Making Balms on a Rainy Day

Getting Ready

I spent most of this afternoon making all natural balms today because of a request from my guitar playing nephew and a conversation I had at my travel companion's birthday dinner.  One of my hobbies involves aromatherapy and making healing balms and creams from natural sources.  My nephew requested something to help clear up psoriasis and eczema.  I found this recipe about 5 years ago and it has worked for the people I have made it for. He said he would like to give it a try.  This soothing healing balm contains shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, jojoba oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil as carriers.  The essential oils in the recipe are geranium oil, carrot seed oil, cedarwood oil, bergamont oil and palmarosa oil. It is simple to make. All you need is a double boiler, a scale, something to store the finished product in and the ingredients. I used .15 ounces of the carrier oils and 3 drops of each essential oil except the palmarosa which I doubled to 6 drops. Melt the carrier oils together, remove from heat, add essential oils, mix well, and pour into the storage container.  The second product I made was a Beard Balm for my travel companion's oldest.   I used shea butter, cocoa butter, beeswax, and coconut oil.  It should be great to condition and control the beard.  I added some cedarwood oil, patchouli oil, and palmarosa oil to give it a manly yet fresh scent. This is my first attempt at making a Beard Balm so I hope he likes it.  I made four 2 ounce jars so if you are a man with a beard and would like to try it leave me a message below.  The first three to respond will get a jar and just for asking compliments of Lake House Supplies. 

Beard Balm Finished Product

Visit to New York City

Ellis Island taken from the Statue of Liberty

Location

Torch removed in 1984

 When a lake girl from Western Kentucky goes to New York City the sites are amazing.  I have had the pleasure of seeing much of the United States and many places outside of the States and I can tell you that New York City is a must see for everyone.  The city is alive 24/7 with people from all over the world.  Rich in history and culture of all kinds New York City is the most densely populated and the most populous city in the US.  Add nearly 60 million tourist a year and it is easy to understand why the sidewalks are swarming with pedestrians.   The city is diverse and rich with culture and surrounded by water (something this lake girl loves).  My travel companion showed me around the city.  We rode the subway (one of the most extensive in the world operating 24/7) to catch a ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty.

Lady Liberty

  The Statue of Liberty is a powerful symbol of freedom.  The statue was a gift of friendship from France in the 1880's to the United States to mark the American Centennial.  The overall height from the base of the pedestal foundation to the tip of the torch is 305 feet 6 inches.  The statue itself measures 111 feet 6 inches and her waistline is 35 feet. Weighing 450,000 pounds she is truly a site to behold.  The torch she is currently holding was installed in 1986 and is a copper flame covered in 24 K gold.  The original was removed in 1984 and is still on display inside the pedestal lobby.  After visiting the Statue of Liberty we walked a few blocks to Memorial Plaza which was a great place to view and photograph the new One World Trade Center (also known as Freedom Tower).

One World Trade Center

  At 1776 feet tall this is now the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the 6th tallest in the world.  In Memorial Plaza the Memorial fountains were the most beautiful fountains I have ever seen.  They were constructed where the base of the twin towers sat and the water flows into the foundation footprints and then down into another square seemingly to the center of the earth.  The twin reflecting pools are each almost an acre in size and feature the largest man made waterfalls in North America.

Memorial Park Reflecting Pool

 The names of every person who died in the attacks are inscribed into bronze panels that edge the Memorial pools.  A sad reminder of the largest loss of life resulting from a foreign attack on American soil and the greatest single loss of rescue personnel in American history.  The famous Survivor Tree also stands in Memorial Park after being relocated there in 2010.  In October of 2001 the tree was discovered at Ground Zero severely damaged with snapped roots, broken branches and a charred trunk.

Survivor Tree and Freedom Tower

 The Callery pear tree was nursed back to health by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and returned to the Memorial.  Today its trunk has a very visible demarcation mark from the damage sustained in the terror attacks of 911.  The Survivor 
Tree stands gloriously and so beautiful today in Memorial Park as a living reminder of resilience, survival, and rebirth.  By the grace of God this tree was spared.  May God continue to shed his grace on the United States of America.   

 

Wonderful Weekend at The Lake House

What a great time at the Lake House this last weekend!  Lots of family, friends, good food, and good times on the water.  It was much too hot for fishing (except for the die hard fisher women Cuckoo and KiKi) but we did have a family birthday to celebrate with cupcakes and the best ever homemade vanilla ice cream (recipe in previous blog).

Happy Birthday Lindsey!

