Timeless Treasures: Peaceful

Jasper, Alberta, Canada

Celebrating Canada: Visiting Banff & Lake Louise

Today we spent most of the day at Lake Louise and in Banff National Park. The Rockies were nice to see in all their majesty, and it made me feel quite small and in awe of our Creator. 

I loved the winding roads up and down the mountain side--even though I had to keep popping my jaw to get my hearing back :D

Only spot that wasn't comletely frozen over. I was pretty disappointed not to see the emerald green waters of Lake Louise. I suppose May is still too early for spring/summer temps up in the North!

Chateau we ate lunch in.

Lake Louise is a little ways past Banff, so we headed there first and then backtracked to the mountains.

It was overcast pretty much all day, but didn't rain until we headed towards Banff. Most of the rain came while we were traveling, and we were able to stop and get pictures in Banff.

The "Castle". That's what someone referred it as when describing the Banff Springs Hotel. I can see the resemblance!

Bow Falls

The Gondala. You can either walk up the mountain and get a free ride back down or take both ways in the Gondala. Personally, I liked having my feet on solid ground, so I didn't go up. However, my parents did, back when they visited Calgary several summers ago, and really enjoyed it.

So, now I have been to Banff National Park, and Lake Louise!

Thursday Treats: Mini Hand Pies {A Pinterest Idea}

My friends were up visiting from Victoria, so the past few days have been filled with catching up, eating, and get togethers. I've enjoyed their visit immensely! Tosh and I had plans to bake up a Mile High Chocolate Cheesecake, but didn't get around to it. She did make a spice cake and a caramel sauce for church potluck, and I made my Creamy, Dreamy Oreo Dessert for Saturday supper.

Anyway, today's post is sorta cheating because Sarah, Theresa, and I made these back in August for a friend's wedding, and it's more assembly than using an actual recipe. It's so easy, your 6 year old could make them! You've probably seen the idea floating around Pinterest :D You're more than welcome to make your own pie crust and filling, though! This post [minus the pie pop at the end] also kicks off my "No Chocolate for the Month of May" challenge!

Mini Hand Pies

1 box ready made pie crust {I used Pillsbury}

1 can cherry pie filling

1 can blueberry filling

1-2 eggs, beaten for egg wash

1. On a lightly floured surface, unroll the pie dough.

2. Using a biscuit/round cookie cutter, make as many circles as you can. On half, make a hole in the center using plastic straws. {Wonderful idea by Sarah!}

3. Place about 1/2 teaspoon of filling on circles without the holes, and then top it with a circle that has a hole.

4. Crimp the edges using a fork, and brush tops with the egg wash.

5. Bake at 325 for about 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

6. Cool and enjoy!

This one I filled with chocolate and mini marshmallows. Pretty yummy!

Bonus Treats: Homemade Pop Tarts {Classic Snacks} + Classy Nautical

I saw this cookbook at the Superstore, and having restricted myself to shop cookbooks with a purpose, I didn't get it the first few times I went grocery shopping.

Every time I would pass by the book aisle [...yes, yes...I didn't have to go down that aisle, but--whatever, I always do :P] I looked and picked it up; tried to find some justification in buying another cookbook--apparently, loving cookbooks doesn't count ;)

Then! I saw a recipe for these babies. You see, I have a dear friend who adores pop tarts, but whose husband doesn't...approve of pop tarts {ya know, 'cause they're bad for you and all. Plus, they taste like cardboard} and I thought this would be perfect for her.

I was supposed to make them several weeks ago for her birthday...but, yeah, I missed that boat. Here's to hoping she'll love them so much, it won't matter if they're a few weeks late :D I took some over to her house last night for us girls to test them out after we helped her pack. Moving and a baby all within 2 weeks? You go, girl :D

I made raspberry, and brown sugar/cinnamon. While I wouldn't call them out of this world good...they are pretty good. I think the more I practice making them, the better they'll be. I used raspberry jam, and I think that had a part in making the tarts a little too sweet. For the brown sugar/cinnamon ones, I need to add more spice. Although, maybe if my crust was rolled out a little more thin, I wouldn't have overfilled the pop tarts and they would've been perfect?

