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Lakestyle’s Top 12 Summer Lake Finds | Lakestyle Canada

June 18, 2019

Get ready for summer time at the lake with Lakestyle’s Top 12 Summer Lake Finds including water toys, our favourite cozy warm socks and moccasins at night by the fire.

Lakestyle’s Top 12 Summer Lake Finds

Lakestyle has been searching for the latest and greatest perfect lake items for Spring and Summer 2019. Here are Lakestyle’s Summer Lake Finds for you to get out on your dock and enjoy this lake season.

Top 12 Summer Finds

1. The All Natural Ceasar Mix [$7.99] by Walters is sure to get your taste buds hopping and your afternoon rocking this summer at the lake. Check out Goodness Me! to order yours online today or check out Find Walter to locate brick and mortar locations for pick up.

2. The Floating Island Pad [$769] from Lakestyle Inc. will keep an entire group of children or adults entertained on the water all weekend. Say goodbye to buying inflatable lake toys every season, as this huge floating island will never spring a leak.

 

3. The Rocky Mountain Soap Company is committed to providing natural simple ingredients in their products. A great soap to add to your cabin or cottage bathroom this summer is the Cedarwood and Fir Bar Soap [$5.95] as it brings nature in with its woodsy aromas.

 

 

4. At the Drake General Store there is a perfect match for your cabin pancakes – Amber Maple Syrup [$18.00]. Your breakfasts and brunches will never be the same.

 

5. The Solar Stud Lights [39.99] for Lakestyle Inc. are a fantastic way to light up a deck, dock, driveway, patio or outdoor stairs at the cabin or cottage. Designed with a solid cast aluminum body that is sealed to resist weather and moisture, these lights will light your lake activities long into the night.

 

6. The Canadian Flag Deluxe Armchair [$21.99] from Canadian Tire features a strong weather resistant steel frame, a Canadian flag printed on both sides and is made of durable polyester fabric with a water repellent coating to encourage water beading. With a mesh beverage holder located in the arm rest, this chair is perfect for lazy long days on the dock.

 

7. Canoe Suede Moccasins [$99.99] from Manitobah are perfect for this lazy coffee mornings at the lake. Look stylish and comfortable while supporting a great #madeinCanada company located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

 

8. Breanne Morrow, a talented Canadian Artist has started a studio called White Feather Designs in Meaford, Ontario. With many designs and collections to choose from, there will be a jewelry piece that speaks to you. Lakestyle likes the Multi Reticulated Necklace in Mint [$95.00].

 

9. The Aqua Blue Iced Tea Pitcher [$28.00] from David’s Tea is sure to cool off all of your summer lake guests. The pitcher isn’t limited to making tea. Try using it to make our signature Lakestyle Cucumber Lemonade recipe.

 

10. The Prairie Mug [$25.00] from Flannel Foxes is a stylish way to stay toasty at the cabin this summer on those stormy days as well as those chilly mornings on the dock in the warmer months.

 

11. These Hard Working at the Lake Socks [$18.00] from Blacknot Farm® (Petersfield, MB) are perfect for kicking back at the lake. Whether you are boating, or sitting on your dock, your toes are sure to stay warm in a pair of these beauties.

 

12. Last but no least of Lakestyle’s Top 12 Summer Lake finds is a new zero maintenance dock ladder [starting at $244.00] from Lakestyle. A new dock ladder will freshen up the look of your entire dock. These ladders are compatible to any dock system and their aluminum construction means no maintenance is required.

 

What are your top summer lake finds? Share your favourites in the comments section!

Lakestyle is a company founded on a desire to help people fulfill their lake lifestyle dreams. By utilizing easy to maintain dock systems and accessories, people are to spend less time working and more time having fun! Check us out at www.lakestyle.ca. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @LakestyleCA!

 

 

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Best Spring Recipes for Entertaining at the Lake

April 22, 2019

As the weather warms up, the lake thaws and the songbirds return, we get excited about heading back to the lake and cooking our favourite Spring recipes. These snacks and meals are a delicious way to relax after setting up the dock and putting comfortable chairs around the campfire!

parsley & green pea hummus recipe Parsley & Green Pea Hummus Recipe

1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 2/3 cups thawed frozen green peas (or fresh)
1 cup tahini
½ cup warm water
4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 ½ tsp kosher salt
4 garlic cloves
A variety of raw vegetables

Place parsley, peas, tahini, 1/2 cup warm water, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic in a food processor; process until smooth. (Blend in more water, 1 tbsp. at a time, if hummus is too thick.) Serve with tons of raw vegetables.

