Winter is here so its time to make sure you’ve got your car ready for the winter with your winter weather travel kit.  No snow here in Murphy, NC yet - other than a little flurries last night.  We always restock our pack for the car right after Christmas to make sure we’re prepared if we get stuck out on the road. Even though it’s never happened – you’re better safe than sorry.     Here is what we have in our car… * A few bottles of water * Some granola bars, cheese crackers, raisins and candy bars * A flashlight with new and spare batteries * A travel size first aid kit - include any essential medications * A blanket - foil-type survival blankets are very small and can be found in the camping department of Wal-Mart * Basic tool kit and Jumper Cables (good to have always)   We don’t hav... 12/26/2012

Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors Share the Warmth of the Christmas Season At the 2012 annual Christmas Party of the Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors, members celebrated the season by donating $2000 to the Cherokee County Sharing Center.  Funds were raised by a Christmas Photo campaign with all of the proceeds going to the Sharing Center.  Realtor, Sherry McCollum donated her photographic skills and the other committee members listed below tirelessly worked to make this event a big success. Pictured are Sherry McCollum, member and photographer who took the Christmas photos for the fundraising campaign. Bonnie Smith, Board President, Genna Merrill and Robert Merrill, accepting a check for $2000 on behalf of  the Cherokee County Sharing Center and Kathy Vetten and Carol Barbour, Board memb... 12/18/2012

LOG HOME ON 2.52 ACRES WITH VIEWS Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood $199,000 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms3 BathroomsInterior: 2,500 sqftLot: 2.52 acre(s) Location 489 Hy-Cobb DriveMurphy, NC 28906USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Bonnie DuPree ReMax Mountain Properties(828) 361-1027Bonnie@BonnieDuPree.comhttp://www.BonnieDuPree.com   Listed by: Bonnie DuPree Our recent listings LOG HOME ON 2.52 ACRES WITH VIEWSREMODELED MOUNTAIN HOME ON 7 ACRESAFFORDABLE HOME IN THE MOUNTAINS13 ACRES WITH POND & CREEK3/2 RANCH HOME ON 1.48 ACRES Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 12/14/2012

Here is your Murphy, NC  Market Snapshot for November 2012.  We’ve also included the previous month’s stats for comparison. Our market continues to improve as inventory is down and transactions increase! If you’re looking to purchase a home or land in Murphy, NC or the north GA or east TN areas, then please contactLee & Carol Barbour at www.MountainLivingTeam.com We’ll get started right away on finding you that perfect property so you too can start enjoying this Mountain Lifestyle! All statistical information used to create this report was obtained from the Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors MLS and includes Cherokee and Clay County, NC as well as Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Towns, Union County, GA and Polk County, TN. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.   12/13/2012

13 ACRES WITH POND & CREEK Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood $225,000 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 BathroomsInterior: 2,096 sqftLot: 13.30 acre(s) Location 12610 Highway 64 WestMurphy, NC 28906USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Bonnie DuPree ReMax Mountain Properties(828) 361-1027Bonnie@BonnieDuPree.comhttp://www.BonnieDuPree.com   Listed by: Bonnie DuPree Our recent listings REMODELED MOUNTAIN HOME ON 7 ACRESAFFORDABLE HOME IN THE MOUNTAINS13 ACRES WITH POND & CREEK3/2 RANCH HOME ON 1.48 ACRESCUSTOM 3 LEVEL LOG HOME - TONS OF EXTRAS Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 12/08/2012

Pearl Harbor Day, commemorates the Japanese attack on the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor. The attack began at dawn December 7, 1941. It crippled the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and caused the U.S. to enter World War II.During the attack at Pearl Harbor, over 2,400 American serviceman and 68 civilians were killed. Five of the eight battleships at Pearl Harbor were sunk or sinking, and virtually all ships were damaged.I still remember my father saying  “it’s Pearl Harbor Day” each year - he would have been 10 years old when the attack was launched on Pearl Harbor. Our parents also talked about how so many Japanese Americans were treated and put into the internment camps. On December 8, 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated in a speech to Congress it was "..a day that will live in infamy".... 12/07/2012

