Camping in Vogue Again

In this economy, camping is in style. It's affordable, 'green' and healthy. A great place to learn and relax together. A notch up in luxury from Survivor. I do prefer 'hotel camping' or 'hamping' or 'glamping', but I must admit, there is something so nostalgic and fresh and bonding about being outside with friends and loved ones. One with nature, the stars, the moon, the lake - the wildlife; the campfire, the marshmallows, the damp sleeping bags - the bugs!!! Perhaps we all need to go camping this year. It's cool to tell people you are going camping. You can admit it now. (you don't have to hide it anymore more.) A camping revival! Oh what the hell.....I'll say it....Yeah!!!

Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada (Black Fly City)

The highlight wasn't the black flies. (see my son and his friend with the puffy eyes...no, I didn't hurt them) The highlight was no power. As in, no electricity. No laptop. No phone. No CNN. No Food Network. No HGTV. No hairdryer. No micro. No coffee pot. No latte. The devastating point of my camping trip: No Blogging. I missed you terribly, but let me tell you. I have enough photography to write Volumes 1-12 on Algonquin Park, Ontario. Gorgeous. Heaven.

So, as you can see, I survived the 5 or 6 massive thunder storms and mini-tornadoes; but who's counting? Food over an open fire. Miles and miles of land without people. Where was everyone? On the highways, no people. On the trails, no people. On the lake, no people. Oh, I get it. The jokes on me. They were all at home on their laptops, flipping back and forth to CNN, Food and HGTV. They were at home sipping coffee, taking cool lathered showers, zapping popcorn and blogging. The nerve. (Oh well, at least I got to see my first moose - a pretty mama and her baby - and I got to spend some time at Marty's.) I love civilization. Have I told you that before?

You might be wondering about the photo with the boy hanging in the ropes. This is how we discipline our tween boys on camping trips. They behave or it's off to the 'cottage roll' for an hour. (like the ham....get it?) It's harmless really and after this unorthodox time out, they become little gentlemen again.

Hamping in Algonquin Park

It's been 40 years. Now don't fall off your chair. I'm going 'real' camping. Not 'hotel camping'. Yes, you heard me correctly. Ahem, the boys really, really, really want me to go with them and I...well...ah...I...sorta gave in. I went on the site and gee, all those mammals roaming around and then when I called to book my site she said very officially, "No food or snacks in the tents. Bears and Moose are in abundance.". What! My word. O.K., so you can stop laughing now and that giggle snort thing you do when you are about to pee your pants; that's extremely rude. (unladylike) So, if I somehow fall in love with this nature thing, I may go back and lease a yurt. And If I survive, you will enjoy all the photos next week. Wish me luck! (One last thing. I called my friend who is also taking her 12 year old twin sons and she asked: 'Do you have a bug suit?' Huh? And I said to myself. Holy shit.)

Photo credits: some teenage girl who took photos of these teenage boys at the campground. Perhaps they will be there to swat the bugs for me.

Floral Designer & Frostnip

I'm baaacckkk! Hello Blogging Friends. I'm back from the big T.O.. I had a wonderful time 'hamping' in a heavenly bed. I highly recommend one. Before I went to my conference I took a little detour and spent a wonderful few days with my family. My cousin is a Floral Designer. Her company's name is Oceana Whispers. Isn't that lovely? Her home is filled with all the usual suspect things for flower people: (her secret supplier for) containers of all materials and sizes, snippers, wires, pussy willows, buckets of fresh fragrant flowers - delivered directly from the airport which is minutes away - flowers imported from around the world - baskets and dainty printed insert cards, books and tulips gently placed on books and books and books, glass beads and sea glass. Oasis and moss. Gold thread. Silver and pearl wire trimmings. The house was filled will glorious floral scents. Pretty and the perfect medicine for this Canadian girl whose precious blooms are fading with the agony of our -27 degree winter weather. A sight for sore eyes. Inspiring and comforting. Flowers filled the gracious home and air with pretties and the bashfuls. It's good to be home. Talk to you all in the morning....

Glamping & Hamping

I was enjoying the 'Glamping' post on This is Glamorous. Have you taken a moment to indulge in her 'Take Me Away' posts? They are visual treats! I can only imagine the feeling of waking up in a pristine canvas tent, snuggled into a king bed with Egyptian cotton sheets; butler frying the bacon, camp worker stoking the morning fire. Fresh, strong coffee waiting. No internet. (That could be an issue.) I must confess, I still prefer 'Hotel Camping' better. If you know what I mean. I think I'll be the first to call it 'Hamping'. Her 'Glamping' reminded me of one of my favorite posts, although, as much as Mom & Dad tried to make it glamorous, it wasn't. It was even better.