Are you starting to get excited yet? For those of us keeping track, there are only 12 more days until the May long weekend - a weekend that heralds the start of cottage season. I must admit, the weather isn’t exactly inspiring me to think summer, at least not here in Vancouver.

In between burst of rain, the temperature is still unseasonably cool. In some places, the lakes are still covered in snow - guess those folks are going to have to hold off putting in the dock - or maybe break the ice first and then install it.

Mentally I’ve started to prepare for the upcoming migration. I’ve been making little piles around the house of “things to take to the cottage”. There is the bedding - stuffed into green garbage bags, a new table cloth, wet suits and old coats.

I’ve finally talked Bill into buying a new boat which opens up a whole new can of worms. And the summer guest list - who we’d like to invite, is being bantered about. If any of my friends are reading this, now is a great time to take me out for lunch and butter me up - so to speak.

If I had to say what I’m looking forward to the most - it’s just being back at the lake. I miss sitting on the couch staring at the water - something I never seem to tire of. I’m also hoping to get out my kayak and go for a paddle - the middle of the lake is a great place to do some soul searching and navel gazing.

So today’s question is - what are you looking forward to the most this summer? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Cheers,

Julie

For anyone considering a pontoon boat, the Loon, built near Orilla, Ont., is an emissions-free electric boat. Solar-assisted, this pontoon boat comes with built-in battery charger. The panels charge the eight - six volt deep cell batteries that operate the Briggs and Stratton electric outboard motor.

On a sunny day, the boat can travel up to 50 km at a cruising speed of about five knots. The six-metre, eight passenger Loon weighs about 1,000 kilograms, slightly heavier than it’s gas-guzzling cousin. According to the boat’s builder, Monte Gisborne, the Loon can travel at least eight times further on a unit of energy than the most efficient gas-powered boat.

Monte concedes that the solar panels (installed on the roof) will provide about 16 km of free travel on a sunny day and you can even stretch it to 32 km, but you won’t be going anywhere after that, as the batteries will need to be recharged, either by sun or by plugging in the boat the grid.

The boats sell for anywhere from $25,000 to $35,000, but a new prototype is currently under construction so don’t quote me on that figure. While the boats save money on gas, the break-even point is somewhere between five to seven years, assuming people spend $100 a weekend on gas over 16 week period.

If you’d like more information on Tamarack Lake Electric Boats visit www.tamarackelectricboats.com TheNew York State Energy Research and Development department recently offered this company a $500,000 grant, so there is a chance they may be relocating to the US, but according to Monte, the Loon will still be available for sale in Canada.

Cheers,

Julie

Weeds across Canada are breathing a sigh of relief as Home Depot announced Wednesday it’s going to discontinue selling pesticides by the end of this year.

I must admit while visiting my brother’s cabin last year on Lake Qu’Appelle, I did try to hide his gallon of Roundup. He has a beautiful lush green lawn, the kind my feet love, especially after a pedicure. Unfortunately, beautiful lawns are not always good for the environment.

Curious as to what people should be using on their lawns instead of pesticides I consulted one of my favourite websites, Living By Water. Started by Clive Callaway and Sarah Kipp of British Columbia (longtime shoreline residents), this site is a great resource for cottagers. It explains how to prevent erosion, maintain water quality, site planning for cabins and good day-to-day living habits for those of us on the water.

Below are their suggestions for lawn maintenance. It seems the best way to get rid of weeds is the old fashion way - bend down and dig ‘em out. Their yard maintenance tips are not only relevant for the cottage but also at home.

Home and Yard Maintenance (from Living By Water)

Plan for the smallest possible lawn, built on the opposite side of your home from the water. If you already have a property with a lawn to the water’s edge, read the tips on starting a buffer zone.

Consider replacing some of the grass in your lawn with clover or other groundcovers that don’t need watering. Good lawn maintenance practices will keep your grass healthier and reduce your need for fertilizers and pesticides.

• “Grasscycle”: Use a mulching mower and leave grass clippings on your lawn where possible. They can increase your soil’s fertility by up to 50 percent! The clippings will be gone in about two to three days as they turn into food for your turf’s roots.
• Keep clippings well back from water and drainage ditches. Never push them over the edge of a bank into a ravine, river or lake.
• Mow when the grass is dry to prevent clumping.
• Increase the mowing height of your lawn to approximately 8 cm (2.5 cm). Taller grass provides shade for better root growth, which helps with absorption.
• Keep lawn mower blades sharp so you don’t tear the grass; this can result in increased water loss and susceptibility to disease.
• Before you consider fertilizing your lawn, aerate it and see if that improves its health. If you still believe fertilizer is necessary, take a sample of your soil to a nursery or agricultural field office for testing.
• Choose a fertilizer high in Water Insoluble Nitrogen (WIN). WIN is released slowly and helps prevent “lawn bum” and groundwater contamination. WIN fertilizers cost more, but they’re worth it.
• Remove dandelions and other unwanted plants from your lawn using long-handled tools. Invest in a good quality weed remover; check with your local gardening centre. If you feel you must use a pesticide, do not apply it to the whole lawn. Instead, use an applicator which allows you to direct a small spray towards each unwanted plant. Avoid products like the fertilizer / herbicide mixes which provide blanket applications.