Murphy NC Christmas ParadeIf you’re enjoying some “peace in the mountains” this weekend, don’t miss the Muphy NC Christmas Parade. You won't see any professional floats or fancy marching bands. No, this parade is what small town America is all about: local schools, businesses, organizations and individuals getting together to celebrate the holidays with home made floats and hand-printed signs, passing out Candy and having a great time!! The parade starts at 2pm at Valley Village Shopping Center on Andrews Road (across from KFC) and winds through Downtown Murphy.  Spectators will begin to line the streets early with little faces eager to crab a peppermint and, hopefully, a glimpse of Santa. The holidays are upon us - take time to enjoy - mountain style! Cyndi     11/30/2012

Celebrate Square Dance Day in the Mountains! Here's a chance to get out and "Dosey Do" with your partner in Murphy NC or where ever you might be. November 29th is the official Square Dance Day!  English, Irish, and Scottish settlers brought square dancing to the United States.  As it evolved in the U.S., a caller was added to help dancers stay in step. We have some great memories of summers at our grandparents home in Burnsville, NC and going to the weekly Square Dances. We never wore those fluffy skirts, but boy did we have fun. The great local musicians and the sound of stomping the wood floors... Circles of Square Dancers and plenty of Clogging!  Now we love seeing the Square Dancing and Clogging demonstrations at the John C. Campbell Folk School and around the local area festivals. ... 11/29/2012

Here are a few Winter Pet Tips for our Murphy, NC animal lovers. Winter weather is on the way to Cherokee County, NC and we’re all bundled up and have the fire burning, but don’t forget your beloved pets need to stay warm and have special needs as the weather changes too. Pets - especially the young, old and short-haired - need extra shelter, warmth and water during cold weather here in Murphy, NC.  It’s best to bring your pets indoors, but if that isn’t possible make sure they have a warm bed and shelter from the chilling winds. Doggie Igloos with a bedding of pine straw are a great choice if your pet is outside. Fresh water is a must and an electric heated bowl will ensure their water doesn’t freeze for outside too.Everyone needs a nice warm sweater and your pet will not only look ver... 11/28/2012

As we get closer to closing out the month of November here in the Murphy NC mountains, take some time to walk around your yard or the woods to find some great remnants for a “End of the Fall Season” bouquet. These simple arrangements remind me of picking wildflowers as we walked along the mountain roads at our grandparents home in the summer when we were kids.   We love to use the old time pottery and items we’ve had out decorating the house for Fall one last time before all those winter and Christmas decorations fill the house corner to corner too.  One last tribute to the wonderful thanksgiving season of 2012! Lee & Carol Barbour The Mountain Living Teamwww.MurphyMountainLiving.com   11/27/2012

Getting your Murphy, NC home ready for Winter in the Mountains. Fall is here and the temperatures are dropping. We woke up to 17degrees this morning - not a hard freeze and the sun is out, but don't wait any longer!  If you haven't already started getting your home ready for the changes in weather make sure you've done these....   * Check gutters and clean them if necessary. * Have your heating system checked by a licensed heating/air-conditioning professional. Most manufacturers recommend annual inspections. * Have your chimneys inspected by a chimney service and cleaned if necessary. * Be sure there are no flammable materials stored close to your furnace. * If you go on vacation, leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees. * Check the foundation for areas where water may puddle. *... 11/24/2012

This is such a special time of the year as we reflect on the soon closing of another year that’s gone by all-to-fast, and look forward to what the coming new year has in store for us. If you haven’t already started a “Thankful Journal”, think about starting one to reflect on come next year on Thanksgiving. One of the best parts of gathering around the table for this traditional meal is when everyone takes their turn sharing some of the things they’re thankful for during the past months. Wherever you are and whatever you’re having for dinner, have a memorable Thanksgiving and be blessed.   Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Team   11/21/2012

As we look back on this past year and enjoy this season of blessings, we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow and that your days are filled with abundant goodness. Our family has been blessed with our first grandchild, Notla Brielle, and what a joy she has been for all of us. Life is good in the small and big things.   Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Team www.MountainLivingTeam.com 11/21/2012

