www.southeasterncharm.com

Nestled in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains is a 4 bedroom, 4 bath contemporary vacation rental called River Dwelling.  From the moment you pull into the driveway, this traveler’s paradise evokes a sense of peace and tranquility.  You can catch an afternoon nap on the screened-in sleep porch, read a book on the riverside hammock or slip into the hot tub beneath the old oaks and pines.  Regardless of your leisure choice, stress will melt away as you relax and unwind.

For the more adventurous spirits, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy.  From kayaking and horseback riding to hiking or biking the nearby Aska Trails, the possibilities are endless.  In fact it was outdoors enthusiasts, Dan and Heather Kaufman, of Atlanta, who fell in love with this Blue Ridge, Georgia location.  They purchased the riverfront property with intent to build a second home for their family’s continued enjoyment of the area.

Instead of building a typical log cabin, they opted to take a more modernistic approach.  Dan, whose undergraduate degree is in architectural design, teamed up with Robert A. Tretsch, AIA of Harrison Design Associates, and they designed River Dwelling.  The two allowed the land to dictate the design of the house. Additionally, they partnered with builder Juan Ramirez of Studio D + C Construction.  With the combined efforts of these three men, who share the same ideals and passion for modern architecture, they were able to infuse the great outdoors throughout the inside of the home.  For example, expansive windows offer gracious views of the Chattahoochee National Forest while a 10 by 16 foot garage door wall, adjacent to the dining room, opens to the sounds of Mother Nature.

As one guest described…the home is a welcoming blend of “Soho chic and rustic beauty.”  The high ceilings present an open, airy feeling while the slate and dark hardwood floors coupled with the glass, stainless steel and concrete elements lend themselves to the modern aesthetic.

Located on a quiet stretch of the Toccoa River, just a quick jaunt from Atlanta, River Dwelling is a wonderful laid back travel destination.  It’s definitely a place where you can leave the worries of the world behind and get back to nature. For more information, visit their website – www.riverdwelling.com.

From his humble beginnings in Kansas City where he started working as a dishwasher at Sambo’s to defeating Chef Bobby Flay on Iron Chef alongside his brother Kent, Kevin Rathbun has had quite the journey. He spent 30 years working and learning from others in the restaurant business and has even worked with celebrity chefs and restaurateurs such as Bradley Ogden, Emeril Lagasse, Stephen Pyles, Ella Brennan and Pano Karratossos. 

Not only has Rathbun perfected his technique in the kitchen, but he’s perfected his passion for owning and operating his own businesses as well.  In fact, today this renowned Executive Chef co-owns three of the best restaurants in Atlanta and perhaps in the United States.  His restaurants have received numerous prestigious awards…all of which have been well-deserved. 

His first endeavor was his namesake restaurant, Rathbun’s, which opened its doors in 2004.  Offering Kevin’s take on Modern American Cuisine, the menu features over 50 items along with specials every night.  He offers “Crudo plates,” “Small plates,” entrée’s consisting of “Big plates” and “Second Mortgage plates.”  The signature items are scallops, the lobster taco, the 20 oz. Ribeye with blue cheese, and the veal chop with sweet corn Gouda.  I know…this is making you hungry already, isn’t it?

After visiting Spain, Kevin returned with a vision of an intimate wine bar with small tapas plates.  He worked with restaurant designers and architects to create his next restaurant, Krog Bar, in 2005.  Dining in this Spanish style wine bar offers an intimate interior with excellent cuisine. The menu has staples and also features daily specials of hot plates.

In 2007, he opened Kevin Rathbun Steak which was his biggest endeavor to date.  Only 1 and a half blocks from Rathbun’s and Krog Bar, Kevin found an old cotton warehouse and turned it into this one of a kind steakhouse.  Kevin Rathbun Steak features Prime steaks form Allen Brothers in Chicago along with a menu that expands to over fifty items.  Kevin wanted his steakhouse to have the “new modernized atmosphere and menu,” and he did that by incorporating seafood, alternative meats, new and creative appetizers and a list of over fifteen sides.  A completely chef driven menu with organic meats and heritage bread animals, he also uses local produce continuing to keep this restaurant as one of the nation’s top steakhouses.

