This post was written and photographed entirely on my brand new iPhone 4s. I decided not to wait for the new iPhone 5 because they removed Google Maps from the Apps and the connector changed.
Cottage closing is always a sad time; it means no more cocktails at the lake or dinners by the water but then again it also means that I don’t have to plan, scramble and improvise meals when I’ve forgotten a key ingredient. At least for another year!
Many of you have asked for photos of the cabin and I’ve been reluctant because I’m sure you have grand images in your imaginations of our humble little cabin and I didn’t want to expose the real deal spoil the fantasy. It’s tiny size is what I love about the cabin; a full throttle cleaning takes two of us an hour which is perfect because when I’m at the lake, cleaning is the LAST thing I want to do.
I thought I’d share photos now because next year I’ve roped in Ceement Boy to help me redecorate! We’re ripping out the carpeting replacing it with laminate wood flooring, white washing the walls and updating the kitchen a bit! I’m very excited about it. I’m figuring on 2-4 days with all that brawn to help me. And a 2-4 of beer of course! (for him, not me). I’ll stick to my Martinis!
It’s all one room, open concept living
We just got the slider replaced with a half French Door.
The kitchen is a cheap white kitchen with melamine counters. This will get updated next year.
The windows will also be replaced next year. The guest room had all our crap in it, so I didn’t take any photos. But it’s there if you’d like to come up one weekend. You bring the booze!
We had the decking replaced this spring.
Because it’s the apartment above the boat garage, we are right on top of the water.
Here’s the menu from the weekend and a few pics (with my iPhone 4s!!!!) to bring it back to the purpose of the blog. Enjoy.
Saturday
Dinner: Waldorf Chicken Wraps (we had these in the car whilst driving up)
Sunday
Breakfast: date bran muffins, poached egg and half a grapefruit, coffee
Lunch: adult grilled cheese and a salad of arugula, spinach, avocado, cucumber and mini tomatoes
The cheese gets all melty and gooey!
That’s old orange cheddar and Gruyère oozing out. A nice hot salsa would have been great with this sandwich, but someone forgot to bring it up.
We took a walk along the road to build our appetites for cocktails (do you really need to do that, come on!)
Cocktails: grilled scallops on sesame bread with a smear of avocado paste with Martinis. Sawsan‘s sesame bread recipe click here.
The scallops were perfectly grilled, and pair beautifully with the avocado paste
Dinner: deconstructed Caesar salad
With financiers for dessert (post coming soon)
I’m still getting a lot of miles out of Roland’s deconstructed Caesar salad. Wish I hadn’t forgotten the anchovies.
The last sunset for the year. I’m sure the sun will set without us, but it just won’t be the same.
Monday
Breakfast: Cheese Omelet Crêpe with Cantaloup and Date Bran Muffin.
We had a wonderful paddle-boat ride on the lake before breakfast, coffee in hand.
Lunch: Tuna salad wrap, cantaloup squares and celery sticks to eat in the car on the way back to the city.
We’ll likely go out for dinner as I didn’t take anything out of the freezer. Lunch for tomorrow will be a challenge.
Kitcheninspirations 
Your cottage is so lovely Eva! I’m sure you will miss it very much during the winter. Can’t wait to see more lovely pics of your relaxing weekends next summer!
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Thank you kindly Amber, we are indeed very fortunate to have a place to escape to.
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Eva, I love your cabin at lake! That sunset click is amazing!
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Thanks Angie, it’s a nice little getaway we’re fortunate to have.
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I love the pictures of your cabin Eva! It is just perfect!!! What a wonderful place to escape to in the summers. The view of the lake and the dock is just so relaxing.
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Thanks Kristy, it’s a lovely and relaxing spot to escape to, you are so right. I’m sorry we’ll miss the fall there, it’s always so nice to experience that crisp fall air, and no bugs!
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A humble cabin??? Are you joking! I love your cottage. Sitting outside over the water must be so relaxing… Do you realise your cottage kitchen is much bigger than most people who I know have? It also looks very functional. The food looks luscious, especially scallops with avocado.
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Thank you kindly Sissi. I know what you mean, it is indeed a nice size to have. Cottages in Ontario range from our cabin to mansions on acres and acres of land. Some even have guest houses that are bigger than our house in the city!
