Category: Outdoor Living

Have you been spending more time outside? We’re seeing more of today’s homeowners “investing in place” and seeking additional utility and comfort from all areas of their homes – especially their outdoor living spaces. Lucky for us at Harbor Club, one of the advantages of living in Georgia is the ability to enjoy the mild weather all year round.

As homeowners embrace more outdoor living, demand for outdoor lifestyle products continues to grow. With that in mind, we’re sharing seven tips for making your outdoor living space the perfect oasis for family fun, entertaining friends, or peaceful relaxation. 

Get made in the shade

If your outdoor space doesn’t offer shade from the sun, utilize things like patio umbrellas or pergolas. Sail shades provide an easy, attractive way to block the sun’s rays in outdoor living areas too. Or you could add a gazebo, which instantly adds a new outdoor room with protection from the elements. Another excellent long-term idea is to strategically plant trees around your outdoor living space to ensure they’ll provide shade in the future. Whichever you decide, all will take the edge off on a hot summer day by providing shelter from the heat and protection from a passing summer shower.

Add functional furniture

Consider how you want to use your outdoor space. Did you want to utilize it primarily for dining, relaxing, or entertaining? Most people like a combination of all three, so choose practical and comfortable furniture for your favorite outdoor endeavors. Opt for weather-resistant and washable items and use colors and patterns that match your interior style. Also, add a few small movable tables, which are handy for holding snacks, cocktails, or your favorite book.

Maximize movie night

More families are moving their home movie nights from the indoors out. It’s an enjoyable and unique cinematic experience to watch a film or favorite show projected onto a portable screen from the comfort of your cozy outdoor space. Invest in a good portable outdoor projector, as they are significantly brighter, have a clearer picture, and work well with larger screens…or, in a pinch, a blank wall of your house.

Up your grill game

Everyone loves the delicious aroma of a barbeque. An outdoor grill offers a culinary experience that’s memorable for all. And today, there are tons of options for grilling and cooking outside. You can choose from gas grills, charcoal grills, and pellet grills. There are also gas and wood-fired pizza ovens, which make for delicious, rustic pies. Then, of course, there are Big Green Eggs, Blackstone griddles, and a wide variety of smokers, all of which will significantly enhance your epicurean offerings. (Much to the delight of your family and friends.)

Unwind with water

A small water feature adds a soothing addition to your space. Even a modest trickling fountain can help you relax and lower your blood pressure. Granted, many Harbor Club residents are fortunate to have pretty water views, either of Lake Oconee or one of our tranquil ponds. If you’re one of them, be sure to enhance those views with an outdoor living area that takes advantage of what nature has provided.

Fire it up

You don’t have to move the party inside if it gets chilly. Instead, extend your outdoor entertaining season by adding an outdoor patio heater or a fire pit with cozy seating. Your fire pit doesn’t have to be elaborate. You can purchase a ready-made fire pit table or a fire bowl. They’re attractive and easy to install. Have your favorite marshmallow-roasting supplies handy for when a s’mores opportunity strikes.

Lighten the mood with lighting

If you’ve got an outdoor cooking area, include appropriate lighting to make meal prep a cinch. You can also add more visual interest and expand the feel of your outdoor space by up-lighting your surrounding trees. Or hang outdoor string lights around your porch, patio, or pergola. Consider decorative lighting on your steps and walkways, as they provide admirable accents. Moreover, they make paths safer for you and your guests to navigate at night. 

Here at Harbor Club, we see plenty of homeowners maximizing the comfort and utility of their outdoor living spaces. It’s an easy way to leverage the investment in their homes. Plus, our builders know the importance of living well inside and out with thoughtfully designed homes that best use those spaces. We invite you to our Southern Living-Inspired Community to see several gorgeous homes under construction right now. Why wait? Lake Oconee is lovely to experience any time of year, so contact us now and let’s start planning your visit today. 

