Kara's Blog

They are a common sight in this little horse town.  Carriage Drivers that is!   And Saturday was no different.   The Aiken Driving Club had a parade on Saturday, and as you watch the carriages go by you can't help but be reminded of the way it once was.

Come for a visit - you might just end up moving here!  And I'm happy to help you find a house when you do :)

That's right -  FREE  (for Medicare patients), and just $28 for everyone else!      

If you haven't gotten your flu shot yet - you might want to take advantage of this offer.

WHERE:

Family Medcenters -       2 convenient locations:

Downtown:  216 Edgefield Ave NW.      Mon-Fri 9-5,  Sat 9-1.    803.648.4224

Southside: 2678 Whiskey Road S.  Mon-Fri 9-5.   803.642.6352

DO YOU NEED A FLU SHOT?

You should talk to you doctor about it first. 

Partial list of who might need to get a flu shot: 

• are aged 50 years old or over
• live in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
• between the ages of 6 months and 18 years.
• will be pregnant during flu season.
• will be in close contact with someone in a high-risk group.

Have a safe and healthy winter!

If you are going to buy a poinsettia (in the Aiken area) anyway---- why not purchase it from this group, and  help them raise some much needed money.

Thanks :)

If you are going to buy a house -call me!  

Ok - Like the wizard said in Oz..... pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!

  And in this case - that would be the news guy spreading all the negative talk about real estate.  Like Gene said in his post (see stats below) - it is NOT all doom and gloom like we hear on the news.      

Just look at these stats  (thanks for doing the work, Gene!)

I see lots of GOOD NEWS in these numbers.

Check it out:

  COMPARE SOLD PROPERTIES FOR SEPTEMBER 2008 VS. OCTOBER 2008:

•    Same number of units ---- sold for more total dollars!!    This is good news :)

•   The Median sales price is UP over the previous month!! This is good news :)

•   The list to sold price ratio is UP from last month!!  This is good news :)

• The Price per Sq.Ft is UP over the previous month!! This is good news :)

• The number of days on market is DOWN from previous month!!  This is good news :)

The only thing I see that is not positive is that with over 300 members of our MLS - and only 90 property closings for the month...... well, you know where I'm going with this.    

If you are ready to buy - I'm ready to help.   I can help you with your listing/purchase ANYWHERE in THE WORLD!!   Leading Real Estate Companies of The World affiliation :)    Just call me first.    Thanks.       (don't forget to let me know you saw my blog)  

I wasn't born here but Aiken sure feels like home.  Come see for yourself!  What are you waiting for?                     

Come to the Newberry Street Festival Center in Downtown Aiken and help us celebrate the Holidays with a very special tree lighting ceremony.   Our 'master-of-ceremonies' will be none other than Mayor Fred Cavanaugh himself!  

If you are new to town - or have just never known about this event - here is what you can expect:

• MUSIC
• REFRESHMENTS
• SING CAROLS!                                  
• LIGHT CANDLES
• COUNT-DOWN THE LIGHTING OF THE TREE....10..9..8..7..  :)
• CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY WHAT THEY ARE THANKFUL FOR.
• SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY SANTA AND MRS CLAUS!!  YAAAY!!!

FRIDAY - DECEMBER 6TH 2008.       NEWBERRY STREET FESTIVAL CENTER - DOWNTOWN AIKEN.

SEE YOU THERE  :)

I wasn't born here in Aiken but it sure feels like home :)   Come see for yourself!  What are you waiting for?

Give me a call if I can be of any assistance with your real estate needs.  I can help you anywhere in THE WORLD!!  Just call me first :)     Thanks.

I've had it and it was delicious.   When I heard how to make it I could not believe it could be so simple.  So simple AND taste so good!  Unbelievable.

Well, I'm here to say that it really IS that easy to make :)      

Have you ever heard of a Coca-Cola Cake? 

This is what you need/do.

• One box of chocolate cake mix. (any brand)                             

• One can of DIET coca-cola. (I used the real stuff, but my guess is that the other brands will work just the same)

• Preheat the oven to whatever it says on the box of cake mix.  

• Prepare your cake pan as usual.

• Empty the cake mix into a large bowl  - and add the can of diet coke.

