You might have heard about the winter weather mix that's hit the southeast and Murphy, NC has seen 10-12 inches within the last 12 hours. So you might be wondering "Is everyone in Murphy, NC working from home today?" Well we can't speak for all of Murphy, NC, but we're not taking any chances out on the roads - no matter how great Cherokee County takes care of our roads. We're working from our home office today! If you need to contact us visit www.LeeAndCarol.com or call 828-361-2040   01/10/2011

One more great thing about living here in Murphy, NC is the opportunity to take one of the John C. Campbell Folk School’s unique classes through Scholarship Opportunities for Local Residents.  * Each person may only claim a scholarship one time every 12 months. * Tuition is FREE, but each student will be required to pay a $25 registration fee and any additional materials costs. * Local Scholarships are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis and may not be used on a class for which you are already registered. Here are just a few for the month of January… Week of January 9-15, 2011 Dyeing: The Beauty of Wool: Resist Explorations Explore resist techniques on wool and silk using acid dyes, combined with fabric collage. Learn the fundamentals of dyeing and printing protein fibers, which ... 01/08/2011

A Cherokee Legend: How the Deer Got His Horns In the beginning the Deer had no horns, but his head was smooth just like a doe's. He was a great runner and the Rabbit was a great jumper, and the animals were all curious to know which could go farther in the same time. They talked about it a good deal, and at last arranged a match between the two, and made a nice large pair of antlers for a prize to the winner. They were to start together from one side of a thicket and go through it, then turn and come back, and the one who came out first was to get the horns. On the day fixed all the animals were there, with the antlers put down on the ground at the edge of the thicket to mark the starting point. While everybody was admiring the horns the Rabbit said: "I don't know this part of the count... 01/07/2011

Waiting till Spring to List Your Murphy, NC Home? Spring is a crucial time of the year for real estate sales here in Murphy, NC and buyers are searching NOW for their new home or land in our beautiful North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee mountains. Don’t wait until Spring to list your home! For those who are looking to buy as well as sellers who said last year that they would list again "in the spring" -- when does the season actually get started? Although the official start of spring is March 20th, we advise our clients to list their property no later than February. Some sellers feel they want to wait until after Easter, but that might be a little too late, especially since this year Easter falls on April 24th. Now is the time we start to see buyers beginning their search, requesting ... 01/06/2011

 TRI-COUNTY EARLY COLLEGE - STUDENTS RECEIVE NEW APPLE IPADS   On January 4, 2011 Tri-County Early College(TCEC) located in Murphy NC handed out new Apple IPads to all of their Sophomore, Juniors and Seniors students, which my son was one of them. They are the first school in North Carolina to actually implement this Apple IPad program. The major goal of this Apple IPad initiative is to increase student access to the most current technologies, to decrease the number of textbooks required by student and to graduate students who are prepared to compete academically and professionally in the global community. Tri-County Early College is an innovative concept based on an Early College High School Program that now exists across the country. It allows high school students the ability to simul... 01/06/2011

Murphy, NC offers you the great small town atmosphere, breathtaking surroundings and most every convenience you'd need. One of our favorites is a wonderful co-op for natural foods and fresh organic produce. Once a month we order for some of the best prices on organic produce, farm fresh eggs and just about anything else you'd find in your local whole foods market or health food store. So if you're in the western NC , north GA or east TN mountains and are interested in joining the Tri-State Co-Op or would like more information contact Lee & Carol Barbour at www.LeeAndCarol.com 01/05/2011

Our first work week here in Murphy, NC for 2011 is already starting out great! It's only Tuesday and we've already written three Offer To Purchase contracts for our Clients. The inventory of homes is falling and interest rates are starting to creep up.  Many of the best buys out there are already gone so don't hesitate to contact us to help you have your own "Peace of the Mountains" too. Lee & Carol Barbour The Mountain Living Team www.LeeAndCarol.com 1.800.837.9199 Licensed in NC, GA and TN     01/04/2011

Here is the Murphy, NC Market Snapshot for December 2010.  We’ve also included the previous month’s stats for comparison.  If you’re looking to purchase a home or land in Murphy, NC and start enjoying Mountain Living then please contact Lee & Carol Barbour at www.LeeAndCarol.com and we’ll get started right away on finding you your perfect “piece of the mountain” in NC, GA or TN.   All statistical information used to create this report was obtained from the MountainLakes Board of Realtors MLS and includes all areas. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. 01/03/2011

Just incase you missed the world famous Possum Drop out at Clay’s Corner in Brasstown, NC, just sit back for a spell and watch all the fun you missed… CBS Sunday Morning was there to share with their viewers and came appropriately dressed for the spectacular event. The weather held out for the 17th Annual Possum Drop and as always, this New Year tradition held just outside of Murphy, NC is always great fun for young and old. See you next year! For more information visit Clay’s Corner in Brasstown, NC   01/02/2011

Welcome to 2011!!! After you spent last night celebrating the end of 2010 and the coming in of another new year, today celebrate with us as many do in the South with some Hoppin’ John. Murphy, NC had a white Christmas with 12 inches of snow and now New Year’s Day has been filled with non-stop rain. What better way to stay warm than to cook up a pot of traditional Hoppin’ John for a safe and prosperous New Year. Wishing all our Friends a Happy New Year! 1.1.11 01/01/2011

Even if it is still snowing in Murphy, NC you can still start planning your get-away to the Mountains of western NC, north GA and east TN. You might be snowed in as January is just around the corner, but there are so many things for the whole family to enjoy so start dreaming and planning now... Looking for Fun Things to do in the Murphy, NC Mountains? Whether your idea of a good time is whitewater rafting, a round of golf, a hike in the woods, or taking a quilting class, our great town of Murphy, NC and the surrounding western NC, north GA and east TN mountain areas have just what you're looking for. Start planning your next visit soon! ATV - OHV fun in the MountainsBeasley Knob and Davenport Mountain are two of the ATV and OHV trails here in the mountains. Lots of outdoor adventure ac... 12/26/2010