Best Ever Vanilla Ice Cream

Lake Dog Watching the Boat

Paddle Boat Fun

Happy Garden

Small Yellow Mushroom

Huge Mushroom - One of many

New Rock Concert Rocks in the Making

Mushrooms were everywhere from all of the recent rains and the garden is doing well too.  Lake Dog was worried about missing the boat so she stayed in the shade on the hill with the boat in plain sight.  Since new folks visited the Lake House this last weekend the Rock Concert will continue to grow.  New Rock Concert additions in their honor are in progress in the art room.  Sharing lots of photos in this blog because a picture is worth a thousand words.                                                                        And just in case you were wondering....Lake Dog did catch the boat!

Lake Dog in the Wind

Best Ever Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe at the Lake House!

Old Fashioned High Tech Ice Cream Maker

Hot summer days at the Lake House resulted in an Ice Cream Recipe that is so good......we had to make it again!   We would be remiss if we didn't share it with you.  This recipe is the perfect blend for a hot humid summer day! 
My travel companion (educated in the culinary arts) and I were so pleased with the outcome of our first ever homemade vanilla ice cream that I had to give it a name.  A Most Excellent Vanilla Blend, that's what I think it should be called.  Simply by adding Hershey's Chocolate Syrup,  A Most Excellent Chocolate Blend is created.  For all of the caramel loving humans Hershey makes caramel too and the only possible result would be A Most Excellent Caramel Blend!
Here's what you need:

Everything you need except for eggs pictured here

1/2 Gallon Half and Half (liquid measure)

1 1/4 cup sugar (dry measure)

3 beaten eggs with the shells removed

2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

1 can sweetened condensed milk

and the paste from one vanilla bean (a.k.a. vanilla caviar)

Here's what you do:

Make sure the sugar is dissolved in the Half and Half, add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.  Place this mixture in the centrally located metal can inside of your old fashioned (with electric motor technology) ice cream maker.  Surround metal can with ice and salt and ice and salt and ice and salt.  Be sure you do not get salt into your ice cream mixture.  Plug it up or turn it on (or crank it if you have to) and let it run until it stops.  Mom would also put a towel over the top of the ice wrapped around the motor to insulate the top.  In 20 minutes remove the towel, top off the ice, and add another layer of salt.  Replace the towel.   According to Mom, "It takes about 35 minutes to freeze." 

Note:  Time to freeze could vary depending on salt content (we used a little over 1/2 box of ice cream salt) and model (electric or manual crank).  So use your best judgement based on manufacturers recommendation to determine when the ice cream is "done" and be careful not to get salt in the ice cream when you remove the inner metal can from the salt/ice mixture. 

Open the top and get each of your friends a BIG bowl, then make yourself a bowl (a big one) add your favorite toppings (if desired) and enjoy! 

Should you try this recipe or want to try this recipe let us know.  If you have tried this recipe and liked it or hated it or added flavor or improved it please share your experience with us!  Please post your comments below.

This recipe brought to you by www.lakehousesupplies.com where you will find quality lake house supplies with free shipping to your home.

Albany to Lake George

Empire Plaza Albany

I have just returned from a wonderful week in Albany the capital city of New York which sits on the west bank of the Hudson River about 10 miles south of its confluence with the Mohawk River.

Albany on the Hudson from Corning Tower

The Egg

It is a beautiful time of year to be in Albany with spring having a good start and the heat of summer not yet prominent.  My travel companion (a local resident) escorted me to the Empire State Plaza and on this day plants were blooming everywhere and the sky was a stunning blue.  The Empire State Plaza inspired by Nelson Rockefeller is magnificent for its architecture and is home of the Corning Tower which is the tallest building in New York outside of New York City.  We traveled up 42 stories to the observation deck and the views of the city were amazing from that vantage point.  Next stop was the Village of Lake George.

The Village of Lake George

 Lake George (also known as the Queen of the American Lakes) is a long narrow lake located at the southeast base of the Adirondack Mountains but a short drive from Albany.  The lake is very clear due to its oligotrophic nature.  The village of Lake George is quaint and scenic and loaded with things to do.  For more information go to 

http://www.lakegeorgechamber.com

Lake George at the Base of the Adirondacks

After returning to Albany we heard the news of the vicious attack on the Orlando Night Club and proceeded to build a memorial in the garden for the lives of all of the people who were affected by this tragedy.  Make no mistake all Americans have been affected.  From New York to Orlando (whether visiting or residing) all of us have been affected.  Being with my travel companion in New York during this tragic turn of events has only made our bond stronger.

Stop the Hate!

