Awesome Alberta

The Rocky Mountains in Alberta take your breath away!

The snow capped peaks, lush valleys, rocky canyons, and
turquoise lakes are simply magnificent!!

First stop - Banff National Park - what a beautiful place!

After a quick visit with some friends from our area who were vacationing there and 

with a dear childhood friend who works in Banff,

we headed to our rustic campsite near Lake Louise.

Lake Louise never gets old - it's always such a pleasure to see in spite of hoards of tourists.

From Lake Louise on to Jasper Park we used a very interesting and informative

tour app on our iPhone - "GyPSy - Icefields Parkway"

What fun to make many stops along the way as suggested by the app

(once we figured out how to use it .... )

In Jasper National Park we met up with some new friends that we met at the Osoyoos

Rally and they showed us around the park and took us to Jasper Park Lodge and to a great restaurant

where we enjoyed a gourmet dinner and drinks .... what a great day it was!

Picnic on the dock at Lake Maligne

Couldn't resist "Waterloguing" this store front in Banff!

After leaving these beautiful parks - we headed further North to see this sweet face!

Our little love!

Till next time ......... turning this rig around to make the long trek home!

Beautiful British Columbia!

Osoyoos, BC is a beautiful area in the Okanogan Valley

and we were fortunate to attend an "Escape RV" rally there.

This was one of our main reasons for travelling across the continent

and it was well worth being there for this company's costumer appreciation weekend.

More than 140 Escapes were there!!!  There were 13 ft., 15 ft., 17 ft., 19 ft., 21 ft., and 5th wheel

sizes represented.

Our's is the one to the far left

There were wine tours, greet and meet meals, pancake breakfasts, pot luck dinners, and more which helped us connect with other "Escapees" and make many new friends.

After taking our trailer to the manufacturer in Chilliwack (a short trip from Osoyoos) for some small repairs and retrofitting, I was treated

to a garden coffee party by some very dear ladies who live in that area and whom I've learned to "know" from blogging over the past few years.

They are the sweetest people and I felt SO honoured to be able to meet with them.

If you have read my blog posts you know who they are!!!!

A selfie of us taken by Lovella.

Left to right - Judy, me, Ellen, Anneliese, Kathy, and Lovella

This was my first time meeting Judy and Ellen (Ellen drove from Seattle just for this little party - what a gift!).

Kathy arranged the whole thing and made delicious scones with devonshire cream, jam and a beautiful fresh fruit platter.

She set the table, complete with china and silverware and served hot coffee in pretty mugs!

Judy made a delicious fruit dip, and Lovella brought the gorgeous peonies.

It was such fun and I felt like I was home.

They showered me with unexpected gifts and their friendship.

My trailer table never looked so pretty!!

These women have been such an inspiration and blessing to me in more ways than they will ever know.

They are all part of the famous Mennonite Girls Can Cook blog and cookbooks!!!

One day I hope to meet them ALL.

After leaving them, the farmer and I picked up our good as new little trailer and started heading East!

Our overnight campground was breathtakingly beautiful - Skihist Provincial Park

near Lytton, BC

View from the back of our campsite - notice the train track alongside the mighty Fraser River!

From here we travelled through tunnels and mountain passes,

landing in Golden, BC for the first night in June.

June 1st has been a good day - my sister informed us that her 5th

grandchild was born this morning - Lela Sarah Ann.

We are surely blessed beyond what we deserve ........

Till next time ......... feeling the warmth of friendship and family.

Eight Days on the Trail

Eight days have gone quickly and sometimes seem like forever as well!

Crossing the upper USA States with our little RV trailer in tow

has been amazing so far!

Michigan to Indiana

Downtown Shipshewana - brief stop over

Illinois to Iowa

Old barns, barn quilts, wind turbines, and acres and acres of freshly planted corn fields.

Reconnecting with dear friends, Trese and Dale, on their beautiful Iowa farm.

We were sent on our way with bundles of fresh picked asparagus, a huge bag of homemade granola
that will last us the whole trip,
fresh baked cookies and chocolate treats - wow!
Not to mention gifts and warm memories of our visit!

From here we headed straight to the Badlands of South Dakota

What an amazing place ......

We camped conestoga wagon style with the roaming buffalo and colonies of prairie dogs!

And the mountain goats were nearby.

We heard the coyotes howling during the night - eek!

Wall Drug

You can't miss this place - there are billboards everywhere shouting it's many amenities...

We had to stop and check it out in Wall, SD

Had to see if Alice had a good hand!
The farmer didn't think she had a full deck.

Spectacular Mount Rushmore - a must see. 75th year since completion

A very interesting quote at Mount Rushmore, by Theodore Roosevelt 104 yeas ago!

South Dakota to Wyoming

Wyoming to Montana

Lewis & Clark State Park Caverns - simply astounding!

From the caverns to Butte, MT was such a "butteful" drive.

The city of Butte, however, not so much .... a mining town with casinos at every corner.

"Butte" but we enjoyed a delicious lunch there at Fred's Mesquite Grill.

The hills seemed like velvet on our way to Missoula, MT

We have had long driving days, sometimes arriving late to a campsite

We camped at Riverside State Park in Spokane, WA

right beside the fast flowing Spokane River that featured a suspension bridge.

(Missed getting any pictures of this place).

Today, we landed mid afternoon at a clean and pleasant campsite

(free WiFi, laundry, level paved sites, pleasant owners)

and are enjoying a relaxing evening

near Republic, WA 

Till next time ......... looking forward to a long weekend in B.C. and meeting some famous Mennonite Girls in Chilliwack!!!! 

