The Boathouse and a Water View

There is something about water that seems to draw people near. 

The sun sets behind our mountain and lake, 

and just a few steps from The Farmhouse, Buddy has built a Boathouse.   

The sun goes down, and the twinkle lights come on. 

Last week, we had company from Dallas, a friend I had not seen in years....While passing through, he wanted to stop and say hi, but more than anything, just to walk around the lake. 

Over 60 years passed, and as a young boy, he had been fishing here with his dad.  

A walk around the lake helped to relive a few moments in time with his father.  

He remembered an old barn and was quite surprised 

with our Farmhouse and Boathouse.

The Porch on The Farmhouse is lit up for a reception. 

Just a few steps away from the reception is The Boathouse. 

A little liquid refreshment is served from the Boathouse. ..whether it is a "bar" 

or Hot Cider Bar,  Lemonade stand, or Hot Chocolate Bar, 

it is very inviting.

 Nearby is the bonfire pit for toasting s'mores 

Sitting around a bonfire by the lake, 

listening to the sounds of the night...what could be better?

   The handmade cedar boathouse is the authentic period correct building, housing 3 boats. 

 Honoring the past, yet perfect for today's entertaining, 

it captures the rustic spirit of the lake and surrounding woods. 

  

Our 1948 red Chevy truck holds wedding gifts on the tailgate.

Guests enjoy seeing the handmade canoes 

 now hanging up in the boathouse.  

The "Arkansas Traveler" wooden canoe has steamed wood ribs, 

in the antique and classic style of Old Town Canoes. 

The "Arkansas Traveler" on the right with Samuel and

 Buddy is in his "Strip Built Cedar" canoe, on the left.

Here Buddy works on the Arkansas Traveler  

Buddy and Samuel testing out the Arkansas Traveler on it's maiden voyage 

The Cedar Strip Built canoe

Our boats certainly get used !

Here the Dory boat is rowing bridesmaids to the altar. 

After a wedding ceremony, photos in the boats 

are romantic on the lake.

String lights around the Boathouse and in the trees...all lit up in the night

The Arkansas Traveler canoe hangs upside down over a French wine barrel.

The Boathouse is a perfect spot for an Instagram photo. 

Stand behind the truck door. 

The Boat House sign hangs overhead and 

is made from fallen wood on the property. 

My Daddy's 1954, Martin boat motor hangs in the boathouse...still in working order!

Come get a cup of hot cider from the Boathouse, and enjoy sitting around the bonfire.  

Thank you for visiting!

Knee Deep in Summer

I am not sure where the saying "Knee deep in summer" came from

 but here is a favorite Knee-Deep moment for me...seeing Buddy teaching 

Grandson,  Avery how to fish. 

By July, summer is beginning to sizzle. It is too hot for an outdoor wedding  

but there is plenty of work to be done 

and yet celebrate the season's simple splendors.  

The rains are less frequent, and the days are hotter so that means 

watering drifts of hydrangeas and ferns by hand.  

Summer roses are in full bloom

The chickens like to scatter in the morning after they are let out of their coop. 

Early morning is a good time to water before the day gets to hot.

 Ferns are thriving and I am melting. 

After a few days of good dry weather it is hay cutting time, 

and time to gather hay in the summer 

for the winter. 

Tricky aspect to hay cutting is trying to time the weather. 

It’s best to cut hay after a few dry days, 

and preferably with warm temperatures.  

The hay is in neat rows to make it easy to bale.

Today was a great "hay day".  

Five John Deere tractors cutting, rolling, bailing, and stacking 

20 acres of hay in three hours .

  

    

      

Hay is loaded on the trailer and headed to the barn. 

Blue and Delilah will be well fed this winter !

A summer favorite is this century old magnolia tree that 

still thrives and blooms all summer. 

My kitchen smells like summer with  a daily magnolia bloom or two, in the kitchen.

Blue and Delilah enjoy summer green grass for breakfast, 

then it is back to the barn for a midmorning nap. 

Blue still has a bit of work to do with a late afternoon summer photoshoot. 

You can't buy happiness but you can buy a fishing pole...

and that's pretty much the same thing.

Happy summer, ya'll !