Winter weekend with the horsesby Erin McLaughlin |
A lot of people ask where I disappear to on the weekends. Often I’ll be at work events (like the Interior Design Show next weekend!) or I’ll be squirreled up at home, trying to organize my incredibly messy kitchen. But my real escape on the weekends is to my friend’s farm, Irish Creek Stables, in Cambridge Ont. Liz Lewis and I first met a few years ago when we did a photo shoot at her house. Over the years, we’ve used her house and horse farm as a location multiple times. And for those of you who have read my editor’s letters, you ‘ll also know that I have a number of horses - and I am lucky enough to have Liz look after them for me. Winter at the farm is not easy, but Liz and her daughter Petra make it fun. And if you’re cold? All you need to do is to start mucking out stalls or sweeping, you’ll warm up pretty quickly! 
There is something incredibly special to me about horses. I have loved them since I was a little girl (I even uncovered a report card from nursery school that says my face “lit up every time I saw a picture of a horse.” As much as I love working at a magazine (and I do love it - it is the job of a lifetime for me!), a bit of my heart stays behind with the horses at Irish Creek Stables. When my boyfriend and I began dating a few years ago, he knew that the time I needed to spend with my horses was non-negotiable! Of course, when he comes out here and is able to see it through my eyes (which is why I have posted this photo - so you can see the magic of my horsey winter wonderland)
At Canadian Home & Country magazine, my mandate is to create a perfect balance between the sophistication of city living with the relaxed comfort of country living. I’m so happy to say that I have managed to accomplish it in my own life!
If you have thoughts about how to balance the city with the country, please let me know!
Tags: balance city and country, Cambridge, horse farm, horses


Balancing country life with city life? Well…on whirlwind mornings, when work starts at nine and you’ve only got a couple hours to squeeze in a workout and your “daily routine,” you could kill two birds with one stone and RIDE YOUR HORSE to the nearest TIM HORTONS! If Stroller and I can brave the drive-through, I know you and Beau can, Erin XD Glad to see you survived winter too - enjoy summer!
Sarah!!!! SO great to hear from you! Please say hi to your mom and dad for me and give huge hugs to all your four-legged babies! xo
haha i certainly will, thanks erin!