Fancy Ways To Drink The Booze You Have (Non-Alcoholic Options Too)

 

Picture this...It’s summer and you are relaxing in the sun at the lake – Nothing tops that off quite like a good cold drink. Aside from the go-to drinks (beer, coolers, lemonade, pop etc.) below are a few drinks, including a couple non-alcoholic options, to try that are easy to make. Best part: They are made with simple ingredients you will likely have in your kitchen.

(Here is the link to these and many other summer drinks: insanelygoodrecipes.com/summer-cocktail-recipes/)

 

Summer Sunset Cocktail

(www.foodwinesunshine.com/summer-sunset-cocktail/)

Ingredients:

- Vodka
- Peach Schnapps
- Lemonade

- Cold orange juice
-Cold fresh cranberry juice
- Lots of ice cubes

How to make a pitcher of Summer Sunset Cocktails

Directions:
- Add almost a quarter of the pitcher full of ice into the empty pitcher

- Pour in 1/2 cup vodka

- Add 1/4 cup Peach Schnapps

- Fill the pitcher half full with lemonade and stir

- Mixing is essential as is makes sure the alcohol is evenly distributed and is not just sitting at the bottom

- Fill the rest of the pitcher orange and cranberry juice, about half of each

 

Frozen Mudslide

(https://insanelygoodrecipes.com/frozen-mudslide/)

Ingredients:

- Vanilla ice cream

- Ice cubes

- Whipped cream

- Vodka, Kahlua, and Baileys Irish Cream will get you tipsy fairly quickly.

- Chocolate syrup and sprinkles aren’t necessary but add ‘em if you’ve got ‘em!

Directions:

- Start by placing the serving glass in the freezer for a good 20 minutes before you start. This helps keep the cocktail frozen and cold for longer.

- In a blender, add the ice cream, vodka, Irish cream, coffee liqueur, and chocolate syrup. Blend until the mixture is nice and smooth.

- Before pouring, you can decorate the walls of the serving glass with chocolate syrup.

- Pour the mixture into the glass

- You can serve it at this point, but you can also freeze it for 5 to 10 minutes to make it extra cold and thick

- For a prettier presentation and added flavor, top with whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and even more chocolate syrup

 

Sweet Tea Sangria

(https://www.thewickednoodle.com/sweet-tea-sangria/)

Ingredients:

- 6 cups sweet tea (iced tea)

- 1 bottle white wine

- 2 cups raspberries

- 2 cups sliced peaches

- Fresh mint, for garnishing (optional)

Directions:

- Make/buy sweet tea (iced tea)

- Mix it with a bottle of white wine

- Toss in the above fruit or whatever fruit you have

- Let it sit a few hours before enjoying

 

Dark and Stormy

(www.acouplecooks.com/dark-and-stormy-cocktail/)

Ingredients:

- Dark Rum (traditionally Goslings Black Seal Rum)

- Ginger beer

How do you get the layers in a Dark and Stormy? 

Directions:

- Pour the ginger beer in the glass

- Top off with the rum

- Make sure to stir before you drink it

 

NON-ALCOHOLIC RECIPES: 

Frozen Lemonade

(https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/frozen-lemonade)

Ingredients:

-4 cups of vanilla ice cream

-2 cups of lemonade

-2 tbs orange juice (fresh from 1 orange, if you have it)

-I tbs fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)

Directions:

- Process all ingredients in a blender on high speed until mixture is completely smooth, about 1 minute

- Serve immediately

 

Sparkling Punch

(https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/pink-sparkling-punch)

Ingredients:

*To make things easier, I’ve made suggestions, for the ingredients, with items that you’re more likely to have in your fridge*

- Recipe calls for 1.5 cups of pink lemonade, but I’m sure regular lemonade would be just fine

- 4 cups of white cranberry juice (again, I’m sure red cranberry will work too)

- 4 cups of club soda (ginger ale if that’s what you have)

- Fresh mint (optional)

 

Directions:

- Stir together lemonade and cranberry juice cocktail in a large pitcher

- Stir in club soda just before serving.

- Garnish (optional)

**Champagne version: Substitute 1 bottle of champagne or sparkling wine and ¼ cup of orange liqueur for club soda

 

 

 

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Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Find out what you don’t know

**Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under agency contract**

It's Time To Enjoy Local Fairs Again!

