Welcome!

It's almost the middle of July - hope everyone is enjoying their summer!  So far the weather has been pretty spectacular and the upcoming week is looking fairly good too.  Hubby is trying to schedule a trip down to the Lake this week/weekend to open up the cottage, put in the docks, etc. so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he can make it happen.  As for me, I'll be heading down once all the dirty work is done.  Until then, I'll stay put and keep experimenting with the BBQ.  Stay cool!

cooky

June 13'10 Entry

What a beautiful weekend we're having - so happy for all the cottagers (is that even a word?) out there. 

Friday I drove 2 hours to attend a "Ladies Night" hosted by a dear friend (and ex-neighbour) of mine.  It was so nice to get away and party with some lovely ladies without the responsibilities of motherhood....bliss!  I got to taste my first martini (albeit a very fruity one!) and discovered I'm a fan!!  It was a potluck so I brought along my Black Bean, Corn & Chickpea Salsa and it proved to be a hit with everyone.  The hostess made the most delicious trifle-like dessert that I've got to try out on my fam ASAP - I even had some for breakfast!!

Hope to get in some BBQing this week - fingers crossed for some good weather!

June 2'10 Entry

It's June the 1st, cool and rainy, definitely NOT barbeque weather.  Tomorrow I'm planning on pot roast in the slow cooker (what can I say, I love pot roast!).  By Thursday  I hope to be in more of a summery mood and plan on cooking something new from the site.  Maybe something with chicken?  Anyway, I hope to try out lots of recipes this summer, some at home, some at the Lake.  Stay tuned for updates!

March 28'10 Entry

Spring 2010 is officially here but it feels like winter today!  We've enjoyed a few "Spring-like" days, with temps in the double digits (celius, that is) but I think Old Man WInter isn't done with us yet.  Even so, it was nice to head out in my spring jacket and leave my bulky down-filled coat in the mudroom....so looking forward to warmer days!  Oh, I almost forgot - my crocus's are up!  So encouraging to see their little yellow and purple heads popping up in my garden!  Enjoy your spring!!

 January 3'10 Entry

2010 has arrived and along with it, a huge snowstorm!!  When the power went off @ 6:15 yesterday evening, I had a roast beef dinner and all the trimmings cooking away on the stove and 15 minutes until serving time.  Ughhhh!  Well, I gave everything an extra 15 minutes and it was perfection!  We ate by candle light, with a roaring fire in the fireplace (1st of the season!).  A true "Little House on the Prairie" moment! 

Dinner was followed by boardgames and plenty of chocolate - true bliss!!   I was reading in bed (by candle light!) when the power came back on @ 10:23 (I had to reset the alarm clocks or the flashing ##'s would have driven me crazy!).  I finished up my reading, blew out the candle and slept like a baby...until the snowplows dropped by!!!  Enjoy your winter!

cooky

December 21'09 Entry 

Christmas is almost here . . . hope you're ready!  The tree is trimmed, the presents wrapped, the cookies assembled - bring on the celebrations!   Here the snow continues to accumulate so we're assured of a "White Christmas" this year.  From my family to yours, I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

 November 9'09 Entry

November has arrived and we've had our first taste of winter with a snow storm last Friday.  Luckily, it looked (and felt) worse than it actually was - no accumulation.  The weekend that followed was quite lovely with bright Fall sunshine and warm temperatures.  I love Fall!  Hope your Fall is going well and may your winter be mild...see you in the Spring!

August 27'09 Entry  

Labour Day Weekend has passed and the kiddies are back in school so days at the cottage are but a distant memory.  I regret that we didn't get to spend any time by the lake this summer but what can you do?  Look forward to next season!  And believe me, I will, for it's a L-O-N-G winter here and thoughts of cottaging will get me through it!  Until then, enjoy the rest of Summer and celebrate Fall with all it's beauty!

 August 27'09 Entry 

Another August weekend is here and we are too!  I hate to admit it but it looks like we won't be getting to the cottage at all this season.  This summer has been an odd one - the first part was too wet and now that the weather is better, we're being pulled in other directions with work and family obligations.  This weekend the weather man is predicting that Hurricane Bill will blow past bringing high winds and heavy rain - Oh Goody!  Who knows, maybe the Fall will be lovely (it usually is)  and we'll get away for a weekend or two.  Fingers crossed! 

 July 7'09 Entry

The sun is finally out, after weeks of lousy weather we're in for a few nice days.  Yeah!!  This summer has been unseasonably cool, overcast, and wet - not a great time to be camping/cottaging.  Needless to say, we've yet to make it out to the cottage but surely we'll make it out soon.  There's so much work to be done but it'll have to wait for a sunny weekend.  Hope your summer is going well!

 June 27'09 Entry

With this being the first official weekend of summer I hope everyone gets out to enjoy it.  This coming week includes two big celebrations - Canada Day on July 1st for us Canadians and our American neighbours celebrate Independence Day on July 4th.  Break out the fireworks!!  Hopefully we'll welcome in the summer with sunny skys and warm temperatures (so far it's only rained!) and lots of BBQ!!

  May 23'09 Entry

Spring has finally sprung in the Maritimes and I'm luvin' it!  The crocuses are up, the tulips are on their way and the snow is finally gone.  March was one heck of a month with snow storm after snow storm so the sight of our lawn is a much welcome one.  With the end of hockey season comes the warm thoughts of BBQ and campfires so let's get ready for a great season at the lake (or the beach, or the campsite, wherever)!

