Hello, dear ones! Heavens, what a week! I’ve burned cake and spilled water and made my rent check out to the wrong people and nearly run out of gas and torn my skirt and if I do one more silly thing I’ll, well, hmm, probably just laugh, or cry, or, if I’m really feeling loopy, both.

I’ve also been dreaming. Dreaming of hot summer days, foreign climes, visits with new and old friends. This weekend I’m realizing two of those dreams with a quick jaunt up to Canada to visit rellies. Since Canada is my homeland I don’t know if it really counts as foreign, but I’m counting it!

Bright and early Saturday morning I’m picking Mums up and heading for the Canadian border where, after they let us in, we will stock up on our favoritest Canadian junk food: Orange Crush, Popcorn Twists and Hawkins Cheezies. If we’re feeling particularly wild, we may even eat Poutine for breakfast.

Then we’ll be off, chatting amiably, listening to books on cd, or singing along to favorite tunes as we drive along this crystal clear river…

…through this mountain pass…

…and this one…

…until we reach this gorgeous spot where we will unload our bags and hug oh-so-tightly my aunt, uncle and Grandpa.

For two whole days we will visit like mad, take long walks in the country, eat my aunt’s amazingly delicious food, and laugh until we’re weeping. I can’t wait.

In the spirit of all things Canadian, I’m bringing a container of Whole Grain Maple Shortbread Cookies. I would be bringing TWO containers, but they’re so darn delicious that I’ve been eating those buttery, maple-y morsels morning, noon and night and, well, there’s only one container left.

I hope you have a beautiful weekend, dear friends! I will see you Monday. 🙂

Krista’s Whole Grain Maple Shortbread

Ingredients:

2 cups whole grain pastry flour
3/4 butter, softened
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp maple extract
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Add maple syrup to melted butter and stir.
  3. Combine all ingredients and press into a square 1/2 inch thick.
  4. Cut into squares and bake for 20 minutes.