Thursday, June 30, 2011

With Apologies to Canada

John and I have been sitting in the office all day, trying to figure out how to write a Sunday Sweets post honoring Canada that won't offend Canadians.

Not that Canadians as a whole are easily offended. It's just that over the course of several blog posts on CW my good-natured teasing managed to irritate a few. The worst instance was a misunderstanding: I posted some "improvised" lyrics to the Canada song that plays at Epcot ("Canadaaa! CanadAAAA! Oh, Caaanada!" you know, that one) and a few people thought I was making fun of the Canadian national anthem. Not many, but enough to warrant an apology and make us lay off most of the Canada humor since. (And place it on Texas, instead. Which also got us in trouble. But that's another post.)
Anyway, since July 1st is Canada Day, we thought we might switch things up a bit and feature that instead of July 4th Sweets on this weekend's Sunday Sweets. You know, a kind of peace offering.

The only problem is that Canada isn't all that different from the U.S., so finding uniquely Canadian things to spotlight via fabulous cakes isn't as easy as you might think.

We started with a list:

Moose
Black bears
Beavers
Beer
Royal Mounties
Hockey
Maple Leaves

John was worried. "It's all so...stereotypical. We can't let anyone think we're making fun of Canada."

So he did some research, and then wrote a painfully polite intro extolling Canada's great and various virtues, which he asked me to look over.

"Um...well, I think you're going so far the other way that people might think you're being sarcastic."

"Really?"

"You're talking about Justin Bieber and the guy who invented the microscope."

"Darn. What should I do?"

"Just...you know, write it like you're NOT trying to run for Canadian public office."

---a few hours later---

John: "I got 'nuthin. Besides, the cutest thing in here is the beaver cake."

Me: "Maybe we should just do all beaver cakes. You know, 'Here's a beaver, here's another beaver, here's a mountain cake that probably has beavers in it... Oh! and here's Justin Bieber...

"Jen..."

"...and here's some more beavers..."

"JEN."

"Now look at this dam cake. Beavers built it. Booya."

"You're. Not. Helping."

John was also completely unreasonable when I suggested Dudley Do-Right ("He's a Mountie!") and Rocky & Bullwinkle ("He's a moose!") so I gave up and wrote this post instead.

So, whatever goes up on Sunday, let me apologize, Canada. We tried.

122 comments:

  1. *hahaha* *dies laughing* "Sorry, Canada; we tried." Well, that's one way to end an evening :D I'm sure Canada (the large majority), will love you, and hey, if not, you'll be great in the eyes of all Canadian wildlife. When all else fails, though, go for Canadian hockey or French or the incredible landscapes they have. They will forgive you...i think. ;D

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  2. I for reals just LOL'd. Sorry, Canada. :D

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  3. as a Canadian and American citizen, i heartily enjoyed this post and will not mind a whit whatever you write on Sunday. can't wait to see the cakes! <3

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  4. That just made me LOL. Too funny. Thanks!

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  5. I kind of wish I was Canadian so I could tell you not to worry about all of that!

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  6. It's only forgivable if there's some adorable beaver cakes b/c in all reality those things scare the life outta me lol.

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  7. No worries, Jen. This Canadian, at least, thinks you're hysterical. I can't wait to see what you came up with. :)

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  8. You make me laugh. You and John both. Can we be neighbors? Please?

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  9. Don't forget we all wear plaid flannel shirts, live in igloos, drive dog sleds to work, and eat our fries with gravy and white cheese curds. ;)

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  10. You should really, really do a Dudley Do-Right/Rocky and Bullwinkle post. I'd read it... Of course, I'm not Canadian. But, I've been to Niagara Falls (the Canadian side). Does that count?

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  11. What, no hockey cakes?

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  12. As a Canuck celebrating Canada Day from South Korea, I have to say that this post (and I'm sure whatever gets posted on Sunday) makes me a little homesick on top of all my laughing. I love that you wanted to do a Canadian theme and honestly, I thought the "beaver, beaver, beaver, Bieber, beaver, dam" idea was awesome! Thanks for making my day!

