You don’t get to be 128 years old and have nothing to show for it.  Take for example, Canadian music. Growing up, Anne Murray was our Canadian songbird.  She, along with Neil Young, Rush and Burton Cummings, represented our country on the world stage.

Today, our music is as diverse as the people who live here, and it just keeps getting better and better. 

Here are some great Canadian artists you can download onto your iPod.  Once you’re done singing O ‘Canada this Sunday, you might want to continue celebrating with these talented artists.  There are some favourites from the past, and some names you might not recognize, but they are 15 more great reasons to love this country.

Happy Birthday Canada!

Cheers,

Julie

This Sunday is a birthday bash like no other.  From sea to shining sea, we are all invited to the party.   We get to celebrate being a Canadian.  There is no better place to do this than at the cottage.

Last year, cottagers on my lake, celebrated the day in a variety of different ways.  I saw people sporting red and white Cat in the Hat-hats; others had painted maple leafs on their cheeks.  After the sun set, bursts of fireworks exploded over the water.  Even Joe Flairski got into the spirit of things when, just after  midnight, he rose out of the water on his slalom ski ,with a burning flare taped to the back of it.  It was a magical moment to look out and see a burning green flame circling the bay. 

Canada Day connects us in a very special way.  It is a great opporunity to come together and celebrate, like Christmas, only warmer and without all the fuss.  This glorious long weekend, I invite you to raise a glass and toast our amazing country. 

This is a great recipe because it is red and white and drunk all over. 

O Canada Sangria

• 4 cups of cranberry cocktail

• 1 bottle  or 750 ml of dry white wine

• 1 bottle or 750 ml dry red wine

• 1 cup of gin

• 6 tbsp honey – mix until it dissolves

• 1 cup of chopped strawberries

• 1 chopped orange

• 1 chopped lemon

• 1 chopped banana

• 1 chopped peach

 Mix ingredients and refrigerate for one day.  Serve in tall glasses filled with ice and a pick for the fruit.  Garnish with a mint leaf.

Wherever you are this Canada Day, I wish you a very happy 128th birthday and lots of good friends to celebrate it with.  Please be careful and don’t drink and drive - cars or boats.

Cheers,

Julie 

Our dog, Daisy, knows the way to the cabin.  It takes four hours and includes crossing the ocean, but once we pull off the 19A highway and hit the gravel road, her ears perk up; her stubby little tail points north; and she starts scratching at the window.  Once the engine is turned off, she makes a mad scramble over the kids, desperate to be the first one out.  Opening the door, I stand back, making way for the hurtling flying ball. 

Daisy loves the freedom that comes with cabin living.  Her 50 foot yard is suddenly expanded to 800 acres, and includes: A lake, a forest, and unexpected treats from neighbors. But if your pet, like Daisy, is allowed to run lose at the cottage; you need to protect them from the elements.  Dr. Clark from the Granville Island Veterinary Hospital recommends the following:

• Rabies – make sure your cat and dog have their rabies shots.  Vaccination is done every three years.

•  Fleas and other things that tick:  Parasite protection is also important, especially if you have children.  If your dog is pooping where the children are playing, internal parasites, like round worm eggs, can cause blindness.  Dr. Clark prefers to use a topical parasiticide like Revolution.  It not only eliminates fleas, but also works on internal parasites like: hook worms, whip worms, and round worms. You should also check your pet frequently for ticks.

• Water –dogged:  Some dogs love the water; others avoid it.  Dogs that spend a lot of time in the water are more susceptible to ear infections, particularly if they have floppy ears.  Dr. Clark suggests using a drying and cleansing agent for the ears like Epi-otic.  But how do you know if your dog has an ear infection?  Your dog will scratch the infected ear a lot.

• Skunks:  there is nothing worse than a dog who’s been sprayed by a skunk.  It’s times like these you wished you had fish.  Dr. Clark recommends this simple remedy should you find yourself faced with a stinky pooch.

De-Skunking Recipe:

1. 1 quart (600 mls) 3% hydrogen peroxide

2. ¼ cup baking soda

3. 1 tbsp scented pet shampoo or any other non-medicated shampoo

Mix the ingrediants together and shampoo the dog, being careful to not get it in their eyes.

Here’s to happy healthy pets this summer.

