Pretty Southern

Author: Kate

Homemade Apple Butter is Pretty Southern
One of my favorite fall activities is apple picking. There’s something about plucking big, juicy apples from towering branches that brings out a childish joy in me. I always come back with a peck or more of fresh, sweet fruit that I know I’ll use for something delicious at home.

Earlier this fall, I went apple picking at an orchard in North Georgia. I used half of my bounty for crock-pot applesauce, which is one of my favorite apple recipes. But as of a couple weeks ago, I still had about ¾ of a peck left. I wanted to try something new with those. So I channeled my great-grandmother and made apple butter, and taught myself how to can. All in one day (well, technically two days, since the apple butter sat in the crock-pot overnight).

I’d been wanting to try canning for a while. Our family friends make homemade jam in the summer with fresh-picked fruit, and they always share with us. But I’d never bitten the bullet and tried it myself. All the supplies are expensive, especially for someone on a budget. Fortunately, I grabbed some mason jars on sale at Michael’s and JoAnn’s and stocked up. There’s no such thing as “too many mason jars.” There’s always a use for one.

Apple picking at R & A Orchards, Ellijay, Ga.

I had absolutely zero idea what I was doing: how do I prepare the cans? Do I have to heat them? How do I even make apple butter? Is there butter in apple butter? (There is, in fact, no real butter in apple butter.) So, to Pinterest and Google I went. My great-grandmother wouldn’t have had that luxury, but I did, so I used it. Canning in a boiling water bath didn’t sound too difficult, albeit time-consuming, and it beat using a pressure-cooker type apparatus. I settled on that method, and then searched for a reasonable recipe.

Fortunately, almost anything can be made in a crock-pot, including apple butter. I found a good starting point and added my favorite spices and flavors to put my own spin on the recipe.

Here’s the recipe I ended up making:

Spiced Apple Butter
- 12 apples, ranging from fist-sized to softball-sized
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup brown sugar, light or dark
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
Instructions:
1. Spray your crock-pot with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Peel and chop apples, and put them in the sprayed crock-pot.
3. Add spices, and pour water over the apples.
4. Stir well, so that the water and spices cover the apple chunks.
5. Set your crock-pot on low, cover and let it go for at least 8 hours. Overnight is best.
6. After 8 hours (or the next morning), crank it up to high, prop the lid open with a spoon, and let it go for another 3-4 hours. Don’t stir it. Just let it cook down.
7. Once the apples are cooked down and take on a medium brown color, turn off the crock pot. Stir until the butter reaches your desired consistency or chunkiness.
8. Can according to your preferred method.
I like my apple butter smooth, so I whisked it until it was smooth. An immersion blender would do the trick, too. If you prefer chunkier apple butter, give it a good, careful stir, and leave the butter at your desired chunkiness. The finished product is delicious on a warm biscuit, or swirled in a bowl of oatmeal.

14-ish hours later, I ended up with 10 cans of apple butter. Fortunately the holidays are around the corner, and little cans of homemade apple butter will make a wonderful gift.

My great-grandmother would be proud, too. For my first-ever batch of apple butter, it turned out pretty delicious. That’s pretty Southern, if you ask me.
November 17, 2015
The Perfect Girls’ Getaway at Barnsley Resort

Nestled in the back roads of Bartow County is the stunning, picturesque Barnsley Resort.

Stepping onto the resort property was like entering a fairy tale world…and in north Georgia, who knew? Your stress melts away in the spa. Each meal is perfectly paired with its wine companion. The entire resort drips in Southern charm. Before I talk about my perfect girls’ getaway at Barnsley Resort, I’d like to give y’all a bit of history about the resort. If you need to travel by plane in order to unwind on resorts like this and there were some flight mishaps, you may read here about compensation for delayed flights.

Barnsley Resort’s namesake, Godfrey Barnsley, was a wealthy Englishman who came to Georgia to work in the cotton industry. Barnsley purchased the land, some 4,000 acres that once belonged to Cherokee Indians, in the 1840s. He dreamed of building an estate to please the love of his life, Julia, but she died young and did not get to see his hard work. Barnsley devoted the rest of his life to creating the perfect estate and gardens to honor Julia. Barnsley’s later generations kept the estate up and running until the 1940s. It became Barnsley Gardens Resort in 1991, after being purchased and restored by a Bavarian prince.

Now, Barnsley Resort is a destination for hundreds of families in the region. Needless to say, it was the perfect place for a girls’ weekend with a wonderful group of Atlanta-area bloggers. I suggest to pack overnight bags women and book a trip now. I was fortunate to experience the beauty and charm of the resort with the #BRGirlsGetaway gals, and did we have a fantastic time.

