Day 359: Welcome to Ice Beach

It was so warm today, almost 10 degrees! Sean came into where I was working and said ‘let’s go tanning!’. We sat outside in the Muskoka chairs, in the snow, and soaked up the sun. If you squint a little the ice almost looks like sand. Welcome to Ice Beach!

Can you believe we’ve been at the cottage for almost a whole year? This week in 2020 was the last week before everything changed. I have learned so much in the past 12 months, especially about myself. I’m grateful for the experience of being here with Sean, connecting with nature, and learning to appreciate a slow living.

I am loving this weather so much. It’s incredible how warmer air and a touch of sun can boost your whole vibe. Feeling more creative this week than I have in a while. This jacket is one of my most treasured vintage finds, I got it at Curries’s Music in Gravenhurst, they have a great section of clothes in the back.

Day 358: Ice Cold Therapy

Yesterday we had an epic day of outdoor adventure with Pat & Miranda at their cottage. Sean has been really into Wim Hof breathing and cold plunges for the last year. Some benefits of cold therapy are reducing inflammation, swelling, and sore muscles, improved quality of sleep, more focus, and improved immune response. To read up on it, check out wimhofmethod.com. If you can tough it out for a few minutes, you’ll feel AMAZING after.

Sean filmed this with a drone and it turned out so good.

Watch the video on Instagram here.

Pat had to break the ice with an axe before we could go in the ice hole. He went first for about 2 min, then me for about 1.5 and Sean too. The temperature outside was about -6 and the ice water was VERY VERY COLD.

Felt so energized after going in the cold water. I’m gonna try and go in our ice bath at the cottage a few more times this week. I find it really helps with arthritis in my arm and sore feet.

Here’s to a great week!

Day 357: Walk On Water

Nice morning walk on the frozen lake. The ice is very thick. Crazy to think we went right across to the other side. Walk on water, baby!

I love these smoke bombs, thanks Sean! You can find them at your local fireworks store or here on Amazon. Made a video and posted it on Instagram.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

It’s so quiet and peaceful out on the lake. The shifting ice makes these subsonic sounds that you can feel in your bones. With a shift in temperatures, ice moves, vibrating up and down, kind of like a drum or deep-sounding bass. It’s really cool to feel when you’re walking on it. Sometimes it’s loud and we can hear it from inside the cottage.

How great is this jacket?! It’s Sean’s mum’s and has matching hot pink snow pants. I love it! Hi Lorna if you are reading this, miss you!

356: Playing Outside

Today we had an adventure and went to visit Talia & Nelson at their cottage. I dressed for playing outside and it was a beautiful day.

Around this time last year, we spent a night at their place and went snowmobiling. We even drove snowmobiles to a lake-side restaurant and ate inside. Inside! It was the last weekend before the pandemic hit.

It was so mild today, I even unzipped my jacket for part of the walk. Nelson & Talia showed us all the targets they have set up for shooting. I’d never shot a gun until this day but it was the right place and time. Nelson turned to me and said “Casie, you’re up!” and carefully walked me through it. I’m not a gun person by any means but at this moment, I felt safe and decided to give it a try. Proud of myself, I was pretty good at hitting the target!

Feels good to spend the day outside enjoying winter, making the most of each day. We drove back to the cottage as the sun was setting.

Day 355: WFH In The Sun

Sean and I drove back up north this morning after dropping Emily to school. It’s still winter up here with a foot of hard snow, ice, and the lake is totally frozen. It’s too slippery to run outside so I’m grateful for the treadmill in the basement from Sean’s parents! ?

I worked in the morning then took the afternoon to bake black bean brownies, cook stuff in the Instant Pot, and enjoy the sun through the windows. Love a little WFH in the sun.

My Friday winter style today is casual with a side of leathery pants. In other news, my hair is getting longggg, I love it. Might get crazy and do another temporary pink dye later today.

Looking forward to an outside hang with some cottage friends tomorrow!