Day 1- Vancouver and Area

We seemed to have a full day of rain today. Good thing I heard what Vancouver weather can be like- so if your visiting, check that forecast before you come here. You may need to bring umbrellas. Lots of gals out today with their stylish rain boots, and umbrellas.

Stopped in Stanley Park today. Beautiful place to stop while on your stay here. See the Lions Gate Bridge -(behind me in the background here), Rose Garden, the Totem Poles, and much more! Check out the Stanley Park Horse Drawn Carriages and even the Vancouver Aquarium!

Also visited the Vancouver Lookout today. It has a great 360 degree view of the city, with an elevator that goes along the outside of the building.

                          View from the Vancouver Lookout- cruise ship and Canada Place.

                               another view from up top- some of Vancouver city..
              we were even surprised to see trees planted on a few of the buildings!

Be sure to check out Vancouver Tourism  for your complete source of Vancouver hotels, attractions, and things to do - Tourism Vancouver is the official source of tourist information for Vancouver BC -Canada.

Arrived Last Night-Vancouver

Made it in to Vancouver late last night. Well, at least late our time back home. They are two hours behind us, so a bit hard to get used to the time difference. Back home I am usually up by 7:30, so guess what? Got up at 5:30 today. Gerry slept for a few more hours and I played around on the lap top, but my tummy is telling me it's way past breakfast, so Gerry is just showering and we'll be heading down to the continental breakfast here at the Days Inn near the Vancouver airport.

It was nice getting in to the airport last night and having only about a 5 minute drive over to the hotel, as it was raining and dark. Not a good combination when you don't know the area and looking for your hotel.
I think as well the weather is calling for rain all day today, so glad we brought a combination of clothes.
Will post later on about our day!

Sandman Hotels Great Giveaways ( Canada)

Be sure to check out Sandman Hotels Great Giveaways!

Count the number of sheep hidden on their website each month and you could win a free night at any Sandman Hotel Group location!

We’re so sure you’ll love their beds, they're giving them away! Book Sandman's ‘Get In Bed’ rate and you will automatically be entered to win 1 of 4 top-of-the-line Signature Serta pillow-top mattresses complete with linens and duvet courtesy of Eden Textile! 

And whether you’re just stopping over, or are in town for the week, Sandman Hotel Saskatoon makes all your travels a breeze.  A hotel we'll be resting our heads at on our way back from Vancouver.

Happy First Day of Summer!

Well, it's not too summery looking outside my window today- but today is June 21st- the First Day of Summer.
Will be getting my housework all done up, today and Saturday and getting ready for our trip to Vancouver Sunday.
I keep a day by day itinerary when we travel as well, so will need to get that together. In it I write all flight times, where we are staying  and things we will have to see and do, day by day. It's so much easier to travel like that than have a pile of papers and work blindly through it all. Does anyone else do this when they travel? 
Gerry was also happy that today was Friday-but not sure if he is taking the afternoon off work or not. With having the whole week off ahead of him, it will depend if he can get all his work done this morning or not.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Review: SO2 Laundry Detergent

Summer is the height of laundry season. Between summer time BBQ, soccer games and staying out in the hot sun, clothing seems to get a lot dirtier. To make matters worse, doing loads of laundry also uses up a lot of hydro which is also charged at a premium during the summer. This is why I was very excited to recently review SO2 laundry soap.

SO2 is a pre moistened, organic and biodegradable laundry sheet, that replaces, your detergent, fabric softener and stain fighter. It is so jam packed with cleaning products that it will save approximately $1.20 per load. Those can add up to huge saving for household who do a lot of laundry. It is also great to use a product that is good for the environment. All too often do I wonder what happens with all those chemicals that go down the drain with the wash water.

In the most practical sense the laundry came out with a nice clean smell and cleaned them very well. It was also very easy to use. It’s great to have all these laundry products rolled into one. It saves time and hassle and is good for the environment.

 Now if only it would fold the laundry as well!

S2O retails for $19.99 for a 100-sheet tub and is sold at CVS, Bed Bath &Beyond,Walgreens, Rite Aid, Boscov's and other retailers as well as online at https://www.s2olaundrysheets.com/

June 21st Marks First Day of Summer!

Although it may not seem like it in all parts of the country, summer is just around the corner. June 21st marks the summer solstice, and is officially the first day of summer. 

Summer time is one of the best times of the year. Many people are taking vacations and have time to enjoy the nice weather. This is the time to relax and put your feet up while absorbing the summer rays. Or you can grasp full force at everything that summer has to offer, from the great weather (hopefully) for summer activities and festivals.

 Many peoples summer may be very booked already, and since time does fly it is important to ensure that we enjoy every last bit of summer time. So this summer solstice think of your summer plans, and vow to make this summer to do what you always wanted to do. Make this a summer to remember. Share your summer with the following brands:


Bai Brands, LLC-

Packed with flavor and NOT sugar, Bai5, is  a low-sugar, 5-calorie beverage created in response to customer's interest in even more healthful options to sugary, high-calorie drinks.
And now they add the introduction of Molokai Coconut, the brand’s first coconut beverage and its first flavor to boast electrolytes. 
The new flavor  will initially be offered as a summer thirst quencher, the first in a line of bai5 seasonal varieties. Share your Summer with Bai5!

June is National Candy Month

Did you know that June is National Candy Month??

Finally there is a month that allows us to pay tribute to one of the most important the sweetest food groups. Everyone has a favorite, and if you don’t –there are so many choices out there for you to try out.  Along with a balanced diet, a piece of candy/chocolate can be a delicious ‘pick me up’ any time of day. 

So this month indulge your sweet tooth just a little bit, and enjoy the delicious goodness that is your favorite variety of this confection, including Chocolate!




DOVE Chocolate- ( Try Dove's newest additions!)

