The sunset tailgate picnic outside the Burnbrae Church was just the beginning of a wonderful evening of comedy - local would-be stars perform skits in the church (to raise money for repairs) and then invite the audience to a homemade pie social (all you can eat).... perfect ingredients for a great night out!

For 16 years the St Hilda's graduating class of 1965 (nursing) have stayed with us...we love these ladies. I think they're getting younger each year! Where's Wilma?

Beautiful blossoms dot the property - wish you were here to see the colour.

Today the seaplane dock went into the water....just in time for float endorsements.












Despite the sunshine the boiler is needed to warm the pool water - over the years we have burned cardboard, wood pallets, corn and now oat hulls (breakfast cereal leftovers). How very green!

Vintage Boat Classic applications are now available for those who wish to join us on July 04 - age of the captain and the boat must add up to more than 100 years - what wonderful boats we will see....okay, I guess there will be some wonderfully rugged captains as well! Plan to come for Sunday Brunch and see the collection.

One last word...lets think positive about our Canucks and our Canadiens as they battle it out for the Stanley Cup (hockey). The game is on.....

Walking by the wooded area at the henhouse, I saw my first trillium of the season. This is the official flower of Ontario - grows in the woods in early spring.
I was corrected today as I mentioned we had 600 plants ready to go into the garden....my error, we have 6000 plantings for the grounds. The missing 0 was very big!
Despite the snow flakes today the colour was almost neon around the pool.

The greenhouse is blooming with over 600 plantings, waiting to go outdoors in May...all seeds and plantings were taken from the gardens last year...truly recycling the growing process. Join Bob on his weekly garden tour throughout the summer and learn more.


Happy Birthday Nadiya...6 years and counting. Proud Grandpa Peter and brothers Henry and Ryder celebrate with the birthday girl.




Mother's Day is fast approaching....have you booked Sunday Brunch? Mom deserves a break!

Waking up to the swarms of ducks and geese can be unsettling....apparently they are resting here (even the birds know you can relax at Elmhirst's Resort) as they continue their journey north. We expect them back in the fall - as they head south. They certainly are social! Feels like a scene from the movie "The Russians Are Coming".










Great wind today for a kiting adventure....I found it chilly on shore, can't imagine how fresh the water was!

The ritual of wheeling the docks back into the water is made easier by the large wheels on the docks....every fall we take the docks out as the ice in Rice Lake pushes up on shore and would wreck the docks. The main dock is 106' long, yet it takes only 30 minutes to drive it across the runway and into place. The water level seems low for this time of year but we have had virtually no rain and there wasn't much snow melt in the early spring. The dock is in place for those avid anglers waiting to get out for a feed of panfish.

Addendum: Backyard Barbecue Winemakers Dinner will be held on Sunday June 06 so we can take advantage of the afternoon sun. John Howard Cellars of Distinction will be featured along with a tasty grilled menu. You won't want to miss this event!

It's spring and the lines on the tennis court are being repainted....no excuses now.













Hair flying everywhere at the barn....meet Angela Corby, our Trail Guide. Angela has been working the horses, getting the kinks out, lungeing and riding so they are ready for summer rides - they get lazy over the winter (grazing and taking it easy). When I arrived Majestic was munching on Angela's hair while Skye tried to chew the lead shank (no more work). This is called horseplay!

Join us on Saturday June 05 for a Backyard Barbecue featuring John Howard Cellars of Distinction. Enjoy a grilled menu of trout, chicken, sausage and porkloin with wine pairings. Everyone loves a barbecue!

Bob Phillips, our gardener, was in the greenhouse today sharing his plans (and plants) with Ellen Sweeney, a recent graduate of the Niagara College Horticulture Program. Ellen has joined our team to increase production in the vegetable garden and cottage gardens. There are thousands of seedlings waiting to be planted outdoors....the weather has been so wonderful it's difficult to understand why the gardens are not in full bloom.

Peter Elmhirst of Elmhirst's Resort was awarded the Ontario Hostelry Institute Gold Award this evening at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. The family was on hand to celebrate the award for Hotelier presented to Peter at a Gala Dinner. It was quite an honour - Congratulations!
The Ontario Hostelry Institute endeavours to create bursaries for hospitality students as well as recognizing excellence and furthering development in the hospitality industry.

It was a windy day on the hilltop, these horses hid behind the barn and found green grass in the sunshine. The calves were running with/at Hunter, creating some nervous moments for their moms, who are very protective. The osprey team are nicely outfitting their nest with straw and boughs....I sat on the bench at the top of the trail and observed all the action going on (tried to take photos with my phone but it was windy and the shots are shaky). You are so going to love the observation bench!

