tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91251941725857565042024-03-14T01:20:22.595-07:00Smith Lake ScoopA genuine take on Lewis Smith Lake
Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-8241728516768385352021-11-04T08:18:00.002-07:002021-11-04T08:18:38.428-07:00Arts-Giving in Crane Hill<p>Everyone is always saying we need more to do around the lake …. SO here is the who, what, when, where on the 2nd Annual ARTS-GIVING at Twin Ponds Farm in Crane Hill! Come prepared to fill your holiday shopping list! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYsQbn7-8Co/YYP4ttvbLxI/AAAAAAAABdA/RC7RcJMDkAI-oHvke2c-IVCIs_vujo4bgCLcBGAsYHQ/s828/82493D6E-9E5D-41C8-870B-C3452CE0524D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="828" height="311" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYsQbn7-8Co/YYP4ttvbLxI/AAAAAAAABdA/RC7RcJMDkAI-oHvke2c-IVCIs_vujo4bgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/82493D6E-9E5D-41C8-870B-C3452CE0524D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Who:</h4><p>Arts-Giving is hosted at Twin Ponds Farm in Crane Hill. Owner Tam Dahlgren has a heart for giving back and has organized this 2nd Annual Event to donate to 22 Too Many! </p><p><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>What</b>: </h4><p>Set on a picturesque Crane Hill farm with goats & wild flowers, you’ll find a market of hand selected local artist. </p><p><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">When:</h4><p>Saturday, November 14th - 10am - 4pm </p><p><b>Hike</b>: at 11:30 a one mile hike will begin around the farm in support of military members who have fallen to suicide after returning from a tour of duty. </p><p><b>Bingo</b>: at 1:30 pm 10 rounds of bingo will kick off! Prizes have been donated by each artist. Join in by purchasing all 10 rounds for $20 with all proceeds being donated to 22 Too Many! </p><p><b>Shopping</b>: from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAUOENHNKAY/YYP5ERq2skI/AAAAAAAABdI/LMwEz0Wuxac6ecdSitqQJzZbpE1FPiQsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s828/D10CECAF-BA4E-47BF-A1E7-31A6B71D9A67.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAUOENHNKAY/YYP5ERq2skI/AAAAAAAABdI/LMwEz0Wuxac6ecdSitqQJzZbpE1FPiQsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/D10CECAF-BA4E-47BF-A1E7-31A6B71D9A67.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Special thanks to the sponsors of this event! </h4><p>Brandi Shiflett of Joseph Carter Realty for supplying the cookies and cider for all to enjoy! </p><p>Melissa Curtis of Lake League Real Estate for are hosting a lunch for all of the artists! </p><p>Cindy Myrex of Lake Homes Realty for supplying the directional signs! </p><p>The Edwards of The Lake Company & Lake Homes Realty for providing shirts for all of the artists and volunteers for the day! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-70510025577011304452021-09-29T10:01:00.002-07:002021-09-29T10:03:29.368-07:00Lake Neighbor Cake<p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7dE7gIB6zg/YVOFFqM4kHI/AAAAAAAABck/2VTeELOcPZo0mQZjY7n8tuYotzAjqVWNACLcBGAsYHQ/s885/FB08FCD1-55D0-4AF0-90B4-D83FAA61ABA4.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="s1"><br />There’s something about lake neighbors that’s just different than regular neighbors … perhaps it’s the fact you both agree that the lake is your happy place. A common theme with my neighbors (old & new) seems to be sending lavish beverages over or down to me and sometimes coming over with their tractor to unstick things ~ always something going on. Over </span>Labor Day weekend, I was treated to Whiskey Sours, Cosmos & Margaritas brought over every afternoon just in time for high tea! Perhaps its my wild children who are in the lake from sunrise to sunset that makes my neighbors feel compelled to send beverages over to assist with the edge, whatever the case ~ I’ll take it! </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VD8jWeAiMS4/YVOEamS58zI/AAAAAAAABcY/AiEJ1EoD_Q0pwaFXHKVFY_W9yVSBpJysACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/387354B6-2180-444E-92B2-3FF7E387E8D0.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VD8jWeAiMS4/YVOEamS58zI/AAAAAAAABcY/AiEJ1EoD_Q0pwaFXHKVFY_W9yVSBpJysACLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h320/387354B6-2180-444E-92B2-3FF7E387E8D0.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><p></p><div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: 17px;">All that to say, the last thing I was expecting was a cake when I arrived home after Labor Day weekend. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">THIS CAKE</span><span style="font-size: 17px;">, a chocolate chip cake was absolutely </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">DIVINE.</span><span style="font-size: 17px;"> Let me also disclose that I am not a big cake person, nor am I a baker, </span></span><span style="font-size: 17px;">but I had to have another and was not willing to wait & “hope” she would make another one. </span></span></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7dE7gIB6zg/YVOFFqM4kHI/AAAAAAAABck/2VTeELOcPZo0mQZjY7n8tuYotzAjqVWNACLcBGAsYHQ/s885/FB08FCD1-55D0-4AF0-90B4-D83FAA61ABA4.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7dE7gIB6zg/YVOFFqM4kHI/AAAAAAAABck/2VTeELOcPZo0mQZjY7n8tuYotzAjqVWNACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/FB08FCD1-55D0-4AF0-90B4-D83FAA61ABA4.jpeg" width="299" /> </span></a><span style="font-family: times;">I asked for the recipe and shortly learned that my neighbor was a published Nashville cook with this recipe being printed in New York Times Best Selling author, <a href="https://www.annebyrn.com/">Anne Byrn's </a>cookbook, <i>The Cake Mix Doctor</i> AND on the cover nonetheless. If that wasn’t intimidating for my non-baking self I don't know how else to explain it. It took me three days to get up the courage to attempt...fast forward there is NONE left (again)! I literally screamed at my husband for eating the last piece. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;">This recipe and many more are being printed again in Anne Byrn's new cookbook, <i><a href="https://www.annebyrn.com/preorder">A New Take on Cake</a> </i>coming in November. You can read my neighbor, Stacy's take on what make this recipe her go-to <a href="http://americanhoneyandpapa.blogspot.com/2011/08/god-gave-angels-wings-humans-chocolate.html">here</a> ! It is absolutely one of the best cakes I've ever put in my mouth and most definitely the best one I've ever made!! Thank you for loving on my family and I with this cake ~ I cannot wait to taste many of your dishes and concoctions for years to come! AND thank you for letting me share this cake with Smith Lake!</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><h1 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Chocolate Chip Cake</span></span></span></h1><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i>~ from Nashville Cook, Stacy Ross</i></span></div><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">2 boxes of Duncan Hines Butter Recipe Golden Cake Mix</span></span></i></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">1 small box instant vanilla pudding</span></span></i></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">1 pkg. (6.5oz) chocolate chips* </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><i> </i></span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">1-4oz. pkg. Baker’s German's Sweet Chocolate</span></span></i></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">1 cup oil</span></span></i></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">1 cup milk</span></span></i></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">4 eggs </span></span></i></span></li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Baker’s Joy </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">cooking spray</span></i></span></span></li></ul></h3><div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: times;">1. In Cuisinart with steel knife inserted, drop (one at a time) 1” squares of German chocolate. Chop until fine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: times;">2. Combine in large mixing bowl milk, oil & eggs. Add 1 box of cake mix & 6 tablespoons from the second box, pudding mix, chocolate chips, & chopped German chocolate. Mix well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3. Grease pans with Baker’s Joy cooking spray. Bake 325</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">°</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> in tube pan or 2 loaf pans for an hour or until done.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>*tip: The “mini” chips work well if your choc. chips want to stick and prep your pan with Crisco and dust with flour. </i></span></span></span></div>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-45577748565713020312021-08-27T19:46:00.007-07:002021-09-02T11:56:08.062-07:00And the dock made it real…<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 17px; text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: left;">A little more than a year ago, my family and I started a new chapter on Smith Lake. That chapter started out stellar, but went downhill after a series of bad real estate experiences with quite possibly the worst seller to ever sell on Smith Lake. </i><i style="text-align: left;">To say our happy place was turned upside down would be an understatement ~ so much to point my husband did not even want to lay eyes on the lake that I love so much. </i></div><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"><b>Enter Free State Boat Docks </b></span></h3><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNDiktB20BM/YRaRZWi20zI/AAAAAAAABa4/a8KUPlLNw2kipxGZgITtHZqSw6sf9RDJwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/1E0F9058-6962-4098-9BF3-134251D89533.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNDiktB20BM/YRaRZWi20zI/AAAAAAAABa4/a8KUPlLNw2kipxGZgITtHZqSw6sf9RDJwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/1E0F9058-6962-4098-9BF3-134251D89533.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">Slowly our “Happy Place” started to come back to life and the discussion of getting a new dock was broached. Free State Boat Docks was the only name on my uber picky husbands list after his due research. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">To be candid, a new dock was not a priority to me as I didn’t want another headache and was just fine with the existing situation. I lost that battle and </span>got on board.</p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></blockquote><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">Justin Hogan made multiple trips to meet us, talk with me and even on a cold, rainy day he came out to simply assure us we were putting the dock in the best spot despite the challenges we were facing<i>.</i> We worked with Justin to custom design our dock, taking multiple things into consideration such as sunsets, waves, sun coverage, how we wanted to use the space … right down to the color of our home. When all was said & done he said we’d picked a color and layout that was a first ~ go figure. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">On the morning of our last visit to the FSBD facility, we ate at Chef Troy’s on the way. I love some Chef Troy’s and recall not eating much as I was mentally preparing to navigate issues with this new boat dock we on our way to see.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e56FF430cj8/YSmWI2miIxI/AAAAAAAABbo/cf47_Bz3OBYGyQav6NLQdI9CmmVn41YUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F8C3DAC3-EE81-430A-AF90-11E2D5718176.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e56FF430cj8/YSmWI2miIxI/AAAAAAAABbo/cf47_Bz3OBYGyQav6NLQdI9CmmVn41YUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/F8C3DAC3-EE81-430A-AF90-11E2D5718176.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">Lets just say that what we saw was better than right, our new dock was perfect! It was exactly as designed and better, including the last minute change details. It was just another appointment for Mr. Dan who was most likely wondering if I’d ever seen a dock before as I kept walking around in amazement. Something was finally right.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">As we started to leave, I looked up and saw a panic on Justin’s face, an expression I had not seen before through every visit & ALL the questions yours truly asked. I was certain we’d just seen the wrong dock and ours had not been built. I quickly realized that was not the case and started to laugh! </span>I conveyed the manors of his children as they had politely asked if my wild ones could go on a golf cart while he & my husband were talking. </p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">Time to Push</span></h2><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">When the FSBD guys came to set our dock, I met Paul Henderson, AKA: HAWG. Working with Hawg was another star for the process with FSBD and yet another reason they are the leading manufacturer of boat docks on Smith Lake. The day Hawg & his crew pushed our dock out was nothing short of an adult Christmas morning. Hawg is a member of the GET IT DONE Club and without a doubt has gone above & beyond to help us get situated! I would like to change his name to Saint Hawg, but he & his crew prefer the Hawg Father. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzx9-BrD_9E/YSgplop4BbI/AAAAAAAABbY/p0XyeaKGD0kMH8_GwQX6sqD6UUGH2c4HgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1023/6B48349C-3658-48EC-9929-90F77C7C8F41.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzx9-BrD_9E/YSgplop4BbI/AAAAAAAABbY/p0XyeaKGD0kMH8_GwQX6sqD6UUGH2c4HgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/6B48349C-3658-48EC-9929-90F77C7C8F41.jpeg" width="259" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1">There are businesses on the lake and then there are THE businesses on the lake that truly watch after our shores. FSBD is in the “THE” category as they aren’t just another lake business. Their involvement and contributions to Smith Lake extend far beyond the structured pieces of art many of us enjoy as docks. It was a pleasure to see three generations of the Hogan family enjoying the gathering at Trident after the <a href="https://lakeleague.com/">Lake League</a> <a href="https://facebook.com/events/s/poor-man-poker-run-2021/235540244979511/">Poor Man Poker Run </a>the first Saturday in August. The pride on Justin’s son, Evan’s face as he watched his father and Phillip Beasley of <a href="https://hydrohoistofalabama.com/">HydroHoist</a> hatch a plan to giveback even more than they already had to <a href="https://www.lakewide.org/donate/">Alabama Lakewide Charities</a> was one of the best! </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K_zjBnzkU_k/YRaN14d9JKI/AAAAAAAABZ4/7EtiwJXdXFYnBlfOwZSpgfzyzF2CoGJFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AA481AF5-1E16-4EBA-A119-97576017D290.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K_zjBnzkU_k/YRaN14d9JKI/AAAAAAAABZ4/7EtiwJXdXFYnBlfOwZSpgfzyzF2CoGJFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/AA481AF5-1E16-4EBA-A119-97576017D290.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span class="s1"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVa7nLZZw98/YRaOkvmUuaI/AAAAAAAABaY/YK_BKUC07sQWsk4s2JrmOY5jKZJuJBcJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/05345C97-E465-42BA-A368-F24DEC0436DF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVa7nLZZw98/YRaOkvmUuaI/AAAAAAAABaY/YK_BKUC07sQWsk4s2JrmOY5jKZJuJBcJgCLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h320/05345C97-E465-42BA-A368-F24DEC0436DF.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">The FSBD Difference</span></h2><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;">FSBD is the only manufacturer of boat docks using true truss construction on Smith Lake. Put simply, the roof truss runs the entire width of the dock making it a SOLID piece, not bolted together like most. This detail, combined with the fact FSBD’s are made of 11 - 12 gauge galvanized steel construction, makes them the toughest docks on the lake. </p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MIc3CRALsoQ/YSmVOwuCnVI/AAAAAAAABbk/id4aHcurWy0NiNknUXc_pSmK1KtMFlkngCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/A862B6C0-68DB-4471-A94A-0438F093291A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MIc3CRALsoQ/YSmVOwuCnVI/AAAAAAAABbk/id4aHcurWy0NiNknUXc_pSmK1KtMFlkngCPcBGAYYCw/s320/A862B6C0-68DB-4471-A94A-0438F093291A.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVI7dRX2kco/YSmWuGMbCiI/AAAAAAAABb0/_QCJ-oNeQxgt99DuFPzClZwl9_I-AoO_QCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/24EF4E92-0CE9-4FDD-8D0B-0216DA07B4AC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVI7dRX2kco/YSmWuGMbCiI/AAAAAAAABb0/_QCJ-oNeQxgt99DuFPzClZwl9_I-AoO_QCPcBGAYYCw/s320/24EF4E92-0CE9-4FDD-8D0B-0216DA07B4AC.