Feeding the (Humming) Birds...

We have a hummingbird feeder hanging from a decorative hook just off the screened porch.
Right where we can see the amazing little creatures when they come in to drink. Love their little chirrup sound as they swoop in!

Don't buy a prepared mix - it usually has food coloring that the little guys can do without - plus making it yourself is cheaper and "greener."

The proportions are always 4:1 (water: sugar) I usually microwave 1 cup of water for about 35 seconds (enough to make the water hot enough to dissolve sugar, but not blasting hot).
Then mix in 1/4 cup sugar til dissolved. That's it!

You can rinse out the nectar bottle with plain water with a little cider vinegar mixed in (not soap).

Did you know that new research shows that a few hummers spend the winter in the Carolinas? So some people are leaving their feeders up. Read about it at Carolina Bird Club. They say we who live by the lake have a greater chance of seeing a few winter over.

See you on the lake,
Eloise

Real gully washers yesterday! But what a treat to see the plants drink up the water and the lake level look refreshed. And the cool air coming in from our covered porches is heavenly.

One of the best things about living on the lake - in any kind of home - is having a screened porch, where you can watch the rain, read, eat or sleep outside. It is the ultimate in luxury, and when I am advising clients I always advise them to look for a spacious screened porch. At least a covered one that can be screened later. We don't really have as many mosquitos as I remember back up north, but it is nice to serve food to your guests without any bugs at all, or the possibility of any.

One of the things that surprsies our northern visitors is that in order to be sure of this, the best screened porches are screened below the decking as well as the sides. Keeps any little buggers from crawling up and in.

Enjoy the cool air on the lake,
Eloise