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The girls’ getaway kicked off with an incredible lunch at the Woodlands Grill. When we sat down, we had cheese and charcuterie plates waiting for us, on top of ordering our entrees. And, on top of that, they treated us to small plates of their other appetizers, including fried green tomatoes, shrimp, foraged mushroom flatbread and more. I hardly had any room for my (enormous) Woodlands Burger after munching on cheese and treats.

After lunch and a short tour of the resort property, half of the group headed to the spa, while my group hopped on horseback for a trail ride through the meadows surrounding Barnsley. That was my first time on a horse in at least 10 years, and I think I handled it pretty well! I didn’t fall off, so that’s a step in the right direction. Boating is a wonderful way to enrich your lifestyle. If you’re ready to buy a boat, make sure to check out the used and new models on Zeboats.

Another highlight of the day was my hour-long “Inner Peace” spa treatment. Talk about relaxation! My specialist dry-brushed all my dead skin away, treated me with anti-inflammatory ginger oil, gave a foot massage and finished off with a face treatment with Thai herb balls. I didn’t fall asleep, but I came mighty close. That was definitely the most relaxed I’ve felt in a long time. The other ladies spoke highly of their detox treatments, full massages and facials, too.

Before the evening’s activities, I had a chance to explore my romantic guest room. Barnsley Resort offers 90 guest rooms and suites, each inspired by 19th-century European village cottages. Each guest room is decorated differently, making each one uniquely luxurious. Adding to the European flair was a plate of orange-cranberry scones, apple cider butter and crabapple jam waiting for me as I walked in the door. Had I been whisked back to England? I’ll never say no to scones and jam, even if I know a wonderful dinner is fast approaching.

Dinner at the Manor Ruins was magical. We were welcomed with small appetizers–mini lobster rolls and deviled eggs–and met the resident historian and storyteller, Clent Coker. He shared a history of the resort and told a few treasured stories before we sat down for a five-course dinner prepared by executive sous chef Roberto Guzman. But not only did we enjoy an amazing meal: each course was paired with a wine by Barnsley’s “wine snob” Greg Teague (seriously, “wine snob” is his actual job title). I’m usually not a red wine person, but the Corte Alla Flora paired wonderfully with the braised duck appetizer. I absolutely loved my bison ribeye entree, and I could have eaten three helpings of the chai creme brulee.

And all of that was just in one day! I didn’t get to stick around for day 2 of shooting clays and more delicious food, but I know I’ll be back again. There’s so much more to Barnsley Resort than can be experienced in one day alone. Chattanooga isn’t but an hour away.
Want to see more from the #BRGirlsGetaway adventures? Check it out on Twitter and Instagram!

Kate Robertson is a features writer for Pretty Southern and a Virginia Tech alumna. She also holds an M.A. in Interactive Media from Elon University.

Born in North Carolina and raised in Georgia, Kate hopes to further her career as a social media maven and kick-ass writer in the lovely southeast.

Follow Kate on Twitter @kate3robertson and check out her blog, A Thought and a Half.

October 1, 2015
8 Things I’ll Miss About Living in North Carolina

My family’s roots are in North Carolina. My parents were raised and went to college there, and I was born in a small town in the southeastern part of the state. We moved from North Carolina when I was 5 years old, but my extended family still lives here; my parents and I visit several times a year.

I spent the last year at Elon University, which is about 25 minutes east of Greensboro. Even though I’ve visited North Carolina several times a year for my whole life, living in the area has reminded me of what makes this state so special. Now that I’m moving to Tennessee for my first job out of grad school, I’ve been reflecting on my home state and what I’ll miss about living here. I’m definitely excited to move to a new city, but maybe I’m not quite ready to bid adieu to the great Tar Heel state.

Here are eight top reasons I’ll miss living in North Carolina.

Mmmm, Smithfield’s.

1. Barbecue: If you meet anyone from North Carolina and they claim they don’t like barbecue, they’re not telling the truth. Everyone in this state loves barbecue, and everyone has a staunch opinion on what kind of barbecue is superior. Lexington style (more common in western parts of the state) is sweeter and smoky, often topped with a tomato-based sauce. Eastern style is tangy and accompanied by a vinegar-based sauce. I’m a Lexington girl, but I will never say no to some Smithfield’s Chicken & BBQ (which is more Eastern). And down here, “barbecue” is a food, not something you do in the back yard.

Hey Smithfields, can y’all air-drop me some ‘cue once a month or so?