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  13. Jen, you are hilarious.

    On a side note, my Captcha says "rubles" which I think is funny for some reason...

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  14. dont worry, here in quebec we got a good sense of humour..especially when you laugh about canada...héhéhé. (dont start a politic war, please...)

    Still, even as a canadian myself, i can tell things that difference quebec and canada, but canada and usa? The culture is soo similar, no matter how hard you try, you will end up in those clichés.

    but the time would be good to do a joke on the mail...

    wv: recidda as: is a recidda for a disaster!

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  15. As a Canadian who wholeheartedly loves Canada, I do not find it insulting to read your posts on Canada. Some of us actually have a sense of humour! (And yes, that "u" is not a typo. ;))

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  16. If you need a state to poke fun at I offer up my state of Delaware. If you can find anything interesting about it to make fun of, that is. LOL

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  17. Well as a Canadian I think I can safely say that most of us have no problem laughing at the Canadian sterotypes that run rampant in the states. I live just across the river from Buffalo, NY and was once asked when visiting your lovely state if we all lived in igloos. I think there is a great deal of misconceptions that Ameicans have that we find hilarious so maybe if you wrote the post from that perspective you would feel better. Plus then it would really be making fun of your countries lack of knowledge of your northern neighbour than making fun of Canada:-)

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  18. Come on Jen! Give it to us Canadians. We can handle it! Seriously, we come from the land of great comedians. :)

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  19. @ Katie - HOCKEY! Yes, sorry, hockey *was* on the list. In fact, I better go add it before I start an Epcot over *here*. Ha!

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  20. Just as long as you leave out Vancouver not winning the Stanley Cup. People are still a little sore, and we don't need another riot.

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  21. All the cakes should feature Nathan Fillion since he is Canadian & who could ever get angry about him?

    Regardless, I can't wait to see what/who you feature.

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  22. I love the beaver/bieber! Had me cracking up! I'm excited to see what you come up with for Sunday!

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  23. Hi, Jon! And sorry, Canada!

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  24. As a Canadian, I'm totally offended that you forgot hockey and poutine.
    On the other hand, if you can find a poutine cake worthy of Sunday Sweets I'll totally forgive you.

    Seriously though, how about featuring awesome cakes made by Canadian bakers? *cough BluebirdCakes cough*

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  25. People get offended too easily. As a Canadian, I don't mind. Besides, if you posted caked about America they would be stereotypical American. Stereotypes can't be helped.

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  26. @Jill good call, I'm not sure sure I'm ready to talk about my beloved Canucks right now.

    @Tlieso Umm... heck yes to Nathan Fillion cakes!!

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  27. You should make a post of Nathan Fillion and Red Green since they are Canadian and brilliantly awesome!!!

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  28. So I am Canadian (who married a Texan so you can only imagine the sense of humor needed to live in this house) and I just wanted to offer some advice. Canada only has a few things that are important to Canadians as a whole. I will list them in order of importance.

    Beer
    Hockey
    Beer
    Beer and Hockey
    and then Beer.

    See not hard at all to make a post about that, and honestly after a few beers everything is funny so you won't even have to worry about upsetting us!

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  29. I love it!!! I am glad you tried, no worries, we get it! lol!!

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  30. I'm a Canadian, born and raised, and will not be offended by stereotypical cakes because that's really all we have. Just please don't mention Justin Beiber, we're all very sorry for that.

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  31. Hahaha!! You guys are hilarious!

    I'm sure whatever you come up with will please most people, as a whole. I mean, you're doing Sunday SWEETS...so people are bound to be happy, right? ... Well, MOST people.

    Oh well.

    Oh yeah...HI JOHN! XD

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  32. Do you guys have any SETH ROGEN theme cakes? He's only my favorite Canadian thing ever! :D
    But seriously, you guys crack me up. Can't wait for Sunday!

