Yes! It’s summer and not a night goes by you don’t smell some charcoal and smoke from a nearby Bar-b-Que. Tallahassee, Florida’s weather lends itself to afternoon rain showers, and cool summer evenings. Whether you are cooking for one or a crowd, there’s always time for grilling. Students love grilling to, and it’s great to see all the grilling during tailgate time and football season.

Many a memory will be made when you invite a few friends over or gather with family and talk about food. From the preparation to the cooking, nothing is better than sharing your grilled food with others. Sharing secret recipes and tall tales seems to follow the smoke around here too!

Personally, I prefer the Weber with a hickory charcoal and started with the chimney,.. no lighter fluid.  For others, a variety of gas grills or electric are preferred because they are quick and easy, always accessible. Weber is just tradition at my house.

Want to be the next grill master? Try a few of these great grilling recipes as well! Or, share your favorite here in the comments!

The Tallahassee Fire Department offers these tips for grilling.

Enjoy, be mindful of safety when grilling.  Here are a short video on preparation as you begin your grilling season!

When building or re-modeling your next home remember to design your perfect spot for outdoor entertainment and grilling! For a consultation with your custom home builder in Tallahassee, FL, Contact Debbie Kirkland, Realtor.

Summer is here and in Tallahassee, Florida you will find people love to get outdoors and go fishing! Hot, humid days leave people craving the water. Cooling off on a boat either on a lake, one of the local sink holes, or at the Gulf coast beckons young and old!

There are some serious fishermen in Tallahassee. Several fishing tournaments throughout the year bring out the serious anglers and the small neighborhood ponds are often gathering spots for young families training up the little ones, future fishermen of the world! There are dozens of fishing lakes in Leon County.

There are two FREE FISHING WEEKENDS in Florida!
Memorial Day Weekend and the first weekend in June 2010 have been declared as free recreational saltwater fishing weekends in Florida. This means that anyone, residents and non-residents, can recreationally saltwater fish on May 29, 30, 31 and June 5 and 6, 2010 without a saltwater fishing license. All other recreational saltwater fishing rules, seasons, bag and size limits apply.

Don’t forget your fishing license! Who Needs a Fishing License?

So here are some popular larger lakes, rivers and spots you may want to check out if you are a fisherman in the Tallahassee area:

Freshwater Fishing:   

Lake Jackson

Lake Talquin

Lake Hall

Lake Bradford

Lake Iamonia

Lake Miccosukee

Ocholocknee River

St. Marks River

Carrabelle River

Wakulla River and Springs

Saltwater Fishing:

St. Marks

Carrabelle

Panacea

Alligator Point

You can’t live in Florida and not love the water! We are blessed with clean fresh water and pristine beaches. No matter where you cast a line or a net, make sure you leave your spot cleaner than when you arrived and ready for the next photograph or memory!

Got a fishing story? Leave a comment!

Searching for a waterfront home in the Tallahassee, Florida area? Contact Debbie for a customized list of Tallahassee and surrounding area waterfront homes for sale near the coast on a lake or with private ponds!

Did you know North Florida has some of the  most prestigious equestrian  shows and horse -friendly properties in all of Florida?  Tallahassee is no exception. Tallahassee is surrounded by rich farmland and working plantations. There are large acreage tracts outside the city limits, and in the bordering counties of Wakulla, Jefferson, and Gadsden that are suitable and perfect for the horse-lover or professional equestrian.

Horse lovers will love a few of my Featured  equestrian homes for sale in the Tallahassee area, and this list of horse friendly properties are growing every day. Some are cleared and ready for your custom dream home and equestrian designed farm, others are already improved with stables, barns, equipment and working equestrian training rings.

