Peppermint Hot Cocoa

All you need:
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup sugar
⅓ cup hot water
⅛ teaspoon salt
4 cups of any kind of milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Your favourite toppings (including but not limited to whipped cream, shaved white or dark chocolate, crushed peppermints, candy cane for a stirrer, marshmallows)
Cabinscape mug – classic camper or ceramic (optional)

Directions:
1. Whisk together the cocoa, sugar, salt, and water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir together until mixture boils and cocoa and sugar are dissolved.
2. After stirring continually for 1 minute, stir in the milk. Heat, but do not boil. Remove from the heat, add vanilla and peppermint extract and mix well.
3. Pour into your Cabinscape mug and top it off with your favourites! Serve immediately.

HALIBURTON

With over 400km of all-season hiking and cycling trails, our Cabinscape cabins in Haliburton Forest are perfect for an adventure with your pup. Your dog will love to explore the trails, lakes, roads and public swimming areas on site with you. Depending on their age and fitness level, choose easy, flat walks to more advanced routes.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, visit the Boshkung Smokehouse Restaurant at Haliburton Forest Base Camp. Dogs are welcome in the outside dining area. 

If adventuring off-site, visit Boshkung Brewing Co and Haliburton Brewery too! Dogs are welcome at the breweries and outdoor areas. Afterall, dogs and beer make a good pair! 

Every Saturday, guests can visit the farmers market in Minden where dogs are welcome. There is always a vendor that has delicious dried meats, but also farm fresh bones, pig ears, and other natural treats for pups! 

Book a pet-friendly cabin in Haliburton: Penner, Big Rock, Cove, Moss, Baylight, Quasi, Pine, Jade, Ivy and Sage cabins.

LANARK COUNTY

Lanark County rests at the heart of the Ottawa Valley with charming towns to explore and thrilling outdoor activities which make it an ideal escape with your pup. ALL of our six cabins in Lanark County are pet-friendly! Our cabins are placed in beautiful, rugged and private properties with meandering creeks, bustling rivers and beautiful lakes – a dream for any household pet. 

Experience the Rideau Valley Conservation land at our Mica and Rhya cabins, the Fall River at our Juniper cabin and the Tay-Havelock rail trail on-site at our Ember cabin. This is a perfect trail for dogs that love to fetch as there is lots of space to run and only light foot traffic.

For pup-friendly eats and treats, visit the Cardinal Cafe in Sharbot Lake for some homemade puppy treats and yummy snacks for humans too! Coutts Coffee Roastery & Cafe in Perth allows pups on their patios to go with their artisanal coffee and baked goods. CC’s on the Rideau is a beautiful spot right on the water for lunch and dinner where pets are permitted. 

Visit Ember, Juniper, Mica, Rhya, Joni and Mason cabins in Lanark County.

It’s Pride month in Ontario, and for the first time in two years, we’re able to celebrate with one another in person, in ways that for some may seem like a distant memory from “the before times” (2019 calling), with parades, parties and close proximity body contact. 

Pride as an event is a real moment for us to connect with one another, to take up space and celebrate the strength, diversity and power of the queer community. It’s so important to so many of us that we are able to come together and unite, but with all the festivities and socializing it can be easy to get caught up and find yourself a little run down and burnt out. Just as important is taking time to connect with yourself and those closest to you, and what better place to do just that than wrapped in the restorative arms of mother nature herself.

Those less inclined to get outside in more remote landscapes may be missing out on the healing power of nature, which can help us to find balance, inspiration and even community. For anyone new to or inexperienced with camping or outdoor adventure, rentals like those offered by Cabinscape can offer an easy-going entry point with many of the comforts of home – and some extra special comforts as well (heated outdoor showers anyone?*). Go alone or with a partner for full relaxation mode, or if you’re into groups, go big and celebrate with several of your nearest and dearest. 

Whatever your colour of the rainbow, this Pride month and the summer to follow, take time to get out and get green… and orange, and yellow…

Grilled Veggie Skewers

All you need (2 servings):

2 Bell peppers: red, yellow, orange [Qty 2 of each bell peppers]
2 Zucchini
2 Large red onion
Mushrooms [227 g of small mushrooms]
1 garlic – minced
Cilantro – minced
Ground black pepper
Salt
1/3 Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar

Directions:

1. Soak at least 12 skewers in water for approximately 15 minutes. 

• This will allow the moisture from the skewers to evaporate before the wood starts to burn
• Please note that the total number of skewers will depend on the size of your vegetables

2. Chop all the vegetables so are approximately equal in size and shape.

• Peel the red onion, slice it in half and chop each half into thirds
• Chop each bell peppers into 1-inch by 1-inch
• Slice the zucchini into rounds
• Slice the mushrooms into 1-inch by 1-inch

3. Prepare the garlic herb sauce in a bowl.

• Add 1/3 teaspoon of olive oil
• Add ¼ of balsamic vinegar
• Add the minced garlic
• Add the minced cilantro
• Add a pinch of salt 
• Add the ground black pepper

4. Whisk together for about 1 to 2 minutes.

• Depending on your preference, you can brush your veggie skewers with the garlic herb sauce before placing them on the grill OR brush the veggie skewers with the garlic herb sauce when they are on the grill.

