The silence of snow

Nothing transforms the landscape quite like a heavy snowfall. The world doesn’t just look different, it sounds different. We’ve all experienced it. But have you ever wondered why? Depending on where you are, part of the difference has to do with the way snowy roads can muffle vehicle tires — rather than riding directly on […]

Grow your own

In this strange year, we’ve seen shortages of surprising things. From toilet paper to seeds, mason jars to pressure-treated lumber, we’ve been running short of all kinds of things we once took for granted. And this month, we added Christmas trees to the list. In Muskoka, many stores were sold out of live trees by […]

Japanese snow lanterns

There’s something magical about the combination of snow and light, the way even a single candle can make the snow glow. It’s celebrated in several snowy parts of the world – last spring we looked at the way snow lanterns are made in Sweden – but nowhere do they do snow lantern festivals quite as […]

Two rounds for good luck

New Year’s celebrations around the world always include special foods. It’s not just a matter of tradition, either: there is a nearly universal belief that the foods you eat on New Year’s Eve or Day will set the tone for the year to come. One of the most common themes involves round foods. A circle […]

Winter rooms spring scents

In a few months we’ll be in the middle of winter, and many of us will be yearning for spring. Forcing bulbs to bloom indoors can be the perfect way to bring a little cheer into our winter rooms. Forcing bulbs is incredibly easy, but it does take a bit of advance planning. Actually, quite […]

Fall into the sky

Gazing up at the night sky is one of the great delights in Muskoka. After all, there’s a reason this region is home to Canada’s first dedicated Dark Sky Reserve (the Torrance Barrens): with very little light pollution in much of Muskoka, we can see a great deal of the night sky. Whether you’re viewing […]

Reviving a cottage classic

As the cold weather and global pandemic force us inside for the season, we are all searching for new indoor group activities. It’s the perfect time to rediscover some of the board games that have been collecting dust – or add some new ones to the rotation. Some outstanding new games have come out in […]

The glaze craze

Planning to serve a ham at the cottage this long weekend? A glaze is an incredibly easy way to take your ham to the next level. Because ham has been brined, it’s naturally salty. The best way to balance that out is with a glaze that is sweet and tangy. The glaze is also a […]

October 2020 events

This is an excellent time to get out and enjoy some of the sights Muskoka has to offer. Many of the amazing museums and galleries are open, albeit with limitations. We featured some of our favourites earlier this year. But this is also an excellent time to enjoy the the trails and even explore some […]

Gardening for foliage

We gardeners tend to obsess over flowers, and with good reason. But a gorgeous garden isn’t just about the blooms. Leaves add colour and texture, particularly as we transition into fall. To get started with a foliage garden, consider whether you want a garden that is predominantly greens, or if you are using foliage as […]