When I think of camping I’m reminded of smelling like a camp fire, waking up to damp sleeping bags over deflated air mattresses and arguing about who didn't zip up the flap properly and let the mosquitoes in. Needless to say, I'm not a fan of camping.

GLAMPING, however, is right up my alley. GLAMPING is the most delicious combination of camping and glamour. You have access to showers, electricity, and all the other comforts of home while still feeling like you are immersed in nature.

As a matter of fact, I used to own a yurt, but since it was not insulated, I was never able to enjoy it during the winter months.

That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to stay at Water's Edge Glamping Dome for a short getaway and I have to say, I really enjoyed it.

This luxurious private and spacious dome is just a short 25-minute drive from the city of Fredericton, New Brunswick. The wrap-around deck is pretty impressive and is host to a hot tub, and just a few steps down there is a secluded steam sauna with a view like in no gym I've ever seen. I was surrounded by a picturesque landscape of snow-covered trees and felt like I was in my very own snow globe.

As I was enjoying my time at the dome, I had the pleasure of meeting Faith, one of the owners of Water's Edge Glamping. It wasn't long before we realized we had a lot in common. We talked about building glamping accommodations, hockey, being female entrepreneurs and of course food.

My very own Snow Glob at Water’s Edge Glamping

Her Story

“Growing up, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents' farm and at the rink in Upper Kingsclear, New Brunswick. Throughout high school and university, I played competitive hockey, which kept me (and my parents) quite busy.

I worked as a supply teacher for 4 years after graduating from UNB with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. After that, I taught at the Multicultural Association for another 5 years. But I always had an entrepreneurial side. I remember being 13 and selling necklaces at the local store and sitting at the dining room table crunching numbers, creating my inventory list, and designing my logo. I decided to branch out on my own and open an English Second Language (ESL) business. But Covid left my teaching business at a standstill because of a lack of newcomers at that time.

Ever since I saw the glamping trend take off a few years ago, I've wanted to own one. But I told myself this dream was out of reach. My ambitious spirit refused to let it go off this idea. If I was going to do it, go for my dream, now was the time. The idea was discussed more thoroughly with my husband, and he cautiously but optimistically supported it.

Being in business, loving the outdoors, and wanting people to enjoy all the things that nature has to offer, this was totally in alignement with my values.

As a result, Water's Edge Glamping was born.

When I read the guestbook in the dome, I get the most joy from seeing comments about how much people enjoyed their stay. I get to provide them with a space to enjoy nature, relax, and feel rejuvenated.

Our goal is to make our guests' stay as pleasant as possible, so in the future, we'll be introducing food baskets with meat and produce from local farmers. This will make planning and cooking meals easier for our guests.

Food brings people together, and sharing food with friends and family is one of my favourite things to do.

I remember as a kid, Sundays were sent at my grandparents' house with my mom's side of the family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, we would all gather in my Gram's table to eat and catch up with each other on how the previous week had been.

After lunch some would scatter outside and played road hockey while others stayed in and played cards.

This is what we want for our guests, to make memories of their own at Water’s Edge Glamping.”

Blueberry Muffins

When I asked Faith to share one of her go-to recipes with me, she chose these delicious Blueberry breakfast muffins

Because of her busy schedule with the dome, these days it's a necessity for her to have something healthy and convenient.

"Grabbing a muffin, a piece of fruit and a some cheese allows me to fill my stomach while providing the nutrients needed to maintain the energy while preparing the dome for our next guests. They just so happen to also be delicious!" Faith says.

She was an exceptional hockey player in her day, so I knew she must have a good understanding of health and stamina, which made it the perfect choice for my family as well.

I gave them a try this week and oh yummy. They did not disappoint.

Ingredients (12 servinge)

3/4 cup Rip Banana’s Mashed

3/4 cup + 2 tbsp of Milk of Milk or Milk Alternative.

1/4 cup of Maple Syrup

1 tbsp of Vanilla

1 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 cup Olive Oil (or coconut oil)

2 cups of Spelt Flour

2 tbsp of Sugar

2 tsp of Baking Powder

1 tsp of Cinnamon

1/2 tsp of Salt

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 cup of nuts or 1/4 cup seeds of choice. ( I used pumpkin seeds since I have a Tree Nut allergy)

1 cup of Blueberries.

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350F

2. Grease muffin tins or use parchment pappers

3. In a medium bowl mix mashed bananas, milk, vinegar, maple syrup, oil and vanilla

4. In a large bowl, add your dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt)

5. Pour your wet ingedients into the dry ingredients and stir until mixtures are just combined.

****Do not over stir and it will make your muffins dense

6. Add your seeds or nuts and blueberries. Fold in gently.

7. Add about 1/4 of mixture into the muffin tins and bake for 20 - 25 mins (every oven is different)

8. Remove from oven, Allow to cool and enjoy.

***If you are using frozen berries, make sure you keep them frozen until you are ready to add then to the mixture. This will minimize the colour bleeding into the muffins. ***