Thanksgiving family reunion

"Our Thanksgiving reunion was the family get-together we had been dreaming about for years – a gift to my mother, who hadn’t had all six of her children together under one roof for over 30 years, a gift to the next generation and a chance for the six of us to spend time truly catching up in a way that holidays and family BBQs couldn’t provide.

After a lot of research and surfing we found Breathe Easy. We had to accommodate 24 people and a few dogs and we needed privacy and seclusion to avoid outside distractions. We found a number of places, but the on-line family vote was unanimous: the travel time was perfect, the setting and cottage were too appealing to overlook and the amenities outdid the competition.

The property was easy to find and, upon arrival, we were welcomed with genuine hospitality by Ed and Jerrine and the comfortable atmosphere that the cottage radiated. We immediately felt right at home. Settling in took no time - the beds were all made and ready for us and our hosts showed us around and then graciously left us to ourselves.

What happened over the next few days was purely magical. Everything was perfect: the kitchen (pack only your food - leave everything else at home - it is there - everything); the polished concrete floors with radiant heat were fantastic (no furnace to listen to, no creaking floors, comfortable to walk on and evenly delivered heat throughout the entire house); the library is a diversion all on its own; the photos throughout the house offer an escape just in viewing them and an insight into the unique lives of our hosts; and the main room with fireplace and huge windows was the setting for intimate family chatter, stories, watching home movies and our awards ceremony, held on the last day (scariest sight in the morning; biggest klutz and, of course, a well meaning Voting off the Island). And we were all able to fit around one Thanksgiving table.

The property and surrounding area (including the old sawmill nearby) lent itself to wonderful and peaceful walks and the fire pit was the setting for the most amazing evening. We sang and we danced in total privacy, oblivious to the outside world and each individually shedding the stresses of life. One particular moment is burned into my memory and will be cherished forever. It happened under the moonlight when, totally free of all inhibitions, we held hands and formed a circle, with all of us dancing and Mom in the middle, doing a jig. This story will be passed on for generations to come.

The weekend surpassed all of our expectations as did Breathe Easy Cottage. Upon leaving I looked around at the surroundings and the cottage and felt moved by the fact that we are now part of Breathe Easy history and it is part of ours. Thanks, Ed and Jerrine, for the hospitality and home you provided. We will be returning."

A birthday celebration that was great for all ages

"Our group of 12 adults and 4 children (between the ages of 5 months and 2 years) rented Breathe Easy Cottage for a weekend to celebrate my husband's 35th birthday. We chose Breathe Easy because it was one of very few rental cottages available anywhere within about 4 hours of Toronto that could comfortably accommodate a group of our size. We didn't know what to expect, but the cottage was exactly right for us and we had a wonderful time. The space easily accommodated us, the bedrooms were comfortable, the kitchen was great – well stocked and spacious – and the property was absolutely beautiful. Best of all for us, the cottage was very kid-friendly, both inside and out and it was incredibly well stocked with toys and games for kids. We didn't actually venture off the property while we were there because the cottage itself offered just what we needed – lots of indoor and outdoor fun for us and the kids and everything that we needed for fantastic late night dinners once the kids were asleep. Our entire experience was very positive and the friendly and helpful owners were a pleasure to deal with. We are very much looking forward to renting this cottage again in the future."

Large family gathering

"You could not have picked a better name than Breathe Easy for your haven.

Each year, my sister and brother and I get together with our spouses and families for a special time away. My brother found Breathe Easy on line and it looked like the perfect place to get away from our busy city lives and reconnect with each other and nature.

It was absolutely perfect... inside and out. Your incredibly spacious interior always allowed for a place to go – quiet places to read and reflect, places to play together, places to rest. The fields outside provided places for the kids to play freely, run around safely, and explore

It was fun to be minutes from quaint towns, great beaches, and incredible shoreline and country road adventuring. We enjoyed walks to the mill, family play day and talent show by the fire pit in the evening, baseball... the list is too long to mention. And when there was nothing else, we would find ourselves simply looking out a window or at your incredible photography – breathing easy!

Thanks for sharing your amazing home."

Family Christmas celebration

"We thought it would be a nice idea to go away for Christmas 2008, but we knew it wouldn't feel like Christmas unless all of us, including our 3 dogs were all together. Once the decision to actually be away from home for Chirstmas was agreed upon it became a difficult task to find a place that would allow us to have any dogs, let alone 3! Luckily, I came upon Breathe Easy. This beautiful place was everything we were looking for. Endless amounts of land for our kids and dogs to play in. Enough bedrooms and bathrooms for all 4 of us (no one had to wait). And they were willing to let us bring our four-legged brood. The weather cooperated, there was tons of snow. We spent our days building snowmen, snowforts etc., going for a little walk among the trees and just spending undistracted quality time as a family. The home came filled with a large supply of board games that we enjoyed playing. Ed and his wife had even set up a tree for us. The kitchen was stock full of all the appliances we needed to prepare our meals. We try to be as kind to our environment as we can and were happy to find three separate bins for collecting recyclable and non-recyclable waste. It was a wonderful Christmas and we all came home relaxed."

