Pinch Me, We Bought a Cottage!!!

Wednesday, November 18, 2015


The day we got the keys!
{Please don't enlarge this picture. Muffin top and bad hair alert. Hee hee!}

I think this is the first time in the history of ever that I've said I would be back soon with another post and I'm actually back soon with another post. It was the result of a) deciding to stay home in yoga pants instead of doing much-needed groceries, b) the magical occurrence of both kiddos napping at the same time this afternoon, and c) me being so excited to share!

In my last post I wrote that Alex and I were hoping and wishing that one day we would find an affordable cottage on the same lake as my grandfather's. A few years ago we had an offer on an old, outdated hunting cabin but lost out because of a higher bidder. I also shared how we were SO disappointed because we didn't know if and when another opportunity would come up. 

At the beginning of the summer we were sitting around with family lamenting about how we missed out on the other cottage and were really hoping that something else would come along.

We had heard a rumour that the cottage right next door to my grandfather's might be going up for sale within the next few years. We laughed and joked that we would have to scrimp and save for at least five years and then we only might be able to afford it. Let me explain. The prices for properties in the area have only been going up. Also, the cottage next door to my grandfather's had a big renovation completed about fifteen years ago which meant that it was in really good condition. It also had a few bells and whistles that we weren't used to at our place like running hot and cold water!!!!! an indoor bathroom with a septic system!!!!! and solar power!!!!! At our family's place we were accustomed to bringing drinking water from home, boiling water for washing dishes, carting pails of water from the lake, having no electricity whatsoever, using propane lights and flashlights, and (you might gasp at this one) using an outhouse. Hee hee.

:)

Well, whaddayaknow. About three weeks after that dreaming-impossible-dreams conversation, an ad went up on Kijiiji stating that the very cottage we were discussing, the one right next door to my grandfather's, was indeed for sale. Except it was listed for a price that was WAY over our budget.

Here's where a funny coincidence comes in. I actually knew the sellers, as I had practically grown up at their cottage.... playing cribbage and rummy, sleeping in tree-houses, and creating awkward synchronized swimming routines with their youngest daughter.

Alex crunched numbers for about 24 hours straight. We figured that if we drastically changed our lifestyle (no more fancy steaks from the butcher shop)(no more decor items ordered from Restoration Hardware)(no more all-inclusive trips to Caribbean destinations) then we just might be able to make it work.

We packed up the kids, drove down to see the cottage, made an offer on the spot, and waited for their answer. We waited for two very, very, very long weeks. Every time the phone rang I jumped out of my skin and scared both of our children. I made Alex check his email about every two seconds. The whole thing was extremely nerve-wracking. We knew there were other people interested in the cottage and so we were scared that we were going to be outbid for a second time.

Finally, we got the call. The sellers let us know that if we paid their original asking price (our offer was a bit lower) then they would sell us the cottage - even though there was a couple from Toronto willing to pay more than the asking price and with no conditions. They picked us.

They picked us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The purchase officially closed at the end of September and we are absolutely thrilled. We are so, so lucky to have such an amazing place to enjoy in the spring, summer, and fall. Cooper and Winnie will be able to experience all of the fun extended family adventures that I got to enjoy growing up because we are literally right next door to my grandfather's cottage. It's just a hop, skip, and a jump through the woods to get there.

So, without further ado, here are some pictures of our new place! Everything that you see in the pictures came included with the purchase except for the kayaks (and the baby).

View of the front of the cottage from the lake.

Side deck and side entry.

The back of the cottage as you drive in from the dirt road.

The walkway leading down to the sauna, deck, and lake.

The view from the deck.

The living room area.

Another view of the living room area.

The kitchen area.

Another view of the kitchen area.

The loft over the kitchen.

Bedroom #1.

Bedroom #2.

The bathroom.

The dining area.

The view of the dock and the other side of the lake.

