Canoe Tripping: Meal Plans, Supplies & Packing List with updates

We are headed on our annual canoe trip today and for the first time, we are taking Finnegan. I am a little unsure of how it will all go, but here's hoping it works out. This year we are going for 3 days and 2 nights. I always google what other people bring to look for new ideas, so here is our list for meals, clothes and supplies.

* updated post trip with added items and crossed out things we didn't need*

Menu Plan

Breakfasts

- Eggs, for making scrambled eggs and for fish batter (cracked into a plastic water bottle for easier transport)

- Instant oatmeal

- Protein bites (recipe here)

Lunch

- Quinoa Salad (I made this one here)

- Cans of tuna

- PB sandwiches 

Snacks

- Pistachios

- Beef Jerky

- Licorice 

- Cut up pineapple

- Spitz

Dinner

- Fresh pickerel 

- Potatoes

- Pasta and sauce

- Italian sausages 

Cooking extras:

- salt, pepper, butter, parmesan cheese

Ready to be packed away

Packing List

Matches

First aid kit

Flash lights/head lamps 

Extra batteries

Water proof speakers/ipod

Bug spray

Sunblock

Scissors

Knife 

Garbage bags
Rope for misc. things and clotheslines & clothes pins

Toilet paper (in a ziplock bag)

Shovel (you can imagine for what)

Pot and frying pan

Spoon and flipper

Extra ziplock bags (for fish)

Plates/bowls/cups/sporks
Biodegradable dish soap, cloth and bucket for doing dishes

Travel Mugs

Water bottles (1 case frozen to be our freezer packs and drinking water)

Bottled water

Water purifier

Axe
Saw

Life jackets

Towels

Frisbee

Deck of cards

Book we were too busy fishing lol

Sleeping bags

Travel pillows (huge mistake, uncomfy as all heck - bring better pillow next time)

Cooler

Beer/drinks & coozies

Camping chairs

Tent

Stove

Fish filet knife

Fishing rods and tackle

Map

Bear bangers

Cell phone (no service but will use for pictures)

Cell phone portable charger

Canoe

Paddles (seems obvious, but don't want to forget lol)

I packed each Jeff and I our own snack/drink bag to have handy while canoeing. I put frozen waters, flavoured soda water, can of tuna, licorice and pistachios in mine.

My cooler bag

Clothing

This is what I will be bringing, I am sure Jeff will bring half as much

- 2 bathing suits Forgot about skinny dipping, no bathing suit needed

- 1 pairs of shorts

- 1 pair of capris (workout style)

- 1 pair of sweatpants

- 1 long sleeve shirt

- 2 workout shirts (with built in bras, so no bras required)

- 1 rain jacket with a hood

- 3 pairs of underwear

- 2 pairs of socks

- 1 hat

- 1 buff (similar here) *so good for soaking and wearing around your neck in the blazing sun*

- 1 rash guard shirt

- 1 pair of sturdy, waterproof shoes. I bought these ones (sexy, I know) *seriously best things ever*

For Finnegan (our dog)

He has been treated for ticks

- Dog life jacket

- Towel

- Travel bowls

- Food

- Treats

- Frisbee

                                                                  Look how cute he is! 

All ready for his first canoe trip! 

Things I wish I brought:
- Baileys for morning tea and evening campfire drinks
- Some sort of cookie, I can't believe I went 3 days without haha
- Lemon for the fish
- Binoculars for checking out nature!

Summer 2016 List

I am a lister. My lists have lists. Those lists have lists. I wish I was kidding I love lists! They GSD (get sh*t done!). I prefer fun lists to chore lists, duh, so with that...here is my Summer 2016 to do list.

1. Canoe/fishing trip -in the works for August (done and it was amazing!)

2. Train and Run a 5km race (it's my marathon, don't judge..ran it 4 times wooot!)

3. Print album of Asia trip - sort through 3000 photos :( (shit still not done this)

4. Landscape the front of our house (argh, I hate this one already)  (done)

5. Make a succulent centerpiece

6. Figure out how to do a backyard movie and host a party (Weekend at Bernie's - it's happening!) (Happened...it was the best!)

7. Go on a hike/picnic (done, went for my birthday!)

8. Learn how to fully cut/groom Finnegan. Quick story: Last summer he was skinned cut into a french poodle. This year (at a new groomer) she ignored all requests, cut him down (not to french poodle, but) far down enough he got razor burn and hot spots and I got $200 vet bill and one miserable puppy. So I think it's time I figure this one out for both Finn and I's sake. His haircut inspiration (yes, dogs have this too) is Professor Ramen on Instagram - look him up!