Kevin resides in Atlanta with his wife Melissa.  In his spare time he enjoys philanthropy, reading cookbooks, dining out, fine cigars and traveling.  He also humbly admits that in his next life, he’d have a passion for restaurant designing.  He’s definitely came a long way baby from his dishwashing days!  So…the next time you’re in Atlanta, go by one of his fine restaurants to dine and pay tribute to this inspiring chef.  

A recipe from Kevin Rathbun featured at Kevin Rathbun Steak:

Jalapeño Creamed Corn      yield 4 servings

2 and a half cups charred corn (decobbed)

1 cup garlic cream**

1 T small diced jalapenos

1T small diced shallot

1 T sliced shallot

Two thirds cup sharp cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Char corn in hot iron skillet.

In a separate pan, add corn, jalapenos, shallot and garlic cream.

Bring to simmer, reduce by one-forth volume.  Add scallion and cheese.  Stir to blend and melt cheese.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

**Place one half cup 40 percent heavy cream in heavy sauce pot, add 8 peeled cloves of garlic, bring to a simmer, turn down and let reduce to 1 cup.

I have many memories from my college days, but a moment that really stands out is when one of my professors walked into class and asked, “Have you ever imagined your life without music?”  Quite the profound question.  I’d never thought about that before, and after mulling it over in my mind, I came to the realization that because of music, my life was all the richer.  Truth is…I can’t imagine my life without music.  Nor do I want to. 

Without the gift of music, I would miss out on experiencing the raw talent and musical genius that comes from the likes of Ken Will Morton.  Once in a great while comes an artist of his caliber. His music is so alluring that it haunts me.

I recently had an opportunity to hear him play at ‘The Basement’ in Nashville, TN.  He stepped on stage sans any extra accompaniment.  No band.  No backup singers. No hoopla. Morton simply graced the stage with his harmonica and guitar.  I didn’t know what to expect, but once he started singing, he immediately captivated the intimate audience. In a word, he's... ENGAGING. 

Morton’s 5th solo project, True Grit, will be released by Sojourn Records on February 16, 2010.  It blends rock, Americana, roots, blues and folk.  When asked about how he came up with the title track, Ken Will responded  "I was going through kind of a hard time, which everybody goes through hard times, and it builds endurance. But you’ve got to grit your teeth, buck up and plow forward.”  Ken Will Morton is definitely plowing forward with his music.  “I can’t stop Rockin’ & Rollin’ and love music so much,” expressed Morton.  “Music is too important to me…I can’t give it up,” he went on to tell SC.

A skilled songwriter with a great set vocals to match, Ken Will reminds me of Dylan while remaining fresh and soulfully unique. To learn more about my new favorite musician, visit his website – www.kenwillmorton.com.        

You probably recognize Laurie Smith as one of the interior design stars from the successful hit TV series, Trading Spaces, which aired on TLC.  She was often referred to as the “southern-belle” and grande dame of design.  Her primary goal on the show was to create rooms that could be lived in.  Laurie’s room designs were also permeated with her self-described modern-classic approach which infused sophistication and Old World elegance.  Combining classic & contemporary elements along with great furniture and beautiful fabrics, Laurie’s rooms were always a big hit.

Laurie was born on May 23, 1971 and was raised in Houston, Texas.  Smith told SC that she had studied dance and thought she'd become a professioal dancer, but that later she became very interested in architecture and design.  She graduated from Southern Methodist University where she majored in broadcast journalism.  Later she attended the prestigious New York school of Interior Design where she graduated in 1999.  In the Spring of 2000, she was working at an interior design firm when the call came from Trading Spaces.  Smith said, "This was just an exciting opportunity for me to do what I love."  Since Trading Spaces, she has added an impressive list of credentials to her resume.  In 2004, Smith became a spokesperson for Lane Home Furnishings through commercials and in-store appearances.  She also partnered with Hancock Fabrics to launch a nationally successful designer fabric line.

By 2005, fans were able to purchase Laurie’s first book, Discovering Home – Find Your Personal Style, which takes the reader through her personal journey of the renovation and design of her mid-century home. Upon its release, Discovering Home was honored at The National Book Festival sponsored by The Library of Congress, where Laurie was featured as a guest reader.

Laurie resides in Jackson, Mississippi with her husband Brad and their son, Gibson and daughter India.  She continues to be passionate about design and enjoys spending time with family, friends and loves to travel.  She has appeared on several television shows and has also been featured in a variety of magazines.  As for her latest project, she partnered with Quoizel Lighting and designed their “Illuminations” collection. 

