Downtown Huntsville’s Girlfriends’ Getaway Weekend

Truth be told, I don’t care much for shopping, but I do know a great shopping opportunity when I see one—and there’s one coming up in just a few weeks. The businesses of Huntsville’s historic downtown district are putting on a great weekend of shopping, dining and pampering just for the ladies. It’s called the Girlfriends’ Getaway Weekend and it’s taking place November 21-23.

Of course, downtown Huntsville is a pleasure to shop at any time. There are no big box, big chain stores stocked with towering stacks of the same old same old. Instead, most of downtown Huntsville’s shops are independently owned and operated, and chock full of unique items and great finds. Very often the shop owner is the person behind the counter or manning the floor, so you know you’ll get courteous service and knowledgeable help.

During the Downtown Huntsville Girlfriends’ Getaway Weekend, you’ll also get great discounts and goodies. Registration for the event is free and includes a Getaway Passport giving you access to discounts, giveaways, demonstrations, activity sessions, hand & neck massages, and the chance to win a Grand Prize draw worth over $500. Donations will be accepted to help support the local hospital’s Mammogram Unit.

Over 40 businesses are participating, including:

4 Muskoka Kids; Ahimsa; Algonquin Outfitters; Aroma Dining & Drinks; Artisans of Muskoka; Big Bead; Christmas Tyme; Flotron’s Tweed & Hickory; Gone Quilting; Muskoka Country Furniture; Muskoka Jewellery Design & Gallery; Muskoski Urban Rustic Living; Northern Baking Co.; Petticoats; Plum Loco; Reflections of Muskoka; Rubber Lubbers The Stamp Emporium; Saturday Afternoons Home Store; Shine; Soapstones Soap & Skincare; Soul Sistas; That Little Place by the Lights; The Bookcase; The Cranberry Kids Gift Co.; The Finds; The Great Vine; The Nutty Chocolatier; Veranda Home & Garden Collection; Wooden Penny; Yesterday’s Book

Make a date with your mother, sister or best gal pal and get all your holiday shopping done in one whirlwind weekend where you’ll find one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list—including yourself!

Here at the inn, we’re getting in the shopping spirit too. You’ll receive $25 off when you stay two nights at Fern Glen Inn during Downtown Huntsville’s Girlfriends’ Getaway Weekend. Be sure to mention discount at time of booking and we will pre-register you for your Getaway Passport.

Visit our website for availability and booking information. Happy shopping!

Soup of the Season

As the days get cooler and shorter, my big soup pot spends more time on the stove and less in the cupboard.

At this time of year, Jim and I spend as much time as we can outside. The days are brisk but not bitter, and when the sun is shining they are absolutely beautiful. We also have much work to do outdoors: gathering firewood to warm the house and the Coop through the winter, taking in the gazebo and garden furniture, cleaning up the lawn and all the sundry tasks of preparing for winter in the country.

After a busy day outside, our cheeks are rosy and our bellies are ready for filling. There is nothing like a piping hot bowl of soup to warm us from the inside out.

One of my favourite soups brings together two classic flavours of the season; and beautifully echoes the colour that is fading from the woods around us. In taste and looks, this soup is autumn in a bowl. Enjoy!

Roasted Butternut Squash & Pear Soup

Roasting the squash first accomplishes two things: it deepens and enhances the flavour of the squash; and it makes it much, much easier to peel and chop. Try tossing the peeled carrot and the peeled & cored pear in a little olive oil and roasting them along with the squash for another level of flavour.

1 medium butternut squash
olive oil
1 large yellow onion
1 medium-large carrot
1 medium-large Anjou or Bartlett pear
ground coriander seed
pinch of saffron threads, crumbled (optional)
kosher salt
white pepper
4-6 cups chicken broth, vegetable broth or water

Heat the oven to 350 - 400 F. If you already have something cooking, don't change the temperature for the squash, the squash will adapt just fine to whatever you have going on.

Leave the squash whole, but stab it in several places with a sharp knife. Place it on a baking sheet and roast it until the skin is buckled and bubbled in a few places, 30-45 minutes. Don't worry if it's not cooked all the way through; it will finish cooking in the pot. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Meanwhile, heat a large dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Peel the onion and cut into small dice. Add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pot. Add the onion and a pinch of kosher salt and cook until beginning to soften and turn translucent.

Peel the carrot and slice it into 1/4" rounds. Peel, quarter and core the pear, and cut into large dice. Add the carrot and pear to the onions and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, while you peel the squash.

When the squash is cool enough to handle, peel away and discard the skin using a sharp paring knife. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and use a large spoon to remove and discard the seeds and strings. Cut the squash into large dice.