Cheers,

Julie

If you happened to miss Wednesday’s Globe and Mail article, Retro Cuisine Goulash Goes Haute, then you likely aren’t aware that crock-pots are making a comeback. According to the article “The crock-pot is back transforming cheap, cuts of meat…into fashionable home dinners.”

I have been crock-potting for the last 11 years, largely a result of my husband. He crock-potted his way through university. We are still using his original pot and the recipe book that came with it.

While the crock-pot is usually reserved for cold nights and comfort food, it’s a great appliance to have at the cabin. You can make dinner in the morning, leaving you free to enjoy a good book or your guests.

One of my favourite dishes is Braised Lamb Shanks - think Osso Buco made with red wine.

Ingredients - makes 6 servings

• 1 cup dry red wine
• 2 cups of low sodium chicken broth
• 2 heaping tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 5 to 6 pounds lamb shanks, not trimmed of fat
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 2 medium yellow onions, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 2 large carrots, peeled and cut in 1/4-inch slices
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• Finely grated zest of 1 large lemon
• 2 heaping tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves

Directions

In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add lamb and cook until lightly browned on both sides. Transfer to slow cooker.

In a small bowl mix the red wine, chicken broth, mustard, salt, and pepper and place in the insert of the slow cooker. Layer the shanks in the insert so they fit. Scatter the remaining ingredients around and on the shanks. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours. Use tongs to reverse the position of the shanks, top to bottom. Reduce the setting to LOW and cook for an additional 6 hours.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shanks to a serving platter. Skim the fat from the cooking juices, taste, and add salt and pepper, if needed. Pour the juices over the shanks, and serve. Alternatively, puree juices in a food processor and then simmer for 5 minutes in a saucepan. Pour over meat and serve on a bed of egg noodles.

Cheers,

Julie

PS - Did you know peeking or removing the crock-pot lid adds 20 minutes to your cooking time?

Buying a cottage for pleasure may necessitate renting it it our for profit to help cover some of the operating and maintenance costs. Renting your cottage can be financially beneficial if you want to use the income to pay taxes and utilities like hydro and phone. But don’t expect to get rich from the rental income and try to pay a mortgage with it, especially if you plan on using the property too. If done properly you can easily cover your operating expenses for the year.

It’s important to remember with renters comes work. A friend of mine who owns a two bedroom condo in Whistler and rents it out to cover expenses gets calls from irate guests at all hours of the day. One person even called to complain about traffic on the Sea to Sky highway?!!!!

While there is no such thing as easy money, I do believe in using a rental management company, especially if I know I’m not able to respond quickly to renter’s concerns and I don’t live nearby.

When it comes to selecting a rental management agency, Heather Bayer, author of Renting your Recreational Property for Profit, recommends people consider the following:

Types of Agencies

Check first with the agency to determine their renting criteria. For example, some agencies may insist on having the property available for rental for a certain number of weeks, including peak season and other holiday periods. It may not be worth their while to spend money advertising and marketing your cottage if you’re going to be spending a lot of time there yourself. This means you may not be able to pop down on the spur of the moment. The rental management agency’s contract should cover owner occupancy, so make sure you agree on this before signing it.

Agencies have two customers: you the owner, and the renter. The agency representing your property should deal promptly with both parties. If it doesn’t than you won’t get the customers you need to rent your cottage effectively.

Booking Agencies

The upsurge in demand for cottage style vacations has led to an increase in the number of rental agencies in Canada. Many concentrate in a single region, while the larger ones have many properties ranging from basic cabins to luxury high end homes. Most offer booking service only. They will inspect the property, advertise it on their website, process contracts and rental agreements. However, they do not have the facility to manage rental changeovers, check for damage and cleanliness, or respond to any problems that may arise during rental.

Full Service Agencies

Full service agencies will undertake the same tasks as booking-only agencies but will also offer additional services. Examples of these services include: guest care, maintenance or emergency repair, linen rental, cleaning, bicycle and equipment rental. It’s important to determine what you require from an agency.

Travel Industry Regulation

The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) regulates travel companies in Ontario ensuring compliance with the Ontario Travel Act. All agencies offering vacation homes for rent on behalf of a third-party, should be registered with TICO. The alternative is an agency that has a connection with a realty brokerage and who operates a Trust Accounting system in accordance with provincial real estate regulations. If you list your property with a management agency not regulated in this way, you are putting your rental income at risk.

