I named my studio Piney Woods Studio after the original label and also the planted pines that replaced the citrus trees after the freezes of 1984-85.

"Frog Log" is the name of a rustic cabin on Lake Harris, Leesburg, Florida. Presently, Frog Log is in disrepair due to lack of funds for maintenance. However, a “Frog Log rescue party” is planned soon, to bring it back to its former rustic standards.The cabin, part of my family for 85 years, is described below in 1984 by my father, ten years before his death.

Frog Log Camp
by Emmett B. Peter Jr.

The original Frog Log Camp, the present kitchen, was the abandoned railroad station at Sadie, skidded to the site via mule sled in 1915 by my father, Emmett Peter, Sr., shortly after he bought the Kaufmann Grove. Two years later, my father proposed to my mother --his secretary, Mary Ellen Brown -- under the big oak tree here. They were married in 1917. Many years later, in 1944, I proposed to Marjorie under the same tree, as did Murray Tucker and our daughter Marcia, and Emmett Peter III and Terre James. Our daughter Melanie was married under the same tree.

After Frog Log was enlarged in the 1950’s, it became the family guest cottage. Although hundreds of people have stayed here, we can’t think of one famous or noteworthy guest. You may be the first.

Frog Log might have been named “Armadillo Arms” after the curious little creatures who live under the floorboards. Of you hear something go bump in the night, don’t panic. The armadillos are getting ready to sally forth for their breakfast of mole crickets and other bugs. Unless you are a bug, the armadillo is harmless.

The camp house is headquarters for other creatures, such as blue herons who fish from the dock; red-winged blackbirds, cormorants and several colonies of osprey, a fish hawk closely related to the eagle. In addition, there are families of playful otter. An alligator will drift by occasionally, but don’t be afraid, for no gator has ever been know to come ashore here. Yes, there are some snakes, but they won’t bother you unless you step on one. Just watch where you walk, and stay out of deep grass or weeds.

Fishing from the dock is fun and sometimes productive. Speckled perch is the main catch. There are bass, but it’s been a long while since one was caught from the dock.

Lake Harris, 14 miles long and 8 miles wide, is one of Florida’s biggest bodies of water, and the cleanest of all the big lakes. The lake flows into Lakes Eustis, Griffin, the Ocklawaha, the St. Johns and the Atlantic Ocean. You can go anywhere in the world by boat from this dock. Ten years ago, lakefront property was selling for $35 per front foot. Today the price is upward of $100 per foot. No matter how high the price goes, Frog Log is not for sale, but will remain part of the Peter family for friends like you.

We are delighted to have you as out guests. Make yourself at home and have fun.
-Marjorie and Emmett Peter