Wishing you a wonderful white Christmas from the Murphy, NC mountains. Still snowing and we've got about 4 inches of snow so far. We'll be out building a snowman later and then back inside keeping warm and having another piece of pie. Merry Christmas from Lee & Carol Barbour The Mountain Living Team   www.LeeAndCarol.com   12/25/2010

APPALACHIAN OUTFITTERS Appalachian Outfitters......EVERYTHING INSIDE FOR THE OUTSIDE     Ron Jenkins the owner loved the outdoors so much that he decided to open his own outdoor playground. This store offers camping gear, biking, kayak and canoes, hiking accessories and fly fishing. FLY FISHING: You can book a day or two with one of their professional guides. They have a large selection of reels, rods and accessories. The last Saturday of every month between 9 - 12 Trout Unlimited will teach you Fly Tying....      Murphy NC is just minutes from trout streams, hiking trails, kayaking or white water rafting through the Nantahala Gorge and Ocoee. You can browse in one of many antique and craft shops or just enjoy the sunset on your own deck in peaceful solitude. You CAN have it all!!!!! O... 12/20/2010

The winter snow came early to Murphy, NC as Cherokee County and the surrounding higher elevations had up to 10 inches on the mountain. Lower elevations had up to six inches of the wonderful white stuff that covered our beautiful little town with a blanket of white. Believe it or not there were no power outages reported in Murphy, NC so we all were warm and cozy inside. Snowball fights anyone?   Want to enjoy Mountain Living in all four of our seasons? Visit Lee & Carol Barbour at www.MountainLivingTeam.com for more on the western NC, north GA and east TN Mountains. 12/15/2010

On this chilly snow day in Murphy, NC how about a tempting sweet Raspberry Torte and a Vanilla Cappuccino from the Acropolis in Chattanooga, TN? Boy could we go for one about now, but this photo was from Carol’s girl-day trip shopping and lunch at the Acropolis. Yep, our favorite place to eat is not just down the road, but about 90 minutes away – but oh so worth the drive! When you live in Murphy, NC you know all the best places to eat in the surrounding NC, GA and TN Mountains! If you want to know the best deals on homes and land in these mountains visit Lee & Carol Barbour www.MountainLivingTeam.com   12/12/2010

Visiting the Murphy, NC mountains and want to really get into the Christmas spirit? Then this Friday night head out to the John C. Campbell Folk School located just minutes away in Brasstown, NC. This weeks featured concert is the Brasstown Ringers and this FREE and fabulous performance will warm your heart and tingle your ears for a very merry holiday treat. Friday, December 10, 20107:30 pm at the Community Room, Keith HouseAdmission is FREE and donations are welcome The Brasstown Ringers are a nondenominational community handbell choir for musicians interested in ringing exciting and fun handbell music, has been in existence since 1992. The choir rings on six octaves of Schulmerich bells, five octaves of Whitechapel bells, and six octaves of Malmark choirchimes along with various perc... 12/09/2010

MARINE CORP LEAGUE GETS FIRST PRIZE   As a Marine Corp Mom, I was honored to help decorate the Marine Corp League float in the annual Murphy NC Christmas Parade on December 4th. This year's theme was "Hometown Christmas" and the 48 foot float had a banner hanging from the side that said "I'll Be Home Christmas, If Only In My Dreams". The float displayed a living room setting with mother and father sitting on rocking chairs in front of the fireplace. A Marine dressed in his Dress Blues was standing by the front door about to enter the room. Even though the rain sometimes changed to freezing rain....our hearts were warm and full of Christmas spirit in decorating this float in honor of our military men and women.             The reward was First Place, Non-Profit Division Trophy....OOH RAH... 12/07/2010

  THE DAILY GRIND & WINE Located at 48 Valley River Ave, The Daily Grind & Wine is the "Cheers" of downtown Murphy NC.   The minute you walk into The Daily Grind & Wine you immediately notice the Handcrafted Celtic Bar.  It's where people gather to start their day or end their day...  The Daily Grind & Wine is a complete coffee house serving espresso, lattes, cappuccino and smoothies. Their food menu includes hot grilled sandwiches, salads, wraps and those famous Black Angus Hot Dogs The Daily Grind & Wine has the largest wine shop in the area with over 300 varieties to choose from. You will also be amazed by the large selection of micro brewed beer and specialized beer on tap. Enjoy live entertainment as well as wine tasting and coffee workshops. VISIT DAILY GRIND & WINE  http://www.th... 12/07/2010

    People love North Carolina and Murphy is one of the most loved towns there… it’s like living in a Norman Rockwell painting… On December 3, 2010 the Today shows Real Estate mogul and business expert, Barbara Corcoran, featured Murphy, NC and that was just some of what she had to say about our gorgeous little town. Take a minute to see where you could be living too. Lee & Carol Barbour - The Mountain Living Team 1.800.837.9199 www.LeeAndCarol.com 12/04/2010

Pepsi Cola was invented in North Carolina 100 years ago in 1898    The largest, privately owned house in America is Asheville's Biltmore House    From Manteo in the east to Murphy in the west, North Carolina is 560 miles long, making it the longest state east of the Mississippi (Measured east-west.)    Mount Mitchell, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Height is 6,684 feet.    Murphy, NC is the best city to live in…well, that’s what we think!  Come visit the Western NC Mountains!Lee & Carol Barbour    www.MountainLivingTeam.com 12/03/2010