Sushi Ai

Last week I had to leave the cabin early to come into the city for some interviews. 

This week I accepted a job offer!! Yay! 

W and I went to Sushi Ai to celebrate. We've tried to eat here before but it was always busy. So, lucky for us, we got a table this time!

It is a cute little place in the St. Vital area. If you live in the area, it would be a great stop on your way home!

We ordered some delicious Shrimp and Yam Tempura.

If you're celebrating or have a big appetite, I would suggest ordering the Maki Combo.

With the Maki Combo you order 7 different rolls for $28!

The Teriyaki Chicken Roll, Spicy Salmon and the Dynamite Roll.

Here is the Alaska Roll, Philadelphia Roll, California Roll and Bakudan Tuna Roll!

I would definitely recommend this place, it is delicious and not to expensive!

Steak and Mango Salad

 I love steak. I love mango. And I love this new salad recipe I found!

I have been trying new things in my salad and making them interesting. So, this salad recipe intrigued me.

You start with romaine lettuce or spinach, long slices of cucumber and mango.

Add the steak, cooked to your preference.

Then you make the dressing:

3 tbsp. lime/lemon juice

2 tsp. fish sauce

2 tsp. sugar

2 tsp. hot chili garlic sauce

Pour the dressing over your salad and enjoy!

This salad is quite filling and would be great for lunch OR dinner!

Asia City

When you first get back into town after a vacation, your fridge is bare and there is nothing to eat. So I went to one of my favorite places, Asia City, to get some delicious Vietnamese food. I hadn't been here in a while so after coming back from Clear Lake it was a perfect time to pop in!

I got a few of my favorite dishes!

This is a real fruit Mango Bubble Tea!

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Seven-Colored Rice

For a sweet treat at the end, a Yellow Bean Sesame Ball!

I wish I had taken a picture of the tasty inside but I gobbled it down too quickly!

There is a couple of locations in the city. One on Pembina and one on Sargent.

You should definitely try it out!

Clear Lake: Day 4

Unfortunately, this ended up being my last day, unexpectedly. I had to go into the city for a few meetings. Needless to say, I tried to savor and enjoy my last day at this scenic and relaxing place!

It started by visiting the famous cinnamon bun place for breakfast! If you go to Clear Lake, you HAVE to visit The Whitehouse. It would be a crime not to go there and try these delicious cinnamon treats!

Cream cheese and regular.

Maple!

Pecan tarts.

I ended up trying a little of each...

After stuffing our faces at breakfast, we sat at a dock all afternoon dipping in the water when we got hot.

On our walk back to the cabin, we stopped at the ice cream parlor. It was a chocolate and peanut butter ice cream. 

Tisk, tisk. I know...

We ended the night with a couple of games of cards!

And I headed into the city the next morning.

Clear Lake: Day 3

Yesterday was a day spent in the lake, sunbathing and making pizzas. 

I think I could get used to this!

 We didn't have pizza pans or baking pans, so we reverted to plates.

 Me snuggling into my cozy towel after a cold dip.

Clear Lake: Day 2

I love the vacations where you can do things on your own time! Eat, sleep, swim, read, whenever you want! If you feel like having a nap, GO FOR IT!
This type of vacation is pure relaxing.

We all started our day rolling out of bed whenever we felt like it. While I was writing to you yesterday, my brother had the urge to make mouth-watering apple pancakes!

He started with some regular pancake batter and added cinnamon, sugary apple slices.

Added a little goodness (butter) on top.

Once it was almost cooked, he popped it in the oven for a minute just to be sure.

They were delicious and didn't even need anything on top!

As we were stuffing our faces, the sun warmed up and we all headed outside.

Came back for a little lunch.

Later that evening, my brother, Mom and I went for a chilly dip!

We ended the night with a game of Rummy and a glass of wine.

Family Holiday: Clear Lake

And I am onto another vacation! 

It has been a fabulous summer and it's not over yet! My family rented a cabin in Riding Mountain National Park, Clear Lake. It is a gem in Southwestern Manitoba. The beautiful lake, quaint community and thick forests make this park a relaxing getaway!

We arrived here last night. After we whipped together a quick meal, we went for a walk around the town. 

This morning we lazed around drinking tea and coffee by the fireplace!

I used an interesting app on the iPhone to quickly edit this picture above. 

(If you are wanting to try it, it's called Pixlormatic.)

There'll be more to come from Clear Lake!

Vegas: Last Day :(

On our last day, we hit up one more buffet for breakfast, wondered around Caesars Palace shops and sipped on another tasty frozen margarita. Just before our flight home, we squeezed in one last Vegas show, Absinthe. Absinthe is a comedic burlesque show with amazing acrobatics! 

And then we were headed home...

Vegas: Day 3

We started another day at the pool finding a release from the unrelenting heat!

 

As the day went on we took a stroll and found these lifesavers! $5 frozen margaritas at Rockin Tacos! They were a perfect way to keep us cool as we walked down the Strip. 

The Cosmopolitan Hotel has these gorgeous chandeliers that I just had to take pictures of!

Instead of heading to yet another buffet for dinner, we went to this Thai food restaurant in our hotel, Lemongrass. It was a modern restaurant, the service was great and very quick, and the food was delicious!!

We had the Black Pepper Udon Dish...

...and another dish, but the name has slipped my mind.

They were both so delicious that we kept swapping plates!

After dinner, I had to get my dessert fix and I had been eyeing up this pastry place in our hotel called Jean Philippe Patisserie. So I got myself a cute little box from Jean Philippe!

And in the box...

 A beautifully designed Red Velvet Cupcake!

And boy, was it amazing!

The amazing dessert was followed by a fantastic show at Monte Carlo Hotel. JABBAWOCKEEZ!!!

It was such an inspiring show!