Enjoy a Unique Thanksgiving with These Three Uncommon – Yet Delicious – Ways to Cook Your Turkey

Marci • October 7, 2014

If you’re a fan of large, delicious meals and spending time with family and friends you’re likely getting excited for Thanksgiving. In today’s blog post we’ll share three uncommon ways that you can cook a turkey as the centrepiece of a mouth-watering Thanksgiving feast.
Thanksgivig dinner on table

The Beer Can Turkey: a Grilled Masterpiece

If you have a larger barbecue and are a fan of moist, succulent turkeys you may want to cook up a “beer can turkey”. For this recipe you’ll need a fully-thawed turkey, your favourite spice rub, a taller can of beer (at least 650 mL), and an aluminum roasting pan or baking pan. Prepare the turkey by removing any strings or ties and by cleaning out the innards. Give the turkey a full rub-down with your spice rub, ensuring that you get the entire bird covered. Now, open up the beer can and insert it into the turkey – you’re going to want the turkey to stand upright so if necessary find something to prop it up against the sides of the pan. Preheat your barbecue or grill to about 300 degrees F and cook the turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the turkey, occasionally basting the turkey with its juices. Once the turkey is fully cooked you’ll want to let it rest for at least 15 minutes before carving into it. This recipe also works very well for roasting a smaller chicken!

The Turducken: a Weapon of Mass Deliciousness

The Turducken is a legendary Thanksgiving dish and one that will leave your guests full and very appreciative of your cooking skills. You’ll need a larger turkey (at least 10 pounds) which has been deboned except for the wing and legs, a medium-sized duck (about 5 pounds) and a small chicken (about 3 pounds), both of which must be completely deboned. Placing the turkey skin-side down, coat the inside of the bird with stuffing and lay the duck on top with its skin-side down. Stuff the duck as you did the turkey and lay the chicken skin-side down on top. Finally you’ll want to close the Turducken, wrapping it tightly with a number of strings to ensure that it stays closed throughout the cooking process. Note that a Turducken will take longer to cook than your average turkey, so be sure to start early and keep an eye on your internal thermometer.

The Deep-fried: Not for the Faint of Heart (Or Arteries)

Finally, if you have access to a deep fryer – or are very handy when cooking with oil – you can deep-fry your turkey. While this might sound like a messy or unhealthy way to cook a turkey, you’ll find that underneath its crispy skin the turkey is moist, delicious and no more fatty than if you had cooked it with a traditional method. Once the turkey is thawed and cleaned you can get it ready for frying. You’ll want to ensure that you use a paper towel to absorb water from the inside and outside of the turkey, which will help to prevent splashing. As every deep fryer is different, you’ll want to follow the instructions on your fryer to ensure you get the best results.

While I might not be there to help you cook your turkey, I am always here to help you with your mortgage needs. If you have questions about mortgages or you’re thinking about buying a home in the near future, contact me by phone or email and I’ll share how I can help. Thanks for visiting and happy Thanksgiving!

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Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25% — April 29, 2026

By Marci Deane • April 29, 2026
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is holding its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. This decision comes against a backdrop of significant global uncertainty — and for Canadian homeowners, buyers, and anyone with a mortgage coming up for renewal, here's what it means.

Your Guide to Successfully Navigating the Housing Market

By Marci Deane • April 22, 2026
Wondering If Now’s the Right Time to Buy a Home? Start With These Questions Instead. Whether you're looking to buy your first home, move into something bigger, downsize, or find that perfect place to retire, it’s normal to feel unsure—especially with all the noise in the news about the economy and the housing market. The truth is, even in the most stable times, predicting the “perfect” time to buy a home is incredibly hard. The market will always have its ups and downs, and the headlines will never give you the full story. So instead of trying to time the market, here’s a different approach: Focus on your personal readiness—because that’s what truly matters. Here are some key questions to reflect on that can help bring clarity: Would owning a home right now put me in a stronger financial position in the long run? Can I comfortably afford a mortgage while maintaining the lifestyle I want? Is my job or income stable enough to support a new home? Do I have enough saved for a down payment, closing costs, and a little buffer? How long do I plan to stay in the property? If I had to sell earlier than planned, would I be financially okay? Will buying a home now support my long-term goals? Am I ready because I want to buy, or because I feel pressure to act quickly? Am I hesitating because of market fears, or do I have legitimate concerns? These are personal questions, not market ones—and that’s the point. The economy might change tomorrow, but your answers today can guide you toward a decision that actually fits your life. Here’s How I Can Help Buying a home doesn’t have to be stressful when you have a plan and someone to guide you through it. If you want to explore your options, talk through your goals, or just get a better sense of what’s possible, I’m here to help. The best place to start? A mortgage pre-approval . It’s free, it doesn’t lock you into anything, and it gives you a clear picture of what you can afford—so you can move forward with confidence, whether that means buying now or waiting. You don’t have to figure this out alone. If you’re curious, let’s talk. Together, we can map out a homebuying plan that works for you.