I don't know about you but when I think of fall I think of colder weather, leaves changing, and going to the fair. Since we've missed out on a lot the past couple of years, I've put together a list of local fairs for you to check out. For more information on this year's fairs check out the Ontario Fairs website https://ontariofairs.com/

Campbellford fair site https://www.campbellfordfair.ca/    Wilberforce fair site http://wilberforcefair.com/

Peterborough Exhibition site https://peterboroughag.ca/    Blackstock fair site https://blackstockfair.org/

Coe Hill fair site https://www.facebook.com/coehillfair     Kinmount fair site https://www.kinmountfair.net/

Port Perry fair site https://www.portperryfair.com/                  Sunderland fair site https://www.agfair.ca/

Madoc fair site http://madocagfair.ca/                               Port Hope fair site https://www.porthopefair.com/

Beaverton fair site https://www.beavertonfallfair.ca/           Lindsay Exhibition site https://lindsayex.com/

Bobcaygeon fair site https://www.bobcaygeonfair.com/ 

Roseneath fair site http://www.roseneathfair.com/    Norwood fair site https://www.norwoodfair.com/         

15 years of helping you when your recreation or waterfront property is no longer rainbows and sunshine. Call us as we offer concrete solutions to Life‘s curveballs including a shifting real estate market. We will look after your real estate needs from beginning to end!

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Find out what you don’t know

**Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under agency contract**

Top 3 reasons your home might not be selling

 

Ever driven by a home that has been for sale for a long period of time and wonder why is it that no one has bought this house yet? Maybe you are curious to try to sell your home and are worried that your house won't sell either. 

Well, there are many reasons a house becomes hard to sell.

1. The number one reason is price.

 Our emotional attachment to our homes leads us to believe that our home is priceless.

2.  Your home isn't showing well. 

You can have your home perfectly priced for the market but it just doesn't look good to buyers. 

3. Your home is not being promoted properly 

Proper promotion includes more than just a sign on your front lawn. Websites and digital ads as well as print ads and open houses are useful tools to help promote your home's listing. 

Our team personally has the Iguide system a great tool to give a buyer a virtual look at your home before they book a showing. For more information about the benefits of our Iguide system or if you are thinking of getting your home on the market give us a call today.  705-927-6236 We will look after your real estate needs from beginning to end! https://bradsinclair.ca/opinion-of-value/ 

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Your Cottage Country Inside Source

Waterfront-Commercial-R.E. -Investing

Fishing on the Kawartha's

 

Fishing on the Kawartha's 

Summer is in full swing and warmer temperatures on the rise, this means it's time to get out on the lake for some fishing. If you are lucky enough to have a cottage on the Kawartha's you are probably already eager and excited to get out on the water. The best thing about fishing is that it's for everyone and doesn't take much to get into. You can either enjoy it from a boat with a huge variety of tackle and accessories, or it can be enjoyed from shore with a simple hook and worm. 

Fishing is very relaxing and can be so enjoyable if you love being on the lake. The Kawartha Lakes are home to many fish species such as Large and Smallmouth bass, Muskie, Pike, Walleye, Perch, and a variety of panfish. With so much space between all the lakes you can fish for days! Early mornings are best when fishing for Bass, this species likes to stay in cooler areas of the lake and weed beds. During the day fishing for walleye trolling over the weed beds during this time seems to work best on them. The feeding frenzy for these fish really starts in the evening. When fishing for Muskie early morning or late evening is best on these lakes. They typically go for gold and black color lurers and can be found in deeper weed beds. Panfish are perhaps the easiest of all the fish to find, they are excellent for introducing youngster to the joys of fishing. They take rapidly to a worm and hook and can easily be caught from shore.

If you don't own your own boat there are opportunities to charter fishing trips in the Kawartha's where the locals on the lake can take you to the best spots for fishing. You can also rent boats from some of the many resorts located in the Kawartha's if you'd like to go on your own. If you don't catch any fish there's always spectacular scenery and views easily found anywhere within the Kawartha's. Rest assured weather you are an avid fisherman or just wanting to get out on a weekend for fun, you are guaranteed to enjoy a fishing trip on the Kawartha lakes.                  