Best Mother's Day!

They came on Mother's Day unannounced ...

Grandpa farmer knew but Grammie was surprised.

This sweet face awaited us at a nearby Brunch buffet.

We had 4 days of cuddles

Grandpa was in heaven holding this little angel!

There were story times

Reading with Grandpa

There were giggles and squeals in our home 

Who could ask for a more wonderful Mother's Day!?

Her mommy and daddy did some serious hunting and negotiating while here

and we are getting so excited for future possibilities!!!!

Till next time ........ hope your Weekend was wonderful!

Happy Cinco de Mayo

It's Cinco de Mayo and I feel like I'm finally getting out of my

Winter and Long Spring funk!

The weather has become Spring and

I've been tackling the flower beds:

One done - 6 to go!!!

There's a plump chicken in the crockpot for an effortless dinner tonight.

This chicken came from a local farm - free range.

I usually don't bother preparing the liver but this one looked so healthy.

 I just couldn't discard it like I usually do - that is since we don't have any Cairns around the house anymore.

(oh how they loved the chicken liver!).

I decided to cook the liver and make a little pate to enjoy later this evening,

 after a sauna to sooth those sore muscles.

Have you ever made a liver pate? I hadn't, so I followed a recipe online by Martha Stewart

and it turned out quite lovely!

The taste is quite spicy but nice and I'm so glad I could use that liver.

Here is the recipe I followed:

1/4 onion - chopped

1 carrot - grated

Seasoned with cayenne pepper, salt and pepper, thyme (just a sprinkle of each).

Saute the onion and carrot in butter and olive oil (added a bit of water as it fried down) just until the vegetables are tender/soft. Remove from pan.

Add a bit more butter and oil to the pan and add the liver. Salt and Pepper to taste. Fry this till cooked through (about 7 minutes).

Now just put it all into a chopper or food processor and process till fairly smooth.

Pat into a small bowl, splash with some Olive Oil and chill.

Pretty simple really!

Till next time ....... Happy Cinco de Mayo to you and yours!

Off I go to the garden .......

Ramped up Scalloped Potatoes

Even tho' Spring is Springing

it rarely feels like it these days ...

the weather is still damp, dull and cool.

However, on my way home yesterday from a wee "rampage"

to town I caught a glimpse of this shy newborn.

So sweet!

The farmer and I also made a little jaunt to a woodlot

just down the road and brought home a few shovels full of ramps!

Ramps - also known as wild leeks, or bush onions

are a true sign that Spring is here!

They always remind me of my Dad who loved to eat them raw.
Those closest to him always knew he had!

These pungent, strong and earthy tasting treats are used in many different ways.

They are said to be very healthy - if only they didn't have such a strong odour!

Ramps taste wonderful paired with potatoes and since scalloped potatoes is on the menu for dinner I decided to chop a few into the potato casserole.

Taste Note - the ramps added a nice mild and earthy flavour to the potatoes. I would do this again!

Tonight I roasted some in the oven - recommended by my friends Gary and Anita. This was another very tasty way to enjoy Spring Ramps.

Till next time - are ramps/wild leeks something you and your family enjoy?

Mini Things!

Sometimes it's the little mini things in life

that are the sweetest!

My wee mini daffodils and violets are finally blooming.

I love to pick them and fill my mini vases

(this happens about once a year)

Tea Cup added for comparison of size

I've been busy creating mini quilts (well not totally mini but baby size quilts)

There are some very special friend's babies on their way (one set of twin boys no less)

and a God Daughter's baby.

For the twins!

For a sweet little girl?

If it's a boy I might have to 

whip up another ....

The sewing bug was extended to my sweet daughter where I just returned

from a mini visit with her mini family in Alberta.

Her first sewing project! She's a fast learner.

But, I must say that the best mini in my life right now is my darling granddaughter ....

oh what fun and many cuddles we had!

Loved like Crazy by Mommy 

And Daddy!!!!

Becky dubbed this picture "Me and my Mini"

Story Time with Grammie

Noa's Office - notice the mini knee pads for crawling baby!

Saying good-bye for now ...

It has been a fulfilling month and the mini things were the best!

Meanwhile, back at the homestead - we are preparing for the farmer's big 6-6 tomorrow!!!

I found this apple cake recipe and thought I'd give it a go.

It's an Ina Garten recipe so it's got to be good!

I didn't have Granny Smith apples so I substituted with 3 Cortland apples.

Recipe for Apple Cake "Tatin"

Ingredients

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing the dish
1 1/4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced into 12 pieces
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Generously butter a 9-inch glass pie dish and arrange the apples in the dish, cut side down.
Combine 1 cup of the granulated sugar and 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over high heat until it turns a warm amber color, about 360 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Swirl the pan but don't stir. Pour evenly over the apple slices.
Meanwhile, cream the 6 tablespoons of butter and the remaining 3/4 cup of granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until light and fluffy. Lower the speed and beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Add the sour cream, zest, and vanilla and mix until combined. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt and, with the mixer on low speed, add it to the butter mixture. Mix only until combined.
Pour the cake batter evenly over the apple slices and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes, then invert the cake onto a flat plate. If an apple slice sticks, ease it out and replace it in the design on top of the cake. Serve warm or at room temperature, dusted with confectioners' sugar.

Till next time .......... trying to catch up with the "home" work - mini steps!

(I'm so far behind reading my favourite blogs dear friends - I'll try to catch up this week)