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="s1">Justin Hogan, his father; Mr. Dan & the Hawg Father have, without a doubt contributed to 1 of my TOP 3 best experiences on Smith Lake! </span>Thank you for giving me my “Happy Place” back by taking such good care of us every single step of the way, not to mention the most beautiful boat dock I ever did see! </i></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jItVJ6NvfQ8/YSevdYSECvI/AAAAAAAABbQ/GW03Fbz18DIijRXd9uKSK5fV-Ij6rst_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s828/04A64CD2-757A-447D-99E5-0AB4FA2CCBDA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="828" height="131" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jItVJ6NvfQ8/YSevdYSECvI/AAAAAAAABbQ/GW03Fbz18DIijRXd9uKSK5fV-Ij6rst_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/04A64CD2-757A-447D-99E5-0AB4FA2CCBDA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-44514239220820773632021-06-02T09:24:00.002-07:002021-06-02T09:24:50.455-07:00Docktail: Hawaiian Mimosa<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qopdg_iWpaU/YJgUWdY6SJI/AAAAAAAABUk/9uwqEg9m6xszdd_ubC8DjDnuDqiMp7uhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1098/816E7037-3C12-438F-B342-F4E4CCEBA2B4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qopdg_iWpaU/YJgUWdY6SJI/AAAAAAAABUk/9uwqEg9m6xszdd_ubC8DjDnuDqiMp7uhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/816E7037-3C12-438F-B342-F4E4CCEBA2B4.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>At the lake a cocktail becomes a docktail and this one caught my attention from Smith Laker, Jordan Wilson! </p><p>Jordan, her husband and their two under two have taken minimal living to the next level at Duncan Bridge RV Resort! The couple have opted to invest in their future by living in their stylishly outfitted 5th Wheel with some of the best views of Smith Lake going! Jordan says stationary RV living has many perks and was sweet enough to share this delicious take on an old favorite!! You can <a href="https://instagram.com/_jordan.wil?utm_medium=copy_link">follow</a> their journey along with all the awesome hacks she shares! </p><p><br /></p><p>Ingredients:</p><p>• Champagne</p><p>• Malibu Rum </p><p>• Pineapple Juice</p><p>• Splash of Grenadine </p><p>And more champagne 🤪</p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks for representing with a classic Smith Lake Alabama Frost Flex! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LC_dRhqJDjw/YLevcxfnVoI/AAAAAAAABWM/FkkCDnXqVqYPX0i7p7XgTfv1NGpxTjiqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1104/BD0773D2-A442-43DB-8B37-8908F0E5A226.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LC_dRhqJDjw/YLevcxfnVoI/AAAAAAAABWM/FkkCDnXqVqYPX0i7p7XgTfv1NGpxTjiqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BD0773D2-A442-43DB-8B37-8908F0E5A226.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-49595608896395338382021-05-22T04:23:00.000-07:002021-05-22T04:23:07.082-07:00More than a Poker Run <p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haG6a5EjfC8/YKgYelGiFdI/AAAAAAAABVs/ni0i2Jg_Mg89Zlub50dwXC-fV99syIuigCLcBGAsYHQ/s814/A5CAFD77-9D3C-4D9B-8826-345D9CE9CEDA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="814" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haG6a5EjfC8/YKgYelGiFdI/AAAAAAAABVs/ni0i2Jg_Mg89Zlub50dwXC-fV99syIuigCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/A5CAFD77-9D3C-4D9B-8826-345D9CE9CEDA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span class="s1" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;">Just like our lake, the mission of <a href="https://fb.me/e/1bDqg5cQp">the Lake League Poor Man Poker Run </a>and the charity behind it runs deep! This event was born in </span>2018 and is a story of community straight from the pages of the popular Facebook Group, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/smithlake/?ref=share">Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama </a>created by realtor <a href="https://m.facebook.com/login/?next=http%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2Fl.php%3Fu%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.smithlakehomes.com%252F%26h%3DAT28yKa5_4EQlfLVEW6_ZqQQMwEOFqbEpddpDTEGGAJjfNqrIeinQSvLESySjPyYDf_V2apdBBzkrnu17iFUfh-EFBv1ZU90vtN_7EL5V0WzWbN8RCIVqGUWd0yr6PZC-rtu6phPDME2">Brian Czup.</a> Brian and event co-creator, David Dempsey of the Popsicle Princess had a desire to continue a tradition started many years prior with the Mike Beasley Poker Run which raised funds for the Smith Lake Task Force. </p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">After receiving the blessing of Smith Lake's Beasley family, the plans began to bring this beloved tradition back to the banks of Lewis Smith Lake. The inaugural Poor Man Poker Run was a success and as a result something even bigger started brewing!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GGxs2YWQV8A/YKiSATIz5YI/AAAAAAAABV4/KtfmSNKlV90LC7C5vh8kJgyJBEAZgVHMACLcBGAsYHQ/s1087/BF2D9423-D787-4C18-9567-B32B394142AF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GGxs2YWQV8A/YKiSATIz5YI/AAAAAAAABV4/KtfmSNKlV90LC7C5vh8kJgyJBEAZgVHMACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BF2D9423-D787-4C18-9567-B32B394142AF.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Together with Jason West, Brian and David founded <a href="https://m.facebook.com/lakewide/">Alabama Lake Wide Charities </a>as a 501c to further giveback to our great lake! </p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">The founders of ALWC, like most us, witnessed the tragic loss & efforts to find Kelsey Starling during the summer of 2019. We all gained a true visual of how hard it is to search for someone hundreds of feet above the water through a forest that still stands below. Like most things on Smith Lake, rescue forces are spread out & divided between counties. Our lake needs to be prepared with state of the art search and recovery equipment when the unthinkable occurs. </p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">As we kick-off Summer 2021 on this beautiful lake, use caution, think twice and most definitely make plans to be part of the Lake League Poor Man Poker Run on August 7th! Join us as we unite our lake from Cullman to Double Springs to raise funds for the purchase of underwater search and recovery equipment to be stored locally for lakewide use.</p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">Many thanks to <a href="https://lakeleague.com/">Lake League Real Estate</a> and <a href="https://lakeleague.com/meet-the-team/">Melissa Curtis</a> for stepping up as the 2021 presenting sponsor for this treasured Smith Lake tradition! Stay tuned for event weekend details as they are released PLUS ways everyone can get involved!</p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">Additional sponsorships are now open on may levels and all budgets. Please let us know if you or your business would like to take </p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;">part! </p>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-62357386576029897482021-04-30T08:26:00.001-07:002021-04-30T13:51:19.154-07:00Gone but never forgotten....<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzvNkyHR7k4/YIwbM0HXOwI/AAAAAAAABTY/clkEsr6FfEcahxAscv8y_Lu_OICxMZwJACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1539" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzvNkyHR7k4/YIwbM0HXOwI/AAAAAAAABTY/clkEsr6FfEcahxAscv8y_Lu_OICxMZwJACLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h320/IMG_8949.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><i>Lake life means something different to each of us. It's always interesting to hear what brings joy to someone while at the lake, along with the traditions each Smith Lake family has. In one of our first conversations about the lake, Beth Rigg told me about "The Snack Bar -- being a "westside-er", I'd never heard of such. Beth and her family are avid water sports enthusiast - all three of her children were on a surf board by the age of 2. She and her husband, Tim are both from Cullman and share in a genuine love of this place like so many of us do! After listening, I knew this Snack Bar place had to be checked out! Beth sent pictures while on the water and eventually lured our family over for the "Snack Bar" experience and I'm so glad she did! </i><i> </i></p><p><i><br />When I heard of Mr. Joe's passing in March, Beth and her crew were the first people I thought of. The faces that you see around the lake truly become part of the experience. Beth was kind enough to write this piece to honor Mr. Joe -- who will forever be a Smith Lake icon! </i></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none; font-size: x-large;">More than Snacks </span></h3><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><i>-Beth Rigg</i> </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eBhAfnCrI0/YIwdkTWAnBI/AAAAAAAABUM/mbk1r1KE4ZwmhnUWBFx5xCWCOiBOpImggCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eBhAfnCrI0/YIwdkTWAnBI/AAAAAAAABUM/mbk1r1KE4ZwmhnUWBFx5xCWCOiBOpImggCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8950.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">Joe Walker started the Snack Bar on Smith Lake because as he liked to say, “frankly, there</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">wasn’t any food on this side of the lake”</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. This was pre </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Brothers on Smith Lake </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">and </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Trident Grille </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">so it didn’t take long for the Snack Bar to catch on. Mr. Joe was a character. He proudly wore a T-shirt with a picture of his Snack Bar on the front and the words "Talk to the Man" on the back and topped it off with a white captain's hat. If you took the time to talk to Joe, you knew he was more than just the man dolling out snacks on the water.<i> </i></span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;"> </span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZIRvHb5xy8/YIwcMq_EhgI/AAAAAAAABUE/tKh_zGUoGnUGrRQXs4L02Z7DqAe-3S5lgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZIRvHb5xy8/YIwcMq_EhgI/AAAAAAAABUE/tKh_zGUoGnUGrRQXs4L02Z7DqAe-3S5lgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8952.JPG" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;">Joe offered more than hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream to Smith Lakers. If there were no other boaters waiting to order, he would often tell you a story or two. Over the years, my personal favorites involved the trips Joe took in his airplane. He talked about flying as we talked about taking a road trip. The man put some miles on his airplane. My husband, Tim favorites were Joe’s motorcycle stories, since he has that in common with Mr. Joe. Having three young children, I like to think Mr. Joe’s stories gave my husband something to look forward to when our children are grown.</span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;">Our children have known and loved Mr. Joe for 6 years, since our oldest was 3 and our girls were 1. They enjoyed seeing Mr.Joe’s tall flags waving in the cool summer breeze. As we would round the point on the south side of Goat Island they instantly start waving back yelling, "Hi, Mr.Joe!! Mr. Joe loved our children and always asked how they were doing and what they were interested and involved in at the time. My children always asked for his birthday cake ice cream when Joe would take our order. Of course, they were only allowed to eat it on the back of the boat because it seemed to melt faster than they could get it in their mouths!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;">Seeing our children reminded Joe of his son and granddaughter. He always shared stories of how they would fly together. Tragically, Mr. Joe’s son and granddaughter were killed in an airplane accident last year. He never spoke openly about the accident to us, but. we offered our condolences and could tell it hurt him deeply yet he kept on doing what he loved; flying, riding, snack boating, spending time with his family and friends. He never stopped living life to the fullest.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wy06UmZtUoA/YIwb-5sV9nI/AAAAAAAABUA/aH8gqhu2nWkPMae1a1OVxDmX_xEv3KTqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wy06UmZtUoA/YIwb-5sV9nI/AAAAAAAABUA/aH8gqhu2nWkPMae1a1OVxDmX_xEv3KTqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8951.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;">Joe offered more than his snack bar and service to Smith Lake. He offered hope and inspiration through his short and sometimes long stories. While waving goodbye with a smile and full belly you knew everyone in the boat had an equally full heart. Knowing Joe meant knowing it was possible to accomplish whatever you desired with a little work and commitment.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Snack Bar offered Milo’s sweet tea rather than lemonade, I like to think it was Mr. Joe’s way of saying it is up to you to make your own lemonade.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: georgia;"> As we enter into full on lake season, Smith Lake won't be the same without him, but we know he will never be forgotten as he is now cemented into the history of Smith Lake as the icon he was! His beloved girlfriend, Sandra shared that she thanks God everyday he brought this man into her life! His treasured boat can now be found on Lake London at Duncan Marina, hopefully delivering some of the same smiles Mr. Joe brought to the waters we love here on Lewis Smith Lake. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjvja0Zq8mg/YIwbNTJud-I/AAAAAAAABTk/YHGZS2LI4n0NTrnfkJ6N3ywtcUrdGZN0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1536/IMG_8953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjvja0Zq8mg/YIwbNTJud-I/AAAAAAAABTk/YHGZS2LI4n0NTrnfkJ6N3ywtcUrdGZN0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8953.JPG" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">Mr. Joe Walker </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none; font-size: large;">October 25, 1947- March 6, 2021</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-90344661917209761042021-03-20T07:11:00.002-07:002021-03-20T14:43:32.139-07:00Smith Lake People: The Darby's of SLFM<p>Someone asked me recently how I decipher what or who to write about on this blog. My answer was pretty simple ... its people, places and things that are authentic and more importantly genuine Smith Lake. I write this blog out of love for our lake and the people and places that make it what it...this place & these ladies are one of them! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzMGtVbTC04/YFX5RPDgI1I/AAAAAAAABRc/kOBgJo1nyokGsLktOCzabSHf5TTKPL7HwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F2D5A7C9-366D-43A5-BE38-8CE098C3E49F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzMGtVbTC04/YFX5RPDgI1I/AAAAAAAABRc/kOBgJo1nyokGsLktOCzabSHf5TTKPL7HwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/F2D5A7C9-366D-43A5-BE38-8CE098C3E49F.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Smith Lake Flea Market & Vintage Mall opened in March of 2019. I'd driven by the location hundreds of times and had shopped multiple grocery stores in the space for a hot minute. They all managed to close before I could learn the isles. Nonetheless, I shopped local.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>March of 2019 is a blur to me as I lost my long distance best friend, former collage and matron of honor when she fell ill while living half way around the world in New Zealand working for IBM. To say I was in fog when I made my first trip through the isles of SLFM might be an understatement. As I was leaving I met Brye, one of the owners, she told me how SLFM was opened by she & her Mom; Susan Darby after the sudden sickness and passing of her father, Richard Darby. Something struck me ~ I'd always thought it would be fun to have a booth and in that second I decided this was the perfect place to do it! I moved in two weeks later. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQWx-pCK-Hs/YFX_cCwZpzI/AAAAAAAABSI/hJTqfa-t6nw35MyrZd-_qub6PjpdYgv9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s828/85397054-D787-4458-B316-93644837F444.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="828" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQWx-pCK-Hs/YFX_cCwZpzI/AAAAAAAABSI/hJTqfa-t6nw35MyrZd-_qub6PjpdYgv9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/85397054-D787-4458-B316-93644837F444.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><i>Rewind</i></h2><p>The late Richard Darby was a picker and liked to tinker so it was only natural that he found himself heading through the doors at Williams Hardware. He and his wife, Susan, moved from Jasper to Arley to retire on the lake years earlier. Richard & Susan had two children; Brye & Drake who were both grown and living elsewhere when they made the move. Both children came to Arley when their father fell ill, suddenly. