Bolton Landing

This is a photo of my great-neice Lili having fun in Lake George last summer. We were at a beach in Bolton Landing on the west shore of Lake George, about 10 miles north of the village. It was a picture-perfect summer day. Bolton Landing is one of my favorite places on earth, and it is less than an hour away. Part of the reason I love it is because that’s where I visit my daughter Katie’s family. Katie, her husband Bill, and little Henry live in a cute bungalow on the road that leads up to the Sagamore Golf Course. They have a one-bedroom home on a couple of acres with a pond and an impressive waterfall. Needing more elbow room, they’re building the new home in Middle Grove. There they’ll have much more living space and many more acres of land, not to mention a Grandma right over the garage!

Even though they won’t be living in Bolton Landing for much longer, we’ll still continue to be regulars there. Katie and Bill are boating enthusiasts and can’t stay away from Lake George for long. Reasons for loving Bolton Landing are many. First of all, it’s on Lake George. There’s pretty much nothing better than that. It’s a small town with everything anyone should need. There’s an ATM, a Ben and Jerry’s, a post office, a Grand Union, a Stewart’s Shop, a good deli, a Laundromat, a liquor store, and very good restaurants (I love Cate’s for Italian food). There’s a boutique, a new pizza shop, a few bars, gift shops, soft ice cream, an antique dealer, an internet café, a cute produce stand with seasonal offerings, a library, a museum, churches, free parking, two great beaches, and more. And of course, there’s the Sagamore Hotel. All this is found within about four walking blocks. On the Fourth of July, you’ll see one of the best fireworks displays in the area, originating from a barge out on the lake, just south of the Sagamore. Boaters drop anchor to watch the fireworks from the water. Others gather at Rogers Park and along Route 9N for their view.

Katie says they roll up the sidewalks between Labor Day and Memorial Day, but that’s a bit of an exaggeration. You will find people milling about through the holidays. Between January and March, there’s too much snow and it’s too cold to notice what is or isn’t going on!

In the summer time, I love the beach at Roger’s Memorial Park. Nestled in a cove with expansive views of the Sagamore and pretty boat houses along the the lake, this beach is Bolton Landing’s best kept secret. Locals know it’s there, but more people go to the larger Veterans' Beach just north of the last traffic light. I often take Friday afternoons in the summer and spend them at the beach at Roger’s Park. Pleasure boats use the long wooden dock for easy access to town and swimming. The large Mohican and Minnehaha boats steam by. Parasailors ascend and land out on the water. Teenagers jump off a nearby pier. The sandy beach is perfect for little nieces and nephews who come with sand toys and kites. Sisters and friends join me for sun-filled afternoons talking about everything and nothing. We pack a picnic lunch or pick something up at the deli across the street, and hang out until it seems the right time to leave. Somehow, though, that time always comes too soon.

Driving home after a day like that is a pleasure. I turn the radio on to the oldies station, open the sun roof and let the wind dry my hair. The slow, winding drive down Route 9N to exit 22 of the Northway is a beautiful experience. There are gorgeous vistas of the lake, and lots of one-of-a-kind motels and stopping points. It seems as though time has stood still in this small little portion of the world. Looking forward to the next time, I never feel as though I’m leaving this favorite place for long.

It's a Different World

It’s been a rainy June in Saratoga Springs, and we’ve only had one day this month that’s reached 80 degrees. Days like this find me longing for the warm, long, lazy summer days of my childhood, when blue skies and sunshine were the only formula necessary for a good time.

When I was a little kid on MacArthur Drive, summer seemed so much longer than it does now. Then there was time to be bored, time to lie on the grass, contemplate the clouds, and watch the world go by. I often hear “it’s a different world now” usually in regard to politics, personal finances, or raising kids. It’s also a different world for the way kids experience life. During our 1950s and 60s summers, we’d run out the door after breakfast and wouldn’t return until lunch time. It was the same for the hours between lunch and “supper” as we called dinner then. Our mothers knew we were outside playing, but didn’t have to know exactly where. Play wasn’t structured or organized or considered a “date.” It didn’t cost a thing. It was spontaneous and creative. Most mothers were home then, not burdened by the worries of parents today. We didn’t take snacks with us everywhere we went. We ate when we were home. We didn’t lug water bottles or vitamin-infused drinks with us. We drank from water fountains or garden hoses. We rode our bikes or walked, and family dogs tagged along. We were participants, more than mere observers, of the world around us. We didn’t have to pay fees to be part of a team. We just signed on and anyone who wanted to, played ball. When the sun went down, our parents would gather on lawn chairs in a neighbor’s driveway and watch as the kids played Red Light Green Light , Red Rover, or Freeze Tag. On the Fourth of July, we’d gather together and swirl sparklers in glimmering spirals, with minimal caution from our parents to be careful. My mother, her world passing by more quickly than ours, would sigh, “After the Fourth of July, summer’s over…” and we’d protest, “Mom, don’t say that!” Our summer was just beginning.

Summer hasn’t yet officially started. The Fourth of July is approaching, and I can’t wait. There’s so much summer to enjoy after that!

Tomorrow's blog: Bolton Landing!

photo credit: http://images.quickblogcast.com/101258-93957/Boy_Drinking_Water_from_Garden_Hose.jpg

Summer Confetti Salad

This is one of the most colorful, healthy, and refreshing salads you can make. It's also one of the easiest. I first had it when I participated in a comparative weight loss study at Skidmore College sponsored by the Exercise Science Department and Body for Life. We were all monitored for six months and exercised six days a week! We started in August and by Thanksgiving I’d lost the equivalent of a good sized Butterball turkey! You know how it goes -- once the discipline and oversight of the study ended, life got in the way and the structure of the program faded. Still, there are remnants of that experience that have stayed with me, and among them are recipes for good, healthy food. This recipe is one that I use again and again. It’s a huge hit at summer barbeques. With the rice, beans and colorful veggies, it's very pretty and looks like confetti, so that’s where it got its name.

Summer Confetti Salad

4 cups cooked brown rice (instant or regular), cooled
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
½ green pepper, chopped
½ red pepper, chopped
½ yellow pepper, chopped
½ cucumber, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
2 tbsp. chopped red onion
1 small container feta crumbles
1 small bottle light Italian dressing, more or less to taste

In large bowl, combine rice with beans and chopped vegetables. Add feta and Italian dressing. Mix well. Chill. That’s it!

Next blog: Girls Night In Food!

CALLING FAMILY COOKS WITH RECIPES! Please join in as a follower (you know you want to!) and start sending me your recipes and stories to jeddy001@hotmail.com. I'd love to feature something that's special to you. You don't even have to like cooking, but if you have something you remember fondly or are loving today, make a suggestion and I'll put it up! Thanks! - Jeannie

photo credit: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://soul-sides.com/uploaded_images/SummerSunflower1-742749.jpg&imgrefurl=http://soul-sides.com/labels/summer%2520songs.html&usg=__RG8WSvWYg82UYvX4RMGZQMqm35c=&h=216&w=320&sz=12&hl=en&start=29&tbnid=5QN1qt0Ao3Hv2M:&tbnh=80&tbnw=118&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsummer%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20