Spring/ Summer 2014

We had a beautiful, gorgeous spring and summer. The spring was surprising not bad for the terrible long brutal winter we endured. We started some DIY projects..I have so wanted a backyard deck for the longest time and this year I was rewarded for my patience. We asked around for quotes and got some ridiculous prices..seriously? 10K for a few days of work?..anyways, we decided on DIY project, basic and simple. How naive we were...the project took all of 10 weeks as we had to undo and redo until my husband thought it was perfect. We celebrated Kimberly's 5th birthday on our deck. FINALLY!!. We had a kiddies party which started at 2:00 p.m where we all walked a few minutes to a small wading pool just behind our house. The weather couldn't be better..it was a hot day and kids squealed and splashed water on one another, tagging and chasing each other while we moms sat beneath the shade of a nice big Willow tree and chatted. We came home to Dominos Pizza for the kids, spanakopita rolls, greek cheese rolls, I think it is called Tyrokopita and juice. We also had home made Guacamole with tortilla chips and hot cheese dip for the adults. For the adults, which included my childhood friends and cousins, we had Grilled lamb chops, Kababs, Tandoori Chicken (courtesy Lancy Pais) and Bean Salad. Anyways, the highlight was the Castle Cake I made for Kimberly's birthday. Recipe and pictures coming soon.

Yohann's 10th Birthday, we celebrated at 'The Ex'..It was Thursday, August 28th. This is a 3 week event that comes to Toronto every year and a must-do for Torontonians...lots of  fried food, rides, and shows. We watched the Wallenda Family tight-rope show which was AMAZING!. We sat and watched, not daring to breath or swallow lest the legendary Wallendas fall off...We watched the Dog Show too which was cute but uneventful. The kids loved it and took a lot of coaxing to finally leave...I had a throbbing headache and couldn't wait to get out..Fairs are not my thing, but we do these things for our kids and that is why precisely I am writing it here, so nobody forgets :-). On his actual birthday, we had a small dinner for family. I tried Greek ribs which was a completed flop. We had Peking Duck which was awesome.

Kyren's 13th birthday sadly was uneventful.. He did not want to do anything and we were very busy with our DIY deck project, that we were relieved..but my darling sisters did come home in the evening with presents and I think we ordered food in.

The highlights of summer was we did a 12 Km bike ride at the Don Valley Parkway. We parked at the Ontario Science Centre and rode upto Pottery road and back. Kimberly was being bike-carried (is that a word even?) by Keith and it was kind of strenous (which he does not admit to) as the DVP has some hills. We also went to Balsam Lake for camping this year with the group (my sisters, my cuzz, our friends). All in all it was a great summer. This is the year that we went out on date nights (prefer to call it fun nights). I am proud to put it in writing, I have wonderful and responsible kids. They encourage us to go out alone and they take care of Kim, reading her a bedtime story, tucking her into bed and staying by her bedside till she falls asleep.

Thanksgiving 2014, we went to Ottawa to celebrate the holiday with my cuzz and her family. My sisters and their families drove up too. It was beautiful as expected. Everyone talking at the same time and no one listening. We also left 10 kids at home unsupervised and went for drinks at Kelsey's.The neighbours did come and ask us to tone it down a bit...

As we head into Winter, I give thanks for my family, my friends and all the abundance of love that we have in our lives. If this is not blessings, what is?

Cookies and Cream Cake for Yohann's 9th birthday

One Saturday in August while walking to the library with Yohann, whose birthday was a few weeks away and Kimberly, my vivacious 4 year old who is full of ideas, I asked Yohann to decide on the cake he wants for his birthday..we went back and forth with a few options, chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, vanilla cake with chocolate frosting etc but couldn't really decide so we moved on to other topics knowing it would come to us..It is a big deal in our house..what cake? is the mother of all questions :-). On our way back from the library, they wanted to stop at the local metro and get some popsicles because it was so hot that day. While walking back, Yohann said,I wish I actually had a cold glass of milk with some Oreos, I just love Oreos, the perfect cookies and cream combination and that was that..I suggested a 'cookies and cream' cake. I looked at lots of recipes but settled on the 'Hersheys perfect chocolate cake' recipe that I could do with my eyes closed and which was always a hit...I made the cake and boy!! everyone loved it. Here is the recipe I used. I skipped the fudge frosting and instead doubled up on vanilla cream filling and used that as frosting as well.