2. Beaches: To me, nothing beats a North Carolina beach. My dad grew up going to Holden Beach on the southern coast, and my parents and I went there in the summers until I was 13. My grandfather then sold his beach house, and unfortunately we haven’t been back. I have the fondest memories of body-boarding in the playful waves, teaching myself to skimboard and hunting for the perfect seashells on the white sand wearing a sun visor. While I didn’t make it to the beach in the last year, it was nice knowing I was close enough to go if I wanted to. If you want the ultimate beach getaway, you might also want to check out the best beaches in Texas.

3. Biscuitville: I’m not kidding, y’all. Try one of their hot, delicious pimento cheese and bacon biscuits and tell me it’s not amazing. Watching the bakers knead the dough and cut out biscuits makes your mouth water in a hot second. Nothing beat a bacon-egg-and-cheese biscuit with cheese grits on a Saturday morning. Biscuitville over Bojangles, always.

4. Close to Family: This is the closest I’ve lived to my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins since my parents and I lived in NC ourselves, way back in the 90s. My mom’s family all live outside of Charlotte, so they’re only about 2 hours from me at Elon. Weekend visits were easy and relaxing. It’s been so nice to be able to see them more often.

5. College (ACC) Basketball: With UNC, NC State, Wake Forest and Duke (barf) all close by, November through March or April (depending on how the seasons finished) are crazy with blue, red and gold. It’s a sin to like more than one North Carolina college team, so you learn to answer accordingly. We’re in the heart of ACC country so during those months there’s a game on my TV every day. I hope the SEC faithfuls in Tennessee won’t mind my ACC fandom. Do I have to learn to sing “Rocky Top” in return?

6. Southern Charm: This goes without saying. We’ll always smile and wave, even if we don’t know you from Adam. I know that’s all over the South, but I do love seeing it around here. North Carolina has so much charm to offer, from its cities to its small towns, from its mountains to its coasts, and everything in between.

7. Weather: Can we say “yes” to having all four seasons? The summers are stunning, if not a bit humid, and the winters are (usually) mild. We get a clear spring and a clear fall, even if they are a bit prolonged. My boots and customized scarves do get worn! And only some of us lose our minds when it snows…not all of us. As a native of North Carolina, I was always excited to see the first snowfall of the season. There’s something about the crisp, cold air and the blanket of white that makes the world seem fresh and new. But over the past few years, I’ve noticed that snowfall in North Carolina is becoming less and less common. In fact, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, North Carolina has seen a significant decrease in snowfall over the past few decades.

While this may be a welcome change for some, it’s concerning to others who depend on snow for their livelihoods. Ski resorts, for example, have been struggling in recent years due to the lack of snow. And farmers who grow winter wheat rely on cold temperatures to kill off pests and diseases as noted by pest control services. So while I still enjoy seeing the occasional snowfall, I can’t help but worry about what it means for our state. But when the pest control technician conducts the inspection and does the pest control service, which helps control unwanted pests and prevent damages caused by pests, that’s when I feel safe and comfortable.

Before even hiring a Pest Control service, you might want to learn about it first, what they do and what is the cost of it.

And lastly…

Red & white wines from Stony Mountain Vineyards, Albemarle, NC

8. Wine & Beer: I’m not a big beer person, but oh my goodness, North Carolina wine is awesome. Traditional NC wine is made from scuppernong and muscadine grapes, which are sweeter than regular grapes, and twice as delicious. I loved exploring wineries in the Triad and tasting all of their varieties and blends. As for beer, Red Oak is king, followed by Natty Greene’s. Both are brewed fresh in Greensboro, and can be found in every grocery store’s beer aisle in Guilford and Alamance counties. If I could take Red Oak and some scuppernong wine to Tennessee, I totally would. Dearest North Carolina, you’ve always been good to me. This won’t be a goodbye, just a “see you later.” Plus, when my parents’ lake house is done, I’ll be visiting you a lot more often than twice a year.

Kate Robertson is a features writer for Pretty Southern and a Virginia Tech alumna. She also holds an M.A. in Interactive Media from Elon University.

Born in North Carolina and raised in Georgia, Kate hopes to further her career as a social media maven and kick-ass writer in the lovely southeast.

Follow Kate on Twitter @kate3robertson and check out her blog, A Thought and a Half.

June 24, 2015
Get Fit at Freedom Fit Gym

Summer is coming, and that means swimsuit season is coming, too. Everyone wants to get in great shape to turn heads at the beach.

Joel (center) and his family celebrate Freedom Fit Gym’s grand opening!

For Joel McCauley, being fit and healthy isn’t just for summer. It’s an all-the-time routine and lifestyle. If you want to get started, you may check out this blog.

