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how to brighten your home
How to brighten your home: January decorating ideas
January can be a depressing month for many people. Although the days are getting longer, many people feel let down after all the sparkle, lights and parties of the holiday season. This is particularly true for people that decorate their homes for the holidays. We have the perfect way to counteract these January blues: brighten your home with some winter decorations to make your home sparkle in the winter light. Here are some of our favorite ideas:   Add some pops of color   Many people use white for January decorating because they associate January with ice and snow. However,...
Guide to Tennessee Fall Foliage
Fall is a beautiful time of year in Tennessee; the state has some of the most gorgeous fall foliage in the country. Over half of Tennessee is covered in forestland so there are many, many places to view beautiful fall leaves.   Because Tennessee fall foliage is not as well known as the fall foliage in places like Vermont, it is more peaceful, and cheaper, to visit. We have written this Guide to Tennessee Fall Foliage to help you get the most out of your time enjoying this beautiful natural phenomenon.     “Autumn is a second spring when every...
Everything you need to know about making ice cream
As everyone knows, ice cream is the perfect summer treat. It’s also a lot easier to make at home than you might think, plus it’s a fun summer activity. If you have an ice cream maker, or want to invest in one (they are not too expensive), it’s a quick enough process that you can even have an ice cream making party. Or you can add ice cream making to your next summer pool party. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about making ice cream, plus read our favorite recipes for ice creams and sorbets.    ...
Our favorite 8 summer vacation spots close to Tennessee
Tennessee is a beautiful state with many interesting places to visit. Last summer, when travel was still limited for many, we featured our favorite ideas for a Tennessee staycation. Now that things are opening up and people can travel again, we thought we would highlight some interesting places to visit that are outside the state, but not so far that you will spend your whole budget on gasoline. Here are our eight favorite summer vacation spots that are no more than a five hour drive from Sparta, Tennessee.   Huntsville, AL 2 hours, 20 minutes from Sparta, TN (home of...
11 Ways to make your mom feel special this Mother’s Day
Do you want to up your game this Mother’s Day? If so, here are eleven ways to really make your mom feel special this Mother’s Day. The good news is that most of them don’t cost much money at all- much less than flowers or brunch at a fancy restaurant. Because love is the best thing in the world and it is also free!   Write her a love letter   People think about writing love letters to their boyfriends, girlfriends and even spouses, but no one ever writes them to the person that brought them into this world and...
How to plan an amazing Easter egg hunt
Do you want to have an Easter egg hunt this year but don’t know where to begin? Look no further . . . Here are our tips, and a handy timeline, to help you plan an amazing Easter egg hunt this year. BONUS: We also include our favorite Easter egg hunt ideas for people of all ages.   3-4 Weeks ahead     Determine the theme of your Easter egg hunt   The first step to plan an Easter egg hunt is to determine your theme. First, ask yourself the following questions:   1- What is the age group you...
Our favorite home organization tips
Spring is coming this month and many of us are already starting to think about getting organized. If this sounds familiar, this blog post is for you! It contains some of our favorite home organization tips so you can get a jump start on your spring cleaning.   1- Make an organization schedule   If you try and organize your entire home in a weekend, you will probably get overwhelmed and give up relatively quickly. It’s much more realistic to make a schedule for your home organization that spans a month, or even two. Start with something small, like a...
Super Bowl Party Ideas 2022
Super Bowl Sunday is about so much more than just a football game. People that don’t even like football watch the game for the creative ads and the top quality talent in the half time show.  And almost everyone likes to attend Super Bowl parties to hang with friends, eat yummy food and drink some beer or cocktails. In keeping with the game’s broad appeal, here are our best Super Bowl party ideas. You should be able to find something to please all your friends!   First, the basics The Super Bowl is the most watched broadcast in the United...
Winter craft ideas
Now that the holidays are over, you probably have a lot more time to focus on things you enjoy. So we have curated these winter craft ideas to brighten gloomy winter days and give you something fun to do. Some of them will even help you get a jump start on Valentine’s Day.   1- Homemade snowflake soap   This winter craft idea is not only fun to do, but you can create something really beautiful and luxurious to use every day.   The best way to make your own soap, especially if you are new to soap making, is...
Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar
This Christmas season, we have an idea of something a little different. Instead of having an Advent Calendar that focuses on consumption, we thought we would create a calendar of 24 simple, random acts of kindness you can do every day leading up to Christmas. The true spirit of Christmas is really about giving, not just receiving, so these 24 easy ways will help you keep Christmas on your mind every day. And to help yourself feel good as giving really is a wonderful thing.     December 1   Give someone a compliment! It doesn’t have to be anything...
Fall Foliage Photography Tips
Tennessee has some gorgeous fall foliage. One way to really immerse yourself in the experience, and gain a different perspective, is to take some photos. Spending the time to get that perfect shot allows you to appreciate the beauty of fall foliage in a brand new way. Keep reading to learn some fall foliage photography tips to take photos so beautiful you can frame them and enjoy fall foliage any time of the year. If your photos turn out really well, you can even give them as Christmas gifts. Almost everyone likes art created just for them.   Research locations...
Halloween Craft Ideas for Adults
Even if you don’t have kids you can still do some great Halloween crafting. Or maybe you do have kids, but don’t want to have to clean up a giant mess after crafting? Whichever it is, indulge yourself and get in the spooky spirit with these Halloween craft ideas for adults.   Pumpkin Fun   We all know that carving pumpkins is pretty hard work. This year, instead of hauling out the knives and making a big mess, and facing a high risk of failure, why not bring out the craft supplies and make some really interesting creations?   Fern...
September gardening tips
Avid gardeners know that fall is a busy time in the garden. Not only is it the second best time planting time (after spring), but you will also need to trim or relocate plants that thrived in the summer and prepare your garden for the winter. Here are our favorite September gardening tips.     Schedule your new plantings to be in the ground six weeks before the first frost   Fall is an excellent time to plant many perennials (plants that bloom year after year). This is because the ground is still warm, and the air is getting cool...
Fun things to do with strawberries
Strawberries are one of summer’s delights! They are delectable on their own, or with a little bit of cream poured over them. But there are many more fun and delicious things to do with strawberries. Here are some of our favorites:     Meringues with fresh strawberries and cream   This is a very light alternative to strawberry shortcake. Most people don’t realize this, but meringues are very easy to make: all you need is four egg whites and a cup of sugar. Ideally, you should use a half cup of powdered sugar and a half cup of caster sugar....