Florida State University has an equestrian sports team. Tallahassee also offers several equestrian facilities that welcome overnight boarders and guest riders.  Below is a list of several of these facilities:

Southern Oaks: http://www.southernoaksequestrian.com/

Mahan Farms:  http://www.mahanfarm.com/HomPage.html

The Farm Equestrian Center: http://www.farmequestriancenter.com/The_Farm_Equestrian_Center/Homepage.html

Little Pond Farm: http://www.newhorse.com/profile/b.510.r.8980.u.7ed0a4.html

Sunset Farm: http://www.newhorse.com/profile/b.510.r.7488.u.fdc8f6.html

Feather Oaks Farm: http://www.featheroaks.com/

Sundance Mini Horse Farm: http://www.sundanceminihorses.com/

3Y Ranch: http://3yranch.com/

Renegade Run Ranch: http://renegaderunranch.com/

Iron Star Equestrian: http://ironstarequestrian.tripod.com/

Whether you are a visitor to Tallahassee and travel with your horse, or just a visitor looking for riding on boarding, you will see how perfect Tallahassee is to raise and train your horses. There are the many private farms and residences owned by local equestrian friend of mine such as Elizabeth, pictured here. Elizabeth and her husband Jay are local loan officers with Premier Bank.

If you are looking for a horse-friendly, equestrian property in the Florida areas of Tallahassee, Monticello, Crawfordville, Quincy or Havana, contact me for a list of properties that may work for you.

Perhaps I should have started with the Capitol on my first post, since many don’t know that Tallahassee is the Capital of Florida! In any case, a tour of the Old Capitol and the newer Capitol are a treat for both residents and visitors in Tallahassee.

The Old Capitol building that stands downtown facing Apalachee Parkway and North Monroe street was completed in 1845. It was the second building, the original built in 1826. The Old Capitol Building was nearly torn down in 1970′s when the new capitol was planned. I remember this, as a child, and the talk of how horrible it would be to loose that building and the history behind it. Plus, it was so traditional, and plans for the new building was so modern, many did not want to loose that building. It was saved by community activists and residents and restored to a 1902 look, complete with striped awnings. The restoration project was one of the country’s largest renovations. Historic Capitol Brochure.

On the bottom floor is the Florida Legislative Research Center & Museum. **OLD CAPITOL – This is a self-guided tour located across from the New Capitol, for information call (850) 487-1902.

The newer Capitol Building, sits inside the surrounding house and senate buildings and the new Capitol Building which is 22 stories and 300 feet tall. At it’s top it is over 500 feet above sea level. On a clear day, you can see a beautiful view that stretches to the coast on the South side of the Capitol.

Tours of the new takes about 45 minutes. Go to the Information Desk located on the Plaza Level of the New Capitol. For information call and scheduling (850) 488-6167. Groups must call for reservations, as far in advance as possible.

For your real estate needs in the Tallahassee and surrounding area, Debbie Kirkland

Tallahassee Home Sales Market Report April 2010

It’s that time again! Every spring new things blossom in Tallahassee, including shiny, stately, spacious new construction homes.

Ever wonder what granite counter-tops would look like with dark maple cabinets, or a white kitchen with tile accents would look like?  Do you want to know what a “green-built” home looks like or what features might be in an affordable family home in the NW,  or NE?  In the Tallahassee Parade of Homes, there are homes ranging from $159,000 to $1.8 million.  Want to envision your dream home? Want information on new construction costs and time-lines?  Now is your chance to ask those questions and see the latest in building and design in these beautiful new homes.

The Tallahassee Builder’s Association is holding the 2010 Tallahassee Parade of Homes May 8th-9th and 15th-16th.

New construction homes and homes which have undergone major renovations will be featured on the tour. The public is invited to tour these homes. In case you missed getting your copy of the Parade of Homes Guide, here it is just for you! Click the arrow along the right and flip through the pages of the magazine or blow up to full screen!

New construction is my specialty. If you have a plan in mind, and need a buildable lot, a builder referral, an interview for a builder that will work best with your family, give me a call today for a FREE consultation. I will guide you through the process of new construction right up to closing! contact me today for your custom home construction appointment. For all your real estate needs, Debbie Kirkland 850-212-0440

My friend Gerry, “Realty Man” posted this link on his Facebook profile, and I just had to re-post, in some way.

Gerry is riding in the Cape Cod Getaway soon to raise money for MS. Take a look and support Gerry!

A new battery powered bike from VW is foldable, perfect for travel or people getting on or off our city buses, etc.  Just wondering why they are in China first. I think they’d be a great success in the USA. Hopefully our government didn’t make it so difficult to get them here! First person to get one of these VW bikes, let me know!

VW, if you’re looking for a test subject,. I’m game! ; ) (Will park the Harley for this!)

Ride it like you stole it Gerry! Good Luck in your efforts!

