It's official - woodpeckers prefer peanuts to bird seed.....caught this morning feed early today.

Happy Mother's Day to all those wonderful moms who do so much for us, and love us despite our flaws. Brunch is sold out but dinner is an option.

Couldn't resist taking a photo of the trilliums on my way to the office this morning. Conference season is under way and it's great to see delegates wandering around the resort when they have a break. Hunter, our German Shorthaired Retriever is a willing guide for any walkers. This weekend is the Round Up at the stables - the annual cattle check-up - it's very exciting to watch.

Peter Elmhirst celebrates his 65th birthday on May 09...let the festivities begin. How lucky little Nadiya (5) is to have her grandfather Peter and her great-grandmother MaryBelle (90) at every family dinner.

Not too late to book your Romantic Getaway Weekend June 05-07

Katie and Majestic are ready for the trails - horseback riding begins this weekend. Helmets are provided and we recommend you wear shoes with heels for your own safety. The views are wonderful and the weather is fine for riding. Come on up to the stables and go trail riding - only $40 for one hour with guide.

The gardens are looking lovely on the Resort - should be in full bloom for Mother's Day.
Herbs and heirloom tomatoes have been planted at each cottage for guest use - harvest them and make good use of the herbs in your salads and sauces.

I'm seeing lots of boats in the lake with panfish anglers - a sure sign of spring.

Meet Buckshot, an orphaned bullcalf on our farm...little guy was a twin and was not found immediately by his mother so she rejected him....we are feeding him three times a day and he is healthy and playful...worth a walk up the barn for a visit. He will soon be joining the herd and I think Albert will miss taking care of him! We've had two sets of twins this spring, unusual, but very cute. When you visit the stables you will see the horses (they love apples and carrots) and the Black Angus cattle....lots of romping calfs at this time of year. Don't forget your camera.

Look up, way up, in the sky.....it's a tree trimming phone junkie. Peter was out in the boom truck yesterday, cutting dead limbs and performing his beloved tree trimming so the new growth has a chance to thrive. While trimming he was taking calls on his cellphone for flying gigs and directions. The birds responded by chirpping louder. The trees on the waterfront needed a trim as the ice pushed up on the shore, damaging some of the limbs.

Wine Club inaugural meeting is set for June 16....if you are interested in participating please call Julia at (705) 295-2159

Check out the Business Section of the Toronto Star on Saturday May 02 for an article featuring Peter Elmhirst and Elmhirst's Resort.

It may be overcast and spitting rain but the fiddleheads, a local delicacy, are thriving in the woodlands on site. The fiddleheads are picked before they unfurl - steamed or fried and served with butter. The timing is so important to the harvesting that the fiddleheads are rare and pricey when found in restaurants. If you see them on a menu...try them.

The maintenance shop is filled with wooden lounge chairs that have been built and assembled over the winter....it was a labour of love, requiring many hours of planing, painting and constructing. Enjoy a quiet moment in a Rice Lake chair (not to be confused with a Muskoka chair) this summer.