Have you seen any good movies this Christmas holiday? American Thanksgiving is the start of a month long movie fest, with one big block buster after another. While not an avid movie goer, I do read the reviews in search of those rare gems. This year, Charlie Wilson’s War, staring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman caught my eye. I especially enjoy movies that are based on real life events, and this one does not disappoint.

Hoffman’s character, the wisely cynical, self depreciating (is he Canadian?) CIA agent is brilliant. So is Tom Hank’s role as an over indulgent, sexually promiscuous congressman. You can’t not help but love these two men, who, along with grand dame Julie Roberts, manage to save the Afganistan people from being blown to bits by the Russians. OK, I am totally over simplifying the plot, but it’s the one liners that make this movie so cunningly funny. Definitely adult humour, leave the kids at home. Not only a great flick, but a good history lesson if you’re like me, and failed to understand why Afganistan is a hot bed for terrorism and violence.

Another good film praised by the critics is The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep, released on Christmas Day. It’s meant to explain the legend of the Loch Ness monster. The movie opens with a dark, almost macabre scene where young Angus MacMorrow (Alex Etel), discovers a black, barnacled football-shaped egg. The adventures begin when the egg hatches in his father’s work shed.

Sad at times, I love this film because the characters are so distracted with their own pain and suffering. Angus’s freckled face and earnest eyes fill the screen. His expressions, not his dialog, steel scene after scene. This is the kind of movie everyone will love, so be sure to include the grandparents. It’s dark and the battle scene at the end left my kids holding onto me for dear life, but like all good movies there is a happy ending.

Those are my pics for the holidays - what are yours?

Cheers,

Julie

Everyone knows that owning a cottage is an expensive proposition, especially because there is always a “project”on the go, or maintenance that needs to be done. Sometimes Bill and I will do the work ourselves, other times I will beg Joe Flareski or Stu (our very handy neighbours) to give me a hand. For the big jobs I will hire a contractor, like I did last summer when we installed three new solar panels and expanded our battery pack. In any case, whenever we do any work on the cabin I make sure that I stash all of the receipts in a special envelope and remember to bring it home at the end of the summer. Why? Capital Gains.

Unless your cottage is your primary residence, than it will be subject to capital gains tax, which is based on its fair market value at the time it changes ownership. There are ways to defer paying the tax, and a good accountant and lawyer can assist you with these, but at the end of the day capital gains will have to be paid.

The amount owed can be offset by improvements that increase the value or extend the life of the property.

Most renovations and upgrades are made within the first couple of years of acquiring a property; it’s important to keep a financial record, especially if you hired a contractor or third party. Their labour is deductible, mine is not. Ten to 15 years from now, I’m not going to remember how much the new dock cost, or what we spent installing the deck. Keeping a paper trail will minimize our tax bill and result in more money in my jeans, not the governments.

So for the rest of the day, I will be combing through my visa bills, highlighting and photocopying, as well as trying to track down my bill for the electrician, wishing I was better organized. I like to use the last day of the year to tidy up loose ends and get ready for the next.

Happy New Year’s

Cheers,

Julie

What do you serve with ham? Growing up in rural Ontario the pat answer was always: scalloped potatoes, green Jello-O with coconut sprinkles, white gummy rolls (of the Pilsbury variety) and little glassed filled tomato juice. If your bored with bird, and are thinking ham, roasted winter vegetables are a great side dish, and a better alternative to green Jello-O and gummy rolls. These flavourful vegetables also go well with roast beef or lamb.

A great way to clean out the crisper, a variety of legumes can be used.

Ingredients

• baby red potatoes (6)
• yams (2)
• baby carrots (1/2 bag)
• parsnips (4)
• celery root
• pears (2)
• turnip (1/2 cup)
• butter
• olive oil
• seasonings

Directions

Peal and chop four different kinds of vegetables using the list above - a good combination is potatoes, parsnips, carrots, and yams. Make about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of each - depending on the size of your pan. A 9 x 13 glass pyrex will feed a party of 10.

