Welcoming Fall

This year, we rang in fall in style, with a trip up to the family cottage for just our second visit of the year. Although the temperatures in Toronto were still hovering around summer-like, fall had arrived on the northern Bruce Peninsula.

While I love visiting the cottage in the summer because it means scuba diving and swimming in the lake, the start of fall really is the best time to visit. Tourist season is winding down, so you can visit your favourite places that you haven't been able to all summer. The cooling temperatures are also the perfect excuse to throw on your sweater and slippers, toss a few logs in the fireplace and just relax with a good book. The night skies are clear, bringing out all of the stars. The temperatures are mild, and the air is still and crisp, creating the perfect conditions for an afternoon, and sunset, paddle in the kayaks. And let's not forget those fall colours. With a landscape scattered in birch and aspen, I swear its one of the best places in Ontario to see the fall foliage.

I can't say enough about the peacefulness of being by the lake. After living in the big city for so long, the hum of the traffic, the hustle and bustle of the people and the glow of the city become normal, like background music to your life. Being up at the cottage is the reminder we often need to slow down and relax. It gives me the chance to turn off my brain and just listen to the sound of the birds, to the sound of wind and the sound of the waves hitting the rocky shore. It also doesn't hurt on the eyes, especially when you have a view like we do.

Of course, baby girl had a blast. But I didn't have any doubts that she wouldn't enjoy herself. Seeing her face light up when she sees her grandma, poppa, great grandma, puppies and even the water, make this mama super happy. There was a permanent smile/nose scrunch all weekend.