3 Ways to Elevate Family Dinner This Summer

3 Ways to Elevate Family Dinner This Summer


#1 – Do It Together! Get the Family Involved!

Signaling that dinner is ready doesn’t have to be the first time everyone makes their appearance in the kitchen or dining room. Try baking grandma’s recipes together as a family! Or another great way to elevate your family dinner is to get everyone involved in the preparation. Whether that’s washing or chopping ingredients during food prep, or choosing what plates and table settings will be used, there’s plenty of jobs to go around. This is a great opportunity to connect with each other and create lasting memories.


#2 – Grow Your Own Ingredients or Keep It Local!

Few things are healthier or more rewarding than preparing a meal using ingredients that you grew or sourced locally. It’s likely that the more produce you grow, the more fresh fruit and vegetables that will be part of your regular diet. In addition to the boost in nutrients and vitamins for your body, you’re also helping the environment by reducing the environmental impact of food production. So get those green thumbs going, or acquaint yourself with the local food & farmers’ markets and keep it fresh and keep it local for dinner this summer.


#3 – Sale of the Week Items

Whether it’s dinner at home around the table, or BBQ in the backyard, takeout on a patio, a picnic or something else altogether, Muskoka Bear Wear is there for you to help keep it comfy and these Sale of the Week items should help do the trick!

So remember, the 3 ways to elevate family dinner this summer: Do it together, keep it local and rock some comfy Muskoka Bear Wear.


Muskoka Proud

Muskoka Proud

Whether you love to be on the water, by the water or in the water, Muskoka Bear Wear is there for all of your Muskoka adventures. And while this year may look a little different for those unable to visit or vacation with us this Summer, know that as long as you have some comfy Muskoka Bear Wear on hand, you’ll always have a piece of Muskoka with you.

Muskoka Bear Wear ON The Water!

Paddling out on a SUP Board at 6:00 AM for a sunrise or having the breeze blow through your hair while out for a rip in the family boat can sometimes be a bit chilly. For moments like these, we recommend rocking a Camp Hoody (Ladies, Mens). Outside Muskoka, either of these Muskoka Bear Wear tops are perfect for an evening stroll or a bonfire.

Muskoka Bear Wear BY The Water!

Sipping a nice beverage, reading a great book and laying out on the dock to catch some sun is certainly one of our favourite ways to spend an afternoon in Muskoka. For times like these, we recommend the Ladies Fleece Paw Shorts or Ladies Flannel Boxers. Of course, these are great for just about anything you’ll get up to at home this Summer. From garden cleanup, to water balloon fights and BBQ’ing, these paw print shorts will help you show your Muskoka pride no matter where you are!

Muskoka Bear Wear IN The Water!?

Okay, okay, okay… well technically not IN the water… persay… but those fish sure are and there is nothing comfier than the Mens Sherpa Hoody or Ladies Cabin Hoody for when it’s time to reel one in. Away from Muskoka? That’s okay! Our high-quality, Canadian-made Hoodies are good for just about anything.

We mean, unless you’re opposed to being cozy or looking good? It looks like entire families continue to make Muskoka Bear Wear a part of their family traditions, and for this we say thank you.

Victoria Day Weekend Traditions – From Home!

Victoria Day Weekend Traditions – From Home!

Normally the arrival of the Victoria Day Long Weekend (or May 2-4) is something to celebrate. Year-round residents and business owners prepare for the influx of visitors and for life on the water and on patios, while those who visit or live here seasonally gear up to open the cottage or search for somewhere fun or unique to stay. And while we hope to demonstrate that there is still plenty to celebrate this May 2-4, things will obviously look much different as we continue to maintain social distancing and restrict travel. That is why we are going to break down some of our favourite May 2-4 traditions… and how you can enjoy them from the comfort of home!


Prepping the BBQ! • Nothing screams SUMMER like a good ‘ole BBQ cookout. Slapping some burgers down, maybe some vegetable skewers, corn on the cob, some juicy steaks… we can practically smell it now. For tips on preparing your BBQ for the season, we found a helpful article from Napoleon. Now you just need some food to throw on and an ice-cold beverage in hand and you are all set. What are you cooking this weekend?