 

 

Cucumber Salad Recipe garden cucumber salad recipe

3 large cucumbers sliced very thin
1 tbsp  salt
1/2 cup water
3 tbsp  apple cider vinegar

1 tsp sugar
paprika, as much as you wish for flavour & colour
minced green onions

Place sliced cucumbers in a bowl. With your hands, mix the salt into the cucumber. Cover and let stand for at least thirty minutes. While the cucumbers are marinating, prepare the dressing which consists of water, vinegar, sugar and paprika. Squeeze out all the juice from the cucumbers AND RINSE WELL to remove excess salt. Mix the dressing into the cucumbers.  Sprinkle the green onions over the cucumbers. This will keep for several days in the fridge.

Cheat Slow Cooked Ribs Recipe

2 racks of pork back ribs
4 tsp mesquite or Cajun seasoning
salt + pepper
2 cups ketchup
½ cup wine vinegar (or cider vinegar)
4 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce

Cut ribs into single-rib portions; place in large shallow glass dish. Rub mesquite seasoning, salt and pepper over ribs. Place dish under broiler, on high, until browned, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer ribs to slow cooker. In a bowl, mix all other ingredients together and add to slow cooker, stirring to coat ribs. Cover and cook on low until tender, 6 to 8 hours.

feta, spinach & rice salad recipe

Feta, Spinach & Rice Salad Recipe

4 cups cooked rice
3 cups baby spinach leaves, chopped
2 cups crumbled feta cheese
½ red onion, diced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine rice, spinach, feta, onion and italian seasoning in a large bowl.  Toss with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Refrigerate and serve cold, or alternatively, serve warm or at room temperature.

 

Warm Apple Pudding Cake Recipe

Cake Recipe

1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½  tsp nutmeg
1/ tsp salt
2 cups chopped apples (or 1 cup apples, 1 cup raisins)

Sauce Recipe

1/3 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
½ cup half-and-half or whole milk
½ tsp cinnamon

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a bundt pan. In a large bowl, mix brown sugar and ¼ cup butter until fluffy. Beat in egg. Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.  Stir in apples/raisins. Spread batter in pan. Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat all sauce ingredients over medium heat, stirring frequently, until butter is melted and sauce is hot. Serve warm sauce over warm cake.

Lakestyle is a company founded on a desire to help people fulfill their lake life dreams. By utilizing easy to maintain dock systems and accessories, people are able to spend less time working and more time having fun! Lakestyle is the exclusive Canadian retailer of Tommy Docks, beautiful and easy to install, quality docking system. Check us out at www.lakestyle.ca, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @LakestyleCA!

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3 Ways to Enjoy Your Dock More This Summer

February 19, 2019

What’s one of the best things about owning a lakefront property? Inviting guests to come hang out on your dock!

Your dock becomes centre stage when entertaining guests! It’s the launching pad for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing and boating. It is a fantastic place to lounge in the sun, read, and relax. It’s a great place to watch the sunrise with a cup of coffee or the sunset with a cocktail.

Here are three ways to help you enjoy all the activities on your dock this summer!

1. Get Comfortable with Dock Seating!

Lakestyle’s Favourite Adirondack Chairs from Patio Leisure Line

Lakestyle knows that having comfortable seating arrangements on your dock for your family and guests is super important. Your dock should have a variety of seating options, to suit the multiple activities and needs that the summer season demands. Here are a couple of our favourites:

Adirondack Chairs

Patio Leisure Line has a great line of stylish Adirondack Chairs that have been a staple on Lakestyle’s dock for years. They are a family owned and operated company based out of Brantford, Ontario. They pride themselves on being a ‘green’ company as they construct all their furniture from recycled high density polyethylene. Lakestyle loves these Adirondack Chairs because they require zero maintenance (no staining or painting EVER!) and they are heavy enough not to blow off the dock during a summer thunderstorm. Patio Leisure Line Adirondack Chairs come in 10 amazing colours and are available in Costco Locations across Canada. Lakestyle has a special love for their red ones!

Cedar Dock Benches

Lakestyle’s 4 ft Cedar Bench  Lakestyle has a fantastic cedar bench that can easily be installed on any brand of dock. With its wide armrests, it also doubles as a great place to set a drink or snack. The weather resistant cedar wood can be left natural or can be stained or painted to suit any style dock. Order this cedar bench on Lakestyle’s online store, with delivery available across Canada. With four feet of bench seating, you’ll be able to accommodate many dock guests comfortably without hogging much room on your dock!