Add the diced squash, a hefty pinch each of ground coriander seed and kosher salt, and the crumbled saffron if using. Add a moderate dash of white pepper.

Continue to cook, stirring frequently until the onion is completely softened. Add enough chicken broth to cover the squash mixture. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until the vegetables and pear are completely tender.

Allow the soup to cool, then transfer to a blender in small batches and blend until smooth. Add more broth if necessary to reach a smooth consistency. Transfer to a clean pot or bowl and continue until all the soup is processed. Return to heat. Add broth if desired for a thinner consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings to suit.

Serve hot. Garnish with a drizzle of heavy cream or flavoured olive oil; sprinkle with fresh herbs or sweet paprika; or top with crumbled bacon and goat cheese.

Serves 6-8 as a starter course; or 4 for lunch alongside hearty bread.

A first-rate soup is more creative than a second-rate painting.
- Abraham Maslow

The Golden Encore

You probably know to give credit to the maple trees for the spectacular reds and flaming oranges that adorn the Almaguin and Muskoka hills from early-September to mid-October. But as October winds down, the maple leaves dance down from their treetops to carpet the forest floor instead. You might think this means the end of the colour show for the season, but think again.

After the maple display ends, the tamaracks, birches and poplars take the stage and grace us with a golden encore. Their colour range is smaller--ranging from bright yellow to rich gold--but a striking sight nonetheless against the deep green of the coniferous backdrop. Even the grasses, ferns and undergrowth take on tawny and coppery hues. On a sunny day, the world around us simply glows.
Tamaracks are interesting trees. They have the conical shape and needly look of a typical evergreen tree in the summer, but in the fall their needles turn golden yellow and then shed like leaves. Tamaracks spend the winter looking like barren spikes before coming back to life in the spring in a fresh burst of green.
Thank you to our guests, Pedro & Ursula (and Ruby, pictured above), for use of these pictures. Pedro worked his usual magic behind the camera during the Thanksgiving weekend, as the maples were wrapping up their act and the tamaracks were just getting started.

Shifting Earth

Jim and I stopped in to visit artist Sally Ferguson at her studio just up the road from us. I've mentioned Shifting Earth Gallery/Studio as part of the North of Muskoka Studio Tour and it's worth mentioning again, especially at this time of year when her outdoor space is as lovely as her indoor space.

The studio gallery is housed in a beautifully restored barn. The ground floor of the barn is Sally's studio space, where we were able to witness works-in-progress. Upstairs the gallery is all gleaming wood and visually striking paintings. Sally and her husband are in the process of adding to the gallery space by building an addition on their house.

One thing visitors realize before they even make it inside the gallery is that Sally's creative spirit cannot be contained indoors. Outside the barn is a lovely garden space showcasing various forms of artwork among the flowers, fountains and plants. Sally also welcomes visitors to walk the nature trail on her property.

Be sure to include a visit to Shifting Earth Gallery/Studio on your next getaway to Fern Glen Inn.

Backcountry Day Trip at the edge of Algonquin

I recently posted about our camping trip in Algonquin Park earlier this month. Since then, I've been thinking about how easy it is to enjoy a day trip in Algonquin Park's backcountry wilderness. Of course, on a day trip you won't go deep into Algonquin, but you can certainly explore the lakes and canoe routes at the western edge of the park.

If your only taste of Algonquin Park so far has been along the Highway 60 corridor, you're in for a completely different experience. The Hwy 60 corridor is wonderful for its easy accessibility and plethora of options for spending your day, but for those very reasons it's also more full of people and machines.

A day trip starting from the park's Kearney access points takes you away from crowds, cottages and cars and treats you to the calm quiet of undeveloped terrain. Nothing else compares.

If you want to experience it for yourself, this is what we recommend:

• Book 2 nights at the inn since you will want an early start to make the most of your day
• Book your canoe in advance (or have us book it for you) from Algonquin Basecamp or Canoe Algonquin or bring your own if you have one
  
• Bring a hearty lunch and snacks (paddling is great for the appetite) or ask us about a packed lunch when you book your accommodations
• Bring more water than you think you'll need
• Remember that once you're in the park, there is nowhere to buy food, water or supplies
• Plan to dress in layers; don't forget a hat, sunglasses, scarf or neck warmer, watch, and knapsack for toting your lunch and gear

Your itinerary for a weekend:

Friday

• Arrive afternoon or evening
• Review a backcountry map of the park with us and we'll help you plan your route

Saturday

• Breakfast at 7:30 am (or later depending on how much of your day you want to spend in the park)
• Drive to Kearney about 20km east of us and pick up your day permit from the Algonquin Park office in town
  