Our favorite ideas for a Tennessee Staycation
With the kids out of school and the days long and sunny, summer is the time for vacations. This year, although people want to travel, there are still some challenges: maybe your family is not fully vaccinated, the budget is still tight or perhaps you just aren’t mentally ready to start traveling again. This might be the perfect summer for a staycation. Whether you stay at home or just decide to keep it local, here are our favorite ideas for a Tennessee staycation.   Why stay in Tennessee?   For starters, Tennessee is a beautiful state. It has it all:...
5 Fun pool party ideas
Summer is here and we can’t think of a better way to both have fun, and cool off, than have a pool party. Here are 5 fun pool party ideas to make your party fun, unique and memorable.   1- Float Party For whatever reason, Summer 2021 appear s to be the year of the crazy pool floats. Unicorn floats are everywhere! We have also seen peacocks, flamingos, swans and even llamas. It seems everyone wants to have a float featured in their Instagram feeds and stories. If you put photos of fun floats in your invitations, we are pretty...
Fun things to do in spring
Now that things are opening up across most states, it’s the perfect time to get out and enjoy your freedom and the beautiful spring weather. Here are fun things to do in spring with your spouse, friends or the entire family.   Fun things to do in spring out of doors   Many of us have developed a new relationship with the out of doors over the past year, since many indoor venues were closed. Here are some great ways to extend and grow your relationship with nature.   Plant a garden (or even just a plant or two)  ...
Floorplan: The Oakridge, your private sanctuary
  There is a big difference between a house and a home. A house is a piece of architecture, whereas a home is a private sanctuary. It’s a place you are always happy to return to- a place where you feel safe, comfortable and relaxed. The River Club, located in beautiful Central Tennessee, has a number of model homes. The largest is the 1,820 square foot the Oakridge. A home of this size is ideal for people that want to live someplace special. In today’s blog we invite you to step inside this lovely place, and share with you some...
Creative Easter basket ideas
Looking for some fun and creative Easter basket ideas? Here is a round up of our favorite Easter basket ideas for kids, teens and adults.   A little history   Are you curious as to why we give Easter baskets to each other on Easter mornings? The tradition dates back thousands of years when pagan people would pray to the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility, Eostre. She was depicted in ancient art as cradling a woven basket in the crook of her arm.   According to History.com, the Easter Bunny’s origins can be traced to German immigrants who came...
Our favorite bunny butt cake recipes
If you are looking for something fun to bake this Easter, why not bake a bunny butt cake? They are not only fun and adorable, but they taste delicious! Here are our favorite bunny butt cake recipes this year.   Traditional Bunny Butt Cake     This is what started it all: Betty Crocker’s bunny butt cake. An adorable, pink iced, candy covered confection dusted with coconut flakes. Using the original recipe is super easy, because you are just baking a cake from a mix and adding food color to ready made frosting. The trick is baking the cakes in...
2021 Valentine’s Day gift ideas
Are you looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift idea for your wife, girlfriend or significant other? Look no further- we have got you covered. This post has 2021 Valentine’s Day gift ideas with something for everyone!   For scent lovers Lots of men like to give perfume for Valentine’s Day because it is romantic. Women also love it because it adds a little bit of luxury to their lives. Even in the covid world when people don’t do out very much-and lots of people stay in their pajamas all day!- a little bit of scent can make one feel...
How to keep your New Year’s resolutions
Most people make at least one New Year’s resolutions, but few people stick with them past January. In fact, did you realize that all gym owners know this? That’s why they almost always ask for a year’s commitment: because they know most people quit going after a couple weeks. With proper planning, this doesn’t have to be you! Read our tips for making, and keeping, sustainable New Year’s resolutions.   Break it into attainable goals   It’s great to think big when it comes to resolutions, but committing to do something like losing 100 pounds requires time, patience and lots...
Our 5 favorite Southern Thanksgiving side dishes
There are hundreds of recipes for Thanksgiving side dishes on the web. However, some are a lot better than others. The River Club has tested scores of them, and come up with this short list of what we consider the best Southern Thanksgiving side dishes. Bonus: some of them are never before shared family recipes!   1-Cornbread stuffing with sausage and dried cherries   In many respects, stuffing is the most important part of any Thanksgiving meal. Especially when it comes to Thanksgiving in the South. Almost every Southern grandma has their own cornbread recipe. Served piping hot with a...
13 Tips for throwing a fantastic pumpkin carving party
With trick-or-treating and big Halloween bashes off the agenda for most people this year, many people are entertaining small groups at home. One of our favorite ideas is to have a pumpkin carving party. People tend to associate them with kids, but in reality they are often a lot more fun with adults. Here are our top 13 tips for throwing a fabulous pumpkin carving party for adults.   1– Make a plan!   Even though Halloween is only a week away, you have plenty of time to throw your party, even if you haven’t even sent out the invitations...
Porch entertaining ideas
Front porches are always fantastic! You can have your morning coffee out there, sit and watch a storm roll in or go old school and enjoy some time in your rocking chair, watching the world go by. During the pandemic,people are choosing to gather in smaller numbers in outdoor spaces so, front porches can also be great places for entertaining . . . Why not take advantage of Tennessee’s moderate climate and enjoy some of our porch entertaining ideas?   Porch decorating ideas   Make your porch  look inviting!  It’s often your guests first impression of your home. With so...
Fun socially distanced Labor Day activities
Labor Day is traditionally a time to socialize with friends and have a seriously fun weekend to mark the end of summer. This year, don’t let covid-19 get you down. Here are some fun socially distanced Labor Day activities you can enjoy with family and friends.   1– Throw a backyard barbecue   This may not be the year for a big block party, but that doesn’t mean you can’t invite a few friends and family members for a socially distanced barbecue in your backyard. Current research shows that outdoor activities are much safer than indoor ones when it comes...
The best socially distanced sports
Fallout from the coronavirus is forcing us to rethink many aspects of our life. One of the most troubling for many people is the closing of gyms and the shutdown of group sports. Even if they are open in your city, many people are hesitant to go back to their regular athletic routines too early. Instead of sitting at home and watching yet another movie on Netflix, why not use this opportunity to try a new, socially distanced sport?   Individual Sports   Although most group sports are not on the radar screen this summer, there are some excellent socially...
Creative summer grilling ideas
Even though summer just officially started last week, if you’re like us you probably broke out the grill a couple months ago. After awhile, steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs can get a little old. We’ve come to the rescue! Here are six- or maybe seven, depending how you count- creative summer grilling ideas, plus a bonus summer cocktail, to help you mix things up.   Grilled avocados with salmon   This is one of our favorite recipes for the summer. It’s from the restaurant Electric Lemon in New York City. Electric Lemon is part of the fitness group Equinox so...
