The Grizzly Paw - Canmore, Alberta: Travels

On our last evening in Canmore, I had someone tell me about the local brewing company named The Grizzly Paw.  With kids in tow, we forgo'd the restaurant but chose to buy a sampler pack from their retail outlet right across from the restaurant. In our sampler pack was the Rutting Elk Red, Grumpy Bear Honey Wheat & Powder Hound Pilsner, which are their "flagship beers" as stated on their website.  I prefer wheat ales so the Grumpy Bear was my favorite of the three.

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In the morning, we headed out for another hike before returning home.  So, I give you more nature shots!



Ok, I use the term "hike" very loosely.  More like a leisurely stroll through the forest.



With a lot of stops here and there to take pictures of the fascinating mossy greens.



And the glacier water is just stunning too. It's not hard to take amazing photos when the scenery is as beautiful as it is.



Have a great weekend!

Johnston Canyon & Banff Town: Travels

The other weekend, we ventured to our beautiful Rocky Mountains.  I'm much more of a city slicker but when you get me out to nature, I always enjoy it.



We started with a hike to the Lower and Upper Falls in Johnston Canyon.  Glad we headed out earlier for the trek because there were so many people near the end of the loop for us.



One thing I really appreciate is how small you feel among the mountains and forest.  Makes your everyday stresses and problems seem so insignificant at those moments.

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After the hike, I parted ways with my posse.  They headed to the hot springs while I hit the town of Banff.



I bought a couple of inukshuks carved from precious stones for my kiddos and stopped in on the many chocolate and candy stores.  Can't go through Banff without eating a bearpaw (caramel and nut cluster coated with chocolate!)



One thing is for sure, you can not leave Banff without a greater sense of Canadiana.

Heritage Days 2012

Sunday morning we rounded up the kiddos and drove down to Laurier Park.  We did a short walk, while cooing and oohing over cute dogs at the off leash dog park, across the footbridge to Hawrelak Park.


(Gyros from the Hellenic tent, Chicken groundnut soup from Ghana tent, Scovergi-fried dough- from the Romanian site, Gelato from the Italian site)

There weren't a lot of people at the park as of yet at 10am but you can see and hear movement within the tents, very much like busy bees in their hives, as the volunteers were getting ready for the hordes of people yet to arrive.


(Chicken arepa with guasacaca sauce-Venezuela site)

I went to the food ticket booth and spent $50 on 60 tickets.  Let the eating begin!



I have been going to Heritage days for as long as I can remember.  My parents used to volunteer and my siblings and I used perform.  I remember dancing in the heat and numerous costume changes.


(Kubideh kabab at Iran tent)

While hubby was watching the kids at the bouncy castle, my brother met up with me and I made him hold the chocolate dipped banana, against his numerous macho pleas of refusal, so I can get a picture for the blog.  He thought I was getting a closeup.  Hahaha.  He might very well kill me.  I love my siblings :)


(Beef burek-Bosnia & Hercegovina site, Mango shake from Pakistan site, Croatian doughnuts, Platano conjelado from the Ecuador tent)

We spent 4 hours walking around, taking in all the offerings that the tents had.  So much to see, hear, taste and do.



Until next year!

Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Blueberries

Something comforting and something blue.

With the rain and cloudy days hovering over our city, I've had a craving for something comforting. Even though everything is green and luscious looking, when the clouds move in, the world outside my window looks a bit gloomier. 

It also happens to be blueberry season and buying a large clamshell container of juicy blueberries always puts a smile on my face.  I am always astonished at how deeply pigmented these sweet little berries can be.  Nature is fascinating and I am always looking forward to it's bountiful harvest.

I wanted to try a buttermilk panna cotta this time.  I love the tang of buttermilk and felt that it would be a great complement with the sweet blueberries.  Panna cotta is a quick and easy recipe. It is great when you are entertaining because they can be made the night before, freeing you of extra work the day of guests arriving.

Perfect for a rainy summer day. Something comforting and something blue.  

Indeed.

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