Welcome to Cold Lake North, a hidden gem nestled amidst the stunning landscapes of Alberta, Canada. This picturesque region boasts breathtaking natural beauty, abundant outdoor activities, and a warm, welcoming community that will make you feel right at home. Join us as we embark on a virtual journey to discover the wonders of Cold Lake North and why it should be on every traveler's bucket list.

1. The Enchanting Beauty of Cold Lake

Cold Lake North is situated on the northeastern shores of the namesake Cold Lake, one of the largest and most pristine lakes in Alberta. The glistening waters of the lake provide a mesmerizing backdrop for all kinds of recreational activities, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. The region's unspoiled forests, rolling hills, and tranquil beaches offer a sanctuary for relaxation and exploration.

2. Outdoor Activities for Every Season

No matter the time of year, Cold Lake North offers a plethora of outdoor activities to suit everyone's tastes. During the warm summer months, the lake becomes a hub for water sports such as boating, fishing, and kayaking. The sandy beaches are perfect for sunbathing and building sandcastles, while nearby hiking trails let you explore the region's natural wonders.

Come winter, the landscape transforms into a winter wonderland, inviting visitors to indulge in ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. The opportunities for outdoor adventures are endless and will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

3. Aviation History and Exploration

Cold Lake North has a rich aviation history and is renowned for the Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake. This airbase has been instrumental in training Canadian and international fighter pilots for decades. Visitors can learn about the fascinating world of aviation at the Cold Lake Air Force Museum, where displays of historic aircraft and captivating stories of heroism take center stage.

4. Indigenous Culture and Heritage

The region is also home to the Cold Lake First Nations, whose cultural heritage enriches the area. Embrace the opportunity to learn about the traditions, art, and history of the Indigenous people by engaging with the local community. Visitors can attend cultural events, workshops, and experience authentic Indigenous cuisine.

     5. Community Spirit and Warm Hospitality

What sets Cold Lake North apart from other destinations is its sense of community and warm hospitality. The locals are friendly, welcoming, and always eager to share their love for the area. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple seeking a romantic escape, or a family on vacation, you'll feel like a part of the community from the moment you arrive.

Cold Lake North in Cold Lake, AB, Canada, is a haven for nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone seeking a memorable and authentic Canadian experience. With its stunning landscapes, diverse outdoor activities, rich aviation history, and Indigenous heritage, this region has something to offer every traveler. So, pack your bags and prepare for an unforgettable adventure in Cold Lake North. Discover its enchanting beauty, create lasting memories, and immerse yourself in the warmth of its community. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or a first-time visitor, Cold Lake North is sure to leave a lasting impression on your heart.

The Municipal District of Bonnyville, located in northeastern Alberta, is a beautiful and diverse area with a lot to offer. Spanning over 10,000 square kilometers, it is home to both rural communities and small urban centers. Let's take a closer look at what makes this area so special.

One of the most notable features of the M.D. of Bonnyville is its natural beauty. With vast expanses of pristine wilderness, including forests, lakes, and rivers, there are endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Whether you enjoy hiking, fishing, hunting, or camping, this area has it all. It is also home to several popular parks, including Moose Lake Provincial Park and Cold Lake Provincial Park, which offer a range of amenities and activities for visitors.

In addition to its natural attractions, the M.D. of Bonnyville has a rich cultural history that is worth exploring. The area has been inhabited by various Indigenous peoples for thousands of years, and their presence is still felt today. Visitors can learn about the history and traditions of these communities by visiting museums and cultural centers throughout the area.

For those who prefer a more urban experience, the M.D. of Bonnyville has several towns and villages that offer all the amenities of modern life. Bonnyville, the largest town in the area, has a thriving economy and is home to a wide range of businesses and services. Other communities in the area, such as Glendon and Elk Point, also offer unique attractions and opportunities.

Overall, the M.D. of Bonnyville is a wonderful place to visit or call home. With its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and thriving communities, there is something for everyone in this unique corner of Alberta.