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with how these turned out, but, I have plans for making them taste spectacular :D

Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts

Classic Snacks Made from Scratch

Casey Barber

*I used raspberry jam filling, but only because I was running out of time. My next try will be true to the recipe :D*

Crust

2+1/2 cups flour

2 tsps sugar

1/2 tsp salt

8 tblsp chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2in cubes

1/4 cup ice-cold water

1 tblsp distilled white vinegar

1 large egg whisked with 1 tblsp water, for egg wash

Make the Dough

1. Pulse the flour, sugar, and salt together in the bowl of a food processor to sift and combine.

2. Add the butter and shortening and pulse in 3-second bursts until partially incorporated with pea-sized chunks visible and a texture resembling moist cornmeal.

3. With the processor running, drizzle the water and vinegar through the feed just until a shaggy and crumbly dough starts to form. Transfer to a bowl; divide the dough in half and shape into 2 discs. Wrap plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour {or overnight}

Strawberry Filling

1 lb. strawberries, hulled
3/4 cup sugar
1 tblsp lemon juice

1. While the dough chills, cut the strawberries in halves or quarters, depending on size, and mash roughly with a potato masher in a large bowl. Keep a bunch of big chunks in there; they'll break down in the jam, but it'll be more interesting that way.

2. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to break down the berries slightly. Stir once or twice while the berries sit to dissolve the sugar.

3. Pour the strawberries and their liquid into a high-sided pan or Dutch oven. Bring to a low boil over medium heat. Once the berries come to a boil, remove the strawberry chunks with a slotted spoon or flat mesh strainer and reserve in a medium bowl. Continue to let the syrup boil, stirring often, until thickened and jelly-like, about 15-20 minutes.

4. Return the strawberry chunks to the pan and cook for 5-10 minutes more, until the jam is the desired thickness and consistency. Transfer to a clean bowl or Mason jar.

Assemble + Bake

1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpat liners.

2. On a floured surface, roll one of the dough discs to a 10x12in rectangle about 1/4in thick.

3. Use a pastry or pizza cutter to divide into 6 {3x5in} rectangles; place on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with the second disk, but leave those 6 on your work surface.

4. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of filling into the center of each rectangle on the baking sheets. Brush the edges with the egg wash.

5. Place a reserved dough rectangle atop each filled rectangle and seal the edges by pressing with the tines of a fork. Use the fork to poke vent holes in the pastry tops.

6. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Transfer the tarts to a wire rack and let cool completely before eating or frosting.

Frosting

1+1/2 cups powdered sugar
2-3 tblsps milk
1 tsp vanilla

1. Whisk the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla together to form a thick glaze. Add the final tablespoon of milk a drizzle at a time until the glaze has the consistency you want.

2. Use a basting brush to spread the glaze on the cooled pastries.


Enjoy your homemade pop tarts!!

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My friend Sarah is still in the contest! She won last weeks theme, with her Springtime in Paris look--thanks for voting for her!!

This week, it was all about designing your own fabric. Just look at the adorably simple dress her daughter has on. And, suspenders on her little guy? Cute!!

I love how her nautical theme is classy and yet fun. Head over to her blog to see many more shots of her outfits and sweet kiddos.

And, don't forget to cast your vote for your favourite look! Voting is open through Thursday night at 8 :)

Click HERE.

Thanks so much, guys and enjoy those Pop Tarts while perusing Sarah's blog :D

Have a great evening!

Homemade Chicken Burgers

I love cooking new things and making up my own meals--either a new creation or a fabulous re-make on an old. Cooking, in my opinion is SO much more forgiving than baking. You can throw in a pinch of this and a pinch of that...or a cup of this and a cup of that...for most dishes, there is no difference if you alter the recipe {whereas, with most baking recipes, precision and accuracy are encouraged for yummy tasting and looking desserts :D}

Anyway, a friend of mine is headed back to the Island {Victoria, BC} with her husband and kids for vacation, and last night was the only time we could fit in a visit before she leaves--on Friday morning! They live about an hour and half from town, so it was [past] supper time before I made it out to their hobby farm.