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Keep Lake Toys Organized on Your Dock Lakestyle’s Favourite Storage Options for your Dock

Since docks are often the gathering place at the lake, they can easily get cluttered with all of the various lake toys and equipment that make lake days amazing. Here are a few items that help keep your dock more organized!

Kayak/Paddleboard Brackets

Lakestyle has these handy kayak/paddle board brackets that work well to keep your dock surface clutter free! These brackets work great for canoes and large floatables as well.

Storage Options on Your Dock

Canadian Tire has a number of unique outdoor storage options to help keep smaller lake toys at bay. Here’s a unique circular model, the Circa Rattan Table Storage Box, that has 35 gallons of storage. It’s storage, a table and seating, combined into one good looking dock solution.

Dock Bumpers

Lakestyle also has a number of different bumpers for your dock, to help keep your kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, paddle boats and motor boat’s saddle from bumping into your dock. Check out all the styles, sizes and colours of bumpers, you’re sure to find the right dock bumper for your lake needs.

 

3. Dock Accessories: It’s all in the Details Lakestyle’s Dock Ladders for Dock Safety

Docks are the perfect balance of form and function. Docks should look great but you will want them to work well too! Here are a few dock accessories to think about that can elevate your experience for your family and guests.

Dock Ladders

Having safe access to the water is essential for a dock. If you can’t get in and out of the water easily, it can be annoying, but also a safety hazard. Make sure to have at least one dock ladder, preferably two, so your family and guests have easy and safe access to and from the water. Lakestyle has a great selection of ladders that are compatible with any brand and style of dock.

Dock Lighting Lakestyle’s Solar Stud LED Dock Lights

Sunrises and sunsets are great moments to enjoy on your dock. Some of our favourite lake memories involve a hot cup of coffee watching the sun come up over the lake, or enjoying a cocktail as the sun sets over the water. At dusk and dawn, a little mood lighting is a nice addition to your dock. Lakestyle has these great solar stud LED dock lighting that can gently illuminate your dock, deck or walkway.

 

About Lakestyle

Lakestyle is a company founded on a desire to help people fulfill their lake lifestyle dreams. By utilizing  easy to maintain dock systems and accessories, people are able to spend less time working and more time having fun! Check us out at www.lakestyle.ca, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @LakestyleCA!

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Winter Recipes & Meals at the Cabin

February 04, 2019

We love cosy weekend escapes to the cabin during the winter months. Spending those dark, cold days snuggled up in a winter wonderland is exactly what city slickers/cabin folk need to rejuvenate during the winter months.

Typically, we do less entertaining at the cabin during wintertime, so our winter meals at the cabin tend to be more casual and family-style, that warm the belly after snowshoeing, cross country skiing, ice fishing or skating on the lake, compared to our favourite fresh summer recipes.

Here are a few of Lakestyle’s Winter Recipe Meal favourites, something great for lunch, dinner and even a little low maintenance dessert.

Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe

Once you make this tomato soup, you’ll never reach for the canned stuff again!  We don’t bother peeling the tomatoes as we like the extra texture it provides to the soup. The soup may be a little thicker, so you may want to add a little extra water or vegetable stock.

Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe from Lakestyle Ingredients

8 medium tomatoes
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt + Pepper
1 Tbsp butter
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves
1 medium carrot, diced
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley

 

 

 

 

Preheat the oven broiler.

Cut the tomatoes in half and squeeze juice out of tomatoes, reserve juice.  Spread tomatoes over a small rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 Tbsp of oil and season with salt and pepper.  Broil until the tomatoes begin to caramelize, about 10 minutes.

In a large pot, heat the remaining 1 Tbsp oil and the butter over medium heat.  Add the onion, garlic, and carrot and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the roasted tomatoes, reserved juices, and red pepper flakes and simmer for 15 minutes.


Stir in cream and remove from the heat.  Puree soup until smooth.


Garnish with basil or parsley and serve immediately.  Cooled soup can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, or soup can be frozen for up to 1 month.

Short Rib Bourguignon Recipe

This is a lovely winter recipe to have simmering in the oven, while you enjoy your outdoor winter activities or are curled up with a good book by the fire.  Serve it with mashed potatoes or rice for dinner.