 January 17'09 Entry

2009 is here!  I hope everyone had a lovely holiday filled with lots of great memories...and plenty of chocolate!  As we struggle through the rest of the winter, let's all think warm thoughts of sitting around a campfire, roasting marshmallows, taking a dip in a cool, still, lake, looking at that first sunset at the cottage....helps, doesn't it?

Stay warm and I'll "see" you in the spring!

November 23rd Entry

Old Man Winter has arrived in full force and I don't like it one bit!!  As someone who loves the heat, this season really bites!!  The one thing I look forward to is Christmas so I'll focus on that and not the 2' of snow out my back door...happy shopping!

October 19th Entry

Halloween has come and gone (along with all the leaves!) and November has arrived.  The temperature is very fall-like and the weatherman is forcasting snow flurries - brrrrrr!  I think we can safely assume that the cottage is effectively closed for the season.  That being said, I plan to continue to update the site throughout the coming months so that come spring, we'll be ready for a full season of cottaging.  Until then, think warm thoughts......I know I will be!

  October 19th Entry

It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada and the weather is lovely!  Hubby headed down to the Lake (for probably the last time this year)  on Saturday to close things up.  Did he bring a camera like I asked?  I hope so as my official photographer is in the middle of hockey tryouts and couldn't make the trip with his dad. 

I'm sure the leaves are beautiful down there - I'd love a shot for my website!  Oh well, there's always next year!!

P.S. Hubby did forget to take the camera so no new pics.

September 20'08 Entry 

The official last weekend of summer is here - where did the time go?  Busy with work, back to school and the sports that go along with having 2 boys, there have been no trips to the Lake for the last few weekends.  

As fall settles in, hubby hopes to fit in a few more trips before the cold weather is here for good.  Let's hope it's a mild fall because there's still lots of work to be done before the snow flies!      

 August 27'08 Entry

The boys were finally able to work in a little fun last weekend after the real work was done.  After installing the septic tank and hooking up the toilet (!), they took the boat out and did a little fishing.  Our youngest managed to catch the first fish, a bass, within the first minute of casting his line!  After that, he was hooked (no pun intended!) and caught (and released) a total of 14 fish that weekend.  Wow!! 

The weather turned out to be wonderful so sunburns all around - when will they learn!  They came home exhausted but happy with the hope of returning this weekend, the last weekend before school starts (!), to complete the septic work and whatever else needs to be done.   

  August 10'08 Entry

I received official word this morning that the bathroom floor has been installed!  Alas, it was not all good news (as is the norm at the Lake) as due to a calculation error all the plumbing couldn't be completed but I've been assured that the next time they go down, it too will be complete.  I'm so thrilled!!  Last weekend was very productive as the bathroom walls went up, the kitchen cabinets were roughed in and the sink was put in place.  Nothing fancy, that comes later.  For now the boys are just trying to make the place more comfortable for their weekend stays. 

Hopefully some good pics will show up soon so I can update the "Photo Album".  Last weekend was so dark and rainy none of the photos turned out to be site-worthy.  Here's hoping for better shots from this weekend!

August 1'08 Entry

The boys are heading down to the Lake this weekend even though the weather doesn't look great.  After cancelling last weekend because stormy weather was forecast (and low and behold, it never materialized), we've come to the conclusion that if we can go, we'll go, weather be damned!  The plan is to frame in the washroom and finish as much as they can - I can't wait!  I hope to make it down this August for the first time in two years...it's been too long. 

I hope you all enjoy this long weekend (for Canadians, at least) and I look forward to updating the site with new pics next week.

   July 31'08 Entry

It's July 19th and the boys are home for the weekend - manpower shortage.  I'm beginning to think hubby's prediction may come true - maybe the bathroom could take years to complete!  Anyway, glitches happen and I'm staying positive.  In the meantime I get to enjoy the weekend at home with the boys and it doesn't get much better than that.  They have plans to go to the local Farmers' Market for lunch so I'm requesting some samosas so we can have Indian tonight.  I have a new recipe for naan to try . . . . so g-o-o-d! 

Hope your weekend goes well and I'll catch up with you next week when hopefully some progress will be made at the Lake...

 July 12'08 Entry

It's July 12th and the boys couldn't make it down to the cottage this weekend due to a scheduling problem - darn!  They were planning to put up the bathroom walls . . . . maybe that's why?  Anyway, the previous weekend they did make it down and were successful at installing the sub-floor and the side door.  Our youngest tagged along and ended up having a great time even though no electronics were in sight.  Given the task of picking up stray screws from in and around the cottage, he managed to collect over 400 (!) and was paid $10 for his hard work.  It was a win-win situation!   

We'll keep our fingers crossed for next weekend, until then, take care.

   June 2'08 Entry

The boys spent their first weekend at the Lake and it was a rousing success!  The weather was favourable and the boat trip was uneventful - just the way we like it!  The focus of the trip was to wrap and install windows and that was accomplished the first day.  Yeah!  After an exhausting, but satisfying day, a delicious meal was prepared and eaten and time was spent around the campfire until bedtime.  The following day was spent cleaning up the site and packing up for the long trip back home as rain was in the forcast and the work had been accomplished the previous day.  Well done boys!

Next on the agenda is to install doors (Hello!), put down flooring and put in a bathroom, and some sort of kitchen.  I've made it known that I refuse to stay at a cottage without a bathroom so Hubby jokes that it may take years to install a proper one.  Ha!  The boys covet their "guy" weekends and I appreciate that but come on, I'm not asking for too much, am I?

Check out the new additions to the **Photo Album** courtesy of my eldest.  He took some RAW pics and played around with them in Photoshop for some neat effects.  Enjoy!