Since she had ground chicken, I suggested we make chicken burgers.

Tosh mixed the chicken, bread crumbs, 1 egg, fresh garlic, minced onion, and some herb&garlic seasonings--before shaping into patties and placing on a heated pan that had a little bit of oil.

She sliced up some avocado...

and tomato for hers...

I kept it simple with just a bit of mayo and pickles :D

Tosh thought pickles sounded good too...

and mustard!

And, instead of using bread, I put mine on a bed of lettuce and Tosh wrapped hers in lettuce.

Really, you can put whatever you want on your burger...it will taste good, no matter what!

I love the drive out to their place. The scenery is breath-taking, whether summer or winter. Yesterday we had dark clouds most of the day and a little bit of rain. In the midst of a dark and angry sky, this little puff of cloud was snow white. It made me smile so I had to stop and take a picture! Good thing the roads out there aren't too busy!

Day Trip

A couple weeks ago, David and Theresa, his dad, brother, and I all went to Toronto for a buck show and then shopped in the mall. I had a great time for the most part. We really didn't find any sales or cute things--at least I didn't!

Anyway,  Theresa and I were passing one of those vendor guys that sit in the center of the mall and the guy tried to stop us to talk. Well, we just kept walking, of course. But on the way back--different story. We were supposed to meet the guys at 1 over by Bass Pro, and we were running late {Dave's dad hates having to wait.} so we were walking super fast and doing our best to zig-zag through the "traffic". Lo and behold, we crossed over and walked right by the bank people--only this time we were much closer to them. The guy jumped out beside me shoving this piece of paper in my face saying a whole bunch of jibber. I told him I wasn't interested. Told him no thank you. But, do you think that deterred him? No way. He GRABBED my hand and PULLED me towards him! I was so shocked! Theresa came to my rescue -- telling me to let's go and finally just pulled me back and said we had to go. I was so embarrassed!

 

And THEN, Theresa, Dave and his brother Matt, and I went into Stitches. As soon as we got in, I made my way around the store and was standing in the back when this older guy in a suit smiled at me. So, I smiled back. I thought it was a little strange, but decided he must be the manager or owner or something and wanted to make sure I was enjoying my trip? Anyway, I turned back to browsing and when I looked up next, he was standing right next to me with this cheesy grin. He asked if I was shopping. I should have told him no--I'm shoplifting. Duh. I said yes and kept browsing. He then came even closer and asked where I was from. At first I thought he was talking nationality, but then realized he meant what part of the city. {I should have just told him Africa ;} At this point, I realized that he was NOT a part of the store management or even a worker and mumbled London. I then pretended to browse when in reality I was just trying to get to my group before the creep talked to me anymore. By the time I was in front of Theresa, I tried to discreetly ask her if the suit guy was around. At the same moment--the suit-creep came up to the right of me as Theresa bodily moved me to the left. As soon as he saw that I was with them, I gave him a half smile and he left. Theresa later told me that he had followed us into the store and then followed me around while in the store. Creepy!!!! I'm so glad I don't live in Toronto.

 

My favorite part of the trip was our drive home. We took back roads and it was just GORGEOUS. Lush scenery, little quaint towns--I loved it. Plus, we saw Amish/Mennonite people and I got to take some pictures {discreetly of course since I know they're not fans of photos.}

 

We had quite the day--but so much fun.

Last month I took the first course in cake decorating. I absolutely LOVED it. I would love to get into decorating cakes and cupcakes and I have seen so much to inspire me on Pinterest. Plus, I've gotten several books on it :) One of the girls at church asked if I would make her a cake and I decided I would do one for her birthday that's coming up in a couple weeks. I'll post it once I finish.

Yay! I can cross something off my list of goals :) Although, I still have much more room for improvement!