Gardening • As Spring enters full-swing and we are on the verge of Summer, for many people throughout Muskoka, this is the time to get their green thumb on. For some, the focus is about planting vegetables or herbs that can be used for cooking. For others, it is about the floral decoration and being creative or for attracting particular kinds of birds or bugs. Some gardeners are into it just for the process and the journey towards finding that inner zen. But, you do not necessarily have to do this just at the cottage. Whether you have a full backyard, a balcony, or even just a window that gets some sunlight, you can find ways to flex your green thumb at home. Here is a great piece from The Spruce to help you get started. And don’t be shy, we would love to see some photos of your home gardens!


Tent Camping • May 2-4 is also typically the kick-off for camping season. Everything from RV’s & trailers to log cabins and sleeping bags. Well, if you are stuck at home this May 2-4, if you have a tent, you can still get your camp on! First step: clearing the space to set up. The backyard is the ideal space, but even if you live in an apartment, you can get creative by moving your dining room set and using the dining room, or maybe even your living room. Once the tent is set up, the next step is ambiance. Here is an 8-hour soundtrack of a campfire and night sounds that should help to set the mood. Now maybe a tiny spray of sunscreen or some bug spray to trick the senses and you are practically there! Get comfy, grab some snacks, turn off your phones and devices and just enjoy some down time… exactly like how you would if you were camping here in Muskoka. Read a book, do some stargazing, just keep it cozy in your Muskoka Bear Wear!


We know there is no replacement for coming to Muskoka and enjoying all that cottage country has to offer, but we hope you are able to unplug and relax a bit this Victoria Day Long Weekend and that with the help of some of the tips above, you’ll find cause to celebrate. Happy May 2-4 everyone, we cannot wait to welcome you all back in person one day very soon!


Be sure to check out this week’s #MBWShoutOuts Week 7 Round-Up for local businesses that are doing what they can through these tough times to continue to serve our awesome community.

Just remember… #StayHome #StayHealthy and #StayCozy

We Miss You Muskoka!

We Miss You Muskoka!

Normally this time of year we’d be counting down the days until cottage season but in the midst of everything that is happening we continue to encourage everyone to stay home and stay comfy so that hopefully we can enjoy summer in Muskoka.

With that in mind, here are a few of things we miss and look forward to resuming when all of this has passed.


1. Sunrises on the Dock with a Hot Beverage

MBW Mug on the dock at sunrise.

You hear the call of a pair of loons echoing over the still water and squint your eyes as that first beam of sunlight breaks the horizon. You picked up some fresh coffee beans from Oliver’s on the way to the cottage, so you are now sitting comfortably in your Muskoka chair, holding your Bear Wear mug and it is like time has stopped. You can hear the wind passing through the leaves, the birds springing to life and the gentle waves as they hit against the dock. Nothing will ever replace moments like these.


2. Live Music Concerts

Rocking a Muskoka Bear Wear hoody at a concert.

Hunter’s Bay Radio in Huntsville is a great example of a local business adapting to the times to give local artists a platform to be seen and heard while we all hang out at home. And as much as we have been loving watching their virtual concerts, there are few experiences in life like being in the crowd at a live show for one of your favourite bands or artists. The shared energy of the fans around you, the music as it hits you and that indescribable magic that happens during that exchange is truly something special. Whether you are preparing to take in a show at the Kee to Bala or maybe heading south for the next Boots & Hearts, Muskoka Bear Wear always has your back all the way!


3. Lunch Dates

Zoom chats and FaceTime have been a great alternative fill-in for meeting up with your besties to catch up, but it will never replace huddling around the table with your squad – say at Main Street Delicatessen – and serving up the tea on all the things going on in our lives. Who unfollowed who on Instagram? Did you see what your fave celebrity wore on the red-carpet last night? Did they really leave your message on ‘read’ all day? Have you tried the latest Tik Tok challenge? We can’t wait for things to return to normal so we can all pile into our favourite restaurants and dish.  


We know times are tough, but we also know these times will pass and we will be jumping in the lake and roasting s’mores by the fire with all of you again soon. Just think of how much sweeter it will be and how much more we will appreciate those simpler, meaningful experiences together.


Be sure to check out this week’s #MBWShoutOuts Week 5 Round-Up for local businesses that are doing what they can through these tough times to continue to serve our awesome community.

Just remember… #StayHome #StayHealthy and #StayCozy