Cheers,

Julie

Summer Reading

Growing up, my mother was and still is, a reading evangelist.  With a degree in English literature and a love of books, we, her children, didn’t stand a chance.

While my friends feasted on Saturday morning cartoons, we read books.  If we announced we were bored, we were told to, “Get a book.”  When we were little, we didn’t have a lot of toys, but man did we have books.  Our shelves were crammed full of Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and Laura Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie series.

It is little wonder that I choose reading over television.  A good story will leave me sleep deprived and bleary-eyed for days.  Always on the look-out for a well written novel, I asked the Lunars, my fellow book club members, to pick their favourite summer reads.  After much debate, they came up with the following list:

Note:  This is a summer list; some of the books are a little lighter in content.  They can be picked up,  put down and interrupted.  They all received a 4 star rating out of a possible 5 on Amazon.com.

Summer Reading List

• East of Eden by John Stienbeck

• Rush Home Road by Lori Lansens

• Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls (my personal favourite)

• The Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

• Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver

• The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Here’s to a summer filled with great books and bleary-eyes.

Cheers,

Julie       

When the barbeque repair man shakes his head and avoids making eye contact, you know you’ve done something wrong.  It’s the same disappointed look the dental hygienist gives when you admit to not flossing.

The reason the repair man, Adam, was fixing our que was due to a recent fire.  A fire, I was unaware of until Bill arrived just in time to see his cherished Weber Silver Series engulfed in flames.  Now looking at the charred gray knobs melted to the metal plate, I could tell Adam was clearly disgusted with the carelessness we had shown this once majestic grill.  “Grease fire,” he stated.  “You need to clean out the tray underneath or in extreme cases,” ours being one of them, “They will catch fire.”  

Well there’s just is not arguing with facts.  I wanted to explain to Adam that cleaning the grill is a blue job – a Bill job.  I do pink jobs or indoor jobs, and the person he should be disappointed with, was Bill.

In an attempt to lighten the mood and bolster my self esteem, I cheerily asked what kind of barbeque he had, “Weber, and it’s 18 years old,” he replied, making it very clear that he looked after his barbeque.  For the next half hour, I was given a maintenance seminar on how to properly care for our Weber.

The first lesson I learned is to regularly clean your grease tray or catch pan.  It is important to keep this clean as it will attract animals looking for a late night snack.

The second most important area to keep clean, and this is likely where our fire started, is the bottom tray.  To clean this area, take out all of the grills and grates.  Scrape the sides and base with a 1″ putty knife and push the debris out of the hole into a trash can.

Next, using a brass wire grill brush, gently brush the burner tubes, this is where the propane comes out.  The tiny holes on these tubes becomes blocked and results in uneven cooking.

The cooking grates are usually cleaned by preheating the grill to high; this will burn off any accumulated debris. You should occasionally brush the bars with a brass grill brush. 

The above instructions are geared to people who own Weber gas grills.  To find out how to properly clean your appliance, I would recommend going to your barbeque’s manufacturer website. 

Here’s to a great grilling season.

Julie

When my friends ask if I’m planning on spending the summer at the cabin, and I answer, “Yes,” they get this dreamy far-away look in their eyes. “Oh, how great,” and “Wow, you’re so lucky,” are often their replies. But the truth of the matter is, it’s actually not all sunsets and picnics.

Spending the summer in a 750 square foot bungalow, with no electricity, a lake that has swimmer’s itch, temperatures that soar well over 90 degrees, and two very active children, is not exactly what you’d call “easy”.   More like, challenging.

The biggest obstacle I face every summer is keeping kids from getting bored.  Used to playgrounds, play dates, and other programmed activities, cabin living is a completely different way of life, and it takes some adjusting - for all of us.

This summer, I decided to check out the local day camps in the area. You know the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” I am going to rely on locals to help raise mine. Fortunately, Vancouver Island has some amazing kids’ camps, particularly, if your child loves the outdoors, wildlife and adventure.

The North Island Wildlife Recover Centre, located in Errington, B.C., offers day camps running from July 3 to August 31, 2007.  The Centre is an amazing place to visit if you happen to be on the Island.  With the largest eagle flight centre, complete with observations decks, a museum of nature, and a variety of animals in various stages of rehabilitation, this is an ideal setting for young naturalists.