The most important ingredient is the pears. Wash and cube them but make sure to leave the skin on so they don’t go mushy.

Combine a 1/3 cup of melted butter with 1/3 cup of olive oil (the amount will vary depending on the quantity of vegetables you’re making) and pour over vegetables, coating them before baking. Season with sea salt and pepper. If you have Garamasala (blend of Indian spices) lightly sprinkle this over the vegetables before roasting.

Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 375 degrees F.

This dish can be made in advance and reheated. It also freezes well and can be reheated in a frying pan with a dollop of butter.

Cheers,

Julie

PS - Thank you to Jean Smart for today’s recipe and amazing ham dinner.

Her pink ski jacket twirls around like a cone in a candy floss machine. Her shrieks of laughter echoed off the forests walls as we stop to stare at her. Her arms are stretched high in the air as her body spins around and around. The tube she is riding in picks up speed with every turn, until it reaches the bottom. Shaking her head she attempts to steady herself and shake off her dizzy fog, as she tumbles out of her tube.

Handing my plastic ring to the attendant, I plunk myself into my own frozen purple circle of fun. I arch my back, taking care to protect my derrieri from any surprise bumps on the ride to the top. The rope jerks, spinning my tube around, as I dragged up the hill to go tubing.

It’s a beautiful blue sky day. We are at Cypress Mountain’s tube park located on Vancouver’s north shore mountains. This is tobogganing at it’s finest. Smooth groomed slopes, with walls high enough to prevent people from crossing over, await us. Attendants hold our tubes while we ready ourselves. There are four of us wanting to go down together. We throw our rope with ring into the tube and then hop in - legs and arms sticking out on 90 degree angles. One hand grasping our own handle and one hand steadying our kids’ handles. Samantha, a young high school student, gives us a big push, launching us down the run. Quickly, we pick up speed. I look over at Jillian, my six-year-old, worried that she is going to start crying, but all I see is a smile, an ear-to-ear grin. The thrills come fast and furious, but before we know it, we’re at the bottom. We pile out, eager to do it again and again.

Snow tubing is one of those activities that anyone can do, provided they’re over four feet tall. All you need are winter boots, warm mitts, hat, ski jacket, snow pants and ideally sunglasses or goggles. According to the Snow Valley website, tubers hit speeds of up to 80 km/hr. Surprisingly no one is wearing helmets, but then again, no one falls out of their tube. Speed and fear are good deterrents. It’s cost about $18 for two hours and includes tube rental.

Our kids love it, but the long line ups for the rope tow dampen their enthusiasm. While Bill and I are eager to keep going, are children are done after two hours. This is a great family activity, or if you have visitors who are getting cabin fever, head for the hills. A word of caution though, we were tubing on a groomed controlled track. If you are sledding or tobogganing anywhere else, wear a helmet especially if it’s icy or there are rocks or trees.

If you are interested in trying it, go to Playday.com, to find a tube park in your area or call your local ski hill to see if they offer it. I’m not sure what is more fun, water tubing or snow tubing, but they both provide a thrilling ride.

Has anyone else tried this ridiculously fun winter activity?

Cheers,

Julie

Merry Christmas Cottagers. I wish I was the one who wrote those words in the sand, but alas I am sitting in my office in Vancouver living vicariously through my friends’ emails from Hawaii. Living on the west coast, most folks either head to Mexico, or Hawaii, to escape the cold. Lucky for those of us staying home, the weather here is warm and sunny.

I would like to take a moment to thank all those great women out there who make Christmas so special and memorable for their families. It’s ironic that a fat man in a red suit gets all the credit, but for all the gals who have shopped, decorated, baked, entertained and will stay up until well past midnight tonight stuffing stocking and doing last minute wrapping, bless you.

Christmas is not an easy holiday. It’s only now I truly appreciate all my mom did for our family. Quite a feat considering she worked full time, had four kids and a husband who was rather “hands-off” so to speak. I was asking a friend, who has two teenagers, age 13 and 17, how they felt about Christmas. She said her kids are really traditional. They like doing the things they have always done. She wished they had established more of them when they were younger.

