PEACE OUT SUMMER

Peace out summer of 2025
TAKEN: NOVEMBER 2nd, 2025

Though it snowed the day before yesterday, we managed to get the cottage closed this afternoon enjoying sunshine, rather than snow. You wouldn’t know by my layers of attire – but I over dressed for a what turned out to be a lovely fall day.

Closing day is always bittersweet for me and this year was no exception. The ongoing reflection of just how devastating and exhausting a toll the ice storm carnage took on us is still fresh. 

Even though my backdrop shows some impressive progress in repairing and cleaning up, we still have a significant amount of work (about 30%) that will greet us in the spring of 2026.

It feels as if we lost another season this year like we did last, as nothing other than working the property doing ice storm cleanup was accomplished. 

With my travel buddy hubby being hospitalized and off work for over three months in the summer 2025, and the damage from winter storm has us two season behind in maintaining and/or upgrading standard items. 

Our mantra has always been one season inside, one season outside. It is at times of reflection like this that I am grateful for all the seasons that were possible.

 

Anyway, as an aside, I used to think the best investment I ever made for myself here at the cottage was buying myself a full-size washing machine. Though that baby IS sexy, this year I am thankful for getting myself a battery powered chainsaw. 

That said, I will reiterate my sentiments here, as I did last winter when I was given my rechargeable battery powered snow shovel.

Who needs more diamonds and pearls, when a really great battery will suffice?!

#yagottalaughaboutit

BRITTANY BROUGHT IT!

Brittany IS da bomb!
All photo rights reserved audiophix.com

As I mentioned in my last post, we had such a blast at TIFF and then attending the Alabama Shakes concert at Budweiser Stage, I thought Brittany Howard (the lead singer for Alabama Shakes) deserved her own props.

I don't know about you, but I find that my travel buddy hubby and I have the most fun when minimal planning is involved. How I missed that she was headed to Toronto is beyond me but once I found out, I was all over it like white on rice.

We had been to the venue two Saturdays before to take Goob to see Leon Bridges, so it wasn't like we were in need to travel south again. But you know me, I know better than most the difference between want and need; and we WANTED to see her live.

Boy, she was young when we first hopped on her bandwagon. Her soulful sound and skillful guitar playing had her immediately rise to the top. Though she hit the circuit in 2012, she landed at the forefront when was one of and ensemble that performed The Weight in the 2013 Grammy Award tribute to the late Levon Helm.

Once in the mainstream, she led them as the musical guest on SNL. Here is a link from that performance over ten years ago Alabama Shakes - Always Alright (Live on SNL). 

Heralded as 'one of the best unexpected SNL performances ever,' all I can say is that she has gotten better and stronger over the last decade. 

As I reflect back and look at my photos and listen to all the videos I took last Saturday night, everything is washed out. We were sitting center stage at the railing in front of the floor pit, and nothing was salvageable to post. It didn't have that effect visually as we enjoyed the concert but in hindsight, I have a theory.

I have to think that the lighting and her positioning was purposeful. My best guess is that she wants her fans to focus on the sound, vibe, and musical perfection. Not how fast something can be uploaded onto social media.

If that's the case I just became an even bigger fan... Though, I can't imagine that possible!

Oh, not one to throw baby out with bathwater. Here's a pic I snapped just inside the admission gate.

Doesn't he look impressed?!

#yagottalaughaoutit

He has always made me laugh!
TAKEN: SEPTEMBER 6th, 2025

 

Y IS FOR YUMMY

Doesn't my puzzle look yummy?
Katie Kate thinks so!
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 15th, 2025

A few years ago, I went to the local Habitat for Humanity, and for a whopping ten bucks I bought myself a puzzle table. Prior to that I have an old piece of plywood I would fetch from under the spare bed on Sundays, then I realized it was worth setting up a 'puzzle specific' table.

You can see I am sitting in front of our exterior sliding door but to my right there are big living room windows with base board heaters. Each year after the holidays are put away, I tuck the dining room table to the side to maximize heat output and minimizing the hydro bills.

For whatever reason, I tend to do puzzles with vibrant colour that also tend to have a focus on with food. The one after this one was yummy too – dogs making pizza!

I only puzzle from New Years Day until I leave for my birthday trip. Not only does it relax me, it helps we gain extra light in the winter months and relax while sports plays on the television in the background.

RAMA-LAMA-DING-DONG

Seated in the tenth row, waiting for the BNL to take the stage.
TAKEN: DECEMBER 1st, 2024

Last night, my hubby and I had a nice dinner in Orillia, then headed to Casino Rama to see the Barenaked Ladies and their Hometown Holidays Show; they are only performing six.

I will start by saying that there was so much musical talent on that stage, it makes you proud that they are Canadian. And though I love their mainstream hits, I really enjoy their holiday offerings, and I am pleased to report that the evening offered a perfect blend of both.

Their comedic banter provided a ton of belly laughs and we headed home extremely entertained.

The buzz of listening to everyone exiting talk of how amazing it was was an added bonus, with both of us admitting it was far better than we were expecting it to be. Once again, money well spent, and another music concert ticked off the list.

My apologies about the photo quality. I left my phone and home and my husbands' needs to be put to pasture - PRONTO!

PS: Here's a great podcast link with Ed Robertson titled Don't Let Revenge Breed Resentment (click to listen)

The amazing Ed Roberton (center) flanked by
Kevin Hearn (l), Tyler Stewart (drums), and Ed Kreegan (r)
TAKEN: DECEMBER 1st, 2023

Performing my favourite song off 'Barenaked For The Holidays'
CLICK TO LISTEN: God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman w/ Sarah McLachlan
TAKEN: DECEMBER 1st, 2023

Bringing down the house with Brian Wilson!
TAKEN: DECEMBER 1st, 2023