The Highlights

Now that the mountain of laundry (six loads!!!!) from Thanksgiving weekend at the cottage are finally done (albeit, not all folded. Sheets and towels can wait), I now have time to regale everyone with tales from the woods. This is the view of the Cardinal Grand from the lakeshore. Quite stunning. Inside those huge windows is a two story open space with a floor to ceiling stone fireplace. And a loft overlooking the living room and the view. Corwin and Clara bunked in the loft. The rest of this will be in point form, 'cause I'm gonna be late for work if I don't hurry!

-There was a paddleboat, which both kids loved. Especially Corwin.

-On Saturday, we were woken VERY early by two excited children. And then we played musical beds. Corwin snuggled with Gramma and Pappy for a bit, Clara came downstairs, and Jazz dog and I got an extra hour in the loft.

-We fished off the dock in the afternoon. (well, the kids had tried in the morning, but those fake plastic worms just don't work - you need the real thing). Clara caught the first fish - a tiny rock bass. Corwin caught a decent sized sunfish. Clara caught another fish, a sunfish this time. And I caught a rock bass. All were photographed (well, not mine) and thrown back in.

-On Sunday, Hubby and Corwin paddleboated to a small island. Corwin slipped and fell in from the island. No injuries, just wet clothes (it was sunny, but a bit cool).

-Hubby insisted on taking Jazz dog in the canoe. After I told him six different ways that it was NOT a good idea, and she didn't have her lifejacket with her (she's a dalmatian, and is chest-heavy, and panics in deep water). Well, he wouldn't listen (and she was digging in and trying to stay on the dock), and once he got her in and tried to move to the back of the canoe, he flipped it, landing both of them in the water. I was pretty angry, and so was the poor dog!!. Got her dry, and a warm towel over her.

-Hubby and Clara put on bathing suits and jumped in off the dock. Then headed immediately to the hot tub!! (lunatics!)

-Corwin slipped in again off the paddleboat (he was dragging a big branch and sitting at the back).

-I caought a 5-7 pound large mouth bass on Sunday. The kids were thrilled, Clara went running up to the cottage yelling "Pappy, come quick!!! Mummy caught a HUGE fish!!!! Bring the camera!" I reeled it in, took a picture, and then carefully removed the hook and set him free.

-Canada was very, very thankful that this cottage had a dryer!!!!!!

-Much turkey and wine was consumed on Sunday. (well, wine flowed through most of the weekend)

-As fun as it was, I would rather own a cottage than rent, because you don't have to bring as much stuff (sheets, towels, toilet paper, condiments, etc , etc). So, if I win the lottery . . .