Windmill Cottage
I’m the third generation in my family taking on the family cottage. We’ve been renting it since 2019 and became official owners as of late 2020. The first to offer it to the public via exclusive rental (AirBnB at first, then word of mouth, family and friends). and this blog details some of my feelings on the last three years.
The sun is setting on our third (!!!) year hosting guests at the family cottage. It’s been a pretty great experience overall. Most importantly, the bills are being paid which is the whole point. When you think of spending time at a cottage you don’t own, it can be easy to take advantage. It’s innocent enough, right? You’re on holiday! Becoming the official owners of the cabin (which was originally bought by my granny in 1975, then my uncle in the early(ish) 2000s) has taught me some things:
Hydro bills come every three months.
Monthly mortgage payments (it’s a second home).
Monthly tax bills.
Garbage disposal is not free; you take it to the dump yourself.
Wood costs between $300-600 annually.
Road repair cost $1,000 this season.
New electric fireplace + removal of old wood burning insert cost over $2,000.
This doesn’t cover the supplies provided, propane, upgrades/repairs/general maintenance and what I pay per turn-over (when a guest leaves, the place gets cleaned and ‘reset’ by my parents or by me). Maybe one day when the finances are right, we won’t have to rent it out anymore. We’re pretty lucky, though. We’ve got a good group of repeat guests who respect the property and ‘leave it how they found it’. Strangers have become friends, while still remaining strangers… if that makes sense.
I’ve increased the nightly rate for 2022 as we’ve applied for Starlink highspeed internet. We haven’t received the hardware yet but got an ETA of ‘mid to late 2021’ and the latter is approaching. It’ll cost around $130 monthly. With our current cellular ‘mobile hotspot’ internet, I’m billed anywhere from $850-1,000 per month. This is why we don’t offer the WiFi to guests at the lake. It’s also why we can’t wait to get Starlink up and running.
I’ll be at the lake later this month for some solo time during which I should have the opportunity to take some updated photos. Until then, you can follow our cottage on Instagram: @WindmillCottage and browse through the history, rules, rates and more at: WindmillCottage.ca or by clicking the Cabin Rental text at the top of this page. If you’re reading this on mobile, click the + at the top right of your screen.
I’ve been working on updating the website to ensure that there’s enough information available to guests (new and returning). I’ve been fortunate enough to have nearly booked all of 2022’s vacancies and several new guests are friends! Thank you, you know who you are, for choosing my special place for your holiday!
That brings me to my next point: I’m so not a ‘businesswoman’. I hate sales. I hate talking about money. I hate TAKING people’s money, too. Especially when it’s friends or family. I’ve really had to put it in perspective: if I want to keep this cottage (and I do) then I have to charge a set rate and stick to it. I also have to enforce some basic ground rules for all guests. There are only four biggies:
1. No pets. My daughter and I are allergic and we’re here a lot.
2. No parties. Don’t be super loud from 11PM-8AM.
3. No smoking inside the cabin. Smoke outside all you like, just be responsible with butts.
4 No burning during a Total Fire Ban. Because forest fires, duh.
I’m not a super huge fan of picking up roaches. Haven’t had any issues with cigarette buts but damn, the roaches are real. Roaches, btw, are essentially the butts of rolled tobacco or marijuana. It’s been in your mouth and now I get the pleasure of touching it! Yum! We’ve had some people have outdoor fires during bans, too. If you get caught doing that, the fine is hefty let alone the absolute risk of sparking a forest fire. We installed a security camera to monitor the firepit for that reason.
I think the worst experience I’ve had hosting was in the first season. Took on a stranger from AirBnB who rented the place to ‘unwind’ with some of his work colleagues. It’s a remote cabin in the woods with no internet, far away from the city. It’s not a party place but they managed to blast music so loud, so late into the night that not only did they wake the neighbours resulting in a (minor) confrontation but they also blew my soundbar. Funny enough, the neighbour who ask the guest to turn it down is good friends with that guest’s boss. Maybe one day karma will be served? I don’t know. That group also broke a bunch of stuff, left behind four XL garbage bags FULL of trash (they were there for two nights), left the garbage cans full inside with used tissues all over, stained my couch, smoked inside and left ash all over. There was also trash along our shoreline and food mushed into one of the kayaks.
Absolute bummer but a lesson learned, I guess. That person gave me a bad review/rating on AirBnB which was one of the many reasons I’m moving away from that platform. They did have my back though in recouping some funds to help cover the damage. The bad reviews are permanent, though. So that’s neat!
