Are you planning your summer vacation?

As I look outside and see it snowing for the 4th day in a row I start dreaming about summer!! I see a lot of people are starting to plan their summer vacations now. We are too! I started thinking about our amazing vacation to PEI last year and all the amazing sites we seen. We really just vegged out and enjoyed our time away. We went for 5 days and it was the best.

We went with some friends and their kids but jst my hubby and I went with them. To be honest we really missed the boys but we really needed time away just to relax and mentally get ready for a busy school year. We went from one end of the Island to the other and stopped at every Cows store along the way!

Our first stop was the Moncton Airport to see my mom she had flown in from Alberta and so I had to stop in and see her it was a few months since I had. Then we were on the road! We arrived in PEI and our first stop on the Island was of course at Gateway Village.. and my first of many Cows Ice Cream. I only get to have this stuff once a year and so I make sure I get as much as I possibly can!

We arrived at our cottage we had rented for the week. I am not quite sure who owns it but the house was located in New Haven. Here is the link. It was an amazing spot to stay! It had a huge Master bed room with a bathroom. The living room and kitchen were huge. They had a hot tub and a huge yard off the kitchen. Up stairs there were 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. Then there was a games room with a pull out couch if you wanted to stay in there too. Here is a video I took of the place we stayed. It was in the middle from the Bridge to Charlottetown. We really liked at the end of the road there was a gas station that had a grocery store in it. I am pretty sure we stopped there every time we went buy. And we bought most of our groceries there.

One place that we found by accident the year before was Pizza Delight in Charlottetown. It was in an old jail house. We really loved the atmosphere there. The staff were amazing and went out of their way to help us. This was our 3rd visit there in the last year.

On our first full day on the Island my hubby and I decided just to take off. There were so many places we wanted to see and check out. Our first stop was Victoria by the Sea. What a gorgeous spot. Its a little town and you walk through it and almost every house is a business. There were little restaurants, gift shops, you can go kayaking. So much to do. Check out the website here

After visiting this sweet little village I made the suggestion to go to Summerside it had been awhile since I had been there. As we were driving to Summerside my husband mentioned that he heard that there was a light house at the end of the Island. So we just decided to keep going. Along the way there were lots of little places to stop. I found most of the little villages and towns were Acadian. We did stop at this one little town I forget where and we went into the gas station and they had pop in glass bottles. I remember growing up and heading to PEI and they always had pop in glass bottles. Now you don't find that as much. Plus we are not huge pop drinkers but something felt like we should be drinking pop in bottles when in PEI. 

After driving for a while and almost ending up in the woods in PEI we finally arrived to North Cape Lighthouse. Its the furthest point west you can get in PEI. If you got in a boat and went west you would end up in NB. It was such a gorgeous site to see. There is also a windmill farm there. If you go into the interpretive centre there you can learn all about the windmills and go into pieces of one. It was sooo cool! It is quite the drive from Summerside but worth it and there are lots of little places to stop and see. 

So since we had accomplished all that by lunch time. We thought hey why not go to the other part of the Island. So we headed to the other side of the Island. There was something cool we found along the way. It was called the Singing the sand. We headed to Basin Head PEI. They have a provincial park there with a beach. And unlike the rest of the Sand in PEI this sand was white. And when you walked on it.. it sang or squeaked! It was the coolest thing ever! Click on this link and it will take you to the Basin Head website

That was just day one! There is just so much to see in PEI. We had 5 jammed packed days! 

On day 2 we headed to the fabulous Charlottetown. It was crazy busy. But you see this year Canada celebrated their 150th Birthday and thats where Canada started. So everyone wanted to go there. We did some sight seeing. We went to Cows of course, the Freak Lunchbox and Cool as a Moose. I loved the Freak Lunchbox because they had every candy that you could think of!! Even candy from when we were kids. 

Then we finished the day off with another favorite spot... Boom Burger!Its my favorite burger spot in PEI. I love that they use local beef, cheese and butter are from Cows and the fries are fresh cut PEI Potatoes. Its in Charolottetown at the Cows Creamery. I love that you can choose what you want on your burger! It tastes so good.. my mouth is already watering!! 