YOU DO NOT ADD THE EGGS / WATER / OIL....   ONLY ADD THE CAN OF SODA!

• Mix well.  (I used my beaters as usual, just not quite as long)

• Spread batter into prepared pan.  (batter is a little bit thicker than usual - don't worry!)

• Bake according to package directions depending on what size pan you are using :)

Bakes up nice and moist - and delicious.    I did not put any frosting on mine - but you can use your favorite frosting recipe if you want!

This is definitely a healthier option than the way a box mix is traditionally prepared.

JUST THINK OF THE DIFFERENT WAYS YOU COULD MAKE IT!!

White/Yellow cake mix (or any other flavor where the batter is light in color)-  use diet sprite or diet 7-up!

How about Diet Dr Pepper with Chocolate Cake Mix -   yummm

Enjoy!

UPDATE -  HERE IS THE FROSTING RECIPE:

This is what you need/do:

2 Tablespoons Butter,  1 box powdered sugar, 2 Tablespoons Cocoa, 6 Tablespoons Coca-Cola

• Combine butter - cocoa and Coca-cola in saucepan and heat to boiling.
• Pour over sugar in a bowl and mix well.   (add 1 cup chopped pecans now if you want)
• FROST THE CAKE WHILE IT IT STILL WARM :)

If you are thinking of moving South - give me a call :)  

    45 days till Christmas!

Seriously -  it is just about time to pick the cotton here in Aiken County!

Sometimes when I drive past the cotton fields it reminds me of home.   No - we didn't have cotton back in Jersey - but we did have fields covered with snow!  

Take a look :)

Here is a close up for those who have never seen cotton in the raw!  I had never seen it till I moved here :)

I wasn't born here but Aiken sure does feel like home.  Come see for yourself.  What are you waiting for?

It's cotton picking time you come for a visit and see for yourself!  

And I'm not complaining one bit!   I love the laid back lifestyle and attitude, although sometimes this Jerseygirl has a problem slowing down, lol.  

Take a look at the beautiful fall colors I saw this afternoon while running some errands downtown.

.  Fall is officially here - yaaay!

Sooooo - when you are ready for a slower pace of life, give me a call. 

Have a great weekend :)

There are lots of dogs and cats (and even a bunny!) just waiting to come home with you.     Take a look:

CALL THE AIKEN SPCA TO ADOPT ONE OF THESE CUTIES:  803.648.6863

The Carolina Real Estate Company is proud to sponser Demetries!

Open your hearts and home to a new pet.     Did you know that pet owners live longer happier lives than those without pets?

Now, if you need a bigger house to accomodate more pets just give me a call!!

Think Ed Sullivan when you say that title, lol.       This show is guaranteed to entertain!! 

Who:   Aiken County Red Cross  (host)

What:  Toast of The Town  (hoping to make this an annual event!)

Where:  Washington Center for the Performing Arts on Newberry Street - Downtown Aiken

When:  Saturday, November 8th, 2008. 

Tickets:  $25 for the show.     (for an additional $10 you are invited to a wine & cheese social before the show --- AND you get to enjoy PREFERRED seating!!)

Call for tickets:  803.641.4152 ext 224,  or 803.641.9401.  Aiken County Red Cross

What you can expect:   a variety show with over 20 acts   (I hear there may even be a plate spinner!)

Some of the acts scheduled to appear include:   a former Ms. America finalist, an opera singer, a cabaret tune, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, folk dancers, men's acappella group, pianist, vocalists and more.     

House Band for the evening:   The Sherrry Wine band (jazz ensemble)

Proceeds from the event will help the Red Cross to continue providing services to our neighbors and friends who may be victims of single family fires and other disasters. 

Come out and support the community!

Partial list of performers:  Diane Miniard, Taylor Williams, Chris Simmons, Dr. Sandra Field, Raven Donaldson, South Boundary, Brian Congrieve, Theresa Peopham, Suzanne Jackson, Carolyn Chester, Curtis English, Bernard Pontoo, Julian Harlem, Dr. Maureen Simpson, Susan Chase, Abe Kalsbeek, Sho Ane Seaton.....      These performers range in age from high schoolers to some in their 70's!)  

 Sure to be a really big shooooow :)       See you there!

Call me when you are ready to move south for the winter!