• Pick up your canoe and paddling gear if you've made rental arrangements with a local outfitter
• Drive to one of three access points, each about 30km from Kearney (some of this is on winding, unpaved roads)
• Park your car in the access point parking lot (do not leave food in your car); put your canoe on the lake and start paddling!
• Stop at a campsite for lunch
  
• Paddle back to the access point and load up to come home; watch the time as you're paddling—you want to be back out and loaded up in daylight
  
• Return your canoe to the outfitters; return to the inn
• Dinner at the inn (if booked in advance) or head out to an area restaurant
• Enjoy a fire in the Coop or soak those tired muscles in the hot tub before falling into a soft, comfy bed

Sunday

• Breakfast (a little later this time!) before heading home to the real world

What it costs:

• 2 nights at Fern Glen Inn, includes accommodation and hearty breakfasts for two people: $236
• Day permit for Algonquin Park: $16
  
• Canoe rental, includes canoe, 2 life jackets, 2 paddles, foam pads & straps to secure the canoe on your car: approximately $28
• Total: $280 plus applicable taxes

Optional Extras:

• Packed lunch for two people: $28
• Dinner at the inn for two people: $56
• Canoe delivery to the park (so you don't have to put it on your car): approximately $50 per group (can be multiple canoes)
• Algonquin Park backcountry map: approximately $5

If you haven't canoed the interior before, consider:

• Will you be able to get the canoe on and off your car, or will you need to pay for canoe delivery to the park?
• Do you know how to steer and handle a canoe in various weather conditions?
• Do you want to include portages in your day trip (where you carry the canoe over land from one lake to another) or do you want to choose a route that does not require portaging?
• Are you in good physical shape? Are you confident to put yourself in a wilderness setting away from services, conveniences, and ready aid?
• Are you ready to discover the wonders of Algonquin Park's stunning backcountry interior?
  

We love to 'talk park' so if you'd like to include a backcountry day trip at the edge of Algonquin Park during your next visit to the inn, give us a call and we'll help you work out the details.

Wow! Autumn!

Whether I'm walking along the Seguin Trail, or winding my way through our own network of trails, or even driving to town on errands, I find myself looking upwards in wonderment of all the colours. And all I can say is "Wow".

Autumn is indeed here again, painting the Almaguin Highlands from a spectacular palette of crimson, orange and gold. Jim and I went for a walk through our trails and over and up to the little lake this afternoon, our feet shuffling and rustling the leaves that have already fallen, the earthy smell of autumn rising up from the trail.

The lake is ringed with mixed-forest hills that look like giant bouquets now. I tried taking photos but I won't post any of the lake because they just don't do it justice. It has to be seen in person to be appreciated.

But along the trails, and especially along the Seguin which is wide and open for the sun to work its magic, the maples pose prettily for the camera.

Some of our weekends have already booked up here at Fern Glen Inn, but we still have rooms available for the Thanksgiving long weekend and many options available for mid-week getaways. We invite you to come experience the Wow season!

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.

- George Eliot

Algonquin Park Interior

Last week Jim and I took advantage of the post-Labour Day lull and treated ourselves to a short camping trip in Algonquin Park. The sky was beautiful and the water was calm. We had a couple brief rain showers pass over our campsite, but since we already had the tent and tarp up, it didn't dampen our spirits at all.

The trip started with an early drive to the park office in Kearney, just 20 minutes east of the Fern Glen Inn. We picked up our permit from the office and our rental canoe from Canoe Algonquin and headed to the Magnetawan Lake access point on the western edge of the park. It's less than 30km from Kearney to the park, but it takes a good 45 minutes to drive it, slowing down when the road goes from paved to gravel and somewhat bumpy. But trust me, it's worth it.

After unloading our canoe and gear, we were on the lake by 9:30 with a full day ahead of us. Since we were only spending one night in the park, we chose a campsite just one portage and a short paddle from the entry lake.

We set up camp leisurely before exploring the woods beyond the campsite. I enjoy camp chores, such as setting up a kitchen, finding an appropriate tree for hanging the food bag, pumping drinking water through the filter. There's never an urgency to the chores, yet they are utterly important to our comfort. It's a nice way to work.

The day was spent paddling, exploring, swimming (okay, Jim and Saba swam, I waded), cooking, eating, and watching the water, trees and sky around us.

The next day we took our time heading out, stopping at a campsite for lunch and paddling into little bays and marshes just because we were in no hurry. Then home again in time for dinner with our batteries fully recharged and the sun lingering on our faces. What a beautiful little holiday.