All-white bathrooms were once celebrated for their clean lines, simplicity and spa-like aura. But such muted designs are now falling to the wayside in favor of more color, texture and patterns. Dark cabinets, wallpaper and patterned tiles are top bathroom trends this year, according to the latest survey from Fixr(link is external), an online home remodeling resource. Fixr surveyed 60 design experts to find out the hottest bathroom aesthetics.

Darker cabinets: Cabinets made from natural materials that provide a grainier, wood-like aesthetic are gaining favor. Japandi and Wabi-sabi styles, which emphasize natural materials, are inspiring some of these wood tones. The wood can have unique variations to help create contrast against otherwise mostly white finishes.

Photo credit: Imaginima / Getty Images

Backlit mirrors: Nearly half of designers believe backlit mirrors, which provide light around their perimeter, will be popular this year. “A backlit mirror works two-fold: It offers ambient lighting to the room, which is perfect for relaxing … but also serves as task lighting,” Fixr notes in its report. Many of these mirrors also include features like anti-fogging and magnifiers.

Photo credit: Victor Dyomin / Getty Images

Patterned tiles: Homeowners are showing a willingness to experiment with bolder choices for their floors and walls. Patterned and textured tile and wall coverings are bringing added dimension and depth to spaces. Thirty-six percent of designers called this the biggest bathroom trend of the year. The tile patterns may be geometric, such as hexagons and herringbone, or vintage, such as an octagon dot pattern. Fixr also notes that marble tiles are coming in many different colors and patterns, such as black marble with contrasting white veining.

From creating a warm, inviting space in your home, to clearing your driveway for potential viewers, to making sure any essential home renovation and repair is complete, we’ve compiled some ways to prepare your home in the winter and help maximize your selling potential. 

If you think selling your home in the winter is the same as selling your home in the summer, well, that’s a cold take. Each season has its distinct benefits when it comes to listing a home, so how can you take advantage of the snow and frigid temperatures?

We recently spoke with Amber van den Broek, a REALTOR® from Winnipeg, Manitoba and owner of Amber van den Broek & Associates, to speak about the  advantages of selling your home in the winter.

“There’s less competition on the market during these slower months,” she says. “As a seller, you have the focused attention of all the buyers hunting for a home in your area, or even outside your location. When supply is low, demand for your property can be high simply by being the only option.”

If you’re thinking about selling your home in the winter, here are some tips on how to prepare for a successful sale. 

Make the most of the outdoors

Landscaping

Despite not being able to appreciate the lusciousness of your garden or lawn in the winter, landscaping shouldn’t be neglected. 

“Landscaping is your ultimate first impression,” said van den Broek. “A buyer makes their initial decision of like versus don’t like in approximately 60 seconds, so the walk up or drive by shouldn’t be underestimated. A buyer will feel confident that seasonal maintenance has likely been completed, and that you’ve taken care of your home inside and out.”

As a rule of the proverbial green thumb, remove anything that’s unlikely to survive the winter so there aren’t dead plants in the garden. If you’d like to add plants and shrubs, be sure they’re the evergreen kind such as Blue Holly or Winter Heath. If you have pets, ensure you’ve removed any droppings and yellow snow before potential buyers show up. Even if your area doesn’t get much snow, make sure your front yard is well-kept, with any dead leaves raked up and thrown away.

Clear your driveway and pathway

Shovelling snow is twofold in terms of safety and removing the thoughts buyers conjure up of having to do it themselves. Consider installing solar-powered lights to help illuminate the path and be sure to salt/sand any walking paths to lower the risk of a fall for potential buyers.

Lessen the chances of icicle formation

Icicles are very pretty to look at, but they can wreak havoc on your home. Melted snow from your roof contributes to ice dams being formed in gutters, which in turn can cause water to back up into your home. The formation of icicles can also indicate issues with your roof or ventilation, which could be a red flag to potential buyers. While you can remove small icicles yourself—make sure to take all safety precautions if you need to venture onto the roof–it’s best to leave the removal of larger ones or hard-to-reach icicles to the experts. 