Short Rib Bourguignon Recipe from Lakestyle Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. paprika
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
3 to 4 pounds beef short ribs, cut into thirds
3 to 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup bacon, diced
2 large white onions, sliced
4 shallots, quartered
1 pound mushrooms
1 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup carrots, diced
2 cups red wine

4 cups beef stock or to cover

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine flour, paprika, cayenne pepper and black pepper.  Add the short ribs, coating them lightly in the flour mixture.  In a large Dutch oven or deep oven-proof pot melt butter over medium heat until golden.  Add the ribs, shaking off any excess flour. Sear the meat until brown, moving the ribs around covering them with the butter.

In the same potsauté the bacon for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the onions, shallots, mushrooms, celery and carrots and sauté until golden.  Deglaze the pan with the red wine, adding a little at a time. Let reduce over high heat for 1 minute. Add the rest of the wine and beef stock, and bring to a simmer.  Once the liquid has come to a simmer, cover and cook in the oven for 2 to 3 hours. Season to taste.

Slow Cooker Chocolate Bread Pudding Recipe

Sometimes, a dessert is born out of “extra” ingredients.  If you’re like us, we often have leftover bread and buns at the lake!  This warm, gooey dessert is a perfect end to another winter day at the lake.  Of course we topped it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Slow Cooker Chocolate Bread Pudding Recipe from Lakestyle Ingredients

6 cups Dried Bread Cubes or leftover day old bread/buns
4 cups whole milk (or 3 cups milk + 1 cup cream)
4 eggs
2 Tbsp. butter, me
1 tsp. vanilla extra
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup Skor bits (optional)

Sauce:
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine

Spray slow cooker with cooking spray.  Place bread cubes in slow cooker. Mix together milk with eggs, butter, vanilla extract and sugar. Pour over bread cubes in slow cooker.  Fold in chocolate chips.

Cook on High for 2 hours.  At end of cooking time, mix together vanilla, water, brown sugar and butter in small pan on stove top and bring to a quick boil, removing immediately after sauce comes to a boil.

Pour over cooked slow cooker bread pudding and remove to individual serving dishes.  Can also be served with vanilla ice cream or whipping cream, sprinkled with icing sugar.

 

Lakestyle is a company founded on a desire to help people fulfill their lake life dreams. By utilizing easy to maintain dock systems and accessories, people are able to spend less time working and more time having fun!  Lakestyle is the exclusive Canadian retailer of Tommy Docks, beautiful and easy to install, quality docking system.Check us out at www.lakestyle.ca, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @LakestyleCA!

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3 Recipes with Fresh Fruits

August 31, 2018

summer treats at the lake The weather is getting cooler, and the leaves are already starting to change, but we’re enjoying the last of summer for the long weekend with all the summer tastes. Nothing says summer at the lake like a bowl of freshly picked raspberries, strawberries, saskatoons, or anything with rhubarb!

Keeping the Fresh Summer Tastes at the Lake

Here at Lakestyle, it isn’t uncommon to send the kids outside when they wake up, with a bucket each, to pick a fresh supply of raspberries for breakfast. When the kids were younger, they would return with sticky sweet faces, full bellies and a few squashed berries at the bottom of their buckets. Perfect way to make lake memories. As the kids have grown, they have started returning to the cabin with fuller buckets, but they haven’t completely lost the habit of snacking during the pick. The comments upon returning often involve the notion of “one for the bucket, two for me”.

Berries on ice cream, mixed into muffins or baked into a pie…. Everyone has a favourite way to enjoy the bounty of summer at the lake. Whether you are entertaining guests on your sunny dock or sitting around a great campfire, here are a few of our best recipes to share with your family and guests in that will remind you of summer tastes at the lake all year long!

Raspberry Muffin Recipe

Makes 12 muffins
Prep Time 25 minutes
Baking Time 18-25 minutes

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sour cream
2 cups cups fresh raspberries (frozen works too!)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Powdered sugar (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease muffin tin or line with paper bake cups; set aside. In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together until light and fluffy, the ½ butter and the 1 cup granulated sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla just until combined. Alternately add flour mixture and sour cream, stirring just until mixture is moistened.
Spoon half of the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about one-third full. Top with half of the berries. Spoon the remaining batter into cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Top with the remaining berries. In a small bowl stir together the 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and the cinnamon; sprinkle evenly over muffin batter.
Bake for 18 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool in muffin cups on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from muffin cups. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve them warm for extra yummy-ness.
Let muffins cool on a wire rack. Store cooled muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, wrap muffins in foil. Heat in a 350 degrees F oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until heated through.