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  33. @Stephanie K, rubles made me laugh, too, but that's because it's my dog Ruby's nickname!

    My wv was abducest which just kinda creeps me out. :/

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  34. Ha, don't worry about it. Did you not see the Vancouver Winter Olympics closing ceremonies, complete with lumberjacks, beavers, moose, and Mounties galore? The majority of us can take a joke and are just as likely to poke good-natured fun at ourselves. I mean, hell, when you come from a place containing towns with the names "Dildo," "Big Beaver," and "Climax" you kind of have to be able to laugh.

    Besides, sure a lot of that stuff is stereotypical, but who cares? If you went searching for awesome cakes showcasing very unique and non-stereotypical Canadian things, chances are that even if you could find some, you would have to explain the meaning of them and that just takes all the fun out of it.

    So the point of this overly long comment is: go for it! Anyone who can't take a joke shouldn't be reading a humour blog anyway.

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  35. John and Jen,

    Have some fun while checking comments. Arrogant Worms... start with "Rocks and Trees" and go from there.

    Love, Jess (who's also not helping) :)

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  36. Wait, you just couldn't do a whole Sunday Sweets about Rush? Arguably the greatest band in the world, and they just happen to be from Canada. There's got to plenty of Rush cakes, right? (please say yes, please say yes) (because if you say no I know what'll be on all of my cakes for the next year.)

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  37. Jen! Here post this! It's beavers and Canadian!!! My friend Susan is Canadian and she about died laughing when she saw this! I know it's not a cake but it's a beaver...and Canadian!!! What more could you ask for???? Anywho "Happy Canada Day!"

    http://www.youtube.com/talkinganimals#p/c/040AC7C9087AC9CD/17/sekLEG8xsOs

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  38. This post reminds me of "How I Met Your Mother."

    Also, I lol'd. And I am having a craptastic afternoon, so thank you for that.

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  39. There's always Mike Meyers and Celien Dion... eh, maybe not.

    How about Canada's far more awesome potato chip and candy bar selection? Or thin soda pop cans? Or caffein-free Mt. Dew!

    Whatever you go with though, it's sure to be awesome. ;)

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  40. But if you do a post for Canada on 4th of July weekend you'll be un-American and catch super flak for that too!

    See? Dammed (get it? Beavers?) if you do, dammed if you don't. So do what you want to do!

    It's your blog cool lady. Post what you want on CW. I vote you throw in some Bastille Day too. But you've got a couple weeks on that one.

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  41. Personally as a Canadian I have to agree with the general consensus here. For the most part we Canadians are pretty good at poking fun at ourselves and so we can take the jokes. As for those who can't take the jokes they should lighten up and not bring the rest of the world down with them. Can't wait to see the awesome cakes.


    Ps. Some of us are actually ashamed to admit that Bieber comes from Canada...trust me I live 20 min from his home town

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  42. Yeah...good luck with that.
    I'm already looking forward to Sunday's comments. Perhaps you should lay some foam or a pillow on the desktop in preparation of all the head-desking?
    Again, good luck John (the hubby of Jen)!

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  43. Hi John! Don't worry about making us Canadians angry! Most os us have a sense of humor and don't mind having jokes made about us! I am looking forward to a post making fun of Canada! I'm pretty sure I will get a good chuckle out of it.

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  44. ooo Nathan Fillion cakes is a good idea.
    I almost wish I was from Canada so I could reassure you. I'm from Michigan and used to spend weekends in Windsor does that kinda count? Honestly I think you'll catch more flack from some humorless Americans for not posting fourth of July cakes than you will from Canadians for posting stereotypical Canadian cakes.

