Love Is In The Air At The Cobourg Winter Festival!

Valentine's weekend began with a beautiful bouquet of flowers! Although my husband knows roses are traditional, he had them add lilies in because they're my favourite.

Then we spent the chilly weekend at the Cobourg Winter Festival where they had professional ice carvers sculpting gorgeous works of art, ice skating and wagon rides! Typically we don't make a big deal out of Valentine's Day but these events were all free and a great way to bring us out of hibernation!

The wagon ride took us around the small and beautiful town of Cobourg. 

Where we couldn't resist stopping at a small sushi restaurant and ordering their delicious vegetarian platter! 

And before the day was over we strapped on our skates and did a few laps around the rink!

Although it was incredibly cold, Hubby and I had a ton of fun! It was a perfect and unique way to spend some time together!

This post is going up a few weeks late because unfortunately right after a great Valentine's Day weekend I came down with the flu!

Week 5

Day 29: This is what happens when you decide to walk the dogs during the peak of a snowstorm.

Day 30: 'Snow...is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment, where is it to be found?' - J.B. Priestly

Day 31: Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty.

Day 32: Celebrating my brother-in-laws birthday on Superbowl Sunday. Do you like the shirt Hubby picked out for him?

Day 33: Snow day with my loves!

Day 34: Bunny bum!

Day 35: The best way to embrace winter is to snowsuit-up and play in it with those you love!

Birthdays, Chili & Snow Days!

 This past week we celebrated my brother-in-law's 23rd birthday while enjoying vegan chili and watching the Superbowl! It was great to get together with the family, drink too much and enjoy some good food! 

We love to eat our chili with tortilla chips and Daiya cheese sprinkled on top! And of course the best part is always the leftovers! 

The rest of the week brought with it a ton of snow! Hubby had to take a snow day on both Monday and Wednesday because the roads were too bad to go anywhere! We have so much snow now that it's become a challenge finding a place to put it all, as the snowbanks have gotten so high! 

But, we try to make the best of it. Winter will come around every year whether we like it or not so it's best to just suck it up and have some fun! 

Hubby and I snow-suited up and had a blast hiking and playing with the dogs this week! With their thick, water repellent coats, they are built for this weather!  They love to run and roll in it and will try to catch the snow in their mouths as it falls! 

They had a great time digging tunnels, trying to find their ball, and attempting to catch the snowballs Hubby and I threw for them! And who says we're too old to play in the snow too?!

And of course, a fresh snowfall brings so much beauty with it!

By the time we made it home through the knee high snow we were all exhausted and ready to cozy up in front of the fire with a good movie.

Week 4

Day 22: Slow cooking one of my favourite winter meals - vegan butter chicken!

Day 23: It smells so yummy in my house!

Day 24: Saturday shopping for the Home with Hubby!

Day 25: Lingering leaves still hanging on.

Day 26: Big icicles down at the lake.

Day 27: Winter is cold and harsh but also so beautiful!

Day 28: So proud of my husband today who made the decision a year ago to tackle something that made him self-conscious - his teeth. Although I love him no matter what getting braces was a big step for him and today the process is complete!

Week 3

Day 15: Icicle.

Day 16: Target is closing in Canada! Stocking up on my favourite cruelty free products while I can!

Day 17: Best night at the Besties!

Day 18: Sunday morning pancakes.

Day 19: Finally the sun is shining! Frickin' cold though!

Day 20: Took Mama D to the aquarium today!

Day 21: Murray and me selfie!

Icy Mornings.

Hubby's Delicious 5 Layer Dip!

This dip takes some prep-work but is worth it! Vegan and gluten-free, it is a favourite around here! 

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp. of vegetable oil
• 1 can of refried beans
• 1 yellow onion
• 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
• 1 Cubanelle pepper, seeded and minced finely
• 1 package of taco seasoning
• 3 avocados, mashed
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped finely
• 1/2 cup good quality salsa
• Pinch garlic powder, salt and pepper
• 1 bunch green onions, minced
• 2 large tomatoes, diced
• ½ cup Daiya shredded cheese
• 9x13 baking dish

Instructions:

Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and cubanelle pepper, sautéing until softened. Add the can of refried beans and fry together for 3-5 minutes. During this time, mix in the taco seasoning. Add water if needed to create a smooth and creamy consistency. Pour mixture in the bottom of the baking dish. Next, in a large bowl, pit the avocados and mash. Combine the avocados with the lime juice, cilantro, salsa, garlic powder, pepper and salt mixing thoroughly. Pour the guacamole mixture on top of the refried beans, spreading evenly. Then add a layer of tomatoes followed by green onions and end with sprinkling the Daiya cheese on top. Serve with your favourite brand of tortilla chips!

Week 2

Day 8: Snowstorm Shenanigans.

Day 9: Attempting to organize my very disorganized life.

Day 10: Cloudy skies at the lake.

Day 11: Hi Mommy, did you bring me something yummy?

Day 12: More snow today.

Day 13: Chilly mornings!

Day 14: Busy, busy, busy making goodies for the shop! There are going to be some very happy furbabies out there!

A Little Frosting

Jess' Coconut Haystacks!

I needed a last minute vegan and gluten free dessert that was quick and easy so I texted my friend Jess for help! She sent me this great recipe that has become a favourite at our house!

Ingredients:
2 cups of sugar
1/3 cup of cocoa
1/4 cup of coconut oil (you can also substitute in your favourite vegan margarine)
1/2 cup of almond milk
1/2 cup of peanut butter
2 tsp. of vanilla
3 cups of rolled oats
1 cup of sweetened coconut

Directions:
Combine sugar and cocoa. Add coconut oil and milk. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Stir in rolled oats. Drop by teaspoonful on to cookie sheet and refrigerate. Do this part quickly as the mix dries up and will get crumbly if you take too long! They are usually ready to enjoy within 2 hours.

Week 1

Day 1: Some sweet dance moves to celebrate the New Year.

Day 2: Down at the lake.

Day 3: Snowstorm.

Day 4: Being lazy on a rainy day.

Day 5: In winter you treasure those rare moments you can feel the sun's warmth.

Day 6: Of winter's lifeless world each tree now seems a perfect part; Yet each one hold's summer's secret deep down within its heart. - C. Stater

Day 7: Backyard Twilight.

Happy New Year!

The holidays always go by in a blur for us! Between Christmas shopping, wrapping, multiple Christmases and travelling, we are kept extremely busy up until the New Year!

We always have a great time with family! It is so nice to spend some time with those we love, especially as most of them live quite a distance from us! 

Every year we are incredibly fortunate to receive some wonderful gifts from those we love! And some fun ones too!

Then New Years Eve arrived! We had survived the busy holiday season and finally had a chance to relax together and have some fun! We went downtown to the outdoor skating rink where they were playing music. Although we were a little rusty we had a blast!

Next we took a wagon ride around town.

It was so pretty seeing everything lit up!

I of course had to thank the horses for their hard work!

Next we headed to the park where they had put on a festival of lights! Every tree was decorated! It was absolutely beautiful! 

And finally we returned home to have some fun with our friends...

And to ring in the new year!

Wishing You All A Very Happy 2015!

Catch Up With Krystle!

Just having a bit of a chit chat with all of you and catching you up on why I've been so busy recently!