Did you know that Augusta National was built on the grounds of a former nursery? Known as Fruitland Nursery, it operated from 1857 to 1910. Perhaps that’s why the famed course seems like a sporting venue with arboretum tendencies, especially during The Masters. The gorgeous trees and flowers there are famous worldwide. In fact, every hole on the course is named after flora found on the course. Lucky for us at Harbor Club, we’re located in the same plant zone as Augusta National (8a), so it’s easy to mimic the colorful landscape.

For planting ideas, here’s a list of each of the holes and a description of each of their namesakes. 

Hole 1 – Tea Olive

Also known as sweet osmanthus, sweet olive, and fragrant olive, it is a species native to Asia. They grow as dense, evergreen shrubs or small trees, and their leaves resemble holly leaves. This plant is well known for its tiny white flowers with a fantastic, unforgettable fragrance. You’ll find tea olives at hole 1 on the right of the fairway and at the rear of the green.

Hole 2 – Pink Dogwood

The pink dogwood tree is a medium-sized ornamental notable for its multitude of pretty pastel flowers. The flowers make their showing in early spring for about two to four weeks. Later those flowers turn to red berries. You’ll find pink dogwoods at hole 2 on both sides of the fairway. 

Hole 3 – Flowering Peach

This one is no surprise considering Georgia is known as the Peach State. This ornamental tree’s pink blooms, with clusters of single or double flowering peach petals, are sights to see from March to early April. Note that this tree is known more for its ornamental characteristics and not the quality of its fruit. You’ll find flowering peach trees on the right side of the fairway.

Hole 4 – Flowering Crabapple

One of the most prized small ornamental trees is the flowering crabapple. They are best known for their showy pink flowers that bloom from late March into early April. Many offer colorful fruit in the fall. You’ll find flowering crabapple trees on the right side of hole 4 leading up to the green. 

Hole 5 – Magnolia

A quintessentially Southern tree, magnolias are a deciduous evergreen prized for its large, highly-fragrant, tulip- or star-shaped flowers. You’ll find magnolias throughout Augusta National. In fact, the entrance to Augusta National is known as Magnolia Lane, and it’s lined with 122 majestic magnolia trees, 61 on each side. 

Hole 6 – Juniper

Also known as red cedar, juniper is an evergreen coniferous ornamental with aromatic cones and foliage. They are members of the cypress family. You’ll find junipers at hole 6 around the tee and around the right side of the green.

Hole 7 – Pampas

Pampas grass is an attractive ornamental flowering grass that sends up its plume-like flowers in August. This reed-like grass is very easy to grow here, as it loves hot summers and mild winters. Mature plants can reach 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide.

Hole 8 – Yellow Jasmine

Yellow Jasmine is an evergreen vine with yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom from February through late April. It’s a fast-growing plant and highly aromatic. It’s easy to spot throughout the South, covering fences and trees in open woodlands. Yellow jasmine also works well as a ground cover as long as it’s cut back annually.

Hole 9 – Carolina Cherry

The Carolina Cherry tree is an extremely drought tolerant full sun tree easily grown as a stand-alone shade tree or hedge to block unwanted views. It’s an evergreen that produces small creamy white flowers in two-inch clusters from February to April. Its leaves have a maraschino cherry fragrance when crushed. You’ll find Carolina cherry trees at hole 9 on the right side of the fairway.

Hole 10 – Camellia

Camellias are beautiful evergreen shrubs highly prized for their gorgeous flowers. They bloom prolifically for weeks from fall into spring. Camellias come in many varieties and colors, and several have multi-colored blooms. The most common colors are pink, red, or white. The japonica and sasanqua species are the famous ones found at hole 10. You’ll see them at the rear of the green and to the left of the fairway.

Hole 11 – White Dogwood

The white dogwood tree is a popular one in the South. The white “bracts” or blooms make a showing from April through May. It offers glossy green leaves in the summer, bright red berries in the fall, and showy bark in the winter, making it lovely to look at all year round. 