We are pretty exclusive with who we rent to now and even more private about it. I don’t accept bookings right away from strangers and offer previous guests the option to book in advance. It doesn’t mean I won’t get burned again. People have very different ideas as to how a rental cottage should be treated; if they’re paying me to be there or not. I always try to instill the mantra that ‘this is my second home. This is not a hotel.’ Most people are respectful, tidy and take good care of the place. The one’s that don’t won’t be coming back.
If you have any questions for me as a host, cottage owner or whatever, please ask away! Don’t be shy! Renting is absolutely worth the the stress and anxiety. I do honestly enjoy sharing my family cottage with people who help me take care of it. If I can’t be there, why not?
The Seance at Northern Gothic
I attended a seance with Marc Jade (medium) not knowing what to expect. I’ve never done anything like this before but, if you know me personally, you know I’m a believer. The experience was very, very reaffirming. I was told some very authentic “stuff” from the other side... Thank you, Northern Gothic, for the hospitality and Moody Blooms for the floral arrangements, boutonnières, corsages, et al.
Spent the night with a bunch of wonderfully gifted spirits 🖤 Here are some photos from our experience! Yes, the place is as hauntingly breathtaking as you could imagine - my photographs don’t really do the land or structure(s) justice.
New Adventures (in Air Bnb Hosting)
Live the good life up at the lake! Rent through Air BnB NOW or contact me if you have any questions relating to the property. This is my all time favourite place on earth! See for yourself.
Made in Canada Threads, House Update & More!
Spring is almost here... keyword: 'almost'.
Though at minus 13 feeling like minus 21 with the wind chill, it doesn't really feel like it. Does it? It's been a while since my last update and, since I'm about to start my radio show in a couple of minutes, I'll keep it quick!
We've been living in an Air BnB since February 1st. The place itself is totally awesome - but, since we didn't have our schedule set, we've had to move out three (??) separate times to accommodate pre-booked weekend renters. Moving with the kids and living out of five or six rubbermaid bins has been stressful. Very stressful.
I'm beyond happy to announce that we will be moving in to our new house on Sunday! This will be another busy weekend. I work Saturday morning from 9:30A-2P live on location at the new Natural Food Pantry (which I'm actually looking forward to because I can shop while I work).
Ooh, I've also been meaning to give an update RE: finally finding quality kids clothes MADE IN CANADA! I've been looking for years!! Happy to say that Fab Baby Gear carries many Canadian brands now (yay)! Two brands I have just become obsessed with include: Sem Label and Wooly Doodle!
On the GROWN UP front, I was able to spoil myself with some great Canadian made threads thanks to Victoire (Wellington St. location). I wanna give a special shout out to Iris Denim (those Bad Reputation jeans are perfection) and Thief & Bandit for having unique, eye catching designs and for going above and beyond with customer service. <3
We also did a photoshoot at work - I was pretty rushed, so when they told me to sing into this mic I went with the only song I know!! Haha - WARNING: turn your volume DOWN for this.
Ch-Ch-Changes
Goodbye rental house! It's been a slice.
I just can't wait to get back into our new/old house. The next little while will be a mad period of adjustment, not just for me but for the kids as well. Luckily, I'm the mother of two pretty easy going, understanding kids. We'll be moving on the 31st into our Hintonburg house - which we still won't be able to call 'home' til mid-Feb., god willing...
A big shout out to Adam's Moving, too, for helping us with another big move. If you're moving or you know someone who is, I cannot recommend their services enough. CLICK HERE to visit their official website and to book them for a future move.
We're vacating the rental on the 31st and moving our items into the new house but since the house won't be ready for occupancy on the 1st, we will be living with family and renting an Air BnB in the hood until it is. Not a big deal in the grand scheme but it's complicated with the time of year and the needs of the children. Yes, I can wear the same black t-shirt and jeans for two to three weeks but the children need a little more to keep them clean, happy, comfy and entertained.
Other changes at play include the big move for someone near and dear to me; Granny has gone from hospital to nursing home. She is in failing health and we're hoping that the level of care she's now receiving is going to help her be most comfortable. The staff have been wonderful and I expect nothing less going forward.
For those of you who've been wondering about my dad, he is doing alright. The anniversary of his surgery is coming up and we're hoping he's only got one more to go to be back in 'working order'. So far, the cancer appears to have not returned.
The beat goes on... I'm hoping this year brings some calm into the chaos that is my life. Never a dull moment. Thanks for reading.