The Perfect Family Getaway- Blue Ridge, Georgia: Part 1: Lodging and Food

Gorgeous Blue Ridge, Georgia

I admit it, I am cheating on my hometown of Jacksonville. Each and every time we vacation in Blue Ridge, GA a piece of my heart is left behind. Usually towards the end of a vacation I feel ready to come back home, but this time was different. I wanted to stay.... FOREVER! My husband and I seriously discuss moving there for weeks after we return home, and maybe some day we will. But for now it is without a doubt one of our favorite vacation destinations. If you are looking for a vacation spot that is outdoorsy, adventurous, beautiful, quaint, down home, family-oriented, and relaxing this is truly the perfect spot.

When planning any trip the first priority is of course finding a place to stay. Each time we have been (and I think we're up to 6 times) we rent a different cabin. That is part of the thrill, not knowing exactly where it is, how steep the drive is, and if the cabin as nice as it looks in the pictures! We have used three different rental companies but I am only willing to recommend two of them. One is Escape to Blue Ridge and the other is Mountain Top Cabin Rentals.

Mountain View Lodge
Mountain Top Cabin Rentals

All of the cabins we've rented through them have been exquisite, beautiful, and exactly how they looked on the web! Renting a cabin is a fairly economical way to travel too and to top it all off  these rental companies are known for offering great specials, like rent 5 nights get the 6th free. One thing we really love about staying in a cabin is that it allows for space to spread out when you need to. The days of my family staying in one hotel room are well over. A cabin allows everyone to have their own space and most importantly their own bed. Another great advantage to a cabin is it allows some meals to be prepared at home. Since we were travelling with two teenagers we knew we had little chance of getting them out the door early in the morning. So we spent our mornings eating breakfast we prepared at the cabin, drinking our coffee, and sitting on the deck enjoying the beautiful mountain air. We also spent some evenings cooking out on the grill and dining by the outdoor fireplace. Saving money by eating some meals at home is a real savings to your pocketbook and your waistline! The night life at a cabin is probably the best part. There is nothing better than enjoying a slower pace. Just sitting on the porch and enjoying the view and the fireflies is a great way to spend the night. But we also enjoy family game nights, pool tournaments, movie night, and of course just hanging out and laughing together. This last trip for most of our waking hours the four of us were never more than 10 feet apart, literally. These are the moments I will remember forever.

Activities in Blue Ridge are abundant. There truly is something for everyone. Downtown Blue Ridge is an adorable small town with shops, restaurants, bars, and even a scenic railroad called the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. And when I say small town, I mean it. The main downtown area is literally two streets. You can buy everything from feed for your farm, to monogrammed bags, to world famous cupcakes. A trip to downtown isn't complete without visiting the old town store, Huck's General Store. Here you can load up on handmade soaps, sauces, and jams as well as old fashioned candy and sodas. You can also catch up on some town gossip, the last time we were there we heard all about the townspeople's dislike for Floridians! Go figure!! Dining downtown is a must. But because Blue Ridge is a small town restaurants can be closed on nights you wouldn't expect so always check before heading out!  If you are in the mood for the best pizza and crust EVER be sure to check out Blue Jean's Pizza and Pasta. The service can be slow, but the food is definitely worth the wait! It is one of my son's favorites and often the first dinner out we grab. Another great spot to grab dinner is the  Blue Ridge Brewery. The food and beer were absolutely delicious. I highly recommend that you get reservations though, even during the week. It's small and gets crowded quick!
Just slightly outside of  the downtown area is literally the best barbecue restaurant on the planet, Blue Ridge Mountain BBQ. We seriously can't get enough of this place when we are in Blue Ridge. From the fried pickles, to the pork rinds, to the chicken there truly is no better BBQ in the world. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! One of our favorite lunch spots is Serenity Garden Cafe. They have a vast and delicious menu from soups and salads, to burgers and sandwiches. The last restaurant that I think is not to be missed is the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant. The view alone is worth the drive through the Aska Adventure Area. The restaurant is perched on the shore of the Toccoa River with an expansive outdoor dining area. They are famous for their fresh caught mountain trout. YUM!

View from the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant

Next up I'll share the awesome outdoor adventures just waiting to be explored in Blue Ridge and the surrounding areas. Isn't it time to plan your next vacation? :)
~ XOXO jules

Amazing Brown Rice

Do I have a winning recipe for you today! This brown rice recipe was passed down to me from my mom and it is seriously delish! My boys and husband absolutely devour it. It makes a great side dish for beef but would work wonderfully with any main dish. It's simple to make and you only need 4 ingredients.

Here's what you need:

• 2 cans of beef broth
• 1 cup white rice
• 3/4 stick butter ( I use margarine and it's fine)
• 1 chopped onion

Here's what you do:

Melt butter in skillet over medium high heat until melted.
 

Add rice and onion.

Saute until golden brown.

Place in baking dish with the beef broth and stir well.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Be sure to get your serving FIRST because this will go FAST! Eat up and enjoy!

  ~XOXO jules

An Easy Way to Brighten Someone's Day

When I found out a sweet friend and neighbor was going to have surgery, I racked my brain trying to come with a thoughtful and encouraging gift I could drop off for her and her family. As I was vacuuming my house this cute idea just popped in my head. I think what makes it is the cute card I came up with. 

So here is what I did. 

Step 1: Bake a loaf of sweet bread. I made Pumpkin...YUM!

Step 2: Make a batch of good ole fashioned Rice Krispie Treats.
*see below for my tip for the best treats!

Step 3: Attach this super adorable card!

Step 4: Wrap with a cute bow!

That's all there is to it. It was a yummy way to wish her well and cheer her up. 