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Your Cottage Country Inside Source

Waterfront-Commercial-R.E. -Investing

Waterfront Property With A Price Point To Get You On The Kawarthas!

 

Waterfront Property With A Price Point To Get You On The Kawarthas!

Just minutes from Bobcaygeon, this 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home is a blank canvas allowing you to make it your own. With over 1.346 acres of land, you will have the privacy desired while enjoying direct access to the waterfront. A boathouse situated on the water's edge provides many possibilities. Nogies Creek allows full access to the Trent Severn Waterway. 

**For more information on this listing please contact our team by calling/texting: 705-927-6236 or emailing: bradpsinclair@gmail.com**

To receive market updates, new listings, tips and tricks and more subscribe to our newsletter! 

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Find out what you don’t know

**Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under agency contract**

Balsam Lake Provincial Park

 Balsam Lake Provincial Park

Balsam Lake Provincial Park is one of the most popular parks in Ontario located approximately 2 hours from Toronto. There are 5 campgrounds and 3 hiking trails, as well as a large clean sandy beach on Balsam Lake, where you can rent canoes, kayaks and pedal boats. This lake is one of the cleanest lakes in the Kawartha Lakes area, which makes for great swimming. The park is approximately 449 hectares in size. There are education programs throughout July and August, where you can learn about the natural environment and local history through a variety of children's programs, guided hikes, evening presentations and more.

There is also some great fishing for large and smallmouth bass, walleye, and muskellunge. You can find a wide range of birds from hummingbirds, cardinals, Northern orioles, Pileated woodpeckers, hawks, osprey and owls. Balsam Lake Provincial Park contains suitable habitat for other species at risk found in the immediate vicinity of the park. Other wildlife that maybe found within the park include white-tail deer, wild turkey, racoon, frogs and turtles. Projects to enhance or restore native wildlife habitat will be considered and implemented where feasible and appropriate.

Balsam Lake Provincial Park offers many different options for accommodations and camping. Explore the shores of Balsam Lake via the hiking trails. Plantation Trail (4.2 km) and Lookout Trail (2.6 km) are both connected by Lorie’s Link (2.7km). Lakeshore trail (1km) runs along the shore of Balsam Lake providing pedestrian access from the lakeshore campgrounds to the day-use area including the boat launch, boat rentals and beach. Self-use cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also available in the winter.

There is a tree nursery area located within the park to grow seedlings for in-park restoration and landscaping projects. This nursery may be expanded. Balsam Lake Provincial Park will be maintained in as natural a state as possible. Native plant species may be planted for the purpose of restoration, enhancement of existing natural areas, shoreline management, or rehabilitation of trails, roads, or campsites.

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Your Cottage Country Inside Source

Waterfront-Commercial-R.E. -Investing

Maple Leaf a place to call home

 Maple Leaf a place to call home

Maple Leaf offers a place for quiet, private, small town living with just a short drive to a ton of amenities. Located between Bancroft and Barry’s Bay it’s the perfect place to call home. Check out this newly renovated, clean, bright family home with a private backyard. Click here

Maple Leaf is close to Bancroft the 10th friendliest town in Canada. Living here means you can enjoy the comfort of small-town living along with the security of excellent health and education services including the North Hastings Hospital and Health Care Centre, as well as North Hastings public high school, Loyalist College, and several elementary school opportunities and day care for your growing family.

This area’s beautiful natural scenery is a main attraction with an abundance of lakes and located just outside of historic Algonquin Park. Where you can appreciate nature and not have a long drive through traffic to return home. The community is home to many talented artists and craftspeople. You can check out and purchase their work in various shops and the local museums.

Maple leaf has a small country store offering quick service for things you might have missed while in town. You will be pleasantly surprised to find everything from grocery items to fishing gear. The store also serves as a LCBO/beer store, and you can also fuel up. Conveniently the store doubles as the local post office, and has friendly staff with an inviting atmosphere. 