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  45. Get Nathan Fillion to endorse you and everything will be fine. I am sure he will be polite and happy to help out if you tweet him. :)

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  46. Just don't forget the hockey cakes, and we'll be happy! ;)

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  47. As much as I love beavers and maple syrup, there are plenty of decidedly awesome non-stereotypical things to come out of Canada. Like the Barenaked Ladies and Nathan Fillion! Not sure what kind of cakes you could find, but if you did manage to throw together a post dedicated to the Barenaked Ladies and Nathan Fillion, your awesomeness will be cemented in internet history for all time.

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  48. OH! Canada has Coffee Crisps! The most delicious candy ever! Also, I hear they have beer, and something called "Stampede"? And niceness. I say niceness, in case any Canadians on here would like to bring me Coffee Crisps next time they visit home. I think you're all very nice.

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  49. Holw cow did I need that laugh. I will never be able to hear, say, or see "Justin Beiber" again. My 12 yr old niece is going to hate you.

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  50. Hmm. Looks like I was not at all original in suggesting a Nathan Fillion cake. I should probably read over the comments first next time. At any rate, good luck!

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  51. I'm half Canadian, as my Dad is a Canadian immigrant so I'll only be half offended. ;)

    Just kidding. :) I know you're just joking. Some people take things WAY too seriously.

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  52. As another Canadian - make all the fun you want!

    Also, Ryan Reynolds is Canadian. Any cakes of Ryan are fine, Ryan serving me cake, also fine . . .

    I once had a young lady in Florida very seriously ask me if Canada had paved roads! (Yes we do)

    I am not the 'best' Canadian anyways, I don't drink beer, watch hockey, eat poutine (blech) or say Eh. But I do like maple syrup.

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  53. I'm an American citizen, Canadian born - all these comments make me think of John Candy eh! ...sniff! Happy Canada Day/Happy America Day!

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  54. I'm trying to think of things that Robin has talked about on HIMYM... hmm... hockey... Harvey's trays... umm... Also I know Tim Horton's is a Canadian donut place. And I watch The Cupcake Girls on WE and they're Canadian.

    Or you could look for cakes where they misspelled "about" as "aboot" cuz that's how Canadians say it. IDK.

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  55. good lord! make fun of canada! as a canadian i can honestly say that there are no more make-funable bunch than the crazy cannucks. honest. you can't make everyone happy and certainly those who are humour impaired are never going to be happy.

    oh, and to keep the humour impaired from getting to you again, it's royal canadian mounted police (rcmp) or gendarme royale canadien (grc). i always thought their scarlet tunics and funny pants looked hilarious (but don't tell the humour impaired that lest they take away my little canadian flag!)

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  56. I may not be Canadian, but I married one. And most of the Canadians I know LOVE to laugh at themselves and enjoy a good Canada ribbing (ever seen the Molsen "I Am Canadian" commercials?? My husband has them memorized.).

    And I totally think you should have done the "beaver, beaver, beaver, Bieber, dam cake" tribute. That'd be awesome, eh? :D Happy Canada Day!!!!

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  57. Most of us Canadians have a sense of humour, so please go ahead and have fun!

    Here, I'll start you off:

    Do you know how Canada got its name? Years and years ago our founding fathers were quite perplexed about what to name our fair country. So they decided to put all the letters into a hat and draw them and those would make the name of the country. As they were drawn they were called out to the watching crowd...
    "C, eh"
    "N, eh"
    "D, eh"

    And thus the name Canada.

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  58. I'm Canadian, haven't been offended yet, and am now REALLY looking forward to Sunday. :)

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  59. Love it. Honestly, your posts read just like my family's Facebook posts (you should see my sister's ongoing war with the dinner ladies at the school she teaches at...)!
    Next time you're in NY you can totally stay with us!
    Unless that's weird.
    Never mind.
    XD

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  60. HannaSolo, instead of Barenaked Ladies and Nathan Fillion, how about Barenaked Fillion? Just watch the Firefly outtakes ("How'd you like a bite of this shiny green apple, America?") for inspiration, Sunday Sweets bakers. Well, it's probably too late for this year's Canada Day, but there's always next year.

    wv: worin--I realize that John is worin about Canadian Sunday Sweets, but I say don't let a few vocal people with SUMA syndrome keep you from gently laughing with (not AT) Canada.