Recipes to make with items in your pantry
Many of us have spent the past weeks, or even months, in isolation with restaurants closed. Regardless of whether you don’t feel comfortable venturing to the grocery store, or just have a lot of food accumulated in your pantry, here are 10 recipes to make with items in your pantry.   But before we start sharing recipes, let’s work on stocking your pantry.   How to stock your pantry   Before we start, let’s talk about the best way to stock your pantry. We are going to use a broad definition of pantry. It includes not only dry goods in...
How to create beautiful spring flower arrangements
As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” If, like many people around the world, you are stuck at home for the month of May, why not use this time to create your own beautiful spring flower arrangements? Where is the best place to source your flowers?   If you are lucky, you can get them from your own garden. Plants like tulips, daffodils, lilacs, irises and peonies make for simple, easy arrangements. Or you can be more daring and incorporate wildflowers into your arrangements, or even branches from flowering trees. Branches from flowering dogwood trees and crabapple trees...
10 reasons Sparta, Tennessee is the best remote place to live
We at The River Club have always enjoyed the charms of country living. Now, with the current coronavirus situation, a lot of other people are starting to rethink life in the big city and search for low density population places to live. Here are ten reason why we think Sparta, Tennessee is the best remote place to live in the US.   1– The weather is excellent Who says the best remote place to live has to be uncomfortable? A moderate climate makes a big difference in terms of quality of life. This is particularly noticeable for people that come...
The 10 best things about moving to Tennessee
Are you thinking about moving to Tennessee? If not, maybe you should! Read on to learn the 10 best things about moving to Tennessee. 1–Cost of living One of the best things about moving to Tennessee is its low cost of living. According to the World Population Review, Tennessee is the 6th cheapest state in the US. It falls well below the national average in all categories they rank (housing, groceries, transportation, utilities and other). On average, it has a ranking of 88.7, where the US average is 100. This means that it is 11.3% cheaper than the US average....
Super Bowl snacks
Nothing beats watching The Super Bowl with a great selection of snacks. Whether you’re looking for last minute ideas for your Super Bowl party, or just want something to enjoy while watching the game quietly at home, we combed the web to find our favorite Super Bowl snacks. Here they are, in no particular order (although saved the two really fun ones for last!): Individual seven layer dips- We LOVE seven layer dip, but it can get really messy (not to mention un-hygenic) when everyone is trying to dip into the same dish. To solve that problem, make little individual...
Winter activities in Nashville
With the holidays over it can seem like a long, cold stretch until spring. Instead of focusing on what the groundhog does this weekend, try some of these fun winter activities in Nashville! Visit the zoo The Nashville Zoo is middle Tennessee’s top paid attraction and with good reason. Located six miles southeast of downtown in Grassmere, it has some of the best winter activities in Nashville. Zoolumination This is the country’s largest Chinese lantern festival. It has over 500 custom made silk lanterns spread over 60 acres. Chinese artists have re-imagined dozens of zoo animals in bright and colorful...
Fun cocktail recipes for New Year’s Eve
Are you looking for fun cocktail recipes for New Year’s Eve?  If so, here are some of our favorite. Our recommendation, if you are hosting a New Year’s Eve party, is to focus on one or two of the cocktails below. They are stunning enough that just one or two will make your party absolutely memorable. Just serve them alongside red and white wine, beer and sparkling water to provide a fun and festive bar experience for your guests. Spiked seltzer with vodka soaked fruit If you want something that is fun, memorable, easy, low in calories and right on...
Ways to express gratitude this Thanksgiving
One of the things people like most about Thanksgiving is its non-commercial nature. It is a holiday about friends, family, food and giving thanks. But often times, people forget to express gratitude- especially if they have to host a large dinner party. If you are hosting Thanksgiving lunch or dinner this year, here are eight ways you can express gratitude this Thanksgiving and inspire your guests to do the same. 1– Make a thankful tree Even if you are not crafty, this is not particularly hard to do. All you need is the following: Dried branches Ribbon Construction paper or...
Elegant Halloween decorating ideas for your home
Would you like to decorate for Halloween but not sure how to keep it tasteful? Read this to see elegant Halloween decorating ideas for your home. What makes Halloween decorating ideas elegant? In short, things should be simple and uniform. It’s ok to incorporate items that are a little different, but make them the exception, rather than the rule. This will not only make your special little touches “pop,” but will keep it from looking like you have gone completely overboard (which is NEVER elegant!). Another key thing to think about is the interior design concept of layering. You can...
Seven frequently asked questions about manufactured homes
At the River Club, we get a lot of questions about manufactured homes. This article answers our seven most frequently asked questions and hopefully clears up any misconceptions you may have. 1– Are site-built houses better than manufactured homes? No, not at all. In fact, manufactured homes are the only homes in the US built to a national code. While manufactured houses may not be for everyone, they do have many benefits. For example, they are usually cheaper than site built homes, they are easily customized and they carry lower utility bills. 2– Where can I place my manufactured home?...
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Why We Got Into Real Estate – And Why We Stayed
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How to Work in International Real Estate
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What Buyers Are Looking For in a Home
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Is Your Home’s Curb Appeal Turning Buyers Away?
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How to Market A Luxury Home the Right Way
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How Investors Can Leverage the Power of Real Estate
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Current Trends in the Square Footage of Houses
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When Will Housing Prices Drop Again?
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10 Rules of Successful Real Estate Investing
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Spring cleaning made simple
Do you like to do spring cleaning, but simply don’t have the time this year to devote to it? Or perhaps you always wanted to do spring cleaning but can never find the motivation. If so, here are some simple tricks to get your house clean and organized with minimal time and effort. 1.Purge- Is your home filled with clutter? One of the easiest ways to clean it is to simply throw things away! Start with your clothes- if you haven’t worn it in the past year, it’s time to donate it to charity or throw it away. When you...
How to Avoid Mistakes Investing in Real Estate?
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Spring Gardening Checklist
Spring is the make or break time for your garden. To ensure you don’t forget anything, here is a simple checklist to follow. Complete all the tasks and you will have beautiful, healthy plants this year. 1. Order summer plants- Rainy and wet outside? Use this time to get online and order seeds and flowering bulbs for your summer planting. 2. Organize your gardening tools- If you didn’t do this last fall, make sure to clean and sharpen your tools. Not only will they be easier to use, but your will prevent bacteria from being introduced into your new plantings...
Ten simple things you can do to help the Earth
Did you know that Earth Day is the world’s largest secular celebration? Today, April 22, 2017, it is estimated that one billion people will celebrate the event. The first Earth Day was in 1970 after the founder witnessed the damage caused by a large oil spill in Sanga Barbara, California. Now it has grown into a worldwide celebration to help promote education and literacy about the Earth. Many people celebrate by attending marches or educational events. We at The River Club like to celebrate by doing little things to directly help the planet. Here are ten simple things you can...
