The Cave & Basin

 

On our holidays we stopped to visit the

Cave & Basin National Historic Site

This is the place where Banff National Park began.

 

 

We started off viewing the cave with it's warm waters.

 

 

Then we went outside to see the lower basin.

 

What surprised me the most was the size.

I expected something large but it really is quite small.

 

 

This had been where the pool had been built.

It is now all closed in as they are trying to retain it's natural heritage.

 

 

As we headed along the trail to the Upper Basin

we could see the steam rising from it.

 

 

The colors and reflections in the ponds along the trail were amazing.

 

 

The Upper Basin was so clear and the colors were breathtaking,

oranges, yellows, pinks, purples, blues and greens.

 

 

I was once again surprised by how small it actually was.

The pictures pretty much show the complete Upper Basin.

 

 

As we walked along the trails below the basins we found the warm water waterfall.

 

 

All the warmth created from the hot springs creates a unique microclimate.

 

 

At one time they decided to experiment and see if tropical fish would survive in the warm waters.

Quite a few of them did and you can see one of them in this picture.

 

 

If you ever make it to Banff National Park I would highly recommend

stopping to visit the Cave & Basin.

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



Living Room Make Over

 

Way back in April I gave you a Sneak Peak into what we were doing in our living room.

Today I am finally showing you the finished product.

 

 

 

So, after a whole lot of patching, sanding, painting, putting up crown moulding

and general getting down and dirty...

 

 

we were beginning see light at the end of the make over tunnel.

 

 

The walls, which were a light rose color are now a soft cream color,

and the window trim which was a dark rose color is now white.

 

 

This was not the original area rug I had picked up

but it fits in perfectly with the bolder colors

of the furniture and pulls it all together

with the textures and pattern.

 

 

I found this perfect lamp to go behind my chair

where I x-stitch, giving me perfect light in the evenings.

I just love the leaf work accents,

which complement the new look of the room.

 

 

This room would not have come together without the amazing sewing skills of my mom.

She made all the slipcovers for the chairs and couch

giving the room a completely different feel.

They don't even look like the same chairs!

 

I love how the couch went from a tan to a bright red,

and even better is the fact I can remove and wash

the slipcover so easily.

 

 

Now, every time I walk into this room

I get a smile of delight on my face. 

 

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



 

Crockpot Chili

 

I guess it is officially fall

and the mornings are just a little fresher

and the evenings just a little cooler.

This is a great recipe to put in the slow cooker

if you are planning to be out for the day

working in the yard or running errands.

This is not a spicy chili at all

so if you are a person who loves spice

you will want definitely want to add some of your own heat to this recipe.

If you are like me and don't like a lot of heat,

then you may enjoy this recipe as much as I do!

 

 

Ingredients

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

1 green pepper, chopped

 

14-oz canned kidney beans, with liquid

10-oz sliced mushrooms, drained

10-oz condensed tomato soup

1 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp seasoning salt

1 tsp granulated sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

 

 

Scramble-fry ground beef in non-stick frying pan until browned.  Drain well.

Place onion and green pepper in bottom of 3-1/2 quart (3.5 L) slow cooker.

Combine remaining ingredients in bowl.  Stir well.  Add ground beef.

Stir.  Add to slow cooker.  Cover.  Cook on Low for 6-7 hours

or on High for 3-3-1/2 hours.  Stir before serving.

Makes 5-1/2 cups (1.3 L)

 

Recipe from:  Company's Coming Slow Cooker Recipes

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Sunday, September 22, 2013

Outside my window... Blue sky slowly being taken over by big gray fluffy clouds.

I am thinking... Of how difficult it has been to get back into the swing of things this week.

I am thankful for... That my daughter seems to be settling back into school life and is happy.

From the kitchen...
~Sunday: Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Buns, Broccoli, Corn, Tossed Salad, Strawberry Jelly Roll
~Monday: Spicy Beef & Vegetable Stir-Fry, Rice, Oven Baked Zucchini, Asian Salad, Chocolate Cupcakes
~Tuesday: Oregano Chicken w/Sweet Peppers, Rice, Garlic Green Beans, Tossed Salad, Marble Cake
~Wednesday: Spaghetti & Meatballs, Italian Bubble Loaf, Caesar Salad, Strawberry Jelly Roll
~Thursday: Mushroom Pork Chops, Perogies, Peas, Cauliflower, Tossed Salad, Chocolate Cupcakes
~Friday: Parmesean Fish, Rice, Carrots, Broccoli, Tossed Salad, Marble Cake
~Saturday: Leftover Smorg

~Marble Cake~

 

I am wearing... Dark brown dress pants, deep peach & cream ruffled tank top, cream cardigan, brown tri-colored heels.

I am creating... A x-stitch sampler

I am reading... Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

I am praying for... Family members

Pondering these words... Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be. ~Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of Christ, c.1420
 
I am still hoping... For more time in a day.

I am hearing... The dog snoring.

Around the house... It is slowly beginning to look like fall.

One of my favorite things... Warm fall days and cool fall evenings.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
~Monday: Horticultural Society Meeting
~Tuesday: Outside Work
~Wednesday: Housecleaning
~Thursday: Errands & Grocery Shopping
~Friday: My time to review my monthly/yearly goals
~Saturday: Hopefully the Farmer's Market and some time with hubby

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

~Fall Beauty~



~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am joining...
Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Simple Beginnings of Fall

 

 

I have to admit that I am usually so anxious to begin fall decorating.

However, this year I am lagging behind somewhat in my usual enthusiasm.

I am not sure if it is the above average temperatures,

or the fact that we just got back from holidays,

or the fact that the leaves are not turning yet.

 

 

But whether it feels like it or not,

fall is just around the corner,

especially for us Canadians

as Thanksgiving is only a month away!

 

 

So I figured I would slowly work myself into the fall mood

starting with a simple fall look

for our dining room table.

 

 

It makes me smile when I see the cheerful fall colors

and the candle gives a warmth to the evening meal

now that the evenings have begun to cool slightly.

Slowly I am beginning to get into the fall mood.

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



 

 

 

 

Johnston Canyon

For the first time in 22 years my hubby and I

were able to take a holiday

with it just being the two of us.

 

 

We had a wonderful time and explored some of our two national parks,

Banff National Park and Jasper National Park.

Our first stop was Johnston Canyon.

 

 

There were so many things to see along the hike.

I loved this nature made wood sculpture that was

nestled high into the rocks.

 

 

The sun chased the shadows

across the moss covered trees and rocks.

 

At the Upper Falls was what they called a "living wall".

It was orange and it gets its color from the algae

that makes it home on the rock.

 

 

It was a great day enjoying all the beautiful sights and sounds.

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!