September 22, 2026 (Happy Birthday Kade!)

This summer was busy, but definitely one for the books.

It started with an overseas trip with my son. We traveled through the Scottish Highlands before heading to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Scotland was somewhere I had wanted to visit for a long time, and it did not disappoint. The Highlands were absolutely beautiful, and something about the mountains, lochs, and small towns made me want to stop and take a picture around every corner. 

One highlight in Scotland was stopping at Urquhart Castle, where I got to support another author at a book signing. I loved seeing the castles, but some of my favorite stops were the quieter ruins we came across along the way. No other tourists—just my son and me, the history around us, and a few sheep nearby. Those were the moments I favored most.

Ireland was just as memorable. We traveled from Belfast across to the west coast and eventually made our way to Dublin. We saw castles, pubs, incredible scenery, did lots of driving, and, of course, took a few wrong turns along the way. Traveling with my son made the trip even more special, and I will always be grateful we had the chance to do it together.

After we got home, we spent much of the summer at Kabenung Lake, where my husband and I are building a camp of our own.

Anyone who has read Out of the Storm knows that a camp on a Northern Ontario lake plays a pretty important part in Isa's story. Her grandfather's camp becomes a place for her to get away from everything happening in her life—a place where she can breathe, regroup, and eventually begin to heal.

Now we are creating a little piece of that for ourselves.

A lot of work has gone into this, and there is still plenty left to do, but I love the idea that we are building a place our family can enjoy for years to come. There is just something about being at the lake that makes life slow down a little. And yes, I have already caught myself looking around and thinking that Kabenung Lake may eventually find its way into one of my books.

The summer also included time with family in Southern Ontario. We managed to fit in a few vineyard tours while we were there, visiting some beautiful Ontario wineries and enjoying some very good wine along the way. It was a great chance to spend time together and enjoy a completely different part of the province from the one we call home.

And I couldn't have planned a better way to finish the summer.

My son Kade and I went to see Bryan Adams on his Bare Bones Tour in Thunder Bay. I've listened to his music for years, so seeing him live in such an intimate, stripped-down show—and sharing the night with Kade—was pretty special.

When I look back on the summer, there were some pretty amazing places along the way. The Scottish Highlands. Ireland. Ontario wine country. Kabenung Lake. And finally, a night of great music in Thunder Bay.

But the best part wasn't really where we went.

It was who I got to share it with.

Now that summer is coming to an end, it's time to settle back into regular life—and hopefully spend a little more time writing Out of the Blue. Although, after this summer, I may have come home with a few more ideas than I left with.

Funny how that happens.

Cheers until next time! xo