Little touches to take your Easter brunch from ordinary to extraordinary
Nothing says Easter quite like a beautiful, elegant brunch. The trick to throwing a beautiful brunch, or any party, is to focus on a few details and make them extra special. If you choose those with the biggest “bang for the buck,” you can streamline the rest of it and no one will notice. Here are some ideas that can turn your brunch from ordinary to extraordinary. 1. Add a dress code- Nothing puts people in a more festive frame of mind than dressing for a party. Ask your guests to wear an Easter Bonnet, a beautiful dress, or even...
New trend: Easter lights!
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, we here at The River Club love decorating- especially when it comes to the holidays. We thought we had come up with this brand new idea outselves, but we recently discovered there are a few people starting to use Easter lights- WalMart even sells them now. So we searched the web to find our favorite ideas, and even came up with a few of our own! Forsythia lights My earliest memories of spring are of my grandma’s brilliant yellow forsythia blooming in her garden. The bright yellow flowers were a striking contrast to the...
Real Estate Investing Is a Relationship Business
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Beautiful Easter Egg Decorating Ideas
We here at The River Club LOVE decorating Easter eggs! Dying eggs is fun, but this year we have decided to take it to a whole other level. Here are our ten “bestest,” most beautiful ideas involving everything from leaves to temporary tattoos. If you see one you simply have to do (we feel this way about all of them), click on the title for instructions. Enjoy and HAVE FUN!! 1. Gold Leaf Easter Eggs 2. Sprinkles Easter Eggs 3. Flower rick rack eggs 4. Beautiful napkin decorated eggs 5. Ombre eggs 6. Lace Eggs 7. Botanical eggs 8. White pen farm...
Our favorite Easter decorating ideas
It’s officially spring! The sun is shining, the weather is warmer and flowers are starting to bloom. Traditional Easter decorations capture this magic with flowers, bunnies and eggs- all symbols of birth and renewal. We have combed the web to find ideas that will take your Easter decorating to a whole other level. They will brighten your home and bring the freshness and vibrancy of spring indoors. 1.Giant origami bunnies- Think how much fun these will me to make with your grandchildren! Click here for how-to. 2. Hanging Easter Posies- The key here is using really pretty ribbons and multi-colored flowers. Click...
Sweeten up your St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner! It’s a fun holiday for many, but if you don’t like to drink (or can’t for health reasons) it’s easy to feel left out of this holiday- especially if you’re not Irish. But almost everyone likes sweets! So we combed the Internet for the richest, dreamiest, most scrumptious recipes so you can whip up something delectable this week. Enjoy! 1.Chocolate mint trifle- In many ways, trifles are the perfect desserts! They’re sweet, easy and beautiful to look at. The Andes mints add the perfect finishing touch for St. Patrick’s Day. Chocolate mint...
Our 10 favorite gardening hacks
With spring right around the corner, it’s time to start focusing on the garden. We here at The River Club love gardening, and are pleased to share some of our favorite hacks with you . . . 1.Lemon peel starter pot- Many of you already know this trick, but it’s such a good one it’s worth repeating. Not only does it save money on pots, but the acidity of the lemon peel creates the perfectly acidic environment for the seedling to flourish. 2. The best way to prevent dirty fingernails- Nothing is worse than going to a dinner party and realizing you...
How to get started scrapbooking
Scrapbooking has become a huge industry. Which is great if you’re an experienced scrapbooker because it means you have an amazing array of choices when it comes to book types, layouts and embellishments. However, if you have never done it before, the choices can seem overwhelming. One of our staff members at The River Club told me the other day that she wants to scrapbook, but doesn’t even know where to begin. I’ve heard the same comment from friends and family members so decided to dedícate this weeks blog to them. Here is a simple checklist you can follow to...
Our 20 favorite household hacks
We here at the River Club love lifehacks and always save and share our favorites. These are our favorite household ones we’ve found over the past months. We hope you find them as useful as we do!
Our 10 favorite Valentine’s Day craft ideas
Valentine’s Day is almost upon us! Since many parts of the US are under a blanket of snow right now, or forecast to receive more of it today or tomorrow, what better way to spend time at home than making Valentine’s Day crafts? Not only are they a perfect way to express your love and affection for those around you, but the bright red and pink cheer everyone up. However, some craft ideas on the web are time consuming and can often look a little tacky. So we’ve combed the Internet to find ideas that turnout beautifully and are relatively...
Winter gardening schedule
If you haven’t already, it’s time to start thinking about your garden! Avid gardeners know this already, but many plants need to be sown indoors before planting them outdoors. Why? Well, because many of the things we like to eat are not indigenous to the US. They come from other parts of the world where there is more sunlight and growing seasons are longer. The perfect example of this are tomatoes. They come from Central and South America. If you wait until the ground gets warm enough to plant them in the US as far south as Oklahoma, they will...
Valentine’s Day Baking Contest
We here at the River Club  love baking and treats. This winter, we’re looking for some new ideas. So we’ve decided to hold a contest. We’re looking for the best Valentine’s Day Treat Recipe!! We would love to have all of you submit a recipe. We will look through them and choose three semi-finalists. We will make each of these three semi-finalist recipes in our test kitchen, then pick a winner. The winner will receive a $100 gift card to Williams Sonoma, redeemable at a store or in their online shop. Here are the rules: HOW TO SUBMIT- Please submit your RECIPE, NAME and PHONE...
Our 5 favorite uses for chalkboard paint (plus some tips on how to use it)
Chalkboard paint is one of our favorite new trends. It is not only useful- it also looks super cool. Here are our five favorite uses for it: 1.Herb pots- We love the look of the black paint on terracotta pots. Plus this is really useful for first time herb gardeners that can’t always tell the difference between basil and lavender, or other herbs. You can do it one of two ways: put the chalkboard paint only on the rim of the pot, or only on the area under the rim. Or mix and match! 2. Garden markers- These are also super functional, and even...
10 tips to help you keep your New Year’s resolution
Did you know that most gyms make a large majority of their money in January? There’s a reason for this: most people make New Year’s resolutions, are very motivated the first week or two and then quickly give up. Does this sound familiar? If so, keep reading. We’ve talked with a personal trainer, a mindfulness expert and a life coach about what works and what doesn’t. We’ve boiled this advice down to eight simple tips to help you achieve your resolution and, when applicable, develop good habits that last a lifetime. For everything you try to take away, add something...
