amazing to come in to see that! Kinda funny how I never posted in this thread but always meant to! He made this account in hopes I wouldn't figure out it was him (PastryChef is not a name I would have associated with him lol!).

[hikergirl 277]

I'm glad that it was a complete surprise sherrybaby Enjoy your basket!

[Tileeka 1]

Welcome home sherrybaby!! The list helped me lots as well for putting together gifts for my wedding guests

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Well, it appears that PastryChef is my fiance! When I arrived here today, he had a table set up with all sorts of Canadian goodies and other gifts. I will try to post photos of the set up in the next few days but wow! So amazing to come in to see that! Kinda funny how I never posted in this thread but always meant to! He made this account in hopes I wouldn't figure out it was him (PastryChef is not a name I would have associated with him lol!).

Isn't he a smarty-pants - he's a keeper!

[ralyse 31]

Well, it appears that PastryChef is my fiance! When I arrived here today, he had a table set up with all sorts of Canadian goodies and other gifts. I will try to post photos of the set up in the next few days but wow! So amazing to come in to see that! Kinda funny how I never posted in this thread but always meant to! He made this account in hopes I wouldn't figure out it was him (PastryChef is not a name I would have associated with him lol!).

That is AWESOME! Haha Very sneaky!

[PastryChef 0]

Thanks for the advice all.

Edited September 27, 2011 by PastryChef

[Kathryn41 3,205]

That is so cool! Well done, Pastry Chef - and welcome to the US, Sherry . Yeah. I'd say he's a keeper, too !

[PastryChef 0]

For those of you that I promised pictures to, and that missed the other thread, here you go:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/331498-i-made-it-to-the-usa/