Fudgy Cookies and Cream Cake

Adapted from confessionsofacookbookqueen.com

Ingredients

• Cake:
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup Dutch process cocoa powder (I use Hershey's Special Dark)
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water 

Filling:

• 2 cups heavy cream, COLD
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 15 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
• 1 tsp vanilla 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour two (8 or 9 inch) round cake pans and set aside.
2. In the bowl of your mixer, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until tops of cake spring back when lightly touched in the center. Let cool in pans for about 5 minutes, then remove to cool completely on wire racks. Once cakes are room temperature, wrap and chill (preferably overnight).
4. Prepare filling:
5. Place the metal bowl of your mixer, along with whisk attachment, in the freezer for 5 minutes. Remove from freezer and add heavy cream, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Beat on high until you have whipped cream that forms stiff peaks (keep an eye on it....it can turn to butter if you let it go too long). 
6.  
7. Level your chilled cakes, then split each layer in half. Fill each layer with cream filling, add crushed cookies, add more cream to sandwich the cookies . If possible, stick in the freezer for about an hour, so the filling will firm up and not make it difficult to frost.

I used cream cheese frosting from www.Glorioustreats.com


Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

½ cup (1 stick/8 Tablespoons) unsalted butter (set at room temp about 10 minutes, but should still be cool)
8 oz. cream cheese (directly from fridge)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (always use pure vanilla extract if possible)
4 cups powdered confectioners sugar
1 to 4 Tablespoons heavy cream, heavy whipping cream (or milk- although I do like the richness that cream adds)

Directions:

*Place butter in a large mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Add cream cheese and blend until fully combined and smooth, about 30 seconds.
*Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar and blend on low speed until combined. Increase to medium speed and beat until it begins to get fluffy.
*Slowly add the heavy cream, a little bit at a time until desired consistency is met. (Don’t add too much if you want the frosting to stay in place when piped on cupcakes.)
*Beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.
*Use at once or keep refrigerated. (This frosting will keep well in the refrigerator for several days, but you may need to re-beat it for the best texture.)
The recipe above will produce a delicious VANILLA flavored frosting, here are a couple of other options to try…
For a Stronger Cream Cheese Flavor: Use an additional 4 oz. (½ block) of cream cheese. This is good for any cake/cupcake recipe that is traditionally topped with Cream Cheese Frosting, like Carrot Cake, or Red Velvet Cake.

Notes

Cake portion adapted from Hershey

Whipped Cream Filling Carefully cut 6 Oreo cookies in half; set aside. Chop remaining cookies into 1/4-inch Place reserved whipped cream in pastry bag fitted with star tip (re-whisk if necessary). Pipe 12 whipped cream rosettes around perimeter of cake and garnish with reserved Oreo cookie halves. Serve.

35 National Parks to visit

 The more I work, the more I think of vacations..don't we deserve it? Summertime is even more busy, because you want to spend every moment of sunshine and good weather outside enjoying the sun's warmth. This year we are building a small deck..We are doing it ourselves, actually Keith is, I am doing the planning and envisioning the place. Also offering him tons of moral support so he dosen't give up half-way.  Anyways, here I am this morning on June 6th, sitting in my office and sipping my coffee while I ponder the places we will travel to. I come in early so I get some space to read my favourite bloggers and website articles. It is so quite this morning..Glorious sunshiny weather + Friday make for a good vacation day, so I guess that's what lots of people are doing, probably heading up to their cottage to avoid rush hour going to cottage country.  This travel article came into my inbox and am posting it here so that I can come back later when I am looking for inspiration on destination options

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 The 35 Most Amazing National Parks on Earth