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPwlsVEleXU/YFX9hFEV_SI/AAAAAAAABRk/33lpNssN6YsliNc4LLY-FO6TFbr7CpwpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/9ED56625-56D8-46F2-A4ED-F54091FB5FCB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPwlsVEleXU/YFX9hFEV_SI/AAAAAAAABRk/33lpNssN6YsliNc4LLY-FO6TFbr7CpwpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/9ED56625-56D8-46F2-A4ED-F54091FB5FCB.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Richard's passing was hard on the family, but like many beloved fathers/husbands gone to soon, they show and guide from above. After the funeral the family begin to work through just what they'd lost...and find a way without the husband and father they all loved so. The call him their "angel investor". As things began to play out, their angel above was guiding them back to one of the places he loved shop, Williams Hardware. <p></p><p>Billy Williams and his wife, Shirley own Williams Hardware in Arley along with a few other things around the lake ~ one being the row of stores you see on the hill in Arley where Dollar General is. If you've never heard his name, I feel certain you've heard the names of the neighborhoods he has developed around the lake, Sipsey Pines being my personal favorite. Billy is a true local whom regardless of how much property he owns on this lake or has developed; he has never strayed from his roots. He is a good man and has clearly proved his 11th grade English teacher wrong in so many ways!</p><p>Brye and Susan approached Billy, as timing would have, just as someone put a bug in his ear about making his abandoned store on the hill a flea market of sorts. Ironically that was the exact thing Susan & Brye had in mind. Billy said he knew it had to be different to succeed and different it was about to become. The idea of Smith Lake Flea Market & Vintage Mall was born. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmxlJKMm5PI/YFX4Bnlm1_I/AAAAAAAABRE/2BeuLqw1MpEW6avIjh3jsPLVLVZZ1u-IQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1083/2C69DD34-916B-47E8-8766-0DCBCD25937B.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmxlJKMm5PI/YFX4Bnlm1_I/AAAAAAAABRE/2BeuLqw1MpEW6avIjh3jsPLVLVZZ1u-IQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2C69DD34-916B-47E8-8766-0DCBCD25937B.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>In January of 2019 the walls and shelves of the forgotten grocery store soon came to life with 10 vendors, a good landlord and a Mother & daughter combo -- all willing to take a chance! </p><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><i>Today</i></h2><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjbEqX0SGHc/YFX46Nu_6GI/AAAAAAAABRU/tg2ubxOASekzMD1hJAKyyi_u7y-GFenDACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/0168C4AF-FA04-43CE-8F90-8266295A6A93.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjbEqX0SGHc/YFX46Nu_6GI/AAAAAAAABRU/tg2ubxOASekzMD1hJAKyyi_u7y-GFenDACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/0168C4AF-FA04-43CE-8F90-8266295A6A93.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Two years in, SLFM is home to 70+ vendors and on the verge of expansion through the back of the old grocery store. Owning and operating a business that survives on seasonal traffic is HARD around here and MANY have often failed and not just in this location. <p></p><p>The SLFM ladies have done it and through a global pandemic at that! I will never forget walking in -- all of us masked and gloved up at the start of the pandemic and shaking my head with them about "<i>what was going to happen to this place</i>". Susan and Brye are both hard workers, but give most credit to a landlord who has given them time to grow! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVMSieKRcKs/YFX0wcDNPBI/AAAAAAAABQk/cJo9mONUivY8Q3-KPWa-86ti3ga0azudgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1440/EDF08889-AA27-4746-888E-8CAB40B35808.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVMSieKRcKs/YFX0wcDNPBI/AAAAAAAABQk/cJo9mONUivY8Q3-KPWa-86ti3ga0azudgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/EDF08889-AA27-4746-888E-8CAB40B35808.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Last month my booth flooded and Mr. Billy came in to check on it. While we were talking about the leak, my children's love of swimming on the rocks near his house ~ we arrived at just how much Smith Lake needed a place like this. Mr. Billy took a deep breathe ... paused and looked around. He went on to say how good it was to see this building so full of life! The support of the community -- both local and lake people is key in a place such as this. Running family business has its own challenges and joys, but both Mom & daughter agree their favorites are what bring them joy! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><i>Susan's Favorite</i></h3><p>Susan's favorite thing about owning and operating SLFM is getting to know their shoppers! She's been on the lake for 20 years, but was too busy working to get involved with the community. She loves listening to stories of the treasures people find and is humbled by the regulars that bring their out of town friends and family to visit. It brings her joy to see what people find! Susan said she is also proud of the quality of vendors who call SLFM home. It would make Richard happy to see and he does -- as his picture sits on the back shelf watching it all take place. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7fP7qkTDX0/YFX1yBZTZvI/AAAAAAAABQ0/lgyWur377GM-Iac6TmyRDLkD7ab8zmjCACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/FECDA42F-D657-4178-A1B1-DE216781E9AF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7fP7qkTDX0/YFX1yBZTZvI/AAAAAAAABQ0/lgyWur377GM-Iac6TmyRDLkD7ab8zmjCACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/FECDA42F-D657-4178-A1B1-DE216781E9AF.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><i>Brye's Favorite </i></h3><p>After she graduated from Walker County High School and went to Sewanee; Brye found herself married living in Mobile, Alabama. Running a flea market in a seasonal community where her parents lived was the farthest thing from her mind. She said its funny how life brings you to places, but it has been for a reason. Now as a single mom Brye takes pride in teaching her son, Edge, all about running a small business. He is privy to the trials and joys of such. Edge is involved and especially loves helping his Uncle Drake be handy around the place! </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Future:</h2><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vw_NK0qcFZc/YFX1IhJ_PWI/AAAAAAAABQs/uNP2QzaiF18hJXOLe-kR1qi66O60gdLggCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D18EFA80-B53D-43F6-AFC2-300FA5EDB70C.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vw_NK0qcFZc/YFX1IhJ_PWI/AAAAAAAABQs/uNP2QzaiF18hJXOLe-kR1qi66O60gdLggCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/D18EFA80-B53D-43F6-AFC2-300FA5EDB70C.jpeg" /></a></div>The old deli came to life earlier this month as "The Smith Lake Shirt Shack" due to the number of shoppers shopping for a Smith Lake shirt! There are great Smith Lake shirts around every corner on the lake, but having multiple styles from a variety of vendors is a unique concept and brings people in to shop ALL the booths. The new look also has a bar perfect for hosting the pop-ups for the summer! {{got an idea for one ~ let us know}}<p></p><p>SLFM will continue the "first Saturday" of the month parking lot sale where vendors can bring new items for display outdoors for free and anyone without a booth can setup for $10. The holiday weekend sales & specialty pop-ups through the summer are ON! Brye is in high hunt for someone to play music for the 4th of July weekend sale! </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">My Take on SLFM:</h2><p>If you are reading this or follow my social media outlets you know I love Smith Lake without apologies. It could be said I am partial to Arley -- so partial that even Mr. Billy got a chuckle of my partialness. Arley is known as the heart of Smith Lake for its physical location and is in the best spot for a place like this! </p><p>My background is computer software thus I am what many would call a "newbie" in the vendor & blog space, but if I could tell you one thing -- don't let the word "flea" in their name keep you away. This place has something for everyone -- particularly if you love Smith Lake! It has been a joy seeing it grow. I wholeheartedly believe its just the beginning of something great for the Smith Lake community! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_NHQdw-GtmU/YFX-TckNeYI/AAAAAAAABRs/UehpAPIDesIZtE4DY9Ypodj5UI46IOsnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2BCA6954-8CE7-4B0B-B95A-2E70BD4FF5E6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_NHQdw-GtmU/YFX-TckNeYI/AAAAAAAABRs/UehpAPIDesIZtE4DY9Ypodj5UI46IOsnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2BCA6954-8CE7-4B0B-B95A-2E70BD4FF5E6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMejGuvWUjw/YFX-Ts7txTI/AAAAAAAABR0/Swh870CF8pw6ir0ykPiJTJhzQfF8BOXTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/86A3FDCC-9C7B-45BA-A5C3-E703ED26B81C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eMejGuvWUjw/YFX-Ts7txTI/AAAAAAAABR0/Swh870CF8pw6ir0ykPiJTJhzQfF8BOXTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/86A3FDCC-9C7B-45BA-A5C3-E703ED26B81C.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3yjkV7elOI/YFX-Tn8ZDtI/AAAAAAAABRw/WrmupHgUzu0DGryeJpYDg50yXoX6PDPlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/38457A20-C413-4AA0-9969-FA597CD972BF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3yjkV7elOI/YFX-Tn8ZDtI/AAAAAAAABRw/WrmupHgUzu0DGryeJpYDg50yXoX6PDPlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/38457A20-C413-4AA0-9969-FA597CD972BF.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9fmhZw3DjA/YFX-UlU6TRI/AAAAAAAABR4/PU0Do2gnwzMj47MpMGY6MF7Pq4BQxOu5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/FF89692F-B765-4B0F-ADEB-8A0B7E253099.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9fmhZw3DjA/YFX-UlU6TRI/AAAAAAAABR4/PU0Do2gnwzMj47MpMGY6MF7Pq4BQxOu5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/FF89692F-B765-4B0F-ADEB-8A0B7E253099.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I hope you will add SLFM to your Summer Bucket List and make plans for a trip to Arley to visit! Make it a morning shopping trip followed by a lunch in Arley -- a burger at the Coffee Shop (<i>my Daddy comes up from LA just for these burgers and eats three at a time in my vehicle</i>) or grab a BBQ sandwich from Son's, pizza from Big Shorties if they are in the parking lot or Cujos if you head through Curry. </p>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-91946634406118390252021-02-18T16:43:00.000-08:002021-02-18T16:43:27.203-08:00 Driftwood ~ SL Decor Part 1<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><i> Smith Lake decor straight from the water....</i></b></h2><p>I've chastised my husband for years and possibly even called him a hoarder for collecting driftwood around the lake. Much to my dismay he displays his large pieces in an urn that belonged to my late Grandmother by the door as you enter our home. Last summer I had to eat the words written above when I suddenly became attached to an extra-large piece that looked like an alligator. I obsessed and became determined to make it a centerpiece and bring it back to life. It was quite possibly the nastiest piece of wood I could've ever selected to start a project with. It was covered in mud and muck to the point I showered it in the outdoor shower multiple (7) times after cleaning it in the lake of course. Next I cleaned it with an old tooth brush and lets just say I've still got some work to do (<i>I promise to share a photo after I've used the techniques below</i>). </p><p>Smith Laker, Alexandra DuPont, took my new appreciation of driftwood to the next level when she shared a photo of a project she completed in her home on the popular Facebook group Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama. After chatting with her over her process, I foresee a similar wall in my future and now have a new process to try in my efforts to bleach the piece I referenced above. She was kind enough to share some of her tips below. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dx2tBoMvbJc/YC3AOSM_kbI/AAAAAAAABPU/x4ui_ijO1TkpcCTyPB8cNjDSyCzitgJSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s828/IMG_5140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="828" height="297" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dx2tBoMvbJc/YC3AOSM_kbI/AAAAAAAABPU/x4ui_ijO1TkpcCTyPB8cNjDSyCzitgJSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h297/IMG_5140.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Alexandra says, "<b><i>it takes a while to collect the right pieces</i></b>" and she even has a storage collection for pieces for future projects. She has made a few for clients and friends and says her first step is to always determine whether the finished piece is natural color or a bleached look. Alexandra prefers natural, but many clients have selected the bleached look. After cleaning the piece, she bleaches using a 14:1 ratio for the soaking solution. Finally, she lets the sun do its thing for a couple of days!<p></p><p>At the start of the design process, Alexandra highly suggest you play around with the pieces on the floor. She shared the tips below to achieve a similar style for your wall. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Alexandra's Driftwood Art Tips</b></h3><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span>Design your pattern on the floor. </span></li><li><span>Be sure you have a center support in the back to physically attached to the wall. </span></li><li><span>The center support is key as it will touch your wall at two strategic points and definitely makes its easier when hanging the finished product. </span></li><li>Use a nail gun and finishing nail pieces together in a crisscross or z pattern. </li><li>Use glue to to add other pieces to the top to achieve a finished look.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bS5nSEgvSQg/YC3Ajkod46I/AAAAAAAABPc/s_awqjy6xlwQ71H-nx9LUcZ7qMQniM-kQCLcBGAsYHQ/s828/IMG_5141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="828" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bS5nSEgvSQg/YC3Ajkod46I/AAAAAAAABPc/s_awqjy6xlwQ71H-nx9LUcZ7qMQniM-kQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5141.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p><p><span>If you aren't a DYI-er ~ reach out to Alexandra to create one for your space! Alexandra is yet another example of Smith Lake People ~ thank you for sharing! </span>I am in awe of her finished art, plus I love the idea of a summer long project to find the pieces. Knowing it is one of kind only adds to the appeal! </p>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-89060835583949806042021-02-06T06:01:00.006-08:002021-02-06T15:34:20.554-08:00Smith Lake Agent Feature: John Robert Elliott<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wr1xFPuM5HM/YB39Imp3mfI/AAAAAAAABMA/l5wmST0Zu-A-zRgwQephlxzOHX7DuRHoACLcBGAsYHQ/s1170/IMG_4519.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wr1xFPuM5HM/YB39Imp3mfI/AAAAAAAABMA/l5wmST0Zu-A-zRgwQephlxzOHX7DuRHoACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><i>The next license on his list is that of a plane, which will further my children's belief that "Mr. John Robin" as they call him, is a Smith Lake super-hero. If you're my neighbor or I've ever met you in Son's or the SLFM -- you are fully aware I have "those" children. One day while chatting with John Robert {on the side the road in a golf cart} ~ my children were so wild {read: bad}. When he drove off unruffled by their craziness, my youngest looked at me & asked if he was "the" Robin from Batman. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Several years separate my time at Auburn and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JohnRobertSalesSLA/">John Robert'</a>s, but we share a favorite in Dr. Michael Kincaid, a fixture on the Plains (more below). I've followed John Robert for years and I am a big believer in pictures telling a story ...particularly when something stands out. During his college years, John Robert spent his summers interning with <a href="https://smithlakeala.blogspot.com/2018/06/smith-lake-people-justin-dyar.html" target="_blank">Justin Dyar AKA: Mr. Smith Lake </a>who brought Smith Lake to center stage. The story I saw unfolding was that of someone who was going to build a life and name for himself right here on the banks of Lewis Smith Lake. With his love of the lake, architecture and the perfect mix of "modern meets lake". I foresee his future home on the pages of <a href="https://gardenandgun.com/">Garden & Gun</a> much like <a href="https://gardenandgun.com/articles/inside-alabama-lake-getaway/">H2RealEstate Executive Carter Hughes</a>. </i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Get to know John Robert below! </b></div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br />How did you find Smith?