Ask the Right Questions

When you start looking for an agency, prepare a list of questions to ask. In this way you can be sure you’re asking each agency the same question and can compare answers. Ask for their information package to be sent to you so you can compare their commission rates. You shouldn’t expect an agency to give you an estimate of rental potential without first visiting your property.

A reputable agency will provide information on the following:

• Operating policies
• Where they advertise and market their services
• What experience they’ve had on managing properties
• Testimonials from current owners registered with them
• Their website - you should pay close attention to how it looks and if it promotes year-round rentals

Agency Rates

Commission rates rates vary from 12% to 30%, with a renters booking charge between $25 to $65 per week. Some charge a flat commission rate that is only payable when the cottage is rented.

Viewing

When you contact agencies, they will want to arrange a viewing of your property. Even if you’re inviting several agencies to view, expect them all to take photographs and carefully question the facilities and amenities available, and any restrictions you may want to impose. Make sure the cottage looks its best, as photographs will reflect the way it looks on that day.

Prepare in advance of the booking a detailed sheet listing room dimensions, bed configurations, additional features and kitchen appliances.

Making the Decision

Good agencies will provide you with references from their clients, so look at their websites and property lists and ask for references from cottage owners of your choosing. Select properties in your rental price bracket.

Renting out your property takes time and energy. Some people prefer to save money and do it themselves. Getting a good agency will save you a lot of money and frustration. My friend with the condo in Whistler has slowly come to realize this and is now shopping for a rental management company.

Cheers,

Julie

In case you’ve been hiding under a rock lately and have missed all the news on the government’s warning about plastic water bottles, here’s an update for you. It’s especially important for those cottagers, myself included, who bring bottled water to the cottage.

Here are five things you should know about plastic water bottles:

1. A synthetic compound called Bisphenol A is used to make polycarbonate plastic food containers as well as clear plastic reusable water bottles
2. As the water bottles heat up (i.e. in the summer time when the cottage is closed up) Bisphenol A gets leached into the water
3. Bisphenol A has been linked to:
   1. increased prostate weight
   2. decline in testosterone
   3. hasten the development of cancer
4. To determine if the water container is made with polycarbonate flip over the bottom. If it has a PC underneath the triangle, it’s made of polycarbonate and contains Bisphenol A. If it has a “7″ inside the triangle, then it may be may contain polycarbonate.
5. Installing a water-treatment system costs anywhere from $400 - $700 (according to Cottage Life Magazine) but the cost per litre is about $0.04 - $0.08.

Here’s to safe drinking water.

Cheers,

Julie

Every year for Mother’s Day my children buy me a plant, shrub or tree. Last year I received two magnolia trees. This year I’m hoping to receive something that bares fruit- ideally a cherry tree.

Inspired by last weekend’s Vancouver Sun columnist, Steve Whysall, (see Sweet Treats) I’d like to turn our backyard into a fruit orchard of sorts.

Due to bears, deer and other little four-legged creatures, we are discouraged from planting any kind of fruit trees at the cabin. Although my neighbour Ed has a great apple tree that kids and animals both enjoy, I’ve shied away from planting anything edible.

This article offered some great advice on buying buying fruit producing plants and trees. Specifically, if you’re planting a fruiting tree, vine or bush this year, don’t expect a bumper crop. You have to be patient as it can take several seasons before a plant starts producing lots of fruit. It goes on to explain that most fruit trees are sold in three or five gallon pots, but if they’re available, it’s recommended to buy more mature specimens in seven or 10-gallon pots, in order get more fruit sooner.

If you want more information on how to plant the trees and bushes, including pruning techniques, the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is your best source see www.agf.gov.bc.ca/aboutind/products/plant/raspberry.htm

The following are a list of the best fruiting trees and berry-bearing shrubs for the Lower Mainland of Vancouver which is classified as a zone 7-8. Vancouver Island is a zone 8.

Cheery Tree Varieties

When buying a cherry tree, buy a variety that is self-pollinating, so you don’t need to plant more than one kind. The most popular varieties are:

• Lapins, Glacier, Stella and Sweetheart

Apples

Apple trees need a pollinator. As long as there is another tree in the neighborhood, there should be no problem with pollination. Crabapple trees make great pollinators. Recommended varieties include:

• Honeycrisp, Liberty, Braeburn, King Gravenstein, Melrose

Blueberries

Blueberries are self-furtile, but you get more fruit if you have more bushes with similar flowering times, early, mid or late bloomers. Recommended cultivars:

• Duke, Patriot, Blue Crop, Chippewa and Blue Gold

Raspberries

Recommended varieties:

• Heritage, Meeker, Autumn Bliss, Tulimeen

I’m looking forward to building up our back yard garden. Planting trees and shrub given to me by the kids makes it even more special. We might get started a little earlier this year as Earth Day is next Sunday. What better way to celebrate than planting a cherry tree or some blueberry bushes.