Posted: 06/04/2014 10:04 am EDT Updated: 06/05/2014 3:59 pm EDT

What's the quickest way to realize how truly amazing our planet is? Simple: Visit the world's greatest national parks. We're thankful that governments around the world have set aside these amazing tracts of pristine wilderness, and with the help of the tips and photos from over 1 million travelers on minube, we've found the very best stretches of untouched nature for your bucket list. From the plains of Africa to the desert isles of the Caribbean, here are the 35 most amazing national parks on Earth!
1.) Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica -- In the middle of the dense Costa Rican rainforest, there's a rumbling active volcano (yes, you can actually see the lava pouring down the sides), surrounded by hot springs, fauna-filled forests, and plenty of hidden waterfalls. Ask anyone who's been to Arenal and they'll tell you: It's paradise. (Photo by Blake Burton)
Click here for more photos of Arenal Volcano National Park
2.) Iguazu National Park, Argentina/Brazil -- The Iguazu National Park on the Argentina/Brazil border is easily the most amazing waterfall park on Earth. Whether you prefer to cool off in the clouds of mist or enjoy the over 2000 species of plants, strolling the walkways around this roaring, watery wonderland is an experience you'll never forget. (Photo by Lucio Sassi)
Click here for more photos of Iguazu National Park .
3.) Yosemite National Park, USA - There are few sights more breathtaking than pulling up to Yosemite's Tunnel Overlook in spring when the wildflowers are in bloom and the scenic falls are at their fullest. Whether you opt for crystalline lakes, pine forests, or snowy peaks, Yosemite National Park guarantees postcard-worthy views in all directions. (Photo by Daniel H. Garcia)
Click here for more photos of Yosemite National Park.
4.) Etosha National Park, Namibia -- Africa has plenty of amazing national parks, but none combine such a variety of landscapes and wildlife as Namibia's Etosha National Park. Not only can you catch a glimpse of giraffes, zebras, and leopards at the park's watering holes, but you can also explore over 2,000 ancient rock paintings. (Photo by Gabriel Orgaz)
Click here for more photos of Etosha National Park.
5.) Banff National Park, Canada -- Take one hike through Alberta's Banff National Park and you'll understand why it's the crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies: pristine mountain lakes, massive glaciers, towering peaks, moose, bear... it's like finding the very best of North American wilderness all in one beautiful package. (Photo by Sergio Lanza Casado)
Click here for more photos of Banff National Park.
6.) Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, Panama -- Too often, we think of national parks as mountains and fjords, but what about those made of reefs, desert islands, and amazing beaches? That's the case at Panama's Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, an authentic paradise of mangroves, sandy isles, and over 10,000 species of plants and animals. (Photo by Naxos)
Click here for more photos of Panama.
7.) Krka National Park, Croatia -- Lush forests, jaw-dropping waterfalls, 15th-century monasteries... yup, that's Krka National Park. It may not be the biggest or most famous park in Croatia, but there are few things that compare to taking a summer swim in the famous Skradinski Buk falls. (Photo by Danilo Veccia)
Click here for more photos of Krka National Park.
8.) Grand Canyon National Park, USA -- I don't think we'd ruffle too many feathers in saying that Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park is easily the most spectacular park in the U.S. Countless travelers agree: sitting on the rim of the canyon and contemplating the park's vast expanse is a moving and life-changing experience. (Photo by Daniel H. Garcia)
Click here for more photos of Grand Canyon National Park.
9.) Tulum National Park, Mexico -- Just a short hour from Playa del Carmen, travelers will find over 1,500 acres of ancient Mayan ruins and paradisaical beaches that are home to nesting turtles. Don't forget to explore the rich sea life and mangroves of the stunning Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve nearby. (Photo by Tibor Mester)
Click here for more photos of Tulum .
10.) Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park, China -- To say that Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park is magical is to sell it short. Standing amid the five-colored lakes, clear blue sky, and vibrant evergreen forests is amazing on its own, but try to visit in the autumn to experience an extra explosion of color. (Photo by Cliff Fawcett)
Click here for more photos of Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park.
11.) Göreme National Park, Turkey -- The rock homes and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia's Göreme National Park are a bucket list staple the world over. Aside from possessing one of the world's most singular landscapes, Göreme National Park is also home to ancient Byzantine cave frescoes and even underground cities! (Photo by Maria)