</h3><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xxlPy-0FhE/YB3-9d7xJrI/AAAAAAAABNE/o0KpTftoN0Iq1B3Jp_-6VbQLkuf3d-O_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1266/IMG_4522.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="585" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xxlPy-0FhE/YB3-9d7xJrI/AAAAAAAABNE/o0KpTftoN0Iq1B3Jp_-6VbQLkuf3d-O_gCLcBGAsYHQ/w147-h320/IMG_4522.JPG" width="147" /></a></div>If the truth be told, Smith Lake found me. I am a third generation resident on Smith Lake and I have been on the lake since as long as I can remember. My grandparents purchased their first lake home in 1970. My parents were in college at the time, and made it a habit to spend as much time at the lake as possible. So it’s no surprise that I was raised coming to this little gem that I now call home. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Favorite spot on Smith?</h3><div>Taking the boat out at sunset and letting my hand touch the spray of the water is a favorite, but as for a spot... there are so many here! I would have to say my favorite is pyramid rock. It’s here where I feel so in touch with the lake and nature. I also love time with my family on the dock and have been known to take a paddle journey! </div><div><br /></div><h3>If you aren't on Smith ~ where do we find you?</h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvgnfAWI8RY/YB39hYDPj-I/AAAAAAAABMM/aose5HC-AQAxcFtf7plrh6dgYKr3RMhGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1170/IMG_4520.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvgnfAWI8RY/YB39hYDPj-I/AAAAAAAABMM/aose5HC-AQAxcFtf7plrh6dgYKr3RMhGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4520.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>If we aren't on the dock my girl friend, Chandler, and I love an adventure trip. She is nurse at Grandview Medical Center and like me, loves to explore all the places and spaces this world has to offer! </div><h3 style="text-align: left;">WHY Smith Lake vs. other lakes?</h3><div>The reason I love Smith Lake is because of its clean emerald green water & the beauty that surrounds it. You can ride this 22 thousand acre lake for days and not see the same thing. We are blessed to have some of the best people who reside on the shores of Smith Lake. The people are yet another reason to fall in love. The people of Smith Lake are from all walks of life whom have chosen to make this place home.</div><div> </div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Favorite meal & drink for a Smith Lake day?</h3><div>My favorite go-to lake meal is a steak sandwich with a ginger ale. I also love some cheese dip and a lunch at Bottega in Birmingham cannot be beat! </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Describe your real estate style?</h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkf0Uaq8oJw/YB395OOcFjI/AAAAAAAABMY/xqNBQEWkQ_4nBj1nNRE46dfIpUSgr74sACLcBGAsYHQ/s1266/IMG_4518.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="585" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dkf0Uaq8oJw/YB395OOcFjI/AAAAAAAABMY/xqNBQEWkQ_4nBj1nNRE46dfIpUSgr74sACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4518.JPG" /></a></div><br />My real estate style has been described as “ relentless and off market” and I must admit, I am a bit old school as I write down everything in a black notebook. I've been known to sell a home <i>or multiple </i>without putting them on the MLS. Whether its a fixer upper, a true lake cabin, cottage or a $2M home on the water, I simply cannot give up on my buyers until we've found their version of a SMITH LAKE home. Honestly, I love every aspect of real estate, but it very exhilarating to me to sell something that is not actively published on MLS for the world to see. Selling and buying a home is personal experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you work every day for some amount of time then you will be leaps and bounds ahead of your competitors. <i>“I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.” - Auburn University Creed</i></div><div> </div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Tell us about YOU ~ who you are?</h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w307HuJ_bFI/YB3-K2a0tMI/AAAAAAAABMg/4FETN5XY7eY_CPOuUbqsIxglxXaF_eOzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1237/IMG_4521.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w307HuJ_bFI/YB3-K2a0tMI/AAAAAAAABMg/4FETN5XY7eY_CPOuUbqsIxglxXaF_eOzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4521.JPG" /></a></div>I am a realtor at Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama. I graduated from Auburn University in Marketing with a concentration in Professional Sales and a concentration in Real Estate. At Auburn, I was accepted into a program called APS (advanced personal selling.) This program only accepts 18 students out of the entire business school. I was given the opportunity to master a set of skills put to test in front of over twenty fortune 500 companies. After graduating I accepted my dream job with Lake Homes Realty, on the Justin Dyar team. </div><div><br /></div><div>I now live on Smith Lake full-time and am in the process of building my forever home. There is nothing that motivates me more than people, great architecture and Smith Lake. When I can bring all three together, I feel that it the perfect sale! </div><div><br /></div><div>*****</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrobertelliottrealestate/">John Robert Elliott </a>is a full-time agent with Lake Homes Reality on the Justin Dyar team. In 2020 he produced over $30 million in sales. </div><div>E: johnrelliott1@gmail.com</div><div>P: 256.566.4327</div><div>Insta: @johnrobertelliott</div><div><br /></div></div></div>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-14600940414620586932021-01-28T17:58:00.056-08:002021-01-29T09:57:06.527-08:00Smith Lake Agent Feature: Haley May<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i>I must say the odds were stacked against us when we first met, starting with the fact she didn't like my name; which is actually a pretty funny story. PLUS I am a "Smith Lake west side Aub" while she is a "Smith Lake east side Bammer". However, within days of meeting our love of Smith Lake brought us together. I now call <a href="https://www.facebook.com/haleymaysmithlakerealtor/" target="_blank">Haley May</a> ... my "Cullman Connection" -- both town and lake. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>The two of us met a few years back through what we laughingly call "a bad dream" ... a bad dream we </i><i>were lucky to wake up from. In May of 2019, Haley shared Smith Lake on centerstage via HGTV's <a href="https://www.hgtv.com/shows/lakefront-bargain-hunt-renovation/episodes/spruce-up-on-alabamas-smith-lake" target="_blank">Lakefront Bargain Hunt</a> and I must say I couldn't been prouder! It is always fabulous to see Smith Lake on the "big screen", but to see someone you know chasing their dreams and reeling them in is next level! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h1 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">....Meet Haley!</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjZvrtnLN4k/YBNqV4v90YI/AAAAAAAABKc/hraiqBFIDM0o98PdsCJb8EfwxfnqXq6iwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1242/IMG_3987.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1242" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjZvrtnLN4k/YBNqV4v90YI/AAAAAAAABKc/hraiqBFIDM0o98PdsCJb8EfwxfnqXq6iwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3987.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b><b>How did you find Smith?</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_T3-oKjifHg/YBRJYd33jBI/AAAAAAAABLM/2Kgym11Mm-oy3lKHHyUEe-7ysuo8fgPDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s944/IMG_4011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="637" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_T3-oKjifHg/YBRJYd33jBI/AAAAAAAABLM/2Kgym11Mm-oy3lKHHyUEe-7ysuo8fgPDQCLcBGAsYHQ/w134-h200/IMG_4011.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>I was born here! I am just about as local as you can find. I grew up going to the lake with my parents. I never imagined then it would grow to be what it is today. I left the area for college and swore I would never come back. But you know what they say, there is no place like home...especially when THIS is your home. I moved back when I got engaged to my now husband, who was also born and raised here. I love my community and I am so proud to be from such an amazing place. I can’t imagine raising my children anywhere else. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /><b>Favorite spot on Smith?</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Sounds silly, but my parents dock. We have built the most amazing lake family here on Smith Lake. We normally go out on the boat early morning or late afternoon so it’s not too hot for the kids so we spend most of the day floating around the dock. It’s always so fun to watch up with everyone as our floats are tied together in the water. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Favorite spot other than there dock would be the little beaches by the dam. We love to pull up and let the kids play!</div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><b>WHY Smith Lake vs. other lakes?</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It’s all about family for me! My husband and I both are from this area so all of our family lives locally. We have also established our lake family-a group of friends who have become our family. Honestly, I rarely visit other lakes. When you have the BEST right in your backyard, it’s hard to veer away. </div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /><b>Favorite meal & drink for a Smith Lake day?</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKHxPWoCrTY/YBNqf0b2nEI/AAAAAAAABKg/ItBzy6cPpDE9KVT4IcKDLartKwtZIj-IgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3989.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKHxPWoCrTY/YBNqf0b2nEI/AAAAAAAABKg/ItBzy6cPpDE9KVT4IcKDLartKwtZIj-IgCLcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/IMG_3989.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Don’t knock it til’ you try it, but we love SMOKED BOLOGNA. We buy a chub of bologna from S&S, rub it down with your favorite bbq sauce and put it on the smoker. We then will slice it up and it is just the perfect little snack/meal on the dock. Another favorite is “Frank’s Guacamole”. The entire lake fam is excited when Frank comes over with a big bowl of guacamole and chips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For a day on the dock, you have to try Summer Brew. It’s a mixture of lemonade concentrate, beer and vodka that we mix in a large water cooler. It is very refreshing and perfect for a day chilling. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /><b>Describe your real estate style?</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNaLqSHL3-8/YBRJGcqbBSI/AAAAAAAABLE/MPj0RGkbu_I_PmCNiVGBSpMAnXY_cdj3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s827/IMG_4013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="827" height="148" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNaLqSHL3-8/YBRJGcqbBSI/AAAAAAAABLE/MPj0RGkbu_I_PmCNiVGBSpMAnXY_cdj3QCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h148/IMG_4013.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I’m a relationship builder. Although I’m a total marketing nerd and love cracking a good algorithm, my number one priority is MY PEOPLE. I want to really get to know each family so I can learn how I can best serve them. I love hearing all about their times on the lake and am always sharing about my husband and kids (and some even get to meet them). I will jokingly tell you I will be waiting on my dinner invitation….but I’m really not joking. It’s important to me to not only walk clients through the process, but also introducing them to the area. Throwing out suggestions for all my favorite local places is my jam. With a marketing background, I focus on targeting the perfect buyer for each of my properties. Altogether, I am committed to my people and constantly am looking for ways to serve them better. </div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /><b>Tell us about YOU ~ who you are?</b></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">My family is my life! I’ve mentioned it before, but NO ONE knows me without also knowing all about Justin, Camber, Cash and Conlee. Justin and I dated a whopping 1 month before he decided he couldn’t live without me and we got engaged. Exactly one year and one day after our dating anniversary we got married (2014). Right after our one year anniversary we found out we were having a baby...which surprise was two babies! I was working in web development and was doing marketing for some local real estate agents when one of the owners of the real estate company I currently work for influenced me to get my license. After I passed my state test I was working full time at a new company, had newborn twin babies and just kind of sat my real estate license in the back seat. Later that year my twins started getting sick a lot. I found myself taking off work a ton and eventually the company I worked for decided to delete my position. So here we were, a family who depended on two incomes was suddenly a one income family. I didn’t know what to do. After a lot of prayer and diving into some self help books I went to my husband and told him I wanted to do real estate full time. He was hesitant because real estate had never produced a paycheck for me, but he also knew I was determined to succeed. I worked my tail off with two babies in tow and an amazing husband in my corner. I will forever be thankful for those first clients who took a chance with me. It’s had it’s ups and downs and has brought me to my knees more than once, but with my family by my side we are still in the business going on 6 years later. In 2019 we welcomed baby number 3, Conlee James. She has been such a blessing and I have loved this new chapter of continuing to grow my business with her by my side. During the summer you will find us on the lake somewhere. When I finish my showings for the day, Justin will pick me up by boat. This year we dabbled in a little wake surfing. I am really bad, but it’s fun! Since both of our jobs are pretty demanding, we like to escape with our kids as much as we can. Justin and I both have rock crawlers so we enjoy taking the kids on rides as much as we can. I hope in 2021 we get to travel with them some more and explore some new parks. We love spontaneous, weekend trips so one of our 2020 goals was to get a RV. Just a month shy of the end of the year that goal became a reality. We have already had a blast traveling with our kids. Anywhere we can all be together (especially outside) is our happy place so we are really looking forward to this new experience. As for me individually, I really love cooking, planning/throwing the best birthday parties, reading, listening to podcasts, traveling and writing. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfOEpp9n6cA/YBRIu7DHc3I/AAAAAAAABK8/OMCiueqJ33Ml_0nnoRdJXWqKqI8I4CzhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s480/IMG_4014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="357" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfOEpp9n6cA/YBRIu7DHc3I/AAAAAAAABK8/OMCiueqJ33Ml_0nnoRdJXWqKqI8I4CzhwCLcBGAsYHQ/w148-h200/IMG_4014.jpg" width="148" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">*****</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/haleymaysmithlakerealtor/" target="_blank">Haley</a> has been an agent for almost 6 years years and will be rolling out a new website in 2021 that will offer some easier navigation for people looking on the lake. Her website is also getting a facelift in 2021 ~ she'll be sharing on her instagram { @haleymay_sellshouses } as it revealed while continuing her regular routine of documenting life as an agent with three small children!! Fun times!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://haleymay.arcrealtyco.com/" target="_blank">Haley May</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">P: <span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">(256) 590-1467</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">E: </span><span style="font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">hmay@arcrealtyco.com</span></span></div></div></div>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-3414227770395934722021-01-19T18:36:00.000-08:002021-01-19T18:36:18.206-08:00Smith Lake Agent Feature: Ed Wentz <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-taaMPl_AD0Y/YAeWpEK408I/AAAAAAAABJM/Uc5Mj4vinUIAjYKytZt1c3JzKInN9qpegCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1C320262-9178-4883-8A8B-D32480960063.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-taaMPl_AD0Y/YAeWpEK408I/AAAAAAAABJM/Uc5Mj4vinUIAjYKytZt1c3JzKInN9qpegCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/1C320262-9178-4883-8A8B-D32480960063.