At The Lake

We've just returned from a week up at the lake - the first of our holidays up there this summer.

Our time up at the cottage is always one we look forward to with great anticipation. It's our home away from home, and this week we were even able to spend a little bit of time with Ryan's parents.

There's something magical about this place. The breeze blows through the muslin curtains and carries with it the scent of damp pine and lingering campfire. It's the sound of the loons on the lake, and the waves lapping against the dock. It's where we sway in the hammock, and sun on the dock, and paddle through the bay.

But most importantly, it's where we slow down and enjoy some rest as a family.  

This is our beautiful bay. The cottage is tucked in a hill, just beyond those overhanging pines to the left.

This is in the bay to the right of our cottage. It's our favourite little place to paddle. It has a giant floating bog, and is the best place to spot wildlife.

The wild blueberries all around the cottage were just starting to ripen.

The boys went out one morning and picked me as many as they could find.

They were enjoyed on top of our pancakes with real maple syrup and were delicious!

Throughout the week, I read through years worth of Martha Stewart Living and Country Living. It's something I draw so much inspiration from. I also read through all of Jane Austen's work throughout the summer.

It's also Oliver's favourite place in the world.

In the hammock, Hudson and I enjoy the gentle sway as we read by the water. 

I love how much these two love being up here.

Luckily, there's only a couple more weeks and we'll be returning.

One Last Holiday

Today we leave for the cottage.

The wonderful, wonderful cottage.

The place where we escape busy lives to slow down and spend time together. The place where we bask in the sun the moment it touches the tip of the dock in the morning until it ducks behind the trees in the evening. The place where the sand sparkles and the waters are cool and deep and refreshing. The place where we nap to the gentle sway of the hammock and wake to the sound of loons as the fog lifts over the bay. It's where the campfires crackle and the stars are overwhelming in number. 

It's where our boys get to be boys and go on adventures and get dirty and play without a care in the world. 

I couldn't think of a better way to say goodbye to summer.