It’s this belief that lead Joel to open Freedom Fit Gym in Ashland, Va. He’s extremely excited about his small-business venture, and I’m so excited to share it with y’all here on Pretty Southern! After all, we do love our small businesses. In a gym or leisure center environment where customers are exercising without supervision, it is easy to think you do not need to take much action, but as the owner or manager, both your staff and customers’ well-being is your responsibility. So I considered this gym risk assessment support from Avensure to ensure that my center is compliant with HSE regulations.

Joel is one of my close friends from college. He’s a certified personal trainer (CPT), and has wanted to open his own gym since he was a teenager. Helping people is in his blood. Operating his own gym gives Joel the opportunity to help people achieve their personal health and fitness goals and teach them about living healthfully. And going the small-business route lets him do it his way. He started working as a personal trainer just one month after graduating from college. He’s competed in baseball and track, and has also done bodybuilding competitions. All of his experience, combined with years of studies and research on the best methods, diets and healthful habits will help him help his clients at Freedom Fit Gym reach their goals.

“My hope is to create a space where people feel like they can come to better themselves,” Joel says. He wants Freedom Fit Gym to be a place “where people can come to make progress” toward their fitness goals and personal health. You can check out this source if you want to get started in juice cleansing.

At the gym, Joel offers open workout space with a wide variety of machines and equipment including ones from Allvibrationplates.com, personal training sessions and small-group bodyweight and powerlifting classes. In addition, he can craft custom nutrition plans to optimize clients’ diets for the best results.

Most of all, though, Joel knows that movement is a gift that should be celebrated. We are made to move, and Joel wants us to be able to celebrate our gifts to the best of our abilities, all year round. So if you have any kids, you can entice them to keep moving by providing them with the right gifts. All you have to do is to know where are the best outdoor playhouses and perhaps other suitable gifts as well.

“Now is the perfect time to get my dream started,” he says. “I can grow my business as long as people come to me.” And that’s just what we want, too!

Want to follow Joel’s journey and learn more about Freedom Fit Gym? He’s on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and has a website and blog!

All photos courtesy of Joel McCauley.

Kate Robertson is a features writer for Pretty Southern and a Virginia Tech alumna. She also holds an M.A. in Interactive Media from Elon University.

Born in North Carolina and raised in Georgia, Kate hopes to further her career as a social media maven and kick-ass writer in the lovely southeast.

Follow Kate on Twitter @kate3robertson and check out her blog, A Thought and a Half.

June 9, 2015
Good Manners Never Go Out of Style

When Southern babies are born, one thing is immediately instilled in them: good manners. “Please” and “thank you” are taught right after “ma-ma” and “da-da.” Leave off a “ma’am” or a “sir” after a “yes” or “no” just once, and it will be the last time you ever do. Southern charm starts with a smile and a wave, whether you know the person or not. It’s just what we do.

My boyfriend Kevin is a born and bred New Jerseyan (we met in college at Virginia Tech). Sometimes his bold Jerseyness comes out quite predominantly, and still takes me by surprise, even after knowing him for almost four years. But bless him, he’s slowly adapting to the Southern ways of life.

Back in November, he visited me in North Carolina from Blacksburg for a weekend. We made a quick trip to Harris Teeter one afternoon to pick up a few items for dinner that night. When we’d paid, the lady at the register told us to have a nice day, and Kevin responded with, “Thank you ma’am, you, too.” When we were outside, Kevin said, “Man, it feels so good to be in a place where I can say things like that.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, puzzled. “Why can’t you say that anywhere else?” He chuckled.

“If I said something like that at home in Jersey, people would tell me to go to hell, probably with a certain hand gesture.”

Umm…what? I was genuinely confused. Was he joking? The thought of someone being unfriendly about a polite “thank you, ma’am” did not compute in my head. Who spit in their grits? Apparently some people can’t be bothered to say something nice, or even smile, when someone greets them. Were manners not part of their raising? Is “ma’am” or “sir” offensive? Maybe they think “ma’am” makes them sound old, and that offends them.

I really hope he was joking.

My freshman year of college, my boyfriend at that time was visiting my family in Pennsylvania from his small hometown in central Virginia. As we pulled out of my driveway one morning, we passed a neighbor out for his morning run. Boyfriend waved and smiled out of politeness, but when the neighbor didn’t return the gesture, he seemed upset, even offended.

“He didn’t wave back,” he huffed. “That was rude.” I didn’t disagree.

I’ve never understood why good manners—and general politeness—aren’t common everywhere. It’s not hard to smile or say “please” and “thank you,” and it makes a world of difference. A biting response—or no response at all—can dull someone’s sparkle just as much as a smile and, “hey there, sugar,” can brighten it.

