The biggest danger…

What am I going to do with this cake?

Strawberry banana cake

Here’s the dangerous thing about the cottage: FOOD!

When people come and visit, they bring delicious treats, booze, snacks, and meat. And then when they go they leave it behind. Like the cake you see above. Three of us managed to almost eat half of it, now it’s in my fridge. So I’m going to have to eat it, aren’t I?

When friends and family are at the cottage in the summer, there’s always an outbreak of delicious barbecue. Sometimes it’s ribs…

barbecue ribs chopped

Sometimes it’s chicken…

Chicken and Green Vegetables on barbecue

At least there are healthy greens in that one!

Sometimes it’s ribs and chicken…

Chicken and ribs on barbecue

And if you thought roasts were for the autumn and winter months, well, you’d be wrong…

turkey on a barbecue

Leg of Lamb on barbecue

There are get-togethers with lake friends…

platters of lamb chops and lamb meat

There are evenings out for a taste of Georgian Bay fish and chips…

Fish and Chips at restaurant

There are summer birthdays to be celebrated…

two cakes

Chocolate cake with four names on it

And of course, there’s booze…

foaming drink in a glass

glass of beer at the lake

I am my own worst enemy, creating delicious meals to eat alone by the lake.

Steak wine and asperagus on dock by lake

All of this results in an enormous increase of belly fat. Especially because I’m up here all summer, every day feels like vacation and my appetite for this kind of stuff is impossible to ignore!

So good thing I will be a busy, active pioneer-woman come winter time. Shoveling snow, chopping wood, snowshoeing. I will be as fit as I’ve ever been! Or that’s what I keep telling myself as I enjoy a second helping of BBQ chicken and another glass of wine…