Is Maple Leaf the place for your next home? Give us a call 705-927-6236 and check out our listing  Maple Leaf Home

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Your Cottage Country Inside Source

Waterfront-Commercial-R.E. -Investing

FIND OUT WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW. EPISODE 10. WHEN YOU NO LONGER WANT TO OWN A COTTAGE

 WHEN YOU NO LONGER WANT TO OWN A COTTAGE

For many Canadians a luxury that we can enjoy is a family cottage, a camp or a forest getaway. These beautiful places offer a place to rejuvenate in quietness and solitude. Or maybe it is the time spent with family. Or maybe time on the trail.

Like anything, nothing lasts forever. The little boy who swung in the tire swing on the large oak now lives thousands of miles away raising his own family. The little girl who loved swimming off the dock that is now a teenager and not that excited to hang out with Mom and Dad with no internet. It could be you, you are past your prime and the extra work you are no longer able to do easily.

The deep affection we feel for these properties because of the amazing memories can truly distort the prospective when it comes to considering to sell the property. What do you mean you are selling the family cottage? We love that place! Sure you love it son/daughter but you have not been to the property in 3 years and you do not contribute a dime to the expenses!

Other considerations that one my look at when it might be time to sell is tax considerations, family financial obligations, maybe family’s can not afford to carry the property. You have to consider different generations with different attitudes and goals. The younger generation may want to see the world by travelling. A big one that I see personally is when the commitment of weekly visits just becomes a pain. That pain could be from the 3 hour drive on Friday night and back on Sunday,  kids and sports. New hobbies and interests or maybe new love!

The whole point of the recreational property is to relax, bring family and friends together but ultimately bring joy. When these things are not happening, it is time to start the decision process why you are going to keep the property, or why you are going to sell it.

Selling a cottage is truly a business decision. Like any property that is being purchased and sold. It is better to leave emotion out of the deal, and I realize that is easy to say but unbelievably hard to do in reality. Some of the major mistakes I have seen in the past is looking at the property with rose coloured glasses. You look at your property and see all the special memories, blood, sweat and tears you gave to purchase, kept and maintain the property for so many years. The problem is buyers do not see this with the same lens. They see their own scarifies to purchase, their own hopes and dreams, not yours. You may think your cottage is the best cottage on the lake and going to price it accordingly. Is it the best cottage or is it the rose colour glasses distorting the truth?

Once you have exhausted any and all reasons to keep the property for yourself and your family, it is time to put the property on the market. The first question most want to know is, what is my property worth? To get the correct value of your property is to find a Realtor that works the lakes and can give you documented facts on true value. Don’t be afraid to invite a few agents. The medium price given is most likely your actual value.

Next, you must choose who you are going to list with. Should I choice my friend from the city to list my rural recreational property or should I list with a local agent that knows the lakes, politics, can refer additional resources and usually already has buyers in their pocket? I know which one I would choice who would be best for myself and my family but some feel that their friend that works the city is the best choice. But it is your choice!

Communication is key with everyone involved. Making sure everyone in the family is on the same page with the right reasons why it is time to sell. This will solve a ton of heart ache and bitterness down the road. Also communication with your chosen Realtor is extremely important. Your Realtor must know all the details of the why’s, the troubles, the excitement and the dread. For the Realtor to take you down the correct path of a successful sale, all details must be known no matter how hard it is to tell a complete stranger your problems.

Buying and selling real estate is an emotional, complicated and possibly difficult time in ones life. If you go though all the correct steps in the decision making, you will find that the process can be much less taxing on you and your family.

Watch Video Here!

What is your cottage worth? Click here to find out

When your recreation or waterfront property is no longer rainbows and sunshine, we offer concrete solutions to Life‘s curveballs. Call us today for a clear path. We will look after everything.

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Your Cottage Country Inside Source

Waterfront-Commercial-R.E. -Investing

Is it time to sell

Is it time to sell

There are many good reasons to put your property on the market. Some examples include a relocation, the kids leaving the nest, the need for something bigger or smaller, and the list goes on and on.

