Canada Day Long Weekend

This past weekend was full of shopping, food and tons of fun.  So, pretty much a perfect weekend in my books.  My husband, son and I headed to Edmonton, Alberta on Thursday mostly just to get away and have a good time.

We ate at some pretty sweet restaurants that I had previously seen on Food Network's "You Gotta Eat Here".  Have I mentioned I am obsessed with that show?  I also watch "Eat St." religiously.   When I saw episodes that featured Edmonton, I immediately noted them.

Below are some pics of our trip.  Warning: some may make you extremely hungry!

Giovanni and I at the Edmonton Valley Zoo

Gio and his new friend Goat

 

Wolves, out for a walk

The cutest little seal ever! He would run out of the pool and get a fish, then stare at us, then run back into the water. We watched this little guy do this over and over for almost half an hour.

I want it.

Asian elephant- just roaming about

My boy and his Toronto Maple Leaf bear that he made at "Build a Bear". That place is a rip off- just sayin.





Enjoying some fun rides at Galaxyland!

The Kalyna Platter at Highlands Kitchen

(phyrohy with sour cream, bacon gremolata, grilled kubassa & lazy cabbage rolls)

Wild Mushroom & Feta Pasta at The Dish and The Runaway Spoon Bistro

(shitake, button and portobello with sundried tomatoes in a feta cream reduction, topped with asiago cheese)

The Breakfast Burger at Urban Diner

(meatloaf, black forest ham, bacon, cheddar, fried egg and cilantro lime aioli)

*my hubby could only finish half of this bad boy

Fried Egg Sandwich at Urban Diner

(back bacon, tomato, cheddar, fried egg and roasted garlic aioli)

Profiteroles at Urban Diner

(tiny little pancakes served with home made maple syrup, berry sauce and chocolate sauce)

*These things were so damn good, I am still craving them and contemplating driving the 8 hours back to Edmonton just for these little bites of heavenly goodness.

House-made Guac and Chips at Tres Carnales

This restaurant is authentic Mexican street food right in the heart of downtown Edmonton.  It has a very laid back vibe.  We enjoyed cervezas, great food, and a live DJ.

Slow cooked spicy beef tacos

*My hubby had the house-made Mexican ground chorizo sausage torta, which I tried and it was delicious! I forgot to take a picture :(

Spaghetti with Spicy Meatsauce at The Old Spaghetti Factory

(decent place- good to take the kids)

Cupcakes from Once Upon A Cupcake

We ate at some other great restaurants as well such as: High Level Diner and Sugar Bowl.

We had a wonderful long weekend, but the highlight was definitely the World Waterpark in West Edmonton Mall.  We spent an entire day there, and were sad to leave. 

Usually we stay home for Canada Day and enjoy the festivities in our city, however I think we will make it a tradition to visit different Canadian cities from now on.  Next year, I'm thinking Toronto.  My husband would die to see a Maple Leaf game, and I really want to visit Canada's Wonderland.

How was your Canada Day or your 4th of July???

Do you usually stay home or do you try and get away?

A Few Things...

 Lemon Ice Cubes: Perfect for adding to glasses of water or ice tea

Sundance Pink Lemonade Wine: The perfect blush wine that is very suitable for summer and not nearly as sweet as most blush wines

Fixing up an old picture:  My grandmother painted this picture when she was younger (it is painted on velvet).  My husband recently painted the old, tarnished gold frame to a bright white to give it a way more modern look. It is now hanging in our bedroom rather than collecting dust in the basement.

An inspiring note: To keep around, so I can look at whenever I am feeling negative or stressed.

(not my own picture)

 My boy scoring his first 2 goals in soccer!  He was soooo proud, and so were mom & dad!

What are some things making you currently making you smile???

Happy Father's Day!

My weekend was relatively boring, as I spent most of it at work.  I did spend some time with my dad to give him his father's day gift and the usual giant bear hug.  I am very close with my dad and see him almost everyday!  My hubby was treated to a delicious dinner at one of his favourite restaurants.

