Amazing Adventure - Family Day

I hope you all had an amazing Valentine's Day/Family Day weekend!  Today I want to share with you some of the Amazing Adventures my daughter and I had on Family Day (Valentine's Day recap to come soon).

If you recall, when I started my healthy journey a few year's back,  I would go on these fun outdoor treks with my daughter. I called them Amazing Adventures.  Well, it is with great pleasure that I share with you the latest installment in this series. This time- Frozen Lake Edition.

We were meeting my sister for a Family Day Café a little later, so we thought we would take advantage of the fact that it wasn't -35 with the windchill and go for a walk by the lake before our date.

We went downtown Oakville, 'the bottom of Navy' park we call it, but it turns out it has a name- The 'Homecoming' Trail. 

We were totally frozen, but had so much fun feeling the wind on our face, the air in our lungs, the frigid cold on our legs... we were giddy with excitement!  Couldn't believe the Canada Geese, mallards and loons all bathing in the water as if it was nothing!

Just check out Melanie's broadcast debut, Australian Outback accent and all, reporting on the Frozen Canadian waters and the fowl that inhabit it without any issue!

Well enough of the cold Canadian wildlife, this bunch of Canadian girls- warm toques and all- was ready for another Canadian favourite....

That's right! Warm coffee with lots of milk and hearts on top.... aka- latte time!  

Hope you were all able to spend the weekend with the special people in your life and share amazing adventures or quiet times with the ones you love!

Amazing Adventure... the next generation

When I started this blog, I started a series called 'Amazing Adventures', usually, these posts were the visual stories of me and my little girl Melanie, getting outdoors and exploring our gorgeous surroundings and reaping the physical, emotional and spiritual rewards of spending time outside and soaking it all in... us girls.... we love to browse... we love to linger in a park, in a scenic downtown and just become one with our surroundings... that's why these posts usually include girly, girls. Men, don't like to walk, just for fun, you need a purpose (ask my brother in law!).

So now, I am so pleased that my sister has introduced the next generation -her wonderful children- to this new way of life.... living for the Amazing Adventures!

Stephanie was all ready with her hat, sunglasses and matching polka dot hoodie- a true Adventurer!

Melanie, an old pro, had her head gear on, and her Happy Face sunglasses ready... and look, Stephanie, was looking over yonder.

Guess where we went? That's right, our favourite park- Lakeside Park- but this time they had all the water works going, it was so impressive for the little kids... check out Cooper getting real thrilled!

Grand-Maman took part in this adventure with her amazing safari wear (LOL)! With this grandchild...

... and this grandchild....

... and what a cool grandchild he is!

Ok, maybe this swing is a little too big????

... and maybe this hat is a little too small...

...now this fits better eh! Look at the effort Stephanie is putting into it!

... and this one, well, it was a little hard for them to figure out, but once they got in, Julie and I were the working mules pulling the thing around.

We showed Stephanie how to throw rocks into the lake, she would pick the wet little ones all the time. What a special teaching moment!

Mother-Daughter big, beautiful pebble beach smiles! I just love how this picture turned out.

The best part of this adventure was watching Stephanie embrace nature. She loved picking the flowers for us all, they were mostly dandelions.... and she was so excited to share with us. The best though, was watching her pick the fluffy ones and give them to us like they were beautiful roses, so precious, so kind and so innocent.

...and most of all was the wonderful teaching moments we shared. Grand-mother showing her grand-daughter how to blow on the flower and make all the 'fluffies' fly, older cousin showing younger cousin how to 'work' the playground equipment, aunt showing her niece how to skip rocks into the water... and Cooper- the boy cousin- well, he just slept- it's a boy thing!

 

The Queen of all Mothers... and Light Lemon Cheesecakes

Look at this gorgeous mother of mine. The Queen of all Mothers. So full of love and life with the kindest, most generous soul...

 ...not to mention a gorgeous new outfit (matching her youngest grand-daughter) straight back from her trip to Myrtle Beach (hence, the tan)!

 I made the boys take this photo of all the girls... Grand-mamans, moms and future moms. I LOVE IT!

 Meanwhile, some boys supporting their fav' hockey team/colours were hanging out.

 Mums for my Mom!

 Silly Snackers...

 Just love this little guys' Osh Kosh!

 ...and he and his sister just love their daddy so much!

 ...oh, and don't forget a gorgeous smile for the celebrated one! Nice!

 Julie always makes the best salads, this one is super enhanced by the candied pecans from South Carolina!

 Delicious steak dinner for the grown ups...

 ...while this little guy was real busy...

 ...and so was this guy... and Julie, loves her ketchup, I think she might still put some on her steak?