Corporate retreat

"For our Career Fellowship retreat, Breathe Easy was the ideal place for all of us to get away from the craziness of Toronto and to find some quiet time for ourselves, to help us slow down and enjoy the beauty of nature, and to restore our tired spirits through spending time together with our friends. The cottage is surrounded by beauty and peacefulness, and it’s great to be able to hike and explore the surrounding area where the air is just so refreshing, or relax in the cottage’s spacious living room where you can just look out and listen to the rain dancing among the trees on a rainy day. The cottage is perfect for any large group as there is abundant sleeping space and the kitchen is equipped with everything imaginable for great family meals. We also got to enjoy a nice campfire on a clear summer night gazing at the stars. The owners of the place were also terrific and very hospitable and accommodating. It was truly a wonderful experience for all of us and we were all refreshed and ready to take on the busy work week ahead as we headed back home."

Weekend getaway

"We really enjoyed our stay at Breathe Easy Cottage. We were surprised at how big it is and how many rooms there are. We played volleyball and baseball. There were so many outdoor games to choose from!

One long weekend seemed too short for us. We felt like staying for a month. We really appreciated the experience and look forward to having another chance to visit."

Large family reunion

"In June of this past year, I had the huge undertaking of planning my family reunion ; a big task considering for the first time, it meant flying in relatives from all across the world. The pressure was on for finding the perfect cottage for us, one that would accommodate the size of our family (42 including children), one that would unite the family in a way that would supply us with entertainment, but also just hanging out and catching up. The Breathe Easy Cottage experience resulted in a fabulous and successful weekend. Once inside, you can only marvel at the grandness of the place. The rooms are quite large and the contents of the kitchen are endless! Lots of sleeproom, games, toys, plenty of bedding and lots of room outside for kids to run around, or adults to sit around and chat or throw around a ball. Of course at night, plenty of fun was had by all, including a guitar session, and family bonding around a bonfire. All of this for such a fabulous price! The owners are soooo accommodating to all needs and more. After arriving home after such a great weekend, I was inundated with emails from relatives who were so impressed with the cottage and how it enabled ua to bring our family together and allow for a peaceful and enjoyable weekend. Thanks so much to the Verkaiks for all their hard work on making the cottage such a wonderful and memorable experience."

Women's retreat

"We couldn't get over the expanse of Breathe Easy Cottage. We ran around like kids exploring all the rooms. Each of us picked our spot and there were plenty of beds to choose from. There are places for everyone to gather as a group or quiet secluded spots for private chats. It was great to be able to all sit together at one dining table for a real family feeling. We were amazed that 11 women could shower one after another and there was still hot water available, unheard of in past experiences. The kitchen was well stocked with every imaginable cooking aid and the towels and linens were plentiful. We watched movies, played board games, and some went off to Hanover to the slots. It is so peaceful there, extremely comfortable and the view from every window is so relaxing. We cannot wait to return next year."

Yoga workshop

"We loved our stay at Breathe Easy Cottage. Our yoga group wanted somewhere out of the way but reasonably driveable from Toronto. It was perfect. The amenities were better than at home. The decor was really nice and the layout fantastic – plenty of space for doing things together and plenty for being alone if you so desire. The air was virgin, the silence platinum. We also appreciate the eco-friendliness of the cottage. It feels good to be there. This was our second time and we're looking forward to coming again!"

A phenomenal experience!

This cottage is (to say the least) breath-taking!! Most of the places I looked at online were decent…but not quite what I was looking for in terms of “cozy” for a pajama party bachelorette! From the moment you walk into Breathe Easy, you are surrounded by natural light. On a clear day, you can see land in either direction, as far as the eye can see.

There were 16 of us in total (co-workers) and we all saw pictures of the cottage before arriving. To this day we all agree that the pictures did it no justice! You have to be there to believe how truly tranquil and special this place is. At no point during our stay did we feel crowded, even when we were all in one room at the same time. And, to make the evening even more special, we arranged the dining room in a way that allowed all 16 of us to sit at the same table for dinner! It was great!

The sleeping accommodations were far better than we had imagined. There were many individual rooms, bunk beds, pull out couches, single beds, etc, etc, not to mention all of the linens, utensils, dishes, mugs, cups, pots, pans and fridge space for at least 16 people!! In Ed’s words “If you need it, chances are we’ve got it.”…so true!

All in all, our trip to Breathe Easy was more than a stay…it was a phenomenal experience! We had such an amazing time that we have decided to make this an annual retreat for the gals of the office… regardless of whether or not anyone is getting married! Thank you Ed and Jerrine for building such a beautiful home and allowing complete strangers to enjoy your personal surroundings! We will definitely be back…yearly!