Horne Lake Caves, just a stone’s throw from our cabin, operates a three day “discovery camp” for first time campers. Situated on Horne Lake, the campers discover rock climbing, go cave exploring, paddle and learn wilderness survival skills.

The Regional District of Nanaimo Recreation and Parks offer day camps as well.  These camps are located on the beach and have fabulous playgrounds.  You don’t have to commit  to a whole week to attend, in fact, you can drop the kids off for a half day or a whole day.  Buy a book of 10 passes and go when you want.  So while the kids are at camp, I can do the grocery shopping, run errands and check my email.

Hmmmm, maybe this summer the living will be easy.

Cheers,

Julie

I have always believed that kids and dogs are a lot alike.  When we first got Daisy, a caramel ball of fluff (Wheaton Terrier), we indulged her with numerous soft rubber toys.  She loved the noisy squeaking ones the best.  When my son Ben came along, he too loved soft noisy pliable toys, the more noise they made, the better.   During potty training, they both made messes in corners and tried to pretend like nothing happened.  They both jump up and down when their excited, and whine when they’re hungry.  They love to cuddle and are the happiest when they have your attention. After a recent trip to the vet’s office, I discovered still more similarities.  The contents of your first aid kit will not only work for kids but also for canines.

Diarhea, next to vomiting, is my least favourite aliment to deal with, but according to Dr. John Clark from the Granville Island Veterinary Hospital, Pepto-Bismol is the best way to treat this messy problem.  He recommends 1cc’s per 5kg and give three doses at eight hour intervals.  He cautions, if the dog is very depressed or is vomiting frequently, get them to a vet right away.

Dr. Clark is also a big fan of Polysporin.  He prescribes it for cuts, particularly on their feet, or if they get into a fight with another dog.  Polysporin Eye Drops can also be used for mild ocular discharge; however, if your pooch shows significant ocular discomfort or squinting, it should be examined as soon as possible by a veterinarian.

Dogs, like children, can also suffer from heat-stroke, particularly if they are very active or are left in a hot car too long.  If your dog is really dehydrated and you can’t get them to a vet, you can use Pedialyte.  If your dog is suffering from heat stroke, soak the animal down with cool water (not cold) on their trunk and legs, and give them cool water to drink (but don’t force them to drink). 

Children and dogs react to insect bites.  If your pet gets bitten and has facial swelling, ear swelling, or becomes itchy all over, give them Benadryl: 2mg per Kg.  If you dog suffers a sting to the tongue, and it starts to swell, administer Benadryl immediately.  A swollen tongue will make it difficult for them to breathe.

Who knew they are so similar - practically indistinguishable?  I wonder if Daisy prefers Barbie or Spiderman bandages?  If you need more information or have questions regarding your dog’s treatment talk to your vet or visit: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/. 

Next week, we will talk about some precautions you should take before you turn your child - opps, I mean dog, loose at the cabin.

Cheers,

Julie

Salmon with Hoisin Sauce

I am not a fish person.  Growing up on a beef farm in rural Ontario meant we didn’t eat a lot of fish.  On those rare occasions when my mom would serve us Captain Highliner’s Frozen Cod, it was met with little enthusiasm and a lot of resistance.   When we caught a bass or a pickerel from the lake, we would fry it with a lot of butter in an attempt to cover the fishy taste.

Upon moving to Vancouver, I quickly discovered this is the salmon capital of the world.  This mighty finned species is proudly displayed in First Nation’s artwork, it adorns city buildings and it appears on menus more often than chicken.  Not a big fan of the pink fish, I have found myself in several awkward situations, usually at friends’ dinner parties, when it is the main course.

It was at one friend’s home, who, wanting to welcome us to Vancouver, served this salmon dish.  It tasted amazing, and for the first time, I actually enjoyed every bite and even asked for seconds.  The secret to this recipe is the hoisin sauce’s sweet flavour; it complements the salmon’s strong taste. So if you’re not a fish lover, or if you are, this is a great one to make.

Serves 4

• 1-1/2 lbs salmon fillet  680 g

• ¼ cup hoisin sauce

• 1 clove garlic chopped finely

• 2 tsp sesame oil 

• 1 tbsp sherry vinegar

• 1 tbsp olive oil  

• 3 tbsp sesame seeds toasted

Rub the salmon with salt & pepper and store in the fridge 30 min – 4 hours.

