BBQ Season Has Arrived! Five Delicious Recipes for the Meat (And Veggie) Lover in All of Us

Marci • August 2, 2014

The warm, sunny days of have finally arrived, and that means it’s time to bring out the grill. As you get ready for your backyard parties and meals out on the deck, you’re sure to want some new recipes that will tantalize the tongue and bring everyone back for more. Here are five delicious recipes for meat and veggie lovers to enjoy on the barbecue this summer.

Try a Grilled Pizza, Margherita Style!

There’s nothing like pizza cooked on the grill. While this can be modified to become a meat lover’s recipe, Grilled Pizza Margherita is intended for the vegetarian or the person who simply enjoys a refreshing meal that leaves the meat out. You’ll need pizza dough that should be placed in a bowl to rise before grilling. Let it sit for an hour while you preheat the grill, and then split the dough into two pieces. Flatten the dough with a rolling pin, flouring the surface first, and put it on the grill. Let it cook up to five minutes and remove the crusts from the grill to flip them on a plate or work surface. You should brush the crust with olive oil and sprinkle two ounces of Asiago cheese on each crust. Add four ounces of mozzarella cheese to each crust, a half cup of basil leaves on each, and then toss on some sliced tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper as a final touch. With your grill turned down to medium, return your crusts to the grill and let them cook for ten minutes.

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms: A Fun Veggie Dish

Portobello mushrooms are another grilled favourite that can be added to a sandwich, served on the side with your meat of choice, or serve as the main dish. They are also very easy to prepare. Gather up your washed Portobello mushrooms. Remove the stems and place clean caps in a bowl. Cover them with a mixture of canola oil, balsamic vinegar, onion, and garlic cloves. After they have stood for an hour to absorb the flavour, toss them on the grill for about ten minutes.

Corn On The Cob On The Grill: The Classic Summer Dish

Corn on the cob is a summer favourite that is very tasty when cooked on the grill. Leave the corn in the husks and soak it in a bowl of water for at least an hour before grilling. Next, place the corn, husks and all, on the grill. Keep turning as the leaves become blackened on the outside, checking from time to time to make sure the corn does not burn. The grill brings out the sweetness of the corn and makes it extra juicy.

You Can’t Go Wrong With Steak

Steak is a great choice for your main course. Rib Eye and Porterhouse are excellent cuts of meat that generally have the best flavour. You can prepare your steak however you like, whether that’s with salt and pepper, Montreal steak spice, or a great marinade like garlic and chilli. Watch your steak carefully as you cook. Flip it often and don’t let it dry out. You can test how done your steak is by pressing your finger against it. Here’s a handy reference for how your steak is coming along: On one hand, touch your index finger to your thumb. Then, using your other hand, put pressure on the meaty part of your hand just below your thumb. That’s how your steak should feel when it’s rare. Touch your thumb to your other fingers, moving from index to pinky, and you’ll feel a progressively tougher sensation. When your thumb and ring finger are touching, your hand should feel the way that a medium steak feels.

Stuffed Burgers: A New Spin on an Old Favourite

While burgers are an old standby, you can spice them up with extras added to your ground beef. Toss onions, bits of bacon, and shredded cheese into the mix as you make your hamburger patties. You can add any other ingredients that work for you, making this an easy dish to personalize.

As you plan your next gathering, you may be looking for the perfect backyard to enjoy your summers even more, or you may like to take advantage of the equity in your home. An experienced mortgage lender can help. If you’d like to discuss your existing mortgage or you plan to move soon and you want a new mortgage, feel free to email me today.

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What Online Mortgage Calculators Can—and Can’t—Tell You

By Marci Deane • August 19, 2026
What Online Mortgage Calculators Can—and Can’t—Tell You Online mortgage calculators are everywhere—and on the surface, they seem like a no-brainer. You plug in some numbers, and out pops what you can “afford.” Simple, right? Not quite. While the math itself is correct, the story behind those numbers is often misleading. Mortgage qualification isn’t just about numbers—it’s about context, risk, and lender policy. And that’s where calculators fall short. The Numbers Are Accurate—but the Picture Isn’t An online calculator can show you what a payment might look like at a given interest rate, or how making extra payments could reduce your amortization. That’s useful information! But when it comes to mortgage qualification , calculators don’t account for the many variables that lenders consider, such as: Your credit history and score Employment type (salary, self-employed, contract) Outstanding debts and monthly obligations Assets, savings, and down payment source The property type and location you’re buying Lenders evaluate all these factors through their internal risk models. That means two people entering the exact same numbers into a calculator could receive very different results when they actually apply for a mortgage. Why Online Calculators Can Mislead You When you see a “How much can I afford?” or “Mortgage Qualification” calculator online, it’s easy to treat the result as fact. But these tools don’t know your financial story—they only crunch the data you enter. A calculator can’t predict how a lender views your risk, how new mortgage rules apply to your file, or how things like spousal support, car loans, or variable income will impact approval. In short: calculators estimate payments, not qualification . Use Calculators the Right Way Don’t get us wrong—online calculators still have value. Use them to explore different “what-if” scenarios: How do payments change with different down payment amounts? How would a rate increase affect affordability? What if you added $100 a month to your payments? These tools are great for helping you understand your comfort zone. Just remember: they’re a starting point, not a green light. The Real First Step: Get a Pre-Approval If you’re serious about buying a home, skip the guesswork and get a mortgage pre-approval . It’s quick, free, and gives you real-world clarity on what you can afford. A pre-approval looks at your full financial picture—income, credit, debts, assets—and provides a framework for your purchase price, payment range, and rate options. It’s the only way to get a reliable answer to the question, “What can I really afford?” Final Thoughts Online calculators are convenient, but they can’t replace expert advice. Think of them as a starting point, not a solution. A professional mortgage broker can interpret the numbers, navigate lender policies, and tailor your financing strategy to your actual situation. If you’d like help understanding your true buying power—or want to get pre-approved with confidence— reach out anytime . I’d be happy to walk you through your options and help you make sense of the numbers.

