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!

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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

Speaking of Motor Heads......Kentucky Drag Boat Race Info

Want to catch some drag racing on Kentucky lake this summer?  The Kentucky Drag Boat Association will be holding races this year at the Kentucky Lake at Land Between the Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area on three different weekends.  These are counted races for KDBA High Points Champion Series sponsored by Lucas Oil.  Test and Tune sessions is scheduled Saturday mornings at 9 am and qualifying starts at 12 noon.  Races will run through Sunday afternoon.  Bring lawn chairs and blankets to Kentucky Lake!  For more information email the president of KDBA Barry Salsman at salsman@scrtc.com.

The race schedule for the KDBA is as follows for 2016:

Kentucky Lake - KDBA Saturday June 4th - Sunday June 5thWheatland, MO - National Div 3, KDBA Friday June 10th - Sunday June 12th
Kentucky Lake - National Div 3, KDBA Saturday July 2nd -  Sunday July 3rd

Friday July 1st the KDBA Show and Shine

Augusta, GA - National Div 3, KDBA Friday July 15th - Sunday July 17thKentucky Lake - KDBA Saturday August 6th - Sunday August 7thLivermore, KY - National Div 3, KDBA Saturday Aug 27th - Sunday August 28thWheatland, MO - National Div 3, KDBA Friday September 2nd - Sunday September 4thNew Athens, IL - National Div 3, KDBA Satuday September 17th - Sunday September 18th
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Tribute to the Dragonfly for my Travel Companion

Dragonflies need our conservation efforts!

What is your favorite insect?  How many people even have an insect they like? Of the millions of insects on this earth there are a few that may come to mind as likable such as .....butterflies (one of my personal favorites), ladybugs (not to be confused with those pesky Asian beetle things), and dragonflies (my travel companion's favorite insect).  For those of us who live on the lake or fresh water rivers.....dragonflies are our friends, they are not pests but are considered beneficial due to their diet of mosquitoes, flies, and other pests.  Fascinating features and fascinating flying ability makes the dragonfly an interesting and amazing insect.  Here are some dragonfly facts that may surprise you.  Dragonflies can beat each of their four wings at different speeds and hold them at different angles which allows then to hover in place like a helicopter or fly in virtually any direction they choose.  They are powerful agile fliers able to change directions suddenly and a dragonfly is also able to migrate across oceans.  Adult dragonflies can consume hundreds of mosquitoes and other pests each day.  They do not bite or sting humans unless they are still in their nymph form.  A nymph is capable of harmless but painful bites for humans.  The dragonfly nymph is aquatic and will live as a nymph for months to years before becoming a dragonfly.  The lifespan of an adult dragonfly lasts only a couple of weeks to two months.  Sadly dragonfly habitats are being threatened and destroyed all over the world and conservation efforts have been in place since 1997 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.  Dragonflies spend their lives in and near fresh water such as lakes, ponds, and wetlands.  The dragonfly larva (nymphs) live in shallow water and like the adults are predators.  The shorelines with plant life provide cover and the proper habitat for the nymphs to thrive and survive.

Lake Barkley

 Lakefront property owners who preserve and protect the plant communities on the shoreline allow the young larval dragonflies to feed more successfully because the waters are calmer and clearer.  These plants also provide a perfect habitat for the adult dragonflies to rest, hide, feed, and mate.  Dragonflies are at their most vulnerable during transformation from the aquatic larva stage to the adult stage.  The larva crawls up a plant stem and slowly emerges from its exoskeleton.  It can then take up to an hour for the wings to dry out, unfold, and be prepared for flight.  Birds, ants, and spiders are all looking to have the dragonflies for dinner and the plant communities on the lake shore can provide valuable cover during this time.  So preserve the natural plants on the shoreline to help save these valuable and beautiful insects.  They will add beauty and subtract pests from your environment!

Douglas Dragonfly last produced in 1957

  One more bit of dragonfly trivia for those of you who may have a love for riding motorcycles (people who know me know I do!)  I couldn't resist sharing this when I found it.  I have never seen one of these other than in a photo.  The Dragonfly was a last ditch effort to save the Douglas Company in Bristol. Production delays, engine noise, and unpredictable acceleration all contributed to the demise of the Dragonfly.  Douglas became focused on importing Vespa scooters and as a result only about 1500 Dragonfly motorcycles were ever made.  Production ended in 1957 with the last of the bikes being sold at discount by a dealer in London.

A note to my favorite travel compantion: This Tribute to the Dragonfly turned into Dragonflies- two kinds both close to your heart!  Looking forward to our next adventure.   

