It is no surprise that we are all busy and, when your kids are all grown up with families on their own, life happens and sometimes it is very difficult to get all together for some quality time.  We are a small family and I think that is the reason why we love spending time together. 

Cottage time is a week of fun, togetherness, games, doing nothing at the dock, and eating…ahhh…the eating is the most important part of our cottage week, I think.

We plan our meals very carefully, we even have a menu that we follow (more or less), and we eat well. I mean…very well.  

Here is a sample of our dinners....yum!

Friday – Schnitzel with mashed potatoes and beet salad
Saturday - Salmon skewers with quinoa salad and corn on the cob
Sunday- Chicken chili with beans and veggies over quinoa or brown rice – Nachos/ GuacamoleMonday - Brown rice pasta with pesto and grilled shrimp
Tuesday - Flank Steaks with asparagus and arugula salad
Wednesday - Grilled chicken drum sticks and beef short ribs with grilled veggies
Thursday - Hamburgers with oven roasted potatoes and green salad

I love cooking and entertaining but cooking for 10 people for one whole week could be tricky, so we take turns. Sometimes the guys BBQ, sometimes the girls prepare their famous dishes, like “Cottage Cheese Pancakes” or “Quinoa Pasta with Pesto and Shrimp” and the task doesn’t become a chore. A little "vino" with the meals and lots of snacks. We try to keep it healthy with the snacks, but after all we are on vacay right? Some of our fave snacks are Kale chips, rice chips, hummus and lots of fruits. 

This year the mosquitoes were super annoying so before leaving to the cottage I asked Sarah,  my naturopath,  if she could recommend any natural product to protect us and the kids. Just 10 drops of this Essential Oil formula mixed with water and voila....no bites!! The cherry on top?...Smells fabulous...  

The week passes way too fast, but every year we build memories, family love and bonding with each other. Memories that will stay with us forever.  S'mores at night, old and funny movies before bed, 1000 pieces puzzles that we never finish, huge sand castles, and even crafts to make Christmas decorations.  

As the family starts getting bigger - now with one grandkid and another on the way - I can’t wait to keep enjoying our annual family fun at the cottage. Children change the way you perceive life, everything is new for them and their happiness and true joy is so contagious that you can’t get enough of it.

I am already counting the days for our next family vacation. 

How do you spend your quality family time? Let us know, we would love to hear from you.

With love

Susana