My New Blog

It's that time again - Spring Cleaning.  I can't help myself, it is a ritual that must be completed. (Thanks to my mom and grandmother for passing this on.)  But I STILL DO NOT LIKE IT.

Spring Cleaning can mean different things for each of us but it is all about getting the house cleaned and organized.  (and for me... lots of grumbling)

*It's also great to do when you are getting your house ready to sell!*

Even writing this now... I am distracted by thoughts of all the other things I could do instead:

play with my daughter - go for a hike - go shopping - see a movie with friends

BUT NO... I must plan for this big event.

Here's how I tackle it:

1.  Start from the top down.
2.  I do one room at a time and close myself in there till I am done!
3.  Have my bags for trash, garage sale, and save.
4.  Someone to help me move the furniture because I am on a mission 
     against those 'dust bunnies'.
5.  I have all my cleaning products with me when I enter the room, because
     if I leave... I will get distracted.
6.  Finally, I make sure I have fun music playing.

And if you need more inspiration or tips, check out Brevard's own 'Fly Lady' at www.flylady.net .  A master on decluttering.

Happy Cleaning!  Jennifer

Another Jennifer favorite....

Need a fun, different, and EASY recipe to take over to that friend that just bought or sold a home with the Go2GalsWNC?? :) 
Did you just get a call and your parents will be over in 30 minutes... surprise!

No fear - you'll be able to whip out this recipe quickly!

All you need:

1.  Yellow cake mix (and ingredients needed to bake it)
2.  Margarita mix  (Williams Sonoma has a good one)
3.  Powered sugar

Make & bake the yellow cake mix just like the box says BUT instead of water, use the Margarita mix.

When the cake is done, mix up the powered sugar and margarita mix into an easy-to-pour consistency.

While the cake is still hot, poke several holes in it and then pour the sugar mixture evenly over the cake.

Enjoy!  (And feel free to bring some by the office.) 

This town is such a caring place ! Transylvania County Habitat for Humanity just completed building their 44th house for qualifying residents last week, thanks to the efforts of more than a dozen students from Brevard College who chose to spend their spring break working for the organization. The local Habitat chapter is always looking for more volunteers (call 828 884-3464). They also need surplus items like the following for their retail shop in Brevard: saleable furniture, kitchen equipment, tools, fishing tackle, a used car, and other things that can be turned into cash. Call if you can help.

Get a beautiful pottery bowl and give to a great cause at the same time. Bread of Life, Transylvania County's  free community kitchen, is holding its "Empty Bowl Lunch" fundraiser on Saturday, April 5, 11am-2pm at the First United Methodist Church in Brevard, located next to College Plaza. How good is this??? For $15 you get a beautiful, one-of-a-kind, handmade pottery bowl by a local potter, plus soup, salad and bread! Plus entertainment by local musicians.  All proceeds go to Bread of Life, which serves hundreds of meals 3x week to hungry folks. This year's event is being sponsored for the 3rd time by the Carwile-Dodson Studio for Pottery Instruction, located next to Mud Dabbers Pottery on Greenville Highway, Brevard.

The weather is warming and the first spring wildflowers are coming!  So, get on your hiking boots and get going.

A great hike that has it all... views, waterfall, wildflowers, and a little challenge is John's Rock.  Head up US 276 into the Pisgah National Forest and drive for about 5 miles.  Turn left onto FR 475 and drive about 1.5 miles to the Center for Wildlife Education and Fish Hatchery.

Usually at the front desk you will find Gail, Mike, or Wilma and please tell them I said hello!  Ask for a map and they will gladly get you one and set you off in the right direction.

Cedar Rock Falls... you'll have to listen for them. The map will help.

You are hiking to the top!

Along the way... look for Trillium, Trout Lilies, Mayapples, Jack-in-the-pulpit, and Bloodroot.

Happy Hiking!!

Tulips... Music... an American Castle... Wine...
Fragrant Flowers... Family Activities... Animals... Hiking... and so MUCH MORE!

This is what can be found during Biltmore's Festival Flowers.
April 5 - May 18, 2008

Worth the trip and make sure you bring your camera for amazing pictures! 

This is why I LOVE living in Brevard.  So close to year around activities at Biltmore, the fun, culture, and great food of Asheville, all the hiking and waterfalls, not to mention the fishing, and the family friendly town activities found in Brevard.

For more information check out the Biltmore site at www.biltmore.com

Pam and I both LOVE our community and feel it is important to give back to it.  When we teamed up as the Go2Gals of Real Estate we decided to donate $200.00 after each closing to a local charity of our client's choice.

I am excited to say that Adam and Karen DeWitte were my first clients to close after forming Go2Gals with Pam. 

They chose to have the donation split between the Transylvania Humane Society and S.A.F.E's Victor's Capital Campaign.

And I am very happy to make those donations in honor of them and in celebration of their new home! 

Spring is in the air and soon the Blue Ridge Parkway will be quite busy with locals and tourists.

The Pisgah Inn opens on March 27, 2008! 
                   (after being closed since November 2007)

The Pisgah Inn sits at an elevation of ~5,000ft on the Blue Ridge Parkway and offers amazing views.  It's also a great place to stop for a meal and/or a place to stay for the night.  You are also likely to be able to find arts & crafts from local artists. 

For more information, visit www.pisgahinn.com.

And get ready... the season is almost here!

I think I have lost it and keep wondering... what have I gotten myself into????

So, myself (Jennifer) and two of my very special friends, Juli & Melinda, will be participating as a Relay Team in the Enka Triathlon at Biltmore Lake on Saturday, June 14th.

I will be swimming a 750 meter swim, Melinda will bike 17.5 miles, and then Juli will run a 5K.

So why am I worried?? Well, I run and I work out but I haven't swam laps in oh... like forever!!!  And certainly NOT in a cold lake.

Here is how my wonderful friends, which I love dearly, offer support:

-  Don't worry... what's the worst that could happen?
-  They have boats with people to save you should you cramp up.
-  You can wear a wet suit (oh, that will be pretty) & you will be warmer.
-  Wow... you really have the worst part.  How did that happen?
-  We will still love you no matter what.
-  Make sure you get a pedicure.
-  Don't forget waterproof mascara.
-  Are there fish that bite in the lake?
-  You signed up for what!!!

Now, does anyone actually have ideas for how I can best accomplish this? lol

And be sure to come down and support us... and it wouldn't hurt if you were ready to save me!