[bc_video video_id="6262458753001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] Can you even say you went to the country if you didn’t stop at a local antique shop? No trip to the country is complete without a vintage treasure hunt, especially at the Aberfoyle market just outside of Guelph, Ontario. These canvases were found at the Aberfoyle antique market, the canvases look a bit outdated so here's how to turn vintage canvases into wall worthy masterpieces! What you need: 

• A vintage painting
• Acrylic paint of choice
• Clear Casting and Coating Epoxy Resin
• 3 disposable cups
• 4 painting pyramids or 4 more disposable cups
• Plastic lining
• Painters tape
• Stirring utensil
• Gloves
• A level
• A timer
• An artists torch or heat gun
• A large box (larger than your painting)
• Foam core board

First off when you’re looking for the perfect vintage piece, the trick is to look for scale, colour palette and frame. You have to have a little vision but if those three things appeal to you in some way you can work with it. Like this piece that I’m going to work with (pictured below). If you want to revamp your piece you can paint over some areas to give it a bit of an edge. I recommend you get a good quality acrylic paint that compliments your space and piece and keep things simple. You can see how I picked up the main colours in this painting and just enhanced them. Method:

1. You first need to set up your workspace – I lined a cardboard box with plastic and painters tape and placed it on a level surface. I then placed 4 painting pyramids in the middle of the lined box and placed the painting on top. The painting pyramids are to support the art as it cures. You can also use plastic cups for this.
2. Mix your resin. Get your resin, hardener, plastic cups and stir stick ready and measure one part resin, one part hardener. Pour them into the same cup and stir the contents vigorously for 3 minutes. You don’t want to undermix, so set a timer. Also don’t be alarmed if the resin feels warm, that’s normal!
3. Pour your mixed resin over the canvas and spread it over your painting using a playing card or business card. Be sure to also spread it on the sides of your piece – it may even drip some and that’s ok. Also be mindful of time – resin starts to cure after 45 minutes.
4. For a high gloss finish, use a butane torch on a low flame and gently sweep the flame across the surface to get rid of any air bubbles. I suggest holding the torch about 8 inches away from your painting to avoid damaging the resin.
5. After you’ve removed all of the bubbles, Cover the box with your foam core board and leave your work to dry. Allow it to cure for 24-72 hours. Add any extra elements, like gold foil and paint accents to make your piece pop.

[bc_video video_id="6262442673001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] This is my strawberry patch in a raised garden bed, which is a part of my property out here in the country. This bed has about 35 different strawberry plants. They will grow from June 1st all the way until the end of September. Tips and secrets to grow It's important to grow your strawberries in soil with lots of straw- hence the name. Strawberries love straw. Why? First, straw keeps the berries from touching the soil, when strawberries touch soil they start to rot. Straw is also very good at holding moisture around the plant, helping to keep moisture at the roots. Raised beds are also a necessity for strawberry growing, as they help prevent certain critters like rabbits from entering and eating your bounty.  However, a raised bed won't stop the animals in the sky, use a tall garden accessory like this spinner below to prevent any hungry birds. If you have a backyard that doesn't have much space, use a container. Strawberries LOVE to grow in pots! Grow strawberries in a convenient flower pot, or you could even put them in hanging planters too. Watering your strawberry plants will change based on the size of the container. If you are growing strawberries in a large garden, the roots have more soil around them so as a result the plant needs less water. However, if you are using a small container there is less soil so watering will need to be more consistent, but do not overwater. Overwatering strawberries will lead to big but tasteless fruit! It's also important to feed your strawberries the right nutrients. Fertilizer is a necessity. If you have a large garden bed, chicken poop (if you have it!) is excellent strawberry fertilizer, as it's completely organic. Chicken poop adds a lot of flavour to strawberries, gross but true! What to do once picked  Once you pick your strawberries they should last about 4-6 days depending on freshness, to extend their life spray with lemon water. Another option would be to freeze the strawberries on large sheet pans, that way when they freeze they will not freeze together in clumps. Once they are frozen, put into a freezer-proof bag and save for Jam and other baking needs! Strawberry Jam Recipe This is a great freezer jam, which is jam without preservatives! Ingredients:

• 2 cups strawberries
• 4 cups sugar (depending on strawberries' sweetness)
• 2 tsp. lemon juice

Blend all ingredients together be sure to leave room at the top of the jar for expansion. Then, put directly into the freezer This recipe is good for 1 month in the fridge once it's thawed!

[bc_video video_id="6262443970001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] If you’re looking to add a water feature in your garden on a budget, you're in the right place! You will need: 

• An old lamp, one specifically with a glass shade
• Wire cutters
• Pliers
• Sealant

Instructions:

1. Disassemble the lamp by unscrewing each segment. It should come apart easily as there is a centre stake that holds the components all together.
2. Remove the wiring and any electric components, cut the wire out of the lamp using wire cutters. Remove the plug at the bottom.
3. Using the base and the centre rod, reassemble the light in any configuration ensuring that the glass shade is flipped at the top of the structure.
4. Seal the connection between the glass shade and the post using clear sealant so that the dish can hold water. Wait overnight before adding water.
5. And voila! I’ll stick it in my garden and wait for the birds! But don’t forget to switch out the water every so often. Add rocks/gravel for butterflies and bees to enjoy!

