Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

Here's a fun outdoor activity the whole family can enjoy. Celebrate with s'mores by the bonfire tonight.

🆊 Hammock

🆊 Bug Spray

🆊 Lawn Chair

🆊 Flip Flops

🆊 A Swing

🆊 Road Sign

🆊 American Flag

🆊 Bug

🆊 Sunglasses

🆊 A Bike

🆊 Sunscreen

🆊 A Blade of Grass

🆊 Flowers

🆊 A Hose

🆊 Pinecone

🆊 A Birdhouse

🆊 A Furry Creature

🆊 A Grill

Happy Weekend!

Summer Simplicity

The season of summer is a gift to many of us.  We have spent endless months dreaming of the day we can open our windows and breathe in the outdoor air, step outside to feel the warmth of sunshine on our faces, and let our minds wander.  Our day to day lives year round are crowded with over scheduling and trying to just get through the day. Because time goes so quickly, it's important to grab quiet moments to savor when you can.  Whether it's spending time in your garden, finding an hour to begin that new book you've been waiting to read, taking a walk or enjoying a glass of wine, remember to take a deep breath and let your mind be free of schedules and concerns for a short while.  

Find some moments for yourself this weekend😎 

Reflecting on the Seasons - It's Suddenly Summer

Our second home is in a Midwest location that suddenly transitions from serene Winter and Spring to bustling with crowds everywhere Summer!  Two weeks ago we could get a table at any restaurant without a problem and sometimes were the only couple or family in the entire restaurant.  Memorial Day weekend brings visitors to the area by the droves, arriving by train, car and a handful of private aircraft.  Two weeks ago, I was one of a dozen customers at our local supermarket.  Today, the parking lot and check out aisles were jammed with people frantically looking for food and drink to feed the many family members and friends they were having up once they had opened their cabins and lake homes for the Summer season.  Many part time home owners here close up their homes for the Winter, only enjoying them in the Summer months.  We have a 4 season home and for 19 years this year enjoy each and every season.  Naturally the Summer months bring the joy of boating, grilling, the walktalkandgawk path around lakegenevawi, the many festivals.  Neighbors venture out of their homes from a long Winter's hibernation to rediscover the joys of living in the same community and catch up on what we have all been doing the past few months.   

Doesn't it seem we have just taken down our Christmas trees and decorations?  The lakes ice gradually melting, the pier companies barges suddenly appear placing piers around the 21 mile lake in their rightful homes.  My Lillies of the Valley show their beautiful and fragrant faces in our backyard woods every May, and then it's here.  Summer!  

I find myself shopping for foods to grill instead of slow cooker meals.  The outdoor furniture comes out of storage, cleaned off and placed in it's rightful places on the patio.  In the Midwest, our seasons seem shorter, and some years it seems Spring has gone missing and the days of gentle rains are fewer, being replaced with severe storms and weather warnings.  Often I am asked why I live in the Midwest and why not make the move where weather and temperatures are predictable.  As appealing as it sounds, I would find it hard to give up the anticipation of changing colors in the Fall, the coziness I feel when watching the snow fall with a cup of hot cocoa in my hand in the Winter, and waiting and watching for the pier company to put in the piers on the lake, knowing Summer is around the corner.  

Hello Summer! 

Do you have a favorite Season? 

Fire Up the Grill for your Hotdog & Hamburger Station

Hotdog & Hamburger Topping Station
Dessert Table

 Our menu (below)  is fun and typical summer fare.  My hubby has a June birthday, so hosting a family cook out is always an easy idea.  Even better if the weather cooperates with sunshine and a warm day.   My family likes the Barbecue printables I found online. I printed them as signs and put them in frames for our table...put a fun spin on it.  

Our menu included:

• Grilled Burgers with Provolone and American cheese
• Hot Dogs with a "Fix your Own Hot Dog Toppings Station"
• My "Famous" Bow tie Pasta Salad with Hard Salami, Cubed Mozzarella, black olives & Italian Dressing
• Fresh Fruit Salad (grapes, kiwi, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, raspberries) 
• Homemade Macaroni Salad with Mayonnaise, chopped pimento and diced green pepper
• Large relish tray with fresh broccoli, cauliflower, baby carrots, cut celery and dill ranch dip
• Potato Chips...Kettle and Barbecue (love!)
• Baked Beans with bacon (crock pot)
• Homemade cupcakes and Birthday Cake (yellow and chocolate)
• Large Dispenser of Homemade Sangria with raspberries and pineapple (delish)
• Large tub filled with iced bottled waters, ice tea, colas and various soft drinks..juice boxes for the little ones
• Toppings:  Chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, black and green pimento stuffed olives, pickle relish, sweet pickles, ketchup, various mustards

Quick tips for putting together a fast but fun BBQ:

1.  Never shop without a list.  Mentally think through all you need to make your event a success.
2.  I always make an effort to go with dishes I can prepare ahead of time. I made my pasta salad, fruit salad, vegetable and relish tray the day before, stuck them in the refrigerator until serving time.
3. I made baked beans in my slow cooker the morning of the barbecue, let them cook all day long and you can serve them up in the slow cooker or pour into a pretty bowl before serving.
4. Any baking you need to do can be done the day before too.  Basically, taking advantage of these steps allows you time before your family or friends arrive to chop and dice your toppings and fire up the grill.

Happy Grilling and thanks for stopping by .

                                                                  LakehouseLyn

Grill Tuesday: $3.00 Grilled Salad

(via)

Sometimes we just tire of grilled burgers and hot dogs, so tonight change it up a notch and make a simple and inepensive Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad. This recipe serves 4, Prep Time is 15 minutes, and Grill Time is 10 Minutes.

You will need:
4 ears fresh corn, shucked, 3 tablespoons extra virgin oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 2 teaspoons chili powder, salt, 2 cans (15 oz. each) black beans, rinsed and drained, 1 bunch fresh radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced, 3 scallions thinly sliced, 1/3 cup chopped cilantro, 1 avocado thinly sliced, 4 ounces queso fresco cheese crumbled

Preheat your grill to medium.  Add the corn and grill until charred in spots, about 10 minutes.  Let the corn cool completely.

In a large bowl, whisk together the extra virgin oil, lime juice, chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.  Using a large sharp knife, carefully cut the corn kernels fro the cobs and transfer to the bowl.

Add the beans, radishes, scallions and cilantro and toss well.  Divide the salad among 4 plates and top with queso cheese and avocado.  Serve with warm corn muffins or your favorite biscuits with a side of honey butter.

Thanks for stopping in and Bon Appetit!  

                                                                       LakehouseLyn