Winter-resistant furniture in the front and backyard

Create a welcoming first impression by staging your front porch with durable furniture and winter-resistant blankets and rugs. Warm lighting provided by lanterns that can withstand the cold will also add to the charm. The backyard is just as important, so be sure to shovel patios and decks, and set it up in a way that highlights how the space can be used year-round. 

Cleaning the front entrance

This is technically an inside task, but it does involve elements from the outdoors. Salt, dirt, and snow all get tracked into your front entrance in the winter months, which isn’t visually appealing to potential buyers. You only get one chance at a first impression! Clean up any salt and dirt from your front entrance, and keep coats, mittens, boots, etc. in a closet so there’s no clutter when people come in. 

Muddy footprints on the carpet? Professional cleaner Madison McCausland shared her tips on getting those stubborn stains out!

Highlight the cozy indoor appeal

Create a warm and inviting space

“Selling in the winter months gives home sellers an opportunity to create a very welcoming, cozy vibe to their space,” van den Broek explains. “Staging works, and winter is certainly a time to get creative. Ensure the home is at a comfortable temperature, and if there’s a fireplace, make sure it’s turned on, or lit if it’s wood. We always use candles at our open houses in the winter time, nicely scented like gingerbread, baking, apples, or pine.”

“Having a tray of treats always makes buyers feel at home, and if it’s closer to the holidays some decorated cookies or candy canes for kids. The more your house feels like a home, the more a buyer will start to feel AT home!”

Did you know the World Health Organization recommends a range of 20 C to 22 C as the ideal temperature in your home to maintain overall good health and wellbeing? Aim for this temperature during an open house to keep things comfortable. No need to go too warm—people will likely be wearing jackets!

Round off any essential renovations

Be proactive with ensuring cosmetic renovations such as chipped paint and drafty windows are complete prior to listing your home. For van den Broek there are some common red flags buyers look for when purchasing a home in the winter. These include:

• leaking window seals;
• condensation inside the window panes, which can indicate humidity is too high in the house;
• drafty windows and doors;
• temperature differences in basement rooms;
• no snow on the roof, which could indicate insulation issues in the attic;
• back drafts of a smoky ash smell from a wood-burning fireplace; and
• cracked corners of the foundation which can indicate a structural issue.

Sealing windows to reduce air leaks, adding further insulation where required to prevent drafts, ensuring the weather stripping around your front door has no leaks, checking the insulation levels in your attic, and updating old furnaces can be beneficial upgrades for homeowners and enticing for potential buyers. If possible, consider having your furnace serviced by an HVAC professional to be certain everything is in tip-top shape. 

Certain provinces are currently offering rebates to improve your home’s energy efficiency, which could help with the costs of some of these repairs or updates. For example, Enbridge is offering Ontarians “up to $5,000 in rebates for insulation, air sealing, new windows/doors, water heaters, boilers, furnaces, and home energy assessments.” British Columbia has a similar program through BetterHomesBC for up to $6,000. Check with your provincial energy provider to see what’s available to you!

Embrace neutral seasonal décor

If you’re planning festive celebrations, it’s best to avoid flashing lights and large decorations that could shrink the size of your space, as well as overtly religious ornaments.

“For outside it’s nice to have some winter décor welcoming buyers to the property—a simple wreath, flower pots with birch branches and twinkle lights, solar powered walkway lights, and pay attention to overall lighting outside.”

Showcase your home’s versatility

Even when you’ve succeeded in transforming the exterior and interior of your home to be both charming and inviting, if possible, show photos from other seasons in your listing because, the more guesswork you take out of the equation, the more a buyer can make an informed decision they feel comfortable with.

Deep reds, bold blues, and neutral earth tones are leading the way for the top paint colours of 2023. See what companies like Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Glidden, Behr, and Pantone have chosen as their colours of the year. 

Refreshing the home is a big part of embracing the new year, and with so many potential changes from flooring to furniture, it’s hard to know where to start. Paint is a quick and easy way to freshen up any space or piece of furniture, and interior designers and paint companies have their predictions on emerging colour trends for 2023. Ranging from earthy reds to warm neutrals, here are the colours the pros say we’ll be painting our homes with and why they work. 