Safety Tip: Make sure the lamp is unplugged before taking out all of the electrical segments.  

[bc_video video_id="6262460361001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] When you think of spending a day in the country, you think of packing a great picnic – here's how to have a simple yet comfy one! If you only picnic once or twice a year and are tight on space, you probably don’t want to spend money on a formal picnic basket. I don’t blame you and don’t let the stop you from going on a. Picnic! You can probably DIY a basket from what you have at home! Steps:

1. Find a sturdy basket from around your home - this is the basket from my place that holds blankets and throws in my living room! There's also great picnic backpacks, this one from the Peller Gift Shop, perfect for smaller picnics like a wine and cheese one!
2. It's essential to have a waterproof blanket, wool is a great water resistant material. All of the blankets used are from a local Niagara-on-the-Lake shop called Irish Designs. To keep the blanket in place, attach some weights to the ends from the dollar store.
3. Grab some of those patio plates that you probably have around. You can definitely use indoor dishes, if you are careful!  For Glassware - I definitely advise that you use unbreakable glasses here - you can get affordable ones at the grocery store or dollar store if you don’t have any.
4. Bring a tray table to keep items off the ground and make for a more romantic feel.
5. Wine is often enjoyed in picnics where allowed. This Husky cooler is definitely my favourite one that I have found. It helps your Peller Rosé wine cool while you enjoy your lunch!
6. Wrap your cutlery in napkins for transportation but also to wrap up when they are dirty to protect your basket from being soiled. Extra tea towels are great for this too.
7. Use a small insulated cooler pack for the food that needs to stay cool - cheese and meat. You can even use a lunch bag, no need for a large cooler.
8. Use an extra water bottle to bring come iced coffee for after lunch. This set is also from the Peller Gift Shop.  On picnic days, it’s all about enjoying the day. Relax, take your time!

New Trend: Catered Picnics If you are really looking to relax and don’t want to any of this…. I have the solution for you! An amazing trend in May destinations is catered picnics! Yes, CATERED!! Here in Niagara-on-the-Lake we have a few and this is the set up for a company called PicNix! Here is how it works: You can either book afternoon or evening dining. Simply call, place your order and pick it up in the park. Like making a reservation at a restaurant! What do you pick up? This absolutely adorable wagon packed with a 5-course gourmet meal including local farm-to-table food. It all done for you! You also get a picnic blanket, pillows or chairs, sun umbrella and outdoor games like bocce ball. I love it for families, couples or if you are day tripping with the dog and can’t go to a restaurant… can you imagine how cute this would be for a proposal??! Which ever way suits you, just get outside and enjoy a leisurely picnic this summer!

[bc_video video_id="6262437615001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] For the Little Ones (5-12) If you have a child from 5-12 yrs old, you want to build up some entrepreneurial skills and can supervise, here are some ideas! Yes, you can do a lemonade stand, but let’s shake it up a bit and take it up a couple notches! Instead of lemonade, they could sell smoothie bars, freezies, cookies or iced tea. (All Homemade please!) Or they could have a yard sale with siblings or other kids in their neighborhood bubble, selling old toys. It helps to declutter your house and teaches them the value of things. Via: Pretty Prudent Kids can earn money for their Roblox, Minecraft or whatever they keep bugging you to buy or they can support a cause close to their heart. Entrepreneurship not only teaches kids entrepreneurial skills, but it also teaches them math skills, time & money management, responsibility and empathy. For the Teens (13-18) This age group can work a little more independently, and it can extend into the rest of the year. Here are some business ideas to start; this age group can start businesses like babysitting, dog walking, lawn care, online or offline tutoring or selling old things either via a yard sale or online marketplace. Via: DIY Network  Now kids, if you’re going to sell old things, make sure you don’t “borrow” your parents stuff to sell. You’re selling YOUR old things. For the Young Adults (18-23)  This age group can handle even more responsibility and has a wider range of ideas. Biz ideas like being a personal shopper or a food delivery driver like door dash or Uber eats. Or even venture into online ecommerce - selling their art, thrifted finds or print on demand t-shirts. Summer is the perfect time for this. Via: Uber The great thing about these businesses is that you can use platforms like Tiktok and Instagram to market and grow your business. For the Adults  Some other summer entrepreneurship ideas include meal prep! If you’re from West Africa, Ecuador or India, make dishes from your country that people don’t have time or the skills to create. Or if you follow a certain diet like keto, whole 30 or even gluten free - that’s a business idea you can try out for summer. Or you could be a fancy bartender for private parties or curate fancy summer picnic experiences! The possibilities can be fun and endless! For the Well Seasoned Adults I like to call them Our Glampa’s and Glamma’s - Many of you have decades of experience in your careers. You can do industry specific consulting. Or using your dozens of years of experience in life in general, you can become a life coach or write that book this summer. Now is the time to write that biography or even cultural stories to be handed down to the next generation. That recipe everyone asks you for? Sell it! You can self publish and sell your biography, stories and cookbooks on Amazon.