Happy Memorial Day, I wonder how my American friends are celebrating this lovely holiday. Sadly, it’s not a holiday for us.
I’m participating in a series called Views from the Backdoor with my friend Cecilia from Illinois. C runs a blog about her ‘farmy’ called The Kitchen’s Garden and she takes wonderful photos of her animals whom she has aptly named. She also shares a view from her back door every day — the differences are palpable, from frost to thaw; a few days ago C suggested that the fellowship of the Farmy post pictures of their own back doors and a series began — see page one, page two and page three. C has followers from all over the world, from her native New Zealand to the U.S. even South America and Africa! The back door views are wonderful. Do pop over and give her a visit, she has a wonderfully friendly writing style and her posts aren’t too long ;-)! But the most fun is following along with the farmy characters day to day!
Eva those photos could have been taken from our old cottage at Horse Lake, B.C. We enjoyed the tranquility until one day a subdision started to go up around us. Imagine a cottage with an outhouse between two monster houses. Needless to say we had to sell. I hope yours will stay as is, oh how I miss the old days. The one good thing is our kids were grown by then and they enjoyed it while growing up.
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That’s really so sad, but I bet you got a nice dollar for it! Fortunately our family owns over 100 acres so our neighbours are more than a kilometre away.
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Poor little birch tree – gorgeous view though Eva! Whenever I see it I’m always feeling envious! Still, if I ever come to Canada, we’ll hijack your cabin and stay there for a week, lol, just kidding 😀
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Hi Charles, you would be most welcome! I’m sure your wife would love it, I understand the landscape in Canada is very similar to that of Sweden. It’s strictly a summer place though.
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I love the views from all of your doors:) And the door in your imagination, I didn’t know you could paint? You’ve many talents, Eva! I think my favorite is your garden in Canada.. no, the one from your cabin.. well.. I think it’s a tie! xx
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Thanks Barbara, it’s a tie for me too!
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How lovely, Eva! Both of your homes have such nice spaces outdoors. The view of the lake from your cottage is so special. It must be something to see first thing in the morning. And your Toronto patio looks like so inviting. Considering how short our Summers are, I bet you and JT spend every available minute back there, taking full advantage. I certainly would. Thank you for sharing a little of both with us
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Hi John, thanks for your kind words. May I assume you’re back to the land of high speed Internet? We’re in DC andI’m trying to get to my commenters but we’ve been keeping so busy with the sites! I should have planned more time down here…or at least another trip real soon.
I’ll try to get to your blog real soon!
Yes, we are very fortunate with both properties, our last house had a concrete backyard, and we swore that the next one would have an oasis, we were so lucky to find this one and still be able to put our own mark on it.
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What a tease with that first image, but your actual backyard is one that I’d gladly take. 😉
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Hey Jed, you and Liz are most welcome, JT and I love entertaining in both places.
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Not only are your a good cook but a good painter as well. We are heading to our cottage in Maine today for the summer…and yes, I always have lists as well.
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Thank you for your kind words Karen. Hope your place had less mouse damage than ours! This year they even ate through thick rubbermade storage containers looking for food—it was brutal. At least they didn’t nest.
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Sorry to hear about the mouse damage…luckily we didn’t have any. We literally take everything out of our cottage. No food, spices, soap, paper products, etc. It is like moving twice a year…we ever take our televisions as we were told the freezing temps would ruin the LCD screens. You don’t realize how much it takes to restock a kitchen for 4 months until you have to do it. I have a list like you and check it off each year when we make the summer move.
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I hear you and we do the same, but I generally leave a roll of TP in a thick Rubbermade container (as back up) and I simply forgot the flour, it’s really weird that they got into both but did bother with either after they got into it. We don’t have a TV at the cottage, so no worries there.
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Strange creatures…thank goodness they didn’t nest. We stay full time at our cottage from May until October soTV and internet is a must. I think we might go crazy not knowing what is happening in the world and there would be no blog posting and reading for many months…that would be terrible.
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Ah yes, I get it and understand, I envy your lifestyle, so lovely.
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love that view! love this idea of the whole view from the backdoor
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Thanks Jessica, yes I’m loving this series too.
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Oh how cool. I like to look at a place and see it transform into a different place with different vibes and seasons. Yeah looks like your tree went down but the surrounding looks as pretty as always.
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Thank you so much Helene, I’m actually surprised that the birch lasted ad long because it was basically growing out of rock, virtually no soil!
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Eva, I love your backyard in Toronto! The red pillows… I think I would enjoy a glass of wine sitting there with you… And the painting! Wow! I had no idea you painted! It’s beautiful! Thank you for sharing a bit of your life with us.
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I absolutely LOVE to have a glass of wine with you in our backyard Sissi. We are very fortunate to have such an oasis in the city. My husband and I built everything but the large arbour by the dining table. It’s been a lovely project over 12 years!
Thank you for your lovely compliment re my painting; I studied fine art history at the University of Toronto with a minor in studio and I’m very lucky to have come from very talented parents.
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Wonderful wonderful views – Do you jump off the pontoon and swim during the warmer months? My goldens would love that much water outside the backdoor. Joy
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Hi Joy, yes indeed we do! The lake is spring fed and literally doesn’t warm up until the end of July or early August but when it’s really, really hot it’s so refreshing! Thank you for dropping by and your lovely comment.
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All your views are spectacular! What I wouldn’t give right now for some HOT weather and a lake panorama 🙂
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Hi Liz, we’re going through a hot spell right now with high humidity, not pleasant either 86F with 69% humidity!
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beautifull view,
i guess this is literally a sanctuary
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Thanks Dedy, both places are for sure.