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now living on Smith Lake, Ed Wentz, is an experienced & successful businessman. Ed has a drive he has now merged with the area he once identified as his "playground". Ed is uniquely qualified to help Smith Lake Sellers and Buyers as he is contemporary. His career and life paths are paralleled to many that opt to call Smith Lake home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Name:</b> <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ed Wentz</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Life on Smith Lake Real Estate brokered by ERA Byars Realty </span></div><div><span style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>How did you find Smith?</b><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I’ve been playing on Smith Lake since 1987. A neighbor in Hoover brought us up for a day on their Donzi Sport Boat and I was hooked.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Favorite spot on Smith?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So many great places. For action, I live next to Duncan Bridge and that is hard to beat. For peace and tranquility, Crooked Creek near Point William is terrific as are several spots on Clear Creek.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">WHY Smith Lake vs. other lakes?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Smith Lake is one of the top 3 cleanest/clearest lakes in the U.S. It’s size and shoreline terrain allow for unlimited freshwater views & experiences. I happen to love Jasper, AL and Arley, AL. {{<i>ME TOO</i>}}</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Favorite meal & drink for a Smith Lake day?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">My Kamado Joe Smoker is going most weekends, so anything on the Smoker or Grill. Hard to beat an Icy Cold Grand Margarita on the dock. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Describe your real estate style?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I’m a people person with a deep caring sense of client satisfaction. That requires communication and in todays world -- so many agents hate talking with clients. I care about my client’s needs, every one of them. I W I L L answer your phone call. You’ll hear from me about your property listing and the activity around it. Most importantly, I provide honest and objective feedback whether its’ good or bad.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tell us about YOU ~ who you are?</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I’m a Husband and Best Friend to Gail Wentz, Dad to 5, Poppy to 10. I love Jesus and need His Grace daily. I was blessed with a long corporate career with a Berkshire-Hathaway unit, running several businesses over time. Much of my career focused on global marketing so I know how to market & sell properties. Real Estate was always on my mind and after retirement, I immediately became a Realtor. Smith Lake is my full-time and only focus, with waterfront properties you see here -- one can understand why. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ed is a licensed agent with ERA Byars Realty. </span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rookie of the Year – Walker Board of Realtors -2017</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">ERA Circle of Honor Award Winner - 2018 – 2019 – 2020</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">ERA Distinctive Homes Agent</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">MLS Committee Chair - Walker Area Association of Realtors</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">www.lifeonsmithlake.com</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">ed@lifeonsmithlake.com</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cell: 205-566-7214</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CexazMFeavU/YAeWxbI22WI/AAAAAAAABJU/oaPiEaNAWCQm9AO5D_8U63ZHOxj3RxudwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/CF5F1473-E3A5-4BCB-B94F-B25C8D7B3F9A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CexazMFeavU/YAeWxbI22WI/AAAAAAAABJU/oaPiEaNAWCQm9AO5D_8U63ZHOxj3RxudwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/CF5F1473-E3A5-4BCB-B94F-B25C8D7B3F9A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><p></p>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-40317299096708365942021-01-13T19:00:00.001-08:002021-01-13T19:00:01.221-08:00Smith Lake Realtor: Brandi Shiflett<p>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Name: Brandi Shiflett</b></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etAL1Mdxaeo/X_-oD2hu_PI/AAAAAAAABH0/49Fgdak4xRMQictjTTgmpx7IRAmrbyTpACLcBGAsYHQ/s1351/IMG_8836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etAL1Mdxaeo/X_-oD2hu_PI/AAAAAAAABH0/49Fgdak4xRMQictjTTgmpx7IRAmrbyTpACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8836.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 12pt;">Meet Brandi ~ growing up a Jasper girl she spent a lot of time on Smith and it shows! Brandi and husband, Jonathan are in the process of building their dream home on Smith, as there is no other place they'd rather call home ~ <i>more on that in a second</i>! Brandi would tell you she is a lover of all types of real estate as aside from being an agent & broker, she and her husband Jonathan also renovate homes. Together, the duo have an eye in seeing the beauty in a forgotten piece of property and the work ethic to breath new life into it. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 12pt;">When Brandi isn't working, you can find her with her family and friends; usually on a dock, boating or spending time with her daughter, Anna Kate. Anna Kate is a junior in college studying to be a teacher and recently made Brandi a proud Grandmom, of Luna, a beautiful doodle. If you follow Brandi on social media, its clear she takes delight in spoiling her Luna! </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>What I wanted to know:</b></h3><div class="page" title="Page 2">
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<p><span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 12pt;"><b>How did you find Smith?</b><i> I am a lifelong local of Smith Lake! Growing up
around the area I was blessed to </i></span><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12pt;"><i>spend many summers swimming and inner tubing beautiful Smith Lake.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Favorite spot on Smith?</b> <i>Honestly</i>, <i>I am biased to the west side of Smith Lake. The
shoreline is gentle & sloping and the water is the prettiest emerald green. My family loves it so much we recently decided to build our dream home in the gated
waterfront community of Stoney Point Landing. I am thrilled to call this place home! </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 12pt;"><b>WHY Smith Lake vs. other lakes?</b> <i>I have so many reasons, but i'll keep it
short. </i></span><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Smith Lake has the clearest, emerald water and the shoreline is
breathtaking ~ from the rock faces to the stunning homes. Smith is a large lake compared to some as it stretches over three counties, it's truly like a "small town" on the water. There is nothing better than stopping by your friends
dock to grab a hotdog or let the kids swim!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Favorite meal & drink for a Smith Lake day?</b> <i>If we are out on the boat and
stop by Brothers Restaurant you better bet I will be getting a Bushwacker
with an order of their amazing cheese sticks! I can't leave out the chicken
cranberry wrap at the Grill at Trident Marina! All that to say there is nothing like a good
ole grilled hotdog while laying out on the dock!
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<p><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><b>If you aren't on Smith Lake, where can we find you? </b></span><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><i>Orange Beach, Alabama ~ OBA! </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'HelveticaNeue'; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Describe your real estate style?</b> <i>I like to think that I am a laid back, casual
realtor. If the weather permits, I am all about loading up my clients and
showing houses by boat! You truly get the lake experience and seeing a
home from the waterside, to me is a big factor in buying a lake home. Plus
who doesn't love a good boat ride??!</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;">Brandi is a full time real estate broker with Joseph Carter Reality. She can be found online:www.</span><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 12pt;">brandishiflett.jcrrealty.com</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">P:205-471-1173</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">E: <a href="mailto:Brandig424@gmail.com" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(71, 135, 255);">Brandig424@gmail.com</a></p><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div><p></p>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-33667826959126234662021-01-10T08:00:00.009-08:002021-01-10T08:00:00.273-08:00Smith Lake FISH Waffles<p>It's currently 32 degrees and while I am hoping for snow, I am also counting the days to the start of Summer on Smith Lake! My children brave the water starting in March and lets just say I may be a l a t e May entry. Nonetheless, sitting by the water regardless of the temperature certainly brings a calm. Life in 2020 was definitely different and I am prepping for 2021 to be more of the same by planning mini celebrations all along the way. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezg9dRzZsMo/X_sfnFHRVpI/AAAAAAAABHM/w3r8DY3EBoYKnaFAZq4rNaIYIy-5NTBZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/71wPvtWjFhL._AC_SL1000_.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezg9dRzZsMo/X_sfnFHRVpI/AAAAAAAABHM/w3r8DY3EBoYKnaFAZq4rNaIYIy-5NTBZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/71wPvtWjFhL._AC_SL1000_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I've found its the little things to look forward - the small milestones and celebrations! Earlier today I was searching for a mini heart waffle maker on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/shop/smithlakealabama">Amazon </a>to use for Valentines Day (<i>at Smith Lake of course</i>) and I totally went down a rabbit hole when I found a FISH shape for waffles. The said rabbit hole continued and I ended up creating a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/shop/smithlakealabama?listId=3817WBS97M2PK&ref=cm_sw_em_r_inf_list_own_smithlakealabama_dp_qOh2lEqndaUG0" target="_blank">NEW Amazon list </a>for some fun finds sure to be bring the "small" happys for 2021. Needless to say the f<a href="https://amzn.to/3ny89dE">ish waffle shape</a> has been ordered with red plates and Valentine napkins ~ perfect for multiple uses ~ particularly the Valentines Day Waffle Bar I have planned. While the heart shape is pretty cool, I opted for the fish as it can be used for various lake days! <p></p><p>Whether you have little people, grands, fur babies or friends & neighbors ~ I hope you'll spread some Smith Lake love this Valentines Day! It is the small things that will get us through this crazy time! </p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">~sally </span></i></p><br /><p><br /></p>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-72211065417232068112021-01-07T08:00:00.009-08:002021-01-07T08:10:58.527-08:00Get Spring Ready! <p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HnYe9HxI-Q/X_cutqY4gkI/AAAAAAAABFg/P4DRx8ht1u0fFhGi2-ZCVuClNhBPyxjkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s961/IMG_2874.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HnYe9HxI-Q/X_cutqY4gkI/AAAAAAAABFg/P4DRx8ht1u0fFhGi2-ZCVuClNhBPyxjkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2874.jpg" /></a></div>If you love the lake life you know quality outdoor furniture is essential! One of my favorite outdoor brands is <a href="https://www.summerclassicshome.com/outdoor.html" target="_blank">Summer Classics</a>, an Alabama based company. Known for their Marine Grade teak, cast aluminum and N-Dura resin wicker to name a few, Summer Classics & Gabby, their interior line have retailers in all 50 states. Smith Lake’s retailer for Summer Classics can be found in Arley at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cornerstonebldsupply/" target="_blank">Cornerstone Building Supply</a>. Year round, you can see select pieces, fabric samples and order with delivery to your home by visiting Cornerstone Building Supply. <p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Three to four times a year Summer Classics & Gabby has a large “tent" sale at their <a href="https://summerclassics.com/sc-stores/pelham-factory-outlet/" target="_blank">factory outlet</a> just south of Birmingham, in Pelham. I stumbled upon the factory outlet and tent sale a few years back and I must say I cannot stay away. The outlet store is open Monday - Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM and on Sunday from 1 PM - 5PM. The upcoming tent sale is February 11th - 14th at: </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>111 Hinds Street</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Pelham, AL 35214</b></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Q: Is the tent sale open to the public?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">YES! Due to Covid there is limited capacity, but a reservation system was in place for the November 2020 sale. I’ll share when I hear more about it. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Q: Have you been to this sale before?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Hmmm —yes, I may have a small problem with both Summer Classics and Gabby. I have it saved on my calendar as soon as the date is released. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Q: Are kids allowed?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Yes, I’m the one with a child strapped to me with another in the stroller and a bag full of snacks. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Q: What is the best day to go?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I usually go the first day. When time permits I visit the week of the sale to pinpoint what I am looking for and where it is. The outlet is large with multiple rooms and outdoor spaces. Pre-Covid shoppers lined up 30 minutes to an hour before the doors open to get a spot in line. Think mad dash for certain items ~ I’ve literally seen grown women guarding Gabby dressers and consoles. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Q: How is pricing?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Items found at the outlet are 40% off on a regular basis, but there is special pricing for the tent sale that is even better! The tent sale in November was 50%-90% off. The price for the quality of furniture absolutely cannot be beat. I will say ~ each and every piece I own is still going, in good condition and I have WILD children! </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Q: Are the pieces first quality?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Some are and some aren’t. A lot of the pieces have been used in photoshoots, are floor models and some have a scratch here & there. There are also one-off prototypes available as well. They are great for areas you need just one chair! </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><b><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></b></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Q: Is everything sold in sets?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">No, its a mix but everything is priced individually. In the past when I’ve needed four of an item and there were only three available, I’ve ordered with a retailer to complete the set. The savings you get on the pieces at the tent sale justify the full price purchase to complete the set if needed, in my opinion. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Q: What kind of furniture should I expect to find?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">You’ll find everything from indoor and outdoor couches, tables, bar stools, sectionals, cocktail tables, dressers, foot stools — you name it! The Gabby lighting may be one of my favorites ~ multiple pieces are lake house perfect! </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><b><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></b></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Q: If I purchase something when can I pick it up?</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Immediately, you take your sale ticket to the loading dock and someone loads your car ~ easy. You can have it held after purchase if needed as well. I usually clear the back of my vehicle and remove everything I can for space. I’ve loaded before by women from Texas who rented a U-Haul who were making TWO trips with said U-Haul. </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">If you can't make the tent sale, I would totally visit the outlet when you can! I feel like its such an inspirational experience every time I go! Below are a few pictures of what they had during my visit earlier this week! </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LvTttf7npXs/X_cx-O_TK7I/AAAAAAAABGI/hFjoqAWpFCYcsTvfYsOM3SDIqBlGJIPTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LvTttf7npXs/X_cx-O_TK7I/AAAAAAAABGI/hFjoqAWpFCYcsTvfYsOM3SDIqBlGJIPTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2792.