Hole 12 – Golden Bell

More commonly known as Forsythia, this is a fast-growing shrub that yields tons of prolific yellow flowers in March and early April. It’s an easy plant to grow and is nearly maintenance-free. You’ll find golden bell at hole 12 behind the green.

Hole 13 – Azalea

With over 30 varieties present, azaleas are the most noted flowering plant at Augusta National. Part of the rhododendron family, it’s a deciduous shrub with tons of brightly colored, sometimes fragrant blooms that last several weeks in spring. It’s shade tolerant and prefers living near or under trees. From tee to green, you’ll find hole 13 flanked on its south side by as many as 1,600 flowering azalea bushes. They are everywhere at Augusta National. 

Hole 14 – Chinese Fir

Chinese Fir is a coniferous evergreen tree from the cypress family. It has fragrant, gray, or reddish-brown bark that sheds in long strips. This tree grows up to 160 feet, with a circumference of about 18 feet. The spreading branches droop at the ends and have flat lance-shaped leaves and rounded cones.

Hole 15 – Firethorn

Belonging to the rose family, this is an evergreen shrub that’s easy to grow. Firethorn provides lots of seasonal interest. It keeps its shiny leaves year-round and offers small creamy-white flowers that appear in April. The flowers later develop into prolific orange-red berries that remain from fall through winter. 

Hole 16 – Redbud

Redbud is a small deciduous tree that also grows as a shrub. It’s well-known for its bright pink flowers that blossom from the trunk, branches, and twigs from March into April. It has heart-shaped leaves that emerge a reddish-purple color, turning dark green as summer approaches and turning yellow in the fall. Redbuds are often planted in landscapes but also grow naturally in woodlands. 

Hole 17 – Nandina

Nandina is a flowering evergreen shrub. It is also called “Heavenly Bamboo.” While it’s not from the bamboo family, its leaves resemble it. Nandina offers white blooms in May and spectacular red berries from fall into winter. In spring, the young leaves are bright pink, which later turn fiery red, and then ultimately green.

Hole 18 – Holly

Considering both an evergreen and an ornamental, holly trees are well-known for their tiny white flowers, bright red berries, and glossy, prickly-edged leaves. Hollies keep their foliage year-round, but only the female trees produce berries. Boughs of holly are often used as decor around Christmastime. 

To learn more about some of these plants, take a look at our write-up on the Southern Living Plant Collection. Also, feel free to reach out to our garden club members for tips and advice. You’ll likely spot them tending to our Victory Garden located at The Grove. 

As a Southern Living Inspired Community, many of our residents have already successfully replicated the stunning landscapes of Augusta National in their own yards. Why not come see for yourself? Make plans to stop by Harbor Club, and you’ll see the beauty that abounds throughout our highly-acclaimed golf and lake community. Let’s start planning your visit today. 

Living near Lake Oconee offers tons of fun activities, especially during the summer months. There’s boating, swimming, fishing, golfing, and so much more. If you’re looking for ideas to make your summertime the best time, consider these: 

Go boating

As Georgia’s second-largest lake, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Lake Oconee with family members of all ages. With boating comes water skiing, wake surfing, tubing, lake picnics, or just chilling out on the water. Then, of course, there’s jet-skiing, canoeing, and kayaking too. Since Lake Oconee’s water level never fluctuates more than 18 inches, it’s easy for everyone to have fun on the lake no matter when you decide to venture out. 

Fun idea: Enjoy an unforgettable ride on a lux wooden boat via Oconee Classic Boats.

Take a swim

When it comes to a refreshing dip, you’ve got options at Harbor Club. First, of course, you can jump in Lake Oconee’s cool water. But if you’re more of a pool person, we’ve got a crystal clear, junior Olympic-sized option for you to cool off in too. 

Fun idea: Check out The Sandbar or Jumping Rock — both are hidden gems on Lake Oconee that are the perfect swimming spots for creating fun memories. 

Go fish

Catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass are plentiful in Lake Oconee. But did you know that Harbor Club also has several large ponds stocked with fish? Lake or pond, no matter where you drop your line, you’re bound to go home with a prize fish, or at the very least some great tales to tell.