This helped me to realize that:

• buying a special ornament every year with the date on it, indicative of that year’s activities
• taking the kids to go buy a fresh Christmas tree decorating together as a family while listening to Christmas carols
• suffering through the torture of making shortbread
• getting our picture taken with Santa at Santa’s Breakfast
• opening one present on Christmas Eve
• fancy dress dinner in the dining room
• skiing over the Christmas holidays

Are important because these are our family’s traditions. They are what really makes Christmas -Christmas. These are the things, I’m told, that my children will remember. So no matter how tempting or envious I am of my friends hoping on a plane and spending Christmas on a white sandy beach, our traditions happen here in Vancouver. But going away after Christmas…..

I would love to hear about your family’s traditions - old or new.

And where ever you’re spending your Christmas holidays, may they be peaceful and beautiful.

Cheers,

Julie

Pretending to be at the cabin is a bit tricky when you live in a large city like Vancouver, and although there is a large body of water, the Pacific ocean, it doesn’t quite have the look and feel of Horne Lake. It’s been exactly 83 days since we last visited the cottage, and it will be another 121 days (give or take a few) before we’re there again.

While I miss wakeboarding, sitting and watching the comings and goings at the lake, campfires with our neighbours, happy hours, going for a ski just as the sun is setting and the lake is calm, playing hide and go seek at dusk with the kids and happy hours, I have found ways to cope in the off season.

Today, I thought I would share with you some of my favourite things to do in and around Vancouver. While they don’t replace being at the cabin, they are still lots of fun.

Hiking in Pacific Spirit Park - Located in UBC’s Endowment Lands, there are over 35 kilometres of trails in this 763 Hectare forest. If I want to escape, this is the first place I go. It’s lush and green 365 days of the year, and the large canopy forest helps block the rain.

Skating at Grouse Mountain Not only can I ski, skate and snowshoe, there are two really awesome restaurants on top of this snowcapped mountain. On a clear night, the view of the city is breathtaking. The four minute gondola ride is a bit chilly, but it goes fast. When you reach the top, it is truly a winter wonderland. The best part, it’s only15 minutes from downtown Vancouver.

Skiing Whistler - While Lake Louise, Breckenridge and Fernie, are my all time favourite places to ski, these days I’m getting my high altitude kicks at Whistler. Two hours on the sea-to-sky highway and I arrive at the “Number One Ranked Ski Resort in North America.” Yes, lift tickets cost over $80. Yes, it’s crazy busy over the Christmas holidays. Yes, the line-ups are long, and you need a reservation at Starbucks just to get a coffee (ok, I’m exagerating). Yes, driving the sea-to-sky highway can be a white knuckle experience, but after dropping the kids off at their ski lessons, and finally making my way to the top of the Peak Lookout, the adrenalin starts to kicks in. It’s the same rush I get just before I yell, “Hit It” on my wakeboard. The crowds and lineups are quickly forgotten, as I test my knees on the Peak to Creak run. Every year I try skiing it from top to bottom without stopping. It has yet to happen, but maybe this will be the year.

As far as happy hours go, NOTHING beats the ones we have at the cabin, but, going to Dusty’s after a day of skiing, and running into all your friends and neighbours from Vancouver, is the next best thing. The beer is cold, the nachos crispy and their barbecue wings are the delectable.

So for those folks going to their cabin or someplace warmer this Christmas, lucky you. I wish you a safe trip and some great memories. For those of you who are staying home, tell us what you’re up to. And if you happen to be in Whistler, drop by Dusty’s. You can find me upstairs in the back corner, or next to the pinball machines.

