I don’t know how things are going at your house, but things are humming here in the Heron nest since the Sweetheart Soiree on Valentine’s Day. Helen has had a sparkle in her eye ever since we flew into the Heron Bay Lodge that night and saw all the candle light and red roses. Of course, the dessert bar was a highlight for her, too. (Just as a note, I made only one trip to the dessert bar because I’m still working toward that New Year’s Resolution. I’ve been faithful to work out at the Heron Bay Fitness Center several times a week, and only had one piece of dessert at the dance – one piece of cheesecake, one piece of strawberry shortcake, and one piece of each of the chocolates.)

The five course meal was delicious, but my favorite part was getting to know new friends and neighbors. And what better way to get to know people than to get on the dance floor to the sound of a live band playing contemporary jazz? Some of the neighbors have got moves, and I think they were impressed with my moves, too, judging by the stares I got. I was so footloose and fancy free that Helen’s cheeks turned red just watching me. I’ve been practicing at home. When I fly in from work, I sneak up behind Helen and whirl her around. I hope the Heron Bay Neighborhood Association and the Social Activities Committee plan another dance soon because we will be ready. Thank you to all the volunteers who made it such a special night for all of us.

Visit my photo album for a great pic from the Sweetheart Soiree.

Paul Thomas Homes, one of the builders at Heron Bay, is at it again! I’ve seen their homes in The Links at Heron Bay, and when I heard they were building in The Summit at Heron Bay, Helen and I flew over to see for ourselves.

We could tell right away that The Summit is going to be a great opportunity for a new group of neighbors to join us. The homes are going to range from 2,140 to 2,887 square feet, and they start in the high $100,000s. You don’t have to cash in your nest egg for that! They’re going to offer all the bells and whistles, too, like butler’s pantries, two-story family rooms, separate dining rooms and, my favorite, three-sided fireplaces.

We even got a tour of the model home, which will open in March. It’s the Raleigh plan, and it has more than 2,500 square feet with four bedrooms and two and a half baths. Helen loved the kitchen, which had a huge island and breakfast bar. She was flapping over the home management center, too. She knows some bird is going to love that. I really liked the owner’s suite. It was big enough for a deluxe sized nest, and a nice sitting area where I can catch up on my reading. No wonder Paul Thomas Homes is always receiving those OBIE Awards for building and design from the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association.

I’m in a conundrum today. I can’t decide how to celebrate Arbor Day, which is coming up on the third Friday in February. You know, our own Locust Grove is one of 112 Tree Cities in Georgia. There’s a lot about trees in Georgia at the Arbor Day site. You know, we herons, like other birds, love trees. One of my favorite quotes is on the site: “The best friend of man on Earth is the tree; when we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources of the Earth.” Frank Lloyd Wright said that. The man knew something about building houses to complement the environment.

The folks at Heron Bay know about that, too. That’s one reason I like it so much here. Did you know that Minerva Properties, the developer of our fine community, won The 2006 Grand Award for Outstanding Development from the Georgia Urban Forestry Council for their responsible preservation of trees within the development? That was just one of the many reasons I bought my home here.

So how are you going to celebrate Arbor Day? I think I’ll go hug a tree. Hmmm…I wonder if I can get these wings around a big one…

Take a good look at me now, because I will soon be the new-and-improved Henry Heron, the most famous resident at Heron Bay. After all the Christmas goodies, I made a very common New Year’s Resolution: exercise and lose weight. I had noticed my flight paths were lower than normal because of all the extra baggage I was carrying. I’ve been working out at the Heron Bay Fitness Center, and I’m well on my way to becoming the most svelte Blue Heron you’ve ever seen. (Not that you’ve probably seen too many Blue Herons before, but still, I’m lookin’ good.)

I don’t think I would have done as well if it weren’t for the Fitness Center being right here in our neighborhood. And such a nice one at that. I’m able to go in before I head to the airport for a flight out, and work out on the weight machines, go a few miles on the elliptical machine, then clean up and head on my way. It barely slows me down at all. Helen is looking forward to joining me in the gym to get back in shape after the egg is hatched. It’s one more reason to be a proud resident of Heron Bay. Check out a pic of me on the elliptical machine in my photo album!

I can’t wait to show off my new look at the Sweetheart Soiree coming up at the Lodge on Valentine’s Day. Just look for the heron with the best biceps. That will be me!