Strawberry Raspberry Cobbler Recipe

Serves 12
Prep Time 25 minutes
Baking Time 60 minutes

Ingredients:
3 cups strawberries, thickly sliced
2 cups raspberries
2 Tablespoons sugar
4 Tablespoons butter
2 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 ½ cups sugar
2 cups milk

Directions:
Grease a 9×13″ pan. Place sliced the strawberries and the raspberries in the pan. Sprinkle berries with 2 Tablespoons of sugar. Dot the berries with small pieces of butter.
In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, sugar, and milk until just combined. Pour the batter evenly over the berries.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour, until golden brown. Serve warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Rhubarb Pie Recipe

Pie Crust Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon sugar
½ cup cold solid vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces
½ cold butter, cut into 8 pieces pieces
½ cup plus 1 tablespoon ice water

Filling Ingredients:
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
1 1/2 cups sugar
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
2 pounds rhubarb (stalks only), cut into 1-inch lengths
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Directions for Pie Crust:
Using a pastry tool or food processor, combine the flour, sugar and salt.. Add the vegetable shortening and cut/combine, until the shortening is the size of peas. Add the butter andcut.combine, until the butter is the size of peas. Pour the ice water evenly over the top. Replace the lid andcut/combine, just until moistened.
Transfer the pastry to a lightly floured work surface and knead several times, just until it comes together. Divide the pastry in half and pat it into two 6-inch disks; wrap the disks in plastic and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes, or overnight, or freeze.

Directions for Filling and Pie Assembly:
Preheat the oven to 350°. Set a baking sheet lined with foil on the bottom rack. Mix together the tapioca, sugar and nutmeg in a small bowl.
In a large bowl, toss the rhubarb with the tapioca mixture, lemon zest and the remaining 1 1/4 cups of sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes, or until slightly juicy.
Spoon the rhubarb and any accumulated juices into a 9-inch glass pie plate lined with 1 round of the Pie Crust. Dot the filling with the butter. Lightly brush the rim of the pastry with water. Position the rolled-out top crust over the filling; press the edges together to seal. Trim the overhang to 1/2 inch, fold it under itself and crimp decoratively. Make sure to add some decorative vents to the top crust to allow steam/moisture to vent adequately from this pie.
Bake the pie in the center of the oven for 1 1/2 hours, or until the filling is bubbling and the crust golden. Cover the edge with foil strips halfway through to prevent overbrowning. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for at least 4 hours.

Happy Cooking from Lakestyle!

Enjoy your time and fresh tastes  with these recipes while living your lake life!

Lakestyle is a company founded on a desire to help people fulfill their lake lifestyle dreams. By utilizing easy to maintain dock systems and accessories, people are able to spend less time working and more time having fun! Check us out at www.lakestyle.ca, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @LakestyleCA!

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Cabin or Cottage – How Do you Describe Your Lake House?

July 12, 2018
Lake Life: Cabin or Cottage
Cabin or Cottage - How Do you Describe Your Lake House?

Nearly a month since the summer solstice, we are well into lake season. Everything is green, the flowers are in full bloom, the smell of rain from a fresh thunderstorm is in the air.  

As we prepare for another weekend dash to serenity, it got us thinking. How is it that some people call their place a cabin, others a cottage and for that matter, all of the other terminology we Canadians love to use to describe our getaway destination? Somehow this collective understanding of the carefree escape has a curious ability to take on so many different terms. The cabin, the cottage, the chalet, the shack, the summer house, the lake house, or simply the lake, are all terms we’ve heard to describe our escapes from the daily grind.  

Going to the Lake

Lakestyle would say that while visiting Ontario’s cottage country, it was obvious that no one uses the term cabin.  While in Alberta or Saskatchewan, the vast majority do. Others certainly understand what you are referring to when you say cabin or cottage, and perhaps this is why we use “the lake” as a way to generically (so ironically Canadian) describe our lake properties without leaning one way or another.

Others may understand what you are referring to but that doesn’t mean they want to hear it. Certainly one could be poked fun at if the “wrong” term is used. “Oh, you are going to the cottage? Is that some fancy term you use to describe your castle in the woods?”  Is it like we pass judgment or somehow try to elevate or diminish our situation based on the use of these various terminology choices?