Another amazing family Christmas cookie recipe: Double chip toffee brittle
Here’s another family Christmas cookie recipe that The River Club wants to share with all the readers of our blog. It’s actually not a cookie recipe, it’s for something even better: Toffee Brittle!!!! Enjoy . . . Double-Chip Toffee Brittle Ingredients: 2 cups butter (plus 1 tsp. to grease pan) 2 cups sugar 1 cup slivered almonds 1 cup milk chocolate chips 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips Directions: Butter a 15 inch x 10 inch x 1 inch baking pan (jelly roll or half-sheet pan) with 1/2-1 tsp. of butter. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, bring sugar and...
Announcing our 2017 colors!
Each year Pantone declares a color of the year (or sometimes two). Although they have some lovely ideas, we here at The River Club think many of their sentiments  are a bit out of touch with the average person. So this year, the design experts here at The River Club have decided to make our own colors of the year. There has been so much division in the US in recent years, that we wanted to choose colors that were soothing and unifying. Something almost everyone loves, and takes solace in, is nature. Especially the beautiful trees and forests of Middle...
Another amazing family Christmas cookie recipe
One of my favorite things about Christmas is the cookies. The women in my family make some of the best Christmas cookies I’ve ever tasted. So this Christmas I’ve decided to share their recipes with all of you. Today’s delicious creation: Bourbon Balls! They don’t just taste amazing- they’re also really easy to make. Enjoy! Bourbon Balls     3 cups crushed vanilla wafer crumbs     1 cup powered sugar     11/2 tablespoons cocoa     11/2 cups finely chopped pecans     3 tablespoons white corn syrup     1/3 cup bourbon Mix all ingredients together and...
My favorite Christmas cookie recipe
One of my favorite holiday memories is the boxes of cookies my grandma and great aunts made. They did it the same way every year. First they’d start with a gift box from Famous Barr- a department store that has since been bought out by Macy’s. They always used the shallow, rectangular boxes meant for shirts. They would line the boxes with tissue paper and fill them with homemade cookies and candy. They typically filled them with bourbon balls, peanut brittle, iced sugar cookies, Mexican wedding cake cookies, fudge and my favorite: the bon bon cookies. Some of those recipes are...
How to trim the perfect Christmas Tree (without giving yourself a nervous breakdown)
Decorating the Christmas tree might be my favorite day of the whole year. Not only does it make the home feel warm and cozy, but it adds a little sparkle to your life. Plus, every time I hang an ornament that was purchased on a trip, or to commemorate a special occasion, or was made for me by a loved one, it brings back a very precious memory. Here are my tips to make your tree beautiful and evocative this year and in years to come, while at the same time avoiding undue tree-related stress. 1. Go to the lot and...
Eleven security tips for safe online holiday shopping
Shopping online is so convenient. This is particularly true for the holidays as you can avoid holiday crowds and usually get really good deals. Even better- many sites offer gift wrapping and free shipping which is perfect for those out of town friends and relatives. However, the volume of online shopping during the holidays also leads to increased security concerns as cybercriminals use this time to ramp up their efforts. Here are 10 tips you can use to ensure you have a safe shopping experience this holiday season. 1.Make your passwords secure- Anytime you create a password, make sure it...
Our favorite Thanksgiving decorating ideas
Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays. It’s a day to focus on what’s truly important in life: family, friends and being thankful for all that you have been given in this lifetime. If you’re hosting friends and family this week, here are some wonderful decorating ideas: Acorn candles Collect acorns, remove the caps and turn them into tiny candles. Click here for directions: how to make acorn candles. When you finish, you can use them to decorate place settings. Take small wood boxes and glue pieces of sandpaper to the side (people can use this to strike matches to...
The Nashville Floorplan: Ideal for entertaining
Do you like entertaining at home? If so, we recommend you take a closer look at The Nashville. At 1,800 square feet it is not only spacious, but ideally laid out for a dinner party, cocktail party or even overnight guests. Open and airy One of the Top 10 Design Trends of 2016 is the trend towards open and airy home layouts. The Nashville captures this perfectly: as soon as you walk in the front door, you are in the great room where there is ample space to put a couch or two and a coffee table. In the back...
Yoga poses for autumn
As the weather starts to get colder and the days get shorter, it is a good time to think about ways to slow down, nurture your body and calm you mind. One of the best ways to do this is through yoga. This ancient practice was originally created to help people still thier thoughts so they could mediate. It definitely helps with that, but also has the added benefit of improving circulation, getting more oxygen to the brain and toning the body. Like any exercise, the most important thing is to start off easy and be consistent. With that in...
Delicious (and sometimes spooky) Halloween desserts
Even though you’re too old to go Trick or Treating, you can still indulge in some delicious Halloween sweets this year. Here are some of our favorite recipes that are not only delicious, but also fit with the spooky theme of the holiday. 1.Red velvet cupcakes- These are always amazing. However, some of us here at The River Club have always found the red inside to remind them a bit of blood. Creepy other days of the year, but perfect for Halloween! Click here for our favorite recipe: Nigella’s red velvet cupcake recipe. 2. Carmel corn- Caramel apples are a...
How to throw a harvest party
Do you want to do some fall entertaining but are not crazy about Halloween? Or perhaps you are feeling particularly social and want another reason to have a party? If so, why not throw a harvest party? They’ve become fashionable in recent years for good reason. They are warm, inviting and relatively easy. Plus, since most people haven’t been to one before, expectations are low so as the host/hostess, you won’t feel much pressure. Just read on and we’ll tell you what to do, and give you some of our favorite tips, to make your party a great success. Indoors...
Delicious, cozy recipes for fall
Fall is here and the cool nights and shorter days make us want to spend more time at home. And when we’re at home, we naturally want to spend time in the kitchen. Here are our favorite fall recipes that are not only delicious, but make us feel warm and comfortable inside. 1.Cheesy sausage bread- this is amazing! Make sure you serve it still warm when the cheese is still melted and gooey. It’s great for lunch, as a hearty appetizer or even a snack while watching TV. Click here for recipe. 2. Butter and sage gnudi- gnudi means “naked”...
10 Great fall activities to do in Tennessee
Fall is beautiful everywhere- especially in Tennessee. Its temperate climate and beautiful leaves make it the perfect place to engage in autumn activities. Here are ten of our favorite: 1.Go apple picking. This is a great fall activity for the whole family to get out in nature. Plus you can use the apples to make pies or to can for the winter. If you really want to ramp it up, checkout The Cleveland Apple Festival on October 15-16th. This annual festival offers an art and craft show, live music, food booths, pony and hay rides, entertainment, children’s activities and much...
Everything you need to know about fall foliage in Tennessee
It’s late September and the leaves are just starting to change in Tennessee. Since our state has some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the country, why wait? Start planning a trip (or two or three) to see the fall foliage. When? Typically, Tennessee fall foliage peaks from east to west beginning in mid-October. Places at a higher elevation, like the Smoky Mountains, will also see the leaves change a bit earlier. To see where the leaves are at in their cycle, click on this link: Fall Foliage Map. Why? Actually, the colors you see in the fall are...