Fun idea: Try BigFishHeads Guide Service for an incredible day of crappie or striper fishing. 

Play lakefront golf

Our lakefront golf course in Georgia is strategically located alongside picturesque Lake Oconee, making a game at Harbor Club as gratifying as it is engaging. The course touches the shoreline of Lake Oconee on six different holes. It also skirts four creeks and offers several renowned Weiskopf-Morrish Risk Reward holes. See a virtual view of our course, or better yet, book a tee time to experience it for yourself.

Fun idea: Head to the Pro Shop to get fitted for golf clubs, perfectly sized just for you.

Learn about Lake Oconee

At the Lake Oconee Discovery Museum, you’ll learn about the culture, history, and natural landscape that makes Georgia’s Lake Country so special. It offers tons of interesting photos, fascinating historical exhibits, art, memorabilia, videos, informational kiosks, and interactive multimedia displays. Also, don’t miss the documentary tribute to Georgia Power’s Wallace Dam and Lake Oconee reservoir.

Fun idea: Take a look at the museum’s impressive, large-scale topographic map of Lake Oconee and be the first to find Harbor Club’s location on the lake.

Eat lakeside

Part of our Boathouse Marina is The Boathouse Restaurant, which is open during the summer months. It’s one of Lake Oconee’s only “boat-up” eateries where you can not only fuel up your watercraft but yourself too with cold drinks, tasty snacks, and mouthwatering meals. You can eat inside, outside on the deck, or on the grand lawn — all offer gorgeous views of the lake. Or, if you come by boat, feel free to order your meals to-go so you can have a picnic out on the water. 

Fun idea: During the summertime, The Boathouse offers free, live music on Saturdays. Follow us on Facebook to see the upcoming concert events. 

Don’t be surprised to see a lot of Harbor Club residents enjoying the lake this summer. Our Southern Living-Inspired Community provides every one of them with direct access to Lake Oconee via The Boathouse Marina. If you’re curious to learn what your life could be like at Harbor Club, contact us for a tour today. We look forward to seeing you. 

If you’ve ever seen an oddly bent tree in our local woods, you may have happened upon a trail tree. These special trees are unique. Created by Native Americans as navigational tools, they represent ancient trail markers that helped them traverse long distances with ease. 

As land development continues today, these special trees are, unfortunately, vanishing at an increased rate. Good land stewards that we are, we know how fortunate we are at Harbor Club to have one of these fascinating Native American legacies. Better yet, our bent tree is alive, well, and protected within our gates.

Bent trees were originally saplings that were purposely bent in the correct direction for accurate trail navigation. The bend of a baby hardwood tree (typically a white oak) was secured with items such as sinew, rawhide, or vines. Alternatively, the saplings were weighted down with dirt or rocks. The tree would be left bent in the bent position for about year. After that, the tie-downs were released. The tree would then continue to grow with the “elbow” pointing in the proper direction.

The practice of creating the bends in the saplings did not kill the trees. It did, however, change their development. As the trees continued to grow, the bends would sometimes touch the ground. When that happened, it would often produce a second set of roots and possibly form an additional trunk.

What were the trees pointing to? While trail designation was the most popular use, the trees could have been manipulated toward other significant things. These could be an ideal spot to cross a stream, sites for medicinal plants, council circles, trading posts, and sacred burial grounds.

The Trail Tree Project, maintained by The Mountain Stewards nonprofit group, keeps a database of bent trees that exist throughout the eastern part of the United States. Trail trees are not protected by law, so to keep them safe, the database only shows a large general area in which a particular bent tree is located.

If you happen upon a bent tree, ours in particular, be respectful of it and its historical significance. Please do not climb or sit on the tree and its fragile branches. We want to ensure that these unique living relics continue to thrive for others to admire and appreciate in the future.

If you come to Harbor Club for a tour, we’d be happy to show you our cherished bent tree. It’s one of many fantastic things to see and experience at our Southern Living-Inspired Community. Start planning your visit today.

