#1 For the Logs at the Lake

'Knock Out' Roses may not have a scent - but they are the showgirls of the lake. Real troopers, blooming from spring to fall, through heat and even drought. Love 'em.

And don't they look great with the log and stone??? These are the famous roses that don't require pesticides and fungicides. They aren't the high-strung darlings that hybrid tea roses can be - they're tough. Like the purple verbena you see planted here with them - another of my faves.
Big gold star to the person who developed these.

It's a beautiful day on the lake today.
See you there,
Eloise

http://www.eloiseisyouragent.com/
http://www.lknrealtygroup.com/

It's not just the lake that is happy - the woods nearby are freshly washed, leaves have unfurled and are still that luminescent spring green.

Look at this vista. Great place for a firepit, too...and there's a deck and log house overlooking this pretty view. We have everything here at the lake - not just miles of water, but pristine acres of woods.
And hey - this panorama of hills and trees could be yours. Ask me how you can get this slice of nature for your own private vista, and I promise to share....Imagine kicking back and looking out at this panorama. (For those who don't know - drop me a line: Eloise@lknrealtygroup.com )

It is a great value and just minutes from boat access. Don't let the privacy fool you - it is also just moments from NC 16.

See you around the lake,
Eloise
www.eloiseisyouragent.com
www.lknrealtygroup.com

The lake is happy today - you can smell how freshly washed the air is, and the plants are extra green with delight.

We had a soaker of a rain last night - tremendous bolts of lightning, and thunder enough to shake the house.

This morning the kingfishers are flying happily out of their burrows in the ravine next to us. They dig deep earthen burrows in the sheer clay sides of gullies, and emerge from these to fish. They'll have young ones in there to feed pretty soon now.

Anyway, they're zooming low over the surface of the water to fish, makng their distinctive clicking call as they go. Their sound has been compared to a rusty hinge, and I see why, since it is penetrating - but it's really a nicer sound that that.
There's one surveying the water from the branch of a tall pine as I write this, so observant but so shy he'll take off as soon as I get in camera range.

See you on the lake as the sun comes out,
Eloise
www.eloiseisyouragent.com
www.lknrealtygroup.com

Hey bloggers, what you don't know about your scribe is that my log home is horticulture central. As a person with a Masters' degree in Landscape Design, I have redesigned many a client's yard, and my own is constantly a work in progress.

Plants are endlessly fascinating - I am always on the look out for new varieties or improvements on old ones. This is an old standby perennial that is tough as nails and blooms like this from April til sometime in fall. It wasn't bothered by last year's drought other than to hold back on a few blooms towards the end there.
Verbena. Butterflies love it. You can find it in a lot of garden places right now.

See you on the lake and amongst the flowers,
Eloise
www.eloiseisyouragent.com
www.lknrealtygroup.com

Greatest sign of hope

They came today.
A hummingbird suddenly appeared at the nectar feeder.
Later, the female in the photo (his mate?)came for a drink.

I was looking out the window and saw a small furry of wings by the nectar feeder. That sight never fails to delight me. I hold my breath as I watch the first few sips. Does he like it? Will he stay? Or have I left the syrup out in the sun too long waiting for him, and the little thing will go 'Eeeeeuuuuuw' and fly away never to be seen again? (Yes, bloggers, I got my hummingbirds drunk one year, leaving the stuff out too long in the sun. They may have liked it though - or forgiven me - because they stayed. But that's another tale.)

I mean, it is always an act of faith to put the feeders out in the first place. Who knows when they'll arrive, and you don't want the sugar solution to start turning into beer out there.

The hummer took some log sips, then sailed past the window. I realized I was holding my breath. The sun was on his ruby throat, making it sparkle like a Disney animation as he swooped by,closer and closer, but too fast, too fast..... I just got the red sparkly swoop and he was gone. Oh, for a slo-mo of that.

What amazes me is the sheer brave determination and persistence of these little creatures: their tiny bodies beat the air for thousands of miles every year to return here. They somehow fly through winds and rains, elude predators, and arrive here to see if we might have a little sugar syrup so they can keep going. They don't moan and complain, they just do it.

Such beauty in that. And hope.

See you on the lake,
Eloise
www.eloiseisyouragent.com

Morning, Bloggers and log-fanciers everywhere,

Take a look at this house - my newest listing is a sweetie pie of a place. It's a tight, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, energy-efficient log cabin on a state-of-the-art poured foundation and walk-out basement...built just a couple of years ago by the builder/owner. The highest electric bill he has ever had was $118.

Heat pump is new - one of those 98% efficient 2-zone ones - and the home's vaulted greatroom has an energy-efficient woodburning stove sunk in a stone fireplace. French doors to the deck in back look out at gently rolling hills and woods. To the left of the home is a lot that is being offered for sale with the house - and back when he bought it, it was tested and found to be buildable. The owner's idea is that someone like him would just like to have the extra land as a kind of privacy buffer. That's the side of the house where the deep porches are, so it has worked that way for him. There's a detached 2 1/2 car garage, too. The walkout basement is all plumbed and ready to be finished as a media or family room.

The home's location is moments from NC 16 in Denver NC - easy access to anywhere you need to go, and close to lake access points as well. The price is $289K.

I would love to make a showing appointment right from this blog!
Eloise@lknrealtygroup.com or onlakenorman@yahoo.com

Eloise

Bloggers, I am proud to announce my new domain:
www.eloiseisyouragent.com
Check it out!

I have included a system that allows you to search out any kind of property you are looking for in North Carolina. Of course I am giving top billing to my company's listings - which you can also see by going to our company websites:
www.LKNrealtygroup.com
and
www.onlakenorman.com

See you on the Web...and on the lake,
Eloise