Tennessee: The perfect place for nature lovers
Tennessee is a gorgeous state- absolutely filled with natural beauty. It has a mild climate so you can see beautiful leaves and enjoy long springs and summers, but the winters are not too harsh. If you’re looking for a place to go camping, hiking, fishing, or just take a beautiful relaxing walk to relax and refresh mind and body, we have some recommendations for you. Fall Creek Falls- This is Tennessee’s most visited state park, and with good reason. Filled with magical waterfalls spread over 26,000+ lush green acres, hiking and walking here is a little like being in a fairy land....
10 Things to do this fall for your garden
Gardening is a round the year job, hobby or passion (depending upon how you look at it). Even though things appear to be winding down after Labor Day, there are many tasks that need to be done to care for fall blooming plants, tidy up from summer and prepare for next year. Here is a list of what our Master Gardener friend thinks are the ten most important things to do. 1.Harvest herbs now to either freeze, or dry, for winter use. Alternatively, herbs such as parsley, rosemary, chives, thyme and marjoram can be dug from the garden and placed in pots...
An easy checklist for organizing your bathroom
Still with us? Or joining us for the first time? If you’re a regular follower of this blog, you know that we’ve devoted the past few posts to helping you get your home organized. In fact, some of the staff here at The River Club have been using these tips to get their homes organized too! So far we’ve learned how to declutter, and have started using this to organize the bedrooms and kitchens in our homes. This week, we’re tackling one of the smallest romos in the house, but the most challenging for some people: the bathroom. So let’s...
As easy checklist for organizing your kitchen
As part of our month long series on home organization, this week we’re going to tackle the kitchen. We’ll begin by getting rid of unused and unwanted ítems. Many people complain that they don’t have enough storage space but in reality, most people just have too many things.This can be especially true in the kitchen. Remember, if organizing intimidates you, or you have gone years without reining in the clutter, be easy on yourself. Try to set yourself the goal of accomplishing just one ítem on the list per day. Remember: Slow and steady wins the race. The more time you take,...
Checklist for organizing your bedroom
Organization can be a challenge for many people. The problem is that the more you need to get your house organized, the harder it is to get motivated. Just thinking about trying to rein in years (or even decades) worth of objects can seem so overwhelming that many just turn on the TV, or grab a good book, and give up. So we’ve decided to make it easy for you. Over the next month, this blog will be devoted to helping you get organized. We’re going to go room by room, and give you a checklist of things to do. If...
5 Simple tips for organizing your home
Have you ever noticed how good you feel when your home is clean and free of clutter? This is because the state of your home is a clear reflection of your mind. Less external clutter leads to cleaner thoughts. Or, to put it another way, a clean environment leads to a more peaceful life. So, if you’re looking to add tranquility to your life, think about spending some time organizing your home. The summer is a great time to do this- just like the heat inspires us to wear lighter, simpler clothes, it also encourages us to pare down clutter in our living...
Everything you want to know about edible flowers (plus recipes)
We love the look of edible flowers- they lend a touch of elegance, and fun, to any meal. They’re particularly compelling in the summer, when many of them can be found in your own garden. So we decided to dedicate this week’s blog post to them. You’ll learn which flowers are best, some tips, and then we share with you our five favorite recipes for dishes with edible flowers. If you’re a gardener, a chef, a person who likes to entertain, or simply like pretty things, we invite you to read on. Flowers are more common in the kitchen than...
5 Unique Tennessee road trips
The best part about being located in Middle Tennessee is that it’s a relatively easy drive to anywhere in the state. Tennessee has so many interesting things to do that there are ample options for short road trips. Here are five of our favorties that are a little different than the typical Gracetown pilgrimage or Pigeon Forge visit. 1.See the Lost Sea- The Lost Sea is America’s largest underwater lake (and the second largest in the world). The lake covers more than 4 acres and is recognized by the U.S. Department of the interior as a Registered National Natural Landmark. It is part of an extensive and...
Our favorite outdoor decorating ideas
Now that summer is in full swing, we love to spend as much time as possible outdoors. Our favorite way to do this is to create outside living spaces- spaces just as comfortable as indoor spaces. That way, we don’t go outside just to barbecue, or go for a swim, but to do everyday activities like read a book, eat dinner or just lay on the couch and listen to music or chat on the phone. Making them requires two steps. First, you need to place furniture on the patio or  lawn and second, to add those small touches that make a space comfortable and inviting. Here...
Our favorite summer grilling recipes
One of our favorite things about the summer is sitting outside, grilling a nice meal and sharing it with friends and family. We’ve assembled our favorites for you to try. Some are very traditional, and others have a little something different. Enjoy! Pesto Grilled Shrimp This one is very simple. You can buy pesto at the store or you can make your own. We prefer to make our own as store bought loses that amazing freshness that is the hallmark of a great pesto. Click here for our favorite pesto recipe. Remember: the secret to a great pesto sauce is to use...
Flag Rules- How to display the U.S. Flag properly
The 4th of July is a wonderful holiday. Summer is in full swing, you can spend the afternoon in the backyard barbecuing with your family, then watch fireworks in the evening. Or if you live in a lenient state, you can even shoot of your own! However, we think it is also important to remember what this holiday is about: America declaring its independence from England. This holiday commemorates that very special occasion, so it’s arguably the most important day of the year to display the U.S. flag. In honor of that, we’ve compiled a useful summary of the flag...
View floorplans and more inside The River Club
The River Club is a 55+ active community located in beautiful Central Tennessee. We currently have four floorplans (more coming soon) that you can chose from. We invite you to have a look at each one invidividually, and to learn about the different options that are available. We have something to suit everyone, ranging from cost conscious individuals to those that, although still looking for good value, want something more luxurious. The Townsend Good things come in small packages! This is especially true of The Townsend which, at 1,191 square feet, is our smallest home. It has three bedrooms, two...
Tennessee: The perfect place for music
Tennessee is the perfect state for music lovers of all kinds. Most people know about Nashville and Memphis, but it is also the state where country music, bluegrass and rock ‘n’ roll all originated. Here are our top places to listen to, and learn about, music of all kinds. 1.Bristol- this is where it all began. Bristol is located in the northeast corner of Tennessee, on the Virginia border. In fact, half of the town is actually located in Virginia- the border between the two is located by the aptly named State Street. In 1998, Congress officially recognized it as...
