Recently on the Cottage Life forum, I posted this question: Five Things a Cottage Guest Should Never Do. I shared my list and asked cottagers to do the same. Judging by the number of cottagers who responded to this posting, I think it touched a nerve.

The real issue for most people is managing expectations. As cottage owners we want/need our guests to behave a certain way. When they don’t resentments seep in and the offending guest is seldom invited back.

What were some of the things that really ticked people off?

1. Arrive unexpectedly (even worse when it’s meal time)
2. Invite extended family and friends to join them, casually mentioning to the host that someone they know might just drop by.
3. Drink the last beer or bring cheap beer and drink owner’s expensive beer
4. Not offer to gas up the boat after using it all day
5. Guests who stay too long
6. Bring a pet without asking and not clean up after it
7. Play their music or crank your stereo
8. Don’t pitch in and help out
9. Arrive empty handed

Sharon, Cottage Life’s forum administrator, directed me to an article, How to Survive a Long Weekend (click to view) as a way to take a proactive approach to this delicate subject matter.

I think as hosts the responsibility falls on us to articulate what we want from our guests. In some cases it’s absolutely nothing. In other instances maybe we need them to bring linen, a meal, chip in for gas or their help fixing the boat ramp.

I’m slowly learning that expectations are resentments under construction.

Dad Fixit from the Forum summed it up best with this:

“Tell ‘em up front what you expect and don’t be afraid to ask (strip the beds, sweep the floor whatever). We’ve followed this rule since we bought our place and knock-on-wood…or my head in this case, we don’t have anyone on the “banned” list and everyone keeps comin back.”

I also like what Heather Bayer wrote,

“You could also write a nice little homily on what makes a good cottage guest, have it framed and place it in the cottage somewhere.”

Great idea, Heather. So we are launching our “Ideal Cottage Guest” contest and invite you to submit your ideas to julie@cottagedaily.com. Five pairs of tickets for the Spring Cottage Life Show (taking place in Toronto March 28 - 30) will be awarded to the winning entries. I will post the submissions so you can download them for your cottage wall.

Cheers,

Julie

Yes for those lucky folks in Eastern Canada, the arrival of spring heralds the start of the maple syrup festivals. From Warkworth to Sunderland, the sap is running and the golden fluffy pancakes are dripping in the sweet amber liquid.

Canada produces about 85% of the world’s maple syrup, selling more than 32,500 tonnes to over 45 different countries. As a child I would go with my parents to the sugar bush and wait while the hot syrup was poured onto the snow then carefully wrapped around a popsicle stick. The golden toffee literally melted in my mouth.

The festivals taking place throughout southern Ontario during the month of March are a great opportunity to see and hear all about the production process. For example, an average tree will yield between 35 to 50 litres of sap to produce 1 to 1.5 litres of syrup. All maple syrup is graded by colour and number. Canada #1 Extra Light is the creme de la creme and is made from the first run of the season. It’s also the most expensive. Canada No.2 is an amber syrup and arrives near the end of the cycle. Canada No.3 is dark. A 50 ml serving of maple syrup contains 167 calories, 43 grams of sugar, 117 mg of potassium and 7 mg of sodium.

To find a festival in your area, click on Ontario Maple Syrup Festivals 2008 for more information. If you don’t happen to live in Ontario, you can join our online celebration at CottageDaily.com where all this week we will be featuring maple syrup recipes like Maple Syrup Barbecue and how the folks on Vancouver Island are producing a maple syrup that sells for over $100 a litre.

Cheers,

Julie

In honour of Sunday night’s Academy Awards, and my upcoming GIRLS weekend, I thought it only fitting to devote today’s blog to movies. There is nothing more satisfying, other than waterskiing on a calm lake, than watching a good chick flick.

Saturday nights at the cottage are an ideal time to curl up with a big bowl of popcorn (see Hell’za poppin for how-to make popcorn the old fashion way) and an entertaining film. Below, in no particular order, are the best guy flicks followed by the best chick flicks.

Best Guy Flicks

• Matrix
• The Bourne Identity/Supremacy/Ultimatum
• Casino Royale
• Gone in 60 Seconds
• Terminator & Terminator 2
• Braveheart
• Bladerunner
• The Wedding Crashers
• Old School
• The Fast and the Furious
• Oceans 11
• Enter the Dragon
• Die Harder
• Highlander
• The Last Boy Scout
• Full Metal Jacket

Best Chick Flicks

• The Devil Wears Prada (love the soundtrack too)
• Love Actually
• Bridget Jones Diary
• Something’s Gotta Give (my dream house)
• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
• Little Miss Sunshine
• Juno (sorry, I know it’s not out in video - but this one is destined for greatness)
• The Notebook
• Pretty Woman (it’s the shopping scenes that get me)
• Serendipity (John Cussack is pure eye candy)
• 13 Going on 30
• Murriel’s Wedding (who doesn’t love ABBA????)

