Palm City Farms offers a great  outdoor lifestyle for young children as well as adults.  There are so many things for families to do together.....especially on a farm.  Those things are very important today as we need to keep our children busy doing family things.

My grandchildren have grown up on our equestrian farm.  The weekends always were popping with horse activities.  Hattie, as shown in this picture, started jumping at the early age of six or seven.  This was her first competition and it was a hot day.  Hattie was so proud of herself.  She was actually burning up in her coat but took her pony into the winners place.  I just remember that this event was packed with people from all over South Florida.  I was very proud of Hattie and her 'True Grit".  She loves horses and animals to this day.  At this time in her life, she was going to be a horse jockey.

                   HATTIE AND MAMA CAROL ....and the winner is HATTIE

I love the beaches and I love the mountains.  Years ago, I went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee on my honeymoon.  I later returned with my small children and they enjoyed riding horses and running around Gatlinburg.  I just remember it being small and quaint and just loved the architecture of the buildings and the smell of logs burning in the fireplaces and beautiful log cabins.  I walked along side of the river that runs through the city and looked up almost as high as I could see and looked at the beautiful mountains that engulfed me on both sides.  Never did I think that my heart would allow me to leave beaches and tropical weather for four seasons.  I started thinking one day that I thought it might be time to just check things out and see where my heart would lead.

After being in real estate for years, I decided to call some of my friends in Tennessee and see what they thought was the on going thing there.  I tested many with questions and all came back to one little town called Tellico Plains. Tellico Plains sounds just like the old Gatlinburg that I remembered.   I thought for a minute and said to myself that Tellico Plains sound kinda interesting.  I would go look and see.

It seems that they have a lot of Floridians that have found out about Tellico Plains, too.  Everywhere you go there is a former residence of Florida.  I visited the famous Bakery a couple of years ago and found out that one of the owners was from Ft. Pierce, Florida.  It just goes on and on.  The nautural beauty of Tellico speaks for itself plus it has a wonderful friendly town.  I have since purchased some excellent properties in Tellico and in the process of acquiring my brokers license for Tennessee.  It is a great place to retire and work.  Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are 45 minutes away, Knoxville is 35, and Chattanooga is an hour. 

The nice property is zoned for agriculture and can have horses.  It has plenty of acres and space for a Gentleman's Farm.  It also can just be a Gentleman's Estate.  Located in a quite neighborhood, this estate has beautiful landscaping and a 1500 sq ft. guesthouse.  It is very rare to find this much property within walking distance of a brand new Publix shopping center.  The neighborhood is laid back and a little lazy.  It is a great area and a great place to have peace as you enjoy the large pool and its privacy.

I can tell you from my own experience.  No one wants to hear the word colic spoken on their farm.  Even though as much as you care for your horses, it happens sometimes.  I always look when I go by my paddocks to see what my horses are doing. 

It is only natural for a horse to roll...Especially after they receive a good Wash off.  I have been so proud of my good wash jobs and look at how pretty they look...all brushed and clean. Ha! One good roll and its all over.  But when a horse rolls and carries on for any length of time,  it is not a good sign and might be colic.  I also worry when they are down and will not get up for a while.  Sometimes the are just sunning and sometimes they may not be.  It is something that has to be watched. 

Colic is responsible for more deaths in horses than any other disease of horses.  Out of every 100 horses, 4 to 10 of those horses, on average, will colic during the year.  Fortunately, 80% of those colics are called simple colics because most horses respond to medical treatment or get better without any treatment. Only 2-4% of colics are severe enough to require surgery.  If you have a horse that has developed colic in the past, that horse is three times more likely to colic again than a horse that has not previously had an episode.  Although all breeds can be affected, Arabians and thoroughbreds seem to have an increased number of colics compared to other breeds. Diet can play a role in colic as course fiber or course roughage with low digestibility can lead to impaction colic. Sometimes too much grain can cause colic.

Since my horse farm is in Palm City, Florida, sand is a constant problem. 

It is always a good thing to have emergency numbers of more than one vet posted at your barn for emergencies.  I have experienced the problem and scare of not getting a vet in time.  No matter when colic happens, it seems that it is always best to have several contact numbers available to ensure immediate help.