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Rocky is a Pepper - A Tribute to Birds

Birds have wings designed to fly, but not all are adapted to do so.  For many years they have fascinated me with their intelligence, and their ability to bond with humans.  There are nearly 10,000 different bird species in the world.  Every single species has evolved and adapted to harbour unique abilities that separate them from other birds.  Most can fly, some can't (like the ostrich who can run 60 MPH).  And some just don't fly very often as they prefer to run (like the road runner who checks in at a swift 20 MPH).  Some birds can hover and even fly backwards (hummingbirds) and some fly thousands of miles without stopping when they migrate.  The smallest flying bird is the bee hummingbird (weighing in at 0.06 ounces with a total body length of about 2 inches) and the largest is the albatross (weighing in at 20 pounds with a 4 foot wingspan) .  Some birds are smart enough to use tools (like crows and weavers) and some birds are smart enough to talk, count, learn tricks and mimic humans (like parrots).  Flamingos are unique in that their color comes from beta-carotene in the crustaceans and plankton that they consume.

Fascinating Flamingos

 Oh yeah...... A shout out to my friend Cuckoo Muran..... because there are more kinds of chickens in world than any other kinds of birds..... but only one Cuckoo Muran!

Time for you to meet my best friend (besides Lake Dog) Rocky whom I mentioned in an earlier blog. Rocky is 44 years old (that is human years which I believe are the same as bird years) and we have been together since 1993 therefore we are bonded.  He and I share a love for Dr. Pepper, Goldfish Crackers, and Breyer's Ice Cream with fresh Georgia Pecans.  Like me, Dr Pepper is his all time favorite.

 See for yourself.....

Stay tuned here for more adventures of Rocky and Lake Dog to come from www.lakehousesupplies.com

Do your part to help keep the bird population strong by providing them food and shelter.

Check out the website at www.lakehousesupplies.com for

 Quality Cedar Bird Houses and Cedar Bird Feeders

Memorial Day Weekend

Travel Companion and Lake Dog

What a great weekend at the Lake House!  My travel companion and I loaded up Lake Dog and some fishing gear and headed to Lake Barkley to celebrate the holiday weekend with friends and family.  Memorial Day has always marked the beginning of summer to me and no better place to be than at the lake house.  We had a full weekend with great food, lots of laughter, a few chores, and some time on the water fishing.  The bass were biting night crawlers on Lake Barkley and we both managed to catch a few while Lake Dog enjoyed some boat time.

Waiting for the boat to leave

Family of Five

He was fishing too

Sunset Sunday

Catch of the Day

We enjoyed some great food, cold beverages, time around the fire pit in the evenings, lots of laughter, bird watching, and lots of time on the deck telling stories and we even did a few chores and upgrades to the lake house.   The wildlife on the lake provided us with surprises every day and I even managed to get a few photos to share with you.  I hope your holiday was nice too.
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Getting Ready for Memorial Day

Lake House Dog

Lake dog and I spent the weekend with family at the lake house getting ready for Memorial Day.  We killed weeds, blew leaves, planted flowers, installed a new door, filled up the cedar bird feeders, hung the cedar bird houses, restrung the fishing poles, and got the boat started.  We also got out some of our favorite outdoor decorations.  While putting the "rock concert" out we had a little toad visit and then his little sister had to stop by the fairy garden to check on the progress of the frog pool.  We will take that little clay pot bottom, paint it blue and it instantly becomes a pool for the frogs.  Not only did we find toads, but we also found a tree frog trapped in a 5 gallon bucket (never fear he has been freed).  That evening after a great meal of Beef Stroganoff  (we use the BBQ boys recipe) we lit the fire pit and enjoyed the full moon reflecting on the lake.  I have so many photos to show you therefore this blog will have several posted at the end.  Hope you enjoy them and I hope you all enjoy family and friends this Memorial Day Weekend!

Flowers are Blooming~!

Fish are Ready~!

Sister Toad in the Frog Pool

Every Lake House Needs A Rock Concert!

Every Concert Needs a Toad 

Tree Frog has Been Freed

Fire Pit at "Come Together"

Full Moon with Mars Reflecting on the Lake

 HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY FROM WWW.LAKEHOUSESUPPLIES.COM!

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED, ARE SERVING, AND WILL SERVE TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY AND OUR FREEDOM!

Refreshing Strawberry Dessert

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Strawberries are in and beautiful here in Western Kentucky.  So today I decided to make a cold and refreshing dessert to celebrate the harvest!  If you are looking for dessert that is quick and easy to make, impressive to serve to your guests, and delicious, look no more! All you need is fresh strawberries, lady fingers, Mascarpone cheese, heavy whipping cream, orange juice, water, sugar, and some powdered sugar for dusting.

First place 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries and 1/4 cup of water in a sauce pan and bring them to a boil, then add 1/4 cup of sugar and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and set aside.

Next mix 1 cup of heavy whipping cream with 1/4 cup sugar and whip until you have soft peaks then add 1 cup of Mascarpone cheese and mix until smooth.