Cheers,

Julie

Walking out the front door of my night class I can’t quite make out what’s going on. It’s “snraining” - snow mixed with rain.

Yes, it’s April 18th, and exactly one month from tonight I will be sitting on the ferry en-route to the cabin. Some people get excited about Christmas, but for me the May “two-four weekend” (an Ontario expression) is all about the start of cottage season.

I must admit, I’m starting to get a bit worried. The last three long weekend openers have been cold and rainy, but this year I’m afraid it’s going to be cold and snowy. There’s nothing like opening up the cabin in the freezing rain.

In Ontario it’s customary to take your docks out on Thanksgiving weekend so it doesn’t get smashed by the ice. The beauty of west coast cottaging is the lakes don’t freeze. We leave our dock in, loosen off the lines and let it float.

Standing in hip waders trying to mount pieces of dock onto pipes, or worse, hunting for cement blocks to secure posts in frigid water was always my least favourite job, usually because we did such a bad job of taking it out in the first place.

We still have to crawl under the cabin to get the pump primed and close all the open valves, but I don’t get too fussed about it, especially since it’s a “blue” job. Bill gets to do it. I do the “pink” jobs, bedding, cleaning, organizing, and yard work.

While part of me is really excited about the approachiing cottage season, another part of me is worried we’re going to have another cold rainy wet summer like last year.

Oh well only time will tell. Until water skiing starts, I think I’ll keep downhill skiing. Whistler has 5 cm fresh snow and more expected this weekend.

The last day to ski Whistler is April 20th, but Blackcomb stays open until June 8th. You can buy an $89 lift ticket and ski the rest of the season on it. The irony is they’re closing Whistler so the mountain biking can start. Good luck, there’s so much snow on those trails, unless you’ve got snow tires, it’s going to be pretty tough slogging.

On one final note, it seems Quebecers aren’t the only ones hosing down their snow in an attempt to get rid of it. Rumour has it Grouse Mountain, one of the north shore mountains, is hosing the snow off the trails so people can go hiking.

I guess that’s why they call us “the Great White North.”

Cheers,

Julie

It seems the folks in Quebec are so sick of looking at their snowbanks they’ve decided to get rid of them. That’s right, while some people go south to escape winter, or move to Vancouver, Quebecers have taken to watering their snowbanks.

Who could blame them. Quebec city has received more than 5 meters of snow this past winter, smashing the city’s previous record by nearly a meter. They’re not the only Canadian city breaking snowfall records. In just the first two weeks of February, Toronto received 70 cm of snow, smashing the record of 66.6 cm for the entire month set back in the pre-SUV, pre-Kyoto, pre-carbon footprint days of 1950.

Here on the west coast we didn’t get too much snow, but March will be go down in history as the coldest one on record.

It doesn’t matter where you travel in Canada it seems we’ve all had enough of winter. But for those folks living in Quebec city, it’s best to wait and let Mother Nature take its course. If you get caught watering your snow, you could face a $150 fine. Money that’s better spent on a heat lamp or how about some tanning sessions?

What lengths would you go to to be rid of winter?

Cheers,

Julie

The beady black eyes glance quickly about, grab a sunflower seed and dart away. Next up, a male House Finch. His red capped head is easy to spot and he will often queue on the wooden fence waiting for the chickadees to clear out before starting his breakfast.

The analogy, if you build it they will come, is certainly true for our window mounted bird feeder. Hesitant at first, and still quite shy, the birds are coming, more every day. It’s seems word has spread and the seeds are quickly disappearing or perhaps they read my blog, Wanted Hungry Birds.

Whatever the case, we will often hear them, sparrows, chickadees and finches pecking at the feeder - usually around breakfast time. We stop what we’re doing and quietly sneak up on them. It’s fun watching them through the window, and gradually they are accepting our presence.

I must admit, I’m really enjoying the birds. My eight-year-old son, who is always asking for a pet, seems content to watch the birds, at least for now. The best part is there is no cage to clean and very little maintenance. Despite it’s growing popularity, the feeder only gets filled every two months.

While window mount feeders are not highly recommended (birds fly into the window), our feeder is situated in a low light area; we’ve had no accidents or fatalities.

I love our feeder. Its simplistic design was easy to install. We just slide the feeder off to refill it. It’s been a great activity for the kids and has developed their interest and awareness of the birds.

I guess you could say we’re going to the birds.

Cheers,

Julie