Mix the hoisen, garlic, sesame oil and sherry vinegar together and smear 2 tbsp of the mixture over the salmon.  Refrigerate 4 to 8 hours.Wipe off all the mixture, pat dry and rub oil on the salmon.  Grill on a very clean grill on high – flesh side down for 3-4 minutes.  Turn salmon over and coat the flesh side with the rest of the mixture.  Grill 3-4 minutes.  It is important to not flip the salmon over more than once.

If you are a salmon fan, you might want to pick up Salmon Cookbook by Carol Ann Shipman, published by Hancock House Publishers.  It has some unique and very tasty recipes.

Cheers,

Julie

Insurance is like a seat belt, you don’t really appreciate it until it saves your life, and then you’re really glad you have it.  Like most people, I tend not to read my policy’s fine print until it’s time for renewal, or I need to make a claim.  But after last weekend, I realized it was time to go back and take a closer look.

Why?  The housing boom, and all the increased construction costs associated with it, have resulted in higher materials and labour costs.  While we are not planning on building a new cottage any time soon, if we had to replace our existing cabin, our current policy would build us a nice new boat house, but we’d be sleeping in a tent.  It is important to make sure your policy reflects the current market conditions, and you are not left out in the cold.

Another reason to check you policy is liability or third party coverage.  Last year we had a friend crack three ribs while riding on our inner tube.  Arguably, if he’d listen to his four and six year old children, and hung onto the handles rather than straddling the inner tube’s side, he might not have injured himself.  Risk of injury is greater at the lake, especially where power boats and novices are concerned.

Amanda Parsons, an insurance representative with The Personal Insurance Company, states that one million dollars is the standard amount of liability insurance that most people carry.  “It’s very rare to go above two million dollars; this is not the states, people cannot sue the way they can in the US,” she declared.  But is a million dollars really enough?

I decided to seek outside counsel.  Dave Smart, a Vancouver lawyer who specializes in litigation, recommends the more insurance you have the better.  “It’s amazing how many people cheat and scrimp when it comes to their insurance,” Smart contends.  “It tends to be pretty cheap when you weigh the cost versus benefit,” adding,  “The chance of a catastrophic event happening at the cabin is rare,” but he continues, “A permanent disability injury for a young person, where they suffer loss of income or require permanent care, will result in a settlement well over a million dollars, there is no upper limit.” 

Accidents can happen anywhere.  When it comes to the cottage, it pays to get the extra coverage.  If you rent out your property, check with your insurer to understand how renting affects your policy.  Some insurers do not provide rental insurance; it becomes a commercial property and requires commercial insurance.

I wish everyone a safe and happy summer, and make sure you’re covered.

Cheers,

Julie 

Look closely at the photo - can you see the nanny goat peeking out from the A-frame hut?  You would never know the grassy meadow is actually the roof of the Old Country Market. It’s not just any market, aside from the fruits and vegetables, most of which are grown on Vancouver Island, it also houses: a deli, a bakery, a gift shop, a restaurant, assorted bedding and accessories from India, but best of all - an ice cream parlor.

The Old Country Market, located in Coombs B.C., is a kaleidoscope of fruit, furniture, toys and knick-knacks from around the world.  But the reason we make it a pit-stop on the way to our cabin are the 69 flavours of ice cream, stacked sky high in a sweet crunchy waffle cone.  It is a fabulous deal at $3.50 for a “single” scoop.  The local teenage boys, who patiently serve the throngs of people lining the glass counter, know how to pack a punch; these cones are staggering in shape and size.

We consider this road-side-wonder one of the perks of owning a cabin.  For cottagers north of Orillia, Ontario, they have Webers; an iconic burger shack known for its salty shoe-string fries and rich chocolate malt shakes.  Demand for these burgers was so overwhelming, the owners installed the first and only pedestrian bridge over a public highway, so people traveling home from the cottage could get one more fix before they hit the city.

It is these quirky outlets that become part of our cottage rituals.  We look forward to their visits as much as actually being at the cabin.  This is especially true in the spring when we have been denied our weekly indulgence.  So whether your favourite haunt is a burger joint, an ice cream stand or a pie place, I wish you a season of happy eating.

Cheers,

Julie