From time to time, we all need a rest. After months of work, that’s really the best remedy for your tired mind and body – a nice, relaxing vacation. But for many, going to some kind of resort or large hotel can feel cold and not homely at all....
Lakefront Living
Considering a Backyard Fire Pit? Here’s What You Should Know
No longer will a wood deck with a grill do for many lakefront homeowners wanting to enjoy their backyards. These days, accessorizing means amenities like ponds, flower beds, vegetable gardens, outdoor kitchens and, increasingly, fire pits that crackle and glow. Of course, a fire pit can be had without...
9 Things You Should Consider Before Buying A Vacation Home
About one in eight home buyers is buying a second home, according to research from the National Association of Realtors. And Autumn is a time of year when buyers think about it. By Kate Ashford, Forbes.com. Consider: You’ve just had a great summer trip to a relaxing location, and you’re...
Why Being Near Water Really Does Make Us Happier
There are scientific reasons why we’re so drawn to lakes, rivers, and oceans. By Cassie Shortsleeve, CNTraveler.com. Every time my brother crosses the Sagamore Bridge from mainland Massachusetts to Cape Cod, we all know where he’s headed: a sandy spot off an ocean road on the Nantucket Sound, home to...
Tips for Beautiful Autumn Reflections
Autumn is a beautiful season that’s loved by photographers everywhere. Or at least by those who happen to live in areas of the world where the changing leaves create spectacular photo opportunities! By CHRISTINA HARMAN. If you happen to live in, or are traveling to one of those scenic areas,...
Closing Down Your Vacation Lake Home For The Winter
Owning a vacation lake home is, for most people, a dream come true. But now you have to sustain that dream, and that means protecting it even when you are not there. When vacation’s over, it’s time you close up for the season. So what should you do to ensure that...
The Pros And Cons Of Buying A Floating Home
Floating Homes: The New Trend in Homeownership? These days, with tiny homes all the rage across the country, more and more people are opening up to the possibility of alternative living conditions, including buying a floating home. Remember, a floating home is not necessarily a houseboat, even though these terms may...
10 Tips for Taking Your Dog on a Boat
Most dogs love getting out on the water as much as you and I do—and you wouldn’t leave you best friend stuck on shore every time you left the dock, would you? So the next time you grab your sailing bag or fishing rods and depart from your lake home,...
Buying Guide For Tow Ropes
You might think that buying a tow rope for wakeboarding, water skiing, kneeboarding, or tubing is as simple as finding the length you want and hooking it up. The reality is that it is not that simple, and if you’re going to be active in any one of, or...
Add an Outdoor Shower to your Lake Property
There’s something nostalgic about showering in the great outdoors, something that brings back memories of summers past. Beach trips, summer camp, rustic cabins at the lake and family camping outings are all experiences that evoke a similar wistful longing for seasons gone by. – by Katherine Fulghum Knopf, Small Home Magazine...