5. Once your veggie skewers are prepared. Start your campfire.
Make sure the firewood is placed flat in the fire pit
so you can place the grill easily.

6. Add the veggie skewers on the grill for approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Since this is a campfire, the veggie skewers will soften and brown quicker. 

7. Remove the veggie skewers and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Enjoy!

Shakshuka Recipe

All you need:

1 medium-sized onion (diced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
Olive oil
1 large red bell pepper (chopped)
1 can of crushed tomatoes (About 800 g)
1 can of tomato paste
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
Chilli flakes (Spice is optional)
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt
Ground black pepper
6 eggs
Cilantro (chopped for garnish)
Feta cheese (crumbled)
Pita bread (Optional)

Directions:

1. Add olive oil to a pan. Wait about 2-3 minutes until heated and
add diced onions. Wait roughly 5 minutes until soft.

2. Add minced garlic and wait 2-3 minutes until brown,
then add chopped red bell pepper. Wait roughly
5 minutes until pepper softens.

3. Add 1 tablespoon tomato paste and 1 can
of crushed tomato to your mixture.

4. Stir continuously for about 10-15 minutes. Take a spoon and
create empty pockets of space. Place cracked open eggs
in the pockets.

5. Wait 10-15 minutes, add cilantro for garnish and crumbled feta cheese.

6. Serve with pita bread and ENJOY!

BONUS! Summer Spritz Recipe

All you need:

3 oz Aperol
3 oz Prosecco
1 oz club soda
Orange (sliced)
Ice

Directions:

1. Add ice to a wine glass. Pour approximately 3 oz of Aperol.
Fill about one-third of the wine glass. Then add 3 oz of Prosecco.

2. Add 1 oz of club soda or Sprite (this step is optional to make the drink less bitter – don’t skip if you like a sweeter taste)

3. Add a slice of orange. Enjoy!

French Toast Recipe

All you need:

2 large eggs
2/3 Cup Milk
1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
¼ Teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Butter
6 slices of white bread
Vegetable oil
Maple Syrup
Blueberries (or your choice of preferred berries/fruit)

Directions:

1. Add the following ingredients to a bowl:

• 2 Large Eggs
• 2/3 Cup of Milk
• 1 Teaspoon of Artificial Vanilla Extract
• ¼ Teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 Tablespoon of butter
• Pinch of Salt

2. Continuously mix the ingredients.

3. Heat up a frying pan (on medium heat) and
add oil and butter. Wait a few minutes for the butter
to melt.

4. Take one slice of bread at a time and soak it into your mix.

5. Add the soaked slice to the pan and flip accordingly until each side is brown.

6. Serve onto a plate and add Maple syrup, butter, and blueberries. Enjoy!

The Ontario Staycation Tax Credit aims to encourage Ontarians to discover their province and help local businesses recover from the global pandemic. A stay at Cabinscape between January 1st and December 31st, 2022 is eligible for the tax credit (if you live in Ontario).

The program will provide a 20% tax refund for accommodation expenses of up to $2,000 for spouses, common-law partners, or eligible children or $1,000 for individuals. That equates to a $400 / $200 tax credit applied to your 2022 income tax return.

How can you claim your tax credit? Your tax credit is claimed on your 2022 Personal Income Tax submission. You must keep your Cabinscape order confirmation (receipt) from your booking to submit with your taxes.

Take advantage of your tax credit at one of our 30+ cabins in Ontario scattered across the Kawarthas, Muskoka, Haliburton, Lanark County and Calabogie regions – many cabins are lakefront and pet/family-friendly. Our ecologically-sound accommodations focus on wilderness adventures and provide guests an opportunity to disconnect in nature.

We look forward to hosting you and your family for a year-round staycation experience! 

Our HST Number is 717259097RT0001.

THINGS TO BRING:

Your favourite food & drink

Our tiny cabins in the woods come equipped with everything you’ll need to prepare your own home-cooked meals. All kitchens include a gas stovetop, mini-fridge, stovetop toaster, kettle and french press. There’s also a propane BBQ and fire pit outside available for year-round use.

No need to bring any cookware. We provide all the essentials – cutlery, cups, plates, pots, pans, cooking utensils, and some handy extras like a corkscrew and can opener.

We also provide food basics like tea, coffee, sugar, flour, salt, pepper and olive oil. All you need to bring is your favourite food and drink!

If you’re feeling fancy, consider adding-on one of our locally-crafted food kits to your stay.