We always love taking a day and heading to Kensington. We go in the summer but we love going to the Haunted House at Halloween. We have gone the last 2 Halloweens. The first time I went I was a little scared I am not going to lie. But they do an amazing job setting things up. My favorite part is in the backyard in the garden. I also love that they have a small farm, amusement rides, and a train that goes around the property. The difference between going in the summer and the fall is that they have real people acting. One year we got chased by a clown. When you enter the house there is a the "Inn Keeper" that meets you and sets the stage for how your visit will go. Each room and each floor has a different theme. Go in the summer or the fall either way you will have a great time!

another cool place that I have driven by many times when I was little and even when I was an adult. But I never stopped in This the Car Life Museum in Bonshaw. . This year we did. I am so glad we did. It was so cool to see one of the first cars ever made and how cars and transportation has changed over the years. We had a great time learning about so many old cars and seeing cars from different times. There is even Elvis' Pink Cadillac there. It was a really cool spot and if you are a car lover that is the place for you to go! 

Of course we took one day and went to Cavendish. You can't go to PEI without heading to Cavendish!! Our favorite spot of course is the Boardwalk. We took sometime there and checked out a few shops. Of course I had to go Cows Ice Cream ( I told you I stopped at every one!) and I even had a Beaver tale. Those are so good! While in Cavendish we headed to Avonlea Village I remember going there a few years ago and it was right out the Anne of Green Gables books but now its a bunch of little shops.  There was a donuts shop, a baked potatoes place (you go in and order a baked potatoe with a bunch of different toppings) and a place called MOO MOO Cheese (you choose different grilled cheese sandwiches made from cows cheese and butter)  We ate at Moo Moo Cheese. I had a turkey dinner grilled cheese and my hubby had pulled pork and mac and cheese. I can't wait to go back to this place! There were a few other little shops too that we checked out. 

Also last summer the guys wanted to go to some sort of races event. So they googles this event and well we ended up in this pit. There was races cars of every shape an form everywhere. Suddenly I felt like I was at Mudfest only it was dry!! This happens every labour day weekend. We are already planning to go this year. Check out this link  You have to watch the link to check it out. 

There are so many wonderful places to check out in PEI. These are just a few different places that we found along the way. If you are going to PEI def check out the PEI Tourism packages. They have some awesome packages available for families. We are excited to be heading back in Summer of 2018 with the Kids. We have so much we want to show them!

Hellmans Mayo Chicken

First I have to admit I am NOT a Hellmans Mayo Fan. I am a Kraft Miracle Whip kinda girl. But I may have just switched over just for chicken.

I know you have all seen the Hellman's Mayo commercial with the 4 step chicken. I have been thinking about trying for awhile. I just have been on the fence... because I am a Miracle Whip girl! Today is going to be a busy day for me I have some editing to get caught up on, a house to clean and packing to do for my upcoming trip to Halifax. So I wanted something quick and easy to cook today. This is exactly what I was looking for. So super easy and surprising enough delish! I served it with some potatoes and veggies and it was the perfect meal I was looking for.

Hellman's Mayo Chicken


You will need:
4 chicken breasts
1 cup of Hellman's Mayo
1/2 cup of Italian bread crumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Directions
Preheat oven at 350
In a bowl mix Parmesan cheese and mayo.
On a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil spray with some cooking spray
Place chicken on cookie sheet and spread Parmesan cheese and mayo mix over the top
Then sprinkle with bread crumbs
Bake in oven for about 20-30 mins until golden brown


That's it.. that easy!
** This is not a sponsored post. These are my own thoughts and ideas**

Sweet and Sour Meatballs and Rice

urgg... I am very  impatiently waiting for winter to be over. Its been snowing since Thursday morning.. it is now Saturday night. The only good thing.. Time goes ahead tonight. That is always a clear sign that spring is on its way. I have been dreaming of summer days and summer nights since December lol.