Have I missed one? Leave me a comment and tell me your favourite.

Cheers,

Julie

While the guys are fine with chowing down on nachos and cold pizza, the girls are a little more particular about what they eat. The key to a good weekend is not to fuss, but still manage to provide good food. Nobody wants to be stuck in the kitchen and miss the opportunity to pour through the latest editions of People or In Style magazines.

As hostess, I have the challenge of providing a menu that can accommodate a wide range of tastes, diets and allergies. When in doubt keep it simple. So here are some breakfast and snack ideas for keeping my guests well fed this weekend.

Breakfast - Buffet Style

• Liberte Yogurt - lemon is my favourite, but I buy their small containers in a variety of flavours
• Home made granola - see Horne Lake Granola -not to sweet, but lots of crunch
• Fresh Squeezed orange juice (available at my grocery store)
• Strawberries and bananas
• Coffee - Starbucks (Vancouverites love their “buckers”)

Apres Ski

• French loaf (pre-baked - just heat for 10 minutes)
• Double Cream Pepper Brie
• Sliced granny smith apples & green grapes
• Smoked almonds
• Gray Monk’s Pinot Gris or Niersteiner Kabinett (light fruity inexpensive German wine)

I must admit this is the first time I’ve done an all girls ski weekend. I’m not sure how much enthusiasm there will be for late night partying. I As an alternative to the crowded bars and 20 somethings, I’ve decided to pack our poker kit complete with cheat sheets. After all, if it works for the guys…

Cheers,

Julie

It’s only Tuesday, but all I can think about is my upcoming girls ski weekend. Surprisingly, only four in ten Canadians have vacationed without their partners.  Even more staggering is that a mere six percent regularly take separate holidays (I’m among the six percent), according to a survey done by Expedia.ca/Ipsos Reid.

It’s not that I don’t love traveling with my husband - we have a blast together, but a girls weekend is an entirely different experience then say a weekend getaway with my spouse.

For starters, a girls get together is kinda like a love-in. It’s a healthy, nurturing kind of fun; the exact opposite of an all male testosterone filled golf weekend; the kind my husband goes on every year.  While we both look forward to our annual jaunts, there is a marked difference in our experiences. Here are just are just a few of my observations between his versus hers holidays.

For starters girls value their food.  The menu decided on well in advance. Groceries are purchased and reservations confirmed. When the girls go out for dinner, outfits are carefully selected and we arrive at the restaurant looking drop-dead gorgeous.

With the guys “food” is usually purchased at a 7-11 and liquor store. The men tend to snack on junk food most of the day. Somewhere around 10 p.m. they’ll realize they haven’t eaten and will commence searching for a restaurant that’s open. They usually end up at a steak house or burger joint that serves good wings and has TVs in every corner.  When it comes to appearance if there are no visible stains and it passes the underarm sniff test, then they’re good to go.

Girls - Ask to see a wine list

Guys - Ask what’s on tap?

Girls - Ask for a dessert menu

Guys - Ask for another draft.

Girls prefer to sleep in, do some yoga or gentle stretching, eat a healthy breakfast and then set out on the day’s activities: usually shopping, golf or skiing (depends where we are) maybe some kayaking.

Guys This is the only time they are eager to rise at the crack of dawn.  They’ll  stumble out of bed, drink some coffee and start the first of two rounds of back to back golf. Around noon they’ll eat a tube steak and wash it down with several beer. Over the course of the day they will proceed to lose money betting on various holes. They’ll likely cap off the afternoon with a cigar and more beer. Goal is to play as many rounds of golf in a single day.

Girls like to stay up late talking and drinking wine

Guys like to stay up late playing Texas Hold’em and drinking beer

Girls - Get tired go to bed

Guys - Get tired start doing shooters

Girls - Arrive home happy, full of energy and feeling a tad guilty for having shopped so much.

Guys - Arrive home tired, hung-over and a tad guilty for having gambled so much.

Did I miss anything? I would love to hear about your gals or guys weekend!

Cheers,

Julie

I have always believed the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. When it comes to love, I have used every trick in the book. I passed my mom’s apple pie off as my own and tricked my husband into marrying me. And then there was the time I backed his car into a tree, we had shepherd’s pie that night for dinner.