A busy wife, mother and designer, Laurie remains faithful to her roots and is true southern lady who lives life with an abundance of style and grace. 

Take a pro athlete who loves any and all things Superman, mix in some inspiration and music, and what do you get?  You get the incredible Ben Utecht.  A professional football player and a classically trained singer.  Utecht is currently a free agent in the NFL and was formerly a starting tight end with the Cincinnati Bengals and with the Indianapolis Colts when they won the Super Bowl two years ago.  Sports definitely plays a major role in his life, but it quickly becomes evident that off the field he’s equally as passionate about his faith, family and music.     

Utecht told SC, “Music to me has always been a release.  It’s always been something outside of sports in my life that is part of my identity…giving me a creative outlet.  One of the reasons why I’m drawn to music so much is because it’s really a universal language, and I don’t know if that sounds corny.  I don’t intend for it to.  What I mean by that is no matter what your background, no matter what your faith perspective, no matter how you were raised or the environment that you’re from…everybody has a connection to music. It just gives you, as a musician, such a unique avenue to really have an impact on people’s lives in a positive way.  And I just really get excited about that.”

Indeed Ben has a lot to be excited about as he was the first musician signed to legendary Sandi Patty’s record label – Stylos Records. While working on his debut project, he had the chance to collaborate with some of the finest in the industry including Sandi Patty herself, Jeremy Camp, Nathan Nockels and Mark Harris.  His self-titled album is definitely a heartfelt collection of songs.  Packed with a soulful sound and powerful lyrics, his album is simply awe-inspiring. 

Ben said it was almost foreshadowing and divine intervention that he ended up on Patty’s label.  A son of a Methodist minister, he grew up listening to Sandi Patty’s music. Plus his mom had sung Sandi’s music as long as he could remember.   In fact, his mom recently sent him a picture of when he was a little boy.  He was only 4 years old and was sitting on their couch with the piano behind him.  There was a Sandi Patty music book propped on the piano, and it looks like Sandi's eyes are just staring down on Ben. His mom attached a note to the picture that read, “God really does work in amazing ways.”  Fast forward to now, and he found himself performing at the “Sandi Patty & Friends” weekend at Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort.  On the night of the February 5, 2010 opening event, Ben’s performance was outstanding, and Sandi said from the stage that Ben  had become like a son to she and her husband.  Sandi speaks very highly of Ben and his music and says that “He is really a singer in a football player’s body.”         

When asked what he’d say to inspire young athletes or musicians, Ben replied – “I would say never compromise who you really are.  I think often the peer pressure and things can have a major impact on us.  I was known as the person who went against the flow.  I think that was just in my nature.  I wasn’t a part of any cliques in high school because I didn’t need to be.  I grew up in a wonderful environment that gave my sister and I the wisdom at a young age to really have the strength to stand up for who you are. So I’d encourage them by saying don’t compromise who you are.  Be true to who you are, and I think you’ll be real surprised at how that breeds success.”

It's very refreshing to see someone of Ben's caliber who is so humble and grounded.  He's the real deal.  He has a strong Christian faith and although he goes through rocky times just like we all do, for him it’s just a matter of finding peace and balance while continuing to walk with the Lord on a daily basis.  Ben says “No matter how high the highs get or how low the lows get, God is always even keel.”

Recently the Lord spoke to his heart one day while he was working out.  Ben said he just heard the voice of God tell him “I didn’t just come to feed the full; I came to feed the hungry.  I didn’t come to heal the healthy; I came to heal the sick.  I need people in my prairies, but I need more in my battlefields.”  Ben definitely wants to be a positive, bright light in the battlefields.  In fact, he wants to start singing more classical/pop music as opposed to Contemporary Christian.  He wants to pour God’s love on people in mainstream entertainment.  That’s where he feels the Lord is leading him.  “The thing about the inspirational/classical/pop style is that it transcends the borders,” says Utecht. 

Ben and his wife Karyn, a former Miss Minnesota, both grew up in MN, but they currently live in Cincinnati, Ohio with their 11 month old daughter Elleora Grace.  To learn more about this multifaceted family man, visit his website – www.benutecht.com.