How to Raise Your Credit Score and Unlock Better Rates

By Marci Deane • April 15, 2026
Want a Better Credit Score? Here’s What Actually Works Your credit score plays a major role in your ability to qualify for a mortgage—and it directly affects the interest rates and products you’ll be offered. If your goal is to access the best mortgage options on the market, improving your credit is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. Here’s a breakdown of what truly matters—and what you can start doing today to build and maintain a strong credit profile. 1. Always Pay On Time Late payments are the fastest way to damage your credit score—and on-time payments are the most powerful way to boost it. When you borrow money, whether it’s a credit card, car loan, or mortgage, you agree to repay it on a schedule. If you stick to that agreement, lenders reward you with good credit. But if you fall behind, missed payments are reported to credit bureaus and your score takes a hit. A single missed payment over 30 days late can hurt your score. Missed payments beyond 120 days may go to collections—and collections stay on your report for up to six years . Quick tip: Lenders typically report missed payments only if they’re more than 30 days overdue. So if you miss a Friday payment and make it up on Monday, you're probably in the clear—but don't make it a habit. 2. Avoid Taking On Unnecessary Credit Once you have at least two active credit accounts (like a credit card and a car loan), it’s best to pause on applying for more—unless you truly need it. Every time a lender checks your credit, a “hard inquiry” appears on your report. Too many inquiries in a short time can bring your score down slightly. Better idea? If your current lender offers a credit limit increase , take it. Higher available credit (when used responsibly) actually improves your credit utilization ratio, which we’ll get into next. 3. Keep Credit Usage Low How much of your available credit you actually use—also known as credit utilization —is another major factor in your score. Here’s the sweet spot: Aim to use 15–25% of your limit if possible. Never exceed 60% , especially if you plan to apply for a mortgage soon. So, if your credit card limit is $5,000, try to keep your balance under $1,250—and pay it off in full each month. Maxing out your cards or carrying high balances (even if you make the minimum payment) can tank your score. 4. Monitor Your Credit Report About 1 in 5 credit reports contain errors. That’s not a small number—and even a minor mistake could cost you when it’s time to get approved for a mortgage. Check your report at least once a year (or sign up for a monitoring service). Look for: Incorrect balances Accounts you don’t recognize Missed payments you know were paid You can request reports directly from Equifax and TransUnion , Canada’s two national credit bureaus. If something looks off, dispute it right away. 5. Deal with Collections Fast If you spot an account in collections—don’t ignore it. Even small unpaid bills (a leftover phone bill, a missed utility payment) can drag down your score for years. Reach out to the creditor or collection agency and arrange payment as quickly as possible . Once settled, ask for written confirmation and ensure it’s updated on your credit report. 6. Use Your Credit—Don’t Just Hold It Credit cards won’t help your score if you’re not using them. Inactive cards may not report consistently to the credit bureaus—or worse, may be closed due to inactivity. Use your cards at least once every three months. Many people put routine expenses like groceries or gas on their cards and pay them off right away. It’s a simple way to show regular, responsible use. In Summary: Improving your credit score isn’t complicated, but it does take consistency: Pay everything on time Keep balances low Limit new credit applications Monitor your report and handle issues quickly Use your credit regularly Following these principles will steadily increase your creditworthiness—and bring you closer to qualifying for the best mortgage rates available. Ready to review your credit in more detail or start prepping for a mortgage? I’m here to help—reach out anytime!