Canada in Pictures, Part II (Crafts and Games)

In Canada, since we were on vacation, we had a lot of free time. So we played a lot of games, from backgammon to bananagrams to rummikub, all the time! Since bananagrams is portable, it was easier to carry around to the park or a restaurant. Here are some of the places we played!

backgammon set-up

bananagrams at cafe santropol

playing scrabble off the board

My aunt and uncle had collected a lot of wine corks for a bulletin board they had wanted to make. So I made this cork bulletin board while we watched Father of the Bride.

Their little niece and nephew came over for my aunt's birthday party, so I promised them these two friendship bracelets.

I had so much fun on this trip and can't wait to return next year!

<3 Mandy

Canada in Pictures, Part I (Food)

I recently returned from a two-week vacation to Montreal with my family. Here is a quick peek of the trip in pictures!

rhubarb

rhubarb with vanilla frozen yogurt

fresh, sweet strawberries

limonana (mint lemonade)

marinated quail on the grill

flat bread

dinner: BBQed quail, beans, potato salad, mixed greens salad, flat bread

hand-rolled roast beef (rolled by my mother and me)

watermelon triangles

birthday strawberry shortcake

roasted peppers

Montreal bagels, baguette, tomato salad, salami, tabbouleh with sliced almonds

caprese (tomatoes, cheese, kalamata olives)

tea tray at Moroccan restaurant

freshly made cranberry-mango frozen yogurt

mint tea with raspberry blossom honey

mushrooms

tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and fennel

roasted vegetables

assorted beans: haricots plats (flat beans), yellow and green string beans

garbanzo beans (chick peas)

salad: garbanzo beans, carrots, sunflower sprouts, chopped chives

mixed greens salad with pomegranate & olive oil dressing

roasted baby potatoes

grilled veal chop with assorted vegetables

fresh corn

corn on the cob with cute cow corn holders

My aunt went to the farmer's market almost every day, so we always had fresh fruits and vegetables to eat, which were delicious! She also put little chocolates on my sister's and my pillows before bed.

On days we didn't go out to eat, we all had fun preparing dinner together in the kitchen. Looking at all of this food is making me hungry (as usual), so I'm off to make a little snack!
<3 Mandy

An Independence Day Celebration

For the Fourth of July, my cousins and I went for a 10 mile hike to start off the day. Afterwards, we ate lunch at a Chinese restaurant before heading home to shower and prepare for an Independence Day barbeque in our backyard.

beef, red bell pepper, and onion shish kebabs

beef, red bell pepper, and onion shish kebabs

grilled pink salmon

corn on the cob

 

 

My dad barbequed burgers, hot dogs, shish kebabs, salmon, and corn on the cob. We also ate some salad and other vegetables on the side. Our neighbors brought over a beautiful cake and jello stars they made, as well as some supplies for making s'mores. We also ate espresso chip and Belgian chocolate ice cream in cones for dessert while watching some fireworks and a special on TV. Overall, it was a really fun day full of family, friends, fun, and (of course) food. I'm still sore from that hike, though... 

the beautifully and deliciously scrumptious homemade cake with whipped cream, strawberry stripes, and blueberry stars from our neighbors

red strawberry and blue blueberry jello stars

Happy (belated) 4th of July!

<3 Mandy