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Thank you for sharing those beautiful pictures Eva
I think your cabin is just perfect..cosy and comfortable..the perfect place to unwind and relax 🙂
thank you kindly for linking to my bread post and I love all the wonderful recipes
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That bread of yours has usurped JTs place as the bread maker. It is not only easy but it’s very fast to pull together. I’ve made it last minute in two hours for a dinner party! And it’s always such a success. I thank you kindly for it.
Thank you for your kind words about our cabin. It’s a lovely spot to get away from the city.
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What a lovely cabin. I’d live there year round if possible and enjoy the scenery, comfy surroundings and great meals. 🙂
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Thanks Maria, it’s pretty desolate in the winter, you probably can only get in with a snow mobile or a very good four by four. But it sure is quite pretty.
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Your cabin is so beautiful and cozy! I really felt transported. How could you bear to leave? And being able to enjoy your meals overlooking the water make it even better. Those scallops look mmm-mmm!!
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Thank you kindly Meenakshi, it is difficult leaving on the last day knowing it will be months before we return. But sadly, Labour Day weekend is one of the busiest weekends on the road and unless we want to be driving for more than four hours, we better be on the road before noon!
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I think your cottage on the lake is everything I imagined it to be…just perfect. Summers are all about relaxing. Small is a good thing, my husband and I refer to our cottage as an easy keeper. I agree that it is sad to close them down, we are starting on ours today. It will take about three trips back to New Hampshire to get all the food, TV’s and anything that can freeze out of the cottage. The boat and dock will come out in two weeks.
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That’s a lot of trips back and forth, and then there is a lot of work getting your house ready for the fall and winter in New Hampshire. It’s surely a labour of love.
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Oh.. this is the perfect cottage.. those sunsets, the martinis.. I can see why you love being there! I can’t wait to see what you “cook up” with your renovations next year. I love to decorate.. what fun it will be!! I can’t believe you cook like that while on vacation.. well, I can, because you’ve been bringing us along on your posts:D xx Smidge
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Thanks Barbara, I’m looking forward to investing some sweat equity into the place, I always like doing things by hand. The food will be rather tasty that’s for sure, particularly after a hard days work.
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What a gorgeous get away, I picture you sitting out on the deck with martini in one hand gazing out into the lake and beyond relaxing. The lantern hanging on the porch adds a nice touch.
A dumb questions, why do you close the cottage so early? I imagine the fall colors are gorgeous and you will be missing it all.
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Hehehe, that would be me! Thanks Norma!
We are going on holidays in about a week to the end of September and then the only other weekend we could close would be the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend, but we always spend that weekend at my brother’s cottage on Lake Rosseau. So this was the only weekend to close. It is indeed to early, that’s for sure. But at least we do get to enjoy a cottage and the gorgeous fall colours at my brother’s place.
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Your food sounds just perfect for cottage life, Eva. I could do with a date bran muffin for breakfast right now — or even a Waldorf salad wrap. Your cottage looks cozy, yet expansive, due to the windows.
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Thank you kindly Sharyn, it was sad to have to close it down for the season.
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Such a nice cabin, Eva. This is your get-away, your place on the lake. You don’t need a 15 room MacCabin. No, this is large enough to be comfortable and to host guests and yet small enough so that you don’t spend half of each stay housecleaning. Sounds perfect to me. I’ll be anxious to see your renovations but don’t envy you the process. It’s never easy to have work done on property when distances are involved. By the way, don’t you have packing to do? 😉
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There is nothing like a meal on the upper deck screened in portch. Memories! Looks like you ate really well (as usual) and healthy. Saving up the calories for drinks????? Can’t wait to see the renos. Maybe we can make it up next year now that the girls are easier for mom to handle at our place.
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Thanks Barb, we did have some lovely times at the lake. One memory is printing invitations to your wedding while the boys golfed.
Next year sounds great.
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I love your cabin Eva and thanks so much for sharing photos. That sunset is just gorgeous. And I love how you’re just on the water. It looks so peaceful and idyllic. The improvements you’ll be making soon sound terrific. I can imagine how a weekend on this beautiful spot would re-energise you. It’s gorgeous! xx
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Thanks Charlie, I’ve been meaning to redecorate for years! It’s funny how out of site out of mind works.
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Beautiful vacation shots my friend – your cottage looks like the epitome of relaxation and a cute getaway 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Thanks CCU, it’s been out little hide-a-way!
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