Blackberries and tomatoes...oh my....

Ahhh, the bounty of summer. Not quite time for corn yet in NC, or Georgia peaches - but the (some say even more delicious) SC peaches are here, along with HUGE blackberries from Georgia. I just ate some that were the size of small hand grenades.

Then down a country lane near our log home are some small wild blackberries. I gathered a pint before breakfast.

Heirloom tomatoes have begun appearing at the Farmer's Market in Denver, where this AM I bought some fat purple & green ones, and some lovely, sweet yellow ones.
Immediately went home and made BLT's to die for.

Ahh, summer in the South - the local produce is both larger and earlier.

Deep Red Spring Blushes on Lake Norman

One of the most beautiful spring 'blooms' in North Carolina isn't a flower at all.

But it looks like it, doesn't it? These are the bright scarlet leaves at my dock, the new growth of native 'Redtips' (Photinia).

Many, if not most, redtips were killed off in the 50's by a nasty blight, and only in the past few years have hybridizers like Monrovia (big name plant breeders) come up with a blight-resistant variety.

You can still see very tall hedges of native redtips here and there, but I found these plants more than 3 years ago in Walmart of all places. Glad I grabbed them because I haven't seen them sold since. These are growing happily by my dock, and are my first bright harbingers of spring in the beautiful piedmont!

Eloise D. Morano, LKN Realty Group
704.582.1312 Call anytime...or email for your private showing of wonderful homes in all price ranges - there is a wealth of choice homes to be had in this buyers' market! Eloise@lknrealtygroup.com

Shadows are getting longer...and fall is in the air. Plus, of course, there are fewer hours of daylight. The hummingbirds are among the first to leave, along with big noisy V's of Canada geese. I confess to enjoying the last of summer over the last month, swimming and transplanting perennials, rather than writing in this blog ...

A lovely feature of lake lifestyle has to do with the glowing effect of lighted houses at dusk near the water. I think it brings to mind comfort and safety, even in these strange times. The nights are not as full of cicadas and peepers, bullfrogs and tree frogs - all of which make a symphony of sound during the summer. But there is a cold breeze off the water and there are lots of cracklings and rustlings out there in the dark woods - sometimes it's almost spooky when you sit in the dark on your screened porch.

People seem to be staying inside, not driving as much - the mood is somber as people wonder when the housing market will recover. As a realtor, I can tell you that we have some amazing lake homes available - and never again will we see these prices. So many people want to move here -that hasn't changed.

I love finding the best deals for people - so don't be afraid to make a little noise out there. Did you know that it is your right in NC to ask me to be your buyer's agent? And that it costs you nothing to do this? In fact, it means I will be your extra set of eyes and ears. It's statistically true that agents help buyers negotiate the best price possible 9 times out of 10. So don't go it alone. I can help.

See you on the lake,
Eloise
Eloise@LKNrealtygroup.com