We shared the wonderful time we had during the last Murphy Art Walk of 2012 in historic downtown Murphy NC with you and here’s a chance to see more of what the Valley River Arts Guild has to offer. Starting Friday, November 23rd with the "Fall Into Winter" Art Show Opening Reception from 4-7pm with free refreshments! The theme is Autumn and Winter and will include Watercolors, Glass Art, Photography, Pottery, Whimsical Doll Art, Acrylics, and Woven Art. Fall Into Winter Show will be on display through Christmas and each piece is also available for purchase. We were just in awe with the variety of talented artist and the different mediums. If you’re looking for some unique items for your home in the mountains or gifts, then this is also a great opportunity to find those pieces. The Valle... 11/19/2012

Murphy NC Land is a great investment!   Not ready to maintain or remodel a foreclosure home right now, then its a great time to invest in owning land in the mountains now! View lots, pasture, unrestricted, large parcels or in a subdivision; you’ll find some great values for investing in your future through land ownership in the Murphy NC, north GA and east TN mountains.   Fall and Winter are some of the best times to preview properties here in the mountains. As the leaves have fallen from most of the trees this gives you a greater advantage to seeing the surrounding areas around you, the mountain ridges and lay of the land. Let us help you find something that fits your budget so you can have your own “peace of the mountains” too.   www.MountainLivingTeam.com   11/19/2012

The Notla River gets its name from the Cherokee word Naduhli meaning “daring horseman.”  This name, given to the major river in Union County, Georgia and to the lake formed by damming up the waters of the river and is now called Nottely, also sometimes spelled Notla.   You’ll see many mountain cabins built along the Nottely River here in Murphy, NC taking in the views like this one too...   Our granddaughter is even named Notla,after the river and lakes her father so loves fishing on.  For more on the beautiful Rivers and Lakes here in North Carolina and Georgia visit  Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Teamwww.MountainLivingTeam.com   11/17/2012

Some days you’ll just find us hanging around some of the fields, roads and mountains around  Murphy, NC  and the surrounding areas. There are just so many great scenes and seasons to enjoy as you’re out-and-about our mountain communities and here are a few we wanted to share with you...       Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Team  www.MurphyMountainLiving.com Serving all your real estate needs in the western NC, north GA and east TN mountains   11/16/2012

With Thanksgiving just around the corner and making our grocery shopping list; it got us thinking about the “traditional” things we do in our family.  For our Thanksgiving celebrations I always display the Hall Autumn Leaf dishes from my paternal grandparents and it gets displayed on the old kitchen table from their home in Miami, Florida.  Without this treasured tradition, it’d be like not having pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving if we didn’t have the Autumn Leaves out.   How can some old dishes bring back so many memories each year... tell us what some of your “traditions” are during this thankful season?  Autumn Leaf was one of the most popular and long-lasting patterns produced by Hall China, manufactured from 1933 until 1976.   Lee & Carol Barbour ~ The Mountain Living Team www.MurphyMou... 11/15/2012

Hummingbird Brings Back Tobacco     In the beginning of the world, when people and animals were all the same, there was only one tobacco plant, to which they all came for their tobacco until the Dagul'ku geese stole it and carried it far away to the south. The people were suffering without it, and there was one old woman who grew so thin and weak that everybody said she would soon die unless she could get tobacco to keep her alive.    Different animals offered to go for it, one after another, the larger ones first and then the smaller ones, but the Dugul'ku saw and killed every one before he could get to the plant. After the others the little Mole tried to reach it by going under the ground, but the Dagul'ku saw his track and killed him as he came out.    At last the Hummingbird offered... 11/15/2012

Share the Warmth of the Season byContributing to the Mountain Lakes Board of REALTORSChristmas COAT Campaign! Instead of gifting office-mates this Christmas, take those funds and purchase new, school-age child-sized winter coats. (do not gift-wrap) Our goal is to have every REALTOR office in our region be a collection point.  And you can drop off your donations to Coldwell Banker High Country Realty at 4290 US Hwy 64 West in Murphy, NC anytime and The Mountain Living Team will get them to the storing facilities for you. The Mountain Lakes Board of REALTORS office at 93 Tennessee St. and the Macon Bank will store the collected coats. School counselors, churches and other charitable agencies will contact us when there is a need and a suitable coat will be gifted. We've already had our fir... 11/14/2012