Rebecca Hughes has kicked off our online Silverock Cove Chili Challenge with two of her favorite Chili Recipes. They both sound delicious! Try them out, and then send us your favorite Chili recipes.

Thanks Rebecca!

Buffalo Chicken Chili

Silverock Cove residents please help yourself to some free firewood. We had to cut down a few hardwoods last week and in the Silverock spirit of recycling, we thought we’d chop it and stack for residents to grab and take back to their lake homes. We are starting to see the first signs of cooler weather and we know everyone is already fantasizing about building their first fire of the fall. So please feel free to take a stack.

Now, for some of you city folk who are wee bit spoiled by gas logs or gas starters you may have forgotten how to build a wood-burning fire. Woodheat.org has some tips to help remind you how its done.

Starting a fire

You will need the following materials to build and maintain a good wood fire:

• a newspaper (do not use colored or coated paper)
• a handful of finely split, dry kindling in a variety of sizes; and
• seasoned firewood split into a range of piece sizes.

You can build a conventional fire by starting with news paper and putting kindling on it and then larger pieces, but this method can lead to fires that collapse on themselves and smolder. It also tends to be smoky and fussy because you have to keep adding wood until you have a full fire. Here are three methods to help ensure success.

1. Two Parallel Logs. Put down two split logs with a space between them and put some twisted newspaper in the space. Add some fine kindling – one inch across or less – on the newspaper and more kindling of various sizes across the two logs. This method works well because the two logs give some space for the newspaper and kindling to get a good start. Their burning is usually enough to ignite the two larger logs. After the kindling has almost burned out, more wood must be added to make a full fire.

2. Top-down. While this method takes a little getting used to, it is absolutely reliable, and when it is done properly there is almost no smoke right from the start. Just place three or four full-sized split logs on the firebox floor or on the ground. Place several pieces of medium kindling across them and then maybe another layer of smaller pieces at right angles to those. Then put 10 or so pieces of fine kindling on top. Now take four or five full sheets of newspaper and roll each one up corner-to-corner and tie a sloppy knot in it. Knotting the paper helps to keep it from rolling around as it burns. Place the knots on top of the fine kindling. Light the paper and watch as the fire burns down through the light kindling, the heavy kindling and into the bottom logs. Using the top-down method, you can light the paper and watch the fire burn on its own for up to two hours.

3. Using Fire Starters. Many people use fire starters made of sawdust and paraffin wax. You can buy commercial versions or make them yourself. You can even cut up a wax firelog to make your own starters. If the starters are placed among split pieces of dry wood, the fire will start reliably.

As the weather starts to slowly cool off, the birds around Silverock are going to be looking for a cool new place to perch. Here are a couple favorites to think about adding to your porch at Silverock.

This Amy Adams design is made by Handmade by Perch!, Brooklyn, NY. It is low-fire ceramic, non-toxic glaze with a natural leather cord tanned with vegetable-based dyes. It is 7″ diameter x 5″ tall. Hangs from a 36″ leather cord and holds about 2 cups of bird seed.

Sells for $70 to $80 Buy Now

Modern Case Study Bird Houses

Modern Birdhouses’ Case Study Masters Series honors the architectural pioneers who participated in the Case Study Houses Program. These birdhouses — named after Case Study participants J.R. Davidson, Richard Neutra, and Ralph Rapson. They are hand-made from sustainably harvested teak that has been certified with the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program (www.smartwood.org). The wood is finished with an oil that protects against water, mildew, and UV rays. The roofs are constructed of sandblasted 1/4″ thick aluminum plate and aluminum dowels. Stainless steel fasteners prevent rust and corrosion.
$195 Buy Now

Ceramic Bird Houses

Rae Dunn’s artistic pottery style extends to the common birdhouse. Select from styles imprinted with one of three images: Home, Chirp, or Nest.

Dimensions:

Home: 4.5″D x 7″H
Nest: 4.5″W x 4.5″L x 7″H
Chirp: 4.75″W x 4.75″L x 8″H

$29.95 Buy Now

Join us at Silverock Cove Saturday, June 20th, from 2-6 for ice cream and live music. The pool area is really coming along and should be ready before the party (fingers crossed). The party will go on regardless. If you haven’t seen the pool lately, you are in for a treat. It’s filled with water and is already as breathtaking as you imagined. Clubhouse will not be finished in time for the party, but you have to come check it out.  The beautiful old barn wood is up inside and out,  and they are almost finished with the the copper roof. The glass is not in yet, but the door and window frames are up so you can get a feel for what it is going to look like when it is complete. Very cool.

Mark your calendars today. We look forward to seeing everyone at the party.