Going Through a Divorce? Don’t Let Your Credit Take the Hit

By Marci Deane • August 12, 2026
Going Through a Divorce? Don’t Let Your Credit Take the Hit Divorce is stressful enough without adding financial fallout to the mix. Between lawyers, paperwork, and emotional strain, it’s easy to overlook how a separation can impact your credit. But your financial future depends on protecting it now—because long after the dust settles, a damaged credit score can linger. Here are a few smart steps to help keep your credit strong and your finances steady as you move forward. 1. Take Control of Joint Debts When it comes to joint debt, both parties are equally responsible—no matter what your divorce agreement says. If your ex misses a payment on an account with your name attached, your credit takes the hit too. Go through all joint credit cards, loans, and lines of credit. Wherever possible: Close joint accounts to stop future shared use. Transfer balances to the person responsible for repayment. Notify lenders in writing of any changes to account ownership. Once everything is updated, pull your credit report after three to six months to confirm all joint accounts have been closed and reporting correctly. Mistakes happen—stay proactive to prevent surprises later. 2. Open Your Own Bank Accounts Separation means financial independence, and that starts with your own banking. Open a new chequing account in your name only and redirect your pay deposits and bill payments there. At the same time, close any joint bank accounts and change passwords on existing online banking and credit profiles. Even in peaceful separations, shared access can cause confusion—or conflict. Protect yourself by ensuring your money and information are secure. 3. Start Building Credit in Your Name If most of your past credit was tied to your spouse’s name, now’s the time to establish your own. Apply for a small personal credit card or secured credit product . Use it sparingly and pay it off in full each month. This helps you build a solid individual credit history, setting the stage for future goals like buying a home, refinancing, or starting fresh financially. 4. Keep an Eye on Your Credit Monitor your credit report regularly for errors or unexpected changes. You can request free reports from both major credit bureaus in Canada— Equifax and TransUnion —once a year. Tracking your credit isn’t just about catching mistakes; it helps you see your progress as you rebuild your financial independence. Final Thoughts Divorce can be emotionally draining, but protecting your credit doesn’t have to be complicated. By taking a few careful steps now—closing joint accounts, building credit in your name, and monitoring your reports—you’ll safeguard your financial health and gain peace of mind as you start your next chapter. If you’d like personalized guidance on managing credit during or after a divorce, reach out anytime. I’d be happy to walk you through your options.

Employment and Mortgage Qualification: What Lenders Look For

By Marci Deane • August 5, 2026
When you apply for a mortgage, your employment history and status carry a lot of weight. Even if you feel secure in your job, lenders need proof that your income is reliable and will continue. To them, your employment status is one of the strongest indicators of whether you can make your mortgage payments long term. Here’s how lenders typically view different employment situations: Permanent Employment This is the gold standard. Once you’ve passed any probationary period and hold permanent status, lenders see you as a lower risk. It shows that your employer is committed to you, and your income is steady. Probationary Periods If you’re still on probation—usually 3 to 6 months, though sometimes longer—lenders may hesitate. That’s because your employer can end your contract without cause during this period. Once probation is over, you’re considered more secure. That said, context matters. If you’ve worked with the same company for years as a contractor and just transitioned into full-time employment, lenders may accept a letter from your employer confirming that probation is waived. Documentation is key here. Parental Leave Being on or about to take parental leave doesn’t mean you can’t qualify for a mortgage. As long as you have a letter from your employer guaranteeing your position and return-to-work date, lenders can use your regular salary—not your leave income—when assessing your application. Term Contracts This is one of the trickiest categories. Even highly skilled professionals with strong incomes can face challenges here. A term contract has a start and end date, which makes lenders question the stability of your future income. To use term-contract income, lenders generally want to see at least two years of history, or proof that your contract has already been renewed. The more evidence you can show of consistent employment, the stronger your case will be. The Bottom Line If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, it’s important to understand how your employment status could affect your approval. Whether you’re starting a new job, coming back from leave, or working under contract, lenders want documentation that proves your income is reliable. 📞 If you’ve recently changed jobs or are planning a career shift, let’s connect. I can help you prepare your file so you qualify with confidence and avoid surprises in the approval process.