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Swimming with Miracles

1 in 1000 Miracle of Nature!

Green sea turtles are true miracles of nature.  From 1000 eggs only 1 turtle on the average survives to become an adult.  Having the privledge to swim with them accompanied by my favorite travel companion was the highlight of my trip to Cancun this last week.  The green sea turtle is on the endangered list of animals.  They feed on sea grass on the ocean floor and are mostly vegetarian as adults (while growing they will eat sea snails and some jellies).  They can live to be past 60 years old and weigh over 350 pounds which is a far cry from their aveage weight of about 1 ounce as a hatchling. These beautiful animals were named green sea turtles because of the color of their fat but in Akamul (where you can swim with them) the Mexican people call them "Totrua Blanca" which in English means white turtles because the skin on their neck and under their fins is very white.  I was so blessed to spend time in the water with them in such a beautiful place.  Akumal means "place of the turtles" and is so named because they return year after year to lay those precious eggs of which so few survive.  Not only did we see these magnificent turtles but also sting rays and thousands of fish.  This adventure was one of the most memorable water experiences ever.  If you ever get to Akamul make sure you go in and see the miracles!

Sting Ray

 I hope you enjoy the photos.  I will have more posts about Cancun after I manage to get unpacked and settled back in at home.

Akamul- "place of the turtles"

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Canola or Mustard?

Canola or Mustard?

Spring time on Lake Barkley is absolutely beautiful at the lake house when all the blooms open up  This happens for a couple of weeks every year and it is a marvelous sight to behold.  I am still not really sure it the yellow is canola or wild mustard, it depends on who you ask.  What I do know is that fishing guide Dave Stewart calls it wild mustard.  When asked what color the bass will bite when the mustard is blooming.....everyone seems to have different responses from pink to watermelon to green but the truth of the matter is it depends on the fish on any given day.  The bottom line for me is .....they are absolutely beautiful to behold so if the fish bite while they are blooming that is a bonus!  Lots of advice has been posted on catching fish during the yellow flower period such as spinner baits worked through the plants, top water baits over them should they be submerged and charlie dip baits (Texas rigged)!  But the truth of the matter is that spring time fishing at Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley will results in fish being caught and with a variety of bait and lures.  So get a line and get a pole and make sure you get a license too.

Thanks for this photo Wren!

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City Dog - Lake Dog

Welcome to "Come Together"

In an earlier blog post dated April 11, 2016 I explained why our lake house is affectionately know as "Come Together".  It is all about family and friends spending quality time together in an environment that is conducive to enjoying nature and being grateful for the ability to do so.  When I speak of "family" I am not just referring to people but that term also includes our four legged canine house pets.  As you know by now Tobi (house pet) and I have a city house which is our primary residence and the lake house as our favorite second home.  Tobi is a "string dog" meaning she is one of those dogs who needs a leash due to selective hearing and a stubborn demeanor.  So when we are out walking in the city she is restrained for her safety and my peace of mind.  When the city dog becomes a lake dog the "string" is no longer necessary and the freedom of that is a wonderful thing. 
Being a lake dog for Tobi means freedom from the leash and she is no longer a city "string" dog.  She can run wild, hunt, forage and roll in those nasty things dogs like to roll in.  It gives the humans in the family great joy to see her exercise that freedom with wild abandon.  To experience freedom like that at the lake through the heart of Tobi is another one of life's little pleasures.  You can see in the Lake Dog photo just what I mean.  This one was taken after one of her running, foraging, rolling spells just minutes after arriving at Come Together one day last summer. 

City Dog

Lake Dog

We should all take a little advice from the actions of our house pets and learn to live life to the fullest when we can find freedom in any form.  So take a little advice from Tobi......when you get released from your "string"......run with the wind and find your freedom.  Life should be enjoyed and we should be grateful for the moments of freedom we are given.  So whatever your "string" is do not let it rule you when it comes off.  Life it too short and precious not to take the advice of a pure little heart. So find your desires and embrace them to the fullest and be grateful for the opportunity to do so. 

Waiting for my Human

Until we meet again may peace follow you home
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Lake House Supplies - Sharing Some Favorite Sunrise Photos

Today I have been considering how blessed I am every morning that I can put my feet on the floor and see the sun come up.  The miracles that people take for granted occur every day.  Today I chose to have gratitude for some as seemingly simple as sunrise and share with you some of my favorite original sunrise photos.  Hope you enjoy them........May peace follow you home.
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Reno

Ohio River

Downtown Paducah

Foot of Broadway Paducah 

Foot of Broadway Paducah