The Voices of a Generation 

“You can take Elvis. 

You can take Marilyn Monroe. 

Success and fame will not be the answer 

if something inside of you 

is bothering you, 

if things in your mind 

aren’t going right.”

~ Linda Evans

Fairmont Banff Springs is Real-Life Castle

Fairmont Banff Springs is Real-Life Castle! In childhood fairytales and adolescent dreams there’s always a knight in shining armor who lives in a castle in the mountains. Ladies, I’m here to tell you such a place exists. I know because I have been there. In fact, the Fairmont Banff Springs is known as the “Castle in the Rockies” located at the edge of the quaint alpine village of Banff, Alberta, Canada. With its attention to detail, sophisticated respectability, luxurious furnishings, and majestic views, is it any wonder it continues to attract celebrities and royalty from all over the world? Feel free to wander aimlessly throughout its tapestried halls and winding staircases. At the end of the day, you may find yourself in the romantic alcove of Rundle Lounge sipping hand-crafted cocktails overlooking a manicured garden or spacious terrace. Just remember to bring your own Prince Charming. 

Soar to the Summit of Sulphur Mountain in Banff, Canada 

Soar to the Summit of Sulphur Mountain in Banff, Canada! Are you afraid of heights? Well, I am, which is why I continue to challenge those fears by meeting them head on. Perhaps, I have a spirit that soars…..as long as I keep my mind on the destination. Climbing into an enclosed gondola surrounded by glass and being suspended over the Bow Valley with a 360° view can be mind boggling. Did I mention the gondola has a glass bottom as well? There’s no escaping the multitude of emotion at the sight of jaw-dropping unbridled beauty. From the Banff Gondola observation deck at 7,486 feet above sea level, this is what it feels like to be on top of the world. In the distance, the picturesque town of Banff, with its château-style hotels and quaint shops, carries on as though this is how everyone else on the planet already lives. 

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Chocolate Chip Candied Cheese Ball

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Chocolate Chip Candied Cheese Ball! The most amazing surprise appears at first bite. Dark chocolate blended with sweetened cream cheese presents itself as a first class cheeseball that leaves everyone smacking their lips in satisfaction. The fun of swiping a cinnamon graham cracker cookie transforms this dessert in a mouth-watering finger food. Make this holiday surprise the happiest one yet. 
CHOCOLATE CHIP CANDIED CHEESE BALL
Ingredients:

1 8-ounce block of cream cheese, softened 

1/2 cup butter, softened 

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1 cup sugared pecans, crushed

Graham cracker sticks
Instructions:

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add the brown sugar and vanilla. Beat until creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar. Mix until smooth and completely incorporated. Fold in mini chocolate chips. Chill two hours. On a sheet of waxed paper, sprinkle crushed sugared pecans. Form chilled mixture into a ball. Roll in pecan coating. Chill overnight. Serve with honey graham cracker sticks or cinnamon graham cracker sticks. 

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Rocky Road Candy!

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Rocky Road Candy! What do you get when you combine semisweet chocolate, honey-roasted peanuts, and puffy miniature marshmallows? You get a Willy Wonka version of Rocky Road Candy that is party-worthy. Whip up a batch for your next holiday gathering and get ready to tempt every sweet treat fan. 
ROCKY ROAD CANDY 
Ingredients:

12-ounce package of semi-sweet chocolate morsels

14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons butter

2 cups honey-roasted peanuts 

10 1/2-ounce package miniature marshmallows
Instructions:

In a heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chocolate morsels with sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Remove from heat. In a large bowl combine honey-roasted peanuts and miniature marshmallows. Stir in chocolate mixture. Spread in a wax paper-lined 9″x13″ pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Remove from pan. Peel off wax paper; cut into squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature. 

Dining Outside the Home: Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon in Banff, Canada 

Dining Outside the Home: Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon in Banff, Canada! Climb the stairs to the second level for a wide-open Wild West experience complete with smokehouse menu, grizzly bear wi-fi, and mechanical bull. The windows are flung open wide to the alpine view beyond. If you’re lucky, you may snag a couple bar stools on the private balcony perched for people-watching on Main Street below. The chuck wagon sandwiches include fresh elk burgers and lean bison burgers. When you want to gather with friends, dance the night away, sing like you’re a country music star, Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon offers night life that never sleeps. 

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Gluten-Free Corn Muffins!

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Gluten-Free Corn Muffins! For those who really cannot tolerate wheat, here’s a nice alternative to the bread basket. Not vulnerable to the dietary restriction? No worries. The taste may convince you to try more gluten free options. It’s that good. Slather the corn muffins with sea salt and French butter for an extravagant indulgence. 
GLUTEN-FREE CORN MUFFINS 
Ingredients:

2 cups yellow cornmeal, coarsely ground

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking soda 

2 teaspoons baking powder 

1 egg at room temperature, beaten 

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt, room temperature 

4 tablespoons natural honey
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°. Grease muffin tins or a 12″ iron skillet*. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, kosher salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Whisk to mix well. In another bowl, combine beaten egg, melted butter, Greek yogurt, and natural honey. Whisk to incorporate. Create a well in the dry ingredients. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir just until combined. Spoon mixture into muffin tins, filling only 2/3 full. Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown on top and around the edges. (*Bake 20-30 minutes if using an iron skillet.) Insert a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean. Remove from muffin tins and serve warm. 

Blue Waters Outline Wolf Head

Blue Waters Outline Wolf Head! A bird’s eye view from Bow Summit affords the most incredible vantage point of a shockingly turquoise lake in the form of a wolf’s head. This is Peyto Lake in Alberta, Canada. From the parking area, a short walk along a paved trail builds suspense for what lies ahead. The platformed lookout, suspended over the edge of the mountain, sits high above the dense valley below. Everyone can appreciate the snow-capped glacier peaks and incredible color of the icy blue water. Imagine the awe of historical trapper Bill Peyto when he made this discovery in the late 1800s.