While some people rely on aphrodisiacs like oysters, chocolate and caviar (high in zinc, stimulates formation of testosterone), I’ve found comfort food works the best. This year I’m going with a traditional recipe, Beef Stroganoff. You can never go wrong with beef, noodles and cream. And for dessert? Mom’s apple pie.
Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients

1 2 1/2-pound piece beef tenderloin, well trimmed, meat cut into 2×1x1/2 inch strips
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter
1/4 cup finely chopped shallots
1 pound small button mushrooms, thickly sliced
2 10oz cans beef broth
2 tablespoons Cognac
1 1/2 - 2 cups sour cream

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

12 ounces wide egg noodles
1 tablespoon paprika

Directions

Pat meat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat oil in heavy large skillet over high heat until very hot. Working in batches, add meat in single layer and cook just until brown on outside, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to rimmed baking sheet.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped shallots and sauté until tender, scraping up browned bits, about 2 minutes. Add button mushrooms. Sprinkle with pepper and sauté until liquid evaporates, about 12 minutes. Add beef broth, then Cognac. Simmer until liquid thickens and just coats mushrooms, about 14 minutes. Stir in sour cream and Dijon mustard. Add meat and any accumulated juices from baking sheet. Simmer over medium-low heat until meat is heated through but still medium-rare, about 2 minutes. Stir in chopped dill. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, cook noodles in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain. Transfer to bowl. Add remaining 4 tablespoons butter and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Divide noodles among plates. Top with beef and sauce. Sprinkle generously with paprika.

Happy Valentines Day.

Julie

On the eve of Valentines Day, it’s only fitting to test one’s knowledge. Today’s quiz will separate the real romantics from those who will be sleeping on the couch with the dog tomorrow night.

Let’s start with roses.

Sending a dozen roses means:

1. There are a dozen ways I care about you
2. They are only sold by the dozen
3. I want to spend the rest of my life with you

A red rose is the colour of love, a yellow rose is the colour of:

1. enthusiasm/desire
2. beauty
3. friendship

Valentines Day originated in the United States by Hallmark Greeting Cards in 1935 True or False?

The total number of Valentines cards sent each year is:

• Over 5 million
• Over 50 million
• Over 1 billion

Men purchase 85% of all Valentines Day cards True or False?

In Asia, is it men or women who are expected to buy chocolates for their co-workers on Valentines Day?

In 2008, Saudi Arabia banned the sale of all Valentines items, particularly red items, in an effort to avoid temptation. True or False?

The Saint Valentines Day Massacre was staged by which Italian gangster?

• John Gotti
• Al Capone
• Nicky Scarfo

The Answers Are:

1. Sending a dozen roses means “There are a dozen ways I care about you.” Two dozen means, “There are 24 hours in a day and you think about you every hour.”

2. A yellow rose is the colour of friendship, but an orange or coral rose means enthusiasm or desire. Be careful not to get the two mixed up; you could literally be sending the wrong message.

3. Valentines Day has been around a lot longer than Hallmark. The first romantic link to Valentines Day was by Geoffrey Chaucer and English poet. The Brits had been sending Valentines long before the Americans. It was Esther Howland who first mass produced the heart shaped cards in 1847.

4. There are over 1 billion cards sold world wide, making it the second largest card holiday after Christmas.

5. False - Women not men purchase 85% of all Valentines Day cards.

6. In Asia the custom is for women to give chocolates to their male co-workers.

7. True - Saudi Arabia has banned Valentines Day and the sale of any related items.

8. The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre was staged by Al Capone against Bugs Moran on Thursday February 14, 1929. It seems Moran was muscling in on Capone’s dog track and boot legging businesses. Capone was not actually present for the slaying of the seven mobsters; he was vacationing in Florida.

How well did you score? An eight out of eight might not keep you out of the dog house, but a nice card along with a box of good chocolates will. As an retired florist, I always advise people to avoid roses at Valentines. They are way over priced and seldom last. A huge bouquet of tulips is a better bet, or one of my favourites, an orchid plant - delicate but beautiful.

What was the best Valentines Day card or present you received? We would love to hear about it.

Cheers,

Julie

The video screens with their flickering images can been seen through the rear window. It seems more and more people are opting to have DVD players installed in their mini vans and SUV’s. The days of singing and playing I Spy are giving way to video’s and hand- held Game Boys.

I must admit, we bought a portable DVD player for the car/kids four years ago. Bill and I still agree it’s one of the best investments we’ve ever made. It has saved our sanity when a ferry gets canceled or is delayed. Watching a video actually helps our daughter NOT get carsick on the road to Whistler.