Cabin or cottage, are these words linked to history or does it involve regional dialect?  Perhaps the term cabin has stuck around as a way to describe a shack built in the woods by those who first inhabited remote territory. Whereas those in more established parts of the country settled on the term cottage, using a term well known to them from their cultural upbringing or the countries they themselves or their families originated from.

Cottage Life or Cabin Life?

Or maybe the difference between the terms cabin and cottage help describe the type of experience one might have when visiting. Going to the cabin may evoke a more rustic feel, where the typical services and amenities are lacking, the use of a water well versus connections to water treatment plants, or the need to chop wood to heat the place versus a forced air furnace, or simply put, “roughin’ it.”  Going to a cottage could then mean “less rustic”, essentially a house with all of the conveniences we normally enjoy in our urban lifestyle such as flushable toilets, showers, or forced air heating.

Is it the environment in which the dwelling sits? What comes to mind when you say cabin or cottage? Maybe when you think of the term cabin, you might picture a log home or a place patched together with scraps of wood, buried away in a grove of trees, with streams running through the property, squirrels chasing each other and moss growing on everything. When you think of the term cottage, you might envision an expansive abode, meticulously put together with the finest materials available, boat houses attached with suites above for when the guests arrive. The lawn may be perfectly manicured and every plant has been well taken care of. Perhaps there is an elevator to take you from the shore to your turret on top of a rocky cliff or a helicopter pad ready to whisk you back and forth from paradise. Is a cabin a more rustic, cozy space that evokes a sense of simple and unfussy character?  Is a cottage more luxurious, grandiose and able to entertain many guests with discernable tastes?

Loving Your Lake Life

Whatever you call your abode, we all have come to appreciate the fun and joy of spending time there, doing the things we love, whether it is boating, jumping off the dock, relaxing with a good book, reconnecting with friends and family or simply just being at peace. In the end, does it really matter? Cabin or cottage?  What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Lakestyle is a company founded on a desire to help people fulfill their lake lifestyle dreams. By utilizing easy to maintain dock systems and accessories, people are able to spend less time working and more time having fun!  Check us out at www.lakestyle.ca, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @LakestyleCA!

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Heavy Duty Dock Brackets vs. Light Duty Dock Brackets | Lakestyle

July 05, 2018

Heavy Duty Dock Brackets vs. Light Duty Dock Brackets

Hey guys, Kevin here from Lakestyle. I thought I’d make a quick video to show you the difference between a heavy-duty bracket and a light-duty bracket. On the left you’ll see the heavy duty bracket, which is essentially twice the size of a light duty bracket. You would use the heavy duty bracket for conditions where it is wavy or windy or you have lots of traffic or heavier weights on your dock.  You would use the light duty brackets where this isn’t the case; where it’s in a more sheltered area and probably not as much traffic.

Top-Quality, Easy to Install Dock Brackets

All brackets have a grey polyester powder coated finish. The bolts that you use to attach the bracket are all stainless steel. Each bracket also comes with its own set of hardware. You have a bolt, which bolts onto one section of dock and the pin on the other section of dock, and this connects the two sections together. You also have a handy set of instructions that comes with each bracket that shows you exactly how to complete the installation. The hardware is housed inside the bracket when it ships.

If you have any questions on these brackets or the applications, feel free to give us a shout, we would be happy to help!

 

Lakestyle is a company founded on a desire to help people fulfill their lake lifestyle dreams. By utilizing easy to maintain dock systems and accessories, people are able to spend less time working and more time having fun!  Check us out at www.lakestyle.ca, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @LakestyleCA!

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12 Ways to Celebrate Canada Day at the Lake

June 27, 2018

Celebrating Canada Day at the Lake

Happy Canada Day to our Lakestyle Family!  For many lake folks, celebrating Canada Day marks the official kick-off to summer. On July 1st, Canadians all across the country and around the world are showing pride in our history, culture and achievements and we’ve put together a list of our 12 favourite ways you can celebrate Canada Day at the Lake.

Canadian Flag at the Lake

History of Canada Day

Here’s a quick history lesson about the start of Canada Day celebrations.  On July 1, 1867, Canada became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain and a federation of four provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec. The anniversary of this date was called Dominion Day until 1982. Since 1983, July 1 has been officially known and celebrated as Canada Day.

 

Celebrating Canada Day at the Lake

What’s a patriotic celebration without a parade? Many little sleepy lake communities come alive on Canada Day, with homegrown parades, pancake breakfasts, concerts, carnivals, festivals, and firework displays. Visit your local municipality’s website or call your local government office and they are sure to have info about all the fun Canada Day activities in your area. As well, check out these 12 ways you can celebrate Canada Day at the lake.

