WELL WORTH THE WAIT

The strawberry:
"Doubtless God could have made a better berry,
but doubtless God never did."
Dr William Butler, 17th century English writer

Since being served this delightful desert by our friend Carol on our last visit to PEI, I have been waiting for the strawberry season so I could try it myself. The berries were wonderful this year, thanks to the cooperative weather, and we have taken full advantage, eating strawberries every which way you can imagine...jammed...short caked...on ice cream...or just on their own. This recipe for Pavlova is very easy to make, is light and airy and really satisfies the sweet tooth.

Pavlova
4 egg whites
1 c. white sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. vinegar
2 c. whipping cream
Fresh fruit of your choice (strawberries, blueberries, kiwi or pineapple)

Whip egg whites until they form peaks. Gradually add sugar, vanilla and vinegar and continue beating until very stiff.
Spread over parchment paper on a round pizza pan. Bake one hour at 275 degrees. Turn off the oven and leave meringue for several hours (4 - 6) or overnight. It should come out lightly golden as pictured below.
If you're serving a crowd you can top the baked meringue with whipped cream and strawberries just before serving. You can spread the whipped cream with a knife or go for the "wow" reaction and pipe the cream on... or just do what I did since it was just hubby and me...cut the meringue into serving size pieces, then top with whipped cream and strawberries.
I have to admit, my 26 week X-weighted challenge was put on hold for a week because I certainly ate my share of this one.



During our visit, we took in a hike at the Greenwich National Park . I felt like I was in another world...the sand dunes were so amazing.

The western tip of Greenwich, a peninsula that separates St. Peters Bay from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, became part of Prince Edward Island National Park in 1998 to protect and preserve the natural and cultural resources found in the area.

The site contains an extensive and fragile coastal dune system, wetlands and various natural habitats in which numerous rare plant species are found. Among the most spectacular natural characteristics to be protected at Greenwich are the unusually large and mobile parabolic dunes with their associated counter ridges or Gegenwälle . This phenomenon is very rare in North America.

And look at what awaits you on the other side of those dunes!