May long weekend in Northern Ontario, start of Fishing season!! The Camellia, Slate River.

Hello! It's the first long weekend of the Summer... although in Northern Ontario, the snow has just barely left us. It seems like Winter never wanted to end. So although our temperatures are still cool, most have their Campers packed and ready to roll! May long is the official start of Fishing season! 

We will bundle up and sit by the shores of the Lake, enjoying this short interval without pesky bugs and blackflies. 

If you do get bitten this is our go-to product, Breakout Buster by Rocky Mountain Soap, it stops the itching and swelling of blackfly bites. It is blended with tea tree essential oil, peppermint oil, chamomile to soothe irritation, lemon, grapefruit, and Lavender . Lavender is a natural anti-inflammatory to calm and to help reduce redness. 

And while we are talking about bugs, stop by our store at 30, Hacquoil Rd. to grab a Mosquito net or a No-see-um net. As every person that grew up in the Caribbean knows, a mosquito net is the next best thing to sliced bread. These ones have a hoop that folds up so the net is small for carrying around. 

If we are camping on inland lakes, on May long weekend it's not uncommon to see chunks if ice floating. However we are hardy Northerners....we are heading out to Camp no matter what the weather is. 

Oh the joy of having your bed look onto water and forest...!! Comfy bedding is a must...even at Camp. Here at The Camellia, we carry #ClaraClark 1800 thread count sheets queen sized...which are available in 17 colours. Need sheets in a King? Contact us at 807-475-3551 to place an order. 

Here is a beautiful Garden in the Silver Islet area on Lake Superior. 

A lot of Camps have furniture that has seen better days.... it seems like Furniture gets discarded and then goes to Camp to die. Cottage Paint to the rescue!! You clean with our Clean and Prep spray, paint in your choice of 60 colours, then Enjoy! 

Here is the same cabinet, all updated and mod! For information on Cottage Paint, visit www.cottagepaint.com, and if you would like to take a class, www.thecamellia.com

Visit our store at 30, Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On.

Open Wed. through Sunday. 

p 807-475-3551 

Camp hacks from someone who lived near the Amazon Rainforest, May long Weekend in Northern Ontario

It's HERE!! May long Weekend..the start of Fishing season..and Camping..and getting the Boat out, and ....we know, you can hardly contain your excitement! you have waited all Winter for this. 

You eagerly look forward to walking by the Lake, to Barbecues and good times spent by the Firepit. 

You are happy to see all the Mommas with their babies, and Life is just wonderful. You pack up the boat, buy groceries, pack a supply of books and fun things to do, and head out to Camp. You get there, and just walk from your vehicle to the doorway of your Camp, and then you notice you have ticks crawling quickly up your leg. Screeeeaaam.......!! 

Bugs....and ceepy-crawlies...don't you just hate them? Here's advice from someone who used to live close to the Rainforest in South America: 

1. No exposed skin. Cover up!! If it's hot, wear some cotton long pants and thin long-sleeved shirts. Mosquitoes and sandflies come out in the evenings, so make sure you are covered up. 
2. Army boots and pants tucked into socks when walking in the grass. When you get indoors, check for ticks, or undress and change into different clothes. Have a mirror by the door so you can check for ticks. 
3. Buy a Mosquito Net from The Camellia. Our Mosquito and no-see-um nets are a life-saver, hang them over your bed or sofa, and sit or sleep in peace and relax. They are especially useful for new babies, hang them over their crib or bassinet. Ours fold up into a small flat package when not in use. 
4. No perfumes or heavily scented body creams, use a natural bug repellent which is safe for you. 

Yes, you don't have to worry about Piranhas, or snakes such as Boa constrictors, or Rattlesnakes which were common where I grew up, however Ticks can carry very serious diseases. And these diseases are masked as something else, read this article http://www.nextavenue.org/kris-kristoffersons-dementia-now-believed-caused-lyme-disease/

You head into your Camp, and take a look around, and while you love the familiarity of some old pieces of furniture, and mismatched cabinetry in the Kitchen, you've just been watching HGTV's Home to Win, and you may catch yourself  dreaming about some much needed renos. But where to start? At The Camellia we can help you come up with a plan, first step is for you to take some photos and email them to us. We can help you with  colour schemes , painting your wood panelling and cabinetry and /or furniture, new cushion covers, and some new Lake decor & Vintage pieces. A Fish/ Waterside Lake theme is well suited for Camp. Find this Tin sign and many others at our store, The Camellia, at 30, Hacquoil Rd. 

Look at this Kitchen Makeover ( in progress) , done with #Cottage Paint from The  Camellia.

Our prints are coated so you don't need glass, which means no glare from the glass, and no glass to break if it falls. See that Barnboard wall? This is done with a paint technique from #CottagePaint. Take a Barnboard Class at www.thecamellia.com

Don't forget the right gear, our camo leggings and MultiKap Bug Hat. Nothing worse than having blackfly bites by your ears. 

With the recent Ice storm and bad weather, some of our Robins died. However, we hope that the ones that survived are starting to build nests and lay these lovely coloured blue eggs. 

Happy MAY Long Weekend! Don't forget to try out our Camp hacks, and stop by The Camellia for Camp & Lake decor, Bedding, Mosquito Nets, Cottage/Chalky Paint, Camo leggings and much more!

Open Wednesday through Sunday. 30, Hacquoil Rd. p (807) 475-3551

Wreaths and Robins at The Camellia, Thunder Bay

All of a sudden, It's hot. Time for the first cutting of the lawn. The first time one can fling open the doors to let the fresh air and the smell of newly mown grass in. The trees on the mountain are developing that nice lime green haze, which means the leaves are opening up.

What's your door wearing? We have a few Spring Willow wreaths left, they are perfect for your front entranceway, and also natural enough to have at Camp.

We have lots of Robins ..they provide us with many hours of chirping and tweeting. Especially at 5.30 am. They usually lead the rest of the birds in a loud outburst of song. When we get up at 7 am , not a tweet to be heard from the birds.

Don't be surprised if a Robin builds a nest in your Wreath. They love natural twigs. Ancient folklore has it that Robins will bring you Good Luck.


We are open here at The Camellia on Thursday, May 19 and Friday May 20th from 11 -6p. Then we will be closed and will reopen on June 1st. p-(807)475-3551

Happy long Weekend to you in Canada!!