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGtpnbY77Kw/X_cyRIeF6KI/AAAAAAAABGw/z9uVp_YGaowMxrn99AZRaXTYiLhWjtcCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2802-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGtpnbY77Kw/X_cyRIeF6KI/AAAAAAAABGw/z9uVp_YGaowMxrn99AZRaXTYiLhWjtcCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2802-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19BEvpxbMSk/X_cyVblwD8I/AAAAAAAABG0/eJxjq7pm0BMU48NPZ7l1Q3CJi6KGDXJ3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19BEvpxbMSk/X_cyVblwD8I/AAAAAAAABG0/eJxjq7pm0BMU48NPZ7l1Q3CJi6KGDXJ3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2797.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-63365359423541141422020-08-18T17:51:00.003-07:002020-08-18T17:51:34.954-07:00Recipe: Yellow Creek Watermelon Margaritas <p>"<i>Watermelon Sugar High</i>" is SO on the brain at the moment and this drink keeps coming to mind. I made these a few weeks back and enjoyed on Smith Lake's Yellow Creek! We are keeping it super simple .... </p><p><b>The Buy List: </b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>6 cups of fresh watermelon cubes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dr6nnGWM5hU/Xzx2_yj-weI/AAAAAAAABDk/YHbpvvVN2iY10N6-fDRbReUHzvwSi5zWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dr6nnGWM5hU/Xzx2_yj-weI/AAAAAAAABDk/YHbpvvVN2iY10N6-fDRbReUHzvwSi5zWgCLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h320/IMG_4224.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></li><li>1 cup of silver tequila </li><li>2 tablespoons of cointreau</li><li>6 tablespoons of fresh lime juice {plus a few to garnish}</li><li>salt for the rim</li><li>and oh ... your friendly blender</li></ul><div><br /></div><div><b>What do to:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>1. Place all {excluding salt & limes for garnish} in the blender and blend until smooth. </div><div>2. Salt the rims of your glass. </div><div>3. Add ice to said glasses & pour over! (this makes 6 servings)</div><div><br /></div><p></p>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-90057581467861489962020-08-09T09:21:00.003-07:002020-08-09T09:23:06.818-07:00Float-in Concert on Smith featuring: Maggie Rose<p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Admittedly I am quite selective about <i>who</i> and <i>what</i> I feature around Smith Lake on this blog, as being genuine and authentic is important to me. A few years back something caught my eye and what I found confirmed my initial instinct about the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmithLakeConcertSeries">Smith Lake Concert Series.</a> Read about the series and the founders <a href="https://smithlakeala.blogspot.com/2018/05/smith-lake-people-founders-of-smith_7.html">here</a>. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The skinny on it is:</b> 7 years ago Ashley Ford & Deborah Rigsby opened their home to start The Smith Lake Concert Series. The duo has a love of music, not just any music --- music that invokes something in your soul. To put it simply -- they have <i><b>GOOD </b></i>taste. AND in the midst of a global pandemic, they are <b>s t i l l </b> sharing their love of music and giving those talented enough to make it, a safe stage to do so! </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;">June 2020 would've marked the 7th year for the event, but like most things at the present moment it was cancelled. Out of safety concerns of the pandemic, they put together an alternative plan to keep this Smith Lake tradition going while giving back to both the music community and our lake!</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVxLBkcpk9o/XzAe8wFYGzI/AAAAAAAABCo/-CncxGbpN4s-5mgGE3LIHQ6rKT7qpevEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1026/IMG_4865.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="828" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVxLBkcpk9o/XzAe8wFYGzI/AAAAAAAABCo/-CncxGbpN4s-5mgGE3LIHQ6rKT7qpevEACLcBGAsYHQ/w264-h328/IMG_4865.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/IAmMaggieRose/">Maggie Rose</a> & Them Vibes are gathering at Smith Lake for a week long songwriting retreat. I can only imagine the inspiration this beautiful spot will bring <i>{can I request a song with the name Smith Lake in it ~ kidding}</i>. </span><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">As a "thank you" t</span>hey have offered to play a concert to show their appreciation and share some unwritten tunes + Maggie's upcoming unreleased album at the end of the retreat on <b>Friday, August 14th</b>. <span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">The upcoming event is </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">being reco</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">rded and sponsored by American Songwriter and strea</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">med on Topeka Monday August 17th. Snag your tickets to see the Maggie Rose Smith Lake </span></span><span face="" style="background-color: white; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Summer Camp Songwriters’ Soiree</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"> concert: <a href="https://www.bandsintown.com/e/102320451">here</a>.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mark your calendars, pack your dinner for the boat and head to Rock Creek this Friday. The show starts at 7pm, but I see anchors going down before that! Jeff Thomas of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmithLakeRentalsandSales/">Smith Lake Rentals & Sales</a> described the location best ~ "</span><span face="" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><i style="background-color: white;">go to the mouth of Little Crooked Creek and look for boats". </i></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face="" style="background-color: #f0f2f5; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span face="" style="background-color: #f0f2f5; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6LtW0clOHQ/XzAhCyiUYuI/AAAAAAAABDA/edU6ZQW1ZAIOUjVBA0DGIp-8r6aAFH09wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1027/IMG_4970.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="828" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6LtW0clOHQ/XzAhCyiUYuI/AAAAAAAABDA/edU6ZQW1ZAIOUjVBA0DGIp-8r6aAFH09wCLcBGAsYHQ/w264-h328/IMG_4970.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><i><br /></i><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">More Abo</span></b></span><b style="color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ut the Artist:</span></b></h2><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">As The New York Times proclaimed, “<i>Maggie Rose is a sturdy heartbreaker...full of astute, aggrieved songwriting ... and attitude that even in the post-Miranda Lambert era feels knifelike.</i>” </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.maggierosemusic.com/?fbclid=IwAR2DuWRp3oK00Ytt51e8wiIYrCfOMwJZKHr1MoyYiznsGv7t3J7A-A9jKqE">Maggie Rose</a> & Them Vibes made their Smith Lake debut last August shortly after playing on the stage at the </span>Grand Ole Opry. Their <span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">Unreleased record: <i>American Rock & Soul </i>was recorded in Alabama’s Muscle Shoal’s famous FAME Studios immediately after playing on the Smith Lake Stage last summer with collaborating artists Them Vibes & Marcus King</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ). </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Get a taste of Maggie's music and read her story <a href="https://www.maggierosemusic.com/">here</a>.</span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Cheers to an inspiring and productive week at the Maggie Rose </span></span><span face="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Summer Camp Songwriters’ Soiree</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> on Smith Lake! It is very exciting to have something fun and safe to look forward to - THANK YOU in advance. T</span><span class="s2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #272727; font-kerning: none;">he pandemic won't last forever, so until bands can tour again ~ totally spread the love by tipping the band that is putting on this free concert if you feel inclined. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; color: #262626;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; color: #262626;"><b>Ways to Tip:</b></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">* Venmo: </span><a class="notranslate" href="https://www.instagram.com/iammaggierose/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="0">@iammaggierose</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #262626;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">* Paypal: </span><a href="http://paypal.me/iammaggierose" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://PayPal.me/iammaggierose</a></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><br /></span></p>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama, USA34.047773 -87.0249439999999915.7375371151975791 -122.181196682209 62.358008884802416 -51.868691317790976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-28820913182208934232020-06-27T08:02:00.001-07:002020-06-28T07:58:59.833-07:004th of July Happenings on Smith <h3>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Annual 4th of July Brushy Creek Boat Parade</b> </span></h3>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--OSP9et5SF4/XvZMmcE-jvI/AAAAAAAABBY/LxzXd_ohWX0lfZRZERfv0XoLTvE9QZ9sgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_1776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="756" height="165" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--OSP9et5SF4/XvZMmcE-jvI/AAAAAAAABBY/LxzXd_ohWX0lfZRZERfv0XoLTvE9QZ9sgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/IMG_1776.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Brushy Creek is special, if you've been there you know. The people that call Brushy Creek home are</span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--OSP9et5SF4/XvZMmcE-jvI/AAAAAAAABBY/LxzXd_ohWX0lfZRZERfv0XoLTvE9QZ9sgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_1776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">no exception. When you drive into Brushy you get a feeling, a feeling of home and community. Several years back a gentleman and his family started a parade that has now become a long standing tradition on Brushy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jfrRyDFm-ts/XvZMph_JbNI/AAAAAAAABBQ/LBvKgwnV2ukLrOXrTdlxybbPa4q9-iWjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="828" height="148" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jfrRyDFm-ts/XvZMph_JbNI/AAAAAAAABBQ/LBvKgwnV2ukLrOXrTdlxybbPa4q9-iWjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/IMG_1777.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Annual 4th of July Brushy Creek Boat Parade begins at 6:00 pm. Decorated boats line up at the mouth of Brushy Creek and parade through the big water, waving at onlookers watching from their docks & decks. The annual event concludes with a trophy presentation for the participating boats!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Annual 4th of July Brushy Creek Boat Parade</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Date: July 4th</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Time: 6:00 pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where: Mouth of Brushy</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="50" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=288&l=ur1&category=amazonhomepage&f=ifr&linkID=19e7cd7c62fbba5f8b807ba5bd9026b9&t=sallywilliam-20&tracking_id=sallywilliam-20" style="border: none;" width="320"></iframe></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Special Events at the Smith Lake Market:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Saturday, July 4th at the SLFM</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBVtLlZQtWQ/XPk2gi9ANMI/AAAAAAAAAyE/YAufrlRkLF8_xf8hBptAE16dihzXRbdggCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_6808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="828" height="188" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBVtLlZQtWQ/XPk2gi9ANMI/AAAAAAAAAyE/YAufrlRkLF8_xf8hBptAE16dihzXRbdggCPcBGAYYCw/s200/IMG_6808.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Alabama Peanut Co.</b> is Smith Lake bound for their first pop-up at Arley's Smith Lake Flea Market! They are serving up salt or cajan. They'll have a few on hand for walk ups, but trust me I wouldn't take my chances!</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>All Shook Up Catering</b> will be setup with their premium craft cocktail mixer kits from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Check out their menu here!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Plus local favorite <b>Big Shortie's Pizza & Stuff </b>will be setup outside the SLFM on Saturday with their pizza!! </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Arley Produce </b>will be available Friday & Saturday at SLFM ~ so stop by and grab some fresh local produce for your 4th of July eats!! </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>David's Den of Antiquity</b>, the largest deals in the market, will be setup with some special lake finds!</span></span></li>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Smith Lake Flea Market is located at 6168 County Road 41 Arley, Alabama 35541 </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.72px; font-weight: 400;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=22&l=ur1&category=homeandoutdoor&banner=1AS3A1WCQX2DEVHFQ702&f=ifr&linkID=20e8777d6a27f7bf1630b7c96e191b42&t=sallywilliam-20&tracking_id=sallywilliam-20" style="border: none;" width="250"></iframe></span></i></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rj0b9y8ZvAY/XtRQmFoVsTI/AAAAAAAAA-U/wvHT8cqlEg82ioEWwn1HRQyzSol0EtgcgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="828" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rj0b9y8ZvAY/XtRQmFoVsTI/AAAAAAAAA-U/wvHT8cqlEg82ioEWwn1HRQyzSol0EtgcgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/IMG_0108.jpg" width="163" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
Smith Lake Alabama American Pride Photo Contest</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think we'd all agree 2020 is off to a rocky start, but the one thing we can ALL agree on is our flag! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lets come together and make Smith Lake the most American flag adorning lake in the country! See the prizes, deadlines and all the details <a href="https://smithlakeala.blogspot.com/2020/05/smith-lake-usa-pride-giveaway.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On water Fireworks</span></b></h3>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Saturday, July 4th Miller Flats - 9pm</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Friday, July 3rd The Rock ~ Smith Lake Campus in Double Springs - 9 pm</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Saturday, July 4th by Triple Creek Marina at The Patio at Smith Lake</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Saturday, July 4th at King's Quality Boat Docks on Rock Creek - 9 pm</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Saturday, July 4th at the mouth of Yellow Creek - dark-thirty</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you have fireworks to add, shoot me a message and I'll be happy to add! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=lgpromos&banner=05NP1C0H1Y63W9CWE882&f=ifr&linkID=24c1cc1799a4b6228095a02db8a068fc&t=sallywilliam-20&tracking_id=sallywilliam-20" style="border: none;" width="300"></iframe></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On water concert:</span></b></h3>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Frederick's Outdoors in Devil's Branch is welcoming Parmalee and Lee Gibson to their 5th Annual <i>Rock the Boat </i>outdoor concert. This is a free-on-water event with no admission required, followed by fireworks show when it turns dark. More details here.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As always, please take special precautions on holiday weekends -- </span></i></h3>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">~ look twice, think twice ~ </span></i></h3>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stay Safe Smith Lake! </span></i></h3>