It’s no secret that one of the best ways to boost your health is through consistent exercise. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be hard. Even moderate physical activity done on a regular basis will create marked improvements in your health and well-being. There are tons of ways to get a good workout–especially at our Grove campus–but one worth pondering is the game of pickleball.

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What is pickleball, you ask? Believe it or not, it’s one of the fastest growing sports in the US. It has aspects of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong all rolled into one super-fun, easy-to-learn court sport. Not only is it enjoyable to play, but there are also a number of health benefits to gain from regular play. These include:

Physical benefits

People of all ages, young and old, find pickleball favorable from a physical standpoint. Why? One, the speed of the ball is slower than the speed of a tennis ball, making it easier for both young and old bodies to react; two, the sport is played on a smaller court than tennis which makes it more gentle on your body. You’ll burn calories, yet experience fewer injuries since it is a low-impact sport. What’s more, it can improve your balance, agility, and hand-eye coordination. All three are a bonus for those looking to enhance their golf game.

Psychological benefits

Here’s a huge perk: Pickleball can help boost your mood. A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology in 2017 found that the more deeply involved players were in the sport, the more likely they were to have a positive outlook on both aging and their overall lives. Routinely playing pickleball will also reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression — which is ideal for anyone, no matter how old (or young) you are.

Social benefits

Anywhere you play pickleball you’ll create some great friendships, because it’s a social sport. Playing pickleball regularly with a group of people increases not only feelings of connectedness but emotional support too. What’s more, consistently engaging in fun, physical activity with friends increases the chances that you’ll continue that activity into the future. The consistency is key, and that feeling of camaraderie can help make it happen.

Pickleball is a cinch to learn and loads of fun to play, which makes it easy for players of all ages and skill levels. Harbor Club has multiple pickleball courts, with plans to build more in the future. Currently, our members play co-ed doubles on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday at 9am; women play on Wednesdays at 9am; and men play on Thursdays at 9am. We’d love for you to stop by and check out our facilities and everything else that Harbor Club has to offer. Start planning your visit today.

 

The Memorial Day holiday is almost here! For many of us, it’s a lovely three-day weekend to gather with family and friends. The warmer weather makes for fantastic barbecues and picnics to help ring in summer. Or better yet, a fun-filled boat excursion with delicious drinks and snacks to nosh on. But what to make? No worries — we’ve put together a roundup of delicious recipes, all courtesy of our good friends at Southern Living.

We are a Southern Living-inspired community, after all! Try a few of these recipes for your Memorial Day gathering, and you’ll be sure to impress your guests.

Lime Fizz

This fizzy, lime-flavored drink is the perfect kids’ cool-me-down on hot summer afternoons after a day at the ballpark, in the yard, or biking with friends. For an adult version, stir 2/3 cup vodka in with simple syrup.

Ingredients

Crushed ice

3/4 to 1 cup Lime Simple Syrup

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

3 1/2 cups chilled club soda

How to Make It

Fill a large pitcher with crushed ice. Pour Lime Simple Syrup and lime juice over ice. Add club soda, and stir gently to combine. Serve immediately.

BBQ-Ranch Popcorn

You may want to get creative and try other flavors, like chili powder-lime zest and cinnamon-sugar.

Ingredients

1 (1-oz.) envelope Ranch dressing mix

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon light brown sugar

2 (86.8-gram) bag gourmet microwave popcorn

How to Make It

Step 1

Stir together Ranch dressing mix, paprika, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Prepare 1 bag gourmet microwave popcorn according to package directions, and pour into a large bowl. Sprinkle immediately with half of the Ranch mixture, tossing to coat.

Step 2

Prepare the second bag of popcorn according to package directions. Add to bowl with seasoned popcorn, and toss with remaining Ranch mixture. Store popcorn in an airtight container up to 2 days.

Fruit, Cheese, and Herb Skewers

Stack various combinations of fruit, mozzarella cheese, and herbs on 6-inch wooden skewers for a fun and fresh party appetizer that can be made up to three hours ahead of time.