Happy Mother’s Day! Thinking back on all the things mother’s have done for us, I am sure that we can all think about the places we went with our friends, parties and all that our Mothers did to prepare party food, organize birthdays, etc. That takes me to a memory of a place I spent a lot of time with friends as a kid, Lake Bradford.

Lake Bradford is located Off Capital Circle SW and Lake Bradford Rd.

The FSU Reservation is located on Lake Bradford and is free to FSU students with ID’s, and a nominal charge for all others.  The FSU Reservation was founded in 1920 by Mrs. S. L. Cawthon, the social director of Florida State College for Women. Its original name, Camp Flastacowo, was derived from the first few letters of the words Florida State College for Women. When the Florida State College for Women became Florida State University a new name was needed. After a campus wide name search in 1954, Camp Flastacowo changed its name to The Reservation. Through the years the “Rez” has continued to grow. Visitors include students, faculty and staff, and the local community. All are welcome, but please leave your pets at home. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

There are things to do at Lake Bradford,  on land, and on the water at the FSU Reservation, kayaks, canoes, a small boat launch and picnic areas.

Lake Bradford is a great skiing lake, great for jet skis, canoes, kayaks, for fishing or just boating or bird watching.

How about fishing, like to fish? Check out this video of a bass caught on Lake Bradford!

I grew up water skiing, watching the FSU ski team practice and perform jumps, canoeing the back lakes, known as Cascade Lakes, and hanging out with friends who had homes along the lake. Good times.

Also on the Lake is the Tallahassee Museum, a story for another day!

For your real estate needs in the Tallahassee and surrounding area, Debbie Kirkland

It’s the weekend, and time to head out of the house. So much is going on here this weekend, from the Capitol to the coast! How about some bird watching today?

St.  Marks Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse is a short 20 – 25 minute drive from Tallahassee. It is a spot that attracts bird watchers, hikers, history buffs and those that visit during the monarch butterfly migration season. Its 68,000 acres of pristine, natural settings, undisturbed and beautiful! What a treasure to Florida! The last time I was there, I saw not one, but two America Bald Eagles. It’s one of my favorite places and I visit often. I love stopping at the Riverside Cafe after a good hike. It’s a great restaurant right on the St. Marks River!

Visitation Information

With the BP Oil Spill threatening the Gulf Coast, we want to get out and enjoy the beaches as much as possible.  In a few weeks, we will be helping clean up the beaches. You too can help! Track the spill, and be ready to help when the call arrives. I’ll post links on that in a few days on my  BLOG.

For your real estate needs in the Tallahassee and surrounding area, Debbie Kirkland

Today was one of those days I just had to take off in the middle of the day to enjoy an hour or so of sunshine, kids voices, the sound of a water fountain and views of a serene lake, and just breathe in. I headed to Lake Ella in downtown Tallahassee.  Lake Ella is located just off North Monroe (US 27) at the corner of Tharpe Street in the heart of downtown Tallahassee

Native Tallahasseans like me, remember Lake Ella as a spot our parent’s would take us for a half a day, after school or on a Sunday afternoon. I remember as a child, the Tallahassee Fourth of July fireworks on the lake, picnics in the park with my family and the many times I took my girls there to “feed the ducks,” loaded with bags of stale bread.

Originally called Bull Pond a name that dates back to around 1867. Black churches used to have baptismals in the clear water. In 1867, 2000 “freedmen” gathered at the Lake for a day long political rally. That was a lot of people back in that day!

In the early 20′s Gilbert Chandler opened the Tallahassee Motor Hotel along what was known as the coast-to-coast highway, the “Old Spanish Trail.” It was about then that Lake Ella was renamed. The cottages that were once popular honeymoon cottages are still in existence, only now filled with local businesses and artisans.  The City of Tallahassee maintains the urban watershed and treats the water for stormwater runoff pollutants.

No matter what day, or time of day, Tallahassean’s are out enjoying Lake Ella and the walking path around the lake, the grassy park and gazebo areas or the covered picnic tables. The ducks are still there and still a favorite with small children.  Many generations of ducks have been born and passed since I was a kid! 

If you get a chance.. go check it out, stop for a sandwich or cup of coffee at the Black Dog Cafe or just take a blanket and spread out on the grass with a book. You’ll be glad you did!