10 Reasons you should chose an active 55+ community
You can meet like-minded people. Most Americans spend their lives looking forward to retirement, but the truth is many find it challenging. It can be hard to stay at home when all your friends are at work. Or worse, we’re in an age when many marriages don’t last so madly retirees can find their days feeling lonely and even useless. If you move to an active retirement community, you’ll be surrounded by others that have time to pursue hobbies or just hang out and have a coffee. If you’re single, it can be a great way to meet someone new....
Memorial Day cupcake and cake pop ideas
We love a good barbecue or grill session for Memorial Day. Nothing finishes chicken, hamburgers and corn on the cob better than a great dessert. But after awhile, we get tired of the predictable apple pie and ice cream. So we’ve decided that this Memorial day, we’re making cake pops! They’re easier than they seem . . . in short you make a cake (you can use a mix to make your life easy- no one will know the difference) and let it cool. Then crumble the cake, mix with icing and form into balls. Insert sticks and freeze. Take...
Take a virtual tour of The River Club
We thought we’d give you something a little different on the blog today- a virtual tour of The River Club! Start this slideshow and see what our beautiful community in Central Tennessee has to offer. If you want to come see The River Club in person, we are offering free trips! No catch- we’re so confident you will love The River Club we are paying for people’s airfare and hotel. Click here to take advantage of this amazing offer: FREE TRIP
Tennessee: The perfect place for golf
Have you ever read one of those Top 10 Best Cities in which to live, and noticed they all seem to be in places that are really cold, really boring, or really expensive? Well, we feel the same way about all those Top 10 Golf State lists. Most of those rank states on the following criteria: Most golfers in the state Most passionate golfers Total number of rounds played Total number of golf courses Of course the total number of golf courses is important, but we argue that the other three criteria lead to crowded, expensive courses. If you look...
TV Contest Winner
We are thrilled to announce the name of the newest home at The River Club. It is The Summitt! The entry was submitted by Debbie. Thank you all for your participation. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at info@theriverclubtn.com. Thank you from the River Club Management.
Special ways to show your mom (or the mother of your children) you love her
Since it’s Mother’s Day today, we thought we’d dedicate today’s blog to a topic pretty much every woman likes to talk about: how to express love. We have some great ideas to not only help you give your mom or your wife the perfect Mother’s day gift, but to make her happy the other 364 days of the year. How to choose the perfect gesture Did you know that people have different love languages*? This topic usually comes up when talking about couples, but the concept applies to anyone important in your life. Have you ever tried to do something...
Checklist for the perfect Mother’s Day brunch
Do you want to make the perfect Mother’s Day brunch? Like anything, it will be much easier to pull off with a little prior planning. Here’s a checklist . . . if you get started today you’ll have an elegant brunch that your mom will love! Today, Saturday April 30: Figure out who you want to invite. If it’s just your immediate family things are easy. But if you want others to come, send out email invitations TODAY and ask them to RSVP by tomorrow evening. In the age of internet invitations, if people are going to RSVP they usually...
Contest: Help us name our newest home and win a 48″ TV!
The River Club is introducing a new 1,500 square foot home. It will be located in our beautiful site in Sparta, and will be designed by our partners at L&M Custom Homes. All that’s missing is a name! This is where you come in. We’re asking our Facebook friends and website viewers to help us come up with a name. The winner will be awarded a brand new 48 inch TV!! Here are the details: Deadline: Contest will run through 5:00 pm Central Standard Time on Friday, May 6, 2016. Winner Announced: The winner will be announced on The River Club...
Last minute Easter decorating and entertaining ideas
Did you leave your Easter preparations to the last minute? If so you’re not alone. We have some last minute ideas for decorating with eggs (you don’t even have to boil them). You can use them to make a tiny garden, flower arrangements, or even start seedlings to be put outside when the danger of frost clears. All are easy and attractive, and there’s a bonus: you can still use the contents of the eggs to make an elegant Easter brunch like a quiche or a frittata. We’ve included links to those recipes below, plus a surprise recipe of something...
How to decorate beautiful Easter eggs- naturally
Ever since I was a kid I have loved decorating Easter eggs. However, the other day I went to buy some Easter egg dye. As reading the labels of all the food I buy has become a habit, my eyes were instinctively drawn to the fine print on the dye box. There was a label that said many of the ingredients in the dyes presented hazards to young children. That scared me a little bit! I’m not normally a fanatic about buying organic, but that warning label made me think twice. Especially since we eventually wanted to eat the eggs....
Our favorite Easter “flower” arrangements
Maybe it was the long, cold winter . . . but this year we here at The River Club are really having fun decorating for Easter. Nothing says spring and Easter to us like fresh flowers (well, we like those chocolate bunnies too but the calories add up pretty quickly and we want to fit into our new Easter dresses next weekend). So we’ve combed the web to find our favorite Easter flower arrangements/decorating ideas. Here they are, in no particular order: 1. Flowers in an egg lined vase- This is our new obsession! It’s not that difficult- you can...
Top 10 Home Design Trends in 2016
Since the River Club will be at The Homebuilder’s Association of Cumberland County’s 2016 Home Show this weekend, we decided to dedicate this week’s blog post to the latest design trends. We combed design magazines, blogs, Pinterest and physical stores to find the latest and greatest. 1. Panatone Pink Quartz+Serenity- Pantone is the world-wide authority on color. Each year they chose a color that they think best characterizes global cultural trends and moods. 2016 is the first year they chose two colors: pink quartz, a lovely rose shade, and serenity, a tranquil light blue. According to the Panatone Color Institute,...
Spring gardening made easy
Do you want to start a flower or vegetable garden but get overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Gardening is one of those things that seems simple enough, but the more you talk to experts and master gardeners, the trickier it seems. Think about it . . . if it was that complicated for a plant to grow, the whole earth would be a desert! Remember those bean plants your kids grew in school? Where they simply put a bean in a cup full of dirt, watered it a bit and it sprouted in a few days? Well, gardening really can be...
Enjoy an active, healthy retirement: The Jackson floorplan
Retirement doesn’t have to be boring! Especially if you retire young. The River Club knows this. With its focus on a healthy, active lifestyle, many of our residents are in better shape now than when they left the “rat race”. Attainable luxury with The Jackson Most people don’t want to spend a fortune on a retirement home. They want to downsize, but still live comfortably. If this sounds like you, we invite you to take a close look at The Jackson. It is a 1,699 square foot home and includes a base lot. It is the perfect example of rustic...
Last minute Valentine’s Day gift ideas
Still haven’t picked out a Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other? You’re not alone . . . More often than not, people leave Valentine’s Day gifts/plans to the last minute. I’ve done it too so have decided to use this week’s blog post to offer some suggestions on last minute gifts you can make/buy. FOR HER: I’m a woman so I can safely say . . . I don’t think you can go wrong buying your wife/girlfriend something romantic and traditional for Valentine’s Day. Unless she’s really into juicing and making smoothies, forget about the blender. And while we’re...