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<br />Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-70047101311007497612020-06-23T19:08:00.002-07:002020-06-24T06:15:53.120-07:00Recipe: 8 Fun & Easy Lake Eats <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbngqaLTzJM/XvDxYlDFGNI/AAAAAAAABAY/FCTzdZE8VSwMzktBP1mk5oarelbw4Dl3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbngqaLTzJM/XvDxYlDFGNI/AAAAAAAABAY/FCTzdZE8VSwMzktBP1mk5oarelbw4Dl3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1388.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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8 Fun & Easy Lake Eats!</h2>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 4th of July is right around the corner and with summer starting a littler earlier this year, a lot of my creative juices have been running on empty. I spent some time on Pinterest, looking through photos of folks enjoying lake life and compiled a list of 8 easy and fun foods to make the most of your lake days!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. <b>The BLT Bar</b> ~ pictured to the above, nothing says summer like a juicy tomato, fresh lettuce and bacon. My favorite "extra" is a spicy pimento cheese.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. <b>Sour Patch Grapes</b> ~ not just any frozen grapes, but grapes coated with your favorite koolaid. These are perfect for eating on the dock and can easily be made patriotic!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. <b>Pimento Cheese Stuffed Celery</b> ~ this is a "go-to" boat ride item for my crew and depending the pimento cheese flavor, it totally changes it up overtime! My current favorite is the Grateful brand.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xt7cD9E2kAs/XvK1O9waYMI/AAAAAAAABAw/v3cxfiOWJ9M4UewayEUmGmJB1dLJt8QgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="623" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xt7cD9E2kAs/XvK1O9waYMI/AAAAAAAABAw/v3cxfiOWJ9M4UewayEUmGmJB1dLJt8QgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1432.jpg" width="235" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bomb Pop Champagne</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. <b>Classic Crack Corn Dip </b>~ this is a crowd pleasing favorite I have forgotten! Add scoops and bam! Click <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/255579347595623057/" target="_blank">here </a>for the recipe I use from Pinterest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. <b>Boiled Peanuts </b>~ every holiday involving a flag, you can find a five galloon pot of these going on our terrace. Get our tried & true recipe here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. <b>Funeral Sandwiches</b> ~ No mourning required for this favorite also known as the "<a href="https://www.recipelion.com/Sandwiches/Hawaiian-Roll-Baked-Sandwiches" target="_blank">King Hawaiian"</a> sandwiches. The baking and sitting in this recipe, followed by tin foil was one of my quarantine perfections.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. <b>Conecuh Dogs</b> ~ Throw some Conecuh on the grill, cut and serve it in a hotdog bun. Wrap in tin foil and they are ready for your boat tote! See the jazzed up addition <a href="https://conecuhsausage.com/pages/recipe-conecuh-sausage-dog" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. <b>Bomb Pop & Champagne </b>~ if there was only one popsicle that says "hello summer" ... the bomb pop is king! A glass of champagne is always nice - so combine the two like the Osborne ladies of Smith Lake did and you have a winner!!</span>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-65241743123480274722020-06-12T13:49:00.000-07:002020-06-17T12:27:49.699-07:00Recipe: The Goat Island Baguette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uuiCAUy_aI/XuKSTIBFzhI/AAAAAAAAA_s/3unmafCnJaUB5P3qSfrYiYnDrGt3eR70wCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqx5q1qFC1OIWU8Z82OkEWtdikcg3xU0EWnTRcHsvmo0WLqOyVGvza34yYYjxtstTbFYmtnjVLWIHKQAkYo7Y1cS4Wv6ANc-zGbmMsn9TrheHopCXBkODxC3adrn9h8o-c9Rb9fSuaUQUWa6AFW4QgslubwRyRdceyF6b-yzckpQ7qxVTK6Q1NJTMeLjDRhYxzX-dhb99CDG-Rcm08sRr1R9CWKuhvg9xpxmZN0ThKZ9fyxedNPOk2ridVDtcBbSaC9ujhlMGX1EJUCW08W4f6LE_2yXUfHZQpNBdHOpN-CgWazpr22MkT5gQPDrsjxZopRpmMBp00cTmsrWiJfGRi-KDoBIxvFZrMoU7deV8R0KPIctJdOIUHN0gUA0QkBSECu9rgKQpLmvsa3GsyfWO4C91oE59ZgUfepB8e8iWPvMrdAiCV2fL6CeB0lHjgE66hOF8R20y8TQSp8EV-sCW5Qmr1ilgWCYIKJfymshY-ztPQCwVvbs40eQ7JT4UUr_YBS_DRcq3w6ZtYOOK82U5GUxWmFyXazgs8g228RqGEtTNgxJx5ZVPfW5sHfKN5sSYVwOFwzBeQK1QVa28GzcynaZ_Z66H0IKVA_lMK21ivcF/s1600/IMG_0622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uuiCAUy_aI/XuKSTIBFzhI/AAAAAAAAA_s/3unmafCnJaUB5P3qSfrYiYnDrGt3eR70wCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqx5q1qFC1OIWU8Z82OkEWtdikcg3xU0EWnTRcHsvmo0WLqOyVGvza34yYYjxtstTbFYmtnjVLWIHKQAkYo7Y1cS4Wv6ANc-zGbmMsn9TrheHopCXBkODxC3adrn9h8o-c9Rb9fSuaUQUWa6AFW4QgslubwRyRdceyF6b-yzckpQ7qxVTK6Q1NJTMeLjDRhYxzX-dhb99CDG-Rcm08sRr1R9CWKuhvg9xpxmZN0ThKZ9fyxedNPOk2ridVDtcBbSaC9ujhlMGX1EJUCW08W4f6LE_2yXUfHZQpNBdHOpN-CgWazpr22MkT5gQPDrsjxZopRpmMBp00cTmsrWiJfGRi-KDoBIxvFZrMoU7deV8R0KPIctJdOIUHN0gUA0QkBSECu9rgKQpLmvsa3GsyfWO4C91oE59ZgUfepB8e8iWPvMrdAiCV2fL6CeB0lHjgE66hOF8R20y8TQSp8EV-sCW5Qmr1ilgWCYIKJfymshY-ztPQCwVvbs40eQ7JT4UUr_YBS_DRcq3w6ZtYOOK82U5GUxWmFyXazgs8g228RqGEtTNgxJx5ZVPfW5sHfKN5sSYVwOFwzBeQK1QVa28GzcynaZ_Z66H0IKVA_lMK21ivcF/s320/IMG_0622.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meal planning for summer weekends and days spent at the lake can sometimes become "old". </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have my "go-to" meals and appetizers for lake days and let me be real honest and stay they need some spicing up! I am happily adding this one to the lineup. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I prepared it 3 ways and this was the "winner" of our recent taste test session. It was light and easy to throw together after coming off the water while you are waiting to fire up the grill. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvwIYFZ9mys/XuKWR1tkvTI/AAAAAAAABAA/zuWctDn_0U8QN5UBUaVYrWqQI2auiVu6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/View%2Balbum%2B%25E2%2580%259CRecents%25E2%2580%259D.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvwIYFZ9mys/XuKWR1tkvTI/AAAAAAAABAE/7Hrl9o3iTtUqTSGDY4XVAV3TkHrcd21QwCEwYBhgLKtQDAL1Ocqxyc1p3ClEWO6C5b5bIPKUMSQFccBvC16x3GIBa_4KxsJGm0i7mVVv1Ud6bLoe53kn3pLOig9V0n6XPPl289As6l3WsDktXNlHO4JvccUbi9EvgQnIhoiJt31bi-T3IuZTu9pagUDG7O-FQ_2EFcsF8kdzJv2WESMTEFeRUphJ6uo1UzChmbjLhvOXjDG9e9SEXkQKmf4adcndaWSne12NV9az5aS6JuVWBbGkr6QxS7WpmvOrs3LNAtJM43F9iwXdTpvKSdZjajqF6XcvaJAXfq7-Bh0s58Fgl__Hg36nuKFF-srmKhL4A3LopcCwgr5KK-JbX-AhERJNYbVVxSuisjRTNtPhJtE0khYu7u8o2_A8Xdr7e9aLF9K2xL_mOuxghw5NQ-ys9D56ovF3cEVOWjHuJ2OvnA-mkW23jHQtYxNTjKk9Ecd7OuD4ooNR8r-8Gm2q3taUgXhKQLitfe6jUiMQNaih_n3Aq8LlLT3tUn1nCbpPqFY3rmwkAYsRTNm51rCx7uvcvnUIg2WymrFv5rGVaSa5ZJt_X4qOZP0oLPA3YOKS3Rw4FixEEaDMPQoQy9xFQvg8voZwE7pTOCbXId-JSYnQXoGn3bIndDA9fMMa1ivcF/s1600/View%2Balbum%2B%25E2%2580%259CRecents%25E2%2580%259D.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="740" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvwIYFZ9mys/XuKWR1tkvTI/AAAAAAAABAE/7Hrl9o3iTtUqTSGDY4XVAV3TkHrcd21QwCEwYBhgLKtQDAL1Ocqxyc1p3ClEWO6C5b5bIPKUMSQFccBvC16x3GIBa_4KxsJGm0i7mVVv1Ud6bLoe53kn3pLOig9V0n6XPPl289As6l3WsDktXNlHO4JvccUbi9EvgQnIhoiJt31bi-T3IuZTu9pagUDG7O-FQ_2EFcsF8kdzJv2WESMTEFeRUphJ6uo1UzChmbjLhvOXjDG9e9SEXkQKmf4adcndaWSne12NV9az5aS6JuVWBbGkr6QxS7WpmvOrs3LNAtJM43F9iwXdTpvKSdZjajqF6XcvaJAXfq7-Bh0s58Fgl__Hg36nuKFF-srmKhL4A3LopcCwgr5KK-JbX-AhERJNYbVVxSuisjRTNtPhJtE0khYu7u8o2_A8Xdr7e9aLF9K2xL_mOuxghw5NQ-ys9D56ovF3cEVOWjHuJ2OvnA-mkW23jHQtYxNTjKk9Ecd7OuD4ooNR8r-8Gm2q3taUgXhKQLitfe6jUiMQNaih_n3Aq8LlLT3tUn1nCbpPqFY3rmwkAYsRTNm51rCx7uvcvnUIg2WymrFv5rGVaSa5ZJt_X4qOZP0oLPA3YOKS3Rw4FixEEaDMPQoQy9xFQvg8voZwE7pTOCbXId-JSYnQXoGn3bIndDA9fMMa1ivcF/s320/View%2Balbum%2B%25E2%2580%259CRecents%25E2%2580%259D.png" width="146" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ingredient List: </b> </span></div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 fresh baguette </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">goat cheese</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cherry tomatos </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fresh bacon bits </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fresh ground pepper</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">olive oil (1/4 of a cup)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lemon pepper</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">garlic salt</span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Steps:</span></b></div>
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<ol>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Slice your baguette and place on a pan for roasting in the oven. Pre-heat your oven to 350. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mix together the olive oil, a dash of garlic salt & lemon pepper. Spread it onto the baguette.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next spread the goat cheese as if its jelly onto the baguette. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Slice your cherry tomatoes as you prefer and add to the top of the goat cheese. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Prepare your bacon and crumble on top followed by fresh ground pepper. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bake at 350 for 7-9 minutes. and serve! </span></li>
</ol>
Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-14718519249069702872020-06-11T15:00:00.000-07:002020-06-11T15:00:00.193-07:00Father's Day for the Smith Lake DadJune is here and lake season is in FULL EFFECT! It's no secret Dad's do a little work on the lake scene, so with Father's Day right around the corner I've compiled a list of 10 gifts for the lake loving man in your life!<br />
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1. <a href="https://amzn.to/3cj61AV" target="_blank">Floating Hammock</a> for all Dad's relaxing needs on the lake! My husband actually sent me these as a hint, but his present is #3.<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DLNXW18/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07DLNXW18&linkCode=as2&tag=sallywilliam-20&linkId=eb34c162d19f20dcc88b237d1717ff32" nbsp="" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B07DLNXW18&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sallywilliam-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sallywilliam-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B07DLNXW18" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M78iOZLfXAg/Xtar4GDyJrI/AAAAAAAAA_A/OmHLijp3BF0WYeoMylim1jSmz-AGR9hPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screenshot%2B2020-06-02%2Bat%2B2.41.05%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="828" height="189" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M78iOZLfXAg/Xtar4GDyJrI/AAAAAAAAA_A/OmHLijp3BF0WYeoMylim1jSmz-AGR9hPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Screenshot%2B2020-06-02%2Bat%2B2.41.05%2BPM.png" width="200" /></a>2. Smith Lake cutting board from local business <a href="https://www.ashleymercantile.com/" target="_blank">Ashley Mercantile </a>a modern day general store located in Cullman's warehouse district. I scoped this out on their Instagram, but totally give them a shout if you are interested in these!<br />
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3. A <a href="https://amzn.to/2yWmUny" target="_blank">cooler backpack</a>. This is the link to the one my husband is receiving for Father's Day. He does not read this blog but once a year, so I am safe.<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0838VF5S4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0838VF5S4&linkCode=as2&tag=sallywilliam-20&linkId=03bb608cd93ffc1d5c2775fc9ff06985" nbsp="" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B0838VF5S4&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sallywilliam-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sallywilliam-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B0838VF5S4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
4. A <a href="https://harbinsjasper.com/collections/bogg-bags" target="_blank">Bogg bag from Harbins </a>in Jasper -- yes, you may think I am crazy for suggesting this for a man, but Y'ALL this bag is amazing. He can use it to carry is "jack" to the lake and YES, they ship!<br />
<br />
5. A boat basket complete with <a href="https://amzn.to/2U1tzUH" target="_blank">boat erasers </a>- the perfect thing to help him keep the boat clean!<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MMWMFDV/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07MMWMFDV&linkCode=as2&tag=sallywilliam-20&linkId=09903cc1ac570fb84afa8fdfa8d3d460" nbsp="" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B07MMWMFDV&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sallywilliam-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sallywilliam-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B07MMWMFDV" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
6. A c<a href="https://amzn.to/3eRaugb" target="_blank">hocolate gift basket</a> just for Dad ~ shipped directly to him!<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K38QBKQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07K38QBKQ&linkCode=as2&tag=sallywilliam-20&linkId=e57c5e3d980f0a8d5ee30377be08567b" nbsp="" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B07K38QBKQ&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sallywilliam-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sallywilliam-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B07K38QBKQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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7. A Smith Lake Good Life hat ~ spoiler alert they are arriving Friday and if you love the popular shirt, you'll appreciate this! I will have a limited supply, so definitely stay tuned for these new hats!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LjcQ0iXCRz8/XtasMRoYeOI/AAAAAAAAA_I/W_Lgzqsv0UUkQYHXkW5pqENN9rTxTjpzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="828" height="146" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LjcQ0iXCRz8/XtasMRoYeOI/AAAAAAAAA_I/W_Lgzqsv0UUkQYHXkW5pqENN9rTxTjpzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/IMG_0117.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
8. A new Smith Lake sign or coaster set from Smith Lake Flea Market ~ they have the best selection <br />
of Smith Lake goods around the lake, but I am crushing on items<br />
from a new vendor from Foley, Alabama.<br />
<br />
9. An <a href="https://amzn.to/2TZaIJY" target="_blank">ice machine</a> -- the good ice is what we call it! I mean this is the gift just for HIM {read all of you} and let me tell you first hand the ice goes nicely in the frost flex <a href="https://smith-lake-alabama.myshopify.com/products/cup-frost-flex" target="_blank">Smith Lake cups</a>! They are MY favorite cups!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YF9SGBW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07YF9SGBW&linkCode=as2&tag=sallywilliam-20&linkId=a561b75f3da2db7b7b6a1b9a94b24e23" nbsp="" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B07YF9SGBW&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sallywilliam-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sallywilliam-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B07YF9SGBW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
<br />
10. A <a href="https://alabamapeanut.com/collections/ready-to-ship-1/products/s-s-apco-roasted-peanut-gift-set" target="_blank">Father's Day gift set</a> of your choice of three flavors sacks of peanuts from Alabama Peanut Co. in Birmingham! They ship and offer curbside pick up! It's a fun gift and one Dad could certainly use as the lake!<br />
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Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-52788460294951990142020-06-01T09:32:00.002-07:002020-06-01T09:32:16.283-07:00Summer on Smith {the extended version}For my family <i>Summer on Smith</i> started ironically on Friday, March 13th when we arrived to take refuge from "<i>the corona</i>" after school came to sudden halt. Our children started swimming shortly there after -- in 5 to 10 minute spurts with about 30 dock jumps a piece. Now that May has turned to June ~ that is not the case, but an extended summer on Smith certainly is.<br />
<br />
When everything started I was fresh with ideas of fun activities for EVERYONE ~ including myself. I had many visions of fun planned, but at this point I must admit I've gotten a little stir crazy. BUT, I am happy to say I've officially "put on my summer hat" and am gearing up for a fantastic 4th. I've put together a list of 5 <i>different</i> things to do at the lake to keep your summer full of surprises! <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0m8tcw_6QU/XtUrdamy8lI/AAAAAAAAA-o/h7XbmXGnSnkPY5O-ebM7VQHsw_6qeNruACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Smith%2BLake%2BBoat%2BBingo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0m8tcw_6QU/XtUrdamy8lI/AAAAAAAAA-o/h7XbmXGnSnkPY5O-ebM7VQHsw_6qeNruACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Smith%2BLake%2BBoat%2BBingo.jpg" title="" width="306" /></a></div>
