It's September, time for the Guy's Weekend (Man's Spa II)

It's like Weekend at Bernie's only better. And the host is a little more lively.

First, Bill again had us all sign The Oath. You know the one, the one that commits everyone to not tell anybody what happens that goes "What happens at __________ stays at  ______________".  It's of course intended to leave the impression that  really exciting and dangerous and outrageous things happened, and sometimes, but not often, that's exactly the case.

I'm not exagerating when I tell you that this was one of those rare occasions when the hype of the oath is actually warranted. 

Highlights of Summer 2011

There have been many great times at the lake in 2011, and it's not over yet.

Here are some of the highlightsto date.

Greg learning traditional culinary arts from the best

I wonder where he learned to hold a knife like that?

Laura, Greg, Barb, Shadow and I spent three wonderful days at the lake in early August,  when the weather was at it's best and the bug population had faded.   Saturday was a gorgeous day we spent on the water destination what I call the Hidden Bay behind the North Beach - we couldn't find it - hence the name.  We did find a couple of bays but I'm not sure if they included the Hidden Bay. Anyway, we stopped for a dip at the North beach before the arduous paddle against the wind back to the cottage.  Greg and I made veggie quesedillas and  stuffed sweet potatoes for supper.  We really got into playing scrabble for the first time this summer. Otherwise, I'm thinking about buying a second hammock as it appears Greg and other guests have caught on to my simple yet exquisite relaxation technique: S.B.H. - Swim - Beer - Hammock.  On good days you might even get to enjoy a S.B.H.N.B, Swim - Beer - Hammock - No Bugs!

Small Steps

This year hasn't been a banner year for progress at the cottage.  We started off the spring by painting the front room and one of the bedrooms.   Tim helped me cap the unfinished drywall corners of the bulkhead  where the two sections of the cottage come together to form the cathedral ceiling in the great room. It was a very hot day in June and even hotter at the top of the ladders up near the apex of the ceiling. When we were done we didn't need anyone to tell us to go jump in the lake.


I suppose the limited progress, despite the many weekends we spent at the cottage, is a sign that we're letting ourselves enjoy the place and that we have reached a level of comfort where the pressure is off little - both good things.

Here you see the New Growth (that's the colour of the paint).  Brenda kindly donated the pictures on the wall which suit the decor perfectly.

This is the result of an afternoon of teamwork with Tim (could be the title of a home improvement show)
We capped the corners with knotty pine to match the trim of the windows and doors. A big thank you to Emad who let me borrow his truck while he was in England in June so I could transport my laddder and the boards from town.

The rest of the painting will probably wait till next year at this point.  That will give us lots of time to think about colours - yeah.