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  61. Hi John!
    I think the beaver tribute would be hi-larious. And probably get a few angry comments. Which are sometimes fun to read, too. Although understandably not fun to moderate.
    Maybe all maple! Here's a leaf, there's a leaf, there's a cake with a tree with leaves, wait that leaf has too many points to be a maple leaf, here's a guy wearing nothing but a leaf.

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  62. Being from the "Great White North" I can say that never once was I offended by the Canadian jokes. We are usually known for being able to joke about the stereotypes. Anyone remember the Vancouver 2010 Olympics with an entire show of giant inflatable beavers and Mounties? I think its great that you're thinking about us at all!

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  63. Another Canadian weighing in here, and I am totally jazzed up to see what you two come up with for Sunday Sweets now. As most commentors have said, we do enjoy a good laugh at our own expense. The stereotypes wouldn't BE stereotypes if there weren't evidence to back them up. I grew up in a town where more than 50% of the roads weren't paved because the winters were so cold "frost heaves" would leave it in pieces after just one season. I've seen it snow in every month of the year (including July and August, yes, for reals!) and have made and slept in my own igloo. I'm drinking a beer as I type this and am still rocked to my core by Vancouver losing the Stanley Cup. I'm embarrassed but unsurprised by the ensuing riot that occurred. I speak some French as well as English (it IS an official 2nd language, and anyone in government MUST be fluent in both languages to be elected) and J'adore le poutine! Hooray for Canada getting some air time on CakeWrecks! Go John and Jen!

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  64. Jo. Jo from CanadaJuly 1, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    I am not, and won't be, offended if you Make fun of us. It's too dam (har har har) easy. In fact, I am inspired, by this post, to try to get a picture if the canada day cake at my town's celebration tomorrow. It is sure to be cheesy, tacky and wrecky as hell!!

    I don't know who got bent out of shape about your last post, but I've never found anything you've written offensive. Please, mock us. It's how we know the rest of the world loves us...

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  65. Dear Jen & John,

    As Canadians we look forward, with bated breath, to Sunday Sweets. Anything you show will be wonderful. We DO have a sense of humour.
    To add to your list; what about maple syrup and bacon?
    We love Melinda's idea for a Barenaked Fillion.

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  66. How about Degrassi High???
    Best. Teen show. Ever.
    There's gotta be a good cake of that floating around somewhere...
    Right..?

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  67. Well, the effort is appreciated :P

    Also, beavers/hockey/moose/Mounties... all fine. As long as you don't dredge up a terrible Celine Dion cake... we're good ;)

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  68. I second the idea of featuring Canadian bakers for Sunday Sweets.

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  69. As a proud Canadian, I am on board with the beaver tribute. It's a truly proud and noble animal.
    Besides, if this commercial can run here, how many Canadians can be easily offended? :) Remember, some grumpy people are going to be upset no matter what you do, so just write something you can be proud of.
    Wreck on!

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  70. My 4-year-old is convinced that his name is Justin "Beaver" (which drives the 7-year-old crazy, and makes me laugh every time) so we're looking forward to your beaver cake tribute. :-)

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  71. I agree with the posters that requested Nathan Fillion cakes. Stana Katic is also Canadian, so, Castle cakes? And wasn't X-Files filmed in Vancouver a lot? So you could do an awesome geeky post with lots of Firefly and X-Files references, with a Green Lantern thrown in for Ryan Reynolds. The possibilities are endless.

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  72. This is pretty much the funniest thing ever.

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  73. The YarnHarlot does a post about how great Canada is every year on Canada Day, maybe you could find inspiration from one of those posts?

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  74. Okay guys, I'm a student of Canadian Studies, total nerd of Canadiana, and have lived all over the country - and even *I* have NO IDEA what kind of cakes would represent us. So, you know, go crazy.

