More rainy day creativity.

And then there was Jane's request. In honour of the four inches of rain that came down sideways, she decided that a mermaid would be a good subject.

Then, she added lib a bit to her mother's shocking lack of detail. After all, what mermaid doesn't lounge near fish and a lily pad? (with a few strands of seaweed thrown in for good measure)

Rainy day talents.

Yesterday was a thunderstormy day. At the cottage, we played umpteen rounds of Uno, Crazy Eights and Sorry, did a few Perler Bead crafts (don't ask), went into town and visited the library and ate peanut butter chocolate ice cream. Lots of it. And in between downpours, I had the kids race out and bail out the tinnie (our small rowboat), just for fun.

Just as we were almost out of ideas and solar power, the kids asked me to draw them things to colour. (Why didn't I think of that?!)

Over the next few days, I'll post their efforts, beginning with Claire.

She wanted a sketch of a vase of flowers, and then wanted to know exactly what species each of my made up blooms were, so she could colour them accurately. Sigh. And so started a conversation about 'artistic license'.





Am thinking I should farm out this blog and make 'em earn their suppers.

City mice meet Cottage Mouse.

As well as being off the grid, our cottage is pretty remote. That means it's on other critters' turf. Some of them aren't giving up property rights easily.

That's OK. We're armed with peanut butter.

That's ripe.

We purchased a "real" cottage in the spring, fully off the grid and about half an hour from anything resembling retail. "Real" also means no running hot water, no flush toilet, no phone or TV and no shower. Funny, no one really seems to be too much worse for wear.

Having said that, we're building an outdoor shower just in case friends and family aren't scared off by the outhouse and show up for a visit someday. We don't really want to know what we smell like.

Knotty ideas.

With apologies to Sarah, we're getting creative up here about passing the time between storm watches and damp runs to the outhouse. On a positive note, we may not bother to roof the outdoor shower Paul's building. Or hook up the water.

Heading out. Again.

We're off to the cottage again. We're hoping that the sun makes an appearance this weekend, but frankly, the forecast isn't promising. We've packed a few decks of cards.

Looking on the bright side.

At least it isn't really November.

The difference between a new friend and a Best Friend.

Will is five. So is Nemo, and it shows. But Will wouldn't have it any other way. (A buddy doesn't need all his fins to be an excellent friend.)

Eight Loads Later.

How many years later and I still haven't figured out how to prevent a sock escape? Ugh.

The Comforts of Home.

We recently became cottagers. After years of camping, we feel like we've been promoted. We're fully off the grid, with no real running water, flush toilet or Hydro connection. But we have all of the comforts of home, including an Internet connection. Go figure.

Toes.

For my birthday recently, I got to go for a pedicure with my girls. I love watching them pick their colours. They walk right up, look for the brightest colour they haven't had before and pick that. I, on the other hand, always seem to go with the tried and true. Mental note: must do hot pink at least once before my next birthday.

Top of my List.

These three are coming with us to the cottage this weekend. We'll pack them first, so we don't forget any of them. (the bears would be so disappointed).

Maybe I'll share. Maybe.

Assuming it doesn't come with child safety seats, and has a passenger capacity of exactly One (plus her spy novel) this could be the perfect birthday gift. I'll make sure this weekend and report back.

Packing.

I suppose this post could be funnier, but truly, there is very little humour to be found in ravenous mosquitos and wet matches. Plus, we figure we're a step ahead whenever we don't forget a kid.

Back from camping.

Post-holiday post ... inspired by a week of camping with seven kids. More on that in the coming days, guaranteed.