Cozy winter decorating ideas
This week we all asked the question: will spring come early? All eyes (mine included) were on Punxsutawney Phil. The good news is that he didn’t see his shadow! So theoretically, spring will come early this year. The bad news is that through the years, Phil has only been accurate 39% of the time. Doing a little research on Groundhog’s Day I learned another interesting fact: it is originally based upon a holiday called Candlemas, which marks the 40th day after Christmas. This is essentially the halfway point of winter. If I was an optimist I would be feeling pretty...
Winter warmth inside our model home: The Townsend
Who says winter has to be depressing? It can also be warm and cozy. Here’s an example of a perfect winter afternoon in Central Tennessee. Imagine going for a crisp hike in the beautiful woods surrounding The River Club. Today it’s supposed to hit 63 degrees with brilliant sunshine overhead. Put on a lightweight jacket, find your sunglasses and go exploring. Since the leaves are off the trees, the sunlight will stream through the branches and cast thin shadows on the ground. Walk through the woods and smell the air, washed clean by winter breezes. Feel the firm ground underfoot....
Top 10 reasons to retire in Tennessee
Tennessee was admitted to the Union as the 16th state on June 1, 1796. It is the 36th largest state in the nation, and the 17th most populous. It is also one of the best kept secrets in the retirement world. Here are our 10 favorite reasons why: 1) Income tax is only collected on dividends and interest. There are only seven states in America that don’t collect income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Two states only collect income tax on dividend and interest income: New Hampshire and Tennessee. Furthermore, if you and your spouse...
5 Meditation techniques to help you keep your New Year’s Resolution
A daily meditation practice is one of the best things you can do to help you develop discipline and peace of mind. However, it can take years to build a practice that is deep enough to help you resist bad habits and behavior you may not aspire to. Sometimes, you need a quick fix. Here are five techniques you can use to help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions. They can be used on a one-time-only basis, or repeatedly. Remember, like all things: “practice makes perfect.” The more you use these techniques, the more helpful they will be. Take a...
Last minute holiday gift ideas made easy
Do you still have last minute Christmas shopping to do? If so, you’re definitely not alone. The good news is there is still time! However, if you’re buying gifts that need to be shipped, you need to act quickly. Note that today, December 21st, is the last day that you can mail something by Priority Mail Service from the USPS and have it delivered by Christmas. If you don’t mind paying the extra money, you have until December 23rd to mail it by Priority Express Service and have it delivered by Christmas. Alternatively, if you’re pressed for time (or don’t...
10 Creative holiday wreath ideas
Looking for a new decorating idea this Christmas but don’t want to spend a fortune? Why not make a wreath? Even if you’re not particularly “crafty,” a wreath is relatively easy- especially if you have good, clear instructions. Plus there are so many ideas! They range from variations on the traditional pine boughs to wreaths made of candy, vintage ornaments and even wine corks. In fact, there are so many options out there that sometimes it can be overwhelming to narrow down the choices. This week, The River Club blog has done the work for you! We’ve spent hours browsing...
8 Benefits of having a meditation practice
Almost everyone has heard of yoga and knows its benefits. What is less well known, but equally important, are the benefits of a regular meditation, or mindfulness, practice. To put it simply, meditation is training your mind. The goal is to be able to think about only one thing and, ultimately, to be able to think about nothing. It sounds simple but, especially in today’s fast paced world dominated by technology, it can be quite challenging. However, like anything that is challenging, it has many benefits. Here are eight some of our favorite: Increased productivity-Meditation requires focus. You learn to...
Money Management for Retirement: First Steps
[su_spacer size=”25″] The world has changed The world has changed drastically in the past few decades. In past generations, people tended to have one job for many years. They lived together in single family units, with the husband acting as the sole bread winner. When he retired at the average age of 62 he and his spouse typically received a pension and a government stipend. Health insurance costs were reasonable and life expectancies for most people were in the late 60’s, so the need for planning was minimal. Now, with increased life expectancies, multiple jobs (and even multiple careers), skyrocketing...
10 Fascinating facts about Halloween
1. Halloween, also known as All Hallows’ Eve, can be traced back about 2,000 years to a pre-Christian Celtic festival held around November 1st called Samhain (pronounced “sah-win”), which means “summer’s end” in Gaelic. Primarily a harvest festival, it was also viewed as the beginning of the year and a time when the dead could return to earth. 2. Halloween was influenced by the ancient Roman festival Pomona, which celebrated the harvest goddess of the same name. Interestingly, many Halloween customs and games that feature apples (such as bobbing for apples) and nuts date from this time. In fact, in...
5 Easy yoga poses to start your morning
There’s a reason why yoga has developed so many devoted followers. Aside from being a great way to get exercise, it has many other benefits. It increases oxygen flow to your blood, calms your mind and even leads to an increased sense of well-being. Many people want to try yoga to experience these benefits, but are either intimidated or don’t know where to begin. We spoke with a yoga instructor who has taught yoga for fourteen years, and asked her for five basic poses that anyone can do to start their day. She recommended the following: 1. Cat and Cow...
5 unique ways to see fall foliage in Tennessee
Fall is many people’s favorite time of the year, and with good reason. There is usually a lot of sun, the air is crisp and clear and changing leaves paint the landscape beautiful hues of red, yellow, orange and even purple.  Those that live in the state know that Tennessee has some of the most beautiful fall landscapes in the world. The peak time to see leaves starts now: mid to late October in east Tennessee, early November for middle Tennessee and mid to late November for western Tennessee. We’ve made a list of our favorite places to experience the...
10 amazing things about 55+ communities
Retirement isn’t what it used to be. More and more people are making the decision to either retire early, or start a new career that allows them to focus on their loved ones and activities they enjoy. Early retirement isn’t a final stop, but a lifestyle change. If this idea resonates with you, we recommend that you consider a 55+ Community. There are communities that are partially, or fully, restricted to people aged 55 and older. They have many advantages- here are our ten favorite: They are filled with like-minded people- you can easily meet people of your age and...
What every retiree needs to know about Tennessee taxes
When people relocate for economic reasons, they usually do so to either increase their revenue or decrease their costs. Before people retire, they typically focus on the revenue side of the picture. After they retire, the cost side of the equation becomes the most important. Americans are subject to a myriad of taxes. Sales tax, car taxes, cigarette taxes, income tax, gift taxes, hotel taxes: the list is seemingly endless. For most retirees, the most important to focus on are income taxes and personal property taxes. Tennessee income tax There are only seven states in America that don’t collect income...

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The River Club is located in idyllic Middle Tennessee. It is in a quiet, rural location that is an easy drive from Nashville.

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