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  75. Ummm... I really don't appreciate your comments about beavers, the construction workers of the animal kingdom. Did you know that beavers are the second largest rodents after the capybara? No. Or that dried beaver testicles are often used as traditional medicines? No.

    I'm disappointed in you. The beavers are disappointed.

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  76. I always wonder at people who read humor blogs and don't have a sense of humor. Post what you like and make fun of whomever is funny. You could make fun of Southern Illinois. Trust me. It isn't hard to do.

    Shelley in So. Illinois

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  77. Firefly cupcakes, which are all manner of wonderful

    http://vpennyw.blogspot.com/2011/02/firefly-cupcakes.html

    :-)

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  78. Canadian born and bred, probably your biggest fan and think your canadian jokes are hilarious.

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  79. I'm going to second the suggestion from a previous comment - check out the Yarn Harlot. She writes truly awesome posts each year for Canada Day if you want some inspiration. For example, start with this one or this one.

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  80. *snort* Don't forget bacon.. us Canucks really love our bacon. Can you find a cake of a beaver and a loon eating a piece of bacon a la "Lady and the Tramp"? Because that would be awesome. And very canadian. Except.. I'm guessing loons don't eat bacon.

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  81. hahahaha! Thank you so much for this post. I have been feeling terrible/sick. This made me feel a little better. At least it made me laugh!

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  82. I'm with Jess W - Canadians (most of us) don't mind making fun of ourselves. I went and found a bunch of Arrogant Worms links before checking if they'd been mentioned, so... not going to waste that work!

    We Are the Beaver
    Canada is Really Big
    Rocks and Trees
    A Night in Dildo

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  83. Aw, us Canadians love a good ribbing too. Beside, we're kind of asking for it with a beaver as our national animal.

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  84. Canadians without a sense of humor are really just american's in disguise. We can and do laugh at ourselves (see movie Strange Brew or sitcom Corner Gas) and though there are a few cranks (see Oscar Leroy on Corner Gas) don't be scared off by them. What are we going to do, declare war on you? All our submarines are stationed in West Edmonton Mall. OOO aren't we a scary bunch.

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  85. What hadn't the fact that beaver and Bieber sound alike occured to me before? Hahahahaha! Happy long weekend! :D

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  86. You could put a phone cake-- Canadians say "phone" instead of "call." Like, "I really need to phone him to let him know I"m coming over."
    Also, they have Degrassi (overly dramatic TV show about teenagers made in Canada) and a restaurant called Tim Hortons.
    (I'm not Candadian, I've just had some experience with the Canadians.)

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  87. How about some Smarties, you know the Canadian version of M&M's? There has to be some cakes made to look like that, right?

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  88. Haha, geeze. Most of us Canadians have a pretty good sense of humour, and are perfectly capable of laughing at ourselves. No matter what topic you choose, someone out there will miss the point. Its probably the cost of a large readership. Don't think the rest of us aren't laughing!

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  89. Hi Jen and John (THOJ)

    I think you should be very straightforward -- explain that you want to do a Sunday Sweets to honor Canada Day but are afraid some readers will lose sight of the fact that you are primarily a snarky humo(u)r blog, and they might be insulted if they forget what this blog is all aboot, eh?

    The first two cakes should be a stunningly rendered boot, and a beautifully executed letter A.

    Then, go to town -- beavers, Biebers, dams, maple leafs, a beer in a tree (for the McKenzie brothers) hockey pucks, Mounties, Moose and Squirrel, a bantha -- since it's as close as you could get to "Banff" -- whatever, as long as they're Sweet-worthy. Oh, and maybe a little camper -- I hear John (THOJ) likes to be called that...

    Most of us will LOVE it, and the haters could really use a piece of cake to sweeten their tempers, eh?

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  90. I want Nathan Fillion Cakes!!!!! The Beaver Beiber (eeww) thing is genius. Nathan Fillion is the best thing to come out a Canada since Dan Ackroyd. If I'm wrong about his nationality, blame the interwebs.

    forhics: My home state of Kentucky is forhics.