DOVE^® PROMISES^® Silky Smooth Mint & Dark Chocolate Swirl is a beautiful combination of Mint swirled with silky smooth Dark Chocolate, which taste as amazing as they look. Each individually wrapped piece includes a special PROMISES^® message for a truly unique moment.

Enjoy a rich DOVE^® Cookies & Crème Bar, with crunchy cookie bits blended with sweet and creamy white chocolate. It’s the perfect combination of childhood indulgence and DOVE^® deliciousness. 



PEEPS-

PEEPS® are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year! Easter 2013 was the first Easter when over 1 Billion PEEPS were consumed.  For all holidays and seasons combined, Just Born produces over 2 Billion PEEPS a year.  There are many shapes, colors and flavors of PEEPS. Chocolate covered and dipped PEEPS® are extremely popular.



Mars Chocolate-

Mars Chocolate recently unveiled two new products including M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Bar and SNICKERS® Bites. 

M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Bar

M&M’S is introducing the M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Bar, which combines a creamy, smooth milk chocolate bar with the colorful fun and irresistible milk chocolate center of M&M’S®. It’s a match made in milk chocolate heaven, and proof that a classic American confection like the chocolate bar is even ’Better with M.’ Each M&M’S® Chocolate Bar is made with the best quality, delectable milk chocolate, infused with M&M’S® Minis and stamped with a beloved M&M’S character.

SNICKERS Bites

SNICKERS recently launched  SNICKERS® Bites a new hunger-satisfying innovation that offers the trademark SNICKERS® combination of chocolate, peanuts, caramel and nougat shrunk down in small, no fuss, "pop ’em in your mouth" milk chocolate cubes. The unwrapped treats are ideal for sharing, whether you’re watching a movie, or attending a gathering.


SweetWorks, Inc.-

SweetWorks, Inc. makes premium gourmet confections that are shipped throughout the world. SweetWorks’ chocolates and candies are marketed under the brand names: Niagara Chocolates®, Oak Leaf®, Ovation®, Sixlets® and Celebration by SweetWorks®.  Founded in 1956, the Company is headquartered in Buffalo, New York and operates Oak Leaf Confections, in Scarborough, Ontario. 

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park- Vancouver

The ‘suspension’ is building for our upcoming Vancouver trip! -suspension bridge that is. 

While in Vancouver, Gerry and I will visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. It hard to believe that the bridge has been around since 1889 and stretches 450 feet across and 230 feet above the Capilano River, and is just minutes from the busy city.

While at the park we will also take part in a Treetop Adventure. It is the one of a kind attraction, and offers a squirrel’s eye view of the thriving coastal forest. Visitors venture from one giant Douglas tree to another, taking in the breath taking scenery. It is a great thing for people looking for a little bit of an adventure, done in a perfectly scenic and safe way.

Those looking for more excitement can, just like us, check out the Cliffwalk at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. In this adventure you can take a trip through the rain forest on a cantilevered and suspended walkways jutting out of the granite cliff face and overlooking the water. In some sections of the walkway you are standing on glass giving you a beautiful and maybe scary view of the forest and river down below.

We can't wait!! I AM kind of "iffy" about heights but I'm determined to do this and something to add to the Bucket List!

DEL MONTE FRESH ANNOUNCES ITS “FIND YOUR INNER CHEF” NATIONAL COOK OFF WINNER

Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. (Del Monte) announces its “Find Your Inner Chef” National Cook Off winner. Kara Adanalian from Fresno, California, earned the title and the grand prize retreat for two to the Napa Valley Culinary Institute. The online contest, which launched April 15 and culminated with the national cook off, encouraged consumers to submit their own favorite recipe using Del Monte® fresh fruits and vegetables.

Kara’s winning recipe, Red Pepper and Avocado Stuffed Chicken Breast with a pastry gremolata and white wine reduction, received rave reviews from the judges. It was a competitive cook off as the four finalists competed in a face-off / bracket challenge type setting. The national cook off was held on the campus of The Miami Dade College Hospitality School – Miami Culinary Institute. Each aspiring chef prepared a dish from their social media-winning recipe that met certain criteria (for example, using specific Del Monte® fresh produce or inspiring a certain taste). Each were given an hour to complete their recipes.

Judges based their final decision on the following criteria: 1) Creativity of the dish, 2) Taste of the Dish, 3) Use of Del Monte® fresh fruits or vegetables in the recipe, and 4) Presentation of the dish. The winner from each bracket moved on to compete for the Grand Prize and coveted title. 

To view the “Find Your Inner Chef” national cook off competition in its entirety, log onto www.fruits.com

Days Inns -Vancouver, B.C

While vacationing in Vancouver British Columbia, Gerry and I will make our home away from home in the Days Inn family of hotels, both at the airport and at their downtown location Vancouver.

Days Inn - Vancouver Airport

The Vancouver Airport hotel is perfectly located 10 minutes from the airport, which will be ideal for a break after what surely will be an exhausting day of travel. The location is great for those looking to save some money, as it is located very close to public transportation, and has free Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast. You know what they say that a penny saved is a penny earned? Why pay for those things if you don't have to?

The downtown location is right in the heart of Vancouver’s financial district and offers modern convenience in a historical setting.

Days Inn - Vancouver Downtown

Apart from the obvious beauty of the hotel, the guests have access to a bar/lounge, laundry facilities and meeting rooms. The guests also have access to a concierge service, which as many travelers know can be very valuable when travelling in a new city. The location also offers free Wi-Fi, which is a must for me while travelling, as I like to stay connected.  If you are renting a car and driving, this location also offers parking, which is always difficult to find in any city center.

We are very excited about our trip, and having the little things included in the price of our hotel stay is great, as it prevents us from expecting one price and paying another!