 

  1. Learn all the verses to O Canada.  While only the first verse is part of the official National Anthem, there are actually three more verses in the original patriotic poem by Robert Stanley Weir.
  2. Celebrate Canadian junk food with ketchup and dill pickle-flavoured chips, Coffee Crisp chocolate bars, Nanaimo bars and a Caesar cocktail.
  3. Enjoy a Canadian barbecue with peameal bacon on a bun and maple-glazed salmon. Then eat butter tarts (with or without raisins) for dessert.
  4. Eat a Beaver Tail, or CANADIAN SEMI AQUATIC RODENT POSTERIOR DOUGHNUTS (because the term Beaver Tail is actually now trademarked!?!).
  5. Make personalized Canada flag shirts or other Canadian themed crafts.
  6. Bake maple bacon cupcakes for a uniquely Canadian treat. Lakestyle loves bacon!
  7. Have a contest to find or create the wackiest poutine combination.  Maybe you host a Canada Day Poutine Party and challenge guests to bring their creative recipes.  Here are some poutine combinations to get started.
  8. Make a list of Canadianisms. Be sure to include favourites like double double, two-four, beer store, chesterfield and bunny hug.
  9. Sample some of Canada’s delicious craft beers. BC is ground zero for micro-breweries, but many other provinces are catching on. See if you can collect a beer from each province.
  10. Hit your local gourmet shop and find a sampling of cheese from across the country.  Here is a great source of info about Canadian cheese.
  11. Have a maple syrup meal. Glaze ribs with maple syrup, mix maple syrup and balsamic vinegar for a maple salad dressing, sprinkle sweet potatoes with maple sugar and have maple syrup pie for dessert.
  12. Pick your favourite Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Justin Bieber, Shania Twain and Tragically Hip songs and have an all-Canadian jam session.

 

Happy Canada Day from Lakestyle!

Lakestyle is a company founded on a desire to help people fulfill their lake lifestyle dreams. By utilizing easy to maintain dock systems and accessories, people are able to spend less time working and more time having fun!  Check us out at www.lakestyle.ca, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @LakestyleCA!

 

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Best Type of Dock for Your Shoreline and Use

June 21, 2018

At Lakestyle we often get asked what type of materials are best to use for building a dock. With a number of options available, we would like to explain the qualities of each option available, to help you make an informed decision on what is best for your shoreline and use.

Lakestyle sells 3 main types of dock surfaces, which we believe are the solution for the majority of lake shoreline installations:

  1. Wood Docks – build your own or use some of our pre-built cedar docks or ready to assemble cedar dock kits
  2. Aluminum Docks – sprayed with a polyester Teflon powder coated finish, this is a classic, clean, and modern look
  3. PVC Docks – a strong, long lasting alternative that comes with or without drop in panels that clip in to make assembly a breeze

Building a Dock

As for framing, the vast majority of the dock frames we sell are aluminum dock frames. They look awesome and stand up great in the elements, come pre-drilled for our patented dock bracket system and can easily accommodate many different dock configurations.  What’s great about these aluminum dock frames is that you can use them to build a dock section with whatever decking material you want, so that you can match your sundeck or existing landscaping materials.

Factors to Consider when Designing a Dock

There are numerous factors to consider when designing a dock.  Factors such as weight, durability, cost, aesthetics, environmental conditions and design function and possible community bylaws.  These factors all play a part in improving your current dock system or planning for your future dock system.

Sun Exposure

Will your dock be consistently in the sun? If so, heat resistance may be something to consider. What kind of material is your dock made out of? Some metals, such as aluminum remain relatively cool to the touch, when treated with a surface finish. Some materials that are subject to consistent heat, tend to warp and wear more quickly. Be sure to find a material that can withstand the heat subjected to it.  All of Lakestyle’s aluminum dock sections are designed, built and treated to resist the sun’s damaging rays!

Esthetics: Style & Look of Your Dock

How your dock looks is important. You may want it to stand out or blend in depending on the environment you are in (treed, open body of water, small cove) and sometimes the style of dock is subject to community bylaws.  At Lakestyle, dock products are offered in a variety of colours to suit everyone’s preferences and needs.  Whether you’re after a dock that’s dark brown, light brown, grey, or even a natural cedar look, there are many decking surfaces to choose from to fit the look you’re dreaming of.