Today was such a lazy day in our house. We just lazed around. I didn't even shower until like 7pm. And would you believe that we ate kraft dinner and hot dogs for lunch lol Thats what kind of day it was. But for supper I knew that I needed to bring out the big guns. I decided to make sweet and sour meatballs and my Aunt Donna's rice.

I really dont think my Aunt Donna came up with this rice but growing up she always made it. Then when I looked in my Grammy Hambrooks recipe books thats what it said "Donna's Rice" so I kept the tradition. As for the meatballs I was watching Rachael Ray one day and she was making burgers and she said to grate the onion and garlic into the burgers. My hubby loved that so I started doing that. Trust me it makes a difference.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

For the meatballs:
1 package of ground beef
1 onion grated
2 cloves of garlic grated
1/2 cup of bread crumbs
1 egg mixed up

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Put everything in bowl and mixed it all together. Then roll into little balls and place on a cookie sheet. I sprinkle salt and pepper and drizzle olive oil over top. Then place in the oven for about 20-30 mins. While they are cooking get sauce ready.

Sweet and Sour Sauce
** I call this whatever you can find that might taste good in it sauce**
1 cup of ketchup
1 tbsp mustard
mix these 2 together first
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp pancake syrup
2 tbsp bbq sauce
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup of brown sugar

you can also add maple syrup, left over sweet and sour sauce or honey garlic, apple juice, pineapples and pineapple juice. Whatever you got in the fridge lol

Then I add 1/4 cup of cornstarch with a little water and the put that in the sauce to thicken it.
Then I put everything in the slowcooker and cook on high for about 1-2 hours until sauce is cooked.




Aunt Donna's Rice

You will need:
1 pkg Onion Soup Mix
2 cups long grain rice (not minute rice)
3 cups water
1/3 cup soya sauce
1/3 cup vegtable oil

Veggies of your choice: onions, green pepprs, mushrooms, celery
Meat of your choice: (which youdont have to add) chicken, ground beef, porkchops

Mix all together in a dish 

Bake at 350 for 1hr to 1 hr 30 mins

My first attempt at Lasagna

This morning I went to the grocery store before work and picked up a few groceries. I noticed big packs of ground beef was on sale. I grabbed a few packs. Then I was thinking now what can I do with this. Normally I would make shephards pie or meatballs. But it popped in my mind to make lasagna. So I thought well I have most of the ingrediants at home. I can do this. I never did this before.
After I got home I went on Pinterest and started reading different recipes. I have made other things before like lasagna roll ups and things like that. So I figured I can do this!

You will need:
1 large package of ground beef
1 onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
1 can of mushrooms
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 tbsp of Italian seasoning
1 tub of cottage cheese
2 bags of mozzarella cheese shredded
2 boxes of oven ready lasagna noodles
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
2 bottles of spaghetti sauce
2 tbsp of bbq sauce
1/4 cup of brown sugar


Directions
Preheat oven at 350 degrees
Cook ground beef and drain and set aside
In a large sauce pan drizzle olive oil and turn on medium heat. once hot place onions cook until soft then add peppers, mushrooms and garlic. Cook until everything is soft about 5 mins.
Then add spaghetti sauce, bbq sauce, brown sugar and Italian spices, and ground beef. Mix all together and let simmer for a few mins.
In a separate bowl mix cottage cheese and 2 cups of mozzarella cheese.
Get a large dish and put a small amount of sauce on the bottom. Then start to layer noodles. Then add cheese mix (after adding cheese mix I sprinkle a little more cheese, we love cheese) then another layer of noodles. continue until your last layer of meat sauce. Cover with one layer of noodles and a little sauce and top with lots of cheese. Bake for 45 mins covered. Then take off cover and bake another 15 mins. Let stand for 20-30 mins. Serve with garlic bread and Caesar salad if you like

Cheddar Bacon Biscuits

When you have homemade soup you need to have biscuits. These biscuits are favorites in our house!

