A waterside pool deck cantilevered over a sparkling lake offers a breathtaking backdrop for outdoor entertaining at Mystery Lake in Pound Ridge.

An outdoor fireplace, a vanishing edge pool with a spa and a pergola-topped dining area overlooking a picturesque apple orchard offer plenty of diversions at Stoneleigh in Armonk.

At The Mill House in North Salem, the rushing Titicus River serves as a memorable “water feature” edged by a handsome terrace and waterside pool.

The lush gardens, stone terrace, 60′ pool and hot tub at Reservoir Retreat in Cross River comprise a quiet haven overlooking the Cross River Reservoir.

The outdoor recreation amenities at Windsor Court in Purchase rival those of a luxury resort with a fully-equipped bar, outdoor video and sound system, two pools and a pool house with a full kitchen.

For more information on these homes or other luxury properties for sale, please visit us at www.houlihanlawrence.com.

If you live in the southern Westchester area, you’ll want to check out Mohawk Country Day School in White Plains, an interactive camp with a slew of different activities and programs for a variety of age levels. From sports teams to creative and performance art programs, Mohawk values diverse interests and tailors its programs to all sorts of needs. Hillcroft Day Camp in Dutchess Country offers a similar experience with over 30 activities to choose from on a daily basis.

Looking for something a little more day-to-day? Take a trip to Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Yorktown Heights. Its massive pool holds up to 3,500 people, and its 841-acre park contains miles of bike trails, numerous picnic areas, scenic rowboat rentals and more. FDR is a short trip north or south on the Taconic State Parkway in northern Westchester, which makes it an ideal daytrip for gas-conscious families looking to stick close by.

Moving north on the Taconic, Clarence Fahnestock State Park also offers a unique one-day getaway from families looking to milk what they can out of a beautiful day. Fahnestock is home to North America’s most popular trail Breackneck Ridge—on clear days, hikers can view the New York City skyline from the top of its crest. A lifeguard-stationed lake, row boat rentals, and an 80-site campground are a perfect way to top off a great hike. The Putnam County Trailway is another great spot for cyclists, joggers and dog-walkers—the 12-mile stretch of paved path brings you through hilly groves of trees and offers unparalleled views of Putnam’s reservoir systems.

You could be looking for something a bit different, something more low-key. The Putnam arts Council in Mahopac offers classes and workshops throughout the summer for kids, teens and adults. PAC’s Summer Kids Art programs welcomes children ages 5 – 12 to use their imagination as they explore their inner Picasso as they draw, sculpt, paint and mold clay. The Jacob Burns Film Center and Media Arts Lab offers visual arts and filmmaking workshops for its Summer ’12 @ The Lab program, which runs from June 25 to August 10.

Maybe you’re a thrill-seeker. Go no further than SplashDown Beach in Fishkill along Route 9. Splash Down offers all the fun a large amusement park has at a cheaper price and shorter trip from home. The water park offers unique water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and more. For those who are looking to get in touch with our animal instincts, visit Trevor Zoo—the Millbrook zoo houses more than 180 exotic and indigenous animals as well as seven endangered species. Children ages 12 and up can also volunteer at the zoo during the summer months.

Everywhere in the world has a different real estate story to tell. In the US there are now some good signs of recovery. In the UK we have – at least on paper – dipped back into recession again. In the Euro zone there is turmoil. I could go on. So just what is going on? Where will the real estate market go now? When will it ever get back to normal?

Well, wherever you are the mortgage lenders are still being difficult. Buyers are being especially choosy and some sellers still think it is 2006 with prices to match. These are everyday issues that seem to affect all those involved in buying and selling real estate. Plus there are other local difficulties and confused and conflicting reports made by industry ‘insiders’ in the print and online press.

What on earth should a sensible buyer or seller think – or do? The answer is to try and forget all of the above and get on with it. If you wait for things to get back to normal you will wait forever because there is no normal in real estate. We are where we are now. Tomorrow we hope will be better. But who really knows? So make the most of it now and move on. Don’t look back, except with some fond memories.

There may be ups and there will certainly be downs along the way. But the best advice from the people who understand the real estate market most of all – real estate agents – is don’t wait for things to get back to normal. You may get a better price for your home tomorrow but then you will, no doubt, pay more for another. When you think about it this is normal, or as normal as it gets.

Enjoy hiking, riding, swimming and fishing at beautiful Sligo Brook Farm set on historic Keeler Hill, one of the highest points in North Salem. An area known for its bucolic landscape, the views from Sligo Brook Farm are spectacular and showcase a rural tableau that has remained seemingly unchanged for centuries. A free-form pool, miles of riding and walking trails and the meandering Titicus River, which edges the property, offer ample opportunities to enjoy the verdant setting.

To learn more about Sligo Brook Farm and other North Salem properties for sale, please visit us at www.houlihanlawrence.com.

Don’t miss last week’s tour of Hemlock Hill located at 7030 Route 9, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.

