Tree Removal

This is a good time of year to take down unhealthy trees and prevent unnecessary damage caused by strong winter storms.
First sign of snow for this year yesterday morning - just a trace of snow on the car, not even enough to get out the snow brush. But it was a reminder that, in spite of the amazing weather we have had for the last couple of weeks, winter is definitely on the way. Lots of work still to do before the snow flies.

World's Best Bruschetta

Now that the local field tomatoes are in season, its time to make all kinds of yummy tomato recipes, including my favourite bruschetta. So, please indulge me in a little diversion from the whole handyman thing - I have been promising this recipe for years. Enjoy...

5 or 6 medium sized ripe tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp good balsamic vigegar

6 to 8 fresh basil leaves, chopped

salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

baguette-style bread (try Don's Bakery french stick http://donsbakery.ca/

more olive oil

Cut tomatoes in halves or quarters & remove seeds & juice from centres. Cut out & discard the stem area. Chop tomatoes finely. Put tomatoes, garlic, olive oil & balsamic vinegar in a bowl & mix.

Slice the bread about 1/2 inch thick, coat one side of each slice with olive oil using a pastry brush. Place on cookie sheet, oil side down. toast in the oven on the top rack at 450 for about 5-6 minutes.

Place the tomato mixture in a bowl with a spoon & let guests serve themselves (otherwise the bread goes soggy)

Fire Wood Anyone?

Scott took delivery of two dump truck loads of firewood a couple of weeks ago. Our friend Bill emailed this picture to Kyle while we were on vacation in Vancouver so that he would know what he had to look forward to when he got home! Apparently, we will burn about half of that wood over the winter. The other half is for sale. I think Kyle is hoping it gets sold before he gets around to stacking it all.

Dock Repair

Through a friend of Kristin's, Scott went up to Three Mile Lake near Raymond to repair an old dock that had suffered significant winter damage over the years. They were able to save the basic steele frame of the dock, and redecked the top and sides with cedar. Now its safe for little Boris!

Golferman

Muskoka Handyman takes the day off on Father's Day - first day off in weeks. We golfed 18 holes at Windermere G&CC. The golf course is in great shape and it was a perfect day in Muskoka ($255 for the 3 of us - ouch) The greens were fast but the fairways were a bit narrow for Scott's liking I think. We couldn't have asked for better conditions and I got to spend the day with my 2 favourite guys.

And check out this picture of the deer that Kyle took on the 4th hole. The deer was camped out in the garden just beyond the cart path and was obviously a little too comfortable with people - didn't move even when we stopped for Kyle to take a bunch of pictures.

Cleaning up from Spring Storm

Following the severe spring storm that blew through Muskoka on June 8th, Scott has been extremely busy cleaning up fallen trees and branches. This seems to be the mainstay of his business right now and his chainsaws (and his back) are getting a pretty good workout.

Pollen Really Bad

For all you allergy sufferers out there like me, the pollen is out in Muskoka, sadly. There's yellow dust covering everything, everywhere. This includes my little weekend painting project that is still out on the back deck thanks to work stoppages caused first by the rain (a.k.a Victoria Day Long Weekend) and now by the pollen. Love the lilacs, but really starting hate what they represent.

Went for a long walk this morning and there are still no bugs to speak of here in (usually) sunny Bala - maybe its too cold?!?

Water's UP Again - What's UP With That?

Water levels on the Moon are up almost as high as they have been all season - Scott is starting to worry about the docks - if the water goes much higher, the ramps could buckle. We've had rain, but it hasn't been that much rain, its been grey and misty a lot of the time. Mind you, I come from Vancouver, my threshold is different that others in this part of the country.

Wet Spring

Happy to report that all customer docks were in before the Victoria Day long weekend.  Had to wait until the water levels came down just a bit, which as always, the water was down by the in time the cottagers started to arrive for the long weekend.

It was gorgeous in Muskoka on Friday (for anyone lucky enough to have the extra day off) and Saturday - but the rain returned for Sunday and Monday.  Minimal bugs on the sunny side of the river but others are complaining that they are really bad in other parts of Muskoka.