Cheers,

Julie

If you want to show off this holiday season, or you’re looking for a great dessert without all the fuss, then this week’s recipe, Julie’s Black Forest cake, is definitely the way to go. I learned how to make this whilst working part-time in a German restaurant. A 16- year-old lowly dishwasher, I would often sneak into the hectic kitchen to watch the cooks turn out crispy golden schnitzels with rich mushroom sauces, steaks topped with crab sauce, but what captivated me the most, was their black forest cake. A huge hit at this restaurant, it’s easy to make and actually tastes better the second day. You can totally cheat and use prepared items like the chocolate pudding and cherry pie fill.

I shamelessly used it to woo my future husband. It worked. His only complaint is that we don’t have it often enough (cake that is). You can make this at the cabin as long as you have an electric mixer, or someone is going to have an awfully sore arm trying to whip the cream.

Ingredients:

• One chocolate cake mix (I use Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines - whatever is on sale)
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup of oil
• 1 1/3 cup water
• 500 ml whipping cream
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 - 3 tbsp white sugar
• 3 tbsp rum
• 1 can cherry pie fill
• Jello - chocolate pudding - 2 - 3 pudding cups

Directions

Prepare the cake mix as per the directions using three eggs, oil and water. Pour into two round cake pans - lined with parchment paper (it makes the cake much easier to get out of the pans). Bake at 350 F. for 35 minutes - stick a knife or toothpick in the centre - if it comes out clean the cakes are cooked. Let it cool for 30 minutes before assembling.

Prepare the whipping cream - Beat the cream on high until it forms peaks, and then add the sugar and vanilla- beat a little longer (1 minute) and refrigerate.

The trick with the cake is in the assembly. Take a large bread knife and cut each cake horizontally (you should end up with 4 rounds of cake)

Take one cake round and lay it on your serving plate. Spread chocolate pudding on the bottom layer (might need to use several pudding cups). Spoon 2 - 3 tbsp rum over the chocolate pudding. Lay another cake layer on top and spread enough pudding to cover the cake. Next spoon about 1/2 can of cherry pie fill covering up the chocolate pudding. Add another cake round. Make sure the cake is stable and not splitting apart before you add this next cake layer. Add the remaining cherry pie fill and cover it with whip cream. Add the last cake round and cover the whole cake (top and sides) with whip cream. If you want to get fancy and you have some cherry pie fill left over, you can put it in the centre at the top. You can also grate chocolate and spread the shavings on the top.

Once it’s assembled store in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Note, not only is this a delicious dessert, it also makes a fabulous breakfast, that is if you have any left over.

If you’re cake does split apart whilst making it - don’t panic.  Whip cream can hide a multitude of sins. Make sure your bottom layer is flat and sits level on the plate. If the subsequent layers are oval - trim the centre so they lay flat.

If you’re friends want the recipe - just send them to www.CottageDaily.com.

Cheers,

Julie

If you’re planning on visiting the cottage over the winter holidays, be careful. You’re quick trips in and out could actually cause mold, mildew and rot unless proper care is taken.

Moisture forms in the cabin when the temperature between the inside and the outside rises dramatically. Arriving at the cabin and cranking the heat, causes the inside temperature to rise. Cooking and taking showers compound the problem by filling the air with more moisture. When people turn off the heat and leave and leave, the cold air can’t hold as much moisture as the warm air, so the moisture condenses out, especially where it meets cold surfaces i.e. windows, doors, walls. This excessive moisture can cause paint to peel, insulation to deteriorate, damage window sills, and door trims.

Insulated cabins make the problem worse, because the temperature inside versus outside is much greater. The result is condensation. The solution is this problem is to have adequate vapour barriers, in addition to insulation, to separate the the warm moist air inside from the cold, dense air outside. A well insulated cabin, with proper vapour barriers, snug fitting windows and doors, helps to prevent condensation from forming.

But if you don’t have the cash to winterize your cabin, a simple solution, according to Cottage Life’s Jo Currie, is to turn off the heat while you are packing up to leave. Open up all the doors and windows for at least 20 minutes to allow the air inside to become as dry and cold as the air outside. Other ways to manage condensation is to leave the windows a bit during your stay. If you have exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom run them while you are there. You could also consider investing in a dehumidifier. Don’t store firewood inside, the wood holds moisture that gets released as it dries.

