Cottage Living: two simple words that make me feel both wistful and nostalgic. Wistful because my schedule and the location of the cottage-on the border of New Brunswick and Quebec-make it a challenge to visit on a regular basis. And nostalgic because the tally of memories is a long as the wake left by the boats cruising up and down Lac Jerry.
My family's cottage is not grand, but it's typical of the era in which it was built, in 1964. It started small and evolved over the years as spouses, grandchildren and finances dictated. But no financial value can be placed on what happened during those magical summers of my youth. During the day I was carefree and unencumbered. I swam, boated and kept a close eye on my older brother and two sisters, whom I idolized. At night I fell asleep to the lullaby of rain on the roof, or a symphony of peepers.
After the Victoria Day Weekend, or whenever people open their cottages, a temporary change in lifestyle comes with the temporary change in address. Heavy clothing is replaced with lightweight cotton, and flannel sheets are shuffled to the back of the linen closet. Cold-weather meals that are protein- and starch-based are replaced by lighter fare that will beat the heat and keep us cool.
But one thing doesn't change no matter our locale: the age-old question, What's for supper?
Being at the cottage can sometimes present its own set of challenges-kitchens may be small and appliances limited; the grocery store may be a distance away. By mealtime the kids are hot, tired and just plain picky. It's not surprising that people turn to the same old - I'm willing to bet that sales of hamburgers and hotdogs skyrocket during the months of July and August!
Ideally, a cottage meal should be simple but not sacrifice flavour. No one wants to spend a warm summer's night tied to a sink full of dishes, so one-pot meals become a lifesaver. I prefer a meal cooked on the stove or barbecue rather than in the oven… it's simply too hot. If your barbecue doesn't have a side burner, you can use the grill as a cooking surface, but don't use your best cookware for this (the flames are hard on the bottoms).
Cottage living is about making the most of what's around you: think farm stands, local wharves and roadside markets.