The Answer - Smith Lake's Famous Romance, Kurt & Cathy Bowden
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If you read our article titled "The Answer - Smith Lake's Famous Romance, Kurt & Cathy Bowden" in the Spring 2018 Issue of our magazine (see links below), then you know a little about our good friends for whom this project came about.  We have had the pleasure of getting to know the Bowdens much better since doing the article, and have had the joy of spending lake time with them as well.  And, by the way, they are no strangers to watersports.  We've already had Kurt Bowden riding a Slingshot Wake Foil for quite some time now, and honestly, we can't find a watersport that he can't master, including our Sky Ski Hydrofoil.  Kurt and Cathy are such a fine example of the best in lake people - fun, outgoing, welcoming, kind, open and sharing - they remind us how we all feel as though we meet no stranger on the lake.  Where our boat docks are like backdoors in this neighborhood that shares one common backyard we love and cherish, and it binds us together - Lewis Smith Lake.  We feel lucky to have met these new friends & neighbors who we now share a very special bond with, as we identify with so many of their life experiences in a profound way with incredibly deep empathy and caring. 

(beautiful wedding photos below - the wedding was right here on Lewis Smith Lake near Big Bridge)

Unique and Original Lake Products

We had the pleasure of getting to know Jamie Burnett, creator of Unsalted Waters through social media in the last several months.  All of us were female entrepreneurs, embarking on new ventures in the lake industry in Alabama - and all of us true creatives with original ideas and different ways to express them.  We were drawn to Jamie for her creativity, fun spirit, and authentic product designs. Unsalted Waters quickly became a favorite lake product page to watch.  We had to know more, so we reached out to her, and we just had to inquire about that fun name for her company.  We found out we have so much in common, and we've become very big fans of Jamie, and UnSalted Waters.  We know you will feel the same.  

She is branching out from Lake Martin into the larger lake scene, by bringing her fun and creative decals designed for outdoor living to Smith Lake and other lakes in Alabama.  We hope to collaborate with Jamie in other ways, but for now, we celebrate her originality and creativity, and the UnSalted Waters brand.  Read below for more about Jamie and her company.

UnSalted Waters is lake lifestyle brand that was created in 2017 by Lake Martin and Auburn resident, Jamie Burnett.  
 
She and her husband grew up on lakes their entire lives and wanted to raise their boys the same way.  They'd spend the day on the boat, pulling their boys on a tube or wakeboard and then explore, find a slough to anchor and have lunch. Watch the world go by, enjoying time together having a little adventure on the water.  ​

After years of gas station t-shirts and unsuccessful searches for lake merchandise to give as gifts, She kept thinking of the perfect name for a brand that encompassed everything they love about the lake.  She didn’t want to use the words lake or life or explore, even though that was what she wanted to convey.  She wanted something unique that spoke for itself without using words or phrases that seemed so common. After a couple years of thinking about it, it came to her. UnSalted Waters, a connotation on uncharted waters, exploring freshwater, an adventure, a lake lifestyle.  It said everything without explaining anything at all.  It’s a brand for those that love freshwater adventure, those that love to explore the lake and take their boat out in search of someplace new; a new restaurant, a hidden slough, a rope swing or a beautiful home to behold.  It’s for those that may not check a box describing themselves as watersport enthusiasts or a fisherman, even though they may occasionally fish or pull a tube.  It’s a brand for those that seek freshwater adventure in a pontoon boat, a canoe, a bass boat or personal watercraft, any boater out looking for adventure.  ​

This summer, UnSalted Waters offered a special t-shirt for Goat Island on Lake Martin giving 50% of the profits to help the goat owners pay for the care of the goats.  She was able to give them a nice sum to go towards medical expenses and food.  She felt led to give back in some way and knowing how many love to visit the goats on Goat Island, it seemed like the prefect opportunity to use the brand she had created to support something that everyone could enjoy.  
 
Her website, unsaltedwaters.com, has become not only an online store but since she started the blog in early 2018, a place to share local stories of other lake entrepreneurs, fresh and easy lake recipes for a day on the boat and fun cocktails.  A little something for everyone who loves an adventurous lake lifestyle.  

You can find UnSalted Waters online through Facebook as @unsaltedwaters or Instagram as @unsalted.waters - so go check out what she has to offer, and watch closely for beautiful lake posts, and classy lake products. 

We welcome Jamie to the Alabama lake scene and wish her the best in her unique and original endeavor - Unsalted Waters ™! 

S’mores Cookies
 
A combination of favorite flavors – s’mores + chocolate chip cookies = flavor explosion!  Great for lakeside grilling or tailgating season.  Whip up a batch and enjoy!  This recipe was graciously shared with us by reader Katie Keenan Lee, see bottom for link to where she obtained the original recipe.  

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INGREDIENTS
 
Graham Cracker Crumble
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• 1 pkg Nabisco Honey Maid graham crackers
• 6 T butter (melted)
• 1 T sugar
• dash of salt

The recipe takes about 25 minutes from preparation to full cook time, and serves from 60-80 depending on sizing (ours were big - so the batch made about 45+).  These are a so delicious - a new favorite in our home!  Dig in!  
 
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Credit:  Recipe shared by reader Katie Keenan Lee on social media.  She obtained the recipe from blog site “Like Mother, Like Daughter” – link: https://lmld.org/smores-cookies/.  Thanks Katie for finding and sharing this yummy recipe, and thanks to "LMLD" https://lmld.org blog site for the recipe - what a fun blog discovery in the process, a great one to watch!  

Photo Credits:  S'mores Cookies - pottery provided by Sandra Heaven and Diane Sharron - local Arley artists who offer gorgeous clay creations - they design custom pieces and sets.  Please see our former blog on these incredible artisans.  ​