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  91. Hi Jen and John!!

    I just read a post on GeekDad listing the ten essential GeekDad facts to know about Canada.

    http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/07/happy-canada-day-eh/

    Hope it helps!

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  92. Can you find a Canadian guest poster? They can't get mad at their own... can they?

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  93. Canadians are pretty chill. I am one, so I can honestly say most won't be offended.

    Unless you bring up Justin bieber or the Vancouver riot....were slightly ashamed of those two things still..... :P

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  94. Or...just do a post based on "blame Canada" from the south park movie!!!!

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  95. Hey Jen and John - as a few people have mentioned, I too am from Buffalo, Ny, and I just found a great article on reasons why we Buffalonians love Canada.
    http://home.buffalo.com/news/blog/these-are-a-few-of-my-favourite-canadian-things/

    Just a few more bits of Canadian awesomeness to add to your list.

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  96. As another Canuck here, I can safely say that I will never be offended with your posts by the two of you.

    What happens instead is that I laugh and almost fall out of my chair.

    Re: your list: Lacrosse is 'technically' our national sport. Also to add on to your "list" are poutine and Lacrosse.

    Can't wait for Sunday! Happy Early July Fourth!

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  97. Melinda, thank you for making me laugh out loud. I second Barenaked Fillion.

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  98. Are otters Canadian? I freaking LOVE otters!!!

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  99. I'm Canadian, and the best thing about hearing other people talk about us is the stereotypes. I lOVE Canadian stereotypes! They're not a reflection on us, they're a reflection on the people who aren't us! (I've heard true stories about people wondering if we live in igloos. That stuff is hilarious!) So don't worry about insulting us, we're forgiving people who enjoy a good natured joke :D If nothing else convinces you: The most popular Canadian shows this side of the border are all satrical shows about Canada. Corner Gas anyone?

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  100. There are some great people that come from Canada, and the whole Olympics thing.. Perhaps you could spotlight people and use cakes that relate to them?

    Barenaked Ladies (my favorite band) are Canadian, Ryan Reynolds, Dan Aykroyd (ghostbuster cake?), Jim Carrey, Michael J Fox, Brendan Frasier, Leslie Nielsen, Matthew Perry, William Shatner (Star Trek cake?), Celine Dion, Anne Shirley (OK, so she's fictional, but surely there's a spectacular cake for her out there somewhere), and so on..

    Love you guys. Rots of Ruck.

    L~

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  101. Is it too late to mention Cirque du Soleil? Didn't they originate in Quebec or Montreal? Saw their show Zarkana at Radio City Music Hall last Friday and it was stunning...

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  102. http://cupcakecampmtl.org/2010/contests/winners/

    I've seen some great poutine cupcakes come out of this contest but I can't seem to find the pictures. looks like one of last year's winners did a Montreal theme though. Good luck finding Canadian cakey things to make us happy up here in the north country!

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  103. poutine. yes. delicious. not from canada, but have friends up there. and poutine is delicious. although it'd make a pretty nasty looking cake..... so how about finding a CN Tower cake? eh? eh? or Tim Hortons? idk..... or a Tim Hortons CAKE doughnut hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!! which are also delicious btw..... a timmy ho's coffee cup cake. there we go, perfect. as robin (a canadian confused about which country she belongs in so decides on duel citizenship) says on how i met your mother "i'm at the most canadian place in the world, the tim horton's around the corner from the hockey hall of fame, so why don't i feel more canadian" until a hockey mob beats up barney for making fun of canadian currency (a looney or tuney cake?)

