DIY Centerpiece- Bringing the Outdoors In

Get in touch with nature- indoors.  Take some inspiration from your garden, cottage, or favourite outdoor space.  This centerpiece is a simple and affordable way to incorporate some outdoor elements you love into your home.  Use any kind of nut, sea shell, sand, or natural element (picture above is acorns from our island property).  

The Boats In the Water

After a slow start to spring, the forecast finally predicted sun and above zero temperatures, which meant that Friday's long weekend plans of productivity had to be immediately scrapped and postponed for a trip to the island property.  Priorities prevail.  This was our first opportunity since the ice was out to venture up on the open water.... and how fitting that it was Earth Day!  We were so excited to put the pontoon boat in the water.  What a relief to have a reliable mode of transportation to and from the island.  The pontoon is much easier to board with a baby in hand and to load and is a much smoother ride on a wavy day.  

We took it easy today.  We puttered around the island in our boat, said hi to our neighbours, and made our way back home.  We didn't get a chance to stake out our property lines, cut any brush, or start the dock, but that's ok.  It's a step in the right direction and we're both stoked- our baby went on her 1st boat ride today!  

As I think back to pre-baby warnings "you'll never get to do that again once the baby arrives" I'm reminded and re-assured on days like today that you can do more than you think post-newborn.  Maybe I'm being naive, but I don't think it's going to be that difficult to add the newest little islander to the mix.  With a little creativity and planning to accommodate our babe, now 9 months old, I am looking forward to the adventures ahead!

David Ferrer- Please do not fire warning shots at babies!

I will prefice this post by first saying that this has nothing to do with cottage construction/planning or the outdoors for that matter.  Sorry to all the true cattagers that may be disappointed with this post.  I've decided to create a new label to this blog entitled "on my mind" for posts that are unrelated to cottage planning and the outdoors.

Being a new mum, I feel compelled to blog about David Ferrer firing a warning shot towards a crying baby!  Are you kidding me David?  While I can sympathize with the frustration of having a crying baby at a tennis match, firing a warning shot into the audience is ridiculous!  Although the ball did not come close to the baby, lobbing a ball in the direction of the crying baby was immature and unsportsmanlike.  With that said, I am not suggesting that babies be brought to quarter final tennis matches, where silence is an expectation.  There are some places that babies do not belong.  All things considered, I'm glad he lost the match and hopefully for future matches, the dad will get a babysitter. 


Thoughts?

The Art of Stone Balancing

While on a walk today I stumbled upon the most amazing sculptures.  Truly amazing artwork and incredible talent.  So glad I had my camera on me!  Hope to get back there tonight for sunset!

Show and Tell: Letters From Side Lake by Peter Leschak

In this book, Peter Leschak chronicles his adventure of building a log cabin with his wife in the North Woods of Minnesota.  He writes about his everyday experiences: watching the Northern Lights, clearing stumps, skating on the lake in the dead of winter, a wild canoe ride, meeting some locals at a nearby tavern, winter temperatures dipping to -50F, and a late night fire with the local volunteer fire department.  His writing captures beautifully the simplicities of small town life and the isolation of life in the North Woods.  A great cottage read!

Show and Tell: Levon Helm Live in Concert

My husband and brother saw Levon Helm, longtime drummer for the Band, live in concert at Massey Hall this past weekend.  His daughter, Amy Helm, and others accompanied him on stage.  While Helm's voice was a little rough and he appeared to be fighting a cold, Helm lived up to his legendary status.  What impressed them most about the concert was that everyone seemed to truly enjoy what they were doing.  He captivated the audience, young and old.  If you get the opportunity, see this master storyteller in concert.

Top 10 Cottage Tunes

10- Up on Cripple Creek- The Band
9- Sitting on the Dock of the Bay- Otis Redding
8- Stay or Leave- Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds
7- Down by The River- Neil Young
6- Jolene- Ray LaMontagne
5- Oh, The Boss is Coming- Arkells
4- Have You Ever Seen the Rain- Creedence Clearwater Revival
3- Grace, Too- The Tragically Hip
2- Loretta- Steve Earle
1- The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down- The Band