We limit watching the DVD player to nighttime. On day trips, we try to engage the kids in meaningful conversations. These dialogs usually last about three minutes. Over the years, we’ve logged thousands of miles, either commuting to Fernie, B.C., or over to Vancouver Island, B.C. and now more recently, up to Whistler, B.C. In addition to sleeping, here are just some of the things we do to help keep our kids entertained on the long commutes:

Car Tricks

Brain Teezers

• Give the kids an answer like Canada and ask what the question is
• One person picks an animal and everyone else has to guess what it is
• Give famous lines from Disney movies or hum the songs and get them to name the movie

Card Games

• Brain Quest - 1,000 questions and answers - it comes in every grade level, and asks questions like, “Which takes up more space: hot air or cold air?”
• Professor Noggin’s Series - we have the Wildlife of North America Card game, but they come in a variety of interests. Example: Barn Swallow - do I eat fruit, insects or seeds?

The card games are great, but I tend to get a bit car sick reading the questions.

Make Up a Story

• This is still one of my all time favourites - Someone starts off the story and we go around the car with everyone adding to it. The kids really enjoy this one.

Car Bingo

• One of my friends made up her own version of car bingo - it was a binder filled with things the kids would see on their way to the Drummheller Dinosaur museum. Every time they spotted something, they put a sticker on the box. She made one for each of her three sons to keep them occupied on the long car ride. It was a work of art. I should also add she’s a teacher.

If you have any tricks for keeping your kids amused on the way to the cabin or anywhere else, I would love to hear what works and what doesn’t.

Cheers,

Julie

Before heading out to the cottage or up to Whistler, I make sure I’ve packed a bag of road snacks and something to drink. Prechildren the bag consisted of:

• Bag of red Twizzlers
• Big bag of potato chips
• Pop
• Chocolate macaroons

It’s little wonder Bill and I often didn’t feel well by the time we got to where we were going, but eating junk food was just part of our adventure. Now that we have two small children we try not to eat like that, at least not in front of them.

These days I try to pack some strawberries, grapes and apples washed and cut up in plastic containers, granola bars and popcorn. If I have time, I like to make my own road snacks: Spicy Almonds and Nuts & Bolts. These are also great appetizers to serve during happy hour at the cottage.

Sweet & Spicy Nuts (Cottage Life’s Summer Weekend Cookbook)

• 2 tbsp peanut oil
• 2 cups blanched whole almonds (or pecans)
• 2 tsp table sugar
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp cayenne or hot sauce

Directions:

Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet. Add almonds, sprinkle with sugar and toss over medium-heat until nuts are a light, even brown. Turn out into a bowl and toss with cumin, cayenne and salt. Spread nuts on a paper towel to cool. Store in an airtight tin. Makes 2 cups (500 ml).

Nuts & Bolts

• 1/2 box cheerios
• 2 pkg pretzels ( 1 bag round and 1 bag sticks)
• 1 box shreddies
• 3 cups peanuts

Combine the top ingredients together. In a separate bowl combine:

• 1 cup of melted salted butter
• 3/4 tsp garlic salt
• 1/4 tsp onion salt
• 2 tsp worcestershire sauce

Using a large roasting pan, combine the dry ingredients with the butter mixture and stir well. Cook uncovered 1.5 hours at 225 degrees F stirring occasionally.

Here’s to a crunchin munchin road trip.

Cheers,

Julie

And the winners of The Great Frozen Dinner Entre are…..

1. Costco’s Kettle Creek Ribs - These gooey barbecued ribs are still my number one favourite - just heat and serve. One rack with feed two adults.They retail for $13.00 a slab.
2. M&M Cabbage Rolls - Sweet - comes in two serving sizes, heat and serve. Small portion contains 6 rolls, and retails for $8.99.
3. Costco’s Zinetti’s Chicken Florentine - at first I balked, but the cream sauce is yummy, and the noodles are firm. I would even consider serving this one to company. Great with a salad (note it takes 70 minutes to cook in the oven), and retails for $13.00. One package contains two trays and would likely feed 10 people in total.
4. Costco’s Mrs. Paterson’s Aussie Pie - 9 individual chicken pot pies. These buttery flavoured pastries make a great lunch served on their own, or add a salad and have them for dinner. Everyone liked the flavour and texture of these frozen pies.
5. President’s Choice Smokin Stampede Sliced Beef Brisket - sent to us by Chris McNeil, they are described as being, “thinly sliced dripping with thick spicy Chipotle BBQ sauce.” Chris suggests serving them on rolls with a salad or french fry wedges. They feed four people.

My search is by no means over. I will continue to shop the frozen food isles in search of the perfect pre-fab dinner. In the meantime if you come across something you love, or a website that has great recipes, please feel free to share them with the rest of us.

Cheers,

Julie