Good manners transcend geographical boundaries, and they will never go out of style.

Kate Robertson is a features writer for Pretty Southern, a Virginia Tech alumna, and a current graduate student at Elon University in North Carolina. She’s working toward her MA in Interactive Media, and afterwards hopes to further her career as a kick-ass writer.

Originally from Atlanta, Kate enjoys exploring the Piedmont region of North Carolina, especially its wide offerings of wineries. Follow her on Twitter @kate3robertson and check out her blog, A Thought and a Half.

February 6, 2015
How to Survive Winter: a Guide from a Southerner Trapped in the North

If there’s one thing (most) Southerners are terrified of, it’s winter. Three months of cold temperatures, bitter winds and questionable weather forecasts is no one’s idea of a good time. Gray and brown take over, as most flowers, plants and other vegetation have died or gone into their “hibernation.” Sometimes the sun doesn’t come out for a week; when it comes back, we’ve forgotten what it was.

And Heaven forbid it snows. What is snow, anyway?

After living in the Great White North, I’ve learned how to deal with winter and how to get through those long, gray days without losing my sanity. I’m no expert, but nine years (ugh) of experience in blizzards, subzero wind chills, icy roads and shoveling driveways has provided me with plenty of insights to share.

Here is my best advice on how to survive winter, straight from a misplaced Southerner.

Invest in a snow blower. My parents never had one for six of our years in Pennsylvania; our neighbors have one, and they graciously clear our driveway when snow strikes. But a few years ago, Mom broke down and bought one of our own. And you know what? We haven’t had a rough winter since. Omen? I’d like to think so.

Don’t buy cheap shovels. They break too easily. No one wants to hear that snap! in the middle of shoveling the driveway. It’s the worst. Shelling out for a sturdier shovel will be worth it later. Buy them early, too. The early bird gets the good shovel.

Don’t leave the house unless you absolutely have to. “I drive good in the snow,” said no Southerner ever. Cabin fever will eventually set in, and you’ll have to make a choice. For me, that choice is easy. As long as it’s cold and/or there’s snow on the ground, I’m staying inside.

Pull out all the thick, soft blankets and keep them within reach. Snow is much nicer when seen from inside, wrapped in a blanket, sipping on hot chocolate (or a Hot Toddy).

Before the winter weather arrives, have your water heater and pipes inspected and/or replace your old water heater with a tankless water heater with a technician who provides water heater repair – Superior Plumbing like the Craftsman Plumbing – water heater repair technicians. For a high quality plumbing and heating service that won’t break your bank or waste your time, you may check out this indoor plumbing services here for more info!

If you find damage, you may head To The LMR Public Adjusters site to get assistance with claims.

For professional cooling and heating services, you may hire experts like Hearn Plumbing, Heating & Air or these HVAC services in Riverside. If you find out that you need furnace replacement, best to choose a professional that provides Furnace replacement in Waxhaw for readers who live in North Carolina.. You may also visit sites like accurateelectricplumbingheatingandair.com/ for additional guidance. If you use gas heating systems at home, you may need to contact a dependable gas fitter and propane gas delivery company to prepare for winter.

Stock up on the essentials well in advance (if possible). Sometimes icky winter weather strikes with little to no warning, and you may not have time to refill your supplies. If you do, though, bread, milk, eggs, peanut butter, soup and non-food items like batteries run out fast. May Publix be ever in your favor.

Check your flashlights and charge your electronics. Put fresh batteries in your flashlights and lanterns, and make sure your cell phones, tablets, etc. are fully charged. Power outages can happen, and they aren’t always resolved quickly. Be prepared.

You can as well ask your neighborhood roofing company to check the condition of your roofing system before the snow falls. And most importantly, be careful. I joke about snow and driving and cabin fever, but winter weather makes for treacherous driving and travel conditions. If you feel uneasy about being on the roads, by all means, stay in.

Remember, winter is short. Come March, the grass will be much greener on the other side…literally.

* This might be more applicable to our friends in Maryland and Virginia, where snow is a little more common.

Kate Robertson is a features writer for Pretty Southern, a Virginia Tech alumna, and a current graduate student at Elon University in North Carolina. She’s working toward her MA in Interactive Media, and afterwards hopes to further her career as a kick-ass writer.

Originally from Atlanta, Kate enjoys exploring the Piedmont region of North Carolina, especially its wide offerings of wineries. Follow her on Twitter @kate3robertson and check out her blog, A Thought and a Half.

January 22, 2015