Last night was Womens Network Night at the Resort...lots of wine, desserts, good chatter,and sales of jewellery, wrap around skirts, candles and services....it was a great night! Martina spioke enthusiastically about the Spa renovations and it didn't take long for the women to network and pass along new business contacts and opportunities. Many cards were passed and emails exchanged. Lots of laughter and antics - it just didn't seem right to post photos of the group....too much explanation required, especially at the wrap-around skirt demos.

(my new bracelet)







If you see someone wearing fab Silpada jewels, they probably attended the evening. Jackson Creek Soy Candles are available in the Gift Store.
Just let me know if you are interested in attending a future Network gathering.

Things are coming together for the Vintage Boat Classic on July 04....enter your vintage boat (boat and captain must add up to over 100 years) for the dockside walkabout and enter the Poker Run for prizes and glory. Entry fee includes a wrap up barbecue as well. Great day out on the lake for boat owners and spectators alike.

Coming soon.....pets allowed in certain cottages; June backyard barbecue event with wine and beer tasting; Kawartha Fall Colour Cycling Tour in Oct; Wild Women's Weekend (for those hunting season widows) - lets have a pajama party! So many reasons to come and see us!

The runway is busy with flying farmers, weekend pilots, helicopters and ultralight pilots....fly in for breakfast or lunch Mon-Sat or Sunday Brunch. There's always someone to talk flying with. If you fly in for dinner on the outdoor patio we'll be sure to get you out before sundown.

The osprey is back and a bench has been strategically placed under the old oak so you now have a destination on the hilltop where you can stop for a break and catch the view. Thanks to Barb and Marvin Wourms for the suggestion.

Enjoy spring......

Another glorious day on Rice Lake...the birds were back at the feeder, the horses were luxuriating in the pasture (sunning and chomping on the new grass) while the cattle welcomed more new calves.


We were delighted to have the the quilters return - they work like bees, hardly come up for meals. I did hear laughter so I'm thinking it's a labour of love.

Some things are just universal....Ron Mackay sent this photo of his Argentinian farm workers after the harvest - please note the rabbit ears - we North Americans thought we owned that trick....not so! Any other worldwide phenomena you want to share?

Sunny but windy on Rice Lake today - a perfect spring day with a shower at dusk. Expect to see green grass soon.

The new Rice Lake Guide (a collectors item) is out and will be available at the front desk early in the week - a sure sign of spring.

If you want to see birds, get in the car and drive to R R #1, Keene.....I think there must be a G99 Summit of Chirpers, right here in our backyard. Binoculars ready?

Here are some interesting finds I wanted to share with you.....go to http://www.billysbestbottles.com/ and check out the review on March 02, 2010.

Also, Fiesta Farms published a great article on March 22 - Ontario Food Hero-Connector, profiling Arlene Stein of Savour Ontario. Very cool to be on her list!

All cyclists are invited to join the Kawartha Fall Colours Tour Oct 02/03 - come and network with other cyclists, ride and talk about the sport, while your family relaxes at the Resort.

Couch Potato Weekends available in April....guilt-free getaways designed for those who need time together, time to unwind and time to regroup. Two nights accommodation, breakfast and dinner Saturday, Sunday Brunch and more....only $429 for two persons....how could you pass up such a deal?

If you haven't yet booked your summer vacation there is limited space in mid July...all the advantages of having a cottage on the lake, without the hassle of ownership! Call today.

Finally got to see the Academy Award winning movie The Hurt Locker - what a powerful film! You'll want to balance it off with The Blind Side (also a top pick in this house).

Renovations on the exercise room are coming along fine and the spa area is next. Cottage #2 has been successful as the Spa House....photos to follow.

After a brief shower, the sun came out and I found these smiling buds peeking out of the garden. It was our first Lakeside Luncheon (every Monday until Thanksgiving) of the year....great to see the regulars and some new faces.

Thought you would like to see the Easter tree, before the decorated eggs go back in storage.

Happy Easter! It was a beautiful weekend here at Rice Lake. The tulips and crocuses are peeping up and Martina's famous Easter Egg Tree in the dining room is in full bud. Sunday Brunch featured hot cross buns (only available at Easter).


Happy Birthday to Henry - we celebrated his 17th in fine style - lots of candlepower.




How nice to receive greetings from our friends Ron and Viviana Mackay in Argentina - they are our summer neighbours on Rice Lake.