However, there are also some less-than-obvious indicators that it may be time to sell. Consider the following:

1. 1. Your Property is no longer a Good “Fit”
      Your home may have been perfect for you when you bought it. But things change. Families grow. Interests change. Needs evolve. For any number of reasons, your property may no longer be a good fit for you. If that’s the case, it makes sense to at least take a look at what’s available on the market. Who knows? Your next “perfect” home may be for sale right now — within your price range!
   2. The Neighbourhood is Changing
      You may have been in love with the neighbourhood when you first moved in. But, over time, the characteristics of any area can change. Those changes don’t necessarily mean the neighbourhood is getting worse. In fact, it may be changing in a positive way; perhaps becoming more urban. But, “more urban” may not be what you want. So take a look at the direction your neighbourhood is heading. Ask yourself, “Do I still want to be living here in two years?”
   3. You’re Ready for Your Dream Home
      Remember when you purchased your current property? Did it have every feature you wanted? Was it your dream home? Or, did you have to compromise on a few things, such as the size of the kitchen? If you had to make some tough choices back then, it might be time for you to finally get the home of your dreams.

Those are just three indicators it may be time for you to make a move. Of course, there are many others.

If you’ve been entertaining the idea of selling your property and finding your next dream home, give me a call. *When your recreation or waterfront property is no longer rainbows and sunshine, we offer concrete solutions to Life‘s curveballs. Call us today for a clear path. We will look after it. *

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Your Cottage Country Inside Source

Waterfront-Commercial-R.E. -Investing

Petroglyphs Provincial Park

 

Petroglyphs Provincial Park

Petroglyphs Provincial Park is one of the most unique provincial parks in Ontario. Visitors can get a glimpse back to a time more than 1,000 years ago, when First Nations peoples created traditional carvings or petroglyphs in the various rock formations located within the park. Petroglyphs Provincial Park holds the largest known concentration of Indigenous rock carvings in Canada. Petroglyphs Provincial Park was established 1976, and in 2002 The Learning Place visitor center opened. Petroglyphs Provincial Park is located in Central Ontario just off of the north shores of Upper Stoney Lake about 45-minutes from the city of Peterborough. With spectacular history, modern uses, ample wildlife, and beautiful hiking trails for everyone to enjoy. The park is also day-use only and there is no camping. There are also strict opening and closing times, so using the park after closing is not allowed. However, there is camping nearby for those who wish to spend a weekend at the park. Visiting during the week is recommended in order to have the best experience.

Petroglyphs Provincial Park is an excellent destination for educational trips, bird/nature watching and hikers. The ‘Teaching Rock’ is one of the few known petroglyph sites located in the Canadian Shield. There is no photography or videography allowed within the Teaching Rock complex. A building now sits over the Teaching Rock to protect the ancient carvings from the elements. The Learning Place visitors center is where you will find a wealth of information about the petroglyphs along with knowledge about the life and traditions of Ojibway People from ancient to modern life.

The presence of a subterranean stream below the petroglyphs site, makes a rumbling sound that was thought to be the voice of a spirit, this may account for its reputation as a religious site and may have been the subject of some of the extensive carvings found here. The present-day forest cover is mainly medium-age pine and hardwoods on shallow soils. The open rock areas have scattered trees and shrubs, while the lower, wetter areas often contain ash or elm forests or willow-alder thickets. Since the early 1960s, most of the park area has been within a timber license area and managed for timber production on a continuous basis. Pruning and thinning of natural and planted white and red pine stands occur on a regular basis. Approximately 130,000 white pine, 250,000 red pine and 100,000 white spruce were planted within the park area and the immediate vicinity.

As the park has been designated a historical park and is limited to day use only the limited additional activities are mainly wildlife viewing and hiking. The trails range in difficulty and length, Marsh Trail is the longest trail in the park and moderately difficult, Ratarat Trail is the shortest most convenient, Nanabush Trail is long but easily, West Day-Use Trail is of moderate difficulty.

 Its location at the edge of the Canadian Shield and bordering the Peterborough Crown Game Reserve provides for some dramatic scenery and includes large populations of indigenous animals such as beaver, otter, white-tailed deer, chipmunks, fishers, wolves and many species of birds including woodpeckers, grey jays, wild turkeys, hawks, northern flickers, ruffled grouse and if your lucky enough bald and golden eagles can sometimes be spotted in the winter months.

Brad Sinclair

Team Lead “The Brad Sinclair Team”

Sales Representative

Royal Heritage Realty, Brokerage

Visit my website! www.bradsinclair.ca

Call Or Text me 705-927-6236

Your Cottage Country Inside Source

Waterfront-Commercial-R.E. -Investing