Click here for more photos of Göreme National Park.
12.) Pantanal Matogrossense, Brazil -- The vast Pantanal Matogrossense National Park is part of one of the world's largest tropical wetlands, and one of the richest ecosystems found anywhere outside of the Amazon. The best part? The park is massive and you can truly see Brazil's mammals, reptiles, and birds in their element. (Photo by Sandra Carrillo)
Click here for more photos of Pantanal Matogrossense National Park.
13.) Cinque Terre, Italy -- The Cinque Terre National Park in Liguria, Italy has it all: scenic and colorful villages, boar-filled forests, amazing hiking trails, sandy beaches...and it's all located on the Italian Riviera! There are truly few places on Earth that blend culture and nature as seamlessly (and beautifully) as Cinque Terre. (Photo by Elzunia1)
Click here for more photos of Cinque Terre National Park.
14.) Yellowstone National Park, USA -- Yellowstone National Park is a land of superlatives. The world's first natural park, the continent's largest volcanic area, and home to the world's largest herd of free-roaming bison. Yes, from its famous geysers to its mirror-like lakes and amazing wildlife, Yellowstone National Park encapsulates the very best of the American west. (Photo by Ramsey Walcher)
Click here for more photos of Yellowstone National Park
15.) Snowdonia National Park, Wales, UK -- The Snowdonia National Park in Wales is a rugged land of craggy mountains, scenic lakes, and a truly one-of-a-kind local culture. It's a place to enjoy some of the best mountain biking in Europe (if not the world) before settling down to enjoy the castles, festivals, and charming villages of this unique Welsh-speaking land. (Photo by Alf Bailey)
Click here to see more photos of Snowdonia National Park.
16.) Jasper National Park, Canada -- While many associate the Canadian Rockies with Banff, Jasper National Park is actually a larger, wilder, and (according to many) richer national park. The solution? See both! After visiting Banff, take the spectacular Icefields Parkway up to see Jasper's incredible woods, glaciers, and wildlife. (Photo by Naxos)
Click here for more photos of Jasper National Park.
17.) Los Roques Archipelago, Venezuela -- If you ever get the urge to live out your Robinson Crusoe daydreams, Los Roques is definitely the place. This protected park is made up of over 300 uninhabited islands, all surrounded by crystal-blue water, coral reefs, and some of the best diving and snorkel spots in the world. (Photo by Naxos)
Click here for more photos of Los Roques Archipelago.
18.) Torres del Paine National Park, Chile -- Torres del Paine is a breathtaking expanse of wilderness in the Chilean Patagonia topped off by the iconic Cuernos del Paine peaks. While the hiking and views are beautiful in their own right, seeing the immense glaciers of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field extend towards the horizon is an experience that hasn't its equal. (Photo by Carlos Solinis)
Click here for more photos of Torres del Paine National Park.
19.) Chitwan National Park, Nepal -- Outside of Africa, there are few parks that offer the variety of large, exotic animals as Nepal's Chitwan National Park: rhinos, cloud leopards, monkeys, and one of the highest concentrations of Bengal tigers in the world. Can you imagine a better place for your first safari? (Photo by Olance)
Click here for more photos of Chitwan National Park.
20.) Fiordland National Park, New Zealand -- Fiordland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand is one of the most rugged, stunning, and, well, EPIC places in the world! To kayak through the silent fjords amid towering peaks and rushing waterfalls is the definition of a life-changing adventure. (Photo by Flechi)
Click here for more photos of New Zealand.
21.) Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia -- Few things can prepare you for the sunrise over an endless sea of sand, especially when you're atop a 50 million year-old sand dune the size of a skyscraper! Don't forget to spend a morning exploring the legendary Dune 45, a surreal place immediately recognizable from dozens of Hollywood films. (Photo by Araceli Aranda)
Click here for more photos of Namib-Naukluft National Park.
22.) Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia -- Simply put, the Plitvice Lakes are spectacular. 16 emerald and turquoise lakes connected with dozens and dozens of scenic waterfalls ranging from the turbulent to the trickling. The only downside to exploring this park is that you'll have the fight the continuous urge to dive in! (Photo by Isadora Costa)
Click here for more photos of Plitvice Lakes National Park.
23.) Komodo National Park, Indonesia -- As you can probably guess, Indonesia's Komodo National Park is the premier place to see world's largest lizard: the Komodo dragon. Beyond just admiring these mighty reptiles, the park is also home to world-class scuba diving, hidden beaches, and everything from savannah to cloud forests. (Photo by Leo&Vero)
