Hangout Music Fest - May 20 - 22, 2011

About 20 minutes down the road!

Dogs at the Beach

Most people are surprised to find out that Florida state laws do NOT permit pets on public beaches!
I know I was.

By threedrodi via flickr

Of course you and your dogs can go into the water at our beach.
And I didn't tell you this but I have seen dogs on Johnson's Beach near the public access (not in the National Seashore)  ;)

 Bayview Dog Beach

If you're looking for another place to romp with your dog, the Bayview Dog Park and Beach on Bayou Texar is great. This park allows the dogs water access to Bayou Texar and a sandy beach. It also has benches, tables, water fountains, and a dog and human shower/washing area. The dog park is fenced on land but open at the water. No fees, permits or residency requirements but a rabies vaccine tag is required on pet's collar. Follow the link for a map and more info.

 Always remember:

• Provide plenty of fresh water and shade for your dog.
• Cool ocean water is tempting to your dog. Do not allow him to drink too much seawater. The salt in the water will make him sick.
• Dogs can get sunburn, especially short-haired dogs and ones with pink skin and white hair. Limit your dog's exposure when the sun is unusually strong, and apply sunblock to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside.
• Check for daily water conditions – dogs are easy targets for jellyfish and sea lice.
• If your dog is out of shape, don't encourage him to run on the sand. Running on a beach is strenuous exercise, and a dog that is out of shape can easily pull a tendon or ligament.
• Swimming is a great form of exercise, but don't let your dog overdo it. He will be using new muscles and may tire quickly.
• Be careful of strong tides that are hazardous for even the best swimmers.
• Never leave your dog unattended! You should always be in a position to help him get out of the water.
• Salt and other minerals found in the ocean can damage your dog's coat. So, when you are ready to leave for the day, rinse him off with fresh water.

See you and your pooch at the beach!

Susan

Our Lemon Tree

I get phone calls and emails every year when the tree in the front yard starts to fruit.
Guests (depending on what time of the year they're here) want to know if the fruit are limes, lemons, oranges or sometimes grapefruits! They also want to know if they if they can pick them and eat them.

It's a lemon tree and yes you are welcome to pick and eat them and take a few home with you as well!
However, the lemons are not ready to eat until after the first few really cold nights, usually sometime in late October/ early November. When they're ready they have an orangey color to them and they are huge!

Please don't pick them until then as its just a waste.

Some things we like to do with them :)

Make Lemonade

the lemons are almost sweet and very juicy

you need to experiment with how much water and sugar to use for your taste

preserved lemons

 Make Moroccan Inspired Preserved Lemons

Make Lemon Meringue Pie

         Ingredients

• 1  (15-ounce) package refrigerated piecrusts

• Filling Ingredients

  • 1  cup  sugar
  • 1/4  cup  cornstarch
  • 1/8  teaspoon  salt
  • 4  large egg yolks
  • 2  cups  milk
  • 1/3  cup  fresh lemon juice
  • 3  tablespoons  butter or margarine
  • 1  teaspoon  grated lemon rind
  • 1/2  teaspoon  vanilla extract
  
  

  Meringue Ingredients
  
  
• 6  egg whites
• 1/2  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 6  tablespoons  sugar

Preparation

Unfold and stack piecrusts on a lightly floured surface. Roll into 1 (12-inch) circle. Fit piecrust into a 9-inch pieplate (about 1 inch deep); fold edges under, and crimp. Prick bottom and sides of piecrust with a fork. Freeze 10 minutes.
Line piecrust with parchment paper; fill with pie weights or dried beans.
Bake at 425° for 10 minutes. Remove weights and parchment paper; bake 12 to 15 more minutes or until crust is lightly browned. (Shield edges with aluminum foil if they brown too quickly.)
   
Pie Filling Preparation

Whisk together first 3 ingredients in a heavy, nonaluminum, medium saucepan. Whisk together egg yolks, milk, and lemon juice in a bowl; whisk into sugar mixture in pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and boil, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Remove pan from heat; stir in butter, lemon rind, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Prepare Lemon Meringue Pie Filling; pour into piecrust. Cover with plastic wrap, placing directly on filling. (Proceed immediately with next step to ensure that the meringue is spread over the pie filling while it is still warm.)
Beat egg whites and vanilla extract at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat 2 to 4 minutes or until stiff peaks form and sugar dissolves.
Remove plastic wrap from pie, and spread meringue evenly over warm Lemon Meringue Pie Filling, sealing edges.
Bake at 325° for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool pie completely on a wire rack. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

            from Southern Living, APRIL 2004

I'd love to know what your favorite lemon recipes are! 

Leave them in the comments section below

YUM!!  

Happy Friday!

 Koi Fish Kite by Al Corr via flickr

 arch by pcallahanphotography via flickr

 

sailing by pontfire via flickr

flying kites on the beach - how fun!

Horseback Riding at Oak Hollow Farm

 

Sometimes it's nice to do something other than go to the beach or to have a day off the water. 

Oak Hollow Farm over in Fairhope, Alabama is the perfect place. 

Go horseback riding through meadows, under live oaks and by ponds on their 300 acres.
You can even bring a picnic for later.

They need 4 hour notice to get the horses ready for you. 

Call the owner Glenda Bishop 251 928 4840 to schedule your ride 

or email glenda@oakhollowfarm.net.

$30 per person for a one hour guided trail ride.

Oak Hollow Farm
14210 Greeno Road, Fairhope, AL 36532

251 928 4840

Perdido Kid's Park

Alas, we don't have little kids anymore and so I hadn't had a chance to visit the new Perdido Kids Park yet, even though I've driven past the front gate often.

A huge fort themed jungle gym.

A guest we had at Good Haven House this summer took her son there and raved about it so I wanted to share it with you.

The climbing wall with a Blue Angels theme.

Built in 7 days by families from the neighborhood and over 200 Marines a day. All volunteered their time with professional direction from representatives of Leathers and Associates, who designed the park using input from area children.

The Marines and family volunteers.

It is full of play equipment such as two forts, a turtle slide, a lighthouse, a pirate ship, and Blue Angels planes that all have a great Pensacola connection. There's a climbing wall, nature trail, butterfly garden and covered pavilions with picnic tables also.

'Blue Angel plane' play equipment.

If you have little ones this will be a fun outing for you.

View Larger Map

It's about 6.5 miles from the house,
located on Gulf Beach Highway (CR292A) .8 miles west of Blue Angel Parkway (Hwy 173),
the entrance is on the north side of the street.

Lots more pictures of Perdido Kids Park

Oh, to be a kid again!

-Susan