My Dad and I snoozing-1987

Father's Day dinner for my hubby

To start: Bourbon Pulled Rib Poutine

This was sooo good!

My hubby's main course:

Rib eye with prawns in a chipolte sauce

Also delicious! The Creek in Cathedral Bistro is one of my city's best restaurants, and they never disappoint!

My husband does not eat dessert (except the odd bowl of ice cream) I know, what is wrong with him right? I on the other hand, have a dangerous sweet tooth, however I forgot to take a picture of dessert, until it was already half eaten!  Oops, guess I got excited.

How was your weekend?  How did you spend Father's Day??



Recent Eats

Frittata with tomato, mushroom, cheddar cheese and freshly picked parsley and chives from

my herb garden.

Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream eaten with fresh berries.

Just whip some heavy cream, icing sugar and fresh vanilla bean seeds until it tastes just right.

Apple Cinnamon Oats

Boil 1/2 cup of milk (I use unsweetened chocolate almond breeze).  Once boiling add 1/4 cup of quick oats and cook for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and cover for 2 minutes.  Top with brown sugar, cinnamon and chopped apples.

Classic Spicy Nachos

Top restaurant style Tostitos with Habanero pre-mixed cheese blend, salsa, and pickled jalapenos.  Broil in oven until cheese is melted, then top with dollops of sour cream and chopped chives.  Serve with extra salsa and sour cream.



Green & Gold

    I love to wear blazers with just about anything, and they are perfect for a summer day that is accompanied by a little wind.  I am big on the coloured shorts/pants trend and love to match 1 piece of my outfit to my accessories, such as the hint of green in my wedges or my one mint coloured nail.

I'm curious, what trend do you love right now??

          

Hotdogs- Perogy style!

Hello again,

So I don't know about you, but I LOVE perogies.  I have loved them since childhood and they are one of my ultimate comfort foods.  That is why I was very excited when I saw a Ukrainian hotdog on Food Network's "You Gotta Eat Here". I knew I had to make it.  C'mon! Hot dogs & perogies! You cannot tell me that doesn't sound fantastic!  The restaurant is called "Fat City Franks" in Calgary, Alberta.

Perogy Hotdog: (to make 4 dogs)

Ingredients:

3-4 medium red potatoes- peeled and quartered
1 large yellow onion- sauteed until translucent
1 tbsp butter
salt & pepper
1/2 cup (or more) grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup real bacon bits
4 hotdogs
4 hotdog buns
sour cream
chives (for garnish if desired)

Directions:

1) Begin by boiling your potatoes until they are tender enough to mash
2) Boil hotdogs or barbecue them
3) When potatoes are done, mash them really well with a good sprinkle of salt and pepper (eyeball it), the cheese and about half of the sauteed onions
4) Put hotdogs in buns, then cover dog with the mashed potatoes
5) Add more sauteed onions on each dog, and more grated cheese if desired
6) Sprinkle with bacon bits
7) Add a big dollop of sour cream and garnish with chives!

And that my friends, is the ultimate Perogy Hotdog!  Give it a try, you will not be disappointed!

First Post Ever!

Hi, welcome to Apolaustic Soul!

Apolaustic: Devoted to enjoyment

Soul: A person's moral or emotional nature or sense of identity

A lifestyle blog featuring recipes, daily eats, beauty and outfits.  I will blog about pretty much anything that is inspiring me or making me happy, although I will try to focus on food and fashion as they are my two main passions. 

Let me begin by introducing myself.  My name is Leah and I am 25.  I am a wife, mother, sister, friend and student among many other things!

This is a picture of my hubby Salvatore (Sal) and I on our wedding day.

This is a picture of my adorable, hilarious and sweet son Giovanni (Gio).  He is 5 years old and ALL boy.  He is obsessed with hockey, superheros and anything that goes fast.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you will stay awhile!