Welcome to the Holiday Issue

’Tis the season – to reflect. When the last months of the year roll in, I like to make sure I take the time to reflect on the year I’ve lived. Reflecting on my experiences and memories of the year gone by gives me a chance to decide on a few things; what I want to keep (both physically and emotionally) and what I can do away with. 

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance”
– Eckhart Tolle 

Many start thinking about resolutions for the new year, and I suppose it’s kind of the same thing, but instead of choosing just one thing to work toward and focus on, I try to be intentional with my thoughts of what I want to strive for and accomplish in the coming months in different aspects of my life. Much of the time, I think about things like: being more generous, kind and authentic, setting achievable goals for my dreams and ambitions – which sometimes include career goals – but mostly I like to think about my role as a good human, and how I can share with the world something of value. When we think positively about what we have already accomplished this year, and build on that foundation for another spin around the sun – I think we can achieve great things; and we do that here at the magazine as well. 

We’ve had a great year filled with so many wonderful connections – we’ve brought so many stories to our readers, and have promoted so many Cottage Country friends as a champion of small business and tourism in our region – and we can’t wait to keep going for 2025. So, with this our last issue of 2024 – we want to say a BIG HUGE Thank you, to you! Thank you for every like on social media, every read of the magazine, every issue picked up and shared with a friend; our readers are the best. 

Welcome to the 2024 Christmas Issue, in this winter issue we focus on all things Holiday. Christmas decorating and gifting is at the top of the list – and as always, we encourage you to spend those hard earned dollars locally. Check out our Spotlight on Local, plus lots of gift giving ideas from shops like The Old Tine Shed, The UK Shoppe and Bigley’s. 

Mark’s is on the cover and is a staple here in Cottage Country for the coziest on-trend winter clothing and outdoors wear. I think more than a few of us have teens dreaming of new Carhartt sweaters under the tree this year, and Mark’s has you covered. 

Weekend at the Cottage brings you recipes to keep your sweet tooth happy over Christmas, and Jacob Rodenburg teaches us how to build a traditional quinzhee. We have info on Native Bird species from Bird Friendly Peterborough, and the top ten gift ideas for the Angler in your life. 

“Christmas is forever, not for just one day. For loving, sharing and giving are not to put away.”
– Norman Wesley Brooks