The wonderful evening, hosted by my sister and her family, was of course topped off with a light and delicious Lemon Cheesecake with a raspberry coulis... (recipe to follow).
So much love, so much laughter, like when Stephanie led us in songs and giggles, and most of all, so much family togetherness and craziness it all filled our hearts (and bellies)! Merci for all the love you give us Maman!

Easter Bunnies Everywhere!

Let me share with you a little glimpse into a special Easter Day full of love, bunnies, flowers and delicious food.

 It all starts with a gorgeous pink tulip arrangement. My favourites!

 Oh, look, I spotted a bunny. Yes, my little girl still goes for an egg hunt- dressed as a bunny- check out her little basket of goodies!

 Oh look, another bunny... Little Cooper bunny with his mommy.

 ... and another, Stephanie bunny, with her cousin and Grand-maman!

 Easter treats and so much fun... reading cards!

 Look at these gorgeous blue-eyed boys!

 And now, enough of the bunnies, it's time for the Easter Dinner. A gorgeous ham...

 ... a perfectly set table...

 ... delicious broccoli/cauliflower panko cheese bake... so good!

 Even Easter crackers.... my mother really loves to party!

 Stephanie's first jambon... a true half French-Canadian girl.

 The gorgeous bunch of Easter Chicks and Roosters!

... and the Grand Finale! A tower of Bird Nest Cupcakes. Thank you to all my family for the beautiful party, food, celebration and most of all... the LOVE!

Brent's Birthday-Fun times and Banana Triple Layer Cake

You know, I'm always a few weeks behind... I just can't keep up with all the joy, love and celebration! Seriously though... what do you do for your husband's 49th birthday party? Well, make him all the things he would  LOVE and that you would never make (may be you don't like it- mushroom- or maybe it's too decadent - banana cream layer cake)... but it's a celebration and let me share the love and good times we had with you.

Here's a fantastic group shot around the b-day boy.

Ok, seriously funny coincidence, but Brent's favourite colour is blue and my dad, Cooper and I are all wearing the blues.

Of course.... so is the birthday boy and a baseball shirt at that!

Oh ok, HI! have you met my gorgeous nephew and his big blue eyes?

Group Shot and the Sunshine!

Breadsticks and cucumbers and dip for my little niece!

Special cousin time playing on Mela's new laptop, entertaining the little one with fun online kid stuff so the parents could enjoy some peace.... you know how it is!

Ok, now I am showing you a little bit of  'celebration' food. Prepare yourself for one great banana cake ride. Here's the birthday boy eyeing his triple decker cake.

I had never made a triple layer cake and it was quite a production. But hey, my man's worth it. SO you need 3, 8inch round pans, how about a 9 inch and 2, 8 inch... I just cut around the edge... That might be why it turned out a bit lopsided.

Here' s the recipe folks:

Banana Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

(adapted from http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Banana-Layer-Cake-with-Cream-Cheese-Frosting-4694#ixzz2vtFIx9JO)

Ingredients:

    2 1/4 cups cake flour

    3/4 teaspoon baking soda

    1/2 teaspoon baking powder

    1/2 teaspoon plus pinch of salt

    1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)

    1/4 cup buttermilk

    1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

    1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

    1 1/3 cups sugar

    2 large eggs

    2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature

    1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

    2 large bananas, peeled, sliced

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter three 8-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides; dust pans with flour. Combine cake flour, baking soda, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Mix mashed bananas, buttermilk and 1 teaspoon vanilla in another medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter and sugar in large bowl until blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating to blend after each addition. Add dry ingredients alternately with banana mixture in 3 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients and beating just until blended after each addition. Divide batter equally among prepared pans.

Bake cakes until tops are just beginning to color and tester inserted into center comes out with a few crumbs attached, about 20 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 10 minutes. Using small knife, cut around cakes to loosen; turn cakes out onto racks and cool completely.

Beat cream cheese and remaining 1 cup butter in large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in remaining 1 tablespoon vanilla and pinch of salt. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Cover and refrigerate frosting until firm enough to spread, about 15 minutes.

Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread 1/2 cup frosting over top. Place half of sliced bananas evenly over frosting, leaving 1/4-inch border at edge. Place second cake layer on work surface. Spread 1/4 cup frosting over top. Place cake layer, frosting side down, atop bananas. Spread 1/2 cup frosting over top. Place remaining half of sliced bananas evenly over frosting, leaving 1/4-inch border at edge. Place third cake layer on work surface. Spread 1/4 cup frosting over top.

Place cake layer, frosting side down, atop bananas. Spread remaining frosting over sides and top of cake. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand 1 hour at room temperature before serving.) I decided to add some caramel drizzle on top of the cake and between the layers. Crazy good!

If you ever have a reason to celebrate with people who love bananas. This is a must!