Ingredients

Basil leaves

Fresh small mozzarella cheese balls

Blackberries

Mint leaves

Raspberries

Strawberries

Blueberries

How to Make It

Step 1

Blackberry Skewers: 2 basil leaves, 2 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, 2 to 3 blackberries

Step 2

Raspberry Skewers: 2 mint leaves, 2 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, 4 raspberries

Step 3

Strawberry Skewers: 1 large basil leaf, torn in half; 2 strawberries; 1 fresh small mozzarella cheese ball

Step 4

Blueberry Skewers: 1 large basil leaf, torn in half; 6 blueberries; 2 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls

Fried Chicken Bites

Perfect for a picnic, these spicy fried chicken nuggets are great dipped in honey mustard or blue cheese dressing.

Ingredients

1 1/2 teaspoons to 1 Tbsp. ground red pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons ground chipotle chile pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoons dried crushed red pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon paprika

2 pounds skinned and boned chicken breasts

2 cups buttermilk

3 bread slices, toasted

1 cup all-purpose flour Peanut oil

Blue cheese dressing or honey mustard dressing

How to Make It

Step 1

Combine first 7 ingredients in a small bowl; reserve half of spice mixture. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Place chicken in a medium bowl, and toss with remaining spice mixture until coated. Stir in buttermilk; cover and chill 24 hours.

Step 2

Tear bread into pieces, and place in a food processor with reserved spice mixture. Process until mixture resembles cornmeal. Stir in flour. Remove chicken pieces from buttermilk, discarding buttermilk. Dredge chicken in breadcrumb mixture.

Step 3

Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches into a Dutch oven; heat to 350°. Fry chicken, in batches, 6 to 7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and done. Drain on a wire rack over paper towels. Sprinkle with salt to taste. Serve warm or cold with blue cheese dressing or honey mustard.

Root Beer Baked Beans

Transform canned pork and beans into superb baked beans by stirring in peppery-sweet root beer, dry mustard, and hot sauce. The 5-minute prep time might make this dish one of your summertime favorites.

Ingredients

3 bacon slices

1 small onion, diced

2 (16-ounce) cans pork and beans

1/2 cup root beer (not diet)

1/4 cup hickory-smoked barbecue sauce

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/8 teaspoon hot sauce

How to Make It

Step 1

Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp; remove and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon.

Step 2

Sauté diced onion in hot bacon drippings in skillet over high heat 5 minutes or until tender. Stir together onion, crumbled bacon, beans, and remaining ingredients in a lightly greased 1-quart baking dish.

Step 3

Bake beans, uncovered, at 400° for 55 minutes or until sauce is thickened.

Praline Key Lime Pie

This chilled, creamy pie is the dessert equivalent of a swimming hole–so refreshing you can’t help but dive in. Garnish with lime slices and lime zest curls, if desired.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups chopped pecans

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. jarred caramel topping

2 (14-oz.) cans sweetened condensed milk

6 egg yolks

2 teaspoons Key lime or lime zest

1 cup fresh Key lime or lime juice

1 1/2 cups whipping cream

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar

How to Make It

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.

Step 2

Stir together graham cracker crumbs, next 2 ingredients, and 1/2 cup toasted pecans until blended. Press crumb mixture on bottom, up sides, and onto the lip of a lightly greased 10-inch deep-dish pie plate.

Step 3

Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven to a wire rack, and cool completely (about 45 minutes).

Step 4

Sprinkle remaining 3/4 cup toasted pecans over bottom of crust; drizzle caramel topping over pecans.

Step 5

Whisk together sweetened condensed milk and next 3 ingredients. Gently pour into prepared crust.

Step 6

Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until almost set. (The center will not be firm but will set up as it chills.) Cool completely on a wire rack (about 1 hour). Cover and chill 4 hours.

Step 7

Beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Dollop or spread over pie.

From our family to yours, we wish you a deliciously fun holiday weekend.