1. The Westchester is a luxury mall in the heart of White Plains with Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom as it anchor stores. Madison Avenue stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Armani Exchange, Ferragamo and Stuart Weitzmann line The Westchester and make a day of shopping or even a quick browse both relaxing and productive. Across the street is Whole Foods and Morton Steakhouse. 
2. White Plains has a 15-screen movie theater at Cinema de Lux and the White Plains Performing Arts Center has a full calendar of live productions and concert series.
3.  Mamaroneck Avenue, one of White Plains major thoroughfares, has blossomed in recent years with sophisticated restaurants and casual tavern fare spots like Porter House, Hudson Grille, Ron Blacks, and Black Bear. Most have sidewalk dining and come alive in the evening with a fun and entertaining atmosphere.
4. A much-anticipated annual event is the White Plains Outdoor Arts Festival in Tibbetts Park, which showcases local artists.Tibbets Park is also the venue for summer concert series
5. The Trove at the White Plains Library is a fun, exciting place where children of all ages can discover just about anything. Part library, part museum, The Trove lives up to its name and is truly a collection of items, activities and discovery for kids birth through sixth grade.

That’s always been my experience, anyways.

There’s no better place to be on Mother’s Day than somewhere in Westchester, Putnam or Dutchess, so don’t worry—there are many ways to work through what may be a last minute conundrum. Here a few things to consider as you navigate through the basics of a day that celebrates the wonderfulness of one of the most important women in your life—Mom.

Flowers: One of my favorite places to shop flowers is the Carmel Flower Shop in the Putnam Plaza on Route 6. The shop’s florists create beautiful flower arrangements and baskets and you can buy greeting cards, scarves and other unique gifts on location. If you’re in Westchester, check out NatureScapes in Armonk—its small outdoor nursery coupled with the shop’s handcrafted vases, planters and garden accessories will have you covered from top to bottom.

Restaurants: The first restaurant that comes to mind for an ideal date night is Muscoot North Restaurant in Hopewell Junction. An easy ride up the Taconic State Parkway, Muscoot’s menu offers a little something for everyone, whether you prefer Buffalo Chicken pizza, Cheese Ravioli Parmagiana, or New York Sirloin Steak. If you want to stick around Westchester, head to Crabtree Kittle House in Chappaqua—the award-winning restaurant is offering a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet and/or four-course dinner on Sunday.

Desserts/Chocolates: If you know a thing or two about chocolate, you’ll want to head over to Chocolations in Mamaroneck. They specialize chocolates for any holiday occasion, rice “Krispie” cakes, flavored bark, and more. For exquisite pastries, cakes, and pies, try Brewster Pastry on Route 22. The first time I ate one of their fluffy, mouthwatering creations, I knew I wasn’t visiting another pastry shop any time soon. Visit Terrapin Restaurant in Rhinebeck as there dining room will open at 1 p.m. on Sunday for a 2-course Mother’s Day Prix Fixe Dinner Menu, featuring “an extensive selection of our most loved dishes.”

Looking for a unique country getaway? With its privacy and resort-style amenities, Hemlock Hill fits the bill. Nestled away in one of the Hudson Valley’s top destinations, the 30-acre estate is designed for fun with a stocked pond, hiking trails, a pool with a waterfall and spa and a professional-caliber outdoor kitchen, perfect for large outdoor gatherings.

The fun continues indoors viao a billiards room, gym and a theater that replicates a public cinema complete with a candy bar and stadium seating. And when it’s time to relax, the home’s multiple terraces provide front-row seats to the wonderful views that stretch out over the rolling countryside. Peaceful and supremely private, Hemlock Hill is only minutes from the lively village of Rhinebeck and enjoys convenient proximity to Manhattan.

For more information on Hemlock Hill and other Rhinebeck homes for sale, visit us at www.houlihanlawrence.com

Don’t miss last week’s tour of Bedford House located at 332 South Bedford Road, Bedford Corners, NY 10509

Want to live amid botanical splendor? Springtime is particularly breathtaking at Bedford House thanks to the wide array of flowering trees and brilliant gardens that were created here by one of the region’s premier landscape designers. The 2010 colonial captures the best of luxury living in a uniquely private setting that is shared with a guest house, spectacular pool and pool house. And it’s all just steps away from scenic Howland Lake.

For more information on Bedford House or other Bedford  area homes for sale, please visit us at www.houlihanlawrence.com.

Don’t miss last week’s video tour of Berkshire Stud located at 441 Carpenter’s Hill Road, Pine Plains, NY, 12567.

1. Known as the City of Happy Homes, Mount Vernon is divided into four major sections: North Side, the South Side, Mount Vernon Heights and Downtown. A series of neighborhoods reside within each section, giving Mount Vernon with both great character and diversity.
2. Mount Vernon offers a wide range of restaurants that suit every palate – Ristorante Buona Sera (Italian), Spring Asian (Asian), Galitos Restaurant (Portuguese), Ripe (Jamaican), and the infamous Lincoln Lounge, a long time favorite. 
3. Mount Vernon’s lineage of the famous and successful –icon Dick Clark, writers E. B. White and Linda Fairstein; the actors Art Carney, Denzel Washington, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier; the musicians Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and Heavy D; and the athletes Ralph Branca, Ben Gordon and Floyd Patterson – speaks to the city motto “A City That Believes” in its people and their great potential.
4. A tennis loving city, Mount Vernon’s annual tennis tournaments held by its department of recreation dates back over 50 years.
5. Mount Vernon features a number of city parks large and small. Wilson Woods Park, a 23-acre site that’s one of the oldest in the county park system, offers residents a wave pool, water slides, a spray deck and water playground, an English Tudor style bathhouse and designated areas for picnicking and fishing. Hunt’s Woods is a county preserve with hiking and nature trails.