You will need:

1-3/4 cups (425 mL) all-purpose flour
4 tsp (20 mL) baking powder
1 tbsp (15 mL) each granulated sugar and dried parsley
1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt and garlic powder
1/4 cup (50 mL) butter, cubed
1 cup (250 mL) each shredded cheddar cheese 

1 cup milk 

Directions

In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, parsley, salt and garlic powder. Using pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Add Cheddar cheese and milk, mixing with fork until ragged moist dough forms. Drop by 1/4 (50 mL) cupfuls, 1-1/2 inches (4 cm) apart, onto greased baking sheet.

Bake in centre of 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) oven until lightly browned, 13 to 15 minutes.

Servings: 12

I like to cook mine in a cast iron pan.

Cream of Potatoe and Bacon Soup

Who's ready for spring? I was ready last December 21st lol I wish we could have just skipped winter all together and go right to spring. Today is a stormy day and I am home from work and so is the hubby. I decided to make some comfort food for supper. Cream of Potatoe and Bacon soup! One of my favorites!!
The first time I ever had this soup was when I was working at Subway at the hospital. At first I thought it looked gross... Then I had a little bowl to try it.. it was amazing! 

Enjoy!
Paige 

Crock Pot Loaded Potato Soup

You will need:

4 lbs of potatoes peeled and cubed

½ cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic chopped

2 stalks celery finely chopped

1 carrot chopped

2  14oz can chicken broth

2 teaspooon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

2 cups of milk

1 can of cream of chicken soup

½ pound bacon cut up and cooked

Directions:

Layer cubed potatoes in slow cookers

Top with onion, garlic, celery, and carrot

Add chicken broth, salt and pepper

Cover and cook for about 4-6 hours or until potatoes are tender

Then mash the potatoes with a masher (leave some chunks)

Stir in milk and cream of chicken soup and bacon

Cover and cook on high for 20 more mins or until everything is warm

Garnish with cheese, bacon or onions if you would like 

Girls Night... IN!

Tonight I am having a  few girl friends in tonight for a girls night. I am excited to have some friends over to girl talk and play some games and of course eat!! Us girls love to eat!!

Today I am making Cold Pizza (aka Veggie pizza), Buffalo Chicken Dip, and Cheesy Bacon Potatoe Bites


Cold Pizza (Veggie Pizza)

You will need:
Pre cooked pizza dough ( I use a multigrain one Or you can use pills bury pizza dough)
Philidephia whipped cream cheese chives
cut up mixed veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, etc)

Directions
spread the cream cheese on the pizza dough then put mixed veggies on top.
then cut in pieces and serve


Buffalo Chicken Dip

You will need:
 2 chicken breasts cooked and chopped up
1 package of cream cheese
1 small container of sour cream
1/2 cup franks red hot sauce
1 package of ranch dressing
1 cup of cheese

** I dont like hot sauce so I left it out for one of the dips**

Directions
mix cream cheese, sour cream, red hot sauce, ranch sauce, and chicken together. then add 1/4 cup of cheese. Then put in a 9x9 dish. and put the rest of the cheese on top the dip. Then place in oven for 350 for about 30 mins.

Cheesy Bacon Potatoe Bites

• 2 lbs. potatoes, I used 3 large potatoes
• 6 slices of bacon, cooked, drained & chopped (reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease).
• 2 cups medium cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 green onions, chopped
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush cookie sheet very lightly with reserved bacon grease. OR you could spray it with cooking spray to save a few calories.
2. Wash & slice potatoes, somewhere between 1/4 and 1/8 inch thick. I like them best on the thick side.
3. Place potato slices in a large pot, cover with water & cook until water boils. Boil for about 5 minutes or less, depending on the thickness of your potatoes. You DON'T want them cooked through, and you definitely still want them firm or they will fall apart.
4. Carefully drain potatoes and arrange on prepared cookie sheet, shingle style, slightly overlapping. Lightly brush potatoes with reserved bacon grease. Or if you are anti-bacon grease, brush with vegetable oil or olive oil.
5. Sprinkle with shredded cheese, salt and pepper to taste and chopped bacon.
6. Bake for 15 minutes until potatoes are cooked through. I placed it under the broiler for 2 minutes after baking for a little extra crunch.
7. Top with chopped green onions.