Dock Materials: Finish & Comfort

Similar to colour, there are a wide variety of options available. Will your dock be constantly wet? Will there be high volumes of people using the dock? If you’ve answered yes, a non-slip surface would definitely be needed as well as a material that wears more slowly.  Our engineered PVC decking options are built with structural deck boards that do not contain any foam or wood fillers and will not absorb moisture.  At Lakestyle, safety is important, so our comfortable slip-resistant dock sections stay cool to the touch and have no exposed fasteners.

Do you want more of a cushion feel under your feet? Will you be laying on the dock to soak up some sun? If so you may not want a dock surface with gaps between the boards. How your dock looks is one of the easiest factors to manage, Lakestyle offers a lot of customizable dock options that are easily configured and reconfigured to suit your style.  Lakestyle has a solution for any aesthetic or comfort request.

Weight of Dock

Weight is a common concern amongst purchasers. How many stories have you heard about a neighbour struggling with a dock that is too big, too heavy or too awkward to move? Think about when you will be putting your dock into and pulling it out of the water.  If you are like most dock owners, it will be the first day the ice is gone and the last day before it forms! Weight will matter because the less time spent working means more time for having fun! Lakestyle has many lightweight options, including dock sections with removable panels, for fast and easy installation and dock removal processes.

Dock Storage

For those that are able to leave their docks in year round, we envy you. For those of us that must take our dock in and out each season, think about where you will be storing the dock. Will it be stored outside? Covered? Having to disassemble and reassemble your dock each year can cause increased wear on the joints, dock brackets and other components that hold it all together.  At Lakestyle, our dock hardware is heavy duty and easily withstands the temperature extremes that we experience in our Canadian climate.  All of our dock brackets are extremely durable, rugged and will last season upon season.

Dock Maintenance

How willing are you to put in some elbow grease? Regardless of materials used, there is bound to be some dock maintenance required. Wood docks and cedar docks will likely require the most maintenance, while others materials, such PVC  docks are more plug and play. Lakestyle’s aluminum dock frames come pre-drilled, making our dock brackets easy to install and low maintenance.

Time in Use

How much you use your dock will obviously play a big factor in your planning and dock design process.  Think about the dock application and whether it will be susceptible to strong storms or placed in a protected cove. If you leave the dock in the water over the winter that will also play a factor during the freeze / thaw cycles and in Alberta, this can happen many times!

Dock Function

Is the intent for the dock to be used in a public setting? Will others be tying their boats up to it? What is the likelihood that damage will occur from neighbours and others not normally accustomed to its safe handling (think dragging materials across or dropping materials on, etc.)?  

Dock Accessories

What about dock accessories?  Do you need bumpers, benches, solar dock lights, ladders, or canoe/kayak/paddleboard racks?  Lakestyle can help make your dock more functional and fun for all your lake activities and entertaining needs.

Please visit our website lakestyle.ca to learn more or better yet, give us a call toll free 1-855-525-7895 and let us help create the dock that works best for you!

Tommy Docks

Lakestyle is a company founded on a desire to help people fulfill their lake life dreams. By utilizing easy to maintain dock systems and accessories, people are able to spend less time working and more time having fun!  Lakestyle is the exclusive Canadian retailer of Tommy Docks, beautiful and easy to install, quality docking system. Check us out at www.lakestyle.ca, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @LakestyleCA!

 

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Lakestyle returns to the 2018 Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen’s show

February 05, 2018

EBSS logo We are excited to announce that Lakestyle will be at the 2018 Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen’s show March 15-18 at the Edmonton Expo Centre.

We look forward to talking about how we can make your lake lifestyle less work and more fun! We’re excited to show off some our best sellers like our drop in dock sections and outdoor lighting. Stop by and see for yourself the superior quality of our products and how they can make your lake life easier. From our DIY kits to the signature Tommy Dock bracket and post system that is built to minimize your time for set up at the start of the year and tear down at the end to maximize your time on the water doing what you love best, we’ll be there to answer all your questions and help you plan the dock you’ve been dreaming of.

The Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen’s Show is a must attend event! This is Western Canada’s BIGGEST Boat & Sportsmen’s Show. We are over 500,000 sq. ft., covering all aspects of the outdoor lifestyle including boating, off-roading, fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, adventure tourism, destination travel locations, as well as organizations devoted to education, conservation and preservation.

Get your tickets today!

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    At Lakestyle, we are committed to bringing you innovative, quality products to increase the time you spend doing what you love and decreasing the time spent on maintenance at your lake property!