Now place the simmered strawberry mixture in a food processor with 1/2 cup of orange juice and blend into a sauce.  Dip the lady fingers in this sauce and line the bottom of a serving dish, top with the cheese/cream blend and repeat until you have used 24 ladyfingers and all of the cheese/cream blend.

Place in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours.  When ready to serve top with 2 cups of fresh sliced strawberries and dust with powdered sugar. 

If you love strawberries (and you are not lactose intolerant) you will love this cool and refreshing dessert!  Go ahead and make it while the strawberries are best!

Brought to you by your friends at www.lakehousesupplies.com

Western Red Cedar is a Great Lake House Supply Option

Child size cedar swing

 Western Red Cedar bird houses, cedar bird feeders, outdoor cedar porch swings, and other outdoor cedar furniture offer advantages over other types of wood choices due cedar's inherent properties. Rain, moisture, sunshine, bacteria, fungus, and insects can all be destructive to wood products over time. Many woods are not good choices for outdoor use because they have no natural resistance to the elements.
Naturally occurring oil in cedar wood fibers is what imparts the weather resistant preservative qualities the cedar wood possesses. This oil gives cedar its distinctive aroma. The oil in cedar also imparts a natural resistance against insects, bacteria, and fungal growth which can all result in wood rot or decay. According to Technical Resources International of Bethesda Maryland Red Western Cedar oil contains both methy thujate (about 65%) and thujic acid (about 25%). Both of these chemicals are very instrumental in imparting much of the protective qualities of Western Red Cedar due to their anti fungal and water resistance properties. These chemicals are also responsible for the aromatic aroma of the wood which acts as an insect repellent to further protect it. Not only is cedar a great wood for outdoor use but it is also a beautiful wood which ages with a natural silver patina when exposed to sunlight.

Cedar Bird Feeders

Cedar Bird Houses

Using cedar wood to build bird houses and bird feeders will result in products that do not need to be painted or stained to be durable. This results in homes and feeders that remain free of synthetic chemicals like paint and stain therefore the wildlife is not exposed to anything unnatural. Bird watchers and experts agree that the more natural the wood is the more likely the birds will choose to go to it for nesting or feeding.  That is why using Western Red Cedar is such a good option. It ensures the bird house and feeder to be durable without the addition of paint or stain. Leaving the wood in its original state while the inherent oils keep the wood preserved naturally are more favorable for the birds. Plain unfinished wood boxes will attract western bluebirds, wrens, titmice, nuthatches, chickadees, woodpeckers, and tree swallows provided they are built right and placed in locations the birds find desirable. After much research I have learned that location, a cozy space, aged wood, and the right size entry hole are all important depending on the you want to attract, As far as feeders are concerned cedar is a great choice mainly because of its durability for long term outdoor use.

Cedar Adirondack Swing

For porch swings and outdoor furniture cedar is a choice of many builders due its lasting power when exposed to rain and sun, its straight grains, and the fact that it is resin and pitch free. There really is no substitute for the natural beauty of Western Red Cedar. It is superior to synthetic wood products in every way and much safer for the environment too. It actually removes greenhouse gasses from the air, is completely biodegradable, and a renewable resource.

You will find made to order Western Red Cedar bird houses, bird feeders, planter flower boxes, and porch swings at http://www.lakehousesupplies.com. Great prices and always free shipping.

4 foot cedar planter flower box

Snorkeling Cenotes

Sunlight on the Cenote

 A cenote is a natural sinkhole formed when porous limestone bedrock collapses and exposes groundwater underneath.  These cenotes become natural swimming fresh water pools that are so clear and pure a person can see the fish and plant life below.  Open-air cenotes are also often rich in plant life and algae that is rich with vitamins and minerals which lend nourishment and protection to human skin. Some cenotes are partially covered cave like structures where bats make their homes.  They are often covered with stalactites and root systems from the fig and ficus trees above ground and searching for a water source.  Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is home of many cenotes and while in Cancun my travel companion and I took a day to explore some cenotes.  Our guide explained how the Mayans settled their villages around these cenotes because they believed spirits who were portals to the gods lived there.  Visiting the cenotes we could easily understand why the Mayans were in awe.  When the sunlight would hit the cenote sending shafts of light though the pristine waters, the effect was truly magical.  The Mayans also believed the call of the "clock birds" would always lead them to fresh water.  Yucatana' own bird of paradise, the turquoise-browed motmot is often seen.

Motmot

 Just outside the cenotes in the trees of the jungle was spotted this handsome bird often called the "clock bird" due to its disc-shaped tail feathers that resemble a clock's pendulum.  The cenotes are home to so much beauty they are a must see if you ever get to that part of the world.      www.lakehousesupplies.com

Under water in an open cenote