Opening the cottage 2016

 April 25, 2016: First time in the cottage this year. Ice still on lake. 

Dead mouse in the toilet...2 dead mice, actually!

May 9, 2016: Made the beds.

Master bedroom

Lakeside stairs...some damage from shifting posts under the house.

You can see the slant to the posts. Hhmmm...no wonder we call the cottage the Slanty Shanty.

The floating wharf is not in yet. The solid wharf is looking a little wonky.

The bunk house all set up for Cam (or guests)

Pearl Jam for Mother's Day 2016

Kevin and I don't buy each other Christmas, birthday, Mother's Day or Father's Day gifts. Instead, once in a while we gomout for a nice meal, a movie or THIS:

This was pur bug gift tonesch other this year and as a bonus, it was on Mother's Day. I spent time with Darcy and my mom earlier in the day and then an eveninv being serenaded by Eddie Vedder.

Kevin and I waiting for this much anticipated concert to start. For Kevin, this is his number 1 band, but his second time seeing them. For me, I have loved this band since I was about 17, and they are probably my number 2 band, but this is my first time seeing them.

 

Eddie!!

We were waaaay up, but we could see fine and the acoustics were great!!!

Tribute to moms by Eddie Vedder:

https://youtu.be/1lx5IjHA7W4

We've been through a lot, says Eddie...

https://youtu.be/bMqf1aYGMyA

Sirens

https://youtu.be/cV_muWJCrzk

Spring 2016

A project I am working on for Amelia's birthday. 

Final quilt:

http://dizzyfordragonflies.blogspot.com/2016/09/dr-who-rag-quilt.html

My view on my walk to work.

 Family of squirrels in our tree:

https://youtu.be/V0me4ANfXRI

The last bit of snow at the cottage, May 9.

A loon flapping its wings on Black Lake.

May 27

May 28: First weekend at the lake. 

Not having our boat in the lake didn't stop us from getting a boat this weekend! Our neighbor took us out for a wee ride :-)

OMG!!!OMG!!!OMG!!! 

First of all, say what!?!? Gord Downey of my all-time favorite band has BRAIN CANCER!!!!????

Second of all, I got tickets to the Ottawa show on their final tour. Final tour. Final...still can't believe this...I know he's not family, or even someone I actually know, but I feel like he is a friend. I have learned so much about him, his band and his music over the past 20+ years of listening to The Tragically hip. His voice has been in the background of so many experiences in my life. I actually took an interest in some of Canada's history because of their lyrics.

I have been to see The Hip at The Montreal Forum, at Bourbon North, at a small venue somewhere in Montreal (I think it was on St. Denis St), at the Bell Centre and soon at the Canadian Tire Centre. Each show was different and amazing...such a tight band, lots of energy and it's really about the music, not about stunts, or lights, or costume changes...about music. I can't believe this it; this is going to be the last time I see them live. 

June 11 typical...gggrrrrr!!!

June 8: We're both 40 now!!!

Charla's 40th birthday party...photo props courtesy of her friend Flo, what a great idea! 

http://tiggeric.blogspot.com/2016/09/charla-big-4-oh.html

Cameron was in the Drama Club and this was their final presentation of the year.

My beautiful Tigger enjoying a rare moment outside. 

http://dizzyfordragonflies.blogspot.com/2016/09/cancer-sucks-even-for-pets-june-21-2016.html

Cameron graduated from grade 6. High school in the fall!!

Cheesecake and Cam's birthday

Cam's birthday supper: homemade pizza, salad and bakes potatoes.

Skor cheesecake and Oreo cheesecake cupcakes.

Skor cheesecake recipe:

Cam is 12!!!

D and C playing soccer.

Birthday fire in the backyard...sorry the flash made Cam look like a Zombie.

Kevin and Cam

Time lapse video

https://youtu.be/kdpMQlhtIv0

It's all because of a towel

Pavlova

I made the whipped cream by simply beating whipping cream (35%). The fruit on top is frozen raspberries, but you can use any fruit. The tartness of the raspberries was delicious with the creamy sweetness of the pavlova and whipped cream...heavenly! 

You can see the recipe better here:

Homemade ice cream

I love it when I make something for the first time and it actually turns out the way I expect. This ice cream turned out exactly the way I wanted it...amazing!

My garden 2016

 

I LOVE the Narcissus!

The red tulips are huge and BEAUTIFUL and are actually Darcy's. There are five other groupings of them around the yard and the pops of red look amazing. 

Rhodendron (I think)

There's Darcy with another one of the red tulips groupings.

Marigolds I grew from last year's seeds.

I keep a path mowed in this garden so the kids can climb the tree.

Jack in the Pulpit

Inside the bails of straw I have a hygrangea I have been trying to grow for 3 years. It is short. But has leaves...here's hoping. Also in there I allow milkweed to grow (for the monarchs) and I planted the Cheerios wildflower seeds for the bees.

Crocuses

May 2016:

My tomatoe plants

A resident in my wild flower garden.

Another friend.

Top left: Darcy's garden, right beside her playhouse. She has tomatoes, broccoli, lillies, pansies, and some other flowers.

Bottom left: mowing the hay, I mean, grass. Little garden around the gate. 

Top and bottom right: garden visitors.

Middle right: wildflower garden

COTTAGE:

Cottage garden with path beside bunk house

Turtle head 

Asters by the lake

Fox gloves

I am a little obsessed with the foxgloves.

Bees in my hydrangeas.

Perfect little fairy spot.

A bee in the Solidago by the lake. not everyone likes this plant, also known as Golden Rod, but it is a lovely and beneficial native species. Many think Solidago (Golden Rod) causes allergies auch as hay fever, when in fact it is actually Ragweed. 

Don't blame Golden Rod:

http://www.mnn.com/health/allergies/stories/dear-allergy-sufferers-dont-blame-goldenrod