The only way to prevent condensation is to keep the heat at a low level year-round. Make sure that your cabin is well insulated, with proper vapour barriers and snug fitting windows and doors.

Here’s to winter cottaging, and I thought summer cottaging was a lot of work!

Cheers,

Julie

It’s hard to believe that it’s still fall, with all the snow that’s being dumped on eastern Canada. Things are looking a little wintery on the homepage. In fact, there are a couple of items I would like to draw your attention to. First off, take a look at the Snapshot page. You will see some of the photos we received from our “Favourite Cottage Moment Contest.” We have selected Max Van Parys, the little guy with the big fish, as our winner for the Chantry Island bath robe. Way to go Max.

We always love seeing your photos and hearing what you’ve been up to. A picture is worth a thousand words, and the one with Debb and Doug, sitting on their newly purchased camp, at Lake Panache in Whitefish Ontario, is worth a thousand emotions too. Debb writes,

I recently came across this photo and it brought back some great memories. Doug and I had wanted a cottage for so long, but thought it was out of our reach financially. Long story short, we found THIS place and we haven’t looked back with even a second of regret. The day we signed the papers to make this place our own had to be the best cottage moment ever. Here we are on our second visit to the new place. We knew how much work was ahead of us, but also knew it was going to be a labour of love. We’ve come a L-O-N-G way since November 2003 when this picture was taken! From a shack to a castle, [well maybe not one fit for royalty!!] - but camp-sweet-camp to us!

Thanks Debb.

Every year Cottage Life sponsors a photo contest. While I can’t say I would have chosen this year’s winner, there was one that I absolutely loved. Be sure to click on this link and check it out - it will make you laugh out loud.

If you’re in the market for a new digital camera, www.dpreview.com is a good place to start. It provides product reviews on every camera available. There are also advertisers on the site, so you can do some comparative shopping. I recently purchased a Canon Digital Rebel XTi, and am pretty happy with it. It’s a step up from my old Canon A75 Powershot. I appreciate being able to shoot three frames per second, and the detachable lens mean that I can get better close-ups, great for photographing kids, dogs and wakeboarders.

If you have a photo you would like to share with us, send it to julie@cottagedaily.com.

Cheese,

Julie

Today’s story idea was literally handed to me. The Cottage Bible, written by Gerry Mackie and Laura Elise Taylor, was given to me as a Christmas gift from my girlfriend Sheryl. This is a well written, beautifully photographed, detailed guide to owning a cottage.

Gerry Mackie, a biology professor at the University of Guelph, devotes a good chunk of the book guiding cottagers on how to co-exist with nature, something we often lose sight of. He writes, “Respect the natural life around you at the cottage. The rewards will be many.” He even provides a step-by-step guide on how to remove quills and ticks from your dog.

Below are his suggestions for visiting the lake in the winter. While we seldom get snow on the west coast, the rain and wind can make visiting the cabin a frosty and somewhat unpleasant experience. His advice is relevant regardless of where your cottage is located.

Tips for a Successful Winter Visit

• Bring slippers for the ice-cold floor
• Invest in an electric blanket or hot water bottle
• Consider dragging a mattress or using a cozy sleeping bag in front of the wood stove or fireplace so you don’t have to heat the bedrooms
• Bring enough water for cooking and drinking
• Bring a plastic sled to carry your stuff across the unplowed driveway

Mackie writes if you use the toilet, use lake water or melt snow for flush water. Make sure you leave the tank empty; just use buckets to flush. Don’t forget to drain the bowl and add antifreeze again when you leave. He also suggests not bothering with the generator because you have to rewinterize it. OPPPPSSSs - I didn’t realize you were suppose to winterize the generator. Guess I’ll be reading the section on Generators page 319, to find out what I missed.

This is a terrific book, and a good one for any cottagers on your list.

Cheers,

Julie

P. S. My copy came from Chapters