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Gorgeous! All it lacks from my point of view is a boat to mess about in. Pity the birch is an ex-birch! 🙂
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Thank you so much, yes we do need a boat indeed! We have a paddle boat and several canoes but a nice little jetboat is definitely on the list. Thanks for visiting my blog, I’m away for a few days but I’ll check out your blog when I get back.
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I too would have had difficulty choosing the evening or day shot! They are both beautiful and the daytime shot on Celi’s page brought me over to check out the rest!
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Thank you kindly Natalia, and welcome to my blog. I’m just away for a few days but I’ll check your blog when I get back to TO!
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[…] Eva Taylor. Wonderful food with a wonderful European influence from a very gentle and cool lady. This shot is from the back door of her cottage. In fact there is only one door but it works for me. […]
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I love the peek into your world, Eva! I could be very happy there. (until the snow came)
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Thank you Maureen, ah the snow, it’s true that our winters can be trying. A mild winter like we had two years ago would be something I could get used to. On the other hand, I do like snow at Christmas.
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Lovely views Eva! I don’t know which one I like more. I do so love your outdoor space in Toronto, but it’s hard to beat a water view. 🙂
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Thank you Kristy, I find the water view very hard to resist too, but the 4+hour (should have been 3.25) drive home the last holiday weekend does put a damper on things.
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I read Kristy’s post earlier today and she showed us her back yard. Then I opened my email and read your blog title and was curious to see what other bloggers back views look like! YOu have a lovely view and so lucky to wake up to the serene lake!
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Thanks Lisa, it’s a really fun series, I too love seeing into the lives of my blogger buddies.
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Those are incredibly amazing views, Eva! Thanks for sharing =)
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Thank you kindly SM.
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Whether from your cottage or city house back door, you have lovely views. And quite a bit of talent painting. I hope you still capture such scenes on canvas.
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Thank you kindly Maria, I haven’t painted since 2004 sadly but I do keep thinking about it. Blogging has taken over my spare time!
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I understand the distraction caused by blogging though I don’t throw dinner parties or have a hubby to take up my time. I’m amazed at how much you DO get accomplished and maybe one day you’ll take a step back from your busy schedule and return to it.
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Thanks Maria, I hope I will too.
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Oh how beautiful!!! This is gorgeous, your backyard is like a vacation spot 365/24/7. And you paint like a pro. Awesome!
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Thanks Minnie for the kind and generous compliments. We are indeed very fortunate to have such an oasis in the city of Toronto.
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Stunning backdoor view, Eva.
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Thank you Angie.
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Great views, Eva and love your back deck. I still need to post my view for Cecilia. We had big storms last week so it isn’t quite as pristine as I would like. Have a great day and thanks for sharing your view. 🙂
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Thank you kindly Betsy, I can hardly wait to see your photos.
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They are up! 🙂
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Good morning Eva — what a lovely sight to wake up to. The stone facing on the beach is beautiful and so reminiscent of classic Canadian Shield (love). I’m sad about the whisper of birch that is no longer there – they have always been a favorite (my dad loved them) but I’m sure there are others amidst your surroundings (is it a diverse forest area?). What a beautiful painting you made Eva! Do you still paint from time to time? It’s such a peaceful hobby; my husband really enjoys it. You’re making me crave our little cabin in the woods…
Meanwhile, your TO backyard looks incredible! Not every day you see this type of well developed space in an urban setting; and cozy too. You and JT have done a great job.
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Thank you for your lovely words Kelly, the forest at the cottage is primarily cedar and elms but there are a few birches around. There is apparently a very rare elm deep on our property about a 20 minute walk from the cottage. The weekend we were up was so incredibly buggy that a walk in the forest was out of the question. Hopefully the next time will be less so.
I haven’t picked up my paint brush for a few years, I haven’t had the urge. I’ve painted a few still-lifes that we have in the dining room. I’d love to paint on a large scale with big gobs of paint, but I don’t have the courage. Maybe some day.
Thank you for your lovely compliment on our backyard space, the bones were there when we bought the house 12 years ago, but we’ve done a few things to it (like add the deck, take out a tree or two for more light and we built the cedar arbor on the left side!). We really enjoy our cocktails back there.
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I too love Cecilia’s blog and enjoy reading about her farmy.
Such peaceful lake views, you have quite a lot growing on your Toronto’s deck already. Your lilac bush is gorgeous, bet it is very fragrant.
I see you are also an accomplished artist. Is there anything you cannot do well?
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Hi Norma, we just planted the back deck planters this Saturday, I spend a bit more on the herbs and they are more mature. The lilac is the one that was going to be replaced but it really came through this year with the wonderful blooms. Sitting out there (wish it was warmer though) is very fragrant. When those blooms die, the Japanese lilac below the deck go into full bloom and they too are very fragrant.
I am flattered by your words, thank you. But I am not as good a gardener as I’d like to be.
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I love the view from the backdoor at your lake house. How serene and special. I bet you can’t wait to get back there this summer. And I didn’t know you’re an artist! And so talented. Gorgeous painting, Eva xx
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Hi Charlie, yes we are quite excited to use the cottage this year — I’m redecorating so it’ll be nice and fresh. Sadly the next time we go up isn’t for a few more weeks.
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Wo! I MUST go to Canada!
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Thanks Keith, it’s a wonderful country with amazing views for sure!
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Your views are simply gorgeous my friend, I love seeing the world from your home’s perspective 😀
Cheers
CCU
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Thank you kindly CCU.
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Ahhhhh the view from the Upper Deck — there’s nothing like it Eva! Lovely photos and the view from the back door is a great idea! I just popped over to Cecilia’s blog last night and I am glad that I did! Off to Ottawa for the week today! Cheerio!
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Thanks Barb, you won’t recognize our place…we’re redecorating.
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How absolutely beautiful! I love these kinds of posts, as they give me a window to the other side of the world. Thank you for sharing.
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