~XOXO jules

* To make the world's best Rice Krispie Treats you must use: Kellogg's Rice Krispies, Jet-Puffed mini-marshmallows, and Blue Bonnet Margarine. Seriously!! 

Most awesome and easy summer time dessert - "Icecream Sammitch Surprise"

The inspiration and name of this epic summer dessert came from my husband's friend Mitch several years ago. He brought it to a gathering at our home and it was an instant hit. It is so easy, so delicious and so flexible that I promise you will LOVE it!

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED:

1 pkg. of ice cream sandwiches

1 pkg. of candy bits (your choice, we love heathbar)

1 container of Cool Whip

Syrup of your choice (we like chocolate, but any will do)

KEY INGREDIENTS OF DELICIOUSNESS

HERE'S WHAT YOU DO:

Spread Cool Whip across bottom of pan until covered. I am using a foil throw away pan because I will be traveling with my dessert!

Drizzle syrup on top of Cool Whip and sprinkle with candy bits.

          

STEP 1

Place Ice Cream Sandwiches on top, fitting them together tightly. If needed trim to fit.

STEP 2- PART 1

STEP 2- PART 2 

Finish by spreading top with Cool Whip, drizzling syrup and sprinkling candy pieces. Cover and place in freezer until ready to serve.

YUMMY SUMMERTIME DESSERT!!

Another great way to serve it is to add fresh fruit right before serving. I am adding blueberries and strawberries to mine tomorrow for the fourth of July in a flag pattern. I'll post pictures later! Happy Fourth of July!!

~XOXO jules

Enlighten your life by lightening your load... declutter and LIVE a more abundant life

I admit it, I'm obsessed with the Netflix Original show, Orange is the New Black. It's edgy, shows me a side of life I hope I never live, and actually teaches me a thing or two if I'm paying attention. My husband and I recently finished season 2, don't worry no spoilers here, and one particular line during the season has really stuck with me. Piper returns home briefly and notices the bags, boxes, etc. of her things strewn about all over her family room and her reaction is, "I thought I needed all this stuff."

Wow, that really got to me. Isn't that the truth?? Everywhere you look we're being told: you need this car, you need this perfume, you need this purse, you need this outfit, you need a bigger home if you want to be important. But do we? Maybe it's my mid-life crisis talking again but I really am over all of this STUFF. I'm sick of cleaning around it, finding places to put it, storing it, sorting it, looking at it, washing it, moving it around, stacking it, covering it, uncovering it, carrying it, putting it here, there, everywhere. Enough already. I'm ready to simplify!!

With my youngest son heading into his senior year of high school, my husband and I already know a downsizing is in our near future. Once both of our sons are away at college the entire second floor of my home will be a deserted wasteland. The promise of less to take care of is incredibly enticing. With less size also comes less electric bill, less water bill, less cleaning and  MORE LIVING! Doesn't that sound awesome?!

When we repainted and redecorated our living, dining, and family rooms recently I definitely embraced a less cluttered more minimalist aesthetic. Most of the decorations I kept I truly love. Anything else got donated to local charities. I had boxes and boxes of stuff that went and as it went I could feel my load lighten. What can you do to lighten your load?

I'm not suggesting that we don't need stuff. As I'm typing this I'm reminded of my family's 5 bikes and 2 kayaks sitting in the garage. While these items aren't utilized daily, they are used and therefore keepers. Nor am I talking about technology, clothing, kitchen items, and on and on. I'm talking about Aunt Mary's salad bowl that sits in the bottom of a long forgotten closet or little Joey's stack of birthday cards from his whole life! Do you really think little Joey is going to go back and read over those Hallmark Keepsakes in his 20's? I'm guessing NO! There are certain items that hold memories. I have both of my boys pre-kindergarten graduation caps and gowns and they aren't going anywhere. Do I think they will ever want them? Probably not, but I do.

What I am suggesting is a serious e-d-i-t. Prioritize what is clogging your closets, cabinets, garages, and attics and dig your way out. Start small like a closet or cabinet that has been irritating you. Go through it piece by piece. I suggest sorting it using a scale of 1-5.
1- GOODBYE - haven't touched it, thought about it, needed it, looked at it in over a year
2- BARELY HANGING ON- may have thought about it recently, but know you don't need it
3- BUBBLE - too soon to toss, reevaluate in 6 months
4- MEMORY HOLDER- definitely can't part with yet, maybe later
5- KEEPER- couldn't even pry it from me if you tried

Immediately donate or trash all number 1's, now and quick before you change your mind. I would also toss the 2's. Reorganize the other's to make it easier the next time. Under the bed storage bins are a great way to store items that are keepers or may need to be reevaluated later. I understand being sentimental, I know I am the worst! But approaching things with a scale makes it much easier and much more pragmatic.

Believe me I speak from experience. In a previous blog I mentioned the fact that I lost my father 5 years ago. When I think about him I don't think about or even remember the stuff he bought me or gave me. I remember things we did together, or conversations we had, or memories we made. In fact I only recall two vivid memories concerning stuff and my dad and they are actually things he didn't or wouldn't give me. One being the Baby Alive Doll I wanted as a young girl for Christmas, but never got. The other is when he took me to look at a brand new Mazda Miata that someone had won in a local radio station contest and was selling. After falling in love with it, he decided instead I needed a used 1978 Pontiac Gran Prix. Go figure :)

Separating yourself from your stuff isn't easy but it can be liberating. I challenge you to lighten your load and live more abundantly through your experiences and less through your stuff. Go attack that closet that is out of hand, that cabinet that doesn't shut, that garage that your car doesn't fit in. Clean up and live clean, light, and free of all that stuff!
~XOXO jules