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  104. i found this:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreemkaggs/3156910746/#/photos/dreemkaggs/3156910746/lightbox/

    perrrrrrfect.....

    also this:

    http://www.cakestudio.ca/custom-cakes.html

    go down about halfway on the page and there is a tim horton's coffee cup and doughnut cake. :D

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  105. okay, last one i swear, timbits cake made of timbits and gumpaste or fondant (can't quite tell....)

    http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2011/15/c6169.html

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  106. personally, I love how you are an equal opportunity offender :). People need to laugh. Taking yourself too seriously subtracts years from your life more rapidly than Slimer can take out a buffet.

    Though, in the realm of teasing you right back.... sounds like the Texans who helped you guys through your nightmare should have redeemed the location in which SOMEONE got sick!! neener neener neener :P

    Love ya! Keep up the good work!!!

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  107. But... Rocky and Bullwinkle are from Frostbite Falls, *Minnesota.* Although, pretty much every cliche you've listed for Canada could equally be applied to us. Except the Mounties. We're really lacking in that department.

    Oh, I kid, I swear I'm not that kind of commenter. ;-) I do look forward seeing what you two come up with for our northern neighbors.

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  108. Barenaked Fillion?? (gasps for air and fans self) warn a girl before you give her an epic hotflash!

    -Barbara Anne

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  109. http://youtu.be/7mlKA8670ZY

    William Shatner's O Canada might give you some inspiration.

    WV: abanint- abanint all hope all ye who mock Canada

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  110. What about a tribute to tv shows/movies filmed in Canada? (X2 was filmed largely in BC...) Or starring Canadians? Or something with plants and call it Butchart Gardens? Things that are snowy? Anne of Green Gables? Inuits? Sled dogs? The Vancouver Olympics? Things in English and French? Curling?

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  111. You have already managed to morph with Canadians, you said "sorry" in advance of the post! Canadians tend to appologise at the drop of a toque.

    We Canadians tend not to tell others about how we are different from Americains because we don't want to make you feel bad that you don't get to be Canadians. Butter tarts and nanaimo bars, universal health care, ; Great Big Sea, Bare Naked Ladies, Long John Baldrey, The Guess Who, BTO, Arrogant Worms, Maureen Forester, Tragically Hip, Holly cole, Glen Gould, Stompin Tom, The Rankins, Bif Naked,Three dead Trolls in a Baggie, Rufus Wainwright, Payolas, Doug and the Slugs, Ron Sexsmith, The Stampeders, Ian Tyson, Neil Young, 54-40, Blue Rodeo, Teenage Head, Headpins, United Steelworkers of Montreal okay I went overboard on the music thing, but I had to counteract Celine and Beaver, oh I mean Bieber.

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  112. I won't be offended... as long as you promise to visit us on your next book tour.

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  113. Hey! Here's a great idea! Why don't you VISIT Canada...maybe do a book tour? You'd meet so many great people and come away with so much more fodder for your "Canadian" posts.

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  114. I am Canadian - and John's post rocked :)

    the beaver was stinkin' cute, and I am drooling over the steampunky things on this post - too much fun

    Thanks for making my mornings more fun!

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  115. Wohlgemuts,

    We are actually coming to Toronto and Montreal on our next book tour and actually, we're spending like 3 days in each. Being from Maine and never having been to Canada, I am super excited.

    john

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  116. Jen, I'm a tenth grade Social Studies teacher in Alberta. Part of what we talk about is national identity and what makes us different from Americans. Every year, my students wind up with a list that looks a whole lot like yours - and I can't think of how to come up with a less stereotypical list. So... I agree. The beaver cake is cute. And stereotypical. And Canadian. And I might use this post in my classroom. ;)

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  117. All I can think of is "Rocks and Trees" from the group Arrogant Worms. If you haven't heard them, go check them out!

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  118. haha - love it! C'mon, your funny writing is half the fun of Cake Wrecks! Don't give up the jokes, we know it's all in good fun :)

    Cindy

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  119. Hahaha! That beaver post would have been amazing.

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  120. Jen, I know this is late and you'll probably never get to read this comment. But if you get me a cake shaped like a poutine... ... ... I think I'm going shed a tear...
    ("salut toe" to your dad!)

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