It all started on a cold winter day in December with a little movie called “Swiss Family Robinson.”  This 1960 Disney Classic would spawn my ingenious idea that would later unfold at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, NE.  As I sat on the couch with my girlfriend Melanie that day, I was informed multiple times how amazing the tree house in the movie was.  Being an interior designer, Melanie deeply admired the craftsmanship of that tree house, noting the clever design by the Robinson family.  She pointed out the awesomeness of it every chance she could.  By the end of the movie, I had no doubt that she genuinely wished she could live in a tree house.  As the credits rolled, I had my “Ah-hah!” moment.  That was it.  The engagement idea I had been searching for. 

I knew then and there that I had to propose in a tree house.

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Now in Bloom: Sunflower Patch at Arbor Day Farm

Aug 07 by Lied Lodge Blog in General tagged Arbor Day Farm, Discovery Ride, photography, sunflowers with 3 comments

 

Reason #32 to come to Arbor Day Farm in early- to mid-August: the one acre sunflower patch is in glorious full bloom.

Granted, there’s no shortage of beautiful landscapes and interesting things to photograph across these 260 acres in any season. But this sunny patch along the Discovery Ride path is simply magnificent.

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Survive Summer’s Heat with Ice Cream

Aug 04 by Lied Lodge Blog in Recipes tagged homemade ice cream, ice cream recipe, Lied Lodge, summer recipe with no comments

 

For those of us in the Midwest, the month of August typically holds some of the hottest days of the entire summer. I’m not a huge fan of sweltering heat, but I do enjoy a cool dessert… and they taste even better on hot summer days.

Here’s a refreshing recipe for a summertime classic: Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. Simply toss in any fruit from your garden or your local farmer’s market, and you’ve got the perfect remedy for the dog days of summer.

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Watermelon Sangria – Like Summer In a Glass

Jul 23 by Lied Lodge Blog in Recipes tagged sangria recipe, summer drink recipe, summer fruit recipe, watermelon recipe with 1 comment

 

The hot days of summer call for a cool, refreshing drink. This simple recipe for Watermelon Sangria is a great way to use up one of summer’s signature fruits and keep your thirst quenched. It’s perfect for a summer barbecue or backyard party.

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Taste Nebraska’s Summer Bounty

Jul 10 by Lied Lodge Blog in Recipes tagged with no comments

 

Summer’s in full swing, and with it comes an abundance of gorgeous, juicy vegetables fresh for the picking in your garden or at the farmer’s market. I like to incorporate all those fresh veggies into a colorful sweet corn and black bean relish. Serve it on top of fresh greens for a healthy salad or as a zesty dip with tortilla chips.

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Activities for an Effective Meeting

Jun 12 by Lied Lodge Blog in General tagged break ideas, effective meeting activities, meeting activities with no comments

 

Keeping meeting attendees focused is one of your top priorities, right?  Here are just a few suggestions that will help make your next meeting effective…

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Small Town Hotel Hospitality

May 29 by Lied Lodge Blog in General tagged customer service, hospitality, retreat with no comments

 

As a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, I continue to be charmed by the advantages of living and working in a small town.  For example, during my lunch hour I can drop off my dry cleaning, run to the post office, pick up a prescription and still have 45 minutes to eat.  And when my dry cleaning is mistakenly given to the wrong customer, I know him!  And I know where he works.  And I know where the auto repair shop is, where my dry cleaning is hanging in his car, as it waits to be lubed and oiled.  What in California would have been a major disruption to my day (assuming I ever saw my dry cleaning again) is, in Nebraska City, a five minute inconvenience.

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Morel Mushrooms Make for Delicious Nebraska Dining

May 22 by Lied Lodge Blog in Recipes tagged fine dining, frittata recipe, Lied Lodge dining, morel mushroom recipe, Timber Dining Room with 1 comment

 

It’s the height of morel mushroom season in the midwest, and people everywhere are taking to the forest and the underbrush with great expectations of finding the mother lode of the delicious fungus.

Good luck to you!

Assuming you find enough morel mushrooms for at least one meal, I think this recipe for Morel Mushroom Frittatas will please your palate. It makes an excellent main dish for a weekend brunch with friends and family.

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Nebraska Wedding Tips – How to Choose the Perfect Location

May 21 by Lied Lodge Blog in General tagged Nebraska wedding, Omaha wedding, wedding ceremony, wedding reception with no comments

 

Marriage is a blissful and exciting time for all couples.  There are many factors to consider when choosing a wedding location for your special day.  Although this is a big decision for engaged couples it should be joyful and stress free.  Here are a few facts to consider with choosing your location…

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