Journaling in the Muskokas

Last weekend while up in the Muskokas at Lake of Bays...


...I sat in 26C hot sun and did some journaling in my sketchpad.


Then I switched to my larger sketchpad to draw the same view.


A beautiful spot that inspires drawing for sure.

Views of Thanksgiving Weekend

For Thanksgiving this past weekend, we headed to Richard's family in the Muskokas.


On our way, we had a picnic at our usual spot on Golden Lake on the edge of Algonquin Park.


The temperature was 26C with a humidex of 28C, very unusual weather for Thanksgiving weekend. It's the first time I've seen swimmers this time of year.


We spent much of the weekend at the dock, watching a pair of loons on the lake...


...and soaking up the hot sun with a beer or two.


Richard's sister and brother-in-law took the canoe out for a paddle.


Sadly, the cottage had to be closed down for the season and the dock moved to its winter position.


We said goodbye for another year and on the way home, stopped for another picnic at our favourite spot, this time a table right beside the water.


And what could be more Canadian than a butter tart? Hope all my Canadian readers had a wonderful Thankgsiving.

Thanksgiving in the Muskokas

Richard and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend at his family's house in the Muskokas. On our way, we had a picnic at a quiet spot along the road.


We got to take the new, insulated picnic backpack that my cousin gave me for my birthday this summer.


It worked great and we ate with a wonderful view of Golden Lake on the edge of Algonquin Park.


At Algonquin, we stopped and walked at one of the shorter trails -- this one was called the Spruce Bog.


It was only a 1.5 km loop but it was a nice break from the drive.


Up in the Muskokas, we ate turkey, shopped in Huntsville and sat by the Lake of Bays.


The weather was warm and the company fine. Good times.


On the way home, we stopped in Algonquin Park again, this time at a point we've stopped at before, to take our semi-annual photo there. No one was around to take the shot, so it was one of those hold-your-arm-out-as-far-as-you can type things. It kinda worked!

Drawing in the Muskokas

On our visit to the Muskokas for Thanksgiving last weekend, I sketched a bouquet of orange-coloured chrysanthemums that were on the table inside.


Outside, I drew the beautiful scenery.


A small row boat came into view as I was drawing.


While I was sketching, Richard took this shot.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Richard and I spent Thanksgiving weekend at his sister's place in the Muskokas and drove through Algonquin Park to get there.


The drive was amazing because the fall colours were at their peak.


We pulled over a few times...


...those leaves were so colourful.


Looks almost like a painting, doesn't it?


We got to the Muskokas and took a short walk through the woods.


And a walk down to the dock...


...to take more photos.


Every vista proved to be artful...


...even when you looked straight down!

Sunny Shots

I thought my painted bowl full of colourful fruit looked terrific in the sunshine.


And I really like this photo that Richard snapped of me in sunny Algonquin Park.

Travelling in the Fall

On our way to Thanksgiving in the Muskokas this weekend, we had a picnic at Golden Lake, south of Algonquin Park.


We stopped several times in Algonquin Park to take photos.


It was a warm, sunny October day. Pretty darn picturesque, eh?


The next day, before we dug in to all that turkey, we drove to Huntsville...


...and went for a walk along the water.


Overhead were bright red crabapples framed against the blue sky.


Richard's car was the perfect colour as a backdrop for all those colourful leaves.

Gorgeous Autumn Weekend

Just back from a fantastic weekend in the Muskokas. Gorgeous leaves, weather about 20C, bright sun, shimmering lake...

...and a perfect spot to curl up after a big helping of Thanksgiving turkey and all the fixings.

Muskoka Impressions #3

A few other things that I sketched while on vacation. There were acorns all over the stairs and deck to the water, courtesy of a large oak tree and some busy chipmunks.


Some nice-sized twigs were lying on the ground, probably knocked down by an eager chippy or two.


A fantastic, water-worn stump, was sitting on the edge of the dock. I think it could've been drawn a few more times from various angles. Pretty neat.

Rainy Day Vernissage + ATCs

On our only rainy day of the holiday, I decided to have a mini-vernissage. I made 2 invitations (one for Richard, one for his sister Annie) cut from the (now empty) box of pastries from Henrietta's Pine Bakery.


I exhibited the watercolour artist trading cards I had painted of Lake of Bays.


It's the first time I've ever had 100% attendance at a vernissage. Actually I did better than that. Angus, the dog, was in attendance as well and shared some of the cheese that was served. A good time was had by all.