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1. <b>Boat Ride Bingo </b>with your people of all ages! <a href="mailto:smithlakingit@gmail.com" target="_blank">Click here</a> for the printable, but I highly recommend clip boards for pressing and keeping your card secure while on the boat along with a coveted prize for the winner. {<i>side note I am planning to laminate mine and use dry erase markers</i>}<br />
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<br />
2. O<b>n-water Olympics </b>with<b> </b>your family and neighbors. This can be fun for folks of all ages, so grab a waterproof stop watch, a score board of some nature and set the date. Here are few we do in our slough:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Using the same starting point, time everyone in your crew individually swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding one at time. Record their times & announce your winner ~ it gets pretty interesting -- <i>TRUST</i> me.</li>
<li>Grab two trusty noodles, a water mat and have a good old fashioned sword fight! First one to fall ~ well that don't win!</li>
<li>Put together the good ole ball in the air and see who can run, jump and catch it the MOST. </li>
</ul>
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3. <b> On-Water Campout </b>with a tent pitched on the dock. It will require some serious padding to sleep, but now is the perfect time temperature wise otherwise its just a fun activity to gear everyone up!<br />
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4. <b>Lunch Picnic</b> not for your boat, but to be served from the paddle board or another floating device. Yes, it may take a little planning -- but that's what makes it fun!<br />
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5. <b>Destination Swimming</b> ~ create the checklist and time limit for each spot and off you go!<br />
<ul>
<li>Goose Nest Cove </li>
<li>Cocktail Cove </li>
<li>Three Fingers Rock </li>
<li>Waterfalls of Clear Creek {r<i>ight after a rain</i>}</li>
<li>Illusion Rock on Rock Creek near Indian Head Cave </li>
</ul>
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<b>Enjoy the time and while it may seem wild and crazy, we are living history and making memories! Stay stay Smith Lake!</b></div>
Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-24398584275509132982020-05-31T17:52:00.003-07:002020-05-31T20:15:14.014-07:00July 4th: Smith Lake Photo Contest<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rj0b9y8ZvAY/XtRQmFoVsTI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/b73u0hsgyQI4gQPMyl-_FL7cvxajazzfACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rj0b9y8ZvAY/XtRQmFoVsTI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/b73u0hsgyQI4gQPMyl-_FL7cvxajazzfACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0108.jpg" width="260" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the sight of our flag doesn't give you a sense of pride, you probably shouldn't be reading this. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The American flag is one thing EVERYONE can agree on --- whether your boat is a wake boat, you frequent a pontoon boat or you're a fisherman --we all love our flag!! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our flag stands for UNITY -- and unity is what we need right now!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This 4th of July we are sponsoring a Smith Lake USA Pride photo competition! Get those flags out, get your decor, your shirts, your headgear, decorate your boat, decorate your dock ~ do it ALL ~ show some American Pride on our beautiful lake this 4th of July!! PLEASE go over the top! 2020 has been one for the record books and we all need a little light hearted good old fashioned fun right now -- with a good meaning behind it! SOOO w</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e want to see ALL the flags, all the spirit and your patriotic best AND we are letting you choose the winner! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>How to Enter:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anytime before July 5th at 12:00 p.m. CST tag @SmithLakeAlabama in a photo and mention us in your caption & use the hashtag: iloveSmithLake showing your festive best. Entries can include people, homes, props ~ get creative! Our followers are picking the WINNER! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Top 10:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A panel of fun Smith Lake loving judges will select the top 10. The top 10 will receive a classic Smith Lake tee & YOLO hat. T</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he Top 10 photos will be posted to our Instagram & Facebook, BY 6:00 p.m. CST on July 5th. Voting via "Likes" will be open for the following 24 hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Grand Prize Winners:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The totals will be calculated between Facebook & Instagram in terms of "like" for votes for each photo. The winners will be announced by 8:00 p.m. on July 6th. </span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1st Place:</b> $200 Amazon Gift Card + Top 10 Award</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2nd Place:</b> $100 Gift Certificate + Top 10 Award</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3rd Place</b>: $25 Gift Certificate + $25 Gift Certificate to Son's of Arley + Top 10 Award</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Spirit of Smith Lake Award:</b> Smith Lake Prize Basket & a special designation sign of honor! {<i>read: bragging rights</i>} </span></li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Now with all that said, I must say "none of this is in anyway sponsored by Instagram, Facebook etc. You cannot be related to me or anything like that." </i></div>
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Please note: this is all in fun and good 4th of July ~ Smith Lake spirit! We hope you stay SAFE, think twice AND look twice!! Now get those creative juices flowing! </div>
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Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-8812400268223561722020-05-25T06:25:00.001-07:002020-05-31T18:06:24.385-07:00Smith Lake Boiled Peanuts <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cajun Boiled Peanuts via Smokin' On Smith</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We love some boiled peanuts, especially on holiday weekends. Not only are the great for taking on the boat, they are fabulous for serving on the dock or in the water as well! It’s an added plus we get to support a local Alabama business, Alabama Peanut Co.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UYPHZRQ0lZI/XsvFwLiBgeI/AAAAAAAAA9w/uBbXj57ULugurNfIH_GbKTS4wMbLo0pMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AD36CE84-9BDD-4D60-8F26-895954F90D31.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="740" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UYPHZRQ0lZI/XsvFwLiBgeI/AAAAAAAAA9w/uBbXj57ULugurNfIH_GbKTS4wMbLo0pMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/AD36CE84-9BDD-4D60-8F26-895954F90D31.png" width="147" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 - 4 lbs of raw peanuts </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 lemons (halved)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4-5 jalapenos</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5 garlic cloves</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3 tbls of Cayenne Pepper</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups of salt {to start}</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hot Sauce as desired</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 Bay Leaves </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Directions:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rinse off your peanuts well, followed by completely submerging them in water. Next, add all the ingredients. Bring to a boiling roll, then lower for 4-6 hours. Stir at least once an hour until done. Begin testing around hour 5, adding salt, cayenne, or hot sauce as desired. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let your batch sit in the water as you serve "samples" for a while. Finally, using a gallon ziplock, preserve for your boat ride on beautiful Smith Lake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">PS: these are best cooked in a 5 gallon propane cooker. </span><br />
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<b style="text-align: center;"><br /></b><b style="text-align: center;"> We ❤ Smith Lake!</b><br />
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#SmithLakeAlabama</div>
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<a name='more'></a><span class="s1" style="font-size: large;"><b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Get your Smith Lake Gear here!</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://smith-lake-alabama.myshopify.com/collections/all"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Shop Here! </span></a></td></tr>
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Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-13368215874943223792020-04-02T12:53:00.003-07:002020-04-07T06:14:55.981-07:00Social Distancing Egg Hunt on Smith <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Easter is upon us and we must celebrate with some social distancing this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dntt71_raA8/XoY7_Nn7ObI/AAAAAAAAA8M/_6yi-KZ_Ls0T7tfKMQZeQYstzuiIe9zzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SLAEgg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="771" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dntt71_raA8/XoY7_Nn7ObI/AAAAAAAAA8M/_6yi-KZ_Ls0T7tfKMQZeQYstzuiIe9zzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/SLAEgg.jpg" width="239" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whether you have littles or haven't colored in years, find some markers, paint, crayons or colored pens and lets hide decorate the Smith Lake Easter Egg for a Smith Lake Easter Egg Hunt </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">social distancing style.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>How it works:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1.<a href="https://www.somarydesigns.com/egghunt" target="_blank"> Print the image </a>here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Decorate it {kids & adults}.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Place it in a visible location on your dock, window or storefront etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4.Then take a car or boat ride and see how many you can find on April 11th or 12th! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Extras:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have been labeled as "extra" my whole life, so I must share some "extras" with you as well! I plan to take my crew out looking and give them an egg/treat each time they spot one. It definitely won't be the same, but its something to do together safely and has all the makings for great memories on our beautiful Smith Lake! If you don't want to leave your home, stay close and wave to all the boaters passing by when they spot your egg from a safe distance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We hope you'll share this printable and if you need any invitations, enclosure cards, home watercolors ~ the list goes on ~ check out <a href="https://www.somarydesigns.com/" target="_blank">Sarah O'Mary</a> Roberts! She created this because she loves our lake & this great state! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stay safe on Smith! </span></div>
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Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125194172585756504.post-64377457521847404132020-02-01T10:08:00.001-08:002020-02-01T12:59:09.455-08:00Supporting Smith<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whether you're a year rounder, a weekender and or a vacationer ~ we are ALL Smith Lake People! </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Arley, the little town at the heart of Smith Lake, has three new local businesses I am excited to share! I </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">personally love seeing new life in the buildings on the way to our happy place & seeing them thrive starts with all of us KNOWING about them and making a POINT to stop in!</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M9K5VYyDPGM/XjTil-0y09I/AAAAAAAAA7k/FCSycdHL4UkoTkZsyY79WmXII9tCWTKjACEwYBhgL/s1600/81816434_2326197611004870_16716871709491200_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M9K5VYyDPGM/XjTil-0y09I/AAAAAAAAA7k/FCSycdHL4UkoTkZsyY79WmXII9tCWTKjACEwYBhgL/s200/81816434_2326197611004870_16716871709491200_o.jpg" width="159" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">• <a href="https://www.facebook.com/suessimplecatering/" target="_blank">Simple Sue’s Bakery </a>- think ice cream, donuts, cakes and more PLUS a chicken salad trio. They have a kids table complete with our favorite book, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/Products%20%E2%80%93%20Smith%20Lake%20Alabama%20https://smith-lake-alabama.myshopify.com%20%E2%80%BA%20collections%20%E2%80%BA%20all" target="_blank">Smith Lake A to Z</a> ~ which is also sold at TARGET now! </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9B8FBJjmGJE/XjTdAeVBM-I/AAAAAAAAA7A/iW6ZC6yB3dIna4sF_98sbTap905LbdELQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/82234888_585724458890383_6099818433312980992_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="960" height="106" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9B8FBJjmGJE/XjTdAeVBM-I/AAAAAAAAA7A/iW6ZC6yB3dIna4sF_98sbTap905LbdELQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/82234888_585724458890383_6099818433312980992_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">• <a href="https://www.facebook.com/frogsbootlegbbq/" target="_blank">Frogs Bootleg BBQ</a> ~ with a name like that it has to good! They are open Friday & Saturday and happily welcome your call ahead orders! This is the perfect option for pick-up on your way IN for the weekend! </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DeQjI0SY0rc/XjTiCAeytrI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/f5fkpLmiie8BvrENJftmPI9mZXQo9jqDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/73035328_2442637116021674_8488522996732919808_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="828" height="195" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DeQjI0SY0rc/XjTiCAeytrI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/f5fkpLmiie8BvrENJftmPI9mZXQo9jqDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/73035328_2442637116021674_8488522996732919808_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">• <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmithLakefleamarket/" target="_blank">Smith Lake Flea Market & Antique Mall</a> ~ If you follow my social media accounts, their mention will come as no surprise. Supporting them isn't just about MY booth ~ it's about ALL the vendors & small businesses within. There are treasures big & small! It has been an absolute JOY to watch this place come to life over the last year. The Darby family has worked to create a collective mix of old, new & all things Smith Lake! They are open Wednesday - Sunday and stay tuned for a fun announcement regarding MEMORIAL DAY Weekend on Smith!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All of our local businesses are here watching our shorelines year round ~ whether its quite or crazy ~ they are the steady. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I challenge you to make it a point to Support Smith Lake small businesses in 2020!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">⇎ ⇎ ⇎ </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">⇎ ⇎ ⇎ </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">⇎ ⇎ ⇎ </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">⇎ ⇎ ⇎ </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">⇎ ⇎ ⇎</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">⇎ ⇎ ⇎ </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">⇎ ⇎ ⇎ </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">⇎ ⇎ ⇎ </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">⇎ ⇎ ⇎ </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">⇎ ⇎ ⇎ </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">⇎ ⇎ </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">{this is not a paid advertisement, simply sharing the love for Smith Lake local businesses ~ if you have a local business you'd like to have featured ~ <a href="mailto:smithlakingit@gmail.com" target="_blank">drop me a line</a> }</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{Additional side note: YES, I do love some Amazon, but nothing beats supporting locals ~ </span></i></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">not to mention the instant gratification of your find or your food} </span></i></i></div>
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</i>Smith Lake Alabamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01278732135423073530noreply@blogger.com