The poodle cut as it grew out 

This Friday is Canada Day, so we are headed to camp to swim, fish, get some sun and finish up the new fire pit. Between all of us there are 3 dogs, so to get them into the spirit (because I am sure they will care), I have decided to make Canada themed dog bandanas. Yup, I'm going there and I cannot wait. When I was at the fabric store a girl gave me a nod and said "dog bananas?" I was like "yuuup!" "been there" she said, "totally worth it." I just made him an everyday chic plaid one see below, it was surprisingly easy for not using a sewing machine.

Finnegan's new bandana 

Finally, for your summer long weekend pleasure make either of these killer blender drinks  Moijto recipe HERE OR Margarita recipe HERE. 

Happy Sipping! 

Happy 2nd Birthday Finnegan!

Happy 2nd Birthday to our fur baby - Finnegan!

I am totally biased, but he is the cutest, smartest, best dog in the world! Dogs have such a knack for knowing when you need comforting and although sometimes I think he only consoles me because he wants to eat my Kleenex, I couldn't be more thankful to have him, especially with everything going on this last year.

He has made into an obsessive walker and runner and instilled in me a need to get outside and play everyday. He brightens our day, everyday and never ceases to make us laugh. He is also a huge pain in the ass and for that I love him even more!

Happy Birthday Finny!

Introducing Finnegan Jones

I have been asking begging Jeff to let me get a puppy since early in our marriage. I ain't no fool...I laid the ground work well before we were married so it was no surprise to him when the pleading began. Every time he would travel for work, with friends etc., I would spend hours googling puppies close to our area. I have always wanted an Old English Sheepdog, but they have so many health issues and they are big, too big for our current house. Then I thought cockapoo, then sheepadoodle, then I was thinking anything hypoallergenic, closely, fairly small...this is when I hit the googling jackpot.

You know when you are so deep in googling - traveling from one site to another you don't even know what you were originally looking for? That happened to me when I came across "mini golden doodles." I had never heard of this breed, but it was love at first site (get it "site" haha) and the breeder I stumbled upon was close by and had 1 male available the weekend we were headed to the area for a trip anyways...it was fate right?

When Jeff returned from a bachelor party weekend away I hit him with every argument for why we  I needed a dog that I could think of. There were tears, yells, walk aways, hands in the air and within 2 hours of the best begging I could muster - he agreed! I emailed the breeder the next day and 4 weeks later we drove down to pick up our pup - a pup I didn't know existed until 4 weeks before.

Mini golden doodles are the result of a toy poodle crossed with a golden retriever...it basically makes a real life teddy bear.

The moment the breeder walked out holding him, I was totally in love.  He was actually supposed to be a petit (15-25lbs), but he was the biggest guy in the litter so they figure he is more like a mini (25-30lbs) and this somehow got us a discount on him.

Jeff came up with the name on the car ride from getting him to back to our trailer. I loved it, he was a little bugger and Finnegan seemed like the perfect name.

Here are some pictures of him...(boy did he grow big fast)

First Family Photo



Riding back to our campsite

I wish he could stay that size forever!



Exploring the yard 

With my Mom and Joey (he was only smaller then him for a couple weeks)



That time he had 3 baths in one morning...having a real good time in my tomato plant.



He took $40 out of my mom's purse and was running around with it - smart dog ;)



Fall hike - I love his crazy hair



Cone of shame after getting fixed.



WORST haircut ever! He looks like Fozy Bear - poor guy



First Christmas

Playing in the snow is his favourite thing in the world!



Best buds...only 18 years apart



The time he ate 4 holes in my favourite sweater...dammit!

He is the most entertaining dog. He LOVES everyone and has to meet everyone he sees. He loves his toys - has destroyed about 10 stuffies, loves balls, being outside, rolling in snow or any water source and treats. In the mornings he loves to cuddle and sleep in, but then he is pretty crazy all day.  Finnegan is sweet, playful and hilarious. Right now he is 9 months old and weighs 27lbs, we are not really sure how large he will be, hopefully this is about it. I love his hair long and crazy, it suits his personality. I cannot recommend this breed or his breeder enough, I know I am totally bias but he really is the best dog!

If you have any questions about the breed or Finnegan let me know!