Pantone’s highly anticipated Colour of the Year for 2023 was announced at the beginning of December. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta is meant to be a “brave and fearless” colour for those who have a “rebellious spirit” and exude optimism and joy. The bold colour lives in the red family, or what Pantone refers to as “The Magentaverse.” 

“PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Colour Institute. “Rooted in the primordial, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.”

Though this isn’t a paint colour you can run to the store to purchase—Pantone’s Colour of the Year isn’t specifically a paint, just a colour—it serves as inspiration of what 2023 can bring. Pantone offers a set of designer tools to help you use their colours in your interior design projects.

Raspberry Blush by Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore’s 2022 colour of the year, October Mist, was an earthy green that resembled the stem of a flower. For 2023, their colour resembles the petals of a rose. Raspberry Blush is a vibrant red-orange that delivers bold personality. It’s charismatic without being loud, much like the electro-funk duo the paint company partnered with to commemorate this year’s selection. The Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo has released a new song titled Raspberry Blush that reminisces about the positivity and enjoyment of colour and music together. Use this coral tinged pink on an accent wall, arch, or bring some colour to your powder or dining room.

You could also consider Terra Rosa by Dunn-Edwards if you’re into the soft clay colour.

Blank Canvas by Behr Paint Company

Sticking to more of a neutral hue, Behr has named Blank Canvas its 2023 Colour of the Year. A stark contrast to some of the other more vibrant colours, this creamy shade of white ushers in a clean and inviting blank slate. With this choice, Behr leans into a relaxing, calming colour that can offer endless décor possibilities. Blank Canvas can be paired with bold blues, browns, and greens. Use it in the bedroom to promote tranquillity or to finish off trim and moulding.

“Blank Canvas effortlessly offers a clean and inviting blank slate that allows individuality and creativity to flow freely,” Erika Woelfel, Vice-President of Color and Creative Services at Behr Paint Company, said in a press release. “This white easily harmonizes with a wide range of hues, including neutrals, earth tones and pastels for a charming and cozy appeal. Blank Canvas also pairs beautifully with black for a dramatic impact, and with bright accents like green or cobalt blue to instantly lift your mood.”

Redend Point by Sherwin-Williams

The Sherwin-Williams paint company is evoking a sense of connection, warmth, and softness with its pick for the year. Whether used in the living room or in the kitchen, the colour is the ideal choice to bring a sense of community and nature into your space. The colour also pairs well with earthy neutrals like dark beiges and greys.

“Redend Point was inspired by the idea of finding beauty beyond ourselves,” says Sue Wadden, Director of Colour Marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “Build on its earthiness by utilizing the hue alongside natural-looking textiles and wood accents or create a desert oasis by layering terracotta shades and clay materials.”

Vining Ivy by Glidden 

Sticking with the earth tone colour theme of 2023, Glidden’s colour of the year is Vining Ivy. A mixture of blue and green, this in-between jewel-toned colour can be used in almost any space. The company chose a versatile colour so people don’t have to think so much about what works with their home.. The colour can be used as an accent to give a pop to your space or paired with soft pastels, light neutrals, or deep browns and blues.

“Consumers are seeking to simplify… as the past two years have shed a new light on the importance of serenity and little moments,” said Ashley McCollum, Glidden colour expert. “Vining Ivy embodies this vibe perfectly. Its versatility takes the guesswork out of design, leaving consumers with more time to indulge in the things that matter most to them.”

McCollum suggested using this colour on kitchen cabinets, as an accent wall, or in a smaller room to contrast a neutral palette.

This year we are seeing a movement towards clays, stones, and earth hues inspired by nature. Colours that bring calm, zen, and tranquillity are leading the way and people are being urged to paint their home in a way that brings comfort to them. These colours add a touch of calmness, optimism and hope in what’s ahead. So before you tackle your new painting project, consider whether these trending colours help showcase or inspire the feelings you’re chasing.