Click here for more photo of Komodo National Park.
24.) Guilin and Lijang River National Park, China -- The misty karst landscapes of China's Guilin and Lijang River National Park offer one of the most dreamy, evocative panoramas on Earth. The best plan? Take a lazy float down the Li River and enjoy the striking peaks, friendly fisherman, and small riverside villages. (Photo by Juanjo Fontanet)
Click here for more photos of the Li River.
25.) Canaima National Park, Venezuela -- While Venezuela's Canaima National Park is most famous for being the home to Angel Falls, the natural splendor certainly doesn't stop there. The park is also home to vast lagoons, dense jungles, wetlands, and gigantic, otherworldly plateaus like the famous Mt. Roraima. (Photo by David R. Luna)
Click here for more photos of Canaima National Park.
26.) Tobago Cays Marine Park, St. Vincent & the Grenadines -- Tobago Cays is a pristine archipelago of 5 islands that's a veritable underwater Garden of Eden. From snorkeling with turtles and rays to sprawling on a white sand beach without a soul in sight, it's no wonder that Tobago Cays is one of the Caribbean's most popular eco-tourism destinations. (Photo by Cali Day)
Click here to see more photos of Tobago Cays .
27.) Serengeti National Park, Tanzania -- The Serengeti National Park is one of the reining kings of African national parks. Known for its annual wildebeest migrations, the single largest animal migration on Earth, the Serengeti National Park is one of the few places on earth that can truly be considered a sanctuary for the great animals of Africa. (Photo by Alfonso N. Tappero)
Click here for more photos of Serengeti National Park.
28.) The Everglades, USA -- At first glance, the Everglades can be intimidating. It's a vast wetland covering a massive chunk of southern Florida, but with a little grit and an airboat, travelers can discover one of the continent's greatest wildlife refuges, full of crocodiles, deer, migratory birds, and unforgettable sunsets. (Photo by Victor Gomez)
Click here for more photos of the Everglades National Park .
29.) Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia -- There are two ways to explore the Great Barrier Reef: by sea and by sky. With its unparalleled diversity of marine life, the Great Barrier Reef is obviously a snorkel and scuba heaven, but for the less aquatically-inclined, you can also opt to see the beautiful colors and coral formations from a plane. (Photo by Gonzalo Moreno)
Click here for more photos of Australia.
30.) Jostedalsbreen National Park, Norway -- Oh Norway... a land of epic fjords, scenic villages, and, of course, amazing natural parks, the most stunning of which is the Jostedalsbreen National Park, home of the famous Briskdal Glacier. Just imagine climbing by glacial lakes and churning waterfalls to come upon a massive blue glacier cascading down the mountain. Priceless! (Photo by Alfonso N. Tappero)
Click here for more photos of Norway.
31.) Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania -- Mt. Kilimanjaro has the fame of being the highest mountain in Africa and the dream of avid climbers everywhere. The Kilimanjaro National Park is most famous among trekkers looking to challenge themselves on the peak, but the views and wildlife in the surrounding grasslands makes the trip worthwhile for the rest of us! (Photo by Esteban Atilano)
Click here for more photos of Kilimanjaro National Park.
32.) Tayrona National Park, Colombia -- Columbia's Tayrona National Park is a strip of virgin jungle nestled between the mountains and the Caribbean sea where you can spot monkeys playing in the trees, snorkel among some of the country's best coral reefs, or simply find a dreamy spot to hang up your hammock and soak it all in. (Photo by Murci3lago)
Click here to see more photos of Tayrona National Park.
33.) Kruger National Park, South Africa -- The Kruger National Park is an unbelievably big (over 7,000 square miles!) nature reserve in South Africa and, with more species of large mammals than any other African game reserve, arguably the top safari destination in the world. What else can we say? It's a must!
Click here to see more photos of Kruger National Park.
34.) Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina -- Few sights are as imposing or awe-inspiring as laying eyes on the Perito Moreno Glacier, the hulking glacier and centerpiece of Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park. To cruise on the water and see football field sized chunks of ice come crashing into the water is truly a humbling sight. (Photo by Juan C. Abatedaga)
Click here to see more photos of the Los Glaciares National Park.
35.) Galapagos National Park, Ecuador -- The Galapagos National Park off the coast of Ecuador is home to one of the world's most interesting and unique ecosystems. Whether you come to marvel at the giant tortoises and iguanas or swim around the coral reefs, Galapagos National Park is a natural gem that must be experienced in your lifetime. (Photo by Juanjo Fontanet)

Click here for more photo of Galapagos National Park