Normal Spring Water Levels

Just in case you were thinking it is time to put in the dock and the boat, the water levels on the Moon have finally gone up to near normal spring levels - up at least 2 feet from a week ago.  Had to put on hip-waders to get to the tin boat parked at the dock at the cottage on Friday.  More rain expected this week, so water levels have probably not peaked yet. 

The dock box in this photo floated away a couple of hours later - rescued before it went too far.  This is a good time to check to see what you have stored at the waterfront - are there things too close that could be carried away if the water goes up any further?

Happy Birthday 13 Year Old

The sun came out for the best day of the year so far in Muskoka - and it was Kyle's birthday too!! A new bike topped the birthday present list - and quite a lot of cash that is burning a hole in his pocket. A day spent at the Bala skateboard park with some friends. A visit from Kristin & Will. New faviourite dinner of pulled pork sandwiches on the menu for dinner and ice cream birthday cake. What could be better than that?

And then, almost 9 years from the day it was constructed ... the playground was dismantled and taken away. Not sad for the birthday boy but quite sad for Mom because of what it means - I'm the mom of a teenager - yikes!!

First Offical Sign of Summer

Not sure about you, but the first real sign of summer is when Don's Bakery opens up again - I've been watching for a sign and just noticed that it will be open Mother's Day weekend - May 7th & 8th.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Would love to report on all the work that's gotten done, but its been so cold and today so damp and cold - not very good weather for putting in docks.  Got some raking done yesterday before the rain started.  Went across the river yesterday afternoon to check out the docks over there, but they are still frozen in - need the temperature to go up for a couple of days before they can get hooked up.  Last year, Kyle was in the water April 1st (granted there was no swimming involved - just in and out) but this year, its almost May and he's not had any inclination to jump in the water.  Maybe that because he's older and wiser!

Happy Easter - hope you are warm and dry.

Still Winter?

Well, well, well.  Old Man Winter's not done yet - this is the view from our place this morning.  Already put the plow away for the summer and the truck is in getting "lettered" so we are hoping this doesn't amount to anything!

The Great White Hunter

The squirrels & chippies are busy in Muskoka and the Great White Hunter resumes her post...

Low Spring Water Levels on the Moon

Spring water levels are lower than we've had in years.  Normally at this time of year, the water is up 4 to 6 feet on the Moon River.  Got the small dock and tin boat in yesterday.  That may not be the earliest I've ever had a boat in, but its the earliest I've put a dock in for as long as I can remember.  I'll wait a few more days on the other docks ... just in case.

Checking for Winter Damage

We noticed a couple of roof shingles on the ground this afternoon while we were sitting outside enjoying an outstanding Muskoka spring afternoon. Got us to thinking about other things to look for now that the snow and ice are gone (well the ice is almost gone):

• branches on the roof or broken eavestroughs
• trees down or broken limbs
• damaged docks
• heaves or erosion of driveway
• deck damage from snow loads (although the snow loads weren't that bad - in Muskoka Lakes, anyway)
• cracks or leaks in water pipes - look for signs like no water or low water pressure
• water stains on interior walls or ceilings
• signs of animals or rodents inside

Its great to get outside again, but sometimes we hold our breath to see how our cottage & property have fared over the winter. Seemed like a pretty mild winter last year - hopefully your cottage or home faired pretty well. But, if you need some help with that clean-up ... call Scott!

The Ice is Almost Out

Gorgeous, sunny, warm spring day in Muskoka.  Here on the sunny side of the river, the ice is almost out and its time to start the yard clean-up.  On the other side of the river, its a different matter - at least another week of snow and ice and at least 2 weeks until raking can begin.

The Workshop is Done

First blog post for Scott Glover - Muskoka Handyman.  Thanks to Kristin for the most-excellent idea and to Cath for making it happen.

After many, many, many hours of organizing and several trips to both the Home Depot and the dump, the new workshop is complete and it is a thing of beauty, if I do say so myself.  Scott Glover - Muskoka Handyman is now open for business.

Now we just need to wait for the ice to go out so we can start putting docks in - and the boats are soon to follow.