Like to be near everthing, perhaps take a nice walk to get to the new Plublix Center in Stuart?  This new listing has everything that you might want should you want to be closer in to Stuart.  Located on Gaines Avenue this, large, seven acre property has room and zoning for a nice Gentleman's Horse Farm.

The interior has 6,648 sq ft.  There is a wonderful, light an airy gourmet kitchen that opens into the Family Room and Dining Room.  Located in a very private area but very close to highway 95, this home was built in 2002.  Its exterior is brick masonary and has beautiful mature plantings.  Call for showing.  Its easy to show and has very little furniture left in it.  Carol or Fran will have to attend.  $1,700,000

What is Tellico Plains, Tennesse about?  Why is it different from Gatlinburg or any other mountain town?  The best way to anwser these questions is to just GO THERE and you will see for yourself.  I personally had not ever heard of Tellico Plains until I started looking at Tennessee for  perhaps a second home to visit and also as an investment.  I drove from South Florida by myself to visit this place.  Someone had told me that it was the next Gatlinburgh.  I had gone to Gatlinburgh on my honeymoon years ago and remember it as beautiful and lovely.  I was excited to check out this place. 

I immediately found the town to be quaint and artistic.  This was just down my alley.  The town was beautiful and the people were so so friendly and nice.  I became really excited as I drove through the beautifuly valleys and mountain areas.  I had no idea that this place had so much to do and revolved around nature.  The best thing was that it was free for everyone to enjoy.  I learned that the town supported annual events of bike runs up the Cherohala Skyway and got the honor of dining at the Tellico Plains Cafe and the Tellico Bakery!!!

I also did not know that it had been voted by HGTV the 7th most beautiful drive in the USA.  The Cherohala Skyway is absolutely beautiful driving, either by car, motorcycle, bike or hiking.  I have property for sale in Tellico Plains and would love to help you find a great place like I have.  Look at these quaint pictures and make an attempt to visit soon.  For real estate information, please give me a call.

TELLICO PLAINS, TENNESSEE

Have you ever been guilty of roaming around Barnes and Noble and bumping into a magazine called, Dream Kitchens?  I have found myself browsing the magazine because I enjoy the many designs of gourmet kitchens.  There are formal kitchens, modern kitchens, fun kitchens and some  that just don't get it....that is for me.

I do want to show you a kitchen that does turn my head and is found in a beautiful equestrian property in Palm City, FLorida, Sunflower Farms.  Sunflower House design is Southern Colonial Key West style and was inspired from an old mansion of 1850 in Key West Florida.  The estate ranks high for its superior craftsmanship and engineering.  The prize of the main house is its gourmet kitchen.

A commercial stainless stove has a metal hood that is a focal point of the kitchen.  There are two stainless dishwashers, three porcelain farmhouse sinks that were made in France, Small Bone English cabinetry, mixed black granite countertops, stained art glass, flooring as of an old English farmhouse, and most of all the stainless Traulson refrigerator.  This refrigerator was made for Sunflower House and opens four doors to the kitchen side and four doors to the pantry side.  There is a huge storage closet for several different patterns of china, and an icemaker that produces 250 lb of ice upon demand. The builder of Sunflower House designed the kitchen to house a huge pot rack that hangs from the 12 foot ceiling.

The back splash is madeof St. Louis antique bricks.There are six large brick columns that surround the kitchen.  There is a farmhouse pine table that is under the huge pot rack. There is a separate large room to the right of the farmhouse sink that serves as a pantry, laundry, and has another porcelain farmhouse sink. Sunflower Farms is an equestrian farm that is for sale.  Call for information. 

Traulson refrigerator.

Like the great outdoors ?  Be right in the middle of one of the most beautiful places in the Appalachain Mountains.   Consider retirement in Tellico Plains, Tennessee.  This 29 acres is available for $246,500. Located within minutes of Cades Cove and Gatlinburg, this little town is loaded with things to do.  Visit Bald Falls,  hike in the Cherokee National Forest, ride you bike over the Cherahala Skyway and enjoy the gorgeous views.  This is really God's County. This property is about 8 miles from the village of Tellico and 30 minutes to Knoxville Airport.  If you have not been to Tellico Plains Village, please stop and enjoy the Library and see the history of Tellico Plains.  You cannot leave without a visit to the local Bakery.  It is the best. Additional 10.76 acres are available across from the 29 acres. Owner/Broker