Alex and I made a deal with each other that we wouldn't discuss any changes that we want to make for at least a little while. You know, because of the whole $$$ thing. However, it's still fun to dream about the future so we already broke our rule and talked a little bit about pressure washing the decking and possibly adding a screened in porch over the side deck. It's all so very exciting.  

Oh, and just a random note. Up here in Northern Ontario most of us small city folk use the term 'camp' instead of 'cottage'. I refer to it as a cottage on the blog because I think that's what most readers would identify with. So in the future, if you hear me squealing, "I'm off to camp!" you'll know what I'm talking about.

:)

26 comments:

  1. Congratulations! What a gorgeous new home. So pretty near the lake too. I'm so happy for you. I can't imagine how hard that 2 weeks must have been. I'm sure you will be very happy there. Thanks for sharing. :) Julie

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  2. Wow!!! It's gorgeous! Congratulations!

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  3. I love this post. I grew up spending summers at our cabin (in my world cottages are fancy with indoor plumbing, camps don't have bedrooms) on a lake in a cluster of cousin's cabins and it was awesome. It still is now that my kids get to enjoy it. I totally get your joy at getting a place and I think the neighbours are wonderful to choose you guys as owners over getting more money. Your writing cracks me up but had to comment today because it made me a little teary! Congratulations. Lou

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    1. I'm so glad you commented today. :) I feel the exact same way about the owners choosing us over more money. We feel very privileged to take over their place and to continue making fun memories!

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  4. It is fabulous!! What I love most, however, is that the property came with your childhood memories - congratulations!

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    1. Very, very awkward memories, lol! Thanks so much Barbara.

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  5. Congratualtions!! How exciting! What a wonderful place for your children to spend time!

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    1. We have a picture of Coops swimming at the end of September.... brrrrr..... he's already loving it. Thanks so much for your congratulations Lisa!

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  6. Congratulations! This cottage is amazing! I wish I had the same! The first thing I always do on a new place is a family photo aand you'll definitely need a good frame for it, maybe something from here: Click This Link

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    1. I love your idea of the family photo. It's been a whirlwind and we haven't gotten one yet. It's on the list! :)

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  7. How wonderful! Your family will have such lovely times there! And it is so pretty inside!

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    1. Thank you Jenny, are you thinking what I'm thinking.... white paint? Hee hee!

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  8. Oh my word! That is beautiful! What a lovely spot to make all those wonderful family memories! When my kiddos were small we rented a cottage every summer. It was some of the best memories to this day! Thanks for sharing! Kelly

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    1. I feel the same. I can't wait to force my hubs to play board games with me every night that we're there. Muhahahahaha!

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  9. Oh you lucky lucky girl!! It is a beautiful cottage and you will have so many wonderful memories there!! I see lots of white paint in your future!! I would love to have a cottage on a lake,,,that has been one of my romantic dreams for so long! Yours is perfection!!! ENJOY!!

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    1. Oh Dawna, I ALSO see lots of white paint in my future. Only Alex says it's in the way way way way way future. Waaaah! ;)

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  10. Sweetbug Studio, Julie @ Follow Your Heart Woodworking, and Janice @ Life Begins at Thirty, Right? - Thank you so much for your sweet comments. I accidentally hit delete instead of publish when I selected all of your comments earlier today. Whoopsie! :)

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  11. Hooray! Congrats on a getting a cottage with old memories built in and room for new ones. It's lovely and how awesome that it's so new. Being so close to family is the best thing though. The kids' summers will be so amazing!

    Let the pinning of cottage ideas begin ;)

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    1. Thank you so much Jen! I can't believe that you and your fam have also purchased a cottage!!! We truly are so lucky. I've been following along on all of your cottage diary posts. Of course they're my favourite! :) :) :)

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  12. So, sweet and exciting! Now how about taking a picture every year with the same child in the same spot? Val

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  13. congrats. It's a dream cottage :)

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  14. Beautiful, congratulations!!!

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