Happy Canada Day! I tried to find a ‘patriotic’ picture to share. My daughter sent me this one from the Vancouver Olympics. I think it fits the bill! I hope everyone is having a safe and happy weekend. Cheers to our great country.
Stop and Smell the Roses ….
…. at The Doctor’s House!
Here’s a bit of a departure from my regular Sunset Sunday posts – because like many of us I find inspiration from Nature wherever I find it. That’s often in sunsets, but just as often in beautiful gardens and flowers. So The Doctor’s House in a dream come true for me. The scents, aromas, vibrancy … it’s just amazing. So I hope on this long weekend you get a moment to stop and smell the roses, too. And don’t forget to check out our weekly spa specials, too.
Budding Saturday: Don’t Fence Me In
I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I’m enjoying my Budding Saturday, a bit of a reprieve from blogging where I just get to throw up some beautiful pictures of Newfoundland and watch the ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ come in. Today’s picture, as it often is, is from Bud Vincent. Typical beautiful bright colors you’ll see all throughout this beautiful province.
Kindred Spirits
Lisa Day sent us this picture, of her and Clifford George, taken by Eric Bartlett. I think it captures their relationship perfectly, which is a beautiful thing to see. Have a good holiday weekend, everyone!
Maiden Voyage
Life is different out on the water! We took Boston Whaler, the A Wake at Last, out for the first spin of the season the other day. The engine worked like a charm – what a comfort to go out on the water and be ‘pretty’ sure you won’t have to call someone to tow you back.
Then we met up with Andy and Uncle Jay from Cavendish, who were diving for muscles. They gave us a tub full of them. They were the freshest muscles I’d ever seen and they were sweet when we ate them an hour later. All in all, it was a great start to the boating season.
Guests at The Doctor’s House
We’ve only been open to overnight guests for a few weeks now, and already we’re starting to fill up. Just like as with the cottages, our reward for all our work is hearing our guests enjoy themselves. These beautiful pictures were sent to us from a beautiful family that just stayed with us – Doctors Maria and Scott, and their daughters Grace and Kathryn. These pictures are great – especially the hen in the flower pot! For more pictures, please see our Facebook page for The Doctor’s House.
Here’s some of what Maria told us about her stay:
“Hi Jerry and Laurelyn,
Thanks for the great visit we had at your spot. We loved everything-the beautiful property to wander through, the hot tub, the hens in the flower pot greeting us, the gorgeous rooms, the spa treatments, the blazing fire as we ate our breakfast this morning, the tranquility( which I hope we did not disturb-we are a bit of a lively crowd )and certainly, your hospitality. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with Cliff and Sharon and came home with a painting of poppies that he had just painted.
It was a fabulous mini vacation – we’ll certainly tell all our friends about it.
I think Scott sent along the pic of the hens but I”we attached a few others as well-it all looks so beautiful.
Hope your summer is successful-good luck with it all and enjoy!
Thanks again, Maria 
Tuesdays with Murphy: Rescue at Sea
If you follow our blog you know how much I love swimming in the ocean by the cottages. Thankfully, when I’m out in the water, everything goes swimmingly (pardon my pun). But I recently had a few scary moments that make you appreciate safety! I’ll let Lisa recount what happened, below:
“So today had a “little” adventure! To say the least, Murphy (being the water dog that he is) decided to go swimming. He decided at some point he would try to retrieve a lobster pot (do you have any idea how heavy they are!).
On a more serious note we noticed he was swimming but staying in the same spot, we went to have a look as he was fatiguing. He had the rope wrapped around his neck. Lucky we saw him or he would have drowned!
The rescue was carried out by Jerry (who can’t swim!) and Mike Crane. The rope was unwrapped and Murphy swam safely to shore. Tired as ole heck but he was fine.”
Talk about being grateful! I’ll deliver Jerry his slippers for the rest of the week. Big thanks to Mike, too.
The Official Naming
Here we are officially christening our Boston Whaler, the A Wake at Last. We had lots of amazing boat rides on her last year, and are looking forward to another summer of the same. The weather was beautiful this weekend and we were thrilled to have her out (more pics of that to come!). Anchors up!
Late in the Evening – Early in the Morning
What a wonderful place we live in. Here is sun glistening off the water bouncing all around Shag Rock in the evening mist. And here is Alf out in his new boat fishing for scallops just in front of the house. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
Starting a BBQ a few nights, I took a few minutes to smell the ocean at low tide and hea it rushing over the rocks. The wind was warm, the sun was low, the colours were spectacular. It was only 15 minutes but it was a moment of recharge and re-ignition. I took breaths that took my breath away and made me grateful.
My wish for you is that you’re able to find your own quiet moments to commune with nature (and, if you’re lucky enough to be close, the ocean). It makes all the difference in the world. 
Budding Saturday: Talented Guests
Saturday’s are basically ‘Look How Pretty Newfoundland Is Day’ on our blog. We like to feature beautiful pictures of our beautiful province. Often that means pictures from the talented Bud Vincent. Today, we’re happy to share some pictures Peter Humby sent us from his family weekend at our cottages in Long Point Cove. Peter’s a return guest with a great family, and clearly an eye for photography. Thanks to him for sharing, and enjoy!
Look closely at this one, and you’ll see Peter’s son, George, playing along the rocks!